DeWalt 50M Laser Distance Measurer (165 ft)

Why I reached for this laser

On paper, a 165-foot range, tight accuracy, and a color display check my essential boxes for a compact distance meter. I picked up the DeWalt laser for a mix of site walkthroughs, small remodel layouts, and quick takeoffs where pulling a long tape is more trouble than it’s worth. After several weeks of daily use—inside, outside, and in dusty, real-world conditions—here’s how it actually performs.

Setup and first impressions

It ships with two AAA batteries and a simple pouch. Pop the batteries in and it’s ready to work—no pairing, no app, no learning curve. The housing feels solid and confidence-inspiring for the size; it’s not bulky and it rides comfortably in a pocket or the included pouch. The 1-meter drop test rating isn’t just marketing fluff: I knocked it off a sawhorse onto concrete and it shrugged it off without any change in behavior.

The control panel uses membrane-style touch-pad buttons, not a touchscreen. That’s good news with dirty hands or gloves; the keys give a positive, consistent click and never missed an input for me.

Display and usability

The color display is a real quality-of-life upgrade over monochrome screens. Big, high-contrast numerals are easy to read at a glance. Indoors, visibility is excellent from most angles. Outside, like nearly every small screen, bright sun can wash it out, but shading the screen with a hand is enough to read it clearly. The interface is straightforward: a primary measurement screen, quick access to units, and dedicated buttons for area and volume. I appreciated not having to drill through menus to do basic math.

One practical note: this is a Class 2 laser. It’s eye-safe in typical use, but the usual precautions apply—don’t stare into the beam and be mindful around reflective surfaces.

Accuracy and consistency

DeWalt rates the tool at 1/16 in at 30 ft, and my results backed that up under reasonable conditions. Indoors, braced against a flat surface and aimed at matte targets, I consistently matched a steel tape within a sixteenth up to about 35–40 feet. When I sped up and got careless—angled shots off textured drywall or measuring to a glossy cabinet—readings drifted slightly. The biggest deviations I saw in normal use were around 1/8 in, and those were easy to tame with better aim, a flatter target, or a second reading for confirmation.

At longer spans (80–120 ft) in a bright warehouse with skylights, readings were still usable, but I needed a darker target or a target card to get fast, repeatable results. That’s typical behavior for Class 2 lasers: the beam doesn’t magically punch through glare. Outdoors on a sunny day, expect reduced range unless you can find or bring a cooperative target.

Two habits helped keep the numbers tight:
- Brace the tool against something rigid and square when possible (stud, door jamb, column).
- Take two readings and confirm they agree when a cut depends on it.

Range in the real world

Indoors, the 165-ft rating is more range than I ever needed. In open interiors, I routinely measured across 100–120 ft without a hiccup. Outdoors, as expected, bright light shortens effective range unless you aim at a shaded, non-reflective surface. With a target card or a shaded return surface, I had no trouble pulling reliable measurements across a typical residential lot line or backyard.

Built-in math: area and volume

Area and volume functions are integrated cleanly. Tap the function, take your length and width (and height for volume), and the tool calculates and displays the result alongside your raw measurements. It’s ideal for quick paint, flooring, and drywall takeoffs. Rounding is sensible, and unit switching is painless. For estimating, it’s a time saver; for spec-grade layout or inspection work, I still jot down the raw numbers and run anything critical through a second check.

There’s no flashy extras here—no app sync, no augmented stake-out mode. It focuses on the core measurements and the most common construction math and executes those well.

Battery life and power

Running on two AAA batteries is both convenient and predictable. I prefer this over proprietary packs for a compact LDM. Using it on and off throughout the day, including a handful of long-range checks and a bunch of area calculations, I made it through multiple workdays on the included alkalines. Auto-off behavior is sensible, and the low-battery indicator gave me enough warning to swap before it became an issue. If you keep spare AAAs in your kit, you’ll never be stuck.

I did encounter one minor quirk: on one occasion, the unit didn’t wake with a button press. Popping the battery door and reseating the cells brought it right back and the issue didn’t return. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s worth noting.

Durability and build

The housing feels robust with tight seams and a stable battery compartment. The 1 m drop test claim matches my experience: it’s handled a couple of unplanned landings without loss of calibration. There’s no published IP rating in the materials I saw, so while it tolerated dusty spaces fine, I wouldn’t expose it to sustained rain or jobsite washdowns. Treat it like a precision instrument that happens to be tough.

The included pouch is basic but useful. It keeps debris off the screen and offers enough padding to toss the tool into a bag without worry.

What it does not do

A few omissions matter depending on your workflow:
- No app connectivity or Bluetooth. If your estimating process relies on pushing room dimensions directly to a tablet or CAD app, this isn’t that tool.
- No tripod mount or integrated camera is listed. For frequent long shots in bright light, dedicated mounting and a viewfinder can be a big value add; plan on manual bracing here.
- No explicit waterproof/dustproof rating is provided, so caution around moisture is prudent.

None of these are deal-breakers for basic construction layout, interior measuring, or quick takeoffs. But if you’re expecting a feature-stuffed flagship, this is intentionally simpler.

Daily workflow impact

The biggest benefit the DeWalt laser brought me was speed with confidence. Laying out shelving runs, setting cabinet clearances, verifying wall-to-wall distances, and capturing room sizes for materials are dramatically faster than wrangling a tape—especially solo. The color screen and clean UI reduce mental friction: turn it on, point, read, move on. And in tighter spaces where a tape sags or snags, the laser keeps numbers honest.

As with any LDM, technique matters. The tool can only report the distance to where you aim, and sure-handed operation pays dividends. I like to:
- Use a small square or block to provide a flat reference when measuring off irregular surfaces.
- Favor matte targets and avoid oblique angles to glossy or glass surfaces.
- Scan in “continuous” mode to find min/max distances when locating true perpendiculars.

Warranty and support

A lifetime limited warranty on a compact LDM is reassuring. While consumables and abuse aren’t covered by any warranty, having long-tail coverage for a precision device gives me confidence. I recommend registering the tool and keeping the receipt in your job records.

The bottom line

The DeWalt laser hits the fundamentals: accurate measurements within spec, a readable color display, simple area/volume math, and a tough little body that survives drops. It’s not festooned with advanced features, and it doesn’t pretend to be. Outdoor performance requires sensible targets, and the lack of connectivity will matter to some. I experienced one minor power quirk that resolved with a battery reseat, but otherwise reliability has been solid.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool for tradespeople and DIYers who want a dependable, straightforward distance meter with excellent indoor performance and enough range for most building tasks. If your workflow depends on app integration or you routinely measure long spans in bright sun where a viewfinder and mounting are essential, look higher in the lineup. For everyone else, this is a practical, accurate, and durable daily driver that earns its pocket space.