The Best Levels

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Levels and hope the blog can help you.

We help you level the playing field on these accuracy-oriented tools and square away the best levels for any project on your to-do list.

In almost any home renovation, achieving the best results requires some type of level. Whether you’re trying to hang cabinets or determine how much slope is in a floor, having the best level on hand is key to a successful project.

Some projects won’t work well if they’re out of level or plumb (the vertical term for level). For instance: When hanging a new door in a rough opening, if the door jamb isn’t plumb, the door won’t shut correctly, or at all in some cases. Consider building a DIY workbench—if it’s not level, screws and tools might roll off the sides, which is a real nuisance and hindrance to workflow.

On just about any DIY build or repair—laying a deck, trimming table legs, hanging pictures, or painting stripes on an accent wall—starting with a level reference is the only way to achieve consistent and accurate results. There’s a perfect tool for each of these scenarios, and this guide will help you choose from among the best levels for your next project.

1. BEST OVERALL: Craftsman CMHT82347 48-Inch Box Beam Level
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Johnson 9-Inch Orange Structo-Cast Torpedo Level
3. UPGRADE PICK: Stabila Type 196 Complete Spirit Levels Kit
4. BEST DIGITAL: Klein Tools Digital Angle Gauge and Level
5. BEST 24-INCH: Irwin Tools 1050 Magnetic 24-Inch I-Beam Level
6. BEST 72-INCH: Swanson Tool 72-Inch Savage Professional Level
7. BEST FOR DIY: Goldblatt 3-Piece Torpedo Spirit Level Set
8. BEST POCKET LEVEL: Craftsman CMHT82390 9-Inch Box Torpedo Level
9. BEST LASER LEVEL: Bosch GLL55 Self-Leveling Cross-Line Red-Beam Laser

How We Chose the Best Levels

The huge variety of levels available can be confusing for those new to DIY projects. Names like spirit level, bubble level, or torpedo level don’t make things any easier. In putting together this collated selection, we wanted to both explain the differences (see below) and ensure there were solutions for all needs and budgets.

Accuracy is obviously a key issue, and we also discuss that in detail below. We included a wide variety of sizes to help shoppers choose the best level suitable for all tasks. We have recommended digital and laser levels that offer easy-to-read displays or project a nearly perfect beam for layout purposes. Durability and stability are important, particularly with jobsite tools, so we paid close attention to materials and construction. Magnetic levels can make life easier by offering hands-free use on ferrous surfaces, and that was another feature we looked at.

Our Top Picks

Levels come in a lot of varieties. From small pocket or torpedo levels to 6 footers, there’s a level for your project. Generally speaking, you want to choose the right length of level for a project’s size and needs. With this in mind, here are our top picks for the best levels.

Best Overall

Craftsman CMHT82347 48-Inch Box Beam Level

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When it comes to a level for all-around purposes, it’s tough to beat a 4 footer. This 48-inch level from Craftsman has all of the features needed in a quality level: sturdy construction, easy-to-read vials, and a light weight. The built-in grips are especially handy for hanging on a shop wall or carrying to a project site.

The aluminum construction is sturdy, so there is no need to worry about clamping it to use as a saw guide or straight edge. The plastic end caps help to reduce shock as well should this level ever fall. It’ll serve its purpose well for nearly any project, from hanging doors to framing or finishing work.

Product Specs

• Type: Box beam
• Material: Aluminum
• Magnetic: No

Pros

• Affordable all-around level with box-beam design for long-term stability and durability
• Lightweight aluminum construction with rubber end caps helps absorb shocks if dropped
• Continuous flat edge allows for full-length marking, or can be clamped as a saw guide

Cons

• There are very occasional complaints about accuracy, though transit damage is a possibility

Get the Craftsman 48-inch level at Amazon or Lowe’s.

Best Bang For The Buck

Johnson 9-Inch Orange Structo-Cast Torpedo Level

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Home decor DIYers likely will find that the Johnson 9-inch torpedo level is a great choice. Its compact size and low price require little in the way of storage or worry, and it’s ideal for a tool box or kitchen junk drawer. The tool can help level picture frames, hang shelves, or check any other projects for level. It features three vials, so you can check for that show level, plumb, and 45-degree angles without issue. It has a V-groove edge to rest on pipes, but it also can sit on curtain rods.

This level is all about value and convenience. It doesn’t have a magnet, but including a magnet would likely bump the price up slightly. Its bright orange color is easy to spot, no matter how cluttered that junk drawer gets.

Product Specs

• Type: Torpedo
• Material: High-impact plastic
• Magnetic: No

Pros

• Useful low-cost addition to a DIY tool box or the pocket of overalls or aprons
• Accuracy of 0.012 inch per foot is more than acceptable for shelf and picture hanging
• Made of impact-resistant plastic with a V-groove for pipes and conduits

Cons

• While problems are rare, there are a few reports of misaligned vials

Get the Johnson level at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart.

Upgrade Pick

Stabila Type 196 Complete Spirit Levels Kit

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Don’t let the Stabila kit’s professional appearance (and price tag) intimidate you. These levels are easy to use and offer a ton of value. This kit includes six levels: a 78-inch, 48-inch, 32-inch, 24-inch, and 16-inch, as well as a 10-inch torpedo. This variety offers the precise size of level needed for jobs from decks to doors to picture hanging. These highly engineered levels are incredibly accurate, regardless of orientation (vials up or down). As expected from a high-end set of levels, they have shock-absorbing rubber caps to protect the investment if they should ever drop. The levels come in a handy carrying case for keeping everything together.

