I Tested 7 Brushes for Staining Wood: Here are the Best (2024)

Staining your wood projects is a vital step that can make or break your project. By staining it correctly, you’ll add protection and give it the look you want.

I’ve been using wood stains on my projects for years, but there’s one aspect many woodworkers overlook – finding the right brush! Here are the best brushes you can use!

In a hurry? The best brush for staining wood is the Purdy Ox-Hair Brush because of how well it penetrates wood and leaves an even coat of stain.

Best Brushes for Staining Wood

• #1 Best Overall – Purdy Ox-Hair Brush
• Best Brush for Staining Decks – Wooster 4″ Stain Brush
• Best Brush for Staining Fences – Wooster Brush 4″ Paintbrush Softip
• Best Angle Brush – Wooster Angle Sash Paintbrush
• Best Value – Pro Grade Paint Brushes
• Best Foam Brush – Wooster Foam King Paintbrush

1. Purdy Ox-Hair Series Brush – #1 Best Overall

Purdy is well known for making some of the best brushes on the market, and their Ox-Hair brush is one of the best.

This natural bristle brush provides tremendous coverage and works well with both oil based and water based stains.

It comes in several sizes depending on the surface you’re staining, and it’s also very comfortable so you won’t deal with a strain in your hands when staining wood. Sign me up!

Applying stain with this brush was easy and you can easily clean it once you’re finished so it can last.

What I Liked:

• Terrific coverage thanks to the natural bristle construction, meaning less coats of stain
• Can handle all sorts of paints, stains, and polyurethane making it one of the most versatile brushes you can find
• Very high quality brush that can last for decades if taken care of

What I Didn’t Like:

• More expensive than other wood stain brushes
• Sheds a normal amount of bristles when compared to similar brushes

2. Minwax Polycrylic Wood Stain Brush – Best for Water Based Wood Stains

If you’re working with a water based stain, this Minwax Polyacrylic Brush is a great option. The quality is just a hair below the Purdy Ox-Hair brush above (pun intended) – but I found this brush works well with any water based stain.

This is one of the best synthetic brushes you can buy and it works great for staining wood projects both small and large.

What I Liked:

• Provides great coverage without brush marks
• Bristles don’t shed as much as some natural bristle brushes
• Pretty good value for the price
• Comes in several size options depending on your needs

What I Didn’t Like:

• Not as versatile as other brushes, it’s best for water based stains

3. Wooster Angle Sash Paintbrush – Best for Tight Spaces & Small Projects

If you’re looking to stain smaller wood projects, this Wooster Angle Sash Brush is a great choice. The angled tip allows you to reach tighter spaces and is more accurate than a flat tip brush – which might be required for some projects.

This is a synthetic bristle brush that’s great to stain wood projects of any kind. It’s also super easy to clean and can last for years if maintained properly.

What I Liked:

• Angled brush allows for more precise coverage
• Was comfortable and felt extremely high quality

What I Didn’t Like:

• Bristles fell out with heavier strokes

4. Wooster Bravo Stainer Brush – Best for Staining Wood Decks

If you’re looking for the best brush for staining wood decks – this 4″ Wooster Bravo brush is the perfect choice.

It has firmer bristles that make it more durable when staining a wood deck compared to traditional brushes. It’s also slightly larger than the other brushes I’ve mentioned at 4″ wide. This makes staining your deck quicker and if time is money, a larger brush is certainly worth it. If you have larger deck boards, you can opt for an even larger version of the brush such as the 4 3/4 or 5 1/2″ brushes.

This brush did a good job of providing a thick coat of stain, but it’s not as great for more detailed work.

If you’re looking for a deck stain, I highly recommend these deck stains!

What I Liked:

• Larger brush that makes staining decks and large projects much faster
• Firmer bristles that can withstand more pressure and doesn’t shed as much

What I Didn’t Like:

• Not good for smaller projects because of its size
• Doesn’t penetrate tight cracks in wood because of the firmness of the bristles

5. Wooster Brush 4″ Paintbrush Softip – Best Brush for Staining Wood Fence

If you’re looking to stain a wooden fence, this Wooster 4″ Softip Brush is the best choice for you. It’s similar to the brush above, but there are a few differences that make it better suited for fences.

