Just 60 years ago the biggest measuring tape was 600 feet in length, and it should’ve been carried by several grown men. And now you can just put such a thing in your pocket. And it has a laser (which is always a plus). But laser measurers can cost you a house if they are not precise.
To come up with the list of 7 best laser measuring tools, we’ve tested over 20 items. For the most impressive results we praise Bosch GLM 50 C. We’ve considered all the important features the measuring tools should have, that includes accuracy rate over distance – you’ll find that all of our chosen devices can vouch for clear results. If you need to put numbers in your phone – we’ve picked tools with Bluetooth connection. Read on to choose the best!
This just might be the best laser measuring tool overall on the market today. There is just so much to like about this device. First off, let’s take a look at the display. It is bright, large, and easy to read, unlike lots of laser measuring tools. Not only that, but it is also very simple to use. There are not a ton of buttons to memorize, as the designers for this tool tried to keep things as simple as possible.
That is not to say, however, that it is just a basic tool. On the contrary, this tool has just as many, if not more, different measuring modes as any other tool on the market. It also has one of the largest memories out there as well, as it can store up to and including 30 different measurements. This large memory will be a big help if you want to use this tool to complete larger projects, since the range is on the shorter side.
You also have the option of connecting this tool to your Bluetooth capable devices. This will allow you to save all of your measurements quickly and easily. The battery life of the device is also hard to beat, as it can last up to 10,000 measurements before it needs to be recharged.
More features: Bluetooth, 3-year limited warranty
DEWALT has long been known for making user-friendly products. This laser measuring tool is no different. It has intuitive menu, which allows you to switch between multiple functions and modes. This, along with its high-quality construction, makes it a highly useful tool, which is perfect for any job site. Even though this device has a high reliability level, it also comes with one of the longest warranties on the market, making it a great value.
The range of this tool is relatively large, which makes it great for lots of different applications. It comes loaded with several different modes, though they are definitely on the more basic side. This makes it better suited for the homeowner than the professional. The controls are also really straightforward, though the display is a little on the small side. Apart from that, the unit has a Bluetooth function, which can be quite convenient.
The biggest downside for this device is the fact that it has a relatively small buttons. You can click the wrong one easily, so you will have to return to the previous menu if this happens.
More features: intuitive back-lit LCD display, Bluetooth compatible, variable timer, 2-year warranty
Out of all of the different models that we checked out, this one had the longest range. It can provide accurate measurements up to and including 330 feet! To put this into perspective, this is about three times as much as most other laser tools! If you are looking to get quick and accurate measurements for really large spaces, then this might be a great choice.
This is also a very small and portable device. This, of course, is good on the one hand, but then a bit of a bother on the other. To start with, its portability makes it easier to keep close no matter where you have to go on a job site or in your home, which greatly increases the chances you’ll use the device. The downside of this smaller frame, however, is that the display, which is nice and bright, is a bit busy. It can sometimes be hard to read the information correctly, especially if you look at it quickly.
Luckily, this tool is Bluetooth capable and has a ten measurement memory. This makes it easier for you to keep track of your measurements while you are working, no matter if you keep them on the device itself, or on your attached tablet, phone, or computer.
More features: backlit display, 2-year warranty
If you are in the market for an easy to use, straightforward, and basic laser measuring tool, then this offering from Bosch might be right up your alley. It can only do the most basic of measurements, but if all you need is distance and area, then it is the perfect device. This tool is nice and small, making it perfectly portable.
The range on this device is not as large as some others, but it is still highly accurate up to 120ft. In fact, its accuracy of ± 1/16 in. is completely in line with even some of the most expensive models out there. That means that, as long as you are within its range, it will give you the same measurements of fancier tools, at a much lower price!
One thing that could be a bit of a problem is its lack of memory. Unlike all of the other models that we reviewed, this laser measuring tool will not save ANY of your measurements. This means that you need to be sure to write down each measurement right after you have taken it, or you will lose it. While this is less than ideal, if you are only going to be doing basic measurement every once in a while, it shouldn’t be too big of a deal.
More features: up to 25,000 measurements per charge, backlit display, 2-year warranty
Here we have another entry from Bosch, and you as you might’ve guessed, it is another great one. This laser tool has a nice long range of 265 ft. This is not the largest range available, but it is certainly not the shortest either. This device is very easy to use, mostly because it has a very clear, albeit small, display. This display shows the past four measurements that you have taken, and the device can store up to 20. This, when combined with its larger than average range, makes it ideal for bigger projects.
This is also, thankfully, a super portable device. Even though it has a long battery life that should give you around 25,000 measurements per charge, it is not oversized and bulky. This makes it the perfect companion on the job site or at home. If you do intend to use it outside, just be careful of dust and water, as the IP rating is a bit on the low side, which means its performance might suffer under adverse working conditions.
More features: backlit display, 2-year warranty
Don’t let the small overall size and short memory span fool you; this is still a high-quality laser measuring tool that would be perfect for a homeowner or a contractor. First of all, it is highly accurate out to about 165 feet, which, while not the largest range out there, is nice and big. This range will allow you to easily measure pretty much everything except for the largest distances/spaces.
One of the nicest features of this device has to be the display. While it is relatively small, it is super simple to read. Whenever you take a measurement, it is completely clear. The memory for this device is also on the small side, as it can only store up to three measurements at a time. What is really nice about this, however, is that all three measurements are displayed together on the screen at the same time.
