The Best Stud Finders of 2022
/
Best Stud Finder
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are affiliate links in this post. This means that at no cost to you, I will receive a commission if you purchase through my link. I will only ever promote the products and services that I trust and 100% recommend. You may read my full disclosure policy for more information. Thank you for supporting my business in this way.
These versatile tools are a must-have for any homeowner or renter. Personally, I have found them extremely helpful for a range of big and small projects around the house. They make it extremely quick and efficient to find a secure mounting point within a wall or ceiling. In addition, some of the newer models below are equipped with advancements that can find more than just studs.
UPDATED: May 11, 2022.
To help you select which one is best for you, I have outlined the various features below along with a list of the best stud finders currently available.
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall, I recommend the Franklin Sensors 710+ Pro because it features 13 sensors for accurate readings and includes a helpful built-in bubble level and ruler.
Here’s Why You Need a High-Quality Stud Finder
Before you hammer a nail into your wall to put up that picture from vacation, you have to make sure that you know the location of the wall studs.
Wall studs are the wooden beams that hold up your drywall. When you hang something heavy on your wall, you must drill the nail or screw into a stud. Otherwise, the drywall is prone to crumble under the load. In a best-case scenario, the nail will fall out and your picture, mirror, or TV will crash to the ground. In a worst-case scenario, the nail will pull out pieces of the drywall and you’ll end up with a gaping hole in your wall.
See also: How Far Apart Are Studs?
What is a Stud Finder?
A stud finder is a tool that detects studs behind the surface of a wall. Advanced stud finders come with multiple modes that detect studs, metal, live AC wiring, non-ferrous metal such as copper pipes, and ferrous metal such as rebar.
Stud finders typically work in one of two ways: magnetic or electronic. Magnetic stud finders use powerful magnets to pinpoint the location of screws or nails in a stud. They actually don’t detect the stud itself, but they can identify the hardware that attaches the wall material to the stud, and that’s how they alert you to the stud’s presence.
Electronic stud finders rely on sensors that detect changes in the dielectric constant (the relative permittivity) of the wall. This changes when the sensor is over a stud. The lower reading indicates the presence of a stud in the wall, and this data is displayed on an LCD screen.
Electronic vs magnetic: which is better?
Both devices have their advantages. Magnetic stud finders don’t use batteries, which can save you a little time and money. They’re very durable and unlikely to break down. They also tend to be more affordable than electronic stud finders.
However, magnetic stud finders are not always as accurate as their electronic counterparts. This is because they are not actually finding the stud itself: they are searching for the metal piece that is attached to the stud. They will occasionally get it wrong, especially if there is excess metal behind the wall.
Electronic stud finders are highly accurate, and they come with more bells and whistles than magnetic finders. For example, they tend to have features that alert you to the presence of rebar or pipes in the wall, and they can usually detect live AC wires.
The downside is that they are more delicate and can break down if they are exposed to moisture or something else that affects the electrical parts. They are also more expensive and rely on batteries to work. Most are powered by one or several standard batteries such as a 9V. This has the benefit of being able to quickly swap out a new battery when out in the field. If it were a fixed battery like a smartphone it would require waiting for it to charge, delaying the task. Most units offer an auto-off feature that helps to preserve battery life.
Scanning Depths
The maximum detection depth will vary by the model and also the material being detected. For example, the standard scanning depth for a stud is up to around one inch. Metals can usually be detected at around four inches and non-ferrous metals have a lower limit of three inches. A/C wires can often be detected up to approximately two inches.
Most electronic models also offer the ability to increase the scanning depth, typically referred to as a "deep scan mode" if required.
5, 4, or 3-in-1?
As mentioned above most of the electronic models can detect studs, metal, and live AC wiring. However, it is confusing as to what each manufacturer considers a different mode. So while it may sound like a 5-in-1 offers more features than a 3-in-1, often they are just referring to the different scan depths as additional features. Others simply include the scan depth options such as deep scan as part of the other modes.
How to Use a Stud Finder
The exact operation will vary by manufacturer, but here is the general procedure for using a stud finder.
Step 1: Power on the device and choose the scanning mode.
Step 2: Place the device flat on the wall. Then press and hold the button while keeping the unit still until calibration is complete (1 - 2 seconds). When calibration is complete, the unit will sound a short beep and the display bars will be cleared.
