ECOS Paints Review: Is Zero-VOC Paint Worth the Price?

ECOS Paints is a great option for zero-VOC, water-based paints, stains, and varnishes, made to order in the USA.

Chemically sensitive people, or parents painting a nursery, need paint that releases as few paint fumes into the air as possible.

Our tester, Kim Udrea, painted a door, its trim, and the surrounding walls and ceiling with ECOS Semi-Gloss Paint. This ECOS Paints review reveals her findings.

What are the Pros and Cons of ECOS Paints?

The main pros of ECOS Paints are non-toxic, low-VOC, odor-free paint with a full ingredient list. The main cons are a higher price, online-only sales, and a no-returns policy.

Before deciding whether ECOS is the best paint brand for your green building or decorating project, you first need to know what they're made of.

What are ECOS Paints Made Of?

ECOS paints are made of water, an acrylic and vinyl acetate binder, and minerals such as kaolin clay, titanium dioxide, and limestone. Every ECOS interior and exterior paint product is water-based, from the paints and primers to the stains and varnishes.

ECOS does not add algicides, mildewcides, pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides to its paints, stains, or varnishes. The ECOS range does not contain animal ingredients and is not tested on animals.

The ECOS website includes the full ingredient list for each paint, stain, and varnish on that product's page.

What is the ECOS Paints Ingredient List?

The ECOS Paints ingredient list varies by product.

The following table lists the full ingredients of each ECOS paint, stain, and varnish.

Is ECOS Paints truly zero VOC?

Yes, ECOS Paints is zero VOC by the ECOS definition of 5 grams per liter (0.04 pounds per gallon) or less of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). ECOS says its colorants are VOC-free, so tinted ECOS paint meets the same zero-VOC definition as the untinted base.

ECOS paints, stains, and varnishes conform to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method 01350, which tests the VOCs a product releases into indoor air.

When testing the paint, Kim was delighted to note that there was no smell at all, even in a small, enclosed room. A smell test doesn't measure VOC emissions, but Kim's experience at least anecdotally supports the brand's zero-VOC claim.

Despite being odor-free, Kim was also impressed with how well ECOS Paints perform.

ECOS Paints Performance and Durability

ECOS paint is easy to work with, goes on smoothly, and cleans up with hot water.

The ECOS Semi-Gloss Paint we tested left a smooth finish on a door, trim, and surrounding walls, even around edges and awkward corners.

After completing her paint project with ECOS Semi-Gloss, Kim gave us the following feedback.

ECOS paints do not drip or run everywhere. I put painter's tape down on areas I didn’t want painted, just in case, because I am a messy painter. But I noticed the tape didn’t have any drip marks on it which amazed me.

Clean up was a breeze as well. I ran the paint brush and the plastic lid surrounding the top of the paint can under hot water and everything came off with ease. I love that I don’t have to use multiple brushes.

Does ECOS paint cover as well as traditional paint?

Yes, ECOS paint covers as well as traditional paint on previously painted walls, based on ECOS's coverage figures and Kim's test.

The following table compares the coverage per gallon that ECOS lists for its paints with the figures Sherwin-Williams and Behr give for traditional paint.

ECOS recommends two coats of each of its paints, but in practice this is not always necessary. One coat of ECOS Semi-Gloss covered Kim's worn, previously painted walls when applied by roller. Only the areas Kim painted by brush required a second coat.

ECOS advises using a primer before painting bare surfaces, glossier finishes or darker colors, and before applying an accent color.

How durable is ECOS paint?

ECOS paint is reasonably durable, although like any paint, a hard knock scrapes patches off it. Our ECOS Semi-Gloss application dried to a hard film that wipes clean of everyday dirt.

When touch-ups are required, ECOS paints blend in with no visible edges, so scraped spots are easy to repair.

ECOS Semi-Gloss Paint wears better than Eggshell or Matte, because of its higher sheen. ECOS recommends Semi-Gloss for kitchens, bathrooms and cabinets, and Eggshell for hallways and children's rooms. ECOS Matte Paint is not suitable for kitchens or bathrooms.

ECOS does not make its paint for surfaces where water pools, such as showers or decking, or for damp rooms without ventilation. ECOS paint does not resist mold or mildew because ECOS leaves mildewcides out of its formulas.

