Features
- Color display for measurement readout
- Area and volume calculation functions
- Touch-pad control panel
- 1 m drop-tested rating
- Includes carry pouch and batteries
Specifications
Range | 50 m (165 ft) |
Accuracy | 1/16 in at 30 ft |
Includes | Laser distance measurer (LDM), 2 AAA batteries, carry pouch |
Warranty | Lifetime Limited Warranty |
Display Type | Color screen |
Power Source | Cordless |
Number Of Beams | 1 |
Battery Quantity | 2 (AAA) |
Number Of Pieces | 4 |
Additional Rating | 1 m drop test rating |
Batteries Included | Yes (2 AAA) |
Product Width (In) | 1.93 |
Product Width (Mm) | 49 |
Battery Type/Source | Alkaline (AAA) |
Product Height (In) | 1.02 |
Product Height (Mm) | 26 |
Product Length (In) | 4.75 |
Product Length (Mm) | 120 |
Product Weight (Oz) | 28.96 |
Laser Classification | Class 2 |
Product Weight (Lbs) | 1.81 |
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Handheld laser distance measurer with a 50 m (165 ft) maximum range and an accuracy of 1/16 in at 30 ft. It has a color display and touch-pad controls. Ships with AAA batteries and a carry pouch.
DeWalt 50M Laser Distance Measurer (165 ft) Review
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.
Project Ideas
Business
Real Estate Floor Plan Verification
Offer a service to verify and document room dimensions, ceiling heights, and total square footage for listings. Use area/volume functions for quick calculations and deliver branded measurement reports with photos and annotated sketches.
Painter/Flooring Takeoff Service
Provide rapid on-site measurements for painters and flooring installers. Capture wall areas minus openings to estimate paint coverage, and room areas for tile, carpet, or hardwood. Package includes a materials list and waste factors to streamline quotes.
Event Space Layout & Seating Plans
Measure halls, stages, aisles, and clearance paths to design seating charts and booth layouts. The 165 ft range covers large venues; produce scaled diagrams and capacity summaries for weddings, conferences, and pop-ups.
Custom Closet and Built-in Design
Offer consults to measure closets and alcoves, then propose optimized built-ins. Use volume measurements to size compartments and present cut lists and 3D sketches. Upsell installation or refer to a carpenter for a commission.
Van/RV Conversion Fit-Out Measuring
Specialize in precise interior measurements for vanlife and RV builds. Document lengths, widths, and volumes for cabinetry, water tanks, and battery compartments. Provide clients with a dimensioned PDF bundle and material estimates to reduce build errors.
Creative
Geometric Wall Mural Layout
Use the LDM to map out precise triangles, hexagons, or chevrons across a large wall. The color display makes quick midpoint checks easy, and the area function helps plan paint quantities. Snap chalk lines between measured points to get crisp shapes over long spans without a tape sagging.
Room-Scale String Art Installation
Create a statement string art piece that spans an entire wall or stairwell. Use the 50 m range to mark anchor points accurately across long distances and keep patterns symmetrical. The 1/16 in accuracy at 30 ft ensures tight, repeatable spacing for complex designs.
Modular Shelving Designer
Measure alcoves, nooks, and ceiling heights to design custom modular shelves that snap into irregular spaces. Use the volume function to size storage bins and the area function to calculate plywood needs. The 1 m drop rating gives peace of mind while working on ladders.
Garden Labyrinth Layout
Lay out a walking labyrinth or maze in a yard or public space. Shoot distances between stakes to form perfect arcs and parallel paths. The long range makes it easy to set center points and radii without helpers, and the color screen helps verify readings in bright daylight.
Acoustic Panel Patterning
Design a visually striking and functional acoustic panel array. Use the LDM to evenly space panels, calculate wall coverage area for material ordering, and keep rows aligned over long spans in studios or home theaters.