EMF Paint – What It Is, How It Works, and What To Buy

There are so many products that have come out to help protect us from the dangers of EMF radiation, and one of the products that I think is a bit underutilized is EMF protection paint.

You'll see it called EMF paint, RF shielding paint, EMF blocking paint, etc. Regardless of what it's called, this is a product that is extremely versatile and can protect you from EMF radiation exposures in a way that many other products can't.

In this article, I'm going to cover in depth why a product like this is needed, what it is, how it works, what to buy, and so much more.

Let's start by talking about why EMF-blocking paint is a needed product.

Why You Might Need EMF Shielding Paint

Wireless technology is already everywhere, and it's only going to continue to be used in more and more places.

From smart refrigerators to Wi-Fi-enabled doorbells, companies are constantly adding wireless connectivity to their products because they know it's what consumers want.

Whether it's convenience or novelty, we’ve embraced these gadgets without always considering the potential health risks that come with them.

The truth is, that our homes are now filled with devices that emit EMF radiation, and that’s not even considering external sources.

Every day, new cell towers are going up in our neighborhoods. Thousands of 5G small cells are being installed in cities across the world, and major companies like SpaceX and Amazon are planning to launch thousands of satellites into low orbit.

Before long, avoiding radiofrequency (RF) exposure will be nearly impossible, whether you're inside your home or out in the world.

So, what can you do to protect yourself and your family?

One of the best things you can do is reduce your reliance on wireless technology. Hardwiring your internet connection is a great first step.

If you haven’t done that yet, check out my guide on how to set up a hardwired connection.

All you need is an Ethernet adapter for your phone, and you can browse the internet without unnecessary radiation exposure.

Of course, this isn't always practical for everyone. Even if you eliminate wireless devices in your home, you can’t control what your neighbors do, or the growing number of sources outside your home.

This is where EMF shielding solutions, like RF shielding paint, come into play.

What Is EMF Shielding and How Does It Work?

Shielding your home from EMF radiation means using specific materials that block or deflect harmful radio frequencies.

A great example of shielding is the lead apron your dentist places over you during an X-ray.

That heavy apron is lined with lead to block ionizing radiation from reaching your vital organs.

EMF shielding products work similarly. By using materials designed to block RF radiation—such as carbon-based paints, metal window screens, and special fabrics woven with conductive metals like copper or silver, you can create a safe environment inside your home.

Among these options, EMF shielding paint is one of the most effective and practical ways to protect your living space.

In this article, I’ll walk you through how it works, why it’s a great option, and how to apply it properly for maximum protection.

How does EMF Shielding paint work? 

Most EMF shielding paints on the market today use a combination of carbon or metal-based materials to block radio frequencies (RF).

When radiation encounters these materials, it gets deflected or absorbed, preventing it from penetrating through the painted surface.

Different brands use various materials to achieve this shielding effect.

For example, Ecos Paints incorporates high-quality nickel flakes to provide RF protection, while Y-Shield relies on a blend of carbon-based materials and graphite for effective blocking.

Important Considerations Before Using EMF Paint

Before you start painting, there’s one crucial thing to understand—once a room is painted with EMF-blocking paint, it essentially acts as a Faraday cage, meaning any wireless signals inside that space will be trapped and reflected back.

If you're thinking about painting an entire room you need to be fully committed to a 100% wireless-free environment.

Otherwise, the radio frequencies from your own devices will bounce around the room, potentially increasing your exposure instead of reducing it.

Even if you're just painting a single wall or section of a room, it's important to avoid using wireless devices in that space while it's occupied.

Shielding Beyond RF Radiation

While most people use EMF paint primarily to block RF radiation from sources like cell towers and WiFi routers, it's also effective against electric fields generated by the wiring inside your walls.

However, to shield against electric fields, the paint must be properly grounded; a step that’s absolutely critical for maximizing the effectiveness of the paint.

Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through exactly how to ground your paint later in this article.

Are Some EMF Shielding Paints Better Than Others?

Popular brands of RF-blocking paint include Y-shield, Ecos Paints, Woremor, CuPro-Cote, EMF-Turtal, Aegis Guard, and Geovital T-98. Each of these brands uses different materials, and as such, may require different methods of application.

No matter which brand you choose, it’s very important to follow the manufacturer's directions carefully. 

You can’t assume that one brand works just like another you’ve used before. Let’s take a deeper look at the brands listed above.

