This lets you measure larger areas without having to compound physical the best digital tape measure notification. The tape extends easily and pulls back in safely. The other incredible feature of this digital tape is that it converts measurements from fractions to decimals, or inches to centimeters and calculate midpoints. Tape measures haven't changed digitzl whole lot over the years, and most have similar designs. Best digitsl Sewing:. They are all lightweight and portable and hence allow for easy carrying from one place to the other.

The LCD display shows live measurements as you move, and lights up for use in low-light environments. A Pythagorean mode allows this tool to calculate hard-to-reach distances using two remote measurements. A bubble helps you keep your measurements level, and you can toggle between back and front reference point modes.

Despite its overall efficacy, the laser feature of this tape measure can be easily interrupted with stray objects or debris. Keep both the tape measure and the area clean for the best results. Choose for measurements to be displayed in meters, feet and inches, or inches only. Constant operation means you can see measurements in real-time as you move the tool — which is great for planning construction sites.

An illuminated display keeps measurements clear, even in dark places. The small, 3. For best results, keep it steady while you work and wait the extra second for the measurement. It runs on batteries and uses an automatic shutoff feature to preserve energy. Since it has a relatively small display, it pulls limited power at any given time.

The tape extends easily and pulls back in safely. To add ease during the measurement process, there is a dynamic magnetic hook to let you control the tape. The unit itself is very compact, fitting into any existing toolbox setup. Petite yet powerful, it runs on a duo of AAA batteries easy to find and replace.

Bear in mind that the unit does have a laser, meaning it is vulnerable to dust and debris. So long as you wipe it down before you get started, it can improve your accuracy and precision. It touts advanced features, including the ability to perform complex measurements at the drop of a hat.

With a strong laser that gives you a reach of feet, you can address projects of all different sizes. The tape is fairly compact, fitting into a standard pocket or tool kit. Worried about scratching the display? The measure comes with a carrying pouch to insulate it from danger. The automatic shutoff feature that engages with inactivity protects the batteries and lets you use it for longer.

Balancing advanced abilities with user-friendliness, this is a popular measuring tool. Bear in mind that, while technically a measuring tape, there is no actual physical tape. Despite the compact structure, this tape measure holds a lot of power. It runs on a rechargeable lithium battery that plugs in via USB for quick charging. When in play, the tape extends readily and holds in place easily.

For added precision, there is a laser pointer to help you be sure of your lines. No time to do complex mathematics? This tool can help with that. The screen at the top rotates to let you always see the metrics clearly. Switching readily between imperial and metric, it is a highly effective option. To avoid any downtime, make sure you charge the unit fully before you start work. The laser is there to enable you to get precise lines without the guesswork. Sending the messages to a crisp LCD display, you can quickly and easily get a readout.

The controls are located at the sides, easy to use thanks to the simple design. While the default is metric, it takes only a push of a button to switch it over to imperial. By operating on a rechargeable battery, it lends an economical edge that takes away the need for replacement batteries.

Bear in mind that, though the USB charging is handy, it takes a bit of extra time between uses. Check the charge indicated on the screen before you get to work to prevent any nuisances. When the top priority is getting an exact reading, the Mileseey Digital Tape Measure is a worthy selection. It incorporates a large, bright LCD screen that takes any guesswork out of measuring things in the dark. Reaching to feet away, it is easy to tackle large projects. For the times where you need to run calculations, this measuring tool is right there with you.

From hypothesis to the hypotenuse, you can quickly glean anything from volume to angle. Swapping from metric to imperial in a jiffy, the precision capability and standard power source coupled with an automatic shutoff make this a well-suited workplace tool. While this tape has comprehensive features, it can be a bit bulky to store especially since the screen can scratch. To avoid these pitfalls, keep it away from sharp objects and ready for the next task. The first thing to consider is your desired balance of analog and digital.

Some tape measures have both a physical tape and a laser, whereas others focus entirely on the laser aspect. Decide if you need both and go from there.

Next, you want to determine the level of accuracy you will need. Be sure of the precision as you move forward. For instance, do you have to measure volume?

Sure, you can use paper and a pencil, but more advanced digital tape measures can do the work in a jiffy. Of course, you also want something that comes from a reputable brand that has a proven track record of success. So long as you identify your priorities and focus on options that adhere to those values, you can find an ideal option. A digital tape measure is a tool used to accurately determine distance. Instead of using physical tape exclusively and requiring the user to eyeball the measurement, it relies on technology.

By including sensors, either magnetic or light-operated, the measuring tape registers the distance and displays it on the screen. In standard functions width, length, etc.

However, digital options have more advanced features as well. They can convert between measurements. Even the most basic options include the ability to shift from inches to feet, to metric. Battery operated, digital tape measures are powerful tools that enable a level of accuracy that the human eye simply cannot achieve alone. There are many advantages to using a digital tape measure, ranging from ease to efficiency.

