6 Best Double-Sided Tapes (2023 Guide)

Whether glue is too messy or nails are too damaging, double-sided tape is a viable alternative for adhering items around your home. It adds to the convenience and versatility of regular duct tape and comes in different lengths, widths, quantities, colors, and more.

To help you navigate these options, our Reviews Team researched the best double-sided tapes available today. Learn more about our top six recommendations below.

6 Best Double-Sided Tapes

• Strongest Hold: EZlifego Double-Sided Tape
• Most Versatile: Bell+Howell Double-Sided Tape
• Best Body Tape: Fearless Tape Double-Sided Tape
• Best Dispenser: Amazon Basics Double-Sided Tape
• Best for Woodworking: XFasten Double-Sided Tape
• Best for Rugs: The Good Stuff Heavy Duty Rug Tape

Strongest Hold: EZlifego Double-Sided Tape

Pros and Cons

✔ Holds your items in temperatures ranging from 0–200 degrees Fahrenheit
✔ Doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue
✔ Can wash and reuse the pieces

✘ Comes with a single roll
✘ Doesn’t stick to textured walls

What Customers Are Saying

Happy customers that we found used this double-sided tape indoors and outdoors. They valued this roll of tape’s strength, tackiness, and durability. Ease of use was another highlight in multiple positive reviews. Unhappy customers struggled to get the tape to hold heavy items in place. It also took wall paint with it when customers removed it.

Most Versatile Double-Sided Tape: Bell+Howell Double-Sided Tape

Pros and Cons

✔ Comes with three 10-foot rolls
✔ Holds up to 17.5 pounds
✔ Doesn’t require curing or drying time

✘ Not suitable for painted walls
✘ Can damage your surfaces if you use it improperly because it’s so sticky

What Customers Are Saying

Positive feedback for this tape included ease of use, reusability, strength, and versatility. While most customers thought that this double-sided tape was affordable, we did see some users who struggled to adhere items to certain surfaces, such as brick. Select users also had issues removing the tape.

Best Body Tape: Fearless Tape Double-Sided Tape

Pros and Cons

✔ Comes in pre-cut strips
✔ Comes in a clear color to blend into all skin tones
✔ Doesn’t irritate skin

✘ Not strong enough for anything other than clothing
✘ Includes only 50 pieces of tape

What Customers Are Saying

We found that most customers, even those with sensitive skin and expensive clothing, had a positive experience using this double-sided tape. They said that it was easy to apply the pre-cut strips. However, some users had issues getting the tape to adhere to sweaty skin. Other customers with long nails had difficulty removing the tape without someone else’s help.

Best Double-Side Tape Dispenser: Amazon Basics Double-Sided Tape

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a removable cap on the dispenser
✔ Backed by a 1-year warranty
✔ Rolls on like correction tape

✘ Designed only for light-duty use on paper
✘ Requires a few minutes after application to dry

What Customers Are Saying

Positively, we noted that customers valued this dispenser because it had a similar design to the familiar correction tape for pen ink mistakes. While most customers thought the tape was easy to use, some expressed frustration that it didn’t come with instructions. The adhesive also got stuck on several users’ hands.

Best Double-Sided Tape for Woodworking: XFasten Double-Sided Tape

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a cloth backing to resist curling
✔ Doesn’t lift or chip the wood when you remove it
✔ Designed by woodworkers who collaborated with other carpenters on their needs

✘ Doesn’t have a transparent color like most double-sided tape
✘ Designed for wood specifically

What Customers Are Saying

Positively, customers were satisfied with the tackiness of this double-sided woodworking tape. The amount of tape was also suitable for large projects. Negatively, we did note that some users found the tape to be soft, which made it difficult to cut to their desired size.

Best Double-Sided Tape for Rugs: The Good Stuff Heavy Duty Rug Tape

Pros and Cons

✔ The manufacturer offers a 1-year guarantee
✔ Offers an extremely strong hold
✔ Can be used indoors and outdoors

✘ Doesn’t perform as well on non-wooden or non-hardwood floors
✘ Relatively expensive for a single roll of tape

What Customers Are Saying

Customers we found were surprised with how sticky and strong this roll of rug tape was, stating that it exceeded their expectations, anchoring their rug to varying floor surfaces with no issues. Conversely, some users reported that the ultra-sticky tape gummed up the blades of scissors or utility knives.

Double-Sided Tape Buying Guide

The best double-sided tape for you primarily depends on what you need to adhere to. However, our team notes that color, width, and other factors are also worth considering. Below, you’ll find more information on these aspects.

