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Pro Tool Reviews tested six stud finders on a mock-up that included lath and plaster, finding that performance varied by model. The Franklin ProSensor M210/X2100 identified the center of every tested stud and detected live AC, but produced false stud readings; the less expensive M70/X700 missed none and had no false readings, though it was less precise and lacked AC detection.
Pro Tool Reviews tested six stud finders on a mock-up section of lath-and-plaster wall and found that Franklin’s ProSensor M210/X2100 was the only model in the reported results to locate the center of every tested stud. The device also detected live AC in all test instances, but registered false stud readings, highlighting why repeated checks matter before drilling or mounting anything.
The testing, described by Pro Tool Reviews, used a mock-up wall built by Tom Gaige with separate sections of single-layer drywall, double-layer drywall and lath and plaster. A gap behind the sections let testers verify which objects were present. The targets included standard studs, studs with live AC, metal studs, electrical conduit with live AC, PVC pipe and water-filled copper pipe. The report does not provide the complete test results for every model in the supplied material.
For the plaster section, the Franklin M210/X2100 recorded 100% on-center detection, no off-center detections and no missed studs. It also had a 33% false-stud detection rate and 100% AC detection. Pro Tool Reviews listed its price as $59.99. Those results mean it found the center of the tested studs in the test, but its false readings could lead users to mistake another object for a stud.
The report’s Editor’s Choice was the Franklin M70/X700, priced at $21.99. It had 67% on-center detection, 33% off-center detection, no missed studs and no false stud detections. The model does not have AC detection. The report also gave results for the Zircon HD70—67% on-center, 27% off-center, 7% missed and 47% false detections—and the JAXWQ 139-FYELLOW—60% on-center, 33% off-center, 7% missed and 33% false detections. Both were reported as detecting AC 50% of the time.
Choosing a Finder for Plaster
The results matter to homeowners and tradespeople because lath-and-plaster construction can be harder to scan than ordinary drywall. A finder that marks an edge as the center, misses a stud or mistakes a pipe for one can leave a mounting point poorly supported or prompt a hole in the wrong place. The tests suggest there is no substitute for checking readings rather than treating a single signal as proof.
The comparison also exposes a practical trade-off. The M210/X2100 had the highest reported center accuracy and live-AC detection, but its false readings make confirmation necessary. The lower-priced M70/X700 had no misses or false detections in the test, but identified the center less often and cannot detect AC. Pro Tool Reviews’ figures describe performance on its test setup; they are not a guarantee that either device will behave the same way on every older wall.
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How the Plaster Tests Worked
Pro Tool Reviews says the testers used the same approach across wall sections and judged results by whether a device correctly located the center, marked an edge as the center, missed a stud, indicated another object as a stud, or correctly detected AC. The report converted those outcomes into percentages to compare the models. The supplied material identifies six tested models, but gives detailed plaster results for only four.
The report also stresses technique: begin in an area without a stud, scan toward it, mark the indicated center, then repeat from the opposite direction after the device resets or recalibrates. The testers say taking multiple readings can help resolve disagreement, especially on plaster. They caution that stud spacing in lath-and-plaster walls may be inconsistent, so measuring from one assumed stud location may not reliably identify the next.
“Only one nailed the center of every stud.”
— Pro Tool Reviews
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Limits of the Reported Results
The supplied report excerpt does not state when the tests were conducted, how many scans or individual targets contributed to each percentage, or how the six models performed across all wall types. It also does not provide the plaster results for the remaining two models, so this account cannot compare the full field. Prices are those listed in the report and may change.
The findings come from a constructed test wall, not a survey of every lath-and-plaster wall or home. Wall thickness, materials, repairs and nearby pipes or wiring can affect readings. The report’s AC detection percentages describe its test conditions and should not be treated as confirmation that a wall is safe to cut into.
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Verify Before Drilling
Pro Tool Reviews’ practical next step is to repeat scans from opposing directions and compare the marks before choosing a mounting point. Readers considering a finder can weigh the M210/X2100’s center and AC results against its false detections, or the M70/X700’s lower price and lack of AC detection. The test report does not announce a new round of testing or a follow-up date.
For work that involves opening a wall, a stud finder’s AC signal should not be the sole safety check. The report does not offer a procedure for confirming concealed wiring or plumbing; readers should consult appropriate safety guidance and use a qualified professional where needed.
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Key Questions
Which stud finder performed best on the tested plaster wall?
The Franklin ProSensor M210/X2100 had 100% on-center detection in the reported test and detected AC in all test instances. It also produced false stud readings, so Pro Tool Reviews recommends taking multiple measurements.
Why did the report name the M70/X700 its Editor’s Choice?
The Franklin M70/X700 recorded no missed studs and no false stud detections in the plaster test, and was listed at $21.99. Its on-center detection was 67%, and it does not detect AC.
Can I rely on one scan to find a stud in plaster?
The report advises against relying on a single reading. It recommends scanning from both directions and comparing marks, since plaster walls can be difficult to read and the testers encountered false and off-center detections.
Does a stud finder’s AC detection prove it is safe to drill?
No. The reported AC percentages reflect performance in the test setup, not a guarantee that concealed wiring will be detected in every wall. Do not treat a stud finder as the sole safety check before cutting or drilling.
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