See Inside Your Walls: The Walabot DIY 2 M Wall Scanner

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What the Walabot DIY 2 M Is
• What Our Editors Saw
• Expert Mode
• Specs and Limits
• Who It’s For
• Final Thoughts
• FAQ

Introduction

A regular stud finder beeps. A Walabot shows you a picture. Our editors tested a Walabot wall scanner on an open test wall with wood and metal studs, PEX, conduit and Romex, so they could compare what the screen showed with what was really behind the drywall. This article covers the current model, the Walabot DIY 2 M.

What the Walabot DIY 2 M Is

Walabot says the DIY 2 M shares the complete, updated feature set of the Walabot DIY 2. It works with iOS and Android phones, uses Wi-Fi so you can work away from your phone, and has its own rechargeable battery so it won’t drain your phone. It charges with a USB-C cable.

What Our Editors Saw

In the video, the scanner picked out the pipes and wires, the metal stud, the Romex they had run temporarily, and the wood stud. The PEX was filled with water for density, and the scanner flagged it as a pipe or wire. When you first turn it on, you calibrate it by moving it around on the wall.

Expert Mode

Expert mode shows the raw radar data, almost like a live radar view. In the video, Eric put his hand behind the wall and the movement showed up on the screen. Walabot says expert mode can reveal overlapping and intersecting objects and even pest activity, and our editors said it could also help you find where a wire run hits a blockage.

Specs and Limits

Walabot says the DIY 2 M locates studs, stud centers, pipes and wires up to 4 in. deep inside drywall. It is for drywall and plywood only. Walabot says not to use it on lath and plaster, concrete, tile, brick, metal-backed walls or stucco.

See Walabot’s DIY 2 M page for current pricing.

Who It’s For

DIYers hanging TVs and shelves, and anyone running wire who wants to see what’s behind the drywall first. We also featured a Walabot in our luxury tools gift guide. Browse more scanner reviews and electrician tools.

Final Thoughts

Seeing studs, pipes and wires on your phone before you drill beats guessing. Just keep it on drywall and plywood, where Walabot says it’s meant to work.

FAQ

What can the Walabot DIY 2 M detect?

Walabot says it locates studs, stud centers, pipes and wires up to 4 in. deep inside drywall.

Does it work with my phone?

Walabot says it’s compatible with iOS and Android phones and connects over Wi-Fi.

Will it drain my phone’s battery?

No. It has its own built-in rechargeable battery.

Can I use it on plaster or concrete?

No. Walabot says it’s for drywall and plywood only, not lath and plaster, concrete, tile, brick, metal-backed walls or stucco.

What is expert mode?

A view of the raw radar data that can show overlapping objects and movement inside the wall.