5 Best Stud Finders in 2022 | Review & Guide

This is where we’ll talk about the best stud finders, and what each one is good at.

There are a lot of different products on the market, mainly coming from the electrical company. They’re not all from there though, and there are a lot of various products you could choose from.

Here we explain each type and where you can actually buy stud finders online. These are your plain and simple electric stud finders, using the capacitor plate we talked about earlier to sense various density in the wall.

These are perfect for normal scanning of drywalls and finding joists, beams, and studs in almost all types of stud walls.

 First of all, let’s have quick look at a top-selling magnetic stud finder .

The primary function of the stud finder is to detect the studs behind the surface of the wall.

Multimode means that it can detect the wood stud, metal stud as well as other things like AC wiring.

It can also have the capability of finding the non-ferrous metals such as copper pipe and ferrous metals such as rebar

So, the stud finder is a handy tool that you need in your daily life. This is all because technology makes our work more comfortable and also saves a lot of time.

We can check the metallic stud or wooden stud by simple calibration, LCD displays, or by the audible sound.

Before Going into details lets have a look at best stud finders.

Stud finders are very important in our everyday life such as mounting a TV, renovating any part of our home, or hanging a picture. Even they are also in use by professional contractors at outdoor construction sites.

1.VIVREAL 4 in 1 Stud Finder

The Vivreal is a 4 in 1 stud scanner having four scanning modes. Moreover, Vivreal considered being the most famous stud scanner in the world of stud sensors.
You can choose from the four scanning modes in total for detection. It all depends on your task selection what you want to find.

If you want to find the location and edges of the wood and metal studs, then you will go for a stud scan. Vivreal stud scanner can find the stud up to 3 to 4 inches deep.

With deep scanning mode, you can detect the stud, which is one and a half inches deep.
Vivreal is a multifunctional wall scanner which has a graphical LCD display.
On this LCD display, you can find signal strength, automatic calibration, battery indication, detection mode, and much more.

You will also see the low battery level indicator when the battery gets lower. So it is actually indicating and reminding you to replace a brand new 9 Volt battery in time.

Vivreal shows the sound warning with a beep signal alert whenever it detects the stud. When it finds the stud, it will beep continually.

The sound becomes louder when it detects the accurate location of the object. On the graphical screen, you will also see the peck shape display.

Automatic calibration is also the amazing feature of Vivreal where it automatically calibrates itself while scanning when it is turned on.

 

Read Detailed Review of  Vivreal Stud Finder Review

 

 

Features of VIVREAL 4 in 1 Stud Finder

Specifications of VIVREAL 4 in 1 Stud Finder

1. Item model number: TH240B
2. Batteries: 1 9V battery
3. Size: Stud Finder
4. Color: Black
5. Style: Auto
6. Item Weight: 5.4 ounces
7. Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.8 x 1.1 inches

 

Pro & Cons of VIVREAL 4 in 1 Stud Finder

 

 

 

2: Best Budget Stud Funder: Zircon StudSensor e50

This is a plain basic Zircon Stud finder. It does exactly what it should do, scans at a depth of about 38mm, and this version even detects basic electrical wiring inside the drywall.

Zircon StudSensor e50 is easy to use and a fast stud scanner. You can easily find the edges of the wood and metal studs with this stud scanner.

It is very accurate in finding the live AC wires and very helpful in mounting a TV, installing the garage shelving, and hanging cabinets.
Zircon StudSensor e50 finds the edges of the wood and metal studs very easily. It also has deep scan mode which can target up to 1.5 inches deep.

However, live, and unshielded electric AC wiring can be found with the help of wire warning detection technology. It also has patented over the stud indicator to give accurate and precise results.

Zircon e50 also has a spotlight pointing system for easy scanning and finding of the studs. The good thing about Zircon StudSensor e50 is that it has an ergonomic grip and very handy stud finder.

In this stud scanner, you required a 9 Volt battery which should be fully charged for efficient functioning. However, it is not included in the packaging.

When the 9 Volt battery is fully charged, it will run at optimal performance. It also works on auto-correction technology which can easily correct the common user errors when the user begins scanning over the stud.

So, if you are looking for high quality and accurate stud scanner, then Zircon StudSensor e50 is a good choice.

 

Read Detailed Review of  Zircon Stud Sensor e50

 

 

Features of Zircon StudSensor e50 Electronic Stud Finder

Specifications of Zircon StudSensor e50 Electronic Stud Finder

1. Item Weight: 7 ounces
2. Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 4 x 2 inches
3. Item model number: 68277
4. Size: Edge Finding
5. Batteries Included?: No
6. Batteries Required?: Yes
7. Color: Yellow

Pro & Cons of Zircon StudSensor e50 Electronic Stud Finder

 

 

3: Best for floor/ceiling joists stud finder: Bosch GMS120 Digital Multi-Scanner

Bosch GMS120 is a digital wall scanner that works on multimode laser detection technology.
It can easily find a wood stud and metal objects such as steel, copper pipes, rebar, and studs.

Bosch GMS120 Digital Multi-Scanner can also find the live AC wiring. You will be amazed to know the high performance of this stud scanner.

