5 Best Rotary Laser Levels Review
After detailed research and study of rotary laser levels that we compiled, Johnson Level & Tool 99-006K Rotary Laser Level Kit emerged the clear winner in accordance with the criteria that we used.
Johnson Level & Tool 99-006K Rotary Laser Level Kit
Johnson Level & Tool 99-006K remains one of the best on the market currently in terms of quality and ease of use. It is mainly used by professionals who require accurate level lines during the course of their work.
It comes with an LCD screen that helps to easily determine the level line using an up or down arrow. Similarly, Johnson Level & Tool 99-006K has an automatic horizontal leveling system which can transmit a very audible signal to the receiver.
This automatic horizontal leveling system can also indicate a plumber line by projecting a 360-degree laser with a power of about 5mW and very high brightness.
- Has both audible and visual alarms
- Comes with a maximum distance range of about 800 feet
- Possesses horizontal self-leveling feature
- Has an accuracy with ⅛ inch at 50 feet
The world of construction is one that requires precision and attention to even the tiniest details. Whether you are working on a project indoors or doing actual construction work, it is of very high importance that your work should be level.
Rotary laser levels produce a very powerful 360 degrees light beam that is highly accurate and useful for a variety of purposes all related to determining a particular level. In this article, you would find the 5 best rotary laser levels alongside everything you need to know about this equipment.
Top 5 Rotary Laser Levels Comparison Table
Image | Product | Price |
---|---|---|
Editor's Choice | Johnson Level Tool 99-006K Rotary Laser System Kit
| Check Price |
Bosch Exterior Self-Leveling Rotary Laser Kit
| Check Price | |
Bright Green Laser Level | DEWALT DW089LG Rotary Laser Level
| Check Price |
Topcon RL-H5A Self Leveling Horizontal Rotary Laser
| Check Price | |
Spectra Precision LL300 Self-Leveling Rotary Laser Level
| Check Price |
Best Rotary Laser Levels Detailed Review
This section goes into detailed reviews of the top 5 rotary laser levels that we selected. They are studied from every angle and we also take a close look at the good and bad sides of these rotary lasers. Here is a list of these rotary lasers levels:
1. Johnson Level & Tool 99-006K Rotary Laser Level Kit – Budget Pick
Johnson Level & Tool 99-006K comes as a complete kit which includes a stand and a measuring tape too. The base of its transmitter is attached securely to the stand while the tape measure can easily hold the receiver. This laser level is currently one of the best on the market and is mainly used by professionals.
It delivers an accuracy level line in record time and comes with an automatic horizontal leveling system as well. This system has the ability to project a strong beam of about 5mW within a 360-degree angle and boasts of a receipt that can receive an audible signal. Johnson Level & Tool 99-006K comes with an LCD screen that uses an up and down arrow to indicate level line.
Key Features
- An LCD screen that serves as an indicator of the level line using the up and down arrows
- An automatic horizontal leveling system
- Comes with a maximum distance range of about 800 feet
- Possesses audible alarms and a 90-degree split beam
- Relatively cheap and offers great value for money spent
- Comes with 3 rotational speeds for long-distance tasks or enhanced visibility
- Mounting of the receipt can be done on either wall or ceiling using the clamps that come with it
- Battery requirement is AA alkaline batteries which are easy to procure
- The sound may not be very audible especially if you’re not close
- May not be very easy to use by amateurs
- May not be effective for outdoor tasks will very significant distance from the receiver
Verdict
Johnson Level & Tool 99-006K Rotary Laser Level Kit is great for professionals who mainly carry out indoor leveling tasks. This is due to the fact that it comes with some great features which are best enjoyed indoors.
Similarly, it works mainly for horizontal planes and it is not advisable to use it for slopes. However, it offers great value for money and is very durable and functional as well.
2. Bosch Exterior Self-Leveling Rotary Laser Kit – Best For Indoor Leveling Activities
The Bosch GRL400HCK is a complete rotary laser level kit as well. Similar to the Johnson 99-006K, it has a horizontal leveling system that is very effective. This leveling system is further enhanced by the dual laser system that it possesses making it lock on to the laser line a lot faster.
The transmission has two handles that make it very easy for conveyance purposes to the available aluminum stand. It is also equipped with the ability to automatically detect when the laser line gets out of level.
Key Features
- Comes with patented dual-laser system
- Equipped with a sensor and a maximum range of 1300 feet
- Horizontal leveling system for increased accuracy
- An account of up to 3/32 at 100 ft
- Highly durable and suited to outdoor use
- Very high accuracy
- Relatively inexpensive and offers amazing value
- Comes with three different rotation speeds for increased versatility
- Can be used for only horizontal leveling
- Possesses only 1mW laser output which is pretty weak
- Has a lower maximum range than a number of other products on the market
Verdict
Bosch GRL400HCK offers great value for money spent on it and possesses some pretty great features as well. This rotary laser level is best for professionals who mainly work outdoors due to its ruggedness and durability.
Its dual-laser system enhances its accuracy making it highly essential in construction that requires perfect levels. If you are looking for a rotary level that is both durable and highly accurate, then Bosch GRL400HCK is great for you.
3. DEWALT DW089LG Rotary Laser Level – Recommended for Outdoor Tasks
DEWALT DW089LG Rotary Laser Level has a unique feature of a green laser beam in place of the red-colored type that other rotary laser levels on the market have. Similarly, this rotary laser level runs on 12V lithium-ion batteries which are rechargeable and guarantees extended use.
A noteworthy feature of the green beam is that it is 4× brighter than the red and this enhances accuracy. Also, the DEWALT DW089LG has an integrated magnetic bracket as well as a full-time pulse mode and a locking pendulum.
Key Features
- DEWALT DW089LG weighs only about 10 pounds making it easy to convey around
- 12V Lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged
- Indoor visibility range of up to 100 feet
- A green laser beam that is 4× brighter than the red version
- The portable size that makes it very easy to carry around
- Comes with rechargeable batteries that guarantee extended usage
- A green beam that is a lot stronger than red beams for enhanced accuracy
- Higher indoor visibility level than other rotary lasers
- Relatively expensive due to green beam feature
- May not be suitable for all outdoor work
- Suitable for main professionals since most DIY enthusiasts may not understand how to operate it
Verdict
Unlike a number of other rotary lasers on the market, DEWALT DW089LG offers a higher degree of accuracy and effectiveness in terms of function due to its green beam feature. However, this same feature puts it out of reach of a lot of DIY enthusiasts and amateurs due to the high price tag it attracts.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a rotary laser to use around the house, you should probably check out some others. But if you don’t mind the price, then you can rest assured that you are getting great equipment. It is also great for professional use.
4. Topcon RL-H5A Self Leveling Horizontal Rotary Laser – Best for Professional Use
Topcon RL-H5A self-leveling horizontal rotary laser boasts of a number of amazing features which include a battery life of up to 100 hours and a 600 RPM rotation speed. Similarly, it comes with a five-year warranty which indicates a guarantee of high quality.
With a range of 2,600 feet, this is about one of the rotary laser levels without such a massive range. It gives very accurate level values and is pretty easy to use as well. With such features that it possesses, it is highly recommended for use by professionals.
Key Features
- Rechargeable alkaline batteries with a battery life of 100 hours
- A rotation speed of 600 RPM
- Possesses self-leveling feature within plus or minus five degrees
- Maximum range of 2,600 feet
- Extended battery life with guaranteed usage of up to 100 hours
- Very easy to use unlike some other laser levels on the market
- Highly durable and of the best quality
- Provides extremely accurate leveling values
- Possesses only one rotation speed
- Relatively expensive compared to other rotary laser levels with the same features
- Some users have complained about the quality of the tripod stand
Verdict
Compared to other rotary laser levels on the market, Topcon RL-H5A offers a lot more in terms of quality and the number of functions that it can perform. In addition to this, it has a higher accurate value and a range that beats that of many other rotary lasers.
Its slope feature makes it suitable for use in areas that have slopes which implies that it is just great for professional use. If you have some dollars to spare, then this could be your number one option for rotary laser levels.
5. Spectra Precision LL300 Self-Leveling Rotary Laser Level – Best for DIY Enthusiasts
Spectra Precision LL300 Self-Leveling Rotary Laser Level meets IP54 water and dust resistant standards. This rotary laser level has various applications including both vertical and horizontal and is capable of being used on slopes as well.
Its accuracy is within 3/32 of an inch and levels automatically within 5 degrees. It is highly durable and can survive drops of up to 3 feet and is very lightweight too. In general, it makes for a great laser level for both DIY enthusiasts and professionals.
Key Features
- Has rotation speed of 600 RPM
- Extended battery life of up to 70 hours
- Has a range of up to 1300 feet
- A complete package including receiver, clamp, laser, grade rod and tripod
- Comes with calibration
- Extended battery life for guaranteed long usage
- Complete package that includes all the required added equipment
- Completely waterproof and dustproof
- It is relatively expensive compared to other rotary laser levels with similar features
- Lacks an extended warranty period
- It has only one rotation speed
Verdict
Spectra Precision LL300 has a number of great features that are typically not found in other rotary laser levels on the market. Its weather and dustproof features, as well as its durability, makes it very suitable for use outdoors in construction work.
Similarly, the battery power makes it a very impressive piece of equipment since it would go on for hours on end without requiring charging. This makes it great for use by professionals and construction workers who mainly work outdoors.
How to Choose the Best Rotary Laser Level – Buyer’s Guide
Choosing the best rotary laser level could be a pretty difficult task due to the technical aspects that you have to consider as well as some basic features that you need to look for. However, as a matter of fact, selecting the best rotary laser level on the market shouldn’t pose any challenge to you at all.
In order to get to this stage where you can select the best without breaking into a sweat, you would need to understand some basic principles and other information that are essential to achieving this milestone.
This could be pretty difficult to wrap your head around but this article aims to clear up that difficulty, and make purchasing the best rotary laser levels a process that you would breeze through.
When selecting the best rotary laser levels, here are some features to look out for:
1. Type of Rotary Laser Level
Basically, there are two types of rotary laser levels and this is based off on their mode of operation. There are the automatic lasers which are also referred to as self-leveling lasers due to the fact that you require little or no effort to operate it and perform all the functions that you need for you.
Upon powering it up, you would eventually get your actual and accurate level line and provided it is on a surface where it isn’t disturbed, you can be assured of a perfect or completely accurate value. Second is the manual rotary laser type which is also great because you could get an accurate value as well.
However, it is highly essential that it is properly set up, otherwise, you might end up with a highly inaccurate value. Manual rotary lasers can be used in place of its automatic counterpart. The deal breaker is that if it is even marginally disturbed, establishing your accurate level line afterward would be extremely difficult.
This is why it is advised that they should be used for smaller projects.
2. Laser Range
The range of a rotary laser is one of the main features that you need to look out for when you intend to select the best on the market. The type of rotary laser that you need depends on the specific nature or purpose it would be used for. This is because not all rotary lasers are suitable for different terrains and for taking different levels in different locations.
The range determines where you can and where you cannot make use of your rotary level. For instance, most cross-line lasers could have a range of between 25 feet and 100 feet. Meanwhile, single-line lasers typically come with a range of 10 to 25 feet.
The laser range that you make use of depends on the area of land that you are working on. Rotary lasers used by professionals or professional-grade rotary lasers more often than not come with a range of over 100 feet.
3. Accuracy
The accuracy of a rotary laser is a great determinant of how to correct, precise or defined that your level values would be. There are certain installations or constructions that require that you get the exact value in order to get a perfect job done. For instance, laying down tiles or installing custom cabinets require very definite measurements to be followed.
This clearly indicated that the accuracy of your laser level is essential. Usually, in order to determine just how accurate a laser level that you are about to purchase is, you need to take a look at two measures which are the distance of the laser source to the surface and the accuracy level which is measured in fractions of an inch.
A smaller fraction and a greater distance imply a more accurate laser level. For instance, a device that has a rating of 1/8-inch at 35 feet is a lot more accurate than a ¼-inch at 30 feet-rated device.
4. Purpose of Purchase
The purpose of your purchase or the reason for which you need a rotary laser is supposed to guide you as to which type to select. This involves thinking of other projects that you might need to use it for in the future. When on track to making your purchase, there are certain questions that you should ask yourself which precludes how exactly you want to use the rotary laser level.
For instance, would the rotary laser be used for getting the perfect level for hanging a painting or a work of art? In this case, you would only need to create a single line on a section of your wall. Or would you be installing suspended ceilings and tiles whereby you would be needing a cross-line?
Or in case you are establishing a construction and building company whereby you would be needing rotary lasers in normal construction line. All these are factors that should determine the type of rotary laser that you end up with. Also, you would need to think about whether you would need it for other purposes in the future and exactly what these purposes could be.
5. Laser Color and Brightness
Although this factor might sound pretty unimportant, it remains one of the most important factors to consider when it comes to selecting a laser level. Outdoor construction usually requires the use of very bright lights in order to see level lines very clearly. This implies that the laser beams would have to possess very high levels of strength and high visibility so that they can be easily seen during construction.
Rotary laser levels usually come with either a red beam or a green beam. Green beams are usually a lot brighter than red beams and may be up to four times as bright as the red beam.
