Best Laser Levels

DEWALT had created an interesting cross line laser level that can provide a great assistance during construction works. Considering the fact that this model is made for professionals by professionals, we think that it provides awesome performance. But all in good time.

The DW088K model can project 2 crossed lines in front of it simultaneously. This comes in handy when you have to build a staircase, install suspended ceilings or anything else with perpendicular lines.

This device shows the best results inside a building and has an impressive working range. The tests showed that at 3 ft. the line projection is perfectly visible in the daylight and is approximately 0.1" thick. The further the surface from the device is, the more dissipated and harder to see the projection becomes. The line is still visible at around 40 ft. in the dull lighting and even further in the darkness. Moreover, you can drastically increase the operational distance by using a laser level in a combination with a detector. A laser detector is a device that can spot a laser beam from the distance even if it's already too diffused to be seen by a human eye. Thus, you can upgrade the working range up to 160-165 ft., and assign the DeWalt DW088K for a job on larger sites both indoors and outdoors.

In our opinion, though, the best feature of this model is self-leveling. The horizontal and vertical lines will stay still even when the device is tilted by the wind or vibration from the straight position at up to 4°. If the angle is more than this, the laser lines start blinking. Therefore, you can rest assured that you won't end up with a new Frank Gehry's masterpiece.

For this review, we've tried to pick up as different laser levels as possible. As for the 40-0921 by Johnson Level and Tool, this one has attracted our attention with its unusual barrel design.

However, obviously, that is not the main reason why we've included it on the list. What we like about the 40-0921 is that in addition to great looks it offers a slew of features expected from a laser tool and can be applied in various types of construction works, making it a sound choice both for constructors and non-professionals.

Let's cover performance first. The 40-0921 projects both horizontal and vertical lines as well as allows for angle layouts thanks to its 360-degree graduated base. This adds to its versatility and makes it suitable for just about any application that requires accuracy. What also favorably sets it apart from similar models is that it has a self-leveling feature. With the 40-0921 you will not need to guess whether you hold the tool straight enough to draw accurate targets - it will automatically self-level letting you tackle your projects error-free. And to let you know if the laser's out of level, there's a small visual indicator on the tool.

Another advantage of the 40-0921 is that it can be used both indoors and outdoors. The projected lines are well visible and do not fade in the sunlight as it often happens with cheaper tools. The working range is amazing and can reach up to 100 feet depending on the light conditions. Speaking of operation, you get about half a day of continuous use one set of batteries, which is nothing short of impressive.

The GGL P1 laser level by world-renowned Bosch company looks almost like an office stapler and might be one of the finest solutions for people, who are not planning a grandiose house renovation, but want to fix some things at home. It's best suitable for smaller, simpler tasks like realigning picture frames, bookshelves, installing a TV mount or a handrail on a wall. The level can project one laser type at a time: a dot or a line. The pointer is very bright: at 50 ft. it can still be seen in daylight. You might need a darker room to distinguish it at a farther distance. As expected, the laser line is more or less visible at up to 16 ft.

The controls are pretty straightforward. There is a slider with 3 positions on top of the body. The first position - the laser dot is projected from one side of the device; middle - power-off; third - the horizontal laser line is projected from the other side.

2 AAA batteries are included to power it up. But even if they run out, you can still use the device for making accurate measurements due to built-in horizontal and vertical spirit levels that can be seen from one side of its body.

Let's put it across right away, this laser lever is pretty basic and yet it has some really unique features, making it worth being added to this list.

To start things off, this is the only level in this review that merges the functionality of several tools in one. You can use it to not only draw perfectly precise targets but also comb surfaces for studs and wires, which makes it irreplaceable for almost any household job that entails hanging things on walls and drilling.

The level has an easy to read LCD screen and can detect studs and wires through up to ¾” from the surface. Using it is a no-brainer. Once the initialization process is complete and the READY icon appears on the screen, the device is ready for scanning. In case the tool detects a stud or wire, it will light up and the message a 'STUD found' will pop up on the screen. This way, you will know for sure where a stud or live wire is and never miss it, though some users report that you might need to scan the same area a few times for accurate results. While this doesn't add points to the tool, it's not a deal-breaker either.

Perhaps, the main thing that attracts attention to this laser level is its price, which is considerably lower than the competition, and all those useful features it provides - a very rare combination that you won't find in laser levels too often. Let's check out.

To start off, the Qooltek laser level is a battery-powered model. This means you can simply grab it and go and don't worry about the power supply. Out of the box, it comes with 3 AG13 button-cells and a small x-screwdriver for a battery compartment, a nice bonus from the manufacturer that will save you from the need to comb through your entire toolbox when batteries die and need replacement.

As far as performance goes, it's all in one. Admittedly, the Qooltek is less precise compared to more expensive rivals but given its price, it does its job very well. It offers multiple leveling options and can be used for a variety of tasks beside simple household jobs like hanging shelves, laying floors or installing decorations. The tool reflects a wide beam and allows you to select which type of pointer to project - vertical, horizontal or crossed, a handy addition which makes it a decent general-purpose tool.

Though the Qooltek doesn't include any instructions, you'll hardy need any as it's very easy to use. To get started, just trigger a red switch on the side, and when you need to change the mode, just rotate a small ring around the lens using a metal ruler that comes included in the set. One minor quibble is that this ring feels rather tough and rotating it might take some effort.