Best stud finder

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Looking for studs in all the wrong places? After investigating over 28 of the best stud finders on the market, we compared the top 12 models side-by-side. We tested for accuracy, ease of use, and features, both in isolated tests as well as while working on home projects to get a feel of their real-world performance. Read on to see our detailed results and find what works best for you, whether you're hanging a mirror or remodeling your entire kitchen. It has three modes; wood, metal, and electrical power, and is quite accurate with all three. In addition to the three scan modes, the Bosch has a center finder for studs, a magnetic sensor to show screws and other metal, and a ring that changes color depending on how close you are to the material you're seeking.

Best stud finder

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants. If you plan on hanging anything over about 20 pounds in your home, you'll need a stud finder to help you locate the studs and joists you'll need to anchor into to keep things secured in place. Stud finders come in two main types: Magnetic stud finders detect the stud by the nails and screws holding it in place, while electronic sensors use changes in electrical flow to "see" wood, metal, and sometimes electrical wiring within the wall. To find the best stud finder for most projects, we ordered over 30 different models to our lab in Des Moines, Iowa and put them to work on a series of custom-built walls to see how each one performed under a series of different construction situations. At the end of our test, our team of experts and novices found options that are perfect for all levels of DIYers. The electronic Franklin Sensors ProSensor Precision takes the top spot because of the accurate and detailed look it gives you into your walls. Its 13 sensors simultaneously "look" behind the walls it can also be used to find joists underneath the flooring to pinpoint the location of wooden studs and metal objects, such as pipes, easily and accurately. No need to take time to calibrate the tool, as with some other stud finders; this one is ready to go right away. Plus, it shows you the edge and center of the stud simultaneously, making your job much easier. We loved the way the ProSensor located studs, both metal and wood, quickly and accurately.

It was easy to use with just one hand and comfortable to hold. Best stud finder our tests, we found this device to be accurate, lightweight, and easy to use, making it a must-buy for those looking to keep costs low while tackling home projects. Who this is for.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Jump to a Section. To find the best stud finders, we put 30 electronic and magnetic options to the test at our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa. Each one was put to the task of locating wood and metal studs—as well as wiring and pipes, where applicable—behind walls covered in drywall, plaster, and paneling. Our testers evaluated the accuracy of the devices as well as their speediness in locating the studs.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more. We decided to test a slew of them to help readers find one that suits their needs, including both magnetic and electronic models to find the best stud finder options for a variety of user preferences. While selecting our list of top picks, we also decided to get professional advice about stud finder features from an expert, John Mazzuca. He is a home builder at Gambrick in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, who has more than 25 years of experience in construction. His recommendations are included below. Read on to learn what to look for in a stud finder and find out which popular models scored highest with our expert and during my tests. Home builder Mazzuca says that stud finders are great for everyday projects around the house, like mounting a TV, hanging a picture, or installing a cabinet. Since DIY projects most likely involve fixing up an older building, each one of the tools we tested had to be reliable, accurate, and versatile enough to detect a range of materials behind drywall to make this list of the best stud finders.

Best stud finder

Affiliate Disclosure: We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services. Stud finders are used to determine where the studs and fasteners in your walls are located. You can also check out our tools buying guide for more critical factors to consider when shopping for tools for your home.

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That depends on the individual tool. Fact checked by Emily Estep. As I slid the tool across the surface of the test wall, diagonal lines appeared on either side of the digital display to indicate the sensors were moving over a stud. Hanson expands its scanning area and reduces the time it takes to get a hit. If you plan on hanging anything over about 20 pounds in your home, you'll need a stud finder to help you locate the studs and joists you'll need to anchor into to keep things secured in place. She and her husband own a general contracting company, and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building applications. It's small and lightweight, making it easy to carry in a pocket or store in a toolbox. Use limited data to select content. Standard wall framing is 16 inches apart, on-center OC , meaning the center of one stud will be exactly 16 inches from the center of the next. The 10 Best Tool Boxes of Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. To find the best stud finders on the market, we tested 30 models in our Des Moines lab, evaluating them on performance, design, ease of use, and value. For fast, accurate, no-fuss stud finding look no further. Then, we ran the stud finder over the same area in five seconds to evaluate if it was still able to detect the objects.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists. Measure advertising performance. Walabot DIY Plus. The Ryobi stud finder automatically searches up to 1. Displaying 1 - 5 of No need to take time to calibrate the tool, as with some other stud finders; this one is ready to go right away. First, the name comes from the large circle on top where there's a hole just big enough for a pencil tip to mark the wall, ensuring accurate marks every time. We didn't have to pass the device back and forth over the wall for more than a few seconds before the 13 indicator lights start popping. Best Stud Finder for Copper Pipes:. This magnetic stud finder is super portable and designed to detect either metal studs or the metal fasteners in the studs, making it among the best options for those who need to locate studs without worrying about batteries running down.