Yshield EMF Paint

Check Yshield Prices on Amazon.
Read my full Yshield Review

Y-shield comes in two basic formulas.  Yshield HSF54 and HSF64.

HSF45 is a water-based graphite and carbon conductive paint.  It comes in one color: black.

Keep this in mind as you want to apply at least 2-3 coats and then you’ll need to apply several topcoats if you want any other color than black. 

I personally really like Yshield paint because it's simple to use, has great customer reviews, works as intended, and provides very high levels of radiation protection and RF shielding.

Depending on the size of your home or area you want to paint, this can get expensive quickly as a 5-litre pail costs over $200.00. The more coats you apply, the better attenuation you achieve.

The manufacturer claims to achieve up to a 59 dB reduction in radio frequency with three coats of paint. If you need a primer on what db means, see this article, however, essentially it's a measurement of a material or product's shielding effectiveness. Roughly, a 59 db loss means the paint is blocking 99.9999% of the radio frequencies. 

One coat of paint will produce a 39b loss (99.99%) and two coats will achieve a 49db loss (99.999%). 

For highly sensitive people, and because not everyone is an experienced painter, three coats are recommended to achieve the best results.

As you can see from the image below, each new layer of Yshield paint dramatically increases the attenuation of the product and provides more protection.

Their HSF64 is a silicate-based paint without any preservatives. It is marketed as ‘breathable, solvent-free, plasticizer-free, and low-emission’. 

This means the HSF64 is a good option for anyone with chemical sensitivities. 

With one coat of the HSF64, the manufacturer claims to achieve a 36db loss (99.9%), and two coats will achieve a 43db loss (99.99%).   And three coats will achieve up to a 53 dB reduction (99.999%).

Both paints are ‘5G Ready’ meaning they will block millimeter waves up to 40GHz.

EMF protection paint like this will also protect against magnetic fields and even low-frequency electric fields.

In the last few years, Y Shield has come out with three new lines of paint for more specific applications. 

This reflects the growing need for shielding material across the world (they are a German-based company and sell their products worldwide). The three new products include:

• MAX54: Special paint with the focus on maximum shielding, if every single dB counts. Up to 83 dB. Limitations at hardness abrasion resistance and smell.
• PRO54: Special paint with a focus on hardness and abrasion resistance due to carbon fibers. Up to 52 dB. TÜV-SÜD certified. Limitations at shielding and smell.
• NSF34: Low-frequency shielding paint against electrical fields. Up to 80 dB = 99.99 %. TÜV-SÜD certified. To shield electrical devices, fuse boxes, power lines, etc.

As the standard paints listed above block over 99% of radio frequencies, the Max54 and Pro54 are really made for those extremely sensitive people. 

The NSF34 will do a good job of shielding the electric fields from the standard wiring in your walls, but the standard paints will do this too. If you live outside of Europe however, you may have a difficult time purchasing these specialty paints, as they are not readily available.

CuPro-Cote EMR Shielding Paint

CuPro-Cote is a unique EMF-blocking paint as it’s made with copper. The consistency of this paint makes it convenient to spray, brush, or roll for easy application. 

The copper paint is low VOC, non-toxic, and spills clean up easily (unlike the black carbon-based paints). One gallon covers 400-670sq ft and costs $614 before shipping.

Because the paint is copper in color, you won’t need as many topcoats. The manufacturer claims to achieve an attenuation of ‘more than 75 dB from 30 MHz to 1.5 GHz’. I could not find any information as to frequencies above 1.5 GHz, so we don’t know the effectiveness of this paint on ‘5G’ millimeter waves.

The manufacturer also does not specify how many coats are needed to achieve this attenuation, so always be sure the measure with a good EMF meter (like my favorite the Trifield TF2) to ensure you’ve reached the desired results.

EMF-Turtal EMF Protection Paint

EMF-Turtal is a powder-based paint made with ‘pure acrylate, graphite, and graphene technology’ that you mix with water. 

Because it comes in powder form, you can save money on shipping, and store it for longer than a pre-mixed paint. 

It is also marketed as a ‘low-odor, low-emission shielding paint, which does not contain any chemical solvents’ which makes it good for chemically sensitive people as well.

The EMF-Turtal comes in 2 forms: Xshield paint for indoor applications and Outdoor Xshield for outdoor applications. 

One coat of a gallon of paint will cover 400sq ft.  Two coats minimum is required, and three coats are recommended.  

