We look at the best LED work light in 2022 by explaining the various types available with key considerations and our product tested reviews.
Table of Contents
What Kinds of LED Work Lights Are There? The best way to think about work lights is by dividing them into distinct groups.
This type of LED work light is attached directly to the surface you are working on. These lights have a clamp that allows them to be placed easily, and they can also offer multiple options for mounting depending on your needs.
This type of LED work light is attached to a tripod or stand and placed directly where you are working. The best led work light tripod is more stable than clamp lights, but they can pose an issue if you need them to move around the workspace unless they feature a detachable head from the stand as well.
Stanley 7000 Lumen Tripod Work Light |
With practical 8-ft long power cord for safe and easier use, this adjustable aluminum tripod with telescopic shaft extends to 6’-6” overall height. Multi-directional LED heads rotate 165° and pivot 90°. Compact design aids in storage & transportation. |
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Dependable Brand |
Cordless LED work lights run on batteries instead of through electricity. These batteries either need to be charged or replaced before use, but they can provide long-term light that doesn’t require an outlet nearby for power.
The biggest benefit to cordless LED work lights is how easily they can be moved around and placed wherever you need them without needing to use an outlet nearby. You can also use more than one cordless LED work light at the same time, something that isn’t typically possible with corded lights.
Scangrip Multi Match R |
This handy and powerful work light can be used for inspections and detailing providing up to 1200 lumen. This portable painting light is robust and an industry leader in vehicle detailing. Offers USB charging for other devices. |
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BEST PRO BUY |
The corded LED work lights are connected directly into a wall socket and receive electricity through wires. This allows the bulb to produce more consistent lighting without needing to be charged or replaced. These lights are usually cheaper than cordless LED work lights, but they can be more annoying to use if the socket is not near your workspace.
If you choose a corded LED work light, there will be no need for batteries and less concern about it running out of power when you need it. There is also less of a risk that the light will malfunction or stop working properly when you are in the middle of completing your work.
80W 12,000 Lumen Temporary Corded Work Light |
Essential LED temporary work lights at commercial and industrial grade. Heavy duty stainless steel cage housing adds extra durability and protection when operating in busy jobsites with successful ETL approval. |
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BEST TEMPORARY HANGING |
Many cordless LED work lights are also rechargeable, allowing you to get the benefits of both types at once. The best rechargeable work light has removable batteries that can be charged with a battery charger or plugged into an outlet for use. This is great if you need your light to last for longer periods without needing it replaced and don’t want to worry about power.
Whilst a rechargeable LED work light can be a great choice for those who want the best of both worlds, they are often more expensive than corded or cordless options and may need to be charged before use if you don’t plan on using them immediately.
Samyoung Rechargeable 3000 Lumen Work Light |
Dual sources of light: uses COB (flood beam) 12 hrs run time from battery + XPG (spot beam) LED light source, outputting a total of 3000-lumens. Robust design, light weight and easy to move and store. Waterproof to IP65 Rating so can be used in the rain or wet conditions. |
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Best Budget |
Retractable cord LED work lights feature a retractable chord that can be pulled out as far as you need it to reach, then pushed back into the base when not in use. This is great for ensuring your workspace is free of clutter and also allows you to freely move around wherever necessary without needing an outlet nearby.
Folding arm LED work lights can rotate 360 degrees and easily fold down when not in use. This is very useful if you need the light to move around your workspace as needed, but it doesn’t offer much of a benefit on its own since the head must be removed from the stand for storage once again.
As long as you keep the stand and arm in good condition, this type of LED work light can be one of your best options for flexibility. Many models also offer adjustable arms that allow you to get the right lighting angle no matter where you are working.
GoGonova Cordless Work Light Triple Lamp |
Excellent quick stow away compact design with triple LED lamp heads for wide coverage of illumination. With adjustability of vertically 180°and horizontally 270°rotation. 3 brightness options, 2 color temperatures. |
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Compact Design |
Portable LED work lights are lightweight and made to be easily moved around when you need it for your projects. These models are often built in a way that makes them easier to carry, although they can also feature handles or wheels on the base of the stand if needed.
While portable LED work lights may not offer as much power as other options, they are great if you need to move your light around the room or outside without needing to plug it in. Many of these models can also be used as a flashlight for emergencies when needed.
If you plan on using one LED work light primarily at home and don’t need much range, then a portable option may be best for you. Otherwise, you may want to invest in a more powerful and versatile option that can be used while plugged into an outlet or charged beforehand.
DAYATECH 20000 Lumen Dual-Head LED Work Light |
This Tripod LED Work Light with Dual Detachable Head is ideal for use in a variety of settings, both professional and personal. Its high brightness and cool to the touch design make it perfect for a range of tasks, while its quick install time means you'll be ready to go in no time. |
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Top Pick |
Pocket LED work lights are small and compact, allowing you to easily store them in your pocket or tool belt. These models often have a clip attached for easy storage when not needed and some even come with their own cases for carrying around safely. If you need a smaller model that is also more powerful than most portable options offer, then this type of LED work lights may be the best choice for you.
While pocket LED work lights can be great for use around your home, they typically don’t offer much versatility and must remain plugged into an outlet to ensure proper power while in use. This is not always ideal depending on where you are working or how long it will take to complete your task at hand.
Magnetic Work Light 1200 Lumen Rechargeable |
Rechargeable work light with strong magnetic hold, adjustable and rechargeable. Very bright 1200 lumens for close up work. |
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Magnetic Work Light |
Magnetic LED work lights feature a strong magnetic base that is great for holding onto metal surfaces. These models often have rubber feet on the bottom of the stand to prevent slipping and also double as a carrying handle without taking up much space when not in use.
