The best levels

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dewalt level

DeWalt
  • A level helps with everything from hanging pictures to laying tile. And if you want a job done right, it's always better to employ the right tools rather than eyeballing it.
  • The DeWalt DWo88LG Green Cross Line Laser is our top pick considering its bright green beams are visible fifty-fifty in full lite and this rugged level volition last for years of commercial-grade use.

What are the most important hand tools? The screwdriver and hammer surely rank loftier on the list, as do pliers and wrenches. And what toolkit is complete without a skillful measuring record? But if you exit the level off your list, frankly, y'all're doing it wrong, my friend. Even the best tools on the market place can't ensure a properly finished project if y'all can't exist certain all your materials are lined upwards and, well, level.

If all you'll be doing is hanging a few family portraits or a spice rack, a simple, affordable torpedo bubble level is all you'll need. For more involved projects, consider a beam level or a laser level. Just don't consider trying to get something level using your optics alone — I give this communication sincerely based on far too much firsthand experience.

As you expect for your new level to make it in the post, you tin can actually use your iPhone in a pinch. Open the compass app, and then swipe to the right. Yep, that's a digital level right there. The shape of the phone and your likely unwillingness to use information technology around hammers and sawdust and such make it a less than ideal tool for construction projects, just it's a fine fill-in.

Here are the best levels:

  • Best overall: DeWalt DW088LG Green Cantankerous Line Laser Level
  • Best on a budget: Empire True Blue Professional person Torpedo Level
  • Best axle level: Stanley FatMax 72-Inch Not-Magnetic Level
  • All-time car-leveling: Black & Decker BullsEye Auto-Leveling Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation Level
  • Best multi-function: Qooltek Multipurpose Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation LevelPro3

The best overall

DeWalt

The DeWalt DW088LG Dark-green Cross Line Laser is the terminal level y'all'll e'er need considering it'south a heavy-duty, professional-form tool.

Yes, the DeWalt DW088LG Light-green Cross Line Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation is crazy expensive. Information technology costs more than all the other levels on our list combined and then multiplied past three. But it will likewise probable final you a lifetime. This rugged laser level is built to survive drops of up to six feet and information technology's rated IP65 debris and h2o resistance, and then don't worry about the dust or drizzle at your worksite, the DW088LG will exist merely fine.

Ideal for framing or other large-scale construction or renovation projects, the level casts both horizontal and vertical beams in a bright green light that is easily visible even in the centre of the 24-hour interval, and that's as much as 10 times brighter than the red beams generated past most laser levels.

The self-leveling pattern allows for precise work fifty-fifty on less-than even surfaces, while a locking pendulum protects the DW088LG's more sensitive internal components equally you move the tool around or toss it in the toolbox at the end of the day.

Your capable new level comes with a magnetic mounting bracket, a protective carrying example, a targeting card, and even a pair of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation enhancement spectacles.

Pros: High visibility lasers, durable construction, multiple accessories included

Cons: Very expensive

The all-time on a upkeep

Empire

The Empire True Blueish Professional Torpedo Level costs less than 10 bucks but it'south actually more suitable for home use or for commercial work.

At that place are lots of things to love about the Empire True Blueish Professional Torpedo Level, but let'south start with the number 10 since this impressive tool is comes in at simply under $10.

Now let's move to the number nine, which is the length of this compact level. Side by side, permit's talk about the number 3, which is how many leveling vials this matter has, allowing for quick and authentic measurement on the horizontal and vertical planes and of 45-degree angles.

The bluish fluid in said vials creates a high contrast with the air bubble for easy visibility, while a peak window allows for piece of cake overhead viewing. The Empire Truthful Blue Professional Torpedo Level'south is protected with an aluminum frame into which a groove is carved to allow the magnetic tool to more than deeply grip onto pipes or conduit.

Yes, yous can observe even cheaper levels out at that place, but you will be hard-pressed to find one that is so well made for such a low price. Withal, a few buyers did call the magnetic power lacking.

Pros: Low cost point, high dissimilarity vials, reinforced protective frame

Cons: Weak magnetism

The best beam level

Stanley

At a full half-dozen feet long, the Stanley FatMax 72-Inch Not-Magnetic Level is perfect for jobs like hanging cabinets or laying big pavers.

When you're working with materials that will fill up a big space, similar the wall of a kitchen or the surface of a patio, you need to use a big level. A shorter level might tell yous if i individual piece of building material is level, but it won't give yous a sense of how two or more pieces are lining up together.

For projects similar cabinetry, molding installation, paver or bricklaying, and other work that spans long spaces, the Stanley FatMax 72-Inch Non-Magnetic Level is a bully option.

This behemoth vi-foot level has 3 vials ready into its body for horizontal, vertical, and 45-degree angle reference equally well every bit block vials on each end to ensure accurate readings over its entire span. Thought lightweight at just 2.2 pounds, the level is quite durable thanks to structure from a unmarried piece of extruded aluminum.

A pair of handles make carrying and placing the tool like shooting fish in a barrel, while its non-magnetic design makes it elementary to fine-tune its position even when you're working near metal objects.

Pros: Extra large bridge, lightweight but durable, features multiple vials

Cons: Occasional inconsistency with readings

The best automobile-leveling

Black & Decker

Whether you're hanging pictures at an angle up the stairs or laying tiles on a bathroom floor, the Black & Decker BullsEye Automobile-Leveling Laser Level is prepare to projection a crisp, direct line in whatsoever orientation.

Uniformly hanging frames on the wall abreast a staircase is one of the best means to add a decorative flourish to a space, merely information technology'south also ane of the hardest projects to exercise well. And improperly positioned frames ultimately backbite from an interior aesthetic more than they add together.

With the Blackness & Decker BullsEye Auto-Leveling Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation Level, you can create a crisp beam projected in line with the angle of your stairs by attaching the bodily level to the wall itself. Information technology adheres to well-nigh surfaces using a small pin built into the back of the unit, merely you can besides use your own double-stick tape if yous don't desire to poke a little hole.

Used off walls, the Blackness & Decker BullsEye Automobile-Leveling Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation Level can create a bright ruby-red line useful for mapping the layout for bricks, pavers, tiles, and other hardware. And thank you to its self-leveling blueprint, even when the unit is not resting on perfectly even basis (or an fifty-fifty wall or countertop and so on) information technology will project a level beam.

Still, a few buyers accept noted that the rotating dial does not conspicuously indicate when y'all are perfectly level and information technology's tough to read at an bending.

Pros: Attaches direct to walls, accurate to i.2 inches at 100 feet, cocky-leveling

Cons: Can be hard to read precisely at angles

The best multi-part

Qooltek

Qooltek Multipurpose Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation LevelPro3 features three leveling vials, an adjustable axle laser, and a born in half dozen-inch ruler and viii-human foot measuring tape.

What'due south that other tool you employ all the fourth dimension when putting upward pictures, shelving, cabinets, or when doing framing or flooring? Ah, correct. A tape measure. When you get Qooltek Multipurpose Laser LevelPro3, in that location'south no demand for an additional measuring tape, because this bad male child has i built correct in. And in addition to the eight-foot tape measure, it also has a six-inch ruler forth the base for making quick, precise measurements and markings.

A series of the standard three vials assist you establish a level reading, while a light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation built into the front end of the Qooltek Multipurpose Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation LevelPro3 can project a horizontal, vertical, or angled line visible for several dozen feet in lower light weather condition. The laser can also project a cross-shaped beam for proper orientation of materials meeting at the perpendicular.

Pros: Multiple tools in one, slap-up depression price, adjustable laser beam

Cons: Not very durable

Steven John

Freelance Writer

Steven John is a freelance writer living nigh New York City by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, four in Boston, and the showtime 18 well-nigh DC. When not writing or spending time with his married woman and kids, he tin can occasionally be plant climbing mountains. His writing is spread beyond the web, and his books can be found at www.stevenjohnbooks.com.

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