Features
- One green vertical line and two green horizontal lines (3 × 360°)
- Self-leveling with pendulum lock to protect internal mechanism
- Visibility up to 130 ft (line of sight); up to 330 ft with detector
- Accuracy ±1/8 in. at 30 ft
- Up to 11 hours run time with a 2.0 Ah 20V battery (battery sold separately)
- Compatible with 20V MAX battery platform (works with higher-capacity 20V batteries except 5.0 Ah POWERSTACK)
- Magnetic connection for attachment to steel studs and ferrous surfaces
- Includes ceiling/wall bracket with 1/4-20 and 5/8-11 tripod mounting threads
- IP54-rated housing for dust and water resistance; designed for drop protection
- Last-mode memory for quick restart
- Includes target card and carrying case
Specifications
Battery Run Time (Hrs) | 11 |
Battery Source | Rechargeable Li‑Ion |
Battery Voltage (V) | 20 |
Battery Included | No |
Max Visibility (Ft) | 130 |
Max Detector Distance (Ft) | 330 |
Accuracy | ±1/8 in @ 30 ft |
Laser Color | Green |
Beam Projection | 3 x 360° |
Leveling Type | Self-leveling |
Ip Rating | IP54 |
Housing Material | Plastic |
Number Of Beams | 3 |
Included Accessories | Versatile bracket (ceiling/wall), target card, user manual, carrying case |
Warranty | 1 Year Limited Warranty |
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Green 3-plane (3 × 360°) self-leveling line laser for alignment and layout tasks. Projects one vertical and two horizontal continuous lines. Magnetic mounting and included ceiling/wall bracket provide attachment options (tripod threads 1/4-20 and 5/8-11). Runs on 20V rechargeable Li‑ion batteries (battery and charger sold separately); typical run time is up to 11 hours with a 2.0 Ah battery. Rated IP54 for dust and water resistance and includes a pendulum lock to protect internal components during transport.
DeWalt 20V 3 x 360 Line Laser (Tool Only) Review
Why I reached for this laser
I’ve used plenty of cross-line and rotary lasers over the years, but I keep reaching for DeWalt’s 3x360 green laser when I need clean layout lines across a room. It projects a continuous vertical plane and two continuous horizontal planes, which means I can reference both floor and ceiling at the same time, or carry a line around an entire space without leapfrogging the tool. For framing, cabinetry, ceiling work, or aligning long runs of accessories, that dual-horizontal layout is a real timesaver.
Setup, interface, and ergonomics
Setup is straightforward. The pendulum lock doubles as the power/mode control, and the unit boots into its last-used configuration, so I’m not cycling through modes every time I power back on. That seems minor until you’re moving the laser room to room and need the same plane active—last-mode memory saves a lot of button presses.
The tool ships as a “tool only” kit, so you’ll need your own 20V battery and charger. With a compact 2.0 Ah pack installed, balance is good and the footprint stays manageable. Larger packs work fine and extend runtime, but they do raise the center of gravity. I found 2.0–4.0 Ah packs to be the sweet spot for stability on brackets or tripods.
Controls are glove-friendly, the housing has enough rubber overmold to handle getting tossed on a subfloor, and the included carrying case keeps the bracket and target card organized. The IP54 rating is meaningful here; dust and the occasional splash don’t faze it, and the pendulum lock protects it during transport.
Mounting options that matter on site
Mounting options can make or break a layout tool, and this one covers the essentials:
- Strong magnets on the back of the unit for steel studs and other ferrous surfaces.
- An included ceiling/wall bracket that’s genuinely useful for ceiling grid, track, and trim. The bracket provides both 1/4-20 and 5/8-11 threads, so it drops onto photo tripods or survey tripods without adapters.
- A target card that speeds up finding the plane when you’re far away or in brighter conditions.
The magnets hold firmly to clean steel. On painted or slightly textured surfaces, the bracket is a safer bet. There’s no micro-adjust on the included bracket, so if you do a lot of finish work that demands fine nudging, pair the laser with a tripod head that has pan/tilt micro knobs.
