Attention! The accuracy of the information and the results of the ranking is subjective and is not an advertisement.
Top 10 building levels
Always at a high level!
Author: Stepan Kagner
The indispensability of the construction level is obvious - it is not for nothing that the first close to modern constructions, designed to accurately build horizontals and verify equality of heights, were described in books of the 17th century. Of course, modern technologies offer us electronic levels - fast, “long-range” and multifunctional, but the good old bubble levels do not lose demand. They can quickly draw a marking line, they do not require batteries, and many other advantages can be recalled if you wish. For tiled works, the “mechanical” shock level is especially valuable: will you not bash with an electronic hammer?
But not every level from the store counter can really be used. Here the author may recall a completely anecdotal case when he happened to mount and set up a four-post lift after moving the service - five different levels showed completely different angles of inclination. And which of them to believe?
Here with this question we today and try to figure it out.
| Category | A place | Name | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top percussion construction levels | 1 | Armero A133 / 060 | 9.6 / 10 | 1 250 |
| 2 | MATRIX 34911 | 9.1 / 10 | 950 | |
| Top bar construction levels | 1 | Stabila Type 70 ST-02292 | 9.8 / 10 | 3 500 |
| 2 | ADA instruments Titan 100 Plus | 9.5 / 10 | 1 490 | |
| 3 | STANLEY STHT1-43105 | 9.3 / 10 | 1 300 | |
| Top Bubble Rail Levels | 1 | RGK U3060 | 9.5 / 10 | 1 550 |
| 2 | STAYER PROFESSIONAL I-PROLevel 3477-120 | 9.3 / 10 | 950 | |
| Top T-shaped building levels | 1 | STABILA 81S 02505 | 9.6 / 10 | 5 990 |
| The best bubble levels "torpedo" | 1 | Kapro 241-23 | 9.5 / 10 | 1 000 |
| 2 | JCB JBL008 | 9.1 / 10 | 780 |
Top percussion construction levels
|
Armero A133 / 060
1 250
It seems that this “supposedly Spanish” brand already appeared in our ratings (we even rechecked - yes, the site of the company from the .es domain zone is still hosted in St. Petersburg). But no matter how “abibas” from Cherkizovsky gave such a mimicry “under firm”, the level is, in general, quite good - a cast base with a wide platform, the presence of bulb adjustment, a mirror eye, which can be viewed at an angle. It is possible to work with it - it beats the level well, and the calibration that is inevitably brought down during such operation can be corrected by loosening the flask and putting it horizontally. The length of the level is 60 centimeters, the weight is a little more than a half a kilo. He, however, quickly loses his elegant appearance - it was hardly reasonable to paint the impact level, ordinary brushed aluminum looks more reasonable in such cases. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.6 / 10
Rating
Reviews
The horizontal from the factory is set up normally, plus the flask can be corrected yourself if it leaves. |
|
MATRIX 34911
950
Knock-knock, Neo! In this case, the Matrix deceives us again - although the Russian-language Matrix site refers us to the really existing German company Matrize Handels GmbH, the Germans themselves say that they produce hand tools and have never heard of them. In fact, the brand popular in our tool stores is the brother of Sibrtech, Denzel, and others like them, to put it simply, we still have Chinese goods made for a specific Russian reseller. Well, where do we go from this? At least, the metal in this level is even more than a hundred grams than in Armero, its strength and quality of the bearing surface are not bad. Ampoule - three (vertical, horizontal, 45 degrees), they themselves are exposed with decent accuracy. But the possibility of adjusting, as in Armero, is not provided, as there is no mirror eye - so the rating is inevitably lower. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.1 / 10
Rating
Reviews
A good level of construction, plus almost every store has one. |
Top bar construction levels
|
Stabila Type 70 ST-02292
3 500
Here, fortunately, the autobiography of the trademark coincides with reality. The German company was founded at the end of the XIX century and produces bubble levels from that time to the present day. This is an expensive but truly professional tool with high precision. Ampoules at this two-meter level, only two - one for the horizontal and vertical. This should be taken into account - it is not always convenient when working with such a length that the central location of the ampoule is, nevertheless, it would be worthwhile to install two horizontal ones closer to the edges. But the ampoules are set perfectly and the calibration is “held” to the conscience - even when, after years of use, the dye begins to fade in the liquid under the direct sun, the horizontal remains horizontal and the vertical - vertical. Therefore, although we will lower the rating a bit, we will still keep the leader’s jersey behind Stabila. By the way, in the history article described in the introduction, as a result, it was this level that finally corrected the situation. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.8 / 10
Rating
Reviews
How many years we use this level - it works perfectly, smooth, durable. |
|
ADA instruments Titan 100 Plus
1 490
Now back to the Chinese. But this time, not disguised: the measuring instrument ADA has completely open "yellow" roots and is sold all over the world, not trying to look like a "European" in Russia. And this meter level was made specifically - the profile with additional stiffening ribs makes it stronger than the usual “bars”, there are built-in magnets, an additional ampoule at forty-five degrees, comfortable rubberized handles. It is a pity that in the Titan lineup it is the longest - a meter length will not always be enough. The magnets inside are powerful - the level is securely held by attraction to the profiles through a gypsum plasterboard. So the handles are not superfluous here, you really have to tear it away from bare metal. But the accuracy in the store still check: when installed on the same plane in both directions, the eyes should show the same slope. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.5 / 10
Rating
Reviews
I liked the level very much, it is perfectly made for its price, it does not fail in work. |
|
STANLEY STHT1-43105
1 300
The classic squared level meter length has a minimum set of ampoules - only horizontal and vertical. The design of it is very simple and, frankly, compared to the closest price level from ADA Instruments, it doesn’t look so interesting. But in any case, the quality of workmanship and adjustment do not cause serious complaints to him, it is possible to use it in work. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.3 / 10
Rating
Reviews
It has been used - nothing particularly impressive, but there were no problems with it either. |
Top Bubble Rail Levels
|
RGK U3060
1 550
RGK is another Russian-Chinese brand in our market, under which various measuring instruments are sold, from bubble levels to thermal imagers. The 60-centimeter level of the U3060 is not cheap, but made with good accuracy, the “rail” profile is reinforced with additional transverse ribs, there are also handles. It’s convenient to work with the upward “horizontal”.
