Stud finders are great for locating studs behind walls. The tried-and-true "click and guess" method might work in a pinch, but how many holes in the wall do you really want to punch? Finding the best stud finder can help eliminate the frustration and repainting that comes with some less modern methods.
Our team specializes in residential and light commercial construction and our team uses stud finders all the time once the drywall is complete. Even when we use them unprofessionally, there are always pictures and mirrors to hang, shelves to mount, and any number of projects we have going on in our homes.
There are plenty of "best" stud finder options out there. But let's face it, no one model will fit everyone's needs. To help you out, our team has listed our favorite stallion finders for various situations and what we do and don't like about each stallion.
What is a stud finder?
Stud Finder helps you detect stud locations on walls. Most people using it are hammering in nails or screws, usually to hang something that might push itself through the drywall.
There are two main categories of stud finders.
Magnetic stud finders work by using magnets to locate the screws that hold drywall in place. They cost less than stud finders that use active sensors, but they are more limited. They can't detect the actual stud, so it's a bit of a guesswork when finding the exact center.
The electronic stud finder actively detects differences in wall density to find studs. They usually use batteries as their power source. Many can detect wood or metal studs, and some have AC power detection. The simplest model will help you find the edge of the post, while others will show the full width of the post. These are more expensive than magnetic models, but not so much. Some of the best professional models are still under $25.
What about a wall scanner?
There are other types of tools that can detect objects under walls. Look beyond the types of stud finders we recommend and you'll come across wall scanners. These radar-like tools are usually only used by professionals to "see" behind walls, not just columns.
As technology evolves, you can find search apps for iPhone and Android smartphones. They use the phone's magnetometer (the sensor that drives the compass) to detect metal nails or screws behind drywall. Presumably, these nails or screws will be in the middle of the studs you are locating. Note that these apps do not detect actual wood studs or measure wall density.
Of course, people still use knuckles or hammers every day. While some people are really good at it, it's not very reliable as the go-to method for inspecting studs.
Tips for Using a Stud Finder
- Make sure you know if your model needs calibration and how.
- When probing, place the stud finder flat on the wall.
- Keep your hands away from the wall to avoid distractions.
- Unless you are using a full stud finder, mark your location from several directions for best accuracy. If you want to avoid marking directly on the paint, use a piece of paint tape on the wall.
- Combine a stud finder with a crosshair laser to mark the entire length of a stud or to punch the same height on multiple studs.
- Stud finders are also great on ceilings for finding joists.
- Studs are usually 16 inches apart (walls), occasionally 24 inches (ceiling). If you can't find one, get a good reading on another part of the wall and measure it.
- Keep an extra set of batteries in your toolbox for the electronic stud finder.
- Trying to detect studs in plaster walls sucks. Most stud finders are good at best on plaster and lathes. Use a dedicated metal detector instead (recommended below).
Best Professional Stud Finders
Franklin ProSensor 710 and T13
Wider than many stud finders, the Franklin ProSensor 710 or T13 checks 13 points continuously and is capable of probing down to 1.6 inches deep. This is a full width stud finder, meaning you can see the full width of the stud. This allows you to get a good idea of the stud and mark the entire width or more accurately the center. They also provide a ruler on the edge for reference if you need to be super accurate.
Check out our Franklin ProSensor 710 Stud Finder Review
You can also take it up a notch with the ProSensor 710+. It's basically the same model with a built-in bubble level. Our Pro team often prefers a separate level or crosshair laser, so the Franklin ProSensor 710 has earned our approval as the best professional stud finder. If you want this level, just pay $5 more. The Franklin FST602 (T6) also offers the same functionality in a more compact $24.99 package.
Read our Franklin ProSensor T6 Stud Finder Review
Price: $49.99 (ProSensor 710), $54.99 (ProSensor 710+), $24.99 (ProSensor 602)
advantage
- depth perception
- Accurate Full Width Indicator
- one-handed operation
- No calibration required
- made in America
shortcoming
- larger than many units
- More expensive than a basic stud finder
Best Electronic Wall Post Detectors
Ryobi Full Stud Finder
The Ryobi has taken everything we love about the Franklin stud sensor and improved it with marking buttons and directional arrows. Then, to top it all off, they even made the center button light up when you found the exact center.
We can't think of a simpler electronic wall stud finder than the Ryobi Integral Stud Finder. While it lacks AC voltage detection, which tends to cause so many false positives, we're not sure you'll miss it. One-handed operation, accurate stud detection, and an affordable price make the Ryobi ESF5002 our choice for the best electronic stud finder.
Price: $29.97
advantage
- find metal or wood nails
- Detect live alternating current
- Simple one-click operation
- Constant auto-calibration
- Detect stud center
shortcoming
- Some of our teams don't care about ergonomics
Best Magnetic Stud Finder
CH Hanson Magnetic Stud Finder
The magnetic stud finder takes us back to where it all started – using a magnet to feel where a nail or screw is in a stud. Simple options like the StudPop work well, but the CH Hanson Magnetic Stud Finder has the most appeal to our group.
It has stronger magnets than many competitors to guide you to fasteners with ease. It also has a rotating bubble level. Unlike the full stud option, this is a feature our team wanted on a magnetic model.
Without the ability to electronically sense sides and centers, it's important to get a stud finder level so you can trace studs more easily. Of course, this assumes that the stud itself is straight. We've seen some problematic people in that department.
We're not alone in thinking the CH Hanson is the best magnetic stud finder. Customers have consistently rated it highly at every retailer that sells them.
