11 Best Paint Brushes For Trim
Trim is where a paint job gets judged. A wall can be slightly uneven and nobody notices, but a wobbly line along the baseboard is the first thing I see when I walk into a room.
What are the best paintbrushes for trim? The best paintbrush for trim would be one that gives you good control and precision. Trim is often thin, so you need to be able to maneuver the paintbrush comfortably to not cause any mess. It should also be versatile enough to cover both small and bigger areas of trim.
Buyer’s Guide – Paint Brushes For Trim
Don’t just pick up any old paintbrush for painting trim. You need to choose one that is suited for the job.
Ideally, you should use a 2-inch or 2 ½-inch wide paintbrush with angled bristles that has a shorter handle. This will help you cover all the edges of the trim and even fit into smaller spaces. It gives you the ease of having one brush to do it all, while still giving you precision and control.
Here is why these are good properties to look for in a paintbrush for trim:
Width
Having a 2-inch width paintbrush makes it really versatile for trim. It is not too wide and not too thin, so you can cover more area in a shorter amount of time, but still be able to paint smaller areas and details.
You do need to have a look at the trim you will be painting and use this to help you decide as well. If the trim is particularly thinner, then a smaller brush might be better. If the trim is large and you have quite a bit of area to cover, a 2-inch or bigger would be best.
If the trim you are painting is a mix of thickness and edges, then a 2-inch paintbrush should be perfect.
Angled Bristles
Angled bristles allow you to have better coverage when painting along the trim, and it is also easier to make cleaner lines when using angled bristles.
Using angled bristles will get the job done in a shorter time, and you will be touching up fewer mistakes and patches afterward.
Short Handle
A shorter handle gives you more versatility with the paintbrush. Using a shorter handle means you will be able to fit into smaller spaces while keeping good control of the paintbrush.
Often painting trim comes with curves, edges, and hard-to-reach spots, so having control of the paintbrush with a small handle really does help.
Brush Bristles
When choosing a paintbrush, you would be able to choose between natural brush bristles and blended nylon and polyester bristles. Both have their benefits, but blended nylon and polyester bristles are better for trim work.
Natural bristle brushes are better used for oil-based paints and varnishes, and as the natural bristles flair or frizz at the end, the paintbrush can hold more paint. These can be slightly difficult to clean and the brush can lose its shape after a few uses.
Nylon and polyester blend brushes are easy to clean and are very easy to use. Polyester holds its shape well after continued use, and nylon is a strong fiber, so the blend of these two give a paintbrush some good qualities, and make them a good option for painting trim.
Is A Roller Or Paint Brush Better For Trim?
You can choose to use either a roller or a paintbrush for trim, but a paintbrush is definitely the better option if you are wanting better results.
Rollers are a good option if you want the painting to be quick and easy, and if the trim is relatively thick with little details and no small spaces. However, they do not have good versatility and cannot paint smaller spaces.
Paintbrushes are a better option, as they give you a higher-quality finish. Using a paintbrush might take longer than using a roller, but you will be able to achieve better coverage, paint smaller areas, and have more consistent coverage of the trim.
The 11 Best Paint Brushes For Trim
Keeping in mind the trim that you are wanting to paint, and all of the above guidelines on picking the right paintbrush, take a look through the below best paintbrushes on the market at the moment, that will help you paint trim easily at home!
| Rank | Product | Size & Shape | Where To Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Wooster Silver Tip Angle Sash | 2.5", angled | See it on Amazon |
| 2. | Grip Tight Tools Professional Orange Plus | 2.5", straight | See it on Amazon |
| 3. | Bates Paint Brushes, 2 Pack | 2.5", angled and straight | See it on Amazon |
| 4. | Wooster Shortcut Angle Sash | 2", angled | See it on Amazon |
| 5. | Pro Grade Flat And Angled Set, 2 Pack | 3" flat and 2.5" angled | See it on Amazon |
| 6. | Purdy Dale Angled Sash | 2.5", angled | See it on Amazon |
| 7. | Purdy Angle Sash Firm | 2.5", angled, firm | See it on Amazon |
| 8. | Apollo Brush 500 Series Poly Blend | 3", angled | See it on Amazon |
| 9. | Pro Grade 5-Piece Brush Set | 1" to 2.5", flat and angled | See it on Amazon |
| 10. | Pro Grade 2-Inch Angled, 3 Pack | 2", angled | See it on Amazon |
| 11. | Purdy XL Glide Angular Trim | 2", angled | See it on Amazon |
1. Wooster Silver Tip Angle Sash Paintbrush
The Wooster Silver Tip Angle Sash Paintbrush is perfect for painting trim, and to make it more useful, it can be used on walls too.
