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If you’ve ever tried to hang up a picture, or build a piece of furniture, or even construct a shed or house, you’ve probably run into leveling problems. In order for your picture frames, furniture, and structures to look professional and be constructed in a functional manner, you need to make sure that their construction is as precise and accurate as possible. You can’t have crooked shelves, uneven bases, and misaligned nails. But how do you ensure that your items and objects are built and set up in a precise manner? The answer is a laser level.
Laser levels project laser lights over long distances, ensuring that connecting and relating parts of your structures are lined up accurately. Want to hang those pictures with care? Want to make a professional-grade chair? A laser level can make all the difference.
What is a Laser Level?
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Capable of projecting bright laser lights over long distances, laser levels are tools designed to help you keep different parts accurately aligned during the construction and manufacturing processes. Typically made out of tough, durable plastic, they are designed to withstand the constant wear and tear of being in rough places such as construction sites.
Most laser levels are capable of projecting both vertical and horizontal laser lines, allowing you to line things up regardless of the way they’re laid out. If you’re a carpenter, construction worker, or would just like to hang up portraits and pictures with accuracy, a laser level would be of great help to you.
What are the Benefits of a Laser Level
In the most basic sense, laser levels help you to line items up so that they are straight and aligned with what they need to be aligned with. While this can also be done with a bubble level, laser levels allow you to do this over long distances; from 30 feet, to 100 feet, and more.
Because of their ability to level things out over long distances, they are typically used in the construction of houses, barns, sheds, and other large building structures. However, there’s no reason that they couldn’t be used on small tasks such as hanging pictures or building a desk.
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Who are the Contenders for Best Laser Level?
DEWALT DW088K Self-Leveling Cross Line Laser – With a tough, plastic housing and a magnetic base, this DeWalt laser level is as durable and as steady as laser levels come. Providing an indoor laser visibility distance of up to 100 feet, it projects both vertical and horizontal lines over rather long distances. Weighing in at just 1 pound, it is ridiculously compact, making it beyond easy to store and carry around.
Firecore Self-Leveling Horizontal/Vertical Cross-Line Laser Level – Projecting both vertical and horizontal lines, this Firecore laser level is capable of projecting a laser light up to 32.8 feet. Made out of durable plastic, it can withstand a great deal of wear and tear, whether that be from falls or collisions. Weighing in at a miniscule 10.6 ounces, it can be stored away and transported with much ease.
AdirPro 790-33 Cube 3D Self Levelling Cross Line Laser Level – With a visible laser range up to 65 feet, this AdirPro laser level is capable of projecting both vertical and horizontal lines. Made out of tough, grippable plastic, it’s shaped like a cube, and can be easily stored and transported. Accurate to within 1 mm for every 5 meters that it travels, it’s as accurate of a laser level as you’re going to find.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Laser Level
Laser levels come in all different shapes and sizes, and with all different power capabilities. For people who have never used a laser level before, they can be a little difficult to understand. However, when it comes down to it, they are simply tools for finding exact reference points when working on a construction project. Of course, this doesn’t mean that every laser level is equal. There are a number of things you must consider when purchasing a laser level. These things include its range, its overall construction, how accurate it is, and also any additional special features.
Range
Laser levels are built with all different range capabilities. Range refers to the distance that the laser can go while still being visible on the object it’s meant to be shined on. At their weakest, laser levels can only go about 30 feet. However, at their strongest, they can go 100 feet and well beyond.
Construction
Because you’re going to likely be using your laser level in rough situations, such as while working in construction zones, it’s important that it’s designed to withstand a lot of wear and tear. While many laser levels are made out of plastic, others are made out of heavy-duty metals. Choose yours according to the conditions you plan to use it in.
Accuracy
While all laser levels are fairly accurate, some are much more accurate than others. The accuracy of the level you purchase depends on what type of projects you plan to use it on. Some construction projects require nearly perfect accuracy, while others can stand to be a little off.
Special Features
From safety locks, to automatic leveling capabilities, to magnetic surfaces, laser levels come with a number of different special features. While these features aren’t absolutely vital, they do help to make the level all that more valuable.
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Range
DEWALT DW088K Line Laser
With an indoor visibility range of up to 165 feet, this DeWalt laser level offers as much laser range as any residential-use laser level you’re going to find. Capable of displaying lines both vertically and horizontally, it can handle just about any leveling task you throw at it.
AdirPro 790-33 Cube 3D Laser Level
When it comes to laser range, this AdirPro laser level is quite a bit weaker than the DeWalt laser level in our top 3. At its maximum, it can visibly shine at a distance of 65 feet, making it appropriate for medium and small-area tasks.
Firecore Laser Level
As far as range goes, this Firecore laser level doesn’t even come close to the AdirPro and DeWalt laser levels in our top 3. At its peak, it’s visible at a distance of 32.8 inches, or 10 meters. This makes it appropriate for only small-area tasks.