Not everyone needs a set like this. It truly is an upgrade situation. If you’re OK with fewer levels or a little less accuracy, you can go with a far less expensive set.

Product Specs

• Type: Box beam and torpedo
• Material: Aluminum
• Magnetic: 10-inch torpedo only

Pros

• Comprehensive set of professional-quality tools from one of the industry’s leading brands
• Highly transparent, hard-wearing acrylic glass vials have special frame to ensure long-term accuracy
• Features comfortable hand grips, protective rubber end caps, and travel/storage case

Cons

• Complaints are virtually unknown, but the price could be beyond many DIYers

Get the Stabila level kit at Amazon.

Best Digital

Klein Tools Digital Angle Gauge and Level

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There’s a lot to like about the Klein Tools digital level. It not only gives quick, accurate readings of level and plumb, it also can be used to measure angles and has a zero reset to check relative angles. The tough plastic body is drop tested to a height of 6 feet 6 inches and features dust and water resistance to the independent IP42 standard.

One of the big advantages with most digital levels is a clear, easy-to-read display. The Klein Tools model registers in 0.1-degree increments and auto rotates so it can be read at any angle without straining the neck. Rare earth magnets in the base lock it to ferrous metal surfaces, and there are V-grooves for leveling pipework. It’s also nice to find that the two AAA batteries required are included, as is a soft case.

Product Specs

• Type: Digital
• Material: Plastic
• Magnetic: Yes

Pros

• High-quality, multifunction digital level can also measure and set angles
• Tough case is water- and dust-resistant and has a 6-foot 6-inch drop-protection rating
• Clear LCD display auto rotates for easy viewing at different angles

Cons

• Customer satisfaction is generally very high but a few have reported screen failures

Get the Klein Tools level at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Acme Tools.

Best 24-Inch

Irwin Tools 1050 Magnetic 24-Inch I-Beam Level

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Sometimes a manufacturer comes up with features that just make sense, and that’s what Irwin Tools has done with this 24-inch level. Two of the vials are preset for level and plumb, while the third rotates to show the user either the angle they are looking for or how a workpiece is out of level. This aluminum level includes a magnet and V-groove for leveling pipes—great for plumbing projects, especially when used with the rotating vial.

This is an I-beam-style level instead of a box, which means its body is I-shaped. The I-beam design is fine for general leveling uses, but it can be challenging to clamp if you’re using it as a straight edge.

Product Specs

• Type: I-beam
• Material: Aluminum
• Magnetic: Yes

Pros

• I-beam construction is lightweight, durable, and resistant to distortion
• Has the usual vials for level and plumb, plus a clever rotating vial for angles
• Full-length magnet and V-groove provide dependable performance on different surfaces

Cons

• Faults aren’t common, but there have been problems with center vial accuracy

Get the Irwin Tools level at Amazon or Acme Tools.

Best 72-Inch

Swanson Tool 72-Inch Savage Professional Level

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The most common use for a 72-inch level is plumbing door jambs, both in new construction and renovations. In projects where a finished floor is already in place, it is important to protect it as much as possible. Swanson’s gel end caps do just that by keeping a soft surface between this aluminum level and the finished floor. They also provide excellent shock absorption, maintaining the level’s accuracy for a long time. The level features three vials for quick reference and a V-groove for sitting on pipes or curtain and closet rods. Another nice feature is that this level has 2- and 4-degree markings for tradespeople who need to keep an eye on drainage.

If this level could do with one improvement, it would be a more substantial or magnified center vial. At 72 inches, there’s plenty of room for a little more material around the vial. Otherwise, this is an excellent level.

Product Specs

• Type: Box beam
• Material: Aluminum
• Magnetic: Yes (nonmagnetic also available)

Pros

• Pro-grade level with heavy-duty box-beam construction to ensure rigidity
• Supershock gel end caps protect the level and bumpers eliminate marring on surfaces
• Has 2- and 4-degree markings for drainage work where a slight slope is necessary

Cons

• It’s a lot of money, and vial faults are not unknown

Get the Swanson Tool level at Amazon.

Best For DIY

Goldblatt 3-Piece Torpedo Spirit Level Set

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If the Stabila kit includes pro-level variety and investment, this set from Goldblatt covers the average DIYer’s needs without the upgraded price tag. It includes 48-inch and 24-inch levels, plus a 9-inch torpedo level—all featuring aluminum construction. Each has three vials, and the 48-inch and 24-inch box-beam levels both have shock-resistant end caps and hand grips. The torpedo contains a level, plumb, 45-degree window, built-in magnet, and an integrated light that runs on two AAA batteries.

The only problem with this kit is that the 48- and 24-inch levels don’t have 45-degree vials. Not all levels do (the more expensive Stabilas don’t, for example), so it’s not necessarily expected. It might be an improvement, particularly for the 24-inch level.

Product Specs

• Type: Box beam and torpedo
• Material: Aluminum
• Magnetic: Torpedo only

Pros

• An affordable set that provides levels for every task around the house and yard
• Interesting patented design allows you to read vials from the side or front
• Torpedo level includes useful scale in inches and metric, plus a night light

Cons

• No 45-degree vials on 24- or 48-inch levels, and a few reports of inaccuracies

Get the Goldblatt level set at Amazon.

Best Pocket Level

Craftsman CMHT82390 9-Inch Box Torpedo Level

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This 9-inch Craftsman torpedo level has t