Benjamin Moore Regal Select and Aura are two of the finest options when shopping for premium paint.
They utilize Benjamin Moore’s propriety Gennex Color Technology which uses special color formulas to eliminate chemicals that cause dulling in standard paints.
Moreover, both are highly durable and resistant to mildew and mold.
But they aren’t the same. So, which is better? The following head-to-head comparison between benjamin moore regal vs aura should help you make an informed choice.
Benjamin Moore Regal vs Aura, Which One Is Better?
Benjamin Moore Regal Select and Aura are both premium paints suited for high-end projects. However, Regal Select offers more coverage and is easier to clean. Also, it comes at a slightly lower price tag. Meanwhile, Aura is Benjamin Moore’s flagship product and one of the industry’s best paints. It’s thicker and covers underneath colors better. But the hefty price tag puts off most users.
Benjamin Moore Paint Grades Explained
Although it makes quality paints, not all Benjamin Moore paints are the same. Instead, the company uses various quality levels to fulfil diverse client and project needs.
The four main interior paints are Super Hide, Super Spec, Regal, and Aura.
1. Benjamin Moore Super Hide
This is the lowest grade in the Benjamin Moore interior paint lineup. It’s specially designed to cover well and swiftly without burning a hole in the user’s pocket.
However, it’s an endurable paint best suited for new residences, especially if you intend to repaint soon. Super Hide eggshell is the most popular option, but flat and semi-gloss sheens are available.
2. Benjamin Moore Super Spec
This is the next quality level after Super Hide. It’s superior to Super Hide, and the price reflects it. As such, many painters use it for business applications or as a Regal alternative.
It’s available in eggshell, flat, and semi-gloss sheens.
3. Benjamin Moore Regal Select
Regal select was originally the highest quality paint from Benjamin Moore Moore. Indeed, Regal paints are the main reason Benjamin Moore gained its high status in the industry.
They are premium paints that hold up against any high-quality paint in the industry.
4. Benjamin Moore Aura
Aura has since replaced Regal Select as the highest-placed paint in Benjamin Moore’s product line. It’s extremely durable, has low odor, and is environmentally friendly.
Also, it makes any color appear richer. However, it is very expensive.
What Is Benjamin Moore Regal Select Paint?
Regal Select is Benjamin Moore’s premium paint line and the brand’s best-selling paint. It’s available in interior and exterior formulations and is mainly designed to provide the perfect finish in fewer coats.
Additionally, Regal Select is a fast-drying paint that reduces splattering and cleanup. Best Benjamin Moore Regal Select exterior and interior paints are available in four finishes, flat, matte, eggshell, and pearl.
The pearl finish is a satin-like option with a 20% to 25% sheen. Benjamin Moore Regal Select price starts from $90/US gallon. Since this is determined by paint weight, you may be interested to know how much does a paint can weigh to better understand the costs associated with your project.
Pros
- Includes paint and primer in one
- Easy to apply
- Easily washable with soap and water
- Available in all Benjamin Moore colors and white
Cons
- It’s expensive
What Is Benjamin Moore Aura Paint?
Aura is Benjamin Moore’s ultra-premium paint line. It’s available in interior and exterior formulations too. But more importantly, it’s self-priming.
However, it’s mainly designed for superior coverage and extreme hide. Also, the higher pigment concentration ensures a superior, elevated paint shade.
Aura boasts a proprietary Color Lock technology that reduces fading and color rub-off even in extreme climates. It’s available in matte, satin, eggshell and semi-gloss sheens in Benjamin Moore’s 3500+ colors. Learn more about matte vs flat paint here.
Pros
- Extreme hide and coverage
- No color rub-off
- Excellent for high-traffic areas
- Stains wash easily
Cons
- It’s expensive
Benjamin Moore Regal Select vs Aura Paint: Head to Head
Now we know a little about Regal Select and Aura. But what are the differences between the two paint grades? Let’s find out.
1. Paint properties and technologies
Both Regal and Aura are water-based latex paints. This is great news, as water-based paints are durable and easy to maintain.
But more importantly, both use Benjamin Moore’s Gennex water-based pigment formula for superior color depth and vibrancy.
Also, both utilize the company’s proprietary acrylic resin formula that replaces oil and latex paints with cleaner, safer, and healthier paints.
The technology also produces low-VOC and Zero-VOC paints. However, the main difference is that Aura paints utilize a third paint technology known as Color Lock.
Color Lock embeds pigments in binding molecules to lock the color into the paint film, increasing fading and rub-off resistance and UV damage. It’s the main reason Aura is superior to Regal Select.
Winner: Benjamin Moore Aura
2. Colors and finishes
Regal and Aura come in the same colors and finishes, with minor differences. The company offers 3500 basic colors, known as Benjamin Moore colors.
These colors are available for both Regal and Aura users. Additionally, it offers 75 unique color palettes to coordinate shades across the project. Again, this applies to Regal and Aura products.
