CH Hanson 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder Review

We purchased the CH Hanson 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder so our expert reviewer could try it out at her home. Keep reading for our full product review.

Stud finders are a nifty tool for DIY lovers; they help you locate studs onto which you can secure picture frames, shelves, furniture, and more. There are a number of stud finders on the market, ranging in price from just a few dollars to a couple hundred. Some can pick up on a variety of materials, some beep or light up to confirm they’ve found a stud, and others even keep a digital map of your wall’s interior structure (studs, wires, and all) should you need it again later. CH Hanson’s 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder comes at a bargain basement price, so we wanted to see what that meant in terms of performance. A few projects later and this is what we discovered.

Performance: Magnetic design lacks precision

My husband and I used the CH Hanson to locate wall studs while installing a closet organizer. During that process, we had to find every stud on a five foot wall. While that’s not a huge space to cover, it sure felt like it using the tiny CH Hanson.

The CH Hanson definitely has it’s pros, though. Simplicity can be a beautiful thing, and it really is with this tool. It contains two powerful magnets that are able to locate the screws used to install wall studs. This means you never have to replace batteries in order to use it. Once we’d located all the studs in our wall, we left the CH Hanson magnetized in place to verify the location of the stud and then grab a pencil to mark it. There’s no way to know where the exact edge of the studs are located, however. Because the screws may or may not be in the center of the stud, the CH Hanson left us with some guesswork. 

While it might not be fancy, it does accurately locate screws. The trick is having the patience to find them. Wall studs aren’t covered in screws, so it’ll take you some time to brush the CH Hanson across the wall until you hit one. If you don’t have any idea where the studs are to start with, the location process can take a while.

All in all, the CH Hanson’s performance is mediocre. It’s easy to miss studs, and it doesn’t give you any way to measure stud width. If you need to find studs fast, you’ll be in trouble with this one. However, if you already have a stud finder and want a backup to verify the location of studs (these tools can be wrong sometimes), the CH Hanson performs admirably.

Design: Simple and compact

This model is designed for compact simplicity. It measures just 1.25 x 0.75 x 3 inches, making it a palm size tool that’s easy to toss in your toolbox. You can also slip it in your pocket while working. One caveat: the powerful magnets adhere to almost everything. If you keep it in your toolbox, you might need to separate it as anything magnetic will stick. Likewise, it can attract keys and phones in your pocket.

The only other design feature of the CH Hanson is the built-in level. On a tool this small, the reading won’t be as accurate as a dedicated level. But, if you need a two-in-one tool for basic projects, it’s not a bad way to keep things straight.

Size: Pros and cons wrapped into one

Our lives are cluttered with stuff. If there’s one thing the CH Hanson won’t do, it’s overwhelm your toolbox. It’s small and portable, so you can even keep it in your pocket while working on projects.

While this is a positive for most, it could also be a negative. If you’re working on a big project, it’s easy to misplace. In fact, during the testing process, we misplaced it more than once. We found it easier to keep track of if we left it on the wall while not in use. If you’re prone to losing things, you might want to opt for a more substantial stud finder. 

Price: Major selling point

Retailing for $7.99, the CH Hanson costs a fraction of what larger models do. If you’ll only be using a stud finder to hang an occasional picture frame or mirror, this is the tool for you. It’ll get the job done, after all, just slower and with less accuracy than some of its competitors.

Competition: A step behind the rest

Franklin Sensors 710 Precision Stud Finder: Professionals who need fast and accurate results are better off with the Franklin 710. This large stud finder has 13 indicator lights and a wide sensing strip that detects studs within seconds. It might lack precision, but you’ll be able to scan in corners, locate two studs at once, and determine stud width in no time. Of course, performance and price often go hand in hand. The Franklin 710 will run you roughly $50.

Zircon StudSensor e50 Electronic Wall Scanner: The e50 is perfect for the average homeowner or professional who needs precise stud location. While the $25 stud finder may not be as fast as the Franklin 710, it provides more accurate results than both the Franklin 710 and CH Hanson. Plus, it’s got live wire detection to protect you from electrical wires.