The 8 Best Leveling Rods
This wiki has been updated 25 times since it was first published in January of 2019. A sturdy leveling rod comes in handy when you’re measuring differences in elevation, and it’s an essential tool for any land surveyor, construction worker, building contractor, and more. These devices often feature a telescoping design and can be crafted from a variety of materials, including non-conductive fiberglass or lightweight aluminum. Here we rank them for strength, usability and price. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. AdirPro Aluminum
2. Bosch GRL400HCK
3. AdirPro Fiberglass
Editor's Notes
April 25, 2019:
The right laser level will make your job much easier when you’re measuring differences in elevation during construction, land surveying, plumbing, and more. If you work near electrical wires, you might opt for the AdirPro Fiberglass that's featured here, since its material is non-conductive. It also comes in four different heights, so you can choose the one that suits your work best.
If you’re in search of a lightweight selection, the 13-foot AdirPro Aluminum clocks in at less than four pounds, and if you don’t need that much height, you can go with its 9-foot counterpart, which weighs slightly more than two pounds.
Many prefer the convenience of an all-in-one set. The Bosch model on our list comes with everything you’ll need, including the rod, a tripod, a laser leveling tool, and a user-friendly receiver that shows readings on a clear screen and also provides helpful sound alerts. Or, check out the DeWalt selection, which comes from a trusted name in tools; however, note that a laser level is not included in this setup.
4. AdirPro Oval Shaped
5. DeWalt DW090PK
6. Ridgeyard 5m
7. CST/Berger 06-925
8. CST/Berger 06-816
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.