Portable worklights?

[Vinny]

It's dark early now, but I still want to tinker on things outside the garage. Can anyone recommend a good portable light solution? Portable in that I can put it away in the garage every night, so even a tripod set up will work.

 

[Beerhippie]

I keep a couple around the shop, just in case:



Unlike modern LEDs, you can warm your hands over them.

 

[tjansson]

I have a Milwaukee M18 tripod light, and M18 flood light that can sit on the ground or get hung on a nail. If I had to pick one it would be the tripod. Having cordless lights is super useful, especially this time of year. I always still wear a headlamp because it helps with shadows and always having light in front of you.

 

[yyc_ranger_4x4]

I've got two of the DeWalt folding tripod lights....runs a long time on a 9ah battery. Also have two of the dual head system lights. Both work well. Can hang the dual head or screw it to a tripod, set it on the floor/shelf/truck.

Go with whatever battery line you already have.

 

[danielbuck]

depends on what you're doing. For most things, a headlamp will work nicely.

 

[toolfinder.us]

Headlamps like @danielbuck mentioned are great. Plug-in lights like this led give a ton of light and they put out some serious heat so @Beerhippie could probably even warm hands over them... Did I forget to put the link the first time? https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/jobsmart-10000-lumen-ac-work-light

 

[drmarkr]

How much do you want to spend? The one's in the pic are stupid $$ ($375 for two), but you could easily rig up something similar for a fraction of that price using these:

Amazon.com

 

[Vinny]

Money not an issue if it meets my needs. What I'm really looking for is something that has a good field of light that can be manipulated for various tasks. Sometimes I'm cutting wood, sometimes I'm doing brakes, sometimes I'm cleaning. I doubt one could met those needs and still be used under the car? Also prefer a plug in version. And LED.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I still have a pair of Craftsman corded tripod-mount halogen lights which work nicely when I have some sort of nighttime work going on. Hard to believe that at one time halogen lights were cutting edge; these days for me it's LED or nothing. The halogens are nice on a chilly night, too, as they throw off a good amount of heat, lol!

 

[M635_Guy]

The M18 tripod lights are pretty great and will run off a cord if you have a place to plug in. My buddy has one and I'm pretty amazed at the light it will throw, and it's also "good" light (color temp)

 

[RTM]

Hard to believe that at one time halogen lights were cutting edge; these days for me it's LED or nothing. The halogens are nice on a chilly night, too, as they throw off a good amount of heat

I keep several around for just that reason. I use them to warm parts for BLO application, paint drying, and certain close up tasks where the LED lights cast a weird look, often milking things look scratched

 

[VolvoRyan]

Halogen was great for warming up transmission linkage bushings. Easy to press them in by hand.

LED is great. I'd suggest that not one solution may meet the PO's needs. I've had really good luck with cheapo cordless LED's with a magnetic base from Amazon. $40 gets you a few, and they fit everywhere. You can position them so you're never working in shadow. I replaced a few engine harnesses in 2024. Soooo nice to have light coming from 4 directions.

-Ryan

 

[willf650]

I have a Milwaukee M12 tripod light and would recommend it or something similar. They run off a cord or battery and you can set it up at any height and point it right at what you are working on.

 

[Beerhippie]

20F in an uninsulated warehouse because the guy who ordered this piece of equipment didn't bother to notice it was set up for a voltage we don't have. Both the light and heat were welcome.

 

[u2slow]

My favourite is a 4' strip florescent (single) with a 12' cord and some jack chain. Alternate version has a couple of small plywood scraps attached to it, for quick mounting with a couple screws.

Otherwise it's headlamps or 18V LED flashlight.

 

[Rusted Nut]

The Milwaukee tripod lights are great. Also, I use this little Milwaukee light all the time.