Construction
DEWALT DW088K Line Laser
Weighing just 1 pound and measuring in at 9.2 inches x 4.5 inches x 9.5 inches, this DeWalt laser level is compact and easy to transport from place to place. With a rubber and plastic housing, it offers superb water and debris resistance.
Firecore Laser Level
Measuring in at 2.2 inches x 3.2 inches x 3.4 inches and weighing in at just 12.6 ounces, this Firecore laser level is beyond easy to store and transport from place to place. With a tough plastic housing, it thrives in all types of environments.
AdirPro 790-33 Cube 3D Laser Level
Measuring in at 2.5 inches x 2.5 inches x 2.5 inches, this AdirPro laser level weighs in at a scant 8 ounces, making it as easy to store and transport as any laser level you’re going to find. With a tough plastic housing, it can withstand a great deal of wear and tear, whether it’s dropped on the ground or smashed against other objects.
Accuracy
DEWALT DW088K Line Laser
Accurate to within ⅛ of an inch from 30 feet away, this DeWalt laser level is about as accurate as any laser level you’re going to find. Because it possesses a magnetic, pivoting base, it stays steady throughout its entire leveling process.
Firecore Laser Level
As far as accuracy goes, this Firecore laser level is fairly accurate, about on-par with the DeWalt the Firecore laser levels in our top 3. All in all, it is accurate to within 1 mm for every five meters that it travels.
AdirPro 790-33 Cube 3D Laser Level
Like the Firecore and DeWalt laser levels in our top 3, this AdirPro laser level is fairly accurate. Whether it’s displaying vertical or horizontal lines, it’s accurate to within 2 mm for every 10 meters that its laser shines.
Special Features
DEWALT DW088K Line Laser
Equipped with a magnetic base, this DeWalt laser level remains as steady as any laser level you’re going to find. With the ability to self-level. it can create a laser layout of both vertical and horizontal lines.
Firecore Laser Level
Equipped with a low-voltage alarm, this Firecore laser level flashes red lights whenever its battery falls to below 2.3 volts. Sporting a pendulum lock, it allows you to transport it without the risk of any unnecessary damage.
AdirPro 790-33 Cube 3D Laser Level
With a self-leveling mechanism, this AdirPro laser level makes decorating and construction as easy as possible. Included with it are a bag cover, a mount stand, batteries, and an instruction manual.
Conclusion: Our Laser Level Reviews
Multi-Functional Line Laser Level by Measure Master – Best Cheap
Perhaps you’re trying to find a high-quality laser level, but are on a budget. If so, you might consider purchasing this laser level by Measure Master. Equipped with several different accessories, it can be clipped or pinned to a number of different surfaces in order to ensure strong and sturdy use. While it doesn’t project quite as far as high-end levels, it can still project visibly to around 25 feet. If you’re looking for a high-quality laser level at a bargain price, you need to take a look at this one.
Pros:
- As compact as any laser level you’re going to find
- Includes accessories to hang it up in a sturdy manner
Cons:
- Only projects one laser; no vertical and horizontal lines
- Fairly weak laser projection of around 25 feet
Firecore Laser Level – Best for the Money
For a laser level in its price range, this Firecore laser level is the best laser level you’re going to find. Capable of projecting up to around 33 feet, its provides you with roughly 8 hours of continuous use. Accurate up to 1 mm for every 5 meters that it travels, it’s as accurate as any laser level you’re going to find. If you’re looking for the best laser level at a reasonable price, you should definitely take a look at this one by Firecore.
Pros:
- As accurate as they come
- Projects both vertical and horizontal lines
- Durable and portable construction
Cons:
- Fairly short projection distance of around 33 feet
DEWALT DW088K Line Laser – Best Overall
Though there are a number of high-level laser levels on the market today, we’re going with this DeWalt laser level as the best laser level on the market. Capable of projecting both vertical and horizontal lines up to 100 feet, it’s about as powerful as any laser level you’re going to find. Made out of a tough, water-resistant plastic, it can be used in all weather conditions, capable of withstanding tons of wear and tear. If, by chance, you’re looking for the best laser level on the market, you need to consider this one.
Pros:
- Huge 100 foot projection distance
- Displays both vertical and horizontal lines
- Magnetic bottom for sturdy placement
Cons:
- Doesn’t work well outdoors
All in All
Whether you’re hanging pictures, building a shelf, of constructing an entire warehouse, a laser level would be of huge help to you. There is no other tool around that allows you to line things up with as much precision and accuracy.
Compact and durable levels like the DEWALT DW088K Line Laser allow you to line parts up over long distances, doing so with as much accuracy as you could ever hope for. Want your construction or carpentry projects to look as professional as possible? What you need is a laser level.