LED work lights are increasingly overtaking incandescent work lights as popular options for supplementary task lighting. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes to suit every job. Plus, LED bulbs are incredibly energy-efficient and long-lasting, saving you the hassle of purchasing new bulbs every few months. We researched various LED work lights and evaluated them for their brightness, versatility in lighting patterns, and styles, from small-job lights that fit in pockets, to lights that illuminate large spaces. Our top overall pick is the Craftsman 2000-Lumen Portable Work Light, which checked every one of our boxes. Here are the best LED work lights. As with many Craftsman products, now being sold exclusively at Lowe’s, this LED work light can be fitted onto Craftsman tripods. We would prefer a longer power cord than the five-footer that is hardwired to this product, but at such a reasonable price, you can easily buy a few to keep in your workshop. Price at time of publish: $35 According to the manufacturer, this LED light uses 80 percent less energy than halogen bulbs. Its multiple-groove design coupled with die-cast aluminum body should be highly effective in shearing away heat. It features a 15-foot cord, but we question why it contains the on/off switch rather than being on the unit itself. Price at time of publish: $25 This LED work light has an integrated handle for easy carrying, and at about 8.5 pounds it isn’t that heavy a tote. It can be detached from the tripod for increased portability, but its power cord is only five feet long. It’s rated for temporary damp location use but is not recommended for use in wet weather. This product has a three-year warranty, but we like that Husky replaces any failed product for as long as you own it. Price at time of publish: $109 We like that you can dim the Astro Tools Slim Light, which we don’t see a lot of with similar products. The product also features versatile mounting, with a base magnet and dual handle magnets, as well as a base hook. However, it is somewhat top-heavy and could fall over easily. We have noted that it didn’t survive a fall into a drain pan full of coolant, so we recommend you not use this product in wet conditions. Price at time of publish: $51 This LED light charges via a USB cable, and it delivers up to six hours of runtime per charge, according to the manufacturer. However, we have noted that initially, it can take several hours to charge, so we recommend charging it after each use. The cord is only three feet long, but since it is used only to recharge the light, we don’t consider that an issue. Price at time of publish: $56 COB stands for “chip on board,” a relatively new LED sub-technology. COBs mount an LED chip directly to a substrate, allowing more LEDs to be packed more tightly together. That results in brighter and more uniform light that uses less energy than standard LED lights. So while this light delivers a relatively small 175 lumens, it’s actually brighter than non-COB 175-lumen products. The manufacturer reports that the product rates 6300-7000 Kelvin, delivering cool, daylight-style light. The 2-ounce unit runs on three AAA batteries, and it can provide light for up to seven consecutive hours. Price at time of publish: $12 The COB (“chip-on-board”) technology used in this aluminum product increases the number of LEDs that can be mounted on a substrate, meaning you have more light emitters on the same size surface, and thus more light. The manufacturer asserts that the highest setting throws a 390-lumen beam more than 65 feet—about the length of a semi-trailer. (If you need an ordinary flashlight option, you have that as well.) You can angle the head 180 degrees and swivel it 180 degrees, giving you a wide distribution range. The only downside to this product is that we have noted that the on-off switch may be in an awkward position for some, and we would prefer that it be recessed rather than proud of the body. But this is a minor point that in no way dims our recommending this product. Price at time of publish: $40 If you need a permanent work light, note that its 16-inch length may make it difficult to mount in tight spaces. The power cord is only 18 inches long, which could further restrict placement. Price at time of publish: $115
Portable work lights are specifically made for easy transportation and may even have some innovative attachments to help position them, such as a wall mount or adjustable base. These products are great for use on construction sites and are effective solutions when you need to work inside a wall or up in the ceiling.Stand work lights use tripods or other stands for support. You can adjust their height by shortening or lengthening the stand’s legs. You set the light’s direction simply by turning the light towards the desired area. However, the drawback of stand work lights is that they take up a lot of space and can create a tripping hazard in a busy area. Use them for longer projects or when you need both hands to work.Retractable work lights can function as stationary or portable options. Their power cords can be extended to position the light anywhere, usually by means of a hook; then, retract them fully into the light’s structure for convenient storage and transportation. That not only keeps the user safe from accidentally tripping over the cord but also keeps the light safe from being yanked out of the wall by a foot or leg.
Brightness
The brightness of an LED work light is typically measured in lumens (lm). One lumen is equal to the amount of light produced by a single burning candle, so look for a work light that can create a substantial amount of light for the job. If you regularly work in a well-lit garage, you may only need a work light for more detailed work. However, if you complete renovations and repairs inside the ceiling, under sinks, behind walls, or in dark mechanical rooms, opt for a work light that can properly illuminate the space. Work lights can range in brightness from just 60 lumens to well over 1,500 lumens, so check the lumen output, and find the best work light for your purposes. Newer LED work lights may use chip-on-board (COB) technology, where more LEDs can be mounted on a bulb’s surface, effectively increasing the number of light providers. Such lights may have apparently low lumens but actually can deliver brighter light, and often reduce power consumption as well.
Ingress Protection Rating
Ingress protection (IP) ratings indicate a product’s level of resistance to water and dust. IP ratings are given as two-digit numbers, with the first digit, from 0 to 6, representing the level of protection against solid particles such as hair, dust, and dirt. The second digit represents the level of protection against water and similar liquids on a scale of 0 to 7. Despite a work light’s IP ratings, few are recommended for work in heavy wet weather, and virtually none is truly waterproof.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, who has been writing professionally in the lifestyle space since 2014. Additional research for this round-up comes from Timothy Dale, a seasoned home improvement expert who specializes in a number of topics, including plumbing, construction, and product recommendations.
