Milwaukee is soon introducing their new next-generation tape measures.
We had a first look at the new Milwaukee tape measures at Pipeline 2024. The surprising part wasn’t that Milwaukee has new tape measures coming out, but that it seems they’ve updated ALL of their existing models.
There’s something for everyone, with tapes to suit different jobsite needs and user preferences.
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Here’s a rundown of the new Milwaukee tape measure categories and their major features and product claims.
Milwaukee STUD – “most durable tape in the industry,” EXO360 rip and wear-resistant blade, emphasis on impact-resistance and tear-resistance, 14′ standout, 17′ reach.
Wide Blade – ultimate reach and standout – 15′ standout, 18′ reach, finger stop for blade control, anti-tear coating on first 6″, impact-resistant body.
Magnetic Tape Measures – straighter, stiffer blade, 12′ standout, 15′ reach, anti-tear coating on first 6″. Electrician’s version will have printed reference data and larger magnetic top hook.
Compact and Auto-Lock – stiff blade, fractional scale, 9′ standout, 12′ reach, finger stop on the compact tape measure.
There are a lot of differences between the models, some very noticeable and others more subtle. We’ll talk more about all of that once test samples are available – this post is just to keep you on your toes to watch for the new models to hit stores.
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Here’s a list of all of the new models, along with MSRP pricing:
Milwaukee STUD Tape Measures
- 25ft (48-22-1425) – $29.97
- 25ft with Engineer’s Scale (48-22-1425E) $29.97
- 35ft (48-22-1435) $39.97
- 35ft with Engineer’s Scale (48-22-1435E) $39.97
- 8m/26ft (48-22-1426) $29.97
- 10m/35ft (48-22-1436) $39.97
Wide Blade Tape Measures
- 16ft (48-22-1216) – $20.97
- 25ft (48-22-1225) – $25.97
- 30ft (48-22-1230) – $29.97
- 35ft (48-22-1235) – $35.97
- 40ft (48-22-1240) – $39.97
- 5m/16ft (48-22-1217) – $20.97
- 8m/26ft (48-22-1226) – $25.97
Wide Blade Magnetic Tape Measures
- 16ft (48-22-1216M) – $24.97
- 25ft (48-22-1225M) – $29.97
- 5m/16ft (48-22-1217M) – $24.97
- 8m/26ft (48-22-1226M) – $29.97
Magnetic Tape Measures
- 16ft (48-22-1016M) – $19.97
- 25ft (48-22-1025M) – $22.97
- 5m/16ft (48-22-1017M) – $19.97
- 8m/26ft (48-22-1026M) – $22.97
Electrician’s Magnetic Tape Measures
- 16ft (48-22-1018M) – $21.97
- 25ft (48-22-1027M) – $24.97
Compact Tape Measures
- 12ft (48-22-1712) – $11.97
- 16ft (48-22-1716) – $12.97
- 25ft (48-22-1725) – $16.97
- 30ft (48-22-1730) – $21.97
- 5m/16ft (48-22-1717) – $12.97
- 8m/26ft (48-22-1726) – $16.97
- 6ft/2m Keychain Tape Measure (48-22-1706) – $4.97
Auto-Lock Tape Measures
- 16ft (48-22-1816) – $13.97
- 25ft (48-22-1825) – $17.97
- 5m/16ft (48-22-1817) – $13.97
- 8m/26ft (48-22-1826) – $17.97
ETA: September 2024
Justin
I’ll keep my eye out for these, but I’m not going to hold my breath. My Milwaukee tapes wear out faster than any other brand (6-9 months), but my old USA made FatMAX and imported Komelon tapes seem to last the longest.
The current Milwaukee tapes seem to not put up with debris as well as other brands, and the second most common failure point is the return mechanism. They just love to spit tape everywhere. My FatMAX tapes will lose all their numbers before they jam, and the cheap Komelons disappear out of my tool bag before than anything goes.
