Flat grey in a dry room
You want a matt grey for a bedroom or living room and you will accept two coats. Johnstone's Manhattan Grey matt, 5 litres, is about £28.65, at 4.5 from 1,670 reviews. It claims 65 m² per tin and is not waterproof.
Wall paint grey comparison 2026
The best grey wall paints, compared.
Top pick: Johnstone's - Soft Sheen Wall & Ceiling Paint - Manhattan Grey - 5L Best value: Johnstone's silk Manhattan Grey, 5 L – Lowest price per litre among tins at 4.5 or above, tied at £5.73 and taken by the higher review count: 4.6 from 1,842. Updated October 2026.
Grey wall paint here is ready-mixed water-based emulsion for interior walls and ceilings. The set is matt, silk, soft sheen, one-coat matt and bathroom mid sheen, plus one 10 litre soft grey matt. You buy it to change depth and undertone. You do not buy it to waterproof a wall or to paint woodwork. You judge a tin by sheen, by whether the grey stays grey in that room's light, and by litres for two coats at the tin's own coverage. Sheen, undertone and tin size are in the [wall paint grey buying guide](/hub/paints-and-varnishes/wall-paint-grey/sub/wall-paint-grey-buying-guide). They are not woodwork finishes, and a standard emulsion is not a way to waterproof a wall. Matt hides small dents and is harder to wipe.
Grey wall paint here is ready-mixed water-based emulsion for interior walls and ceilings. The set is matt, silk, soft sheen, one-coat matt and bathroom mid sheen, plus one 10 litre soft grey matt.
42 products checked · 58 hrs invested · +18,600 readers
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1-2 of 12Best overall
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4.7(257)
4.7(157)
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4.6(8,252)
4.6(2,204)
4.6(1,842)
4.6(406)
4.5(1,670)
4.5(1,413)
4.5(404)
4.5(89)
3.9(349)
Personal buying guide
Which grey wall paint fits?
Question 1 of 2
Is the room steamy?
The best grey wall paints in detail
Our view
This 5-litre soft-sheen emulsion is listed to cover 20–24 m² with two coats and to dry in two hours. Its 4.7 rating from 257 amazon.co.uk reviews is the highest qualifying score with a solid review base, making it our top pick. The £5.82-per-litre price remains competitive for a 5-litre tin, and one kitchen reviewer says marks wipe off the finished surface. Two coats appear realistic over light colours, although some feedback mentions a patchy appearance while wet and one buyer needed three coats. The listing labels the finish satin and water resistant but also says it is not waterproof, so it is not evidence of a specialist bathroom coating. Soft sheen will also reveal more wall texture than matt, meaning careful filling and sanding are more important.
Pros
- Top 4.7-star qualifying rating
- Competitive £5.82-per-litre cost
- Soft sheen suits areas that need occasional wiping
- Coverage figure already allows for two coats
Cons
- Can look patchy while wet
- Some reviewers needed three coats
- Not waterproof
- Sheen can expose wall defects
Best for: Busy living spaces, kitchens away from direct splash zones and hallways needing a more wipeable grey finish.
Less suitable: Poorly prepared walls, fully matt schemes or persistently steamy bathrooms.
Specifications
- Model
- Johnstone's - Soft Sheen Wall & Ceiling Paint - Manhattan Grey - 5L
- Brand
- Johnstone's
- Price
- ∼£29
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(257)
- Finish
- Soft sheen
- Colour
- Manhattan Grey
- Tin size
- 5 L
- Coverage
- 20–24 m², two coats
- Dry time
- 2 hours
- Water resistance
- Water resistant
- Waterproof
- No
- Price per litre
- £5.82
- Listed use
- Indoor
Common questions
What sheen does the listing give?
The title says soft sheen and the finish field says satin. It is vinyl soft sheen Manhattan Grey, 5 litres, for interior walls and ceilings. Waterproof is false.
What coverage figure is on the listing?
20–24 square metres per 5 litres for two coats. That is the figure on the page. The listing does not give a readable full-cure time.
What do reviewers say about wiping and coats?
One kitchen review says marks wipe off. Others report two coats over light colours, a patchy look while wet, and three coats in one case. The rating is 4.7 from 257.
Our view
This 2.5-litre silk emulsion is listed to cover 12 m² per litre and dries in one hour, making it a practical small-room option when you want a reflective Steel Smoke finish. Its 4.7 rating from 157 amazon.co.uk reviews is strong, and reviewers commonly praise the coverage and wipeable-looking film. The £16.87 shelf price is the lowest in this set, although its £6.75-per-litre cost is higher than the 5-litre alternatives. Steel Smoke can dry darker than the tin suggests, so a test patch matters before committing to the whole room. The listing says it is neither waterproof nor water resistant, which limits its suitability for persistently damp spaces. Delivery is another caveat because one reviewer received a burst tin, while a separate report of peeling shows that surface preparation still matters.
