6 Best Concrete Stains [2024 Review]

Concrete surfaces are a popular indoor and outdoor flooring solution, but they are prone to damage and degradation over time due to weather conditions and traffic.

Sealing the concrete is helpful, but adding a stain will revitalize your concrete while also protecting it. 

Top Concrete Stain Review

Concrete stains are reactive and non-reactive solutions that color and protect the concrete surface.

We’ve put together a list of the top concrete stains available on the market.

Best Overall Concrete Stain: Kemiko Stone Tone Concrete Stain

Kicking off the list is the Kemiko Stone Tone Concrete Stain. It has everything a concrete stain should have: strong penetration, a large surface coverage, consistency, durability, and safety.

The Kemiko Stone Tone is an acid-based concrete stain that bonds with the lime in concrete, which makes both the concrete and color long-lasting.

It comes in a one-gallon bottle, which has a surface coverage of about 400 and 800 square feet. What makes it appealing, though, is that it can be diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio, allowing you to cover a larger area without having to buy additional concrete stains.

Unlike most acid-based concrete stains on this list, Kemiko produces almost no VOCs, which makes it suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.

What’s more, this concrete stain is available in nine rich earth tones that have a bright marbled or glazed finish.

There’s one small drawback, though. Kemiko doesn’t react as effectively with old concrete surfaces. So, you may need to apply more than one layer of stain to achieve a bright finish similar to that found on newer concrete surfaces.

Pros:

• Can be used as it is or diluted for a lighter color and more surface coverage
• Doesn’t produce VOCs, so it’s less toxic than other acid-based stains
• Improves the concrete’s durability and strength by bonding with the lime components
• Requires minimal maintenance

Cons:

• Color isn’t as bright when applied to old concrete surfaces

Best Value: Concrete Coatings VIVID Acid Stain

Second on the list is the Concrete Coatings VIVID Acid Stain, which is a powerful acid-based concrete stain that can penetrate all kinds of concrete surfaces and give them a granite/marble finish.

The VIVID Acid Stain, like the Kemiko Stone Tone, has a powerful formula that penetrates the top layer and bonds with the concrete, protecting both the stain and the surface from chipping, cracking, and peeling.

With one gallon, you should be able to cover 250 to 500 square feet. However, because VIVID is thinner than most concrete stains, you may need to apply more than one coat.

Additionally, VIVID stains tend to produce variegated and unique colors on different concrete types. That’s why Concrete Coatings recommend performing a sample test on the piece of concrete you want to stain.

Overall, VIVID Acid Stain is one of the least expensive options, yet it provides the best value for money than most products on this list.

Pros:

• 11 color choices that can be either blended to create new colors or diluted to produce lighter shades
• Perfect for outdoor use due to its strong penetration level
• Creates color variations that make each concrete slab look unique
• A more affordable high-quality alternative

Cons:

• Takes up to four hours to dry, which is the longest duration on this list
• Produces the most VOCs, so it’s not suitable for indoor use
• May require more than one coat due to its thin consistency
• Requires high maintenance or the color will change

Best Budget: Rust-Oleum 247162 Concrete Stain Spray

If you’re working on a small project and don’t need an entire gallon of stain, you should consider the Rust-Oleum 247162 Concrete Stain Spray. It’s the first water-based formula on this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s not on par with acid-based stains.

To begin with, Rust-Oleum is a semi-transparent concrete stain spray that you can blend with Rust-Oleum spray paints to create unique stains for your concrete surface. It’s also UV and weather-resistant, so it shouldn’t chip or wear away easily.

What’s more, Rust-Oleum is the easiest to apply of the concrete stains on this list. The spraying tip has a wide finger pad meant to prevent finger fatigue.

The spray bottle also has a unique technology that allows you to spray continuously at any angle, direction, or position.

The best part is that you don’t have to use special equipment to clean Rust-Oleum-stained concrete. All you need is some soap and water.

That said, with only 15 ounces, Rust-Oleum Stain Spray has the least surface coverage on the list. Nonetheless, while you’re more likely to use it for small items and accent pieces, you can use it for concrete touch-ups.

