--- title: Which British or English paint is the best? description: Very often we get the question, which of the paints offered by our British manufacturers has the best quality. Based on our many years of experience, we have concluded that the quality of the paints d --- [Skip to content](https://support.meinewand.com/en/which-british-or-english-paint-is-the-best#main-content) - [English](https://support.meinewand.com/en/which-british-or-english-paint-is-the-best) - [Deutsch](https://support.meinewand.com/de/welche-englische-farbe-ist-die-beste) - [Français](https://support.meinewand.com/fr/quelle-est-la-meilleure-peinture-anglaise) - [Italiano](https://support.meinewand.com/it/quale-vernice-britannica-è-la-migliore) English Show submenu for translations [![MEINEWAND Onlineshop](https://support.meinewand.com/hs-fs/hubfs/meinewand_logo@2x.webp?width=488&height=78&name=meinewand_logo@2x.webp)](https://www.meinewand.com/en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - - [English](https://support.meinewand.com/en/which-british-or-english-paint-is-the-best) - [Deutsch](https://support.meinewand.com/de/welche-englische-farbe-ist-die-beste) - [Français](https://support.meinewand.com/fr/quelle-est-la-meilleure-peinture-anglaise) - [Italiano](https://support.meinewand.com/it/quale-vernice-britannica-è-la-migliore) English Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://support.meinewand.com/en/contact) [Contact us](https://support.meinewand.com/en/contact?hsLang=en) Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://support.meinewand.com/en?hsLang=en) 2. [Paints](https://support.meinewand.com/en/paints?hsLang=en) 3. [General questions about our colors](https://support.meinewand.com/en/paints?hsLang=en#general-questions-about-our-colors) # Which British or English paint is the best? ## Farrow & Ball, Little Greene and Paint & Paper Library compared We're often asked which of the English paint brands in our range offers the best quality. The uncertainty is understandable: Farrow & Ball, Little Greene and Paint & Paper Library all have English roots, sit in a similar price range, and are frequently mentioned in the same breath. Here's what actually sets them apart, and what to consider when choosing between them. ### 5 steps to finding the right English paint 1. Quality. All three manufacturers produce high-quality, highly pigmented wall paints with premium binders and a low filler content. The quality difference between the brands is minimal — with all three, you can expect excellent opacity and thin, even paint films. The same applies to their respective wood and metal lacquers. 2. Compare the look and colour character. This is where the real differences lie: [Farrow & Ball](https://www.meinewand.com/en/farrow-ball-paint) (est. 1946, Dorset) uses natural pigments such as pure umber along with chalk, lime putty, linseed oil and kaolin — the result is the characteristic “Farrow & Ball look” with exceptional depth and purity, from understated whites and greys to bold, expressive colours. Littl[e Green](https://www.meinewand.com/en/little-greene-paint)e (est. 1773, one of England's oldest paint manufacturers, near Manchester) uses a pigment content up to 40% higher than many other paints, depending on the shade, creating subtle colour gradations and a finely coordinated, heritage-inspired palette. P[aint & Paper Library](https://www.meinewand.com/en/paint-paper-library-paint) (founded over 20 years ago by interior architect David Oliver) specialises in the finest, most elegant off-white and neutral tones — ideal for cohesive, understated colour schemes. 3. Choose the right product line for your surface. All three brands offer differentiated ranges for different applications: wall and ceiling paints from matt to satin (e.g. Estate Emulsion/Modern Emulsion from Farrow & Ball, Absolute/Intelligent Matt Emulsion from Little Greene, Pure Flat Emulsion from Paint & Paper Library), interior and exterior wood and metal lacquers (e.g. Estate Eggshell, Dead Flat and Full Gloss from Farrow & Ball, Intelligent Eggshell and Intelligent Gloss from Little Greene, Architects Eggshell and Architects Satin from Paint & Paper Library), and specialty paints such as floor, masonry or radiator paint. Not sure which product suits your surface? Our article “Farrow & Ball: which paint for which surface?” gives a detailed overview. 