Top 10 Best Wood Deck Stains
for December 2023

MOOZ leads your shopping journey with #1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain, which sits at the top of our list for several reasons. Firstly, this versatile product is ideal for enhancing the appeal of your exterior wood. It smartly allows the wood grain to show through while providing distinctive, semi-transparent hues that create natural looking finishes. Aiding in protecting against color fade and graying, this sturdy stain combats the damage inflicted by exposure to the elements.

Breaking the mold, this product not only serves as a gorgeous stain but also functions as a deck sealer. Acting in dual capacity, it introduces color to your wood and efficiently seals it, warding off potential damage from water penetration. A standout feature you'd find extremely practical is its ability to work on damp wood, significantly reducing the wait time between cleaning and staining. Let #1 Deck Premium Semi-Transparent Wood Stain take your deck, fence, or siding's aesthetic to new heights while offering robust protection.

Storm Protector's Hickory Stain Protector comes in as our close second pick for its versatility and superb level of protection. This exterior wood stain and sealer work harmoniously on a variety of wood substrates, notably including redwood, cedar, and even pressure-treated lumber. You will appreciate it if your home includes any of these in the structure.

Driving its favor, apart from its universal applicability, is the superior waterproofing and UV protection this sealer offers. It promises to keep your outdoor wood surfaces safe, and as vibrant as they were on day one. If you're aiming to preserve the wood grain's natural beauty without risking color fading, this could very well be your best bet.

Cabot's Wood Toned Deck & Siding Stain has earned its third spot on our list due to a variety of compelling attributes. Perhaps most notably, this product integrates a water repellent property into its composition. With this feature, you can expect your wooden items to withstand the test of time even in damp or rainy conditions.

Not only does this stain pack protection, but it also brings out the beauty in your decking or siding. Available in 5 wood toned colors, choosing this product gives you the freedom to enhance the appeal of your wood without overriding its natural beauty. Moreover, this product's translucent oil finish penetrates deep into the wood, further highlighting its natural appearance. These impressive features come together to promise both function and aesthetics.

Our smart algorithms were particularly impressed by the Magimate Deck Stain Brush Applicator, a must-have for any homeowners with large surface areas to cover. This product stood out for its sizable block paint brush (7 inches wide and 2 inches thick) and its soft synthetic bristle filament that holds paints and stains well, a feature truly valued by our product testers.

Not only does this brush efficiently speed up the staining process, its quality design also reduces paint waste. Whether you're painting your wood deck, fence, or walls, the Magimate Deck Stain Brush ensures a smooth, even application every time. The brush even features threaded handle ends for those who would prefer to attach it to an extension pole—a subtle, yet incredibly useful feature. So, if you're tackling a large DIY painting project, this brush applicator will be your reliable ally.

Our top pick for deck maintenance is undeniably the #1 Deck Wood Deck Paint and Sealer. The reason this product stands out is due to its dual function as both a stain and a sealer, providing excellent protection for your wooden surfaces. It's a water-based, low odor product with low VOCs, making it a safer and more eco-friendly option for your home.

Compared to the previous Deck Stain Brush Applicator by Magimate, the #1 Deck Paint and Sealer takes the reign due to its versatility and ease of use. There's no need to buy a separate sealer, reducing the hassle, time, and cost. However, bear in mind that it needs to be applied over existing solid color wood stains that still have good adhesion. Its availability in 6 solid color finishes, including Dark Walnut, is another appealing feature which allows you to choose the one that best matches your style.

This product will be most useful for individuals looking for an easier way to maintain their wood surfaces while also having a variety of color options to choose from. It is compatible with several wood types, including Pine, Cedar, Redwood, and Mahogany. We highly recommend it for anyone wanting a reliable, easy-to-use, and eco-friendly stain and sealer.

We're quite impressed by the Storm Stain Protector. What caught our attention is its ability to offer not just a stain for your wood surfaces, but also excellent protection against harsh weather conditions. This feature propelled it to our list. Whether it's water or UV rays, this gallant Golden Oak tinted protector is designed to safeguard your fences, sidings, and deck with utmost perfection, preventing color fading.

