Stabila has been around for nearly 160 years. The company has a reputation for being one of the best in the world at delivering a select range of precision instruments, particularly spirit levels.
But are they truly the best spirit level manufacturer on the market? Let’s take a look at who they are and why their equipment is used by tradespeople around the world.
How Stabila began
Spirit levels have a long history, with the first recorded use dating back to 1661. By 1890, the Gustav Ullrich Maßstabsfabrik company, later known as Stabila, had begun developing a range of compact spirit levels.
In 1952, they obtained a patent for the acrylic glass vial, making them the first German manufacturer of measuring tools to produce light-metal spirit levels.
In 1979, they secured a patent that still holds strong today, ensuring life-long accuracy for Stabila spirit levels.
Stabila, despite originally manufacturing folding rules, is now one of the most esteemed names in precision instruments. Alongside folding rules, they offer Rotary Lasers, Distance Measures, and Tape Measures, but it’s their spirit levels that have made them an indispensable part of many tool kits.
While some companies struggle when diversifying from their original successful product, Stabila has maintained its focus on measuring equipment for over a century, and this commitment is a key factor in their widespread respect.
How Stabila Levels are made…
Installation Technology
The Stabila assembly system features a vial that is cast into a vial block holder, making it stress-free and completely immovable. This vial block holder is then inserted into the spirit level profile in a way that eliminates any movement.
As a result, the vial and profile are permanently aligned, ensuring consistent accuracy in measurements. The unique installation technology guarantees long-term accuracy by bonding the components of the spirit level together through a special casting process.
This means that you can rely on your spirit level to maintain its accuracy for life, remaining just as accurate as it was on the first day. It delivers precise measurements even under challenging construction site conditions.
Quality Vials
The vial block is constructed from high transparency, durable, and easy-to-clean acrylic glass. The exterior surfaces must be as flat as possible to prevent light from refracting when reading the vial.
The interior walls of the vial are precision-ground, and the corrosion-free reference rings are flush with the surface. This design allows the vial bubble to move freely and unhindered, ensuring maximum measuring precision.
Additionally, the STABILA vials have an anti-static factor that prevents the vial’s movement from being influenced by static loading or mechanical influences. The vial liquid is resistant to UV rays, ensuring that the vial’s colour is stable and providing good readability in all types of light.
Robustness
Every tradesperson knows that not everything runs smoothly on the construction site. Spirit levels are put under a great deal of strain, and they can all too easily fall from a scaffold while work is underway.
That’s why it’s important that your tools remain just as precise after being subjected to the daily stresses of the construction site as on the day you bought them. Stabila spirit levels are particularly tough performers.
Your spirit level will maintain its accuracy even under harsh construction site conditions. Extremely tough due to their strong aluminium profiles and permanently cast-in vials thanks to our tried-and-tested installation technology.
Why are there so many Stabila Levels?
Tradespeople frequently need to take measurements throughout the day, and each task requires a spirit level of the appropriate length.
Stabila offers a variety of spirit levels designed for different applications, including aluminium rectangular profiles in various cross-sections and extremely durable cast aluminium profiles.
There are many different models available, each with useful features such as rare-earth magnet systems, angle vials, vials with lights, and slip stopper end caps for stability when marking. The decision of which spirit level to choose is up to you.
Different Stabila Level Designs & Uses
A profile is always geared towards the needs and demands of the craftsman. High practical value, the required durability, coupled with the lowest possible weight, and optimal handling all play a crucial role.
| Torsion-Resistant ‘R’ Profile | Rigid aluminium profile with reinforcing ribs | Aluminium profile with reinforcing ribs | Light aluminium profile | Cast aluminium profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
| Torsion-resistant five-chamber ‘R’ profile – developed for the most difficult construction sites | Ultra-rigid aluminium profile with reinforcing ribs – for high stability and secure hold | Aluminium profile with reinforcing ribs – for high stability and secure hold | Light aluminium profile – for easy handling | Cast aluminium profile – strong grip |
| Type R 300 | Type 96 & Type 196 | Type 80 AS | Type 70 | Type 81 & Type 82 |
Digital
Even now, Stabila is continuously developing new spirit levels to suit the needs and demands of tradespeople around the world. A recent addition to their range is the TECH 196 Dark Shadow Digital Spirit Level.
This limited edition model has a classy appearance with an anthracite matte coating and features high-quality ‘Made in Germany’ technology. It sets the gold standard for levelling jobs in difficult conditions, providing a high level of accuracy that solidifies Stabila’s position as a market leader.
Whether working at home or on-site, this practical digital spirit level is impressive and rugged. It has an IP65 rating, protecting it from the elements and dirt, and can even be briefly submerged in water.
Reading the information from the level is made easy, with a dual LCD display on the top as well as the side. Each display is large and illuminated, allowing for work in all lighting conditions.
So, are they worth it?
Yes, Stabila has a well-deserved, respected, and established reputation around the world. In my opinion, they are incredibly understated, almost to the point of being bashful.
While other brands offer spirit levels as an extension of their arsenal of products, Stabila has stayed true to what they know, and they really know their stuff. If you need precision, unyielding accuracy, and want something that will last a lifetime, then Stabila is the one you need.
Had to replace my 83s 800mm level for a new one due to expanded bubbles I had had it for 30 years highly recommend