Step 3: While holding on to the button, move it along the desired surface to scan.
Step 4: When the stud finder detects an object, it will beep continually and will display on the LCD screen (if available).
You can also check out this brief how-to video:
Now that you’re convinced of the importance of wall studs, you may be asking yourself — can’t I just find the beams myself by tapping on the wall? You can do that, but I don’t recommend it. There are some tricks that allow you to check for wall studs in a pinch without the help of a stud finder. However, these methods typically rely on guesses and estimates, and a small mistake will cause you to drill right through the drywall.
Whether you’re an amateur or a professional, it’s best to invest in a good-quality stud finder. You’ll be surprised how often you use this handy tool. Thankfully, it’s possible to find a highly affordable yet still high-quality option. Read on to educate yourself on the world of stud finders and choose the best one for your situation.
Best overall: The Franklin Sensors 710+ Pro
For incredible accuracy.
Franklin calls this product “the fastest, easiest, and most accurate stud finder on the market” and they’re right to make this claim. Their electronic ProSensor 710+ is equipped with 13 sensors alongside Triple Accuracy Technology that analyze and triangulate data from all the sensors. It also features a built-in bubble level and an integrated ruler, so you can rely on this single tool to hang pictures, mount your TV, or install shelving units.
This device is incredibly user-friendly. There’s no calibration process to go through before you start. Just put it on the wall, press the button, and the LED lights along the top of the device will light up to show you exactly where the stud is located. This makes it super simple to find the edges of the wall stud. When you move the stud finder to the right or the left, the lights will turn off or light up, depending on where the stud is located. You can grab a marker and easily mark the location of the stud.
This stud finder works well with metal studs and a variety of wall materials, including wood, tongue-and-groove, drywall, and sheetrock. It can work on lath and plaster, but it may give a contradictory reading due to the thickness of those materials. But that’s not a reflection on the quality of this device: you’ll have the same problem with most stud finders if your walls are made from lath or plaster.
Runner-up: Tavool 4-in-1 Stud Finder
Great for detecting the exact center of the stud.
Tavool is a brand that specializes in stud finders, laser levels, and other high-tech hand products for the home. Their electronic 4-in-1 stud finder will pinpoint the exact center of each wall stud by giving you an alert, and it will also identify the left and right sides of the stud.
This electronic device comes with four different modes — stud, metal, deep, and A/C — which work together to detect everything behind your walls. Stud mode is built to detect wooden beams and joists in your drywall, up to 1.2 inches. Under metal mode, the device will detect any pipe, rebar, aluminum, and copper located up to 1.57 inches behind the wall. The deep mode will detect wood and metal parts up to 1.77 inches. And A/C mode will detect live electrical wires up to 2.36 inches.
You’ll need to sync it to the wall before running the test — but this is simple and quick to do with just the push of a button. The only tricky point is that when you calibrate it to the wall, you must find an empty spot with no AC wires or metal, otherwise, it will mess up the device’s detection.
This user-friendly device provides great value for the price point. It works well on almost any wall type, including textured surfaces and plaster walls. Like most stud finders, it is not compatible with cement boards.
Best Laser Lines: Black & Decker BDL190S Laser with Stud Sensor
Ideal for hanging pictures.
Established in 1910, Black & Decker is a trusted household name, and all of its products are built in the USA. Their two-in-one stud finder contains both a stud finder and an automatic laser level, making it an ideal product for interior designers, makers, or anyone who spends a lot of time hanging things on walls.
The tool is highly versatile, with a highly accurate stud finder and laser lines that give you straight lines to mount your pictures properly. It also works well for large painting projects: you can use the lasers to lay out straight lines. One drawback is that the laser level only works horizontally, not vertically. This will only be a problem if you want to mount it to the ceiling, in which case I recommend the Klein Tools 93LCLS Laser Level.
The stud finder portion is built to detect metal, studs, wood, and A/C wires. It runs on 2 AA batteries which are included, so you can start using the device right away.
Best for DIY: VIVREAL 4-in-1 Stud Finder
Simple and easy to use.
