Best buys · The garage

The best tape measure worth buying

Our pick is the Stanley FatMax 25 ft. Below: why, what actually matters when buying one, what to get for less, the step up, and whether today's price is a good one.

The tape measure

Stanley FatMax 25 ft

Long standout before it buckles, a hook that survives being dropped off a ladder, and cheap enough that you buy two and keep one in the car.

Buy it for
Everyone. This is the one on most job sites.
Skip it if
You only hang pictures. Any tape will do.

What actually matters when buying a tape measure

  1. Standout: how far the blade extends before it buckles. It decides whether you can measure alone.
  2. A wide blade stays straighter and survives being walked on.
  3. A hook that stays true after being dropped. Cheap tapes lose accuracy at the hook first.
  4. Markings on both sides of the blade, so you can read it from underneath.

Either side of the pick

Spend less

Stanley PowerLock

The classic narrower tape. Less standout, lighter on the belt, and fine for most jobs around a house.

Check the price at Amazon ↗

Discounted today, if you would rather

Not our pick. These are the tape measure offers live right now at stores we track, ranked on the evidence behind the price.

Fanttik A10 Apex 3-in-1 16ft Digital Laser Tape Measure with 32ft Cross Line Laser
Home & Workshop · checked 11m ago

Fanttik A10 Apex 3-in-1 16ft Digital Laser Tape Measure with 32ft Cross Line Laser

from $69.99
1 current offer 1 merchant
Compare offers →