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Originally posted by Anush:

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I only use the Stanley Power Lock. The old fashioned one with the chrome finish

Mine is still good after 40 years of home use. 40 years ago all were made in USA.

They use to sell inserts (the guts only) so you could replace a tape when it went bad. I learned recently that Stanley doesn't offer replacement inserts anymore, just throw it away and buy another is the new thing.....sigh....

2 more things, it's possible that the Klein tools internals work in a Stanley tape. Take that for what it's worth.

Wirecutter 2019 lists the classic Stanley as top choice, Fatmax is a close 2nd. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecu...e-best-tape-measure/

I like this one - FastCap.

It is rubber coated and a traditional style locking mechanism that works well. It also has a built-in pencil sharpener which also works well and is very handy. Another nice feature is the erasable memo "pad". It works with a pencil and is handy for jotting down measurements.

The have different style of blade markings. I like the "reverse reading" style. It is nice for setting saw cuts and stop blocks.

I did not care for the spring loaded clip so I just replaced it with one from a broken tape.

25' FatMax for me when I was in the trades. I bought this on a whim and it's pretty nice.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Mi...48-22-6625/300839152

Another +1 for the Stanley Fat Max. That's pretty much the gold standard for tape measures.

I'm happy with the Milwaukee 25' auto-lock I use.
You can never have too many tape measure's.

I don't like the ones with auto lock. When the lock wears out it scraps the measurements off.

I like Fastcap. Some are made for leftys, I am right handed nut hold the tape in my left hand. It has a pencil sharpener and an area to write measurements.

Also Komelon stainless for when I work around water.

I've gone through just about every cheapo brand and settled on the fatmax. It's the only one I've found that doesn't twist or break with more than a couple of feet out.

FatMax all the way. We keep 35’ versions in each vehicle. Ranch use you sometimes need to a little farther…

I personally like the DeWalt over Stanley FatMax.

I know this doesn’t fit the OP but I bought a made in Japan Tajima branded tape measure because my Fatmax failed. Been pretty happy with it. I’m not a professional; just occasional household use. Ymmv.

FatMax for me too.

I have a Fatmax and Milwaukee ones. I prefer the Milwaukee.

I have a few Fat Max tapes. The best!

Thanks for all the feedback, now to do some research.