Brief Summary
For Pros
Main + reason for rating: Features/Capabilities
Main - reason for rating: Fragile
For DIYers
Main + reason for rating: Features/Capabilities
Main - reason for rating: Fragile
We Like
We Don't Like
Update (2/20/2024): Although I do still enjoy and use the Smart Spacer (mentioned throughout this article), it has become INCREDIBLY difficult to get hold of! So, recently, I've been using Y-spacers that are designed for installing hexagons (links will be below). These work very well - my only wish is that they were available in 3/16" sizes as well as 1/8".
uxcell Wall Floor Tile Plastic Y Type Spacers Tiling Tools 3mm White 1000pcs
$16.49 ($0.02 / Count)
Total Size: 18.5 x 16.5 x 3mm / 0.73" x 0.65" x 0.12"(L*W*H); Package Content: 1000(+/-2%)pcs x Tile Spacer
Weight: 257g; Product Name: Tile Spacer
Material: Plastic; Suitable for Tile Gap: 3mm / 0.12"
Fit for Hexagonal Brick
Main Color: White
Conclusion: Since first buying and using the Smart Spacer in 2014, I've purchased them many times and used them on many different projects. Although they're not my "go-to spacer" (that title goes to Tavy brand spacers) and I don't consider them the best option for typical tile projects, they have a couple of very specific uses that no other spacer can fill as well as they do. For this reason, I recommend this spacer to DIY installers and to professional tile installers (read on to learn more or click here to see those specific uses).
If you click this or any other product link on this site and make a purchase, you'll be supporting MyersFlooring.com with a small commission, which will have no additional cost to you, but we're immensely grateful for!
Introduction
Who makes the Smart Spacer?
When I bought my first bag of Smart Spacers, they were from a small company based in Arizona, USA, if I remember correctly.
I haven't been able to find much information on the original inventors/producers, recently, since they have since started to be supplied by one of the big names in the tile industry: Pearl Abrasive.
They are made in the USA.
First, I'll tell you that this is not a sponsored review - I have never actually been given a tool free for any reason, so this is straight from my honest experience.
Smart Spacer
I'm the type of person who is always on the lookout for new & innovative tools and gadgets; particularly, things that will make my life and my work easier, better, and more efficient.
When I first saw the Smart Spacer I thought,
What a fantastic idea!
This replaces 3 different sizes of spacers!
I bought a set and started using them. Read on to find out about the features and my experiences with these spacers.
Design/Features
What does it do and how does it work?
The Smart Spacer is a specially designed spacer, for installing tile, that replaces 6 common sizes of spacers. It also has several other features that other spacers don't have:
- 3 SIZES IN 1: The small version of the Smart Spacer replaces the 3 most common sizes of spacers that tile installers in the USA use: 1/16", 1/8", and 3/16" and the large version replaces 3 other less-common sizes: 1/4", 5/16", and 3/8". As a result, this saves both storage/inventory space and time (for a professional, you only have to bring 1 set of spacers to your jobsite and it will work for any of the common sizes you need...for a DIYer, you only have to buy one spacer and you know it will work for whatever tile or design you're working on)!
- ROUND DESIGN: Many spacers will twist or tip over between the tiles - the Smart Spacer rolls as you move tiles back and forth!
- EASY TO REMOVE: These spacers have a portion that sticks out above the grout line, making them easy to grasp and pull out with fingers or, if they are embedded into thinset at the bottom, with a pair of pliers. In contrast, rubber cross spacers sit completely inside the grout joint and can be very difficult to remove!
- UNIVERSAL/WORK WITH ANY TILE AND ANY PATTERN: Common T-spacers or cross-spacers only work if you are installing a straight lay/grid pattern or an offset pattern, but the Smart Spacer works with any pattern!
- RIGID/NON-COMPRESSABLE: These spacers are made from hard Polypropylene, which means that they won't compress with the weight of more & more tiles installed up a wall.
You can also view the company's excellent promotional video, here:
Throne room with hexagon tiles and Smart Spacers
Our Experiences
How do I use the Smart Spacer?
