6 best goniometers

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Protractors are used to determine the exact degree of the angle and calculate to create the markings for fixing decorations, hanging furniture and equipment. Such a tool is useful for finishing walls and floors with tiles, laminate and parquet, installing a shower cabin, making furniture, installing building partitions, stairs, railings, etc. With the help of protractors, they even set up the saw equipment and the position of the discs. Our experts figured out what types of goniometers exist and how to choose a model for specific needs. A subsequent review of the best products in this industry, which have already been tested by customers and have received the most positive reviews, will simplify the choice to a specific model.

How to choose a protractor

If you need a protractor, then remember a few key parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing:

1. A type. The computing device can be electronic, which implies the presence of two jumpers, the dilution of which displays the number of degrees on the LCD screen. It is convenient and simple. An alcohol protractor calculates the deviation from a right angle using a special capsule and displays the value on the display. This is another variation of the digital inclinometer. A mechanical protractor is called a protractor. It is quite cheap, but you will have to navigate by the engraved scale, and the error is higher here. The laser device shows only the evenness of a right angle on a plane (wall, ceiling), but does not display the number of degrees. This is useful for parallel placement of decorative elements or hanging furniture, but it is useless in calculations.
2. Weight and ergonomics. The goniometer weighs from 70 g to 2 kg, which is important to consider when working at height. For ease of holding, the tools are endowed with rubber or plastic inserts, as well as reliefs, so pay attention to such elements.
3. Dimensions. The proportions of the inclinometer are 200×30 mm or 500×400 mm, which affects the ease of use in the case of limited space, and also affects the ease of transportation during daily use.
4. Range. Angle measurement capabilities are limited by scale or mechanical side-spreading capability. The range of degrees can be from 0 to 360. The more the better.
5. Additional features and equipment. The bubble level will help display furniture and appliances, and will also come in handy when installing doors and laying tiles. A scale like a ruler will allow you to take a measurement without resorting to other devices. The case protects the instrument from damage when regularly moving from site to site.

Rating of the best goniometers

Understanding the features of the choice of goniometers, let's move on to the list of the best, which the experts liked for their characteristics, and also received positive feedback from the masters and ordinary users.

BOSCH PAM 220

Rating: 4.9

The leader of the review was a protractor from the German company “Bosch”. This is an electronic device with a wide display, the readings of which are clearly visible in bright sunlight, and therefore the product can be used both inside the building and outside. The dimensions of the model are 425x58x41 mm and it is powered by 2 x 1.5 V batteries. Electronic measurement accuracy of 0.2º will allow everything to be set evenly. There are two bubble levels on the body that can be used to mount furniture and household appliances. Protractor adjustment is carried out by means of 5 rubberized buttons. In the reviews, the masters boast of a retractable ruler from the rotary part, which simplifies taking measurements in limited places and makes the protractor even more functional.

One of the main advantages of the product, for which we recognized it as the best, is its long battery life – up to 25 hours. Such a reserve of energy will be enough for several months of operation, because after measurements and transfer of readings, the digital protractor turns off, and the master works with other tools.

Advantages

• smooth running of the corner part;
• accurate readings;
• high-quality assembly without backlash;
• two bubble levels;
• memory for five values;
• large screen that does not light up in bright sunlight.

disadvantages

• high price;
• weighs almost 1 kg.

ADA instruments Pro-Digit MICRO

Rating: 4.8

This is another type of electronic goniometer, inside of which there is an alcohol capsule that interacts with a digital scale and a calculation board. The originality of the model lies in the absence of slats – the case is completely square and fits easily in the hand. Its dimensions are 57x57x30 mm. When placed on a surface, the device evaluates its position relative to the lower plane and displays the number of degrees in case of unevenness. This type of measuring device is useful for aligning end plates, installing furniture, and carrying out assembly work. The device weighs only 130 g and is easy to fit into your pocket.

We considered the goniometer to be the best for performing installation work with metal (shaped and round pipes, angle bars, steel sheets, etc.). For this, three magnets are provided on three sides of the case, with which the inclinometer can be fixed to a metal surface. This simplifies operation and frees up the hands of the foreman so that he can fix evenly exposed workpieces.

Advantages

• compact and easily fits into the pocket of a work jacket;
• simple control with three buttons;
• weight 130 g;
• error is not more than 0.2º.

disadvantages

• high price;
• difficult to calibrate – you only need a verified accurate level.

