Short answer
For smooth walls in any sheen, a 3/8 inch woven or microfiber cover such as the Wooster Pro/Doo-Z or Purdy White Dove. For cabinets and doors, a 1/4 inch woven or high-density foam cover. For texture and stucco, a 3/4 inch knit such as Purdy Colossus, and for brick and block, a 1-1/4 inch masonry cover.
What makes a good cover
Benjamin Moore lists four signs of quality: beveled edges (so the ends do not leave ridges), no visible seams, a plastic core (cardboard cores soften when wet), and bounce-back when you squeeze the fabric. Then match the nap to the surface and the fabric to the sheen.
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01Smooth walls
Wooster Pro/Doo-Z
Best for Smooth to semi-smooth walls in eggshell to semi-gloss
- Fabric
- Woven
- Naps sold
- 3/8 to 3/4 in. and others (varies by width)
- Widths
- 9 in. and wider
- Woven fabric, the type Purdy and Benjamin Moore both link with low lint and a smooth finish.
- Widely sold in 9 in. and wider sizes.
Bob Vila named it Best Overall in its hands-on roller test, finding it gave the smoothest finish of the rollers tried, though it was the most expensive cover tested.
Source: Bob Vila, The Best Paint Rollers, tested (updated August 2025) -
02Low lint
Purdy White Dove
Best for Very smooth surfaces and higher sheens: doors, trim, cabinets, smooth walls
- Fabric
- Woven
- Purdy suggests
- 1/4 in. for smooth surfaces
- Also sold
- 3/8 in. for walls
- Purdy itself recommends the 1/4 inch White Dove for smooth interior surfaces such as drywall, cabinets and metal.
- A good pick when lint in a gloss finish is your worry.
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03Microfiber
Wooster Micro Plush
Best for Smooth walls and ceilings when you want more paint per load
- Fabric
- Microfiber
- Nap
- About 5/16 in. (retail listings)
- Benjamin Moore says microfiber blends are designed for high capacity and smooth, consistent paint release.
- Some buyers report lint from fresh microfiber covers, so de-lint it with tape before the first coat.
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04Texture
Purdy Colossus
Best for Semi-rough to rough surfaces: textured drywall, stucco, T1-11 siding, brick
- Fabric
- Woven polyamide (retail listings)
- Nap
- 3/4 in.
- Widths
- 9, 14 and 18 in. (retail listings)
- A long nap for surfaces that a 3/8 inch cover would skip.
- Retail listings disagree on the exact surface range, so check the sleeve for your nap.
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05Value
Wooster Painter’s Choice multipack
Best for Textured walls, primer coats, rough work and multi-room jobs
- Sold as
- Multipacks
- Use
- Textured surfaces
Bob Vila named it Best for Textured Surface: testers said the covers worked as intended on texture, but left some lint and did not give a smooth finish on smooth surfaces.
Source: Bob Vila, The Best Paint Rollers, tested (updated August 2025) -
06Cabinets
High-density foam covers
Best for Cabinet doors, flat doors, furniture in semi-gloss and gloss enamel
- Fabric
- Foam
- Nap
- 3/16 to 3/8 in. (retail listings)
- Widths
- 4, 6 and 9 in.
- Shur-Line sells Cabinets and Doors foam covers in 4 and 6 in. sizes, and Wooster sells a 9 in. Pro Tiz foam cover, both pitched for smooth results with minimal stipple.
- Roll slowly with light pressure to avoid bubbles.
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07Brick and block
1-1/4 inch masonry covers
Best for Brick, concrete block, cinder block, rough fences
- Fabric
- Thick knit
- Nap
- 1 to 1-1/4 in.
- Paints
- Masonry paint, heavy coatings
- Benjamin Moore and Purdy both point brick and block to the longest naps.
- Shur-Line lists a 1-1/4 in. knit cover for brick, concrete and masonry block.
Quick match: surface to cover
Nap by surface, from Benjamin Moore, Purdy and Sherwin-Williams guidance
| Nap | Surfaces | Paint | Cover | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 in. and under | Very smooth: metal doors, trim, cabinet doors, plaster, smooth drywall | Semi-gloss, gloss and enamels; also primers on smooth work | Woven (microfiber, mohair) or high-density foam | 1/4" covers |
| 3/8 in. | Smooth to semi-smooth: most interior walls and flat ceilings, paneling | Flat, matte, eggshell and satin wall paint | Microfiber, woven, or knit polyester for latex | 3/8" covers |
| 1/2 in. | Semi-rough: lightly textured walls and ceilings, rough wood, decks, concrete | Flat to satin; thicker coatings | Knit polyester or microfiber | 1/2" covers |
| 3/4 in. | Rough: textured ceilings, stucco, masonry | Flat and low sheen; masonry and elastomeric coatings | Knit polyester or a poly and wool blend | 3/4" covers |
| 1 in. to 1-1/4 in. | Very rough: brick, concrete block, cinder block, fences | Masonry paint and heavy exterior coatings | Thick knit polyester | 1"+ covers |
Woven, knit, microfiber or foam?
Woven covers (microfiber, mohair) leave little lint and a very smooth finish; knit covers (polyester, lambswool) hold more paint and cover faster but leave some stipple. That split comes straight from Purdy and Benjamin Moore. Foam lays enamel flat on smooth parts but cannot reach into texture. The foam vs microfiber guide goes deeper.
Before the first coat
- De-lint: wrap painter’s tape around your hand sticky side out and roll it over the cover, a tip from Benjamin Moore.
- Dampen the cover with water for latex (or the right solvent for oil), then spin or blot it until it is just damp. This helps it load evenly.
- Check the ends: a bevel prevents the ridge lines that square-cut ends leave.
Keeping covers going between coats and jobs is in how to clean a paint roller.
Questions people ask
What roller cover do professional painters use?
Pros tend to buy by job rather than brand: a woven or microfiber 3/8 inch cover for smooth walls, short woven or foam for enamel, and long-nap knit for texture. Purdy and Wooster are the names most often seen in pro supply aisles, but we have no survey data on what share of painters use which.
How do I stop a roller cover from shedding lint?
Buy a better cover and de-lint it before painting. Benjamin Moore suggests wrapping painter’s tape around your hand, sticky side out, and rubbing it along the cover. It also notes that cheaper covers tend to shed fibers.
How many times can I reuse a roller cover?
A quality cover can be washed and reused several times. Benjamin Moore says quality covers should last up to five uses before shedding; that is the maker’s figure, and results depend on how well you clean it. Retire a cover once it sheds, mats or stays stiff.
Are cheap multipacks of roller covers worth it?
For primer, rough work and one-off jobs, often yes. For a visible finish coat on smooth walls, a better cover is worth it: Benjamin Moore says cheaper rollers tend to shed and break down after repeated washing.
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Specs and availability change; check the listing before you buy.