Best Paint Wall Primer of 2025

Mohammed Clark Avatar
Mohammed Clark
Last Updated: 31 Jan 2025

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If you're looking to give your walls a fresh coat of paint, it's important to start with a good primer. A paint wall primer is a preparatory coating that helps to create a smooth, even surface for your paint to adhere to. It can also help to hide imperfections and stains on your walls, as well as improve the overall durability and longevity of your paint job. While there are many different types of wall primers available, a high-quality paint wall primer can make all the difference in achieving a professional-looking finish.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Dulux Primer & Undercoat Paint for All Surfaces Cover #TOP 1
Dulux Primer & Undercoat Paint for All Surfaces
ftb score rating icon 9.8
RUSTINS White Primer and Undercoat 250ml Cover #TOP 2
RUSTINS White Primer and Undercoat 250ml
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Rustins 500ml Quick Dry White Primer Cover #TOP 3
Rustins 500ml Quick Dry White Primer
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Paint Wall Primer

Dulux Primer & Undercoat Paint for All Surfaces

5092093
White
2.5 l (Pack of 1)
Dulux Primer & Undercoat Paint for All Surfaces Cover
Dulux Primer & Undercoat Paint - 2.5L, White

Dulux Primer Paint is an excellent choice for your painting needs. Its simple and easy surface preparation means you can get started without hassle. The quick drying time allows you to finish projects faster, making it perfect for busy individuals. Being water-based, it is easier to clean up after use and more environmentally friendly. Whether you're working on interior or exterior wood, metal, or masonry surfaces, this versatile product ensures you have the right base for a long-lasting finish.

What We Like
Easy surface preparation
Quick drying time
Water-based for easy cleanup
Suitable for various surfaces

RUSTINS White Primer and Undercoat 250ml

WHPU250
white
250 ml (Pack of 1)
RUSTINS White Primer and Undercoat 250ml Cover
RUSTINS White Primer/Undercoat 250ml

The RUSTINS White Primer is designed to provide high coverage, ensuring a smooth and even base for your topcoat. Its fast drying time means you can move on to the next coat within hours, making your painting projects quicker and more efficient. This versatile primer is suitable for various surfaces, including wood, metal, and plaster, perfect for both interior and exterior applications. With easy application methods using a brush, roller, or spray, you’ll experience excellent adhesion and smooth results without the hassle.

What We Like
High coverage for smooth finish
Quick drying for faster projects
Versatile for multiple surfaces
Easy application methods available
#TOP 3

Rustins 500ml Quick Dry White Primer

WHPU500
White
Rustins 500ml Quick Dry White Primer Cover
Rustins WHPU500 500ml Watercolour Quick Dry Primer Undercoat - White

Rustins White Primer is an excellent choice for your painting projects. With high coverage, it provides a smooth base that enhances the finish of your topcoat, ensuring a professional look. Its fast-drying formula means you can complete your projects more quickly, as surfaces will be ready for the next coat within hours. The versatile use on wood, metal, and plaster makes it suitable for both interior and exterior applications, providing you with flexibility for various tasks. Easy application with a brush, roller, or spray ensures a hassle-free experience.

What We Like
High coverage for smooth finish
Fast drying for quicker projects
Versatile for multiple surfaces
Easy application methods available

Dulux Professional Undercoat Paint - Brilliant White

1.25L
Brilliant White
1.25 l (Pack of 1)
Dulux Professional Undercoat Paint - Brilliant White Cover
Dulux Professional Undercoat Paint - Brilliant White - 1.2 5 Litres

The Dulux Undercoat Paint is an excellent choice for both interior and exterior wood and metal surfaces. With a coverage of 16m² per litre, this 1.25L can can effectively cover approximately 20m² with just one coat. It provides an even base for your top coat, ensuring a smooth finish. Additionally, its superb hiding power means that previous colours or imperfections will be concealed, giving you a professional-looking result. Remember to allow 16 hours for drying before closing newly painted doors and windows.

What We Like
Suitable for wood and metal
Good coverage per litre
Creates an even base
Excellent hiding power
Long drying time
#TOP 5

TIKKURILA Optiva Primer for Walls & Ceilings

Customise Now
2.7 l (Pack of 1)
TIKKURILA Optiva Primer for Walls & Ceilings Cover
TIKKURILA Optiva Primer - Absorbent Primer For Walls & Ceilings - Zero VOC - 3 Litres

The TIKKURILA Optiva Primer is a water-based primer designed for interior walls and ceilings. With excellent absorption properties, it ensures that topcoats have increased coverage, which means you will need fewer coats. This primer has zero VOCs, making it a healthier choice for your home. Its low odour makes application more pleasant, allowing you to work in comfort. Suitable for both new and previously painted surfaces, this product provides versatility and ease of use for your painting projects.

