General Contractor-Approved: The Best Stud Finders of 2024, Tested
Editor’s Note: Testing for this article took place in late 2023 and these products remain our current top recommendations for 2024 until we revisit this category. Stay tuned for our 2024 updates.
If you’ve ever had to install shelving or hang picture frames, you’ve more than likely had to find out where the studs were located behind the drywall. Generally, it’s quicker and more reliable to use a tool specially designed for the purpose: a stud finder. We decided to test a slew of them to help readers find one that suits their needs, including both magnetic and electronic models to find the best stud finder options for a variety of user preferences.
While selecting our list of top picks, we also decided to get professional advice about stud finder features from an expert, John Mazzuca. He is a home builder at Gambrick in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, who has more than 25 years of experience in construction. All his recommendations are included below.
Our favorite is the Zircon MultiScanner A200 Stud Finder. This electronic option comes with center and edge detection, and it works on live wires as well as wood and metal studs. Plus, it has a large, easy-to-read LCD screen.
Read on to learn what to look for in a stud finder and find out which popular models scored highest with our expert and during our tests.
- BEST OVERALL: Zircon MultiScanner A200 Stud Finder
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Craftsman ¾-Inch-Depth Stud Finder
- BEST FOR DIYers: Vivreal Stud Finder/Wall Scanner
- BEST FOR PROS: Franklin Sensors ProSensor 710 Stud Finder
- BEST MULTIPURPOSE: Bosch GMS 120 Wall Scanner
- BEST WITH LASER LEVEL: Black+Decker BullsEye Auto Leveling Laser
- BEST MAGNETIC: C.H. Hanson 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder
How We Tested the Best Stud Finders
Home builder Mazzuca says that stud finders are great for everyday projects around the house, like mounting a TV, hanging a picture, or installing a cabinet. “But, most people don’t know they can also be used to detect pipes, wiring, and dense objects hidden inside the wall,” he says.
Mazzuca notes this is particularly helpful when working on older buildings as well as homes that have been remodeled several times that “sometimes have objects, masonry, or cast-iron pipes hidden inside the walls.”
Since DIY projects most likely involve fixing up an older building, each one of the tools we tested had to be reliable, accurate, and versatile enough to detect a range of materials behind drywall to make this list of the best stud finders.
I wanted to create a test situation that was very close to the situation DIYers and pros face when trying to find wall studs, so I built a facsimile of a stud wall. I framed up a test board with several vertical studs and attached standard ½-inch drywall to the bottom half of the studs. That allowed me to test the tools on the drywall while noting how accurate they were. In addition, to test for live wires, I ran the stud finders (the ones with wire-finding functions) over a section of wall in my home where I know electrical wires run.
I scored each stud finder on accuracy, ease of use, and screen visibility, and I recorded the scores on a rubric. At the end of the testing, I added up the scores for each stud finder and used them to categorize the tools based on their best use.
Our Top Picks
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the majority of stud finders tested were accurate and dependable. The ones that weren’t didn’t make this list. The following stud finders detect anything from steel studs and fasteners to live wires and pipes. Some even detect double-stud construction. To test the degree of accuracy, I constructed a test wall that mimicked the configuration of an actual wall to see how precise the stud finders were. Find out what the tests revealed and why the following stud finders made it on the list of Top Picks.
Best Overall
Zircon MultiScanner A200 Stud Finder
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Product Specs
- Type: Electronic
- Center or edge detection: Both
- Modes: Wood studs, metal studs, live wires
What We Like
- Versatile option; detects both wood and metal stud types
- Features center and edge detection for added precision while detecting
- Large LCD screen allows users to see measurements easily
- Accurate to within 1/16 inch for precise detection
What We Don’t Like
- Occasional error message appears on the screen
Never miss a stud again. For those who need to find the center of a stud, either for securely hanging artwork or cutting the drywall along the stud’s centerline, the Zircon stud finder shines. I inserted a 9-volt battery, and the stud finder was ready to go. As I slid the tool across the surface of the test wall, diagonal lines appeared on either side of the digital display to indicate the sensors were moving over a stud. As soon as I reached the stud’s center, the lines met in a “V,” and a lighted red arrow appeared on the wall above.
