Best cordless LED drop light?

[aleccolin]

What's a good rechargeable battery powered LED mechanic's work light? Sick of fighting the old corded drop light and burning up too many AA batteries on my flex neck flashlight.

 

[Sine Swept]

If you've got a battery system (DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch) I would get one of their raw tool lights. I've got 2 of the Bosch 12 volts and there is nothing I have to compare them to. Rechargeable, bright, mine has a magnet and a flexible base.

 

[kelpaso1]

I won a 40SL LED light from Astro Tools giveaway here about a month ago and highly recommend it.

 

[aleccolin]

If you've got a battery system (DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch) I would get one of their raw tool lights. I've got 2 of the Bosch 12 volts and there is nothing I have to compare them to. Rechargeable, bright, mine has a magnet and a flexible base.

I've got a bunch of 18V DeWalt stuff and their gooseneck flashlight, but it hasn't really fit the bill for doing car stuff. Something magnetic or at least a hook to hang it from stuff is probably going to be a must have.

I won a 40SL LED light from Astro Tools giveaway here about a month ago and highly recommend it.

How bright is this, and what sort of battery life? How strong is the magnet? The slim profile would be great for getting into small spaces.

 

[WhiffySpark]

There’s an upgraded Astro. Mine last probably 2 hours.

My favorite is the bluepoint led tubes. Ecf I think

 

[rutroe]

I've got Astro 40SL & 30SL gives out plenty of light, downfall is they take a full day to recharge

 

[stercorarius]

Yeah any battery system you have will have a good one. Just got a USB charging CAT branded one from Lowe's for $20. Super bright but feels beyond flimsy. Haven't used it in the field yet but don't think I would recommend it.

 

[rlitman]

I've been very happy with my Nebo Larry COB lights. They're not as bright as one of my corded drop lights (which I still use), but being the size of a magic marker makes them more useful.

I just got my hands on a Nebo Leo. All I can say is WOW!

 

[Voi]

I've got a bunch of 18V DeWalt stuff and their gooseneck flashlight...

I've used that 18V flexible light and I one other Dewalt 18V light and neither compared to the new stuff.

I only have one cordless light, a Bosch FL12. Between the articulating base, the magnet and the carabiner clip I feel like I can mount it anywhere.

But I'd take a hard look at what else is available. If I were in your shoes I'd look at the Dewalt 20V stuff. I've heard the lights are much better and you can buy that battery adapter so you can use the new batteries in your old tools.

If you were thinking about upgrading your tools anyways then I'd shop around.

 

[grumpychevy]

Streamlight Knucklehead works great. Rechargeable, has a strong (almost too strong) magnet, bright, and with a head that lets you aim the light right where you need it. Also has a large enough base that it is self standing if you can’t or don’t want to stick it to something with the magnet.

 

[aleccolin]

Streamlight Knucklehead works great. Rechargeable, has a strong (almost too strong) magnet, bright, and with a head that lets you aim the light right where you need it. Also has a large enough base that it is self standing if you can’t or don’t want to stick it to something with the magnet.

Wow...spendy, but I like it!

 

[lugnut71]

atd saber light, on amazon, we have 7 of them in shop, threw everything with a cord in the trash. Work amazing, plug them in every nite on way out the door.

 

[aleccolin]

atd saber light, on amazon, we have 7 of them in shop, threw everything with a cord in the trash. Work amazing, plug them in every nite on way out the door.

These? Which model/brightness do you use?

 

[mrborohachi]

lugnut71

What are the run times your getting off a full charge on these Saber lights?

 

[aleccolin]

I've been very happy with my Nebo Larry COB lights. They're not as bright as one of my corded drop lights (which I still use), but being the size of a magic marker makes them more useful.

I just got my hands on a Nebo Leo. All I can say is WOW!

For as inexpensive as those are, I've put them both on my list, thanks for the suggestion!

 

[mcmtech]

I’ve got an atd Sabre 80345 and love it. Also have a Napa blue fuel one that rocks too

 

[ItsNemo]

I've got an ATD Sabre as well, the 90 SMD LED version, it's nice and bright, stays charged for a few hours of continuous work. It's a bit older though, looks like they have some new versions that are better.

 

[johninct]

Snap-On rechargeable puck shaped light w/ magnet. (EE .... ?). You can put it right where you are working.

 

[aleccolin]

Leaning toward this one, it's got a bigger battery and a charging dock with a couple mounting options.

https://atdtools.com/80376

 

[L.Cheapo]

How bright is this, and what sort of battery life? How strong is the magnet? The slim profile would be great for getting into small spaces.

The 40SL has infinitely adjustable brightness from nearly off to way too bright. The magnet is plenty strong for most sorta-flat surfaces. Whats nice is that the magnetic base pivots. The slim profile is probably its best feature.

