Are expensive levels actually more accurate than budget ones?

Out of the box, many budget levels can hit the same nominal accuracy spec (around 0.5 mm/m) as premium ones. The difference, as flagged repeatedly in r/Carpentry and r/Tools threads, is whether that accuracy survives drops and years of jobsite abuse. Premium German-engineered levels are typically warrantied for life on accuracy, while budget aluminum and plastic levels can drift after impacts.