If you have decided to take a shot at painting your own ceilings, a paint roller is the best tool to start with because it is not as expensive as a sprayer and is faster than a paintbrush.
However, there are certain features that you need to get right. The roller should have a long handle, a wide sleeve and a medium-thick nap (about 3/8 inches) so that it can press in paint evenly across the surface.
With that in mind, the review below looks at 7 of the best paint rollers for ceilings to consider buying.
In this post:
- 7 Best Paint Rollers for Ceilings – Review
- 1. Wagner Spraytech 0530010 – Best Overall Paint Roller for Ceilings
- 2. Shur-Line 8500 – Best Budget Paint Roller for Ceilings
- 3. Wagner Spraytech 0530004 – Best Battery-Powered Paint Roller for Ceilings
- 4. Kupoo Paint Roller Kit – Best Paint Roller Kit for Ceilings
- 5. Gochange Paint Roller Brush Kit – Durable Paint Roller for Ceilings
- 6. HomeRight C800952.M – Ceiling Paint Roller with an EZ-Twist Handle
- 7. Wagner Spraytech 0284026 – Ceiling Paint Roller with a Push Handle
- How to Buy the Best Paint Roller for Ceilings
- Conclusion
7 Best Paint Rollers for Ceilings – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Wagner Spraytech 0530010 (Best Overall) |
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 | 2. Shur-Line 8500 (Best Budget) |
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 | 3. Wagner Spraytech 0530004 (Best Battery-Powered) |
| |
 | 4. Kupoo Paint Roller Kit (Best Paint Roller Kit) |
| |
 | 5. Gochange Paint Roller Brush Kit (Durable Construction) |
| |
 | 6. HomeRight C800952.M (With EZ-Twist Handle) |
| |
 | 7. Wagner Spraytech 0284026 (With Push Handle) |
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PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Wagner Spraytech 0530010 (Best Overall)
|
2. Shur-Line 8500 (Best Budget)
|
3. Wagner Spraytech 0530004 (Best Battery-Powered)
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4. Kupoo Paint Roller Kit (Best Paint Roller Kit)
|
5. Gochange Paint Roller Brush Kit (Durable Construction)
|
6. HomeRight C800952.M (With EZ-Twist Handle)
|
7. Wagner Spraytech 0284026 (With Push Handle)
|
1. Wagner Spraytech 0530010 – Best Overall Paint Roller for Ceilings
Photo: Wagner Spraytech
- Roller Sleeve: 9 in.
- Nap: 3/8 in.
- Weight: 5.4 lbs.
Starting off the list is Wagner Spraytech’s 0530010, which is the best overall paint roller for this job due to a number of reasons. For starters, the unit has auto-feed control on the handle that ensures you get continuous paint flow for quick coverage.
Paint is pumped via a direct-feed delivery system, which eliminates manual paint feeding, while a click-attach arm with a flexible intake hose fits on any 1 – 5-gallon paint bucket. This makes it easy to use because no refills are required as you paint.
You also get a 16-ft. hose for delivering paint to the 9 x 3/8-inch roller and this enables you to cover up to 32 ft. while the bucket is stationary.
Other features include a threaded pole for extending the reach of the roller to get to high ceilings and easy 10-minute cleanup. However, this roller is only designed to use with oil and latex-based paints and it is very expensive.
Pros:
- Automatic feed control for quick coverage
- Direct-feed delivery system with a click-attach arm and flexible suction hose
- 16-ft. hose enhances mobility around the work area
- Includes a threaded pole extension
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Expensive
- Only suitable for applying oil and latex-based paints
2. Shur-Line 8500 – Best Budget Paint Roller for Ceilings
Photo: Shur-Line
- Roller Sleeve: 9 in.
- Roller Handle: 11 in.
- Nap: 7/16 in.
- Weight: 1.2 lbs.
If you are on a tight budget, Shur-Line’s 8500 is an affordable paint roller that you need to check out.
The product actually comes as a 9-piece set containing two 9-inch rollers, an 11-inch extension pole, a touch-up and trim roller, a metal tray, a tray liner, a trim brush, and a foam brush.
In general, the set is very versatile because it can be used to apply any kind of paint and you get all the tools required for an entire project in a single pack.
