This article began as an idepth review of the truly unique Makita DML810 and quickly blossomed into a guide of the best Makita work lights. I thought it made sense to give you a comprehensive look into the range of lights available from Makita so you can make an informed decision. In all honesty, typically you’ll need at least two types of work lights, depending on the nature of your work.
Let’s take a closer look.
Makita Work Lights
Makita has given us many powerful and versatile LED cordless work lights. That’s not say that they are resting on their laurels. Quite the opposite. Building on the ever-popular 18V LXT battery-powered tool range, Makita continues to push the boundaries of excellence. The brand has recently introduced a new model to the, already extensive, lineup of cordless LED work lights. I’m really excited to get down to reviewing the Makita DML810. We’ll be including many other highly acclaimed LED work lights from the brand.
While not unique to Makita, the concept of a “wobble” light is a novel one. Knock it about all you want, it always returns to an upright position. A great idea for a bustling working environment, where anything can happen at any time. We’ve seen some great corded variants, using this technology, Southwire have earned a good deal of respect for their innovative wobble-style LED work lights.
VIDEO | A Closer Look at the Makita DML810
What makes the Makita DML810 a worthwhile contender?
Apart from the Makita reputation for super tough products, and the amazing LXT 18V MAX battery, the DML810 has quite a few advantages. Capable of accommodating two LXT batteries, you’re able to use the light for exceptionally long working times before charging the batteries. It can run on battery power or AC mains, giving you unlimited usage. That’s just the basics. This remarkable LED work light has numerous innovative design features that makes it one of the top options for home and jobsite use. To shed more light on the topic, take a look at the full Makita DML810 Review. This will be followed by a quick review of their other LED lighting products, and a general discussion on LED lights.
What are the BEST Makita Work Lights?
In this next section I’ll be reviewing the best Makita work lights on the market in 2020. LED technology has made a significant impact for the better on the design and capability of work lights. One of positive impact of LED lighting is that the lights run cool to the touch and the overall size of the devices are much smaller while producing brighter lighting. As you can see, there are a lot of benefits to LED lighting, which we’ll discuss more later in the article.
Review | Makita DML810
Features :
- Self-righting design keeps work light in upright position
- 3-mode operation: delivers 5,500 lumens on High, 3,000 lumens on medium, and 1,500 lumens on Low
- 3 illumination range modes: 360º, left 180º, and right 180º
- Battery or corded operation; compatible with 18V LXT® batteries (batteries and charger not included)
- Up to 3.3 hours of continuous illumination with two 5.0Ah 18V LXT® battery on high (batteries and charger not included)
- Up to 15 hours of continuous illumination with two 5.0Ah 18V LXT® battery on low (batteries and charger not included)
- Holds (2) 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion batteries but operates using (1) 18V battery at a time; utilizes second battery when needed
- AC inlet and outlet can be used to chain multiple upright lights together
- Back up power is provided by an 18V LXT® battery and keeps the flood light on if AC power is lost (charged battery must be installed)
- L.E.D. lights effectively illuminate work area without the high heat of halogens and incandescent lights
- Dust and water-resistant construction (IP54 rated when using battery) for improved operation in harsh job site conditions
- Convenient carrying handles for easy handling
- Weighs 30.6 lbs. for stability without batteries
- 3-year limited warranty
- Battery and charger sold separately
- Only use genuine Makita batteries and chargers
OVERVIEW —
One of the most practical work lights I’ve come across, the Makita DML810 is a winning combination of outstanding, typically Makita, quality, and wonderful features. The always upright balanced weight design is the DML810’s party trick. Though there are a bunch of other features that have won me over.
LED lighting products have the distinct advantage of providing bright illumination, using very little power. This makes them ideal for cordless applications. Using the tried and tested 18V LXT lithium ion battery provides excellent battery time from one of the most durable batteries on the market.
