What are the most important hand tools? The screwdriver and hammer surely rank high on the list, as do pliers and wrenches. And what toolkit is complete without a good measuring tape? But if you leave the level off your list, frankly, you're doing it wrong, my friend. Even the best tools on the market can't ensure a properly finished project if you can't be certain all your materials are lined up and, well, level.
If all you'll be doing is hanging a few family portraits or a spice rack, a simple, affordable torpedo bubble level is all you'll need. For more involved projects, consider a beam level or a laser level. Just don't consider trying to get something level using your eyes alone — I give this advice sincerely based on far too much firsthand experience.
As you wait for your new level to arrive in the mail, you can actually use your iPhone in a pinch. Open up the compass app, and then swipe to the right. Yep, that's a digital level right there. The shape of the phone and your likely unwillingness to use it around hammers and sawdust and such make it a less than ideal tool for construction projects, but it's a fine backup.
Here are the best levels: