The 10 Best LED Work Lights

Sara Mandeed
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If you’re looking to light your work area to ensure that you can see clearly and work comfortably at night, or if you want to ensure that you have the proper lighting to help illuminate your work space in the dark, it’s a great idea to invest in a high-quality LED Work Light.

LED work lights are a great idea for just about anyone who works at night, or who has been known to be working at home on projects at odd times of the day in the dead of winter or bright summer sun.

LED work lights are wonderful for jobs that take you into dark areas of the home, or jobs that take you out of the home into dimly lit outdoor areas. I chose the ten best LED work lights from hundreds offered on the market today with an eye to quality, price, and user reviews. With so many different kinds of LED Light available on the market today, I’ll walk you through how to differentiate one product from the next.

NameCategoryProduct
PowerSmith PWL2140TS Dual-Head 40W 4000 Lumen LED Work LightBest OverallPowerSmith PWL2140TS Dual-Head 40W 4000 Lumen LED Work Light
Neiko 40339A Cordless Work LightBudget PickNeiko 40339A Cordless Work Light
Snap-on 922261 LED Work LightUpgrade PickSnap-on 922261 LED Work Light

1. PowerSmith PWL2140TS Dual-Head 40W 4000 Lumen LED Work Light

Our rating: 9 / 10

PowerSmith PWL2140TS Dual-Head 40W 4000 Lumen LED Work Light

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Pros:

  • Highly light weighted desk lamp
  • Standard connector works with any outlet
  • The beam from the lamp is polarized and covers the entire surface evenly
  • Battery protection allows you to use the lamp for more than the listed usage time

Cons:

  • Since it is a non-adjustable lumens work light, it can’t be used in the wrong environment
  • If left to charge for more than 12 hours, the batteries might get swollen

As a professional carpenter, there are multiple times when you might need a desk lamp to help you in a certain work. So, in order to ensure you get the best desk lamp for your home, you can consider PowerSmith PWL2140TS Dual-Head 40W 4000 Lumen LED Work Light with Metal Lamp Housing and Telescoping Tripod that comes with a metal housing that protects it from any kind of breakage.

The lamp is equipped with a battery protector that uses the unit of time to turn on and turn off the lamp. This ensures your protection much better than the sharp on-off time. The metal frame of the lamp helps to reduce the energy loss to its minimum and works effectively to provide the best brightness.

2. TACKLIFE 5000LM 50W Work Light

Our rating: 9 / 10

TACKLIFE 5000LM 50W Work Light

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Pros:

  • The lifetime warranty is excellent with their customer service
  • Very bright and gives you perfect visibility
  • The brightest work light available
  • 1000 Lumens
  • Uses versatile and rechargeable battery
  • AA Battery Operation
  • Price is reasonable
  • Ability to be tilted
  • Very lightweight
  • Great flood light when on low

Cons:

  • With direct sunlight it gets really hot
  • Really large on/off button
  • Not good for shallow surfaces
  • Might stop working after so many uses
  • The battery lasts for only two days

Emergency,Night BBQ.

The Tacklife 5000LM is a wonderful work light. This light will make working outside in the dark safe and easy. It is water-resistant so you will not have to worry about getting wet in the rain and neither will you have to worry about dropping your light and breaking it.

The Tacklife is really bright and unlike any other. It has two levels, with the highest level being the brightest on the market as well as the batteries last for a really long time and the batteries are rechargeable.

3. Neiko 40339A Cordless Work Light

Our rating: 9 / 10

Neiko 40339A Cordless Work Light

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Pros:

  • Slim & compact design
  • Aluminum body
  • IPX3 waterproof
  • 70% energy-saving
  • Slim & compact design
  • High-quality & long-lasting
  • 2 years of warranty

Cons:

  • Quite pricey
  • No battery meter
  • Not as powerful as some other lights

The Neiko 40339A Cordless Work Light, 700 Lumen COB LED Technology | Rechargeable USB Type Battery | Includes Swivel Hook and Magnetic Clip Attachments, Black is another great product that is worth your time when you are looking for the best LED work lights on the market today. With the rechargeable battery, this product is perfect for those who do not have time to wait for the batteries to be charged. The best thing about the rechargeable battery on this work light is the fact that you get to use it to charge other smaller batteries that you have. This product is waterproof which makes it one of the best products if you want to use it outdoors.

The LED lights on this work light are not the ones that you can get from the cheaply built work lights. They are built to last and they are built to make sure you get quality light when you are doing your tasks.

