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Pro Tool Reviews tested six popular stud finders on a mock-up that included a lath-and-plaster wall. The Franklin ProSensor M210/X2100 identified every stud center in that test, while the less expensive M70/X700 had no missed or false stud readings but was less precise about centers.
Pro Tool Reviews tested six stud finders on a mock-up lath-and-plaster wall and found that the Franklin ProSensor M210/X2100 correctly located the center of every stud in its test. The report also singled out the less expensive Franklin M70/X700 for recording no missed studs or false stud detections, giving readers two options with different trade-offs for a wall type that can be difficult for electronic sensors.
The testing used a mock-up wall built by Tom Gaige with sections of single-layer drywall, double-layer drywall and lath and plaster. Behind the sections were several targets: standard studs, a stud with live AC, a metal stud, electrical conduit carrying live AC, PVC pipe and a water-filled copper pipe. The report says each device was tested using repeated readings from both sides to estimate stud centers.
For the plaster section, the M210/X2100 recorded 100% on-center detection, with no missed studs and no off-center readings. It also detected AC correctly in the test, but registered false stud detections 33% of the time. Pro Tool Reviews listed its price as $59.99. The report advises taking multiple readings because a false indication may be another object, such as a pipe.
The M70/X700 recorded 67% on-center detection, with 33% of readings identifying an edge as the center. It had no missed studs and no false stud detections in the test. Its reported price was $21.99, nearly $40 below the M210. The M70 does not have AC detection, according to the report. Other tested models included the Zircon HD70 and JAXWQ 139-FYELLOW; the supplied source excerpt gives their results but does not provide the full results or recommendations for all six models.
Choosing a Finder for Plaster
The results matter to homeowners and tradespeople who need to anchor fixtures into older walls. Lath and plaster can be thicker and less uniform than modern drywall, making sensor readings harder to interpret. A misplaced mark can lead to an anchor being installed away from a stud, while confusing a pipe or wiring with framing may create a safety risk if someone drills or cuts without checking.
The test does not produce a single best choice for every job. The M210/X2100 had the strongest center-location result and included AC detection, but it also produced false stud indications. The lower-priced M70/X700 had fewer false indications in this test but did not identify centers as consistently and cannot detect AC. Those differences are relevant when selecting a tool, especially for work that involves opening a wall rather than hanging a light object.
stud finder for lath and plaster walls
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How the Test Was Conducted
The report emphasizes that stud-finder technique affects results even on ordinary drywall. Its tester recommended scanning from an area without a stud toward the target, marking the center, then repeating from the opposite side after the tool resets or recalibrates. Comparing readings from both directions can help expose inconsistent marks; the report says more passes may be needed on plaster.
The tester also cautioned against assuming that studs in lath-and-plaster walls follow the regular 16- or 24-inch spacing often found in modern construction. Older framing can vary. Pro Tool Reviews converted observations into percentages for on-center detection, off-center detection, missed studs, false stud detection and AC detection. Those percentages describe this mock-up and test procedure; the source does not establish that they predict performance in every home or wall assembly.
““Some worked on plaster walls better than others, but only one nailed the center of every stud.””
— Pro Tool Reviews
electronic stud finder with AC detection
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Limits of the Test Results
The supplied report describes results from a single mock-up wall and its chosen targets; it does not establish how each device will perform across all plaster mixes, wall thicknesses, repairs or framing layouts. The excerpt also does not state how many total readings were taken for each percentage, so readers cannot assess the sample size behind the reported rates from the material provided.
The source says six models were tested, but the supplied text cuts off during the comparison of the Zircon HD70 and JAXWQ 139-FYELLOW. It does not include the complete findings for every device or a final recommendation between those two. The test results also do not replace checking for hidden wiring and plumbing before drilling or cutting.
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Checks Before Drilling
The immediate next step for readers is to use the results as a comparison, not as a guarantee: take repeated measurements from both directions and look for agreement before marking a center. The report’s advice is especially relevant when a reading differs from nearby studs or appears unusually difficult for the tool to detect.
For any project that will penetrate or open a wall, a stud finder’s AC feature should not be treated as proof that an area is safe. Confirm the location of wiring and plumbing with appropriate methods and follow tool instructions. The supplied report does not announce follow-up testing or a new product release; no further testing timetable is given.
best stud finder for plaster walls
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Key Questions
Which stud finder performed best at locating stud centers in the plaster test?
The Franklin ProSensor M210/X2100 recorded 100% on-center detection in Pro Tool Reviews’ mock-up test, with no missed studs or off-center readings.
Was the M210/X2100 free of false readings?
No. The report recorded false stud detection 33% of the time for that model, despite its perfect on-center result. It recommends taking multiple measurements.
What was the lower-priced option in the report?
The Franklin M70/X700, listed at $21.99, had no missed studs and no false stud detections in the test. It recorded 67% on-center detection and does not have AC detection.
Can these results guarantee accuracy on every plaster wall?
No. The percentages come from one mock-up wall and the targets used in this test. Wall construction and framing can differ, and the source does not claim the results apply to every home.
What should I do before drilling into a plaster wall?
Repeat stud-finder scans from both directions and check for agreement. Do not rely on a single reading or treat an AC-detection feature as proof that drilling is safe; check for hidden wiring and plumbing before penetrating the wall.
Source: rss
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