Even if youโre not a professional tradesman, the chances are youโve probably used a traditional spirit levelย around the house. Have you ever wondered how builders make things level when the two points of interest are far apart, the ground is uneven, and there is no surface on which to set the level? A little modern technologyโin the form of lasersโhas augmented the old method and allows us to quickly find elevations between distant points and make the foundation level even if the ground is not. The tool for the job is the rotary laser, and this is our handy guide to choosing the right one.
Editorโs Note: Check out our best laser levels article to get our top recommendations.
Essential Features to Look for When Choosing a Rotary Laser
Self Leveling
Rotary lasers have two main components. A transmitter, typically mounted on a tripod, with a spinning diode that emits a laser beam and a receiver, mounted on a large ruler called a transitโor gradeโrod. This detects the laser and indicates whether itโs higher than, lower than, or level with the beam.
Ironically, less expensive transmitters may have bubble levels, as they must be leveled before sending out the laser themselves. But higher-end transmitters are self-leveling within 4 or 5 degrees. While this isย technicallyย optional, it isnโt in our book. We wonโt use one that doesnโt have this feature.
Accuracy
Rotary laser levels are measured by how accurate they are at a certain distance, with some measured at around 30 feet to as much as 100 feet. As you might imagine, the tolerance tightens up as the price point rises. When choosing a rotary laser, youโll find that most have around 1/8-inch accuracy at 100 feet, while high-end models, such as our DeWalt DW079LG, dial it in to 1/16-inch accuracy.
Range
Increasing theย range also increases the price, but youโll typically find a distance between 1,000 and 2,000 feet. Keep in mind that the further the range, the more important the accuracy. If youโll be shooting elevations at points far away from one another, not only will you need a rotary level with a long range, but also a high degree of accuracy.
Durability
Needless to say, jobsites are harsh environments where crewmembers tip over and otherwise damage sensitive equipment. ย But since the spinning diode of a rotary laser levelโs transmitter is delicate, itโs even more important to keep it protected from danger. Be sure you choose a rotary laser level with some built-in defense, like rubber bumpers or arms/handles for shock absorption.
If it takes a lot of abuse, youโll want to get it back to a service center for recalibration at least once a year.
Rotational Speed
Youโll also want to consider whether youโll use the rotary laser level indoors as well when deciding if the variable rotational speed is important. Variable speed might seem like a strange option, as it seems the laser should spin quickly enough to detect at all points around the circle easily. But it turns out that while high speeds allow the receiver to more easily detect the laser, slower speeds make the laser more visible. You wonโt likely see the laser outside, after all, thatโs what the receiver is for, but visibility is important indoors, where you wonโt use a receiver.
A Few Good Options that Arenโt as Critical
Rechargeable Batteries
When youโre choosing a rotary laser, features make a difference. After all, this isnโt a $50 drill. One of our must-have features is a rechargeable battery system. We love the fact that our DeWalt Green Tough Rotary Laser is a 20V Max tool โ so we have plenty of other tools and batteries on the system. Weโre not discarding alkaline batteries, and weโre not limited to a single battery platform with only a handful of tools.
Color
You probably think of a red beam when youโre choosing a rotary laser, but over the last few years, the green laser got a photon the door (terrible joke alert!) because it offers a few advantages. Green lasers are much more visible to our eyes than red lasers, making them better tools for indoor applications while also giving us a shot at seeing them outside within reason.ย It still has its limits, though, and youโll need your receiver beyond a handful of yards in bright sun.
Editorโs note: Adamโs pretty snarky and full of good humor, butย photon the door? Really? Thatโs pretty rough. Youโre going to end up babysitting David C. Smith if you donโt reign it back in.
Green lasers do have their drawbacks, however. They donโt work in freezing temperatures, they are more expensive than red lasers, and theyโre more power-hungry. Since itโs less likely that youโll be using a green laser outside in freezing temperatures, that might not be a big drawback, but a higher price point might be. But once you see the remarkable visibility of the green versus red, you might very well go green.
Adjustable Rotation Angle
Whether youโre using your laser indoors or out, limiting the diodeโs rotation angle can keep the laser on target more frequently. Inside, you keep it visible on your workspace. Outside, you keep it on your receiver more and limit the laser beam from reaching a coworkerโs eye behind you. Our DeWalt rotary laser gives us options of 15, 45, and 90 degrees.
Mounting Accessories
Most Pros have their rotary laser on a tripod or freestanding. But mounting accessories can make life easier. Many of these will be equipped with the laser and include helpful mounts that can clamp onto any material or magnetically adhere to steel beams.
The Bottom Line
So, how do you go about choosing a rotary laser level?
Most critical are range, accuracy, and durability in that order. We wonโt leave the shop without a self-leveling model, and an adjustable rotation speed is a must if you plan to use it indoors. Green lasers will also net you a greater visible range than red, but either color is fine for outdoor applications when youโre unlikely to see the beam.
From there, youโve got some wiggle room if your budget allows. We really prefer a rechargeable battery and adjustable rotation angle in case we need to keep the laser dialed into a smaller area. Additionally, take a look at the accessories included with the kit. A magnetic, clamping, or keyhole mount can make life easier when youโre unable to use a tripod.
