The Best Laser Tape Measures Out There

The Twenty To Fifty Dollar Range:

For this price range, I didn't want to pick a new model, so I decided to go with my pick for the best affordable model which was the Etekcity S9. I already did all of the research for the best affordable measurer (which the threshold was $60) and decided it was a perfect fit for this category as well.

The Fifty To One Hundred Dollar Range:

How Can I Trust The Information?

I really just wanted to write a more informative article on the different laser distance measurers and wanted to make a couple of recommendations along the way, putting all of my research to good use for others who may be in the same position. I have laid out my entire process below and share all of my questions, research, education and choices every step of the way because it will surely help to show how I ultimately made those recommendations and is probably going to help someone else if they are trying to decide themselves.

Educating Myself On Laser Tape Measures...

I have been wanting a laser tape measure for quite some time now and really had no clue about some of the features that were included, the differences between them, which functions I would need or what the maximum distance would be best for what I was doing. I have been a residential construction contractor for a number of years now and really thought I could use one instead of measuring out the walls the "old fashioned way" with a partner (if I was lucky) and a 35' tape measure. Since I had no personal experience with these myself, I needed to ask around and do some research myself.

Getting Informed...

I found a couple of videos in the beginning to be extremely helpful in knowing what to expect from one of these tools, like this video on measuring the outside of a house. This shows how quick the process can go, how to use targets, the convenience of a Bluetooth capable model and a couple of tricks along the way. Another helpful video really showed some of the struggles that people have with shooting targets outside, due to the light which makes seeing the laser point virtually impossible at times. It also showed how manufacturers add features to solve the problem like Leica did which makes a huge difference and which only a video could make you appreciate.

Forums were especially helpful in finding out what people used laser levels for and they were people who used them on a very regular basis as well, which would qualify them as having an expert-like opinion on them. I found out that some typical uses for these tools wer measuring trim, getting square footage numbers, overall lengths and so on. It also clued me in on what to expect in terms of accuracy from some of the different models out there and why there is such a price difference on different laser distance measurers. Great recommendations were also made in a lot of these forums.

Another step I took was to make contact with some of the different manufacturers and ask them a few questions about some of the different models they carried, what the difference between them were other than their range, etc. I also made contact with a number of people who used them on a regular basis like contractors, surveyors, engineers, etc. to see what they had to say. This is always the best kind of advice because there is usually really good advice about some of the pros and cons, how well they work, what can be improved, what they work better for and so on.

Making My Decision/The Process

After looking at all of the different laser measure tools on various retail sites like Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, CPO Tools, Sears and others I noticed that two main choices were going to be made by consumers based on the data. These are: maximum distance and accuracy. Price will be a deciding factor for a few people and features as well but these two main factors would ultimately be the biggest factors for most.

Price will ultimately decide​ what features, accuracy and distance you will get, like most things in life but there were some good models out there that showed a balance.

Different Brands:

Brands were also something that came up often and accuracy was one of the hottest topics that coincided with brands. Some of the top brands that also came with a bigger price tag were : Hilti, Leica and Stabila. Some of the more common brands like Bosch, Dewalt, Makita and Stanley were popular as well, along with some third party choices (unknown manufacturers) and could be found for a little less depending on the model.

Features:

I wanted to get an overall feel for what features different laser distance measurers have and sum up the entire list which will make narrowing down the process easier and more accurate. Some of these features include things like:

• Overall Distance - The major feature you will notice is the different maximum distance capabilities of these lasers. This is probably one of the more standard features and how these tools are categorized but a lot of information can be left out and is not the best feature to make an overall judgement on alone.
• Bluetooth Capabilities - This is a great feature that allows your laser tape measure to be linked up with a device (like your phone, tablet, etc.) that makes gathering, storing and organizing the data you gather much easier and faster.
• Zoom Capabilities - Zooming is another feature I found that improves accuracy and ease of use by zooming in on your target to make sure your laser is hitting it. This helps outdoors and for measuring longer distances.
• Cross-Hairs - These are usually another feature that can be very helpful when it comes to accuracy because you can specifically target an object in the crosshairs to make certain that you are on target. These are usually found with the zoom feature and are essential for shooting longer objects outside.
• Calculations - Some models can calculate area (sq. footage) volume, indirect measuring, continuous measuring, addition and subtraction features and so on. Here's the short list:
  
