Best decking stain 2026: tried and tested in tough winter conditions

We've tested popular brands such as Cuprinol, Ronseal and Sadolin to find the most durable decking stain for your garden this summer.  

Some decking stains began to show signs of wear and tear after only a few weeks. However, the best looked as good as new at the end of our tough tests. 

We've found three Best Buys that apply beautifully and can stand up to winter weather, scuffing and scrubbing - one is among the cheapest decking stains we tested. 

The decking stains we tested

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The decking stains we tested

All the decking stains we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best decking stains from our tests.

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Cuprinol Anti-Slip Decking Stain

Need to know 12 sq m coverage per litre, dry in four hours, more than 10 colours available, sold in 2.5L and 5L tins.

Fortress Anti-Slip Decking Stain

Available from Screwfix (£13.49)

Need to know 10 sq m coverage per litre, dry in four hours, nine colours available, sold in 2.5L tins.

GoodHome Outdoor Wood Stain

Need to know 10 sq m coverage per litre, dry in four hours, six colours available, sold in 2.5L and 5L tins.

Liberon Superior Decking Stain

Need to know 12 sq m coverage per litre, dry in four hours, six colours available, sold in 2.5L and 5L tins.

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Ronseal Ultimate Protection Decking Stain

Need to know 13 sq m coverage per litre, 13 colours available, sold in 2.5L and 5L tins.

Sadolin Beautiflex

Need to know 10 sq m coverage per litre, two colours available, sold in 2.5L tins.

V33 High Performance Anti Slip Decking Stain

Need to know 6 sq m coverage per litre, four colours available, sold in 2.5L tins.

Wickes Decking Stain

Need to know 12 sq m coverage per litre, dry in four hours, four colours available, sold in 2.5L tins

How we test decking stains

We buy the bestselling decking stains and put them through our tough tests. We don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers. We regularly revisit the decking stains on sale to see if there are any more popular products that need testing. When we find them, we do.

We apply each stain to pieces of decking according to the manufacturer's instructions and then leave them exposed to the elements over winter. 

In addition to this, we test each decking stain for: 

• Durability We trample on and roughly scuff the decking boards at regular intervals over winter. Some decking stains start to wear off after only a few weeks of this. You'd be pretty annoyed if this happened to your deck after spending hours sprucing it up. 
• Waterproofing At regular intervals, we check each decking stain for waterproofing to see if water still beads on the surface of the wood, rather than soaking into it. Most decking stains will remain water-resistant after one winter.
• Weathering After a winter outside, we examine each piece of decking for wear and tear. 
• Washing and scrubbing We wash and scrub each piece of decking a few weeks after the stain is applied. Some stains wash off too easily, leaving bare wood exposed.
• Ease of application We assess how good each stain looks after one and two coats and what the coverage is like.

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Which is the best decking paint?

When we tested decking paint, we found no meaningful difference in the staying power of the products.

All the paints we tested, including Ronseal Ultimate Protection, Liberon Extreme, Trade Paints and V33 Colour Guard Paint, proved to be extremely hardy, so we can't recommend one over another. 

Our advice is to pick a decking paint that's a good price and comes in a colour you like. 

Is it better to paint a deck or stain it?

Decking paint is a bit more durable than decking stain, but it's also much more of a faff when you need to repaint it. These are the main pros and cons of each:

Decking paint

• Pros Available in almost any colour you like, lower maintenance than decking stain and has a longer life expectancy, thicker finish can hide flaws in the wood, can be easier to clean.
• Cons Covers the grain of the wood, can look worse than stain when it starts to deteriorate, old paint needs to be totally removed before repainting – which is a big job.

Decking stain

• Pros Easy to apply to wood and takes less skill, the wood grain is still visible, looks more natural, further coats can be applied with less preparation.
• Cons Doesn't cover flaws or cracks in the wood, requires more regular maintenance – you might have to repaint it every year or two.

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How to stain decking

• Old bare decking is likely to have a build-up of dirt, dust, mould and algae on it, so you'll need to properly clean it first with a specific deck cleaner.
• An old painted deck will need even more preparation. You'll need to remove any loose paint and lightly sand the deck to prepare the surface before you can apply more stain. 
• Before applying new decking stain, make sure the decking is clean, free of dust and dry. 
• Next, apply the stain according to the instructions. Most recommend at least two or three coats, with a four-hour drying time between applications. 
• Use a pad applicator for the quickest results, and a brush around the edges. Seal the ends of the wood if they're exposed. 
• Check the weather: never stain a deck if rain or cold weather is forecast.

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