Best stud finders and cable detectors: find studs, pipes and live wires before you drill
Before you put up a TV bracket, shelf or curtain pole, it helps to know what's behind the plaster: a timber stud to screw into, or a cable or pipe to avoid. These seven detectors on Amazon.co.uk range from a no-battery magnet to a touchscreen scanner, with honest notes on what each one can and can't find.
Quick picks
- Best overallBosch UniversalDetect stud and cable detector with touchscreen (0603681301)Check price
- Best simple cable detectorBosch Truvo 2nd generation live wire and metal detector (0603681205)Check price
- Best for stud wallsFranklin Sensors ProSensor M210 13-sensor stud finder with live wire detectionCheck price
- Cheaper multi-sensor optionFranklin Sensors ProSensor M150 9-sensor stud finder with wire detectionCheck price
- Most compactFranklin Sensors ProSensor M70 7-sensor stud finderCheck price
- Best budget scannerFOLAI TH550 5-in-1 stud finder and wall scanner with LCDCheck price
- Best no-battery optionStudBuddy magnetic stud finderCheck price
How we chose: I compared popular stud finders and multi-detectors on Amazon.co.uk, checking each listing on 21 October 2026 (with a UK delivery postcode) for an add-to-cart button, the maker's detection depths for wood, metal and live cables, the batteries needed and the model number. I read recurring themes in owner feedback, especially accuracy, false readings and ease of use. Guidance on where cables run in UK walls comes from Electrical Safety First and the electrical contractors' body SELECT. These products have not been tested hands-on; this is a research-based roundup. How the research works.
Electrical Safety First says one of the most common DIY mistakes is drilling, nailing or screwing into a cable hidden in a wall, and recommends a good cable detector before you start. A detector won't make drilling risk-free, but used alongside the UK cable “safe zones” (explained below), it gives you a much better idea of where not to drill.
There are two jobs here, and not every tool does both. Stud finders locate the timber or metal uprights behind plasterboard, so you can screw something heavy into solid wood. Cable and metal detectors warn you about live wires and pipes. Some detectors, like Bosch's Truvo, don't find timber studs at all, so check the table before you buy.
Who this guide is for: Anyone about to hang shelves, a TV, a mirror or curtain poles, especially on plasterboard stud walls (common for internal walls in newer UK homes). For the drill itself, see our cordless drills guide, and for a basic set of hand tools, our tool kits for beginners.
Black Friday tip: Black Friday is Friday 27 November 2026, and Amazon UK has opened its Black Friday Week sale about a week earlier in recent years. Before you buy, check the product’s price history: our Black Friday home buying guide explains how to spot a genuine deal and which picks to watch.
Comparison table
| Pick | Finds | Max depth (maker) | Batteries | Display | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch UniversalDetectBest overall | Wood studs, live cables, metal | Wood 25mm, live cable 50mm, metal 100mm | 4 × AAA (included) | 2.4in colour touchscreen | Check price |
| Bosch Truvo (2nd gen)Best simple cable detector | Live cables, metal (not wood studs) | Live cable 50mm, metal 70mm | 3 × AAA (included) | LEDs and beeps | Check price |
| Franklin ProSensor M210Best for stud walls | Wood and metal studs, live wires | About 43mm (1.7in) through plasterboard | 2 × AA (not included) | Row of 13 LEDs | Check price |
| Franklin ProSensor M150Cheaper multi-sensor option | Wood and metal studs, live wires | About 38mm (1.5in) through plasterboard | 2 × AAA (not included; no rechargeables) | Row of 9 LEDs | Check price |
| Franklin ProSensor M70Most compact | Wood beams, metal studs, pipes, live wires | About 38mm (1.5in) | AAA | Row of 7 LEDs | Check price |
| FOLAI TH550Best budget scanner | Studs, metal, live AC wires (5 modes) | Studs about 38mm (1.5in), metal about 76mm (3in) | See listing | LCD with signal strength | Check price |
| StudBuddy magneticBest no-battery option | Screws and nails in studs (magnetic) | Shallow; depends on plasterboard | None | None: it sticks to the wall | Check price |
Specs are from manufacturer listings as of 21 October 2026; claimed figures (running costs, runtimes) are the maker’s, not ours. Check the Amazon page for the current price and exact variant before you buy.
The picks in detail
Bosch UniversalDetect stud and cable detector with touchscreen (0603681301)
Best for: One tool that finds wooden studs, live cables and metal, with on-screen guidance
- Finds
- Wood studs, live cables, metal
- Max depth (maker)
- Wood 25mm, live cable 50mm, metal 100mm
- Batteries
- 4 × AAA (included)
- Display
- 2.4in colour touchscreen
Bosch's UniversalDetect has three detection modes, for wooden studs (to 25mm deep), live cables (to 50mm) and metal (to 100mm), according to Bosch. The 2.4in colour touchscreen walks you through each scan step by step and gives tips, and a traffic-light LED around the marking hole shows where it's safe to drill. Four AAA batteries are included.
