20 Best Laser Level For Grading And Drainage (2023 Updated)

This is not a rotary laser. Instead, it throws a continuous (green) line in a 360 degree circle by way of some sophisticated optics. Rotary lasers need to spin at a fairly high rate in order for the “flying dot” to look like a line.

The line thusly created is, by necessity, dimmer than the stationary dot. Major good points: Low cost. Good alignment. Can see green line with (reasonable amount of) lights turned on. Don’t have to work in the dark as with older lower power red rotary laser.

Slight negative: Has three little tabs that stick out from the bottom for it to sit on. This is fine if you have a smooth. not at all pebbly, surface. Permanently attaching the base minimizes this difficulty but isn’t a panacea.

I used it as a reference for levelling concrete floor forms for a multi-section floor pour. This is not a clean room operation! Although the self leveling ability works as advertised, it still has to be stable and fairly close to level.

I set up a relatively smooth and level platform for it to sit on just above the top of the forms. A fairly short legged tripod with adjust screws on its feet, or perhaps a triangular piece of metal plate with screws at the corner, would come in very handy for floor jobs.

Soon, we’ll be pouring a one piece concrete footer/stem wall foundation. I expect it to really nice for setting forms (at least in the morning or evening) as I can drive a vertical piece of pipe into the ground in the center of the work area and mount the laser unit on a smaller pipe telescoping out of the first pipe for a solid base that can quickly be height adjusted as the jobs work elevation rises.

Caveat: Don’t expect it to be easily visible in bright summer mid day sunlight. For that you will have to spend about $900. 00 more than what this tool cost fo purchase a much higher power unit!.

Great laser level for the price! Used to from beginning to end during my remodel. Very accurate and easy to ready. When framing walls, The plumb dot is great for figuring out where to put your top plate after marking out your lines on the floor.

Definitely would recommend to anyone who is looking to frame, install cabinets, and really any home renovation project. You will probably find a good use for it somewhere.

Beware of weak magnets. I Bought this laser because I use them constantly in the plumbing trade. The laser worked very well but with one major problem. The Magnets to hold the laser up are weak. I normally slap the laser onto the metal framing of the scissor lift I am working on, then go up to work.

Every other laser I have used like bosch, PLS etc stick like glue but the second I went up with the lift, the maser fell off from the slight jostle of the lift and broke the front lens. I owned it for 2 days before it broke.

If they used stronger magnets, It would be a great laser. Since not, I dont recommend it at all unless you baby this thing. If you work construction, its impossible to do just that 100% of the time.

Finally!! A simple, easy to use laser level. This is also the smallest of my laser levels, smaller by far that any of the others. Just to be certain, I check this laser level against other levels. It is correct.

The laser’s red horizontal and vertical lines are easy to see in a brightly lit room, another plus. The gimble that comes with the level is easy to use and holds securely but I find I have more flexibility and versatility when i mount the level on a sturdy camera tripod.

Works fine for about five minutes then starts flashing, as if it’s too far out of level to self level. This occurred from a lessor extent when I purchased it about 2 years ago, but it is now unusable; after only infrequent use.

Bosch offered no help on this, other than to suggest I change the batteries – I have tried three different sets. And, their advice was to purchase another one.

One of the first items I bought when starting our renovations at home and has proven to be one of the handiest. The 1/4″ female thread is a good feature for mounting – I mounted it to a quick release plate for use with my camera tripod.

Have used this for literally everything from the ground up – Levelled out the yard, concrete formwork, Re-levelled the house (post & beam style foundations), deck framing, re-levelled septic & drainage pipes, framing, installing windows, siding, lighting layout, wood panelling, installing kitchen, tiling.

the list goes on and it’s still going strong after 4 years! Great value for money.

Love this laser and it features. the plumb bob is particularly handy in ways you never can imagine. I use this laser almost everyday for something. Beware it does eat batteries. I bought some Duracell rechargeable batteries and keep 2 sets fully charged.

It also doesn’t throw a vertical line very far down if you have it up high. I have to keep it lower so that line makes it all the way to the floor. Had it up about 8-9 foot today setting some tall door casing but had to lower it so I could see line clearly near the floor.

Laser was about 6-8′ from the wall.

Bought this a year ago. Loved it. Magnet is well but didn’t bother me much. Not I can’t get the plumb line to go on. Just disappointed. I wouldn’t mind upgrading but not if the buttons are going to wear or only used it daily for the last three months.

Green lime red dot. Just really wished it worked correctly.