The red arrow was right on the center of the stud and had I inserted a nail or screw at that point, it would have been dead-on. I moved on to testing for repeat accuracy on a regular wall. I started at one end of the wall and made an entire scan from side to side. Every time the Zircon tagged the center of a stud, I marked the wall with a pencil. To my amazement, the marks were almost exactly 16 inches apart (within 1/16 inch). This was without needing to calibrate the tool, but the Zircon does come with an auto-calibration feature if it ever needs to be recalibrated for accuracy.
The Zircon stud finder also did an excellent job of detecting live wires, and while I didn’t have any metal studs to scan for, the stud finder detected steel rebar in a concrete planter.
Note: Since we conducted our tests, a newer model Zircon MultiScanner A250c became available. Though I didn’t test it, Zircon appears to have updated the backlit screen to indicate the scanning mode based on the color of the display—blue for metal scanning, green when scanning for wood studs, and red when searching for live wires. This appears to be a smart addition, and I look forward to trying it out in the future.
Get the Zircon stud finder at Amazon.
Best Bang for the Buck
Craftsman ¾-Inch-Depth Stud Finder
Product Specs
- Type: Electronic
- Center or edge detection: Edge
- Modes: Wood studs, metal studs
What We Like
- Lightweight compared to similar options; suitable for transporting to the jobsite
- Straightforward operation; appropriate for first-time users as well as professionals
- Detects both wood and metal studs for added versatility; suitable for thick studs
What We Don’t Like
- No center detection available; only detects the rough area of stud location
This basic Craftsman stud finder doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles, but it gets the job done—and at a very attractive price point. I was a bit surprised on the first inspection of the Craftsman stud finder; it weighs less than 4 ounces, and it’s just 5½ inches long. I didn’t hold out much hope that it would do the job. I was wrong.
I put a 9-volt battery in the stud finder and pressed the power button on the side. A beep and a green light on the top lit up to indicate the stud finder was ready to go to work. With this stud finder, I discovered the user has to hold the power button down while scanning—let off the button and the tool goes back to sleep.
I ran the Craftsman stud finder over the test wall and then over a standard wall. When the sensor detected the edge of a stud, the tool emitted a beep, and the “Edge” light on the front lit up. This wall scanner comes with an edge sensor only, but that’s all that’s needed to find a stud. A standard 2-by-4 stud is 1½ inches thick, so by measuring ¾ inch from where the Craftsman indicates the edge of a stud, the user can find the center. For the cost, the accuracy can’t be beat.
Get the Craftsman stud finder at Amazon or Lowe’s.
Best for DIYers
Vivreal Stud Finder/Wall Scanner
Product Specs
- Type: Electronic
- Center or edge detection: Both
- Modes: Wood studs, metal studs, electrical wires
What We Like
- Automatic calibration allows for easy, fast detection; requires very little user participation to detect studs
- Large digital screen readout allows the user to see measurements easily
- Deep-scan mode; detects up to ¾ inch away from the center of the stud
- Audible detection for added user-friendliness and hands-free use
What We Don’t Like
- Must be recalibrated every time it’s turned on; may not be suitable for quick measurements
On first use, I was a little surprised the Vivreal stud finder didn’t detect the stud behind the test wall. On further inspection, it was a blatant case of user error. The instructions very clearly say the tool must be calibrated before every scan. That was a simple matter of selecting the mode I was scanning for (wood stud) and then holding the device against the wall while depressing the scan button on the side. In a few seconds, the tool beeped, indicating calibration was complete, and I rescanned the test wall. The Vivreal wall scanner showed a series of horizontal bars as the scanner neared the stud and a beep when it found the stud’s center.
On the whole-wall test, the Vivreal wall scanner was highly accurate, finding the center of each stud. It also found the wires running to the light switch. The back of the stud finder features three thin felt pads, which make it slide effortlessly across the wall.
