Standing in the paintbrush aisle in your local DIY store, it can be daunting trying to decide which type of brush to choose for your painting project.
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The first consideration is the type of paint you'll be using: gloss or emulsion. Natural bristle brushes are excellent for solvent- or oil-based paints like gloss. On the other hand, synthetic bristles work better for water-based paints as they don't absorb water and swell. If you're painting woodwork, such as skirting boards or window frames, an angled brush would be particularly beneficial for precise cutting in and achieving a smooth finish.
Most DIY enthusiasts start with a multipack of brushes for general painting tasks, which is also where we focused our review. When shopping for a brush set, look for packs that include a 25mm brush for corners, a 38-40mm brush for skirting boards and door frames, and a 50mm brush for larger surfaces. In our tests, we evaluated three-brush packs from leading suppliers to determine which offered the best performance.
For more DIY paint tips and advice, we've put together expert buyer's guides about the best chalk paint brushes for your upcycling projects, 10 of the best painting tools, and how to paint and gloss a door.
What are the best paint brushes?
GoodHome fine filament tip paint brush set
Score 10/10
Pros
- Resting lip feature to prevent paint transfer when the brush is laid down
- Dense bristles
- Comfy handle
- Eco credentials
Cons
- No textured grip on handle
The coverage was very good and we didn’t experience any bristle loss during painting.
Kit contains 25mm, 40mm, 50mm paintbrushes
This general-purpose paint brush set is suitable for any surface or paint type, but it’s ideal for emulsion paints thanks to its deep, dense synthetic bristles. After running our fingers through the synthetic brush before starting work, we were pleased to note no bristle loss.
The polypropylene handle and nylon ferrule are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, setting it apart from others with its modern design. The handle was chunky and comfortable to hold for extended periods, although its lack of textured grips could make it slippery for messy painters.
We were particularly impressed with the resting feature—a raised lip on the ferrule designed to lay the brush flat without transferring paint. It’s perfect for taking breaks during your project. The handle also has a hole for hanging.
Are these brushes any good?
The dense bristles mean a high paint hold and release capacity, reducing the need for frequent re-loads. The coverage was very good, and we didn’t experience any bristle loss during painting. The brush's streamlined design made it easy to clean, with no problematic grooves for paint to accumulate.
Does this set offer value for money?
Priced at £9 for three brushes, we found this set offered excellent performance and comfort for the cost.
Hamilton For The Trade synthetic paint brush set
Score 9/10
Pros
- Fine, long, dense bristles
- Comfortable FSC-certified wood handle
Cons
- Handle can get colour stained easily
- No hanging hole for storage
These brushes felt and performed like expensive professional brushes
Kit contains 25mm, 38mm, 50mm paintbrushes
With a variety of sizes included, this set is versatile for use with all types of paint and varnish, making it a good all-rounder.
The fine-tipped flat brushes have solid, tapered synthetic filaments that reduce tramlines when painting.
The FSC-certified wooden beavertail handle is smooth and comfortable, making it easy to paint for long periods without hand fatigue.
The long bristles are firmly secured in the stainless steel ferrule, and we experienced no bristle loss. The manufacturer recommends wetting the brush and spinning it out before first use.
Are these brushes any good?
The dense yet fine bristles hold a good amount of paint and provide a smooth, even coverage without any bristle loss.
While the bristles are easy to clean, the unvarnished wooden handle can get stained more easily.
Does this set offer value for money
These brushes felt and performed like expensive professional brushes, so they are a bargain at £7.69 for the set.
Wooster silver tip paint brush set
Score 8/10
- Buy now from Brewers, £32.84
Pros
- Comfortable FSC-certified wooden handle
- Long, fine, dense bristles
Cons
- Handle can get colour stained easily
At £17.99 for a set for three brushes, these were the priciest we tested, but they come with a one-year guarantee.
Kit contains 25mm, 38mm, 50mm paintbrushes
This set offers a good variety of brush sizes suitable for all types of paint and varnish. The long, fine synthetic bristles provided smooth finish and controlled paint flow. The bristles are firmly held by a stainless steel ferrule, attached to a comfortable, FSC-certified beech wood beavertail handle.
We did not experience bristle loss after combing the bristles with our fingers before use.
Are these brushes any good?
