Prexiso 5-in-1 Stud Finder with Laser Level Marking & Ultrasound Distance Measure - Area, Volume, Addition | Wood, AC Wire Detector - Wall Scanner Beam Finders for Dry Interior Walls, Metal Studs

A multi-tool stud finder that tries to do it all

I picked up the Prexiso 5-in-1 to see if a single handheld device could cover the basics—finding studs, checking for live wires, marking a straight line, and doing quick room measurements. I used it across a few rooms with standard interior drywall, some areas with thicker patches and corner bead, and a couple of test boards in the shop. It’s a mixed bag, but there’s enough here to be genuinely useful for DIY work—if you learn its quirks and keep expectations in check.

Setup and calibration

Power-up triggers automatic calibration, which is essential and a point that’s easy to miss: the tool needs to start on a “clean” section of wall with no studs, metal, or wiring behind it. If you begin over a stud or near a junction box, you’ll confuse it and chase ghosts for a while. I got best results by:

• Starting the tool flat against the wall, a few inches away from corners, outlets, and switches.
• Letting it settle for a second before moving.
• Recalibrating any time I changed modes or wall surfaces.

The iconography isn’t the most intuitive, and the LCD is more functional than friendly. After a couple sessions, the beeps and bars made sense, but your first few passes will likely feel uncertain. Take your time; slow and steady sweeps work better than quick passes.

Stud and metal detection

On half-inch drywall over wood framing, the Prexiso stud mode found studs reliably within its stated 1-inch range. My workflow was:

1. Sweep horizontally to find one edge.
2. Mark with pencil on painter’s tape.
3. Sweep from the other side to find the opposite edge.
4. Split the difference to get the center.

Using the tool to mark edges rather than centers made it more repeatable. It will throw occasional false positives—especially near corners, above baseboards, and over areas with joint compound build-up—so verifying edges from both sides is worth the extra minute. On thicker patches and double-layer areas, detection becomes spottier; that’s expected at this price and depth rating.

Metal mode is useful for finding corner beads, screws, and pipes up to the stated 1-1/2 inches. It’s quite sensitive, so you’ll get broad “zones” of metal presence. That’s fine for “don’t drill here” warnings, less great if you want pinpoint precision. Again, slow passes help.

Live AC detection

The AC mode professes up to 1-3/8 inches of live wire detection. In practice, it’s conservative. It will confidently alert near outlets and switch boxes and when you’re directly over cable runs, but it tends to go quiet if you’re a few inches off. I treat it as a secondary check rather than a primary safety tool. If you’re opening the wall or drilling in unknown areas, pair this with a non-contact voltage tester and sensible layout logic (studs run vertically; outlets are usually mounted to studs; cables typically rise or drop from boxes).

Laser marking and alignment

The integrated laser is genuinely handy for hanging artwork and aligning multiple fasteners. It’s not a full-featured leveling device, but it puts out a straight line good enough for casual alignment across a wall. I used it to set a pair of picture hooks and to align the top edge of a small shelf bracket run, and it saved time compared with juggling a separate torpedo level.

Prexiso also includes an “auxiliary laser marking” button with small needles meant to prick surfaces like wallpaper or wood as a physical reference. It works as advertised but use with care. I’d avoid it on painted drywall to prevent small divots, and definitely keep fingers away from the needles. It’s not intended for stone, metal walls, or low-density plasterboard.

Ultrasonic distance, area, and volume

The ultrasound-based measuring functions are best thought of as quick estimates. They’re convenient for rough takeoffs—measuring a wall to ballpark paint coverage or calculating storage volume—but they’re not as accurate as a dedicated laser distance meter or tape. Reflective and soft surfaces can skew readings. In my tests, readings were close enough to get me in the right range for materials planning, but I still reached for a tape when measurements mattered.

Ergonomics and build

The Prexiso is lightweight and comfortable to hold, with a wide grip that sits flat on the wall. The trade-off is that it feels hollow and a bit toy-like. Mine didn’t creak or flex under normal use, but it doesn’t inspire throw-it-in-the-truck confidence. The buttons are responsive, the beeper is loud enough to hear over light background noise, and the screen is legible, if basic. It’s fine for a home toolbox; I’d store it in a soft pouch if it’s traveling in a larger kit.

Where it works well

• Standard interior drywall with wood studs: finding edges and centers for picture hanging, shelving, and TV mounts.
• Avoidance checks: confirming where not to place fasteners because of metal corner bead or suspected pipes.
• Quick layout tasks: the laser helps align fasteners or a row of frames.
• Rough planning: rapid length/area/volume estimates when precision isn’t critical.

Where it struggles

• Deep or non-standard walls: thicker drywall, plaster-and-lath, tile, and stone veneers are challenging for both stud and AC detection.
• High-moisture surfaces: damp walls (bathrooms after a shower, fresh paint) can cause false positives because moisture changes conductivity.
• AC detection at a distance: it’s best as a proximity indicator and should be backed up with a dedicated voltage tester.

Tips for better results

• Calibrate in a clean area every time you change modes or move to a new wall.
• Move slowly; pause when the indicators peak to refine your mark.
• Use painter’s tape for marks to keep the wall clean and let you revise easily.
• Confirm by finding both edges of a stud. Center marks are most accurate when edges agree.
• Stay a few inches away from outlets and switches when calibrating; revisit them later to check for wiring.
• If the wall was just painted or is humid, let it dry and try again to reduce false alerts.

Who it’s for

If you’re a homeowner or renter who needs a single, compact tool for occasional projects—hanging art, installing shelves, finding studs for light to moderate loads—the Prexiso 5-in-1 is convenient. You get a competent stud finder, a cautious metal/wire check, a usable alignment laser, and quick estimating tools in one package. If you’re a contractor or you routinely work on mixed substrates and need reliable AC detection and deeper sensing, you’ll want dedicated tools with higher sensitivity and better calibration feedback.

The bottom line

The Prexiso 5-in-1 doesn’t replace a pro’s kit, but it does streamline common DIY tasks. Stud detection on drywall is solid when you use proper technique; metal mode is a helpful “heads up,” and the laser makes alignment chores faster. The ultrasonic measurements are fine for estimates, not precision. The build feels more consumer-grade than jobsite-ready, and the user interface requires a little patience.

Recommendation: I recommend it for casual DIYers who value convenience and do most of their work on standard interior drywall. It’s a practical all-in-one for hanging, light installs, and planning. I wouldn’t recommend it as your primary safety check for live wiring or for challenging wall types—pair it with a non-contact voltage tester and, if you need deeper accuracy, a dedicated stud/wire detector.