We Tested Best Wood Stains of 2024 (and a Few of the Worst)

Decks take a bigger beating than any other outdoor wood surface. They must withstand serious foot traffic and hold heavy items, like grills and outdoor furniture. Snow, salt, leaves, and rain can all easily collect on a deck, breaking down the protective layer of wood stain in the process. While any stain recommended by CR may do, it’s best to stick to those with particularly high ratings for their appearance after three years in our tests. These tend to be solid stains as opposed to semi-transparent or clear stains.

If your deck lies in direct sunlight, look for stains that resist color change over time. If you have a covered deck or if your deck is in a shady spot, look for a stain that resists mildew, because it tends to grow in damp, shaded areas. And if you frequently move items like a grill, deck chairs, or a table from one spot to another, select a stain that resists cracking in our tests.

If you’re curious about which brand makes the best deck stain, you should know that the bigger differences are actually between the different types of stains, not the companies that make them. Even big-name brands like Olympic, Behr, and Valspar, which make highly rated solid deck stains, also make some semi-transparent and clear options that don’t hold up in our tests.

If you want your deck stain to last a long time, your best bet is to choose an option that fares well in our tests and to apply it correctly. And, of course, if you’re tired of staining and restaining your deck, you can look into composite decks. They offer years of maintenance-free good looks, without you ever needing to apply a coat of stain.