The 7 Best Paint Edgers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
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Skip the painter’s tape in favor of one of these handy paint edgers. You’ll save time and money and still achieve clean, crisp, professional results without drips or smears.
Crisp, clean edges are the hallmark of a great paint job. To get professional-quality results when painting a room, first clean, patch, sand, and prime the walls—only then should painting begin. For neat results around the ceiling and trims, consider using a paint edger. These handy tools are used as an alternative to the painter’s tape that would otherwise be placed along the edges of the ceiling, baseboard, and window/door trim to keep these areas free of paint.
Using a paint edger saves time and money because it eliminates the need to tape off ceilings and baseboards. But not all paint edgers are suited for all projects; some, for instance, may be best for spray-painting. I spoke to a general contractor to get additional expert advice.
To help DIYers achieve flawless results, I decided to field-test some of the most popular products designed for the task of paint edging. I researched and employed dozens of paint-edging tools to find excellent options for common household projects. My top recommendation is the Pro Grade Supplies 2-Inch Angled Sash Paint Brush thanks to its unrivaled versatility, ability to be used with both oil- and water-based paints, and suitability for multiple types of edging projects. Read on to learn about shopping considerations, how each tool performed in tests, and why I consider those listed below to be the best paint edgers around.
- BEST OVERALL: Pro Grade Supplies 2-Inch Angled Sash Paint Brush
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Luigi’s The World’s Best Paint Pad Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PROFESSIONAL: Shur-Line Edger Pro
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SPRAYING: Warner Tool 36-Inch Spray Shield
↓ Jump to Review - BEST EDGER KIT: Accubrush 11-Piece MX Jumbo Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST EDGING BRUSH: Wooster Brush Shortcut Q3211
↓ Jump to Review - BEST EDGING TAPE: ScotchBlue Original Painter’s Tape
↓ Jump to Review
How I Tested the Best Paint Edgers
Ben Illig, a general contractor with decades of experience and owner of Illig Properties in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, says the great thing about paint edgers is that “for a DIY painter, they’re a way to achieve sharp lines with little experience.” In regard to preferred features, he says, “I look for how easily the edger can be cleaned. If you have to take the tool apart to wash it, that slows down the production.” This, in addition to being easy to insert the paint in the first place, were my top considerations when choosing my recommended products.
I converted an average bedroom into a paint-edger testing lab to find out where each of the chosen products would excel. I spent 8 hours testing the edgers in this guide by using them to cut in along 10 foot lengths of wall-ceiling lines, inner-wall corners, window and door trim, and baseboard trim.
I prepared the room by removing window coverings, switch and socket plate covers, and any hardware that may intrude. Test comparisons included freehand brushed, taped and brushed, and shielded and sprayed segments, along with edge-rolled and edge-padded sections. In general, brushes with or without tape were the most versatile. Pads typically delivered fast applications but with less precision. The roller was fast and precise but did not reach into corners.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 8 |
| Time spent testing | 8 hours |
| Tests performed | 3 to 4 |
| Price range | $5 to $40 |
My Top Picks
The paint edgers reviewed below are made for speed, comfort, and convenience. Anyone gearing up to start a big paint job may find one of them ideal for making fast work of the project without sacrificing crisp, clean results. Read on to find out how they performed in testing.
Best Overall
Pro Grade Supplies 2-Inch Angled Sash Paint Brush
Photo: home depot
My Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Performance 4.5/5; Comfort 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Edger type: Brush
- Size: 2 inches
- Material: Trylon bristles, wood handle
What We Like
- Works for a wide variety of edging projects
- Compatible with oil- and water-based paints and stains
- Proprietary bristles pick up and lay down more paint
- Long handle for extended reach
What We Don’t Like
- Bristles are too stiff for some applications
The 2-inch angled sash brush is often a professional painter’s first choice for cleanly cutting in trim, whether working freehand or with a guide. The angled edge fits easily into corners and pulls a cleaner, straighter line than a square-edge brush can provide. The 2-inch width is ideal for general use: cutting in corners, painting trim, finishing furniture, and similar detail work.