These brushes hold their shape well, making cutting-in easy and flawless. The fine yet dense bristles provided an even finish, reducing tramlines.
The bristles are easy to clean, but the unvarnished wooden handle can easily get stained with paint.
Does this set offer value for money
Though priced at £17.99 for three brushes, they come with a one-year guarantee. The comfort and performance make them worth the price.
- Buy now from Brewers, £16.19
Harris Seriously Good fine tip paint brush set
Score 7/10
Pros
- Perfect for painting woodwork
- Good variety of sizes
- Comes with 'no bristle loss' guarantee
Cons
- Handle was uncomfortable for use over long periods
This set included a good variety of brush sizes specifically designed for painting woodwork with gloss, eggshell, and satin paints.
Kit contains 25mm, 38mm, 50mm paintbrushes
This set offers a variety of sizes that excel in painting woodwork with gloss, eggshell, and satin paints. Before painting, we ensured there were no loose bristles by combing through with our fingers.
The brushes are light to hold, but the handle's front, made of harder polypropylene, was less comfortable, causing hand ache over time despite the rubber grip at the rear.
Are these brushes any good?
The synthetic bristles are soft and pliable, holding paint well and applying it smoothly with no bristle loss. The deep stainless steel ferrule holds the bristles firmly, enduring plenty of washing. However, the numerous grooves on the ferrule and handle can be trickier to clean for those who paint messily.
The handle also has a hole for hanging.
Does this set offer value for money
At £10 for a set of three, these brushes offer fair value if you have a lot of woodwork to paint.
Wilko brush set
Score 7/10
Pros
- Affordability
- Good grips on the handle
Cons
- Bristles weren't very dense
This brush achieved a good, even finish but required frequent reloads due to less dense bristles.
Kit contains 25mm, 38mm, 50mm paintbrushes
This affordable, lightweight brush set is versatile for various paint jobs, from cutting in to general painting, and can be used with all paint types. The bristles were the shortest and least dense in our test, leading to more frequent reloads but useful for cutting in.
No bristle loss was observed after combing them before use. The bristles are secured by a stainless steel ferrule, and the plastic handle has ridged side grips and raised dots for better grip.
Are these brushes any good?
These brushes provided an even finish but required frequent reloads due to less dense bristles. Cleaning the bristles was easy, but the grip grooves on the handle were trickier to clean.
Does this set offer value for money
At £4.50, this set is ideal for first-time decorators on a budget.
FAQs
Do you need to prepare paintbrushes for use?
- Before use, flick the bristles back and forth with your fingers to remove dust and any loose bristles. Next, moisten the brush in water if you are about to use water-based paint, or mineral turpentine if you are going to use an oil-based paint. Make sure you remove excess liquid with a paper towel or old rag before painting.
How should you clean a paintbrush?
- When you've finished painting, scrape off as much paint as you can on the side of the paint can. If you've been using water-based paint, run the brush under a tap to remove the bulk of the paint then soak your brush in warm soapy water for about an hour. Rinse with clean water then dry with a clean cloth and store in a dry place.
- If used with solvent-based paints, pour a small amount of solvent-based cleaner into a small jar and work the brush against the sides to get the cleaner into the base of the bristles. Soak for around two hours, dry with a clean cloth and store in a dry place. You should not pour solvents down the sink, so once you've finished cleaning your brushes, place a lid on your jar and leave for 24 hours. When the paint has sunk to the bottom, pour the remaining solvent cleaner into the bottle for future use. Leave the paint to dry completely in the jar before disposing of it in the bin.
Get more detailed tips on how to clean paintbrushes here.
How should you store a paintbrush?
- Once you've cleaned your brush, slap it against your hand a few times to bring the bristles back into alignment and then reshape the brush so it looks like new. You can do this with your fingers or use a paintbrush comb, available from DIY stores. Wrap the brush in a paper towel or a piece of newspaper and secure with masking tape or a rubber band. You can either store the brush vertically, with the bristles facing upwards, in a jar or paint kettle, or if the brush has a hole in the handle, hang it from a hook with the bristles facing down. Alternatively, you can store your dry brushes horizontally in a paintbrush wallet to help them keep their shape.
Looking for something to paint? Check our roundup of the best decking paints, or why not give your shed an upgrade with the 6 stylish shades for sheds? We've also been busy with our tried-and-tested review of the best wood primer.
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