A laser tape measure is an important tool for people in both construction and real estate industry making the measurement task become easier and faster. Because of their ease of use, both amateurs and professionals can use them alike.
The challenge comes in when you have to choose the best laser measure to buy from the many available today on the market.
So here is a quick guide to top rated laser measuring tools to help you make the right choice.
| Best Laser Measuring Tools in 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Leica DISTO E7500i
| Read My Review |
Top Quality | Leica DISTO X3
| Read My Review |
Compact | Leica DISTO D2
| Read My Review |
Long-range | Bosch GLM400C
| Read My Review |
Good Price | Bosch GLM 50 C
| Read My Review |
Best Budget | Bosch GLM 20
| Read My Review |
Best Laser Distance Meter Reviews of 2024
#1 - Leica DISTO E7500i - Best Laser Measure For Professionals
The Leica DISTO is rated as being easing and effortless to use for both indoor and outdoor distance measurements.
- It comes with high accuracy of about 1mm which is better than 1/16 inch common in many laser measures
- It is easy to use even if it is incorporated with complex functionalities
- The housing and keypad are well sealed against water and dust to make the product usable in different scenarios
- The laser measure drains a lot of power from the batteries meaning you have to change every few hours
The Leica Disto E7500i features a digital point finder display and 360-degree tilt sensors. This means that you get to take measurements that are impossible when using conventional distance meters.
The product seems to be ready to tackle future challenges since it comes with Bluetooth Smart 4.0 capability and additional attractive apps.
Considered as the best laser measuring tool for architects, the Leica Disto E7500i model is able to take measurements with the highest level accuracy of 1mm (better than 1/16 inch)
To help with outdoor measurements, this Leica laser measure displays crosshairs on screen to easily target the laser point.
#2 - Leica DISTO X3 - Top Quality Laser Measure For Construction
The Leica Disto X3 model is seen to be the perfect blend of functionality and precision for the laser measuring device. Most people in the engineering and construction industry would use it for accurate measurements.
- You can now easily calculate the vertical values by using the 360 tilt sensor
- The housing and keypad are made to be water and dust proof
- Its display is easy to read with 4 simple illuminated lines
- The laser is seen to become less visible in the sunlight after several feet
The Leica laser measure comes with a respectable 500-feet (150-meter) range and accuracy of 0.04 inches (1 mm).
To make it last longer, the sensitive elements of the product are covered with a solid rubber over molding and an additional reinforced housing.
Several drop tests have been made and they all show that the Leica Disto X3 laser measure can withstand the daily bumps when using at any workplace
The manufacturer made the laser measure to be dust and water proof so that you can use the Leica Disto X3 without worrying about having to clean it more often or it getting destroyed from water and dust particles.
#3 - Leica DISTO D2 Compact Indoor Laser Distance Measure
You no longer have to risk breaking a leg while balancing on a ladder just to measure the ceiling height. With Leica Disto D2 New, you will get to experience an easy way of taking measurements starting today.
- The laser measure has an ergonomic and comfortable grip that will keep it fit securely in the hand
- The Leica Disto D2 is made to be dust proof for easier use around busy construction sites
- It comes with an impressive 330-feet/100-meter measuring range
- Bluetooth for easy data transfer to free DISTO Sketch app
- Some people have faced a problem reading the fractions in the decimal mode. Most of the factions are barely visible
- The red dot is hard to see under daylight
The Leica DISTO D2 has an accuracy within 1/16 inch making sure that you will get the precise measurements from your laser measure better than using a tape measure.
The Leica laser measure also lets you crack the Pythagorean functions inbuilt in the system to quickly calculate the height and width of the room indirectly. Such a feature will also make it easy to get accurate measurements even for places that are hard to reach.
The unit can be used to take measurements from corners and edges all thanks to the unique flip-out end piece feature. Its laser dot is also visible clearly so that you can see the target point and make sure you get the right measurement.
The calculations and measurements are clearly displayed on the back-lit LCD easy-to-read display. The neatly arranged screen makes it easy to take measurements from it.
You can also store the measurements into the device memory for faster retrieval later on. Note that you can only retrieve the 10 most recent measurements.
