When engaged on any house enchancment mission, whether or not hanging up a mirror or securing cabinets to the wall, you want the right instruments at your disposal. A stud finder is important to find out what you’re drilling and guarantee assist for a long-lasting maintain.
“The most typical use for a stud finder is finding wall studs, that are boards that perform as framing components in your house, supporting the partitions,” says Brian Shaunfield, retailer supervisor at a Charlotte-area Lowe’s. “Owners most frequently encounter the necessity to find these framing boards when hanging an object—mirror, artwork, decor or in any other case—utilizing the stud as a secure and protected anchor.”
To seek out the very best stud finders available on the market, we examined 30 fashions in our Des Moines lab, evaluating them on efficiency, design, ease of use, and worth. We additionally spoke with specialists to get their perception on perfecting your subsequent DIY mission.
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For a stud finder that may assist with any house mission, we advocate the Franklin Sensors ProSensor M90. This battery-powered digital stud finder options 9 ultra-precise sensors, together with 9 precision LEDs that illuminate the size and width of the stud to offer even higher precision.
Throughout our testing, the LED lights made it simple to establish your entire stud, from the middle to the sting factors, for a complete and full studying. It additionally labored effectively on numerous floor sorts, although we seen that it detected metallic extra rapidly than wooden, electrical, PVC pipe, and copper.
This stud finder solely comes with one mode, so that you don’t need to toggle between a number of choices, and does not require calibration both—all you need to do is press the button to start scanning. The streamlined design of this stud finder made it easy to make use of and skim, and it solely took one attempt to precisely detect the stud. Whereas undoubtedly a high quality choice, this stud finder could also be too giant for individuals with small palms. Nonetheless, there’s a lot to like about this sturdy, efficient, and time-saving gadget.
Sensor Kind: Digital | Max Detection Depth: 1.5 inches | Weight: 9 ounces
![Craftsman 3/4-Inch Depth Stud Finder](https://www.realsimple.com/thmb/KEvOWqY816Q1iyv9r4mAi1jA8mA=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/craftsman-stud-finder-cmht77633-148c5147604e42f1b43d6d971c428418.jpg)
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There isn’t any must empty your pockets when shopping for high quality house instruments—this inexpensive Craftsman digital stud finder has all of the options you want for streamlined house initiatives. In our checks, we discovered this gadget to be correct, light-weight, and simple to make use of, making it a must-buy for these trying to preserve prices low whereas tackling house initiatives.
This stud finder detected studs with spot-on precision and velocity and solely wanted a brief period of time for calibration. As a result of it solely detects studs’ edges, you need to decide the middle from the sting markings. And though the gadget options useful LED lights, it doesn’t boast some other further options. Whereas some individuals might want extra options, the straightforward design makes this decide simple to function and equally practical. The software can be compact and light-weight, so you possibly can tuck it into your pocket as you progress round the home.
Sensor Kind: Digital | Max Detection Depth: 0.75 inches | Weight: 3.2 ounces
![Calculated Industries 7310 StudMark Magnetic Stud Finder](https://www.realsimple.com/thmb/HCY_rxieirXagMqx3-2G6jUcrDg=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/calculated-industries-7310-studmark-magnetic-stud-finder-51e3b9626ab941afaedb7255fa8bd4cb.jpg)
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Magnetic stud finders search for nails reasonably than studs, and this one from Calculated Industries proved to be a very nice decide for honing in on hidden nails in our evaluations. The compact, fast-acting gadget comes with two detachable teardrop-shaped magnetic stud markers, which you should use to mark a number of stud areas—no pencil marks wanted.
To make use of this stud finder, swipe the magnet in a Z or S motion to search out the primary nail or screw. Then, pull off one of many magnets and place it on the wall earlier than scanning vertically to search out the second nail or screw. Our checks discovered the removable teardrop magnets handy for making a vertical line to find out the middle of the stud.
