Our video review of the Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure shows it as a smaller option that keeps from losing the durability of larger tapes. It’s still got the 5-point reinforced housing and nylon blade protection of its predecessor. The overmold isn’t as enveloping as the old model, but it’s still solid.
Normally, we don’t do destructive testing on any of the products we test. After all, why destroy a perfectly good tool that someone can use?
Editor’s Note: Think you know everything about tapes? Check out our article on how to read a tape measure and we promise you’ll learn something new!
Going Beyond Drop Testing
However, Managing Editor, Kenny Koehler got a little carried away after doing some drop tests and a baseball bat was involved. He remembered seeing a video of the Milwaukee crew playing a little tape ball in the back parking lot and decided if it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for us. So I relented. You can see how that plays out in the video.
Two things we look for aside from durability are standout and throw. Standout is important when you’re working by yourself and you need to hook an object more than an arm’s length away. We see tape measures get in the 13-foot range on the high end.
Throw is another factor we look at and can fly under the radar. It’s another feature that’s good to have when working alone. The more distance you can throw the tape, the less you’ll have to feed out one pull at a time.
There a couple of other changes worth looking at from the original tape as well including the clip and the price. Check out the Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure video for all the results of our testing and the specification below for purchase information.
Additional Features
- Nylon bond blade protection
- 5-point reinforced frame
- Fractional scale
- Optimized hook designed for scoring
- Stamped steel belt clip
- Lanyard ready
16′ Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure Specifications
- Model: Milwaukee 48-22-6616
- Tape Blade Length: 16 ft
- Blade Material: Steel
- Length: 2.75″
- Width: 1.60″
- Height: 2.64″
- Weight: 0.63 lbs
- Warranty: Lifetime limited
- Price: $12.97
25′ Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure Specifications
- Model: Milwaukee 48-22-6625
- Tape Blade Length: 25 ft
- Blade Material: Steel
- Length: 3.13″
- Height: 3.0″
- Height: 3.0″
- Weight: 0.94 lbs
- Warranty: Lifetime limited
- Price: $16.97
30′ Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure Specifications
- Model: Milwaukee 48-22-6630
- Tape Blade Length: 30 ft
- Blade Material: Steel
- Length: 3.3″
- Width: 1.65″
- Height: 3.5″
- Weight: 1.15 lbs
- Warranty: Lifetime limited
- Price: $21.97
