Your Spirit Level is one bricklaying tool that you want to get right. A bricklayer relies on it to get his work level and plumb.
After reading some spirit level reviews recently, I thought it would be helpful to do one specific for masonry. You see those reviews were awesome but often the best level was decided because it was 1 / 1,000th of an inch more accurate than another. Great for an engineer but for a bricklayer other things need to be considered.
So what makes a good Bricklayers Level?
1) Most importantly it needs to be tough. Rather than buy the most accurate level, buy the level that will stay accurate for the longest. Let's face it, we try to care for our levels, we never hit them, but they do get knocked around on a construction site. When deciding what spirit level to buy for masonry look at the way it's made and what material it is made out of.
2) The Level needs to be simple to clean. After a days work mortar or concrete can quickly begin to build up. The less nooks and crannies on a level for this to happen the better. Keep in mind the extra challenges that come with caring for a wooden level.
3) The bubble and vials should be easy to read. A good liquid color helps when you are working long days and the light is going. Also check that the vials read the same when viewed from different angles this will help keep your walls plumb and level.
4) Look for a Level that is nice to hold. This might sound weird but some levels are just better to use. Find a width and weight that feels comfortable for you. Some levels have well designed hand grips making them easier to maneuver.
I don't really worry about magnetic levels or digital levels. They are not necessary for a bricklayer, and just add to the price.
The Top Seven Bricklaying Levels
Below are my thoughts on the Levels I've used and liked. This review focuses on the 48 inch (120 cm) spirit level because it is the most used length by a bricklayer. Although I have ranked the levels below, all are really good and I would happily recommend them.
#7 Empire E75 True Blue
Length: 48" 120cm
Construction Type: Box Level
Material: Heavy duty 6061 Aircraft Aluminum
Number of Vials: 3
Vial type: Acrylic Block
Hand grips: 2
Hanging holes: 2
Review: The Empire true blue was one of my first levels. I went down to the local hardware shop and bought the best looking level there. The vial's visibility angle was great however I don't think the blue liquid color helps during low light (that could just be me though). This level was so easy to use, it was nice and light. When new it read perfectly however within the year it had lost its accuracy.
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#6 Stanley FatMax Xtreme
Length: 48" 120cm
Construction Type: Box Level
Material: Aluminum
Number of Vials: 3
Vial type: Acrylic Block
Hand grips: 2
Hanging holes: 2
Review: The Stanley FatMax Xtreme is a very under rated level. It doesn't have the prestige as some of the others bit it does the basics well. It is a tough level with with easy to read magnified vials. I have noticed the accuracy can be a little off right from new, so just check before you buy.
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#5 Stabila 196-2 K Masons Level
Length: 48" 120cm
Construction Type: Box Level
Material: Reinforced Aluminum
Number of Vials: 3
Vial type: Acrylic Block
Hand grips: 2
Hanging holes: 1
Review: There is not much to fault with Stabilas masonry level. The blow shields work well even after tapping with a trowel it still stayed accurate. Mine saddly met it's end under the wheel of a concrete truck. If you are choosing your first level I would probably stay away from this one. It's important to learn how to use a level without hitting it. And if you are not going to use the shields they are just added weight.
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#4 Crick 3 Ply
Length: 48" 120cm
Construction Type: Wooden Box Level
Material: Hardwood with Stainless steel binding
Number of Vials: 5
Vial type: Curved Glass
Hand grips: 2
Hanging holes: 2
Review: To be honest I have never owned a wooden level, but I do know many mason's that do. If a wooden level is your thing you can't beat a Crick. They are great looking levels that are generally used by the older folk. Keeping them oiled regularly makes them easier to clean at the end of the day. The curved vials are great for working with pitch, meaning you can work to a quarter bubble for example. Remember on double vial systems to read the vial that is curved down, the one that looks like a sad face not a smile.
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#3 Empire E90 True Blue Magnum
Length: 48" 120cm
Construction Type: Box Level
Material: Aluminum Reinforced Frame
Number of Vials: 3
Vial type: Acrylic Mono
Hand grips: 4
Hanging holes: 1
Review: In my opinion the best non stabila level for bricklaying. The E90 has a real wooden level feel just made with modern materials. It does weight abit more than other Aluminum box levels but all the reinforcing makes it super strong. Again like the other Empire I'm not a fan of the blue vials but that is a minor thing. If you are starting out and don't want to splash out for a Stabila or Crick, this would be my choice.
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#2 Stabila Type R300 R-Beam
Length: 48" 120cm
Construction Type: R Beam
Material: Reinforce Aluminum
Number of Vials: 3
Vial type: Acrylic Block
Hand grips: 0
Hanging holes: 1
Review: It wouldn't surprise me if in a few years this becomes my number one level. The shape takes a while to get used to but it is comfortable and easy to use. It's interesting that Stabila have been recommending this level for masonry, I was a little concerned about all the working edges being powder coated but they have done well. The R Beam is a strong level that has been designed to withstand knocks on a construction site.
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#1 Stabila 196-2 Heavy Duty
Length: 48" 120cm
Construction Type: Box Level
Material: Reinforced ribbed Aluminum
Number of Vials: 3
Vial type: Acrylic Block
Hand grips: 2
Hanging holes: 1
Review: There is a reason this is the most popular level for bricklaying. The reliability of these levels is awesome. The ones I have owned have stayed accurate for years. The wide hand holds are great to use even with gloves. The vial's have a great visibility angle and are easy to read. If you are wondering what's the best spirit level to buy, this is the one.
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If you are new to bricklaying and just setting up your toolkit, think about buying your levels as a set, it's much cheaper that way. Click here to see deals on Amazon.
Why is it called a Spirit Level?
6
It’s because the liquid in the
vial is normally a mineral spirit. This spirit has additives in it which give
it its color and helps it last against UV rays.