Pros
- Strong 4.7-star rating from 157 reviews
- One-hour listed dry time
- Silk finish can be easier to wipe than matt
- Lowest shelf price in the comparison
Cons
- Not listed as water resistant or waterproof
- Colour may dry darker than expected
- Isolated reports of peeling and transit leakage
Best for: Living rooms, hallways or bedrooms where you want a darker grey silk finish in a 2.5-litre tin.
Less suitable: Steamy bathrooms, very uneven walls or buyers who need a reliably pale grey.
Specifications
- Model
- Johnstone's - Silk Wall & Ceiling Paint - Steel Smoke - 2.5L
- Brand
- Johnstone's
- Price
- ∼£17
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(157)
- Finish
- Silk
- Colour
- Steel Smoke
- Tin size
- 2.5 L
- Coverage
- 12 m²/L
- Dry time
- 1 hour
- Water resistance
- Not resistant
- Waterproof
- No
- Price per litre
- £6.75
- Listed use
- Indoor
Common questions
Is Steel Smoke silk waterproof?
No. Waterproof is false and water resistance is not water resistant. The title is vinyl silk, 2.5 litres, coverage 12 square metres per litre. One reviewer said the film wipes without leaving marks.
What is the price?
About £16.87 for 2.5 litres, which is £6.75 per litre calculated from those figures. The rating is 4.7 from 157 reviews.
What problems show up in reviews?
The colour is called darker than the tin. One silk order peeled. One tin burst in the box and about half the paint was lost. Other reviews praise coverage and packaging.
Our view
This 2.5-litre matt emulsion claims 12 m² per litre and a two-hour dry time for interior walls and ceilings. Its 4.7 rating from 113 amazon.co.uk reviews is strong, though the evidence base is smaller than for the popular Manhattan Grey and Frosted Silver tins. Reviewers who specify coat count generally used two coats over white or cream, which is a sensible allowance for planning. Summer Storm is listed as water resistant but not waterproof, and one bathroom makeover in the reviews does not turn it into a specialist bathroom paint. The colour code suggests a cool, blue-leaning grey, so it needs testing under the room's daylight and evening lighting. A report of a broken, split tin adds the same delivery risk seen elsewhere in this range.
Pros
- Strong 4.7-star rating
- Matt finish helps soften surface imperfections
- 12 m²-per-litre claimed coverage
- Two-hour listed dry time
Cons
- Only 113 reviews behind the rating
- Not waterproof
- Likely needs two coats
- Broken tin reported in transit
Best for: Bedrooms and living rooms where you want a cool, deeper matt grey in a manageable tin size.
Less suitable: Wet rooms, warm-grey interiors or buyers expecting reliable one-coat coverage.
Specifications
- Model
- Johnstone's - Matt Wall & Ceiling Paint - Summer Storm - 2.5L
- Brand
- Johnstone's
- Price
- ∼£17
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(113)
- Finish
- Matt
- Colour
- Summer Storm
- Tin size
- 2.5 L
- Coverage
- 12 m²/L
- Dry time
- 2 hours
- Water resistance
- Water resistant
- Waterproof
- No
- Price per litre
- £6.80
- Listed use
- Indoor
Common questions
What colour and size is Summer Storm?
Matt wall and ceiling paint, Summer Storm, 2.5 litres, indoor. Coverage is stated as 12 square metres per litre. Waterproof is false. Water resistance is water resistant. The rating is 4.7 from 113.
Does the listing say it needs an undercoat?
The page asks about an undercoat, bathrooms and washable use, and does not answer them. One reviewer used it for a bathroom makeover. That is a review, not a specification.
How many coats do the reviews mention?
Reviewers who give a number say two coats over white or cream. One tin arrived broken and split.
Our view
This 2.5-litre mid-sheen paint is the only product here explicitly sold for bathroom walls and ceilings, with waterproof set to true and coverage claimed at 12 m² per litre. That makes it the most relevant option for condensation-prone rooms, although extraction and treatment of the underlying damp still matter. The amazon.co.uk aggregate is 4.6 from 8,252 reviews, but the review pool mixes Pure Brilliant White and other colours, so it cannot be read as 8,252 verdicts on Manhattan Grey. Its £8.74-per-litre cost is the highest in the comparison, reflecting the specialist positioning rather than proof of better hiding power. The two-hour dry time is convenient, while the mid sheen will show more wall defects than matt. Choose it for the moisture claim, not because the broad parent-listing rating proves how this exact grey looks or covers.
Pros
- Only dedicated bathroom formula in the set
- Waterproof flag is true on the listing
- 12 m²-per-litre claimed coverage
- Two-hour listed dry time
Cons
- Highest price per litre in the comparison
- Review pool mixes colours and variants
- Mid sheen can reveal wall defects
Best for: Bathrooms, utility rooms and moisture-prone ceilings where a dedicated mid-sheen formula is needed.
Less suitable: Budget dry-room projects or buyers relying on the aggregate rating to judge Manhattan Grey specifically.
