Finding high-quality adhesive tape can often be confusing due to the wide variety available. While the primary purpose of these tapes is always the same (to stick two surfaces together), they are available in different sizes and materials, which makes each of them suitable for different kinds of jobs. While some adhesive tapes may be perfect for heavy-duty jobs, others are specifically meant for light use only, so you need to be careful when looking for a tape that’s suitable for your next project. We understand that this can be an overwhelming task, which is why we’ve prepared this guide to help you find a great adhesive tape in 2024:
Adhesive tapes are the perfect quick fix for your mounting needs. They offer seamless installation so that the mounting structure of your project is almost invisible, and they effectively replace nails and screws, solutions that require causing permanent damage to surfaces. Adhesive tapes can create tight seals, limit vibrational damage to your objects, and work on versatile surfaces.
The most important thing to consider when it comes to adhesive tapes is the bonding surface. Thick and thin tapes are ideal for flat or smooth surfaces, but if you’re looking for something for uneven and rough surfaces, go for a thick adhesive tape — these will provide you with a larger bonding area.
Wider adhesive tapes are better for mounting heavy objects, but the downside of using these is that they may extend beyond the object you’re using them on — a wide, transparent tape can help keep your items secure and won’t affect aesthetics. If you’re mounting lightweight objects, though, pick up a narrow adhesive tape.
Adhesive tapes with a thickness greater than 0.25mm are considered thick, while those below that number are considered thin. Thick tapes mean more bonding area, which makes them better for rough surfaces. Thin tapes, however, work great with both rough and even surfaces.
You should choose your adhesive tape based on how long you want to mount your object. If you want to fix something temporarily, you don’t need a strong adhesive — temporary adhesive tape will serve you well, and you’ll be able to remove it after a short while without causing any damage to the surface you used it on. If you want to hold an object in place for a longer period, go for a permanent tape that has a strong adhesive.
The stickiness of adhesive tapes is directly related to temperature — low temperatures lead to low bonding, and vice versa. We recommend buying an adhesive tape that’s weather-resistant against all kinds of temperatures, especially if you’re going to be using it for outdoor projects.
The higher the adhesive time, the stronger the adhesive bond and the more difficult the tape will be to remove. Stronger adhesive tapes will inevitably leave behind more residue after removal. If you don’t want to damage your items or surfaces after removal, consider investing in temporary adhesive tape — this tape has less adhesion and can be removed effortlessly without leaving residue on the surface of your items.
An adhesive tape’s surface energy will tell you how attractive or repulsive it is. Items like tiles, glass, and base metals require low adhesive tape because they have high surface energy, which allows the formation of strong bonds between the tape and the surface. The opposite is true for plastics, which have low surface energy, and therefore require high adhesive tapes.
This adhesive tape has a clear design and won’t leave behind a sticky residue or any kind of stain. It’s super easy to wash off, and when it’s dry, there won’t be any trace that it was ever there at all. This adhesive solution is great for almost any kind of DIY job, from ceramic and stone to wood and paper, and thanks to its versatile, high-quality design this adhesive tape is top of our list.
EZLifego’s Double-sided Adhesive Tape offers innovative technology that features an acrylic-based gel with the ability to strongly adhere to almost all kinds of smooth surfaces. It dries relatively quickly compared to other adhesive tapes and can reliably hold up to 18 pounds, no matter what you’re using it for.
This adhesive tape sports a transparent design that allows it to seamlessly blend with any surface it’s used on. The tape also boasts elasticity, which makes it easier and more convenient to work with. This adhesive tape can be a great choice for people looking to make small-scale home improvements or put up lightweight, temporary decorations, and it won’t leave behind any traces of stickiness or stains when it’s removed, so why wouldn’t you pick it up?
Kelasy’s Double-sided Adhesive Tape stands out thanks to its unique nano gel glue — this glue helps it adhere strongly to all kinds of surfaces while also allowing for safe and clean removal when required. When applied to clean surfaces, this adhesive tap can hold up to 18 pounds of weight (1 pound for every 4 inches of tape).
This adhesive tape is weather-proof, which means that not only can it be used indoors, but it’s ideal for outdoor use thanks to its ability to withstand the elements. It can also adhere to almost all kinds of materials, including (but not limited to) stone, brick, concrete, glass, and much, much more. This industrial-strength double-sided adhesive tape is a quick and easy solution to all your mounting and repair needs, so consider picking it up if you have a big DIY project on the horizon.
Gorilla’s Clear Double-sided Adhesive Tape is a great choice if you’re looking for an alternative to nails and other fasteners that require making permanent changes to your walls and surfaces. This heavy-duty adhesive tape is ideal for holding objects up to 38 pounds, which is a respectable amount of weight.
The initial viscosity of this adhesive tape may be small, but it increases over time — after about 72 hours, it can be used to mount larger and heavier items. It also has great water and temperature resistance, which makes this adhesive tape ideal for use in kitchens and bathrooms, and even outdoors, no matter the season.
This super narrow adhesive tape by EMITEVER is delicately-sized for mounting things like LED strips, posters, and picture frames, and it’s a great alternative to more permanent solutions like screws, rivets, and liquid adhesives. This heavy-duty adhesive tape is made from VHB acrylic foam that boasts a strength of 3 pounds per inch, with high elasticity for extending it as needed without any breakage.
This adhesive tape can hold up to 1 pound for every 4 inches of tape (18 pounds in total), and you can cut it to any length and size depending on what the project in question requires. This double-sided adhesive tape is easy to remove and won’t leave any residue or damage behind, making it a great choice for your home, office, or outdoor use.
ShenHuiTech’s Double-sided Adhesive Tape has a width of 1.8 inches and a thickness of just 0.07 inches, making this a great way to securely — and discreetly — put the finishing touches on your next DIY project. This adhesive tape uses advanced nanotechnology and acrylic gel to adhere strongly and firmly to smooth, clean, and non-porous surfaces, offering you great results that you can stand back, check out, and be proud of.
A: If you’re removing a tape with strong adhesion, use a knife to lift the tape from the edge and then use your fingers to carefully roll it into a ball. If residue is left behind, you can use rubbing alcohol to wipe it off. Tapes with weak adhesive should be much simpler to remove.
A: Thin, transparent adhesive tape might work for clothes, but that would be a temporary fix — you’ll need to keep replacing the tape to make it work.
A: Yes! Make sure the surface you’re sticking adhesive tape onto is cleaned and dried before you mount whatever item you're going to be putting up.