Promar 200 Vs 400 (A No Nonsense Comparison)

So, you’re standing in the paint aisle (or maybe you’re staring at a quote from a contractor) and you see these two names popping up: ProMar 200 and ProMar 400. 

They sound almost identical, right? 

If you’re feeling a bit cross-eyed looking at the labels, don’t worry about it. 

Most people just see the Sherwin-Williams logo and assume it’s all the same stuff, but there are actually some pretty big differences that will change how your walls look and, more importantly, how they hold up over the next few years.

In this post, we’ll compare Sherwin-Williams ProMar 200 vs 400 against a range of different factors.

#1 Quality Tier

This is the foundation of the whole comparison.

ProMar 200 sits in a higher quality tier than ProMar 400. It has better resins, smoother consistency, and a more refined feel on the wall. 

It’s still not a premium paint, but it’s clearly a step up.

ProMar 400 is entry-level contractor paint. It’s designed to be affordable, easy to apply, and good enough for jobs where cost control matters more than finish quality.

200 aims for solid, professional results. ProMar 400 aims for acceptable coverage at the lowest possible price.

That gap shows up in almost every category below.

Also Read: 3/8 Or 1/2 Nap Roller For Walls?

#2 Thickness

Thickness is a big deal in the paint world, but we usually call it “volume solids.” This is basically the stuff that stays on your wall after the water in the paint evaporates. 

ProMar 200 is noticeably thicker than its younger sibling because it’s packed with more resins and pigments. 

When you dip your brush or roller into a bucket of 200, you can feel that it has some “body” to it, which helps it cling to the surface and fill in tiny imperfections in the drywall.

ProMar 400 is a bit thinner because it has a lower percentage of those solid materials. 

It has a higher water content, which makes it feel a bit more watery on the roller. 

This isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker if you’re just doing a quick refresh, but you will definitely notice that it doesn’t “build” on the wall as quickly as the 200 does. 

#3 Durability

Durability is one of the biggest reasons people step up to ProMar 200.

ProMar 200 holds up better to everyday wear. Light cleaning, minor scuffs, and normal contact won’t damage it as quickly. 

It’s not scrubbable like a high-end washable paint, but it won’t fall apart the first time someone bumps the wall.

ProMar 400 is significantly more delicate. Because it’s a budget-tier product, it doesn’t have the same high-quality binders that make paint tough. 

If you try to scrub a wall painted with ProMar 400, you’re likely to see the paint transfer onto your rag, or worse, you’ll leave a permanent “burnish” mark where the finish looks shiny or distorted. 

If the walls will see hands, chairs, carts, or kids, ProMar 200 has a clear advantage.

Also Read: Can You Use Latex Paint Over Oil Based Primer?

#4 Coverage And “Hide”

There is nothing more frustrating than finishing a coat of paint, stepping back, and still seeing the old color peeking through. 

This is what we call “hide,” and ProMar 200 is the clear winner here. 

ProMar 200 covers previous colors more effectively and usually reaches full coverage in fewer coats. Dark-to-light transitions are still work, but manageable.

ProMar 400 struggles more here. It often needs extra passes, especially over bold colors or patched drywall. The thinner consistency doesn’t help, and you may find yourself chasing thin spots.

More coats mean more time, more labor, and more paint. 

That price gap can shrink fast once you factor that in.

#5 Mold And Mildew Protection

If you’re painting a bathroom, a kitchen, or a basement, this is super important. 

ProMar 200 actually contains antimicrobial agents that are designed to inhibit the growth of mold and mildew on the surface of the paint. 

This is a huge plus for any room that gets a lot of moisture or doesn’t have great ventilation. 

It adds a layer of protection that keeps your walls looking clean and fresh even in humid conditions. It’s a small detail that makes a massive difference in the long-term health of your home’s interior.

ProMar 400, unfortunately, doesn’t really offer this kind of protection. It’s a basic formula that doesn’t include those extra antimicrobial additives. 

If you use 400 in a steamy bathroom, you are much more likely to see those little black dots of mildew forming over time.

#6 Surface Finish (Sheen)

Sheen is all about how much light reflects off the wall, and both of these Sherwin-Williams lines offer a variety of options.

Also Read: Can You Paint Eggshell Over Semi Gloss?

ProMar 200 sheens include:

• Flat
• Low Sheen
• Eg-Shel
• Low Gloss
• Semi-Gloss
• Gloss

The “Low Sheen” and “Eg-Shel” are favorites because they look velvety and high-end without being too shiny.

ProMar 400 usually comes in Flat, Eg-Shel, and Semi-Gloss. The Flat finish in the 400 line is what painters call a “dead flat,” meaning it has almost zero reflection.

The cool thing about ProMar 400 Flat is that it is amazing at hiding mistakes in your drywall. If your walls are bumpy or the previous owner did a terrible job with the joint compound, the dead flat finish of ProMar 400 will make those bumps almost invisible.

#7 Prices

ProMar 400 is going to be about $5 to $10 cheaper per gallon than ProMar 200. 

That might not sound like much if you’re just buying one gallon to fix a spot in the hallway, but if you’re painting a whole 2,500-square-foot house, that difference starts to add up fast.

However, you have to weigh that initial savings against the “coverage” issue we talked about earlier. 

If you buy five gallons of ProMar 400 but have to go back for two more because it didn’t cover well, you’ve actually spent more money than if you had just bought the ProMar 200 from the start. 

Plus, your time has value! 

#8 Touch-Ups

Eventually, someone is going to ding the wall. 

When that happens, you want a paint that “touches up” well, meaning you can just paint a small patch without having to redo the entire wall.

ProMar 400 is actually the king of touch-ups, specifically in the Flat finish. Because it has so little resin and no shine, you can dab a bit of paint onto a scuff and it will blend in almost perfectly with the surrounding area. 

This is why apartment managers love it; they can fix a few spots between tenants without repainting the whole unit.

ProMar 200 also touches up decently well, but it’s a bit trickier, especially if you’re using one of the shinier sheens like Semi-Gloss or Eg-Shel.

Should I Get Promar 400 Or Promar 200?

If you are doing the work yourself and you want the result to last for the next five to ten years, go with ProMar 200. 

It is much more forgiving for a DIYer, it covers better, and you won’t be annoyed when you try to wipe a smudge off the wall six months from now. 

It’s just a “better” experience from start to finish. 

The only time we’d really suggest 400 for a homeowner is if you are strictly looking for ceiling paint. 

Since ceilings don’t get touched and you want them to be as flat as possible to hide shadows, 400 is actually a brilliant (and cheaper) choice for that specific task.

Bottom Line

The main difference between ProMar 200 and ProMar 400 is that ProMar 200 is better for high-traffic walls, resisting scuffs, providing superior coverage, and inhibiting mold growth with its antimicrobial properties. 

ProMar 400, on the other hand, is better for ceilings, closets, and hiding drywall imperfections due to its dead-flat finish and lower price point, but it lacks the durability and washability required for busy living spaces.