What is the drying time for ECOS zero-VOC paint?

ECOS zero-VOC paint dries to the touch in 30 to 60 minutes and is ready for a second coat after 2 to 4 hours. In Kim's test, ECOS Semi-Gloss Paint dried quickly, even in a small, enclosed room.

ECOS paint dries to the touch as fast as or faster than Behr Premium Plus Eggshell, a big-box paint that dries to the touch in 1 hour and is ready for a second coat after 2 hours.

Is ECOS Paints a good choice for a nursery?

Yes, ECOS Paints is a good choice for a nursery because it's zero VOC, and four ECOS products have passed a toy safety test.

ECOS posts EN 71-3 test reports for the following products from its range.

• Eggshell Paint
• Matte Paint
• Semi-Gloss Paint
• Interior Satin Clear Varnish

EN 71-3 is part of the European toy safety standard. The four toy-safe tested ECOS products suit cribs and nursery furniture as well as nursery walls. The ECOS paint we tested had no odor at all, so we would be more than happy to use it in a nursery.

Lullaby by ECOS is a line of paints and primers in a palette of colors especially designed for babies and toddlers. Lullaby by ECOS includes Matte, Eggshell, Semi-Gloss, and Gloss wall paints, a Semi-Gloss paint for cribs and furniture, and wall, furniture, and drywall primers. Lullaby Eggshell Paint costs the same as ECOS Eggshell Paint.

Chemical safety is a core value of the ECOS brand and one of the reasons why it was founded.

About the Brand

ECOS Paints is an American paint brand founded in 1989 by a certified paint chemist with chemical sensitivities. The company is family-run, with several employees who have worked there for 10 years or longer. ECOS spent more than six years developing its paints, with funding from a European clean technology initiative.

Today, ECOS sells paints, primers, stains, varnishes, and specialty coatings in 1,323 ECOS colors, plus the Lullaby by ECOS and Lisa Tharp Colors collections.

ECOS customer support answers by phone and email from 9 am to 5 pm Eastern Time, Monday to Friday. We found that the support team answered every email quickly and were very helpful with ordering color samples so we could get one we were happy with.

Where can I buy ECOS paints?

You can only buy ECOS Paints on the brand's website.

Home Depot, Lowe's, and other paint stores do not sell ECOS paint.

Can ECOS match colors from other brands?

Yes, ECOS matches colors from other paint brands for free in quart (0.95 L), gallon (3.79 L), and 5-gallon (18.9 L) cans.

According to customer reviews, ECOS color matches come out accurate enough for touch-ups on walls painted with another brand.

If you prefer to sample the brand's own colors, ECOS sells color cards at $0.25 each, or color samples at $4.35 for 2oz (59 ml), in Eggshell only.

What certifications does ECOS Paints have?

ECOS Paints holds one certification, the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) Declare label with Red List Free status, for its paints, stains, and varnishes.

A Declare label is an ingredient label that lists what a building product contains and the health information for each ingredient. Red List Free status means the ECOS products do not contain the chemicals of concern on the ILFI Red List.

The ECOS website also includes the following test reports to validate the brand's other safety claims.

• CDPH Standard Method 01350 measures the VOCs a product releases in a test chamber and compares the predicted indoor levels against health limits for offices and classrooms. CDPH reports cover Eggshell Paint, Matte Paint, Semi-Gloss Paint, Air Purifying Paint, Wood Stain and Interior Satin Clear Varnish.
• EN 71-3 measures how much of 19 elements, including lead, mercury, and arsenic, leach out of a toy material. EN 71-3 reports cover the four ECOS products listed in the nursery section.
• ASTM D-4236 is a toxicologist's review of a product's formula for long-term health hazards, which US law requires for the warning labels on art materials. ASTM D-4236 reports cover ECOS Eggshell and Matte Paint.
• ASTM E544 rates how strong an odor smells, against reference samples of butanol. ASTM E544 odor conformance appears on the ECOS product pages as an ECOS claim, with no testing body named and no test report posted.

ECOS is not GREENGUARD Gold certified because it has not yet applied for this certification.

Where is ECOS paint made?

