Over time, the sensitivity and accuracy of magnetic sensors improved, and new methods of looking for studs behind walls began to revolutionize these devices. Types of Stud Finders Ultrasonic detectors are much pricier, and use sound waves to map out the inside of the wall. These aren’t typically used in home contexts, as they are heavy-duty units for mapping out the internal makeup of a wall.

Center: Center finders use multiple sensors to gauge the stud’s entire width and provide you with the location of the center of the stud.Magnetic stud finders aren’t always the most accurate, though—they rely on the fastener actually being driven into the stud. If the builder missed the stud, so will the magnetic stud finder. In commercial construction, where metal studs are standard, you may find magnetic stud finders more useful. My review: The VIVREAL stud finder is a fully-functional wall scanner that sets itself above and beyond simple magnetic units. The real selling point of this scanner is its 3-in-1 functionality that hits all the sweet spots for DIY and professional users alike.

in-1 functionality: offers 6 scanning modes, bubble level and scale ruler. stud mode locate the center and edge of wood/metal studs up to 0.5/1/1.5 inches deep; magnetic mode finds nails and screws to position studs; metal mode detect metal up to 2.36 inches and ac mode detects live unshielded ac wiring up to 2 inches deep. Electrical wires usually run vertically on the side of a stud and sometimes horizontally between outlets. If there are light fixtures, switches, and outlets on a wall, you can make an educated guess as to where the wires might be. Stud finders are essential for DIYers when hanging items or mapping out any project on one of your home’s walls. In addition to choosing between magnetic and electronic stud finders, think about each product’s battery life and additional features. We put together the following buying guide to help you examine the most important features when choosing a stud finder. Type of Stud FinderMoreover, nearer to the surface, the more precise the reading will be, more often than not it will be spot on, but as with most of these devices, the deeper the detection the higher the chance that the accuracy may be closer to the 0.5 inches out. We've been searching for the best stud finders on the market since 2021, so that when you need to find a stud or pipe behind a wall, it only takes you a second. In this review, we devised and conducted over 10 individual tests on each product to evaluate and rate each tool's performance. You’ll also be relieved to hear that after splashing out on the device you’re not going to have to keep spending on batteries, as this model comes with a charger – a relief for those who’ll be using it a lot. Bosch’s Professional Stud Finder is far from the cheapest, but if you’re looking for a fully featured unit that you’re going to use frequently, it’s the one to have. It also comes with a wrist strap and a drill marker, plus a protective case, even though it has an IP54 dust protection rating.