Best Brush For Water-Based Polyurethane (2024 Review)

With so many different brushes to choose from, it can feel intimidating when trying to find a quality product. We did the leg work for you and compiled our 5 favorite brushes for water-based polyurethane.

Let’s take a look at what makes the best brush, as well as why we chose the products we did.

Our Top 5 Brushes For Water-Based Polyurethane

ImageProduct
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Purdy XL
  • Holds plenty of polyurethane
  • Doesn’t shed
  • Won’t leave behind brush marks
  • Holds plenty of polyurethane
  • Doesn’t shed
  • Won’t leave behind brush marks
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Minwax Polycrylic
  • Inexpensive
  • Durable
  • Comfortable
  • Inexpensive
  • Durable
  • Comfortable
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Purdy XL Elite
  • Durable
  • Lightweight
  • Quality finish every time
  • Durable
  • Lightweight
  • Quality finish every time
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Purdy Nylox
  • Easy to clean
  • Durable
  • Holds a ton of urethane
  • Easy to clean
  • Durable
  • Holds a ton of urethane
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Wooster Silver Tip
  • Affordable
  • Holds up in the heat
  • Won’t shed
  • Affordable
  • Holds up in the heat
  • Won’t shed
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What Are Brushes For Water-Based Polyurethane?

Many people will use any old paint brush for water-based polyurethane, but the wrong type of brush can leave behind brush strokes that are easy to see in a shiny clear coat.

Brushes come in three different types, which are based on the material of their bristles. They are either made of natural animal fibers, synthetic materials, or foam.

Synthetic bristled brushes are the best for working with water-based polyurethane. This is because they are generally made from blends of nylon and polyester, which don’t absorb water as well as natural fibers do. Since they don’t absorb water as well, they are able to hold their shape better and deliver a more consistent brushstroke. 

Natural fibers are best for oil-based products, but they are expensive and not ideal for water-based polyurethane.

Foam brushes work with both oil and water-based polyurethane, but they don’t deliver the quality that a bristled brush can. Typically, they are used in situations where speed and saving money are the priority.

What Are The Different Types of Brushes For Water-Based Polyurethane?

As far as synthetic brushes go, nylon, polyester, nylon/polyester, and Chinex/Tynex are the most common blends on the market. Each of which has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Nylon

Nylon brushes are known for being durable and have the ability to hold lots of polyurethane. The stiff bristles deliver a smooth finish time after time, as long as they don’t get hot. When used in a hot environment, the nylon can get soft, and the bristles can lose their strength and shape, similar to natural brushes when used with water-based polyurethane.

Polyester

Polyester brushes can hold up better in the heat when compared to nylon brushes. This makes them advantageous for exterior projects during the summer. Unfortunately, they don’t hold as much urethane as a nylon brush of the same size. They can be tougher to clean as well, which means they won’t last as long as nylon.

Nylon/Polyester

These are the best of both worlds. They combine the stiffness of polyester and the capacity to hold urethane of nylon brushes. That’s why DIY enthusiasts and professionals prefer to use them.

Chinex/Tynex

Chinex is a patented nylon blend that is a popular option on the market. It tends to be pricier than nylon and polyester, but it incorporates the strengths of synthetic and natural brushes. They hold lots of urethane, maintain their shape, are easy to clean, last a long time, and they have softer bristle tips like a natural hair brush.

How Do Brushes For Water-Based Polyurethane Work?

Brushes for water-based polyurethane have to be able to apply a beautiful clear coat without leaving behind brush strokes. That’s why synthetic brushes are the most popular. They hold their shape and stiffness much better than natural hair brushes, not to mention they are more affordable.

What Do You Look For In The Best Brushes For Water-Based Polyurethane?

When it comes to a great brush for water-based polyurethanes, durability and the amount of urethane it can hold are the most important characteristics.

Durability

Nobody wants to shell out money on a new brush every single time they have a new project, right? A top-tier brush needs to hold up to all-day use without falling apart or losing shape. A brush that loses its shape is next to impossible to make a straight and precise stroke with. They are liable to leave behind brush strokes as well.

