Best Water-Based Polyurethanes for Hardwood Floors of 2023

When you need to protect your hardwood surfaces inside and out, this PolyCare is an ideal choice. It is super concentrated and makes up to 64 gallons, and it leaves no residue and doesn’t need rinsing.

It works on laminates as well as hardwood floors, and it is also safe on all polyurethane-treated surfaces like kitchen cabinets, handrails, stairs, and moldings.

This formula is biodegradable, phosphate-free, and contains no harsh solvents. The downside is that it doesn’t remove ground-in stains or rubber scuff marks, but with potentially 64 gallons at your disposal, you can maintain a lot of hardwood floors.

Sometimes you want to preserve the natural look and feel of your hardwood floor, so using a matte polyurethane will enhance the floor without changing it. It dries completely flat, so you can see every grain of the wood.

The water-based acrylic formula is easy to clean after use, and it doesn’t harm the environment. It also has a low odor and is fingerprint-resistant. You get 150 square feet of coverage, and it dries to the touch in 1 hour, with a second coat possible in 2.

While the matte finish is soft and smooth, it provides excellent stain and scratch-resistance, and it coats furniture, cabinets, and most other wooden and laminate surfaces.

This is only a 1-quart tin, so if you have substantial amounts of hardwood that needs TLC, you may have to invest in a couple of cans, which could be expensive.

This gloss polyurethane leaves your floors with a high sheen that makes the woodgrain really burst with natural colors. It works on furniture, window frames, cabinets, and trim, and it is 33 percent more durable than the competition.

Once down, this polyurethane dries to the touch in 30 minutes, making it one of the fastest out there. You can apply a second coat after 2 hours, and you get a maximum of 31.25 square feet of coverage, which might hamper you if you have a large floor area.

Because it is water-based, cleanup is simple with just soap and water, and it doesn’t contaminate the environment. The only negative is the size of the can. It is only 8 fluid ounces, which is half a pint, so while the cost per can is cheap, the price goes up once you start increasing the number of units you need.

If all you care about are your interior hardwood floors, this Minwax oil-modified polyurethane should be top of your shopping list. It applies with a brush, and it has the traditional warm look of oil-based polyurethanes with all the convenience of water-based products.

It washes clean with soap and water, just like other water-based polyurethanes, but because it has oil additives, it has a higher VOC value than other products, making it unkind to the planet.

It dries in 2 to 3 hours for recoats, and it takes 24 hours to cure. It acts much like an oil-based polyurethane, penetrating deep into the wood fibers for long-lasting protection. This product comes in half-pint containers, and you get 125 square feet of coverage.

This is not a budget polyurethane. It costs much more per pint compared to other products.

You may want your hardwood floor to look good, but what about the other hardwood surfaces around your home? Say hello to the best multi-use polyurethane sealer. This Eco-Poly takes care of your decks, furniture, driveways, and even masonry.

Another advantage of this product is it is non-toxic and it contains no VOCs, so it is good for the environment. It is scratch, abrasion, and UV-resistant, and this 1-gallon tin covers between 500 and 2,000 square feet, depending on how you use it.

You can mop, brush, foam roller, and spray it on, and you need to wait 60 minutes until it is touch dry before applying a second coat. The only downside is it slightly discolors your wooden surfaces, turning them a shade darker.