#4 - Bosch GLM400C - Top Outdoor Laser Distance Measure
- It comes with more measurement modes for better analysis of measurements of a place
- The display is far easier to read and interpret
- It comes with a digital viewfinder that helps with fixing on long range and outdoor measurement
- More expensive than other laser measures
The Bosch GLM400C can measure distances of up to 400 feet (120 meters) with an impressive accuracy of 1/16 inch (1.5 mm). So far it has been rated as the most accurate outdoor laser measure on the market today.
With such a measuring range, it simply means the product is built for big jobs that require superior precision at all times.
The Bosch laser measure GLM400C comes with 11 measurement modes to choose from based on your needs at the moment. You can always choose the one you feel is appropriate based on the application.
Some new applications added include combined indirect modes, trapezoid, and double indirect modes. You can still find the hidden or hard-to-reach measurements using the Pythagorean Theorem to get the exact values.
#5 - Bosch GLM 50 C - Best Affordable Laser Measure With Bluetooth
- Accurate and easy to use
- Big digits and bright display
- It comes with plenty of measurement modes
- Convenient Bluetooth feature for transferring measurements to apps
- It is difficult to see the laser outside in bright sunlight
- Some people find the app is not useful
- Batteries drain quickly
Bosch is a quite known brand when it comes to delivering the best laser measure products. This Bluetooth laser measure does not disappoint at all when it comes to taking measurements.
The Bosch GLM 50 C comes with five modes that can be used to take measurements for various applications. The modes include length, area, continuous measurement, indirect length measurements and volume too.
The accuracy of 1/16 inch is within the acceptable limits of most people who would love to use the product. The automated backlit display delivers on better viewing of the measured distances whenever using the product.
#6 - Bosch GLM 20 - Simple Laser Measure For Homeowners
- It is compact in size and shape for easy portability
- It delivers a respectable range for its price
- It can be operated with one hand
- It has a lower accuracy for high precision applications
The Bosch GLM20 model is what you need for simple, but accurate measuring around the home.
For this model, it is made to be one-button operation laser measure. You will not find many buttons on the product that sometimes are just confusing.
With a range of 65 feet (20 meters), you can use this Bosch laser measure for different applications in a small area such as the basement or any other room in the house, for example, measuring wall before painting.
Having a square base makes it possible for the Bosch GLM 20 to stand on its own so that you can adjust the other tools without moving the laser measure.
#7 - Fluke 424D Professional Laser Distance Meter
The Fluke 424D is a professional-grade laser distance meter that provides a fast and much easier way of taking measurements in complex situations.
It comes with versatile features that save time and reduce errors, to make your daily measurement chores a breeze.
- It has a high accuracy of about 1mm with 330 feet (100 meters) measuring range
- Easy-to-read 4-line display with backlight
- Impressive battery life with improved environmental protection to ensure its durability
- It’s a little expensive
Fluke 424D is a compact and handy tool that is specially designed for both indoor and limited outdoor applications. With Fluke 424D, you don’t have to walk all over the job site to take measurements. It can measure a long distance of about 330 feet (100 meters) with greater accuracy of ±0.04 inch (1 mm).
It stores 20 measurements for quick recall and also features full Pythagoras function that makes height measurements a breeze.
You can determine the angle of a corner with is corner angle feature and also comes with an inbuilt compass and 180ᵒ inclination sensor for height tracking and leveling.
It has a big 4-line display, easy button operation, and improved environmental protection to enhance its durability. This means you can take it anywhere with you and easily take a measurement in any weather.
Fluke 424D laser distance meter has auto shut-off feature and can take an average of 5000 measurements without changing the batteries, making it a must-have for every professional contractor.
Read full Fluke 424D Laser Distance Meter review
#8 - Dewalt DW0165N - Durable Laser Distance Measurer
- It can survive falls from 3 feet (1 meter)
- It is made to be water and debris resistant to make it have more applications
- It has a large operating range of 165 feet (50 meters)
- The product’s accuracy should be improved as sometimes you have to recut to get it right
Coming from a brand such as DEWALT, it is a sure way of saying that the product will deliver on your expectations.
With the automatic calculations, you can be sure that it would be easy to get other distances indirectly without having to strain when taking measurements.
Having a large color display makes it so easy to improve on-screen visibility so that you can see the measurements in cases of dim or too bright conditions.
When buying the DEWALT DW0165N, you can be sure of getting a durable laser measure. The over-molded housing provides the durability that you would need in a construction tool. It can still be used even when it falls from a 3-foot height.
Which Is The Best Laser Measure To Buy?
