Stud finders, aren't as complicated as it seems and really there is just a couple of key things you need to be aware of when it comes to buying a stud finder.
Just because there are many different models out there doesn't mean that it has to be hard to decide which one to go with. After reading this short buying guide, you should have a much better idea on what's out there, what to look for and be much more confident when looking at stud finders.
Choosing the Right Kind of Stud Finder
Stud finders are inexpensive tools in general, and investing in the right stud finder is not as big of a decision as, say, looking into a new table saw. That said, you still want to get a stud finder that’s worth your time and money, and with the huge array of tools on the market nowadays, it can be a bit of a hurdle to go through all the product pages online to find the right stud finder for your project.
Fortunately, there’s one easy decision you can make when it comes to these handheld tools.
When it comes to stud finders, you only have to choose between electronic stud finders and magnetic stud finders. The former is usually preferred for the features they have integrated into them but just like most other tools, they have their own pros and cons.
The Electronic Stud Finder
This popular type of stud finder can precisely and accurately spot not just studs but also things like wiring, fasteners, stud edges and other useful information on the elements behind the wall you want to hit or avoid hitting before putting a nail anywhere in the wall.
The basic electronic stud finders measure the density of the desired portion of the wall and if it thinks a stud is located, it will emit a beeping light or a similar type of visual alarm.
Electronic stud finders are usually more accurate and precise in locating studs and stud dimensions, at least when compared to the magnetic stud finder. On the other hand, they are also much more expensive compared to the magnetic stud finder, plus they need batteries (added expense) to operate.
Various types of electronic stud finders are available on the market today and will differ in appearance and price but really work the same way.
Edge finders are a variant of electronic stud finders that can search the wall for where a stud begins and ends, so you can mark the center of the stud yourself.
Other models try to do the work for you, and these center finders try to determine the middle of the stud by themselves to save you time.
Features to Look For in Electronic Stud Finders
- LCD readout screens can give you a visual representation of the stud that has been detected, as well as other information your finder has come across. Even better models come with a backlight that lets you read it in less ideal conditions.
- LED indicators that blink or light up when you come across a stud provide you with a simpler alternative to LCD readout screens
- Alternate modes can make the best use of bigger sensors to either scan for studs or scan for other things like brick and masonry, metal, wiring, pipes or other elements.
- AC Wire Warning features let you avoid the dangerous mistake of nailing into a live wire.
- Built-in levels help you keep the tool properly oriented, in the case of longer electronic stud finders that can scan for multiple stud columns. This feature is less helpful for locating studs but could probably be a little useful for hanging pictures.
Even more advanced models of electronic stud finders are now available and can find live AC voltage inside the walls, like I mentioned earlier and variants with multiple sensors that can search the wall without you having to move them around the wall as much.
Magnetic Stud Finders
These types of stud finders are simpler, and hence cheaper, compared to electronic stud finders. Their one big advantage is that they do not even require a power source in order to work.
Just like the name suggests, this type of stud finder can detect a stud using magnets that get drawn to the attached nails or frame fasteners. Magnetic stud finders are usually considered to be less accurate and precise, but their simplicity and ruggedness make them a handy tool nonetheless.
Magnetic stud finders are also more reliable when it comes to wall types (what the wall is made from). While electronic stud finders can get confused when used on walls other than drywall, magnetic stud finders will work on plaster, lath, tile, masonry, and sheetrock walls.
In general, magnetic stud finders are considered to be less accurate and much more of a "bare bones" type of tool than an electronic stud finder. That said, they are a great choice for someone who has a smaller budget and like no maintenance types of tools.
Best of all, magnetic stud finders are compact and pretty much indestructible but you will have to move them around the wall a bit more to try to find a fastener underneath the finished wall.
Features to Look For In Magnetic Stud Finders
- Small compact design that fits in the pocket or on a keychain.
- Powerful Magnets help the stud finder stick to the wall, while you mark the stud around them.
When it comes to accurately detecting studs, fasteners and household wiring, the electronic stud finder easily wins the competition over the magnetic stud finder.
Considering that most magnetic stud finders are less than $10, it wouldn't hurt to have one on hand that is your "go to" tool or to compliment an electronic stud finder to verify the stud's location even further.
What to Keep in Mind When Buying a Stud Finder?
There are a couple of things to keep in mind when buying a stud finder and these are basic things that can help out tremendously. Let's look at magnetic and electronic stud finders separately.
Magnetic Stud Finders: Magnetic stud finders are incredibly simple devices, so much so that you can basically compare them based on which one you think looks best!
These are reliable if the magnet is strong enough to find the metal nail or fastener in the wall.
You will have to move the tool around a lot more (compared to an electronic version) to find a nail/fastener that attaches the sheet rock (or other wall substrate) to the stud and use a level or straight edge to mark the stud in the location you need it to be.
A little more work involved using a magnetic stud finder but still effective and very inexpensive.
Electronic Stud Finders: Electronic stud finders, on the other hand, merit a closer look seeing as how there are a few more variables that go along with them.
