10 Best Rotary Laser Levels in 2022
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A rotary laser level can be a really useful tool to have, then you are working on uneven surfaces, acting as a 360-degree marker for leveling out holes or making sure that individual objects are all set up at the same height. While they aren’t the simplest piece of equipment on the market, they are definitely great for their intended purpose and have hundreds of applications across a huge range of different tasks and situations.
If you feel like you will need one for an upcoming project or want a replacement for a less effective leveling system you are already using, then they can be a great option. The biggest problem will be how complex they can be, though: you can’t just choose a random design and size and assume it will work perfectly.
Here are ten different rotary laser level models, along with their specific details and the jobs or working conditions they are best suited for.
View the Best Rotary Laser Level, Below.
- Topcon RL-H5A Self-Leveling Rotary Grade Laser Level
- LL500 Exterior Self-Leveling Laser Level
- Inspiritech 3D Red Beam Self-Leveling Laser Level
- Johnson Level & Tool 99-026K Rotary Laser System
- Bosch GRL400HCK Rotary Laser Kit
- Johnson Level & Tool 99-005K Rotary Laser System
- CST/berger RL25HVCK Rotary Laser Kit
- Spectra Precision Laser LL300-2 Kit
- DEWALT DW074KD Rotary Laser Kit
- Johnson Level & Tool 40-6502 Rotary Laser Level
1. Topcon RL-H5A Self-Leveling Rotary Grade Laser Level
The Topcon RL-H5A uses a multi-purpose design that endures most normal weather conditions, allowing it to work well in a variety of countries, climates and times of the year. This also makes it quite varied, since it is not designed for a specific task. The easy-to-use controls and auto-leveling system ensure that it is as accurate and responsive as possible, while the high level of accuracy at long distances makes it ideal for bigger construction projects.
The working range of the laser is around 800m in every direction, and it can be manually adjusted for slopes or to measure specific angles when digging slopes and drains. It even comes with a carrying case for faster transport to different worksites.
This jack-of-all-trades rotary laser level can take a beating and keep working as intended, meaning that it is a great choice for people (or companies) that are always taking on different kinds of work.
Check Price on Amazon ➞2. LL500 Exterior Self-Leveling Laser Level
The LL500 offers a great operating diameter and a high level of accuracy, reducing the chance of mistakes or slip-ups at even the most extreme distances. It is designed to turn two-person jobs into one-person jobs by acting as a guideline for digging, excavation, foundation-building and other projects that involve changing the level of the ground.
Unlike a lot of professional tools, this rotary laser level uses temperature compensation to keep its measurements accurate even after sudden, extreme temperature changes. Not only that, but it can be switched between regular or rechargeable batteries to reduce the chance of sudden downtime, and provides a clear readout of the current measurements on both sides of its receiver.
The separate receiver and high accuracy of this rotary laser level make it incredibly easy to use, even if you are on your own – this is ideal for solo contractors who need to make every job accessible to one person.
Check Price on Amazon ➞3. Inspiritech 3D Red Beam Self-Leveling Laser Level
This small, compact rotary laser level is able to project a horizontal beam up to 20 meters in every direction, acting as a small-scale leveling tool for a variety of different jobs. Although it is smaller than many other measuring tools, it compensates by offering excellent performance in high-light environments and can be mounted to any standard tripod for a greater level of flexibility. It also doesn't require much power and can be fed with rechargeable batteries to keep it running 24/7 if needed.
The unit also has the ability to project vertical leveling lines and can be angled by up to 3-degrees either manually or automatically. This makes it extremely versatile, especially when it is being used indoors for repair or construction jobs.
This rotary laser leveling tool is perfect for indoor tasks, especially thanks to its small and lightweight body.
4. Johnson Level & Tool 99-026K Rotary Laser System
The 99-025K SLRL system can be mounted to almost any surface thanks to its special bracket, allowing it to measure from floors, walls, and ceilings with ease. It is versatile enough to work for both indoor and outdoor tasks, helping you set up anything from ditches and fence posts to drywall and cabinets. It also comes with a specially-made tripod and measuring rod that gives you more control over its height, making it easy to measure at very specific levels.
The rotary laser level uses rechargeable batteries to reduce downtime, as well as a decent working range for something so compact and simple. While it is mostly meant for small-scale use, the separate detector also means that you can track measurements from a distance.
