Stanley Magnetic Stud Finder 47-400

Pros: Works good, no batteries. Always ready to go.
Cons: Occasional false readings. Detects screws, ducts, sheetmetal, etc.

Somewhere in the average homeowner's "Honey-Do" list will be a project that involves either cutting out a piece of drywall, or having a project that requires it to be securely anchored to the wall with nails.

This involves either missing or...

Pros: Inexpensive, conceptually easy to use, no batteries
Cons: Can be misleading, only finds metal not actual studs

Since moving into our new home we have had lots of need for finding our wall studs. While my husband has a nice Ultrasonic stud finder, he never seems to be able to find it and the batteries at the same time. Enter the Stanley Magnetic Stud Finder ...

Pros: Small, cheap
Cons: Crap

I found it to be practically useless. The wall I used it on is not absolutely flat and so the magnet bounces around as I moved it along the wall. I spend much time and discovered nothing. I don't know if the electronic one are any better, but that's what I'll be investing in now.

Pros: Cheap, Works for metal studs only
Cons: Most home users will find this worthless to own

If you are looking for a stud finder for your home this is not it, unless your home was built with metal studs. The simply works with a magnet. When it finds metal it moves straight up. No metal it leans to one side or another. In most homes it would only work if you should pass over a nail or screw.
Now, I use this with great success at work. Most commercial building are done with metal studs for fire code reasons. This little guy will pin point them with no trouble at all in most areas up to 5/8 drywall. If the drywall is thicker, it losses its' power.