Top 10 Best gel stain in 2026

Last Updated - 6/23/2026

🏆Best Choice

Minwax

Minwax 70012444 Wood Finish, Dark Walnut, 1 Quart

9.8

ChoiceComparer.com Score

9.8

/ 10

Outstanding

Main highlights

•RICH EVEN COLOR – Minwax Wood Finish is a deep penetrating, oil-based wood stain that provides beautiful color and enhances the natural wood grain in one coat. It’s perfect for interior staining projects such as wood furniture, cabinets, doors and more.
•QUICK DRYING – Staining interior wood has never been quicker. The special formula allows it to deeply penetrate wood pores within 5 minutes of application, resists lapping, and dries in two hours, making all your wood projects quick, beautiful and easy.
•EASY TO APPLY – Use a clean cloth or wood stain brush to apply this wood stain in the direction of the grain. Wait 5-15 minutes and wipe away excess stain. The longer you wait, the darker/richer the color. Reapply coats for deeper color.
•DARK WALNUT WOOD STAIN – This dark wood stain provides a beautiful, rich dark walnut color. This classic brown stain looks great on a wide variety of projects.
•A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST – Minwax is America’s leading brand of wood finishing and wood care projects. Since 1904, we have been inspiring consumers to Keep on Finishing. We offer consumers a complete line of products to meet every wood finishing need.

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$12.97

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Minwax

Minwax 222404444 Wood Finish, Special Walnut Stain, Half Pint

9.7

ChoiceComparer.com Score

9.7

/ 10

Outstanding

Main highlights

•RICH EVEN COLOR – Minwax Wood Finish is a deep penetrating, oil-based wood stain that provides beautiful color and enhances the natural wood grain in one coat. It’s perfect for interior staining projects such as wood furniture, cabinets, doors and more.
•QUICK DRYING – Staining interior wood has never been quicker. The special formula allows it to deeply penetrate wood pores within 5 minutes of application, resists lapping, and dries in two hours, making all your wood projects quick, beautiful and easy.
•EASY TO APPLY – Use a clean cloth or wood stain brush to apply this wood stain in the direction of the grain. Wait 5-15 minutes and wipe away excess stain. The longer you wait, the darker/richer the color. Reapply coats for deeper color.
•SPECIAL WALNUT WOOD STAIN – This beautiful natural wood stain provides a rich, deep walnut-colored finish. The walnut wood stain is a classic, dark brown color that looks great on a variety of projects.
•A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST – Minwax is America’s leading brand of wood finishing and wood care projects. Since 1904, we have been inspiring consumers to Keep on Finishing. We offer consumers a complete line of products to meet every wood finishing need.

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$7.47

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Varathane

Varathane 368032 Less Mess Wood Stain and Applicator, 4 oz, Espresso

9.5

ChoiceComparer.com Score

9.5

/ 10

Outstanding

Main highlights

•Liquid Volume: 16.0 Fluid Ounces
•2-in-1 wood stain and applicator is perfect for crafts and small projects
•Water-based, low odor formula is easy to use and cleans with soap and water
•Enhances the natural beauty of wood without the mess of traditional wood stain
•Easy flow sponge tip provides greater color control for easy application and less mess
•Semi-transparent stain colors are buildable with multiple coats

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$8.98

$9.99

-10%

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Varathane

Varathane Total Control Gel Stain Water-Based Wood Stain, Half Pint, Dark Walnut

9.4

ChoiceComparer.com Score

9.4

/ 10

Excellent

Main highlights

•THICK, NO-DRIP FORMULA: Less mess than traditional wood stains and applies smoothly on horizontal and vertical surfaces including wood, metal, fiberglass and more
•LOW ODOR, WATER BASED GEL STAIN: Comfortably complete projects indoors including furniture, doors, trim and banisters
•FAST DRY TIME: Dries on wood in only 1 hour for quick project completion
•RICH, EVEN COLOR: Covers up to 250 square feet per quart
•INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR USE: Ideal for indoor and outdoor applications; not recommended for floors, decks or siding

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$11.20

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Minwax

Minwax PolyShades Wood Stain + Polyurethane Finish – ½ Pint, Antique Walnut, Satin

9.2

ChoiceComparer.com Score

9.2

/ 10

Excellent

Main highlights

•POLYSHADES WOOD STAIN – Minwax PolyShades is an oil-based wood stain and poly in one. It enhances wood grain by combining beautiful, rich color and long-lasting polyurethane protection in one easy step.
•REDUCE FINISHING TIME – This one-step wood finish can be used over polyurethane finishes, so you can change the color of your wood surface without removing the existing finish. Use on bare or already-finished wood.
•BEAUTIFUL RESULTS – This beautiful wood stain provides a dark finish with a satin sheen. It offers a classic, rich brown color that looks great on a variety of projects. Recommended uses: furniture, woodwork, doors, cabinets & accessories.
•EASY TO USE – Simply give the wood a light sanding with a fine-grit sandpaper, remove sanding dust, and brush on a coat of PolyShades. It’s a wood stain and polyurethane wood finish that easily and effectively transforms your wood projects.
•A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST – Minwax is America’s leading brand of wood finishing and wood care products. Since 1904, we have been inspiring consumers to Keep on Finishing. We offer consumers a complete line of products to meet every wood finishing need.
•Cleans up with mineral spirits
•For use on interior wood surfaces
•Great color options to choose from

