From a name well known in the building industry comes the Stanley 25-foot PowerLock tape measurea dependable and accurate choice for anyone needing to make precision cuts. The following products all had to meet our high testing standards to qualify for a spot in this lineup of the best tape measures. He lives in a very demanding 250-year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. At the end of the tests, we tallied the points, and if a tool came in with an unusually low number of points, we excluded it from the list. 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. If youre interested in more on these tools, Tools of the Trade has a nice round-up of the pro models, choosing the Bosch GLM 80as their overall favorite. We extended each one out to its maximum lengthsomething that may not happen in general usebut it was necessary to test how the ends of the blades were connected and whether pulling on them would pull them out of the case. The locking lever is strong and easy to use, with a nice texture that prevents the thumb from slipping. If it was there, great. Those looking to find the best tape measure for a specific project are likely to have some questions. The Komelonalso had an over-engineered protective case and was the most futuristic-looking tape we found. 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 PowerLock is easy to use, durable, affordable, accurate, and capable of doing its job without additional features that arent necessary for around-the-house work. It has a nice spring to it and the flare at the end makes it easy to blindly hook on a back pocket. The FatMax is more expensive than the PowerLock, but that additional cost gets you a wider blade with a longer stand-out and a rubber overmold that provides greater protection as youre watching it fall out of your second story window while measuring for a new air-conditioning window unit. Its also on the pricey side for a 1-inch tape. A detachable piece turns the standard FatMax tang into a much larger one. The tape had the longest standout of all, just under 9 feet before it bent, and the tool comes with a self-lock that kept the blade from retracting until we depressed the retraction button. 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. There is certainly a place for magnetic tapes, but the kitchen drawer is not it. As with all the tapes we tested, the Milwaukees measurements were spot-on. Clement summed things up: Go simple. We also looked at quality, blade standout, blade lock, and the overall design of the tape. Its one of the most inexpensive tapes that we looked at, as well as one of the best, combining quality and value. The tape comes with the standard graphic notations every 16 and 19.2 inches. Compact Auto Lock Tape Measure, DTAPE Laser Measure 165ft, DT50Laser Portable Digital, Komelon 6633 Open Reel Fiberglass Tape Measure, Zabiki Tape Measure, 25 Ft Dual Side Easy to Read, Craftsman Tape Measure, Self-Lock, 25-Foot, The Most Important Things to Keep in Your Tool Kit in 2020, 6 Beginner Ways to Use a Woodworking Router, The 15 Most Useful Power Drill Attachments, Auto-lock function doesnt work as well at longer lengths, Pressure-sensitive button offers additional safety, Tape width slightly on the thin side at -inch wide, Instantly measures from one point to another, Backlit LED screen makes numbers easy to see, Fiberglass coating helps keep tape from twisting, Open reel means the tape is subject to the elements if left outside, No recurring markers at 16-inch or 19.2-inch increments. As mentioned earlier, when I pressed on the Kesons tang bumper, the seam at the bottom of the case opened up a little. When compared against a steel measurement tool, the Ryobi was dead-on accurate, as it should be. These tools, some as small as a pack of cards, shoot a laser point and give the distance on a little screen. For each of the tests we performed, we awarded points between 0 and 4, depending on how well the tape measured up. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, Stanley 33-725 25-Feet FatMax Tape Measure. Our standout test showed the Zabiki could be extended to almost 6 feet before it bent. The thumb-operated blade lock is smooth, strong, and easy to operate with one hand, unlike some other more cumbersome models. Common lengths are 12, 16, 25, 30, and 35 feet. One of the projects we used the tapes onwas measuring for 20 custom storm windows, a task consisting of seven measurements per window. A couple of them commented on how light the PowerLock was compared to the others, especially the 1-inch tapes (the PowerLock is 13 ounces, tied with the Keson for the lightest tape tested). The following models all made the cutbut keep readingeach one comes with some upsides and a few downsides. First, the belt hook is a simple metal clip. Its our pick after 50 hours of research and three annual updates to this guide. And while were interested in performance here and not historical status, the fact that the PowerLock was good enough to be packed on the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission means that its probably good enough for your kitchen drawer. 
Anything less than an inch, though, is going to be flimsy, while the fatter blades (those above the 1-inch mark) make for a much bulkier tool. The fact is that plastic cases are simply the norm these days, and they offer enough durability to get the job done. measurements between studs. Still, different types of tape measures are better suited to some tasks than others. For price, there really isnt a huge range. Of the 16 tapes tested, only the FastCap Old Standby was off by as much as 1/32 inch. Rather, they work on a spool system like a fishing rod. 
While researching for this piece, I didnt include or exclude any tapes based on this feature. Fortunately, they dont require a firm grip to use, so theyre usually not too cumbersome. Taking a cue from DeBoers article in Pro Tool Reviews, we tested all of the tapes against a Lixer Tape Measure Calibrator, which checks the accuracy of both the pull and push measurements. Yeah, its a tape measure its what you expect, one person said. Get the DTAPE laser tape measure on Amazon and at Sears. It seems as though they literally catch the wind and the tape comes crashing down in a really thin heap of loud, flaccid steel.. Durability isnt the only thing the FatMax offers. The onboard pencil sharpener is also a nice touch, again, for the carpenterbut probably not useful to the home user. Heres what to get when youre ready to handle routine home problems. Although this tape measure comes with only imperial measurements, it improves over some tapes in that incremental fractions are printed along the bottom edge of the blade. When we finished checking measurement accuracy, we pushed a bright green button, and the blade retracted smoothly. It winds at an easy pacenot too quicklybut it doesnt take a long time, either. For some reason, the company gave them up. The Stanley PowerLock is the best tape measure for a number of reasons. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. 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.. This is an excellent feature for those who dont want to engage the blade lock by hand (some are quite stiff). The reel tape is sturdy and durable, and we found it to be among the best models wed ever tested. Tapes below $8 or $10 arent worth the cheap plastic theyre made of, and no tape measure is worth more than $20. The numbers are easy to read, and the tool features a dual blade-locking system that impressed us. If not, it wont be missed. We liked this feature. It doesnt cover any user wear and tear, but if there is something inherently wrong with the tool, theyll give you a new one. But they seem to have been replaced on the shelves by Stanleys. For a tape to have a long, productive life, the most important factor is blade durability. This means that you cant pull the tang out by coming at it from the side. If you want a tape measure with a proven track record of durability, one that can withstand a true jobsite beatdown, we recommend the Stanley FatMax. You can always engage the manual lock if the tape doesnt automatically lock when you pull the blade out. DIYers dont have to spend much money to get an accurate tape measure. Clement said that a 25 is the way to go because there are times when it will come in handy. The Milwaukee Stud is gigantic and simply too massive to easily handle and grip. The tang is riveted to the bladebut, surprisingly, it shouldnt be riveted tightly. For the diagonals, we planted the tang at the lower corner, extended the tapes, and then bent them over with a twist in order to read the upper corner. We looked at how well a tape performed for its intended usage. The stainless steel crank arm is snug without any play, and it features a 5-to-1 gear ratio, which allowed us to wind up the entire tape with just a dozen or so turns. The weakest part of any tape measure is the blade, and the PowerLocks is more durable than nearly all the others' we tested. In the industry it has become a bragging right to have the tape with the longest stand-out, with some tapes claiming to go as far as 13 feet. According to the press release, [users] can connect the over-sized hook attachment for framing applications or remove it for standard applications. Although the tool likely has the FatMaxs durability, the added cost and the unusual tang put it out of the consideration here. In our testing, we found that the 1-inch blades were the easiest to use overall, even if it meant sacrificing some stand-out. The solid feel of the tool and the smooth locking lever were also noted as high points. The FatMax tips the scales at 1 pound, 2 ounces, the heaviest of the tapes we looked at. Instead, you need to pull it straight out. 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. Still, were based in the US, so we only looked at tapes that use the standard imperial scale. Any time you consistently need long measurements, one of these can save you a tremendous amount of time. They help the user locate the center of studs (as long as the structure was built in compliance with standard codes). The belt hook is a standard but functional design. In addition, the smaller fractions are clearly labeled along the bottom edge of the tape, with the -inch fractions appearing in bold and the -inch fractions in regular type, making it easy to see at a glance which is which. A big-pawed carpenter on a jobsite, though, could find a lot to like about this one. The tang features a fold-down spike that can be fitted over a nail or screw head, and the Komelon comes with a separate bright orange spike for pushing into the ground to determine the origination point. We independently review everything we recommend. Weve used reel tapes before that became twisted on the spool when rewinding them up, but the fiberglass tape on the Komelon has just enough stiffness to help keep it straight. Everything we recommend for mounting heavy stuff on a wall or ceiling. The tapes bold black whole-inch numbers are large and easy to read against the muted yellow