No one wants to have to knock your appliances off your wall due to a lack of support. The best stud finder will reduce or completely solve this problem before it happens. In the first glimpse, a stud finder may not seem an essential product, but when your brand new HD TV crashes on the floor and breaks completely because of an unsupported part of the wall, then you will have nothing but regrets. To avoid such a situation, you should buy a good stud finder, which you can do by reading consumer reports stud finder along with a comprehensive buying guide.
Reviews Of 5 Best Stud Finders
1. Jaxwq - 5 in 1 Stud Finder Wall Scanner With Intelligent Microprocessor Chip And HD LCD Display
This is one of the most accurate stud finders in the market right now, which features an intelligent micro-sensor chip that quickly and accurately finds edges and center of metal, studs, pipes, joists, and live AC wire behind floors, walls, and ceilings. The stud finder features a 5-in-1 mode that allows users to fulfil more detection needs. The presence of a ½-inch scan mode that easily locates the edges and center of wood and metal studs as deep as ½ inches. The medium scan mode helps locate the edges and center of wood and metal studs as deep as 1 inch.
Then, there is a deep scan mode that allows you to locate the center and edges of metal and wood studs up to 1.5 inches. You can use the metal scan mode to detect ferrous and non-ferrous metal as deep as 2.36 inches. Lastly, there is AC scan mode, which lets you detect live unshielded AC wires as deep as 2 inches deep. Coming to the features of this stud finder, then it features a large LCD display and a sound alarm, which allows you to detect the exact location of a variety of objects. Upon finding the objects, you will get an indication on the LCD display along with a beep whose intensity will be high or low depending upon you how close or far you are.
The LCD display also comes with a back-lit function that offers a clear appearance even when it is dark. You can easily see the center pointing, detection mode, low battery indication, and more on the LCD display. The stud finder features an anti-slip handle that lets you easily handle the device while scanning. The automatic calibration of the wall detector as you place it against the wall makes it easier to determine the center of studs. This results in more efficient results with lesser errors. The stud finder can work on a variety of wall surfaces like wood flooring, lath acoustic ceiling, wallpaper, painted walls, and more.
2. Jurgen 5 in 1 Multifunction Stud Finder With Upgraded Smart Sensor
Jurgen K Stud Finder is a reliable device that incorporates multi-sense technology to accurately find edges and center of metal, joists, studs, pipes, and live AC wire behind walls, ceilings, and floors. If you are mounting a TV, hanging a picture, or carrying out a renovation, then you should buy this stud finder. This is a 5-in-1 stud finder that allows it to scan as deep as ½-inch, 1-inch, 1.5 inches, AC scan (51 mm), and metal scan (60 mm).
The stud finder features a bright, backlit LCD screen that displays desired stud material along with the accurate position of the stud. As it detects an object, it will continually beep and you will see a peck shape on the LCD screen as well. The wall scanner also features a low battery indicator that informs you when the battery needs to be replaced for optimum performance.
The stud finder is very easy to handle and use, thanks to its ergonomic anti-slip grip and top-grade plastic frame. You will have to calibrate the device before using it to get maximum accuracy and reliability. To use the device, you need to place it against the wall and then, turn on the ‘Power’ button and hold the ‘Scan’ button to begin calibration. It is going to complete when you hear a BEEP sound and see ‘disappear’ on the screen.
3. Zircon StudSensor A100 New Electronic Wall Scanner/Edge Finding Stud Finder 72296
Zircon brings to you a highly accurate Stud Finder, which features a WireWarning Detection that detects the presence of live AC wires that are completely unshielded while choosing StudScan and DeepScan modes. The company has used its patented technology, i.e., the ‘Over the Stud’ indicator along with SpotLite Pointing System to deliver accurate and reliable results.
Handling this stud finder is a breeze, thanks to the ergonomically designed grip that lets you hold onto it at any angle. This is a battery-operated device, which runs on a 9-volt battery. Once it is fully charged, then it will allow the stud scanner to run at optimal performance to find studs and avoid hazards, but you will have to buy the battery separately, as it is not included in the package.
4. Franklin Sensors FS710PRO ProSensor 710+ Professional Stud Finder
While there are plenty of good things in this stud finder, the ones I like are the use of a variety of sensors for better accuracy. It comes with 13 sensors that allow it to detect studs at a maximum depth of 1.6 inches. It also incorporates precision LEDs that are spaced every ½-inch and track the location of studs while showing the center and edges simultaneously. Only one mode is sufficient to find it all, as you can find metal studs and wood studs with this ProSensor 710+, as it auto-selects the most accurate mode for changes in the depth or material.
You don’t have to toggle between standard and deep scan, plus you don’t need to calibrate the device. To use the stud finder, just press and hold the button to start the scan. You won’t find a stud finder that is as intuitive as this one on the market. This stud finder will show you more of what is present behind the wall. It will quickly display the edges and center of studs at the same time, showing double studs and irregular configurations in your home or office.
5. Folai Stud Finder Sensor Wall Scanner
This is one of the most accurate stud finders that boasts cutting-edge sensor technology to quickly and accurately locate metal pipes, studs, fire lines, steel bars, wooden frames, and supporting beams hidden behind walls, ceilings, and floors. The stud finder comes with 5 scanning modes that allow it scans at a depth of up to 60mm. The scanning modes in this stud finder include StudScan mode, DeepScan mode, and Deep Stud scan mode. The stud finder comes with a wire warning indicator, so you can detect the presence of live, unshielded AC wires up to 2 inches deep so that you avoid drilling or hammering into the electrical wire or water pipe.
The company has installed an easy-to-read LCD display along with a sound warning to accurately find the stud center and edges. When you found the material, the LCD display is going to indicate the direction and you will hear a beep, the intensity of which will tell you how close or far you are from the center or edges of metal, wood, and other materials. You can use this product to find the exact stud while installing TVs, garage shelves, cabinets, and more.
The Main Types Of Stud Finder
There are two main varieties of stud finders and they work in different ways. The first type is that of the magnetic stud detector. A magnetic stud finder appears for metal nails or screws that connect the wall with the stud. To make sure the recognized metal is part of this stud, you will find attachments to indicate the area. A vertically aligned pair of fasteners often shows a stud behind. This type of stud finder is the simplest, easiest to use, and cheapest. But it's not wise to work with drywall that exceeds the usual half inch. Also, this is not offered for walls with wiring or pipes. They also have an extremely low hit accuracy rate; in reality,
The other type of stud finder is your digital stud finder. This guy scans walls by emitting a digital field that places fluctuations in the density of that wall. Before using it, a person must first know their usual wall thickness and then calibrate their stud finder accordingly. Someone should also know where the wiring is on the wall for safety. This type is however difficult and often difficult to use and can be quite expensive. Plus, it runs on batteries.
Digital can be subdivided into three categories. The very first subcategory is that of the edge detector. This type of electronic stud finder finds fluctuations in the density of this wall which would frequently indicate the limit of the frame construction. It is the cheapest type.
You will find versions with automatic calibration. This is really big help when using a stud finder as it can notify the user if they scan a stud and can automatically recalibrate if needed.
The last is instant finders. This type includes a large number of detection plates with several detectors. Not only can it identify the middle of the stud, but it can also locate more than one stud simultaneously.
Things To Consider When Buying A Stud Finder
Although the product is affordable, some stud finders tend to do a much better job than many others. If you're planning on hanging something heavy, you'll want to get an excellent, premium-quality stud finder. An electronic detector will cost you a little more money, but it will give you a more accurate reading. Likewise, it may also depend on the type of surface you are trying to get the stud on. Many detectors will work when there is only one degree of drywall. However, if your wall has two shingles or a few other obstacles, it may be better to invest in a more expensive detector.
Form of Technology in Stud Finder
There is an assortment of technologies that stud finders use to locate their target. These technologies include microwave, magnetic and digital technologies. You will need to think about what kind of technology will work best for your wall. This is based on the depth of the wall, in addition to the density of this substance. The ultrasonic will be right on double or thick shingles, due to its ability to pull away the encompassing regions. Whereas digital tends to work better with thinner walls, such as plaster. The prices will be different as you research these different technologies.
Beware of false detection
Among the biggest problems that anyone using detector reports will be the issues related to false positives. This can really be a big issue if you're hanging something expensive or heavy. 1 wrong move and you may find that your stud finder caused your brand-new TV to crash. Often these difficulties arise if you use a detector on a substance for which it is not suitable. It is always important to read the instructions and see if your detector can be used on your wall. Some people today use two individual detectors to confirm that they have correctly identified a stud. Look for real stud finders, nothing at all.
Stud locators identify live wires
Perhaps one of the most crucial features of a stud finder is something you don't hear very often. Stud finders are extremely useful for identifying wires. These cables could potentially be harmful, especially if you puncture them. A fantastic stud finder should help avoid this dilemma. If you know you have major electrical work, get a top-of-the-line detector that will easily identify those wires. This is a case in which it is worth spending a little more money upfront. It could save you a much larger medical bill.
Consider how your stud finder is powered
Most stud finders are battery powered, but some control into the wall outlet. If batteries are not included with your stud finder, you will just need some extra money to make investments. You need a durable, suitable power supply that's not stuck to a wall, which may be less of an issue with contemporary stud finders, but is still worth considering. If you're just doing a quick job in your bedroom, worrying about extra batteries can be a major hassle. Check whether batteries are contained or a suitable charger. It may seem small, but it can help reduce the hassle.
Final Verdict
If you plan to hammer, drill, or screw anything into your walls, avoid mistakes (and potentially disasters) by using a stud finder. There's a product for every budget and project, so be sure to get one that meets your needs from the consumer reports stud finder. Add the right stud finder to your cart and place your order today!