Perfect for a variety of wood substrates, it's ideal for sprucing up various exterior wood types. So if you're looking for a product that highlights the natural beauty of the wood grain, this is a winner. It's especially useful for those who wish to preserve the longevity and enhance the aesthetic of their wooden structures outdoors.

The DIY woodworkers and professional deck builders will find the Ready Seal 5-Gallon Natural Cedar Exterior Stain and Sealer to be a lifesaver. Its standout feature, that caught our sophisticated algorithm's attention, is its "Goof Proof" application.

Unlike most stains and sealers, the Ready Seal doesn’t require a primer. It adapts itself to any temperature, ensuring a perfect application every single time. You can apply it without worrying about lines, runs, or streaks. Plus, it remarkably reaches its true color in approximately 14 days, a feature not commonly found in such products. You will also contribute to the environment as the product includes a PaintCare recycling fee. So, if you're looking for a fuss-free, reliable sealer for your wood projects, this product gets our hearty recommendation.

MOOZ.decides discovered an interesting addition to our list, the Thompson’s WaterSeal Transparent Wood Stain and Sealer. We found the product's dual functionality as a stain and a sealer particularly intriguing. Not only does this product enhance the natural beauty of your wood, but it also offers protection against water damage.

Compared to the previous product on our list, the Ready Seal 512 5-Gallon, the Thompson’s WaterSeal has an edge as it can be applied to both damp and dry wood, making it a more versatile option. However, keep in mind that it's available in a 1-gallon quantity, so you might need more for larger projects.

This product is a fantastic option for those wanting to maintain outdoor wood structures and keep them looking their best. DIY enthusiasts and homeowners who wish to waterproof their outdoor wood surfaces will find the Thompson’s WaterSeal Stain and Sealer extremely useful.

Thanks to its fade-resistant finish and resistance to UV damage, your outdoor wood is sure to look gorgeous year-round. And the fact that it exceeds the industry standard ASTM D-4446 for waterproofing wood gives you that extra peace of mind for a long-lasting finish. And remember, a clean surface before application will yield the best results from this two-in-one wonder.

What stands out most about the KILZ Waterproofing Wood Stain is its advanced formula. This 100% Acrylic formula ensures that your wood remains protected from different weather conditions like rain, snow, and sun damage. If you're seeking a top-notch stain that guarantees up to 3 and 5 years warranty on your decks and fences respectively, then this is the product for you.

Comparing this to the Thompson’s WaterSeal Wood Stain and Sealer, the KILZ Wood Stain stands out due to its long-lasting UV protection and versatility. You can use this stain on new to moderately weathered and unsealed exterior wood surfaces, from decks to shakes and fences. However, remember that this product may not last as long as some other options on the market.

This product may be most advantageous for those in need of long-lasting and waterproof protection for their outdoor wooden surfaces. Plus, with 40 years experience in the industry, the KILZ brand ensures you're using a trusted, high-quality product.

One feature that truly stands out about the DEFY Extreme Semi-Transparent Exterior Wood Stain is its supreme durability. The high-quality resins in the product offer impressive fade and darkening resistance, ensuring that your wood maintains its charming semi-transparent, cedar tone appearance for longer. It is easy to see why this stain takes top honors.

Compared to KILZ Waterproofing Wood Stain, the DEFY Extreme stain has a distinct advantage with its innovative Zinc Nano-Particle Technology. This feature acts as a sunblock for your wood, bouncing back harmful UV rays that cause premature graying and color loss. Here lies the key difference - while both stains serve you well, DEFY goes the extra mile to provide UV-resistive features, something the KILZ Stain doesn't offer.

This super stain will be especially useful for individuals seeking long-lasting color preservation for wood's exterior surfaces who prefer water-based stain solutions. It's definitely a wise investment for the beauty of your outdoor furniture.