Pros:

• The easiest concrete stain to apply and clean on the list
• Ideal for small projects due to its size and application method
• Available in four colors that can be blended together to create new and unique hues

Cons:

• Only 15 ounces, so it’s not suitable for larger projects
• Can be a little watery and thin, so it may require more than one coat

Best High End: EnduraCoat Acid Stain DIY Kit

The EnduraCoat Acid Stain DIY Kit is an easy-to-use concrete stain kit for first-time users and DIY projects. It can be used indoors as well as outdoors to give concrete surfaces a high-quality marbled finish.

The DIY stain kit consists of everything you’ll need for the staining process, saving you the trouble and money of purchasing the correct products to use with the concrete stain.

It includes a concentrated cleaner/degreaser, an acid-based stain, solvent-based sealer, and a neutralizer. The kit also includes a full set of application instructions.

In addition, the DIY kit is available in multiple size sets to cover different surface areas. The one-gallon kit covers an area of 250 square feet, and each extra gallon covers an additional 250 square feet.

One thing to keep in mind is that, while EnduraCoat’s stain kits are available in seven different colors, these colors may not always turn out as expected.

As a result, I recommend performing a sample test similar to the VIVID Acid Stain solution.

What’s more, because EnduraCoat contains unspecified VOCs, using it in a poorly ventilated area can be harmful. If you’re staining indoors, make sure the windows and doors are open.

Pros:

• A complete staining kit that includes every product needed for a staining job.
• Has a detailed application instruction manual
• Phone number available to call for any questions

Cons:

• Costs more than four times the price of the other concrete stains on this list
• Color may come out different than expected
• Slightly more toxic due to unspecified VOCs

Best Eco-Friendly: Concrete Resurrection Concrete Stain

Another excellent water-based concrete stain, the Concrete Resurrection Concrete Stain is a durable, easy-to-use, eco-friendly solution that produces stunning results.

It comes in a 32-ounce bottle of concentrate that should be diluted. Concrete Resurrection recommends diluting the stain with 4 parts water to 1 part stain.

This means a 32-ounce bottle is diluted in a gallon of water, yielding 1.25 gallons of stain solution that can cover about 150 square feet.

One feature that’s unique to the Concrete Resurrection is that most of its 34 color choices can produce a wider range of colors.

One color can go from opaque to translucent depending on the amount of water you add to the product. It can also go from a dark shade to a lighter depending on how many coats you apply to the concrete.

Unfortunately, no product is without flaws, including Concrete Resurrection stain. Compared to the other products on this list, Concrete Resurrection requires the most maintenance.

In fact, you have to clean concrete stained with this product at least once every week to make sure that the color doesn’t fade over time. Aside from that, Concrete Resurrection is a solid choice for a concrete stain.

Pros:

• Environmentally friendly, so it can be used indoors without fear of contamination
• Doesn’t have an odor
• 34 colors available to choose from

Cons:

• Color richness fades on larger surfaces
• Doesn’t provide a slick finish like other concrete stains
• Needs to be diluted for better absorption
• Requires weekly maintenance to prevent color from fading

Best Application: TuffCrete Waterborne Acrylic Concrete Stain Paint

Last but certainly not least, the TuffCrete Waterborne Acrylic Concrete Stain Paint is a water-based concrete stain that has similar characteristics to acrylic paint.

TuffCrete penetrates and colors any concrete surface in the same way that any stain would. However, it also forms a layer on top of the concrete surface, similar to paint.

This could explain why it’s the only product on this list that its manufacturers don’t recommend coating with a layer of sealer—since it doesn’t need it.

Impressively, and unlike most other concrete stains, one gallon of the TuffCrete concrete stain can cover from 300 up to 400 square feet.

You can easily apply it with a paint roller or a brush. One coat will give the concrete a typical stain finish, but two coats will produce a more opaque finish.

Luckily, if you want a second coat, TuffCrete dries quickly, so it won’t take too much time to finish.

Even though it’s a little over double the price of the Rust-Oleum spray, TuffCrete is a relatively more affordable option than other stains on this list.

Just remember not to apply it under direct sunlight or on hot concrete surfaces.

Pros:

• One of the more affordable options on this list
• Available in five colors that become opaque the more layers added
• Doesn’t require a top layer of sealer, which saves money and effort

Cons:

• Not concentrated, so it’s thinner than what most people are used to working with
• Doesn’t have a variegated effect like other stains

Concrete Stain Features to Consider

Let’s take a look at some features to consider that can narrow down your options and help you choose the most suitable concrete stain.

