Cheap Laser Tape Measure Reviewed – Wesco WS8910 Laser Measure

Laser tape measures are great tools for measuring distances accurately over small and large distances. But with so many different makes and models available how can you know that you are buying the right one.

Throw price into the mix and the choice of laser tape measures can be bewildering.

In this article I will be giving you my opinion on the Wesco WS8910 40m/130ft laser tape measure that I bought of Amazon in October 2021. I have been using and testing this laser tape measure over the last few weeks to see if it is any good.

I have owned and used laser tape measures for almost 15 years now. I still have my Leica Disto A5 that I bought back in 2007. It still works fine and is accurate. It has been calibrated recently and gets checked regularly against standard tape measures.

Disclaimer: This site, and in particular this page, contains affiliate links to products. You are under no obligation to but if you visit and buy something from their site from a link on this site, we will receive a small commission, the price you pay will remain the same. This helps to keep this website running and your help is appreciated.

Why choose the Wesco WS8910 Laser Tape Measure?

I chose the Wesco WS8910 40m/130ft laser tape measure as it was the best-seller of the cheap laser tape measures on Amazon at the time of purchase.

In fact, I purchased three cheap laser tape measures to see if they were accurate and any good. I tested them all side by side to find out if cheap laser tape measures are any good.

Is the Wesco WS8910 Laser Tape Measure any Good?

Yes, it is. I found the Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure to be the best of the 3 cheap laser tape measures that I tested head-to-head. I paid just £16.99 for this laser tape measure in October 2021. To check out the Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure, use this link to Amazon.

---

---

First Impressions of the Wesco WS8910 Laser Tape Measure.

My first impressions of the Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure is how small and light it is. This is due to me being used to the Leica Disto A5 which is a much bigger and heavier laser tape measure. It fits well in my hand, the plastic is smooth yet has a rubbery feel to it and I can use it easily with one hand. All the buttons are within easy reach of my thumb.

The buttons have a definite press feel to them. All buttons do one function each, but a long press is required to switch on and switch off the laser tape measure.

How to change the batteries in the Wesco WS8910.

Putting the batteries in the Wesco WS8910 is a bit of a faff. Not helped by not being in the instruction manual.

You have to remove the belt clip first. Which has a fiddly button to press on the base to release the belt clip from the laser tape measure. This will then allow access to the battery cover and the compartment. The pictures below show how to gain access to the battery compartment.

Is the Wesco WS8910 Laser Tape Measure Accurate?

Yes, the Wesco WS8910 40m/130ft laser tape measure that I tested was accurate. I compared it against my Leica Disto A5 and found that it gave the same distance to within 1mm. This test was done straight out of the box. No adjustment to the Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure was required.

For me, accuracy is the most important feature of any laser tape measure. If the measurements it is providing aren’t correct, then whatever you are trying to fit or make or cut just won’t work. And that will be highly frustrating. It will most certainly be costly.

The accuracy quoted for the Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure is plus or minus 2mm. I found it to be well within that range with the measurements I have been taking over the last couple of weeks.

What Distance can the Wesco WS8910 Laser Tape Measure Achieve?

The quoted measurement range for the Wesco WS8910 40m/130ft laser tape measure is 40m or 130ft. When I tested it against a cream-coloured brick wall I achieved a distance of 48.208m. This is greater than the quoted range. I am impressed by the range that this laser tape measure can reach.

Most laser tape manufacturers will quote the maximum range in favourable conditions. These will be low light and a good reflective surface. The test I did was during the day and on to a surface that anyone can measure against. Measurements that you and I would take day in day out.

What else can the Wesco WS8910 Laser Tape Measure?

Maximum and Minimum Distance Measurements.

With the Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure, a single press of the MEASURE button will give a single distance measurement. But press and hold the MEASURE button and the Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure will continuously take measurements until you press the MEASURE button again.

It will continually take measurements and display the minimum measurement taken on the top and the maximum measurement taken underneath. At the very bottom of the display will be the current distance measurement.

