Best Primer Paint of 2025

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Primer paint is a type of paint that is used as a preparatory coat before applying the final layer of paint. It is designed to create a smooth and even surface for the final coat to adhere to, while also providing additional durability and protection for the underlying surface. Primer paint is available in a range of colors and formulations, including water-based and oil-based options, and can be used on a variety of surfaces, including wood, metal, and masonry. Whether you're painting a room in your home or refinishing a piece of furniture, primer paint is an essential tool for achieving a professional-looking finish.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Primer Paint
ZINSSER Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Based Stain Blocking Primer/Sealer
ZINSSER Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Based Stain Blocking Primer/Sealer is an all-purpose, high-performance primer that can be used on new or previously painted drywall, concrete, wood, masonry, metal and glossy or difficult surfaces. Its water-based formula seals uniformly and will stick to the surface without sanding. It dries to the touch in 35 minutes, ready to topcoat in 1 hour, and covers up to 112 sq. ft. per quart. The primer has excellent stain blocking resistance and can be used with any oil or latex topcoat. Its one-coat hide saves time and money by improving the hide and coverage of topcoats.
Zinsser Rust-OLEUM 249933 1-2-3 Plus Quart
Zinsser Rust-OLEUM 249933 1-2-3 Plus Quart is a water-based primer that blocks water stains and is suitable for all projects, both interior, and exterior. It is easy to use and dries in one hour, sticking to any surface. This primer covers approximately 350-400 square feet per gallon depending on surface type, providing a matte finish. Its low-VOC and low odor formula make it an excellent choice for those who are sensitive to strong smells. It penetrates and seals porous surfaces, making it ideal for surfaces such as wood, drywall, and masonry.
INSL-X AP100009A-01 Prime All Multi-Surface Primer
INSL-X Multi-Surface Primer is a 100% acrylic primer that provides powerful adhesion and stain blocking properties to various interior and exterior surfaces. It is easy to apply, quick-drying, and offers mildew-resistant coating. With its strong sealing properties, this primer is perfect for preparing surfaces for a topcoat in as little as one hour. The 400-450 square foot coverage per gallon makes it a cost-effective solution for large projects. It is not recommended for use on floor surfaces. Overall, INSL-X Multi-Surface Primer is a versatile and reliable primer for any painting project.
FolkArt Clear Paint Primer
The FolkArt Clear Paint Primer is a water-based, non-toxic, and flexible primer suitable for interior surfaces such as metal, paper, plastic, and wood. Its 8 oz bottle can cover up to 20 sq ft area. With a clear finish, this lightweight primer can be mixed with your favorite FolkArt Acrylic Paint to achieve a colored base. Using this clear primer will give all your projects a smooth base for painting and make it an essential part of your painting routine.
Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X Ultra Cover, Flat White Primer
Rust-Oleum Primer is an ideal choice for both interior and exterior surfaces, including wood, plastic, plaster, metal, masonry, and unglazed ceramic. Its oil-based formula provides long-lasting protection with low odor and chip-resistant features. With a quick-drying feature, it can dry to touch in 20 minutes and cover up to 12 sq. ft. per can. The durable formula provides excellent hide and goes on smoothly, which makes it a perfect surface for painting. Rust-Oleum Primer offers a flat finish, which makes it an excellent surface for painting.
Rust-Oleum Synthetic Shellac Watercolor Primer
If you're looking for a high-quality primer that can block stains and smells, Rust-Oleum Corporation 271009 Synthetic Shellac Watercolor Primer is an excellent choice. This water-based, fast-drying primer sealer is perfect for use on both interior and exterior surfaces. With its high hiding bright white finish, it can cover up water stains, rust stains, graffiti, crayon, and even grease. It's also great at blocking odors caused by smoke, cigar, cigarette, pets, and food. Moreover, this primer sealer can seal knots, sap, and tannin.
Zinsser Mold Killing Primer, Quart
Zinsser 276087 Mold Killing Primer is a water-based protective primer that kills existing mold, mildew, moss, fungi and odor-causing bacteria on non-porous interior and exterior surfaces. It dries quickly, covers up to 160 sq. ft., and can be recoated within one hour. This primer is formulated to kill existing mold, mildew, and odor-causing bacteria, and to prevent future growth of these organisms. It works with any topcoat and is ideal for use with Zinsser perma-white. It binds chalky siding, masonry, and metal.
Zinsser 2244 Bulls Eye WB Primer Sealer
Zinsser WB Primer is a water-based low-odor formula that is perfect for priming interior surfaces such as walls, doors, trim, plaster, and concrete. Its exceptional stain-hiding ability makes it ideal for use on dark or porous surfaces. The primer dries to the touch in just 30 minutes and covers up to 100 sq. ft. per quart, creating a uniform flat-finish surface that is perfect for top coating. Additionally, this primer adheres to slick surfaces without the need for deglossing or sanding, saving you time and effort. With Zinsser WB Primer, you can easily prime and prepare your surfaces for a professional-looking finish.