I bought my Klein laser level last year and boy am I impressed! Well done Klein! The versatility of the tool – from laying out lighting to pipe runs to laying out switches and receptacles. It does it all.

Ease of use and a long battery life. Ability to mount to studs and walls etc. Great product. I highly recommend adding to your arsenal!.

I really wanted these simple functions for home use. Set on a tripod, the unit perfectly levelled with a spirit level, front to back and side to side, it still blinks maddeningly. The beam does not reach 30 feet – maybe 10, 12 in complete darkness.

Complete waste of my time.

I purchased this to level theatrical truss and decks. I will say that it’s easy to use, very intuitive and so far seems robust. One thing I will say is that I asked if this red laser would be effective for use outside without the receiver at short distances (30′-50′).

Another words could I just spin it up and look for the line and negate the need for the receiver. I was told it would be possible, short answer is forget about it. You need the receiver, my guess is that a green laser may work, but il’ll never know at this point.

Other than that, as long as it keeps working, I’ll be happy!.

I love this tool! I’m a chef by trade, so there is no real point for me to use this tool everyday of my life. It is super easy to use and figure out. I’m a guy and I don’t read directions. With the help of YouTube and customer feedback and knew what to do.

My fianc? and I built a patio in our backyard it was 15 x 18’. Without this tool I would never got to pitch right. Well I would’ve but It would’ve took 80 times longer. Also our backyard is higher than the patio is so we have to do some excavation so water doesn’t drain onto the patio.

With this tool I know exactly where to take from and where to add to. Just a great tool.

Easy to setup with auto-leveling. I used the laser receiver to record the existing grades for about 2-acres. It took more time to grid off the site than to record the the grades with the laser. I recorded about 250 spot grades in about 8 hours.

Great accuracy over a long distance. I shot grades over about 300 feet distance with no issues. An eye level would have been a good tool to help set the laser at an elevation that would capture a specific grade as a rough datum point.

Operated easily right out of the case. Receiver batter door a little difficult to open. Have not yet calibrated or attempted other features or limit of range. but has been excellent for leveling soil for a foundation and setting leach lines.

The auto-leveling is performed in just a few seconds and then it is up and spinning.

I bought this level three months ago. For the record I love Dewalt, always have. However, lately I am starting to grow very concerned over the quality and durability. Three months ago I finally decided to pull the trigger on a new tool, a Dewalt 3 Beam Laser Level.

After Researching and budget considerations I spent a little more than I wanted to purchased a DEWALT DW089K Self Leveling 3 Beam Line Laser. I have attempted to use this item a few times with little to no success.

The first few times I tried using the laser, the lines were very faint, the laser barely noticeable both inside and outside. Each time the line became more and more difficult to see. I changed the batteries thinking they were the problem, nope same thing faint hard to see lines.

Now, the unit has stopped working completely! No lines, no signs of life. To top it off the metal has become corroded and pitted. See attached photo. The unit has been left in its case for protection yet it looks like it has been through war! I am going to attempt the contact the warranty department about this unit to see what they can suggest or do to remedy the situation.

Stay tuned as I will update how it goes. At this time I will not recommend this product, I feel for the amount spent it should run like a top. However if the support is solid I will change my review as I also feel tools can have faults.

Was happy with the laser when it was working. Unfortunately l can’t speak to the longevity of the unit. I used it 5 or 6 times over the past 2 years,. then the unit just stopped working. No drops, misuse etc.

Warranty is only good for 1 year. they say 3 years “limited warranty for manufacturing defects”, but supposedly when the unit just stops working after 5 or 6 uses, it isn’t a manufacturing defect?? Paid close to 400 dollars for this unit.

Really disappointed in dewalt’s quality over the past few years, l have purchased many of their products, but quality seems to be going downhill on some of their priducts.

When I opened up this laser from it protective case it screamed ruggedness. Just holding it in your hand you know this laser will be able take un intentional bumps and I am a sure to expect during my projects.

During my first use for a small project in my bedroom this laser worked perfectly to line up some wall hangings with crisp green lines that were easy to see on the wall. After that project I was curious what kind of range this lasers had.

I took it out to my 48*40 shop and placed it in the center and the lines were easily visible on all walls on all the axes, which will be handy for a future project to run some electrical conduit looking nice and level on the walls.

So the charging cable is supplied but you will need to supply a power head to plug the USB into in order to charge the unit. I had a wall wart to plug the USB into laying around from a cell phone charger as this laser needs 5VDC to charge the included re-chargeable battery.

I imagine you could also plug it into a computer or whatever as well. You will have to supply your own tripod if you want to set it in the center of the room, but there is also a magnetic mount included that works perfectly fine if you have something magnetic to mount it too.

When using the laser there is a battery indication gauge as well to let you know when it is getting close to needing a charge as well. So the “self leveling” feature was easy to use. Basically after you do it once using the included instructions you will be able to do it repeatedly.

And if you do not get it right the level has an indicator light to let you know that the level is not self leveling. I am impressed with this level and am sure I will find it nice addition to the tool box.

I think this is a nice quality tool and with the proper care will last for years to come.

Had it for several months now and I am thoroughly impressed, expecially considering the price difference between say bosch and milwaukee. Initially bought to grade concrete patio but now I use it around the house and mainly at work as an electrician.

I will say the battery gauge is seems to be a little wack. Turn it on and it will be full bars and sometime minutes later it will drop a couple. Maybe it takes a second for it to gauge? That being said havnt had any issues with battery life.

I do a lot of work on my home and this Klein Tools rechargeable self leveling green planar laser level is absolutely amazing! I was a little hesitant at first about it being self leveling but after double and triple checking it’s outcome it was spot on Everytime! The level isn’t big and bulky which is nice and I only need a small area to store it in.

The laser lights are bright enough to be seen on any surface but not so bright it hurts your eyes. This level is extremely easy to use! Whether you’re a professional or just doing tasks around the house, I highly recommend this Klein tools self leveling laser level.

I love this laser level. I’ve had it for a few years. My complaint is that the vertical line stopped working after 1. 5 years. Recently, I called DeWalt to have it fixed but they could only offer me a new one at a tiny discount.

The person on the phone told me it “was a good deal”. I told them a good deal is that I don’t have to replace my $500- laser level every few years due to a modest amount of use. Not happy.

The laser seems to be great, haven’t had a chance to use it in the field yet. Set it up in the shop and seemed to work great. There are a couple of things dewalt could do much better on. First the little plastic stand that comes with the laser is really poor quality mine is loose and flops around, real garbage.

The other thing is to use it outside they recommend using a detector with the laser that’s no problem, the case for the laser should have room to accommodate the detector and the holder so everything can be stored and transported together.

I had to buy a new case which ran about 50 bucks. Anyway great laser.

I seriously cannot believe I didn’t buy one sooner. like years ago sooner. I’m currently finishing a basement and this thing has become my life line. I’m using it for walls, studs, outlets, overhead lights, literally everywhere I can.

I look around my house and see how many things I’ve hung up in pairs and struggled to match their heights and now I sit here wondering why I tried so hard when this was the answer.

I volunteered to replace a backsplash in my sister-in-law’s kitchen. The previous one was not level, ugly, and unprofessionally done years ago (by me, I might add). I bought the Bauer Laser Level specifically for this job and am so happy I did.

It kept me totally level, worked great and was super easy to use and understand. I honestly could not have done the job without it. I am hanging wallpaper next week and this tool will be a critical part of that as well.

Super happy with it, 5 stars is not enough.

Someone had given me a similar device a few years ago, but that one had no way to mount it on a tripod. This one mounts easily, has a reasonably bright light (more expensive ones generate a brighter light that would cover greater distances).

The batteries seem to last. I kept it on all day Sunday while I was tiling to keep the rows and columns perfectly lined up, and the battery is still going strong. This is the third full day of leaving it on while I was working.

It levels easily and doesn’t bounce too much.

I presume the unit I purchased was defective. The lateral beam was wildly off, 4” from left to right, over 10’. Vertical beam looked ok. Unusable. I want to be 100% fair and clear here. I believe the device I purchased was defective.

Over the past 15 years I have about many tools from Harbor Freight. This is the first one o have returned for performance reasons. The return/refund process was quick & easy, no questions asked.

I am overjoyed at how great a laser the Cross Line Laser is. The laser sends a bright green laser horizontally, vertically of in both directions at once by pressing one or both of the two pressure switches.

The device comes in a well designed heavy duty plastic carrying case to hold the laser device, three AAA batteries, and an extra bracket. I really liked that there are slots specially dedicated for the batteries, which keep them separated and fresh in between jobs.

The cross line laser is solidly built and can withstand drops of 3. 2 feet (1 meter), and with its rugged carrying case the tool is ready for rough and tumble travel and construction sites. The laser is powerful and is highly visible in dark and bright settings due to its bright green color.

It has a good range that can be extended to 165 feet (50 meters) with an optional detector. Leveling is accurate to within 1/8 inch at 30 feet, which is more than adequate for most projects. The laser unit has several options for mounting.