The Makita DML810 has three power settings. At the lowest setting, you can expect an amazing 15-hours, using 2 X 5AH 18V LXT batteries. Even at this economical setting, it’s fairly bright (1,500 Lumens). This is roughly the equivalent of a standard 100W incandescent light. The medium power setting delivers 3,000 Lumens (7-hours with 2 X 5AH batteries). Used at full power, the DML810 provides a pretty impressive 5,500 Lumens. At the high setting, two 5.0AH batteries will run for 3.3 hours. This is not too long. Though keep in mind that at this light output, it’s equivalent to a conventional 250W Halogen work light.
If you have mains power available, you can always plug the Makita work light into a regular 120V wall socket and work continuously. The lights can also be daisy chained together, using power input and output ports. This eliminates the need for multiple extension cords on a large jobsite.
Another really cool feature is the ability to control the beam angle. Three illumination settings give you the option for full 360°, 180° to the left, or 180° the right. An easy to use electronic touch pad gives you full control over power settings and beam direction. A simple LED display shows which power option has been selected.
Two batteries slide into a compartment that closes to seal the battery enclosure, protecting them from harm. It uses one battery at a time, only switching to the second battery when the first has been exhausted. The Makita DML810 is IP54 rated for water and dust resistance. Like all Makita tools, it is designed to take on the tough conditions of a jobsite. It’s built to last.
A good deal of consideration has been given to portability. The Makita DML810 weighs 30.6 pounds (without the battery). Quite heavy for a portable work light, but this thing is really tough. It has great handles for carrying, and a caddy to store the power cable. When storing the light in your truck, you’re able to disable the popup wobble light function and lay it flat.
As always, I’m quite amazed by the lengths Makita has gone to in bringing us such a wonderfully thought out product. It’s as durable as we’ve come to expect from the brand and is packed with wonderful user-friendly features. Possibly a bit expensive for some, the Makita DML810 could end up costing you close to $400. On the other hand, I don’t know of any other cordless work light that can compare. Not to mention that Makita is a top brand, known for exceptional quality and service. You receive a 3-year manufacturer warranty on this product.
Review : Makita DML811
Features :
- 3-mode operation: delivers 3,000 lumens on High, 1,500 lumens on medium, and 750 lumens on Low
- Up to 3 hours of continuous illumination with a 6.0Ah 18V LXT® battery on high (battery and charger not included)
- Up to 13 hours of continuous illumination with a 6.0Ah 18V LXT® battery on low (battery and charger not included)
- Dust and water-resistant construction (IP65 rated) for improved operation in harsh job site conditions
- L.E.D. lights effectively illuminate work area without the high heat of halogens
- Adjusting knobs enable the user to direct the flood light to desired angle
- Battery or corded operation; compatible with 18V LXT® batteries (battery not included)
- Back up power is provided by an 18V LXT® battery and keeps the flood light on if AC power is lost (charged battery must be installed)
- Included AC cord can easily be stored with built in cord storage
- Convenient carrying handle folds down for convenience
- Compact design at only 10-5/8″ high
- Weighs only 10.6 lbs. with BL1850B battery (battery not included)
- Work light can be mounted on optional tripod light stand individually or with two work lights (tripod light stand not included)
- 3-year limited warranty
- Battery and charger sold separately
- Only use genuine Makita batteries and chargers
OVERVIEW —
Much cheaper than the Makita DML810, the DML811 is a more conventional LED work light. It doesn’t have the power to match either, or the battery time. It is, none the less, a great work light. Durable and lightweight, the DML811 is deservedly popular amongst DIYers and contractors.
This is a pretty standard looking floodlight mounted to a good frame. You can adjust the beam up or down and lock it in position with a large knob on the side. For its size, the Makita DML811 provides a good deal of illumination. Three power settings allow you to choose between battery economy or maximum light. The lowest setting provides a rather dull 750 lumens, for about 13-hours if you’re using a single 6AH 18V Makita LXT battery. The mid power setting is more practical – 1,500 lumens for about 7½-hours (6AH battery). The maximum power setting takes it up to 3,000 lumens, with approximately 3-hours use with a 6AH battery. This model accommodates a single LXT lithium ion battery and, like the Makita DML810, it has the option to use 120VAC power, eliminating the need for a battery.