Specifications
- Model
- Johnstone's - Bathroom Wall & Ceiling Paint - Manhattan Grey - 2.5L
- Brand
- Johnstone's
- Price
- ∼£22
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(8,252)
- Finish
- Mid sheen
- Colour
- Manhattan Grey
- Tin size
- 2.5 L
- Coverage
- 12 m²/L
- Dry time
- 2 hours
- Water resistance
- Water resistant
- Waterproof
- Yes
- Price per litre
- £8.74
- Listed use
- Indoor
Common questions
Is this the bathroom formula?
Yes. The title is bathroom wall and ceiling paint in Manhattan Grey, mid sheen, 2.5 litres. Waterproof is true. The bullets cite moisture, stains, 12 square metres per litre and a 1–2 hour dry.
Do the 8,252 reviews describe this grey?
The rating is 4.6 from 8,252. Review texts on the listing also discuss Pure Brilliant White and other colours. Those lines are not evidence for Manhattan Grey.
Can the listing be used on a ceiling?
The page asks if it can be used on ceilings and in kitchens. The bullets say walls and ceilings in moist areas and mention kitchens. A separate yes or no beyond those bullets is not on the listing.
Our view
This 2.5-litre Frosted Silver paint combines a silk title with a satin finish field, claims 12 m² per litre and lists a one-hour dry time. Its 4.6 rating from 2,204 amazon.co.uk reviews gives it one of the strongest evidence bases in the set. Reviewers describe the shade as misty and report successful use over dark grey with two coats, but others needed three coats or found coverage poor even over white. The colour can read blue or green rather than neutral silver, so buying from the screen image alone is risky. It is described as water repellent but not waterproof, and the listing does not resolve whether it is washable. The higher sheen may make marks easier to notice and will expose uneven preparation more readily than matt.
Pros
- Strong 4.6 rating from 2,204 reviews
- One-hour listed dry time
- 12 m²-per-litre claimed coverage
- Higher sheen than standard matt
Cons
- Some reviewers needed three coats
- Colour can appear blue or green
- Not waterproof
- Washability is not confirmed
Best for: Hallways, kitchens away from direct splashes and living spaces suited to a cool silk grey.
Less suitable: Rough walls, neutral-grey colour schemes or bathrooms needing a dedicated formula.
Specifications
- Model
- Johnstone's - Silk Wall & Ceiling Paint - Frosted Silver - 2.5L
- Brand
- Johnstone's
- Price
- ∼£17
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(2,204)
- Finish
- Silk
- Colour
- Frosted Silver
- Tin size
- 2.5 L
- Coverage
- 12 m²/L
- Dry time
- 1 hour
- Water resistance
- Water repellent
- Waterproof
- No
- Price per litre
- £6.80
- Listed use
- Indoor
Common questions
What finish and coverage are listed?
The title says silk Frosted Silver, 2.5 litres. The finish field says satin. Coverage is 12 square metres per litre. Waterproof is false and water resistance is water repellent.
Is a strong smell answered on the listing?
The page asks whether the paint has a strong smell and whether it is washable. Neither is answered with a yes or no. Odour blocking is listed as a special feature.
How do reviewers describe the colour?
Comments include a misty shade, a kitchen use, and two coats over a dark grey. Others wanted three coats, found coverage poor on white, or read the colour as blue or green.
Our view
This 5-litre silk emulsion claims 12 m² per litre and dries in one hour, combining a wipeable-looking sheen with enough paint for a larger room. Its 4.6 rating from 1,842 amazon.co.uk reviews is backed by the largest colour-relevant review pool among the standard wall paints here. At £5.73 per litre, it matches the lowest Johnstone's unit price while offering a higher rating than the matt 5-litre tin, which makes it our best value choice. The main uncertainty is colour: several UK reviewers say Manhattan Grey dries with a blue or light-blue cast, while others actively like that cooler tone. The listing calls it water repellent but also says it is not waterproof, so it should not be treated as bathroom paint. Silk also reflects light and can emphasise ridges or poor preparation that a matt paint would disguise.
Pros
- Best value balance of rating and £5.73-per-litre cost
- Large 5-litre tin
- Strong 4.6 rating from 1,842 reviews
- One-hour listed dry time
Cons
- Can dry with a noticeable blue cast
- Not waterproof
- Silk highlights surface defects
Best for: Larger living spaces and hallways where a cool grey silk finish and easier wiping are useful.
Less suitable: Warm-grey schemes, rough walls or bathrooms requiring a dedicated moisture-resistant coating.
Specifications
- Model
- Johnstone's - Silk Wall & Ceiling Paint - Manhattan Grey - 5L
- Brand
- Johnstone's
- Price
- ∼£29
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(1,842)
- Finish
- Silk
- Colour
- Manhattan Grey
- Tin size
- 5 L
- Coverage
- 12 m²/L
- Dry time
- 1 hour
- Water resistance
- Water repellent
- Waterproof
- No
- Price per litre
- £5.73
- Listed use
- Indoor
Common questions
What finish is this Manhattan Grey?