To help you make an informed decision, I have classified the laser tape measures into three main categories namely:
- Home use laser measure: simple and inexpensive tools, mostly for indoor projects at home
- Mid-range laser measure: packed with various functions, best for general construction uses
- Hi-end laser measure: comes with modern measuring technology, especially for professionals
Best Laser Measure For Home Use
You are a homeowner working on a simple, small-scale remodeling project at home, but still want it to come out perfectly?
Now, have a look at this laser tape measure that is most recommended for home use:
- Bosch GLM 20 - Easy to Use Laser Measure For DIYers
Here are some of the things you should consider when choosing the best laser tape measure for home use:
- If you don't spend a lot of time working on a single project, you should choose an inexpensive laser tape measure with basic features.
- Choose the laser tape that is easy to use. The most suitable laser measures for home use do not come with many complicated features that might keep you working on them all day long for better configuration.
- For small-scale home improvement projects, you don't need a laser measure with very long range, choose the one with shorter distances will save you a lot of money.
Best Laser Measure For General Construction
How about when:
- You are a home user spending most of your free time on home improvement projects on a regular basis, or
- You are a professional who needs to perform fast and accurate measurements mostly indoors?
Then a laser measure which is more durable with better features than the basic ones will work best for you. That is when I came up with reviews on the best laser measure for construction.
Here are the best laser measuring tools that fall under this category:
- Leica DISTO D2 New
- Bosch GLM 50 C
- Bosch GLM400C
- Bosch GLM400C
My Pick-Up Criteria
To help you make a wise choice on which is the best laser measure to buy, I would like to share my criteria when choosing laser measurement tools for this category:
- The laser measures in this category should have a measurement range from 165 feet and above but not exceed 300 feet (which I call "mid-range" laser measures) so the laser measure can cover most construction projects yet they are affordable too
- The mid-range laser measures have superior features as compared to the home use models. Their functionality is also improved and can be used in many construction measurement works
- The mid-range laser tape measures are seen to be great for indoor uses. They can be used for outdoor applications, but they perform best under indoor conditions
With such features, these laser tape measures are ideal tools for tradesmen such as electricians, contractors, painters, masons, builders, appraisers and real estate brokers.
Which Mid-Range Laser Measure To Buy?
Each product mentioned above for mid-range use has its advantages and disadvantages.
For people looking for a product that can deliver on their needs better and with high precision, I recommend buying the Bosch GLM 50 C Bluetooth Enable Laser Distance Measure.
With features such as built-in inclinometer, you get to enjoy using the product with more precision and accuracy. It is not just that, this Bosch laser measure will store the last 30 measurements giving you a chance to refer to them if the need comes up.
Most people who have used would agree that its ergonomic design makes it feel comfortable in the pockets or hand.
Best Laser Measure For Professionals
Below are the top advanced laser distance meters for professionals:
- Leica DISTO E7500i - Most Advanced Laser Distance Measure
- Leica DISTO X3 - High Quality Laser Distance Meter
- Fluke 424D Laser Distance Meter
High-end laser measurers are often known to be more precise and accurate whenever they are used to deliver measurements. Many people who opt for such devices would not want to leave any margin for error.
Why Should You Buy A Hi-End Laser Measure?
Maybe you are considering whether you should buy a functional laser measure or a more advanced model. If yes, some of the reasons why you would want to buy the high-end models are:
- The long range exhibited by the high-end models is desired by many people in the construction industry. You will be able to take measurements over long ranges easily
- You will also get more advanced measurements modes integrated into the devices. Such modes could include trapezoid, stake out, multi-surface or even double indirect measuring. You might also get some of them being touch screen making them faster to operate
- These best laser measure tapes can be used for bothindoor and outdoor projects. You no longer have to buy different products to be used for indoor and outdoor conditions separately
- Their various features make the laser measures in this category to be ideal for different professions. Most people who use them are in engineering, real estate, contractors, HVAC and architecture. These are people who would not want to make any assumptions when it comes to accuracy.
Final Verdict
Right now you should be in a position to know about which laser measure to buy.
The factors you would always consider choosing the best laser measures are the laser range, accuracy, measurement modes, and durability among many others.
With many manufacturers always coming up with new models that can handle your needs, do not let yourself be easily confused with the many features, but make sure you focus on the important ones first.
Buy the best laser measuring tool today and enjoy getting accurate measurements at all times.
