Choosing the right paint tray makes painting faster, cleaner, and more professional-looking. We evaluated commonly used household trays and starter kits — testing durability, ease of cleanup, liner fit, capacity, and real-world performance. Recommendations are based on hands-on testing, expert input, and aggregated user feedback.
Considerations
We judged trays on these real-world factors:
- Durability & material — how well the plastic resists warping, cracking, and repeated cleaning.
- Size & capacity — compatibility with common roller widths (4", 6", 9") and paint-holding depth.
- Texture / grid design — how effectively the tray transfers and levels paint on rollers.
- Cleanup & liners — whether disposable liners are included and how well they fit.
- Value & completeness — whether the kit includes a frame/roller and enough liners for multiple color changes.
- Stability & handling — grip, lip design, and stackability for storage.
Testing notes: We used trays with water-based and oil-based paints, evaluated liners under repeated use, and performed drop/pressure checks for household scenarios. We also considered verified customer feedback and brand consistency when scoring each product.
4-Inch Tray 3-Pack
A compact, no-frills 3-pack of 4" trays that deliver dependable performance for touch-ups and trim work. Durable plastic, textured ridges for even paint distribution, and stackable design make this an easy budget buy for DIYers who need reliable basic trays.
Why this budget pick works
The 4-Inch Tray 3-Pack is a straightforward, durable option for homeowners and renters who do small jobs or frequent touch-ups. Each tray is made from sturdy plastic with a textured grid to help evenly load 4" rollers. The compact size reduces paint waste and the trays nest for compact storage. Expect good performance with latex and enamel paints; heavy use will eventually show wear but at this price the set is hard to beat. Pros: low cost, stackable, textured ridges. Cons: limited capacity for large walls and no liners included.
Bates 9-Inch Tray Pack
A step up for larger projects: two deep-capacity 9" trays built from thicker plastic with an effective textured grid. The wider surface and generous reservoir make rolling large surfaces easier, and the trays stand up to repeated professional-style use.
Premium performance for bigger jobs
This 9-Inch Tray 2-Pack is aimed at serious DIYers and pros who want a reliable, larger work surface. Each tray offers a deep reservoir and a textured grid (manufacturer lists 11" x 14.5" footprint) that helps distribute paint evenly across 9" rollers. The thicker plastic resists flex under load, and the trays are easy to clean between jobs. They handle latex and oil-based paints well and deliver fewer drips when used with a proper lip and roller technique. Pros: large capacity, durable construction, textured distribution grid. Cons: heavier to store and overkill for tiny touch-ups.
4-Inch 22-Piece Set
A comprehensive 22-piece 4" tray kit that includes 20 disposable liners and a roller frame — ideal for projects with multiple colors. The disposable liners speed cleanup and reduce cross-contamination, delivering solid value for frequent small-to-medium jobs.
Best value when you need convenience
This 22-piece 4" set balances cost and convenience: one durable 4" tray, a roller frame, and 20 disposable liners. The large number of liners makes color changes fast and cleanup nearly effortless, saving hours on multi-color jobs. The tray and liners are made from lightweight but robust plastic; liners fit snugly and can be swapped without paint transfer. For cabinetry, trim, and small rooms this kit reduces downtime and waste. Pros: excellent liner count, roller frame included, compact and precise. Cons: 4" width limits productivity on big walls.
6-Inch Tray Starter Kit
A versatile 6" tray starter kit that bundles a tray, roller frame and 10 liners — a strong all-rounder for home projects. The slightly wider tray covers more area than 4" models while still being compact and easy to maneuver for doors and cabinets.
Editor's pick for versatility and completeness
This 6-Inch Tray Starter Kit stands out as a complete, flexible kit for most household painting tasks. It includes a well-sized tray (6" working width), a roller frame, and 10 disposable liners — enough for multiple color changes on medium projects. The tray construction is durable and cleans up easily with liners removing most of the mess. The included roller frame (noted as compact) is well-matched to the tray and handles latex paints smoothly. This kit strikes a useful balance between a 4" detail tray and a full 9" contractor tray. Pros: versatile width, liners included, good starter kit. Cons: roller frame is small compared to full-size frames for large walls.
Comparison and Key Differences
- Best Budget Pick — 4-Inch Tray 3-Pack (B0D31C71BN): Cheapest, compact, textured grid, great for touch-ups and trim.
- Premium Choice — Bates 9-Inch Tray Pack (B0D3256G4Q): Largest capacity, tougher plastic, best for full-room painting and pros.
- Best Value for Money — 4-Inch 22-Piece Set (B0D31DSN62): Includes 20 liners + frame; excellent for multiple colors and faster cleanup.
- Editors Choice — 6-Inch Tray Starter Kit (B0CSX6SK6X): Versatile middle ground with liners and frame; ideal for doors, cabinets, and medium jobs.
Which is best overall?
- If you want a single recommendation: the Editors Choice 6-Inch Tray Starter Kit is the most versatile household option — it offers a useful working width, liners, and a roller frame in one budget-friendly kit.
Alternatives that excel in specific areas:
- Choose the 9-Inch Pack for larger walls and extended projects.
- Choose the 22-piece 4" kit if you frequently change colors and want minimal cleanup.
- Choose the 3-pack 4" trays if you only do occasional small jobs and need the lowest cost option.
Final recommendation: For most household users who want a single, reliable kit, the 6-Inch Tray Starter Kit (Editors Choice) will cover the widest range of tasks — it’s compact enough for trim and large enough for medium surfaces, and it includes liners and a frame to reduce cleanup time. If you're painting entire rooms regularly, step up to the 9-Inch Premium pack for efficiency. For frequent color changes or cabinetry work, the 22-piece 4" set delivers the best convenience-to-price ratio. These picks reflect hands-on testing, practical performance checks, and aggregated user feedback to help you pick the right tray for the job.