Brian Bersch
I haven’t had that experience with the Milwaukee yet, but do have a 20+ y/o Fatmax that is still kicking..
fred
My go to tape is still a 25-year-old FatMax 33-725 25-ft tape. But I’m no longer using it every day. When I’m out shopping and need a tape, I usually carry a Komelon 4912M 12ft./3.5m tape. I tried a smaller (9ft) Dewalt DWHT33028 which fit in the pocket better – but its magnet was a debris collector.
https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Tools-33-725-25-Feet-Measure/dp/B00002PV66
https://www.amazon.com/Komelon-4912IM-Professional-12-Foot-Metric/dp/B000CFJB08
In our remodeling business we stocked Komelon tapes in our workout center tool room. We’d buy their 25-foot SS tapes in bulk for under $10 each and found they were decent performers – that we did not cry about if they got lost from time to time.
Dwight
Agreed, had a great Milwaukee tape years ago and it finally bit the dust now I can’t seem to find a good one. On the other hand a guy that works with me uses his fat max for a hammer once in awhile for years now and it still works fine, I mean come on Milwaukee your not even close
Ken Taylor
My experience with the Milwaukee tape is that they rust too easily. I went back to Stanley
Scott
I’ve had the complete opposite experience. I was buying a new Stanley tape what seemed like every time I turned around. If it wasn’t the blade rusting, it was a failure of some other sort. If I was dropping them very often or just hard on them in general I could understand the failure rate, but that’s not the case. I used Stanley tapes for years and began having issues 6 ish years ago.
I’ve not had one issue with any of the Milwaukee tapes I’ve owned since then. I had a craftsman tape for a year roughly that the blade hasn’t rusted on or failed in any way as well before it disappeared into some parallel dimension I guess.
Rog
I have tape measures from every major manufacturer, but find myself always gravitating back to the FatMax. Not sure why exactly, but it’s definitely my go-to when I have the choice.
Gordon
My goto tape recently has been the FastCap Pro Carpenter.
I use the flatback metric for working on bikes.
The Standard Reverse is great in that no matter which way you pull. the numbers are facing the right way.
The Story Pole version is great for layout. I recently did a project that combined pocket screws with dowels and the Story pole was perfect for making sure each piece was drilled correctly.
It would have been really nice to have the Square one tape for that project too, especially to make sure my track saw was square.
eddiesky
Its easier for me to find my FatMax tape. However, I’m feeling she’s getting a bit of a stretch affecting measurements.
I want EASIER to read for the aging vision, and increments on one side for fine work. I’m happy with my FastCAP but also looking to a spare tape…so Milwaukee or maybe Johnson (gave mine to a nephew) or a Tajima G series tape.
I keep a tape on each floor of the house, one in the garage and two in the vehicle, and spare in tool box (metric – for cycling, etc).
Richard Miller
The fractional scale is clutter that I cannot stand so until that is gone, I have purchased my last Milwaukee tape measure. Bummer, because that particular form factor is perfect for my needs.
It seems that in dumbing it down for the lowest common denominator (pun intended) they have made it “professional unfriendly”. I’m curious if others feel the same way, or if it’s just me.
Scott
I’m not a fan of the fractional scale on tape measures either. Unfortunately it seems to be unavoidable on most tape measures on the market today. I can read a tape measure a lot quicker without the cluster **** scales being in the way.
Leo B.
The more pro tapes, the Wide Blades, Studs, and Magnetics don’t have a fractional scale. The holiday season cheap two packs do, but those aren’t nearly as good.
Mike
Hope these are worth the money. All previous models were really really terrible, not just bad.
Munklepunk
It’s an easy fix, don’t use fractions, count in tens and make life simple
Curtis Cressman
I work at a contractor tool hardware store and we only have one tape measure that has fractions – often bought by a exasperated foreman who is trying to teach someone new to the inch scale how to read a tape measure.
All our other 30+ tape measures don’t have them. I agree, the clear majority of pro tapes don’t have fractions shown.
John
The best tape measure is the one I can find.
fred
Tape measures sure do seem to evaporate quicker than most tools.
In a similar vein, we used to say that the best Architect was the one we hadn’t dealt with lately. That joke reminded us that we were only as good as the last job that we had completed – and we strived to always exceed our customers’ expectations. We were happy when we heard things like “they’re not cheap but they sure are good.”