It's the most beginner-friendly option here because it tells you what it's doing, rather than relying on beeps. As with all detectors, it can't see through foil-backed plasterboard or very damp walls, and it's not a guarantee there's nothing there.
What owners and reviewers like
- Finds studs, cables and metal
- Step-by-step guidance on screen
- Batteries included
Watch-outs
- Wood detection is shallow (25mm)
- Bulkier than single-purpose tools
- No detector is 100% reliable
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Bosch Truvo 2nd generation live wire and metal detector (0603681205)
Best for: A quick check for cables and pipes before hanging pictures and shelves
- Finds
- Live cables, metal (not wood studs)
- Max depth (maker)
- Live cable 50mm, metal 70mm
- Batteries
- 3 × AAA (included)
- Display
- LEDs and beeps
The Truvo is a pocket-sized, one-button detector for live wires (to 50mm) and metal (to 70mm). It calibrates itself when you put it against the wall, flashes red and beeps over metal or a live cable, and uses separate LEDs for each. Bosch includes three AAA batteries and lists a two-year warranty.
It does not find timber studs, so it's a safety check rather than a stud finder. Owner feedback is mixed: many find it simple and handy, while others say it beeps at everything or missed a cable. Use it alongside the safe zones, not instead of them.
What owners and reviewers like
- Very simple to use
- Small enough for a kitchen drawer
- Batteries included
Watch-outs
- Doesn't find wooden studs
- Mixed reports on accuracy
- Beeps can be over-sensitive
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Franklin Sensors ProSensor M210 13-sensor stud finder with live wire detection
Best for: Seeing the full width of studs behind plasterboard at a glance
- Finds
- Wood and metal studs, live wires
- Max depth (maker)
- About 43mm (1.7in) through plasterboard
- Batteries
- 2 × AA (not included)
- Display
- Row of 13 LEDs
Franklin's ProSensor uses 13 sensors in a row, so instead of beeping at one edge it lights up the whole width of a stud, with the middle LED turning green at the centre. There's no calibration: press and hold, then slide. Franklin quotes detection to about 1.7in (43mm) through plasterboard, plus a live wire warning, a bubble level and a pencil holder. It takes two AA batteries (not included), and rechargeables work.
Owners like how easy it is. Accuracy comments are mixed, as they are for every detector here, and some feel it's expensive for what it is. It's designed for plasterboard on studs, not for solid brick walls.
What owners and reviewers like
- Shows the full width and centre of a stud
- No calibration needed
- Works with rechargeable batteries
Watch-outs
- Batteries not included
- Mixed reports on consistency
- Pricier than basic finders
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Franklin Sensors ProSensor M150 9-sensor stud finder with wire detection
Best for: The Franklin approach for less money, on standard plasterboard
- Finds
- Wood and metal studs, live wires
- Max depth (maker)
- About 38mm (1.5in) through plasterboard
- Batteries
- 2 × AAA (not included; no rechargeables)
- Display
- Row of 9 LEDs
A smaller version of the M210 with nine sensors instead of 13 and a slightly shallower quoted depth of about 1.5in (38mm). It still shows the width of studs and has a live wire warning. Note Franklin says it is not compatible with rechargeable batteries, and the listing names it as both M150 and M155, so check the model on the page.
Owners say it takes the guesswork out of finding studs and is easy to use, but some find the build flimsy and the cable tracking less useful.
What owners and reviewers like
- Multi-sensor display for less
- Easy to use
- Live wire warning
Watch-outs
- No rechargeable batteries
- Build quality criticised by some
- Shallower depth than the M210
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Franklin Sensors ProSensor M70 7-sensor stud finder
Best for: A small, pocket-friendly stud finder for occasional jobs
- Finds
- Wood beams, metal studs, pipes, live wires
- Max depth (maker)
- About 38mm (1.5in)
- Batteries
- AAA
- Display
- Row of 7 LEDs
The smallest Franklin has seven sensors and, according to Franklin, picks the right mode automatically for wood, metal, pipes and live wires, with a maximum depth of about 1.5in. It shows the centre and both edges of a stud at once, which helps with double studs in older homes. It weighs 141g.
Owner feedback is good, with people saying it works first time and is easy to use. It has fewer reviews than the M210 and M150 on Amazon.co.uk.
What owners and reviewers like
- Compact and light
- Shows stud edges and centre
- Positive owner feedback
Watch-outs
- Fewer sensors than the bigger models
- Fewer reviews
- Not for solid masonry
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FOLAI TH550 5-in-1 stud finder and wall scanner with LCD
Best for: A low-cost detector with separate modes for studs, metal and AC wires
- Finds
- Studs, metal, live AC wires (5 modes)
- Max depth (maker)
- Studs about 38mm (1.5in), metal about 76mm (3in)
- Batteries
- See listing
- Display
- LCD with signal strength
A budget scanner with five modes, including stud, deep stud, metal and AC wire, an LCD showing signal strength, and an audible warning. FOLAI quotes about 1.5in for timber in plasterboard and about 3in for metal pipes. You hold the button for a second or two to calibrate before scanning.
