STUD FINDERS, SIMPLIFIED

With a little knowledge, choosing the right one is easy

- JASON INGOLFSLAND

When I went out shopping for a stud finder, I was amazed by the range of options. From tiny magnets to radar devices that connect to your phone, the world of stud finders feels needlessly complicated. Finding a stud shouldn’t be this hard! So, armed with a company credit card, I bought a slew of stud finders and set out to demystify this buy for you.

How I tested them

It turns out that our office is a stud-finding playground. I tested the finders on a variety of materials and thicknesses, from drywall to tile to wood planks fastened on top of drywall. I scanned over AC wires, copper pipes, PVC pipes, and metal and wood studs, using some of the more advanced features, like deep scan and metal detect. My main focus was stud-finding accuracy, but I considered other qualities as well, like ease of use and speed.

INEXPENSIVE AND SIMPLE ARE ALL YOU NEED