I used Behr's Premium Plus Ultra Expensive Paint in my basement. The only reason I used it is because that is was the previous owner used throughout. I found the same thing, the coverage was awful. I have a 20' x 12' room with a huge doorway and two small windows. I needed 3 to 4 coats with this ultra expensive "Primer & Paint" and the coverage stunk. I used nearly 4 gallons of paint.
I've found it's all in the surface prep.
If I have my guys, wash, sand and wipe - the first coat won't go far but the second doesn't get sucked in and can cover about 50% more than the first coat.
I like Sherwin Williams, huge discount from my REIA.
Check out the Killz Pro X that HD sells. I was using Sherwin Williams for years, but they kept jacking their prices. I recently dumped them like a girlfriend that gained five pounds. The Killz Pro X is cheaper and just as good. HD can mix Sherwin Williams' colors also.
I know that most architects spec Sher Williams or Bejamin Moore. That's also seems to be the pros paint of choice, it is outrageously expensive unless you have a contractors discount, then for just a basic eggshell you're looking at around $25/gallon
I stick with Consumer Reports. Every company has to reformulate their paints when new safety laws are passed, so the tried-and-true standards of paint aren't guaranteed to remain the best when you need your next gallon.
I've never used the Walmart brand but I've tried pretty much every other brand. For rentals it doesn't matter much - the cheap stuff is fine, especially if you're only covering the same color. In my own home I used Sherwin Williams but only with a discount. At normal price it's pretty pricey.
This topic is vague. You can't make a blanket statement about all these paint lines.
Tell us.....
Which walmart paint did you use? The Colorplace, or the Glidden 2in1?
Which Behr did you use? They have crappy paint, and they have paint/primer in one.
Was it an apples to apples comparison? Blue over tan for both?
Some colors cover better.
I have tried all different brands of paint. I have no brand loyalty.
I've tried Behr premium plus, Dunn Edwards, Valspar contractor grade paint, and I have a can of Glidden premium exterior I have yet to open.
Of all the product lines I have in my garage, they all apply pretty much the same with a roller.
Each brand of paint has different formulations. You need to look at their website for the specs.
I have been very happy with the Ultra paint from Pittsburgh Paints (approx $25/gallon). I painted a light tan over a dark purple and it covered 99% in just one coat; I only had to do touch ups versus an entirely new coat.
I have never tried Walmart paint however although I may try a gallon just to do a comparison.
there is clearly a difference to how these two brands stretched out
and since the blue over tan (color place) should have been harder to cover
than tan over tan (Behr)
I think the Behr fell short.
but I have limited experience which is why I asked for other's opinions.
I find it harder to cover white over white than a darker color over lighter color. My tenants once painted tan over white with some cheap crappy paint. Covered in one coat, no problem.
Since blue has more pigment and is much darker than tan, it would cover better.
Colorplace is supposed to be really crappy paint. It looks like Glidden makes the colorplace paint, as I found its spec sheet on glidden's website, and the ingredients are lower quality/quantity.
I bet if you got blue behr premiumplus paint, it would cover equally well.
Those who say "get sherwin williams" without specifying which line are not helping.
Their lineup is huge-
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/painting-contractors/products/catalog/shelf/interior-paint-coatings/paint-coatings/?paging=false
SW does make paint in this price range for contractors, such as ProMar 200, and Lowes has a competing product called Valspar 2000 for around $20/gallon. It hides well, and I have gotten the advertised coverage, which is about 350 sqft per gallon.
Like someone else mentioned, Kilz ProX has gotten good reviews from paint contractors, and is around $20/gal as well.
tint the primer to the color you will be doing for the topcoat. i do one color for my rentals so makes it easier for touch up.
everyone here complains about the price of paint. it's probably 10-15% of your total cost. most is labor. if you can paint yourself, you can save a lot of $.
Total faith in 2in1 paints is misleading at worst and misinformed at best. They are 2 different products which do 2 different things and when it comes down to it they are impossible to put together in one can and actually do what one expects. Unless it's paint that has been ruined or a surface that hasn't been properly prepared a experienced painter or a descent diyer with good common sense will achieve the result expected. I love Walmart paint depending on the base, tint, surface composition and color. Color being the one going on as well as the one being hidden. This is where common sense goes in the can. Light colors are harder to hide than dark. Repeat that twice. If you think that you will cover that white living room wall with that hunter green 2in1 in a single coat think again you'd have a better chance of covering a black wall with a single coat of white (paint only) than hiding light with dark. So in terms of a paints coverage keep that in mind