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Sometimes that moment where you critically reexamine your life choices happens when you least expect it—like when you just spent 90 seconds trying to find the end of a roll of clear packing tape, finally managing to claw up the edge, and then successfully peeling off an entirely useless half-inch strip that means you have to start over again. And you think to yourself, “Why in the world didn’t I buy more of the good stuff?”
I’ve been working for Wirecutter in one form or another for more than five years, and by now much of what I own consists of Wirecutter picks. I know objectively that most of these things are really good, and that they do their job admirably. But there’s a special sort of joy from using an object that comes only from years of struggling with something much, much worse. And the difference between good packing tape—the kind that comes off the roll easily and sticks quickly and firmly—and the other stuff fills me with regret for the countless hours I spent struggling with bad tape.
For the same price as off-brand tape, you can get something measurably better that makes a frequent chore less onerous.
I use packing tape a lot. Between a life full of review units that get sent across the country regularly and having moved house three times in less than six years, it sometimes feels like I’m in a slow-motion unboxing/reboxing video. And every time I pick up a roll of Duck EZ Start Packaging Tape, I’m just ... impressed. It's our top pick from our guide to home office supplies because it comes off the roll easily, it’s surprisingly quiet, and you can tear it one-handed. Also, once it sticks onto the box it stays down.
Using bad tape won’t destroy your life. But for the same price as off-brand tape, you can get something measurably better that makes a frequent chore less onerous. So why not do yourself the favor?
A few weeks ago, I ran out of Duck EZ Start and had to resort to using an old, half-finished roll from another brand that was kicking around the back of a drawer somewhere. Within minutes, I was reduced to swearing and muttering under my breath as I mummified a box in tape so that it would have enough structure to actually stay stuck and shut. Before the cursed package even left my apartment, I’d ordered several more rolls of Duck EZ Start so I’d never have to deal with this again.
After researching 13 kinds of packing tape and testing five, we picked Duck because it’s cheap, easy to use, and strong.
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Investing in some high-quality basics can get kids excited about camping out—and help you avoid a mid-trip detour to the nearest big-box store.
After 45 hours of research and durability tests on 17 tape measures, we think that the Stanley 25-foot PowerLock Tape Measure is the best option for most people.
by Ingrid Skjong and Wirecutter Staff
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Logo Packaging Tape Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).