Price: $10.75
advantage
- Proven Simple Operation
- strong magnet
- Inspect ferrous metal stud and wood stud fasteners
- Integrated rotating bubble level
- Inexpensive
shortcoming
- Unable to detect sides and centers of wood studs
Best Stud Finder with Laser Level
Craftsman 20ft Self Leveling Line Generator Line Laser Level
The best stud finder with laser level is the Craftsman 20ft Self Leveling Line Generator Line Laser Level. By combining a leveling self-leveling laser level with a stud finder, you can hang multiple photos or longer items with more confidence. This definitely falls under homeowner or DIY utility, but we've heard pros find these handy for quick layout tasks.
On the stud sensing side, it can detect both wood and metal studs. Two things we'd like to see in future upgrades are vertical angles and the ability to lock angles. Vertical beams help mark the entire length of the stud. Locking the angle is useful when you are hanging a series of pictures and want to add a creative angle to the display.
The Craftman's built-in suspension concept is nice, but if you try to push it off-center, you can break it. Black and Decker (owned by Craftsman's parent company) has a similar model with AC detection for $89.40.
If you're looking for something suitable for professional installation, DeWalt has a combo that includes a green crosshair laser and stud finder as a separate unit. It sells for $219 at Home Depot.
Price: $54.98
advantage
- Stud finder and laser level in one
- Self-leveling up to 5º
- Inspection of wood and metal studs
- Detect live alternating current
shortcoming
- no vertical laser
- Laser no angle lock
- hanging pins may break
- More expensive than other stud finders
The Best Stud Finders for Plaster Walls
Zircon metal scanner m40
Trying to find exactly where the studs are inside plaster walls can be difficult . Magnetic stud finders usually don't penetrate far enough and electronic models are inconclusive at best. Our pick for the best stud detector for drywall isn't technically a stud detector—it's a metal detector. In our experience, metal detection has given us the best results.
The Zircon MetalliScanner m40 is capable of detecting metals in a variety of materials, including gypsum. Like a magnetic detector, you're looking for a nail or a screw. The lathe may have more nails than the stud, so once you find a good stud, measure from there.
Price: $41.76
advantage
- Sensing metals deeper than magnetic models can attract
- More accurate than standard stud finders on plaster
- Pinpoint scanning (turning the scanner sideways) helps identify nails and screws more easily
shortcoming
- Not a good option if you have wire mesh in your stucco walls
- Metal pipes and other metal objects can mess up your stud search
- You will need to run it multiple times horizontally and vertically to ensure the most accurate results
Best Home Stud Finders
Franklin ProSensor T6
If you're the kind of person who's willing to spend a little more to save time and get better results, the Franklin ProSensor T6 is the best stud finder for home use. Its small form factor makes it easy to store in a drawer or toolbox until you need it, and its full stud detection capabilities meet the needs of full-time professionals.
Simple operation, one-handed operation. The $25 price tag is higher than the cheaper magnetic models, but it will make your project go a lot more smoothly. This is well worth strengthening.
Price: $24.99
advantage
- Integral Stud Inspection
- easy to use
- Professional Grade Accuracy
- No calibration required
- Small size for easy storage
shortcoming
- More expensive than a basic DIY stud finder
Great value stud finder
Hart Tools Professional 9-LED
If you're looking to move away from magnetic stud finders and move to an all-stud electronic style, it's hard to argue with the performance and price of the Hart Professional 9-LED stud finder. It's accurate, cheap and easy to use. We choose it as the best value stud finder. We couldn't ask for more than what you get with this tool!
Price: $27.44
advantage
- cheap full stud finder
- easy to use
- No calibration required
shortcoming
- Slightly oversensitive to 120V wall voltage
Best Dewalt Stud Finder
DeWalt DW0150 Stud Finder
We know you love yellow and black, we've got you covered. 😉 When we considered the best electronic wall post detector options, we wanted to focus on the ability to accurately detect AC and posts. There are many great options, and our team really likes the DeWalt 1 1/2-Inch Stud Finder.
This is a center detection stud finder with LED indicators to help you dial in the center of a stud. During the process, it also checks for live AC and constantly auto-calibrates for wall density.
Two models are available: 3/4" detector (DW0100) and 1 1/2" detector (DW0150). The price difference between the two is only $5, and we recommend spending a few dollars more to get better detection depth if you need it.
Price: $19.99
advantage
- find metal or wood nails
- Detect live alternating current
- Simple one-click operation
- Constant auto-calibration
- Detect stud center
shortcoming
- Some of our teams don't care about ergonomics
Stud Finder by Tue Nguyen Minh
Your best stud finder app option uses your phone's EMF sensor (electromagnetic field) to determine the source. The most reliable we've found is Tue Nguyen Minh's Stud Finder in the iPhone's App Store. The interface is straightforward and easy to read.
However, it's not available on Android. For this system, try Antilogics' Stud Finder Scanner. It works the same, although the visuals are quite different.
The downside is that it requires some guesswork based on the location of the EMF sensor. Considering you only have 1 1/2" of stud to hit, a slight misalignment can throw you completely off target. It wasn't as accurate as other stud finders in our tests. However, if you come from several directions, you can dial in the nail's position fairly well.
Plus, it's free.
Price: free
advantage
- free
- The meter shows you signal strength as a measure of proximity
shortcoming
- uncertain accuracy
- For best results, you'll want to mark the strongest signal multiple times from multiple directions to lock onto the source
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