Type of Concrete Stain

There are two types of concrete stains on the market: acid-based and water-based. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, but they’re both long-lasting. It all comes down to what kind of concrete stain you want.

Both types of concrete stain have roughly the same cost.

Acid-based

Acid-based stains react with concrete and lightly etch the surface, allowing the stain to penetrate deeper into the pores. As a result, the stain color adheres to the concrete surface permanently.

In addition, acid stains have greater bonding strength and stickiness to concrete than water-based stains, which explains why they’re more expensive.

Acid-based concrete stains have some drawbacks. They only come in soft and muted to strong and deep earth tones. Even if you dilute or mix the colors, the result is still an earth tone.

What’s more, an acid-based stain may vary slightly from slab to slab, but some people believe that this variation gives the stained concrete a more marbled appearance.

Acid-based stains tend to produce VOCs, which is why they’re well-suited for outdoor use. That said, they’re relatively safe for indoor application. Just make sure the room is well-ventilated during the application and drying process.

You should go for an acid-based concrete stain if you’re looking for:

• Rich, natural earth colors that complement outdoor concrete perfectly
• A color that’s long-lasting and won’t chip or fade under constant traffic or weather conditions.

Water-based

Water-based concrete stains are a non-reactive option that emits fewer VOCs, which makes them suitable for indoor staining. They’re less toxic, easier to apply, dry faster, and require less cleanup than acid-based stains.

As opposed to acid-based stains, water-based stains provide a more vivid, consistent color in a variety of hues such as orange, yellow, black, and white. Some professionals may even mix different water-based stains to create custom shades.

In addition, they’re available in three different finishes: solid, semi-transparent, and acrylic.

Still, the main difference between water-based stains and acid-based stains is that water-based stains have larger particles, so they coat the surface rather than penetrate it.

This isn’t to say that water-based concrete stains aren’t as effective as acid-based stains, or that they can’t be used outside. They just need to be sealed in after drying and then re-sealed every few years.

Water-based concrete stains are ideal if you want:

• A safe and easy to apply option
• Colors that aren’t available as acid stains

Ease of Application

The less effort you have to exert to apply a concrete stain, the less likely you are to make a mistake due to exhaustion. That’s why you should look for a concrete stain that’s easy to apply.

Water-based concrete stains are generally easier to apply than acid-based stains. However, Spraying concrete stains makes them easier to apply. All you need to do is pour the acid-based stain into a pump sprayer and start spraying.

You should also look for concrete stains that don’t require the use of a lot of extra tools or cleaners.

Coverage

Most, if not all, concrete stain manufacturers specify how much surface area their product can cover.

Before you buy any concrete stain, measure the surface area of the floor or wall that you want to stain. Then, look for the product with a coverage range compatible with that surface area.

As a result, you’ll be able to save some of the money that would otherwise be spent on purchasing multiple concrete stains.

Dilution

If you can’t find a bottle of concrete stain that covers the entire surface area of the wall or floor, you can always dilute the stain you want to use to expand its coverage range.

You can dilute the concrete stain with water, and the ratio is usually specified by the manufacturer. This way you can cover a larger surface area without sacrificing stain quality.

In case the color comes out lighter than you expected, you can apply more than one coat to achieve the desired effect.

Penetration

Concrete stain is long-lasting because it penetrates the pores and bonds with the concrete. As a result, the greater the bonding strength of a concrete stain, the longer it’ll last.

Reading product reviews before using a concrete stain can help you determine how deeply it penetrates the surface. Other people’s experiences can give you a good idea of how the product works.

Drying Time

Some concrete stains dry in a couple of hours. Some dry overnight. How long it takes for the concrete stain to dry affects the duration of your project, so choose the stain with the best drying time for you.

FAQs

Conclusion

All in all, while some require more maintenance, each concrete stain produces unique results that set it apart from the others.

Still, there’s one product that stands out the most, and that’s the Kemiko Stone Tone Concrete Stain.

It doesn’t come in a multitude of colors like some of the other concrete stains, but the Kemiko Stone Tone is a reliable and consistent concrete stain.

It doesn’t just add color to the concrete, but it also has a powerful bonding ability that increases the concrete’s strength and durability when the stain settles in.

Ultimately, no matter which concrete stain you choose, you should make sure to seal it after it dries. This step is essential to the stain’s longevity.