Portability is fantastic. Including the battery, it weighs only 10.4 pounds and is easy to carry with a large handle. The power cord wraps conveniently for storage. The DML811 work light stands firmly on the ground and is tough enough to take the inevitable rough treatment of a jobsite. An optional tripod stand allows you to mount 2 X DML811 work lights. With an IP65 rating, you can rest assured that it is dust and water resistant.
Quite affordable and very practical, the Makita DML811 makes the grade as a competent work light. It’s not too bright, I guess you’ll be using it at full power most of the time, limiting your maximum work time to 3-hours. Considering the price, it’s easy enough to buy two of these lights, which is actually better than a single, brighter model. Two DML811 work lights give you greater versatility, allowing you to illuminate a wider area or concentrate more light over a smaller area, increasing the lumens for that area.
Review : Makita DML805
Features :
- 2-mode operation: delivers 750 lumens on High mode or 450 lumens on Low mode
- Up to 10 hours of continuous illumination with a 6.0Ah 18V LXT battery on High mode (battery and charger not included)
- Up to 20 hours of continuous illumination with a 6.0Ah 18V LXT battery on Low mode (battery and charger not included)
- L.E.D. lights effectively illuminate work area without the high heat of halogens
- Adjusting knobs enable the user to direct the flood light to desired angle
- Battery or corded operation; compatible with 18V LXT® batteries (battery not included)
- Back up power is provided by an 18V LXT® battery and keeps the flood light on if AC power is lost (charged battery must be installed)
- AC cord is easily stored and wrapped around mounting stand base
- Integrated handle can be used as a hanging hook for user convenience
- Light will flash to alert user when battery charge is low (battery not included)
- Compact design at only 8-3/8″ long
- Weighs only 5.7 lbs. with battery (battery not included)
- Work light can be mounted on optional tripod light stand individually or with two flood lights (tripod light stand not included)
- Work light can be mounted on optional pipe clamp light stand (pipe clamp light stand not included)
- 3-year warranty on flood light
- Battery and charger sold separately
- Only use genuine Makita batteries and chargers
OVERVIEW —
Wonderfully cheap, I recently found the Makita DML805 on Amazon at an incredible discount, costing less than $100. For a high-quality Makita LED work light, this is a truly amazing deal. Naturally, this cheaper product cannot compete with the others when it comes to power. In all other regards, it is great. Fantastic value for money.
You can’t beat the Makita DML805 for ultimate portability. It weighs only 6.1 pounds (including the battery) and measures 8³⁄₈” in height. It has a wonderful stand which incorporates a carrying handle. Though this 20 LED work light is certainly not the brightest. Two modes offer 450 lumens (low) or 750 lumens (high). Of course, with lower power consumption, you get improved battery working times – up to 10-hours at the high setting (using a 6AH LXT battery), or a super impressive 20-hours when switched to the low setting, using the same 6AH battery.
The Makita DML805 can be plugged into a 120V power outlet, offering unlimited working time. When the power cord is not it use, it wraps neatly and safely out of harm’s way. You can adjust the beam angle up or down, using a large knob at the side. With the optional pipe clamp stand, you can mount two of these work lights at a height which can be adjusted.
Fairly basic, this is an entry level work light, with the assurance of true Makita quality and durability. Affordability and practical portability are the two biggest pros with this model.