Type

Double-sided mounting tapes aren’t created equal, but they all achieve the same basic purpose of adhering one object to another. Here’s a brief overview of the main types of double-sided tape:

• Acrylic: Most commonly used for industrial purposes, acrylic double-sided tape uses strong chemicals for a permanent bond. Acrylic tape is also useful outdoors, as it’s waterproof.
• Floor: As the name suggests, you can apply this type of double-sided tape to the floor. It’s an easy way to keep a rug in place on hardwood flooring.
• Tissue: Tissue tape is akin to standard, light-duty cellophane tape but is double-sided. It’s the most common type of double-sided tape that’s suitable for everyday household use.
• Polyethylene: Also referred to as foam tape, this type of double-sided tape is thick to provide insulation.

Strength

Most double-sided tape can hold 5–15 pounds, with the strongest holding 15–20 pounds. Double-sided adhesive tape isn’t as strong as nails or screws, but you’re sacrificing strength for convenience.

Dimensions

The length of the tape roll must match how much adhesion you need, but the width also matters. Narrow tape sits between two thin objects without being visible. Conversely, wider double-sided tape is useful if you want to cover more surface area using a single strip.

Removal

Despite its strong adhesive, quality double-sided tape shouldn’t leave a trail of sticky residue behind after you remove it. Some manufacturers may suggest warming the area before removing their tape, which makes it easier to peel it off smoothly in one piece.

Reusability

If a double-sided tape is fairly easy to remove, it’s probably designed to be washed and reused. This makes buying a roll of tape an economical fastener solution, as you can use one piece multiple times. However, keep in mind that the tape loses some of its adhesion with each application.

Size and Quantity

Consider the size and quantity of the double-sided tape you need. Some tapes come in packs of two, three, or more, while others come in singular, smaller rolls.

Color

Most double-sided tape is clear to blend into different surfaces, but there are colored options. Double-sided woodworking tape, for example, is offered with a yellow or brown backing to match wood finishes.

What To Avoid With Double-Sided Tape

If you’re wondering why your double-sided tape isn’t working as it should, it could be from improper use. Read our list below to see what you’re potentially doing wrong.

• Choosing the wrong type of double-sided tape: Make sure that the double-sided tape you choose is appropriate for what you want to adhere. For example, don’t use wood tape on painted walls.
• Applying the tape when it’s too cold: If it’s colder than 65 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll need to either artificially warm the surface or wait until it gets warmer. Double-sided tape loses its stickiness when it gets too cold.
• Exposing the tape to sunlight: When you receive your double-sided tape, store it in a dry, dark, and temperature-controlled area. If the tape is in direct sunlight for an extended amount of time, it can lose its adhesive property. The surface that you’re applying the tape to shouldn’t receive direct sunlight either.
• Applying the tape to a dirty or uneven surface: Most household double-sided tape is meant for smooth surfaces that are clean and dry. Dirt, grease, dust, and other fine particles may interrupt the adhesive barrier between the tape and the surface. Make sure to wipe the area and let it dry before applying double-sided tape. Textured or rough surfaces may also present issues if you use the wrong type of double-sided tape.
• Applying the tape too fast: Since double-sided tape is sticky on both sides, the application requires a bit more care. Following instructions carefully and going slowly can ensure a consistent, wrinkle-free application.

Double-Sided Tape FAQ

What is the strongest double-sided tape?

The strongest double-sided tape is usually considered UHB, or Ultra High Bonding, tape. UHB tape offers superior adhesion on both sides of the tape to secure rugs, hang pictures, and more. VHB, or Very High Bonding, is another high-quality tape product worth considering.

Can I apply double-sided tape to a wet surface?

While some double-sided tape is water-resistant or waterproof, we recommend applying it to a dry surface. This ensures that water doesn’t obstruct the bond between the tape and the surface.

How can I make double-sided tape easier to remove?

Adding heat with a heat gun or blow dryer can loosen the tape’s adhesive. However, be careful not to position the heating tool too close to the tape, as this could melt it and make it even more difficult to remove.

Why should I use double-sided tape instead of normal tape?

Double-sided tape is ideal when you want to stick two objects together without seeing the tape. Typically, double-sided tape is also stronger than painter’s tape, packing tape, and cellophane tape.

How We Chose the Best Double-Sided Tapes

To provide our readers with the best product recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of tapes with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4-5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older versions with newer ones and eliminating any discontinued products. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing benefits selecting to find the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why You Can Trust Us

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.

Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and dining room decor to circular saws and snow blowers.

Once we conclude the research and testing phases, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

Questions or Comments?

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