Aura vs. Regal Select: Which Benjamin Moore Interior Paint Is Right for Your Project?

Both are excellent paints. But they're not the same. Here's an honest breakdown of when Aura is worth it and when Regal Select is the smarter call.

The Short Answer

Aura is Benjamin Moore's best interior paint. Regal Select is their second-best. Both are excellent. The question is whether the difference matters for your specific project.

What Makes Aura Different

Aura uses Benjamin Moore's proprietary Colour Lock® technology. What that means in practice: the colour goes deeper into the paint film, so it doesn't fade or rub off the way cheaper paints do. It also has exceptional hide — you'll often get full coverage in one coat on a repaint over a similar colour.

Aura is also self-priming in most situations, which can save you a step. And the washability is genuinely impressive — it holds up to scrubbing in kitchens and bathrooms without losing sheen.

What Regal Select Does Well

Regal Select is a professional-grade paint that's been around for decades. Contractors trust it because it levels beautifully, covers well, and is consistent from batch to batch. It's slightly easier to work with than Aura — it has a longer open time, which helps when you're cutting in on large walls.

For most repaint projects over a similar colour, Regal Select performs beautifully and the difference from Aura is minimal.

When to Choose Aura

Dramatic colour changes (dark to light or vice versa)
High-traffic areas: hallways, kids' rooms, mudrooms
Kitchens and bathrooms where washability matters
When you want the best possible finish and longevity
Deep or saturated colours (Aura's Colour Lock technology really shows here)

When Regal Select Makes More Sense

Repainting over a similar colour
Large projects where cost is a factor
Bedrooms, living rooms, and other lower-traffic areas
When you're painting multiple rooms and want consistency
Contractors doing volume work who need reliable, predictable performance

What About ben?

Benjamin Moore's ben® is their entry-level interior paint. It's a good paint — better than most big-box store house brands — but it doesn't have the hide, washability, or longevity of Aura or Regal Select. We recommend it for rental properties, low-traffic spaces, or when budget is the primary constraint.

The Bottom Line

If you're painting a room you care about and want it to look great for years, Aura is worth the difference. If you're doing a straightforward repaint in a similar colour, Regal Select will serve you well and save you some money.

Not sure which is right for your project? Come in and talk to us. We'll ask a few questions and point you in the right direction.