Tape measures are a necessary tool for anybody that works in the trades, and electricians are no different. But the truth is, there’s not one best tape measure for electricians. Choosing the right tape measure for you will ultimately come down to the type of work you do, the sorts of spaces you work in, and your general working style.
Be honest with yourself—are you prone to dropping tools from the top of the latter? In that case, it might be best to invest in a heavier duty tape measure that can take a beating and won’t need to be replaced if it falls from a distance. Do you work in an environment with a lot of metal? In that case, why not buy a tape measure with a magnetic tip so you can easily fasten it to your surroundings, allowing you to take longer measurements without a second person. All of the tape measures on this list are great options for electricians, and worth buying. Take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each to find a tape measure that you truly love.
Best Quality Tape Measure
Stanley Tools 33-725 25-Feet FatMax Tape Measure
This tape measure by Stanley Tools is a great option for those looking for a high quality product that is built to last, and can withstand wear and tear including accidental drops from heights. That’s because the FatMax tape measure is crafted out of industrial grade BladeArmor coating on the first three inches, and comes with a high-impact ABS case for extra durability. The durable rubber non-slip casing on the outside of this tape measure makes it more sturdy and less prone to slipping off of surfaces. The blade of thie FatMax is made with a Mylar polyester film to ensure that it continues to function like new for years to come. This tape measure is also proudly made right here in the United States, with premium materials and care, so you can support local manufacturers and feel confident in the quality of this product. Lock this blade easily with the top-forward blade lock. And with its 16-inch and 19-inch stud center markings, framing jobs will be easier than ever before. All of these great features, it’s American-made durability, and fantastic value make it one of the best tape measures that an electrician can buy.
PROS
- Made with pride and care in the United States with premium materials.
- The 25-inch length of this tape measure is suitable for the vast majority of electrician jobs.
- The spring on this tape measure is heat treated for a smooth recoil every time, and long-lasting durability.
- The outer casing is designed to be impact resistant, so you can drop this measure from heights without worrying about it breaking.
- Mylar polyester film on the blade for extra durability.
- ABS case for extra durability
- Rubber non-slip casing
- Top-forward blade lock
- 16-inch and 19-inch stud center markings to make framing jobs easier.
CONS
- Slightly excessive curvature on the extended blade.
- The body of this tape measure is slightly wide.
Komelon 7130 Monster MagGrip 30-Feet Measuring Tape
The Komelon 7130 Monster MagGrip is a highly revered tape measure that comes at a great price, and gets consistent rave reviews online from users. This tape measure was even awarded an “Amazon Choice Pick” certification for its popularity. With a 30 foot by 1-inch blade, the Monster MagGrip is slightly longer than some of the other tape measures on this list. The magnetic dual-end hook of this tape measure makes it easy to extend it all the way to the end, then fasten it to a steel or iron surface, without needing another person to hold it for you. Komelon also included an extremely useful feature that’s often overlooked: double-sided printing on the measure for more precise marking and line drawing than ever before. The impact resistant, rubber outside case, along with the nylon coated carbon steel blade, both ensure superior durability, so you can be confident that this measure will last you year-over-year of use. Overall, this tape measure is highly recommended for commercial electricians who work around a lot of metal, since it can be easily fastened with its magnetic hook.
PROS
- The magnetic tip of this tape measure makes it easy to fasten to metal surfaces for easy one-person use.
- Highly durable and suitable for long-term use.
- Nylon coated carbon steel blade to combat wear and tear.
- Impact resistant, rubber outside case.
- Double sided printing means that you can do more precise marking and line drawing than ever before.
- Long 30 foot blade.
- Amazon choice pick.
CONS
- Magnetic tip only fastens magnetically to metal surfaces and not wood.
Maerble Premium Heavy Duty 25 Foot Tape Measure
The Maerble Heavy Duty tape measure is a premium tape measure that’s designed for heavy use, accidental drops from heights, and general wear and tear. If you’re an electrician who works in a commercial or industrial setting where your tools get banged up quickly, this long-lasting tape measure may be the perfect solution. That’s because this tape measure is crafted out of heavy duty stainless steel metal and hard rubber casing. The Maerble tape measure also allows you to make measurements in both the metric (centemetres and millimetres) and imperial (feet and inches) systems. This tape measure also includes an easy-to-fasten clip that allows you to attach it to your belt or pocket. Finally, this tape measure only retracts when you press the button—unlike a lot of other tape measures on the market today.
PROS
- Extremely heavy duty, durable tape measure that can withstand lots of wear and tear and can be used for years to come.