I find using this feature is very handy. I predominately use it for finding minimum distances. By continuously taking measurements I can find the true minimum gap distance of many features. This helps me avoid common measurement errors that are so easily made.

Areas and Volume Measurements.

The Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure can also be used for measuring areas and volumes. It is very intuitive to work out the area or the volume of a space. The display indicates whether you need to measure the length, the width, or the height for working out areas and volumes.

I need to note that this laser tape measure will only work out the area of a square or rectangular shape. Working out volumes would also be based on the perpendicular height measured from the square or rectangular area calculated.

Recall the last 20 measurements.

One very handy feature I have found with the Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure is the recall function. With the recall function you can scroll through the last 20 measurements taken.

Having a list of 20 measurements is handy if you want to check back. But with so many measurements available it can be tricky to know which one is which. The Wesco WS8910 does indicate which measurement it is. This is done by numbering them from 1 to 20. With 1 being the most recent.

Measure from the front or the rear of the Wesco WS8910 Laser Tape Measure.

Like most laser tape measures available today, the Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure allows you to measure from both the front and back face of the instrument.

Most of the measurements will be taken from the back of the instrument but there are occasions when you want to take measurement from the face of the instrument.

Calculate Total Distances with the Wesco WS8910 Laser Tape Measure.

Want to calculate total distances? Well, you can with the Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure. Take your first measurement and then you can add or subtract another measurement from the first. And you can keep adding or subtracting measurements as you go.

Simply take your first measurement then press the plus (or minus) key and then press the MEASURE key again for your next measurement. These measurements are added (or subtracted) from one another to give you a total distance.

Want to add (or subtract) more measurements? Just press the plus (or minus) key again and then press the MEASURE key. Continue until you have the total distance required.

Pythagorean Measurements with the Wesco WS8910 Laser Tape Measure.

If you need to measure a distance that is remote, one that you can’t reach safely then the Pythagorean measure function will be useful. There are two different methods available to use. One that will use two measurements and assume a right-angled triangle is used. And one using three measurements to work out the remote distance.

Accessing the Pythagorean functions is done by pressing the triangle button on the right-hand side of the keypad.

There are three different options for calculating remote distances with the Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure.

The first is measuring the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle, and then measuring the adjacent side of the triangle enabling the calculation of the opposite side of the triangle.

The second method of measuring remote distance requires 3 measurements to be taken. One to the base, one to the centre and one to the top. The Wesco WS8910 will then calculate the remote length of the feature measured.

The third method involves 3 measurements again. But this time the measurements are taken from the base, then from a midway distance and finally from a point perpendicular to the surface to be measured.

Is the Wesco WS8910 Laser Tape Measure Sturdy?

I have not had the Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure for long enough to comment on this. For me to say that this laser tape measure is sturdy I think it should last at least a year without fault. At the time of writing this is not the case. I can however tell you that it has an IP54 Rating.

The Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure will withstand the rigours of outdoor use as it has an IP54 rating This means that it is partially protected from dust that may harm the Wesco WS8910 and can also withstand splashes of water from all directions.

If you want to know about the different IP ratings that are achieved by products take a look at this chart which details them. It is on the website at https://www.enclosurecompany.com/ip-ratings-explained.php#:~:text=IP%20(or%20%22Ingress%20Protection%22,%2C%20dirt%20etc)%20and%20moisture.

Final thoughts on the Wesco WS8910 Laser Tape Measure.

I am surprised by the features and the accuracy of the Wesco WS8910 laser tape measure. For me it is accurate enough to use around the house and out on construction sites.

I am impressed by its accuracy. Performing nearly as well as the Leica Disto A5 that I have had for years.

I also like the price. I paid under £20 for this model. For me, I would not be too concerned if it got damaged or lost during the course of the working day. Annoyed for sure, but not the end of the world…

---

---

Related Articles

Are cheap laser measures accurate?

How to get accurate linear measurements

Measurement Errors

Leica Distometer D2

Cheap Laser Tape Measure – Mileseey S2