The best duct tape

Kyle SchurmanAug 13, 2020, 21:21 IST

Duct tape is a seriously handy tool to keep around the house that can repair a lot more than you think.
But if you want to make sure the repair work you're doing will last as long as possible, the toughest and best duct tape on the market is Black Gorilla Tape. You'll pay a little more for it, but it's worth the cost.

Duct tape easily ranks near the top of the best low-tech inventions. If I've learned anything over the last several years, it's that duct tape can do almost anything, making it a must-have household staple.

But not all duct tape is created equal. And we don't just mean the difference between the hot pink and animal print duct tape rolls that seem to be the only options available in the house when you have a repair to make.

Different grades of duct tape actually exist. Most duct tape must be able to stand up to heat and air pressure. But different models are available, including coated cloth, gaffer's, and industrial style duct tape, as well as decorative tape that doesn't offer the toughness of average duct tape.

The main reason to avoid using duct tape on certain projects is that it leaves a significant amount of residue behind if you ever attempt to remove it. Pick something other than duct tape when you know you'll be removing the tape later or when you're concerned about the surface of the object being taped.

But for many quick-fix home projects, duct tape is key. And, if you're heading out on a camping trip in the wilderness all alone, keeping some duct tape in an emergency kit is a good idea in case an unforeseen accident like a sprained ankle occurs since it can help you walk to safety by supporting the ankle.

Here are the best duct tapes:

Best overall: Black Gorilla Tape
Best no-residue: Scotch 3M No Residue Duct Tape
Best transparent: Gorilla Crystal Clear Tape
Best high visibility: Gaffer Power Professional Premium Tape

Updated 8/13/20. We updated prices, links, and formatting.

The best overall

Gorilla

The best no-residue

The best transparent

Gorilla

The best high visibility

Gaffer Power

The best designer

Platypus

What to look for in a good duct tape

If you've ever tried to make a legitimate repair with some of the cheap stuff, you know what we mean when we say, all duct tape definitely is not created equally. Here are some things to look for when purchasing duct tape.

Colors: As duct tape has grown in popularity, companies have created this product in almost any color and pattern that you can imagine. If you're looking for a heavy-duty duct tape for performing repairs, you will have fewer color options. But the less expensive, decorative style duct tape rolls are great for arts and crafts.
Layers: The best type of duct tape will consist of distinctive layers. The outer layer may have a bit of a shine to it, giving it some weather resistance. This is the visible layer on top. The next layer is a fabric layer that is easy to tear but that also contains tough fibers. The bottom adhesive layer offers a component that will stick to almost any surface. The adhesive almost certainly will leave a residue behind if you ever attempt to remove the tape, however.
Tearing: Although it seems counter-intuitive, a quality duct tape will tear fairly easily from the roll. It's the way the fibers in the design of the tape work, giving it the toughness you want, while also being easy to tear. If the duct tape is difficult to tear and requires scissors, it's probably going to stretch badly when it's placed under stress. Duct tape should stretch just a little bit, but not excessively.
Thickness: If you have a lot of trouble finding the edge of the tape on a roll, it's probably a cheap type of duct tape. Quality duct tape will have enough thickness that finding the edge of the tape on the roll is easy.
Weight: A good roll of duct tape is going to have some heft to it. If the roll of duct tape feels more like a roll of masking tape in weight, it isn't going to give you the toughness you want.

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