Keep Your Workshop Bright With the Best LED Work Lights (2024)

Our Top Picks

The Craftsman LED Portable Work Light is bright, versatile, and affordable, making it a top option for a wide range of tasks. You can lean it back and rotate its head 360 degrees, letting you angle its impressive 2,000 lumens in any direction.

Its heavy-duty though lightweight steel body folds flat when you’re done, making it easy to transport and store.We also appreciate that it's rated at IP65 (waterproof rating), so it can function well in wet locations.

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.

_{Lumens: 2000 | Material: Steel | Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.375 inches | Weight: 2.45 pounds | Rechargeable: No}

The floodlight-style LEPOWER LED gives off a super-bright 3000 lumens and can be rotated 360 degrees horizontally and 180 degrees vertically to suit any task.We like that this light, designed for outdoor use, also is designed to be shadow- and glare-free. It is rated a waterproof IP66, so it should withstand heavy rain, snow or sleet.

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. Just note that the on/off switch is located on the cord instead of the unit, which can be a bit confusing at first, and slightly inconvenient.

_{Lumens: 3000 | Material: Aluminum | Dimensions: 7.2 x 6.4 x 10.8 inches | Weight: 2.94 pounds | Rechargeable: No}

You can light up a whole room with the powerful Husky Multi-Directional LED Tripod Work Light, which provides an impressive 7000 lumens of output. The telescoping mount can be extended from 26.5 to 57 inches, and the light has two side panels that can be folded backward or forward for 360-degree illumination.If you need to set the light elsewhere, you can detach it from the tripod.

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.

_{Lumens: 7000 | Material: Not listed | Dimensions: 29 x 38 x 69.25 inches | Weight: 8.47 pounds | Rechargeable: No}

For a more compact work light that you can stash in your tool box, consider the Astro Tools Folding Double-Sided Slim Light. This rechargeable unit features two 500-lumen lights—one on each side—as well as a 150-lumen top flashlight, and its 180-degree folding design makes it ideal for working in tight spaces.

The unit charges its two included replaceable lithium-ion batteries via a USB-C cable, and it also can charge using typical device (but not iPhone) cables. You also can purchase a charging pad (not included) to charge the light wirelessly. The light stays charged for about three hours, according to the manufacturer.

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.

_{Lumens: 500 per light (2) | Material: Not listed | Dimensions: 4.25 x 2.6 x 14.37 inches | Rechargeable: Yes}

Clamp lights are another popular style of LED work light, as they’re easy to attach to a wide variety of surfaces. The Husky Rechargeable Clamp LED Work Light is especially versatile. The integrated clamp holds tightly to pipes, doors, framing, and more, and its non-marring feet shouldn't scuff or scratch the surface.Its cordless design and 360-degree pivoting light make it easy to position.

You can even lock its legs open to transform it into a freestanding unit. It gives off 1500 lumens of output, making it suitable for indoor or outdoor use. However, while this product resists some water, we don't suggest it for outdoor use in very wet weather.

This LED light charges via a USB cable, and it delivers up to six hours of runtime per charge, according to the manufacturer. However, 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.

_{Lumens: 1500 | Material: Aluminum and plastic | Dimensions: 3 x 5.25 x 6.7 inches | Rechargeable: Yes}

At 6 inches long, the CAT COB LED Pocket Work Light is a better fit for most pockets than other portable LED work lights. It has a water- and impact-resistant body, and its reinforced pocket clip keeps it attached to a shirt, pet leash or pants pocket. You also can mount it to a work space such as the underside of a car hood, and its magnetic base holds it in place.

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.

_{Lumens: 175 | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 6 x 0.55 x 1.25 inches | Rechargeable: No}

Retractable lights, like the Alert Stamping LED Cord Reel Task Light, are handy if you always find yourself searching for a flashlight. This reel light has a 30-foot cord with a 450-lumen LED light on the end. The light features a top-hang hook that rotates 360 degrees, as well as a removable magnet for easy mounting.

You also can attach this to a wall or ceiling using the included mount. Plus, a grounded 120-volt outlet in the handle allows this product to double as an extension cord.

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.

_{Lumens: 450 | Material: Alloy steel | Dimensions: 16 x 4 x 2.5 inches | Rechargeable? No}

Final Verdict

The Craftsman 2000-Lumen LED Portable Work Light is our best overall for LED work lights as it’s bright, portable, and affordable, making it a top option for a wide range of tasks. If you’re specifically looking for a cordless clamp model, go with the Husky Rechargeable Clamp LED Work Light, our top clamp pick. It charges via a USB cable, and it delivers up to six hours of runtime per charge.

FAQ

• Do LED work lights get hot to the touch?

  Don't touch an LED bulb while it's on! LED bulbs don't release nearly as much heat as incandescent and compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs, but they can warm up to where they are hot to touch. Heat sinks in LED bulbs distribute the heat produced, so it isn't concentrated in one spot.

  But an LED in an enclosed space with little ventilation builds up heat and can possibly overheat, ruining the bulb. To keep bulbs cooler, follow the manufacturer's instructions as to the optimum time they can stay on.

• Can LED work lights be used for photography?

  Depending on the project, a photographer may want outdoor-looking light if they're trying to shoot a simulated outdoor scene indoors, or warmer light for a cozy indoor shot in a living room. Pay attention to the bulb's Kelvin rating, noted on the packaging.

  A rating of 4500K or above emits illumination close to outdoor light; 3100K to 4500K is considered neutral but may have a slight bluish tint; and a reading of 2000 to 3000 or so shines a warm, indoor glow.

• How do you connect an LED work light to a battery?

  Generally, LED work lights that use disposable AAA batteries or similar aren't designed to be connected to electrical outlets. Some work lights may run on rechargeable batteries, which usually have to be re-energized in a separate power pack. A rechargeable work light runs on the type of lithium-ion battery that powers your phone. You recharge it with a USB cable or similar.

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