Review : Makita DML809
Features :
- 3-mode operation: delivers 10,000 lumens on High, 4,000 lumens on medium, and 2,000 lumens on Low
- Up to 1.7 hours of continuous illumination with two 6.0Ah 18V LXT® battery on high (batteries and charger not included)
- Up to 8.5 hours of continuous illumination with two 6.0Ah 18V LXT® battery on low (batteries and charger not included)
- Dust and water-resistant construction (IP65 rated) for improved operation in harsh job site conditions
- L.E.D. lights effectively illuminate work area without the high heat of halogens
- Adjusting knobs enable the user to direct the flood light to desired angle
- Battery or corded operation; compatible with 18V LXT® batteries (batteries and charger not included)
- Back up power is provided by an 18V LXT® battery and keeps the flood light on if AC power is lost (charged battery must be installed)
- AC cord can easily be stored with built in cord storage
- Holds (2) 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion batteries but operates using (1) 18V battery at a time; utilizes second battery when needed
- Convenient carrying handle folds down for convenience
- Compact design at only 10-7/8″ high
- Weighs only 15.4 lbs. with two BL1860B batteries (batteries and charger not included)
- Work Light can be mounted on optional tripod light stand individually or with two Work Lights (tripod light stand not included)
- 3-year limited warranty
OVERVIEW —
This work light is very similar to the Makita DML811, reviewed above. The Makita DML809 is essentially a larger, more powerful version. It is one of the brightest cordless LED work lights around, with almost twice as many lumens compared to the Makita DML810. To provide the extra power, for a reasonable time, it can accommodate 2 X 18V LXT batteries, like the DML810.
In order to accommodate the necessary LEDs, the Makita DML809 is quite large, measuring 9¾” X 14½” X 14½” with the handle extended. For storage and transporting, the handle folds into the top of the light, reducing the height by 3½” to 11”. For such a powerful work light it is quite compact and portable, at a weight of only 15.4 pounds. This weight spec includes two 6AH batteries.
For high output, the Makita DML809 is quite brilliant. You can manage your power consumption vs lumens with three modes of operation. At the highest power setting, the DML809 delivers a whopping 10,000 lumens. Though, with this kind of power, the battery doesn’t last too long. You’ll only get 1.7 hours using 2 X 6AH batteries. The medium setting is quite practical, providing a very reasonable 4,000 lumens for about 4¼ hours supplied by 2 X 6AH batteries. At the lowest power output, you get 2,000 lumens. Which really isn’t bad, it compares to about 120W, if you were using a conventional incandescent light. At this level, it will continue providing light for 8½ hours, with the same 2 X 6AH battery set up. Like all the other Makita work lights featured in this review, the DML809 has a power cord, allowing you to use 120V mains power.
The light has a good, strong stand which adapts easily to fit onto a tripod. The stand provides full rotation, from back to front, and anywhere in between. It has the same quick lock fastening knob as the other Makita work lights that share this flood light type design. It sort of goes without saying that this is a high-durability quality product. That’s a given when you see the Makita name. To this end, the Makita DML809 is rated IP65 for dust and water resistance.
Not as expensive as the Makita DML810, yet a good deal brighter, the DML809 has its virtues. The conventional stand and wide flood light design isn’t as versatile as the DML810. It is, none the less, a high-quality Makita product and is bright enough for a large area, even outdoors.
Review : Makita DML812
Features :
- 4-mode operation: delivering 600 lumens on Spot, 1,000 lumens on Flood, 1,250 lumens on Spot/Flood, and Strobe mode
- Illuminates up to 700 yards in Spot and Spot/Flood mode
- Up to 7 hours of continuous illumination in Spot mode with 5.0Ah 18V LXT battery (battery not included)
- 90º pivoting head for user convenience
- Extreme Protection Technology (XPT™) is engineered for improved dust and water resistance for operation in harsh conditions
- Metal hang hook is convenient and job site durable
- Compact and ergonomic design with a height of only 12-3/8″
- Weighs only 3.4 lbs. with battery (battery and charger not included)
- Rubberized soft grip provides increased comfort on the job
- 3-year limited warranty
- Battery and charger sold separately
- Only use genuine Makita batteries and chargers
OVERVIEW
The Makita DML812 is a wonderfully convenient and versatile flashlight, also functioning as a small spotlight or work light. A well thought out design provides many useful features, making this a great work light for a jobsite, as well as one of the best emergency flashlights for home, or to keep in your vehicle.
The Makita DML812 is small enough to fit into your glovebox but does a lot more than a regular flashlight. You can stand it on a sturdy base, which has great stability, thanks to the weight of the battery at the bottom. It stands just over 12” tall, with a width of 4½”, and is a little over 4” in length. At 3.7 pounds (with the battery inserted) it really is a portable flashlight you can take anywhere.