Silk emulsion, 5 litres, coverage stated as 12 square metres per litre. Waterproof is false. Water resistance is water repellent. Dry time on the listing is 1 hour.
Do reviewers say the grey stays grey?
Several United Kingdom reviews say it dries with a blue or light-blue cast. Others like that tint. One reviewer says the wall does not match the picture.
Is it listed for walls only?
The title is wall and ceiling paint and the surface field says walls. One reviewer used it on anaglypta. The listing does not answer a bathroom yes or no.
Our view
This 2.5-litre Manhattan Grey matt is sold as a one-coat paint, but the stored coverage figure is simply 20 with no unit. Its 4.6 rating from 406 amazon.co.uk reviews is respectable, and buyers often like the grey shade and low odour. The one-coat name needs caution because many UK reviewers still used two coats over white, while one buyer used two tins on a very small bedroom. At £6.89 per litre it costs slightly more than the standard 2.5-litre Johnstone's matt options without providing dependable evidence of a saved coat. The colour also divides opinion, with some reviewers finding it too dark or blue. It is water resistant but not waterproof, and the listing leaves wood use and primer requirements unanswered.
Pros
- Strong 4.6 rating from 406 reviews
- Matt finish for ordinary interior walls
- Low odour noted by reviewers
- Three-hour listed dry time
Cons
- Many reviewers still needed two coats
- Coverage figure has no unit
- Can look dark or blue
- Not waterproof
Best for: Dry interior rooms where you like a cooler Manhattan Grey and are prepared to apply a second coat.
Less suitable: Projects bought specifically to save a coat, wet rooms or buyers needing a verified coverage unit.
Specifications
- Model
- Johnstone's - One Coat Matt Emulsion Paint - Manhattan Grey - 2.5L
- Brand
- Johnstone's
- Price
- ∼£17
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(406)
- Finish
- Matt
- Colour
- Manhattan Grey
- Tin size
- 2.5 L
- Coverage
- 20, no unit
- Dry time
- 3 hours
- Water resistance
- Water resistant
- Waterproof
- No
- Price per litre
- £6.89
- Listed use
- Indoor
Common questions
Does the listing prove it covers in one coat?
The name says one coat. The coverage field is the number 20 with no unit. Many United Kingdom reviews say two coats were needed over white, so the name is not treated as a test result.
Can it be used on wood, and does it need primer?
The listing asks both questions and does not answer them. Use on wood and any primer step are not stated.
What colour comments appear in reviews?
Some buyers like the grey and the low odour. Others call it too dark or blue rather than grey. One reviewer used two tins on a very small bedroom.
Our view
This 5-litre matt emulsion claims 65 m² per tin, enough on paper for about 32.5 m² after two full coats. At £5.73 per litre it is one of the better-priced Johnstone's options, particularly if you have more than one wall to cover. Its 4.5 rating from 1,670 amazon.co.uk reviews is well established, and reviewers often describe straightforward application and a usable mid-grey once the tin is mixed thoroughly. It is not a dependable one-coat choice, however, because reports include a runny consistency and two coats even over a grey undercoat. The listing marks it water resistant but not waterproof, so that distinction matters in damp rooms. Buyers should also test the colour in their own light rather than relying on the generic grey code shown online.
Pros
- Large 5-litre tin for bigger rooms
- Competitive £5.73-per-litre cost
- Established 1,670-review rating
- Matt finish is forgiving on imperfect walls
Cons
- Some reviewers found it runny
- May need two coats over a similar grey
- Not waterproof
Best for: Larger dry rooms where you want a mid-grey matt finish and enough paint for two coats.
Less suitable: Small touch-up jobs, wet areas or buyers seeking guaranteed one-coat coverage.
Specifications
- Model
- Johnstone's - Matt Wall & Ceiling Paint - Manhattan Grey - 5L
- Brand
- Johnstone's
- Price
- ∼£29
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(1,670)
- Finish
- Matt
- Colour
- Manhattan Grey
- Tin size
- 5 L
- Coverage
- 65 m² per tin
- Dry time
- 2 hours
- Water resistance
- Water resistant
- Waterproof
- No
- Price per litre
- £5.73
- Listed use
- Indoor
Common questions
Is this Manhattan Grey matt a 5 litre tin?
Yes. The listing is 5 litres of vinyl matt Manhattan Grey at about £28.65. Coverage is stated as 65 square metres per tin. Waterproof is false, while water resistance is set to water resistant.
Does the listing say it suits bathrooms?
The marketing text names kitchens, bathrooms and high-traffic rooms. The waterproof flag is false, so the page does not establish a bathroom coating. The surface field says Stone.
What comes up in the reviews?
Reviewers praise easy application, a mid grey, and mixing the tin. Complaints include a runny body, two coats over a grey undercoat, and a higher price than an older order.
