DeWalt 5-Spot + Cross Line Red Laser Level

Why this combo laser earned a spot in my kit

I’ve used plenty of cross-line lasers and point lasers over the years, but carrying both gets old fast. This DeWalt combo laser folds those tasks into one box: you get a horizontal and vertical cross, plus five pin-point spots (up, down, front, left, right) for transfer and layout. After several jobs—framing a small addition, laying out ceiling grid, and a round of recessed lighting—this has become a highly efficient layout tool that covers most of what I need without juggling multiple units.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the case, the unit feels stout with a rubberized shell and a positive-feeling pendulum lock. The control panel is straightforward: power, mode selection, and pulse are easy to hit with gloves. The included TSTAK case holds the laser, ceiling bracket, target card, enhancement glasses, and magnet plate with room for spare batteries, so it’s a grab-and-go kit.

Self-leveling engages quickly. From a rough set on a tripod or the magnetic bracket, the pendulum finds level in a couple of seconds. The lock is firm, which matters for transport and for angled lines when you need them.

A small design detail that matters: the raised front panel lets you set it over joists or track without the face rubbing or the beam clipping the surface. It’s thoughtful and saves fiddling.

Projection modes and where they shine

• Cross-line: For cabinets, tile backsplashes, ledger boards, trim, and general level/plumb tasks, the horizontal and vertical lines are clean and consistent. The cross point is tight enough to use as a reference in close-in work.
• Five spots: This is the killer feature for me. The up/down plumb points make transferring points through floors or to ceilings simple—no more swinging a plumb bob in tight spaces. Left/right/front spots are handy for 90° layout of walls, soffits, and penetrations. When laying out a drop ceiling, I used the down point to set my primary reference on the floor and the up point to transfer that to the ceiling; the cross-line then handled my perimeter level line.

Having both systems in one body means fewer compromises on the job. I can rough in with spots, switch to the cross for alignment, then bounce back to verify plumb—no gear swap needed.

Visibility and range

This is a red laser. Indoors, the lines are highly usable across most rooms. In bright, sunlit interiors or long runs, the target card helps, and full-time pulse mode pairs with a detector for long-range work. The spec lists 165 ft with a detector on the line and 100 ft on the spots. Practically, I used the detector outdoors to establish a grade reference over a driveway expansion; without the detector, the red line faded quickly in direct sun, as expected.

If you primarily work in bright commercial spaces or outdoors without a detector, a green laser will be easier on the eyes. For mixed interior work and MEP layout where you’re often spotting points and using a detector for long shots, this red unit is perfectly capable.

Accuracy and leveling confidence

DeWalt rates the accuracy at ±1/8 in. at 30 ft. In my checks, the cross-line stayed within that spec. I ran a simple mark-turn-mark test on the horizontal line at 30 ft and saw less than 1/8 in. of variance. For plumb, I checked the vertical line and the up/down spots against a known plumb door frame and a metal stud plumbed with a digital level; again, within spec.

Self-leveling is quick and communicates clearly—if you’re outside the tilt range, the line flashes instead of pretending everything’s fine. The locking pendulum is smooth, and the lock prevents drift and damage in the truck.

Mounting and workflow

Mounting options are excellent:
- Integrated magnetic bracket: Strong enough to stick to steel studs, door bucks, or beams without sliding. It’s stable when you bump the surface, which reduces accidental rework.
- Thread mounts: Both 1/4-20 and 5/8-11 threads are on board, so it works with camera tripods and survey-style tripods. I prefer the heavier 5/8-11 tripod for long line work where small movements matter.
- Ceiling bracket and magnet plate: The included ceiling bracket hooks onto grid or attaches to the magnet plate for drywall ceilings. For T-bar installs, it saved time by holding the laser in the corner while I established the level line.

Switching between modes is fast, and the beams don’t dim noticeably when you add more projections—handy when you want both the vertical line and the plumb points active.

Durability and jobsite readiness

With an IP65 rating and a 2 m drop spec, this laser is built for real-world sites. I’ve had it in dusty rooms during a demo and in a light drizzle on a deck layout; no hiccups. The overmold takes bumps well, and the case protects the glass when it’s riding with heavier tools. This isn’t a delicate instrument you baby—it feels like it belongs on site.

Power: AA convenience and 12V MAX compatibility

Power flexibility is a highlight. It ships ready to go with AA batteries, and you can also clip on a DeWalt 12V MAX battery. For short jobs or punch lists, AAs are convenient, and DeWalt lists around nine hours of runtime on them depending on mode. For full days or line-heavy tasks, a 12V MAX pack is the better call—longer runtime and fewer swaps.

Important note: it’s 12V MAX-compatible, not 20V. If you already run DeWalt 12V tools, you’re set. If your kit is all 20V, plan to run it on AAs or pick up a dedicated 12V pack and charger. I keep a pair of rechargeable AAs in the case as backup.

What I’d improve

• Red visibility in bright spaces: Normal for red lasers, but if you’re constantly in daylight or high-bay interiors, you’ll either use a detector often or want a green variant.
• Included detector: It’s not in the box. Since full-time pulse mode is built in, bundling a detector would round out the long-range kit. As is, budget for one if you need the 165 ft capability.
• Battery clarity: The dual-power design is great, but I’d love clearer labeling right on the battery interface to reduce any confusion about pack compatibility.

Who it’s for

• Remodelers and finish carpenters who need a reliable level and plumb reference plus fast point transfers for cabinets, trim, and built-ins.
• Framers and drywall crews who want to lay out walls and ceiling grid with one tool.
• Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC techs who regularly transfer points floor-to-ceiling for penetrations and fixture placement.
• Facility teams who need a durable, all-in-one line-and-spot laser for maintenance and light construction.

If you only ever need a simple level line across a small room, a basic cross-line laser would be cheaper. If your work leans heavily outdoors, consider a green beam or plan to use a detector frequently.

Warranty and support

DeWalt backs the tool with a 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. For a precision tool that can take knocks on site, that support matters.

Bottom line

The DeWalt combo laser streamlines layout work by pairing a solid cross-line with five practical spot points in a tough, jobsite-ready body. It’s accurate, quick to set up, and flexible to mount, with power options that suit short service calls or long layout days. Red beams do mean you’ll lean on the target card or a detector in bright conditions, and you’ll want a 12V MAX pack if you prefer not to feed it AAs. But as an all-in-one layout tool for interior construction and MEP work, it hits a very useful sweet spot.

Recommendation: I recommend it. If you value having both cross lines and five spot points in one rugged package, this laser earns its keep by reducing setups and speeding up layout. Choose it if most of your work is indoors or you’re comfortable using a detector for long shots; look to a green-beam alternative only if maximum unaided visibility is your top priority.