Find the right line laser

Three questions, one recommendation, and the reasons behind it. None of the answers leads to a product we do not have: where the range does not cover what you need, the page says so.

1 Where will you be working?

In daylight a laser line becomes invisible after a few metres. Outdoors, the detector decides.

2 Which projection do you need?

A cross is enough for a shelf or a splashback. The 360° planes cover the whole room from a single set-up, and the fourth one marks out a ceiling without moving the instrument.

3 Do you want to be able to add a detector?

The detector picks up the beam where the eye no longer sees it. It requires the instrument to have a pulse mode.

What we recommend

Outdoors the line disappears within a few metres in daylight: it is the detector that decides, not the instrument. The 16-line switches to pulse mode and reaches 50 m with the detector.

Self-levelling 4D laser level, 16 green lines, 360° — front view on a white background
Grid & GaugeSelf-levelling 4D laser level, 16 green lines, 360°
Number of lines
16
Configuration
4 × 360°
Beam colour
Green
£130.00 inc. VAT
6 to 8 d.

The detector is not a separate product: it is a choice in the box, ticked when you order. With pulse mode switched off on the instrument it finds nothing — that is not a fault.

A cross covers most indoor work: putting up a shelf, lining up pictures, setting a splashback, marking a height. It is the quickest model to get out, and the cheapest.

Self-levelling cross-line laser, 2 lines, green or red — front view on a white background
Grid & GaugeSelf-levelling cross-line laser, 2 lines, green or red
Number of lines
2
Configuration
Cross: 1 horizontal line, 1 vertical line
£52.00 inc. VAT
United Kingdom · 2 to 3 d.

Stated accuracy of ±3 mm at 10 m, a 110° fan on each axis, a swivelling magnetic base. The beam comes in green, easier to see, and in red, cheaper.

Four vertical planes mean a reference on every wall without moving the instrument. Over a whole room, that is the difference between a day and half a day.

Self-levelling 4D laser level, 16 green lines, 360° — front view on a white background
Grid & GaugeSelf-levelling 4D laser level, 16 green lines, 360°
Number of lines
16
Configuration
4 × 360°
Beam colour
Green
£130.00 inc. VAT
6 to 8 d.

Stated accuracy of ±1.5 mm at 5 m, self-levelling over ±3°, green beam. The fourth plane changes nothing about the accuracy, only the number of trips back and forth.

Three planes are enough for stud walls and tiling. If you want to be able to work outside now and then, the 12-line takes a detector in pulse mode.

Self-levelling 3D laser level, 12 green lines, 360° — front view on a white background
Grid & GaugeSelf-levelling 3D laser level, 12 green lines, 360°
Number of lines
12
Configuration
3 × 360°
Beam colour
Green
£104.00 inc. VAT
6 to 8 d.

Stated range up to 50 m with the detector, which is ticked in the box and is not sold on its own.

Three vertical planes and one horizontal cover stud walls, tiling and lining up furniture. Indoors the line shows by eye.

Self-levelling 3D laser level, 12 green lines, 360° — front view on a white background
Grid & GaugeSelf-levelling 3D laser level, 12 green lines, 360°
Number of lines
12
Configuration
3 × 360°
Beam colour
Green
£104.00 inc. VAT
6 to 8 d.

Self-levelling over ±3°, remote control included, IP54 rating. The detector can be added later: the instrument already has pulse mode.