Similar to the Tavool scanner, this device comes with four modes. The metal mode will detect all types of metal up to 2.36 inches deep. Stud mode will detect wooden studs up to ¾ inches deep. A/C mode will detect live electric wires up to 2 inches deep, and deep mode will work on objects up to 1½ inch deep.
An ideal product for anyone on a budget, the VIVREAL stud finder features a large, easy-to-read LCD screen. The screen will tell you which of the four modes you’re using and will indicate when the battery is getting too low. You can turn on the device with a power button on the side. A sliding button on the front of the device is clearly labeled and allows you to toggle between each of the four modes. The device beeps when it finds a stud.
Best Compact Magnetic Option: CH Hanson 03040 Stud Finder
Ideal for taking everywhere.
The C.H. Hanson company has been around since 1866, and they offer high-quality, carefully tested products that are used by professionals in many fields. Their 03040 Stud Finder is no exception, with a simple zero-calibration design and strong magnets that allow the device to hang on the wall while you work on your project.
Thanks to its compact design, the Hanson 03040 is easy to transport and store. It’s perfect for landlords with investment properties, or renters with limited storage space. You’ll be able to use it right out of the box since there is no need for calibration or batteries. If you dislike the idea of dealing with dead batteries, this is the device for you.
Best Budget Option: Jurgen K 5-in-1 Stud Finder
Great features for the price.
This 5-in-1 stud finder by Jurgen K is a reliable product at a reasonable price, providing consistent, accurate readings. It will detect studs, pipes, beams, ceiling joints, and hot AC wires, and it will scan up to 1.5 inches behind the drywall on deep scan mode. Once the stud finder locates an object, it will emit a beeping sound. The device features a wire warning detection that will work in any mode, flashing to indicate when you are above a live, unshielded electrical wire.
The device is ergonomic and lightweight, so it’s a great choice if you spend all day using hand tools. It’s equipped with a high definition, easy-to-read LCD screen that displays the material detected. It works right out of the box (a 9-volt battery is included) and comes with a detailed user’s manual.
Great for beginners, DIY-ers, and professionals alike, the Jurgen stud finder works on a variety of surfaces including wallpaper, wood, acoustic ceilings, lath, textured walls, and more.
Best Value: Zircon 3-in-1 Stud Finder
The Zircon Corporation is the manufacturer of the original stud finder.
Zircon is a U.S.-based company that operates out of Northern California. They released the original StudSensor stud finder in 1980. The Silicon Valley company prides itself on its customer service and product development. For example, they were the first to develop the DeepScan and Wirewarning technologies.
Their 3-in-1 Stud Finder comes with a one-year limited warranty, and it’s great for DIY home projects such as mounting a TV, hanging pictures, or doing interior decorating.
The Zircon stud finder features a large backlit screen that will guide you through the process. After calibrating and sliding it across the wall surface, the screen displays "Edge" and "Center" to indicate the location of the stud.
As the name suggests, the 3-in-1 stud finder features three scanning modes to detect wood (including deep scan), metal, and live A/C wires. The wood mode works up to 0.75 inches and the deep scan doubles this to 1.5 inches. The metal mode will detect pipe, rebar, and aluminum up to 4 inches, and non-ferrous metals up to 3 inches. A/C will detect live wires up to 2 inches.
Whether you’re working with exposed wood, coated walls, plywood sheathing, or gypsum drywall, the device will detect what’s under your wall. A 9-volt battery is not included, so you will need to pick one up before you need it.
Best Level: Precision Sensors ProFinder 5000+
Includes a helpful level for hanging objects.
The Precision Sensors 5000+ by ProFinder is an all-in-one tool for any home project. It comes with a built-in bubble level and ruler to aid in projects that require a level line, such as hanging curtains or picture frames. The user-friendly design allows the device to glide easily across the surface of your wall, even if it is textured or painted. No more worrying about leaving scratches on the wall!
Deep sensing technology provides up to 1.7 inches of detection depth. However, be aware that this device is strictly built to detect wooden studs: it won’t detect metal.
Whether you’re a beginner or just in a hurry, you’ll appreciate the simple “press and scan” system that allows you to find studs quickly. There’s no calibration required. With the built-in level, ruler, and pencil caddy, you can measure, mark, and level with one convenient tool.
I hope this list of the best stud finders was helpful.
If you think I left out one that is important or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
