A rotating laser level should make your working life easier. But buying a new rotating laser level can be a daunting task. Knowing which one will provide you with the capabilities you need to do your job right is only the first hurdle. You then want to know if it is sturdy, will the batteries last throughout the day. Is it accurate. Does it have the range to cover the whole site. What happens if it rains.
And then there is the price too.
Worry no more. I will run through with you some of the best rotating laser levels currently available. These are the laser levels that I would choose to use on the site that I work on. Sites where level accuracy is key to success.
And more critically how to avoid costly levelling mistakes when using laser levels that are wrong. It is a horrible feeling finding out that the laser level you are using is not giving you the right levels. Read on this site about when laser levels are wrong.
This is my list of the best rotating laser levels of 2022 for general site construction use. I have been using rotating laser levels on construction sites for well over 15 years and so my list of the best rotating laser levels is based on my experience using them.
If a rotating laser level is not on this list, then either I haven’t used it, or it is not good enough to recommend.
Best Rotating Laser Levels Ranked.
Topcon RL-H5A
Leica Rugby 620
Spectra Precision LL300S
GeoMax Zone 20H
What are the selection criteria for these Rotating Laser Levels?
For any of the rotating laser levels to be selected for inclusion on this best rotating laser level list they must have certain attributes. In addition to have been used on site for construction works by myself.
For this list I am looking at rotating laser levels that will be used outside on large construction sites and for multiple levelling tasks like digging and placing concrete footings and floor slabs. And other tasks like installing septic tanks, drainage channels, culverts and land drains.
When doing these types of tasks, we need a rotating laser level that has a long working range, good accuracy and is robust.
Best Rotating Laser Level Features.
- Be able to work outside.
- Have a working over 200m (100m Radius).
- Have a guarantee of 2 or more years.
- Have a rechargeable battery option.
- Be able to continue working in the rain.
- Have a long battery life (ideally a working week).
Why did I rank the rotating laser levels this way?
Any of these rotating laser levels will serve you well. But I have ranked them in order of preference and here is the short version.
The Topcon RL-H5A is first because of the 5 year guarantee included and I find it the most accurate. Second is the Leica Rugby 620 because the guarantee is not as long as standard. Third is the Spectra Precision LL-300S, it can withstand a 2m fall (I haven’t tested this). And in fourth is the GeoMax Zone 20H because I found it to be just on the limit of acceptable accuracy.
In First Place.
Topcon RL-H5A.
Top spot on my list of the best rotating laser levels of 2022 is the Topcon RL-H5A. The Topcon range of rotating laser levels have been one of the best laser levels for more than ten years. The Topcon RL-H3C (back in 2007) was the first rotating laser level to have a 5 year guarantee and it was a very capable rotating laser level too.
The Topcon RL-H5A is a very capable rotating laser level and deserves top spot in my list of the best rotating laser levels of 2022. The Topcon RL-H5A has a working range of 800m diameter, with an accuracy of 5mm at 200m and will last 120Hrs on a single charge.
You can read a full review of the Topcon RL-H5A on this website, Topcon RL-H5A review.
Topcon RL-H5A Rotating Laser with 5 Year Guarantee.
- Best Accuracy in class
- Longest Standard Guarantee
- 800m Working Range
- Easy to Use
In Second Place.
Leica Rugby 620.
The Leica Rugby 620 is in second place. In my opinion it is narrowly beaten by the Topcon RL-H5A due to its longer battery life. The Leica Rugby 620 is a very capable rotating laser level also.
It has a working range of 500m diameter, with a quoted accuracy of 2.2mm at 30m but will only last 60Hrs on a single charge.
A note on the quoted accuracy, while the literature quotes an accuracy at 30m, I have found that the Leica rotating laser levels are just as accurate at distances of 100m from the unit.
Leica Rugby 620 Rotating Laser Level
- Class Leading Accuracy
- Long Guarantee (Extendable)
- Easy to Use
- Self-Levelling
In Third Place.
Spectra Precision LL300S.
The Spectra Precision LL300S is in third place. While it is a good rotating laser level and just as capable as the Topcon RL-H5A and the Leica Rugby 620 it is a bulky rotating laser level.
And it is the bulkiness of not only the laser level itself but also the large box that means for me it can be no higher than third in this list. The Spectra Precision LL300S has a working range of 800m diameter, with an accuracy of 1.5mm at 30m and battery life of 60Hrs.
Again, I would note that I find these rotating laser levels are just as accurate as the Topcon RL-H5A and the Leica Rugby 610 at distances of 100m from the unit in real world situations.
Spectra Precision LL300S Rotating Laser Level
- Great Accuracy
- Good Warranty
- Self-Levelling
- Easy to Use
In Fourth Place.
GeoMax Zone 20H
One of the latest rotating laser levels to hit the market is the GeoMax Zone 20H. GeoMax is a new brand in laser level products but is part of the Hexagon Group. Released to the market in 2021 this new rotating laser is placed to capture the cheaper end of the quality rotating laser level market.
The Hexagon Group also have the Leica brand in its fold. This is why the GeoMax Zone 20H bears a striking resemblance to the Leica Rugby series of lasers.
GeoMax states that they are trying to provide affordable and quality laser levels to contractors like you.
In conclusion.
Either of the top two rotating laser levels in this list would be a good purchase. There is very little real-world difference between the Topcon RL-H5A and the Leica Rugby 620 and either laser level would be a good purchase. The decision on which to go for should be based on your manufacturer preference and ease of purchase and ongoing servicing and calibration.
This list is my preference order for these rotating laser levels. If I had to spend my money to either buy or hire one of these rotating laser levels, then I would start in first place and work my way down the list. I know that there are other rotating laser levels on the market and the reason that they are not on this list is either they don’t fulfil the criteria set out or I have no experience with them.
Another rotating laser level worth considering new for 2023.
Topcon have recently released the RL-HV1S and the RL-HV2S laser levels. These laser levels are either a single grade (RL-HV1S) or dual grade (RL-HV2S). Both these laser levels look similar to the Topcon RL-H5A laser level and also have similar specifications.
With these laser levels you are able to set the desired grade that the laser will be set at. All the other laser levels mentioned here have slope matching capabilities.
But what really makes these laser levels stand out is the Topcon Laser Manager App that accompanies them. There are three ways the Topcon Laser Manager can help you.
- Find and download the user manuals for the Lasers that the App will work with.
- The ability to control the Lasers remotely.
- Perform checks on the accuracy of the Lasers and the ability to adjust.
The main benefit of the Topcon Laser Manager must be the ability to control Topcon Laser Products. This makes setting pipe lasers or laser levels easier from a distance. Lots of times I find that I need to look at the point at which the laser is detected and not at the laser itself. I have not tested this app myself to see what the Bluetooth connection range is, and this may be limited by the capabilities of the device it is installed on.
Like all Topcon laser products these rotating lasers are covered by Topcon’s 5 year guarantee.
I think the Topcon RL-HV2S is really worth considering as an alternative to the laser levels mentioned above, especially if you are going to require more than slope matching capabilities.
The Topcon RL-HV2S Laser Level is designed for multiple tasks that is construction site tough.
One of the largest operating ranges of any laser level at 2,600ft or 800m.
120Hrs of operating time. That's over 2 week's working time.
IP66 Rating, tough enough for any job site.
Works with the Topcon Laser Manager App.
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