Ambler Slate vs Iron Ore
Ambler Slate (Benjamin Moore) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Both sit in the grey family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. The 6-point LRV gap — 12 for Ambler Slate vs 6 for Iron Ore — means Ambler Slate will open up a space more effectively. Where Ambler Slate leans blue, Iron Ore reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. ΔE 9.6 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Ambler Slate vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Ambler Slate and Iron Ore are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Ambler Slate has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Front Door
On a front door, the color is both the first and last thing you see — a context where even a modest tonal difference reads clearly. Ambler Slate reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Color Details
Ambler Slate vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Ambler Slate on one side and Iron Ore on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Ambler Slate comparisons
See how Ambler Slate stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 12), opening up a space where Ambler Slate encloses it.
At LRV 69 vs 12, Ammonite is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 52 vs 12, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 12, Evergreen Fog is decisively the brighter choice.
Mizzle reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 12), opening up a space where Ambler Slate encloses it.
At LRV 60 vs 12, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 12), opening up a space where Ambler Slate encloses it.
Denim Drift reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 12), opening up a space where Ambler Slate encloses it.
At LRV 43 vs 12, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
A 7-point LRV gap (12 vs 4) makes Ambler Slate the marginally brighter of the two.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 12), opening up a space where Ambler Slate encloses it.
With LRVs of 13 and 12, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 12), opening up a space where Ambler Slate encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 12, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
A 10-point LRV gap (21 vs 12) makes Artichoke the marginally brighter of the two.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 12), opening up a space where Ambler Slate encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 12), opening up a space where Ambler Slate encloses it.
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 12), opening up a space where Ambler Slate encloses it.
With LRVs of 12 and 12, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 12), opening up a space where Ambler Slate encloses it.
At LRV 41 vs 12, Dix Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 68 vs 12, Calamine is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 25 vs 12, Treron is decisively the brighter choice.
With LRVs of 12 and 12, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 12), opening up a space where Ambler Slate encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 12, Pale Green is decisively the brighter choice.
A 5-point LRV gap (12 vs 7) makes Ambler Slate the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 24 vs 12, Cement grey is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 57 vs 12, Guilford Green is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 72 vs 12, Just Walnut is decisively the brighter choice.