Paint edgers are useful for creating clean lines along trim edges rather than painting an entire wall or ceiling. They are also great for getting up high where the wall meets the ceiling or anywhere else you want to paint a straight line without slopping over onto a nearby surface.
“As a professional, I was taught to paint freehand, but I use a paint edger tool because it’s time effective. I use it when painting walls up against the ceiling and when painting accent walls,” says Jan Walter, a professional painter and owner of the blog Gocolorize.
There are multiple different types of paint edgers: pad-, roller-, brush-style, and spray shields, so the type of paint tool you are using will determine the right type of paint edger for your project.
Additionally, some edgers work best on smooth surfaces (walls and pavement), while others are better suited for uneven surfaces (gravel or popcorn ceilings). Others are specifically designed for corners and tight spaces, so consider the surface area you want to tackle before purchasing a paint edger.
To help with your purchase decision, we researched the best paint edgers available today, evaluating them for durability, ease of use, smoothness of coverage, performance, ability for reuse, and overall value.
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Flip-up wheels stay clean when reloading with paint
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Single-touch pad ejection
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Works on popcorn ceilings
One of the biggest annoyances when using a paint edger is dipping the pad into the paint tray and getting paint onto the edger’s wheels, which then track paint onto the wall and spoil your perfect edge. This innovative tool boasts a straightforward yet efficient design that lets you easily flip the wheels up and out of the way, ensuring that paint stays off your walls.
This edger’s slightly textured fabric pad holds a good amount of paint and lays it down in a smooth coat without shedding lint or fuzz into your fresh paint. The tool also has a single-touch pad ejection feature, which lets you remove the pad without having to actually touch it—no more dealing with messy paint all over your fingers.
The edger’s handle swivels, making it much easier to change directions when you reach a corner of the wall. Thanks to its ergonomic design, you can comfortably grip the handle even when working up close—a nice touch during longer painting sessions.
It is worth noting that the edger is highly versatile and can be easily attached to any standard extension pole. It can be used on rough surfaces, such as popcorn ceilings, as well as smooth surfaces. This makes it a highly practical and valuable tool for those who require a reliable edging solution for various tasks and projects.
Dimensions: 4.75 x 3.75 inches | Type: Pad | Material: Plastic and fabric
This paint roller-style edger from Wagner is a must-have tool for all your painting projects. What sets this edging tool apart is that it holds 6 ounces of paint right in the handle, allowing you to cover up to 96 feet of wall surface before refilling. This feature is especially useful for finishing small rooms in one go, reducing the inconvenience of frequent visits to the paint can or paint tray.
A thumb trigger on the edger lets you release just the right amount of paint to the attached 3-inch fabric roller, so you won’t need to worry about too much paint spoiling your smooth lines. The synthetic roller has a 3/8-inch nap that’s suitable for most smooth or lightly textured surfaces and can be used multiple times if it is cleaned immediately after use. The nap refers to the length of the fibers that cover the roller. Generally, the thicker the nap, the greater the roller’s capacity to hold paint.
You’ll need a ladder since the 18.5-inch pole is too short and doesn’t accommodate an extension pole. Additionally, it’s not recommended for use on very textured surfaces, such as popcorn ceilings, and it can also be a bit tricky to use in corners.
Dimensions: 4.5 x 18.5 inches | Type: Roller | Material: Plastic and synthetic fabric
If you’re looking for an edger that you can use with your favorite paintbrush, consider the BoxTown Team Cut-n-Edge Pro. The plastic edger slides over the paint brush bristles, exposing just the length of bristle you desire for painting fine lines, working around trim, or cutting in the paint in corners. When closed, the edging tool squeezes the bristles flat to create a firm, clean edge, thus making it far easier to create that precise line.
Keep in mind that the Cut-n-Edge Pro does not include a brush. You will have to supply your own angled 2-inch brush for use with this tool. It’s also important not to overload your paintbrush when using the Cut-n-Edge, as that will almost certainly cause drips and an uneven paint line.
And it’s only for use with a 2-inch angled brush; any other size or shape won’t work well with this tool. While there might be a bit of a learning curve when first starting, you’ll quickly get the hang of it and be painting around trim like a pro. Once your project is finished, you can use the Cut-n-Edge to protect your clean paintbrush as well.