ECOS paint is made in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Every ECOS order is made to order in small batches, then tinted to the chosen color in the same Spartanburg facility. The Spartanburg facility produces only non-toxic coatings.

The ECOS production team keeps a record of each customer's colors and products. That means if you re-order from ECOS, the color and product type match your first order.

How much does ECOS paint cost?

ECOS paint costs between $97.95 and $129.95 per gallon (3.79 L), depending on the product.

TheRoundup readers get 10% off orders at ECOS Paints using the coupon code and link below.

The following table lists ECOS prices for each size, before discounts.

Shipping to the 48 contiguous US states is free on ECOS orders over $200 and costs $12.95 on smaller orders.

Payment is via debit and credit cards or PayPal. Financing is available through Klarna and Affirm.

Are ECOS paints good value?

ECOS paint is good value for buyers looking for zero-VOC paint with a published ingredient list, although it does cost more per sq. ft. than big-box paint.

The following table compares the cost of covering 100 sq. ft. (9.3 m²) with ECOS Eggshell Paint and with Behr Premium Plus Eggshell, using each brand's published price and coverage.

ECOS sells its paint on the following terms.

• ECOS does not accept returns or exchanges because ECOS makes each order to the customer's color after purchase.
• The ECOS 60-day limited warranty covers products that fail ECOS quality control specifications, with ECOS choosing between a replacement and a refund.
• The ECOS Trade Program gives painters, contractors, architects, designers, and building managers discounts and estimating help.

Against Benjamin Moore Aura, another premium eco-friendly paint, ECOS Eggshell Paint costs less per gallon, at $97.95, or $88.16 with the TheRoundup discount, against $108.99 for Aura Eggshell.

How Does ECOS Paints Compare to Other Eco-Friendly Paint Brands?

ECOS Paints competes with the premium low-VOC paint lines that big paint brands sell in stores, such as Benjamin Moore Aura. ECOS sets a stricter VOC limit than Aura, although ECOS paint is sold only online and Aura is sold in paint stores.

TheRoundup's guide to the best zero-VOC paint brands covers more eco-friendly paint brands alongside ECOS.

ECOS Paints vs Benjamin Moore Aura

ECOS Paints and Benjamin Moore Aura differ most on VOC level, damp-room protection, and where to buy them.

The following table compares key attributes of ECOS Eggshell Paint with Aura Eggshell.

• Choose ECOS Paints for the lowest VOC level, a full published ingredient list, or toy-safe tested paint for a nursery.
• Choose Benjamin Moore Aura for damp rooms that need mildew resistance, same-day pickup from a store, faster second coats, or painting without a separate primer.

The ECOS zero-VOC standard also applies to the other ECOS products.

What Are the Other ECOS Paints Products?

ECOS makes the following products besides its wall paints.

• ECOS Air Purifying Paint is an interior and exterior paint in Matte, Eggshell, Semi-Gloss, and Gloss, made with zeolite that ECOS says absorbs chemicals, pollutants, and VOCs.
• ECOS Wood Stain is a water-based stain for interior and exterior wood in 22 colors, finished with a topcoat of ECOS Clear Varnish and unsuitable for oily woods such as teak or for decking.
• ECOS Interior Satin Clear Varnish is a clear, water-based topcoat for wood floors, doors, trim and furniture, applied in 3 sanded coats and fully cured after about 30 days.

With these three products, the ECOS range covers walls, trim, floors, and furniture from one zero-VOC brand.

Conclusion: Is ECOS Paints Right for Me?

ECOS Paints is right for you if low emissions, a full ingredient list, and odor-free painting matter most, and you don't need your paint today. A store-bought paint is the better choice for very tight budgets and damp rooms.

Choose ECOS Paints if:

• You want zero-VOC paint with a full published ingredient list.
• You are painting a nursery, or painting for someone with chemical sensitivities.
• You want a paint that goes on smoothly without any paint smell.
• You are happy to wait up to 7 business days for paint to arrive.

Choose a store-bought paint if:

• You want the lowest cost per square foot.
• You are painting a damp room with little ventilation, where mildew-resistant additives help.
• You need paint on the same day.
• You want the option to return unused paint.

Kim's results and feedback show that you don't need to sacrifice coverage or quality to get zero-VOC paint without the smell or chemical content of regular brands.