The main difference is that Aura interior paint users have access to another 240 colors from the Aura Color Stories. These unique, multi-pigment color formulas aren’t available in any other Benjamin Moore paint line, including Regal Select.
The sheens or finishes are also similar, except for an extra sheen when you choose Regal. Both offer matte, eggshell, satin (or pearl), and semi-gloss finishes.
Pearl finishes are soft gloss finishes equivalent to satin. However, Regal Select offers a flat finish for interior and exterior applications, while Aura lacks a flat option for interior painting.
Winner: Benjamin Moore Aura
3. Number of coats
One of the biggest draws of Benjamin Moore premium paints is that you only need two coats to achieve the desired finish, whereas many competing paints require three coats. This saves cost and labor.
However, Aura is often the better choice because you may achieve the perfect finish with just one paint coat. This may sound impossible until you consider the technologies that go into making Aura paints and the components of the paint.
For instance, Aura paints comprise more pigments than traditional paints. Pigments are the solid components that give the paint its color intensity and durability.
Thus, a higher pigment composition guarantees increased durability, scratch resistance, and wear resistance. Moreover, Aura employs Paint Lock technology to reduce paint degradation further.
Winner: Benjamin Moore Aura
4. Primer
Both Regal Select and Aura are self-priming paints with built-in primers. So, you don’t need additional priming to get the desired results. This is great news because it reduces painting costs and labor.
What is the importance of using a primer? It covers surface imperfections for a cleaner, sleeker finish. However, we often recommend priming even if the paint has a built-in primer.
Otherwise, you end up with preventable bumps and marks. Moreover, primers cover previous paint colors and finishes for a more consistent surface.
Priming is particularly necessary when applying the first coat or using a lighter sheen on a previously painted surface.
Also, consider priming if you intend to apply a single coat of paint. That said, Regal paints require priming more than Aura products.
Winner – Tie
5. Thickness
Both Benjamin Moore Regal Select and Benjamin Moore Aura are thick paints. However, Aura is thicker as it contains more solid components.
So, why is paint thickness important? There are a few reasons. First, a higher composition of solids increases the paint’s durability. Therefore, thicker paint is more resistant to scratches and dents.
Additionally, Aura’s higher solid composition means a higher color concentration and reduced fading.
Thicker paint also covers underlying colors better and typically requires fewer coats. On the flip side, thicker paint is more difficult to spread and covers a smaller area per gallon.
Winner: Benjamin Moore Regal Select
6. Coverage
Benjamin Moore Regal Select typically covers 400 to 450 square feet per gallon. Meanwhile, Benjamin Moore Aura covers 350 to 400 square feet per gallon.
So, you can see that there’s a sizable difference between the two. As we’ve already seen, the coverage has an impact on costs and labor. For instance, you need more gallons if the paint covers only a small area per unit volume.
More gallons of paint cost extra money to purchase and transport. On the other hand, higher coverage reduces labor requirements.
The good news is that low-coverage paints often require fewer coats. They are also more durable and have a higher color retention potential.
Winner: Benjamin Moore Regal Select
7. Drying time
Both Benjamin Moore Aura and Regal Select are fast-drying paints, as are all water-based paints. However, Aura dries a little faster than Regal.
Benjamin Moore Aura is ready for the second coat in an hour. Meanwhile, Regal Select is ready for the second coat after two hours.
But you must remember a few things. For instance, drying times depend on the weather and the condition of the painted surface.
For instance, drying takes longer in colder, humid conditions. Similarly, a wet or damp surface may prolong the drying process. On the other hand, hot, dry conditions accelerate the drying process.
Also, note that drying time isn’t the most important issue when you need a single coat. It only becomes a problem when you need multiple coats.
Winner: Benjamin Moore Aura
8. Scuff resistance
Benjamin Moore Aura paints are more scuff and scratch resistant. You’ll get the message if you carefully read the product label.
It states that Aura paints resist most types of scuffs, keeping your walls cleaner for longer. The main reason is the high solid concentration and color-locking technology. The two features ensure the color stays around for longer.
Moreover, Aura is highly washable. So you can clean any marks without damaging the paint. Use a soft cloth and soapy water to wash painted walls.
Unfortunately, Benjamin Moore doesn’t list scuff resistance among the benefits of Regal Select paints. Therefore, you may notice more marks and scuffs.
Winner: Benjamin Moore Aura
9. Stain-blocking properties
All Benjamin Moore paints have stain-blocking technology to prevent discoloration when painted surfaces are exposed to materials that typically leave stains.
For instance, soot from the chimney can easily cause staining. Mold is another common cause of wall stains.
The worst part is that sometimes the staining happens without notice. So, stain-blocking paint can be invaluable in areas like basements and kitchens.
Both Benjamin Moore Regal Select and Benjamin Moore Aura offer stain-blocking properties to keep your walls clean and stain-free for a long time.