It also has three sensor laser technology which is the latest feature of this stud finder. Bosch GMS120 Digital Multi-Scanner shows a wide range of detection up to 3 to 4 inches deep. It works very well on concrete.

If you want to go for live wiring detection, then it can scan up to 2 inches deep. For copper, it can detect up to 1/8 inches deep. It can detect up to 1 and a half inches deep for wood studs.

Bosch GMS120 can do the self-calibrating including three selection modes for wood stud, metal stud, and live AC wiring.

So, we can also say that it offers automatic calibration when you start scanning and continue self calibrate throughout the project.

It is very helpful for easy and precise detection. Bosch GMS120 has an illuminated graphical LCD display which will indicate the detection strength and much more.

It will give the green light for no object found, orange flash for an object you are near to, and red flash for the object which it finds.

 

Read Detailed Review of Best Review of the Bosch GMS120 Digital Multiscanner

 

 

Features of Bosch GMS120 Digital Multi-Scanner

Specifications of Bosch GMS120 Digital Multi-Scanner

1. Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 5.9 x 2 inches
2. Battery: 9V battery
3. Size: Pack of 1
4. Color: Blue
5. Part Number: GMS 120
6. Material: metal
7. Voltage: 9 volts

Pro & Cons of Bosch GMS120 Digital Multi-Scanner

 

 

4.Best for all types of stud finding: Franklin Sensors FS710PRO

Franklin Sensors FS710PRO Stud Finder is a professional stud finder. It finds the stud with a built-in bubble level and ruler.

The amazing stud scanner is available in two colors; yellow and blue.
It will do accurate deep scanning very easily and accurately. It is small in size and also easy to use as a stud sensor. Franklin Sensors FS710PRO Stud finder can instantly find the studs with no calibration required.

Franklin is also a masterpiece in finding the center of the suds as well as the edges of the studs.

The attractive feature which I reviewed about this stud sensor is that it can detect the multiple studs at the same time. This is called multi-sensing technology.

You just have to put it on the wall and start rubbing. It can find the studs very easily and accurately.
The weight of the Franklin Sensors FS710PRO Stud Finder is 6.4 ounces which means that it is light in weight and a handy stud scanner.

 

Read Detailed Review of Franklin ProSensor 710 Stud Finder Review

 

 

Features of Franklin Sensors FS710PRO

Specifications of Franklin Sensors FS710PRO

1. Model number: FS710PRO
2. Batteries: 2 AA batteries required.
3. Color: Yellow and Blue
4. Material: Metal
5. Item Weight: 6.4 ounces
6. Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 3 x 2.7 inches
7. Batteries Included?: No
8. Batteries Required?: Yes

Pro & Cons of Franklin Sensors FS710PRO

 

 

5. Zircon MultiScanner i520 Stud Finder

The Zircon multi scanner 520 works on the four modes of technology and is called the multi-surface scanner.

And the Zircon multi scanner can easily detect the metal studs, live AC wiring, and also the wooden studs. You will not get any false readings or any hazards while scanning from Zircon multi scanner i520.

It can detect the studs with the help of stud scan mode and with deep scan mode, it can locate the center of the stud and edges of the studs.

The direction of wood studs or metal studs can also be found with the help of Zircon Multiscanner i520.

You can also locate the non-ferrous metals such as copper pipes and ferrous metals such as rebar with metal scan mode.

Live AC wiring and unshielded electrical AC wire can be detected with AC scan mode.
It has an amazing auto-correction technology with the help of which if a user does any type of error can be corrected.

A fully charged old battery is required for the multi scanner so that it can perform an optimal performance. However, it is not included in the packaging.

 

Read Detailed Review of Zircon Multiscanner I520 Onestep Review & Buying Guide 

 

 

Features of Zircon MultiScanner i520 Stud Finder

 

Specifications of Zircon MultiScanner i520 Stud Finder

 

1. Item model number: 68314
2. Size: Standard
3. Color: Backlit LCD Display
4. Style: i520 Backlit Display
5. Item Weight: 9.6 ounces
6. Product Dimensions: 6 x 3 x 9 inches

 

Pro & Cons of Zircon MultiScanner i520 Stud Finder

 

what is the purpose of the stud finder?

Whether you’re a builder, painter/decorator, or just someone trying to hang a picture or a TV bracket, this is where you need to be.

A ‘wall stud finder’ is a small device used to detect where the ‘wood beam’ or ‘stud’ is located behind drywall.

Finding this enables you to screw or nail into something sturdy that won’t fall through and collapse the delicate plasterboard when you put pressure on it.
Before the rise of electronic stud finders, people used Magnetic stud finders, but don’t worry, we’ve got those covered too.

They are essentially little magnetic tools that do the same job, it just takes longer.

So for all your stud finder needs, stick around! We have a blog that covers all sorts of related topics, D.I.Y tips, stud finder reviews, different ways to use a stud finder, and much more. 
We hope you find what you’re looking for here.

Stud detectors are so useful for DIY and building drywalls that you may want to consider getting a proper zircon stud finder.

These are the higher end of the market in terms of what you can buy, and they really do give you good value for money. Some of the zircon multi scanners can detect pipes, electrical wires, and more.

What are stud finders?

Stud finders are little tools that are used to find the metal or wood studs running through the drywall. Stud finders serve as normal handheld devices which are normally used to detect the material behind the device.

Normally, the stud finders are unable to find the stud behind the plasterboard because they are less dense. However, the wooden beam is denser than the week plasterboard, and therefore we can find the studs under it.

We can feel the indication of the stud by a beeping noise or an LED Flashlight. The point where you heard a sound or an LED flash indication is the exact location where the stud is present.

If you’re new to the world of electronic stud finders, or you don’t really understand exactly what they are and how they work, have a look at our What is a stud finder page to put you on the right track, then you can look at our reviews and more interesting things later.

If you know a little bit about electronic stud finders, but want to read a review of a product or maybe even see a list of the best types of stud finders and what each one excels at, you can start by either reading our list of the best stud finders in any given month/year or individual product reviews of specific stud finders.

 

Types of a stud finder

There are two types of stud finders while detection of any type of studs.

1.Magnetic Stud Finder

2.Electronic Stud Finder

Magnetic Stud Finder

In the magnetic Stud finder, we can detect the stud by the use of powerful magnets. They pinpoint the location of the screws and nails in a stud.
Therefore the magnetic stud finders do not detect the stud by itself. Rather it can detect by the hardware when it attaches to the wall material to the stud.

Electronic Stud Finder

In the electronic method, electronic stud finders depend on the sensors. The sensor then changes in the dielectric constant of the wall.
When the changes occur, then it indicates the presence of the stud in the wall. On the LCD screen of an electronic stud finder, you can see the details of the data regarding the stud.

 

How to use a stud finder( step by step)

Now the question arises in your mind; how to use a stud finder?

Step 1:

First of all, select the area where you have to detect the stud. Then hang the stud finder at a particular height. Make sure that you have removed all the partly metal objects and wall-mounted photos which can hinder your readings.

Step 2:

Make sure that the batteries are fresh and function very well. Also, the surface where you are scanning should be flat and smooth.

Step 3:

Now, hold the stud finder with one hand by placing it on the wall and turn it on by putting your finger on the power button for some time.

The tool will start calibrating, and when it finds the stud, it will flash or beep. Keep in mind that there are some stud finders who do not have power buttons. They simply give the reading or indication of the stud.

Step 4:

Now, slowly slide the stud finder in the right direction on the flat surface of the wall.

Step 5:

Then the stud finder alerts you of a stud through beep or flash.

Step 6:

Now, mark the correct spot with your pencil. If you want to use a Centre finding stud finder, then the stud finder will show you where the edges of the studs are present.

 

FAQs:

Q 1: Are all stud finders require a battery?

Ans: No, all stud finders do not require a battery. There are many stud finders who do their detection without any battery. Make sure that you are keeping in mind the particular instructions for the particular model.

Q 2: What is the price of stud finders? 

Ans: There are different stud finders whose price is different depending on its quality and capabilities. If you want to go for a cheap stud finder, then you can find a magnetic stud finder around 4 dollars only.

At this price, you will get that stud finder which is slow and also less accurate. The stud finders whose price is more than 15 dollars are usually recommended by the manufacturers to the professionals which they should use in the building projects.

Keep in mind that if you are using stud finders at the construction sites, then you should go for electric stud finders as they are the accurate one, reliable and fast. 

If you want to go for higher quality, then the price starts at 50 dollars. Top name brands such as Black and Decker manufacture these types of stud finders.

Q 3: Can we use a magnet to find a stud?

Ans: Yes, we can use a magnet to find a stud, but it should be a powerful enough magnet, especially if we are detecting a stud through any wall covering such as drywall. But it is usually recommended that you should go for a magnetic stud finder as it is a better choice and give accurate and precise results.

Q 4: can we use a stud finder to find floor joists?

Ans: yes, we can find the floor joists with the help of stud finder. If you are using electronic sensors to match the required depth if you want to find the joist accurately.

If you want to find it with the Magnetic Sensor, then make sure that the magnetic stud sensor should be of high quality and must have a strong magnetic pull.

But I recommend you use a magnetic stand finder because in this case, you will see the difference as we move the magnetic stud finder over the areas. Also, you will feel the pull of the magnet of a magnetic stud finder.

Q 5: Can I use an iPhone as a stud finder?

Ans: There are many stud finder apps on play store for iOS users. It allows you to easily locate the metal near you. Stud Find is an incredible app for this purpose where the iOS user can convert his device into a stud finder tool. You can use it very easily and also it is a free app.

Conclusion:

A stud finder is a very important tool, especially if we are using any construction sites. Stud finders play a very important role in finding the studs behind the hidden surfaces.

Electronic stud finders, as well as the magnetic stud finders, are very useful for this purpose. If you are more concerned about accuracy, then electronic stud finders are more accurate than the magnetic stud finders.

From my point of view, Vivreal is the good one from all the stud finders which I have discussed above in the article. It works on the four-mode system detection system and also detects the studs with a beep sound. It is a handy stud finder and also easy to use.