The 9 Best Wood Stains of 2023

Best Overall

General Finishes Oil-Based Gel Stain

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This thick, oil-based gel stain applies smoothly, even over difficult woods like pine. It doesn't penetrate very deeply into the wood, but just below the surface, creating a glowing, lustrous finish that highlights the beauty of the natural wood grain. Wipe it on with a rag, foam brush, or a paint pad, and then wipe away the excess. Thanks to this stain's thickness, it won't drip or run, making it ideal for tricky objects like furniture with a lot of curves and intricate details or vertical surfaces like bookcases or curio cases.

Like other wood stains, it's important to prep your wood surface before getting started, which means light sanding followed by careful attention to removing all bits of sawdust. This thick gel doesn't dry too quickly, so you have time to work carefully, applying even—but not too heavy—coats of the stain. Don't over-apply, as that can lead to uneven results or blotches. One coat will give you a nice layer of color, but two or even three coats are best for the richest results. You do need to wait quite a bit of time between coats, however. Let the stain dry for at least eight hours before applying the next coat, and once you are completely finished with your project, let the stain dry for two or more days before applying a sealer.

The stain is available in 15 beautiful colors, including white, gray, black, and many wood tones. Choose from 8-ounce, 1-pint, 1-quart, or 1-gallon sizes, depending on the size of your project. While not the cheapest stain available, it's worth the price for the lovely results you can achieve.

Price at time of publish: $55 per quart

_{Type: Oil-based gel | Size: 1 quart | Coverage Area: 150 to 200 square feet | Dry Time: 24 to 48 hours | Location: Interior use only}

Best for Cabinets

Varathane Premium Fast-Dry Interior Wood Stain

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This oil-based wood stain from Varathane can transform tired kitchen cabinets and other interior wood with as little as one coat; just brush one thick coat of stain onto the wood, allow it to soak in for five to 10 minutes, and then wipe away excess stain with a clean rag. Don't wait longer than this to wipe away the excess stain, or you might end up with blotchy results. Of course, if you want deeper, richer results, you can apply a second coat, and you won't have to wait long to do so, as this stain dries to the touch in just one hour. Be aware that like many wood stains, this one requires considerable preparation time, however. The wood needs to be thoroughly sanded to remove any prior stains, sealers, or paint before applying this product.

With numerous trendy colors to choose from, including barn red, sage green, and bleached blue, as well as classic wood tones, such as dark walnut, golden mahogany, golden oak, and black cherry, as well as gray, ebony, and antique white, you can give your kitchen cabinets a whole new life in a weekend, thanks to the short drying time of this stain. For the best results and to protect your finished cabinets from damage due to moisture, cooking oils, or splashes, apply a coat of polyurethane as the final touch, waiting for at least one hour after your last coat of stain. It's available in 8-ounce or 1-quart containers, and it's quite reasonably priced.

Price at time of publish: $20 per quart

_{Type: Oil-based | Size: 1 quart | Coverage Area: 275 square feet | Dry Time: 1 hour | Location: Interior use only}

Best for Furniture

SamaN Interior Water-Based Wood Stain

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Unlike oil-based stains, this water-based product, which is formulated for fine woods used to make furniture, doesn't emit smelly fumes, so you can apply it indoors without worry. It applies very easily. Just sand away any prior stains, sealers, or paints, and use a brush or rag to apply an even coat of stain to the wood—no need to first apply a wood conditioner, as is often recommended before using an oil-based stain. Wipe away excess color, and let the stain dry for 30 minutes to an hour. While you can achieve soft color with one coat, you'll get the best results with two or three, and unlike many other water-based stains, this one won't raise the grain of the wood, which means you don't have to keep sanding between coats. Finish by applying a clear sealer to protect your project.

Thanks to the amazing array of colors, the hardest part about transforming your furniture or other indoor wooden objects with this stain may be choosing which hue you like the best. Along with numerous natural wood tones, SamaN offers the stain in fun tints including raspberry, emerald green, turquoise, lime, paprika, and eggplant. You can even mix stains to create a color of your own. Choose from 12-ounce or 1-quart containers.

Price at time of publish: $17 per 12 ounces

_{Type: Water-based | Size: 12 ounces | Coverage Area: 75 square feet | Dry Time: 1 hour | Location: Interior use only}

Best Oil-Based

Minwax Wood Finish Oil-Based Interior Stain

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This deeply penetrating oil-based stain gives beautiful results and highlights the natural grain of wooden furniture, cabinets, floors, doors, trim, moldings, and other interior wood pieces. It resists “lapping”—uneven color where two brush strokes overlap—and provides rich color that’s often dark and smooth enough for just one coat to be sufficient. Wipe away excess stain within 15 minutes of application to avoid streaks. If desired, you can apply a second coat after waiting two hours. Once the stain is completely dry, finish your project with a protective sealant. 

You can apply this stain with a rag or brush. Like most wood stains, it’s advisable to sand your piece thoroughly to remove old stain and sealants before applying this product. It’s available in over 30 colors, including numerous wood tones and a few more unusual options, including barn red, silvered gray, vintage blue, and navy. Choose from 8-ounce, 1-quart, or 1-gallon containers. 

