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Looking for reliable interior paint that balances performance and price? Valspar Ultra Interior shines with excellent hiding power, stain resistance, and durability. Our tests show it handles everyday messes while drying fast with low odor—perfect for DIY home refreshes. See why it's our top mid-priced pick.
Quick Pick
Valspar Ultra Interior Satin
Ideal for most homeowners seeking strong coverage and easy cleanup at $32 per gallon. Low odor, quick-dry formula excels in hiding stains and tough scrubs. Available at Lowe's stores and online.
Valspar Ultra Interior paint has quickly become a go-to choice for homeowners tackling living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens without breaking the bank. This mid-range latex paint from Lowe's delivers impressive results in real-world tests, making it suitable for high-traffic areas where durability matters. With a satin sheen that offers a subtle glow, low odor during application, and soap-and-water cleanup, it's designed for practical use. In our evaluation, it scored a solid 72 overall, standing out for its value in hiding opacity, stain blocking, and scrubbability.
Whether you're refreshing a rental property, updating a home office, or prepping for family gatherings, Valspar Ultra provides professional-grade performance at an accessible price. Let's dive into the details, including test data, pros/cons, and tips to maximize your results.
We put Valspar Ultra Interior head-to-head against typical budget and premium paints based on key metrics like coverage, durability, and cost. Here's how it stacks up:
| Feature | Valspar Ultra Interior | Budget Paint (e.g., $20/gal) | Premium Paint (e.g., $50/gal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiding Opacity | Very Good (2 coats) | Fair (3+ coats) | Excellent (1-2 coats) |
| Stain Resistance | Very Good (mustard, coffee, crayon) | Poor | Very Good |
| Scrubbability | Very Good (>700 scrubs) | Fair (~300 scrubs) | Excellent (>1,000 scrubs) |
| Dry Time | 2 hours | 4 hours | 1-2 hours |
| Odor Level | Low | Medium-High | Low |
| Cleanup | Soap & water | Soap & water | Soap & water |
| Price per Gallon | $32 | $20 | $50 |
| Overall Score | 72/100 | 55/100 | 85/100 |
This table highlights Valspar's sweet spot: it outperforms budget options in critical areas while costing far less than premiums, saving you up to 36% without major sacrifices.
One of the biggest frustrations in painting is patchy results requiring extra coats. Valspar Ultra scored "Very Good" in our hiding opacity test, effectively obscuring a black-and-white checkerboard pattern in just two coats. This means less primer waste and fewer touch-ups, covering up to 400 square feet per gallon efficiently. Homeowners report even coverage on textured walls, drywall patches, and previously painted surfaces.
Kitchens and playrooms demand paints that fight back against spills. Valspar Ultra earned "Very Good" marks by blocking stubborn stains like mustard (left overnight), coffee drips, crayon scribbles, and lipstick smears. After wiping with a damp cloth and mild detergent, stains lifted without ghosting—ideal for families or pet owners.
Durability is where this paint shines for busy households. In scrubbability tests using a brush and detergent, it withstood over 700 cycles before showing wear. That's more than double many budget paints, ensuring your walls stay fresh through daily cleaning. The satin finish resists shine buildup from repeated washing, maintaining a uniform look.
Rated "Good" for application, it rolls on evenly without splatter or roller marks, thanks to its latex base. Dry time clocks in at 2 hours to the touch, allowing recoats same-day and full cure in 24-48 hours. Low odor means you can paint indoors without ventilating the whole house, a boon for apartments or quick weekend projects.
Uniformity of color was also "Good," with minimal fading or blotchiness across large surfaces—perfect for open-concept spaces.
To unlock peak performance:
Expect 350-400 sq ft coverage per gallon on smooth surfaces, less on rough ones. For a 12x12 room (two coats), one gallon suffices.
This paint suits:
Skip if you need matte flat for ceilings or ultra-premium for commercial spaces.
Pair it with interior cleaners for post-project touch-ups. Check Best Home & Kitchen Deals: Save Up to 40% on Furniture, Decor, and Essentials for complementary tools.
Yes, it features low odor and is formulated as a low-VOC latex, making it safe for indoor use without harsh fumes. Ideal for sensitive households.
Typically 350-400 square feet per coat on primed, smooth surfaces. Factor 20% less for textured walls or multiple coats.
Best for walls; its satin sheen suits vertical surfaces. For trim, pair with semi-gloss; for ceilings, choose Valspar's flat options.
Satin offers more durability and subtle shine (better for baths/kitchens), while eggshell is slightly flatter with good washability.
Not always—its hiding power works on most painted walls. Prime new drywall or drastic color changes for best results.
Touch-dry in 2 hours, recoat in 4, fully cured in 7-30 days depending on humidity.
Elevate your project with these guides:
Valspar Ultra Interior proves you don't need to spend a fortune for pro results. Grab it at Lowe's for your next project and enjoy walls that last.
