If you’re planning to do a reno, mount a tv, or work as a tradie, chances are you might be in need of a stud finder. Stud finders are handy tools as they make it much easier to find studs behind walls. There are many different types of stud finders, that's why in this post we’ve put together a list of the best stud finders in Australia for home and work. Read on for our top picks!
Best for most
The Franklin ProSensor uses 13 sensors at the same time to detect studs. This makes this tool super fast and accurate as you don't need to calibrate it. Just put it on the wall and press a button - done! That's why it's our top pick.
Magnetic pick
Sometimes old school is best. Vaughan uses high powered magnets to find studs behind your walls by latching onto nails or other metals. Once latched, mark with a pencil and you're set to go.
Budget option
If you're looking for a cheaper electronic stud finder compared to our top pick, the Tavool is a good option. It has a 4-in-1 feature set to detect woods, beam, joist, and metal.
How We Decided
We started our search for the best stud finder by researching what stud finders are on the market by visiting popular retailers. We then cross referenced the options available with trade and DIY forums and sub reddits. We looked for common trends on what products people liked and features they looked for. From this information we narrowed down our list to just five of the best stud finders that are available right now for certain uses and budgets.
Best Stud Finder Australia: Top 5
- Best for most: Franklin ProSensor 710
- Best magnetic stud finder: Vaughan Magnetic Stud Finder
- Budget option: Tavool Stud Finder
- MultiScanner: Zircon MultiScanner A250c
- Budget magnetic: MagnetPal
Best for most
Franklin ProSensor 710
What we like
13 sensors
Strip of lights show stud location
No Calibration needed
Specifications
Type: Electronic
Detects: Wood and metal
Power: Battery powered
The Franklin ProSensor 710 is one of the best stud finders on the market today. This advanced tool uses 13 sensors to detect studs behind your walls with incredible accuracy, making it faster and easier than ever before. It features automatic calibration so you don't have to worry about adjusting it yourself, and a user-friendly design that makes it easy to use.
One highlight is that the strip of 13 sensors light up to show you the location of the stud. This makes it easy to mark the width of the stud behind your wall. As you move the stud finder across the wall the lights will indicate where the stud is. It's very intuitive!
It's also super easy to use as all you need to do is make sure the stud finder is level with its in-built level, and then press one button to activate it. Easy as that!
Whether you're working on a home renovation or a DIY project, the Franklin is the ideal choice for anyone looking for the best stud finder in Australia.
Best magnetic stud finder
Vaughan Magnetic Stud Finder
What we like
Magnetic
Holes for easy marking
Cheap and simple to use
Specifications
Type: Magnetic
Detects: Metal
Power: None required
Sometimes old school is best. A magnetic stud finder is the original solution to find studs behind walls as they work great and don’t require batteries. Our pick for the best Magnetic stud finder is the Vaughan Stud Finder.
A magnetic stud finder is able to detect studs behind walls with incredible accuracy and ease. With its high-powered rare earth metals, it can easily latch onto nails or other metal objects for an accurate reading every time for a stud's location. One you know the location of a stud, mark it with a pencil, then grab a ruler to note down the length of the stud to wear you want to drip or hang up a mount.
The reason why the Vaughan took our top pick for this category is because it has a smart design. It has two holes where you can mark the location of the stud and a level built in to make sure you drill or hammer in the right spot.
Whether you're a professional contractor or an amateur DIYer, this tool is sure to become your go-to choice for all of your magnetic stud finding needs.
Budget option
Tavool Stud Finder
What we like
Cheap!
Detects woods, beam, joist, and metal.
Specifications
Type: Electronic
Detects: Wood, metal, beam and joist
Power: Battery powered
For those on a budget, the Tavool Stud Finder offers an affordable solution to finding studs behind your walls. This simple yet effective tool uses a scanning technology to detect studs with accuracy and up to 3cm of depth, making it perfect for all kinds of projects.
The Tavool Stud Finder also features a bright LED indicator that allows you to easily locate studs in dimly lit areas, and its lightweight, compact design makes it easy to carry and store.
The main feature of this tool is that it has 4 scan functions. It can detect wood, beams, metal (including wires) and joists. This is super handy, as you don't want to stick a nail in the wall if there is a chance that a wire is run along a stud.
So if you're looking for a budget-friendly way to find studs behind your walls quickly and accurately, then check this one out.
MultiScanner
Zircon MultiScanner A250c
What we like
Deepscan feature detects 38mm deep
Wire warning feature
Specifications
Type: Electronic
Detects: Wood, metal, and wires
Power: Batery powered
Designed for tradies and home DIYers alike, the Zircon MultiScanner A250c is a great option for the person looking for a sturdy stud finder that has a multi-scan feature. This advanced tool uses advanced technology to detect studs behind walls with an impressive accuracy rating, allowing you to easily locate hidden nails and screws without any guesswork.
The multi-scanner feature allows you to detect wood, metal, and wires. So you can make sure when you drill or hammer into a wall you want be getting any nasty surprises. This is a most have if you are planning to mount a tv for example, as there most likely will be cabling along the studs were a tv is meant to be mounted.
Budget magnetic
MagnetPal
What we like
Cheap!
Old school simple
Specifications
Type: Magnetic
Detects: Metal
Power: None required
Looking for a powerful magnetic stud finder that can detect even the smallest of nails? Look no further than the MagnetPal Magnetic Stud Finder. It's a very simple tool designed to locate small metal objects behind walls with incredible accuracy and sensitivity. And with its lightweight yet durable design, you'll be able to take on any indoor project with confidence.
Like our top magnetic pick, the MagnetPal uses powerful rare earth metals to locate metals within walls. However unlike our top pick, it doesn't have an in-built level or marking points. But this is reflected in the price as it is slightly cheaper.
So if you're looking to save a little bit of coin and don't need the extra marking holes or level, then this is a good option.
Stud Finder Buying Guide
Now that we've reached the end of our stud finder picks and reviews, hopefully you've found a stud finder that will suits your needs and budget. But if you're still undecided or need some more information about the different types of stud finders, feature set, and how to use then, keep on reading our buying guide for these answers.
What is a stud finder?
A stud finder is a small tool used to locate hidden structures behind walls, such as wooden beams and metal pipes. There are several different types of stud finders available, including electronic and magnetic models.
Each type has its own set of pros and cons, so it's important to consider the main features between the two types. Below we outline the differences between the main types of stud finders and their feature sets.
What are the types of stud finders and how do they work?
There are two main types of stud finders: electronic and magnetic. Deciding on which type of stud finder to buy, it's important to consider the main differences between the two and how they work.
Electronic stud finders
Electronic stud finders utilize a sensor that detects fluctuations in electrical current when it comes into contact with a metal object or nail. More modern stud finders also utilize sonar technology to do a deeper scan behind the walls, this is what allows some stud finders to determine the difference between nails and wires.
Magnetic stud finders
Magnetic stud finders use powerful rare earth magnets to detect metal objects behind walls. They are very simple tools. Simply put them against a wall until they grip onto a nail put into a stud, then make a marking. Easy as that.
What features should a stud finder have?
When you're looking for a new stud finder, it's important to know what features to look for. Not all stud finders are created equal, and some have more features than others. Below we have listed the main features to look out for and compare.
1. Accuracy: The first thing to look for in a stud finder is accuracy. A good stud finder will have the ability to accurately locate wooden beams and other materials behind drywall or wall paneling.
2. Detection depth: A good stud finder should have a detection depth of at least2.5 cm. This gives you the ability to locate wooden beams that are hidden behind thin drywall or wall paneling, so you can avoid drilling into them and damaging your walls.
3. Detection modes: The best stud finders have multiple detection modes, such as a magnetic mode and an AC current mode. These different modes allow you to accurately locate wooden beams behind various types of surfaces. Typically more expensive stud finders have a multi scan function to detect wires, metals, and wood.
4. Bright display: A good stud finder should also have a bright display, so you can easily see when it's located a wooden beam. This is an important feature to look for if you want to avoid accidentally drilling into the wrong spot or missing your target altogether!
5. Ease of use: Finally, be sure to choose a stud finder that's easy to use. Look for one with simple controls, such as a single button or slider, so you can easily locate hidden wooden beams without any hassle.
How to use a stud finder?
First, you'll need to turn on your stud finder and adjust the calibration dial so that it is set to the thickness of your wall if it requires to be calibrated. Some stud finders (like our top pick) don't require this step.
Next, hold the stud finder against the wall and slowly move it in a straight line along the surface, using an even pressure so that you don't press too hard or too lightly. As you move your stud finder along the wall, it will emit an audible beep or lights will light up whenever it detects a vertical boundary between two different materials - this is typically how a stud will register on your stud finder.
Once you've located a stud, make a small mark on the wall where you found it so that you can easily find the same spot again when you are hanging your object or shelf. Keep in mind that there may be more than one stud in any given location, so be sure to scan the wall thoroughly to find all of the studs in that area.
With these simple tips, you'll be able to use your stud finder like a pro and complete any home improvement project with confidence!
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions people ask when looking to buy a stud finder. If you have a specific question you need answered please contact us and we'll add it to the list.
Do you need to calibrate a stud finder?
Some stud finders require calibration while others do not. It depends on the model you buy. If they do require calibration, then you need to do it to get accurate readings.
Is a stud finder accurate?
Yes stud finders are very accurate when used correctly. They are an essential tool when you want to hang up something on your wall to ensure you drill into a stud rather than plaster board.
Sources
1. https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeImprovement/comments/kt783g/stud_finder_recommendation/
2. https://www.mrhandyman.com/tips-ideas/handyman-tool-videos/stud-finder/#:~:text=Low%2Dend%20stud%20finders%20use,the%20wall%20to%20find%20studs.
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K_h7_HfYKE
4.https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeImprovement/comments/sb0hx6/do_stud_finders_actually_work/