Visibility and brightness
Green lines are the right choice for indoor construction, and the output here is bright and crisp. In typical interior lighting, I can walk a line across a 30–40 foot room and still see it clearly without a target. DeWalt quotes visibility to 130 feet in ideal conditions; practically speaking, that’s optimistic for naked-eye work if you’re in bright spaces with white walls. In darker environments or with the target card, you’ll get more.
Outdoors or in sun-washed areas, you’ll want a compatible detector. With a receiver, the range jumps substantially—DeWalt rates it to 330 feet—and the horizontal planes become genuinely useful for deck ledgers, long fence runs, or concrete formwork. Without a detector in full sun, any line laser will struggle, and this one is no exception.
Self-leveling and accuracy
Self-leveling is fast enough that I’m not waiting around. The pendulum settles quickly, and you’ll see a clear indication if you’re outside the leveling range. The stated accuracy is ±1/8 inch at 30 feet, which matches what I measured while setting cabinet runs and checking ceiling strap layout. Line thickness stays tidy at typical interior distances and only starts to halo subtly once you push farther out. If you’re installing tile or trim where a wide line can be troublesome, work closer or use the target card to stay on the same side of the beam.
Calibration held true after a few weeks of jobsite shuffles and some inevitable knocks. I still recommend doing a quick four-wall check when you first unbox it and after any significant drop, but the internal mechanism and the lock do a good job of protecting the guts.
The value of two horizontals and one vertical
Most 3x360 lasers give you three planes, but the layout varies. Here, the two horizontal planes are the headline. That means I can set a ceiling plane and a floor plane simultaneously—fantastic for leveling ceiling strapping while also checking cabinet toe kicks, outlet heights, or wainscot lines. The single vertical plane gives you plumb reference and clean cross lines where it intersects the horizontals.
If you need two vertical planes at 90 degrees for certain room layouts, you’ll reposition the tool. For me, the trade-off is worth it. The dual horizontals eliminate a lot of up/down reconfiguring when I’m working across different elevations in the same room.
Battery platform and runtime
Runtime is excellent for a line laser. With a compact 2.0 Ah 20V pack, I consistently get a full day of intermittent use or a long stretch—around a typical shift—of continuous runtime with one or two planes active. If you’re running all three planes nonstop, bring a spare or step up to a 4.0 Ah pack. The unit supports DeWalt’s 20V MAX platform broadly, with the notable exception that it doesn’t play with the 5.0 Ah PowerStack pack. That’s a niche limitation but worth noting if you’ve standardized on that specific battery.
Because the kit is tool-only, factor a battery and charger into your budget if you’re not already on the platform.
Durability and jobsite readiness
Between the IP54 sealing, rubberized edges, and firmly clicking pendulum lock, the tool feels built for repeated transport. I used it in dusty renovation environments and on ceilings where plaster dust rains down; a quick wipe returns the windows to clarity. Drop protection is always a bit of marketing speak, but mine absorbed a waist-high bump off a bracket onto subfloor without losing calibration. I wouldn’t treat it like a hammer, but it clearly isn’t fragile.
What I’d change
No tool is perfect, and a few things stand out:
- Price and kit configuration: It’s not inexpensive, and arriving without a battery or charger may sting if you’re not already on 20V MAX.
- Weight with larger batteries: A 6.0 Ah pack turns the unit top-heavy. Stick with 2.0–4.0 Ah for bracket work.
- One vertical plane: Most interior tasks are covered, but if you routinely need opposing verticals, you’ll reposition more often.
- Bracket adjustments: The included bracket is versatile, but there’s no fine-adjust. Add a tripod head for precision alignments.
None of these are dealbreakers; they’re just realities to plan around.
Use cases where it shines
- Leveling and straightening ceiling strapping or grid across an entire room.
- Laying out kitchen runs—aligning uppers, lowers, and backsplash lines with the same baseline.
- Long ceiling alignments for garage door rails, conduit, or lighting rows.
- Wainscot, chair rail, and trim installations where wrapping a line around corners saves time.
- Framing walls off existing structure, with a quick plumb check from the vertical plane.