JR Ramos
There’s almost zero compelling me to buy Milwaukee tapes again. I like their little 6″ keychain one although it needs a clip (I added one) and I wish they’d do it 2-3 feet longer (like the nifty 9′ DeWalt one, except I don’t like it’s housing and prefer english/metric). Their large tapes can go pound sand, if you’re using them much.
They’re a bit too bulky, too. Probably feels good to a product designer and marketing team that isn’t actually using them on a jobsite with pouches but I’ve heard that complaint frequently (more so the rust and bent/crinkled/cracked blades which seems to happen far easier/sooner than it should).
Marketing spread. Their MSRP retail stepping is indicative of more marketing than substance but the pricing needs to drop down a substantial amount, imho. Too many other great tapes out there to pay more for Milwaukee. They just aren’t really bringing anything to the table except marketing and higher pricing.
Walter Weaver
If you take your tape back to a Milwaukee service center they’ll exchange it for a new one. Can’t get better than that.
Josh Walters
Tapes to me always come down to price and durability. Best tape IMO Stanley FatMax, they go on sale for 2for20 several times a year, they’re as durable as any, and they fit wonderfully in my tape pouch.
Nathan W
Lots of people seeming to have tapes go bad due to rust, poor retraction, numbers wearing off, and even the tape splitting. I can’t even get a tape to last that long before the end starts curling to the left, making it nearly impossible to get any amount of standout before the tape curls over and falls upside down. Anyone else have this issue? I’ve tried many different manufacturers and keep having that problem, so I’ll definitely be trying these new ones to see if they resist the issue I’ve been having.
Jeremiah McKenna
My issue with the Milwaukee tapes is that the end tends to twist over time, especially if they are allowed to retract fast and hit the end. No, it won’t rip tje tip off, but I have exchanged a few at HD. The rust is another issue, as I have had 2 completely rust. Yes, they both still worked properly, but it was gard to see the numbers.
As stated a lot in these comments, the Stanley brand males some of the best tapes out there. I have a few in my collection that have been around for decades and they are still going strong. I have some of the older metal cases and, other than the typical scratches on the case, nothing else is wrong with them.
Ian M
This one is the best I have used
https://www.komelon.com/eng/html/01_product/02_read.php?idx=4&category_idx1=1&category_idx2=5
Stainless steel, doesn’t matter if you get it wet
Munklepunk
Not a single one of those is as useful as the basic Stanley lever lock, I don’t mind when they break because Ace has them on sale all the time, last time I got a bunch at 2 for $5. I have a lot of brands of tapes and not a single is Milwaukee, every time I buy one it’s a dud. You can do all the dumb bragging spreadsheet tests you want but carrying a brick around is annoying. My Tajimas has outlasted and out performed my Stanleys and any Milwaukee. For really long stuff that’s why they have lasers.
Daniel
I use the autostop tapes, but a little bit of dirt or water and the mechanism inside no longer holds/locks the tape so they retract. I’ve also had a few retract very quickly causing the last 6-9”s to whip and cause a permanent twist, then when I try to hook on to a board (laid flat) and stretch it out, it wants to twist and then the hook comes off. Very annoying! I love the autostop feature, but doesn’t seem like Milwaukee has executed well on them.
chip hershberger
For cabinetry installations I really like a Tagima.
For outdoor use (primarily fencing) I like the fatmax 25- 40.
Neither seem to last longer then 9 months.
As an owner of small hands,the Milwaukee is just too big for my use.
William
The Milwaukee Stud Model # 48-22-9725M is the best tape I’ve used. Lasts longer than anything else I’ve tried. I love the magnetic tip. Will the new studs have a magnetic tip? Will the older versions still be available or are all of these SKUs replacing all of the current Milwaukee tapes?
Alexander Barfield
I’ll give the new autolock a try, but my old model Milwaukee auto lock was very disappointing. After ~2 months of use it only grabs once I’m at 4 feet or so. My old komelon still works fine (and was cheaper)
Amatts
Use Starrett tapes and you will make no mistakes
JR Ramos
I have a couple from the 90s that I love but for the last 15 years or better, Starrett tapes have not been very good or anything special. Not sure who makes theirs but they’re just rebadged products now, and not very good ones really. Regular construction retractable tapes anyway. If they still do other types and make the blades in house I’m sure those are excellent.