I'm renovating my apartment and I want to paint the rooms with something that doesn't leave that strong smell that gives you a headache. I saw there are brands that sell low-VOC paint but I don't know which one has the best price-quality ratio in my country. Has anyone used a reliable brand?
It's not that low-VOC odorless paint is the only option, but you're right that it's worth looking for if solvent fumes give you headaches. The thing is, "odorless" and "low VOC" don't always go hand in hand - some brands smell less but still have something, and others are genuinely odorless but cost quite a bit more. What matters is that you specifically look for water-based paint with low-VOC certification (less than 50 grams per liter), because those are the ones that actually reduce volatile compounds.
As for reliable brands, it depends a lot on where you live in Spain, but people around me who've painted apartments have used Caparol, Dulux, and Bruguer without major issues. Caparol has a specific line for interiors with very little smell that people tend to recommend on DIY forums. You can also ask at local paint shops - the staff have been watching people paint for years and know what works without leaving your apartment smelling like chemicals for a week. One thing I learned watching colleagues paint is that ventilation during and after is still key, even if you use eco-friendly paint, so keep that in mind.
The best price-to-quality ratio usually comes from mid-range lines of big Spanish brands, not necessarily the most expensive ones. Try comparing at local hardware stores before buying online, because some sellers have promotions depending on quantity and can advise you on how the product actually performs in enclosed apartments like yours.
It really depends on which country you're in, but generally local low-VOC brands tend to be cheaper than imported ones without sacrificing quality, so before assuming you need something premium, check what they have at your local hardware store and ask them to show you the solvent content on the technical sheet.
The best strategy is to go directly to specialized paint stores and ask them to let you smell the cans before buying, because "low VOC" means different things depending on the brand and some of them still smell pretty strong.
What most people don't realize is that the smell doesn't disappear completely, but it does go down a lot. With low or zero VOC paints, you usually only need a couple of days for it to dissipate, not two weeks like with conventional ones. Plus, ventilating well while you paint (open windows, use a fan) makes all the difference. If you're sensitive to smell or get migraines, it's worth the extra price, even if it's just 10-15% more expensive.
As for brands, the others are right that local ones usually offer better value for money than imported premium ones. But the important thing is that you specifically look for "zero VOC" or "ultra low VOC", not just "low VOC", because there's a difference. Also ask if the store does coverage tests or has small samples - that way you can see before you buy yourself 20 liters if the result convinces you.
Don't just trust what the "low VOC" label says because it varies a lot between brands and some still smell pretty strong anyway. What worked for me was going to a specialized store, asking them to let me open several cans and actually smell them, because in the end your nose doesn't lie - some local low-VOC brands smell almost nothing and others still reek, so testing before you buy saves you from disappointment.
Specialized paint stores usually have low-VOC options at decent prices if you ask directly instead of just looking at big-box retailers, where they sometimes charge a premium for the brand. What works is going with time to spare, smelling several cans and asking which ones local professionals use, because those brands tend to have better value for money than expensive imported ones. Some paint shops have their own low-VOC lines that they mix on-site, and those end up being a lot cheaper.
Something nobody's mentioned is that low VOC doesn't always mean fast drying, so make sure the brand you pick has good ventilation recommendations because some take longer than usual and that drags out the leftover smell! What I'd do is ask directly at specialist stores about certified local brands with an official eco-label (like EU Ecolabel or whatever your country has), because they're way cheaper than imported ones and you'll get better bang for your buck. Before you decide, ask them to let you test a small amount in a room for a couple of days to see how your body reacts, because even if it's low VOC tolerance varies a ton from person to person!
Odorless paint does actually exist, but the problem is a lot of brands claiming to be "low VOC" still give off a pretty strong smell for the first few weeks. I painted my living room a couple of years ago with one of those they were selling as eco-friendly at the supermarket and I ended up having to open the windows anyway for days. What really works is asking at construction supply stores if they have professional low-VOC brands (not necessarily the most expensive ones on the market), because those actually deliver on the promise. If there are distributors in your area that sell to painters, they usually have options that are worth it and won't leave you with that headache-inducing smell.
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