This smaller rotary laser level system is great for medium-sized jobs both indoors and out, giving you a lot of options for horizontal and vertical measuring on a decent scale.
Check Price on Amazon ➞5. Bosch GRL400HCK Rotary Laser Kit
This self-leveling laser kit uses a dual-laser system that allows for more varied and precise measurements, regardless of whether you are indoors or outdoors. The Pendulum system is able to automatically balance out your current level measurements, and there is a lock mode to keep it set to a certain angle. On top of that, the laser beams can be customized with three different rotation speeds and six length settings.
The body of the kit, as well as its tripod, are made with durable materials, and the glass that protects the laser is able to withstand a lot of punishment before breaking, keeping the key components safe.
This leveling laser offers a lot of features that can help with very niche measuring projects, letting it fill roles and assist with tasks that a larger or more general rotary laser level would struggle to deal with properly.
Check Price on Amazon ➞6. Johnson Level & Tool 99-005K Rotary Laser System
The 99-005K set contains a small rotary laser level tool and various extra pieces of gear. The laser itself can be split at 90-degree angles for vertical and horizontal measurements, making it easier to use for walls and other raised surfaces, and you can adjust the rotation speed to get different laser intensities and measurement results. The ability to reverse the scan line can also help you get more accurate measurements during important jobs, especially if the tool is placed near a wall or other object.
The system offers two different scan modes (Large and Small) to get different beam intensities and measurement types and is contained in a durable body that won't break or malfunction easily.
This rotary laser system is simple and doesn’t have any overly-complex features, but still provides everything you might need for a range of job types, making it ideal for small-scale use.
Check Price on Amazon ➞7. CST/berger RL25HVCK Rotary Laser Kit
This dual-angle rotary laser level kit lets you measure 90-degree corners easily, both horizontally and vertically. The glass-based top housing keeps the laser itself protected from bad weather and sudden damage, while the adjustable beam speed and scan angles give you greater control over how your levels are measured and protected. By slowing down the beam, you can make the projected laser more visible.
The three-battery power system also gives this rotary laser level up to 85 hours of constant runtime, allowing it to work really well for long-term projects. The system also has a low-battery alert to let you know if the power is running dry, as well as the ability to work well in both indoor and outdoor environments.
This rotary laser level kit provides everything you might need to deal with common level-measurement-related situations and tasks, making it the perfect choice for first-time users.
Check Price on Amazon ➞8. Spectra Precision Laser LL300-2 Kit
This fast and easy-to-use leveling laser system allows you to quickly take measurements in a variety of different situations, even if you are outdoors in the pouring rain or dealing with a lot of unexpected dust and fog. The small and durable body can withstand a lot of abuse before showing any signs of damage, and the low power requirement means that its rechargeable batteries can minimize the expected downtime.
This rotary laser level also comes with a remote control that can be used for manual adjustments, letting you set it up for exact angles when dealing with slopes or other non-flat surfaces and objects.
This laser may be small, but it offers a high level of accuracy and adaptation when you are dealing with varied surfaces, especially in areas where a larger unit won’t fit or can’t reach the same level of stability.
Check Price on Amazon ➞9. DEWALT DW074KD Rotary Laser Kit
The DW074KD is a small rotary laser level system with a relatively high range and level of accuracy, allowing it to take accurate measurements from a distance without being difficult to move or transport. The internal components are all kept safe from harm thanks to its enclosed and durable body, while the rotary head itself is weatherproof and can withstand most job-related damage.
The tool also has a special standby mode that can pause the laser, even if it is switching between horizontal and vertical settings, giving it some more flexibility when it comes to making precise measurements of awkward angles. It can be used standalone, mounted to its tripod, or even attached to a wall or ceiling via its own mounting bracket.
The small size of this rotary laser kit is compensated by its high accuracy and range, which gives you a lot more space to work with even in outdoor areas.
Check Price on Amazon ➞10. Johnson Level & Tool 40-6502 Rotary Laser Level
The 40-6502 is a durable and reliable rotary laser level tool that offers a high range and decent accuracy, all packed into a small and versatile body. It can be attached to almost any surface with a mounting bracket, connected to a standard tripod or even just placed on a flat surface, meaning that it is much more versatile than larger units. The easy-to-use settings and boxy, no-nonsense design also ensure that it won’t be over-complicated for new users, making it a great entry-level measuring tool.
The kit also comes with a carrying case to help you move it around, which uses padded foam to protect its important parts. You even get protective glasses to help you avoid sudden flashes of light from the beam.
