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Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint vs Benjamin Moore ben Interior Paint

Both are Benjamin Moore interior acrylics, so the real split is formula tier. Aura is the ultra-premium line: 100% acrylic with Color Lock, one-hour recoat, and a scrubbable, burnish-resistant film that holds up in kitchens, hallways and rentals. Ben is the value line: zero-VOC, self-priming, easy for a first-timer, but a two-hour recoat and a softer finish. Buy Aura where the walls take abuse or color accuracy matters; buy Ben for bedrooms, ceilings and budget repaints.

  • Choose the Aura if you want the toughest, most color-stable finish and don't mind a slower, more careful application.
  • Choose the Ben if you want a low-odor, zero-VOC paint that's forgiving for a novice and fine for low-traffic rooms.

Prices

  • Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint: $23.99 at White's Paint Store (checked today)
  • Benjamin Moore ben Interior Paint: $20.90 at Calumet Paint & Wallpaper (checked today)
  • Difference: the Benjamin Moore ben Interior Paint is $3.09 cheaper than the Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint today
Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint

Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint

4.6(108 ratings)
$23.99at White's Paint StoreObserved at 9:58 AM
See all prices and details
Visit White's Paint Store
Pros
  • One-hour recoat speeds up multi-coat jobs
  • Color Lock keeps colors from rubbing off
  • Scrubbable, burnish-resistant finish for high-traffic walls
  • Strong hide on whites and light tones
  • Self-priming over wood, drywall, plaster and masonry
Cons
  • Ultra-premium tier costs more per gallon
  • Not zero VOC
  • Best results need a skilled hand
Benjamin Moore
ben Zero VOC Interior Paint

Benjamin Moore ben Interior Paint

ben Zero VOC Interior Paint

$20.90at Calumet Paint & WallpaperObserved at 9:59 AM
See all prices and details
Visit Calumet Paint & Wallpaper
Pros
  • Zero VOC and low odor, good for occupied rooms
  • Self-priming, paint and primer in one
  • Forgiving for novice painters
  • Scuff-resistant and spatter-resistant
  • Works with brush, roll or spray
Cons
  • Two-hour recoat slows the job
  • Softer film than Aura in heavy-traffic areas
  • Narrower color depth and hide on light tones

What separates them

Benjamin Moore Aura Interior PaintBenjamin Moore ben Interior Paint
Formula tierUltra-premium 100% acrylic with Color Lock TechnologyHigh-quality acrylic latex at an affordable tier
VOC levelUnder 50 g/L, compliant everywhereZero VOC
Recoat time1 hour2 hours
DurabilityBurnish and scuff resistant, scrubbableScuff resistant, easier to maintain
Hide and coverageEngineered for extreme hide, strong on whites and light tonesExcellent hide, paint and primer together
Skill levelPros and experienced homeownersNovice painter
Color range3,500+ colors with no rub-offStandard Benjamin Moore color range
OdorLow VOCZero VOC, low odor

Price history

  • Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint: lowest $23.99 on Nov 9 at White's Paint Store.
  • Benjamin Moore ben Interior Paint: lowest $20.90 on Nov 9 at Calumet Paint & Wallpaper.

Prices at every store

Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint

  • White's Paint StoreNew

    In stock

    $23.99Observed at 9:58 AM
    Visit White's Paint Store
  • Color HausNew

    In stock

    $33.99Observed at 10:44 AM
    Visit Color Haus
  • Stein Paint CompanyNew

    In stock

    $39.95Observed at 9:59 AM
    Visit Stein Paint Company
  • Town Line Wallpaper & PaintNew

    In stock

    $40.99+ $12.00 shippingObserved at 9:59 AM
    Visit Town Line Wallpaper & Paint
All 22 stores and price history →

Benjamin Moore ben Interior Paint

  • HomeBaseNew

    In stock

    $51.99Free shippingObserved at 9:58 AM
    Visit HomeBase
  • Hill's ACENew

    In stock

    $51.99Observed at 9:58 AM
    Visit Hill's ACE
  • Stones Ace ofNew

    In stock

    $52.99Observed at 9:58 AM
    Visit Stones Ace of
  • Calumet Paint & WallpaperNew

