The use of building levels helps to evaluate horizontal or vertical surfaces, measure the angular deviation along the planes. During construction, levels are used to level brick or block masonry, flooring, roofing, installation of sewer and water pipes.
When finishing or repairing, spirit levels are needed for leveling walls, suspended or stretch ceilings, laying tiles, plasterboard partitions. In everyday life, the level helps for smooth installation of hanging furniture, cabinets or shelves, frames on the wall, built-in household appliances, electrical outlets. Without building levels, it is impossible to perform precise installation work and achieve even surfaces. The tool helps to control the required slope in engineering systems. For each task, certain models of spirit levels are produced.
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Varieties of levels

Building level
By design, levels can be divided into five types:
- laser. A tool for professional use with greater accuracy and faster response time. Possible error is not higher than 1 millimeter per meter of surface, usually within one tenth of a millimeter
- Hydraulic level. It is made from a pair of flasks connected by a tube. They are used to measure and transfer marks between planes at a great distance during the construction of buildings. Communicating vessels give an error within three millimeters
- Trubny. It has magnets for fixing on metal surfaces, and the Y-shaped design helps with measuring complex geometries with bends. The measurement takes place due to a sealed tank with liquid and air, the accuracy varies within a millimeter per meter of plane
- Electronic. Flat meter, with liquid variable resistance. Readings are displayed on a black and white screen, and the accuracy is one tenth of a degree. Allows you to measure vertically and horizontally
- Bubble. A common and simple type of tool. Consists of a body with an ampoule. The vessel contains a liquid (alcohol, oil or distilled water) with an air bubble. The deviation is determined visually on the ampoule scale. The error does not exceed one millimeter. The popularity of the meter is due to its low price and ease of operation.
To choose the right level, you need to decide on the necessary technical characteristics, scope of work and frequency of use.

How to make a choice

bubble level
The best option would be a bubble level. The tool is durable, does not require special care or maintenance, and can work under various conditions.
Such a universal solution is suitable for home and beginner craftsmen. The device will help to glue wallpaper, level walls and floors, mount kitchen sets or household appliances, lay tiles, change the sewer pipe with the desired slope.
For personal needs, you will need a medium-sized level of 50-100 centimeters. For regular measurements with fixing of indicators, you can purchase a similar device with an electronic sensor and a screen. It is better to check the accuracy of small works with pocket levels.
When finishing work and interior design, it is more reliable to use a hydraulic level. The device helps to control the pouring of the floor, screeds, ceiling structures, leveling plasterboard ceilings.
The purchase of a laser level is justified in the case of a large amount of repair and finishing work. You need to choose a tool for specific goals and objectives, you should not purchase a professional appliance for household work, as well as trust the simplest bubble models.

Rating of manufacturers of building levels

Popular manufacturers of measuring instruments
Trademarks of the following manufacturers of spirit levels deserve the support of the masters:
- Kapro (Kapro) is a company specializing exclusively in measuring instruments. Levels are produced in Israel, have increased accuracy, thoughtful design. The devices come with a lifetime warranty from the factory.
- Stabila (Stabila) is a German manufacturer of construction equipment and measurement tools. It has patented engineering solutions, has been manufacturing products since the end of the nineteenth century. One hundred and thirty years of experience in the development of building levels and related devices.
- Stanley (Stanley) is an American company that has been developing since 1843. The meters of this company were used during the design of the Apollo spacecraft for landing on the moon. Produces building levels for a wide range of applications.
- ADA Instruments (ADA Instruments) is a young company founded in Ukraine in 2008. Since 2013, she has registered a trademark in the UK and the USA, and produces tools in Europe, China and Russia. Positions its measuring instruments as a tool of increased accuracy
All brands of inclinometers have a different price category in terms of quality and reliability. It is worth considering the optimal models of each manufacturer.