The paintbrush has a 2 ½ inch width, which is the ideal size for painting trims big and small. The edge of the paintbrush is angled, so you get a more even coverage, and painting is made quicker.
Polyester bristles on the paintbrush are super soft and give a feather stroke with each movement. This allows the paint to go on so smoothly, and there will be no lines left in the paint when it is applied.
Made with a brushed steel Ferrule, the paintbrush is also rust-resistant, so the brush lasts longer. The wooden handle is comfortable to hold and will not lead to hand fatigue too quickly.
This brush, made with silver-tip polyester, is best suited for painting enamel, varnish, polyurethane, and water-based coatings onto wood, which is why it is great for painting trim.
2. Grip Tight Tools Professional Orange Plus Paintbrush
Grip Tight Tools have the Professional Orange Plush Paintbrush with a width of 2.5-inches, making it the right size to use for just about every trim.
You will love the feel of this paintbrush, with the handle being a soft-grip material that fits comfortably and securely in your hand. Painting all the trim in your house will be easy!
The bristles are made from a quality dipped polyester that is strong and holds shape well, but which will also apply paint smoothly and not leave any brush marks behind. The bristles distribute the paint evenly too, so you can quickly paint surfaces.
The tapered and tipped polyester bristles in a mix of black and white give you the smoothest finish. The ferrule is made from stainless steel and is corrosion-resistant, keeping the brush in the best condition for longer.
For comfort while painting, this would be one of the better options for you to choose from!
3. Bates Paint Brushes 2 Pack
The Bates Paint Brushes are professional quality brushes that are designed to be used to paint trim. They are made to be long-lasting and super easy to clean, which makes each painting process a breeze.
The wooden handles on the brushes are lightweight and comfortable to hold, which will make painting for longer periods, and working on tedious jobs, a lot more enjoyable. The comfortable brushes also give you quality control too.
Thick filament synthetic fibers make up the bristles, which are designed to hold more paint. This gives you more time to paint and less time worrying about picking up more paint and gets the job done quicker too. These synthetic fibers are strong to last but soft to not leave brush marks.
The two-pack includes one straight-edge brush, and one angled brush, so you can paint just about every trim and more. Both brushes have a width of 2.5-inches, which covers trims well.
The stainless steel ferrules guarantee long-lasting use, and you can use the paintbrushes time and time again with little wear. It is a really handy pair of brushes to have!
4. Wooster Brush Shortcut Angle Sash Paint Brush
The Wooster Shortcut Angle Brush is a short handle paintbrush that gives you incredible precision when painting trim and other areas.
The flexible Shergrip handle measures only 2-inches long, and gives you better maneuverability in small and tight places, so you can cover all areas of the trim.
With the bristles made from white nylon and gold polyester, they are strong and hold shape well, but also soft enough to not leave marks behind when painting. The bristles are a good blend for all types of paints and work well on different surfaces too.
A brass-plated steel ferrule allows for the longevity of the brush, so it will be your trusted painting tool for a long time! To make the paintbrush even handier, it is designed with a hole in the handle to hang it up when not in use.
The 2-inch angled bristle will cover the trim quickly and evenly and will help you paint faster. The angled shape also helps cover smaller areas and angles better. You will be able to achieve clean, precise lines with this angled paintbrush, all while being comfortable holding it!
5. Pro Grade Flat And Angled Brush Set, 2 Pack
This two-pack puts a 3-inch flat brush next to a 2 ½-inch angled sash brush, which is most of what a trim job actually asks for. The angled one sets the line where trim meets wall. The flat one carries paint down a long baseboard run without you reloading every two feet.
The filament is a thick synthetic blend, so the brushes hold more paint than the throwaway chip brushes people buy for one room and bin afterwards.
They wash out and go back in the drawer for the next job. More than 7,000 reviewers have it at 4.5 stars. One thing to know: no cardboard keepers come in the box, so lay the brushes flat to dry or the bristles will splay.
6. Purdy Dale Angled Sash Paint Brush
The Purdy Dale is an angled paintbrush with a width of 2.5-inches, and it is one of the most versatile brushes that you will find on the market.
