Finding the best paint brushes for trim can be a challenge. There are so many different types of paint brushes to choose from, it can be difficult knowing which style brush is the best suited for painting trim.
You’ll need a paint brush that is going to allow you to achieve the smooth finish that you’re after. You won’t want a cheaper brush that leaves streaky paintwork that needs to be redone.
We’ve researched and reviewed hundreds of products to find the 5 best paint brushes for trim. You’ll be able to achieve a smooth, more even finish with these paint brushes in your painting arsenal.
So you can rest assured that all of these paint brushes will be perfect for painting the trim in your home.
Take a look at the product reviews below.
Top 5 Paint Brushes For Trim
Bates Paint Brushes – 4 pack
The Bates paint brushes 4 pack easily earns our spot of top pick. These particular brushes come in a 4 pack in various sizes to give you a paint brush for every size trim that needs painting.
It includes 3 inch, 2.5 inch, 2 inch, and angled 1.5 inch brushes to suit any type of painting situation. These professional quality brushes will give you everything you need for a superior finish.
The angled brush in particular will be an excellent fit for your trim painting needs.
These particular paint brushes feature thick, synthetic filaments. These have been designed to help you hold more paint on your brush, which means less dipping into the tin between coats.
Perfect if you want to save time when painting! These synthetic filaments are durable and long lasting to ensure you get value for your money.
What’s really great about these brushes is that they’re budget friendly. They clock in at a competitive price and are of a high quality.
This means you get a set of 4 quality paint brushes at a more affordable price. There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a more well known branded brush when these brushes will do an even better job!
These paint brushes have been designed with your comfort in mind. They feature treated wood handles and are light and ergonomic.
This makes them more comfortable to hold for long periods of time, which will be a lifesaver during those demanding painting jobs.
PROS
- Budget friendly – a more affordable choice than expensive branded brushes
- Value for money – comes in a set of 4 brushes
- Synthetic filaments– durable and long lasting
- More paint – designed to fit more paint on the brush
- Comfortable – features ergonomic wooden handles for your comfort
CONS
- Small angled brush – the angled brush is smallest brush in the set
Presa Premium Paint Brushes Set
If you’re looking for more value for money, the Presa Premium paint brushes set is the pick for you. This particular set of paint brushes includes 5 different sized brushes at a reasonable price.
That makes them a good choice if you want to get more bang for your buck. It even includes the angled brush that you need for easier trim painting!
These particular brushes have been made using synthetic filaments. This means that they can hold even more paint on the brush than those brushes made using natural bristles.
They can increase the paint capacity up to 30% compared to your usual paint brush. These brushes will give you the smooth, even release that you’re after for a superior finish.
What’s really great about the Presa Premium paint brush set is that these are heavy-duty brushes.
These paint brushes are durable enough to withstand even the most abrasive of surfaces. This means they will last you for even longer than inferior paint brushes.
Another great feature of these synthetic brushes is that they are super easy to clean once you’ve finished painting. This makes them great for reusing on other painting jobs in the future!
PROS
- Versatile – features brushes that can be used for a variety of painting jobs
- Value for money – includes a set of 5 paint brushes
- Angled brush – includes an angled brush that will be essential for painting trim
- Heavy-duty – durable and sturdy enough to withstand abrasive surfaces
- Synthetic filaments – longer lasting and can hold more paint on the brush
CONS
- 1 angled brush – only includes 1 angled brush in the set of 5
Richard Elegance Trim Brush with Soft Grip Handle
The Richard Elegance trim brush with soft grip handle is the best for getting to those small, hard to reach areas. This particular brush will give you the precision that you’re after for a superior finish.
What’s really great about this brush is that it’s been designed with trim in mind, so allows you to get the more accurate paint job that you’re after.
A great feature of this particular brush is that you can choose between several different sizes. Choose between 1 inch, ¾ inch, ⅝ inch, and ⅞ inch brushes for the finish that you’re after.
This brush features a rounded brush head for accuracy. It also offers you the excellent paint pick up that you’re after.
This paint brush features a soft grip handle for your comfort. This more ergonomic design makes the brush easier to hold over long periods of time.
Perfect if your paint job will take you a while to complete! This brush is made using synthetic bristles which makes it a great fit for holding more paint on your brush.
An interesting feature of this brush is that it works best with latex paint. So you won’t have to spend ages researching which paint brush is the best for your preferred paint of choice. The Richard Elegance trim brush will be the perfect fit!
PROS
- Trim – designed specifically for painting trim
- Ergonomic – features soft grip handles for a more comfortable design
- Precision – features a small, round head brush for more precise painting
- Different sizes – available in different brush sizes
- Latex paint – works best with latex paint
CONS
- Single brush – you only get one brush for the price
Bates Paint Brushes- 2 Pack
We loved the Bates paint brushes so much that we had to include this pack of 2 paint brushes as well. This set gives you 2 great brushes at a more affordable price.
These brushes will be perfect for any type of painting you have in mind. This includes trim painting thanks to the included angled brush.
These Bates paint brushes have been made using synthetic filaments. This gives them superior paint retention, meaning less time spent dipping in the paint tin in between coats.
This helps you to save more time in the long run, too. Perfect if you want to get the job done quickly and efficiently!
What’s really great about these paint brushes is that they are perfect for any user regardless of painting experience. You can easily use them to achieve the great finish that you’re after.
The paint brush handles are ergonomic and have been designed for your comfort. They are lightweight and easy to hold.
These paint brushes are hard wearing and have been designed to last you for many years to come. The wooden handles are sturdy and feature stainless steel ferrules to pack in the synthetic bristles.
