Best Tape Measure 2025? Milwaukee, DeWalt, FatMax, Craftsman

[@kc0lif]

i like auto lock option on tapes.

[@Protoolreviews]

It's an acquired taste for sure.

[@vferrara1984]

I personally tried the Stabila BM 300 and it is great also because it has a measurement on both sides of the 27 mm tape.

[@leonbarzegar4914]

One more comment. 1- if there is a little damage on the tape finger stop can cut into finger. 2-can provide rubber bumper for retraction phase at tape housing. 3- the architectural feature on stud model is a positive feature, as an engineer. 4- large heads can be problematic in slipping through obstructions. Needs to have medium size It Can get stuck. 5- all good as you said. Dark weather, environment the black can help. Dark or evening part.

[@slimsycentaur37]

What happened to having millimeters/centimeters on one side of the tape measure? I swear i only found one out of 25 that had the metric system and i remember it used to always being on them growing up

[@Protoolreviews]

I think they figured out that they could sell two tapes instead, lol.

[@jonathanwatt4623]

Very nice video mate, well done! I think Lufkin make the best measuring tools and I use a night eye tape.

[@Protoolreviews]

Solid tapes for sure!

[@jasongibbs8151]

A comparison is incomplete without a Komelon Tape.

[@georgedavall9449]

Indeed, I’m in agreement, and Komelon, as I even failed to mention in another comment, is one of my favs! Klein makes some good tapes as well, with a finger stop on bottom that slows tape down on retraction.

[@jmejam_jmejam_]

I've had 2 of the Dewalt tapes each one of them has a hole wear out in the first 3 inches quickly. Ive heard of others having the same issues I wouldn't recommend them.

[@cade861]

I prefer Klein but I wish they would all make the measurement of the tape a whole number like 3 not 3 1\8 or like one I had that is 3 3\16

[@zachdurmax2636]

Klein is the best.

[@Derek-tk4wf]

The standard version of that Lufkin was very nice. For the 2 times I used it. Retracting it back in on the 3rd time, the last 3 inches about tore completely off. Ive had Fatmax's and Dewalts last 3-4 years, before the wear makes it a chore to use. The 16' Milwaukees are okay. Hate using the larger ones. Too bulky and heavy.

[@cm.5023]

I'm just a handy homeowner and every Stanley I've ever had either broke or wore out with minimal use and the new craftsman's felt cheap. I had a great 25 ft Kobalt that I loved but it was left outside accidentally and rusted really bad. Unfortunately for me Lowes does not carry that model anymore and the replacement didn't have fractions. The other brands didn't seem any better for the money when I tested them in the store, and most didn't have fractions and if they did something else was missing or wrong with it. I ended up getting a Hart 35ft from Walmart (totally unexpected) that checked all the boxes and was less expensive. After using it for a few weeks I went back and got a matching 16ft and 6ft. it was 1/3 the price of the Lufkin G2 and has a removeable wire clip like the Milwaukee.

[@zachdurmax2636]

Try Klein.

[@nelsondodds2039]

I wonder if the black tape shows a green laser better or worse than the yellow ones?. Any thoughts/ experience welcome! Currently using the stanley and Milwaukee.

[@scottward2366]

Last couple of years I have been using the Lufkin.. I have tried all of these brands over the years.. my top 2 would be the lufkin and Milwaukee

[@bakcon]

Is this a joke? The Milwaukee Stud is the worst tape measure ever made in the history of retractable tape measures. By far. I'm not kidding. That thing sucks.

[@TunaSoda]

The only thing that matters is scale accuracy. Take all of them and mark out a spot at 20' and see what the deviations are in thousandths of an inch between each other. This is why I always get Stanley tapes (for a good consistent measure without needing to buy actual Class 1 tapes)

[@mookiiieeee]

That’s just not true lol but yes Stanley is the best

[@JT-lq4yd]

Stanley tapes are "tested" for accuracy at NIST.

[@iron3624]

i got me an irwin a few weeks ago not that one but the one that has that push stop button at the bottom , i love it ppl at work dont lmao , i dont like habing the same tapes as everyone else and if i see a cool tape that no one has i immediately want to buy it lmao

[@DougTunnler]

Tape measures have all become too wide for my liking. I have 25 year old Occidental tool bags and none of these tapes will fit in the designated tape holder. One of those dad style chrome Stanleys fit perfect, and Harbor Freight also has a Bauer branded tape with a slim profile that is surprisingly durable.

[@Techprep23]

That's exactly why I bought a couple different lengths of Hart tape measures from Walmart. Maybe ⅜ wide tape. Some have auto stop and since fractions aren't my thing they include the idiot marks too. 8ths half's and ¼s too. Not the strongest metal tapes but for my Johny home owner level wood working projects they are nice.

[@internalharm]

They should make less wide tape measure with the same standout

[@squirrelydan5767]

There's plenty of other tapes out there. Regular ole Stanley power lock are still industry standard and Komelon are also classically sized.