This rotary laser level is a great “first-time” choice, using a very simple design that keeps it accessible without dumbing down its functionality or adjustment options.
Check Price on Amazon ➞Rotary Laser Level Buyer’s Guide
Buying a new rotary laser level isn’t quite the same as purchasing a lower-tech measuring tool, like a spirit level: there is a lot more to consider, and a lot of features that may or may not actually be useful to you in practice. This is especially true if you are buying one for the first time since it is very easy to assume that more features are always better. Just like any other complex tool, you will want to focus on your needs and requirements over your wants, especially if you are wanting the best results possible.
Accuracy
There is no point measuring something if it is going to be extremely inaccurate, so finding a decent level of accuracy should always be your first priority. Everything else is usually secondary – you can work around physical issues or range problems, but not severe accuracy issues that ruin your measurements completely. However, the “perfect” amount of accuracy will vary based on each project.
There is not really a laser system that’s 100% accurate all of the time, so it’d make sense to go for the highest accuracy, but that is not always the best idea. In many cases, you can get away with slightly lower accuracy, especially if you are measuring objects that are going to be very close to the laser. Accuracy gets worse with distance, so smaller areas rely on it less. On the other hand, if an area is really wide open and your rotary laser level has a long-range, accuracy will become very important as you get further away from it.
Keep in mind that not all accuracy scores and levels are checked in the same way, too. One laser level might say that it has a certain accuracy at a range of 30 meters, while others might count theirs at 15 meters instead. If you are not careful, this can throw you off, especially if you are only comparing the accuracy deviations themselves and not the ranges they are associated with.
Beam Adjustments
Another vital part of any laser level system is the laser itself. If you can’t see the beam or can’t adjust it to the right position, then it is not going to help you properly, and might even lead to more inaccuracy than usual. To avoid this, a lot of rotary laser level units offer adjustable settings, including rotation speed and vertical/horizontal angles.
Being able to switch between vertical and horizontal measurements makes it far easier to level out walls, tall objects and other items that need to be positioned in a certain way where height doesn’t matter. This could be furniture, temporary walls, decorations, reinforcements, or even just markers for future stages of a project. If this doesn’t work, you can sometimes attach a smaller laser system to a wall and use it that way, but this isn’t always an option.
Speed also matters. Adjusting the speed can change how visible a beam will become, but it can also result in increased power usage. The larger and brighter the beams are, the more energy they will use, this can cut down battery life significantly. The brighter the surrounding environment is, the brighter you will need to make the lasers to compensate, so having to work with a single pre-set beam intensity can be a problem sometimes.
Durability
Very few lasers are designed to work exclusively indoors or outdoors, and most of them are able to deal with both environments fairly well. However, this doesn’t mean that they are perfect for those situations. For example, when you are using a laser outdoors, you will ideally want weatherproofing, waterproofing, reinforced glass and extra stability. On the other hand, if you are primarily using it indoors, dust proofing, a durable exterior, and a magnetic base can be more important.
Raw durability is also really important, as with most construction tools. You never know when something can get bashed or bumped, especially if you are on a larger construction site, and even the smallest fall can cause damage to an unprotected laser level. The glass might shatter, or the lasers themselves might get knocked out of alignment – if you are really unlucky, the electrical components inside might even permanently break.
Self-Leveling
Self-leveling is an excellent feature that can speed up measurements significantly and has the added benefit of reducing inaccurate measurements caused by human errors or accidental nudges. While they can still have limits, it is often worth getting rotary laser levels with this feature over those that don’t have it. Some will have it as a toggleable option, whereas others will have it as the default setting: it depends on the model and manufacturer.
Technically, they are not actually more accurate, and can sometimes even be worse in terms of accuracy than a purely manual laser level. However, the fact that they can automatically compensate for bumps, uneven surfaces, and different weather conditions (and, in some cases, even the temperature of the current area) makes them much more likely to get correct measurements within their own margins of accuracy.
Expert Tip
Laser line detectors are a must-have if you are trying to keep track of measurements. Without them, a beam might seem almost invisible in most conditions – in some cases, you might even have to kick up dust or smoke just to see where the laser is shining.
Did you know?
Many rotary laser levels rely on rechargeable batteries, which often have a charger that is compatible with standard outlets. Make sure you always have a spare battery ready if you want to reduce downtime.