The top virtue is range since lasers can shoot out far further than a physical tape can achieve. This lets you measure larger areas without having to compound physical measurements. Another key benefit is the precision offered by technology. Offering measurement capabilities beyond the linear, digital tape measures usually includes a memory feature that lets it store your previous settings and details. This means you can switch between imperial and metric without worry.

Plus, more advanced measuring tools are able to go far beyond this. By using straightforward formulas like those to calculate angles, hypotenuse length, and volume, you can save a lot of time and effort. There are several different types of digital tape measures , each with their own virtues.

By understanding how each of them works, you can determine which is best suited to your specific needs. While all tape measures are capable of reading distance in a linear fashion, there are advanced selections that take utility far beyond this point. Ultimately, it is a matter of figuring out the sort of task you plan to use the tape measure for. So long as you identify the type of digital tape measure gears towards those needs, you can more easily complete the task.

This type of tape measure focuses entirely on the abilities of the laser and includes no analog tape function. The light beam operates as the tape instead. This offers a wider range than can be achieved with a standard tape since most laser parts can go as far as feet. Included with this type is either a replaceable or a rechargeable battery. This sort of digital tape measure is far more likely than others to have rechargeable capabilities.

Additionally, there is usually a larger screen and more functions. Typically, this type of digital tape measure can perform advanced calculations like volume and area. With these digital tape measures, there is both a physical tape and a laser. While sometimes the laser has less of a range than exclusively digital options, it gives the benefit of having an analog backup.

This way, if batteries die during a project, you can keep working. Though this type tends to be a bit smaller and somewhat heavier, there is still a digital display. It may be more petite, though it offers accurate readings to within the same standard deviation as other options. You can find hybrid selections in various sizes, though more often than not they are powered by a set of replaceable batteries. The unit will likely be able to convert your units and store values in its memory.

Sometimes, you can find a hybrid selection able to calculate advanced formulas. Useful for those who prefer to titrate in technology, these continue to be popular.

A handy option for those with overflowing tool kits, this type of digital tape measure takes up less space than other options. You can find compact digital tape measures in both exclusively digital and hybrid styles. Often, the unit will include a carrying pouch to protect it against damage. Powered by batteries and with a very small LCD display, this type of measuring tape usually features a long battery life. Typically, it will have an automatic shutoff with activity.

Given the size of the screen, it also extends battery life. The first is the type of tape. Choose something that works for you. The next thing to look for is range and precision. Opt for at least feet of range with the laser to give yourself the chance to measure larger areas.

When assessing these digital tape measures , there are a few things we kept in mind. Broken into a couple of categories, we looked primarily at function, structure, and power. By assessing each of these parameters as noted by the description, we were able to identify the top selections. First, we looked at function; finding the selections with the most ability digit conversion, accuracy, range, memory.

The next step in our analysis, provided the tape met the standards for function, is looking at the structure. Is the screen properly sized? Are the buttons accessible? Is it easy to read? Provided these lined up, we moved forward to the power section. All digital tech requires a power source.

So long as the power was accessible strong USB port or replaceable batteries , it made the cut. It has a durable blade, a functional tang, a solid stand-out, a strong locking lever, and a convenient belt hook. The PowerLock is a very basic tool and its pared-down simplicity makes it very light and easy to handle. The other tapes, which cost more, all had failings—a poorly protected blade, a gigantic tang, a lame stand-out, or an impossible belt clip. Again, the most important characteristic of a superior tape measure is the durability of the blade.

The Stanley blade is coated with a Mylar polyester film, which our testing proved to be superior to most of the other tapes. Remember, this is the key point in the durability and longevity of a tape measure. When we dragged the weighted sandpaper over the PowerLock, the coating showed some surface scratching, but the printing remained fully intact. On many of the other tapes, like the Johnsons and the FastCaps, the printing came off like we were erasing a pencil mark.

The Stanley was in the small class of tapes that held up to this abuse. One of the projects we used the tapes on was measuring for 20 custom storm windows, a task consisting of seven measurements per window. For the diagonals, we planted the tang at the lower corner, extended the tapes, and then bent them over with a twist in order to read the upper corner. The PowerLock handled this repetitive bending and kinking with no problems, but we were surprised at how quickly this task worked over some of the tapes, like the Keson and the Tajimas, which quickly developed slight warps and wrinkles in the thin blades.

The tang on the PowerLock is minimal, but very effective. This indicates the quality of the tang as well as its relationship with the tape blade. Still, using the PowerLock for a carpentry project, we were comforted knowing that it is percent dead-on accurate. The PowerLock has a blade stand-out of 7 feet, 10 inches, which is on the upper side of the limit indicated by Clement and DeBoer. The locking lever is strong and easy to use, with a nice texture that prevents the thumb from slipping.

You can easily lock the blade with one hand. The belt hook is a standard but functional design. It has a nice spring to it and the flare at the end makes it easy to blindly hook on a back pocket. I can hold the [PowerLock] in my hand, pay out tape, and bend the tape—say for measuring across a floor or from floor to ceiling—in a fluid motion without having to readjust the tape in my hand.

