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Last updated on January 7, 2023 3:18 am by the writer.
All about laser levels: at a glance
The best green laser levels for builders contain a 5-dot cross-line on a self-leveling pendulum like the devices we have tested here.
A bright green LED light is scientifically easier to see with a builder’s naked eye than a red line.
A new laser beam makes a cool gift idea and is super practical to use on the building site or at home when doing DIY.
Drop, and water resistance is needed on the ‘job site’ and long-lasting batteries keep the tool operating for a long period of time.
For mounting a stable magnetic base works the best and so does a nail hook.
Green laser levels can be considered the #1 top tool for builders. And one of the most time-efficient tools a builder can utilize to make building faster. Don’t get a cheap knock-off for measuring equipment.
Keep reading for our take on green line laser levels. And budget-friendly red beam levels.
Best builders laser level (5-dot)
#1 Best joiners green laser level
Leica Lino L2p5
Green cross-line laser with 5 points and cross-line. The best type of laser for a builder.
The option of both rechargeable lithium-ion batteries or AA batteries.
Smart laser technology with 20 meters viable range or 80 meters of range with an additional electric receiver.
Water protected to IP54 standard.
Magnetic bracket base for easy attachment to metal surfaces, and tripod mounting options.
Can take a 12V lithium-ion rechargeable. battery but not included otherwise runs on 4 batteries.
The warranty is limited but 3 years.
Red only lines.
No plumb points.
#5 Good Bosch cross line laser
Bosch GLL 2-50
Good shooting distance of 65 feet and 165 feet with the detector.
Bosch’s add-on tripod is pretty cheap.
Red lines.
Less distance than the above Bosch.
No dots for plumbing.
#6 The Klein cross line laser
Klein tools 93LCL
Rated for IP54 water and dust resistance.
Screw on the magnetic base and easily set the tool to the right height.
Cross-line beams.
Small battery life with only 3 double AAs.
No Plumb dots found.
#7 Homeowner Bosch cross-line green laser
Bosch GLL 55
Cheap cross-line model.
IP54 rated.
Fairly short battery life.
Only a cross line, so does not shoot 5 points.
Relatively short shooting distance.
#8 Hammerhead home electric leveling tool
Hammerhead HLCLGO1
Cheap low price option for homeowners, or an artist to hang pictures on the wall.
Has easy-to-see green visible beams.
Comes with an easy-to-use mounting clip.
Not suitable for construction.
If this is your cash limit you might as well get the Skil above as our number 2 recommendation.
All about laser line levels
Modern laser levels are a tool relied on by builders to accurately level, plumb, and square internal building set-out work. It’s pretty amazing really, that a tool like this can quickly give clear visible lines inside a room indicating the perfect level and plumb points.
With so many types of self-leveling tools out there it can be hard – to decide on the best type of laser to buy, before even deciding on the brand.
In my laser-level review, I have separated the best into the following categories in order of top choices.
5-pointer (Best for builders).
360 rotary laser level (Also good for builders, but best for grid ceilings).
3 line.
360 cross-line.
Cross-line beams.
Auto self level features to look for
Dedicated rechargeable battery. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery saves the time and the cost of changing small AA batteries frequently.
Battery level indicator. Know when to charge your battery during your lunch break so that you do not need to buy a second battery.
Magnetic base. Quickly position and change the height of the laser level with only a steel surface on the building site.
Drop protection. In case you drop your child make sure you have a high durability and drop protection rating.
Water protection. Sometimes you need to use your laser level outdoors and the tool may be subject to a small amount of rain, having some water resistance gives some please of mind when using the tool outdoors.
Laser-level color. The best green laser levels are easier to visualize and see than a red laser level but cost a little more initially.
Laser level type. There are many different types of laser levels for a builder to choose from. Dont get confused go for a 5-pointer with a cross line. (More on the different types below).
Pendulum lock. One of the biggest issues with these tools pendulum locking is not available but is needed for internal protection on the delicate internal parts.
Additional equipment
Laser enhancement glasses. these glasses can help see the laser line in bright areas.
A reflector. A reflective target card works best for spotting the beam outdoors with a red laser but even better with green laser levels.
A tripod. You can use a camera tripod or a standard construction tripod to mount the tool additionally you can just place the unit on the ground or use the magnet base, or hock it on a nail or screw if a hook mount is provided.
A second battery. Having a second battery means that you can work while the other battery is charging, you could just charge the battery in your lunch break though.
Before you buy a laser level
Buy from a professional brand
For an important tool like a durable laser level, you should stick to the top few laser level brands, to get one of the highest-rated green laser levels as with any precise measuring equipment.
You want a brand you can rely on and trust to build perfectly square and level within design tolerances.
A good laser with a locking pendulum can be used for longer without recalibration. Brands such as Leica Lino, Dewalt, Makita, Klein Tools, Bosch, and Skil for DIY use.
Make sure to have a dedicated rechargeable battery.
Changing alkaline AA batteries all the time gets costly and is not as environmentally friendly or time-saving as a dedicated rechargeable pack.
A top reason for the best option is to get at a tool with a dedicated longer-lasting rechargeable battery pack.
Has the base have good mounting options?
If you have noticed the Leica Lino and Dewalt 5-pointer gives plenty of ground clearance to see the bottom plumb dot.
This is essential to make using the tool easier by just sitting the base on the ground, without needing to prop up the base on a block.
Also, go for a tool that has an attachable magnetic mounting plate and can be hooked on a nail or a construction tripod.
Green laser levels vs red laser levels?
Most people prefer a green beam laser as the lines are brighter and more visible to the human eye compared to the red version.
However green LEDs tend to cost a bit more. But is it worth it? That’s up to you, there is nothing wrong with red beam laser levels, but a green beam is easier to spot and work to.
Choose the right type
As there are many different types of laser levels, from 3-pointers to 5-pointers to cross-lines and 360-line tools.
Remember the best green laser level for builders, roofers, electricians, and joiners have both clear horizontal and vertical lines.
Is the unit drop and water-resistant?
Every tool has a different durability rating.
When it comes to laser levels it is water resistance and a drop rating. If you drop your tools all the time consider getting the Dewalt mentioned here with the highest durability rating.
A higher quality electrical measuring tool will help anyone get better jobs to do on the building site as you have the tools to be more accurate.
Unless you are looking for budget green laser levels you should pick one of the 2 highest-rated green laser levels in this review.
Types of laser levels and there uses
Level line
This is used to quickly transfer any height reference inside a room. Or outside with a sensor, or under low sunlight conditions.
5 dots
Can be used to square rooms, plan views, and square walls vertically, as well as plumb corners.
3 points
Can be used for plumbing walls and doors.
The plumb line
Is used for straightening walls, ready for linings like plasterboard. Just set the laser up to shoot along the full length of a wall with the same set distance at each end.
You can quickly measure the same of-set distance at any area of a wall to find bulges or inverted areas that need buzzing using your electric planer or packing.
I still recommended you use a straight edge afterward to check for dips.
The 360-degree rotary level line
Unlike just a level line, this type of laser beam can display a clean line in more than just 1 direction.
Instead, the entire room will get a level line from a 360-degree projection, from the tool’s mounting position, making this type perfect for ceiling and floor setout work.
3 Point vs. 5 pointers for builders?
3 pointers are fine for plumbing doors, and wall corners but that is pretty much all the first designs can do.
I found straight away that the older measuring tools lack the needed setting out functionality for builders that a 5-point tool provides.
With a 5-pointer, 3,4,5 a measuring technique, used to check buildings for squares is not required anymore, instead, the 5-dot laser is faster and not prone to human calculation errors.
Really trying to make this point clear that 5-point lasers are much more functional than the basic 3-point models.
Sure they are a bit cheaper but in the long run, you would have wished you got the extra few dots, as the extra 2 dots of a 5-pointer allow you to use the tool as a giant square plan view.
What laser levels have the best battery?
Most lasers run on 4 AA batteries and are easy to replace and recharge.
However, Dewalt and Leica Lino offer a lithium rechargeable battery, with a longer working time, and can help save the environment from using replacement batteries.
As you would otherwise chew through a new set of AA batteries every week or sometimes day otherwise.
This makes Dewalt and Leica Lino stand out, as replacing AA laser batteries frequently can get annoying and expensive with regular use.
Choosing the best green line laser levels
#1 Best Joiners laser level from Leica
The Leica Lino L2P5 is a professional green laser level and the most accurate piece of internal leveling equipment with two green beams and 5 dots.
With a high-quality green beam, and with the best accuracy, the Leica Lino also has a rechargeable battery for effective and efficient building site use.
The Leica Lino L2P5 is the most accurate tool that can help any tradesperson with internal leveling jobs. Leica Is known for building quality measuring tools and even photography equipment.
This is their new version with a longer-lasting rechargeable battery, that removes the hassle of finding and replacing AA batteries all of the time on the job.
There are plenty of mounting options from the magnetic clip, the nail holder, or from the universal tripod compatibility.
The 5-pointer Dewalt laser level also has great battery life with the included big rechargeable battery rated as industry-grade for construction equipment.
The DW0825LG is arguably better for all builders with the impressive 2-meter drop resistance rating and a water-resistance durability rating.
Making the durable tool sit in its own special class.
It has a rate of +/- 1/8 inch accuracy at a distance of 30 feet and covers a range of 100 feet. The compact blow mold case works compatibly with the flexible extending bracket and enhancement plate.
Dewalt’s older tools had thick lines and lacked the essential pendulum lock to protect the inside parts.
The newer models like the DW0825LG however, now include a pendulum lock and now have made the most durable laser, with great working accuracy for all types of building jobs.
The 3X 360 rotary laser level like the Dewalt DW089LG is even better for wall set-outs but is less portable for tricky jobs compared to a 5-pointer.
A good trick if you have two of these 3X 360 line tools on site, and to put them both at opposite corners to each other and you can fully create the outline of a square room.
It is rated IP 65 debris and water-resistance that can withstand the challenges of weather changes.
This Class 2 laser contains a locking pendulum, a great technology to protect the Dewalt laser levels’ internal components from any damage.
If you want to stick to the best laser-level brand and if the above options carry a high price tag for you then an older version of the L2p5 can be a budget-friendly option if you look down the road at red lasers.
All the features can be found like a locking pendulum and a self-leveling pendulum alarm also expect an easy-to-see fine line that’s not too thick.
Just pop in the alkaline batteries and pop on your laser beam enhancement glasses.
If you reconsider the cost difference and go for a better self-leveling range the newer version or the Dewalt laser level is waiting.
Artists can hang paintings on the wall with a cheaper model. For simple picture hanging jobs and homeowner DIY jobs, a cross-line laser is good for the money, and if you get a green laser you will find better visibility.
The Skil cross-line laser is a surprisingly cheap automatic leveling tool to buy and can help with some DIY leveling jobs compared to a hand-held level.
Lastly, the unit can be charged using only a USB plug!
Lasers work best indoors, as the sun can make the lines harder to identify outdoors.
Although no matter the vertical or horizontal surface Leica has a reflector target card that can help with daytime laser use and visibility outside in broad daylight for finding the beam.
Using a digital sensor?
It might be better to get an additional: Electric sensor, that will make daytime use possible regardless of how bright the sun is.
A reflector does make outdoor laser level use possible but not perfect, if you don’t want to get an electric sensor, you could make a point to measure your heights early morning, or late in the afternoon when the light from the sun is shy and dimmer.
The alternative.
The alternative is to use a dedicated outdoor leveling tool, like a datum level or a rotary laser level.
What are all the mounting options?
It is important that you can easily mount your tool in a good position quickly. And to do this there are a few different mounting styles to choose from, to mount your laser at the right height.
Hanging from the base. A Hole in the base can hang the tool on a nail or screw, this is useful on timber walls.
Magnetic base. Strong magnets in the base for quick attachment to steel or metal surfaces.
Construction tripod. Thread for a standard construction tripod.
Camera tripod. Thread for a standard camera tripod.
Sitting the base on the ground. You can take most of your plumb measurements and leveling measurements from just sitting in on the ground, for level measurements you can measure the distance from the line to your point, call this an off-set measurement.
Convenient mounting options make using red or green laser levels a breeze, as some can be hard to position in the right spot if the right mounting options above for the situation are not available.
Additionally, a base that is too close to the ground makes it difficult to use. You instead want a decent amount of room under the tool.
Good base clearance also lets you align your tool, to a mark on the ground’s surface, without getting an overly chunky base in your way.
This space gives you room to fit your pencil underneath as well. This helps to see and mark the ground after plumbing a point down from the ceiling.
As you can the Leica Lino performs with the best accuracy. Makita and Dewalt are not far behind. Really the accuracy from all models is good however the Leica Lino, dot, and line are cleaner and thinner than most models.
The Makita also has decent laser line quality but the battery doesn’t last that long.
Builders use measuring equipment every day including the best green laser levels, as the device helps me save a lot of time on the Jobsite for internal leveling like stud spacing and plumbing jobs.
Don’t start any building work without the right level and plumb lines, if you want to save a lot of time, and improve the accuracy of your work find the tool that needs little effort or time.
Builders operate lasers for extended long periods and required long battery life to spot the brightest points on the construction jobs.
2. Plumbers
Plumbers from time to time use laser levels for running pipes in straight lines and measuring before drilling holes in wall framing so that pipes have correct fall so that water drains.
3. Electricians
Electricians utilize self-leveling vertical laser equipment for perfectly aligning light fittings on ceilings and electrical outlets.
Electricians also use these tools for other jobs like straightening cable trays and making sure their wires are above the ceiling line.
4. Ceiling installers
Ceiling installers benefit greatly from a green rotary laser level. With laser planes visible on all walls as a bright green beam, makes ceilings faster to build.
A clamp-style bracket and a remote control feature can turn the tool on and off without having to get up and down to the mounting position.
You will have to check compatibility with the electric sensor.
It will work great with false ceiling installation and acoustic ceiling installation with rondo or timber battens.
5. DIY’ers
A DIY enthusiast can get the building accuracy of a professional with a quality laser leveling device.
With a laser tool, you can level walls, and linings, align a fence capping perfectly level, or even transfer door handle heights or perfectly position your tv wall mount during installation.
You can also use the laser dot to transfer a mark from your floor to the ceiling, this means if you hang a tv ceiling mount you know the exact position to screw the mount.
These are just a few examples of many things you can do and level.
What jobs can be done with a laser level.
Visibility is key when using a laser level for indoor and outdoor applications. As we know there are methods to help find the beam in outside environments like using a reflector, laser enhancement glasses, or an electric detector.
Even with that aside here are the most common applications.
When in operation green laser diodes consume the same amount of power and produce greater visibility both indoors and outdoors.
Inside
All laser leveling jobs can be done indoors. Any leveling or plumbing job can be done. But here are some common examples.
Plumbing doors
Straightening wall framing
Plumbing wall framing
Squaring wall framing
Checking walls for humps
Leveling uneven floors
Positioning windows and joinery
Setting ceiling heights
Mounting hardware on the walls
Hanging pictures and positioning artwork
Outside
Even though these tools are for inside leveling jobs, you can still use them to perfectly level things outside in low-light conditions such as in the evening, in the shade.
Fence rails and caps
Deck heights
Setting handrails
Leveling ground
Floor heights for small additions
These are just a few ideas on how a laser tool can help with your outdoor DIY projects.
How a self-leveling laser works
Self-leveling laser levels work in a similar way as a plumb bob except the lasers are beaming, up, down, and at other 90-degree angles perfectly at the same time.
Essentially a plumb bob with attached, light-emitting diodes [1] inside a protective glass box.
The self-leveling works by what’s known as a pendulum – a balanced weight.
This pendulum works [2] in the same way as a plumb bob by using a balanced weight while relying on the force! of gravity.
These light-emitting diodes are known as LED’S, both green, and, red are the most common colors however green beams are noticeably more visible to the human eye than red beams.
Important things to know about using a laser level
And click here for more information on how to level your yard with one.
1. Understand how the pendulum works
An important self-leveling function is an off-alignment alarm. If the tool is not level enough to self-level it will flash to let you know.
This will immediately notify you that the measuring tool has been knocked or moved and is not giving you an accurate reading.
The best lasers have a pendulum lock on the side this stops the insides from bumping around and getting damaged when the tool is being moved or bumped inside your tool bag or rolling tool bag.
2. Have trouble finding the 5 dots?
Some of the points on 5-point laser levels are not dots but are found at the projected measuring marks cross.
This goes for the ceiling plumb dot and the front horizontal line.
3. Check for any obstructions.
The beam can be obscured if interfered with by any reflective objects like glass or a mirror. Sometimes heavy dust can interfere with the laser lines.
So you should wait for any dust to settle before taking any serious measurements.
4. Make sure to measure from the center of the dot or the line
When using a laser level, the laser points will become thicker with the greater the distance you are measuring.
The center of the dot, or line, is the most accurate point to work from.
This is because the center of the line or dot remains the same and only the outside of the line or dot grows wider with the greater the distance you are measuring from.
Laser level maintenance
Most measuring tools on the construction site need constant professional re-calibration and checking before any construction is set out.
You should manually check your tool for level from time to time, and if it doesn’t measure correctly against another measuring tool like a datum, you need to get the tool serviced professionally.
And if you running on AA batteries make sure to always have rechargeable AA batteries so that you don’t have to buy new ones all the time.
Conclusion: The most functional advanced laser level
Now that we have emitting light on that accuracy and speed as the reason to get a laser level, and what makes the best laser level under Leica, Dewalt, and bosch standards as cutting-edge technology.
Time to make your final decision.
If you are a professional tradesman a high-quality green laser level will set you apart. If you are a DIY enthusiast a laser leveling tool like this can give you the accuracy of a professional.
The Leica Lino L2p5 has a great mounting base bright green lines and long battery life and makes for the best 5-point builders laser level. Otherwise, the Dewalt DW0825LG is a solid green laser level for better durability, with a 2-meter drop rating, and IP65 water resistance rating.
In broad daylight, you can even use a laser level to cut your hair perfectly flat when gelled upwards!
If your laser level reads the surface of your wall not even and you need to straighten it, use a power handheld planer. It can take as thick as 1/8 inch of wood.
More information:
How a laser “light-emitting diode” works, retrieved from, https://www.explainthatstuff.com/semiconductorlaserdiodes.html
A pendulum explained, retrieved from, https://www.explainthatstuff.com/how-pendulum-clocks-work.htmlA
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My name is Aaron, and thank you for reading my article. As a qualified builder, I share some tips here at Bangingtoolbox to help provide better DIY information on the internet.
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