10 Best Work Lights (Review) In 2021

The first work light on our list is the PowerSmith PWL2140TS. It’s obviously not our Best Choice product because of its catchy name, so it must have something else going for it. And it does! For starters, it comes with an impressive tripod system that fits two lights on top and even has a carry handle on top. That immediately sets it apart from a lot of other LED work lights. The lights in question are two LED lights that give out 4,000 lumens, which is more than enough for any one-man job.

The lights are adjustable, so you can tilt them to point at whatever you’re working on, and the tripod extends out to be even longer if you need it. It’s powered by a 9-foot cord, which means you shouldn’t even need an extension cord. PowerSmith claims that it will last for 50,000 hours, which is over 6 years of continuous use. It’s really unlikely that you’ll be able to use it for that long, so it should last a lifetime. Speaking of durability, it has a sealed die-cast aluminum housing that is completely weatherproof. This might not be the most versatile work lamp, but it’s a great value product when you consider the power and functionality. Make sure you also check our guide to the best cordless drills for more great items like this.

Makita is one of the tool brands that you know you can trust. They make amazing products that last a lifetime, which is what you want from tools. You don’t want to have to buy them twice. Of course, you do have to pay for that sort of quality, which is why Makita Lithium-Ion LED Flood Light is our Premium Choice product. It’s more expensive than some of its competitors but it definitely justifies the heftier price tag. The first thing you’ll notice when you unpack it from the box is how sturdy this thing is. It’s covered in thick, durable plastic and has Makita’s Extreme Protection Technology (XPT™), which is a series of protective seals inside the housing that stop water, dust, and debris from getting inside. This makes it pretty much indestructible and perfect for working outside.

This LED work lamp has two different modes, putting out either 440 or 750 lumens. So, it’s not the brightest light on this list but it will still light up your work area sufficiently. The reason it’s not as powerful is that it’s powered by a rechargeable battery. When it’s fully charged, it can run for 17 hours continuously and is interchangeable with the battery from any other Makita 18v tool. It can also be bought with a stand if you need one.

The Dewalt DCL050 work light is the first handheld work light we chose to be on our list. Dewalt is another famous tool brand known for making amazing quality products. This one is no exception. Like the Makita, it’s housed in a thick and durable plastic that will withstand any drops, bumps, or weather. It has two light settings that put out either 250 or 500 lumens, giving you the choice to go full power or save the battery life. Speaking of the battery, it’s powered by Dewalt’s 20v lithium ion, which has a run time of around 11 hours. The only problem is, you have to buy the battery separately, and they can cost around $50.

Although it’s primarily a handheld light, it will stand on its own and you can adjust the head to point it at the area you’re working on. Plus, it has a small hook on top if you want to hang it from something. Our handy guide to the best stud finders features more great products like this.

The Ustellar 5500LM is a great budget option if you’re looking for a powerful light that isn’t going to break the bank. It’s not as good quality as the Makita or Dewalt products, but it is still pretty durable and should last a long time. It puts out an amazing 5,500 lumens and it has two lighting settings. Plus, it’s 85% more efficient than a traditional halogen lamp, so it’s not going to drain your electricity.

You’ll never need an extension cord again with the 5m power cable. It’s perfect for those difficult-to-get-to jobs, where you need both hands for the job. It has an IP65 waterproof rating and you can completely adjust the angle of the light with the help of two adjustable knobs. It also has an efficient cooling system that means the light is cool to the touch. This isn’t the best quality garage work light, but it works really well and it’s affordable.

Now, for another one of the best portable work lights on the market. On the first look, this could easily be mistaken for another portable outdoor light, but it has some amazing features that set it apart. For example, Neiko 40339A Cordless COB LED Work Light has a detachable magnetic base to let you attach it to any metal surface; and all-angle swivel hanging hooks, which means you can pretty much hang it onto anything. These additions make it one of the most versatile handheld work lights money can buy.