background. That wasnt an aspect for the standard cased tapes, however. The FastCap tapes that we tested,the Old Standby and Lefty/Righty, have a similar feature, but its a button at the bottom of the case rather than a cutaway. A couple of the tapes, including the recommended PowerLock, are available with a dual metric scale, so if thats what youre looking for, you should be able to track one down easily enough. By Andrana Lefton and Glenda Taylor | Updated Mar 18, 2022 2:01 PM. With tape measures, 25 feet is the most common length, although some are as short as 12 feet, and others are 30 feet or longer. Anyone whos been cut by a metal tape blade that retracted too quickly will appreciate the pressure lock on the LEXIVON. For example, it shows both 30 inches as well as 2 feet, 6 inches. Fortunately, all the ones we tested were, so that wasnt an issue. Another category of measuring tools is the laser distance measurers. The following features are often found in quality tape measures: Graphic markings (diamonds and triangles) noting 16-inch and 19.2-inch intervals keep newly constructed walls in compliance with building codes (studs are often placed 16 inches apart). The tape is covered with the same coating that encases the PowerLock, but it also has the additional industrial thermoplastic covering over the first 4 inches. To earn a spot in our lineup, each of the tape measures had to be accurate and precise. In addition to scrutinizing each one and comparing their measurements against a steel measuring tool for accuracy, we noted how easy it was to pull the blade out and how smoothly it retracted back into the housing. An impressive fringe benefit on this tape measureone that didnt appear on any of the others we testedis a robust magnetic tang. The Tajimas and FastCaps got high marks for their compact size, but they each have their own flaws that well get to in a bit. Copyright 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. When the lock is engaged, it should be strong enough to withstand that level of pulling and tugging. They also sell tapes that have no rigidity in the blade, so they lay flat on your workpiece. Get the Komelon 300 ft. tape measure on Amazon and at Walmart. If it can read the distance between you and the house and you and the second-story window (for example), it can tell you how high the window is off the ground. About of the tapes that we tested had this feature, but the Stanley was one of seven that kept this measurement to an easy-to-use 3 inches. Once locked, the tape didnt budge as we bounced it on its own weight. The largest portion of our tape measure testing consisted of using the tools as we completed a number of carpentry projects. For length, we only looked at 25-foot tapes. This acts as a shock absorber when the tang comes slamming back into the case. For staking out an area for excavating or determining the dimensions of a lot, the DeWalt 100-foot tape measure shines. Get the Ryobi 25 ft. tape measure at The Home Depot and Walmart. In the PTR piece, DeBoer explains them by saying, people either love or hate auto-locking tapes. As long as your tape has a smooth, easy-to-use locking switch, an automatic locking tape is really unnecessary. Were familiar with the Stanley brand, so we were not surprised that this 25-foot tape performed exceptionally well. On the good side, the Blade Armor version has an industrial thermo-plastic coating over the first 3 inches of the tape, where the wear is the hardest. Stud marks make hanging pictures and installing shelves much easier, allowing you to anchor the nail solidly. After reading what we could, talking to our experts, and taking years of experience using tape measures into account, we found that the most important features of a tape measure are blade durability, case durability, tang (the metal hook at the end of the tape) size, stand-out, and ease of locking lever. We were able to extend it nearly 6 feet (standout) before it bent. The tang is reinforced with three rivets for durability, and the Ryobi blade is smooth and durablewe were able to extend it to nearly 8 feet (standout) before the blade bent. These can be used to hook something from underneath. Im neither here nor there on this one. The people we asked to handle the tapes had similar experiences. Real estate agents, appraisers, and engineers often find laser tape measures worth the money. This is a nice touch, but we also found that it had one of the weaker blade locks of any tape we looked at. Somewhere along the way, most likely for cost reasons, Stanley stopped making them out of metal and started making them out of plastic. A button, located where the normal toggle would be, retracts the tape. Any tape will usually get the job done, but good tape makes an annoying task a little easier and vastly more enjoyable. If youre more concerned about the tool being comfortable to hold and use (rather than durability), wed steer you back to our pick instead of this. For the most part, these oddballs are geared to the trades. We also tested the strength of the locking mechanism by locking each tape at 24 inches, dangling it from the tang, and bouncing it. A really nice additional feature of the PowerLock is that the tape case is marked for inside measurements. The Milwaukee 25 ft. General Contractor Tape Measure was our previous upgrade pick for its pro-grade durability.
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