Best Capro Bubble Levels
Kapro Mini-246

Kapro Mini-246
Pocket spirit level ten centimeters long. It consists of a shock-resistant body and a polyacrylic flask. The magnetic base allows you to control the tilt of complex metal structures. At a small size, it has an accuracy of 0.5 millimeters per meter, but a single capsule can only measure the angle in one plane.
End caps are made of rubberized material. Suitable for home renovation, installation of furniture, paintings in frames, small carpentry work. Convenient to take with you, the meter fits in your pocket. The non-freezing liquid of the flask allows operation at low temperatures.
Kapro PLUMBSITE GENESIS 781-40-60PM

Kapro PLUMBSITE GENESIS 781-40-60PM
The middle level is sixty centimeters long with built-in neodymium magnets. For positioning and carrying, includes end slots for hands with a rubberized surface. Side inserts made of protective material protect the device from damage when dropped or bumped.
It has ampoules for measuring in three planes of inclination, eyes with a prism for accurate visual fixation of parameters. Allows you to measure the angle at a length of up to two and a half meters with an accuracy of 0.029 °. Works in frost down to minus twenty degrees Celsius.
Suitable for construction and installation works, laying flooring, leveling walls, wallpapering, furniture manufacturing, engineering systems.
Kapro PLUMBSITE HERCUKES 986-44P-2500

Kapro PLUMBSITE HERCUKES 986-44P-2500
Large building level two and a half meters long. Milled from an aluminum body, ends with carrying handles on the sides. There are no magnets for fixation. Built-in four impact-resistant flasks for measuring vertical or horizontal tilt.
Allows you to work with the end and frontal plane.The capsules contain NITE-GLO fluorescent oil, so you can use the device in low light conditions. Contains two-piece shock-absorbing plugs.
Suitable for professional use, work with large surface areas.

Best Bubble Stabila Levels
STABILA POCKET ELECTRIC-17775

STABILA POCKET ELECTRIC-17775
Small pocket meter. With a length of about seven centimeters, it has one measuring capsule with an accuracy of one millimeter per meter of plane. It is positioned as a level for electrical work.
The case is made of plastic, the base contains a neodymium magnet and a notch for fixing.
Allows you to align hidden and external wiring, switches, plinths, sockets. There is a hole for a screwdriver, for easy adjustment of the part without having to remove the level.
STABILA 96-2M 15854-80

STABILA 96-2M 15854-80
Medium bubble level with a length of eighty centimeters. Made of aluminum profile with stiffeners. Covered with a protective layer against static electricity. Measures in two planes with one horizontal and two vertical ampoules.
Increased accuracy up to 0.75 mm/m. Base includes rare earth neodymium alloy magnets, protective rubber plugs.Suitable for measuring inclinations during the installation of metal structures, roofing, redevelopment of the apartment.
STABILA 80А-2 16062-200

STABILA 80А-2 16062-200
Rectangular level two meters long made of profiled aluminum with antistatic powder coating. In the end parts there is one ampoule for measuring vertical deviations. In the middle there is an ampoule for fixing the horizontal slope. The inclinometer is protected from shock and mechanical damage by two-component plugs.
Suitable for construction of reinforced concrete structures, log houses and modular houses. Indispensable for masons, carpenters, stove-makers. Can be used in garden or landscape design.

The best Stanley bubble levels
Stanley Torpedo FatMax Pro Box XTHT0-42495

Stanley Torpedo FatMax Pro Box XTHT0-424
Small bubble level. The 23 cm extruded aluminum case houses one horizontal and two vertical capsules. The right container has a 360 degree swivel mechanism.
Outside, the case is molded with rubberized plugs that do not leave marks when in contact with the surface. The measurement accuracy in both planes is half a millimeter.
Building level suitable for home renovation, window installation, consumer electronics or headset, small carpentry work.
Stanley STHT1-43111-60

