Related Articles
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Laser measurers are so much easier and more practical to use than tape measures. With just a couple clicks, you can usually measure the entire square footage of a room, plus do things like project an even line to hang pictures, mirrors, or anything else on your walls. Here’s your guide to buying the right one for your situation.
How to Pick the Best Laser Measurement Tool
Keep things like length, durability, and battery when shopping for a laser measurement tool.
Length: Consider where you’ll be using this mostly. For the average home and workshop, a 100-foot range is going to be plenty. But for a large construction site, you’ll need to go big, and make sure it’s a model with proven pinpoint accuracy. Some even still take accurate measurements if you’re walking around, or if there’s an object obstructing the beam.
Durability: Since this will be in toolboxes and work sites, most are designed to be pretty tough. Reviewing if it’s rated on the IP (Ingress Protection) scale is a good indicator of what it can stand up to. For example, an IP65-rated product can withstand dust, dirt, mud, heat, and even being submerged in water.
Battery: This one’s extra important if you’re using it on a job site, since having a battery die mid-project isn’t very reliable. A Lithium-ion battery that’s rechargeable via USB lasts longer than AAs or AAAs, plus are more cost-effective, and less of a constant headache to replace. Their biggest advantage is when you’re working outdoors or far from a power source.
Extras: Other included features can be a big boost too, so you won’t need to grab something else out of your toolbox. For example, some laser measurement tools also do line level readings, emitting a sound when it’s set at the perfect angle. A memory feature is also helpful for recording dimensions of a worksite, and Bluetooth can let you send info to your colleagues for increased efficiency, along with sending to your other devices. Measuring elevation and height can be handy for working on uneven terrain.
The Best Laser Measurement Tools
After testing products ourselves, we rated our favorite tools for home and work below.