However, since rotary lasers are suited to different uses and green beams are brighter than red beams. This implies that it is more advisable to make use of rotary laser levels with green beams for outdoor construction while laser levels with beams are great for indoor work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Laser Levels Cause Damage to the Eyes?
Yes, laser levels can damage the eyes. This is why you need to ensure that you do not overexpose yourself to the laser lights. Basically, any exposure that lasts more than a quarter of a second can cause eye injuries.
Q: What is the Difference Between a Red Laser and a Green Laser?
The major difference between red lasers and green lasers is the brightness. Green lasers are a lot brighter than red lasers making them more suited to outdoor work.
Q: How Often Should I Calibrate My Laser Level?
Laser levels that are used regularly should be recalibrated at least once in every six months. If you do not use your laser level regularly, you could recalibrate every 12 months or every 24 months.
Criteria Used for Review
This section typically consists of the factors that we used in selecting our top 5 rotary laser levels.
1. Price Range
Typically, the various prices of the rotary lasers were one of the factors that we took very seriously since buyers have different budgets. We thought to include laser levels that would fit into a range of budgets ranging from very large budgets to the pretty conservative ones. Meanwhile, we looked out to ensure that the value you get for your money would be maximized.
During this selection process, we compared the price of laser levels to the value that they had to offer. Similarly, we kept in mind that an extremely high price or a moderate one does not imply high-quality products or inferior products as well. This is why we decided to go with rotary lasers from different classes that actually work.
Basically, rotary laser prices are determined by the number of features or how advanced certain features are over similar products. For instance, features such as a green laser or additional mounting features make the price of laser levels increase drastically. These were all factored into the price.
2. Specifications
Rotary laser levels are construction equipment that requires the presence of certain features in order to be used to carry out certain tasks. This implies that there are certain laser levels which are not suitable for certain tasks. In a case such as this, you would have to get another laser level that has the right features for the job at hand.
For instance, in outdoor leveling, there is a need for a laser level with a substantial range and very high accuracy and this could be used for indoor leveling as well. However, if you purchase a laser level that is only suited to be used indoors, you might experience problems will make use of it for outdoor tasks.
In actual fact, you might be completely unable to make use of such laser levels due to the fact that it would be lacking the necessary features or specifications. This is one of the factors we included in our criteria for review. We tried to ensure that the laser levels we selected could be used for multiple purposes.
3. Reviews and Ratings
This is one of the factors that we took extremely serious during the selection process. We were really interested in knowing what people had to say about the rotary laser levels. If they liked it, why did they like it and if they didn’t, why not? All these were considered and we compared the review to review since if you have about 20 people talking about the same thing, there is a very high probability that there is an element of truth to it.
Since reviews are oftentimes the opinions of people who have actually used the product is, it is essential that they are treated important. However, we also kept the fact that some reviews can be purchased at the back of our mind which is why we cross-reference what buyers were saying about these laser levels with our own findings as well. By doing this, we could be certain that we were getting accurate information.
4. Durability
Often times, laser levels are used in construction cases whereby there is a probability that equipment might drop. This is why it is essential that laser levels be of the highest quality, are made from suitable materials and are highly durable. This remains one of the main factors that guided the eventual selection of our top 5 rotary laser levels on the market. Similarly, the manner in which the laser level was considered since this is one of the main determinants of how strong the laser level would be.
Drop test ratings which provide an idea of how strong a laser level is was taken into consideration as well. While considering the durability, we also took note of the warranty period of the laser levels since a product with long warranty periods is a clear indication of great quality. Manufacturers who know that their products are not of very high quality rarely ever put significant warranty periods since there is a certain guarantee that the product might get faulty very early in the usage time.
5. Ease of Use
Irrespective of how any features a machine might possess, if it isn’t easy to use or operate, buyers would have a very hard time getting value for their money. While selecting rotary laser levels based on the factors mentioned above, we also ensured that the rotary lasers, despite the many amazing features that they might possibly be very easy to use.
This was done by looking out for features such as off-level indicators, self-leveling mechanisms, power level indicators, pendulum locking as well as manual overrides. These features make laser levels very easy to operate and guarantee great user experience.
Conclusion
Rotary Laser levels are a very sensitive piece of equipment, therefore a lot of work goes into selecting the best in order to get the best value out of it. Knowing just how much of a headache this might cause, this is why we decided to help get rid of the stress you might have to go through and make your purchase one to breeze through.
This guide offers the ultimate pattern to follow in order to get the best rotary laser levels on the market, and if you are looking to get one without any stress at all, the products that we have compiled is waiting for you to just go make a pick. Either way, you can rest assured that you would be getting the best on the market.