Testing 2024’s Best Concrete Sealers to Protect Against Stains

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about Testing 2024’s Best Concrete Sealers to Protect Against Stains and hope the blog can help you.

We put the top concrete sealers on the market through their paces to see which ones offered the best protection. Find out how they fared in our hands-on tests.

Indoors and out, concrete lasts longer and performs better with some protection—which is what today’s concrete sealers are designed to do. These products provide a vital layer of defense against the possibility of unsightly staining and scuffing on concrete surfaces like countertops and patio pavers. 

Applying concrete sealer to driveways or walkways can help stave off long-term damage from moisture and chemical intrusion, but there are different types available, and some perform better than others. Our number one spot goes to the Foundation Armor AR350 Wet Look Concrete Sealer thanks to its smooth and simple application of its impressively breathable and nonyellowing formula. To arrive at our results, we sealed both concrete pavers and a concrete countertop with popular products, then tested their performance against moisture, grease, dirt, and ice-melt chemicals.

The best concrete sealer for you will work where intended and create your desired finish. A penetrating product offers nearly invisible protection, while a film-forming concrete sealer provides a smooth, durable finish. Some sealers even offer a tint for uniform color, similar to concrete paint. 

Read on to learn what to look for when shopping for the best concrete sealers and find out how each of the following sealers earned a spot in this lineup. Note: Not all the products we tested met our standards and made it to this list, so you’ll also see which sealer wasn’t up to snuff.

1. BEST OVERALL: Foundation Armor AR350 Wet Look Concrete Sealer
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: MasonryDefender Concrete Driveway Sealer
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3. BEST PENETRATING: Ghostshield Siloxa-Tek 8500 Concrete Sealer
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4. BEST ACRYLIC: Eagle Armor Seal Urethane Acrylic Concrete Sealer
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5. BEST EPOXY: TotalBoat TableTop 1-Gallon Epoxy Resin Kit 
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6. BEST POLYURETHANE: Seal-Once Nano + Poly Concrete and Masonry Sealer
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7. BEST ECO-FRIENDLY: EcoProCote Eco-Tuff Clear Coat Polyurethane Sealer 
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8. BEST INDUSTRIAL-GRADE: Foundation Armor SX5000 Penetrating Concrete Sealer
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9. BEST CONCRETE COUNTERTOP: Rocklinite Labs Tuff Duck Concrete Countertop Sealer 
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Testing Stats
Products tested	10
Time spent testing	10 hours, with 3+ weeks of observation
Tests performed	3 to 5
Price range	$30 to $80

Our Top Picks

Anyone ready for a concrete driveway sealer, a floor sealer, or a countertop sealer might be eager to find out how the following concrete sealers fared in our hands-on tests. We applied the sealers to concrete pavers and a concrete countertop in a temperature-controlled shop. After curing, the sealers were exposed to a host of everyday situations that they would most likely encounter in the real world. 

Best Overall

Foundation Armor AR350 Wet Look Concrete Sealer

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Our Ratings: Application 4/5; Water Resistance 5/5; Stain Resistance 5/5; Appearance 5/5; Value 4.5/5 

Product Specs 

• Ease of use: Easy 
• Coverage area: 1 gallon covers 175 square feet of porous surfaces and 200 to 225 feet of smooth surfaces per coat 
• Type: Acrylic

What We Like

• Breathable and nonyellowing formula 
• Enhances dull, faded coloring
• Versatile; works on treated or untreated surfaces
• Recoating necessary after 3 to 7 years 

What We Don’t Like

• 2 coats are necessary to fully seal concrete

Foundation Armor AR350 is a breathable, nonyellowing, solvent-based acrylic. It darkens concrete and pavers to give them a wet look with a durable, low-gloss finish that brightens dull or faded surfaces. It can be applied to either unsealed concrete surfaces or those previously sealed with a solvent-based acrylic sealer.  

This acrylic concrete sealer helps reduce damage and deterioration caused by surface abrasion, freeze-thaw cycles, and chemical exposure. It resists peeling, flaking, cracking, and pitting. This product is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications, lasting up to 3 years on outdoor concrete surfaces and up to 7 years indoors before a recoat is needed.

Foundation Armor AR350 met and exceeded our expectations. We were sealing a small 1-foot-square concrete paver, so we used a brush to apply AR350 evenly to the surface. In 24 hours, it was completely dry, yet it retained a hint of sheen, adding an attractive finish that provided depth and richness without changing the color of the concrete. 