EMF-Turtal claims to effectively block ‘5G’ millimeter waves of 40GHz by up to 64db with two coats.

Aegis Guard EMF Protection Wall Paint

Aegis Guard is a company that makes a line of products to block radio frequencies Their Life Series Radiation Shields consist of 3 product families incorporating a proprietary deflection and oscillating technology containing microscopic shielding compounds. 

Their products include a laundry additive, paint, and spray. See their website to learn more about these different products.

The Aegis Guard paint is a ‘proprietary’ blend, so we don’t know what the ingredients are!  It claims to have no metals in the product and therefore, grounding is not needed. 

According to the website, ‘AegisGuard™ LP safely deflects and scatters (breaks apart) up to all 5G, and proposed 6G, device, and carrier operating frequencies from 5 Hz. to 30 GHz., 120 GHz., 360 GHz, or 1.1 THz. up to 99.998% at power levels from 1 milliwatt (0.001 Watt) to 25 Watts measured at the point of contact.

Custom models supporting higher power levels and frequencies up to 4.8 THz. are made to order.’  That sentence is pretty techy, may or may not want to remove it.

There are four different versions of the paint, each with their own frequency attenuation:

• 5 Hz. – 30 GHz. Frequency Range Paint costs $154.95 for 4 ounces.
• 5 Hz. – 120 GHz. Frequency Range costs $364.95 for 4 ounces.
• 5 Hz. – 360 GHz. Frequency Range costs $959.95 for 4 ounces.
• 5 Hz. – 1.1 THz. Frequency Range costs $2585.95 for 4 ounces.

Unlike the other paints listed here, Aegis Guard is supposed to be mixed with a gallon of regular interior latex paint or primer.  So one bottle will make up to 1 gallon, 4oz. of paint. Two coats are recommended followed by a topcoat.

Geovital T-98 EMF Paint

The ingredient list for the Geovital T-98 is water, graphite, pure acrylic emulsion, black carbon, and additives (specific additives not listed).

The paint is marketed as: a purely acrylic base. It is breathable, solvent-free, and has extremely low emissions.’  Hmm, that sounds familiar. 

Based on the packaging, ingredients, and marketing language used by Geovital T-98, I suspect it is nearly the same if not identical to the Y-shield HF 54.

However, the Geovital T-98 claims to have a new formula that ‘absorbs’ up to 15% of the radio frequency so that less is deflected away from the paint. 

I could not find information on how they achieve this, or what method of testing they use to verify.

T-98 claims to achieve an attenuation of up to 50 dB (99.999%) with frequencies up to 10 GHz. Two coats are recommended.  The price of the paint is not listed on the website, nor is the amount of coverage their standard sizes would achieve. 

I attempted to contact the company several times but did not get a reply at the time of writing.  To work with Geovital products, you are directed to find a local representative in your area.

Do EMF Protection Paints Really Work? We Tested to Find Out

Though the claims these manufacturers make are impressive, I like to see the results firsthand. 

I have a Building Biology friend who recently tested three of the above paints to see how well they performed. 

She and her colleagues experimented by painting three identically sized and constructed boxes. 

One box was painted with a Y-shield, one with Aegus Guard, and the last with EMF-Turtal. 

Each box had three coats of paint followed by a topcoat. (They tried to get Geovital T-98 but had trouble making contact with the company to purchase.)

To conduct the test, they placed a high-end EMF meter inside the first box that was hard-wired to a computer to show the meter readings. 

They identified a signal in the area of 750 MHz. They took readings inside all three boxes with the same meter within a few minutes of each other. 

Here are the results:

• Box one: painted with EMF-Turtal – small, occasional spikes seen with an overall reduction of 90-80 db
• Box two: painted with Aegus Guard – lots of activity was seen in the 750mHz range with an overall reduction of 60 DB
• Box three: Y-shield – somewhat reduced activity with fewer spikes and an overall reduction of 73 dB

I found these to be impressive results.  Of course, this test should be seen for what it is – a one-time test by a few people without a laboratory setting to control for all variables. 

However, I am encouraged that the results were consistent with, if not better than what each of the companies advertised.

How To Ground EMF Paint

*Note – in some areas, you may need to contact your city to inquire what your responsibilities are regarding grounding.  Some municipalities may require this grounding to be done by a licensed electrician.  Make sure you know what the proper protocols are before you begin.

