The 7 Best Laser Level For Hanging Pictures – Reviews 2019
In bygone days a spirit level was an essential item in any decorator’s toolkit. Nowadays he will have a laser level. An amazingly large number of such units are available on the market to cover different purposes. In this article we are considering the best laser level for hanging pictures.
Even for this specific task there are quite a lot of options. Some will have extra features like being able to cover 360 degrees or being able to detect live wiring hidden from view behind a wall’s plaster. Let’s start off by looking at some of the popular laser levels that are available.
7 Best Laser Levels For Hanging Pictures 2019 Review
1. Qooltek Multipurpose Laser Level laser measure Line 8ft+ Measure Tape Ruler Adjusted Standard
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Principally designed for indoor use, the Qooltek laser level has not one, but three, leveling bubbles for horizontal, vertical of 45 degree angles.
It also has an 8ft tape attached to it which could prove a really handy idea.
Another nice feature is that a small tripod is included in the kit when you make the purchase. The laser level screws conveniently into this leaving both hands free.
The product is very compact and weighs less than 7ounces. It is great for hanging pictures and wall paper, but also for laying flooring and building shelving units. It is a great allrounder.
2. Tacklife SC-L01 - 50 Feet Laser Level Self-Leveling Horizontal and Vertical Cross-Line Laser
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Also designed principally for indoor use the Tacklife SC-L01, can project onto either vertical or horizontal surfaces.
It has two modes in one it projects lines against which one can adjust the positioning of a picture. On the other it flashes until the level point is reached.
Although a tripod is not included in the kit with the purchase, it is designed to be able to attach to one.
What is included is a small magnetic clip to which it can also attach, and which can in turn attach to shelving or other suitable furniture.
A soft carrying case is included to protect the laser level when being transported. Weight of the laser level is 1.3 lbs.
3. Black & Decker BDL220S Laser Level
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The Black and Decker BDL220S is a pretty basic laser level at a very economical price. It none the less has two bubble vials to make it easy to read in different situations.
The Black and Decker BDL220S has a 360 degree rotating wall attachment that makes it possible to project the laser at any level. You need to nail the attachment to the wall.
Intended for indoor use, it is a great aid for correct hanging of pictures and mirrors even in awkward situations such as along stairs. The BDL 220S weighs 8 ounces making it very lightweight and usable.
4. Black & Decker BDL190S BullsEye Auto-Leveling Interior Line Laser with Stud Sensor
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The Black & Decker provides two tools in the one unit. As well as being able to project a laser to enable you to hang pictures straight.
It also has a stud sensor which detects the presence of materials such as wood and also the presence of live wires behind a wall’s surface. This seems a very useful feature indeed.
The Black & Decker is designed for horizontal use only and intended for indoors. The special feature is the stud sensor.
No extras other than batteries are included, however the plastic case in which the unit is packed can be reused as a storage case. Weight of the product is 2.4 lbs.
5. Bosch GLL 1P Combination Point and Line Laser Level
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The Bosch projects a clear and easy to see single line. The laser level can be swiveled to project either horizontally or vertically or even at an angle and reach in excess of 60 feet.
The versatile mount that is included with the purchase of this unit can be mounted on a tripod or wall mounted or simply placed to rest on a flat surface, while an easy to hold handle makes carrying and moving easy.
Two built-in bubble vials facilitate accurate leveling and a one button operation makes activating the product simple. Weight of the unit is 8.8 ounces.
6. Huepar Green Laser Level DIY - Mute Cross Line Laser Self-Leveling 9011G 98 Ft Cross Green Beam Laser
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The Huepar outputs a Green laser. This is two times more powerful than the usual orange laser which makes it accurate even in the sunlight so that it is suitable for outdoor use as well as indoor.
It also projects from a greater distance – 100 feet with an accuracy of +/- 1/9 of an inch.
This is two or more times the distance to which many other laser levels project.
A special feature is a self-leveling mechanism that allows you to place on an inclined surface of 4 degrees. If the incline is more than 4 degrees, it will flash to warn you that you have exceeded tolerance levels. It comes with a clip on which you can rotate the laser level a full 360 degrees.