We then put the sealed paver outside in harsh winter weather where it was subjected to freezing weather, ice, harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays, mud, grease, and chemical ice melt for 3.5 weeks. We also sprinkled sand on the surface and stepped on it to see if it would leave scuff marks. At the end of the testing period, we power-washed the paver, let it dry, and inspected it carefully. The AR350 came through with flying colors. The finish on this Foundation Armor sealer still looked fresh, and there were no signs of staining, dulling, or peeling. Water beaded rather than soaking into the surface. 

What our tester says: I really liked how smoothly this product went on. It made the application process seamless. I also found it impressive how it self-leveled within seconds to form a uniform coating. – Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester & writer

Get the Foundation Armor AR350 concrete sealer at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot (5 gallons).

Best Bang for the Buck

MasonryDefender Concrete Driveway Sealer

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Our Ratings: Application 5/5; Water Resistance 5/5; Stain Resistance 4/5; Appearance 5/5; Value 5/5 

Product Specs 

• Ease of use: Easy 
• Coverage area: 90 to 150 square feet per gallon
• Type: Water-based silane/siloxane 

What We Like

• Nonglossy coat keeps concrete looking clean, fresh, and new 
• Suitable for concrete waterproofing
• Durable formula resists pitting and cracking 
• Affordable compared to other concrete sealers

What We Don’t Like

• Meant for driveways only

The eco-friendly silane/siloxane blend in this MasonryDefender sealer bonds with the minerals for penetrating concrete and creating a long-lasting, invisible barrier against water penetration, staining, and chemical damage. Treated surfaces resist pitting and cracking. This product is easy to apply on clean concrete with a brush or a pump-up garden sprayer, and an application should last up to 5 years.

Our tests showed that it isn’t necessary to spend a lot of cash for a good-quality concrete sealer. MasonryDefender’s concrete driveway sealer is an optimal choice for concrete driveways, patios, and other outdoor applications where users don’t wish to alter the surface appearance.

We brushed MasonryDefender on half of the paver and sprayed it on the other half. It went on easily and quickly penetrated the surface. After 24 hours, we moved the paver outdoors to weather the elements, and we applied grease, mud, ice melt, and sand. After 3.5 weeks, we power-washed the paver and allowed it to dry. We didn’t see any staining, although we did see a few tiny scuffs from the sand. We then poured a spoonful of water on the surface, which beaded up on top of the paver, proving that MasonryDefender was still repelling water.

Get the MasonryDefender concrete sealer at Amazon.

Best Penetrating

Ghostshield Siloxa-Tek 8500 Concrete Sealer

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Our Ratings: Application 5/5; Water Resistance 5/5; Stain Resistance 5/5; Appearance 4/5; Value 3.5/5 

Product Specs 

• Ease of use: Easy
• Coverage area: 1 gallon covers up to 250 square feet per coat
• Type: Water-based 

What We Like

• Penetrates rapidly for a quick 24-hour curing time
• Dries clear; concrete appearance is unaltered 
• Protects against chemicals, stains, mold, and mildew

What We Don’t Like

• Slightly pricey compared to similar concrete sealers

Inside this space-age silver bottle is an excellent water-based low-volatile-organic-compound (VOC) penetrating concrete sealer. Siloxa-Tek 8500, manufactured by Ghostshield, can be applied in several ways—we opted to use a brush, painting the sealer on a clean, dry concrete paver. It soaked in so quickly, we wondered how it could create a protective seal—but it did. After the Siloxa-Tek 8500 cured for 24 hours, we set it outdoors and subjected it to the elements, mud, grease, de-icing salts, and rubbed-in sand over the next 3.5 weeks. By the time testing was done, the paver was pretty grimy, but it cleaned right up with the power washer. After allowing it to dry completely, we performed the water test, and the water beaded up on the surface.

This sealer won’t change the look of the concrete, and it’s also designed to protect from mold and mildew growth (we didn’t have an opportunity to test for that, however). We only applied a single coat for testing purposes, but the manufacturer recommends two coats for the best protection. 

