Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Smoke Infusion

If you love Valspar Smoke Infusion but need a Benjamin Moore alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Benjamin Moore, your local store does not carry Valspar, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.

Smoke Infusion (VR083G) is a medium-dark greige with warm smoky greige undertones. A warm greige with a smoky quality. Deeper than Stone Mason Gray, with rich, layered warmth. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 38) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.

We calculated the perceptual color distance between Smoke Infusion and every Benjamin Moore color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.

The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Benjamin Moore option is Cedar Key (982) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Cedar Key is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.

Benjamin Moore Matches for Smoke Infusion

Cedar Key 982
Good match · ΔE 3.8

Cedar Key is close.

Smoke InfusionCedar Key
LRV3872.45
Hex#B3ADA3#E1DBD0
UndertoneWarm Smoky GreigeWarm Beige-Cream
FamilyGreigeGreige

Undertone Comparison

Smoke Infusion has warm smoky greige undertones. A warm greige with a smoky quality. Deeper than Stone Mason Gray, with rich, layered warmth.

Cedar Key has warm beige-cream undertones. A very light warm neutral between white and greige. Subtle warmth without being obviously beige.

These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.

How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting

Smoke Infusion in Your Room

Warm and smoky. In bright rooms, a warm mid-tone greige. In dim rooms, rich and intimate.

Cedar Key in Your Room

Reads as a warm off-white with a touch of depth. Versatile and universally flattering.

LRV and Brightness

Smoke Infusion has an LRV of 38, while Cedar Key has an LRV of 72.45. That means Cedar Key reflects more light. If you switch from Smoke Infusion to Cedar Key, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.

Best Rooms for Smoke Infusion

Valspar recommends Smoke Infusion for: living room, dining room, bedroom, accent wall, office. With an LRV of 38, this is a medium-dark color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.

Cedar Key is recommended for: whole house, hallway, bedroom, living room. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.

Smoke Infusion in Other Brands

Looking for Smoke Infusion equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

The closest Benjamin Moore match for Smoke Infusion (VR083G) is Cedar Key (982) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Cedar Key is close. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.

No, they are not identical. Smoke Infusion is a Valspar color with warm smoky greige undertones and an LRV of 38. Cedar Key is a Benjamin Moore color with warm beige-cream undertones and an LRV of 72.45. With a Delta E of 3.8, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.

With a Delta E of 3.8, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.

There are several practical reasons to look for a Benjamin Moore equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Benjamin Moore. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Benjamin Moore work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.

Colors on screen are approximations. Your monitor, lighting, and paint finish will affect how colors appear in your space. Always test with a physical paint sample before purchasing.

Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.