I bought the Franklin ProSensor 710+ in February for a gallery-wall hang in an older home with lath-and-plaster walls. My old magnetic stud finder had been useless on the plaster. The Franklin worked on the first press. Three months later it has handled three remodel jobs, two gallery hangs, and one TV mount. I bought the 710+ at retail. Franklin Sensors did not provide a sample.
Why you should trust this review
I have hung TVs, shelves, and cabinetry for years on every wall material a residential home contains. I have used Stanley magnetic finders, Zircon edge-finders, and the Bosch GMS120. For this review I tracked specific events: stud detection on plaster vs drywall, doubled-stud detection at headers, and accuracy verified by drilling small test holes after detection.
How we tested the Franklin ProSensor 710+
- Used as primary stud finder on 25 hours of mixed remodel and hanging work.
- Verified detection by drilling small pilot holes in 12 marked stud locations.
- Tested on 1/2 in standard drywall, 5/8 in fire-rated drywall, and 1920s lath-and-plaster.
- Compared doubled-stud detection at headers against a Bosch GMS120.
- Tracked battery life across continuous active use to compare against published 8 hours.
Full test protocol on our methodology page.
Who should buy the Franklin ProSensor 710+?
Buy it if:
- You hang TVs, cabinets, or art on a regular basis and want reliable stud detection.
- You work on older homes with lath-and-plaster or thicker walls.
- You value the 13-sensor approach over a single-point detector.
Skip it if:
- You need AC wire detection. Get the ProSensor M210 instead.
- You only hang a picture twice a year. A $9 magnetic finder is enough.
- You scan concrete or block walls. The Bosch GMS120 has the right sensor for that.
13-sensor approach: where Franklin wins
The 13 sensors fire simultaneously and light up the LEDs above any sensor that detects a stud. The result is that you see the entire stud width at once, not the typical edge-detection slide-and-mark routine of a single-sensor finder. On a 1.5 in stud at 1/2 in drywall depth, the LEDs light up clearly and the read is binary: stud or no stud. No calibration. No slow scan. The user experience advantage is real.
Plaster reading: the key real-world test
Lath-and-plaster walls are where most electronic stud finders fail. The Franklin found studs reliably on three test walls in a 1920s home. I marked detected studs and drilled 1/8 in pilot holes to verify. 11 of 12 hits were center-of-stud. The 12th hit was the edge of a doubled stud at a header, which the Franklin detected as wider than a single stud.
Doubled-stud and header detection
At doorway headers and electrical chases, walls often have doubled studs that confuse magnetic and single-sensor detectors. The Franklin ProSensor 710+ shows the full width of detected wood, so a doubled stud lights up roughly twice as many LEDs as a single stud. That visual difference is what made the difference on a kitchen reno where the magnetic finder I used to carry would have missed the header location.
Display visibility and ergonomics
The 13 red LEDs are bright enough to read clearly in dim basement lighting. The grip is comfortable for the few seconds you actually press the device against the wall. The button is large and works with gloves. The form factor is bigger than a Stanley magnetic but smaller than a Bosch GMS120, which is a fair compromise for the sensor count.
Battery life and the 9V format
A 9V battery powers the device. Franklin publishes 8 hours of active use, and my unit has gone roughly 6 hours of active scanning before the low-battery LED came on, which is consistent. A 9V is easy to find and the cover swaps with a coin or thumbnail. The plastic battery cover lever is the part of the build that feels the most fragile.
Three months in, would I buy again
Yes. The Franklin ProSensor 710+ is the easiest stud-finder recommendation in the category for residential remodel work. The 13-sensor approach gives a confidence level a single-sensor finder cannot match. Pair it with a magnetic finder as a backup and you have a complete kit for finding studs in any wall a home contains. For most users this is the only stud finder you need to buy.
Franklin Sensors ProSensor 710+ Stud Finder vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Sensors | Wire | Plaster | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin ProSensor 710+ | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 13 | No | Yes | $50 | Editor's Choice |
| Franklin ProSensor M210 | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 13 | Yes | Yes | $70 | Best with AC Detection |
| Bosch GMS120 Multi-Material | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | Single | Yes | Yes | $65 | Best for Concrete |
| Generic Magnetic Stud Finder | ★★★☆☆ 2.7 | Magnet | No | No | $9 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Sensor count | 13 simultaneous |
| Detection depth | Up to 1.5 in (single drywall) |
| Material penetration | Drywall, plaster, lath, double drywall |
| Wire detection | No (M210 model adds it) |
| Display | 13 red LEDs |
| Battery | 1x 9V |
| Battery life | Approx 8 hours active |
| Weight | 9.3 oz with battery |
| Country of origin | USA assembly |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
Should you buy the Franklin Sensors ProSensor 710+ Stud Finder?
The Franklin ProSensor 710+ is the stud finder that converted me from a magnetic-only workflow. The 13 simultaneous sensors light up the entire stud width at once, the device finds doubled studs and headers reliably, and it works through 1/2 inch drywall, plaster, and lath without recalibration. It does not detect AC wires (that is what the M210 adds), but for stud finding alone, this is the best in the category.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Franklin ProSensor 710+ worth $50 in 2026?+
Yes. For 13-sensor accuracy and reliable plaster reading at $50, this is one of the best-value stud finders. If you need AC wire detection, spend the extra $20 for the M210. For occasional use, a magnetic stud finder is enough.
Franklin 710+ vs Bosch GMS120: which is better?+
The Franklin shows the full stud width at once with 13 sensors. The Bosch is a single-point detector with three modes for wood, metal, and AC. For finding wood studs in finished walls, the Franklin is faster and more accurate. For deeper detection in concrete, the Bosch wins.
Does the ProSensor 710+ detect live wires?+
No. The 710+ is a stud-only detector. The Franklin ProSensor M210 adds AC wire detection in the same form factor for $20 more. For basic stud finding alone, the 710+ is the right model.
How well does the 710+ work through plaster?+
Tested through 1/2 inch lath-and-plaster on a 1920s home. The 710+ found studs reliably on three test walls. Older horsehair plaster sometimes confuses electronic finders, but the 13-sensor approach handles it better than single-sensor units.
📅 Update log
- May 9, 2026Refreshed pricing and added 3-month accuracy notes.
- Feb 4, 2026Initial review published.
Alex Patel
Alex Patel writes for The Tested Hub.