Other features include a 7/16-in nap of fabric that is thermally fused to the core, and this allows the rollers to rotate smoothly while maintaining a high level of durability.
On the downside, this product lacks automatic feeding, which means you have to fill the tray then dip the roller before application. Also, the roller handle is quite short and therefore, a ladder is required to reach high ceilings.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Comes as a 9-piece set
- Versatile; can be used to apply any kind of paint
- Durable roller fabric that is thermally-fused to the core
Cons:
- Short 11-in. roller handle
- No automatic feeding system
3. Wagner Spraytech 0530004 – Best Battery-Powered Paint Roller for Ceilings
Photo: Wagner Spraytech
- Roller Sleeve: 9 in.
- Roller Handle: 96 in.
- Nap: 3/8 in.
- Weight: 1 lb.
As compared to Wagner Spraytech’s 0530010 (which is AC powered), this one is battery-powered, requiring 4 AA batteries, which are included in the set.
That said, the roller’s handle houses a 22 fl. oz. paint reservoir that holds enough paint to cover up to 70 sq. ft. when full. While housing quite a large reservoir, the handle is also very long, coming in at 96 inches. This gives you enough length to reach high ceilings without requiring a ladder.
Paint from this reservoir is automatically fed to the roller and a quick-touch motor-control is included for smooth feeding. You also get a manual setting for manually pushing paint to feed the roller just in case the batteries run out.
Other features include an ergonomic handle for comfortable use and an easy-fill valve that draws paint from the bucket for mess-free use. However, this roller is limited to coating only water and oil-based paints.
Pros:
- Includes 4 AA batteries to power its auto-feed system
- Large 22 fl. oz. reservoir
- Long 96-inch handle
- Manual-feed override system option
- Comfortable ergonomic handle
Cons:
- Only ideal for applying water and oil-based paints
4. Kupoo Paint Roller Kit – Best Paint Roller Kit for Ceilings
Photo: Kupoo
- Roller Sleeve: 7.8 in.
- Roller Handle: 37.5, 41.5 in.
- Weight: 1.75 lbs.
Coming as a 9-piece kit, Kupoo’s paint roller set stands out because it contains very handy tools. These include a drip-free roller with a tank reservoir in the middle, a flocked edger and 3 threaded poles that can be joined together to extend the roller to 37.5 in. and edger to 41.5 in.
Also included in the set is a corner pad, an easy-pour jug, a paintbrush and a resting tray for placing the roller when not in use.
Other features include a microfiber roller fabric that releases the paint evenly and an easy-to-clean design after use.
On the downside, the roller has quite a narrow sleeve (7.8 in.), which means you get narrow coverage on every pass.
Pros:
- 9-piece kit with a drip-free roller
- Includes 3 poles for extending the length of reach
- Microfiber roller fabric for even paint release
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Relatively narrow roller sleeve
5. Gochange Paint Roller Brush Kit – Durable Paint Roller for Ceilings
Photo: Gochange
- Roller Sleeve: 7.9 in.
- Roller Handle: 30.7 in.
- Weight: 1.6 lbs.
Gochange’s paint roller is very similar to Kupoo’s kit, coming as a 9-piece kit with a paint runner and flocked edger as part of it. These two are fitted with a super-fine flocked material that is washable, reusable and does not degrade easily over time.
Additionally, all the components in the kit have been strictly tested for safety and durability, which means they are very reliable. All you have to do is to wash, dry then store them in a cool and dry place after use.
Other features include a 900ml storage reservoir (about 30 fl. oz.), which is very large, and 3 threaded extension poles that can be joined together to make a 30.7-in. handle for painting high ceilings.
The only problem is that refiling this roller is quite cumbersome because you must open a cover on the side to pour in the paint. This contrasts with the easy-fill valve system in units like Wagner Spraytech’s 0530004.
Pros:
- Super-fine flocked roller material that is durable, washable and reusable
- Comes as a 9-piece set
- Large paint reservoir
- Includes 3 extension poles for extending the roller’s reach
Cons:
- Not very easy to refill
6. HomeRight C800952.M – Ceiling Paint Roller with an EZ-Twist Handle
Photo: HomeRight
- Roller Handle: 64 in.
- Nap: 3/8 in.
- Weight: 2.85 lbs.
