Your BUYING and USING the WRONG Tape Measure!

We tested and compared twenty of the most common 25 foot tape measures available at The Home Depot and Lowe's home Improvement. The tape measure tool test comparison was based on Price, durability, readability, visibility, features, and standout of the measuring tape. The tape measures tested range in price from $5 to $30 and the list includes, Craftsman Easy Grip (CMHT37465LW), Craftsman High Vis (CMHT37125LW), Crafstman ProReach (CMHT37525LW), Crescent Nite-Eye (L1225B-02), Crescent Control (L1025C-02), DeWalt 25' (DWHT36107S), DeWalt XP (DWHT36225S), Kobalt Self Lock (KBSL53425), Kobalt Compact Magnetic (KB97325), Komelon Self Lock (L4825HV), Komelon LED (650056100256), Milwaukee Compact (48-22-6625), Milwaukee Wide Blade (48-22-0225), Milwaukee Compact Autolock (48-22-6825), Milwaukee Stud Magnetic (48-22-9725M), Stanley 25' (30-455S), Stanley Powerlock (33-425D), Stanley Center Scale Leverlock (STHT30758L), Stanley FatMax Classic (33-725Y), Stanley FatMax Autolock (FMHT33338L) . We show you the tape measure with the longest stand out. You see the tape measure with the best tape retraction. You'll see the tape measure with the most durable tape and blade, as well as the most visible and most easily read tape measure. Finally we give you the price of each tape measure, and just because a tape measure costs the most money doesn't mean it will perform the best. After you watch this comprehensive tape measure tool comparison you'll be a more informed contractor, tradesperson, carpenter, electrician, plumber, hvac mechanical professional, project manager, estimator, home owner, diy and consumer. After all these years of thinking you use the best tape measures you will now know you're buying and using the wrong tape measure!

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[Will-Dabeest]

Here's the rankings incase anyone has forgotten the place holders. I'll also include the price for each one.
9th Place- Crafstman ProReach($18)
8th Place- Kobalt Compact Magnetic($20), Crescent Nite-Eye($28)
7th Place- Stanley Powerlock($11), Komelon LED($20)
6th Place- DeWalt 25'($16), Milwaukee Compact($11), Craftsman High Vis($9), Kobalt Self Lock($13), DeWalt XP($33)
5th Place- Craftsman Easy Grip($15), Crescent Control($16)
4th Place- Milwaukee Stud Magnetic($32), Komelon Self Lock($8), Stanley FatMax Autolock($26), Milwaukee Wide Blade($26)
3rd Place- Stanley FatMax Classic($23), Milwaukee Compact Autolock($17)
2nd Place- Stanley 25'($5)
1st Place- Stanley Center Scale Leverlock($8)

[sheeps]

Entertaining video. The one test that had me questioning the method was the retraction test. Since the tapes were fixed at the hook end, the springs had to overcome the weight of the tape measure and any friction from rubber overmolding, hence why it looked like the light and cheap tape measures dominated the test. Less weight and inertia to overcome on those models. This is also the opposite of how a tape measure would actually be used since you are going to be holding the body with the hook end snapping back.

[camerondave]

Vince, as a Product Manager for a Power Tool Accessory company, your making my job easy today... Thanks for this video!

[JackKirbyFan]

Vince I'm not surprised about Stanley. They've been making tape measures forever and lots of framers love them because they take a beating. Great video!
Now please make sure you take time off for yourself because you clearly do this as a labor of love!

[NickWickedone]

I don't normally comment but I can appreciate the scientific angle of these videos compared to the barrage of two deals I keep seeing on a channel that had lost my interest. This has rejuvenated the channels image and I look forward to seeing more of it. Testing the science of these tools is essential to our performance on a job

[NathanaelD]

I switched from DeWalt tapes for a Crescent Lufkin about a year ago and love it. I would have to buy a new DeWalt every 3 yo 6 months. I should also state that I have the high visibility Lufkin. It's been good to me so far

[stephenleepmg]

Love the Stanley tapes for a little over 30 years and the higher end tapes are manufactured in the USA 🇺🇸 . Very good stuff.

[MrJakeyftodler]

I'm a big a Stanley fatmax classic guy for the past few years now. I've used all the big brands. I absolutely love the way the crescent Lufkin looks and feels, but I've never bought one for the sole fact that it retracts too hard. Stanley fatmax classic has the perfect retraction that doesn't beat the shit out of your fingers

[ringersonx]

Another test that should have been included in my opinion is a hook test to see which tape has a hook that will stay on different materials the best and how many degrees from flat the hook stays attached. This is the biggest struggle I have with tape measures, by far.

[garmbeliblis]

This is what the people have been waiting for. Well done VCG.

[dodobird]

Personally I can't stand milwaukee tapes. Every one I've ever owned always splits in between 7 and 8 inches and won't close anymore. Home depot will no longer replace the old ones for free. I switched to Fatmax with the magnet. I really like them.

[Mishalex]

I really appreciate this video. The discrepancy between some tape measures (and the occasional inaccuracy) drives me absolutely insane. Also, I hope I don't come across as a busybody jerk for saying this, but I wanted to point out that as of the time I made this comment, in your video title, you want the contraction "you're" (for "you are") rather than the possessive adjective "your" (as in your car, your house, your phone, and so forth). I just felt it worthwhile to point out because I can tell that you appreciate precision as much as I do, and we all make mistakes, so the important thing is to keep learning, growing, improving, and helping each other out.😊 Much respect for this video, and thanks for the tests. This is most helpful in choosing a tape measure for the future.

[zzmalone]

You guys did an awesome job on this video!! Solid tests! My favorite is the Milwaukee Auto-lock. Have a great night! Well done 👍🏻

[jonmarsh]

The tapes race was very funny. I use the Stanley cheap 6$ CAD tapes and I like them the most. I used many brands because i tend to loose my tapes and always get back to them. I fact that these are light, yellow in colour for traceability, they retract no mather what make them winners for me. The precision is spot on. Heck I recently bought 12ft 3$ smaller tapes for shopping and I just love it. Great video from a new subscriber.

[SZOPanther]

I love videos like this! I would recommend "low visibility" readability for those times when your dealing with limited time/light.

[LS]

I have gone through a few of the Milwaukee tape measures I’m glad all you gotta do is call and get a new one
That was a awesome 😎 video

[techbass]

The klein tape measure with the conduit bend multiplier is probably the best I've ever owned. Durable, nonconductable, and a rare earth magnet.

[richardvirgen-slane]

I’m a PhD scientist and I LOVE how you close out this video. I’m subscribed!

[beatit]

I bought the Milwaukee Auto Lock when I got tired of my junk drawer tape measures and they magically flew across my yard and disappeared. It's been solid for all of my diy projects that have turned out awesome.

[davethepius]

You're really upping your video game Vince, and I'm loving it!! I just got into the Crescent Nite Eye, I got some 35 footers on sale. My eyes aren't as great as they were, and these tapes are the easiest for me to read. It sucks they lost the drop test, I wonder how the others would do if they landed on the same spot.