One of the measuring tools you should always have in your woodworking arsenal is the angle finder. There are different types of angle finders out there and they differ when it comes to features and capabilities. If you are looking for the best one, we suggest checking out our best recommendations below. We found the ones with the best features as well as the most reliable and durable build.
Best Angle Finder 2020 Reviews
No need to look for other angle finders anymore because these ones are the best:
- GemRed Digital Angle Finder
- Johnson Level & Tool 700 Magnetic Angle Locator
- Wixey WR300 Type 2 Digital Angle Gauge
- General Tools 822 Digital Angle Finder Rule
- Calculated Industries 7434 AccuMaster 2-in-1 Magnetic Digital Level and Angle Finder
Why are these angle finders your best options? Find out below:
1. GemRed Digital Angle Finder
This multi-purpose tool serves as a protractor and a ruler at the same time. It is compact and easy to use. When folded, it is only 7.5 inches in length. Made from aluminum materials, this ruler can last for a long time without acquiring too many dings and scratches. The rounded edges also eliminate sharp corners, which make this suitable for use on delicate materials such as fabric and paper.
You will like the black body and white etchings for better visibility. Reading is easier even when using it in broad daylight. It offers fairly good accuracy as well, great for both professional and DIY usage. It runs using lithium batteries.
Pros:
This angle finder is nice to look at. It has a good design. The black body hides scratches easily. You can see the markings because there is a nice contrast.
The sensors are very accurate. The readings are displayed in its small digital screen. You can make accurate measurements with ease.
Unlike others, the radius lead edge is fairly large. This allows users to make accurate measurements on interior angles.
You can’t get a truer edge than this one. The edges are flat and accurate.
The hinge locks it in place. With just a simple twist, you can effectively lock it in place.
The zero function is easy to use as well. You can even use it to create odd obtuse or acute angles.
For its many reliable features, this product is quite affordable.
It folds to a small size, so you can easily stash it in your kit or pocket.
Cons:
Some said the on/off switch is very sensitive. Even just a small movement of the arm sets it on.
2. Johnson Level & Tool 700 Magnetic Angle Locator
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to find a good angle finder. With this affordable angle finder, it is easier to read angle measurements from 0 to 90 degrees increments no matter what quadrant you are reading. It features an acrylic lens where measurements are printed directly on it.
What makes this angle finder such a great buy is its ceramic magnet that has the strength that will adhere to any kind of ferrous metal surface. The molded body is resistant to impact and will surely withstand more than a few bumps and scratches. This can be used for a variety of tasks at home such as fixing plumbing, doing electrical jobs and doing work on your HVAC system.
Pros:
Its price is one of its strongest features. You don’t need to spend a lot of money just to get yourself a reliable angle finder. This one will not break the bank but will still deliver great results.
It is durable. The body is made from an impact-resistant plastic material. You can easily bring it with you and not worry that it will get damaged from all the transport and the usage.
The orange color makes this easier to spot against your other tools.
The ceramic magnet is strong. It can adhere to any ferrous metal surface and stays in place, so you don’t have to worry about repositioning it.
You can easily read it. The lens is big and clear. The numbers are big, and the red needle is visible against the white background. The needle is also dampened, so it doesn’t bounce easily when trying to take a reading. There are no issues with its accuracy as well.
Your purchase is backed by a 1-year warranty. The manufacturer warrants it for any material and workmanship defect.
This product is compact and lightweight. It only weighs 0.46 pounds and has a height of 10.5 inches. You should be able to find a spot for it in your toolbox.
Cons:
There were those who find it too big for their needs.
3. Wixey WR300 Type 2 Digital Angle Gauge
One of the easiest angle finders to use is this one from Wixey. Incorporated inside it are strong magnets. This is responsible for attaching the angle finder to the saw blades you are using. It is very easy to use. Simply set it to zero and then calibrate it to any type of surface.
This tool has +/- 180 degrees of range and has a resolution of 0.1 degrees. The accuracy is at +/- 0.2 degrees and makes of one AAA battery. It also has a backlight to make it easier to see the measurements and has an auto shut off function to preserve battery life.
Pros:
This is very easy to use. Users had to problems calibrating it and getting readings.
It makes accurate readings all the time. It also displays readings fast. The screen has good readability as well. It eliminates the guessing game, according to many users. Calibrating it is simple as well.
This tool can take a beating. There were those who said they forgot to take it off their mitre saw blade and this went flying backwards but it was still in good condition. It still worked even when not treated well.
It is compact and lightweight. You can store it in your tool kit easily.
It has a good magnet. You can simply hang it on the blade, and it will allow you to input the angle you want to cut.