• Square Footage - The total length multiplied by the width to give you the total sq. footage.
• Volume - The total length multiplied by the width, multiplied by the height to give you total volume of an object.
• Indirect Measuring - Allows you to point to two or three specific points to get an overall square footage amount. Works good for triangular shapes like gables, vaulted ceilings, etc.
• Continuous Measuring - This allows you to place your laser point on one area and run the span of an object to give you an overall measurement in a more rough and quick fashion.
• Addition/Subtraction - Some models allow you to take a measurement and add or subtract another measurement(s) to get a true overall length.
• Memory Storage - There were some models of laser measurers that could store a number of different measurements which could be useful for certain aspects of a project. These varied and some of the common metrics were the ability to store anywhere from 5-50 measurements (average).
• Batteries - Most of these tools take batteries of some sort and from what I've found most require 2-4 AA or AAA batteries. I did find a few models that had a rechargeable battery (lithium-ion) that you plug into the wall.
  
• Feature - hgchg

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Things To Consider...

Who's going to be using the tool and what they are measuring is another thing I noticed that will affect what model is going to be the best, in their opinion. For example a contractor will use it in different areas and for different purposes than say... an electrician. So I gather a few tasks together that laser tape measures might be used for to get a better idea of what features might appeal to certain groups.

• Interior Trim - Some use it for measuring interior trim and it is said to come in handy for longer runs. A mid range unit with much better accuracy is best for these types of tasks, or any finish work in general so a higher end model is going to be preferred by most.
  

• Measuring Outside Building Dimensions - The laser measurer would likely have a longer distance, have the ability to calculate surface area and performs well outdoors in the sunlight.
  

• Estimating Purposes - These don't need to be that fancy, when measuring rough estimates for material lists, cost proposals, etc. A unit that has a moderate distance rating and a few different calculation functions (area, volume, etc.) will do just fine for these types of tasks.
  

• Finishing Work - The recommended units for finishing projects will require the best accuracy and have a few features and accessories integrated to get the best possible results. These laser measures will likely be on the higher end of the piece spectrum and have all-around better functionality than lower priced units.
  

• Indoor Work - Typically, a lower end to mid grade unit works well indoors, for just about everything other than finishing work (due to accuracy tolerances). The lighting is not a problem, there are not reflective surfaces and there are not usually insanely long runs that would require a longer ranged unit.
  

• Outdoor Work - These types of laser measures will require higher end features and accessories in most cases seeing as how the sunlight may make it hard to see the laser. For rough estimates, a lower end model will be fine with the use of targets, glasses or a combination of the two.
  

What To Watch Out For:

• When looking around, I found that some laser distance meters were not carried in my local store (Home Depot, specifically) so be sure you check availability first. It usually is not a big deal because they will ship it for free to your nearest store but the wait time could be a 1-2 week wait time or longer, in some cases. Just a heads up.

• I did find that a couple of models (mainly not a recognized brand) had some issues with reflective surfaces, meaning that the laser would not like the surface and give inaccurate or no readings at all.

• If you are going for very accurate measurements, then a higher end model and stabilizing equipment (like a tripod or base) is highly recommended.

The Best Rated Laser Tape Measure Is...

What I Found In My Research...

Sixty tools were the starting point I came up with after looking through all of the laser distance measures with 4 stars and higher rating scores. Now I had to look through some of the reviews to see what people were saying about the tool and why they rated it the way they did. I think it's important to note that I didn't just look at products with THE MOST reviews/rating because I am going after the "best rated" not the "most number of reviews", so I wanted to clarify.

Narrowing down the results to just five of the top choices took a very long time but I am confident that these five laser tools are the best for the category. These all have very positive feedback scores (between 80 - 95% four or five star reviews overall), a good number of reviews and ratings from multiple sources to look through and many of the models were even recommended on various forums and tool review websites.

Process Overview:

• ​Gather products from top retail websites.
  
• ​Narrow down by choosing the best rated products from each site.
  
• Read through reviews, note feedback score, reviews and commentary from consumers
• Perform a final evaluation of the top 3 best rated laser measurers

The Final Three:

The Winner Is:

I chose to go with the Leica DISTO D2 because of all of the recommendations it had on multiple websites, not just retail store but online forums and from tool review websites as well. Even though it didn't have the most number of reviews out of the five different laser tape measures it did have very positive feedback, nearly 93% of people gave it either a four or five star reviews on reviews sites.

Beyond retail websites reviews and ratings, it was constantly mentioned on forums by professionals (appraisers, contractors, realtors, etc.) from many different forum sources that target specific audiences that could use a laser tape on a regular basis. Some of these forums were garagejournal.com, jlconline.com and electriciansforum.co.uk. This was really just a short list of what I found as far as forums go and I love forum recommendations because they are unbiased opinions a lot of the time and will state the pros and cons of the product. Beware of too many recommendations on these types of sites though, it can be overwhelming at times!

The Best Value Laser Tape Measure

Narrowing Down The Results...

At this point, I had 54 different models to choose from and a little more weeding out to do. Next, I only wanted to see models that had an average overall rating of 4 stars and up, which left 29 models remaining. Next, I wanted to pick something that had a good number of people that left feedback/reviews for the product and I decided that a minimum of 20 would be the cutoff point. This narrowed it down even further and the last step was to read through the reviews and narrow it down to the top 5.

Process Overview:

• Price of tool not to exceed $60
• Rating of 4 stars and up
• At least 20 reviews left by people
• Read through reviews and get a top 5 list
  
• Further research into each of the 5 more affordable laser tape measures
  

The Top 5 Were:

The Winner Is The Bosch GLM 20:

After looking into some of the background info on each tool, the winner is the Bosch GLM 20 due to its high praise from consumers, updated and current design, functionality and price. The GLM 15 had the best ratings to speak of but has been discontinued by Bosch so in the long run is not a good choice, the GLM 20 replaces this model.

The Stanley TLM65 and the Etekcity did not have as nearly the praise the GLM 20 or 15 had and are not as functional. The GLM 10 was also a great choice but the functionality was lacking a little bit compared to the GLM20. It was a tough choice but the Bosch GLM20 has the best characteristics making it the best choice for the most affordable laser tape measure.

The Best Outdoor Laser Tape Measure

This was a really tough one to research because a lot of the models do not work very well outside due to how hard it is to see the laser itself. There were tricks that people used, like putting a piece of reflective tape on their target, putty and all sorts of other things but I wanted to find a model that would work well without having to use these types of hacks. I did notice though that laser tape measures that work well, (or are at least better) outside are more expensive models ranging from $300-$1500, so just an initial observation.

I had to actually move right on to some recommendations on forums and read through many different reviews to see what models will perform outside. Some of these have zoom capabilities, some have cross-hairs to accurately shoot your target and some have kits that have additional accessories that will help you see the laser outdoors. This took several hours and I didn't find any models under the three hundred dollar mark, to be honest. If you don't want to spend this much money on an outdoor laser tape measure, then use some of the suggestions others have stated online.

The Process Of The Search:

This was a little different process than the rest of the laser measurers I looked at and I had to actually seek out which models were best for outside use. There was not a list for me to sift through, I had to essentially make my own list. Forum posts like this one really helped me out in the beginning to form my list. Another helpful place I found information on gathering my initial list was videos (like this one) and reviews from people on retail websites but I did have to look for them which I did by searching for key terms like "outside" and "laser tape measure" in Google.