Despite its compact size, the DML812 is incredibly powerful, with several modes of operation. In spot mode, a sharp concentrated beam can reach up to 700-yards (1,250 lumens). The same power setting can be used in flood mode, which won’t illuminate over the same distance but provides a wider beam. A lower consumption 1,000 lumen flood mode will provide longer battery time, with a really economical 600 lumen spot mode. Using the low-power spot mode, you can get up to 7-hours light from a single 5AH LXT battery. It also has a strobe mode, perfect roadside, and other emergencies.
A metal hanging loop is great for working on a ladder or carrying the light like a lantern. It has a soft grip handle for normal flashlight use. When standing upright, it makes for a really versatile work light, which can be tilted up to 90° for directional lighting. Built to take on the rigors of outdoor living, or a jobsite, Makita Extreme Protection Technology (XPT) provides excellent durability, perfectly dust, and water resistant.
One of the most practical work/flashlights, the Makita DML812 is amazing for jobsites, camping, at home, and in the car. It will outlast any cheap flashlight, by a long shot, and is really bright for its size.
Review : Makita DML801
This is a really compact, wide angle flashlight, perfect for working in a crawl space, or illuminating a reasonably wide area for outdoors and camping. It includes a lot of really cool practical design features.
Use it as a hanging work light, or standing, the Makita DML801 has a total length of 15”. 12 LEDs are evenly spaced over much of this length and an opaque diffuser is used to spread the light evenly, giving the DML801 an even light distribution of a larger area. Two operating modes allow for all 12 LEDs (240 lumens), or only 6 LEDs (120 lumens). Using a single 5AH battery, it will provide constant light for 40-hours when using the 6 LED economy mode. Excellent standby time for camping. Including the battery, it weighs only 2.1 pounds.
The metal hanging loop can rotate a full 360°, and the flashlight head tilts with 7 positive stops. It also has a rubberized handle, making it easy to carry.
All-round versatility for any number of uses. Naturally, you can expect only the best materials and Makita quality manufacturing, with the usual 3-year warranty.
Review : Makita ML103
Features :
- Up to 28 hours of illumination using a 12V max CXT® 4.0Ah Lithium-Ion battery (battery not included)
- Compact and ergonomic design at 3″ long
- Weighs only 0.6 lbs. with battery BL1021B (battery not included) for reduced operator fatigue
- Compact size for convenient illumination in tight spaces
- Ideal addition to any tool box
- Rubberized soft grip provides increased comfort on the job
- Part of the expanding 12V max CXT® series, combining performance with superior ergonomics in a compact size
- Not compatible with 12V max pod-style tools, batteries and chargers
- 3-year limited warranty
- Battery and charger sold separately
- *compared using BL1041B
OVERVIEW —
Unlike the other work lights in this review, which all use the LXT 18V MAX battery, the Makita ML103 forms part of the Makita CXT 12V MAX range. This makes it really affordable, and it’s probably the most compact, lightweight flashlight on the market.
Designed to fit into any toolbox with ease, the Makita ML103 is just under 3½” long with a flat square design, giving it a height of about 1½”. This makes it ideal storage and working in tight spaces. The light fits into the palm of your hand.
Using a super-efficient single LED, the ML103 provides 100 lumens. For a flashlight this small, that’s quite a feat. Power consumption is minimal, giving you up to 28-hours runtime. The added benefit of using the 12V CXT battery is improved weight and size.
A unique concept in portable lighting, the Makita ML103 is as compact as you’ll find, whilst still providing enough light for working, albeit over a small area. Despite being small and cheap, this is a quality Makita product, with the same 3-year warranty as any of their other tools and accessories.
The Facts | Buying Guide — Work Lights
All you need to know about Work lights and LED technology.
As you can see by the product review, there are many options for LED work lights. These are just some of the best models in the Makita line up. When we start comparing all the variants from other brands, it can become mighty complicated.