This gadget is inexpensive and sufficiently small to suit into the palm of your hand, making it simple to carry and transfer throughout your wall. The principle draw back to this decide is that it did not all the time precisely detect super-tiny nails or screws. Nonetheless, this stud finder is simple to make use of, compact, and handy.
Sensor Kind: Magnetic | Max Detection Depth: Not listed | Weight: 4 ounces
![Franklin Sensors ProSensor 710 Professional Stud Finder](https://www.realsimple.com/thmb/x2WhHDiuz8xr9_RgDMt_VgyLBjM=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/franklin-sensors-prosensor-710-precision-stud-finder-5a914a1ceb034edbb0257e4c3d91d43d.jpg)
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In case you are new to house initiatives, go for the beginner-friendly Franklin Sensors ProSensor 710. It doesn’t require calibration or tuning, and its shiny LED lights make it simple to see and establish the widths of a number of studs without delay.
Throughout our testing, it detected each stud sort (metallic and wooden) over drywall, paneling, and plaster with spectacular velocity and precision, although it was unable to detect electrical cords. It was additionally exceedingly simple to make use of—simply press the button and drag the stud finder throughout the floor to right away find the studs. We additionally discovered it to be snug to carry no matter hand measurement.
This stud finder makes use of illuminated dots to point the surface and center of every stud, so you will get a full view earlier than drilling or hammering. Sadly, it doesn’t let you know the kind of materials detected, making it arduous to distinguish between piping and studs. Throughout our testing, we discovered that studs normally illuminated three dots whereas piping illuminated two, which can provide you a clue about what materials is beneath your wall. The worth is excessive in comparison with most different choices on our listing, however contemplating how easy it’s to make use of and the way correct the outcomes are, we predict it is well worth the funding.
Sensor Kind: Digital | Max Detection Depth: 1.6 inches | Weight: 9 ounces
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![Mecurate Stud Finder Wall Scanner](https://www.realsimple.com/thmb/KozN-fM_SJXoES5RgMvk2W73bg4=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/mecurate-wall-scanner-d1d5931be49944ca8c3125fce1ec679d.jpg)
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The Mecurate Stud Finder has a big, backlit LED display screen that shows real-time alerts and directional arrows that can assist you discover studs quicker. Throughout our testing, this stud finder produced probably the most constant outcomes with a number of gradual passes over the wall reasonably than fast passes. It additionally options 5 scanning modes, which you should use to detect completely different supplies, and a buzzer that alerts you when a stud is detected.
This stud finder requires you to calibrate it for a number of seconds earlier than every use and that you just use the proper mode for the duty at hand. However when you get going, the show is sort of useful at detecting wiring, studs, and different supplies. The audio and visible indicators made it simple to make use of, and the middle has a cut-out space for handy pencil markings.
Sensor Kind: Digital | Max Detection Depth: 1.5 inches | Weight: 9.2 ounces
![Bosch GMS120 Digital Multi-Scanner](https://www.realsimple.com/thmb/rcWH0p43qlYdA9LwgqSFQJGf9Ag=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bosch-gms120-digital-multi-scanner-afc0db8d8f0f4589ad53cabe74880b80.jpg)
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When you want a stud finder for PVC pipes, look no additional than this top-notch digital choice from Bosch. Whereas this decide is a bit heavier than the others on our listing, we nonetheless discovered it snug to carry and simple to maneuver in our checks. The gadget has a far deeper detection depth than many different stud finders and is ready to find wooden and metallic in concrete, stay wiring, copper, and extra. There are three modes to select from, and the stud finder comes with a useful LCD show and flashing ring mild, which we discovered useful.
The show incorporates a bar chart diagram that will increase as you get nearer to an object’s middle, a color-changing mild, and an accompanying beeping sound to offer loads of queues as you’re employed. Sadly, it does not present the article’s sides, and we discovered that it really works greatest while you go the software over the wall 5 occasions. This stud finder is the most costly choice on our listing, however for house renovations or high-stakes enchancment initiatives, the worth is well worth the high quality.