Our view
This 2.5-litre matt emulsion claims 12 m² per litre and dries in two hours, giving you a pale-name grey without a reflective finish. The 4.5 rating from 1,413 amazon.co.uk reviews is well established, and some buyers report a good result with two coats on stairs. Colour consistency is the main issue because reviews variously describe Frosted Silver as darker than expected or closer to blue than silver. One reviewer also found that an insufficiently mixed second coat dried lighter, reinforcing the need to stir thoroughly before and during use. The listing says water resistant but not waterproof, and leaves bathroom and washability questions unanswered. It therefore works better as a standard dry-room matt than as a coating chosen for moisture or repeated cleaning.
Pros
- Large 1,413-review evidence base
- Matt finish avoids a glossy look
- 12 m²-per-litre claimed coverage
- Straightforward two-hour listed dry time
Cons
- Often reads blue rather than silver
- Shade can vary if not mixed thoroughly
- Not waterproof
- Washability is not established
Best for: Dry bedrooms, stairs and living rooms where a cool blue-grey matt is acceptable.
Less suitable: Buyers wanting a neutral silver, frequently wiped walls or damp rooms.
Specifications
- Model
- Johnstone's - Matt Wall & Ceiling Paint - Frosted Silver - 2.5L
- Brand
- Johnstone's
- Price
- ∼£17
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(1,413)
- Finish
- Matt
- Colour
- Frosted Silver
- Tin size
- 2.5 L
- Coverage
- 12 m²/L
- Dry time
- 2 hours
- Water resistance
- Water resistant
- Waterproof
- No
- Price per litre
- £6.80
- Listed use
- Indoor
Common questions
Is Frosted Silver matt a pale silver by the reviews?
Not for everyone. Some reviews like the colour and used two coats on stairs. Others say it is too dark or closer to blue than silver. The listing colour is Frosted Silver, 2.5 litres, matt.
What coverage and waterproof flags are listed?
12 square metres per litre. Waterproof is false. Water resistance is water resistant. Dry time is 2 hours. Bathroom, undercoat and washable questions are unanswered.
Why might the second coat look different?
One review says the second coat was lighter when the tin was not mixed. Stirring is the point those comments support. It is not a measured result.
Our view
This 2.5-litre matt emulsion claims 13 m² per litre and a two-hour dry time, giving you a flat Steel Smoke finish for an ordinary indoor room. The 4.5 rating from 404 amazon.co.uk reviews provides a broader evidence base than the silk Steel Smoke tin. Some reviewers report good body and one-coat coverage over brown, but others found the first coat thin and needed three coats. That variation makes the claimed coverage a planning figure rather than a promise for your wall. The listing explicitly says it is not water resistant and not waterproof despite marketing text that mentions kitchens and bathrooms. Leaking tins also appear in the feedback, so check the container as soon as it arrives.
Pros
- Flat finish helps disguise minor wall imperfections
- 13 m²-per-litre claimed coverage
- Substantial pool of 404 reviews
- Reasonable £6.80-per-litre cost
Cons
- Some reviewers needed three coats
- Not listed as water resistant or waterproof
- Transit leaks appear in reviews
Best for: Dry bedrooms and living spaces where a flat, darker Steel Smoke grey is preferred.
Less suitable: Bathrooms, wipe-clean areas or projects where one-coat coverage is essential.
Specifications
- Model
- Johnstone's - Matt Wall & Ceiling Paint - Steel Smoke - 2.5L
- Brand
- Johnstone's
- Price
- ∼£17
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(404)
- Finish
- Matt
- Colour
- Steel Smoke
- Tin size
- 2.5 L
- Coverage
- 13 m²/L
- Dry time
- 2 hours
- Water resistance
- Not resistant
- Waterproof
- No
- Price per litre
- £6.80
- Listed use
- Indoor
Common questions
Is Steel Smoke matt listed as waterproof?
No. The listing sets waterproof to false and water resistance to not water resistant. The same page still mentions kitchens and bathrooms in the marketing text, and it does not answer the bathroom question with a yes or no.
How much area does the 2.5 litre tin claim?
The listing states 13 square metres per litre. That is a claim on the tin page, not a measured result for your wall. Dry time on the listing is 2 hours.
What do reviewers say about coverage?
Some United Kingdom reviews report one coat over brown paint and a thick body. Others say the first coat looked thin and that three coats were needed. Leaks inside the delivery box also come up.
Our view
This 2.5-litre matt emulsion claims 12 m² per litre, dries in two hours and lists a 24-hour full cure. Its 4.5 rating from 89 amazon.co.uk reviews is positive, but it falls below the 100-review confidence threshold used for the top-pick badge. The seven United Kingdom reviews describe a warm grey and low odour, which may suit rooms where blue-greys feel cold. Those same limited reviews also mention a thin consistency and average coverage, so two coats should be budgeted. One report of a lighter second coat after inadequate mixing makes thorough stirring particularly important. The paint is water resistant but not waterproof, and the listing does not answer questions about wood, primer or durability.
