DEWALT Line Laser, Self-Leveling, Cross Line, Red Beam (DW088K)

Why it's worth it

The DW088K is a self-leveling cross-line laser that sticks to metal, shrugs off dust and splashes, and holds about 1/8-inch accuracy at 30 feet. That covers shelves, backsplashes, chair rail, and cabinet runs in a normal house, which is most of what you'll ever ask a laser to do.

The magnetic bracket is the reason you'll actually use it. DEWALT builds a patented magnetic mount into the tool, so it grabs a steel door frame, an HVAC register, or stud track and stays put. You skip the tripod for most indoor jobs. That matters more than it sounds: a laser that takes ten seconds to set up gets used for a two-shelf project, and one that needs a tripod gets left in the case.

It's built for the way tools actually get treated. The over-molded housing carries a 1-meter drop rating, so a knock off a ladder step isn't automatically a trip to recalibration. The IP54 rating covers dust and splashes from any direction, which is what you want near a wet-cut tile saw, in a dusty garage, or during a bathroom remodel. It ships in a hard case, and that case is what keeps it accurate over years.

From our review of 7 laser levels for diy home projects, by David Sinclair, Managing Editor

What we like

• +The magnetic bracket is the reason you'll actually use it
• +It's built for the way tools actually get treated
• +The accuracy is more than a home project needs
• +When it can't level itself, it says so

What to know

• –The red beam fades before the tool runs out of range
• –There's no green version of this model, and no included detector