This brush features proprietary Trylon synthetic bristles that are designed to pick up and release an ample amount of paint, and to work well even in hot, humid outdoor conditions. It is compatible with all sheens of water- and oil-based paints and stains. The 7.5-inch wood handle is slip-resistant and comfortable to hold, and it offers excellent reach.
My tests revealed the 2-inch Trylon angle brush to be a useful option for most paint edging and trim projects. Although working without a guide requires a steady hand, the shape, size, and bristle material of this brush enhanced straight lines and minimized the occurrence and effect of mistakes. It allowed me to apply crisp edges at the corner between the wall and ceiling freehanded, without taping or other edging tools, but the process went somewhat slowly as I was cautious to avoid mistakes. It was also easy to use around tight curves, like the base of a doorknob. The handle was comfortable to use in different grip positions for added reach or increased control.
Get the Pro Grade Supplies paint edger at The Home Depot.
Best Bang For The Buck
Luigi’s The World’s Best Paint Pad Set
Photo: amazon
My Ratings: Ease of Use 4.8/5; Performance 5/5; Comfort 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Edger type: Pad
- Size: 9.5 inches long by 2.5 inches wide, 5 inches long by 3.5 inches wide, and 9 inches long by 6 inches wide
- Material: Plastic and sponge
What We Like
- Comes with 3 paint edgers and a paint tray
- Suitable for use indoors and outdoors
- Suitable for smooth and semi-smooth walls
What We Don’t Like
- Not made for use on textured surfaces
- Smear-on application takes some getting used to
Luigi’s The World’s Best Paint Pad set is a good start-up set for a variety of projects. It includes three paint edgers of different sizes plus a paint tray. The pads measure 9.5 inches long by 2.5 inches wide, 5 inches long by 3.5 inches wide, and 9 inches long by 6 inches wide to accommodate tight and not-so-tight spaces.
The edgers are suitable for use indoors and out, with both water- and oil-based paints. The pads hold enough paint to cover larger areas in a single dip with fewer drips, spills, and smudges compared with similarly sized competitors’ pads. The biggest pad can be used instead of a roller to paint large wall spaces.
In my tests, the Luigi’s paint pad set proved easy to load and use. The short bristle-pad surface is backed with a thin sponge that acts as a paint reservoir and helps smooth out uneven surfaces. With three pad sizes to pick from, I always had one that was just right for the task at hand.
These edgers smear paint on, which requires getting used to for folks more accustomed to brushes or rollers. Going was slow at first, as I figured out how much paint the pads could hold without dripping and how much pressure to apply for a nice finish. After I became acquainted with the equipment, the work became faster and easier, and I was pleased with the neat results.
Get the Luigi’s paint edger kit at Walmart.
Best Professional
Shur-Line Edger Pro
Photo: amazon
My Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Performance 4/5; Comfort 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Edger type: Pad
- Size: 4.75 inches long by 3.75 inches wide by 1.75 inches tall
- Material: Plastic and fabric
What We Like
- Wheel spacers help maintain precision
- Handle is durable, comfortable, and easy to control
- 2 changeable fabric paint pads last a long time
What We Don’t Like
- Bristles with no sponge backing hold less paint than other products
- Not ideal for textured surfaces or molded trim
Pros who paint a host of different areas and use a variety of products may appreciate the Shur-Line Edger Pro, a compact pad-style edger that creates crisp lines on baseboard and ceiling edges. The flexible swivel handle is easy to maneuver and helps painters work comfortably in tight spaces. Its built-in extender receiver can be attached to a paint pole for safer, less tiring work.
The two included fabric paint pads are well suited to gloss, semi-gloss, satin, eggshell, and flat paints. Retractable guides stay clean when paint is loaded onto the pad, and users can eject wet pads in a snap for quick and easy cleanup.