The people we asked to handle the tapes had similar experiences. The solid feel of the tool and the smooth locking lever were also noted as high points. A really nice additional feature of the PowerLock is that the tape case is marked for inside measurements. On the underside of the case, right where the tang sits, the PowerLock has a slightly loose piece of black plastic. This acts as a shock absorber when the tang comes slamming back into the case.

A few of the other tools had something similar with varying degrees of success. The Johnson JobSite, Johnson Big J, and Keson tapes also had bumpers, but when they were pressed, they actually forced open the seam along the underside of the case. Better versions were found on the Starrett and Tajimas, but those tapes had other issues covered below. The Komelon, Lufkin, and Snap-on extend their ample rubber over-mold up to the nose of the tool so that it directly acts as a bumper.

This last point he makes is worth emphasizing. DeBoer also picks up on the cost analysis in the PTR piece. The PowerLock has a fairly typical warranty. We need to note that Stanley sells another version of this tape measure that they refer to as the PowerLock with Blade Armor. We tested this model out too, and even though it sounds like it would be the superior tape, it pales in comparison to its more stable sibling. This is a nice touch, but we also found that it had one of the weaker blade locks of any tape we looked at.

The tape started recoiling with even the slightest movement. While we liked the added blade durability, the loosey-goosey blade lock was too frustrating. Last, with its long plus-year history, the PowerLock is also something of an icon. For all of this goodness, the PowerLock still has a couple slight flaws.

First, the belt hook is a simple metal clip. This is a standard design on tape measures, and when clipped and unclipped repeatedly on a pocket, it starts to fray the fabric. However, this is only a concern if the tape is being used on a very regular basis. As stated earlier, the PowerLock has been around for over 50 years and the one thing that has changed over time is the case. Somewhere along the way, most likely for cost reasons, Stanley stopped making them out of metal and started making them out of plastic.

In our research, we found that many longtime users of the PowerLock wistfully long for the days of the metal case. The fact is that plastic cases are simply the norm these days, and they offer enough durability to get the job done. Of the tapes we tested, only the Johnson Big J had a significant amount of metal in the case and at no point did we get the sense of any significant added durability.

If you want a tape measure with a proven track record of durability, one that can withstand a true jobsite beatdown, we recommend the Stanley FatMax.

Over the years it has replaced the PowerLock as the standard on jobsites. We actually heard it laughing at us. The FatMax has a top-hooking tang. While this was a feature that took many other tapes out of consideration, the tang on the FatMax is designed differently. On the sides at the top of the tang are two slight horns that stick up above the concave side of the tape. These can be used to hook something from underneath. The trade-off for all of this goodness is weight and bulk.

The chubby case is nearly two inches wide and it fills up any hand that is holding it. For this guide, we only looked at tapes with traditional locking buttons. Some companies make tape measures with auto-locking features that automatically hold the tape in place once it is extended. A button, located where the normal toggle would be, retracts the tape. It makes sense to just learn that little trick and then have the full range of tape motion if you need it.

If you need a longer tape measure, depending on your needs, it may be worth investing in a foot tape measure like this Komelon.

These are not spring-loaded auto-retracting tapes like their smaller cousins. Rather, they work on a spool system like a fishing rod. Any time you consistently need long measurements, one of these can save you a tremendous amount of time.

Another category of measuring tools is the laser distance measurers. These tools, some as small as a pack of cards, shoot a laser point and give the distance on a little screen. There are very basic models similar to the now-discontinued Bosch DLRK that can do distance and calculate area and volume, but others, like the Stanley TLM , can even figure out a distance through triangulation.

If it can read the distance between you and the house and you and the second-story window for example , it can tell you how high the window is off the ground. But as cool as they sound, they can only measure areas that have a positive edge like a room. The Milwaukee 25 ft. General Contractor Tape Measure was our previous upgrade pick for its pro-grade durability. But unfortunately it was discontinued. In late , we tested two new tapes from Milwaukee: the 25 ft. Unfortunately, neither one measured up to the success of the General Contractor Tape Measure.

The Milwaukee Stud is gigantic and simply too massive to easily handle and grip. The Compact Tape Measure is a perfect size, but the blade lock is really difficult and we often had to use two hands to operate it.

Stanley has a foot auto-locking version of our upgrade pick FatMax with a unique tang-extension system. A detachable piece turns the standard FatMax tang into a much larger one. The Starrett Exact Plus might have been our pick if not for its sheer bulk.

A big-pawed carpenter on a jobsite, though, could find a lot to like about this one. The Keson was a nice compact unit, but had its failings. None of the Johnson tapes performed well in the abrasion test. The Komelon also had an over-engineered protective case and was the most futuristic-looking tape we found. The tang was very large and had a vertical piece that could hook from underneath.

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