    Availability unknown

    $20.90Observed at 9:59 AM
    Visit Calumet Paint & Wallpaper
All 13 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecBenjamin Moore Aura Interior PaintBenjamin Moore ben Interior Paint
Sheen LevelEggshellMatte, Eggshell, Satin/Pearl, Semi-Gloss
Primer NeedNo (Self Priming)Self Priming
Primer TypeSelf PrimingSelf Priming
Paint TypeInterior PaintAcrylic Paint
Specific TypeWaterborne, Acrylic LatexAcrylic Latex
Type HighlightsWashable, Quick dryingWashable
Finish TextureSmoothSmooth
BaseWaterborneWaterborne
VOC Level< 50, VOC compliant in all areasZero VOC
SolventWaterSoap and Water (for clean up)
Dry Time To Recoat1 Hour2 hours
Dry Time To Touch1 Hour1 hour
Show all 35 specsShow fewer specs
SpecBenjamin Moore Aura Interior PaintBenjamin Moore ben Interior Paint
Dry Time Full Cure14 days14 days
DurabilityScuff ResistantScuff-resistant
Block ResistanceBlock-ResistantBlock-Resistant
Suitable LocationInteriorInterior
Suitable SurfacesWood, Drywall, Masonry, PlasterMasonry, Drywall, Plaster, Wood
Skill LevelPros, Homeowners, Professional paintersNovice painter
FormLiquidCan
GradeUltra-premium paint with superior color depth a…High-quality acrylic paint at an affordable pri…
FinishesMatte, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss

What reviewers say

Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint

  • 4.6 / 5108 ratings

Owners and painters rate Aura highly, praising its coverage, color depth and scrubbability. Complaints center on the premium tier and on application, where flashing and lap marks show up if the paint is overworked or the wall is not properly prepared.

What people mention
  • CoveragePraisedReviewers say it hides in fewer coats, including over darker existing colors.
  • Color depthPraisedOwners report deep, accurate color that holds up without rub-off.
  • WashabilityPraisedScuffs and marks clean off without dulling the finish.
  • CostCriticisedBuyers say the ultra-premium tier is hard to justify for low-traffic rooms.

Benjamin Moore ben Interior Paint

Owners and painters describe ben as an easy-applying, low-odor paint that hides well for its tier. Most praise its touch-up friendliness and scuff resistance; critics say coverage on bold colors falls short of Benjamin Moore's premium lines.

What people mention
  • OdorPraisedBuyers note the low smell, which lets them paint rooms in use.
  • CoverageMixedHide is good on light colors but deep tones often need a second or third coat.
  • ApplicationPraisedReviewers find it smooth to brush and roll with little spatter.
  • Touch-upsMixedMany say touch-ups blend well, but some report flashing on eggshell and satin.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a kitchen or hallway?
Aura. Its scrubbable, burnish-resistant finish handles grease, scuffs and repeated washing better than Ben's softer film.
Is Ben good enough for a bedroom?
Yes. Ben's zero-VOC, low-odor formula and self-priming coverage suit low-traffic rooms, and it's easier for a first-timer to apply.
Which lasts longer?
Aura. The 100% acrylic Color Lock film resists scuffs and color rub-off longer, especially on walls that get touched.
Do I need a primer with either?
Both are self-priming on drywall, plaster, wood and masonry. Ben suggests thinning the first coat on bare plaster.
Is Aura worth stepping up to?
If you're painting high-traffic walls, deep or light colors, or want fewer coats, yes. For ceilings and spare rooms, Ben covers the job.
Which dries faster?
Aura. It's touch-dry and recoatable in about an hour; Ben needs about two hours before recoating.

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Buying guides that pick them

  • Best satin interior wall paints
Matte, Eggshell, Semi-Gloss, Satin/Pearl
Formula TypeProprietary 100% acrylic with Color Lock Techno…Acrylic latex
CompositionLatexLatex
ColorBase 4Base 2
AdhesionSuperior adhesion—
Container TypeCan—
Packaging TypeSingle Unit—
OdorLow VOC—
VolumeQuart—
Type—Interior
Application Method—Brush, Roll, Spray
Number Of Coats—1 or 2
Surface Preparation—Dilute your first coat of Ben (if painting bare…
Time Between Coats—2 hours
Application Temperature Range—50-90 °F