Paint manufacturers try to dazzle consumers with claims of "25 Years of Durability", "Advanced Ti-3 Technology", and "Authentic ColorLock" system.

Consumer Reports cut through the lingo, testing more than 50 interior paints. Low-luster paint like satin or eggshell is the best finish for most jobs.

"Low-luster paints result in a finish that's durable and easy to clean, compared to a flat paint that may not be the most stain-resistant, or a semi-gloss that may lose its gloss when it's cleaned." said Consumer Reports' Rico De Paz

Can you get by with applying just one coat of paint? That's one of a battery of tests Consumer Reports' technicians subjected paints to.
Testers also put the paints through a scrubbing test to see how well they withstand abrasive cleaners.

Kilz Casual Colors Satin, available at Wal-Mart, is top-rated low-luster paint. And at under $20 a gallon, it's a Consumer Reports' Best Buy. It's also a durable paint.

Not every paint is right for every room in your home. For instance, if you have a sunny room you'll need a paint that resists fading, a challenge for many paints. Consumer Reports recommends Glidden Evermore in Satin. It's a low-luster paint that doesn't fade.