Ampoule flasks are made of acrylic - this material has good impact resistance, but it still requires attention: it is better to blow away building dust from it, and not to erase it so that the flasks do not become cloudy.In the aggregate, the construction level of RGK can confidently give preference in this section of the rating. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.5 / 10
Rating
Reviews
The normal level, when compared with those that are usually in stores of the same length, is more expensive, but made better. |
|
STAYER PROFESSIONAL I-PROLevel 3477-120
950
The “rails” in our stores for the most part are Chinese - well, well, at least Stayer has already managed well and for a long time to disperse on counters and collect enough reviews. Bending strength and torsion at the light-alloy 120-centimeter level is decent, the bearing surface is normally milled. He does not even try to pretend to be highly accurate, for which we will give him a small plus sign in karma - a “fair” millimeter per meter is better than beautiful numbers in a passport that result in much greater error in practice. Ampoule used three in the classical configuration - horizontal in the center, vertical and 45 degrees - closer to the edges. Naturally, since we are talking about the “lower echelon” brand, it’s definitely worth checking this level - if the adjustment is done at the factory normally, he will have time to pay for himself more than once. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.3 / 10
Rating
Reviews
I used a bubble level in the country. It is done well, if it is lying, then a little - nobody noticed by the results of the work. |
Top T-shaped building levels
|
STABILA 81S 02505
5 990
You have to pay for quality and a well-known brand: the 80-cm T-shaped building level from Stabila perfectly illustrates this rule. But it was made conscientiously - the injection molded workpiece is milled and painted with powder enamel, the ampoules are fixed firmly and precisely. What other manufacturer offers a 10 year warranty on the accuracy of its construction levels? Ampoule two: horizontal and vertical. Both are large, well visible - it will be convenient to work with the level. So, if you are looking for a good professional level with high durability, but do not want to get involved in heavy "rails", then the T-shaped level from the 81S line will be the right choice. Let it be expensive, but in the hands of a master such an instrument will pay for itself. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.6 / 10
Rating
Reviews
The level of four years has experienced a lot, but if you do not take into account the wear on the paint, it remained almost like new. |
The best bubble levels "torpedo"
|
Kapro 241-23
1 000
Oi vey! For a long time, Israeli manufacturers did not figure in our ratings, so we’ll fail in this place. So we say with our mouth to your ears: this is the level that was invented by our very best, directly in Kibbutz Kadarim (which is also indicated by the name - short for Kadarim Products) - by the way, this is the only producer of bubble levels Israel.
It is made according to the principle “two in one”: a compact case, including three ampoules, allows to take out the central one, equipped with its own magnetic base. In addition, the angular ampoule is not rigidly fixed at forty-five degrees, but can arbitrarily rotate to the desired angle (the scale is applied on the body). As a result, we have a very functional "baby", which with one hand movement turns into a very compact device for horizontal alignment. Unfortunately, it must be admitted that globalization has already reached far distant kibbutzans - now Kapro levels are being collected by Chinese goyim. This quality, alas, was reflected - if before Kapro had an impeccable reputation, then now it’s worth checking the levels of this brand before buying. There is a suspicion that here the Chinese work in “two shifts” - it is quite possible that some of the Chinese Kapro in our stores have a relation to Kapro only with the name drawn. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.5 / 10
Rating
Reviews
Funny and useful level, a lot does not take place, but when you install furniture you need it all the time. |
|
JCB JBL008
780
The cast aluminum level of 25 cm length is made qualitatively and has the possibility of a “non-passport” horizontal adjustment - if you unscrew the screws securing the body of the horizontal ampoule, you can adjust its position relative to the working plane with the lining under the mounting ears. Vertical and angular ampoules are fixed without screws. All three ampoules are large enough to work comfortably with them. So we can say that JCB does not disappoint us this time either. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.1 / 10
Rating
Reviews
Convenient and quite accurate construction level, I have been using JCB tools for a long time - a good value for money. |
What to look for when choosing a building level?
Whatever type of level you choose, the main thing for it is how exactly the ampoules are made and installed. The air bubble should fit between the risks closest to the center, and not be any longer or go further: this is how to catch the position more precisely. You can check the accuracy without even having the perfect horizontal and vertical at hand. It is enough to apply a level to any flat surface and see how the bubble deviates to the side. Then rotate the level by one hundred and eighty degrees and attach it to the same place - the deviation of the bubble should be exactly the same.
Check the straightness of the reference plane, especially if you choose a squared level, the body of which is an aluminum profile tube, and not cast with a milled surface. Here, a simple helper is a common thread: it will not take up space in your pocket, but, being stretched from edge to edge, will become exactly straight and immediately indicate where the concavity or bulge on the level plane.
Have a good shopping!
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Updated: 01.06.2019
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