Pros
- Warm-grey comments distinguish it from bluer shades
- 12 m²-per-litre claimed coverage
- Low odour mentioned in reviews
- Two-hour listed dry time
Cons
- Only 89 reviews behind the rating
- Thin body and average coverage reported
- Shade can vary if not mixed
- Not waterproof
Best for: Smaller dry rooms where a warmer matt grey is preferable to a blue-toned shade.
Less suitable: Wet areas, one-coat projects or buyers wanting a large review base.
Specifications
- Model
- Johnstone's - Matt Wall & Ceiling Paint - Venice Grey - 2.5L
- Brand
- Johnstone's
- Price
- ∼£17
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(89)
- Finish
- Matt
- Colour
- Venice Grey
- Tin size
- 2.5 L
- Coverage
- 12 m²/L
- Dry time
- 2 hours
- Water resistance
- Water resistant
- Waterproof
- No
- Price per litre
- £6.80
- Listed use
- Indoor
Common questions
What is Venice Grey on the listing?
Matt wall and ceiling paint, 2.5 litres, indoor, 12 square metres per litre, dry time 2 hours, full cure listed as 24 hours. Waterproof is false. The rating is 4.5 from 89.
Does it say it can go on wood?
The listing asks about wood, durability and primer and does not answer them. Those three points are not stated.
What do the few reviews say?
The seven United Kingdom reviews mention low odour, a warm grey, a thin body, average coverage, and a lighter second coat when the tin was not mixed.
Our view
This Crown soft grey tin provides 10 litres for £22.70, or £2.27 per litre, by far the lowest unit cost in the comparison. Its 3.9 rating from 349 amazon.co.uk reviews is also the weakest here, so the volume saving comes with a clear quality and confidence trade-off. Buyers describe using it on workshop and living-room walls, yet the listing's indoor/outdoor field says Outdoor and the broken title does not resolve the intended use. Coverage is stored only as 10 with no unit, preventing a reliable calculation of how much finished wall it should cover. Repeated reports of split or burst tins are a practical concern with such a large container, alongside comments about chipping, bubbles and a surprisingly silky feel. The colour may look darker while wet and paler once dry, making a test area and full drying time especially useful.
Pros
- Lowest cost at £2.27 per litre
- Large 10-litre quantity
- Useful volume for workshops or broad low-cost coverage
- Four-hour listed dry time
Cons
- Weakest rating in the set
- Listing conflicts over intended use
- Coverage figure has no unit
- Repeated split-tin and finish complaints
Best for: Budget-conscious large-area projects where you can tolerate listing uncertainty and inspect the tin on arrival.
Less suitable: Finish-critical living spaces, precise coverage planning or buyers prioritising consistently strong reviews.
Specifications
- Model
- Crown soft grey matt emulsion, 10 L
- Brand
- Crown
- Price
- ∼£23
- Customer rating
- 3.9/5(349)
- Finish
- Matt
- Colour
- Soft grey
- Tin size
- 10 L
- Coverage
- 10, no unit
- Dry time
- 4 hours
- Water resistance
- Water repellent
- Waterproof
- No
- Price per litre
- £2.27
- Listed use
- Outdoor
Common questions
Is this Crown tin interior or exterior?
The title describes a 10 litre soft grey matt emulsion. The indoor/outdoor field says Outdoor. Reviews talk about workshop and living-room walls. The listing does not resolve that conflict.
What is the shelf price per litre?
About £22.70 for 10 litres, which is £2.27 per litre calculated from those two figures. The rating is 3.9 from 349. Coverage is listed as 10 with no unit.
What goes wrong in the reviews?
Split or burst tins in transit come up more than once. Other comments mention chipping, bubbles, a silky feel, and a colour that looks darker while wet and paler when dry.
How we compared
Scores convert each amazon.co.uk star rating to a 0–100 scale by dividing it by five and multiplying by 100. The figure beside each tin is that conversion, shown on a 10-point scale as the score divided by 10. Review count is a confidence check. Listing conflicts, mixed-variant review pools and repeated delivery complaints stay in the assessment. Prices and price-per-litre figures use the loaded UK shelf prices and tin sizes. They are not a live price guarantee. No paint was laboratory tested, and no EN 13300 scrub, hiding-power or gloss class is inferred. The top pick is the highest star rating with at least 100 reviews, excluding a review pool known to mix other colours. Where star ratings tie, the larger colour-specific review count decides. The best value is the lowest calculated price per litre among tins rated at least 4.5 out of 5. A tie is resolved by the higher review count.
1
Room and sheen
25%Matt hides dents and is harder to wipe. Silk and soft sheen wipe more easily and show every ridge. A steamy bathroom wants the mid-sheen tin whose listing sets waterproof to true.