4. Order a sample before you decide. Since the brands differ mainly in colour character, it's worth seeing a real sample in your own room and light before committing. Feel free to use our sample service for this. 5. Consider delivery time and availability. A practical advantage at MEINEWAND: we keep extensive stock of all shades from all three brands and mix many colours ourselves on-site. As a result, we can usually dispatch your order especially quickly — whichever of the three brands you choose. ### Summary & FAQ **Is one of the three brands generally better than the others?** No. In terms of quality, Farrow & Ball, Little Greene and Paint & Paper Library are all on a comparably high level. The decision mainly comes down to the look and colour world you prefer. **What's the main difference between the three brands?** Their colour character: Farrow & Ball stands for depth and expressiveness, Little Greene for particularly high pigmentation and subtle colour gradation, and Paint & Paper Library for elegant off-white and neutral tones. **Can I order a sample before buying?** Yes, our sample service lets you order paint samples from all three brands before you decide. **Why is delivery from MEINEWAND particularly fast?** Because we keep large stocks of all shades on hand and mix many of the colours ourselves in-house. - [Common Questions](https://support.meinewand.com/en/common-questions?hsLang=en) - [Wallpaper and Murals](https://support.meinewand.com/en/wallpaper-and-murals?hsLang=en#main-content) - [General questions about wallpaper](https://support.meinewand.com/en/wallpaper-and-murals?hsLang=en#general-questions-about-wallpaper) - [Wallpaper types](https://support.meinewand.com/en/wallpaper-and-murals?hsLang=en#wallpaper-types) - [Wallpaper Needs](https://support.meinewand.com/en/wallpaper-and-murals?hsLang=en#wallpaper-needs) - [Surface preparation](https://support.meinewand.com/en/wallpaper-and-murals?hsLang=en#surface-preparation) - [Wallpapering Tips](https://support.meinewand.com/en/wallpaper-and-murals?hsLang=en#wallpapering-tips) - [Videos: Process wallpaper](https://support.meinewand.com/en/wallpaper-and-murals?hsLang=en#videos-process-wallpaper) - [Paints](https://support.meinewand.com/en/paints?hsLang=en#main-content) - [General questions about our colors](https://support.meinewand.com/en/paints?hsLang=en#general-questions-about-our-colors) - [Paint selection: Which paint for which surface](https://support.meinewand.com/en/paints?hsLang=en#paint-selection-which-paint-for-which-surface) - [Surface preparation](https://support.meinewand.com/en/paints?hsLang=en#surface-preparation) - [Processing and tips](https://support.meinewand.com/en/paints?hsLang=en#processing-and-tips) - [Professional Paints by Brillux + Eco Paints by Kreidezeit](https://support.meinewand.com/en/professional-paints-by-brillux-eco-paints-by-kreidezeit?hsLang=en#main-content) - [How to choose the right paint](https://support.meinewand.com/en/professional-paints-by-brillux-eco-paints-by-kreidezeit?hsLang=en#how-to-choose-the-right-paint) - [Fabrics](https://support.meinewand.com/en/fabrics?hsLang=en) - [Terrastone](https://support.meinewand.com/en/terrastone?hsLang=en#main-content) - [General information about Terrastone](https://support.meinewand.com/en/terrastone?hsLang=en#general-information-about-terrastone) - [Surface preparation for Terrastone](https://support.meinewand.com/en/terrastone?hsLang=en#surface-preparation-for-terrastone) - [Terrastone processing](https://support.meinewand.com/en/terrastone?hsLang=en#terrastone-processing) - [Terrastone Finishes](https://support.meinewand.com/en/terrastone?hsLang=en#terrastone-finishes) - [Technical data sheets](https://support.meinewand.com/en/terrastone?hsLang=en#technical-data-sheets) - [Decals](https://support.meinewand.com/en/decals?hsLang=en) - [Sample Center](https://support.meinewand.com/en/sample-center?hsLang=en) - [Service Center](https://support.meinewand.com/en/service-center?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Service Forms](https://support.meinewand.com/en/service-center?hsLang=en#service-forms) - [Information](https://support.meinewand.com/en/service-center?hsLang=en#information) - [Business Customer Area](https://support.meinewand.com/en/business-customer-area?hsLang=en) [![MEINEWAND Onlineshop](https://support.meinewand.com/hs-fs/hubfs/meinewand_logo@2x.webp?width=488&height=78&name=meinewand_logo@2x.webp "MEINEWAND Onlineshop")](https://www.meinewand.com/en) www.meinewand.de Help Center Copyright © 2026, MEINEWAND