Price at time of publish: $23 per quart

_{Type: Oil-based | Size: 1 quart | Coverage Area: 125 square feet | Dry Time: 2 hours}

Best for Decks

Ready Seal 1-Gallon Can Natural Cedar Exterior Stain and Sealer

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Get your deck, fence, pergola, or other exterior wood structures looking their best and protected from the elements with two coats of Ready Seal Exterior Wood Stain, which has a sealer built right in. This quickly drying oil-based stain penetrates deeply into wood that’s been prepped by sanding or stripping away any prior stains, paints, or sealants. Once dry, Ready Seal won’t chip, flake, or peel, and it resists moisture to protect your wood from damage. You can apply it with a paint sprayer, which is a huge time-saver if you’re staining a large deck or fence. It can also be applied with a brush or roller. 

Apply two thin coats of the stain, with at least 45 minutes of drying time between them. Once you’ve applied the second coat, it can take two or three days for the stain to cure fully. Be aware that the color will look quite dark at first, but will slowly transform to its true color within 14 days of application. There are eight natural colors to choose from, and the stain is available in 1-gallon or 5-gallon containers. 

Price at time of publish: $41 per gallon

_{Type: Oil-based | Size: 1 gallon | Coverage Area: 125 square feet | Dry Time: 48 to 72 hours}

Best for Floors and Stairs

Varathane 1 qt. Classic Wood Interior Stain

4.6

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It’s a big project, but if you want to change the color of your hardwood floors or restore stained wooden floors or stairs to their former glory, then you’ll get reliably good results from Varathane Classic Penetrating Wood Stain. This oil-based stain is available in more than 25 beautiful colors, including black, gray, natural, cherry, weathered oak, and red chestnut. The semi-transparent color penetrates deeply into the wood without covering up the natural wood grain. 

For best results, you need to sand your floors down to the bare wood first, and carefully remove all sawdust before getting started. Apply the stain with a lint-free cloth, synthetic brush, or foam applicator, being sure to follow the grain of the wood. Wipe away excess stain after a few minutes, and let the stain dry for two hours before applying a second coat. Then allow the stain to dry for eight hours before applying an oil-based polyurethane sealer or 24 hours before topping it with a water-based polyurethane sealer. You can purchase the stain in quart or gallon containers.

Price at time of publish: $13 per quart

_{Type: Oil-based | Size: 1 quart | Coverage Area: 150 square feet | Dry Time: 2 hours}

Best All-in-One With Sealant

Minwax Polyshades Wood Stain & Polyurethane

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If you want to stain interior doors, trim, cabinets, furniture, or banisters with as little bother as possible, then Minwax Polyshades is the stain for you. This oil-based stain is combined with polyurethane, so unlike most similar stains, you don’t have to apply a separate coat of polyurethane as the final touch to your project. Nor do you have to sand away existing polyurethane or stain down to bare wood; just a light scuff with a fine-grit sandpaper, and you’re ready to go. There are more than 10 beautiful wood tones to choose from, and you also get a choice of two sheens, satin or gloss. Both dry to a semi-transparent lustrous finish. 

For best results, apply this stain with a natural bristle brush. Note that unlike most wood stains, there’s no need to wipe away the excess as long as you keep your coats thin. Go too thick with this stain, and you’ll have blotchy results. Let the first coat dry for at least six hours before applying a second coat. Expect it to take up to eight hours to be fully dry at the end of your project. Also be aware that while this is an excellent wood stain for just about any interior woodwork or furniture, it is not the best choice for staining hardwood floors. It’s available in 8-ounce or 1-quart sizes.

Price at time of publish: $16 per quart

_{Type: Oil-based | Size: 1 quart | Coverage Area: 135 square feet | Dry Time: 6 to 8 hours}

Best Water-Based

General Finishes Water-Based Wood Stain

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With hardly any odor or emission of VOCs, General Finishes Water-Based Wood Stain is easier on the environment than oil-based products, but that doesn’t mean you’ll sacrifice on the results. With proper preparation, including cleaning and lightly sanding the wood before you begin, and careful application with a paint sprayer, synthetic-bristle or foam brush, paint pad, or synthetic roller, your results will be rich, lustrous, and deeply colored. This water-based stain applies very well even over difficult woods like maple and pine, and is suited to any interior wood object, including furniture, cabinets, floors, trim, banisters, and more.

For best results, apply a thick coat of stain, wait a few minutes, and then wipe away excess color with a clean cloth. Wait two hours, and then apply a second coat of stain; don’t go beyond two coats or you risk blotchy, uneven results. Finish your project with two or three coats of sealant after letting the stain dry for at least two hours. There are more than 15 beautiful colors to choose from, ranging from whitewash to black and including many wood tones. The stain is available in pints, quarts, or gallons. 

Price at time of publish: $45 per quart

_{Type: Water-based | Size: 1 quart | Coverage Area: 100 to 150 square feet | Dry Time: 2 hours}