Sensor Kind: Digital | Max Detection Depth: 4.75 inches | Weight: 1.7 kilos
![Dewalt 1-1/2 in. Stud Finder](https://www.realsimple.com/thmb/Xng9_30RQUjgDPdz7bFMq6oWP9o=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dewalt-1-12-in-stud-finder-9f0b58e2e0bb4c36b489dd8730f8296f.jpg)
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For anybody who must detect studs in copper pipes, the DeWalt Stud Finder is a must have software. Throughout our testing, this digital stud finder discovered the middle of every stud irrespective of the floor with only one gradual go and no calibration wanted.
This software offers useful directional LED arrows to information you as you close to the stud and a beeping sound that goes off as soon as it identifies the middle—however needless to say this decide doesn’t denote the perimeters. Plus, the stud finder identifies copper pipes and AC wires precisely, and despite the fact that there’s no show display screen, it’s nonetheless easy to make use of. One other nice perk of this stud finder is its light-weight really feel, snug maintain, and low worth. We discovered that this stud finder couldn’t establish PVC pipes, so in case your subsequent house mission requires PVC studying, we advocate one other decide.
Sensor Kind: Digital | Max Detection Depth: 1.5 inches | Weight: Not listed
Ultimate Verdict
Our prime decide is the Franklin Sensors ProSensor M90 Skilled Stud Finder for its excessive stage of accuracy, useful LED lights, and ease of use. If it’s essential preserve prices decrease, although, we additionally advocate the Craftsman Stud Sensor, which is easy, compact, and exact.
Our Testing Course of
To seek out the very best stud finders available on the market, we acquired 30 fashions and examined them in our lab. We handed every stud finder over three completely different wall surfaces together with drywall, plaster, and paneling, and looked for 5 completely different object sorts together with wooden studs, metallic studs, electrical wiring, PVC pipe, and copper pipe.
To start, we turned on the stud finder and referred to the producer’s directions on calibration—some fashions require no setup, whereas others do. If the examined mannequin had a number of modes for various objects, we coordinated the stud finder to match the corresponding object or materials. We positioned the stud finder flush with the wall and handed over roughly 3 toes of area over a period of 20 seconds, with a gradual and managed motion. Then, we ran the stud finder over the identical space in 5 seconds to guage if it was nonetheless in a position to detect the objects. This course of was repeated on every floor sort with every object.
If the examined mannequin has further options, like a bubble stage, battery indicator, or visible show, we took word of how successfully they labored and whether or not they improved the product total. After the testing was full, we gave every product a ranking on attributes of efficiency, design, ease of use, and worth.
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Learn how to Store for Stud Finders Like a Professional
Sensor Kind
There are two most important forms of stud finders: digital and magnetic. Digital stud finders sense adjustments in density and provide you with a warning to the areas of studs and different objects behind partitions, whereas magnetic stud finders detect the nails that connect the studs to the wall as a substitute. Throughout our testing, we evaluated 25 digital stud finders and 5 magnetic fashions.
Total, we discovered digital finders to be extra exact, particularly with added options like LED screens or indicator lights. In addition they have extra depth capability, which might translate to a greater learn on objects hidden beneath a wall. However, digital fashions are normally pricier, require batteries, and are sometimes bigger and tougher to carry than magnetic alternate options. Some magnetic fashions, just like the Calculated Industries 7310 StudMark Magnetic Stud Finder, are equally as efficient, however might not decide up on smaller studs or nails.
Max Detection Depth
“The common stud finder has a depth detection of 1.5–2.5 inches, which permits for wooden or metallic studs and joists to be positioned that depth behind a wall’s floor,” says Shaunfield. “For the typical house, this stage of depth detection is ample.”
Whereas the depth capability of most of our prime merchandise fell inside this vary, we discovered that stud finders with a better depth capability, just like the Bosch GMS 120 Wall Scanner, detected PVC pipes extra successfully. When you’re engaged on a extra intensive mission, go for a stud finder with a greater-than-average depth detection stage—simply be ready to pay a better price.