Firstly, the soft, synthetic bristles are better at penetrating wood fences compared to the firmer bristles of the brush above. Second, this staining brush is super comfortable thanks to the large plastic handle compared to the wood handle of the brush above.

Both of these brushes are on the larger side, however. They come in sizes greater than 4″ – which is perfect for larger projects like fences and decks.

What I Liked:

• Soft tips allows the brush to easily coat old wood
• Larger brush makes the job faster
• Plastic handle was very comfortable

What I Didn’t Like:

• More streaking and brush marks than other brushes
• Bristles shed a decent amount

6. Wooster Brush Foam King Paintbrush

If you specifically want a foam brush, this Wooster Foam King Brush is a solid choice for staining wood. While I personally don’t love using foam brushes for applying stain, some people do!

This is a small brush that’s also one of the best brushes for applying polyurethane, so it’s hard to go wrong if you’re looking for a foam option.

It’s also priced affordably, so you can purchase a few of them to keep around as they don’t last as long as other types of brushes.

What I Liked:

• Extremely affordable
• Can be used on paints, stains, and polyurethane
• Didn’t have to worry about bristles falling out and causing streaking

What I Didn’t Like:

• Not as durable as other brushes
• Single size, so it might not work for every project

7. Pro Grade Paint Brushes – Best Budget Brush

If you’re looking for a solid brush for staining wood on a budget, this set of Pro Grade Paint Brushes is a solid pick. Despite their low price, this brush set did a great job of providing an even coverage of stain.

Another benefit of this choice is that you get a set if different sized brushes that are extremely versatile. Whether you need to paint, stain, or add a varnish to your projects – these brushes will get the job done.

They work with all types of paints and stains, making them versatile and great for all sorts of interior and exterior projects.

What I Liked:

• Extremely good value for the money
• Comes with several sizes for a variety of projects

What I Didn’t Like:

• Slightly more streaking and brush strokes than other options
• Didn’t feel as durable as others

What Makes the Best Brush for Staining Wood

Durability

Some brushes can be expensive, so having a brush that can withstand years of staining is important. Some high quality brushes can last for decades if they’re cleaned and maintained properly.

Additionally, you want to opt for a brush that doesn’t easily shed bristles as this can cause it to deteriorate quickly.

Type of Bristles

There are a couple of types of bristles that most staining brushes use: natural and synthetic bristles.

But which is better?

Unfortunately, there isn’t always one right answer. While natural bristle brushes are better at preventing streaking, they can shed more easily and come with a higher price. Synthetic bristle brushes can be more durable, but sometimes they aren’t great in terms of shedding and streaking.

There’s also foam brushes. These are different than the others because there are no bristles at all, so you don’t have to worry about them shedding. However, these can be difficult to clean and are tougher to get a smooth finish on older woods with cracks and gaps.

Size and Shape

The size and shape of your stain brush is another important consideration.

For example, if you’re staining a wood deck, you’re going to want a larger brush that gets the job done faster. However, if you’re working on a more intricate project, you might opt for a smaller brush with an angled tip so you can reach the hard to reach areas.

Most brushes will come in several sizes, with most offering a 2″ to 3″ option. However, larger brushes can be over 6″ wide for faster staining.

Price

There’s a pretty large discrepancy in prices between a high quality stain brush and a basic brush. Depending on your budget, some brushes may be better suited for you than others. For example, the Purdy Ox-Hair brush is a great brush that will last for years, but it’s also one of the more expensive options. If price is of concern, option for the Minwax Polyacrylic brush or the set of Pro Grade Brushes is your best bet.

What kind of brush do you use to stain wood?

The best brushes for staining wood and achieving a smooth finish is either a natural or synthetic bristle brush. These can penetrate the wood and provide even coverage without brush strokes. They work with most oil and water based stains and they can work with other substances, making them even more versatile.

Final Thoughts

The best brush for staining wood is hands down the Purdy Ox-Hair Brush. This is an extremely high quality brush that features natural bristles for a smooth finish.

If you’re looking for for a larger brush that’s best for staining a deck or fence – the 4″ Wooster Bravo Stainer Brush is your best bet.

Finally, if you want the best budget friendly brush for staining wood, go with these Pro Grade Paint Brushes.