The best duct tape

The folks behind Black Gorilla Tape not only have a great marketing slogan and mascot, but they also offer an extremely durable brand of duct tape that will perform almost any kind of job you need it to do.

Gorilla tape uses a powerful gorilla as a mascot, and its marketing campaign says its tape is made for the toughest jobs on Earth. We don't think Gorilla tape manufacturers are overselling their product, as others in the market cannot duplicate its toughness.

This tape lasts a long time, even when used in harsh outdoor conditions. It can even work to perform waterproof repairs in a pinch, like stopping a leak in a bucket.

The only downside is that Black Gorilla Tape doesn't have much stretch-ability to it. It is also more expensive than some other options, but it's worth it.

Pros: Outstanding toughness and durability, extremely thick tape that offers good strength and water resistance ratings, black color looks better on most repairs than silver/gray of standard duct tape

Cons: Doesn't offer much flexibility or stretch-ability, you'll pay more for a product of this quality

If you want to stick – get it? – with a high-quality tape, look for one that comes from a major brand name manufacturer. And when it comes to tape, 3M is the king.

So when seeking a duct tape that doesn't leave residue behind, you can trust 3M and the Scotch 3M No Residue Duct Tape. 3M says its duct tape will not leave residue behind for up to six months after applying it. It works on odd surfaces, too, including plastic and cotton,.

This tape is also thicker than some other types of duct tape options, giving it a solid toughness in addition to a lack of residue. However, it is a little harder to tear from the roll than other options.

Some reviewers have stated the tape toward the end of the roll doesn't perform as well as the tape at the start of the roll, limiting this product's value a bit.

Pros: Excellent choice for duct tape that you know you'll have to remove later, reasonable price point, thick type of duct tape that provides excellent toughness, stands up to use in all types of weather conditions

Cons: Thick tape that may be difficult to tear by hand for some people, some parts of the end of the tape roll may not be usable

Transparent duct tape seems like a great idea, especially compared to the ugly silver/gray duct tape most companies offer. However, it's difficult to create an extremely tough clear tape, because of the inability to add a thick fabric layer.

The top-notch Gorilla brand has found the formula to create an extremely tough type of transparent tape. The Gorilla Crystal Clear Tape isn't quite as tough as traditional duct tape, but it still can perform most repairs that you want without yellowing when exposed to weather.

This tape is easy to tear by hand, as the edges are notched. It's also incredibly strong and long-lasting.

Additionally, this clear tape is waterproof, allowing it to be used for repairs in areas where moisture is present, but where transparency is required. However, the Gorilla Crystal Clear Tape may not stand up to an especially tough water blocking application, such as on a swimming pool.

Pros: Tougher type of tape than most transparent tapes, easy to tear this clear tape by hand, won't yellow when exposed to tough weather, will work in areas where moisture is present

Cons: Not as tough as traditional duct tape, roll is shorter than other duct tapes at only 9 yards long

When you're looking for a tape that has the toughness of duct tape and is as easy to remove as masking tape, you may want to try gaffer's tape. This type of tape is commonly used in video shoots, allowing workers to mount cables or to keep them tight to the floor for a few days without the tape pulling loose. And it's available in bright colors, ensuring that people walking in the area can see the cables without tripping over them.

But it also works well around the house for a variety of jobs where you need a strong tape, but where you don't want to leave any residue. Or, if you want to add an easy high-visibility strip to something like a bike helmet. Our favorite type of high visibility tape is the Gaffer Power Professional Premium Tape.

This type of gaffer's tape also is one of the best waterproof tape options on the market. The tape is flexible, versatile, and strong enough to hold just about anything together.

However, the Gaffer Power tape doesn't adhere to certain surfaces for as long a period of time as duct tape.

Gaffer Power Professional Premium Tape is expensive, but it provides a high level of performance. It's also available in more than a dozen colors, including fluorescent yellow, green, pink, orange, and blue, so you can see it in almost any location.

Pros: Good performance level tape that doesn't leave residue behind, more flexible and stretchable than common duct tape, offers waterproof capabilities, multiple high visibility colors available for different situations

Cons: More expensive than traditional duct tape, doesn't remain adhered to surfaces as long as duct tape

If you have any question about whether duct tape is actually popular, you only have to look at the explosion of different types of art available on duct tape. Even if you're not someone who's going to rely on duct tape to perform repair work around the house, you can enjoy the artistic side of duct tape.

You'll like the price point and design options available with the Platypus Designer Duct Tape. There are more than a dozen designs available from Fortis, including the Jolly Roger symbol, a candy cane stripe design, and a design that resembles wool socks.

The Platypus duct tape is a great option for creating decorative outlet covers and other types of unique room decor. You can even buy a wood grain-style of duct tape to camouflage electrical cords. Or, use it with kids to create all kinds of crafts.

However, the residue from the tape can be messy and it doesn't have any stretch-ability or give to it.

Pros: Numerous fun designs and colors that kids will love, duct tape that's natural to use for arts and crafts, reasonable price point for decorative style duct tape, will work for basic household repair jobs too

Cons: Adhesive layer leaves residue and is messy to work with, not designed for heavy-duty repair work

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