Bottom line: The Milwaukee 25-Foot Magnetic Tape Measure is easy to recommend for both weekend DIY warriors and professionals. The cost is higher than other quality tape measures on the market, but that premium price is worth paying.
- Easy one-handed use
- Smooth locking mechanism
- Easy to read markings
- Includes a finger brake
- Casing durability
- Stiff belt clip
- Magnet on the top hook protrudes too much
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Milwaukee 25-Foot Magnetic Tape Measure review
| Weight | 482 grams |
| Length | 25 feet (16-foot model available as well.) |
| Blade width | 1 inch |
| Standout | 9 feet |
| Housing | Plastic and nylon |
Ergonomics
The Milwaukee 25-Foot Magnetic Tape Measure housing is bulkier than most other tape measures with a one-inch tape width. But the short, stocky, compact profile with grippy nylon in the right places makes it a great pick for easy one-handed operation for most hand sizes.
The locking mechanism also adds to this hand tool’s ease of use with a short travel to lock and unlock the tape. This means most people won’t have to let go of what’s in their other hand to set or retract the tape while measuring.
If we’re griping about one design aspect of the Milwaukee 25-Foot Magnetic Tape Measure that could be improved, it’d be the belt clip. It’s not bad. It’s hard to clip onto your pocket or shop apron with such a stiff metal clip. Other tape measure models we tested had a more forgiving belt clip that’s easier to clip onto an array of materials.
The blade
The Milwaukee 25-Foot Magnetic Tape Measure has a versatile, easy-to-read and durable blade.
| Blade durability (poor, good, great) | Great |
| Hook style | Magnetic top and bottom with wings |
| Blade protection | Nylon coating |
| Blade markings | Top – 1/16 inch with standard stud, Bottom – Architectural scale |
Hook style
The hook can be latched onto your workpiece in different orientations. The top and bottom hook has small wings protruding 3/16 of an inch to each side of the tape.
But the magnet added to the top hook is somewhat bulky. This can make it difficult to keep the top hook latched on your workpiece without a steady hand. If this is a concern and you don’t need a magnetized hook, get the same Milwaukee tape measure without a magnet.
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Blade markings
The Milwaukee 25-Foot Magnetic Tape Measure’s blade markings are so big you can read them from a distance. Otherwise, the top of the blade has standard markings at 1/16 of an inch with red numbers highlighting studs every 16 inches.
What’s different with the Milwaukee 25-Foot Magnetic Tape Measure is that it includes an architectural blueprint scale on the underside of the blade.
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Blade durability
The blade is usually one of the first to break down with most tape measures. But the Milwaukee 25-Foot Magnetic Tape Measure shined in our abrasion tests using 150-grit sandpaper wrapped around a dowel. The blade’s nylon coating took the brunt of the damage, resulting in some minor surface scratches, but without impacting the readability of the numbers.
Self-retraction strength
The Milwaukee 25-Foot Magnetic Tape Measure’s retraction can be best described as smooth and powerful but not so aggressive that the tape measure will fly out of your hand with the tape retracting at full speed. The blade retracts without any assistance, even when extended.
Locking mechanism
The locking mechanism is a clear standout feature for the Milwaukee 25-Foot Magnetic Tape Measure. The thumb switch’s ease of use alone is enough to warrant putting this tape measure at the top of your list. The switch is smooth to lock and unlock and has a short travel many other tape measures lack.
But there’s more than one way to lock the tape in place. The bottom of the housing has a cutout for a finger brake. Apply some light pressure and the tape locks between your finger and the housing.
Accuracy
The Milwaukee 25-Foot Magnetic Tape Measure was accurate out of the box to within our tolerances tested to be within 1/32 of an inch.
Value
As with any Milwaukee tool, the Milwaukee 25-Foot Magnetic Tape Measure’s price is higher than others on the market and the ones we tested. But paying the premium price may be worth it for most people when you consider the build quality, ease of use, and versatility of this tape measure.