MSY DT20 Laser Tape Measure Review: A Tape Measure That Reads Itself For You

Introduction

Lasers make almost any tool better, and tape measures are no exception. The MSY DT20 Laser Tape Measure is a three-in-one device that pairs a standard retractable tape measure with a laser distance measurer and a digital LCD readout. On paper it covers up to 130 feet with the laser and 16 feet with the digital tape measure, and it handles area, volume, and even Pythagorean calculations on its own. We spent time with it on the bench to see whether it earns its place over a regular $20 to $25 tape measure.

Who the MSY DT20 Is For

The DT20 is aimed at people who regularly measure rooms, workshops, and spaces that are too large for a standard tape blade. Instead of the tedious routine of measuring in segments and adding them up, you set the tool against the wall, press a button, and read the exact distance on the digital display.

It also helps anyone who struggles to read small markings on a tape blade. Press and hold a button and the DT20 shows your current measurement on the LCD screen in large, unambiguous digits, so there is no squinting at hash marks. The company also sent over a more advanced laser level unit, but that one feels aimed at architects and remodelers who need beam levels and sophisticated multi-mode measurements. The DT20 is the everyday-carry option almost anyone can use.

Key Features and Bench Impressions

As a standard tape measure, the DT20 behaves the way you expect, with a retractable blade and a pocket clip. The extras are what set it apart:

• A laser distance measurer that reads up to 130 feet
• A digital tape measure mode covering 16 feet
• Area, volume, and Pythagorean theorem modes
• Unit switching between feet and inches, feet and fractional inches, and metric
• A press-and-hold digital readout for easy viewing
• A protective lip that rises to shield the LCD screen
• USB charging, with 20 different hold positions for taking measurements

In use, arming the laser takes one press and firing the measurement takes a second. The screen displays a small icon indicating whether it is reading the full span, which cuts down on confusion about what number you are looking at. Switching back and forth between standard tape mode and laser mode is handled with a long press, and the tool powers down the same way.

The mode where this tool shines is quick room checks: measuring wall to wall, checking whether furniture will fit, or verifying a space during a move or remodel. Where an iPhone measurement app can be hit or miss, the DT20’s laser readout was spot on every time in testing.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The biggest drawback is the charging port. The DT20 charges over micro USB, which feels dated when nearly everything else has moved to USB-C. It is a small annoyance, but worth knowing before you buy.

Price is the other consideration. At $66.99 (with a $5 coupon bringing it closer to $62), it costs roughly double a decent standard tape measure. The screen could also be a little brighter, and the matte black finish, while looking sophisticated, makes the display slightly harder to read in some light. If you only measure short distances occasionally, a conventional tape measure still does the job for less.

Buying Advice

At around $67 before the $5 coupon, the DT20 makes sense if you regularly measure large rooms, work in remodeling or layout, or simply want a measurement you can read at a glance. Former tradespeople and anyone tired of chaining together multi-segment tape measurements will get the most out of it. If your projects rarely stretch past arm’s reach, the premium over a basic tape measure is harder to justify.

For everyone else, it is worth considering how often you actually hit the limits of a standard tape. If the answer is often, the DT20 pays for itself in saved frustration.

Conclusion

The MSY DT20 Laser Tape Measure is a genuinely useful hybrid: a normal tape measure for quick jobs, plus a laser and digital display for long distances and legibility. The micro USB port and price are the main trade-offs, but for anyone constantly measuring large spaces, it is a tool you will reach for daily rather than one that sits on the shelf.