Top Best Stud Finders (2024 Update)

To assist readers in finding one that meets their needs, we chose to test a large number of them. I experimented with both magnetic and electrical stud finder units in my search for the top solutions available. Continue reading to discover what to look for in a stud finder and which popular models performed the best in my tests.

1. BLACK+DECKER BullsEye Line Laser With Stud Sensor BDL190S

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Black & Decker

• Material: Blend

• Color: Black/Orange

• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 7.88 x 2.2 x 9.9 inches

• Style: Line Laser Only

Product's highlights

You get two tools in one with the BLACK+DECKER BullsEye Line Laser with Stud Sensor. It's the excellent helper when mounting or hanging heavy objects like cabinets, mirrors, heavy artwork, televisions, or shelves that need to be straight and securely fastened to a stud for support.

Find studs, metal pipes, timber support beams, and live AC wires inside your wall by using the device first. The tool is compatible with concrete, drywall, plaster, and lathe walls. Simply push the power button—you'll need to hold it down with your thumb or finger while working—slide the tool over the wall in your intended work area, and watch for a beep when it comes into contact with a stud or other object inside the wall.

Change the BullsEye to its level setting once you've located the stud you wish to utilize to firmly anchor your object. The device has a tiny pin on the back that you can use to secure it to the wall while you work, if desired. The BullsEye's line feature emits a red laser line up to 20 feet horizontally in both directions, helping you to precisely align whatever it is you want to hang.

A two-year limited guarantee and two AA batteries are included with the BullsEye.

Pros

• Integrated laser level

• Simple to use

Cons

• No deep scan

2. Bosch Digital Multi-Scanner GMS120

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Corsair

• Color: Black

• Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, USB

• Special Feature: Ergonomic, Rechargeable

• Keyboard Description: Wireless

• Keyboard backlighting color support: RGB

Product's highlights

If you have a project that calls for drilling or hammering into the floors or ceilings, such as hanging a ceiling fan, it's critical to have a precise understanding of the support underneath those surfaces. You don't want a sizable piece of drywall to fall and hit the ground or the top of your head. A multi-scanning device that is pleasant to handle in unusual postures, the Bosch GMS120 makes overhead work safer and simpler.

A multi-mode sensor that can simultaneously identify active AC wiring, copper-colored metal support objects, and wood studs is included in the finder's ergonomic design. Because it offers a deep 4.75-inch scan depth and can handle materials as dense as cured concrete, this finder is the best option for flooring. Finding items below the floor's surface can also be done with the help of the LCD display and audio detection signals, which offer a lot of feedback. Includes the 9-volt battery.

Pros

• Up to 4.75-inch-deep scans

• Various materials, including concrete, are penetrated

• Checks for live wires

Cons

• A little costly

3. Franklin Sensors ProSensor 710 Precision Stud Finder

Important Specifications 

• Type: Electronic

• Modes: Wood studs, metal studs

• Center or edge detection: Both

Product's highlights

A stud finder must be precise above all else. You must be aware of what is going on on the other side of the wall in order to complete a project successfully. Because of the precise and thorough look it will provide, the electronic Franklin Sensors ProSensor 710 Precision gets the top spot. Its 13 sensors concurrently "see" behind walls or beneath floors, quickly and precisely locating the locations of timber studs and metal objects. As opposed to some other stud finders, this one is ready to use right away, identifies studs rapidly, and simultaneously displays the edge and center of the stud, making your task much easier.

This stud finder received good marks from our product tester, who stated, "The Franklin 710 finds studs with speed and accuracy. The 13 indicator lights don't have you waving your palm over the wall for very long. Since this model is always in deep scan mode, you can still receive an accurate reading even if the walls are thicker than the industry norm of.75 inches."

The Precision can explore a large area of wall for metal and timber objects hidden beneath them. As you slide the finder around the surface, you will be able to sense the placement of studs with greater accuracy because to the device's additional width. As you work, you will be able to see exactly where the beginning and end of each stud are since the front of the tool has LED lights that illuminate to indicate their location and width. Two AA batteries are required for this stud finder.

Pros

• Extensive reach

• Accurate and quick outcomes

• 1.5 inch deep scans

Cons

• Unable to identify live wires

4. Zircon MetalliScanner M40

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Zircon

• Color: Yellow

• Batteries Required?: Yes

• Material: Metal

• Power Source: Manual

• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 12 x 5.6 x 1.4 inches

Product's highlights

By conventional stud finders tuned for wood studs, metal is another support material that is frequently overlooked. Due to the fact that not all metals are magnetic, even magnetic finders may not detect every type of metal. On the other hand, the Zircon MetalliScanner m40 is specifically made to find a range of metal supports and items hidden behind floors, walls, and ceilings.

The majority of nonmetal walls, floors, and ceilings can be found to have ferrous (magnetic) and nonferrous metals concealed behind them. This makes the detector excellent for finding smaller objects like screws and nails firmly implanted into the wall up to 4 inches deep in addition to metal studs and other support components. It is simple to locate concealed materials since the coil illuminates as you move the finder to disclose the precise location of any object it detects. It begins out red as you go closer and changes to blue light when you are directly over the object being scanned. This stud finder only a single 9-volt battery to work.

Pros

• Even lathe and plaster walls are penetrated

• Up to 4-inch-deep scans

• Detects metals that are magnetic and non-magnetic

• Simple to use

Cons

• Unable to identify live wires

• Does not detect wood by itself

5. Logitech MK545

Important Specifications 

• Product Name: 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder

• Product Brand: CH Hanson

• MPN: 03040

• Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 0.8 x 3 in.

• Color: Black and yellow

Product's highlights

The more traditional cousins of contemporary, more sophisticated electronic finders are magnetic stud finders. Even though they are straightforward, a decent magnetic finder might be a wonderful budget or extra alternative if you want something that doesn't require batteries. Stud finders, such as the CH Hanson 03040, use an integrated magnet to naturally attach to the nails and screws holding the house's frame together, giving you a solid sense of where studs are behind the wall.

Without using batteries, the finder locates metal studs and fasteners using strong rare earth magnets. The finder's body also features a two-way level, allowing you to hang it from a metal stud to precisely level walls and other surfaces. The safe location for screws and nails will be readily marked on the bottom by a pointed arrow, removing the need for trial-and-error when hanging pictures, frames, and other items on the walls.

This stud finder was put through its paces by our product tester, who found that it's a helpful tool, especially if working in a tight space, but that it does take longer to discover studs with a magnetic device than with a battery-powered one. It's still a valuable addition to your toolset for the affordable cost.

Pros

• Batteries are not needed.

• Portable and compact

• Contains a bubble level

• Dependable and simple to use

Cons

• Unable to identify live wires

• Slow

1. How is a stud finder used?

A stud finder is a straightforward item that can be the difference between a DIY project that goes well and one that fails miserably.

Start by turning on the stud finder and making sure the batteries are charged before using it. Verify that the tool's bottom-mounted sensors are not corroded or covered in dust. After that, position the stud finder on the wall where you intend to hang your object and slowly move it horizontally across the surface.

The stud finder will beep, flash, or utilize a mix of signals to let you know when it spots the edge of a stud. Mark the stud's edge with a pencil, then carefully move the stud finder along the wall until you locate its other edge. Mark that edge with a pencil as well. Some stud detectors will automatically identify a stud's two edges for you.

The stud sensor should be moved across the wall repeatedly until you locate several studs. Normally, they are evenly placed 16 to 24 inches apart. Check the spacing after identifying and labeling a few studs to make sure you have indeed discovered studs and not other materials hiding behind the walls.

When you're confident that you've located the studs, you can hang large objects like a shelf, a television, or other objects without any concern.

2. Can stud finders make mistakes?

It happens frequently that a stud finder will sound an alarm, but the object hiding behind the wall is actually a pipe, bracket, or other object instead. Although many stud sensors can distinguish between these two kinds of materials, the device is not perfect. False readings could be obtained. For this reason, it's crucial to keep looking at the wall until you find at least three studs. You may be certain that you have located studs and not any other type of building material if the distance between each is equal and between 16 and 24 inches.

3. Can stud finders be used on ceramic tile?

When installing grab bars in a bathroom with fully tiled walls, you might assume that your stud sensor will help you find the studs hidden below the tile. Unfortunately, while stud sensors have no trouble scanning through drywall and other similar materials, only a small percentage of these gadgets are reliable enough to work through ceramic tile. In order to do that, you usually need a scanner that "looks" through the wall using radar, and those are normally very expensive. If you are determined to tie something heavy to a tiled wall, certain deep-sensor stud finders with settings to locate metal are able to penetrate tile with quite consistent precision, so it's worth giving one a try.

Any of the stud finders that made it into this lineup are excellent choices for assisting amateurs and professionals locate studs concealed behind drywall, but our top pick, the BLACK+DECKER stud finder, checks all the right boxes. It can identify studs from both the perimeter and the middle, and it can also spot live wires.