Laser pointer for presentations, lectures and lessons

What makes a good presentation laser pointer?

Forget about range and power. In a meeting room or lecture theatre, the distance from you to the screen is rarely more than 20 or 30 metres. What matters is a clear dot, a comfortable grip and reliability – a pointer that works when you click it, every time. All our laser pens are class 2 with an output up to 1 mW, the class intended for sale to the public in the UK, so they are suitable for offices, schools and universities.

One thing to know before you buy: our lasers are pointers only. They do not have buttons to change PowerPoint or Keynote slides. If you need slide control, use your laptop, a clicker or a remote alongside the laser pen – many speakers prefer to keep the two separate anyway.

Red or green for PowerPoint?

Red is the traditional choice. It is calm, familiar and clearly visible on a projection screen, whiteboard or flip chart in a normally lit room. The M1 red laser pen (650 nm) is our presenter favourite: slim, light and running on two AAA batteries.

Green looks noticeably brighter to the human eye. If your room is bright, the projector is weak, or the audience is large and far away, a green dot stands out more. The X1 green laser pen with clip is ideal.

Violet is less suitable for presentations: the dot looks softer, especially on a bright screen.

A tip for modern rooms: a laser dot is easiest to see on a projection screen or whiteboard. On large LED or LCD screens it can be harder to spot, so test it before your audience arrives.

Pen or rechargeable?

If you present occasionally, a pen on AAA batteries is the most practical: keep two spare batteries in your bag and you are covered. If you teach or train every day, a rechargeable Pro saves money and waste over time. In a school, the safety keys of the R1 Pro let you leave the laser in a drawer knowing pupils cannot switch it on.

Seven tips for pointing like a pro

1. Point, then talk. Put the dot on the item, pause, then explain it.
2. Hold it still. Rest your elbow against your body or use both hands to reduce wobble.
3. Do not circle endlessly. A slow underline or a steady dot is easier to follow than a whirling circle.
4. Switch off between points. A dot left wandering over the slide distracts people.
5. Never sweep across the audience – and never aim at faces, eyes or reflective surfaces such as glass walls.
6. Check batteries the day before.
7. Keep it away from children after the lesson – it is a tool, not a toy.

Want more? Read our guide on how to use a laser pointer in a presentation, or see the safety basics on our laser pointer safety page. Browse all red laser pens and green laser pens.