Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This is easily one of the best gadgets I've purchased. I've used the electronic version of these, often finding the batteries are dead the one time every six months you happen to need it. This one is dummy-proof. There are nails in your wall studs that the strong magnets in the stud finder grab onto. There's a plumb-bob (vertical) and leveler (horizontal) bubble in the center to make sure you've got the stud finder straight. The yellow circle housing the bubble twists depending on which way you're trying to align. Make a pencil mark on your wall and you're set to mount things, hand heavy paintings, etc. I picked mine up to mount a pull-up bar and gymnastics rings I bought on Amazon Prime Day. I expected it to take at least a few swipes across the wall before the stud finder magnets connected with stud nails, but I got lucky and landed on some immediately. Be aware though that not every bit of metal in your wall is a stud nail. Perhaps most common is the metal protecting corners from floor to ceiling. I actually leave my stud finder on a wall in my home on one of these corners. You'll want to hold the stud finder somewhat gently and move it slowly in a swooping motion until it locks onto a stud. On my walls, it was very easy to tell when you were over a nail, but if you are struggling to feel it, tie a string to your stud finder and let it dangle beside the wall and you'll find a nail. You can then move it straight down or straight up to find other nails on that stud (so you don't run into them with whatever you're hanging). You should be able to find the next stud 16" or 24" inches away. Figure out the correct distance, use a tape measure to mark the studs, then throw the magnetic stud finder up to confirm you're right, and you'll know the studs' locations quickly. Thanks to this thing, I have a solid, new, exercise setup that I'm enjoying a lot. I don't have a regular need for a stud finder, so the fact that this one is so inexpensive and effective is perfect. I will absolutely buy another if it gets lost. Hope that's helpful.