Owners call it accurate for joists and easy to use straight from the box, and it sells well on Amazon.co.uk. It's a lesser-known brand, so expect a shorter track record than Bosch.
What owners and reviewers like
- Several modes for the price
- Clear LCD
- Popular and well reviewed
Watch-outs
- Lesser-known brand
- Must calibrate on a clear patch of wall
- Listing text is hard to read
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StudBuddy magnetic stud finder
Best for: Finding the screws in stud walls, with no batteries to go flat
- Finds
- Screws and nails in studs (magnetic)
- Max depth (maker)
- Shallow; depends on plasterboard
- Batteries
- None
- Display
- None: it sticks to the wall
The simplest kind of stud finder: strong neodymium magnets that grab the screws or nails holding plasterboard to the studs. Slide it over the wall until it sticks, and it stays there while you mark the spot. No batteries, nothing to calibrate, and it lives in a drawer for years.
Owners find it effective on plasterboard walls, though some say the magnets aren't strong enough through thicker boards and the felt backing can come off. It doesn't detect cables, so pair it with a cable detector like the Bosch Truvo.
What owners and reviewers like
- No batteries
- Hands-free once it sticks
- Cheap and durable
Watch-outs
- Finds fixings, not the whole stud
- No cable detection
- Weaker through thick plasterboard
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Where cables run in UK walls (the “safe zones”)
UK wiring regulations (BS 7671) set out zones where cables buried less than 50mm deep in a wall are allowed to run. According to the electrical contractors' association SELECT, these are: within 150mm of the top of a wall, within 150mm of a corner, and in a straight line horizontally or vertically from a socket, switch or other accessory. On thin walls (100mm or less), that zone extends to the other side of the wall too.
In practice, that means you should avoid drilling directly above, below or beside sockets and switches, near the ceiling line and close to corners. Older homes and DIY wiring don't always follow the rules, which is why a detector is worth using as well. If you hit a cable, Electrical Safety First says not to remove the screw or nail, and to call a registered electrician.
Plasterboard, dot-and-dab and brick
UK homes mix wall types. Many internal walls in newer houses are plasterboard on timber or metal studs, which is where stud finders work best. Outside walls and older internal walls are often brick or block, sometimes with plaster applied directly, or with plasterboard stuck on with blobs of adhesive (“dot-and-dab”). There are no studs to find in these, and a stud finder can be confused by the adhesive dabs.
Tap the wall: a hollow sound usually means plasterboard. For heavy items on a stud wall, screw into the studs or use plasterboard fixings rated for the weight. For brick or block, use a masonry bit, the right wall plugs and a drill with hammer action.
Getting reliable readings
- Start on a clear patch of wall and move slowly; most electronic finders calibrate where you first press.
- Scan horizontally and then vertically, and mark both edges of a stud.
- Fresh batteries matter: low power is a common cause of false readings.
- Foil-backed plasterboard, damp walls, metal mesh and thick tiles all confuse detectors.
- Live-wire modes only detect cables that are carrying power. A cable to a switched-off light may not show up.
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FAQs
Do stud finders work on brick walls in the UK?
Not really. Stud finders look for timber or metal uprights behind plasterboard, and solid brick or block walls don't have them. A metal and live-cable detector such as the Bosch Truvo or UniversalDetect is still useful on brick, to check for cables and pipes before you drill.
Can a stud finder detect live wires?
Many can. The Bosch UniversalDetect, Bosch Truvo, Franklin ProSensor models and FOLAI TH550 all include a live wire warning. Magnetic finders like the StudBuddy don't. Live-wire detection only works on cables carrying power, and no detector is completely reliable, so follow the UK cable safe zones too.
How deep do cables have to be in UK walls?
Under BS 7671, cables buried less than 50mm deep should run in the prescribed safe zones (near the top of the wall, near corners, or straight up, down or across from sockets and switches) and be protected by an RCD, unless they have extra mechanical protection. Older installations may not follow this.
What's the difference between a stud finder and a cable detector?
A stud finder locates timber or metal studs behind plasterboard so you can fix into them. A cable detector warns you about live wires and metal pipes. Some tools do both; the Bosch Truvo only detects cables and metal, not wood.
Do you get commission?
Yes. If you buy through the links on this page, Amazon may pay a small commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't affect which products are included. See the affiliate disclosure.
Sources we consulted
- Electrical Safety First: electrical safety advice for DIY-ers
- Electrical Safety First: how to avoid a costly DIY disaster
- SELECT: installation of cables concealed in structures (PDF)
Prices change constantly, so we don’t list them here. Always check the current price, seller and delivery details on Amazon before buying. If anything on this page looks wrong or out of date, let me know.