Battery life depends on brightness used. I used mine probably 3/4 brightness the other day for about 2 hours with no issues. I've never killed it. Also worth noting Astro improved it with a better battery, calling it the 40SLmax.

 

[aleccolin]

Also worth noting Astro improved it with a better battery, calling it the 40SLmax.

Thanks for the info, the 40SLMAX also has a wire hook instead of a loop which is a big improvement.

Worth noting the 40SL uses a common 18650 li-ion battery, so upgrading would be pretty easy.

 

[bw77]

HF has a new work light, here is a comparison of the HF to the
Astro 40SL. He prefers the HF.

 

[rlitman]

HF has a new work light, here is a comparison of the HF to the
Astro 40SL. He prefers the HF.

What's the model number? I can't find it on their site.

 

[bw77]

Reviewer says it's not in their catalog yet.
He doesn't mention the number.

 

[lugnut71]

using the 80304 and the 80395, both are awesome. I ran the 80395 yesterday for 3-4 hours.

 

[Trey T]

I use two lights for car repair: 1. Milwaukee M12 Stick light as drop-light and under-hood; and 2. Milwaukee M18 Floodlight as back-light (lays on floor shine up)

 

[rmsg0040]

Streamlight Knucklehead works great. Rechargeable, has a strong (almost too strong) magnet, bright, and with a head that lets you aim the light right where you need it. Also has a large enough base that it is self standing if you can’t or don’t want to stick it to something with the magnet.

I got the AA version, one on my favourites, I have tried a lot of lights

Next to that, nothing beats a LED headlamp

 

[markl]

Thanks for the info, the 40SLMAX also has a wire hook instead of a loop which is a big improvement.

Worth noting the 40SL uses a common 18650 li-ion battery, so upgrading would be pretty easy.

This same light is sold by Griots Garage for $59.99, just in red.

This is a nice work light at Costco for $29.99, not if one would cosider it a "drop light"
http://catlights.com/product/ct3530-stationary-worklight/

 

[CobraRed]

This same light is sold by Griots Garage for $59.99, just in red.

Nah, Griot's would be similar to Astro's 40SL, not the 40SLMAX. The 40SL is $54 right now.

HF has a new work light, here is a comparison of the HF to the
Astro 40SL. He prefers the HF.

Haha, I think Astro also came out with that light over a year ago too. It's their lower tier light.

I guess people are catching up, can't wait to see the next and newest light on the horizon

 

[JohnDeere1]

The snap on ecfled84pi is awesome mines pink (was cheaper) was a mother's day special I think so the last digit just a a g for green or leave it blank to look it up it has 2 settings a top light and side lights up it will light a room up great I used it when the power wen5 out once will last 8 hours of use I used it 4 with no issue. It's rechargeable lithium powered and has a top hook its the best light I've owned but pricey at I think 165 or 145.

 

[scooby074]

This guy ECFHKY :

https://store.snapon.com/Compact-Shop-Lights-Shop-Light-Rechargeable-Mini-350-Lumens-P824394.aspx

 

[Mastermind]

That snap on light is great, just wish I had two, or it would last all day on a charge. My most used is my snap on stick that uses the 14.4 batteries, goes dead, just swap and keep working. Would love to test drive the bigger sabre light, bought a mini one that was awesome, but can't find it....

 

[ChrisLS8]

I've been very happy with my Nebo Larry COB lights. They're not as bright as one of my corded drop lights (which I still use), but being the size of a magic marker makes them more useful.

I just got my hands on a Nebo Leo. All I can say is WOW!

I love my Nebo lights. I have a couple Sabers as well and they have held up very well since I'm not gentle with em

 

[gnxtc2]

Love my Schumacher LED SL360

http://www.batterychargers.com/sl360r/

They come in black, red and green.

Billy T.
[email protected]

 

[bw77]

The HF light:

https://www.harborfreight.com/390-lumen-slim-bar-folding-led-worklight-63958.html

 

[Fedwrench]

My two favorites next to my pocket size Coast HP3R flashlight would be the Milwaukee M12 Stick Light (buy it on sale or as a freebie) and the Astro 450 already discussed.

 

[phor53]

I believe Monster makea best light

 

[Mr_B]

I got the braun on super coupon for a trial after seeing Bryans vid.
https://shop.harborfreight.com/medi...b33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/6/3/63958_W1TOT.jpg
For 20bucks it be useful and if proves good in few weeks heavy use will buy 3 more for the shop while coupon valid .

 

[CobraRed]

The HF doesn't even come with a wall charger.
Some side by side comparison, lol. I guess there's nothing wrong with DIY as well as professional lights, but I wouldn't expect it to hold up in the shop.

 

[cell_phone]

The HF doesn't even come with a wall charger.

you realize it charges off a USB cord, right? i have a couple USB chargers on my work bench to charge various things, speaker, phone, mp3 player, or whatever else. seems like an odd thing to criticize.