Top 5 Laser Levels
Best Range: DEWALT Line Laser Best All-Inclusive Kit: Bosch Self-Leveling Cross-Line Red-Beam Laser Level Most Durable: Tavool Self-Leveling Laser Level Best Bubble Level: BLACK+DECKER Laser Level Best Small Kit: RockSeed Laser Level
Best Range: DEWALT Line Laser
The laser in this DEWALT laser level can project up to 165 feet with a laser detector, allowing you to complete farther-away projects. It comes in a kit with batteries, a bracket, and a case, but you can also buy a larger kit that includes a tripod.
Key Features
One pound 165-foot range with a detector Self-leveling design Bracket, batteries, and case included Three-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Happy customers recommended this line laser because of its accuracy, versatility, and ease of use. Other reviewers noted that it lasted a long time and worked well for various household and professional projects. Dissatisfied customers received used products.
Best All-Inclusive Kit: Bosch Self-Leveling Cross-Line Red-Beam Laser Level
This comprehensive kit comes with a laser level, three batteries, two mounting accessories, and a hard case to carry everything. The laser level features a hard plastic casing that gives it protection from dust and dirt and the occasional splash of water. The laser also has a visible range of up to 50 feet.
Key Features
1.1 pounds 50-foot range with a detector Self-leveling design Brackets, batteries, and case included Two-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers raved about the Bosch laser level’s exceptional accuracy, bright laser beam, and useful locking feature. Many also said that it stayed in place while they worked. Unsatisfied customers struggled to see the beam outside when it was sunny.
Most Durable: Tavool Self-Leveling Laser Level
This Tavool laser level has six laser modes that are visible out to 50 feet. Its self-leveling function ensures that you’re getting a straight, level line, and its durable casing can withstand dust, water, and shock.
Key Features
0.7 pounds 50-foot range with a detector Self-leveling design Brackets included Two-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Happy customers believed that this was a good value for the money, saying that it was accurate and came with excellent customer service. Negative reviews pointed out that the laser beam was too dim. Some customers also received defective models.
Best Bubble Level: BLACK+DECKER Laser Level
This laser level isn’t self-leveling. Instead, you have to look at the built-in bubbles as the level projects a beam to determine if it’s level. The bubbles are backlit for better visibility. The body of the level also has a rotating wall attachment that allows you to make easy adjustments to the line as you look at the bubbles.
Key Features
0.45 pounds Bubble-level design Wall attachment included Two-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Many reviewers noted that this laser level was easy to use, especially considering that the bubbles were backlit. Unhappy customers were disappointed that the level was too heavy for the magnetic base.
Best Small Kit: RockSeed Laser Level
This laser level comes with all of the basic accessories you need to start using it immediately, including the tool itself along with a carrying pouch, a user manual, and two AA batteries. The level can project horizontal, vertical, and cross-line beams in either a locked, self-leveling mode or an unlocked, manual mode.
Key Features
0.51 pounds 50-foot range with a detector Self-leveling design Instructions, batteries, and pouch included Two-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Positive reviews highlighted the versatility of the RockSeed Laser Level, which allowed it to be used for a variety of leveling projects. They also found the lock feature to be useful. Negative reviews pointed out that the included instructions were unclear and that the battery compartment was challenging to open.
Buyer’s Guide
Read our guide below to determine which laser level will help you complete the tasks around your home.
Laser Type
Laser levels can project a different number of beams.
Single-line/spot: This is the most basic type of laser level that projects one beam. Single-line levels work best for leveling one item on a wall, such as a picture frame or coat hook. They’re affordable and portable, but they have a limited laser range. Cross-line: These are the most common type of laser levels because they’re relatively affordable like the single-line ones, but you can complete more projects with them. They can be split further into two-beam and three-beam models. Two-beam: This type of cross-line level has a horizontal beam and vertical beam that cross at a single point. Three-beam: This type of level has a second vertical beam that’s 90 degrees from the first. This provides you with lines for front, back, and side walls, allowing you to work in three dimensions. Rotary line: This type of laser level is used in commercial settings that require more range. They usually have one horizontal beam, but some models also feature a vertical beam. This type of level tends to be more expensive and larger than other laser levels.
Accuracy
Most entry-level models are accurate to around one-fourth of an inch at 30 feet, which is accurate enough for most household tasks. However, if you’re doing more precise work, such as laying tile on your floors, you’ll want a laser level that’s accurate to around one-eighth of an inch at 30 feet.
Range/Visibility
Cheap lasers only project a beam 20–30 feet before disappearing. Mid-range lasers extend 60–100 feet, and rotary lasers can project upwards of 2,600 feet. Some laser levels are also compatible with receivers. A laser receiver is a separate device that detects a laser. It can help you see a laser better outdoors as well as extend its range. Another factor to consider when it comes to visibility is the laser’s color. Most lasers are red or green, with red being more common because it’s affordable to produce. However, green is easier to see outdoors.
Other Features
Laser levels often include features that make them easier to use. For example, a level can come with a tripod attachment point, clamps, or magnets for using it without your hands. Some laser levels are also self-leveling, preventing you from having to look at a bubble to figure out when the line is level.
What does the IP rating on my laser level mean?
Ingress Protection (IP) ratings are used to explain how well a casing or enclosure withstands damage from solids and liquids. After the “IP” letters, you’ll see two numbers. The first number indicates how well the casing withstands solids, and the second indicates how well it withstands liquids. The solid number goes up to six, and the liquid number goes up to eight. A common IP rating you’ll see for laser levels is IP54. This rating means that the product can withstand water splashes and dust.
Can I damage my eyes by looking at the laser in my level?
The lasers used in your level are either Class 2 or Class 3, which aren’t strong enough to cause serious damage to your eyes. Class 2 lasers only cause injury if you look at them under magnification, while Class 3 lasers can cause temporary flash blindness if you look directly at the light coming from the device.
What type of battery do laser levels use?
Most of the affordable options use AA or AAA batteries. However, larger laser levels may use a 12-volt battery that’s similar to the one you find in cordless drills or other power tools.
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