Stanley STHT1-43111-60
Medium spirit level with a magnetic substrate made of an alloy of rare earth metals. With a length of sixty centimeters, it includes two tanks for determining the inclination horizontally or vertically with an error of half a degree.
The body is lightweight, made of aluminum box-section profile. Around the acrylic tanks and at the ends, it is treated with rubber plugs that protect against deformation upon impact.
The level can be used in finishing work, furniture production, door or window installation. For metal structures, it is weakly applicable, because there are only two small magnets in the case, deeply recessed into the case.
STANLEY FATMAX XL 0-43-681

STANLEY FATMAX XL 0-43-681
A two-meter building level with three measuring capsules in three solid blocks of acrylic. Larger central tank for accurate measurement of horizontal angles. The measurement error varies within half a millimeter per meter. Has through slots for manual grip, treated with a soft sealing material. End faces are processed by the cast protective structure increasing wear resistance.
The tool can be used for carpentry, flooring, home renovation, landscaping, or landscape design, laying paving stones and tracks. There are no magnets in the case, so it is impractical to use on metal surfaces.

Best Bubble ADA Levels
Titan 40 Plus

ADA Instruments Titan 40 Plus
Small but shockproof inclinometer. The forty-centimeter body of thick profiled aluminum with stiffeners houses a number of neodymium magnets. The base is milled for a non-slip surface.
The measurement is simultaneously made in three planes. Under the capsules is a reflective layer to see the bubble in poor light.
You can use the level in construction, interior and exterior finishing work, installation of metal structures, flooring or tiles.
Video: Building level ADA Titan
Building level ADA Titan
Building bubble level | TOP-12 Best: current rating + Reviews
ProLevel 100 ADA А00393

ProLevel 100 ADA А00393
Universal building level for slope control in three planes. In the central part and on the left side there are bubble capsules, on the right side there is a digital display for accurate measurements according to the readings of gyroscope sensors with automatic calibration. Magnets are installed in the meter case for working on metal surfaces.
The inclinometer is used in the construction of houses, cladding, decoration. Suitable for carpenters, roofers and masons. The electronic components are powered by two AA batteries, providing continuous operation in measurement mode for four days. Classic bubble capsules help to work even without batteries.
ADA Titan 2000 А00390

ADA Titan 2000 А00390
A two-meter protractor with protection against impacts and damage. Designed for construction sites, withstands a fifteen meter drop onto concrete. Constructed from heavy-gauge profiled aluminum with an anti-static powder finish. The ends are rubberized, holes for grip and positioning are cut out in the body.
It is milled for work from two parties, deepenings allow to work on difficult surfaces. There are slots for measuring the slope of square and cylindrical pipes. Bubble chambers measure angles in three directions.
Allows you to work during the installation of communications, construction of buildings, control the installation of reinforced concrete floors and slabs. It will help with complex interior and exterior work.
Video: Checking and adjusting the level
Checking and adjusting the level
Building bubble level | TOP-12 Best: current rating + Reviews

How to do without buying building levels
When you urgently need to hang a frame, a mirror on the wall, or install furniture and household appliances evenly, and you don’t have a construction goniometer at hand, a smartphone will help. Apple devices or Android-based phones have built-in spatial position sensors, gyroscopes, and geomagnetic sensors. This functionality can be used instead of a small building level.
iPhone owners do not need to install additional programs. The built-in Compass app has a tilt measurement mode. To get into the protractor mode, you need to open the compass and swipe the screen to the left:

iPhone instead of building level
If you need the familiar visual style of a bubble spirit level, you can download a third-party program:

Visual style of a bubble spirit level
For Android smartphones, you need to install software from the Google Play app store. You can choose a simple application that measures plumb, slope and angles. The free program is called Building Level.
- program menu
- option 1
- option 2
- option 3

I use STABILA Pocket Electric when installing fittings, for an electrician there is nothing better than this level.) It also works well when the fittings are made of non-magnetic alloys!!
Reviews are written by those who have not used these levels! Stanley is 1000% suitable for metal structures. The magnets are very powerful.