So, here is where I'm going to get into what, I hope, is the most valuable part of the review for you: personal experience with this tool over the long-term.
I've used the Smart Spacer for several years, now, and I've discovered several advantages that these spacers have other other spacers in certain circumstances, but also a couple of drawbacks. One of the best uses that I've found is when installing hexagon tiles - if you'd like, you can check out my article How do I install large hexagon tiles on a floor?
Advantages
- 3-in-1. I love the inventory and time savings of having 1 spacer that does the job of 3!
- Round Shape. Another unique thing about these spacers is their circular shape: because they are round, they don't tip, twist, or slide out when you're adjusting tiles back and forth on a floor or on a wall.
- Rigid/Won't Compress. This is a big one for me, since it's not always obvious until it's too late! When you're setting tiles on a wall and using rubber, hollow, or soft plastic spacers, the joints can start to get ever-so-slightly smaller, which you don't notice until you compare your joint size at the bottom with the joint size at the top!
- Visible Corners. Having full view of all corners of where the tiles intersect is huge! Most spacers (including my personal favorites: Tavy brand spacers) won't allow you to easily see the full intersection of the tile, so many times, you don't see that one tile is off until you remove the spacer and it's too late!
- Odd-Shaped Tiles. More and more, I'm being asked to install tiles that aren't rectangular. In fact, as of the time of writing this article, I've been working in one house where I have 3 different floors with hexagon tiles! Needless to say, t-spacers and cross-spacers won't work with unusually shaped tiles like that, but the Smart Spacer works VERY well!
Floor with Smart Spacers
Shower Walls with Smart Spacers
Disadvantages
- Need a LOT of Spacers. Originally, I was trying to use the Smart Spacer as a replacement for all of my other spacers. While this is possible, it wasn't ideal because, while I love the idea of only needing 1 spacer for 3 different joint sizes, the fact that you need to put 4 spacers in every intersection of tile means that you use A LOT of spacers...so this means that you need to have more quantity of these spacers on-hand (more $$) and it takes more time to install.
- Fragile/Easily Broken. Unfortunately, because of the slim shape of these spacers, if anyone walks over the floor before you've pulled the spacers out, they will likely break all of the spacers. I can remember a time when carpenters came onto floors that I installed the day before and installed cabinets and broke EVERY SINGLE SPACER! INCREDIBLY frustrating! I suggested, to the manufacturer, that they could try to make the spacers out of a more sturdy material, like an ABS plastic, but I never received any response.
Backsplash with tons of Smart Spacers
All Smart Spacers broken
Conclusions
Final thoughts about the Smart Spacer.
Since buying my first bag of Smart Spacers back in 2014, I have consistently had uses for them, but my usage has evolved and gotten more and more specialized over time.
They can work as an all-around spacer (3 sizes in one spacer is awesome!), but the fact that you have to use 4 spacers for every tile intersection makes them very slow to use for every tile and fairly expensive, since you need to have many on-hand.
Smart Spacers in band, Tavy spacers in field
The Smart Spacer excels and fills a unique niche in 2 areas:
- decorative bands (because the spacers roll, you can easily adjust the tiles in your band left-to-right)
- for unusually-shaped tiles, like large hexagons (which are gaining popularity)
Finished setting laundry room
Due to these unique uses, I can highly recommend that you give these spacers a shot. Whether you're a DIYer or a Professional tile setter, I think you'll find them helpful.
Give them a try!
I think you'll find that they have some unique advantages!
If you click this or any other product link on this site and make a purchase, you'll be supporting MyersFlooring.com with a small commission, which will have no additional cost to you, but we're immensely grateful for!
Alternatives
Are there any other options to the Smart Spacer?
If you've read through this full review, you know that I've mentioned that my favorite "go-to" spacers are the Tavy brand spacer. I find them to be an exceptional all-around spacer. While the Smart Spacer fulfills a very specific purpose for me, these are some of my "every day" spacers (you can also find many more spacer options on my Tools/Resources Page):
If you click this or any other product link on this site and make a purchase, you'll be supporting MyersFlooring.com with a small commission, which will have no additional cost to you, but we're immensely grateful for!
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