Conductive paint should be grounded. This is primarily so that you give the electrical fields from the wiring in your walls a path away from your living space. 

Before you begin painting, make sure you have all the necessary equipment: a grounding plate, conductive tape, and a grounding cable. 

You will need to do some math to make sure you have enough supplies for the area you’re painting. 

Once you’re ready to begin, follow the steps below. 

*Note, these steps are general outlines to give you an idea of what grounding your paint entails.   Different variables (the paint chosen, size of the room, house configuration, wiring configuration EMF readings, etc) may dictate different ways to ground effectively.  Always consult the manufacturer guidelines of the paint you have purchased, as well as the grounding kit.  It is advised to consult with a Building Biologist or EMF consultant for best results.

1. Turn off all breakers in the rooms you want to paint.

2. Decide on an accessible location to install the grounding plate.  Prepare by drilling holes where the plate will be attached.

3. Before installing the plate, paint the room with two coats of the paint you’ve chosen. Let dry. 

4. Now attach your grounding tape to the wall starting at the location of the grounding plate.  Note that you want to use one piece of continuous tape (no tears or new pieces). Run one piece of tape along the wall, up and around doors or closets, and back to the starting point.

5. Now paint one final coat of paint over the entire area and the tape.

6. Screw in the grounding plate.

7. Apply your topcoats. Remember to tape the grounding plate to avoid paint drips.

8. Connect the grounding wire to the grounding plate.

9. Test with an EMF meter to ensure you’ve achieved the desired results.

Consideration Before Investing in EMF Shielding Paint.

Though high-quality shielding paint can be highly effective for reducing your radio frequency exposure, there are several very important considerations you should think about before making the investment.

1. Shielding paint is permanent 

Some shielding materials like fabrics, wallpaper, metal screens, etc, can be removed.  Once you’ve painted your walls, the only way to ‘undo’ it, is to remove the drywall, or whatever substrate you’ve applied it to. 

In some cases, this is impossible or cost-prohibitive. 

You should also consider the future of the house or room.  If your family moves out of the home, and a new family moves in, will they be aware of the shielding paint? 

Consider the average family that may move into this space, using Wi-Fi and numerous wireless devices inside.  Their exposure will be dramatically increased due to the deflection of the paint. 

2. Chemical sensitivities

Though many of the paints listed above claim to be low VOC, some extremely sensitive people may still react. 

It may take several days or weeks to air out a newly painted room before a chemically sensitive person can be in the space without an adverse reaction. 

3. Shielding one wall vs. all walls, ceilings and floors 

Some people may choose to partially paint a room.  For example, if you have a cell tower directly to the North of a specific room, and no radio frequency sources coming from the East, West, or South, you may be able to shield only the North wall. 

This is also really common as a way to protect your home from a smart meter.

Many people will use EMF protection paint on the inside wall that is shared with the smart meter to protect against high-frequency radiation.

This can be effective as well as save you money.  However, you must consider the floor and ceiling.  If you’re on a ground level, you don’t need to worry about the floor. 

You do however want to consider the ceiling.  How tall is the tower?  Is it coming from above?  A good meter will help you identify this. 

You may be able to get away with shielding one wall, or a partial section of the room, but you will always need to pay attention to any new sources in the area. 

If a new source pops up in another direction, then you’ve created a situation where you’ve amplified your exposure due to the frequency bounding off the painted wall back into your living space.  In general, we recommend painting all the walls plus the ceiling and floor if you are on an upper floor.

4. Penetrations inside the room

You must also shield any penetrations that are in this room to create a complete enclosure.  This includes windows and doors. 

For windows, you need to either install an aluminum window screen to cover the entire opening or a window cling. 

I recommend the window screen so that you can still open up your windows for fresh air.  

Don’t forget the door!  You should also paint the door, but be mindful of what happens when the door is open. 

Are their frequencies entering the room?  You will need to keep the door closed in order to achieve a full enclosure.

You can see that while painting can be highly effective, there are many things to consider.  If you live in a densely populated area with numerous exposures, including 5G, it may be worth the investment.

 If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of this information, I suggest reaching out to an expert for help.  They do this kind of thing routinely and can make the whole process a lot easier for you!

Finally, I'll leave you with a great video about a gentleman who painted the entire exterior of his house with Yshield EMF protection paint to protect his home from electrosmog and gain some peace of mind: