How To Choose The Best Laser Level?

How To Choose the Best Bosch Laser Level | Engineer Supply

Levels with laser beams are accurate and useful devices for determining alignment. This guide is intended to point a beginner toward the best Bosch laser level or make and model of level for any task. Familiarizing yourself with laser level types, common uses for these tools and considerations such as accuracy, visibility range and laser level design can help you select the best laser level.

Laser Level Basics

A laser level is useful for determining whether surfaces or objects are level. Different types of lasers are better suited to certain applications, such as indoor or outdoor use. The color of a laser also affects how visible a beam will be outdoors in direct sunlight. Green beams can be up to four times brighter than red laser beams and are better suited for outdoor or long-range indoor projects.

The shape of laser beam projections is another important consideration. You can choose from dot, line, cross-beam and rotary levels. No matter which type of device you choose, a laser level is only accurate when properly calibrated. Some levels must be manually calibrated based on an integrated spirit level, while self-leveling lasers work automatically.

The Types of Laser Levels

There are several laser level types to consider. The shape of the beam projected by a level will determine how easy it is to see and how helpful the level will prove for various applications. Learn more about the three main types of levels equipped with lasers.

Dot Laser

A laser level that projects one or more dots can be useful for making sure a wall is plumb or transferring points from wall to wall or from the ceiling to the floor. This type of laser level often displays either one, three or five dots.

Three-point dot lasers typically have dots that face up, down and forward. Five-point lasers also include left and right dots, which can be useful for transferring points between walls. For the most accurate results, look for a dot laser level that is accurate to at least +/-⅛ inch at 30 feet.

Line Laser Level

Most line lasers project a beam of light around 180 degrees onto flat surfaces, though some models cover 360 degrees. These devices are most useful for horizontal and vertical leveling. Cross-line lasers simultaneously project horizontal and vertical lines.

Line lasers are useful for tasks that call for leveling and plumbing, but can also be useful for transferring reference points. Levels that project a single line or cross-line are more expensive than dot lasers. Line and dot lasers are best suited for indoor tasks.

Rotary Laser Level

Rotary levels are available for indoor and outdoor use as these systems can project a rotating 360-degree beam across long distances. This type of device is the best choice to use outside of these three types of levels.

Entry-level rotary levels may require manual adjustment. Center the bubble in the spirit level on the device to ensure that the beam is level. These models can be less accurate than auto-leveling lasers. Most advanced rotary levels are self-leveling and require the use of clamps or a tripod.

Common Laser Level Uses

The application for which you need a laser level can also help you decide on the best device. Here are level device recommendations for some of the most common uses of these devices.

Perfect Horizontal

A line laser can project a horizontal line over shorter distances. Based on your budget and other potential uses, you may prefer a level that only projects a horizontal line or a cross-line laser that projects a horizontal and vertical line. Calibrate the laser and project a horizontal line.

Based on the intended use, you may find a line laser level that projects a beam 360 degrees to be more useful than a model limited to 180 degrees. For this application, you could also use an indoor rotary level, but self-leveling versions of these models are much more expensive than line lasers.

Plumbing Walls

Levels are useful tools for framing walls and ensuring that these surfaces are plumb. Cross-line levels are the best option for framing walls. Manually calibrate the level or allow an auto-leveling device to calibrate before projecting a vertical beam where you want a wall to be constructed.

You can either build off of a benchmark or build the bottom and top plates of the wall up to the projected beam. A laser level is also useful for checking your progress. Set the level to a vertical beam and align it with your work. The distance between the wall framework and the beam will indicate whether the wall is plumb.

Measuring Distances

Some levels are designed to project laser beams over long distances for measurement purposes. These devices are sold as having measurement modes. Target plates can be helpful when measuring extended distances with a laser distance measure.

Set up the laser level and ensure that it is calibrated to level and is stable before directing the beam in the direction you want to measure. Laser distance measurers can have ranges up to 328 feet.

Hanging Objects On Walls

For mounting artwork or other objects on walls, you can use a line laser for a single wall, a cross-line laser for transferring between walls or a laser that projects a beam 360 degrees. While a dot laser can also transfer points between walls, these types of levels may not be as exact for this application as line lasers.

For this application, you may not want to spend the amount of money necessary to buy a self-leveling rotary laser. Any manual laser level will be less accurate than a self-leveling laser. A cross-line laser can be the most useful type of level for transference between walls.

Things To Consider When Selecting a Laser Level

There are several factors to keep in mind when comparing laser level models. From accuracy to the type of beam, leveling mechanisms and features, here are several considerations to help you select the right laser level for any intended use.

Accuracy and Visibility Range

The accuracy of a laser level is described in fractions of an inch at a particular distance or visibility range. Entry-level devices tend to be accurate at ⅛-inch (3.175 mm) up to 30 feet (9 meters). The next step up extends this level of accuracy to a visibility range of 50 feet. Precision levels are accurate to 1/16-inch (1.5875 mm) over specified distances. The visibility range also indicates the distance to which a projected beam is detectable on targets.

Horizontal and Dual-Beam Lasers

Horizontal levels project horizontal lines, while cross-beam levels project intersecting horizontal and vertical lines. You can also find dual-beam aiming lasers and lasers that project to multiple points. Consider the application for which you plan to use a level to select the right model.

Manual vs Automatic and Self-Leveling Lasers

Manual levels feature integrated spirit levels. Adjust the device until the bubble in this indicator is centered. A manual laser level is less accurate than an automatic level. Dot, line and entry-level rotary levels can be manual or self-leveling. Most advanced rotary levels are self-leveling.

Laser Detectors

A laser level detector or receiver is useful for detecting beams that are difficult to see. Mount a detector or receiver on a grade rod or target to detect a beam. Basic detector units feature LED lights that indicate whether a beam is on, above or below level. More advanced detectors have LED displays or audible indicators. Laser detectors are particularly useful outdoors, where bright sunlight makes beams harder to see.

Mounting Threads

Mounting threads determine the tripods, clamps or other mounting systems that are compatible with a level. Most rotary levels and larger cross-line levels feature a standard ⅝-inch central thread size. Smaller levels may have ¼-inch mounting thread. Check the thread size of a level to select mounting equipment to hold the device steady during use.

IP Rating

The ingress protection rating of a laser level indicates how resistant the casing or enclosure of the device is to dust and water. IP ratings range from 1 to 8, with 1 indicating minimal resistance and 8 indicating maximum protection. A laser level rating has two numbers. The first indicates dust resistance and the second indicates water resistance.

Choose the Right Bosch Laser Level

Compare levels at Engineer Supply to find the best laser level for any application. Start by identifying the functions you need and match these requirements with laser level specifications. Levels range in price from under $100 up to $5,000, so you should also consider how much you want to spend on a laser leveling device.

Frequently Asked Questions