The paintbrush has been designed to be used with all types of paints and stains and will go on beautifully smoothly to trim.
Medium-stiff bristles keep their shape well, but also apply the paint evenly and without marks to the wooden trim.
The bristles are made from a blend of polyester and nylon, and with the special tipping and flagging process used to make them, the bristles have the benefits of natural fibers too, but just being longer-lasting.
Purdy is a very trusted brand name when it comes to handmade brushes, and you can be sure that this brush will be of high quality, and give you great results at home.
7. Purdy 2 ½ Inch Angle Sash Firm Brush
Firm is the word that matters in the name. The stiffer nylon and polyester blend pushes paint into the corner where trim meets wall instead of flexing away from it, and that is what gets you a clean line on the first pass rather than the third.
It is a 2 ½-inch head on the standard Purdy hardwood handle, made in the USA. The blend takes latex and oil-based paint both.
At 4.8 stars across nearly 2,000 reviews it is the highest-rated brush on this list. Pricier than the budget picks above, and worth it if you paint trim more than once a year.
8. Apollo Brush 500 Series Poly Blend Paint Brush
The Apollo Brush is an angled paintbrush that allows for fast and even application and is ideal for painting trims and walls.
This paintbrush works with all paints, whether you are wanting to apply water-based paint, oil-based paint, or varnish to the trim in your home.
The polyester and nylon blend firm bristles hold their shape after continued use but are feather-like to apply the paint smoothly and evenly without brush marks left behind. The bristles also hold onto a lot of paint, so painting efficiency is increased.
A triple pinned ferrule with a round edge adds to the stability of the paintbrush and ensures that the paintbrush will last through many painting sessions.
The wooden handle is warm and comfortable to hold, and being lightweight, will not cause too much hand fatigue when painting over a period of time.
With the angled bristle finish, you can cover bigger areas and fill in finer details in smaller spaces too, covering all the trim in your home easily.
9. Pro Grade 5-Piece Paint Brush Set
Five brushes: a 1-inch flat, a 1 ½-inch angle, a 2-inch flat, a 2-inch stubby angle and a 2 ½-inch angle. Painting a whole room of trim, casings and window sashes means switching sizes constantly, and this covers the spread in one box.
The stubby 2-inch angle is the one you end up reaching for behind a toilet or under a stair rail, anywhere a full handle will not turn.
Synthetic bristles, softwood handles, fine with latex or oil. It has over 70,000 reviews at 4.6 stars, which makes it the most-reviewed thing on this page by a mile.
10. Pro Grade 2-Inch Angled Paint Brush, 3 Pack
Three identical 2-inch angled sash brushes. Buying in threes sounds like overkill right up until you are running two colors of trim paint and do not want to stop and wash out between them.
Two inches is the size most people should be using on standard trim, and the angle is there for cutting in against the wall.
Rated 4.6 stars over 6,000-plus reviews. Keep one for latex, one for oil and one clean for touch-ups.
11. Purdy XL Glide 2 Inch Angular Trim Brush
Purdy turns up twice on this list. The XL Glide is a 2-inch angular trim brush with nylon and polyester filaments, also made in the USA.
Two inches with an angle is the safe default for door and window casing. Enough width to move along a run at a decent pace, and the angled tip still lets you set an edge against the wall.
It sits at 4.7 stars across more than 6,500 reviews.
Final Thoughts
When painting trim, it is best to choose an angled paintbrush that is around 2 ½ inches wide. This gives you good coverage of the larger areas, but also the option to fill in finer details and angles.
It is better to choose a synthetic fiber brush, as they can hold paint well, apply it smoothly and be durable and long-lasting.
Take a look at the above best paint brushes for trims, and get painting at home!
Related Questions
How do I get a smooth finish on my trim?
To get a smooth finish on your trim, sand the trim down before applying a coat of paint. Use a fine-grit sanding sponge to do this. A sponge works best for trims as it can get into crevices that normal sandpaper cannot, and it can apply pressure evenly too.
What is the best paint to use for trim?
The best paint to use for trim will depend on the look you want in your home, but generally, semi-gloss paint is a good option. Semi-gloss paint will last for a long time and can handle being washed and scrubbed when it is cleaned. You can opt for gloss if you want a shinier finish.
Avoid using satin paint as this is not as durable.
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