The Vivreal wall scanner stands out for its versatility. It features four scanning types (stud, metal, wire, and deep-scan mode) and comes with a graphical LCD display. Users can select the mode, adjust the signal strength, or perform automatic calibration. This stud finder is a worthy option for a do-it-yourselfer with a lengthy to-do list.
Get the Vivreal wall scanner at Amazon.
Best for Pros
Franklin Sensors ProSensor 710 Stud Finder
Product Specs
- Type: Electronic
- Center or edge detection: Both
- Modes: Wood studs, metal studs
What We Like
- Simple 1-handed operation provides ample ease of use; suitable for DIYers as well as professionals
- Versatile features; detects entire stud for exact measurements
- Large display can detect double studs for more user-friendliness
What We Don’t Like
- Does not detect live wiring; may require a different detection device
Nothing could be simpler, or more accurate, than the Franklin Sensors ProSensor stud finder. I already had this stud finder in my tool box, but I wanted to know if its exceptional accuracy extended to the updated models. I wasn’t disappointed. I loaded the Franklin stud finder up with two AA batteries and started testing.
To use the ProSensor stud finder, the user needs to depress the scan button on the side (or on the top, as I typically hold it) and pass the tool over the wall. The nicest thing about the ProSensor is that its scan bed is 7½ inches long, and the finder contains multiple sensors. A series of 13 lights are located along the top of this Franklin stud finder, and as the tool passes over a stud, the corresponding light is illuminated. This allowed me to detect both single-stud and double-stud framing members within the test wall. In addition, a 7½-inch ruler is etched into the top of the stud finder so users can check measurements.
The key to the precision of the ProSensor is the line of LED lights that runs along the tool. With the ProSensor, it’s possible to detect and distinguish between studs located within a few inches of one another, as is often the case near a door or in the corner of a room, making this stud detector well suited for remodeling contractors who need to find the locations of multiple framing configurations.
Read our full review: Franklin Sensors ProSensor 710 Stud Finder
Get the Franklin Sensors stud finder at Amazon.
Best Multipurpose
Bosch GMS 120 Wall Scanner
Product Specs
- Type: Electronic
- Center or edge detection: Center
- Modes: Wood stud, metal stud, live wires
What We Like
- Audible alerts for hands-free use and ample user-friendliness
- Easy-to-see LCD screen allows for precise detection for professional or DIY use
- Quick calibration for fast and easy detection
- Takes measurements quickly from room to room
What We Don’t Like
- Occasional false reading on live wires; may be tricky to use at times
I found the Bosch GMS 120 wall scanner highly accurate for detecting a range of materials, even materials found in thicker walls. Like many electronic stud finders, the Bosch takes a 9-volt battery to run all its functions. It comes with user-friendly images on the front to detect wood, metal, and live wire, making it easy to use the device even without reading the instructions.
One of the features I liked most about the Bosch stud finder is its actual power button. There’s nothing for the user to hold down while scanning. Use the power button to turn the tool on, and it stays on until you turn it off. While this may lead to batteries running down more quickly if the device is inadvertently left on, I liked this feature immensely. With an always-on power button, I could hold the tool the way I wanted to rather than needing to grasp it awkwardly to keep a button depressed.
The Bosch stud finder is self-calibrating. Turn it on, select the mode, and then hold it in place on the wall for a few seconds to calibrate it. During scanning, when the tool neared a stud, an orange light ring on the face lit up. As I slid the device over the stud, the light ring turned red, and the stud finder emitted a beep. When the tool was directly over the stud, the word “Center” appeared on the LCD display.
The Bosch stud finder also hit on live wiring in the wall and on metal fasteners in wood studs. In addition, this multiuse stud finder can turn on a backlight in the display and mute the beeping noise, making it well suited for low-light situations or where someone might find the beeping distracting.
Get the Bosch stud finder at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best with Laser Level
Black+Decker BullsEye Auto Leveling Laser
Product Specs
- Type: Electronic
- Center or edge detection: Edge
- Modes: Wood studs, metal studs, live wires
What We Like
- Versatile features for multiple tasks; emits side-to-side laser for leveling