The light has three settings, either 250, 400, or 700 lumens, and has a battery life of between 4.2 and 11.5 hours depending on the setting. Plus, the battery can be charged using a USB cable, which means you can plug it into your car or even your phone charger. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best circular saws.

Hallomall 15W 24LED Spotlights Work Light  was a strong contender to be our Best Value product. At less than $30, you’re not going to find many cheaper work lights of this quality. Of course, it’s not the best LED work light out there, compared to the lights from the branded names like Makita, Dewalt, and Snap-On, but it’s still well-equipped for most jobs.

Hallomall doesn’t publish the number of lumens provided by this lamp, but you can work out from the wattage that it’s around 900. It also comes with a couple of features that the others don’t have. It’s got red and blue flashing lights, for use in a roadside emergency. Plus, it’s powered by a high-quality lithium battery that has two USB charging ports to charge your phone or other devices. It’s these little details that make this perfect for camping or taking on the road. It’s mounted on a little stand and can be rotated 360 degrees.

Bosch is another one of those brand names that come to mind when you think of quality. It sits somewhere in between a handheld work light and a full-sized base-mounted work light. It does have a stand, but it’s not the traditional LED work light tripod you might expect. Instead, Bosch 12-Volt Max LED Cordless Work Light FL12 is a foldable work light stand that allows it to stand freely on any flat surface. Plus, it has a 1/4-inch screw thread, so you can attach it to a larger tripod if you want. And, it has two powerful magnets and a carabiner clip to attach it to different items.

It only puts out 300 lumens, but it’s enough to light a small area really well. You can either power it with a 2.0Ah, which gives six hours runtime; or a 4.0Ah, which gives you twelve hours run time. You can actually double the runtime if you use the dim setting. If you are looking to upgrade your tools check out our guide to the best wood axes.

This is one of the simplest and most effective handheld work lights out there. There are some great handheld lights on the market with lots of useful accessories, but this one doesn’t bother with any of those add-ons. At just over $10, Cat CT1000 Pocket COB Light had to be our Best Value product because it does everything you want from a simple handheld light.

It only provides 175 lumens, but that’s enough to illuminate a small area. Plus, it’s run on just three AAA batteries, which provides seven hours of run time. Sure, that’s going to end up costing you extra money if you use it a lot, but it also means you never have to wait for it to charge. You also get a magnetic base and a clip to mount the light wherever you need to. This waterproof work light is amazing value, especially when you consider it’s made by a high-quality tool manufacturer like CAT.

Snap-on is not only synonymous with the automotive industry. It’s known for its amazing history and super high-quality products. So, when they released a base-mounted work light, we knew it would be good. It’s a pretty simple light. Snap-on 922261 LED Work Light provides 2,000 lumens through LED bulbs that never need replacing. It doesn’t take a lot of power to run, compared to its competitors, and is powered by a 1.8m (6ft) cable.

It comes with a pre-attached base, which will let it stand on any flat surface, but it also has two bolts in the frame that allow you to attach to pretty much any lighting tripod. Or, if you want to hold it, it has an ergonomic carrying handle that’s padded in foam. Of course, you do have to pay for the fact that it’s made by Snap-On, but it’s still reasonably good value compared to a lot of work lights. Don’t forget to also check our guide to the best band saws.

The BigBright LED Work Light provides something that the other lights on this list can’t offer. It lights up the entire room with a 360-degree lighting cabinet, powered by a 6,000 LED bulb. Unlike the other directional lights, this is purpose-built for working on indoor and outdoor projects where you need light all around. When you turn it on for the first time, you’ll be amazed at how much light it pushes out.

The LED bulb never needs replacing and it’s powered by a 2.1-meter (7ft) cable. Aside from that, it’s really lightweight and it comes with a hanging strap, so you can attach it somewhere above your head and light an even bigger area. The only problem is that it’s not going to be as durable as a lot of work lights, so you’ll have to be careful when you’re moving it around. If you need to keep your tools handy at all times, check out our tool belts reviews and find the perfect one.