While these options may be more affordable than some other choices, they do not offer much in terms of directional lighting. The light source needs to be pointed directly at the metal surface, meaning you can’t use it for other purposes like reading or working on smaller objects with precision.
IP66 Waterproof LED work lights are made to be used in wet locations like the garage, on a boat or near water. These models typically come with rubber seals around their bases and can withstand heavy splashing without shorting out or damaging internal components. This is great for anyone who works regularly in these types of conditions and wants a reliable light source to finish their tasks.
If you need a heavy-duty LED work lights for use in wet locations, then this is the type of model that will best fit your needs and provide many years of dependable service without issues. Just remember to keep it away from large amounts of water or submerging it completely.
When deciding which type of LED work lights are best for your home or workspace, consider what features will be most beneficial to your daily tasks. For example, some models offer more powerful light sources while others are built for a lightweight and portable design that is great if you need a lot of flexibility in where you can use it.
Try out different LED work lights yourself before making any large purchases to ensure the model meets all of your needs without breaking the bank.
The best LED work light is one that can be used for a variety of purposes and provides the power needed to complete your daily tasks quickly. Whether you need it as an added source of lighting around your home or as a portable option when working on outdoor projects, selecting the best model will ensure that you have perfect visibility no matter where you are.
When you’re shopping for LED work lights, there are lots of things to take into consideration.
First and foremost, what kind of projects do you plan on using it for? Do you need a lightweight model that’s easy to carry around or is heavy-duty power your top priority instead?
Work lights come in a wide range of sizes and weights, so it’s important to find one that matches your needs.
If you need something really lightweight then opt for a hand held model with an easy-to use design, such as have a magnetic base.
Portable floor or bench models also offer high outputs and provide a great way to brighten up any area while you’re working.
Depending on where you need to use your LED work light, portability may or may not be a concern.
For example, if portability isn’t much of a concern and it’s for around the house and garage, then consider getting a heavier LED work light with more power that comes with an AC power cord, as this will allow you to plug it into any nearby outlet without worrying about running out of battery life rapidly.
Which model you choose should also depend on the amount of brightness that’s needed for your project. Some models are designed to offer high levels of illumination, while others have been streamlined for portability instead. If you’re using it in darker environments like basements or storm drains, then opt for a model that offers more lighting power instead.
Each model’s power consumption is described by the wattage, ie 30W. The higher the wattage the more power is required of course, so if it’s cordless then unless the battery compensates, the run time will be reduced.
When it comes to LED work lights, one of the most important factors is their lumen levels.
The number of lumens a model has will indicate how much light power (brightness) you’ll have with each use and can be found in product descriptions or specifications. Depending on what type of project you’re using your work light for as well as where you plan to use it, you can determine what the optimal lumen levels should be.
To begin with, work lights that are designed for basic tasks around a home or office typically have between 100 and 300 lumens of power. If using your LED work light in darker spaces like basements, then opting for 400-700+ Lumen models is a good choice.
If you need a model for outdoor work in darker conditions, then look for one with 800 lumens or more to ensure that it provides the power needed during use. If this amount of light isn’t necessary and you just want something lightweight and easy-to-use instead, opt for a smaller option with lower lumen levels.
The brightest LED work lights are 15,000 to 20,000 lumen models with a cool daylight color temperature of 5000K.
When it comes to LED work lights, the number of LED lights if they are stated in the description can be a misleading quantity to refer to. Each individual LED chip can be a variety of size and output of light, so do not be concerned with this.
Another feature to look for when shopping LED work lights is an adjustable light angle or range. This allows you to focus the beam of light directly where it’s needed and even change its position if necessary during use, such as bending down low under your desk without having a downward-facing head that would shine in your eyes.
It’s not just the stand and tripod based lights that can be adjustable, models that are handheld or mounted on a headband can all adjust their light angle to provide optimal lighting for projects.
A: The lumen is the SI derived unit of luminous flux, which measures how much visible light falls within a particular solid angle of space.
A: An LED, or light-emitting diode, is an electronic component that emits visible light when current passes through it. When paired with batteries and other components like resistors and capacitors they can be used to create devices such as flashlights and work lights.
A: A reason why LED work lights have been revolutionary is their long life-spans that last up to 50,000 hours or more, so even with regular professional use they should last for at least 10 years. Even if one burns out, the rest of them will continue working without interruption so you won’t have to worry about replacing it regularly like with other types of lighting technology.
Heavy duty corded work lights can offer 20,000 lumens for flooding light across large spaces.
A: Generally, one will be enough. In addition to saving power, having multiple may cause a trip hazard and even present an electrocution risk if they come into contact with water or another conductor during use. If you need more light then consider using a single high-powered model instead of several less powerful ones.
Another important factor to look for in LED work lights is an IP rating. This will indicate how well the model stands up against water and dust, with each number corresponding to a different level of protection:
IP-0 (No Protection) – Provides no resistance whatsoever from foreign objects such as dirt, sand or other particulates along with water, so should not be used in wet or dirty environments.
IP-X (Protection Against Accidental Contact With Liquids)- Indicates protection against water spray (up to 60° from vertical) and won’t protect the LED work light if it’s immersed in liquid.
When it comes to corded versus cordless work lights, there are several factors that can impact your decision.
For example, if you need a lot of power for heavy-duty tasks like construction or survival situations then the best option is often a model with an AC adapter as the DC power models can provide less run time and won’t last as long.
On the other hand, if you need a model that is lightweight and portable then choosing one with battery packs will be your best choice as AC adapters are often bulky and heavy to carry around.
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