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Best washable paint for walls 2026: matt emulsions reviewed
Washable paint is certainly useful if an aspiring child artist decides to draw on your walls. With its durable finish, it's a popular choice for kitchens and hallways, where stains and scuff marks are hard to avoid.
We've tested the most popular matt emulsion paints from B&Q, Dulux, Farrow & Ball, Johnstone's, Lick, Little Greene and more, to find out which can be washed and cleaned without damage.
The best washable paints survived our cleaning tests without peeling or flaking. We also have one Great Value recommendation that has fantastic durability and costs less than £20 for 2.5 litres – that's less than half the price of many of the paints we tested.
How we test to find you the best
We've tested 12 durable paints
Everything from high-end brands such as Farrow & Ball, Frenchic and Little Greene to cheaper options from B&Q, Crown and Dulux.
Paint coverage
Painting takes long enough without having to apply endless coats, so we assess the appearance and coverage of each paint after one, two and three coats.
Durability
We scrub melted chocolate, coloured pencil, crayon and permanent marker from each paint. The best still look fantastic, but many of the paints wash and flake away.
We also test...
Before naming any paint a Best Buy, we test multiple colours from the same brand to make sure that you'll get the same super-tough paint whichever colour you buy.
The washable paints we tested
The biggest brands and the most popular washable paints are listed below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the washable paint test results.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.
| Washable paint | Price | Score | Appearance after washing off crayon | Appearance after washing off permanent marker | Appearance after two coats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableDigital £8.99 per month, cancel any time. Already a member? Log in | 100% | ||||
| 96% | |||||
| 96% | |||||
| 96% | |||||
| 92% | |||||
| 88% | |||||
| 86% | |||||
| 82% | |||||
| 82% | |||||
| 76% | |||||
| 64% | |||||
| 64% |
Sign up to reveal
Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations
Unlock tableDigital £8.99 per month, cancel any time.
Already a member? Log in
Date tested: January 2026. We're not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
The paints we tested are listed in alphabetical order below
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best washable paints from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Crown Easyclean Kitchen Matt Emulsion
Most recently tested January 2026
Need to know Available in 15 shades
Dulux Easycare Washable & Tough Matt Emulsion
Most recently tested January 2026
Need to know Available in 61 shades
Farrow & Ball Modern Emulsion
Most recently tested January 2026
Need to know Hundreds of shades
Farrow & Ball Dead Flat
Most recently tested May 2023
Need to know Hundreds of shades
Frenchic Chalk Wall Paint
Available from Frenchic (£45.95)
Most recently tested January 2026
Need to know 159 colours available
GoodHome Tough & Durable Matt Emulsion
Most recently tested January 2026
Need to know Available in 60 shades
Considering getting a professional in? Find out how much painters and decorators cost
Johnstone's Washable Matt Paint
Most recently tested January 2026
Need to know Available in 30 shades
Lick Supreme Flat Matt
Available from Lick (£39)
Most recently tested January 2026
Need to know Available in 100 shades
The Little Greene Paint Company Intelligent Matt Emulsion
Most recently tested May 2023
Need to know Available in more than 50 shades
Valspar Premium Walls & Ceilings, Matt Emulsion
Most recently tested January 2026
Wickes Tough & Washable Matt Emulsion
Most recently tested January 2026
Need to know Available in 15 shades
Zhoosh Moonglow Flat Matt
Available from Zhoosh (£44)
Most recently tested January 2026
Need to know Available in 58 shades
How we test washable paint
We test the most popular white matt emulsion paints available in a 2.5-litre tin. If a brand offers a durable and washable version of the paint, we pick that option. We don't accept freebies; we purchase all the paint that we test.
We regularly revisit the washable paint on sale to see if any more popular products need testing. When we find them, we do.
- Durability We conduct four cleaning tests on each paint. We wash and scrub crayon, coloured pencil, melted chocolate, and finally permanent marker off each paint. The best paints stand up easily to these four tough tests and would be perfect for high-traffic areas or kitchens. The worst paint washes away easily and reveals the yellow undercoat.
- Coverage and finish We assess the coverage and quality of the finish after one, two and three coats. The best paints completely cover the yellow undercoat in two coats, but many require three coats for a quality finish.
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Different types of paint finishes compared
Many brands have their own versions and names for their paint finishes, but the different types are widely known as matt, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss.
Paint finish | About the finish | Good for |
Matt (also known as matte or flat) | - Has a non-reflective appearance - Can hide slight imperfections | Low-traffic areas such as: - Formal living rooms - Dining rooms - Ceilings - Offices |
| Eggshell | - Has low lustre - Has a velvety appearance | Moderate-traffic areas such as: - Family rooms - Bedrooms - Dining rooms - Hallways - Entryways |
| Satin | - Has a pearl-like appearance - Is slightly reflective | Moderate to high-traffic areas such as: - Family rooms - Kitchens - Bathrooms - Mouldings - Interior doors |
| Semi-gloss and high-gloss | - Is resistant to dirt, stains and mildew - Can highlight any imperfections | High-traffic areas such as: - Kitchens - Bathrooms - Doors - Mouldings |
Redecorating? Find out how to wallpaper a room and how to plaster a wall
What's the best way to paint a wall?
Preparation is the key to painting a wall and getting a fantastic finish you're happy with. Cleaning and priming the walls are an essential first step before you get started.
For a detailed guide with tips on achieving a brilliant finish, see how to paint a room.