7. Firecore Self-Leveling Horizontal/Vertical Cross-Line Laser Level with Magnetic Bracket
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The Firecore has two laser tubes so as to be able to project both horizontal and vertical lines.
It is one of the laser levels that has a 4 degree tolerance level for inclined surfaces and will self-adjust up to that amount of incline. Beyond that it will flash to indicate that the incline is too steep.
The Firecore can be attached to a tripod, but there is also a magnetic bracket that comes with the kit and this can be attached to all sorts of items of metal furniture.
The self-leveling mechanism can be switched off so that the laser level can project to an angle as well as horizontal and vertical. Weight of the unit is 10.6 ounces.
Quick Buying Tips
Where and how will you mount your laser level? If picture hanging is all that you require from your laser level, every single model that we have just reviewed will do the job. However, you might consider the environment in which you will be using it.
Is there a suitable metal surface to which to attach a magnetic holder? Are you ok with mounting a different type of holder on the wall? Is it convenient to use a tripod and if it is do you already own one? One of the laser levels we reviewed (the the Qooltek Multipurpose) actually came with a small tripod.
Would an extra such as a stud sensor be a useful feature for you? If you are drilling into the wall to add new fixings do you know where the electrical wiring runs behind the wall If not, you might find the Black & Decker BDL190S rather appealing for the stud sensor that it contains. It senses where live electric current is running.
Could you usefully use a laser lever for more than just picture hanging? Although picture-hanging in your home might be the prompt for your looking into laser levels, you might ask yourself if there are other uses to which you could usefully put a laser level.
Perhaps you could benefit from a more powerful laser that can be used under sunlight outdoors. In such a case you might be drawn to the Huepar Green Laser Level.
Do you need only horizontal lines to be projected or would it be useful to have vertical lines also? And are there situations where it would be useful to have diagonal lines even?
Some laser levels will only project horizontal lines which are fine for running along the top of a picture that is being hung, but perhaps a better solution is to have a vertical axis projected as well as horizontal? And what about aligning different pictures in a room? A diagonal line might also be a useful facility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Level
If you are considering a laser level for the first time, you might have a number of questions running though your mind. Here are some that you might typically be asking yourself:
Question: What exactly is a laser level?
Answer: A laser level replaces the manual spirit level of old by projecting a laser produced line onto your wall.
Question: How does a self leveling laser work?
Answer: Different mechanisms can be involved, but the most popular is a pendulum mechanism that floats freely in response to gravitational pull.
Question: How do you use a laser level?
Answer: In a nutshell, mount or rest your laser level unit. Set the bubble vial to as near level as possible and switch on the automatic self leveler if you have one, set your height and project your laser beam(s).
Question: And the biggie – How do you use a leveler to hang pictures?
Answer: Unlike manual spirit levels which you hold in your hand, laser levels are mounted on a tripod or rested on a flat surface which means that both hands are left free to drill into the wall, insert your fixings and align your picture.
In the first instance make sure that your beam is going to be exactly horizontal. Use the bubble vial to find the right level and refine with the self-leveling if you have one.
You need to decide on the height of the top of your picture frame. Pencil a mark on the wall at that height and set your laser level to project to your mark. If you have a unit that can project a vertical line also, it makes life easier.
Drill your hole for the fixing according to the line that is projected. Insert the fixing and hang your picture. Adjust the picture to align with the horizontal laser beam that is projected onto the wall. An additional vertical line can be helpful so that you can fit your picture against the two axes.
If you have no idea where underlying electrical wiring is situated, it is a good idea to have a stud sensor that can identify this so as to avoid drilling in to it.
Final Note
The best laser levels for hanging pictures will depend on whether you simply want a horizontal line to guide you in your picture hanging or whether you could benefit from the extra refinements we have discussed that are provided by many of the laser levels.
Stud sensor options, methods of setting your laser level in place, self-leveling mechanisms, multiple beams to project vertical as well as horizontal lines all seem useful facilities to consider when making your purchase.
What is actually included in the kit and the price are also important considerations. One thing that is for sure is that a laser level now makes it easy to hang a picture on your own without the help of another person.
