We evaluated paint edgers based on smoothness of performance, ease of use, and durability. Our top choice, the Shur-Line Paint Edger Pro, lets you create perfectly painted edges without much fuss or bother. Here are the best paint edgers for a wide variety of needs. 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. To the rescue: The ingenious and yet simple design of the Shur-Line Paint Edger Pro, which lets you flip the wheels up and out of the way when it’s time to reload the 4-3/4 x 3-3/4 inch replaceable pad with paint. You’ll appreciate the clean, neat edges you can create with this handy tool. Add to that the smoothly rolling wheels, the single-touch pad ejection feature–no more paint on your fingers–the swiveling handle that attaches to any standard paint extension pole, the ergonomic design that’s easy on your hands, and the soft pad that lays down paint without lint or brushstrokes, and you have a paint edger that helps even a beginner paint around trim, baseboards, and other obstacles like a pro. Use it with just about any type of paint or stain. Price at time of publish: $10 Price at time of publish: $9 Price at time of publish: $22 Price at time of publish: $5 Price at time of publish: $10 Price at time of publish: $45 Price at time of publish: $23 Price at time of publish: $12 Paint edgers with rollers are much like full-size paint rollers; a flocked roller rotates as you move it across the wall. As a general rule, pads are less expensive than rollers, but pads are likelier to leave lines in the fresh paint.
Ease of Movement
Ideally, your paint edger glides along the wall without catching or dragging. Some have small wheels to make movement very easy, but you’ll need to take care not to get sloppy with your work.
Extension Pole Adapter
Most—but not all—paint edgers have an attachment point for an extension pole. If you’ll be working up high on the walls or ceiling, this is a must-have, so be sure to check the specifications before purchasing your edger.
Size and Shape
Most paint edgers are fairly small, but some are larger than others. If you’ll be working in tight corners or on a small stretch of wall, a correspondingly small paint edger is your best choice. If you have lots of wall to cover, however, a larger edger will shorten your work time. And while most paint edgers are rectangular, you’ll find triangular edgers for tackling corners.
Why Trust the Spruce?
This article was written by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs. She’s a big fan of paint edgers, having used many of them during numerous interior painting projects. Michelle also received advice and recommendations from David Mason, interior designer and the owner of The Knobs Company.
