Firstly, it has a nail grabber on the end of its hook, as well as four ridged sides that can latch on from any angle. Hook catches everything you dont want it to but doesnt seem to catch what you want. I've been using the Stanley Decimal tape measures.. It features a magnetic tip that holds the tape measure in place while you measure. In stock and ready to ship. Its big and heavy, though, making it harder than our pick to grip in a smaller hand, and thats the main reason why it can feel like overkill for occasional measurements at home. In short, its better to have the length and not need it than to need it and not have it. The following models all made the cutbut keep readingeach one comes with some upsides and a few downsides. Best Digital Display: eTape16 Digital Tape Measure. Read more. Its a basic tool whose pared-down simplicity makes it light, tough, accurate, easy to handle, and affordable. Its all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product. Editors Note: This article is part of PTRs Best of 2022 series and was originally published on May 17, 2022. We also tested the strength of the locking mechanism by locking each tape at 24 inches, dangling it from the tang, and bouncing it. Dont choose a tape measure at random; take some time to learn the basics. No matter what your next project is, these tape measures have the features you need for precise measuring. Fat Max for everything. This tape measure features identical markings on the back side of the blade, making it effortless to read in any position. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Its one of the most inexpensive tapes that we looked at, as well as one of the best, combining quality and value. Getting precise measurements is essential for many projects, even ones as simple as hanging art or estimating how much wallpaper will be necessary for a specific room. It makes sense to just learn that little trick and then have the full range of tape motion if you need it. The belt clip is very difficult to operate. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Irwin Strait-Line Tape Measure at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Komelon Self-Lock Evolution L4825HV at Lowe's Jump to Review Best Splurge: Stanley FatMax Tape Measure at Home Depot Jump to Review Best Small: Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure at Walmart Jump to Review Best Magnetic: Precision Tape Measures | McMaster-Carr While it claims to have a standout of 16 feet (the full length of the blade), testing showed a much lower standout measurement of 12 feet and 2 inches. Stand with one foot on the paper and a slight bend in your knees. Yes, its as fun as it sounds. Is This Stanley Tool Set Able to Meet Your Homes Maintenance Needs? Fraction & Decimal Chart - Fassen The Komelon Self Lock 25-Foot Power Tape comes with precise imperial measurements on both edges of the blade, making it easy to measure precisely from either side without guessing. This tape measure also had the highest standout during testing. They have just one non-magnetic model (25-foot) while covering 16, 25, and 30-foot lengths along with a 7.5-meter model on the metric side for magnetic options. We also didnt spend much time looking at tapes with additional gizmos, gadgets, and added functions. 1-48 of 461 results for "precision tape measure" Results Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. *At the time of publishing, the price was $0. A really nice additional feature of the PowerLock is that the tape case is marked for inside measurements. Tape Measure - 30-495 | STANLEY Tools. Still, were based in the US, so we only looked at tapes that use the standard imperial scale. Our top choice is the Pro Grade model and its available in 16 to 30-foot lengths, though only the 25-foot is available in both magnetic and non-magnetic. Still, its plenty accurate for calculating the width, length, volume, and area of rooms for appraisal purposes or to estimate paint, carpeting, or wallpaper. Get the Komelon 300 ft. tape measure on Amazon. Some of the springs in these tape measures will give your finger a pretty good pinch if youre not careful. browsing data or IP addresses) and use cookies or other identifiers, which are necessary for its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. Those looking for a quality compact tape measure need look no further than the LEXIVON 16-foot tape measure, which comes with both imperial and metric measurements and graphic markings to denote 16-inch and 19.2-inch standard framing measurements. It had a strong recoil without whipping around aggressively. Mostly Stanleys. We looked at how well a tape performed for its intended usage. A big-pawed carpenter on a jobsite, though, could find a lot to like about this one. The Milwaukee Compact Magnetic tape measure is the best if you prefer a magnetic option. The Best Metric Tape Measures for 2022 - Popular Mechanics This is a standard design on tape measures, and when clipped and unclipped repeatedly on a pocket, it starts to fray the fabric. By pressing the button, we could stop the blade from moving; if we let up a bit on the button, the blade would retract slowly. We were able to extend it nearly 6 feet (standout) before it bent. With its ergonomic locking lever and durable blade coating, it was a contender, but the fact that its as tall as the PowerLock and as wide as the chunky FatMax made it difficult for smaller hands to grasp and use comfortably. Get the Milwaukee 25 ft. tape measure at The Home Depot. Lufkin. Both DeBoer and Clement agreed that a tape measure that can stand out unsupported for 7-8 feet is more than enough for at-home use. The tape measure held up impressively after our drop testit had no scratches or damage after being dropped three times from a 12-foot ladder. Crescents Shockforce and DeWalt Tough Series both have magnetic options we heartily recommend. It demonstrated rigid blade standout to just over 7 feet, making it a very decent tape measure for the price point, all things considered. A longer standout is best because the blade can measure across longer distances without needing to be held up or supported. A detachable piece turns the standard FatMax tang into a much larger one. They were the first to I grabbed off the bench. Again, the most important characteristic of a superior tape measure is the durability of the blade. There is certainly a place for magnetic tapes, but the kitchen drawer is not it. With more than 10 feet of standout, testers were able to take many measurements on their own without waiting for someone to hold the tape. The horns are small enough so that you really dont notice them during normal use and they dont get hooked on things you dont want them to. However, the body of the tape measure is on the large side and may be too bulky to fit in the pocket of a tool belt. But are all tape measures created equally? Anyone whos been cut by a metal tape blade that retracted too quickly will appreciate the pressure lock on the LEXIVON. Learn more . Amazon.com: STANLEY PowerLock Tape Measure, Heavy-Duty, Engineer's The two Tajima tapes, the G-25and the GP-25were nearly identical, despite the price difference. Learn more. Bob Vila has been Americas Handyman since 1979. FastCap PSSR25 25 foot Lefty/Righty Measuring Tape , Black. The tape measure also features a wear-resistant nylon blade coating and a reinforced frame. We awarded points for durability and the quality of materials and workmanship and noted when a tape included both imperial and metric measurements. $31 at Amazon. It winds at an easy pacenot too quicklybut it doesnt take a long time, either. FastCap tapes are available with a variety of marking styles, from the standard 1/16 scale to the Lefty/Righty explained above. First off, know that there are four basic varieties to choose from. Best hook on the end and simplest lock.They have the cleanest markings - no extraneous stuff on them. Clint DeBoer, Review: Going the DistanceA Survey of Tape Measures, Pro Tool Reviews, June 14, 2013, Mark Clement, Tool Review: Stanley PowerLock 25 Foot Tape Measure, MyFixItUpLife, December 24, 2011, Stuart Deutsch, Stanley Powerlock Tape Measure Review, ToolGuyd, December 26, 2008. The brand also claims the tape measure can survive up to an 80-foot drop. What is the easiest tape measure to read? The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. For the most part, the larger the hook the better, but you can overdo it. Thats not us. Our testers noted that the belt clip slips on a pocket or belt smoothly, and the lock can be used with just one hand. There are tapes that will make a mark for you, tapes that have telescoping measuring rulers, and others with centering scales that show you the center point of any measurement. When we finished checking measurement accuracy, we pushed a bright green button, and the blade retracted smoothly. After our drop test, the tape measure had no visible damage, and the tape functioned the same after each drop. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment. A tape measure absolutely has to hook easily on the top and bottom. The magnetic hook grips steel surfaces solidly and our team loves the finger stop brake feature both extending and controlling the recoil on the way back in. Still, for less than $8, you can afford to buy several so theres one everywhere you might need it. One thing that I like about it is that I can read it from both sides. Common lengths are 12, 16, 25, 30, and 35 feet. If you stop it during a recoil, it may have difficulty returning to its case without the assistance. My experience is that tapes below $8 or $10 arent worth the cheap plastic theyre made of, and no tape measure is worth more than $20. Two other tapes tested, the DeWalt and the Johnson Big J, have locking switches that are so stiff they literally take two hands to operate. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Still have a few of those floating around the machine shop, You cant seem to get the Stanley silver 3m pocket tape anymore, small easy to concealed carry ( I have a licence lol) the bloody things on sale are so big you have to clip them on your belt, ginormous beasts. Get the LEXIVON 16 ft. tape measure on Amazon. It doesnt cover any user wear and tear, but if there is something inherently wrong with the tool, theyll give you a new one. Because of its durability, accuracy, and affordability, this is the best tape measure for those looking for an inexpensive option. For length, we only looked at 25-foot tapes. After testing 34 tape measures in our lab, we chose the Irwin Strait-Line IWHT39391S as the best overall tape measure for its long standout, durability, and easy-to-read markings. Would love your thoughts, please comment. If youre looking for something more compact, go with a 16-foot. Were familiar with reel tape measures and DeWalt products, so we had high hopes for this specific tooland we werent disappointed. The Zabiki comes with a 3-rivet tang for durability and features a sturdy case with a partial rubberized grip. I got one from Sawblades.com At westech a few years back, they had girls in bikinis handing them out. The Irwin Strait-Line tape measure is our top pick for the best tape measure. As this map shows, the US is one of the only countries that doesnt use the metric system. The Milwaukee 25 ft. General Contractor Tape Measure was our previous upgrade pick for its pro-grade durability. It wasnt all that long ago that paying more than $20 for a tape measure was a lot. Although testers felt the tape blade was somewhat flimsy, this tape measure surpassed its advertised standout length by 7 inches during testing. We wont recommend anything unless wed actually use it ourselves, and we dont really care who the primary retailer is. There are plenty of great laser distance measures to choose from, but not all of them have a tape measure function. In searching for the best tape measure, there are some interesting ways to improve visibility. I can hold the [PowerLock] in my hand, pay out tape, and bend the tapesay for measuring across a floor or from floor to ceilingin a fluid motion without having to readjust the tape in my hand..