Ability To Hold More Polyurethane

The more polyurethane that a brush can handle, the quicker you can get your job done. You will spend more time dipping your brush into your bucket and less time applying it with a brush that doesn’t hold much urethane.

Comfort

Brushes don’t weigh much, but they can get uncomfortable when you have to use one all day. Wooden handles tend to feel better in your hand for long periods of time as opposed to cheaper options like plastic. Take it from me, it’s always worth spending a couple of extra dollars instead of having hand cramps all day long.

Price

Brush cost will differ based on what the handle and the bristles are made of. Wood handles will be more expensive and comfortable than plastic. Brushes with full nylon or polyester bristles will be more affordable than synthetic blends like Chinex, but they don’t deliver as great of a finish.

Best Brushes For Water-Based Polyurethane Reviewed

Purdy XL (Our Top Pick)

If you’ve ever done any painting, then you’ve surely heard of Purdy brushes. The XL series is our top pick because it blends all of the quality you would expect from a nylon/polyester brush for an affordable price.

These stiff bristles won’t shed, and the stainless steel ferrule is as durable as they come. The long and slender wooden handle is comfortable for even the smallest hands, no matter how big the project. Make sure to pick up a Purdy XL next time you need a flawless finish with water-based polyurethane.

Pros

  • Holds plenty of polyurethane
  • Doesn’t shed
  • Won’t leave behind brushmarks

Cons

  • Not the most affordable brush

Minwax Polycrylic (Best Budget)

Don’t let the name fool you, the Polycrylic brush from Minwax is the best bang for your buck when it comes to water-based polyurethane brushes. The polyester bristles will hold their shape on the hottest of days and leave a quality finish at almost half the price of our other top picks.

The only downside? It’s not great for large projects because it doesn’t hold as much polyurethane as a nylon brush.

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Durable
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Doesn’t hold much urethane

Purdy XL Elite (Best High-End)

The XL Elite isn’t cheap, but its Chinex/polyester blend bristles deliver an unrivaled finish with water-based polyurethanes. You can always expect a quality product from Purdy, and the XL Elite series lives up to the name.

Say goodbye to hand cramps during those long days on the job and hello to a brush that can hold tons of urethane while still holding its shape for cutting those tight corners without leaving brushstrokes.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Lightweight
  • Quality finish every time

Cons

  •  Expensive

Purdy Nylox (Best Nylon)

If you prefer nylon brushes that can hold plenty of urethane, making your projects go quicker, then the Nylox series is for you. These brushes are extremely easy to clean and reuse again and again, which makes their higher price point more reasonable.

Since the bristles are 100% nylon, they won’t do great on hot days, but they are excellent for any interior project where quality is king.

Pros

  • Easy to clean
  • Durable
  • Holds a ton of urethane

Cons

  • Won’t hold its shape in heat

Wooster Silver Tip (Best Polyester)

Wooster’s Silver Tip series was one of our best oil-based polyurethane brushes, but it works even better for water-based polyurethanes. These are great for smaller projects that don’t require covering a lot of square footage since they don’t hold as much urethane as nylon blends. You can also count on this brush to deliver consistent brush strokes time after time, even during the hottest days of the year.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Holds up in the heat
  • Won’t shed

Cons

  • Doesn’t hold much urethane

Final Thoughts On Brushes For Water-Based Polyurethane

If you are in the market for an affordable brush that works great with water-based polyurethane, look for one with synthetic bristles. They are designed to handle water-based products, won’t leave your wallet empty, and are much more durable than natural fibers.

Meet your Flooring Expert

Travis McCullough

Travis McCullough

Travis is a lifelong jack-of-all-trades in the construction industry with 20 years of experience in a variety of fields. He’s tackled flooring, carpentry, and everything in between on residential and commercial projects of all shapes and sizes.
Working independently and as part of a crew has equipped him with the know-how to not only complete a project but also teach others the finer points within most building professions. When he isn’t out hanging off of a ladder or crawling around on a roof, Travis spends his time educating people about the construction industry.

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