The 10 Best Hardwood Polyurethanes (2022 reviews)
Are you planning to buy hardwood polyurethanes, and are you confused about the options ?
You have landed on the right page.
Also, you can see our guides on Best Shellac Varnishes, Best Polyurethanes Over Varnish and Best Hardwood Varnishes for a wider range of candidates.
Our review process:
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: Buy: Minwax Hardwood Polyurethane READ REVIEWBest With Low Odor: Buy: Minwax Clear Finish READ REVIEWBest For Cabinet: Buy: Varathane Final Coat READ REVIEWBest For Worth The Money: Buy: Preservation Solutions Hardwood Polyurethane READ REVIEWBest For Indoor Furniture: Buy: Varathane Hardwood Polyurethane READ REVIEWBest For Superior Durability: Buy: Rustoleum Crystal Clear Finish READ REVIEWBest For Easy Application: Buy: Rustoleum Hardwood Polyurethane READ REVIEWBest For Front Door: Buy: Zar Great Varnish READ REVIEWBest For Easy Cleanup With Soap: Buy: Vermont Natural Coatings Hardwood Polyurethane READ REVIEWBest For Stair: Buy: Zar Hardwood Polyurethane READ REVIEWBest Overall: Minwax Hardwood Polyurethane
Buy on Amazon The latest Minwax Hardwood Polyurethane is an absolute beast in terms of its features, and rightfully takes the top spot with ease. The minwax hardwood polyurethane sprayed evenly and it went on smoothly. Manufacturer says: Since 1904, we have been inspiring consumers to keep on finishing. This oil - based clear sealer protective coating protects and adds long - lasting beauty to woodwork, furniture, doors, cabinets and floors. Above all, the minwax hardwood polyurethane is one of the leading brands of interior wood stains in the united States.Almost all buyers found that the polyurethane is oil based but you can use it over bare wood, oil based stain or water based paint. And, they strongly agree that the polyurethane has an amber tone which is desired. Moreover, they also found that the life of a finish is affected by the number of coats applied to the wood. To sum up, at the price, they believe that they got a steal of a deal with it.Top Customer Quotes:
- This takes longer, and as humidity increases while the temperature decreases, it takes much longer.
- This is non-toxic and it is made for satin sheen.
- This is a good quality clearcoat for your high gloss.
- This dries well, is perfect for smooth application and it is paintable.
Best With Low Odor: Minwax Clear Finish
Buy on Amazon If you often find yourself confused about appropriate and satisfactory polyurethane, Minwax Clear Finish should be your first option for buying. The minwax clear finish is good for craft projects, is very glossy and it works well. Give your wood projects a sleek finish with this satin clear varnish. The water - based clear top coat combines superior durability with the beauty of traditional polyurethane. Most importantly, the minwax clear finish has little odor, cleans up easily with soap and water and can be done in only 2 hours.Most buyers find that the polyurethane cleans up easily like water but has a stronger finish like oil - based poly. Moreover, a few also found that the polyurethane takes probably double the coats. Also, a few say that the polyurethane is good as the old marine spar varnish, but pretty good. In short, for most buyers, it was what they were looking for.Top Customer Quotes:
- This is a lot more work than anticipated.
- This is perfect with no issues.
- This is completely clear, looks fantastic and it is water resistant.
- This is true, unless there is a big section of white.
Best For Cabinet: Varathane Final Coat
Buy on Amazon The Varathane line of polyurethane comes in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. The Varathane Final Coat is great for craft projects and it is very dry. Ultra fast drying and easy soap and water clean up saves time and hassle. Moreover, this protects indoor wood surfaces such as furniture, windows, cabinets, trim and more. Above all, the varathane final coat is probably not typical, is food safe and it is very clean.Most buyers agree that the polyurethane is easy to apply and it dries very fast. And, they strongly agree that the polyurethane is the interior, which means it will show water stains unless wiped away pretty quickly. Moreover, they strongly agree that this gives an odor - free - beautiful finish that is much more durable than wax. Overall, at the price, they believe that they got a steal of a deal with it.Top Customer Quotes:
- This will bring a richer depth to the wood.