After I had done a bit of research, I had a list of about 13 different models that proved to do well outside. Then I had to really take a look at which ones did better or had features that makes shooting outside easier. All of the laser measurers I found were pricey but that is what the research showed, better models with more sophisticated technology = better visibility outdoors.

The Process I Used:

• Research models that performed well outdoors which came from forums, videos and reviews from retail websites.
• Gather a list of the top models (13 in this case)
• Gather more evidence and compare stats to find the top 3 models and compare those together

The Model I Chose To Go With:

The Leica DISTO S910 was hands down the best model for outdoors. This was in part because of the two unique features it has built into it. The zoom feature with cross-hair capabilities made it the absolute best choice for pinpointing a target with virtually little visibility trouble. It did come with a larger price tag but is by far the best model for the category.

The two main features I talked about were part of the reason it toppled the Bosch GLR825 and the DISTO E7500i and it also has an optional kit as you can see, that makes shooting your target even easier and way more accurate.

For this specific category, I thought that have a couple of models listed by price would be the best way to break up some of the best laser distance measures for the money. The price ranges I decided to go with were: $20-$50 range, the $50-$100 range and the $100-$200 range. There are more models over the $200 mark and good ones at that but I just used these price ranges for my initial findings. I may add more models at a later date if more interest is wanted for those models of laser measures.

The Twenty To Fifty Dollar Range:

For the twenty-five to fifty dollar range, I am going to use my pick for the best affordable laser measure (the Bosch GLM20). I have already done the research and found this model to be the best fit for the category. The next price range I looked at was the fifty to one hundred dollar range and lined up the candidates to start my initial research...

The Fifty To One Hundred Dollar Range:

This was an easier task because it is a weird price range for laser distance measures so there wer not that many competitors withing the price range. I did look at some of the different price range categories ($50-$100 in this case) from 7 retail websites (Amazon, HD, Lowes, CPO, etc.) and made a rough list. Then I took out the models that had less than a 4 star rating, which left me with about 26 models. Out of these models, only about five manufacturers were familiar to me and the rest were less known and did not have a long track record of performance, so I discredited these as well.

After that, I had a dozen different models to look at which really narrowed down the results for me. The next step was the most time consuming and this was to look over the ratings, check the forums for feedback and see if there are any video testimonials or displays of functionality. After I did all of the required research (roughly 4.5 hours later) I came up with these three models:

The Model That Stood Out Was The:

The Dewalt DW03050 was at the top of the list as far as satisfied consumers, functionality and it was also at the top of the price range threshold for the category too. The Bosch GLM 35 and The Leica DISTO D1 had their own positives like ease of use and Bluetooth capabilities but I decided to go with the Dewalt on this one because of the outstanding ratings backing the product. Any one of the three choices would be a great decision though!

The One Hundred To Two Hundred Dollar Range:

There were only about 15 models that were in the price range of one hundred dollars to two hundred dollars, (with a decent rating) so it was a bit easier to look through some of the reviews and do the necessary investigation stuff because there was so much less to comb through.

The Winner Was:

The model that stood out was the Bosch GLM 50C was a big time winner and really stood out far and beyond every other model. The color lcd screen, the functionality and the ability to connect to a device were three of the top things that really stood out above other models. The distance ratings were pretty close (within reason, anyways) the BASE features were the the same, like all other distance measures out there but these three models stood out for their own reasons.

The Dewalt DW03101 had great functionality and a rugged design aspect that made it stand out because of the durability factor, among other things. The Bosch GLM 80 was another model that stood out in the $100-$200 price range because of the maximum distance possible and the screen rotating feature that moved it's orientation with the direction of how the user held the device, in addition to other feature rich elements that Bosch seems to use in their laser devices.

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