In testing, the Shur-Line Edger Pro proved to be a versatile, quality product. The plastic housing felt durable, and the changeable pads lasted a long time. The edger was comfortable to hold and easy to control. Two wheels along the front edge acted as spacers to keep the tool in precisely the right position along inside corners.
With no sponge backing, however, the pad bristles held less paint than some of the other pads I tested. For this reason, the Shur-Line edger seemed best suited for flat, mostly smooth surfaces, not deeply textured surfaces or molded trim.
Get the Shur-Line paint edger at Amazon.
Best For Spraying
Warner Tool 36-Inch Spray Shield
Photo: lowes
My Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Performance 4/5; Comfort 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Edger type: Shield
- Size: 36 inches long by 9 inches wide
- Material: Aluminum
What We Like
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Long 18-inch handle and broad 36-inch coverage
- Handle folds for easy storage
What We Don’t Like
- Thin aluminum is subject to bending
- Excess overspray could run off onto the work area
The Warner Tool Spray Shield helps achieve straight, clean edges while rolling, smearing, and brushing paint. But it’s particularly suited to spraying because its 36-inch-long by 9-inch-wide blade provides ample coverage for painting wide swaths. Though sizable, the shield is lightweight to minimize user fatigue. The 18-inch handle provides a longer reach and then folds away for storage and transport.
In testing, the Warner spray shield saved hours of taping and covering in preparation for spray-painting. I appreciated that the shield was lightweight and easy to use in tandem with an airless spray gun. The aluminum shield allowed overspray to dry quickly and made it easy to simply peel off for cleaning. While the adjustable handle was helpful, I did find that once a position was fixed, readjusting took longer than anticipated. I also found the thin aluminum material to be soft and that the corners bend easily, so I recommend handling and storing this tool with care.
Get the Warner paint edger at Lowe’s or Amazon.
Best Edger Kit
Accubrush 11-Piece MX Jumbo Kit
Photo: amazon
My Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Performance 4/5; Comfort 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Edger type: Roller with guard
- Size: 4-inch roller
- Material: Plastic holder
What We Like
- Rollers are washable and reusable; ideal for multiple projects
- 4 replacement roller covers and 4 replacement brushes included
- Excels around door trim, around window trim, and above baseboards
What We Don’t Like
- Only edges on the left side of the roller
- Low-nap roller cover only works on smooth walls
Working with a standard paint tray (not included), the Accubrush MX painting tool takes the time and hassle out of paint edging. The unique device combines a 4-inch roller with a hinged edge guide and miniature following brush. The kit includes five replaceable rollers and five replaceable following brushes for quick and easy changes with less cleanup between changes.
I found the Accubrush MX edge roller easy to use and especially effective for cutting in walls around window and door trim, baseboards, and crown molding. It also worked along the ceiling line, but my textured ceiling caused the finished edge to be slightly less precise. Occasionally, paint accumulated on the inner edge of the guide, so I made sure to wipe it off each time I loaded paint.
I estimate that this tool reduced edging time by at least half compared to brushing. However, it cannot edge fully into corners because of the roller’s shape. Some final touch-up brushwork was always necessary.
Get the Accubrush paint edger kit at Amazon.
Best Edging Brush
Wooster Brush Shortcut Q3211
Photo: amazon
My Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Performance 4/5; Comfort 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Edger type: Brush
- Size: 2 inches
- Material: Polyester bristles
What We Like
- Short, flexible handle is great for use in tight spaces
- Cushioned handle helps prevents fatigue during use
- Polyester bristles are compatible with most paints
What We Don’t Like
- Requires taping for some projects
- Purpose designed with a shorter reach
Wooster Brush’s Shortcut trim brush offers excellent control and comfort for precision brushing and extended use. The grip is unique, thanks to a rubbery handle designed to rest in the space between the painter’s