The Best Work Lights for the Workshop or Jobsite in 2024, Tested
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Don’t fumble around in the dark, trading progress for frustration. This guide sheds some light on the best work lights for your workshop or jobsite.
A surefire way to hinder progress is by trying to work in the dark, but a good work light can help. Trying to work in low light fatigues your eyes and your mind, potentially leading to mistakes or accidents. The good news is that you can eliminate those problems by equipping your workshop or jobsite with additional lights.
We tested four great lighting options to find out the pros and cons of each type and the circumstances where one might be better suited than the others. In addition to the lights we tested, we also included three options worthy of consideration.
Our top pick was the Husky twin head work light. For a modest price, it puts out tons of light, and since it uses outlet electricity, it offers unlimited runtime. We appreciated that it was lightweight, worked with or without the tripod, and included easily adjustable lamps. However, there are others in our lineup that may be better suited for smaller work areas and off-grid project sites or are built to take along in a tool bag or backpack. This guide will help you choose the best work light for your needs.
- BEST OVERALL: Husky 10,000-Lumen Twin Head LED Work Light
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Performance Tool 3000+LM 120V LED Work Light
↓ Jump to Review - BEST HEAD LIGHT: Black Diamond Storm 400 Headlamp
↓ Jump to Review - BEST TRIPOD: DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Tripod Work Light
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WITH STAND: Lutec 6290Pro 9000-Lumen Portable LED Work Light
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PORTABLE: DeWalt 20V MAX All-Purpose Cordless Work Light
↓ Jump to Review - BEST RECHARGEABLE: Stanley 600-Lumen Rechargeable LED Work Light
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 4 |
| Time spent testing | 5 hours |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Price range | $30 to $200 |
Our Top Picks
The following work lights are our top picks for a workshop or jobsite. Depending on your needs, there’s likely a work light on this list that’ll work for you.
Best Overall
Husky 10,000-Lumen Twin Head LED Work Light
Photo: The Home Depot
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Light Quality 4/5; Portability 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Product Specs
- Type: Standing
- Power source: Plug-in
- Lumens: 10,000
What We Like
- Bright, adjustable, wide-area LED work lights
- Use with or without the tripod
- Heavy-duty 8-foot power cord
- Lightweight and easy to transport
What We Don’t Like
- Light-duty tripod
- Lamps are not dust- or waterproof rated
Whether you need temporary construction lights or modular LED workplace lights that you can set up, adjust, and transport as needed, the Husky 10,000-lumen twin head work light could be a great choice. The 120-volt corded LED lamps produce a flood of neutral white light (4000K, or Kelvins, which is a measurement of a light’s color). The twin lamps are equipped with independent power switches along with up/down and right/left position adjustment knobs. It includes built-in feet so it can be used with or without the telescoping tripod.
This work light produced the best general work area illumination of all the lights we tested. Having two light sources to cover the work area gave us the flexibility to intensify lighting in a smaller space, or spread the light across a wider area. We also liked that it has a quick-attach coupler. This let us remove the lamp assembly from the tripod for work in cramped areas, such as an attic or basement crawl space or in a crowded outbuilding. Since this is an LED work light, the heat output was far less than the old-style halogen work lights built on a similar tower platform.
To be fair and honest, this light won’t be perfect for every user. It is limited to locations where a power outlet is readily available. And since it is not IP rated for dust or moisture resistance, you’ll want to use caution in certain conditions. But for home, garage, and other indoor or outdoor projects, this is an affordable and very effective workshop lighting option.
Get the Husky work light at The Home Depot or Amazon.
Best Bang for the Buck
Performance Tool 3000+LM 120V LED Work Light
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Light Quality 5/5; Portability 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Standing or hanging
- Power source: Plug-in
- Lumens: 1,542 to 3,032
What We Like
- Bright LED flood light
- Compact and lightweight
- Versatile setup options
- Budget-friendly
What We Don’t Like
- Short 3-foot power cord
Household garage lighting is usually adequate for getting to and from the car, but not much else. If you need a compact-but-versatile automotive work light that won’t break the bank, consider the Performance Tool W2233 corded LED work light. It features a fold-out hang hook, a built-in adjustable stand, and it can pivot on its base to cast up to 3,032 lumens in any direction. There’s no need to worry about dust and moisture ruining the light either, as it’s rated IP54 dust- and water-resistant.
This work light has the versatility needed in any workshop setting, but we especially liked it in the garage. We could set it flat on the floor or angled slightly upward to light the undercarriage, or we could hang it from the hood latch at any angle we chose to clearly see the top side of the engine. When we used the low power setting, it lit up an area about the size of a large desktop. The high power setting could illuminate a small room.
In addition to its low price and work performance, we also appreciated the Performance Tool work light’s small stature. It measures about 8 inches tall, 6 inches wide, and 2 inches high in the folded position, and it weighs less than 2 pounds. When it wasn’t in use, we could fold it flat and either hang it on the pegboard wall or slip it into the tool chest for storage. For supplemental LED work lighting in any shop setting, this is an excellent deal.
Get the Performance Tool work light at Amazon or NAPA.