REDLITHIUM™ USB ROVER™ Pivoting Flood Light | Milwaukee Tool

MILWAUKEE® REDLITHIUM™ USB ROVER™ Pivoting Flood Light has three output modes, a dual-magnet pivoting base, and is IP54 water and dust resistant

www.milwaukeetool.com

 

[GeoBruin]

The m12 lights are never going to win in a heads up fight because they lack the raw output and runtime, but they're sure compact and the ability to run them on an extension cord cannot be appreciated enough.

All my 18v tools are dewalt so I had a big, bright dewalt tripod light but I sold it because it just took up too much room and I always reached for the m12.

 

[Skyman]

I had fairly low expectations when I ordered a pair of these. They surprised me enormously. Highly recommended.

Amazon.com

 

[Jgaz]

I have two of these Ryobi lights. I’m very statisfied with them.

RYOBI ONE+ 18V Hybrid LED Project Light (Tool Only) P790 - The Home Depot

Stay connected while you're at home, at work or on the road by selecting this RYOBI ONE Hybrid LED Project Light.

www.homedepot.com

Currently at Direct Tools for $49
IIRC I bought one of mine for <$40 and the other for slightly more.

 

[LeeG]

I have been using the M18 tower lights since they came out. They operate on battery or plug in, so best of both worlds. I have been really liking neck lights for local lighting. I use the Milwaukee ones, but there are several good ones. I recently picked up a pair of the cyclops lights, and they are nice for task lighting.

 

[Odd-job]

Sometimes I'm cutting wood, sometimes I'm doing brakes, sometimes I'm cleaning.

Sounds like you "need" a variety of lights based on the above.

1. Pocket carry flashlight - my trusty Baton 4. Gets the most use just because I usually have it on me, except when its getting charged or I have to take a shower. I am also afraid of the dark and always seem to be taking out the trash at night.
2. Headlight - if there can only be one, but unfortunately my wife makes fun of me when I wear one around all of the time. Have too many of these, but have been using a Perun Mini as I have developed a little addiction to olights apparently. I probably use this the most when cleaning as free hands are always needed.
3. Multiple magnet lights - have 4 astro lights scattered around the garage and also a new favorite, m12 Rover. These are really nice in more stationary jobs like brake jobs as 2 or more stuck around a wheel well really eliminates those pesky shadows that may hide that speed sensor you forgot to plug back in.
4. Stationary lights - I like a lot of posters use m18 rovers and a pair of towers mostly. These are used to light up large areas like the basketball hoop area when the kids wants to play outside at night. The larger rovers sometimes get used underneath cars from time to time, however these larger lights don't get used much in the garage overall as I have added a ton of lighting per the advice of GJ
5. Specialty lights - color matching, UV, infrared, etc. Won't go into this much, but the UV on my seeker really shows where I didn't dust if you are fanatical like that.

 

[will335i]

Another vote for the M12 tripod light. Like others have mentioned the ability to run it off battery or extension cord makes it really versatile. I am sure the M18 or Dewalt 20v ones will outperform it on output but I will say the M12 does outperform my old halogen tripod. I also don't have to worry about burning myself on it like I would with the halogen.

 

[niget2002]

A few of these can light up a very large area.

LightRanger 1200

High-power USB-C rechargeable LED lantern with telescoping pole, and tripod. Provides overhead area lighting for any outdoor activity. Order yours today!

www.devosoutdoor.com

 

[Aaron_W]

I can't speak for a particular brand, but mast mounted balloon lights are pretty nice.

Glo-bug is an industrial brand that I've seen in person running off a small generator and they are pretty nice for illuminating an area. Something in between a full blown light tower and small portable work lighting. Glo-bug is targeting work sites, highway construction etc, needing off grid power and mobility so quite expensive for personal use. I see there are a lot of similar lights now being offered for about 1/10 the price so more suitable for home use.

Link below is just one example of the style, the first thing Google showed me with prices more reasonable for home use. I have no experience with the brand, just the style of lighting.

Seedevil balloon lighting

 

[Aaron_W]

I still have a pair of Craftsman corded tripod-mount halogen lights which work nicely when I have some sort of nighttime work going on. Hard to believe that at one time halogen lights were cutting edge; these days for me it's LED or nothing. The halogens are nice on a chilly night, too, as they throw off a good amount of heat, lol!