Are you going to want an lcd screen or do you prefer the indicator lights/audible sound for locating the studs? The indicator lights are a little more user friendly (in my opinion) but I know other people who like the visual aspect of a lcd screen.
The price for a basic "entry-level" electronic stud finder is anywhere between $20 and $50 and the higher end models that can detect wiring, metal, studs, etc will run you around $100 for a decent model and several hundred dollars for some of the most sophisticated scanners.
You can get the "all-in-one" stud detectors that can pick up studs, wiring and plumbing for as little as $30 or so but it is my strong belief that the saying "you get what you pay for" is probably going to be true for the cheaper models when compared to the higher end ones that have similar functionality. Reviews are helpful in determining the accuracy and functionality of the cheaper "all-in-one" stud finders, I have found.
Sensor Size for Electronic Stud Finders
This one is simple enough - the bigger the sensor size, the better. Wide sensors can detect studs more easily, plus they can boost your productivity by allowing you to cover bigger walls and spaces much faster because of that larger scanning area of the tool. Electronic stud finders that user the bigger sensors can even locate multiple studs at once, in some instances.
Some models also have more powerful sensors that offer a deeper penetration for scans, which can be useful for checking walls with thicker coverings.
Electronic stud finders with multiple sensors are also now available on the market. These devices have multiple scan modes that let the tool look for studs, stud edges, and centers, as well as hidden wall hazards like fasteners, live wires, pipes, bricks, and masonry.
If you are planning to do a plunge cut into a drywall, with a circular saw or a reciprocating saw for example, then it’s always a good idea to map out any surprises like nails, live AC wires, and water pipes ahead of time before you actually penetrate the wall and is a feature that is worth mentioning in stud finders.
This makes electronic stud finders such an important tool for major renovation jobs as well as any job where you have to apply a power tool to an extensive portion of a finished drywall. If you are a professional, just the safety factor of being able to find wiring and pipes is well worth the investment in an advanced electronic stud finder.
Targeting Features for Electronic Stud Finders
A center targeting ability is a pretty common feature on some of the more high end and advanced stud finders available in the market. Having a center targeting capability on your stud finder is a great help in pinpointing studs, as this would save you time spent marking off the edges of studs, then checking the center, then marking out the middle of it to set your nailing point.
Center targeting will help you determine the size of the stud by locating its edges, especially in cases where the studs may not be the standard size you may have expected.
Also, when it comes to center targeting, audio cues are simply not as useful and you'll want to make sure that the model you will use for center targeting has a visual indicator to help you pinpoint the center of the stud.
Visual Displays and Other Indicators for Electronic Stud Finders
Some variants of electronic stud finders come with a set of LED lights. These will light up when a stud is detected, and some of the more advanced models have different lights to indicate metal, live current, and stud edges as well.
Some of the higher end electronic stud finder models even come with built-in LCD screens that would give a visual representation of the stud that it has found, or at least a figure of how close or far you are from a stud.
That said, what matters most is a stud finder that can get the job done.
Some electronic stud finders will also give out an audible beep when they sense a stud. If you expect to use your stud finder to quickly scan over walls, this feature is perfect for you.
While swinging a stud finder around may make it nearly impossible to read an LCD display, an audio cue like a tone or a beep is more useful for quick scans of a wall.
About Indicators and Magnetic Stud Finders
Magnetic stud finders work by adhering to wall fasteners using strong magnets, hence most stud finders of this type will not have a visual or audible indicator. Instead, a magnetic stud finder lets you search for a stud, or more accurately, a stud fastener, in the wall entirely by feel.
Grip and Hands-free Usage
Speaking of feel, a good stud finder will have a shape that lets you securely hold on to the tool while you are using it to scan your walls. A rubbery, textured grip also lets you wield the tool comfortably even when you use it all over your walls all day long - plus a good grip can help you scan the desired portion without the possibility of having the tool slip out of your hands.
That said, the bulkier electronic stud finders can easily fall from your grip if they are not designed with ergonomics in mind. The larger stud finders can be very uncomfortable to hold on to if you have smaller hands, as well. A slim stud finder, preferably with rubber padding, is your best bet when it comes to comfort and design.
Magnetic Stud Finders: This is one area that magnetic stud finders have a definite advantage. Most magnetic stud finders are compact and easily tucks into a pocket or tool bag, plus they get drawn to the screws or metal in the wall.
That means if you do find a stud fastener, your tool will stick to the wall, and you now have a hands-free way to mark your stud. No need to hold the magnetic stud finder with one hand while you work with your pencil with the other – it stays up all by itself!
Choosing the Right Stud Finder For Your Needs...
The best stud finder for your particular needs depends on the job you need to do, as well as the budget you are working with. Fortunately, there is just about a stud finder for every price point, ranging from inexpensive magnetic stud finders to the latest and greatest electronic stud finders will all the LCD screens and indicators.
The vast amount of stud finders out there will give every budget an option and in some cases, multiple options. Just get one that works and you're all set, that's really the whole goal here, isn't it?
