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Apr 18, 2023 · We’ve reviewed this guide and stand by our picks. April 2023. We tested more than 10 duct tapes on wood, glass, and plastic sheeting, spending seven months monitoring their outdoor performance in...
- Doug Mahoney
Mar 26, 2020 · Powered by JustWatch. There are few modes of healing as cathartic as sharing one’s truth through the prism of art. It was the world of avant-garde theatre in New York that first enabled filmmaker Deborah Kampmeier to explore the abuse she endured while growing up in the South.
Apr 19, 2024 · April 2024. 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...
- Doug Mahoney
Apr 9, 2024 · Best Overall: Crescent Lufkin Shockforce Nite Eye G2. Jump to this Tape Measure ↓. Best Heavy-Duty: DeWalt Tough Series Tape Measures. Jump to this Tape Measure ↓. Best Magnetic: Milwaukee Stud Magnetic Tape Measures. Jump to this Tape Measure ↓. Best Laser: Skil 65-Foot Laser Measurer with Wheel.
- Final Verdict
- Our Testing Process
- How to Shop For Tape Measures Like A Pro
- More Tape Measures to Consider
- Questions You Might Ask
- Take Our Word For It
- What Is Real Simple Selects?
The Irwin Strait-Line Tape Measure is our top pick for its bold, distinct numbers and long standout that can measure large areas, especially if you are doing it by yourself. If you prefer something more economical, we recommend the Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure. While it has a shorter reach and fewer features, we think it will work well enough for...
To come up with this list, we acquired 34 tape measures and tested them in our lab. Whenever possible, we tested the 16- and 25-foot versions of each tape measure. Since accuracy is of utmost importance in a measuring tape, we took both inside and outside measurements in four different increments ranging from 4 to 24 inches. We took note of how eas...
Blade Length
When shopping for a tape measure, one of the most important things to consider is its blade. “The ‘blade’ is the part of the tape measure that has the measurements on it,” says Jantz. “It is the ‘tape’ in a tape measure.” Different brands offer blades of various lengths, with 25 feet being the most common. However, there are other sizes available such as 16 feet, 35 feet, and even 100 feet. Consider the types of projects you’ll need the tape measure for, and choose a blade length based on that.
Blade Width
Blade width is also important when it comes to getting accurate measurements. Jantz points out that a broader tape measure is easier to read and will provide more standout to users, which means it won’t snap or bend so easily if extended (more on that below).
Blade Material
There are several blade materials you can opt for, such as fiberglass, steel, and stainless steel. Steel is the most common, and by far the “best all-around material for a tape measure,” according to Greenwell. This is because measuring tapes constructed with steel blades are durable and rust-resistant—even if they come in contact with corrosive chemicals. That being said, Greenwell believes that a fiberglass tape measure is actually the “most versatile.” She says that fiberglass tape measure...
Craftsman Pro Reach Tape Measure: This Craftsman tape measure performed well in our tests, has a decent standout length (11 inches), and is compact enough to fit in any standard tool belt pouch. However, we encountered issues when it came to its recoil—it didn’t always retract smoothly. Milwaukee Compact Magnetic Tape Measure: We liked this tape me...
Are tape measures 100% accurate?
Although tape measures are incredibly useful, you won't ever be able to get 100% accuracy when using one. However, for most DIY and construction projects, taking the time to measure precisely should get you results that are accurate enough.
What is the easiest tape measure to read?
According to Jantz, the most readable tape measurements are either digital tape measures, which display measurements on a LED screen and can be converted to metric or imperial units, or double-sided tape measures, which feature markings on both sides of the tape. Tape measures with bold markings and larger numbers, like the DeWalt Tough Series Tape Measure, are much easier on the eyes, so that’s something you should keep in mind when choosing one.
This article was written by Nor’adila Hepburn, a contributing writer for Real Simple with two years of experience writing product reviews and home and lifestyle content. To put together this list, we tested 34 tape measures and considered factors such as blade length, width, and material. We also looked at each product’s standout, units of measurem...
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a pro...
Courtesy Amazon. Komelon Self-Lock Power Tape. $8.59. 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.
Mar 28, 2024 · The 8 Best Tape Measures of 2024, Tested and Reviewed. Inch-ing closer to perfection. By. Michelle Ullman. Updated on 03/28/24. Reviewed by. Deane Biermeier. Fact checked by. Emily Estep. In This Article. Our Top Picks. Reviews. How We Tested. What to Look For. FAQ. Why Trust The Spruce. The Spruce / Henry Wortock.
