Our team has been reviewing products, conducting testing, and creating resources for homeowners for over six years. We take pride in our testing process, which we carefully customize to produce the most helpful information for homeowners. For laser levels, we examined the following factors: At the end of the day, our overarching goal is to recommend products that provide our readers with the best overall user experience in a fair, balanced, and transparent way. Cross Line Laser Level – As the name suggests, a cross line laser level will simply send a cross out across the room, perfect for if you are hanging pictures or mirrors as you will not only be able to see if it is straight in line with the ceiling but also in line with the wall. These laser levels can also be used for completing some tiling jobs. Who it’s for: People who need a professional-quality level that can cover the entire space of a room and comes with many features. The build quality is surprisingly good. All the corners and most edges are protected by rubberised plastic and it’s even IP54 rated against dust and water ingress. The only thing that makes this a less effective tool is the red laser. It’s just not as crisp or easy to see as a green one.

Laser levels should be able to shoot grids on walls or mark out plumb dots, although not all have a plumb dot mode. Quite a different product from the rest of my list, the Semlos Multipurpose Laser Spirit Level is a handy bit of kit that belongs in any tool bag. It’s a one-stop-shop for all things measuring and levelling, and I think it’s rather useful. Definitely, say both experts. “A laser level is 100 percent worth purchasing if you do any kind of DIY projects around the house like trim work or even something simple like a gallery wall,” explains Nasir. “It makes it so much easier to have a visual line as a guide rather than holding up a traditional level.” McCoy adds that laser levels “help you to produce perfect angles and flat planes, no matter the job.” Hychika Green Laser Level: Another fairly inexpensive option, this laser level wins points for its “very crisp and easy to see” green lines and serious durability, according to our tester. However, the tripod it comes with “is not professional-grade,” leading to decreased accuracy and needed adjustments.This laser level is recommended for light projects, as it had a less visible line than most of the other laser levels we tested. It did get full marks in the magnet test and comes with automatic leveling. It also included a soft case to protect it during transportation. Pros and Cons The ideal laser level is constructed out of tough, durable plastics that can withstand a drop or two just fine. Additionally, the IP54 water and dust resistance are pretty much a must-have. Laser The laser should not vibrate on its own. Yes, it is going to oscillate when the self-leveling pendulum is at work, but that should do its thing in only a few seconds, and then the laser should stay still until the level is disturbed. Brightness Most laser levels offer two beam orientations: vertical and horizontal (with one or both being 360-degree planes). Some higher-end models, though, will have an extra vertical laser listed, allowing you to cover the area of a larger space. Consider the size of the room(s) you’ll primarily be using the level in to decide which number of orientations is right for you—and if cost permits, always aim for a level with at least one 360-degree beam so you can really have your territory covered easily. This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.

Door and window alignment: When building a home or installing new doors or windows, laser levels help provide a straight line reference point between two surfaces which helps ensure they remain level. I tested multiple products so that I can recommend the best laser levels currently available on the market. I assessed each one individually, comparing their build quality, performance, ease of use and value for money. Here are the factors that I researched and tested for each of these elements: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models altogether. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios. Our Testing Process The Bosch Cross-Line Laser Level was one of the standouts during our test. It finished second in both the lights-on and lights-off test, only behind the DEWALT laser level. This level was also the most visible level in our outdoor test. Plus, it included the most accessories, as it came with a hard case, screw mount, laser target plate, and a magnetic mount. Pros and ConsAlthough most laser levels are intended primarily for indoor use, some are geared for outdoors, such as this top-rated model from Huepar. Its extra-bright lights and all-around coverage make it able to be effectively used outside in the sun, as our testing found. According to one tester, the level offers “crisp, crean lines that are easy to see, and that broadcast a very long way—I could use this across my yard.”

The two buttons on the front of the level are soft touch ones that cycle through the different modes and activate the pulse mode. The only feature missing from the KT360A is a plumb dot. Available on the Kaiweets KT360B, it shoots a laser dot vertically above and below the unit. This handy feature means you can find the plumb point in any given space. It’s great for laying out stud walls, so it’s a shame that it’s not on this model. The Lasers The case has a zip fastener and comes with an adjustable carry strap. At its shortest length, the strap works as a carry handle, and at its longest it’s about right for an over-the-shoulder carry. The foam inside has been cleverly cut out to hold on tightly to the laser, laser target plate, universal holder, and charging equipment. It really feels secure. Battery

To provide our readers with the best product recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process. Initial Research There are three laser modules on this level. You get a horizontal one mounted on the top, and two vertical lasers mounted on the front and side of the unit. You can turn on each laser individually, or cycle through the different modes to shine lasers across the floor, walls, and ceiling. Bosch’s Quigo range of laser levels fits into their “green” stable of DIY tools, and as it’s a green laser, it all makes perfect sense. The Quigo Green cross line laser is a small, lightweight, and simple laser level tool. It’ll make hanging pictures or other DIY tasks a doddle.

Out of bright sunlight, and especially in the dark, the laser was easy to find up to 30 metres away. I was guessing at the exact distance, but it was far enough away to be impressive. For most jobs that a DIYer will take on, it’s absolutely fine. We acquired 25 laser levels and put them to use in our Lab. First, we set up each laser level, evaluating how easy they were to turn on and whether any calibration steps needed to be performed to get the laser to work. We then used a stopwatch and timed how long it took for each level to attach to the tripod and project the laser. This level has vertical, horizontal, and crosshair modes, and features self-leveling as a bonus. It emits bright red lines that “are very thin and crisp, but remain easy to see,” says our tester. They also found it to be extremely durable and accurate, and liked that it only requires AAA batteries to use. Additionally, “the brand is trustworthy, and the price is reasonable,” they say. This laser level was one of the top models during our test. It had a highly visible line that extended onto the ceiling and a clear crossing interface. It also includes automatic leveling and had a magnetic plate as well as a laser target plate to increase the beam’s reach.When you turn on the red laser function, you can cycle through three modes, horizontal line, cross line and vertical. There’s a difference between this tool and the best laser levels on my list though. You need to use the spirit levels and the laser together to get an accurate straight line. It’s not difficult to do, but obviously takes more effort than a self-levelling machine. Read our guide below to determine which laser level will help you complete the tasks around your home. Laser Type Then there are the levelling detectors. You get three spirit levels positioned along the body, measuring for vertical and both horizontal planes. They’re pretty accurate, but they need to be because this isn’t a self-levelling laser device. If it's your first time buying a laser level, please do not worry when you see the laser part inside the level doesn't stand straight up!