Bottom line and recommendation
This is a well-executed 3x360 green laser that earns its keep through clean lines, stable self-leveling, and genuinely useful mounting options. The dual horizontal planes reduce mode juggling and speed up multi-elevation work, accuracy is in the zone for interior construction, and runtime on common 20V packs is excellent. The housing feels protective without being bulky, and small quality-of-life touches—like last-mode memory and the pendulum lock—make daily use smoother.
I recommend this laser to pros and serious DIYers who already run 20V MAX tools and want a reliable, bright, full-room layout laser for interior work. If you need two vertical planes or you’re on a different battery platform with no intention of switching, consider other options. For everyone else, the combination of visibility, accuracy, and mounting flexibility makes this a smart, jobsite-ready choice that speeds up real layout tasks and holds up to daily use.
Project Ideas
Business
Perfect Lines Painting Service
Offer premium accent walls, wraparound stripes, and color-block murals guaranteed straight using 3 × 360° green lines. Self-leveling and high visibility reduce masking time and callbacks. Package tiers by wall count/length, with add-ons for stair stripes and commercial corridors where the 130 ft range shines.
Tile and Backsplash Laser Layout
Provide layout and installation for backsplashes, showers, and large-format tile. Use the horizontal plane for flawless first courses and niches, and the vertical plane for plumb edges and trim. The ±1/8 in accuracy keeps grout lines true, and IP54 durability suits wet areas. Bill per linear foot with premium rates for pattern work like herringbone.
Drop Ceiling and Soffit Leveling
Specialize in setting perimeter level lines and hangers for drop ceilings, soffits, and bulkheads. The continuous 360° horizontal beam makes a fast reference all around a room, and the ceiling bracket speeds mounting to grid or framing. Sell as a subcontracted layout service to GCs for rapid, repeatable results.
Retail and Trade Show Visual Merch Setup
Set consistent sign heights, shelf runs, wall bays, and window vinyl in stores and booths. The 360° lines keep everything aligned across long runs and corners, while detector compatibility lets you work in bright convention halls up to 330 ft. Offer overnight installs with per-site or per-hour pricing.
Laser Layout Rental + Operator
Rent the laser with an operator who sets benchmarks, level lines, and plumb references for builders, cabinet installers, and DIY clients. Include tripod, bracket, target card, and spare 20V batteries for uninterrupted sessions. Provide photo verification of lines and elevations as a value-add report.
Creative
Wraparound Color-Block Mural
Use the two 360° horizontal planes to carry a stripe or color block perfectly around the entire room, across corners and onto adjoining walls or ceilings. Self-leveling keeps lines dead true; tape directly along the green beams for razor-sharp edges. Last-mode memory lets you resume after breaks, and the tripod threads or magnetic bracket make hands-free positioning easy.
Picture-Frame Wainscoting Grid
Create classic wall boxes and chair rail with even reveals using the vertical 360° line for perfect plumb stiles and the horizontal for consistent rail height. The 1/8 in at 30 ft accuracy keeps symmetry across a long wall, and the green beam visibility simplifies marking and nailing. Magnetic mounting to steel studs frees up a hand while you fasten moulding.
Modern Slat Wall with Hidden LEDs
Plumb every slat with the continuous vertical line and set top/bottom caps with the horizontal plane so spacing stays uniform end to end. The 360° projection lets you reference around returns and corners, while up to 11 hours on a 2.0 Ah battery keeps you building without frequent swaps. Use the beam as a guide to route or place LED channels for perfectly straight light lines.
Herringbone Floor or Chevron Feature Wall
Strike a flawless centerline and starter course using the vertical/horizontal beams, then mirror the pattern around corners with the wraparound 360° projection. The tight ±1/8 in accuracy helps keep joints and reveals consistent over large areas. Tripod mounting keeps the datum steady while you cut and place pieces.
Ceiling Clouds and Acoustic Panel Array
Lay out a grid for floating ceiling clouds or wall acoustics by projecting the horizontal plane at the target elevation and dropping plumb points with the vertical line to mark hardware locations. The included ceiling/wall bracket speeds overhead setup, and the IP54 housing resists dust during drilling and anchoring.