The 8 Best Zero-VOC Paints (2024)

Updated September 9, 2022

With the phase-out of the Natura line, Eco Spec® is now the “greenest” interior premium acrylic paint from Benjamin Moore. It comes in three finishes—flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss—mixed with all available colors. It’s tinted with the company’s Gennex® zero VOC colorant system. There's also an Eco Spec® primer product. It is Green Seal Certified, and also certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Since 2012, Behr has offered an affordable zero-VOC and low odor interior paint line. The self-priming product seals uncoated and previously painted surfaces. The mildew-resistant finish is 100% acrylic and has a quick drying time. It is highly versatile and available in multiple finishes. It’s Greenguard Gold Certified to meet standards for low chemical emissions. Check out their water-based, no-VOC Pro i300 line for larger projects.

For more than 30 years, ECOS Paint has been helping consumers with chemical sensitivities spruce up their homes. Each paint is water-based, zero-VOC, low-odor, and manufactured in the United States. Each product includes a complete ingredient list and VOC test data.

Looking to match your favorite paint color from a different brand? ECOS can do that, too. They not offer a range of wall and ceiling pants, as well as a collection of primers, stains, varnishes, and trim paints. ECOS even makes an Air Purifying Paint which promises to absorb and neutralize pollutants and VOCs.

This Sherwin Williams product is a readily available primer that creates an excellent foundation for painting new walls, patches, or covering up old colors. The primer is Greenguard Certified to emit fewer chemical emissions. Top it off with the company's zero-VOC Harmony acrylic latex paint that features an anti-microbial ingredient to reduce the growth of mold and mildew. It’s a great duo to use in kitchens, bathrooms, and any other rooms that may have excess moisture.

AFM SafeCoat products are ideal options for anyone with chemical sensitivities, vulnerable groups, children, and commercial projects like hospitals, schools, and offices. This line was created in partnership with environmental medicine physicians and their patients to reduce air pollution and off-gassing. The company says that all its building products are formulated to meet high-quality performance standards with negligible toxic off-gassing.

South Carolina-based Earth Safe Finishes has been making VOC-free paints for two decades. It has a wall paint line for interior, and exterior applications, including one they claim is safe for babies. The company also offers a no-VOC water-based varnish, zero-VOC stains and pigments, and sealants specially designed for furniture and arts and craft projects. The paints are made in the United States and the company is woman-founded.

Green Planet Paints are an eco-friendly interior and exterior paint line that comes flat and eggshell finishes, both with built-in primer. They are plant and mineral-based and zero-VOC and contain no heavy metals, biocides, or preservatives. These petroleum-free paints are neither acrylic nor latex but made of soy-based alkyd. A number of Green Planet Paints' product are BioPrreferred Certified, a voluntary program that applies to products that contain sustainable natural materials. You can choose from 48 zero-VOC colors that are also derived from clay-based and mineral pigments. Custom colors are also available.

Milk paint is an old-school method for adding color to surfaces. A combination of milk protein, lime, and natural pigments, milk paint, creates a long-lasting muted color. It does have a milky scent when wet, but the odor disappears when the paint is dry.

In 1974, the Milk Paint company started with eight colors to match the classic stylings of furniture and buildings in farmhouses in the early American colonies. Today you can choose from 32 hues, but you can also blend the colors together to make your own custom shade. The paint comes in powered form, which you mix yourself to your desired thickness. The manufacturer recommends using a top coat to protect the paint and make it easier to clean.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are zero-VOC paints safe for a baby’s room?

  Choosing paint for a nursery is a fun part of preparing for the arrival of a little one, and water-based, lead-free, zero-VOC paint can be a good option. When choosing paint for indoor use, review the product label carefully and ensure safety for children.

  Always paint when you can have good ventilation by keeping windows open during and after application. Letting paint dry and cure before you use the room can also be helpful. You can also consider running an air purifier in the room after painting.

• Does zero-VOC paint smell bad?

  While zero VOC paints (including natural options like milk paint) have lower chemicals, they may still have a slight odor. It’s always important to paint in a well-ventilated area. Whether or not you’re highly sensitive to paint fumes, consider wearing a dust mask or a respirator to offering protection.

• Does zero-VOC paint last as long?

  Most zero-VOC paints made by large paint manufacturers are made to high-quality standards to be durable and provide good coverage. Zero-VOC paints tend to be water-based paints, which are generally sturdier and long-lasting than latex paints. Generally, an indoor paint job using water-based paint will last about 10 years. However, the longevity of a paint job will also depend on the surface condition of what's being painted and as well as its environment. Water-based paints do tend to be less durable than oil-based options, yet oil (or petroleum) based paints have higher levels of VOCs.

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