Laser levels are always a welcome tool in your workshop or on the job site, even if it’s just due to the fact that they have incredible range. A quality laser level tool can set the level of an entire room in one go, ensuring that floors and ceilings are perfectly plumb and level.
Even on smaller jobs, laser levels shine – literally. There are tons of uses where laser levels are perfect and outshine standard levels. Here is a look at what's out there nowadays and how to sift through the choices...
Workshop / Indoor Laser Levels Versus Construction / Outdoor Laser Levels
For making sure that tables are level and cabinets are square, most contractors can get by with the usual bubble level or spirit level – the ones with the tiny plastic or glass vials that have those bubbles that line up between the center marks when everything is flat and square.
For those of us who want a thorough job, portable laser levels that put out one or two beams are usually the :go to" tool and makes lining things up a lot easier and faster.
The main advantage of indoor laser levels in DIY projects is the way they draw a clear line across the wall that makes aligning cabinets, outlets and switches a breeze and takes out a lot of the more difficult "technical aspects" of using manual tools.
Construction lasers, on the other hand, are used in laying out entire rooms or even whole outdoor areas. Laser levels used for construction often come with laser receivers mounted on surveying tripods. Their range makes them useful not just for establishing flatness and level, but also for making accurate grades, as well.
Which Type of Laser Level Should You Get?
Like with most tools, the answer depends on what type of job you expect to take on and if you are going to be doing anything else in the near future, so "frequency of use" is really the ultimate question.
More simple indoor line lasers are designed for marking out walls and ceilings in a small, enclosed room. Outdoor lasers like rotary lasers and pulse detection lasers are meant for long range work over uneven terrain, and have the ability to span over a good range – usually outdoors.
It’s also important to note that it is impossible to do a proper outdoor grade with an indoor line laser and on the opposite end, setting up survey posts and laser receivers just for leveling a counter top is a bit of overkill. So knowing which laser level is best suited for the job is equally as important.
Indoor Dot Laser Levels
Simple dot laser levels are usually built into combination tools, like bubble or spirit levels, plumb bobs or stud finders. Most of these use a class II laser that can accurately project a laser line up to 30 feet or so, which is more than plenty for an enclosed small room or oven an open layout living area.
Features to Look For in Dot Laser Levels
- Reusable Adhesives let you stick the laser line level to a surface, letting you use the level not just on a flat horizontal surface but also on walls and ceilings.
- Line and cross Line modes let the laser level emit short straight lines or perpendicular cross lines, making them ideal for laying out tiles, light switches and outlets over short intervals.
- Built-in tools make most dot laser levels true combo tools. Some interesting combos add spirit levels, magnetic stud finders and plumb bobs in one convenient package.
Most of the smaller dot laser levels are handy not just for installing fixtures and cabinets, but also for hanging holiday decorations, straightening banners and wall frames, and even putting up new wallpaper.
Cost: These are really the most inexpensive types of laser levels and can be found for less than $20 for a simple model.
Indoor/ Outdoor Line Laser Levels
Line laser levels project solid lines on to the desired surface and compared to dot laser levels that can do only short laser lines, these laser levels can emit a span of light that can cover a good section of a room. This makes them ideal for applications where you have to install items accurately over longer spans – think installing wall ceramic tiles, wallpaper, or wall chair rails.
While a DIY hobbyist can expect to use a laser level only for bigger renovation jobs, contractors that specialize in finishing rooms will find an indoor line laser level convenient for a wider range of jobs. Contractors use these lasers to accurately build drop ceilings, install drywall, set up sprinklers and align HVAC vents. They are also used for aligning decorative ceiling joists and rafters, to name a few things.
Finish carpenters will appreciate an indoor line laser not just for making sure that cabinets and closet shelves are nice and square, they also use these tools for aligning soffits, trim, decorative panels and in wainscoting work.
Features to Look For in Line Laser Levels
- Self-leveling Systems can set the beams to auto level using a gravity system, ensuring that you have level lines regardless of the state of the floor. Smarter self-leveling features can alert you if the laser is having trouble self-leveling as well.
- Manual Levelling Modes let you lock the lines for alignment to other angles, useful for creative tilework and decorative wall painting.
- Mounting Devices like tripods and clamps let you set the line laser level to stand freely on the ground, or attach it to a surface.
- Line and Cross Line Modes let you set the level to emit one vertical or horizontal line or both.
- Dustproof and Waterproof laser levels let you use the device outdoors, or even in rough job site conditions.
- Green Lasers let you see the cross lines even when outdoors, or in brightly-lit indoor job sites.
Rotary Laser Levels
Rotary laser levels are multi-purpose alignment tools that are generally used in outdoor construction, grading, and excavation tasks. Just like their name implies, they send out a guiding laser light in a 360-degree angle, which means that they are still useful even if the work site has no walls to ‘catch’ the laser line. In this case, one or more laser sensors mounted on measuring rods are used to get a reading on the laser.
Almost all rotary laser levels have automatic leveling. On the other hand, the sensors have to be manually positioned, and this is usually done by sliding the detector up and down the survey post or measuring rod until you can hear a beep.
To help you in this process, you can use the pair of tinted glasses or goggles that come with the laser level kit to see the laser beam, even in an outdoor setting.
Features to Look For In Rotary Laser Levels
- Waterproof and Dustproof laser level protection lets you use the tool, even in harsh outdoor construction environments, in sun or rain.
- Electronic self-leveling lets you set up the laser and have it find level itself which can save time and take out some of the technical aspects.
- Multiple beams allow you use the rotary laser level for horizontal leveling and in a vertical mode as well.
- The extra range on some of the bigger rotary laser levels never hurt, especially if you are doing an excavation job that’s larger in scope.
- Manual Slope Modes let you match existing slopes to extend them, making them ideal for excavation work.
- Waterproof and dust-proof laser receivers make it possible to use them outdoors for extended periods of time.
- Automatic shutoff on laser receivers are another plus for some people.
- Multiple accuracy settings on laser receivers make them ideal for rough measurements over long distances or for more precise measurements if they are within the effective range of the rotary laser level.
The long range of rotary laser levels makes them the ideal choice for general construction and layout jobs.
Several rotary laser levels can cover an entire construction site, which makes them ideal for general leveling, pipe laying, basements, excavation, and framing layout (in some cases). With the right slope features, they can also be incredibly useful for designing proper drainage, agricultural fields, sloped pads and embankments as well.
Choosing the Right Laser Level
Laser levels are useful not just for indoor work, but for large-scale construction projects, as well. Depending on your needs, the different features and specs you need from your laser level may vary. Take the time to compare similar models to get the best tool for your needs and one that aligns with your budget.
Range
Depending on the job at hand, the range of the laser level may or may not be the first priority for you. For most of the smaller combo tool laser levels, expect an effective range of 30 feet or so. Rotary laser levels, on the other hand, can emit accurate beams over incredibly long distances – effective ranges of 2,500 feet or more are fairly common in the bigger models.
As always, it’s up to you to decide if you need the incredible range that the bigger laser levels will provide you, or if you are better served with the portability of smaller indoor laser levels.
Accuracy
Even though all laser levels use a laser, the accuracy may vary, depending on the components of the tool. It’s not uncommon for indoor lasers to be less accurate than bigger lasers. For instance, a typical small indoor laser level might be accurate to plus or minus 1/8 of an inch over 30 feet, while a rotary laser can be more precise than that (within a 1/16") over 100 feet or more.
Rotation Speed
Rotation speed, of course, mostly applies to rotary laser levels. The faster the speed, the less flicker a line has to the eye, although it does not have much of an effect on the accuracy of the laser level overall.
Typical rotary laser levels rotate at a stately pace compared to most power tools – for a construction-grade rotary laser level, expect a speed of 600 Rotations Per Minute or so, and not much beyond that.
Leveling Features
The more leveling features you have, the better – but for the most part, having an accurate self-leveling feature will cover the majority of your needs. Unlike manual leveling lasers that require the beam to be adjusted by hand using built-in bubble levels and screws, you get close to the listed device accuracy if you have a self-leveling laser level.
Manual leveling systems can be useless or incredibly handy depending on the job you need to do, but having it on your device is an advantage in any case. Manual leveling is crucial for rotary laser levels for laying out slopes. For indoor laser levels, manual leveling lets you follow slopes and slants like those that are commonly found in flights of stairs or ramps.
Laser Light Colors
Most indoor and outdoor laser levels emit a red laser light, which can be difficult out make out outdoors or in brightly lit job site conditions. To address that, laser level manufacturers have resorted to brighter green lasers that are easy to spot even under the sun.
Some models will also come with glasses that make viewing the laser easier and if they are not included, you can buy them separately.
Laser Power and Safety Classification
Most laser level manufacturers still use the older system of classifying laser safety classification system, as it is still the most broadly used today. In this system, laser power is classified as one of Class I, II, III or IV, depending on the power and the hazard they present.
Most indoor laser levels use lasers classified as Class II, with output power going no more than 1 mW. Most laser pointers are in this category as well, and while there is a risk of eye damage with Class II lasers, eye damage will usually occur only when a person stares into the beam for an extended period of time.
For Class IIa lasers, a continuous exposure time of 1,000 seconds or more will produce a burn in the retina. Class III lasers used in rotary lasers, on the other hand, are required to come with warning labels. Although their output power usually does not exceed 5 mW, these lasers can potentially cause eye damage if the beam enters the eye directly.