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$11.99

$12.98

-8%

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Minwax

Minwax Gel Stain for Interior Wood Surfaces, Quart, Aged Oak

9.1

ChoiceComparer.com Score

9.1

/ 10

Excellent

Main highlights

•WOOD GEL STAIN – Minwax Gel Stain is specifically designed to give you full control over the staining process and help you achieve beautiful results. Recommended uses include woodwork, furniture, doors, molding, trim, cabinets, and accessories.
•UNIQUE NON-DRIP FORMULA – The non-drip formula of this gel stain for wood makes application easy, even for vertical surfaces. It’s thick-bodied, so it stays more towards the surface of the wood, allowing for greater color control during application.
•DELIVERS EVEN COLOR – Minwax interior wood stain delivers color evenly on wood and non-wood surfaces, such as metal, veneer, and fiberglass. Pre-treat bare wood with Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to ensure you get the most uniform color.
•AGED OAK STAIN – This beautiful natural wood stain provides a rich, oak-colored finish. It offers a classic, medium color that looks great on a variety of projects.
•A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST – Minwax is America’s leading brand of wood finishing and wood care products. Since 1904, we have been inspiring consumers to Keep on Finishing. We offer consumers a complete line of products to meet every wood finishing need.

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$21.61

$23.10

-6%

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Minwax

Minwax 66060000 Gel Stain, Walnut, 1 Quart

8.9

ChoiceComparer.com Score

8.9

/ 10

Great

Main highlights

•WOOD GEL STAIN – Minwax Gel Stain is specifically designed to give you full control over the staining process and help you achieve beautiful results. Recommended uses include woodwork, furniture, doors, molding, trim, cabinets, and accessories.
•UNIQUE NON-DRIP FORMULA – The non-drip formula of this gel stain for wood makes application easy, even for vertical surfaces. It’s thick-bodied, so it stays more towards the surface of the wood, allowing for greater color control during application.
•DELIVERS EVEN COLOR – Minwax interior wood stain delivers color evenly on wood and non-wood surfaces, such as metal, veneer, and fiberglass. Pre-treat bare wood with Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to ensure you get the most uniform color.
•WALNUT WOOD STAIN – This beautiful natural wood stain provides a rich, deep, walnut-colored finish. It offers a classic, dark brown color that looks great on a variety of projects.
•A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST – Minwax is America’s leading brand of wood finishing and wood care products. Since 1904, we have been inspiring consumers to Keep on Finishing. We offer consumers a complete line of products to meet every wood finishing need.

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$21.61

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Minwax

Minwax Gel Stain for Interior Wood Surfaces, Quart, Coffee

8.8

ChoiceComparer.com Score

8.8

/ 10

Great

Main highlights

•WOOD GEL STAIN – Minwax Gel Stain is specifically designed to give you full control over the staining process and help you achieve beautiful results. Recommended uses include woodwork, furniture, doors, molding, trim, cabinets, and accessories.
•UNIQUE NON-DRIP FORMULA – The non-drip formula of this gel stain for wood makes application easy, even for vertical surfaces. It’s thick-bodied, so it stays more towards the surface of the wood, allowing for greater color control during application.
•DELIVERS EVEN COLOR – Minwax interior wood stain delivers color evenly on wood and non-wood surfaces, such as metal, veneer, and fiberglass. Pre-treat bare wood with Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to ensure you get the most uniform color.
•COFFEE WOOD STAIN – This beautiful natural wood stain provides a deep, dark-colored finish. It offers a rich color that looks great on a variety of projects.
•A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST – Minwax is America’s leading brand of wood finishing and wood care products. Since 1904, we have been inspiring consumers to Keep on Finishing. We offer consumers a complete line of products to meet every wood finishing need.

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$21.61

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Minwax

Minwax 618604444 Color Wash Transparent Layering Color, White Wash, 1 Quart

8.6

ChoiceComparer.com Score

8.6

/ 10

Good

Main highlights

•Adds a touch or age & character to bare or already stained wood
•Apply over oil or water-based stain with a synthetic or foam brush, stain pad or rag.
•Dries in 1 hour. Endless coats in just one coat.
•Water based formula cleans up with soap and water
•Available in 3 beautiful colors.
•A water-based wood stain that adds a subtle shade of white color to wood while allowing the natural grain to show through
•Apply with cloth, brush or foam applicator
•Not recommended for floor use
•Dries in 3 hours
•Easy clean up with soap and water

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$17.05

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Minwax

Minwax 63487000 Wood Finish Stain Marker for Touch Ups, Dark Walnut, .33 fl oz

8.5

ChoiceComparer.com Score

8.5

/ 10

Good

Main highlights

•EASY TOUCH-UP – This Minwax Wood Stain Marker is great for quick and easy touch-ups of common nicks and scratches on wood items. It’s also ideal as a stain pen for small hobby and wood craft projects, or to add decorative touches to larger wood projects.
•VERSATILE – Use these stain pens for wood on furniture, molding, cabinets, doors, floors and other wood surfaces in your home. They’re perfect to keep on hand in your tool box for nicks and scratches.
•FAST DRYING – It’s easy and quick to use this stain marker: simply apply the stain to the wood and wipe the excess with a cloth. The wood touch up pen is fast drying, so your items are ready for immediate use.
•DARK WALNUT WOOD STAIN – This dark wood stain provides a beautiful, rich dark walnut color. Deep notes of brown and black look great on a wide variety of projects.
•A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST – Minwax is America’s leading brand of wood finishing and wood care projects. Since 1904, we have been inspiring consumers to Keep on Finishing. We offer consumers a complete line of products to meet every wood finishing need.
•Easy touch-up for common nicks and scratches
•Ideal for use on furniture, molding, cabinets and more.
•Dark Walnut
•Fast drying
•Easy and quick

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$7.60

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