Floor Compatibility
Take into account the widespread forms of surfaces you encounter with a stud finder—the partitions in your house are place to begin. Some stud finders have a number of modes you possibly can tailor to the mission, whereas others have one preset mode that may learn by way of a number of floor sorts. In our testing, we discovered that almost all fashions carried out greatest with drywall surfaces and struggled most when studying by way of cement board, although there was some variation relying on the actual mannequin. Based on Shaunfield, most fashions are suitable with drywall, by way of which they’ll find studs “simply and precisely,” he says.
That stated, “stud finders could also be much less efficient on lath/plaster partitions,” he says. This remark was confirmed all through our testing, although the fashions we chosen as our prime picks have been in a position to efficiently learn all surfaces. When you’re working with these supplies, you might wish to use a finder with a metal-scanning function “to find the nails securing the trail to the studs” or manually find the studs as a substitute, in line with Shaunfield.
Actual Easy / Henry Wortock
Extra Stud Finders to Take into account
Franklin Sensors ProSensor 710+ Skilled Stud Finder: This decide was easy to make use of and correct at figuring out the perimeters and middle of wooden or metallic studs. That stated, it isn’t nice at discovering objects behind dense surfaces like cement and is comparatively high-priced.
Vivreal 4-in-1 Stud Finder: This digital stud finder incorporates a useful LCD show and detects studs rapidly and precisely, however didn’t stand out from its competitors in our checks. Plus, it’s higher at detecting wooden studs than metallic studs, that are extra widespread.
Questions You Would possibly Ask
Is there a distinction between a stud finder and a stud sensor?
Based on Shaunfield, there is not a major distinction between a stud finder and a stud sensor. “A stud sensor is one other identify for a stud finder,” he explains. “Handheld units labeled as both a sensor or a finder can each be used to find studs throughout the house.”
Typically stud finders are used to discuss with magnetic units that find the nails and screws, whereas stud sensors are used to discuss with digital fashions that sense adjustments in electrical move to detect the wooden, metallic, and wiring behind a wall.
Are stud finders correct?
“Stud finders are exceptionally correct,” says Shaunfield. The sensors will find the facilities of a stud (and, with some units, additionally the perimeters) exactly “in order that its location will be marked instantly,” he says. Many fashions may even show the width and size of studs, providing you with much more correct outcomes.
Actual Easy / Henry Wortock
Is a stud finder mandatory?
For any house mission the place you grasp or drill right into a wall, stud finders are completely mandatory. “Finding studs is vital to correctly hanging many objects, and stud finders are a seamless solution to establish studs rapidly and successfully,” he says. “Many fasteners and hangers used to hold heavy objects, corresponding to giant photos, mirrors, cabinets, and tv mounting methods, have to be anchored in studs as a result of the wall alone isn’t robust sufficient to assist the burden. Studs maintain these fasteners higher, stopping them from pulling out underneath the burden of the article. The middle of a stud offers the very best assist for the fasteners.”
Take Our Phrase for It
This text was written by Rachel Simon, a author for Actual Easy, Higher Properties & Gardens, The New York Instances, and plenty of different publications. To write down this text, we examined 30 completely different stud finders and evaluated them based mostly on efficiency, worth, ease of use, and design. For skilled perception, Rachel spoke to Brian Shaunfield, retailer supervisor at a Charlotte-area Lowe’s.
What Is Actual Easy Selects?
Subsequent to every product on this listing, you might have seen a Actual Easy Selects seal of approval. Any product showing alongside that seal has been vetted by our workforce—put by way of checks and graded on its efficiency to earn a spot on our listing. Though we purchase a lot of the merchandise we check, generally we do get samples from corporations if buying a product ourselves isn’t an choice. All merchandise undergo the identical rigorous course of, whether or not they’re bought or despatched by the corporate.
Love our suggestions? Take a look at extra merchandise which have earned the Actual Easy Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.