Another positive feature of this device is that, due to its small display and size, it has nice long battery life. Odds are, you probably won’t need to use these tools all day, every day. A tool with a long battery life makes it more likely that when you do get to use it, that it will be ready to go, which in turn will save you tons of time on your project.
More features: large LCD backlit display, auto shutoff, time-delayed, and continuous measurement
The Enan Laser Measurement Tool is another top-tier option to make it onto our list, and there are a couple of reasons for this. For one, it’s useful both in commercial and residential settings. This is partly due to the measuring chip with a range of between 2 inches and 200 feet. Also, the readings from the machine are accurate to ± 1/16 in.
Another thing to get excited about is the measurement modes included. You can find out the area, indirect measurements, volume, and about four other measurement units with the push of a button. That said, if what previous users said is to be believed, the machine is elaborate and complicated to use.
When tackling professional jobs, it’s obvious that lighting conditions will vary from day to day. You might find yourself having to work with the harsh sun in your face. Admittedly, this does make some laser measuring tools tricky to use since you can barely see the screen.
However, the case is different when using this machine. It comes with an incredibly well-lit LCD display, and what’s more, the laser is also visible day and night. Also, you won’t need to buy anything else, at least for a few weeks after purchasing this measuring tool. You are given batteries, a wrist strap, nylon holsters, and all other accessories you might need when you first start using the machine.
As you might have guessed, there is a lot to think about before you can find the best laser measuring tool for your needs. In this section, we will go over everything you need to know to find the tool that will work best for you.
The range of a laser tool describes how far it can reach and still give you an accurate measurement. The bare minimum for a good laser tool would be about 100 feet. For most small jobs, especially if you are just a homeowner who is sick of using a tape measure or ruler, this will be plenty of range.
If, however, you are a general contractor who regularly works on a much larger scale, you will want to get a tool that has a much longer range. Otherwise, the tool won’t be all that helpful. The largest range available is upwards of 300 feet.
Obviously, no matter the size of your job, you want your measurements to be as accurate as possible. That is why you should always be willing to spend the extra money to get a tool that has a better accuracy rating. Otherwise, why even get the tool?
A laser measuring tool’s accuracy can be affected by several different factors. They will be less accurate at their range limit and under less than ideal conditions. For instance, on hot and humid days, the beam can run into interference from all of the water vapor in the air. Though of course, some models work better in these conditions than others.
The other great benefit of using a laser measure rather than a standard tool is that a laser measure can be used in lots of different modes. These different modes make it easier to measure not just in a straight line, but in a variety of ways.
So how many different modes do you need? Well, it all depends on what type of work you intend to be doing. If you only need straight line measurements, then one or two additional modes are more of a bonus. If, however, you need to measure distance, volume, area, circumference, and any other types of spatial reasoning, then the more modes your tool can do, the better off you will be.
With more modes, comes more controls. The fewer modes that a tool has, the simpler it is to operate. If you are sure that you don’t need all sorts of fancy modes, then opt for a simpler model so that you can use the tool quickly and easily without having to figure out exactly what you are looking for.
If, however, you do need all the different measurement modes out there, then be sure to get a tool with an easy to read display, and clear directions. That way, you’ll be able to get your tool up and running without a whole headache.
The display from a laser measuring tool should be clear to read. That doesn’t just mean you should be able to see the numbers. Instead, you need to look for a device that clearly labels whatever information is being displayed.
For instance, you should know what mode you are in at all times, and what each type of measurement on display means. Otherwise, you’ll have a hard time reading the display, which could lead to measurements that are way off.
All laser measurement tools are graded on a rating scale that is used to describe two different factors that would have a negative effect on how well the tool works. The first digit, which is on a scale from 1 to 7, describes how tightly the device is sealed against dust. The higher the number, the greater the resistance.
The second digit in the rating scale describes how water resistant your device will be. This is rated on a scale from 1 to 9, with one being the least resistant to moisture and nine is completely watertight. Depending on the type of application you intend to use your tool in, you need to be sure that you get a model that will stand up to the conditions.
The amount of measurement memory that you need in your device largely hinges on how many different measurements you are going to be taking in a given period. Most laser tools come with a memory of about five measurements. This will be plenty for the home handyman, as you probably won’t take more than this many measurements at any given time.
If, however, you are a general contractor, then you might want to spend a bit more money and get a device that has a larger memory. That way, you can get all of the measurements that you need in one fell swoop, which will save you lots of time.
Now, you might be thinking, why would I need this tool to be compatible with Bluetooth? Isn’t that just for music? Not at all! Bluetooth capability is a great feature in a laser measure, though it does tack on a bit of cost.
Basically, the way that it works is that if you have a tool that can connect to a Bluetooth capable device, like a tablet, phone, or computer, then you will be able to put your measurements right into those devices. This cuts down on the need for excessive memory and helps to keep your measurements and projects organized.
Depending on the rating of your device for dust and water, you might be able to use it pretty much anywhere, including the outdoors. With a high enough rating, you won’t need to worry about the elements ruining your laser tool.
However, you also need to make sure that the tool is powerful enough to be used outdoors. Unlike an indoor setting, the outdoors will throw in a list of variables that might mess up your laser. More powerful and advanced lasers can power through this interference, while cheaper and less powerful ones will struggle.
Laser measuring tools help to make it possible to get quick and accurate measurements for your projects. If you really want to make sure you are getting the best one available, then pay close attention to the range, memory, display, and measurement modes. That way, you can guarantee that you truly will be getting the best laser measuring tool for your needs.