- This is supposed to... but it is not for use with white.
- This includes all that information, but in a very technical way.
- This is good stuff that cleans up with water.
Best For Worth The Money: Preservation Solutions Hardwood Polyurethane
Buy on Amazon The features department is where Preservation Solutions Hardwood Polyurethane truly manages to shine. The preservation solution hardwood polyurethane is perfect for wood shops and it is perfect for wood. Pentacryl will leave your wood looking clean and bright while also making woodworking, turning, and carving easier as it lubricates the tools. And, it is non-toxic, and it is made with beautiful results. The polyurethane is perfect for your small or large green woodworking project. In addition, it has a nice shine and it is effective on softwood. Finally, the preservation solution hardwood polyurethane is made with great stuff, has reduced drying time and it works well.Most buyers quickly discovered that the polyurethane will help preserve and stabilize the wood to reduce cracking. In addition, a few say that the polyurethane is perfect and in a couple more months it will be ready for sanding and finishing. Further, a few say that this does is push the water out of the wood and replace it with glycol to stop it from cracking. Overall, most buyers agree that polyurethane suits best, and no one questions it.Top Customer Quotes:
- This has dried you should be able to use your wood the same as untreateed.
- There is cracking in about 6 places, but they are small cracks right now.
- It has only been 7 months, but so far no split.
- This can be sanded, stained, glued, wood burned, sealed, and/or finished including epoxy.
Best For Indoor Furniture: Varathane Hardwood Polyurethane
Buy on Amazon Next on the list, we've got yet another polyurethane that manages to win our hearts. It's the Varathane Hardwood Polyurethane and it's widely considered as one of the most convenient polyurethanes you can buy. The varathane hardwood polyurethane is ideal for use on all interior wood surfaces, including furniture, doors, trim and more. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. In addition, it is perfect for good coverage, allows for smooth application and it is built with beautiful results. Lastly, the varathane hardwoodpolyurethane is an advanced self - leveling formula that allows projects to be completed in one coat while offering excellent scratch and stain resistance.Almost all customers opine that the polyurethane can be used as a top coat for a painted concrete floor. Also, they also found that the polyurethane allows projects to be completed in one coat while offering excellent scratch and stain resistance.Top Customer Quotes:
- Dries to the touch in 2 hours and covers up to 50 sq ft.
- One-coat coverage, water-based formula provides excellent scratch and stain resistance.
- This goes on well and it is cleaned with soap.
- This is well worth the extra work and $3 premium.
Best For Superior Durability: Rustoleum Crystal Clear Finish
Buy on Amazon The Rustoleum line of polyurethane comes in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. The Rustoleum Crystal Clear Finish makes for excellent coverage, cleaned up with simple soap and it has little oder. I want a water-based finish for hardwood floors. Furthermore, it looks beautiful and it looks great. Finally, the rustoleum crystal clear finish dries pretty quickly and it looks like glass.Almost all customers opine that the polyurethane is easy to work with, easy to clean, hard to finish. Moreover, they also found that the polyurethane is designed for staining decks. Also, they also found that the polyurethane is used to buy at lowes or home depot, but they quit stocking. Without any doubt, this product passed the test and had very satisfied buyers eager to share their experience.Top Customer Quotes:
- This is great for what it’s meant for.
- This allows for great shine, holds up well and it is made with household chemicals.
- This comes with great stuff and it dries hard.
- This resulted in damage to the finish that required sanding and refinishing.
Best For Easy Application: Rustoleum Hardwood Polyurethane
Buy on Amazon Rustoleum makes beautiful and great polyurethane with classic and smartly chosen materials. The Rustoleum Hardwood Polyurethane is a manufacturer of premium consumer and industrial paint and coating products. The Manufacturer says: After all, in the beginning, our founder, sea captain Robert Fergusson, didn’t particularly care about paint. Also, the polyurethane comes with an extremely durable formula, It fills small scratches, cracks, and other small imperfections with a clear hard finish that blends with all sheens and does not crack. Lastly, the rustoleum hardwood polyurethane is very glossy, is worth the money and it is laminate.Almost all buyers found that the polyurethane is great for touch up or small item's. In addition, they strongly agree that the polyurethane will withstand wear on a floor. And, they say that this clear coat adds shine, helping to disguise the touched up areas on satin finished wood floors, coating over the haze. In short, buyers found this to be one of the best polyurethanes for daily purposes.Top Customer Quotes:
- It is very effective in covering scratches on a dresser with maple finish.