What We Like
Zero VOCs for healthier air
Fewer coats needed
Easy to apply
Low odour
Suitable for various surfaces
#TOP 6

Johnstone's Quick Dry Gloss Primer Undercoat

423329
Brilliant White
750 ml (Pack of 1)
Johnstone's Quick Dry Gloss Primer Undercoat Cover
Johnstone's - Quick Dry Gloss Primer Undercoat - Brilliant White - Water Based - Interior Wood & Metal - Fast Drying - Low Odour - Dry in 1-2 Hours - 13m2 Coverage per Litre - 0.75 L

Johnstone's Quick Dry Primer is an excellent choice for both interior and exterior surfaces. Its fast-drying formula allows you to touch dry in just 1-2 hours, making your painting tasks quicker and more efficient. The water-based formulation is low-odour and non-yellowing, ensuring a pleasant painting experience. With a coverage of 13m² per tin, you can easily prime bare wood and previously painted surfaces, achieving a contemporary, high sheen finish that enhances the durability of your paint job.

What We Like
Fast drying time
Low odour formulation
Good coverage per litre
Suitable for various surfaces
Durable finish
#TOP 7

AMK® Dulux Multi Purpose Primer & Undercoat Paint

AMK
811116
White
750 ml (Pack of 1)
AMK® Dulux Multi Purpose Primer & Undercoat Paint Cover
AMK® Dulux Multi Purpose Primer & Undercoat Paint White 750ml Water Based Formula Ideal For Wood Metal Masonry Surfaces Interior Exterior Application Quick Dry Low Odour

The AMK® Dulux Primer & Undercoat is designed for easy surface preparation, making your painting projects simpler. Its quick drying formula allows you to complete tasks faster, so you can move on to the next phase without delay. Being water-based, it ensures easy application and clean-up, which is perfect for both novice and experienced users. This versatile product is suitable for various surfaces, including wood, metal, and masonry, whether indoors or outdoors, streamlining your painting process.

What We Like
Easy surface preparation
Quick drying time
Water-based for easy use
Versatile for multiple surfaces
#TOP 8

Dulux White Primer & Undercoat Paint 750ml

750ML
White
750 ml (Pack of 1)
Dulux White Primer & Undercoat Paint 750ml Cover
Dulux Primer & Undercoat Paint For Wood - 750Ml, White

Dulux Primer & Undercoat is an excellent choice for your wood painting needs. Its quick-drying formula means you can complete your project without long waits, allowing you to move on to the next step sooner. Being water-based, it offers an easy clean-up and is more environmentally friendly. Additionally, its low odour ensures a more pleasant working environment, making it suitable for indoor use. You will find it easy to apply, ensuring a smooth finish every time.

What We Like
Quick-drying for faster projects
Water-based for easy cleaning
Low odour for indoor use
Simple application process

Johnstone's 307952 All Purpose Primer 750ml

307952
White
750 ml (Pack of 1)
Johnstone's 307952 All Purpose Primer 750ml Cover
Johnstone's 307952 All Purpose Primer White, 750ml

Johnstone's All Purpose Primer is a versatile product suitable for both new and previously painted surfaces. This primer provides an excellent base coat for Johnstone's All Purpose Undercoat, ensuring a smooth finish. You can use it on various materials, including bare wood, metal, and hardboard, making it ideal for multiple projects around your home. Its ability to be applied to both interior and exterior surfaces adds to its convenience, allowing you to tackle a range of tasks with one reliable product.

What We Like
Versatile for multiple surfaces
Excellent base for undercoat
Suitable for interior and exterior
Easy application on painted surfaces

Everbuild 406 Quick Drying Stabilising Solution - 5 Litre

White
5ltr
Everbuild 406 Quick Drying Stabilising Solution - 5 Litre Cover
Everbuild 406 Quick Drying Stabilising Solution – Clear – 5 Litre , Pack of 1

The Everbuild 406 Stabilising Solution is a top-performing primer designed to deeply penetrate and rejuvenate badly weathered surfaces. Its high-quality surface treatment ensures an excellent overlay for decorating and tiling, making your projects easier and more effective. With excellent bonding properties, it seals chalky and dusty surfaces, providing a strong foundation for further applications. Additionally, its versatility allows you to use it on both interior and exterior surfaces, enhancing the convenience of your renovation or decorating tasks.

What We Like
Deeply penetrates weathered surfaces
Excellent for decorating and tiling
Strong sealing on dusty surfaces
Suitable for interior and exterior use
Binds various common substrates
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our paint wall primer research, we found 94 paint wall primer products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 67,258 customer reviews through our big data system to write the paint wall primer list. We found that most customers choose paint wall primer with an average price of £15.41.

The paint wall primer are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of paint wall primer, including Dulux, RUSTINS, Best Price Square, TIKKURILA, Johnstone's.

Written by
Mohammed Clark Avatar

Mohammed Clark is an architect and a contractor. His architectural skills are not limited to designing the plan for structures alone, but it extends to aesthetics and home décor. Before establishing his firm, he worked under a construction firm for eight years. Mohammed has gathered enough experience from his time practicing as a professional architect and now has vast knowledge in home designs and aesthetics.