Get the Ghostshield concrete sealer at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Best Acrylic

Eagle Armor Seal Urethane Acrylic Concrete Sealer

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Our Ratings: Application 5/5; Water Resistance 5/5; Stain Resistance 5/5; Appearance 5/5; Value 4/5 

Product Specs 

• Ease of use: Easy
• Coverage area: 1 gallon covers 100 to 200 square feet of concrete and pavers and 300 square feet of smooth surfaces
• Type: Acrylic 

What We Like

• Easy to apply with a paint brush or roller 
• Dries to an attractive sheen 
• Imparts a protective coat against damage or wear

What We Don’t Like

• Not for use outdoors

Eagle Armor Seal is one of a handful of interior concrete sealers we tested. When brushing it onto our paver, the liquid sealer looked a lot like milk, but within 30 minutes, the whiteness cleared up and we began to see a sheen. This product is designed for indoor concrete, which often has a smooth surface, so since our testing paver was more porous than a typical interior concrete floor, we added a second coat after waiting the recommended 4 hours. 

After 48 hours, when the Eagle Armor Seal product had completely cured, we started our tests. Rather than move the paver outdoors, we kept it indoors and exposed it to fairly heavy foot traffic after sprinkling it with sand and didn’t notice any scuffing. To test its stain resistance, we put a few drops of various liquids on the surface, including red wine, orange juice, chicken broth, and Italian salad dressing. Each of the fluids beaded up without soaking into the concrete. We allowed the fluids to dry in place, then used an all-purpose floor cleaner to wipe them up. No stains were left behind—pretty impressive! 

During the 3.5 weeks of testing, we frequently wiped down the paver, using various household floor cleaners, and the surface sheen did not dull in the slightest. The paver looked just as good at the end of the testing as when it was first coated. 

Get the Eagle concrete sealer at Lowe’s (5 gallons) or The Home Depot.

Best Epoxy

TotalBoat TableTop 1-Gallon Epoxy Resin Kit

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Our Ratings: Application 3.5/5; Water Resistance 5/5; Stain Resistance 5/5; Appearance 4/5; Value 3.5/5 

Product Specs

• Ease of use: Moderate 
• Coverage area: For 1-gallon kit, 12.8 square feet at ⅛ inch thick or 6.4 square feet at ¼ inch thick
• Type: Epoxy resin

What We Like

• Self-leveling formula fills in small pits, cracks, and patches
• High-gloss finish adds a shiny luster to concrete surfaces
• Versatile; compatible with wood, stone, metal, and even ceramic

What We Don’t Like

• Limited square footage offered per unit 
• Requires heat to eliminate bubbles

The TotalBoat TableTop 1-gallon epoxy resin kit is a two-part epoxy resin and hardener system that provides a crystal clear, durable, smooth film with a high-gloss finish. This epoxy is BPA-free, contains no VOCs, and is food-safe when cured.

We tested the TotalBoat epoxy sealer on a concrete paver, but we didn’t expose it to the outdoor elements because this product is only for indoor use despite the word “boat” in its title. We poured equal amounts of both Part A (resin) and Part B (hardener) into a clean plastic container and stirred with a paint stick for about 5 minutes. The trick to a successful epoxy coating is to stir slowly, which will make absolutely sure it’s well blended without incorporating air. 

We covered the worktable with newspaper and poured the blended TotalBoat epoxy evenly over the paver. It gradually self-leveled (in about 1 minute), and the excess ran over the edges of the paver. We didn’t brush it or manipulate it in any way. A few bubbles formed on the surface, which is common when sealing porous concrete because air escapes and the bubbles are trapped in the epoxy. To remedy this, we used a small culinary torch to just slightly heat the epoxy, which popped the bubbles and left a flawless glass look. We left the paver to cure for 24 hours before starting our tests. 

We used a dropper to put various liquids on the surface, including red wine, orange juice, chicken broth, and salad dressing. They did not soak in. When the liquids dried, we sprayed on an all-purpose cleaner and wiped them off, and there was no staining. We did not perform the sand abrasion test since we knew that epoxy can be scratched. TotalBoat’s epoxy did not yellow in the time we tested it, but keep in mind that it’s not heat-resistant, so it’s not the best choice for sealing a kitchen countertop; hot pans should not be set on it. When blended correctly and poured on, TotalBoat’s epoxy forms a protective, glassy surface that showcases what’s beneath.

Get the TotalBoat concrete sealer at Amazon or TotalBoat.

Best Polyurethane

Seal-Once Nano + Poly Concrete and Masonry Sealer