It has a 180 degree swivel bracket that can be mounted on a nail, set on a horizontal surface, attached to a metal surface by strong magnets in its bracket, or screwed onto a tripod by a 1/4 inch thread in its base.

An extra bracket designed for placement on drop ceiling frames is an added bonus. The laser’s auto self leveling allows for placement on uneven surfaces; up to a 4 inch tilt. Right out of the box the laser is easy to use.

There is a very short Quick Start Guide included with the kit. And for more information there is a comprehensive Instruction Manual that is found by going to the www. dewalt. com website. This is a tool that you will want to add to your “must have” list.

This is a great device that does its job perfectly. The beam is clear and strong, and the self leveling aspect is great. I used this to create a level line on the wall to help me hang some pictures and it worked brilliantly.

Especially as my house doesn’t have a single level floor or ceiling! Gone are the days of measuring from the floor up or the ceiling down only to find that I’ve drawn a zigzag on the wall. I used the wall mount which worked great, with a nice strong magnet to attach the unit.

I haven had need to use the non self-leveling element of the device, but it seems like it would work fine. I don’t use the batteries that come bundled with devices so can’t speak to their quality. But the ones I put into the device are still working 3 days later so it seems all right on battery life so far.

All in all, I can’t find any faults, 5 stars.

this is best laser

Excellent value for great tools

Quality piece of kit….

Great product. Once you have one your done. It’s a must have and the best value for the quality and warranty. Just get I and be done.

This is a quality product and thats why u pay top dolla

TranslateShow in original language一人で作業が出来るので便利で良いです。今までオートレベルを使用してそれになれていたので使い方に慣れが必要だと思いました。(受光器の水平が)

This laser is absolutely amazing. It was well thought out, and is well constructed. I also own a Dewalt DW089K laser, and the difference from the red laser to green is incomparable. The line is extremely crisp and thin even at distance, and it can be seen in a bright room without problem.

Another great upgrade is that it comes with a locking pendulum, something my prior one lacked. The case is a bit larger than I expected, but allows room for the charger and two additional batteries, along with one in the laser (Note the kit only comes with one battery).

Overall I am extremely pleased with its performance so far. As an electrician, it makes countless tasks much easier and saves time.

I bought this laser with the 2017 new year special. When I received the item the 12v battery was perfectly functional but the laser was not. The 4 green led lights on the side control panel indicated a fully functional battery, also tested battery with dewalt 12v drill.

The laser would not remain on, it would flash briefly once every 2 or three on/off switch presses and immediately turn off. both the vertical and horizontal laser fit this pattern. The flashing pattern was not the repeated out of plum or low battery flashing described in the manual.

It seemed more indicative of a loose or poor connection inside the laser. Hopefully I will be able to return the item for a working version.

This laser is easy to use and the beam is easily visible. I use it everyday for acoustical ceilings. The wall mount included was very convenient. The 12 volt lithium battery with charger included save money from buying batteries.

MY BEST BUY. I LOVE MY LASER!.

I purchased this attic ladder for access to my garage attic space (30″x30″opening). I looked online and there weren’t many options available, aside from opening the size of the existing crawl space and reframing it.

So, I went with this. They engineered this to handle small openings, for various heights, and it does do that. It is not designed for high volume use. So, if you plan on accessing your attic a lot, I would look for something sturdier.

I rated it a 4 because the instructions were not always clear, and when I first went to open the ladder, one section would not slide open. The plastic end caps had been installed incorrectly at the factory (left cap, and right cap were both in the wrong ends).

Ordered this level special delivery cause I needed it to replace my older cheaper level that would not turn on. Opened the box and found the batteries already installed, set it flat on the kitchen counter and it would not turn on.

Installed new batteries, same thing. The vert level light would flash when in horizontal position and light when level was in vertical position. Other than that, no lights or actions. Looked at the manufactures tag and the date of manufacture was 12/2015.

And yes I turned the pendulum switch on.

We use this level to mark stakes for reference in concrete planning, and foundation fill grades. It can also help when a ( plumb bob ) is needed, Perhaps for layout of lights on ceilings. Another use is during installation of doors and windows in a room allowing them all to be same height.

This model has a transport lock to protect the self leveling pendulum mechanism.

Best investment Ive ever made I build post frame buildings now I can mark the grade by myself I wish I would have bought it years ago thanks for such an excellent product

Does everything I expected. No issues. Heavy duty storage case. Id buy it again.

Works great for me (landscape contractor). Checked calibration and it was right on. Easy to use and the receiver works great.

Very accurate, easy to use, used it for 24′ x 24′ foundation perfect level.