Winner – Tie
10. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) levels
Benjamin Moore is one of the best brands when shopping for low-VOC paint. The company goes to every extent to remove volatile organic compounds from its paint lines.
Thus, even the lower paint grades like Super Spec and Super Hide have very low VOC content. However, Aura has the lowest VOC content of all Benjamin Moore paint products. It contains less than 5g/liter, thus qualifying as zero-VOC paint.
Benjamin Moore Regal Select isn’t too far off. At 47 g/liter, it’s below the 50 g/liter cutoff and better than most paints on the market. However, it’s much higher than Aura.
Winner: Benjamin Moore Aura
11. Mold resistance
Both Benjamin Moore Regal Select and Aura are equally mold and mildew resistant. As a result, both work well in humid rooms, such as basements and bathrooms.
The exterior paints are also mold and mildew resistant. But it’s important to understand that mold-resistant paint alone cannot solve an existing mold problem.
There’s a common misconception that painting a mold-infested surface with mold-resistant paint solves the problem. This isn’t true. Instead, mold-resistant paint is used on mold-free surfaces to prevent invasion.
So, don’t paint over a mold-ravaged surface using Regal Select or Aura. Instead, treat the mold problem, allow the surface to dry, and prime it with mold-resistant primer before painting.
Winner – Tie
12. Ease of application
Regal Select is easier to apply than Aura paint. First, it’s lighter, thus spreading more readily. Thinner paint is also less prone to drips and unevenness.
Additionally, Regal’s splatter resistance makes it easy to apply. Sadly, Aura isn’t splatter-resistant. However, this doesn’t mean that Benjamin Moore Aura paint is difficult to apply.
On the contrary, it paints quite easily for a so-called thick paint. The only mistake many painters make is overloading the brush. This can cause brush marks and drip.
If you experience significant application issues, consider spraying. Spray painting guarantees a level coat of uniform thickness. It also eliminates drips and streaks.
Winner: Benjamin Moore Regal Select
13. Ease of maintenance
The two paint types are low-maintenance compared to competing options. First, neither paint stains easily. Although Aura is more stain and scuff-resistant, Regal Select isn’t far behind.
Therefore, you can look forward to spotless walls. Moreover, you can easily wash the walls to remove dust or marks. Also, you can use a gentle cleaner like ammonia or bleach-free dish soap to remove stubborn stains – without damaging the painted surface.
However, be careful when washing painted surfaces. For instance, a clean microfiber cloth works better than cotton rags. More importantly, be gentle. This is one of the cases where a light wipe works better than an aggressive scrub.
Winner: Benjamin Moore Aura
Benjamin Moore Regal Select Vs Aura Cost
Cost is another significant difference between Benjamin Moore Regal and Benjamin Moore Aura paints. Aura is about 30% more expensive than Regal Select.
For instance, if you find Regal Select at $110, expect a comparable Aura to cost around $140. Moreover, many painters charge a premium to apply Aura. However, Aura’s total cost might be lower if you need only one coat.
FAQs
Is Aura better than Regal?
Yes, Benjamin Moore Aura paint is better than Benjamin Moore Regal Select paint. It beats Regal Select in every aspect except coverage, ease of application, and pricing. This explains why it’s at the top of the pile among Benjamin Moore paints and one of the best premium paints in the market.
What is the difference between Aura and Regal Select?
The main difference between Benjamin Moore Aura and Regal Select paints is technology. Though both utilize Benjamin Moore’s Gennex water-based paint technology and the acrylic resin formula, Aura features a third technology – Color Lock – that changes everything. It makes aura paints bolder, more durable, and more resistant to wear.
Is Benjamin Moore Aura worth it?
Yes, Benjamin Moore Aura paints are worth it. They are 30% more expensive and up to three times as expensive as regular paints. However, they last much longer than common alternatives and are much more stain and scratch resistant. Also, the Color-Lock technology resists fading, retaining the paint color for a long time.
What Are the Different Levels of Benjamin Moore Paints?
Benjamin Moore offers four main paint grades – Super Hide, Super Spec, Regal Select, and Aura. Super Hide is the lowest grade, followed by Super Hide.
Meanwhile, Regal Select is a premium grade, whereas Aura is an ultra-premium grade. All four paint grades are available in several finishes and Benjamin Moore’s 3500+ colors.
Benjamin Moore Regal Vs Aura, Which is Better?
Regal Select and Aura are both exceptional paints. The two are the Best Benjamin Moore interior and exterior paints and boast many advantages missing from regular paints.
However, Aura is better, beating Regal Select in every contest, except for coverage, ease of application, and price.
When to Use Benjamin Moore Regal: We recommend Benjamin Moore Regal Select Paint if you desire premium paint at a reasonable price. It’s better than 90% of the paints you’ll find out there, but it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
When to Aura Interior Paints: We recommend Aura paints if you want the best of the best; if you aren’t willing to settle. It’s significantly more expensive than competing alternatives. But it’s equally many levels better.