The 8 Best Laser Pointers for the Money to Buy: All-in-one Review [2020]

There are many factors determining the usefulness of a laser pointer. There are many ways to use a laser pointer, and so a good laser pointer should be well-suited to the purpose it was intended for.

Key features that set apart one laser pointer from another include its power output, color of laser beam, range, adjustability, accessories, size and price.

1. Power Output

Power output is a feature that varies greatly depending on what the pointer is meant to be used for. Presentation pointers require a fairly low power output of 5 mW or less; laser pointers for astronomy may require an output of more than 5 mW; while laser toys for cats should have a low wattage of only around 1 mW.

Astronomy laser pointers are high-powered as they have to be projected far into the night sky and point out celestial objects. In contrast, toys for cats should have low-powered lasers in order to be safe for human and animal use.

Presentation pointers use a fairly low output as they have to be safe for consumer and indoor use, and any accidental shining of the beam into human eyes could be hazardous for health.

There are five common colors of lasers: red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. While other colors do exist, they aren’t usually found in laser pointers. This is because the color of the laser correlates to how high the wavelength is.

Thus, there’s a safety procedure when it comes to making laser pointers. We’ll discuss that under the “wavelength” section of this buyer’s guide.

Lasers generally aren’t dangerous unless misused. You’ll find that there isn’t a “safe” range for laser pointers, but there are power levels that don’t inflict as much damage.

Anything lower than 5 mW is safe for the human eye, as it gives the human enough time to blink and won’t damage any cones or rods found inside the eye. However, when that level gets higher than 5 mW, one flash into the eye can end up producing permanent eye damage, thus making it very dangerous if misused or by accident.

The laser pointer market is quite competitive these days, with many brands entering the market. Nevertheless, some brands have established themselves as the go-to product in specific laser pointer categories.

When you think of presentation pointers, brands such as Logitech, Kensington, Targus, BEBONCOOL, DinoFire and Doosl are the main ones which come to mind. Logitech, Targus and Kensington have had decades of experience developing computer accessories, making them trusted brand names.

Newer brands such as BEBONCOOL, DinoFire and Doosl have differentiated themselves by specializing in specific markets, such as video game controllers and presentation devices. Regardless of the years of experience, the brands above all have one strength in common – the production of professional quality presentation pointers that are safe for consumer use.

Laser pointers for astronomy are generally dominated by the Wickedlasers and Pinty brands. Wickedlasers specializes in powerful, handheld laser devices, which are specially designed to be visible in the night sky.

Pinty, meanwhile, focuses its efforts on developing laser scopes for rifles. Although they are popular for military and hunting use, Pinty’s laser pointers are also highly-capable for stargazing, and have become a top choice among astronomers.

Laser pointer toys for cats tend to have many producers such as Dialeesi, Undercut Innovations, FYNIGO and Laifoo. Many Chinese manufacturers have entered the laser pointer market in recent years.

As laser pointer toys for cats and dogs are required to have low wattage of around 1 mW, these companies are able to produce the devices at a relatively low cost and with economies of scale, thus offering consumers affordable prices. Some even throw in additional features such as a regular LED flashlight and a UV light, which may be used to look for pet stains. 

A laser pointer is measured by the number of nanometers, known as nm. A laser ranges anywhere from 400 to 700 nanometers. Now, we all know that with increasing power comes a more powerful light.

Blue, purple, and green lights fall within the 400 nm range while red and yellow are in the 589 nm to 700 nm range. The best nm for the human eye is around 555 nm, which produces a bright green laser beam.

There are many things you could do with laser pointers. The most famous application that people know of is to use them for presenting! Presentation pointers have been covered by us extensively on this website, and it’s one of the main reasons why people read up about the topic of lasers.

Presentation pointers are light, portable and quite affordable. They also have relatively low wattage and are safe indoors. Professionals use presentation pointers to highlight important information on the screen, helping the audience to focus on key points. 

The next popular use of lasers is as toys for cats and other pets. Laser pointers can stimulate cats’ natural predatory instincts, as the light appears to move like a prey in the wild.

Cats and dogs feel the need to chase after the laser light, giving them a good exercise. Just make sure that you do not overdo it as it could make them really frustrated!

How does a laser pointer work?

Laser pointers work by projecting a small but powerful beam of light onto a surface. The first end of the laser features a mirror, and on the opposite end, is a semi see-through mirror rests. A flash tube will then use a light source, such as a laser beam, and shoot it to one end of the rod.

After this, when you press the power button, the tube will send atoms inside the rod and force it to point at the mirror. This results in it pointing towards the semi see-through mirror and exits the laser onto a surface. We have written a quite long article about how a laser pointer works.

How to fix a laser pointer?

When it comes to fixing a laser pointer, there may be a few ways to do it without having to bring it into a repair shop or replacing the whole unit. Here’s a list of a few fixes you can try at home:

• Try and replace the batteries. Sometimes, one fix to a unit that just suddenly stopped working is just a simple change of batteries. Choose fresh batteries.
• Disassemble the laser. Another way is to unscrew the unit and check to see if there is an issue with the circuit. You may be able to find replacement parts and order them online, though it may be cheaper to replace the whole unit.
• Remove the internal circuit board. Take out all parts and see if you can get the circuit board off. After this, you can replace it or see if there were any connectivity issues.
• Test all components of the laser – check to see if there are cut wires, if the circuit isn’t connecting, or see if there is a smaller issue.
• Trim the pot. Turn the potentiometer to the highest setting and power it with batteries. See if the laser has a continuous beam or if it’s clicking. If the pen shows any sign of weakness, then it’s likely that the unit will not work anymore.

How far can a laser pointer travel?

Laser pointers have an exceptional range compared to older models. When you think of a laser pointer, you may imagine the ones they used back in school. However, with modern advancements in technology, lasers can now reach a bit farther while still retaining an intense beam of light.

The range of a laser pointer can be anywhere from 30 feet all the way to over 300 feet. You’ll find that a majority fall into the 30-foot category, as this ones are good for small presentations or meetings. However, the most common one is the ones with a 100-foot range. These lasers are excellent for high school or college classes and feature a bright red laser that will show up on most backdrops.

Final Verdict

Laser pointers come in various colors and can be used for multiple applications. Whether you’re using it for fun or plan to use it at your next presentation, laser pointers will enhance your ability to keep your audience’s or pet’s attention. Hopefully, this article has helped you find at least one laser pointer that you liked.