4. Snap-on 922261 LED Work Light

Our rating: 9 / 10

Snap-on 922261 LED Work Light

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Pros:

  • Great brightness output
  • Very reasonable price tag
  • Has the ability to be used as a desk work light in addition to an auto light
  • Has a cool touch handle so you can pick it up without burning your fingers
  • Adjustable swivel head
  • Consumes very little power – will not give your car battery a hard time, and it does not require a heavy duty outlet
  • Ain’t an eye sore, and does not draw attention – blends in very well with your vehicle
  • Very durable – made of a hard plastic material so it can take abuse
  • It’s extremely bright!
  • Can be used in your shop even with dimmer switches

7 Watts, 110-120 Volts.

5. Spotlights Work Lights Outdoor Camping Lights

Our rating: 9 / 10

Spotlights Work Lights Outdoor Camping Lights

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Pros:

  • Good brightness
  • USB port to charge your devices
  • Inexpensive
  • Brightness can be adjusted
  • Has a hook to hang it up
  • Comes with a replaceable battery

Cons:

  • Brighter than a few of the previous items
  • No carrying case or strap to carry it by
  • Not waterproof
  • Not as durable for long-term use as the name implies

Although many are not thrilled with the quality of this light, there is no doubt that it has some advantages. What sets this light apart from many others—besides its inexpensive price—is the fact that you can hang it up or carry it by its clip. Plus, it directs the light up in the air, and only the work area is lit up. You can strap it right to the hood of your car or hang it from the condo of your garage.

This spotlight is bright, with 15 LEDs that can be focused. When you use the light, you can run it for 5-6 hours, and the included charger will refill the battery in around 2 hours. You can also plug it into your computer or phone to charge on the fly. Some BB reader’s complain of its durability: the top piece can break off, and one needs to be careful in freezing weather when working with it.

6. DEWALT

Our rating: 8 / 10

DEWALT

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Pros:

  • Bright, long-lasting LED array
  • Adjustable pivot head
  • High-quality, comfortable grip
  • Can be used as a handheld flashlight
  • Includes a battery and charger
  • Hand-strap for extra safety

Cons:

  • Not rechargeable
  • Doesn’t come with a belt clip or magnet
  • A bit too heavy for handheld use

The Dewalt DCL050 is a versatile, bright, and durable LED-powered work light. It measures in around 6.5 x 1.1 x 10 inches, weighs about 11.3 ounces, and offers a 110 lumens lighting capacity.

The Dewalt XLR features an adjustable head that you can use for proximity lighting, as well as a rig mount that offers 360 degrees of rotation. The light also includes a sturdy, comfortable thermoplastic construction that feels good in your hands, even for long periods of time.

With a 1,200 mAh NiCd battery, a high-quality charger, and a nice hand strap for extra safety, the Dewalt DCL050 is as close to perfect as you can get without spending a few hundred dollars on a more powerful, rechargeable, and bulkier model.

7. In360Light LED Shop Light Portable Work Outdoor Indoor 360 Degrees

Our rating: 8 / 10

In360Light LED Shop Light Portable Work Outdoor Indoor 360 Degrees

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8. CAT 324122 Rechargeable LED Work Light

Our rating: 6 / 10

CAT 324122 Rechargeable LED Work Light

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Pros:

  • Inexpensive for amount of light output
  • Comes with hanger and AC and car charging cable
  • Hang or stand option
  • Can last for several hours on one charge
  • Water and shockproof

Cons:

  • Not suitable for outdoor use
  • Light not very shiny, more of a yellow light
  • No handle

We love the fact that the CAT 324122 Rechargeable LED Work Light is actually very inexpensive considering how much light it can produce, making it one of the best LED work lights for your money.

This super bright LED work light produces 475 lumens which is pretty freaking amazing, and has three settings: bright, really bright, and super bright. It has a magnet on the back so you can attach it to a metal surface. It comes with a standing surface and a wall mount if you prefer to stand it up.

Its range is up to 60 minutes of super bright light or 100 hours of bright light. Plus there’s a handy emergency beacon which is good in an emergency. The rechargeable batteries are great if you don’t want to use up your power outlets.

