How to Choose Magnets for Shoplifting


This guide is up to date as of: January 24th, 2019


It's been asked a lot on f/Shoplifting. "Is this magnet good?" "Will this magnet work for detagging?" Well, ask no more. There's a very simple answer to this question.

Well, to choose a magnet for detagging, you should take note of the kind of tags you need to remove. If you are looking to remove spider wrap, or 3alarm, then you will need an S3 Key, which are typically cheap. Typical magnets will not work on these types of security tags, as S3 Keys have two bumps on them that fit into two areas on the tag that release it. However, as a lifter, you can't always lift spider wrapped items, so let's look at the kind of magnets you should use for detagging every other kind of tag that are found on clothing, electronics and other necessities.

There are two types of magnets known to the community that do the job very efficiently: N52 or golf detacher.


An N52 rated magnet is a neodymium magnet classified as the highest rating of magnetization. This means that an N52 magnet will be very strong, and do the job very efficiently out of all types of neodymium magnets available. They are often relatively cheap. A large one the size of a golf detacher can be found on Amazon for as little as $14.99, and little stacks can often be found for less than that.


A golf detacher is a very strong magnet that has been designed to remove security tags. These come in two levels of strength: 12000 and 16000 GS. 16000 detachers are very common within the shoplifting community, and used frequently over 12000 because of their strength, but whatever strength works for you should be used. Golf detachers average a price around $30, which should be affordable to many lifters.


If you're not looking to buy magnets online, you can lift neodymium magnets from many stores, and stack them. This is also a common tactic with beginner detaggers, or many that aren't interested in purchasing. They can be found in locations such as hardware stores and craft stores. But you will need a lot; many stores don't carry N52 rated magnets. A stack of 15 or more will likely work out greatly.

The type of magnet you use out of the listed is purely up to you. Make a decision that will work out for you based on budget, level of skill, or not wanting to purchase anything.

And that is a list of magnets that will work for detagging.