HomeRight’s C800952.M is characterized by an EZ-twist handle and though this means you get a manual-feed system, it gives better control over the paint flow.
When fully extended, this handle is 64 in. long and this allows you to reach high ceilings to paint without requiring a ladder. That said, the handle hosts a paint reservoir inside that holds up to 18 fl. oz. of paint when fully extended.
Other features include a shed-resistant roller cover that is 3/8 in. thick (ideal for painting ceilings) and a paint stick with a quick-fill valve for easy refilling.
Pros:
- EZ-twist handle gives better control over the paint flow
- Relatively long handle
- Shed-resistant roller cover
- Paint stick and quick-fill valve for easy refilling
Cons:
- Relatively small paint reservoir
7. Wagner Spraytech 0284026 – Ceiling Paint Roller with a Push Handle
Photo: Wagner Spraytech
- Roller Sleeve: 9 in.
- Nap: 3/8 in.
- Weight: 2.85 lbs.
As compared to HomeRight’s C800952.M, this unit has a push handle that is easy to use because it does not require twisting to feed the roller. However, it does have a similar 18 fl. oz. paint reservoir in the handle when fully extended, though this is relatively small.
You also get a paint stick that goes into your paint bucket while a quick-fill valve on the roller allows you to easily fill up with paint. This eliminates the use of a tray and helps to keep your workspace clean and free from drips.
Other features include a wide 9 in. roller sleeve that covers a large area on every pass for quick painting and this roller fabric is 3/8 in. thick, which is the ideal size for painting ceilings.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use push handle
- Paint stick and quick-fill valve for easy refilling
- Wide 9 in. roller for quick coverage
Cons:
- Relatively small paint reservoir
How to Buy the Best Paint Roller for Ceilings
1. Type of Surface
If your ceiling’s surface has a rough finish, then a roller with a thick nap such as 3/4 in. is recommended. This will ensure that all the nooks and crannies are reached and sufficiently coated by the thick roller fabric.
However, if the surface is smooth, then a 1/4 or a 3/8-in. nap like in most of the rollers above will work perfectly.
2. Roller Sleeve
The roller sleeve, which is basically the length of the fabric wrapping the roller, is important to check because it determines the coverage you get on every pass.
That said, a wide sleeve is better because it gives a large coverage on every pass. In this case, 9-in. wide pieces, such as Wagner Spraytech’s 0530010, are highly recommended because they enable you to paint faster.
3. Roller Handle
Since ceilings are the highest surfaces in a house’s interior, it makes sense to buy a roller with a long handle so that you can paint comfortably without using a ladder. With that in mind, Wagner Spraytech’s 0530004 stands out because it has a long 96-inch handle.
4. Extendible
Apart from having a long handle, having one that is extendible gives more flexibility because you can shorten it for comfortable use when working on walls then lengthen it when painting ceilings.
Using Wagner Spraytech’s 0530004 as an example, this roller is extendable by pulling out the piston to the furthest end.
However, Kupoo’s and Gochange’s paint rollers offer a different extension option by having 3 threaded poles that can be joined or detached to lengthen or shorten the handle respectively. Both options are good enough and selection should be based on personal preference.
5. Weight
Another important factor to consider is the weight of the roller. While painting, you will be lifting the unit and therefore, if it is too heavy, hand fatigue might wear you down.
As such, the 1-lb Wagner Spraytech 0530004 is more comfortable to use in the long run as compared to the relatively heavy Wagner Spraytech 0284026.
6. Ease of Use
Lastly, the ease-of-use factor is mostly attributed to automation, in which some units such as Wagner Spraytech’s 0530010 and 0530004 are electric. This makes them simpler to use because feeding is done automatically.
Conclusion
In conclusion, different paint rollers might have a similar external design but their internal working mechanism is quite different.
That said, all the pieces above are well-equipped for the job but Wagner Spraytech’s 0530010 stands out as the overall best paint roller for ceilings because it has an automatic feed system, a flexible intake hose, and a 16-ft. hose for maximum flexibility, albeit quite costly.
If you want a manual-feed roller, the EZ-twist handle in HomeRight’s C800952.M gives you better control over the paint flow but if you want an affordable unit, check out Shur-Line’s 8500.