- Made from high quality materials like heavy duty stainless steel metal and heavy rubber.
- Measures in both the imperial and metric system.
- Includes a clip that’s easy and convenient to fasten to belts and pockets.
- The tape measure only retracts when you press the button.
CONS
- Blade markings on the bottom may wear out over time if they’re frequently scratched against tough surfaces
Stanley FMHT33338L 1-1/4-Inch Auto Lock Tape Measure
The main difference between this tape measure and the aforementioned Stanley Tools tape measure (#1 on this list) is that this tape measure comes with an auto-lock function, and a manual mode. In fact, the Stanley FMHT33338L is the very first tape measure that has an auto-lock function and an 11-inch blade standout. This auto-lock function increases the life of its blade, and also gives users better control to complete jobs with greater efficiency. The blade of this tape measure is also extremely durable due to Stanley’s Blade Armor coating, which extends its life by 10x that of a normal blade. And with a detachable hook, this measure is perfect for all types of jobs and for easy storage. Due to its long-lasting durability, and auto-lock function—the convenience of which cannot be over stated—this tape measure is a fantastic tool that will simplify the lives of electricians of all stripes.
PROS
- Tape measure comes complete with an auto-lock function, an almost essential feature for professional electricians who frequently work alone.
- Extremely durable and long lasting.
- Blade Armor coating that extends blade life by 10x
- Detachable hook for easy storage and versatile performance.
- 11-inch blade standout.
- Blade crafted from steel to prevent the measurement markings from fading over time or with wear and tear.
CONS
- Auto-lock function will eventually weaken over time and lots of use.
Stanley 33-425 Powerlock 25-Foot by 1-Inch Measuring Tape
This is another great American made measuring tape from Stanley that’s built with a lockable blade so you can make sure your measurements are 100% precise. One unique feature that this tape measure comes with is that the True-Zero hook can be double purposed as a pivot for drawing perfect circles and arcs. This hook is also expertly crafted so that you can use it for both inside and outside measurements, adjusting automatically to the job you’re trying to do. Another great feature of this measuring tape is the mylar coated blade, which prevents the numbers from fading and the blade from breaking down with long-term use. The spring that controls the blade in this measuring tape is also heat-treated to make it more durable for long-lasting use. This measuring tape also comes with a convenient belt clip that allows you to attach it to your belt or even pocket. Last but not least, this tape measure was made with pride and care right here in the United States for best in class quality.
PROS
- The True-Zero hook doubles as a pivot for drawing perfect arcs and circles.
- Automatically adjusts for doing both inside and outside measurements.
- Heat-treated spring for long lasting durability.
- Convenient belt clip for attaching the measuring tape to your pocket or belt.
- Lockable blade for making precise measurements.
- Mylar coated blade that prevents the numbers from fading and keeps the blade in good condition over the years.
- Casing is crafted out of a high-impact rubber mold that guarantees greater strength and durability.
- Easy reach blade that stays rigid for up to 7 feet.
- Made right here in the U.S.A.
CONS
- Plastic casing may start to wear out if it’s dropped frequently.
- Auto-lock feature may start to diminish with long-term heavy use.
Measuring Tape Measure By Kutir
This heavy duty measuring tape is another popular choice among electricians due to its magnetic hook, metric and imperial measurements, and durable casing. Built with shock-absorbing top grade rubber lets this tape measure last the test of time, withstanding accidental drops and general wear and tear. This tape measure also comes with a magnetic hook that lets you attach it easily to any metal surface so you can make long measurements without needing a second person. The 0.15mm thick stand out blade (up to the first 7 feet) also means that the blade is extremely sturdy and won’t flop around while trying to make measurements.
PROS
- Sturdy matte blade up to 7 feet.
- Shock-absorbent case designed to handle accidental drops.
- Durable and long-lasting.
- Magnetic tip that allows you to attach the end to any metal surface.
- Imperial and Metric measurements.
- Easy to read bold writing on the blade.
CONS
- Measurement on the first few inches can be hard to read due to magnetic clip.
Best Tape Measure for Electricians: Conclusion
All of the tape measures on this list are at the top of their industry in terms of quality, and would be a great addition to an electrician’s tool belt. Each tape measure offers its own small advantages and disadvantages, but in the end, any of the tape measures on this list would get the job done. So what’s the best tape measure for electricians? The truth is, that depends on the unique needs and working style of the electrician! Thanks for reading—we hope this list helped you find the best tape measure for you.
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