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Best Tape Measure

Published Jul 26th, 2021 4:35PM EDT

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Stop eyeballing it when putting up your pictures or paintings. Be precise and make sure your family portrait isn’t hanging crooked by using a tape measure. Extending and retracting so you can measure lengths of rooms, an area for a couch, or just about anything else, a tape measure is a great gift for college students and new homeowners alike. Anyone who has ever tried to mount a TV knows how important it is to measure everything beforehand. With any of these measuring tapes, decorate the walls of your home with ease.

Use both sides of this best tape measure

Best Dual-Sided MeasureImage source: Zabiki/Amazon

With rulers on both sides, the Zabiki Measuring Tape Measure will show you exactly how long something is when it’s being used. The back shows down to an eighth of an inch and it shows inch and metric measurements, giving you precision every time. The casing is made out of a top-grade rubber that will absorb any shock, so if you happen to drop it, it’ll be fine. It’s perfect for working alone as the ruler end has a magnetic tip, allowing you to stick it to a metal surface to keep it in place. Measuring out 25 feet, it stands sturdy up to eight feet and the tape is flexible, allowing you ultimate freedom to use it how you like.

Key Features:

  • Casing is made of top-grade rubber
  • Measures out 25 feet
  • End has a magnetic tip
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Show where you’ve been

Best Self-Marking MeasureImage source: QuickDraw/Amazon
QuickDraw DIY Self-Marking Tape Measure

has a built-in graphite dispensing wheel at the bottom of the end of the tape measure, allowing you to accurately mark where you’ve measured. You don’t have to try and hold the measure while grabbing a pencil and marking a wall. It extends to 25 feet and remains sturdy up to nine feet. The tape shows measurements up to a sixteenth of an inch, giving you exact dimensions. It has a nylon coating and the slide button gives you a fast recoil each time.

Key Features:

  • Built-in graphite dispensing wheel
  • Great for working alone
  • Measurements up to sixteenth of an inch
Amazon Logo Available on Amazon

The best tape measure for instant readings

Best Digital Tape MeasureImage source: eTape16/Amazon

The eTape16 Digital Electronic Tape Measure shows you your exact measurement on a display on the top of the measure, giving you the knowledge without having to struggle to guess exactly where on the ruler the mark is. It is made with polycarbonate plastic that can withstand weather and heavy use. It has a built-in US/metric conversion and lets you re-zero if you get a bad reading. It gives you inside and outside measurements and has three memory settings, allowing you to hold one short-term reading and two long-term readings. The eTape16 has a center line measurement, giving you a straight line each time.

Key Features:

  • Lets you re-zero after a bad reading
  • Made with polycarbonate plastic
  • Gives you inside and outside measurements
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Bring it back to you gently

Best Retractable MeasureImage source: DEWALT/Amazon

Rather than letting go and having the tape measure smack back to your hand, wind it back more gently with the DEWALT Tape Measure. This measures 100 feet and has a 5/1 gear ratio of the retractable tape for a five times faster blade rewind. You can retract it as fast as you want or as slowly as you want. The spring-loaded carabiner attachment helps for easier transportation and the rust-resistant coating prolongs the blade’s life. There is even a dust removal window to empty out particles from inside the tool. The crank arm is made from stainless steel that is built to last. Store it on your belt, thanks to the belt clip.

Key Features:

  • Crank arm is made from stainless steel
  • Measures 100 feet
  • Retract it as rapidly as you want
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Get the job done right

Best Bulk SetImage source: LICHAMP/Amazon

If you’re heading to a job site or you just want to make sure you’re never without one for your home, garage, workshop, and more, there’s the LICHAMP Tape Measure 25 ft 6 Pack. You’ll get tape measures that are 25′ in length and 1″ wide. This bulk set is great for commercial wholesale members. The durable blade coating and three point riveted end hook improves the product’s life. The numbers are easy to read as the font is black against a yellow tape. It is an ergonomically designed case with simple but marked size guides.

Key Features:

  • Durable blade coating
  • Three point riveted end hook
  • Ergonomically designed case
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Chris Hachey Commerce Editor

Chris Hachey is Senior Commerce Editor for BGR. With over a decade of editing and journalism experience, plus thousands of hours of product testing and research, he has helped millions of consumers find the best products and deals to fit their lifestyles.

When he's not searching for top deals, he's likely watching his favorite sports teams or walking around his hometown with his wife and his dog.