Affiliate Disclosure:This Old House’s Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services. To support this business model, This Old House may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website.
Duct tape is thicker and stronger than standard clear tape, so it’s better for large or permanent repairs. To help you find a roll that works for your needs, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best duct tapes available online. Here are our top recommendations.
Top 5 Duct Tapes
- Best Traditional Tape: Gorilla Duct Tape
- Largest Pack: Lockport Duct Tape
- Best Color Options: Duck Duct Tape
- Best Tearing: 3M Duct Tape
- Best Clear Tape: Gorilla Repair Duct Tape
Compare Top Duct Tapes
| Product | Quantity | Roll Size | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla Duct Tape | 1 roll | 1.88 inches by 35 yards | Silver |
| Lockport Duct Tape | 5 rolls | 2 inches by 90 feet per roll | Silver |
| Duck Duct Tape | 1 roll | 1.88 inches by 20 yards | Beige |
| 3M Duct Tape | 1 roll | 1.88 inches by 25 yards | Silver |
| Gorilla Repair Duct Tape | 1 roll | 1.88 inches by 9 yards | Transparent |
| Product | Quantity | Roll Size | Color |
Best Traditional Tape: Gorilla Duct Tape
Gorilla Duct Tape
- $12
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes with one roll
- Measures 1.88 inches by 35 yards
- Silver color
- Available in other quantities
What Customers Are Saying
This duct tape received positive reviews on Amazon for its ability to work in various weather conditions. Other customers mentioned its strong adhesive and durability. Unsatisfied customers said it didn’t work well in direct sunlight and had an overbearing smell.
Largest Pack: Lockport Duct Tape
Lockport Duct Tape
- $23.95
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes with five rolls
- Measures 2 inches by 90 feet per roll
- Silver color
- Available in other quantities
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who gave this duct tape positive reviews on Amazon liked its affordability for the number of rolls. Others liked its durability and ease of removal. However, some negative reviews claimed the tape was thin and prone to tearing.
Best Color Options: Duck Duct Tape
Duck Duct Tape
- $8.76
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes with one roll
- Measures 1.88 inches by 20 yards
- Beige color
- Available in other quantities and colors
What Customers Are Saying
Happy users mentioned this tape’s ease of application and color options. However, there were some customer complaints about how difficult it was to remove from a surface.
Best Tearing: 3M Duct Tape
3M Duct Tape
- $15.97
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes with one roll
- Measures 1.88 inches by 25 yards
- Silver color
- Available in other lengths and styles
What Customers Are Saying
This duct tape was popular among Amazon reviewers for its strong adhesion, easy tearing, and versatile application. However, a few reviewers claimed that this tape wasn’t weather-resistant.
Best Clear Tape: Gorilla Repair Duct Tape
Gorilla Crystal Clear Repair Duct Tape
- $7.86
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes with one roll
- Measures 1.88 inches by 9 yards
- Transparent color
- Available in other quantities
What Customers Are Saying
This duct tape earned numerous positive reviews on Amazon, with customers saying that it worked for indoor and outdoor applications. Those who gave this tape negative reviews claimed that it wasn’t long-lasting.
Buying Guide for Duct Tape
In the buying guide below, we break down the components of high-quality duct tape.
Color
Duct tape comes in various colors and patterns. Heavy-duty duct tape has more limited color options. Light-duty duct tape that you can use for arts and crafts offers a wider selection. You can find clear duct tape if you don’t want your repairs to be visible.
Layers
Duct tape has three layers, each of which serves a specific function. The outer layer is resistant to weather, the middle layer is easy to tear, and the bottom layer uses a strong adhesive to stick to surfaces.
Tearing
You should be able to rip a strip of tape off of the roll with your hands. If the tape stretches or you have to use scissors, it probably isn’t high-quality.
Thickness
Duct tape thickness is measured in mils. Thin duct tape is between three and six mils. Medium-duty duct tape is between nine and 12 mils. Heavy-duty duct tape can be up to 17 mils.
Amount
This refers to how many yards of tape a roll has and how many rolls come in a pack. If you use duct tape regularly, opt for a multipack with large rolls. This prevents you from having to make frequent purchases.
The Best Duct Tape Uses
There are few types of tape more versatile than duct tape. With its strong adhesive and easy tearing, duct tape can help you with both big and small repairs. While there are an endless number of uses for duct tape, here are some ideas for utilizing it around your home:
- Fix camping tents.
- Hang lights.
- Hem clothes.
- Open stuck lids.
- Patch garden hoses.
- Protect floors.
- Remove clothing lint.
- Remove splinters.
- Remove sticker residue.
- Remove warts or blisters.
- Repair glasses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Duct Tape
How can I tell if my duct tape is high-quality?
The duct tape’s thickness and ease of ripping are good indicators of its quality. Another indicator of high-quality duct tape is its weight. Heavy-duty duct tape weighs more than masking tape.
What’s the difference between duct tape and Gaffer’s tape?
In terms of appearance, duct tape has a shiny finish, while Gaffer’s tape has a matte finish. Gaffer’s tape is easier to tear from the roll. In general, Gaffer’s tape is best for temporary fixes, while duct tape is better for long-term repairs.
Is duct tape waterproof?
Some duct tape is waterproof. If you’re going to use your duct tape outdoors, choose a waterproof roll that can stand up to rain.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.