Dulux PaintPod and PaintPod Compact Dulux PaintPod Compact

Compact PaintPod

The Dulux PaintPod Compact is the smaller sibling to Dulux's PaintPod roller painting system. Both release paint onto the roller at the press of a button, but the Compact is cheaper (£44.99 RRP versus £69.99), smaller and lighter. You simply clamp the battery-powered header unit on to the pot of special paint. 

So, is the Compact really worth the extra expense over a traditional roller and tray, especially as it lacks the big PaintPod’s self-cleaning system? We gave it a try, with rather mixed results.

Using the PaintPod Compact

On the positive side, the Dulux PaintPod Compact can cover large areas quickly once it’s up and running, and leaves a very smooth finish. It almost banishes the spatter effect of a traditional roller, but not quite. If you've left paint on the roller and then move it suddenly, it will slop paint.

Working out how much paint is on the roller takes a little getting used to. Initially, we found it difficult to judge. This improved with practice, but the difference between well-loaded and over-loaded is only a couple of seconds’ button-pushing. And a traditional roller is inevitably much lighter; our arms began to droop three-quarters of the way across a not enormous ceiling.

We've also reviewed the Dulux Weathershield BackPack Roller System - an outdoor painting system that pumps paint directly from a pot in a rucksack to a roller.

Dulux brushes

We also tried out Dulux’s set of Perfect Edge painting brushes for the edging (£3.69 from B&Q). These left a very smooth finish, with their non-drip claim proving to be well-founded. But we didn’t think the innovative triangular-shaped brush offered any advantage with awkward corners.

After washing off the roller head, you attach the tubing to a tap via the supplied fitment and then pipe water through for 10 minutes or so. It’s less messy than cleaning a traditional roller and tray, but just as lengthy.

The Compact is available from B&Q, Homebase, Focus and selected independent stores, and comes with a one-year guarantee – though this doesn’t cover its tubing.

Pros: Excellent finish after one coat, speedy when painting large areas
Cons: Takes a long time to dismantle and clean, heavy roller

Check out our home improvement guides for more advice on decorating your home, including our expert guide to how much it should cost to get a professional tradesperson in and top tips for planning a kitchen and planning a bathroom.