I've got a similar light but with twin mounted lights. It throws off a large amount of light and agree it is almost as useful as a heater as it is a light.

I keep meaning to look into LED conversion options for the halogen bulbs. They make them for cars so there should be something out there for these older work lights.

 

[mikey03]

I don’t own one but I would get the m18 tripod latest gen and if there’s a killer deal like 50% off I’d definitely buy one even though I don’t really need it. I wouldn’t get the m12 if your using a tripod then the weight don’t matter that much since it’s so big anyway.

 

[tarbellb]

I can't speak for a particular brand, but mast mounted balloon lights are pretty nice.

Glo-bug is an industrial brand that I've seen in person running off a small generator and they are pretty nice for illuminating an area. Something in between a full blown light tower and small portable work lighting. Glo-bug is targeting work sites, highway construction etc, needing off grid power and mobility so quite expensive for personal use. I see there are a lot of similar lights now being offered for about 1/10 the price so more suitable for home use.

Link below is just one example of the style, the first thing Google showed me with prices more reasonable for home use. I have no experience with the brand, just the style of lighting.

Seedevil balloon lighting

Balloon light is interesting, i like the idea of no direct glare from the source.

BUT that fan noise inside a shop would drive me nuts. Good light for outdoors or noisy environments


Lighting is on the same curve as TVs- its only getting better and cheaper

 

[dscheidt]

I've got a similar light but with twin mounted lights. It throws off a large amount of light and agree it is almost as useful as a heater as it is a light.

I keep meaning to look into LED conversion options for the halogen bulbs. They make them for cars so there should be something out there for these older work lights.

probalby better to just buy new. The good halogen worklights take advantage of having the bulb filament in a known position and orientation, to have reflector design that is pretty efficient. an led replacement capsule won't make as good use of the reflector, so you get much less light for a given output. A purpose built panel will at least shoot all the light the direction you need it. you might be able to find an led head that will replace what's there.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

To do my basement I bought the three of the cheapest LEDs Menards had.

I will end up using them again to wire the pole barn since it gets dark so early after the time change.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I have Milwaukee's M12 and M18 Rocket lights (tripod) and really like both of them. The M12 gets more day-to-day use, especially for basement and boiler room work. The M18 has a larger footprint, but I still use it for lighting up larger areas. I also us the M18 search light in flood mode, and the M12 magnetic rover light as a daily carry.

 

[JSutter]

Halogen lights are great if you need the heat and the price is hard to beat. They are fragile, I've blown many with little use, and use up too much electricity. An LED retrofit bulb fixes that. I really like my HDX? tripod work light now. If I need the heat I can swap the bulbs back easily.

If that's too big, I'll use a my dual power 120v ac or 12v dc 700 lumen light. Too bad they don't make them anymore. It's nice to power it off a vehicle.

I can't see spending $100-300 on a light just because it takes my tool's battery.

 

[Odd-job]

^ it depends on how much of a premium you put on untethered portability/mobility of the lights to compliment one's cordless power tools

IMHO compared to the amount of money on tools and equipment I have spent because of GJ's bad influence the ~$1k or so I have spent in mobile lighting options is a drop in the bucket

 

[TxSteve]

probalby better to just buy new. The good halogen worklights take advantage of having the bulb filament in a known position and orientation, to have reflector design that is pretty efficient. an led replacement capsule won't make as good use of the reflector, so you get much less light for a given output. A purpose built panel will at least shoot all the light the direction you need it. you might be able to find an led head that will replace what's there.

Exactly. I hate it when people swap out their halogen headlight bulbs with LEDs. It's terrible for anyone in front of them. The headlight housings are not designed for LEDs and they don't control the light effectively so they blind other drivers. I drive a truck and I'm amazed how often I get glare up that high. I can't imagine how people in sedans can see anything when one of those drivers comes at them.