[@Techprep23]

@squirrelydan5767 I did see a Stanley that was kind of narrow at home Depot and it's got that lever lock on it so you push in the bottom of it pull out all the tape you need and then release and it'll hold and it also includes all the idiot marks for those of us who never had a father to teach us how to read a tape. And surprisingly my shop class teacher did not either. It was only $6.50. A hair or two wider than my hart ones I got from Walmart

[@Tool_Addicted_Carpenter]

That's a common issue with the occidental tape holders. Easy to fix though. Leather can be stretched. Soak it in some warm water and force the wider tape in and put some shims all around it. Let it sit like that for a couple days and it will form to it and stay that way.

[@RedDawnAK74]

Lufkin but I love a small 12’ metal Stanley fer size and weight on my minimalist pouch

[@zachdurmax2636]

I carry a Klein 16 foot. It has great stand out, it’s durable, has bend multipliers, Phase table, finger stop, lock, magnetic, hooks, good belt clip, and double sided. 16 foot is usually more than enough for me as an Electrician. However I do usually keep a 25 footer in my bag in case. The only other tape I use is a Stanley Fat Max. I have used the Crescent Nite Eye and Dewalt tapes in the past and have no problem with them. I hate Milwaukee tapes, they suck. They warp, break, and the stand out is horrible.

[@5pointslow239]

Milwaukee only for the belt clip. I'm using an Irwin right now because I think it looks cool.

[@Protoolreviews]

Nothin' wrong with that!

[@johnscritchfield5736]

I use the DEWALT tough series

[@stevenott8284]

Milwaukee stud with lime green tip. What’s the model?

[@carnold.knowledge]

Sorry, but you left out my 2 favorite tape brands: Tajima and “Perfect Measuring Tape”. All the ones on your table missed the mark for me…

[@ElectroAtletico]

Fatmax. Then the rest. I tried the Milwaukee. That finger lock on the bottom is idiotic. It is everyone's habit to let the tape reel in. In my case it seems that over a few weeks or purchasing it, the blade had dragged debris back as it reeled in and that debris made it into the mechanism via the finger lock hole. Within weeks it had stopped working. I took a 9mm and put it out of its misery and got me the new Klein. NO problems with the Klein!!

[@reconbbs360]

As long as it measures, I'm satisfied. LOL.

[@framergod69]

its the fat max. I gave the Milwaukee tape away

[@_1COR15.1-4]

Framer, fatmax, 25 or 30 ft depending on the job

[@6hu6r]

Stanley power lock 25 foot

[@Smartie40.]

Straight off the bat, you don’t even have the best tape in the test. Or at least one of the top contenders. That is the FastCap range.

[@mikechamberlain9558]

Fat max use to be my favorite. Lufkin new favorite. Built a little tougher and easier to see measurements. Both have the best standout. Craftsman for dirty jobs if they get guncked up easy replacement. Dewalt absolute junk. Milwaukee overpriced. Never used Irwin looks nice though

[@renurenovationsllc7780]

Why no Milwaukee Wide Blade, the stud is not good in comparison.

[@Protoolreviews]

In our defense...Milwaukee has like 8 different types of tape to choose from. We had to pick one!

[@weldonpinder7295]

I hate wide tapes. Anything above 7/8 or a inch thick is to wide. It makes them heavier to

[@TunaSoda]

They are good for standout

[@weldonpinder7295]

@TunaSoda I know but that's what I have a laser measure for. When they're to thick it's also hard for them to go in a tool belt pocket

[@TunaSoda]

@@weldonpinder7295 I have a Prexiso PLT40LI tape measure with a laser built in! :)

[@LeeTillbury]

Maybe hit the gym if tape measure weight is an issue buddy 😂

[@weldonpinder7295]

@LeeTillbury well if that's the way to view it then buy the heaviest recip saw or circular saw. Weight does matter in different tools. If it didnt then why everytime milwaukee comes out with a m12 impact they make it lighter and compact.Everyone has their preference. You like the bulky stuff but I dont

[@LeeTillbury]

Love my Milwaukee tape measure

[@zachdurmax2636]

In my opinion Milwaukee has the worst tapes.

[@Pdpawlak]

Fast cap is the best and it’s ain’t close

[@briancnc]

Fastcap hands down, the rest are junk.

[@LeeTillbury]

The rest of junk what?

[@georgedavall9449]

Ok there sport shoes, 🙄

[@briancnc]

@georgedavall9449 😄 from experience broken all of these home depot junk brands, only fastcap I've ever managed to break fastcap replaced for free

[@georgedavall9449]

@@briancnc Not gonna argue with You RE: FastCap, a very good brand, but I cannot easily dismiss good tapes like FatMax, Lufkin, and Klein, which I own and use. Milwaukee seems to never quite know what version to stick with, as they constantly change up their designs. I have owned and used Milwaukee, but not my first choice. The lever action on the Lufkin belt clip works very well. Tapes are bound to break, get lost, ‘walk’ off jobsites, etc. End of Day, whatever fits the hand, and works, is what matters. Take care

[@schlempfunkle]

Junk is junk. I’ve worn out 5 tapes, no abuse.