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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, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best double-sided tapes on Amazon. 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
Compare Top Double-Sided Tapes
| Product | Length | Quantity | Color | Surface Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EZlifego Double-Sided Tape | 9.9 feet | 1 roll | Clear | Smooth |
| Bell+Howell Double-Sided Tape | 10 feet | 3 rolls | Clear | Smooth |
| Fearless Tape Double-Sided Tape | 3 inches | 50 strips | Clear | Fabric and skin |
| Amazon Basics Double-Sided Tape | 32 feet | 1 roll | Clear | Paper |
| XFasten Double-Sided Tape | 36 yards | 3 rolls | Yellow | Wood |
| The Good Stuff Heavy Duty Rug Tape | 30 yards | 1 roll | White | Hardwood, vinyl |
| Product | Length | Quantity | Color | Surface Type |
Strongest Hold: EZlifego Double-Sided Tape
EZlifego Double-Sided Tape
- $18.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Holds your items in temperatures that are between 0- and 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 used this double-sided tape indoors and outdoors. They valued the strength, tackiness, and durability that this roll of tape offered. 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: Bell+Howell Double-Sided Tape
Bell+Howell Double-Sided Tape
- $19.95
Prices taken at time of publishing.
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 offered at an affordable price, some users 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
Fearless Tape Double-Sided Tape
- $12.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
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
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 Dispenser: Amazon Basics Double-Sided Tape
Amazon Basics Double-Sided Tape
- $6.56
Prices taken at time of publishing.
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, customers valued this dispenser because it had a similar design to the familiar correction tape for pen ink mistakes. While most customers thought that 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 For Woodworking: XFasten Double-Sided Tape
XFasten Double-Sided Tape
- $25
Prices taken at time of publishing.
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, some users found the tape to be soft, which made it difficult to cut to their desired size.
Best for Rugs: The Good Stuff Heavy Duty Rug Tape
The Good Stuff Heavy Duty Rug Tape
- $22.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
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 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.
Buying Guide for Double-Sided Tape
The best double-sided tape for you primarily depends on what you need to adhere to. However, 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.
- Tissue: Tissue tape is akin to standard, light-duty cellophane tape, but it’s 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 between five and 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. Rough or textured 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, application requires a bit more care. Following instructions carefully and going slowly can ensure a consistent, wrinkle-free application.
Frequently Asked Questions About Double-Sided Tape
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 Selected Doube-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 products 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 models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature-set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
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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.
The This Old House Reviews 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.
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