After dropping, extending, and scrubbing the blades of over 20 different tape measures with 60-grit sandpaper, we found that the best one is the classic 25-foot Stanley PowerLock Tape Measure . It&#;s our pick after 50 hours of research and three annual updates to this guide. That&#;s because the PowerLock delivers the best basic combination of durability, ease of use, and accuracy&#;and all for a very low price. In fact, the PowerLock is one of the least expensive tape measures that we&#;ve looked at.
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With a wider tape, longer standout, and tougher parts than our pick, the FatMax balances rugged performance with a body that&#;s (just barely) not too big to be manageable.
The PowerLock is easy to use, durable, affordable, accurate, and capable of doing its job without additional features that aren&#;t necessary for around-the-house work.
The weakest part of any tape measure is the blade, and the PowerLock&#;s is more durable than nearly all the others' we tested. The thumb-operated blade lock is smooth, strong, and easy to operate with one hand, unlike some other more cumbersome models. Its blade is a quarter-inch slimmer than most contractor&#;s tools, so it&#;s easy to lay flat for marking measurements, yet still stiff enough to stand out unsupported for nearly 8 feet, which is plenty. It&#;s a basic tool whose pared-down simplicity makes it light, tough, accurate, easy to handle, and affordable. Taking all this into consideration to name the tool that gives you the best value, the other tapes&#;which often cost more&#;all fell short compared to this one.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTIf you want a wider, tougher tape and don&#;t mind a higher price and a bigger, harder to manage tool, the Stanley FatMax 25-foot tape measure is a great choice. This jobsite standard has proven its durability on countless occasions, and its wider 1¼-inch blade not only stands out unsupported farther than our pick, it also has a tougher coating and a larger tang that can grip an object from more positions than our pick. Some homeowners may find a FatMax to be overkill for occasional measurements, but for demanding work&#;whether you&#;re a tradesperson or a homeowner doing a renovation&#;we&#;ve found that it&#;s actually more manageable than similar &#;tough&#; tape measure designs from competing manufacturers.
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In This Review: Our Testing Experience | Buying Guide | Tips for Using a Tape Measure | FAQ | How We Tested
Tape measures are a necessity in every home tool kit. They can measure the size of a room and provide you with the center point on a wall to hang a picture. As technology becomes more advanced, so do tape measures. You can now buy a standard tape measure with a blade you read manually or a digital one that takes measurements for you. High-end tape measures will set you back around $25-$35, but some great models are available that are under $20.
To help you decide on what tape measure is best for your needs, I researched over 30 of the top tape measures on the market and personally tested the top five. I also examined over 300 customer reviews. My top choice overall is the Komelon Self-Lock Power Tape, which, at under $10, had a heavy-duty, self-locking design that performed great in my tests .Read my guide below for more top picks.
Our team has been reviewing products, conducting testing, and creating resources for homeowners for over six years. We take pride in our testing process, which we carefully customize to produce the most helpful information for homeowners.
For tape measures, I examined the following factors:
User Experience: 5/5 | Length and Blade Standout: 2/5 | Fundamental Features: 5/5 | Additional Features: 2/5 | Price and Warranty: 4/5
Courtesy Amazon
Komelon Self-Lock Power Tape
Prices taken at time of publishing.
At an affordable price, this highly effective tape measure rated the highest possible score in my tests for grip and locking. Its locking mechanism is easy to pull back without needing to move your finger out of the way. It features a sturdy clip and can measure up to 25 feet.
I found this tape measure to be one of the most effective during my tests. It scored highly in standout, as the blade automatically stayed in place once it was pulled out without snapping back. The recoiling button was simple and user-friendly, and it felt comfortable in my hand. While the device required some coaxing to reel the blade back in, it was overall highly efficient. The tape measure featured a high-quality clip. I did dock points for its lack of metric measurements and because it didn&#;t extend as far as some other tape measures.
In fact, I liked this tape measure so much that I bought it for my own tool collection at home.
Pros
Cons
Positive customer reviews noted that this product produced accurate measurements and was easy to read. Many stated that it was well-made, especially considering its affordable price. Negative customer reviews said the measurements were not specific enough, and others said the locking mechanism jammed.
&#;My old tape measurer broke, and I was looking at expensive, brand-name tape measurers. This one popped up on Amazon, and reviews were great, so I gave it a shot. It&#;s an awesome tool that works as it should. I love that it automatically locks into place when you pull the measurer out. The button is a release rather than a lock. Why isn&#;t this the norm? Anyways, great product and a great price. I&#;d recommend this to anyone needing a new tape measurer.&#; &#; GuzelStride via Amazon
&#;We bought several for our business, use them about twice a week for a few minutes at a time, indoors, and are not rough on them at all. Each of them, over the span of a year, has stopped holding its place with the built-in lock. If that feature is important to you (and we didn&#;t realize how often we&#;d actually need it!), I&#;d look elsewhere.&#; &#; D. West via Amazon
User Experience: 5/5 | Length and Blade Standout: 2/5 | Fundamental Features: 3/5 | Additional Features: 2/5 | Price and Warranty: 5/5
Courtesy Amazon
Craftsman Self-Lock Tape Measure
Prices taken at time of publishing.
This tape measure has an excellent self-locking feature and extends up to 25 feet. It has easy-to-read measurements and is particularly effective at measuring long distances. It also includes fractions printed on the line, allowing you to get exact measurements.
This 25-foot Craftsman tape measure performed well in most of my tests. It self-locked immediately after being pulled out, a standout feature that not every tape measure had. It also has smooth and intuitive reel-in action and is particularly effective for measuring long distances thanks to its easy-to-read and precise measurements.
Pros
Cons
Positive reviews said the tape measure was easy to read and provided good value. Other reviews highlighted its locking mechanism and its specific measurements. However, negative reviews criticized this model for its heaviness and not being sturdy enough.
&#;So great that it has both metric and standard markings&#; This one is great because it auto locks the tape when you pull it out, no need to use your finger to keep pressure to keep the tape out. When you are ready to put the tape back inside, just hold the release button and it recoils with the right amount of recoil. It has a lock if you want it to be locked and not move as well. All around a great tape measure.&#; &#; Troy via Amazon
&#;The tape measure is super heavy, and the clip that holds it to your belt is really cheap and insubstantial. The clip actually broke just pulling the tape measure out of its plastic packaging so it would not have lasted very long actually holding the tape measure to my belt. It does seem sturdy, but they should make it rugged throughout.&#; &#; Lovina via Amazon
User Experience: 5/5 | Length and Blade Standout: 4/5 | Fundamental Features: 4/5 | Additional Features: 1/5 | Price and Warranty: 3/5
Courtesy Amazon
Milwaukee Magnetic Tape Measure
Prices taken at time of publishing.
This tape measure is impressive due to its long readout, smooth locking mechanism, and useful magnetic hook design. It features a convenient finger stop that ensures you won&#;t get hit when the line recedes. It also has a sturdy and durable clip.
This tape measure stood out during my tests for its magnetic hook, long extension, and excellent grip. I liked its finger stop, which helped them avoid accidents while operating the device. However, its lack of an auto-lock feature was disappointing. The belt clip also received a low score for being difficult to open.
Pros
Cons
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Customers who liked this tape measure commented on its large, easy-to-read numbers, durable design, and magnetism. However, those who were let down by this product said that the packaging was particularly difficult to remove, and others said it folded too easily.
&#;Very impressed with the divot on the back for slowing retraction, the large numbers, that the scale measures on the reverse side, so there&#;s not confusing reads on the front. The magnet picks up stuff you drop, so you don&#;t have to get off the ladder, and they are pretty stiff when stretched out across the room.&#; &#; J.M. Brown via Amazon
&#;&#;The rewind spring is too weak, and the tape is only sturdy if held perfectly flat, but it tends to want to roll to the side, causing it to fall. The belt clip is not that great either&#; I fight getting it on and off my belt/pant pocket. I ended up spreading it open a little, now it&#;s easier to get on and off but falls off easier.&#; &#; Amazon Customer via Amazon
User Experience: 3/5 | Length and Blade Standout: 4/5 | Fundamental Features: 3/5 | Additional Features: 1/5 | Price and Warranty: 3/5
Courtesy Amazon
Stanley FatMax Tape Rule
Prices taken at time of publishing.
This tape measure extends up to 35 feet and is great for heavy-duty actions and long distances, such as when working in a construction job site. It received high marks for its intuitive clip design and its large numbers that are easy to read even from a distance.
The heavy-duty Stanley FatMax tape measure stood out for its ability to extend up to 35 feet, more than any other tape measure I tested. It self-locks once you extend it far enough, making it ideal for long distances. It had one of the best clips, which was sturdy and dexterous for tool belts. However, I found the locking mechanism inconvenient and difficult to push down.
Pros
Cons
Customers who were happy with this product said it was easy to read, long-lasting, and durable in tough conditions. However, others found it difficult to handle during retraction. Others found the tape flimsy.
