Architecte (Dulux), Xpro (Ripolin), Luxens et Premier Prix : Laquelle est VRAIMENT la meilleure ? 🎨

Product(s) Compared

Four matte wall paint ranges with very different price tiers:

• Entry-level: “Lux” (acrylic) – ~€1.40/L

• Mid/upper: Ripolin “Nu(e)d Sens” – ~€5.95/L (also “X Pro” mentioned; “X Pro 3.2”)

• High-end: Dulux Valentine Architecte – ~€19.95/L

• Budget/misc: “Premier Prix” / “Smur” referenced as another entry-level option (details overlap with “Lux” in the narration)

Main Evaluation Criteria

• Opacity / coverage (can you still see the background after 2–3 coats?)
• Ease of application (roller behavior, texture, streaking/finish)
• Drying time between coats
• Washability / cleanability after full curing
• Practical packaging / roller setup notes

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Key Test Conditions & Methodology

• Samples painted on three background colors:
  • Light: pink
  • Bright: orange / mulberry
  • Very dark: black / green
• Two coats applied first (drying times respected), then additional coats added if opacity was insufficient.
• Roller used mostly with a 12 mm nap to standardize results.
  • Discussion notes that performance may differ with a 10 mm roller, since brands often recommend 10–12 mm.

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Ratings / Numerical Details Mentioned

Coverage / Maintenance (Entry-level “Lux”)

• Coverage score (Lux): 2/5 (implies multiple coats needed)

• Ease of maintenance score (Lux): 1/5 (washable, but weaker/limited)

Drying Time Between Coats

• Entry-level: 12 hours (very long)
• “Luxens” / other mid paint: 3 hours
• Ripolin: 4 hours
• Architecte (Dulux): 6 hours

Washability / Curing Time

• Ripolin: 3 weeks to harden fully
• Architecte: 4.2 weeks

Price per Liter

• Lux: ~€1.40/L
• Nu(e)d Sens: ~€5.95/L
• Ripolin packaging context: ~€10.96/L for smaller-size comparison
• Architecte: ~€19.95/L

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Unique Points / Findings by Paint (Pros & Cons)

1) Entry-level “Lux” (and/or budget tier)

Pros

• Best value: extremely low price per liter (~€1.40/L)
• Matte look acceptable initially; finish described as slightly “cottony” / smooth-to-touch
• Ready to use; “must be stirred” but no special dilution noted

Cons

• Poor opacity / coverage: even after 2 coats, the background is still visible (especially light pink), and still detectable on darker/bright tests

• Needs more coats:

  • Light backgrounds may require 3+ coats
  • Dark/bright situations can push toward 4 coats
• Very long drying time between coats: ~12 hours
• Roller texture / finish may look wrinkled or uneven (“crumpled” look), attributed to viscosity/liquidity and roller behavior
• On dark backgrounds, still background bleed/visibility; more coats are needed for a clean result

Verdict (Narrator)

Good if you accept extra coats and a longer workflow; not ideal when opacity and aesthetic perfection matter.

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2) Ripolin “X Pro” / “Nu(e)d Sens” tier

Pros

• Overall whiter finish than some others (narrator calls it the “whitest” in the group)
• More even roller grain and homogeneous application for a better final surface
• On light backgrounds, you may be okay with 2 coats depending on lighting
• On dark/black/green, good masking after enough coats; texture holds up well

Cons

• Opacity not perfect on black: may be slightly lacking in coverage on black specifically → may need more than 2 coats in highly lit rooms

• Nap preference: narrator suspects better performance with 10 mm vs 12 mm

• Washability requires full curing: ~3 weeks before it’s truly washable

Verdict (Narrator)

Strong middle performer for texture/finish; for darker walls, plan extra coats depending on lighting.

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3) Dulux Valentine “Architecte” (high-end luxury tier)

Pros

• Best opacity / coverage in the test:
  • On black/green, after 2 coats, the background becomes invisible
  • On lighter/brighter backgrounds, 2–3 coats also look clean
• Best roller texture / finish quality:
  • tighter, more homogeneous, and the “nicest” rendering
  • easier to get a consistent result once applied/smoothed
• Washability: longer curing (~4.2 weeks), but once cured it’s washable/scrubbable

Cons

• Higher price: ~€19.95/L
• Longer drying between coats than some competitors: ~6 hours
• Thicker/pasty application means it can take a bit longer to load/unload and smooth

Verdict (Narrator)

Best choice if you care most about opacity + finish, despite the significant price jump.

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Comparisons & “What Matters” Takeaway

• Main message: don’t buy only by €/L—coverage can outweigh price, but results vary a lot.
• Tighter roller grain = better opacity is emphasized repeatedly.
• Room lighting matters:
  • In south-facing / bright rooms, background can show through if opacity isn’t high enough.
  • The entry-level product is most sensitive to this.

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Packaging / Usability Notes (Non-performance)

• Container size/packaging: larger packs typically lower cost per liter.
• Some containers are convenient for “paint truck” style use (rollers can be used directly from smaller containers).
• Practical warning: some containers keep paint close to the rim → risk of spills.
• Container material:
  • Metal vs plastic discussion affects preservation.
  • Metal may preserve better long-term; plastic deposits can contaminate leftover paint after storage.

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Overall Concise Verdict / Recommendation

• Best overall for clean opacity and premium finish: Dulux Valentine Architecte Achieves masking fastest (often 2 coats, even on black) with the most homogeneous roller texture.

• Best value compromise: Ripolin X Pro Strong finish/roller behavior and often good coverage, but may still require extra coats on dark/highly lit walls.

• Cheapest, but least forgiving: Entry-level Lux / Premier Prix Needs many more coats to hide backgrounds and has the longest drying time (~12h); finish can look less refined.

Recommendation

Choose Architecte if you want near-guaranteed opacity with fewer coats and the best finish. Choose Ripolin X Pro if you want good aesthetics and reasonable coverage for most rooms. Avoid entry-level tiers when background visibility and perfect wall appearance are critical unless you’re willing to apply 3–4 coats and wait longer.

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Speakers / Perspectives

• The content is presented from one main narrator’s perspective throughout.
• The video does not clearly indicate multiple speakers with different viewpoints beyond the narrator explaining guidance, observations, and professional considerations.