ZINSSER Peel Stop Triple Thick Ponding Primer
ZINSSER Peel Stop Triple Thick Ponding Primer is a water-based primer-sealer that can be used on peeling, worn interior or exterior surfaces including wood, metal, concrete, and more. Its triple-thick formula penetrates and bonds with cracked or peeling surfaces to glue down edges and fill in gaps for a smooth finish. It creates a smooth, flexible, sealed finish and can be top-coated with any alkyd or latex paint. The primer-sealer dries to the touch in 30 minutes and can be recoated in 2 hours, sealing worn surfaces for a smooth finish.
Zinsser 373693 HIDZ Primer and Sealer
The Zinsser Primer and Sealer is a versatile solution for both interior and exterior projects. This water-based primer effectively conceals previous colors and seals porous surfaces, making it ideal for a variety of applications. You will appreciate its fast-drying formula, which allows it to dry to the touch in just 30 minutes and be ready for a topcoat in only one hour. It covers up to 100 square feet per quart, ensuring efficient use. Additionally, its excellent flow and leveling properties make application smooth and easy, even on challenging surfaces like glossy paint and metal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is primer paint used for?
Primer paint is a base coat used to treat surfaces before applying a topcoat. It helps ensure maximum adhesion and acts as a sealer for porous surfaces. Primer also helps to prevent stains from bleeding through the paint and promotes the longevity of the paint job.
2. Do I need to prime before painting?
Priming is important when repainting surfaces with stains, discoloration, or damage from smoke, water, or mildew. Regular paint alone will not effectively seal the surface. Priming helps to prevent stains from bleeding through the fresh paint and provides a better base for adhesion.
3. How many coats of primer do I need before paint?
Typically, 2-3 coats of primer are recommended before applying paint. This ensures a good bond between the new paint and the surface, covers up previous colors, especially strong or outdated ones like red or orange, and provides a smooth and even base for the paint.
4. Can you paint directly on primer?
Yes, you can paint directly on primer as long as it has been freshly applied within a month or so. However, painting over old primer may not work well as the old primer may start to break down, affecting the overall finish and adhesion of the paint.
5. What happens if you don't prime before painting?
Without priming, surfaces like fresh drywall may absorb paint unevenly, resulting in an uneven and patchy finish, especially along drywall seams. This means you may need to apply more paint to achieve a smooth and even coat, which can be time-consuming and costly.
6. How long do you wait to paint after primer?
Most latex primers dry to the touch in 30 minutes to one hour. However, for best results, it's recommended to wait until the primer completely dries, which can take up to 3 hours depending on temperature and humidity. Once the primer is fully dry, you can proceed with painting.
During our primer paint research, we found 24 primer paint products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 70,740 customer reviews through our big data system to write the primer paint list. We found that most customers choose primer paint with an average price of $16.06.
The primer paint are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of primer paint, including Zinsser, INSL-X, FolkArt, Rust-Oleum. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Howard Chester is an architect from New York who holds a master's degree in architectural design, his passions for interior design and home improvement contribute to his extensive knowledge of all things furniture and home goods. Howard Chester Specializes in various architectural and interior design projects. He often publishes articles related to decoration on key websites and interior design magazines.
Primer Paint Comparison Table
#TOP1 | #TOP2 | #TOP3 | #TOP4 | #TOP5 | #TOP6 | #TOP7 | #TOP8 | #TOP9 | #TOP10 | |
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Brand | Zinsser | Zinsser | INSL-X | FolkArt | Rust-Oleum | Rust-Oleum | Zinsser | Zinsser | Zinsser | Zinsser |
Color | White | White | White | Clear | Flat White Primer | White | White | White | White | White |
Finish Type | Flatt / Matte | Matte | Flat | Gloss | Matte | Matte | Matte | Flatt / Matte | Matte | Flat |
Size | 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) | 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) | 128 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) | 8 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) | 12 Ounce (Pack of 6) | 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) | 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) | 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) | 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) | 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) |
Item Volume | 1 Quarts | 946.35 Milliliters | 128 Fluid Ounces | 8 Fluid Ounces | 12 Fluid Ounces | 946.35 Milliliters | 946.35 Milliliters | 32 Fluid Ounces | 1 Quarts | 32 Fluid Ounces |
Unit Count | 32.0 Fluid Ounces | 32.0 Fluid Ounces | 128.0 Fluid Ounces | 8.0 Fluid Ounces | 72.0 Ounce | 32.0 Fluid Ounces | 32.0 Fluid Ounces | 32.0 Fluid Ounces | 32.0 Fluid Ounces | 32.0 Fluid Ounces |
Paint Type | Water Based | Watercolor | Acrylic | Acrylic | Oil | Watercolor | Water Based | Watercolor | Water-based | Acrylic |
Specific Uses For Product | Interior/Exterior | Interior/Exterior | Floor | Interior | Interior/Exterior | Interior/Exterior | Interior/Exterior | Interior | Interior | Interior/Exterior |
Surface Recommendation | Drywall, Concrete, Wood, Masonry, Metal | Ceramic | Floor | Canvas,Ceramics,Metal,Paper,Plastic,Wood | Ceramic,Masonry,Metal,Wood | Metal,Wood | Masonry,Metal | Plaster | Wood, Stucco, Masonry, Metal, Vinyl Siding | Multi-Surface |
Special Feature | - | Low Odor | Stain Resistant | Non Toxic | Low odor, Chip Resistant | Low Odor | mold-killing | fast-drying | Washable | Tintable, Fast-Drying |
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Where to Buy |