What works better than Kilz?

What works better than Kilz? What works better than Kilz depends on specific problem. For severe smoke, fire damage, pet urine odor, and tough stains, many professionals say Zinsser B-I-N shellac-based primer works better than Kilz because shellac seals odors and stains more completely and dries faster, though more expensive and strong alcohol odor during application. For general all-purpose adhesion and stain blocking with low odor, Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 water-based is often considered comparable or slightly better than Kilz 2 for sticking to glossy surfaces. For new drywall, dedicated PVA drywall primer may be cheaper and sufficient, not necessarily better but more economical. For mold, Zinsser Mold Killing Primer is better than standard Kilz as it is EPA registered to kill mold. For exterior wood, oil-based exterior primers from Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore may provide better weather resistance. So better is situational, shellac-based for worst odors and stains is generally top performer, Zinsser 1-2-3 for versatile water-based, and high-end brand primers for specialty surfaces. Kilz Original remains strong budget oil-based option, but shellac is usually rated best overall for sealing.