&#;&#; This is the most rugged and well-built tape I&#;ve ever used. It has an easy 12-ft stand out, but I haven&#;t needed to push it beyond that yet, but have had zero issues. its easy to read and the 35-ft makes it great for literally anything around the house or job site. If you&#;re looking for a premium tape measure, this is it.&#; &#; Jeff via Amazon
&#;This tape gets stuck a lot. Love the stiffness and reach, but the retrieve mechanism needs to be coaxed most of the time and frequently binds.&#; &#; Gavin via Amazon
User Experience: 2/5 | Length and Blade Standout: 3/5 | Fundamental Features: 2/5 | Additional Features: 2/5 | Price and Warranty: 1/5
Courtesy Amazon
eTape16 Digital Tape Measure
Prices taken at time of publishing.
This tape measure had the best display of any tape measure I tested, showing exact measurements on an easy-to-see digital screen that updated instantly as you moved the device in or out. It also allows you to swap between imperial and metric measurements.
This tape measure is great for those who want the convenience of seeing measurements of various increments digitally displayed without having to look at the tape manually. This product features both inches and centimeters; it was the only measure we reviewed that had metric measurements. However, I found the locking mechanism inefficient and challenging to use, and the clip was overly small and tight.
Pros
Cons
Satisfied customers said this digital tape measure was easy to read and accurate. Many noted its durable build. However, negative reviews said that the digital display wsn&#;t always accurate, and that the blade couldn&#;t be pulled out quickly without causing glitches on the display.
&#;This is really easy to use and read the digital display. I love the option of Imperial vs Metic and even fractions vs decimals. The only confusion was how to fully turn it off, as there are no instructions that come with it, but the power turns off fully after 5 minutes of non-use. Power comes on as soon as you pull out the measuring tape. It&#;s great!&#; &#; Grant Cosper via Amazon
I really love being able to take measurements in tough situations. &#; However, it sometimes gives inaccurate measurements that I have seen be more than a quarter inch off at times. If I have to depend on the display, I make it a point to retract the tape fully and retake the measurement several times to ensure I&#;m getting a consistent result.&#; &#; Frederick H. via Amazon
In addition to choosing between a standard and digital tape measure, there are several other important factors worth considering before choosing what product is best for you.
Look at each tape measure&#;s blade length to ensure it will be long enough for your needs. Blade width can also play a factor, especially if you will be measuring long distances. You should also be aware of the measurement system used (US residents will likely want a product that does not use the metric system of measurements) and the durability of the tool, especially if you plan to bring it with you to a job site or on the go. Read our buying guide below for more information on how to select the best tape measure.
Most blades range in length from six to 100 feet. Before purchasing a tape measure, consider what tasks you&#;ll need it for to ensure you pick one that has a long enough reach.
Blades are typically between 0.25 and 1.25 inches in width. The wider the blade, the further you&#;ll be able to extend it unsupported before it curves.
Depending on the measurement system you prefer to use, you&#;ll want a measuring tool that measures in centimeters or inches. You can find double-sided tape measures that have a measurement system on each side or digital models that can switch between systems.
Your tape measure&#;s blade should be coated in nylon to protect it from normal wear and tear. The case should be rubberized to make it easier to grip and prevent the plastic body from cracking if it&#;s dropped.
Using a tape measure may seem simple, but there are some important tips and tricks to keep in mind to ensure you&#;re getting the most accurate readings. Here are some things to remember the next time you use a tape measure.
A brake is a button on a tape measure that you can hold down to keep the blade extended. A lock is a similar feature, except the blade remains extended without you having to keep your finger on a button. Some tape measures are self-locking.
The end hook on a tape measure allows you to anchor the end of the blade on a seam or edge. This is helpful if you&#;re measuring something without assistance. Some hooks are magnetic, allowing you to keep the tip in place by attaching it to metal.
If you only use your tape measure to hang the occasional picture frame, you likely only need a 16-foot blade.
If you&#;re a first-time DIYer working on a woodworking project, a seasoned contractor, or somewhere in between, a tape measure will be an essential component of your toolkit. I tested a variety of tape measures, including a heavy-duty construction tape measure, a tape measure with a digital readout, and a couple of all-purpose tape measures.
To provide our readers with the best product recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide my selection process.
Initial research: Our research process began by generating a list of tape measures with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4-5 stars. I looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
I also took into account how durable each product type should be to serve its intended purpose for several years or more. Finally, we used that information to help us evaluate whether each manufacturer&#;s warranty coverage was adequate and trustworthy.
Expert insights: Through our years of experience, we&#;ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, I looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final product selection: We then began fine-tuning my list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model&#;s feature-set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
I rigorously tested each tape measure in the final lineup you see here. At the end of the day, our goal is to recommend products that provide our readers with the best overall user experience in a fair, balanced, and transparent way.
During testing, I evaluated each item for the following:
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Once we conclude the research and testing phases, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
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