Our LED work light buying guide will help you make the right decision. The main focus of this review has been around the Makita DLM810. It’s a great cordless work light, but is it really what you need? There are much cheaper options. Some may better for a particular situation. I’ll help you assess your needs, in order to decide which is going to be the best work light for you specific requirements.
What type of work light do you need?
If you’re painting a room at home, extra light will be a great advantage. A good, multi-purpose work light could be just the thing for you. There are many situations where our work requirements may require more consideration. Electricians and technicians, working on a jobsite, will often need a small concentrated beam of light, for a particular area. Large areas may need several high-mounted lights.
By understanding the types of work lights, and how they are best used, you will get an idea of where to start looking.
Standing Work Lights
These are possibly the most commonly used work lights for small to mid-sized jobsites and DIY users. These lights can have a built-in stand or make use of a tripod stand. Many standing work lights will have the option for both.
A work light that stands on the ground is easy to set up and can be moved around without much fuss. A standing work light is usually close to the ground. In the case of a built-in stand, it may stand only a few inches from the floor. A tripod stand will elevate the light. Depending on the stand, this can be anything from around 5-feet up to about 8-feet.
In some working environments, the height of your work light may be of greater importance. If a light is standing close the ground, shadows will become a problem. If you move in front of the light, or someone walks in front of it while you’re working, the light will be blocked. Even elevating the light by a few feet may not entirely solve this issue.
Hanging Work Lights
A work light with a hanging loop, or hook, can the best for a host of working conditions. This is, of course, if you have a convenient position to hang the light. From the hood of a car, to an overhead beam, even a ladder, there are many places where you can use these lights.
They are easy to use and can be mounted at any height, often eliminating the shadow effect of low standing work lights.
Clamp-On Work Lights
These work lights offer the greatest versatility for mounting positions. They can be clamped to a variety of different surfaces, like shelves or work benches, as well as tubes and roofing beams. A light that is clamped in position is also the safest. If can’t be knocked over or fall from its position.
Beam Type
Apart from the standing or mounting positions of a work light, the beam type, or beam angle can be of importance.
Most work lights have a wide angle beam, functioning as a flood light. These are great for illuminating a large area, like a room, garage, or shop. They are often the best for outdoor lighting too. However, covering a wide area reduces the luminescence. Using a more concentrated beam will provide a brighter work light.
For working in a small area, or job specific lighting (like an electric panel), a spotlight is often the best option. A spotlight concentrates the beam over a small area, providing a brighter work light.
Handheld Work Light
Similar to a flashlight, a handheld work light can be carried around, making them ideal for working in tight spaces, like crawl spaces and closets. Because these lights are compact, they are not as bright as the larger standing, hanging, or clamp-on work lights. The light has to be used close to the area where you’re working and won’t usually cover a large area.
It isn’t always easy to work when holding a work light at the same time. To make handheld work lights more practical, they will usually have a built-in stand, hanging loop, or both.
Corded vs Cordless Work Lights
Like cordless tools, a battery-powered work light will be more expensive than one that uses mains power. In many working situations, cordless work lights might be the only practical solution. Using extension cords isn’t always that easy on some jobsites. Of course, if there is no AC power available, cordless is the only viable light source.
Apart from the price, cordless work lights have a limited working time. This will depend on the power consumption of the light and the battery it uses. Good lithium ion batteries have improved the time that a work light can function on battery power.
One of the advantages of using most of the lights featured in this review (like the Makita DML810) is that they can be used as a corded or cordless work light, giving you the best of both worlds.
How many lumens do you need for a work light?
When considering how much light you require from a work light, there is no exact measure. You will be using the light in differnt conditions. Fortunately, most LED work lights have several power settings. Typically this will be low, medium, and high. This allows you the versatility to save on power consumption when you don’t need high-power illumination.
Especially when using battery power, you need to consider how much light you actually need vs the amount of battery time you have available. I suppose the old saying “bigger is better” can be applied to work lights in that brighter will usually be better, especially if you have several settings.
