Best Stud Finder Reviews 2020

Before purchasing a stud detector, you need to have a fair idea of the amount of money you’re willing to spend. There are different types, technologies, and qualities of stud finders, and of course different prices. Trying to strike a fair balance between quality and affordability can be a little tricky, but definitely achievable especially with products having more than one variant and different price tags.

Prices of stud finders covered in this review range from $10 to $60 which is quite affordable by most standards, and all are of top-quality from trusted brands. During our research, we stumbled on some cheap stud finders that are of less-than-average quality, and of course we didn’t feature them here because we believe you should get the best value for your money. So keep reading and check out these highly reliable stud finders.

Buying the right stud finder can be a difficult task, but once you know the key features to look out for and where you’ll be using it, your selection process becomes very simplified. Here are some of the important features to look out for:

• Type of sensor
• Alert type
• Visual display
• Center targeting capabilities
• Grip and design
• Any extra scanning feature

Stud finders basically employ sensors in carrying out their scanning work and are classified based on the type of sensor used in their construction. In your search for a suitable stud finder, you’re likely going to come across two major types of stud finders: the magnetic sensor and the electronic sensor stud finders.

The magnetic sensor type is the old version of the stud finder that makes use of rare-earth magnets in locating the nails used to hold the studs in place during the building of the wall. This type doesn’t require batteries or any other form of power, and doesn’t have any electronic component. It’s also much more affordable and basic than the other type.

The electronic sensor on the other hand, is mostly powered by batteries and works by measuring the difference in density by scanning over drywall and a solid stud behind the drywall. This type usually comes with lots of bells and whistles, such as stud edge detecting ability, digital displays, and extra modes, and is definitely more expensive than the magnetic sensor type.

Bearing in mind that you have to move the stud finder smoothly over the surface you’re working on to get accurate readings, you should be sure to check that the stud finder you’re looking to buy is lightweight, compact, and ergonomically designed so you can have a good and firm grip on it. There’s no point getting a bulky or heavy stud finder that won’t let you hold and move it in an uninterrupted motion across the work surface, thereby giving out false readings.

Some advanced stud finders (mostly those with electronic sensors) have center targeting capabilities that let you pinpoint the exact center of the stud, without having to do any manual calculations. Although it may take some time to decrease the detection zone and determine the mid-point, the results can be infinitely helpful and rewarding. In case you absolutely need this feature on your stud finder, be sure to confirm that the unit comes with a form of visual display that alerts you when you hit the center of a stud.

The best stud finders are the ones that have a lot of sensor pads as they are able to cover more areas in less time, so you don’t have to move around that much. They’re also able to detect any hidden object much more accurately.

Most stud finders are easy to use and understand as they have one-step operation only. You just need to put it on, and it begins to look for studs. They don’t need too much setting up, and the magnetic sensor types don’t even use batteries.

The magnetic sensor stud finder doesn’t come with any form of display; it just stops in place at the point where the nail holding the stud in place is detected. An electronic sensor stud finder on the other hand, usually comes with some form of visual display, which may be simple LCD lights that blink or illuminate when a stud is detected. It can also be in the form of an LED display screen that gives pertinent information like your proximity to a stud, battery level, or icons to indicate the scanning mode you’re operating on.

The best types of stud finders are those that give out a warning beep or noise whenever you hit a stud so you can be sure to never miss a stud location. Some even go further to flash a light indicator that displays on the wall above the stud finder to pinpoint more accurately the exact location of the stud so you don’t have to guess based on the placement of the unit.

Some stud finders are even able to determine the length and width of studs, which makes things much easier for the person who’s going to drill the wall. Top-quality stud finders are also almost always accurate and reliable, and last for quite a long period of time.