Best Head Light
Black Diamond Storm 400 Headlamp
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Light Quality 5/5; Portability 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Type: Wearable
- Power source: 4 AAA batteries
- Lumens: 8, 180, or 400
What We Like
- Rugged dust- and waterproof construction
- Suitable for any work environment
- Convenient hands-free lighting on demand
- Up to 200 hours of runtime
What We Don’t Like
- Requires single-use alkaline batteries (not rechargeable)
Even more than the best flashlight, headlights offer the convenience of a personalized battery-powered work light in any environment. The Black Diamond Storm 400 headlamp tops our list as one of the most compact and convenient outdoor work lights for hands-free work. Powered by four AAA alkaline batteries, it emits up to 400 lumens, with optional settings for proximity or distance lighting, dimming, and strobe, as well as red, green, and blue modes.
So the user can quickly see the remaining battery life, the Storm 400 includes a three-LED battery meter. It’s built for extended use in the elements, with the lamp and battery housing IP67-rated dust- and waterproof. It can also withstand full immersion under 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. The adjustable elastic headband fits heads, hats, and even allows it to be used as a hard hat light.
We loved almost everything about this light, with the possible exception of its reliance on single-use alkaline batteries. The wide elastic band fit comfortably and held its position even while running. Also, the light itself was incredibly adjustable, from the tiltable face to the variable brightness settings. We appreciated the red lighting to see in the dark without wrecking our night vision. One of our favorite aspects of this headlamp is that we could shine the light out to a distance greater than 100 feet, then adjust it for up-close work. This is the perfect solution for working in dark crawl spaces, when you need a little extra light under the car hood, or for use as a convenient extra light source to keep in the tool bag for whenever the need arises.
Get the Black Diamond work light at Amazon.
Best Tripod
DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Tripod Work Light
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Light Quality 4/5; Portability 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Product Specs
- Type: Standing
- Power source: 20-volt battery (not included)
- Lumens: 3,000
What We Like
- Compatible with all DeWalt 20-volt, XR, and FlexVolt batteries
- IP55 rated for dusty, damp worksites
- Adjustable lamp height and tilt angle
- Fast setup and takedown
What We Don’t Like
- Heavier and more expensive than corded lights
- Battery and charger sold separately
Tripod work lights are a great option for larger work areas, indoors and out. We recommend cordless work lights for projects where outlets are not readily available or where power cords would present a tripping hazard. The DeWalt 20-volt cordless tripod work light is fast and easy to set up anywhere, is compatible with all of DeWalt’s 20-volt batteries, and emits up to 3,000 lumens to brighten any workspace.
This light features energy-efficient, long-lasting LEDs and a rugged portable design. The heavy-duty aluminum and plastic tripod folds into a tight cylindrical package for convenient storage, and it includes a molded carry handle for easy transport. Powered by a 6 amp-hour battery (not included), the DeWalt tripod work light offers up to 11 hours of runtime. It carries an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance.
The DeWalt tripod was heavier, more expensive, and produced less light than the other freestanding work light we tested, but the tripod was more stable and the design felt more rugged overall. We felt more confident using the DeWalt model outdoors, and although the lumen rating was much lower than that of the twin lamp model we tested, we didn’t find it lacking in practical applications. This light was fast and easy to set up. We also found it easy to adjust the light, and the level locks held all the adjustments securely. All in all, it was a great user experience.
Get the DeWalt tripod work light at Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, or The Home Depot.
More Great Options
We limited our testing to showcase the key types of work lights and features many shoppers might be looking for. And while one or more of the previous picks might be right for most use cases, the following models also warrant consideration.
Best with Stand
Lutec 6290Pro 9000-Lumen Portable LED Work Light
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Standing
- Power source: Plug-in
- Lumens: 9,000
What We Like
- Adjustable twin-head work light
- Adjustable height with lever lock
- Corded light for unlimited runtime
- Folds for transport and storage
What We Don’t Like
- Untested construction quality
The Lutec 6290Pro work light is the upgraded version of the company’s highly rated 7,000- lumen 6290XL, and it has a lot of lighting power. This 9,000-lumen work light uses a flip-lock tripod system for a stand, allowing the user to set it up quickly on a sturdy base. The 6290Pro has a heavy-duty die-cast aluminum housing, making it tough enough for the roughest jobsites. The tripod extends to up to 5.5 feet, and the heads swivel 90 degrees up and down and 330 degrees horizontally. It’s also water-resistant, so it can light up a shop or outdoor area without concern.
A work light with a stand and twin lamp heads makes it easy to perform detailed work in dark or dimly lit environments. We like that the lamps on this Lutec stand light offer lots of lumens and multiple adjustment options. Plug-in power is ideal for long work days and eliminates fussing with batteries. Plus, the price is competitive. We do have some concerns about the long-term durability of this light, but that’s simply because we haven’t tested it. Some aluminum stands are stronger than others, and the leg braces here appear to be somewhat undersized.
Get the Lutec work light at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Wayfair.
Best Portable
DeWalt 20V MAX All-Purpose Cordless Work Light
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Standing or hanging
- Power source: 20-volt battery
- Lumens: 5,000
What We Like
- Up to 11 hours of runtime with 6 amp-hour battery
- Use freestanding, hanging, or tripod mounted
- IP54 rated dust- and water-resistant
- Remote control compatible with DeWalt Tool Connect app
What We Don’t Like
- Tripod is not included
For folks who are serious about portable jobsite illumination, the DeWalt DCL074 20V MAX cordless work light is an all-around excellent option. This high-end light runs on DeWalt’s 20V MAX and Flex