Dimensions: 2 x 3.5 inches | Type: Brush | Material: Plastic
One of the most challenging aspects of DIY painting projects is tackling the tops of walls along the ceiling. Not only do you have to perch on a ladder or step stool, but you also have to maneuver your brush or roller while keeping your head craned back to look up. While this paint edger from Mr. LongArm won’t eliminate the latter issue, it does make it much easier to paint ceilings or tall walls.
Unlike most edgers, which only have two horizontally aligned wheels, this edger has an additional wheel placed vertically, so you can pivot without lifting the edger off the painted surface—a major plus when working on a surface high above your head.
Using this tool is a breeze; simply attach a standard extension pole, and you’ll be equipped to tackle even the trickiest edges along the ceiling or near windows. The paint edger can also be used on its own with its short handle, which pivots 180 degrees for easy maneuvering when painting down low. Its flocked foam pad glides over smooth or lightly textured surfaces and is easy to replace once your project is finished.
Dimensions: 4.75 x 3.375 inches | Type: Pad | Material: Plastic and foam
One problem with many paint edging tools is that working in corners or other tight spots, such as between closely spaced window frames, can be tricky. However, this parallelogram-shaped paint edger from Behr makes it far easier to tackle these tough spots while laying down a smooth coat of paint.
At 6 inches in length and a mere 3 inches in width, it’s easy to maneuver the device in tight spots, corners, and around the trim that’s close to a wall’s edge. The edger’s handle is made of foam that is very lightweight and easy to grip, even if your hands are a bit sweaty. The attached pad is made of synthetic flocked fibers that won’t shed into your fresh paint; that’s an annoyance with many paint brushes and rollers.
This paint edger can be used with any water-based or oil-based product. However, it cannot be attached to an extension pole, so it’s best for projects where you’ll be standing on the ground or where the surface to be painted is within easy reach from a step stool or ladder. This edger is intended for single use, but considering its low cost, we think it’s still worth it.
Dimensions: 6 x 3 inches | Type: Pad | Material: Foam and synthetic fabric
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Includes multiple rollers
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With practice, creates a very clean line
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No-smear shield
If you are embarking on a significant paint project as a new homeowner, having a kit that includes all the necessary tools and equipment is essential. This kit includes one handheld frame, four rollers, and four tiny edging brushes, so you’ll always have a fresh replacement when you need one. The rollers are 4 inches wide and 2 inches in diameter, with a 3/8-inch nap that evenly covers both flat and lightly textured surfaces. Each roller can hold enough paint for 5 to 8 feet of edging, making the painting process faster.
But the real secret is the combination of the plastic side guard and tiny underlying brush that lets the roller glide right along the edges of corners, ceilings, baseboards, and trim without the need for protective painter’s tape. Instead, you’ll get a perfect line of paint that would make even a professional proud.
You can also wash out the rollers and brushes after use. It’s best for tackling edges around doors, windows, baseboards, and other edges that are within your reach while standing on the ground. If you can’t reach certain window edges, you can always use this on a ladder (since it doesn’t have a pole extension adapter).
Dimensions: 4 x 8 inches | Type: Roller | Material: Plastic and synthetic fabric
When it comes to painting jobs that require precision, edgers are the go-to tool. However, Luigi’s World’s Best Paint Pad goes above and beyond by not only being able to tackle your edges but also painting the entirety of your walls. The set includes a paint tray plus three edgers, all with comfortable plastic handles and sponge pads that hold a lot of paint.
The set includes three different-sized pads: a 9 x 6-inch pad for painting large walls, a 9.5 by 2.5-inch pad for corners and other tight spaces, and a 5 by 3.5-inch pad for smaller areas like around windows and other trim.
The three edgers are designed with a tapered point, which makes them the perfect tool for painting tight and hard-to-reach spaces like corners. This feature allows for precision and accuracy in painting, ensuring a neat and clean finish. Note that these edgers do not have connectors for use with an extension pole, and while they can be washed clean for reuse, in practice, it’s fairly difficult to do so.
Dimensions: 9 x 6, 9.5 x 2.5, 5 x 3.5 inches | Type: Pad | Material: Plastic and sponge
While using a paint sprayer is fast and, with practice, quite easy, it’s also undeniably true that most paint sprayers create considerable overspray. To avoid ending up with tiny dots of paint all over nearby surfaces that you want to leave untouched, consider the Warner Spray Shield.
Measuring 24 inches wide, this plastic shield allows you to pivot to the angle that works best for your needs, whether working in a corner, along trim or even when painting furniture or other items. The shield weighs only 5.3 ounces, so you can be sure you won’t experience any arm fatigue.
To use, hold the shield over the surface you want to protect while you spray your paint. Enjoy a clean edge that isn’t marred by overspray or smeary blotches of paint. Once you are finished painting, it’s easy to wipe the shield clean, as long as you do so before the paint dries.
Dimensions: 24 x 2 inches | Type: Spray shield | Material: Plastic
Final Verdict
We love the Shur-Line Paint Edger Pro, as it’s easy to use, creates a clean line, and has innovative wheels that flip up out of the way when reloading paint to help prevent annoying smudges and smears. But if you prefer a roller-style edger instead of a pad, then we like the Wagner Smart Edge Paint Roller, which holds six ounces of paint right in the handle, so you don’t have to keep visiting the paint tray to reload.
What to Look for in a Paint Edger
Type
Before you start shopping for paint edgers for your project, it’s important to understand the different types of edges and their features and benefits.
- Pad-style edgers, like our best overall pick, the Shur-Line Paint Edger Pro, are a widely used tool due to their ergonomic design. They come equipped with an attached fabric pad that holds and applies the paint.
- Roller-style edgers are a tool that uses mini paint rollers to apply paint. Like full-size rollers, they are known for their efficiency and speed in getting the job done. Our favorite roller-style paint edger is the Wagner Spraytech Smart Edge Paint Roller.
- Brush edges, like our favorite, the Boxtown Cut-N-Edge Pro, are designed to fit snugly around a standard paint brush. They provide a sharp, clean edge that ensures a precise paint application and work with a variety of brush types.
- Spray shields are typically rectangular in shape and made from either plastic or metal. They can be placed over the surface you want to safeguard. An example of this is our favorite pick for paint sprayers, the Warner 24″ Plastic Spray Shield.
Size
Most paint edgers are only a few inches tall and wide, as these devices are intended for painting small areas around trim, corners, and edges, not an entire wall. Still, some edgers are smaller than others, especially those specifically geared towards working in corners or other especially tight spots, such as our favorite option for corners, the Behr Multi-Painter.
Consider the area you’ll be painting when choosing your edger, and pick the size accordingly. You may also want to consider an edger with a larger surface area, like Luigi’s World’s Best Paint Pad Set (our best multi-purpose pick), which is good for painting long swaths of ceilings or along baseboards. Our best kit, the Accubrush MX Paint Edger Jumbo Kit, is great if you’ll be using the tool extensively in a room with a lot of edging and trim.
If you’re trying to reach high areas that require you to stand on a ladder, look for an edger that can be connected to an extension pole, like our best for ceilings pick, the Mr. LongArm 0470 Trim Smart Paint Edger. This feature is particularly useful when painting along the ceiling, up above high windows, or any other area that would require you to stand on a ladder otherwise.
Material
Some paint edgers have foam pads, which are especially good for laying down a smooth coat of paint, and others, including our best multi-purpose pick, Luigi’s World’s Best Paint Pad Set, have sponge pads, which work very well for applying paint thickly without drips.
Roller-style edgers like the Accubrush MX Paint Edger (our favorite kit) generally have synthetic wool-like fabric rollers with a ⅜-inch nap, which is a good length for most smooth to fairly smooth surfaces. They are also great because they can be used for several projects if washed immediately after use.
Surface
The type of surface you are painting will determine what paint edger is best for your project. All of the edges on this list are suitable for painting smooth and lightly textured surfaces, including walls and ceilings. If you are painting a textured surface such as a popcorn ceiling, consider our best overall option, the Shur-Line Paint Edger Pro, which glides over uneven surfaces with ease.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Michelle Ullman, a writer specializing in home and garden products. She once painted an entire bedroom using nothing more than a Shur-Line Pro Paint Edger and a gallon of paint. To choose the best paint edgers for this article, she evaluated dozens of these devices from various brands, evaluating each for durability, ease of use, smoothness of results, reusability, and overall value.
She has been a writer for The Spruce since 2020, covering a wide range of home improvement products, including power and hand tools, painting supplies, landscaping tools, and tool organizers.
Our Experts:
- Jan Walter, professional painter and owner of the blog Gocolorize
- Daniela Galvez, senior commerce editor at The Spruce
Read the full article here
