Best wall 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.

Best wall stud finder

Knowing where your studs are is crucial for hanging up heavy items, like mirrors or mounts for flat-screen TVs. Some stud finders have other features, too, like deep scanning and AC wire detection. To test all the features, we put a selection of stud finders through their paces on a wall of our own making and walls in real homes. Magnetic stud finders work by waving the magnet along the wall until it catches on the fasteners that attach drywall to the studs. Since fasteners may be spaced over a foot apart on a single stud, it may take longer to locate one with a magnetic stud finder, but this is an affordable and simple option. If the builder missed the stud, so will the magnetic stud finder. In commercial construction, where metal studs are standard, you may find magnetic stud finders more useful. Most electronic stud finders work by sending out a signal from a sensor inside, then reading the signal that bounces back. Some also identify metal pipes or electrical wires. The most advanced stud finders use technology like ground-penetrating radar, which uses radar pulses to create a subsurface image.

Best Stud Finders. That's why the C. Moreso, its unique display left no question about where a stud was or was not.

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Hanson Magnetic Stud Finder. Equipped with two magnets, the C. Hanson is a basic, durable model that scans twice as fast as the rest. This finder gives a visible and audible signal when it locates a stud, but it scans a smaller area and is less durable than our main pick. The most accurate electronic stud finder we tested scans the wall in 13 places to display the entire width of a stud, and unlike the competition, does not require a fussy calibration process. In 30 hours of tests against five competitors, the C. Hanson Magnetic Stud Finder stood out for its reliability and accuracy. Most magnetic styles have only one magnet, but a second magnet in the C.

Best wall stud finder

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. Each stud finder was also evaluated based on its overall performance, ease of use, design, and overall value.

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With nine sensors spread out over five inches, the ProSensor M90 accurately located studs. Shopping Home Reviews Tool Reviews. Newsletter Sign Up. Cons Expensive if you only need a stud finder. Laser level is convenient and works with textured drywall, pinpoint bullseye spot ensures accurate mark. The ring is also hollow, allowing accurate marks right in the center of the sensor. Hanson Magnetic is a small pair of magnets with a level. Our tool reviews can help suss out the differences between the best drills , the best cordless circular saws , the best impact drivers , and more. It's reliable, powerful, and has several nice features. Vivreal 4-in-1 Wall Scanner. Use limited data to select advertising. Still, these readings can help you identify other objects in the wall you may want to be careful around. The 7 Best Backpacks for Commuting to Work. Looking for studs in all the wrong places?

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As much as we like the display and straightedge, its design requires you to pinch the device while holding the power button. Best Stud Finders. During testing, we found this stud finder to be effective on drywall, paneling, and plaster. From the farm he went to work at a classic car dealer, repairing and servicing Rolls Royces, Bentleys, and Jaguars. Instead of a screen that lights up when over a stud or stud edge, the ProSensor has a bar of lights that shine when directly over a stud or object. It will only find the screws in the studs and not the stud itself, so we were never sure if we were drilling into the center of the stud or not. Measure advertising performance. Still, these readings can help you identify other objects in the wall you may want to be careful around. Additionally, it doesn't have a sensitive sensor, forcing us to drag it across the wall slower than other contenders we tested. Pros Accurately finds stud center Two detection modes. For bonus points, the ring is wide enough to accept a permanent marker if that's your writing implement of choice. Combined, they have over two decades of construction and DIY experience in both professional and home projects. Key Specs Weight Your Questions, Answered. Best Tool Sets of