Traditionally, we have always compared lights by their watts. This can only be relevant if you’re comparing the same type of lighting apparatus. When halogen work lights were the norm, it was easy enough to differentiate between a 250W light and 500W alternative. It is logical to assume that the 500W work light, will be twice as bright.
However, lighting has changed. CFL lights produce more lumens than incandescent or halogen bulbs of the same wattage. LED lights produce far more light than any other type, per watt of energy. To accurately assess our lighting needs, lumens have become the standard way to measure luminescence. In other words, how much light is being transmitted.
Another consideration, when comparing types of lights, is the quality of the light. LED lights have the highest Color Rendering Index (CRI). Basically, this means that an LED work light, using no color filters, will produce a purer white light. Typically, an LED work light will require less lumens than other light sources to provide equal clarity.
In order to calculate how many lumens you need for a work light; you need to know the size of the area you wish to illuminate. You will probably be using an average for this calculation, as you will be using the work light for different size rooms, possibly outdoors. Area lighting is generally expressed as Foot-Candles. This unit of measurement is defined as 1 lumen per square-foot. Soft ambient lighting, in your living room, can be as low as 10 – 20 foot-candles. Whereas high intensity lighting, for a laboratory, will be around 75 – 100 foot-candles. Some machine shops and other environments where precision is paramount, can utilize a light source up to 500 foot-candles. A work light should provide at least 50 foot-candles. For the best light quality, 100 – 200 foot-candles would be ideal.
We can, therefore, determine that a work light should provide 50 – 100 lumens per square-foot. For detailed, precision work, you want 200+ lumens per square foot. I would consider 100 lumens per square-foot as a good benchmark for most work lights. This means an area of 100 square feet will need a work light producing 10,000 lumens.
It is often preferable to use more than work light, as you can increase the area per work light, and have the option to concentrate the light where needed. If you require 10,000 lumens for the work area, two 5,000 lumen work lights will offer greater versatility.
Are LED work lights the Best?
For most types of lighting, LED has become the preferred option. As with all technology, there are pros and cons, lighting is no different. I’ll be discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of using LED work lights. Though, in my opinion, there are no real disadvantages to LED lighting. Provided you buy the right product.
LED Work Lights: Pros
- Lowest power consumption
- Last longer than equivalent lighting products
- Low temperature
- Best light quality for work
- More durable in a working environment
LED Work Lights: Cons
- Expensive to buy
- LEDs cannot be replaced like conventional light bulbs
- Not always suitable for high-temperature environments.
When weighing up the pros and cons of LED work lights vs incandescent, or CFL equivalents, it comes down to how much you spend when buying the product. More than most other purchases, you must be prepared to pay for the best when buying LED lights, especially work lights. Cheap LEDs seldom last very long. Whereas top quality LED lights can last up 15-years, possibly longer. It will depend on how much you use your work light. In this context, it makes sense to spend more on a product that is going to last.
Since a quality LED is going to last many years, it doesn’t matter that you can’t replace the individual LEDs too easily. They can be replaced; but this requires quite a bit of effort and skill. It isn’t really worth it. Apart from the longevity of LED lights, the lower power consumption adds up to massive savings over their lifetime. Another reason to buy a top quality product. It pays for itself over the years. When using a cordless work light, or flashlight, low power consumption is of even greater importance, as it improves your working time.
LED lights generate very little heat, which keeps your working environment more comfortable. However, LED lights don’t last long if they are subject to high temperatures on a regular basis. When an LED operates at a temperature greater than 95°F, it sustains damage which will shorten its lifespan. The internal circuitry of an LED creates some resistance, which generates heat. A heat sync is used to keep the LED operating at optimum temperatures. Most are designed for an ambient temperature of around 77°F (25°C).
LED work lights may often be used in environments that exceed 77°. Manufacturers of high-end LED work lights take this into consideration by improving the heat sync to handle higher ambient temperatures. The top brands, like Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita may be costly, but they are designed and built for jobsites and factories, where durability is of greatest importance. Again, the emphasis is on buying a quality product that is going to last.