The backlit display is also a nice feature. It allows users to see the measurements even in low light conditions.
It makes use of an inexpensive battery. You can also find the battery easily, so if you run out of juice, you should have no problems finding a replacement.
Cons:
There were those who wished it came with a 0.0 reference built in the system.
4. General Tools 822 Digital Angle Finder Rule
This 5-inch angle finder is a great choice because of its compact and small design. You can easily store it in your bag or even put it in your pocket while working. It is a digital stainless steel ruler that also features a protractor and angle finder feature. The LCD display is easy to read, and the hinge design can allow 360 degrees of measurements to allow users to do a reverse, inside and outside angle measurements.
Whatever point in the swing you are using, this can be zeroed. It even has a lock angle feature that helps maintain its accuracy, thereby saving you a lot of time and energy.
Pros:
We like the compact features of this angle finder. It is small enough to occupy only a small space in your toolbox but has full-sized functionality.
The LCD display is big enough for easier reading. It also displays accurate readings all the time, thereby eliminating the guesswork.
It is made from a strong stainless steel material. It is resistant to damages and scratches.
Using this is easy. Since it allows you to make 360 degrees measurements outside, insider or in the reverse, it offers a lot of flexibility.
This is backed by a 1-year warranty on its parts.
Many said the battery life is commendable. Users did not need to replace the battery too often.
It also features an auto shut down feature. It will automatically turn off if it doesn’t detect any activity in minutes.
This product is fairly light in weight, so it should be easy to set up.
Cons:
The knob protrudes and can get annoying because it gets in the way.
5. Calculated Industries 7434 AccuMaster 2-in-1 Magnetic Digital Level and Angle Finder
The AccuMaster takes the place of a tilt gage. You can also use this to check the angles found in between surfaces, so if you want to take measurements of a tight spot and other types of angle finders won’t work with such a need, this is a good choice.
This angle finder is equipped with new MEMS sensor that allows it to get accurate results all the time. It features a StayGlow backlight as well or improved visibility. The magnetic base allows it to stay in place when attaching it to tools like blades. It also adheres to metallic surfaces well .
Pros:
This tool is accurate. It allows you to get accurate readings even when using it in tight spots. The sensors are sensitive.
The magnetic base is quite strong. It stays in place even when there is vibration and motion around.
You can get accurate readings all the time, thanks to the StayGlow function. It is also easier to get readings because of the big screen.
This is resistant to damages. It’s a certified IP54, which means it is resistant to water and dust.
It comes with an auto shut off feature. When not in use, it shuts off automatically and allows it to preserve its battery life.
It has a small and compact shape, so storage should not be a problem.
It takes accurate measurements even when turned upside down.
This product comes with a high-quality nylon pouch. You can store the angle finder in here. The pouch also has a belt loop, so if you need to have this handy all day, you can wear the pouch.
Your purchase is backed by a 2-year warranty.
Cons:
This is the most expensive one in this list, so if you are not keen on spending so much money, this might not be an ideal choice for you.
Which Angle Finder Should You Get?
If Accuracy is Important: GemRed Digital Angle Finder. Accuracy is definitely the most important feature of an angle finder. Unfortunately, not all of the angle finders out there are accurate but with this one, you the angles are always true. The digital display is easy to read and with its solid build, this will surely last you for a long time.
For People on a Budget: Johnson Level & Tool 700 Magnetic Angle Locator. This is a good choice if you are on a budget. It will not break the bank, but it is not lacking in amazing features either. Its magnetic properties are strong and offer accurate readings all the time. It is a good addition to your tools if you want something you can use easily.
Great for Newbies: Wixey WR300 Type 2 Digital Angle Gauge. If you are new to using an angle finder, you might find this an ideal choice because of how easy it is to use. It doesn’t require complicated calibration and it produces accurate results all the time. Even professional woodworkers will find this a great addition to their woodworking arsenal.
Most Compact Choice: General Tools 822 Digital Angle Finder Rule. This is the angle finder to look for if you want something that isn’t too clunky and big. It is smaller than other angle finders with a similar design. You won’t find this lacking in features and accuracy either.
Can Be Used in Tight Spots: Calculated Industries 7434 AccuMaster 2-in-1 Magnetic Digital Level and Angle Finder. If you also need an angle finder for tight spots, get this one. It is easy to use, has the accuracy to boast of and is packed with a lot of features that make this such a great tool to have if you are a hobbyist or a professional.
Conclusion
Spend your money on the right woodworking tools. We can help you find the right tools to spend your money on. Do check out our homepage for more buying tips as well as product recommendations.