2
Undertone and depth
20%Cool blue-greys suit bright, warm daylight. Warm greys suit north-facing rooms and evening light. Amazon hex codes on these listings are often generic greys, so a test patch comes before a whole room.
3
Coverage for two coats
20%Use the tin's own square-metre figure. Two coats roughly halve the finished area. A one-coat name is not treated as a result when UK reviews still needed two coats over white.
4
Tin size and price per litre
20%A 5 litre Johnstone's tin is cheaper per litre than a 2.5 litre tin if you will use it. The lowest unit price in the set is kept out of the value pick when the star rating is below 4.5.
5
What the listing claims
15%Marketing lines that mention kitchens and bathrooms sit beside waterproof set to false on several matt and silk pages. Only the bathroom tin sets waterproof to true.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Wall paint grey buying guide
Grey wall paint on these twelve amazon.co.uk listings is ready-mixed emulsion, not a wood finish and not a damp-proof coating. Sheen, undertone and litres for two coats decide the tin. A star rating is the UK aggregate. It is not an EN 13300 class. Prices are the loaded shelf prices, not a live check.
How to choose grey wall paint
Grey wall paint in this comparison is ready-mixed water-based emulsion for interior walls and ceilings. The Johnstone's tins cover matt, silk, soft sheen, a one-coat matt and a bathroom mid sheen. The Crown tin is a 10 litre soft grey matt. People buy these colours to change depth and undertone. They are not woodwork finishes, and a standard emulsion is not a way to waterproof a wall. Start with the room and the sheen. Matt hides small dents and is harder to wipe.
Best for
- A dry bedroom or living room where two coats of matt grey are acceptable
- A hallway that needs a wipeable sheen and a wall you have filled first
- A bathroom only when you choose the mid-sheen tin with waterproof set to true
Not ideal for
- A steamy bathroom painted with standard matt because the bullet mentions bathrooms
- Woodwork, a measured colour match, or a one-coat job over a contrasting colour
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Buying the grey from a screen photo
Hex codes on these listings are often generic CSS greys. Manhattan Grey silk and Frosted Silver draw blue-cast comments. Paint a patch in daylight and under your evening light before you buy enough for the room.
- 2
Trusting the one-coat name
The one-coat Manhattan Grey stores coverage as the number 20 with no unit. Many UK reviews still used two coats over white. Budget the second coat over a contrasting colour.
- 3
Reading the bathroom average as this grey
The bathroom tin is 4.6 from 8,252 reviews, and that pool mixes other colours, including Pure Brilliant White. Use it for the waterproof flag, not as 8,252 verdicts on Manhattan Grey.
What to weigh up
Sheen and the room
HighMatt hides small dents and is harder to wipe. Silk and soft sheen wipe more easily and show every ridge. Steel Smoke matt and Steel Smoke silk are listed as not water resistant. Several other matt and silk pages say water resistant or water repellent and still set waterproof to false. A marketing line that names a bathroom does not change that flag.
Litres, coverage and price
HighUse the tin's own coverage. Two coats roughly halve the finished area. A rule of thumb: a 2.5 litre tin at 12 m² per litre is about 30 m² theoretical and about 15 m² once you need two coats. Steel Smoke matt claims 13 m² per litre. Manhattan Grey matt in 5 litres claims 65 m² per tin, about £5.73 a litre. The silk 5 litre tin matches that unit price at a higher rating, which is why it is the best value. The Crown 10 litre soft grey is about £22.70, or £2.27 a litre, and 3.9 from 349.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
A hallway you need to wipe
You want a sheen that wipes more easily than matt, and you can see the ridges silk will show. The top pick is Johnstone's soft sheen Manhattan Grey, 5 litres, about £29.08, at 4.7 from 257 reviews. Waterproof is false.
Condensation in a bathroom
The problem is moisture, not a flat grey in a dry room. Johnstone's bathroom Manhattan Grey, 2.5 litres, about £21.84, is the only tin here with waterproof set to true. You still need extraction. Paint does not cure mould.
Common questions about grey wall paints
What is the top pick in this grey wall paint comparison?
The top pick is Johnstone's soft sheen Manhattan Grey, 5 litres, at about £29.08. Amazon.co.uk shows 4.7 from 257 reviews. Steel Smoke silk (157 reviews) and Summer Storm matt (113 reviews) are also 4.7. Soft sheen takes the place because that colour-specific review base is the largest of the three. The listing says 20–24 m² per tin for two coats, labels the finish satin, and sets waterproof to false. Skip it on a rough wall or in a steamy bathroom.
Which grey wall paint is the best value?
The best value is Johnstone's silk Manhattan Grey, 5 litres, about £28.65, or £5.73 a litre. The matt Manhattan Grey 5 litre tin matches that unit price. Both are at least 4.5 stars. The silk takes the tie on the higher review count: 4.6 from 1,842, against 4.5 from 1,670. The Crown 10 litre tin is about £2.27 a litre, but it is 3.9 from 349, below the 4.5 line for this pick. Reviewers often say the silk dries with a blue cast, so test a patch first.
