Best wall stud finder

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services.

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. The light-up ring changes from green no stud sensed , to yellow close , to red directly on top of a stud.

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. For most occasional home uses, like hanging pictures or bathroom mirrors, a magnetic stud finder will do the trick. Stud finders have their jobs cut out for them, given the many variables in wall materials and construction.

The T13 had impressive accuracy given it's simple design. Sometimes basic is best for tools, which is indeed the case for this magnetic stud finder from CH Hanson.

.

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. Hanson expands its scanning area and reduces the time it takes to get a hit. Its pointed end and small onboard spirit level simplify marking a stud as well as leveling a picture or mirror.

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. 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.

Pijama penguin

Best for Copper:. The magnetic models were nice because they stayed on the wall once we found a stud. However, because the device rests further from the wall, it's hard to mark stud edges accurately. Mecurate Stud Finder. It has three modes; wood, metal, and electrical power, and is quite accurate with all three. Vivreal 4-in-1 Wall Scanner. Our ease of use metric included tests on whether the tool could be easily used one-handed, the level of difficulty for marking on the wall and ceiling, how easy it was to understand how to use the tool, and the quality of instructions included with the device. On the downside, we wish the stud finder was a little smaller; as it is, it's rather bulky and takes up most of the pocket on a tool belt. The laser level on this stud detector makes it one convenient tool. Use profiles to select personalised content.

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.

Best Tool Sets of The A's drawbacks were its size and power button placement; it was awkward when using your left hand and needed to be held down while scanning. Despite the various technological advancements of density scanning that many wall scanners use, there is nothing more reliable than a magnet finding a screw holding the sheetrock to the stud. The M90 was also wide enough to indicated doubled-up studs when we scanned around door frames and windows. If there are light fixtures, switches, and outlets on a wall, you can make an educated guess as to where the wires might be. Hanson Magnetic is a small pair of magnets with a level. Drilling into a wall without concern for the electrical wiring behind it could turn a DIY project into a disaster. Best for Copper:. While you may get definitive results in one case, you could be left scratching your head in another. Best Heavy-Duty:. Related Articles.