ELITECH 2210.001600

Rating: 4.7

And here is a professional digital protractor at a more affordable price from the ELITECH brand. The model is made of an aluminum profile and supplemented with plastic ends. There is a bubble level on one side. The settings are controlled using three buttons, and the device's memory contains one cell for fixing the previous readings. The dimensions of the case are 268x50x36 mm and it weighs 340 g. The error does not exceed 0.15º, which is what the masters like in their reviews. One battery of 3 V is required for power supply. The meter can be used only at positive temperatures, otherwise the numbers are poorly displayed on the LCD screen.

The uniqueness of the goniometer, for which we recognized the product as the best, lies in the rotation of the auxiliary bar by 360 degrees, which allows measuring angles in the same range. At very low values ​​of 1-15º, the second arm of the device covers the screen, so the manufacturer has provided a cutout in it so that the master can see the readings. If you want to make a mark on the wall and then transfer it to another area without re-setting the number of degrees, then the bar can be fixed with a special screw, and this increases productivity and ease of use.

Advantages

• light weight 340 g;
• durable metal body;
• quick display of results on the display;
• additional bubble level.

disadvantages

• cannot be used in unheated rooms in winter;
• there is only one cell in memory.

ADA instruments AngleMeter 30

Rating: 4.6

The review is continued by an electronic protractor with dimensions of 300x50x20 mm, designed to check angles from 0 to 225 degrees. But the error here is 0.3º. The body is made of anodized aluminum and is not subject to corrosion or mechanical damage if dropped. The model weighs only 320 g. The readings are visualized on the LCD, and there are two buttons for control. The swivel arm approaches the body from below, so it does not cover the screen. The device is supplemented with two bubble levels, which facilitates the initial installation of the device and expands its operational capabilities. The end part is made of shock-absorbing plastic, so the hard stop against the wall does not create excessive shock during operation.

The digital protractor is the best for creating complex decorative elements and laying tiles in a non-standard way. To do this, it has a Zero button, which allows you to set the origin in any position of the folding arm. The key clears the reading and makes a new starting point.

Advantages

• two bubble levels on the body;
• there is an automatic power off when idle;
• made of aluminum;
• light weight 320 g.

disadvantages

• the error loses to the above-described review participants;
• glides a little in your hands.

ZUBR 34294

Rating: 4.5

The Zubr brand offers a goniometer placed on a double ruler made of stainless steel. The dilution of the two halves is recorded electronically and the result is displayed. The rotation of the sides allows you to measure angles in the range of 0-360 degrees. There are two buttons for control. After measuring, you can fix the result, which will remain in memory even if the shoulder changes position. Each side is engraved with a ruler with a length of 18 and 19 centimeters. The overall dimensions of the tool are 200×30 mm. The reading error does not exceed 0.2º. Masters in the reviews like the thick metal of the 1.5 mm ruler, which is not easy to bend. Thanks to this, the tool has a long service life in harsh building conditions. The weight of 220 g does not tire your hands with regular use.

The experts recognized the goods as the best in terms of cost among goniometers with an electronic principle of processing the result. Despite the budget, it has a durable thick metal, bright display and low margin of error. The result is displayed at a rate of 1 second.

Advantages

• completely made of stainless steel and does not corrode;
• measurement range 0-360 degrees;
• error 0.2º;
• two-sided scale on the ruler;
• thick metal does not bend in hands.

disadvantages

• not very comfortable to hold due to the thin body;
• some have eights on the screen – perhaps a problem with the chip.

Kraftool 34290

Rating: 4.4

A mechanical protractor from Kraftool completes the review. The product is made of stainless steel with a cross section of 1.5 mm and, judging by the reviews, it is difficult to bend it by hand. The semicircular part is equipped with a scale of degrees from 0 to 180, and the rectangular part has a centimeter ruler. The numbers are etched into metal, not painted, so they don't wear off over time. In the reviews, customers also like the ability to fix the hinge in order to mark up with a pencil. The total length of the protractor is 200 mm and it weighs 70 g. Measurement of degrees is permissible in any direction, since on a semicircular scale there are numbers in two directions. The goniometer is supplied in a case that protects it from scratches and simplifies transportation.

A feature of the protractor is a ruler with a mirrored layout. This allows you to measure the length from any end. In the case of the upper scale, the center line is the reference point. With this functionality, the line greatly simplifies the work in the carpentry workshop.

Advantages

• made of alloy steel and does not corrode;
• light weight 70 g;
• difficult to bend a rigid strip;
• supplied in a case;
• the hinge can be locked to draw lines at the desired angle.

disadvantages

• some complain about inaccurate markup of single instances;
• you can get hurt on sharp edges.

Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.