Can I use ordinary grey matt in a bathroom?
No. Use Johnstone's bathroom Manhattan Grey, 2.5 litres, about £21.84. It is the only tin here with waterproof set to true, and the finish is mid sheen. Several matt and silk pages mention bathrooms in the marketing text and still set waterproof to false. Emulsion does not cure mould or damp, and you still need extraction. If mould returns, call a professional. The bathroom rating is 4.6 from 8,252 reviews. That pool mixes other colours, so it is not a verdict on this grey alone.
Does the one-coat Manhattan Grey cover in one coat?
The name says one coat. The coverage field on the 2.5 litre one-coat Manhattan Grey is the number 20 with no unit, so it is not a measured area. Many UK reviews say two coats were needed over white, and one buyer used two tins on a very small bedroom. The rating is 4.6 from 406 reviews, at about £17.23. Buy it for a cooler Manhattan Grey in a dry room, and budget a second coat over a contrasting colour.
How much wall does a 2.5 litre tin cover?
Use the figure on that tin. Several Johnstone's 2.5 litre greys claim 12 m² per litre, and Steel Smoke matt claims 13 m² per litre. A rule of thumb: 2.5 litres at 12 m² per litre is about 30 m² theoretical, and about 15 m² once you need two coats. The soft sheen 5 litre tin states 20–24 m² for two coats. The Crown coverage field is 10 with no unit, so it cannot plan a room. These are listing claims, not a measured test of your wall.
Are the colour codes on Amazon the real shade?
No. Hex codes on these listings are often generic CSS greys, not a measured chip from the manufacturer. Manhattan Grey silk and Frosted Silver draw comments that the dry film looks blue, and some Frosted Silver reviews say blue or green. Venice Grey is the shade the small review set calls warm. Dulux UK guidance, not a test of these tins, puts cool blue-greys in bright warm daylight and warm greys in north-facing rooms and evening light. Test a patch in daylight and at night.
What VOC limit applies to interior wall paint?
Interior matt, gloss at or below 25 at 60°, is capped at 30 g/l VOC ready to use. Interior glossy, above 25 at 60°, is capped at 100 g/l, under Schedule 2 of the VOC Regulations 2012. None of these listings prints a gram-per-litre figure, so none is called zero VOC or non-toxic. The British Coatings Federation Globe runs from Trace, under 0.1%, to Very High, over 50%. That band is a label, not a result for these tins. Do not pour leftover emulsion down a drain.
When should I hire a painter rather than buy one of these tins?
Call a professional for flaking paint that may contain lead, for mould that returns, for damp or blown plaster, or for a measured match to an existing wall. These tins are fixed retail colours. If the old film is sound, Health and Safety Executive guidance is to wet-key and overcoat it. Do not dry-sand or burn off paint that may contain lead. For another colour family, see the wall paint comparison.
Our verdict
The top pick is Johnstone's soft sheen Manhattan Grey, 5 litres, about £29.08. It is 4.7 from 257 amazon.co.uk reviews. Steel Smoke silk and Summer Storm matt are also 4.7, from 157 and 113 reviews, so soft sheen takes the place on the larger colour-specific review base. The listing covers 20–24 m² for two coats and sets waterproof to false. The best value is Johnstone's silk Manhattan Grey, 5 litres, about £28.65. At £5.73 a litre it ties the matt 5 litre tin, and the silk has the higher review count, 4.6 from 1,842. Several reviewers say that silk dries with a blue cast. Neither tin is a bathroom coating.
Best value
View offer
Johnstone's silk Manhattan Grey, 5 L
Lowest price per litre among tins at 4.5 or above, tied at £5.73 and taken by the higher review count: 4.6 from 1,842.
Editorial
Editor
DIY & toolsamazon.co.uk listingsPublic UK sources
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to grey wall paints
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Wall paint grey buying guideSheen, depth and litres, in the order you decide, before the tin names and prices.Best wall paint greyWho each strong listing is for, and who should skip it.How to apply wall paint greyPrep, stir, two coats and clean-up. No ranking.Wall paint grey for bathroomsMoisture and mid sheen against ordinary matt. One room.Wall paint grey matt or silkFlat hide against a wipeable sheen. One variable.
Related comparisons
Sources
Public UK sources used for VOC limits, lead in old paint, and paint reuse. Prices, stars and review counts are from the amazon.co.uk listings in this set. No EN 13300 class is claimed for these tins.
- VOC Regulations 2012, Schedule 2 (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- British Coatings Federation — VOC Globe (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Brillux — EN 13300 (classes, not a result for these tins) (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- HSE — Lead in old paint (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- GOV.UK — Lead information for the public (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Community RePaint — paint types for reuse (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Dulux UK — how to find the right shade of grey (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Johnstone's — finishes (retrieved 17 October 2026)
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk with the tag pcuk26-21. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the UK listing lines loaded for this comparison. We did not run a laboratory test.