- The Easy-to-use pen fills small scratches, cracks and nicks with a hard finish.
- This allows for quick and easy application.
- Creates a clear, durable protective finish that blends with all sheens.
Best For Front Door: Zar Great Varnish
Buy on Amazon We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention Zar Great Varnish for regular usage. The zar great varnish went on smooth and it has removed the doors. Featuring a tough, abrasion-resistant finish and self-leveling properties, it works beautifully on hardwood floors, cabinets, furniture, and woodwork. Also, this is an incredibly fast-drying, oil-based polyurethane that dries to a smooth finish on bare wood, in just two hours, with no brush marks. The polyurethane leaves a nice and it is great for a fair price. And, the polyurethane is ultra flat, looks fantastic and it reads the instructions. Above all, the zar great varnish comes dries in two hours and it is very clear.Almost all buyers opine that the polyurethane provides a true flat matte finish to your surface. And, they say that the polyurethane is easier to use than the poly available in the bigbox stores. Further, a few also found that this is polyurethane. You can put it over paint but it has an amber shade to it and will change the color you see and it will accentuate every paint mark. Overall, buyers found this to be one of the best polyurethanes for daily purposes.Top Customer Quotes:
- This turned out nice and it was super fast.
- This can be topcoated with oil - based poly urethane, You can use this.
- This is not a shiny high gloss yet protects the wood.
- This is an ideal finish for any painted furniture, including kitchen cabinets.
Best For Easy Cleanup With Soap: Vermont Natural Coatings Hardwood Polyurethane
Buy on Amazon Vermont Natural Coatings has been making great polyurethane for years, thanks to a combination of clever design and appropriate materials. The Vermont Natural Coatings Hardwood Polyurethane is exceptionally durable, with a cured hardness twice that of the average water-based finish. Please note that this item can only be shipped by ground to addresses within the continental United states. This professional, water - based polyurethane not only enhances the innate beauty of wood, it preserves it with a durable shield that is environmentally safe. The polyurethane is made with great stuff and it is great for clear finish seals. In addition, it works very well and it is good for the coffee table. Finally, the vermont natural coatings hardwoodpolyurethane works well for minimal odor and it is food safe.Almost all customers opine that polyurethane is good for using inside their home. Further, they strongly agree that the polyurethane is made of whey...but then whey could be an allergen. Moreover, they also found that the satin finish left a nice sheen on it without looking too glossy.Top Customer Quotes:
- This is furnished with nice stuff and it is made for easy cleanup with soap.
- Less than 180 g/l voc & made from renewable resources.
- This cleans up well and really has almost no smell, especially after it has cured.
- This is made with food - grade mineral oil and beeswax for children's items.
Best For Stair: Zar Hardwood Polyurethane
Buy on Amazon Not everyone likes to purchase polyurethane for their daily purpose, but the Zar Hardwood Polyurethane would be an anomoly. The zar hardwood polyurethane is abrasion resistant and it is designed for kitchen countertops. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Further, it is best for prompt delivery, is great for floors and it can be used for interior use. Finally, the zar hardwood polyurethane is an incredibly fast-drying, oil-based polyurethane that dries to a smooth finish on bare wood, in just two hours, with no brush marks.Most buyers agree that the polyurethane is applied, crack a window. Further, a few strongly agree that the polyurethane is oil-based, over time, there will be a noticeable yellowing. In short, the tone of buyers is very positive and we believe that the polyurethane suits the purpose.Customers say that getting a hardwood polyurethane, along with polyurethane is useful.
Top Customer Quotes:
- Tough abrasion resistant finish for floors, doors and furniture.
- This comes dries in two hours and it looks amazing.
- Super fast drying, dries in 2 hours.
- This is easy to apply to stair treads.