Black & Decker Level set, 9 in., 12 in., 24 in. (3-pack)

A handy trio for everyday straightening

I picked up the Black & Decker level set as a practical solution for around-the-house projects: hanging a gallery wall, installing a couple of floating shelves, and checking the level on a laundry pedestal. Right out of the package, the three sizes—9, 12, and 24 inches—feel thoughtfully spaced for real-world tasks. The 9-inch is compact enough for tight corners; the 12-inch covers most single-stud layouts; and the 24-inch spans a pair of studs and gives better confidence when leveling longer runs like cabinets or a countertop section. Nothing about this set screams “jobsite tank,” but it doesn’t feel flimsy either. For typical household work, it lands in a comfortable sweet spot.

Design and build

The 12- and 24-inch levels use a box-beam frame. In hand, that translates to nice torsional stiffness without unnecessary weight. Both pieces feel rigid when I press along their lengths, which matters when you’re bridging small gaps or checking across tile. The edges are smooth and straight, so I could scribe a pencil line without catching on flashing or burrs. The 9-inch is lighter and more compact—easy to pocket or set on a narrow surface like a window stool.

Each level has an integrated hang hole, a small detail that becomes a convenience once you commit to pegboard storage. After a week of use, I found myself returning them to the same peg without thinking. There’s no case in the box, but for a set that lives in a home workshop, the hang holes make more sense than a bulky sleeve.

Vial visibility and accuracy

The tinted vials are the standout. In bright kitchens or near a window, the tint adds contrast, making the bubble pop against the reference lines. Under warm, dimmer lighting (think a hallway sconce), the bubble remains readable, though I found angling the level to catch a bit of light helps. Outdoors, glare can bounce off any vial; here, the tint reduces washout and makes it easier to center the bubble without squinting.

To sanity-check accuracy, I used a simple flip test: set the level on a flat surface, center the bubble, mark the position, then rotate the tool 180 degrees and check again. All three sizes returned the same reading, which is what I want to see. I repeated the test on a vertical door jamb and again got consistent results. The bubbles move smoothly without sticking, so dialing in level or plumb feels predictable rather than fussy.

In use

• Hanging art: The 12-inch became my go-to. It’s long enough to span pairs of picture hooks without feeling unwieldy on a 16-inch stud bay. I appreciated the straight edges when marking a light pencil line for a collage layout.

• Shelving: For a 30-inch floating shelf, the 24-inch level was the obvious pick. It showed minor twists in the wall that a shorter tool would have missed, helping me adjust bracket shims before I committed to screws.

• Tight quarters: The 9-inch is perfect above a backsplash, inside a vanity, or near trim where longer levels bump into obstacles. It’s also great for setting small appliances and checking outlet covers.

I knocked each level off the bench at least once (real testing), and they shrugged off minor drops without visible damage or lost calibration.

Useful angles you don’t usually get

In addition to standard plumb and level, the vials include 45 degrees and marked references for 9 and 18 degrees. That’s unusual at this price point and more useful than it sounds. Nine and 18 degrees line up closely with 2:12 and 4:12 roof pitches, respectively. If you’re replacing a small shed roof or matching a decorative brace to an existing slope, these quick references are handy. I also used the 9-degree reference to give a short exterior threshold a bit of kick-out away from the house—a rough guide before fine-tuning with shims.

This isn’t a replacement for a digital inclinometer or a framing square when precision pitch is critical, but for “close enough to match” scenarios, the extra vials speed the process. The 45-degree vial is standard fare yet still welcome for quick miters on trim returns or checking a diagonal brace.

Storage and handling

The hang holes make it easy to keep the set together. I mounted them vertically on a pegboard column, shortest to longest, which means I actually put them away instead of leaving them buried on the bench. The lightweight frames are easy to handle with one hand, especially the 12-inch, which I found myself using most often. Edges are friendly to painted walls; I didn’t see them scuffing surfaces during normal use.

Where it falls short

• No magnets: If you often work on steel studs, electrical panels, or door hardware, the lack of a magnetic edge on the 9-inch is noticeable. Many torpedo levels include magnets; this set does not.

• Length ceiling: The 24-inch top end is fine for shelves, cabinets, and appliances, but it’s short for checking long runs of countertop, long tile lines, or door frames where I’d rather have a 36- or 48-inch level.

• Low-light nuance: While the tinted vials are clearer in glare, in very dim basements the tint can look slightly darker than a traditional neon vial. A headlamp or phone flashlight solves it, but it’s worth noting.

• No case: Not a dealbreaker, and the hang holes offset the absence. Still, a simple sleeve would help if you toss them in a tote with other tools.

Durability and maintenance

Over several sessions, I didn’t see the vials fog, and the bubbles remained responsive. The box-beam sections stayed true after minor knocks, and the edges haven’t picked up dings that would catch a pencil. I recommend doing a flip check every so often and wiping the vials clean; fingerprints and drywall dust are the biggest enemies of clarity. The frames wipe down easily with a damp cloth.

Who it’s for

This level set is ideal for homeowners, apartment dwellers, and DIYers who want a reliable, easy-to-read trio that covers 90% of household leveling tasks. If you’re a pro framer or tile setter, you’ll likely want longer levels, magnetic options, or a digital inclinometer in the kit. For everyone else—hanging, installing, aligning, and double-checking—this set fits the bill.

Recommendation

I recommend the Black & Decker level set for everyday home projects. The three sizes cover most scenarios, the box-beam frames on the 12- and 24-inch tools feel reassuringly rigid yet light, and the tinted vials are easy to read in normal and bright conditions. The added 45-, 9-, and 18-degree references are a thoughtful bonus for quick pitch checks you don’t usually get at this tier. You give up magnets and a longer level, so tradespeople and frequent metalworkers should look elsewhere or supplement the set. For the typical homeowner who wants accurate, visible, and straightforward levels that store neatly on a pegboard, this trio is a smart, dependable pick.