9. Ustellar 50W LED Work Light Ultra-Thin

Our rating: 6 / 10

Ustellar 50W LED Work Light Ultra-Thin

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Pros:

  • 10,000 hours bulb lifetime
  • 5-year warranty
  • Offers 360-degree brightness
  • Fully waterproof
  • Easy to assemble
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Affordable price tag
  • Free shipping
  • Money-back guarantee
  • Uses 50W of energy

Cons:

  • Bulbs can get hot and burn if left on for too long
  • Shines in a downward direction

When searching for the best contractors work lights, we compared a number of factors in – and out – of our own reach for this kind of light. Ustellar LED is a best-seller and a popular name amongst the market. The light is designed to be extremely easy to use and efficient, with an energy saving, long-lasting LED light bulb.

One of the best features of this light is its slim design. At only 2.2 pounds, it can easily be moved around, which is ideal for attaching it to your favorite tool stand or ladder. The light is also fully waterproof, which is great if you have kids and you’re working on a construction project.

10. Work Light

Our rating: 6 / 10

Work Light

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Pros:

  • Unique swivel hook
  • Versatile
  • Rechargeable batteries – convenient
  • Good brightness
  • Anti-slip rubber feet
  • Magnetic base
  • Nice color and feel

Cons:

  • No battery charge indicator
  • Button to change modes is a bit awkward to operate
  • Top button is a bit too clicky

BESWILL has designed this portable work light to be a multi-functional flood light that works great in a variety of environments. You can use it indoors to brighten up areas like closets, attics, and workshops and outdoors for activities like camping.

This LED flood light is bright and versatile, and its features are high-quality such as the sturdy steel hooks and the LED bulb, which has a lifespan of 50,000 hours.

The BESWILL light has two USB ports that allow you to charge two devices at once, including smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, and other devices with a USB port. This is an especially convenient feature if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need emergency lighting and a means to charge your phone to contact others for help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best LED work light?

The best LED work light in our opinion is the Rigid Industries SR-50 LED Spot Light.

The SR-50 maintains a compact size and low-profile design. It has an easy to use toggle switch and is moisture-proof. This light produces the best quality beam of light.

The next light we like is the dewalt dcl050.

This is another very powerful light. It gives off 10,000 lumens of light. It comes with a five year warranty and has a dual lamp setting. It is also saltwater and weatherproof.

The third light we like is the KTI’s Aluminum Alloy LED Utility Light.

This light is another one with an easy-to-use toggle-switch. It is extremely waterproof and cant rust or freeze. It has its own five year warranty.

What is the best rechargeable LED work light?

The current market is flooded with work lights. From useful lights to novelty lights, it's no surprise they're such a popular tool for every workshop. However, as you look into different models, you may begin to realize they have slight variations on their specs.

From rechargeable and non-rechargeable, to cool white and warm lights there are plenty of variations. We've tested the most popular models and picked the best one out of them.

What's more is that we've concluded which light is the best rechargeable LED work light for the money. Our goal is to make your research as quick and easy as possible.

What are the best LED outdoor lights?

The best all-around LED work light is the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 12-LED Work Light. It excels at both of the major functions of a work light: illuminating the path ahead and attracting the attention of passersby. It’s extremely lightweight and it has an angled hook, which allows you to hang it in a variety of positions in front of you, to the sides, or even overhead. In addition, it has a small loop on the back, making it easy to clip to the brim of your hat.

But the best LED work light for your needs will completely depend on the task at hand. We hope this guide has helped you identify which features are important in your search for the best LED work light.

How many lumens is a good work light?

Around 10 000 lumens is the minimum accepted minimum for quality. In fact, it is probably not advisable to buy anything with less than 10 000 lumens. Remember, more lumens means better visibility.

Lumens are a measure of light output from the light source. The higher the lumens the more light there is available.

Conclusion

Every year the world of LED lighting is getting brighter and brighter. For the past few years we have seen huge improvements in lighting technology that has made fluorescent and halogen lights obsolete. New advances in LED technology back in 2015 are advancing forward today with breakthroughs like 3D chips and next generation LEDs. It’s really only a matter of time before the rest of the world realizes these benefits, too. I hope we have helped you shed some light on this subject.

Our Recommendation

NameCategoryProduct
PowerSmith PWL2140TS Dual-Head 40W 4000 Lumen LED Work LightBest OverallPowerSmith PWL2140TS Dual-Head 40W 4000 Lumen LED Work Light
Neiko 40339A Cordless Work LightBudget PickNeiko 40339A Cordless Work Light
Snap-on 922261 LED Work LightUpgrade PickSnap-on 922261 LED Work Light