Behr Dynasty vs. Marquee: Which Premium Paint Is Better?

Are you trying to decide between Behr Dynasty and Behr Marquee paint?

Until 2021, Marquee was Behr’s most premium (and expensive) paint. But Dynasty now owns that title.

So, is Dynasty worth the extra cost? Or should you save money and go with Marquee?

In this Behr Dynasty vs. Marquee comparison, I answer those questions.

You’ll learn how they differ in coverage, durability, finishes, price, and other key features. Plus, I share what paint experts say about both options.

Let’s get into it.

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Use the links below to navigate the comparison:

• Behr Dynasty vs. Marquee: Comparison Chart
• Similarities Between Behr Dynasty and Marquee
• Differences Between Behr Dynasty and Marquee
• What Experts at The Home Depot Say About Behr Dynasty vs. Marquee
• What Others Say About Behr Dynasty and Marquee
• Bottom Line: Should You Choose Behr Dynasty or Marquee Paint?

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Behr Dynasty vs. Marquee: Comparison Chart

	Dynasty	Marquee
Type	Interior	Interior and Exterior
Paint and Primer	Yes	Yes
VOCs	< 50 g/l	< 50 g/l
GREENGUARD Certified	Yes	Yes
Colors	Over 1,400 options	Over 1,400 options
Dry Time	4 hours before recoat	4 hours before recoat
Coverage per Gallon	400 square feet	400 square feet
Interior Volume Solids	40-43%	41-46%
Exterior Volume Solids	N/A	39-45%
Finishes	Matte, Eggshell, Semi-gloss	Interior: Matte, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss Exterior: Flat, Satin, Semi-Gloss
Stain Blocking Technology	Yes	Yes
Scuff and Mar Resistance	Yes	No
Appearance	✔✔✔	✔✔✔
Easy to Clean	✔✔✔	✔✔✔
Mold & Mildew Resistance	✔✔✔	✔✔✔
Ease of Application	✔✔✔	✔
Durability	✔✔✔	✔✔
Coverage/Hide	✔✔✔	✔✔✔
Price	$$$$ (view on HomeDepot.com)	$$$ (view on HomeDepot.com)

Similarities Between Behr Dynasty and Marquee

First, I’ll cover the similarities between the Behr Dynasty and Marquee paint. They are both premium paint lines and have a lot of features in common.

Paint and Primer in One

Both Dynasty and Marquee paints are self-priming, meaning they offer the coverage of a primer and a paint all-in-one product.

Paint and primer combos like Behr Marquee and Dynasty work great on walls that are already painted. But in other situations, you’ll need to use primer before you paint.

Priming a surface is necessary for better coverage and longer-lasting finish if you are painting:

• Highly porous, bare surfaces
• Drywall or masonry
• Unfinished wood
• Raw, uncoated metal
• Surfaces with existing, high-pigment colors

Coverage

Dynasty and Marquee interior paints both offer exceptional coverage. A one-gallon can of paint covers up to 400 square feet. For perspective, the average bedroom is roughly 150 square feet.

Marquee exterior paint can cover 250-400 square feet per gallon. The extent of coverage will depend on how many coats are necessary. Behr recommends two coats for optimal coverage.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs, are paint solvents that release gas when the paint dries. Depending on the paint, the gas can dissipate quickly or over months or years.

VOC levels are a top concern because, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), many are known to cause cancer.

In addition to cancer, VOC exposure can also have short- and long-term health effects, such as respiratory distress or liver damage. So there are federal limits in place to decrease exposure to VOCs and their associated health risks.

The federal cap on VOCs is 250 grams per liter (lg/L) for flat finishes and 380 g/L for higher-sheen finishes such as low-luster or semi-gloss.

Like other reputable paint companies, Behr is compliant with federal limits on VOCs. But it also goes the extra mile to offer paint products that contain low or none of these dangerous compounds.

Dynasty and Marquee lines are both considered low-VOC paints. The levels vary by finish across both paint lines, but all options contain VOC amounts of less than 50 g/L, which is well below the federal limit.

Both paints are also UL GREENGUARD® Gold Certified, a designation given to products that meet specific standards for releasing low chemical emissions into the air when you use them indoors.

Colors

Both Dynasty and Marquee interior paints are available in the full range of Behr colors — that’s over 1,400 colors from which to choose. Marquee exterior is available in over 700 colors.

All Dynasty and Marquee paints tinted with colors from the Behr One-Coat Color Collection and select colors from other One-Coat Hide Behr palettes are guaranteed to offer one-coat coverage.

Cleaning

You can easily clean Dynasty and Marquee interior and exterior paint with water and a mild detergent, such as Dawn or Ivory dishwashing liquid.

Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive materials when cleaning up dirt or stains on painted walls, as it may damage the finish.

Stain Blocking Technology

If you’re looking for a paint that offers superior stain resistance, Dynasty and Marquee both deliver.

From the Behr website in regards to Dynasty interior paint – “It’s our most stain repellent, scuff resistant, fast-drying, one-coat coverage paint & primer, ever.”

Both paint lines block old stains on a previously painted surface and repel new stains. The stain blocking technology keeps the finish looking newer longer.

Differences Between Behr Dynasty and Marquee

Next, I’ll share the differences between Dynasty and Marquee paint lines.

Interior and Exterior

You can choose between either the Marquee or Dynasty paint lines for an interior paint job. However, if you have an exterior project, Marquee is the only option for that job.

Finishes

Although all paints are available in semi-gloss, some finishes differ between Dynasty and Marquee.

Dynasty interior is available in the following finishes:

• Matte
• Eggshell
• Semi-gloss

Marquee interior is available in the following finishes:

• Matte
• Eggshell
• Satin
• Semi-gloss

Marquee exterior is available in the following finishes:

• Flat
• Satin
• Semi-gloss

Volume Solids

What are volume solids, and what do you need to know about them before choosing a paint brand and type?

Volume solids are the elements of paint that remain after it dries. Paint is made up of water (or solvent), pigment, additives, and a binding agent.

Consider the example of painting a room. Here’s how the elements work together:

• The solvent, such as water, oil, or alkyd, is the liquid portion of the paint that helps you apply it to the walls in the room.
• Pigment gives the paint its color.
• Additives infuse the paint with different features such as stain blocking or self-leveling.
• The binding agent holds on to the pigment and additives.

Once you paint the room, the solvent (liquid) dissipates as it dries. Only the binding agent, pigment, and additives remain — creating the volume solids.

The following chart shows the volume solids for Behr Dynasty vs. Marquee paint lines in multiple finishes so you can see how they compare.

Finish	Dynasty Interior	Marquee Interior	Marquee Exterior
Flat	N/A	N/A	45%
Matte	43%	46%	N/A
Eggshell	42%	45%	N/A
Satin	N/A	42%	41%
Semi-Gloss	40%	41%	39%

*N/A indicates that paint is not available in that particular finish.

Volume solids vary based on the formula (interior or exterior) and finish. If a paint contains a high level of volume solids, it tends to be thicker than paint with lower levels.

For example, based on the chart above, interior matte paint in the Marquee line (at 46%) is slightly thicker than Dynasty (at 43%).

Still, both premium paint lines have a high percentage of volume solids and offer excellent coverage and durability. Most mid-range paints feature volume solids in the range of 35 to 38%, so Behr Marquee and Dynasty are both above the curve on this feature.

Scuff and Mar Resistance

One of the most significant differences between Behr Marquee and Dynasty is that Dynasty includes additives that make it more scuff and mar resistant.

Although Marquee is durable paint, it doesn’t include these additives and is more prone to show scuff marks if you rub furniture, toys, vacuums, or other objects against it.

Dry Time

Dynasty and Marquee paint lines both have an advertised dry time of one hour and a re-coat time of two hours.

However, based on my testing and conversations with professional painters and paint experts at The Home Depot, Dynasty has superior block resistance and dry time compared to Marquee.

Block resistance refers to a paint’s ability to resist sticking to itself when two painted surfaces come into contact. For example, if you paint a door and door frame with Dynasty, you’ll be able to close the door without the paint bonding together much sooner than with Marquee.

Environmental factors, such as cold temperatures, high humidity, and high altitude, may increase or decrease drying times.

Additionally, darker colors generally require more than two hours between coats. Always err on the side of caution and allow more time than not enough when waiting to apply a second coat.

Price

Of course, prices will vary depending on which finish you choose, but in general, Behr Dynasty interior paint is slightly more expensive than Marquee interior paint. Dynasty will cost you roughly $7 more per gallon.

For current prices, refer to the table below:

Paint	View Price
Behr Dynasty (Matte)	Home Depot
Behr Dynasty (Eggshell)	Home Depot
Behr Dynasty (Semi-Gloss)	Home Depot
Behr Marquee (Matte)	Home Depot
Behr Marquee (Eggshell)	Home Depot
Behr Marquee (Satin)	Home Depot
Behr Marquee (Semi-Gloss)	Home Depot

What Experts at The Home Depot Say

To get some expert opinions about the differences between Behr Dynasty and Marquee, I spoke with two paint authorities at The Home Depot.

First, I spoke to the paint specialist at The Home Depot in Natick, Massachusetts. She told me that Behr Marquee and Dynasty are both one-coat paints, but Dynasty also has scuff defense (also in Behr Ultra paint), flows better, and dries faster.

She mentioned some customers complain that Marquee is too thick and sticky, but Dynasty is smoother and thinner, making it easier to spread.

According to this expert, Dynasty is one step up from Marquee in durability and overall quality. Behr created it to compete with high-end paints like Benjamin Moore Aura and Sherwin-Williams Emerald paint lines.

She added that the downside of Dynasty is that it’s more expensive than Marquee and doesn’t come in a satin finish.

I spoke with the paint specialist at The Home Depot in Watertown, Massachusetts, to get a second opinion. He confirmed what I had already learned from the other expert.

He said Dynasty is Behr’s newest paint line. Like Marquee, Dynasty is a one-coat paint, but it’s more durable and includes enhanced scuff and stain resistance.

He said no matter which finish you select with Dynasty, you get the durability of high-gloss.

When I asked if it’s worth spending more for Dynasty, he said that both are high-quality, durable paints, but Dynasty will hold up better in high traffic areas or on walls that must be washed frequently (like near the kitchen sink or the stove).

What Others Say About Behr Marquee and Dynasty

As you form opinions about Behr Dynasty vs. Marquee paint lines, I’d like to share what some other consumer product review sites and online publications have to say.

What follows are highlights of the overall consensus about both paint lines.

Dynasty

Keep in mind that Dynasty is Behr’s newest line of paint, debuting in 2021, so it still hasn’t yet built a reputation like Marquee. Marquee exterior debuted in 2013, and the interior formula followed in 2014.

Coatings World echoed Behr’s description of Dynasty as “Behr’s most innovative new product in company history.” The new pant line is praised for its four-in-one formula that combines one-coat coverage, scuff resistance, stain blocking, and fast drying in one can.

The Home Depot recently celebrated the debut of the Dynasty paint line and revealed the Behr 2022 Color of the Year – Breezeway. It’s positioned as a super paint, boasting longevity, a quality finish, and superior coverage.

Marquee

Consumer Reports offered a favorable review for Marquee’s interior formula. Reviewers rated it 5 out of 5 for its superior hide and stain resistance.

Country Living chose Behr Marquee as the top pick for best coverage in its list of the 10 best interior paint brands. Reviewers pointed out that, while it’s not the cheapest, it offers excellent value because you’ll use less paint. It’s also a favored choice for covering old paint due to its one-coat guarantee.

The Washington Post rounded up the top five interior paints, according to Consumer Reports. Out of 21 paints tested, Behr Marquee was rated as number one overall, and it also earned an excellent rating for coverage.

The Spruce compiled a list of the best one-coat paints and chose Behr Marquee as one of the top eight. This thick paint can hide imperfections, and it comes with a 100% guaranteed one-coverage.

Bottom Line: Should You Choose Behr Dynasty or Marquee Paint?

After learning about Behr Dynasty and Marquee paint lines, it’s time to decide which paint is best for your home improvement project.

Before I share my recommendation, let’s recap the similarities and the differences:

• Both Dynasty and Marquee are low VOC paints that offer one-coat coverage
• They are both available in a variety of colors.
• They differ in finishes available, with Marquee offering the most options.
• Coverage and stain blocking are identical for Dynasty and Marquee paint.
• They are both easily cleaned with water and mild detergent.
• Both paints have similar volume solids percentages.
• Behr Dynasty dries faster and has better block resistance than Marquee.
• Behr Dynasty paint is slightly more expensive than Marquee.
• Behr Dynasty does not offer exterior paint, while Marquee is available in both interior and exterior formulas.

Bottom line — Dynasty and Marquee interior paint lines are very similar because they both offer one-coat coverage, fast dry times, and high stain resistance.

The key difference is that Dynasty contains additives that increase its scuff resistance. But this increased durability also comes at a higher price, costing an extra $7 per gallon than Marquee. With the debut of Dynasty paint in 2021, Marquee is no longer the most expensive paint that Behr offers.

With paint, you typically get what you pay for. So, if you’re willing to spend a little bit more, Dynasty will hold up better, especially in high-traffic areas. Yet, if you want to save some money, Marquee is still a premium, one-coat paint offering greater durability than many other mid-range paints.

Alternatively, consider Behr Ultra if you are looking for mid-range paint. You can expect to use two coats, but it contains additives to make it scuff- and stain-resistant.

If you want a budget brand, look at Behr Premium Plus. It’s a decent choice for renters and painting low-traffic areas in your home.

To learn more about Behr paint and compare prices, please visit Behr.com and HomeDepot.com.