I can use this laser tape measure in places I didn’t think possible (and it’s on sale)

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I like my tools, and when I get the chance to take a new piece of kit for a test drive, I jump at the chance. If it’s packed with high-end features, so much the better.

So when the Mileseey Xtape1 — a tape measure that’s been supercharged with lasers and electronics — landed on my desk, I couldn’t wait to start doing some DIY with it.  

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The Xtape1 is a very different take on the laser tape measure. This one has a laser, yes (three, actually, a red one is used for measuring, and two green aligning beams) that’s good out to 330 feet and accurate to ±1/16-inch. But along with the laser rangefinder, this also features a 12-foot traditional metal tape measure accurate to ±1/32-inch. 

This makes it a very versatile tool, because while laser measuring tools are great for things like measuring rooms and such, they can’t be used for things like measuring lumber. 

The Xtape1 solves this with the combination of old and new.

But the tape is no standard tape, because while it has the imperial/inch measurements that you expect to see, the tape is also smart, with the digital display doing away with the need to actually read what’s on the tape. You can change the background color of the display as well as flip its orientation. The font is big and clear, even for my aging eyes, and it’s a lot easier to read than a traditional tape, especially in low light or awkward spots. 

On top of the Xtape1 is a two-inch IPS multi-color digital screen that shows the measurements and settings, and also has buttons for controlling the interface. 

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There’s so much packed into this device that you definitely need to read the manual at least once. In fact, I suggest grabbing a beverage and spending a good 30 minutes with the Xtape1, working through the settings and features. 

Basic length and distance measurements are pretty straightforward, but the more advanced features such as working on areas of walls, volume of rooms, and point-to-point measurements involve a bit more digging into the interface. 

And once you’ve figured out the hardware, there’s an app to download and play with for both iOS and Android. The app acts as a secondary display and can be used to log measurements, augmenting the built-in memory in the Xtape1 that can hold 3,000 measurements. 

Another interesting and innovative thing about the Xtape1 is that it’s a two-part unit, where the tape part is detachable from the rangefinder, so not only can you replace a damaged tape, but you can choose from imperial, metric, or imperial/metric combinations, and swap between them as needed.

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The unit is powered by a 1,500mAh battery that’s good for eight hours of use or around 30 days of standby, and it can be recharged via USB-C (it takes two to three hours to charge the unit from flat to full).

The kit comes with a carry case, a charging cable, along with a couple of laser reflectors for long-distance measurements on low-reflective surfaces. 

The Xtape1 has a 1/4-20 screw thread on the bottom for attaching the unit to a tripod to make measuring rooms easier and more accurate because you have a fixed reference point. The unit is also tough enough to withstand the sort of treatment it’s likely to see during a DIY project or on a worksite. It’s IP54 rated so it has no problem with dust and water splashes, and it’s been built to withstand drops and impact.

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Another feature I found interesting is the “1/N Line Split” mode that allows you to quickly find the center point of a particular length, or cut materials into a set number of equal lengths. Lastly, I appreciate the fact that I can use the Xtape1 to take internal measurements inside cabinets or shelving — places that are harder to reach with a standard tape measure.   

ZDNET’s buying advice

I have to admit that, even as someone who has used a number of laser tape measures, I found the Mileseey Xtape1 to be so feature-packed that it took me some time to figure out how to use it. There are a lot of features packed into this tool, but the more you use it, the easier it gets. Some of the features, such as the ability to point the laser at two points on the wall and get the length between them, are truly like magic. I played with this one a lot, convinced that it was going to be inaccurate, only to be proved wrong. 

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But a measuring computer like this isn’t going to be cheap. Currently you can get 40% off on Amazon, which brings the price down to a more reasonable $240, but it’s still a very high-tech, premium bit of kit. 

But the time it would save someone who does a lot of measuring means this would pay for itself in no time. But if this is overkill for you, maybe something a little more basic like the Mileseey DT20 would be more your cup of tea, as it’s more like a traditional tape measure that can still do advanced things like work out areas of walls and volumes of rooms.