The stainless steel ferrules will be resistant to rust and corrosion. This makes the paint brushes great for reusing for different paint jobs over the years, too.
PROS
- 2 pack – includes a pack of 2 brushes: 2.5 angled trim brush and 3 inch brush
- Synthetic filaments – better paint retention to save you time
- Durable – hard wearing brushes will last you for many years to come
- Angled brush – includes the angled brush needed to paint trim
- Ergonomic – designed with your comfort in mind
CONS
- No brush covers included – you will need to cover the brushes with film or foil to keep them in good condition when not in use
Purdy Pro-Extra Dale Angular Trim Paint Brush
If you prefer to trust in professional branded products, then the Purdy Pro-Extra Dale angular trim paint brush will be the perfect choice for you.
This particular brush is angled, making it easier for painting the trim around your home. Whether it’s around door frames or ceilings, this Purdy brush will be able to do a superb job.
A great thing about this particular brush is that you can choose between different sizes. Choose between 2 inches, 2.5 inches, or 3 inches to get the brush best suited for your project.
The Purdy paint brush has been designed to give you unrivaled paint distribution. It makes use of Purdy’s unique tipping and flagging methodology to give you an exceptional finish on your trim painting.
This particular paint brush makes use of synthetic bristles. This gives the brush the softness it needs for easier paint flow. It is also faster to clean up after use.
The Orel polyester filaments give the paint brush a consistent stiffness retention to make the brush easier to use on repeated painting jobs.
Another great feature of the Purdy brush is that all of their products are manufactured in the United States. So you’ll know you’re buying a quality paint brush that will last you for many years to come.
PROS
- Trim paint brush – angled brush designed specifically for trim painting
- Different sizes – choose between 3 different sizes for the best brush for your painting needs
- Synthetic bristles – gives you better paint retention
- Trusted brand – manufactured in the US by a brand you can trust
- Durable – made to last you for many years to come
CONS
- Expensive – one of the more expensive choices
Buyer’s Guide
Trying to find the best paint brush for trim can be a challenging feat. There are so many different types of brushes available on the market and at such different prices.
It can be tricky knowing which brushes are the best for painting trim. While it may be tempting to buy the first set of brushes that you stumble across, hold fire. There are some factors that you should consider first.
We’ve put together a list of the essential features you should look for in a paint brush for trim. As long as your chosen paint brush has these factors covered, you’ll know that it’ll be the perfect fit for your particular paint job.
Take a look at the most important factors to think about when choosing the best paint brushes for trim.
Angled tip
When it comes to painting trim, you should look for a paint brush with an angled tip. These types of paint brushes will give you more even distribution when you paint trim.
You can get the right angle for even paint distribution to ensure that all parts of your surface are adequately covered with paint.
An angled paint brush allows you to complete a more efficient painting job. This will mean you won’t have to go back and redo the patchy paintwork of other style brushes.
Type of bristles
Another factor to consider is the type of bristle that your paint brushes have. These come in two main types: natural and synthetic.
Synthetic bristles are the option that is best for painting trim. These particular brushes feature a soft malleability that will be crucial for achieving the smooth, even finish that you’re after.
These paint brushes are also great for retaining more paint on the brush, saving you more time in the long run.
Natural bristles aren’t typically used for painting trim work. These are made from natural animal hair. They tend to be used more for oil-based paints and for painting on varnishes.
Ergonomic
If you tend to use your paint brushes for long periods of time, you should look for paint brushes that are ergonomic. These will have been designed with your comfort in mind.
They will feature soft handles, or handles that are easy to grip. This will reduce the strain on your hand and mean you’re less likely to encounter cramp.
Ergonomic handles can be a lifesaver if you have large painting jobs on your hand. Or even for more precise painting jobs such as painting trim!
Brush size
What size brush do you need for painting the trim in your home? Smaller trim will need a smaller brush, as this allows you to get the precision that you need.
Larger trim will need a larger brush, as this will mean it takes less time to paint.
Number of brushes
How many brushes are included in your chosen paint brush set? The more paint brushes you get in a set, the more value for money you will have.
However, as you’re looking for the best paint brushes for trim, you will need to ensure that they include at least one angled brush. This will allow you to achieve the smoother paint job that you’re after for this particular paint job.
Durable
If you want true value for money, you should opt for a set of paint brushes that are going to be durable. This will mean they last you for many years to come.
Take a look at the materials used in construction. What material has been used for the ferrules to pack in the bristles? Stainless steel is the best option as it is resistant to rust.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you prevent brush marks when painting trim?
To prevent brush marks when painting trim, you should ensure that you properly prepare your surface beforehand. This means sanding down the wood to get rid of any rough areas that will snag at the brush bristles.
You will also need to use wood putty to repair any damage or to clog up any holes. This allows you to achieve a smoother finish. Remember to use a primer on your wooden surface as well as knot sealant on any knots before you apply any paint.
Should you use a brush or a roller to paint trim?
While a roller will allow you to finish the job more quickly on generic surfaces, it won’t allow you to achieve the accuracy you need for painting trim.
You should use an angled brush to get the precision paint job that you’re after when it comes to painting trim.
What is the best paint brush for a smooth finish?
The best paint brushes for a smooth finish are:
- Bates Paint Brushes – 4 pack
- Presa Premium Paint Brushes Set
- Richard Elegance Trim Brush with Soft Grip Handle
- Bates Paint Brushes- 2 Pack
- Purdy Pro-Extra Dale Angular Trim Paint Brush
