

They use the phone’s magnetometer (the sensor that drives the compass) to detect metal nails or screws behind the drywall. With the evolution of technology, you can find stud finding apps for both iPhone and Android smartphones. These radar-like tools typically only get used by professionals to “see” what’s behind the wall beyond just studs. Advancing beyond the types of stud finders we recommend, you encounter wall scanners. There are also other types of tools to detect objects beneath the surface of a wall. They can’t detect the actual stud, so there’s some guesswork as you look for the exact center. They cost less than stud finders that use active sensors, but they’re more limited. Magnetic stud finders work by using a magnet to locate the screws that hold your drywall in place. Stud finders primarily come in two categories. Most people using one are setting a nail or screw, usually to hang something that might pull through the drywall on its own. Stud finders help you detect where studs are in your wall. To help you out, our team has broken out a list of our favorite stud finders in a variety of situations along with what we like and don’t like about each. But let’s face it, there’s no single model that’s exactly what everyone needs. There are a lot of “best” stud finder options out there. Even when we’re not using them professionally, there are always pictures and mirrors to hang, shelves to mount, and any number of projects going on around our homes. With a focus on residential and light commercial construction, our team uses stud finders all the time once the drywall is up.
