Forget Traditional Levels: Milwaukee Has A Smarter Way To Measure

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Sometimes, the simplest gadgets in your toolkit make the biggest difference. Case in point: the level. Without it, tiles would be uneven, shelves would droop, and styling a gallery wall would result in a crooked hodgepodge. Although it's a common helper — particularly bubble and torpedo levels — there are smarter ways to establish that perfectly horizontal or vertical line, and the Milwaukee Redstick Digital Box Level just might be the upgrade you need. 

Earning a 4.4 out of 5 stars on Home Depot, this Milwaukee find utilizes pinpoint measurement technology to achieve that perfectly straight line, and it is available in 14, 24, 49, and 72 inches. Prices start at $230 for the smallest size (though it's on sale for $179 at the time of publication) and reach $340 for its largest size. The precision is two times greater than standard levels, and its pin mode allows DIYers to lock in a target within 360 degrees, a welcome perk for anyone who has ever worried about accuracy when using a level. Additionally, the level comes with a REDLITHIUM USB battery, a charging cable, a wall plug, and a bag.

Customer reviews indicate that it's a much-appreciated upgrade from standard levels, with one shopper stating, "I never realized could be so much better than the basic one." Others appreciate the audio feature that beeps within 10 degrees of the target until it's reached. Though highly rated, there are a few caveats, including a hefty price tag and some complaints regarding the difficulty of reading the display screen and navigating projects without a bubble vial.  

A technological benefit that shoppers believe sets the Milwaukee tool apart from the basics is its pin mode, which allows you to lock any target within 360 degrees to replicate or find specific measurements. Customers believe the accuracy comes in quite handy when putting up wall decor, keeping a sidewalk form parallel, and framing large windows and cabinets, to name a few instances. If you are in a line of work where you'll need accurate measurements (like carpentry and woodworking), customers insist the device is an essential measuring tool worth the investment.

Of course, you'll need to opt for a larger level for those literal and figurative taller tasks. Typically, the pros insist that a common 48-inch level (49 inches in terms of the Milwaukee tool) is best for remodeling projects like working with cabinetry, doors, and countertops. Smaller levels, like torpedo levels that average 9 inches, are preferred for everyday tasks like leveling appliances around the house and installing wall shelves. After assessing your projects and your needs, keep this customer review in mind: "This is definitely NOT your father's level. It's smart, accurate, durable and consistently produces repeatable results but these come at a pretty steep cost."