Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
Manual levelling laser levels will need you to adjust them so that they are sat straight on a surface and therefore sending out a straight line. These models will usually come with the traditional spirit level built it, which you must then use to make sure that your device is level. Whereas automatic or self-levelling laser levels will correct themselves so that they are level on almost any surface and able to send out a level beam. Although more expensive, an automatic laser level will save you a considerable amount of time if you are going to be using your tool regularly, they also help to remove any user error! Saves you getting the blame for all those wonky pictures on the wall! Accuracy and Distance To operate it, you simply slide the large side-mounted switch and press the Mode button on the top to cycle through its crosshair, horizontal, vertical, 360-degree crosshair and 360-degree horizontal modes. An LED on the top changes from red to green when the unit is positioned four-degrees from vertical or horizontal and enters its self-levelling mode. It takes three seconds to self-level. This is a robust laser unit with plenty of rubberised plastic in the construction and all the corners are well protected. Cycling through laser modes is straightforward. Choose from cross, horizontal, and vertical by simply pressing the button on top. Operation literally couldn’t be any more straightforward. The lens case doubles up as the switch! You simply slide it out of the way and the green cross line shines out nice and brightly. You can’t cycle through modes, but for the price, this is an accurate and useful laser tool.
The laser level measures 12 x 14 x 10 cm and weighs just a shade over 1 kg at 1049 g with the universal base attached. Compared with some tiny laser levels on the market this one’s quite chunky, but with the three laser modules on board, you couldn’t make it much smaller if you tried. The removable battery is Lithium Ion, and it provides the laser with up to 35 hours operating time with one laser turned on, up to 20 hours with two lasers turned on, and up to 12.5 hours of battery life on full power with all three lasers visible. That’s impressive, and hopefully means you won’t run out of battery during the job. The green lasers really show up well against an internal wall, even in bright sunlight. I prefer the green laser colour to the more traditional red, but they both suffer in an outdoor setting. When outside, the laser is just about visible, but it takes a bit of hunting around when you’re more than a few metres away from the unit.
The best laser levels you can buy in 2023
Laser levels are battery-powered – look out for their maximum operating time – the best laser levels can go for up to 20 hours. Some come with a rechargeable battery too. 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.
Laser levels should be able to shoot grids on walls or mark out plumb dots, although not all have a plumb dot mode. The MM02 mount comes with the Quigo laser level, and it steps the tool up a few notches in terms of versatility. You can attach the mount to a wide range of structures, like a step ladder, and use the fine adjustment wheel for ultimate accuracy. 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.What makes this a great DIYers laser is just how simple it is to use. Because there aren’t lots of modes, the whole thing is activated with a single switch. You’re not going to accidentally turn it on inside the case like some lasers with soft touch buttons. Although Ryobi offers the 360° with a red laser, we’re testing the slightly more expensive green version here. In a side-by-side comparison, claims that the green light is clearer and easier to see certainly hold water. It could also be helpful to distinguish between lines if multiple measurements need to be taken in one go. Ryobi also offers a Telescopic Pole for laser levels. The lightweight pole extends from 1,200mm to 3,200mm by twisting each of the three sections. On one end is a rubberised foot, on the other a spring loaded platform which tensions the pole between the floor and ceiling. Once in place, it provides a useful and very stable platform to mount the laser levels on, using its ¼-inch screw. Not cheap, but it’s an extremely useful accessory. 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.
You can choose between red and green laser levels. Red lasers are more common and budget-friendly, but the better laser levels are the green ones. The majority of laser levels emit a red beam, but a handful are green, which are easier to see; we’ve tested both here. 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 The three laser modules on this level are true 360° ones, and apart from the tiny gaps left by the shadow of the laser housing, it casts a bright and easy to read green laser around the room. They are powerful Class 2 lasers with a working range of approximately 30 m.
How to choose a laser level to improve your DIY projects in the home and garden
Anyone who has tried to use laser levels outside in bright sunshine will know that it doesn’t matter whether you’ve got a cheap red laser level or the best quality professional green laser, they’re really hard to see! That’s why the professionals use a laser detector for outdoor work. Key specs – Size: 86 x 70 x 110mm (LWH); Range: 25m; Accuracy: ±0.5mm/m; Self-levelling angle: ±4 degrees; Key features: Green laser beam, 360-degree function, zip-up case Make sure to look how far your laser beam will be visible for, and also how accurate it will be at this maximum distance. Many laser beams will lose strength at their maximum visibility length, which can affect the accuracy of the line, so look for one that is likely to have longer visibility than you are going to need. Green beam vs Red Beam We validated each laser level with a traditional spirit level to ensure accuracy; unsurprisingly all passed. Then we analysed each product’s specifications, before looking for the features that make the units easier to use, such as clear instructions, ease of tripod mounting and accessories such as a case. Running on four AA batteries, you won’t have any trouble finding replacements when you run out of power. If you have spares, there’s no downtime either. The laser level comes in a soft pouch. It isn’t going to keep everything completely safe but it’s better than not having one at all. The mounting system uses magnets, but you can just screw it directly into a standard ¼” tripod stand if you want.
Great Deal 
New Comment