DeWalt Tool Connect Corded Area Light

A week with DeWalt’s corded area light

I put this area light to work on a kitchen remodel and a couple of late-night garage projects, and it quickly became one of those “set it and forget it” pieces of kit that simply makes the space usable. At 3000 lumens, it’s bright enough to stand in for daylight in a small to mid-size room, yet controllable enough that I wasn’t constantly fighting glare. It’s corded, which is both its main advantage and its biggest limitation. If you’re routinely working where outlets are available, the consistency and output are excellent. If you’re frequently on remote sites without power, you’ll want to think through your power plan.

Build and jobsite survivability

This light is built like it expects abuse. The IP67 rating is no marketing flourish—it shrugged off a very dusty demo and a wet outdoor setup without a hiccup. I hosed drywall dust off the housing at the end of the day and didn’t worry about it. It’s also rated to handle repeated 3.3-foot drops. I didn’t try to break it, but it did take a tumble off a sawhorse and kept working normally. For a tool that gets dragged from room to room and tossed into the back of a truck, that kind of durability matters.

Fit and finish are in line with what I expect from DeWalt: tight seams, a housing that feels reinforced instead of hollow, and controls that don’t wobble. There aren’t a lot of frills here; the design prioritizes ruggedness and simple operation.

Light quality and coverage

Output is pegged at 3000 lumens, and in practice that’s plenty for rough-in, drywall, and general task lighting. In a 12-by-15-foot room, one unit mounted above shoulder height filled the space well enough to run a table of tasks: pulling wire, setting boxes, even cutting in paint after priming. I wouldn’t call it a theatrical flood; it’s an area light tuned for work. As with any bright source, placement makes the difference between useful illumination and harsh shadows. On a tripod around 6–7 feet, I got the best balance of coverage and reduced shadowing.

Brightness control is a standout. Being able to dial the output down for close-up work kept eye strain in check. Full blast for layout and general work, then a notch or two down for close tasks—simple and effective.

Power: the upsides and the trade-offs

Corded power is the headliner. The upside is obvious: no batteries to manage, no runtime anxiety, and full output that doesn’t taper as the day goes on. For a long sanding session or evening with the saws running, that reliability is great.

The trade-off is equally obvious: you need an outlet. On a site with temporary power or indoors, it’s a non-issue. In new builds before temp power is in, or outdoors far from a source, you’ll be stringing cords or bringing a generator. Cable management is something to think through—use a decent gauge extension cord, keep it out of traffic lanes, and if you’re mounting high, plan your routing so the cord isn’t tugging on the light.

I would love to see a hybrid option down the road for those in-between situations. As it stands, the corded-only design keeps the package simple and dependable, but it does limit where you can use it without extra planning.

Mounting and positioning options

Mounting flexibility is better than most lights in this class. The magnetic surface clamp is genuinely useful; it stuck securely to steel studs and ductwork, and it didn’t creep or pivot under its own weight once set. On wood, the included 2x4 clamp did exactly what I needed: quick placement on framing without hunting for a shelf or clearing a surface. It’s the kind of mounting hardware that sounds like a convenience until it saves you ten minutes of fiddling during layout.

Tripod compatibility rounds it out. Threading onto a standard work light tripod was quick, and getting the light up above head height is the fastest way to reduce shadowing and glare. If you’re doing ceiling work or want to flood a room evenly, a tripod is worth using with this light.

One practical note: if you’re clamping to finished surfaces, throw down a cloth or use painter’s tape under the contact points. The hardware is built for jobsite materials, not polished cabinets.

Tool Connect app control

Wireless control is the modern twist here, and it’s more than a gimmick. Pairing with the Tool Connect app was straightforward, and from there I could turn the light on or off and adjust brightness without climbing a ladder or stepping around tools. The range was what I’d expect from Bluetooth—good across a typical house, less so through multiple walls or from outside.

App control is especially handy when the light is mounted out of reach or when you’ve got multiple lights staged and want to walk a site turning them on as you go. It’s not a full-featured smart system—there’s no scheduling or scenes—but for on/off and brightness, it’s reliable and quick. If you don’t care about connectivity, the physical controls on the unit are clear and immediate, and I didn’t find myself hunting for them.

In use: where it shines

• Rough carpentry and drywall: Plenty of output to spot fasteners, seams, and defects. IP67 makes dust a non-issue.
• Electrical and plumbing: The adjustable brightness is great for close-in work at boxes and under sinks without cooking your retinas.
• Painting and finish prep: As a general flood it works, but for color-critical tasks I still prefer a dedicated high-CRI task light. This one’s more about brightness and toughness than color rendering accuracy.
• Garages and basements: On a tripod, one light comfortably wakes up a two-car garage; two lights eliminate shadows almost entirely.

The theme is consistent: this is a tool for making spaces workable, quickly and reliably.

What could be better

• Corded only: Dependable, yes, but a hybrid option would broaden where and how it can be used.
• Accessories: An optional diffuser or softening accessory could help in tight quarters where glare bounces off light-colored surfaces.
• App scope: On/off and brightness are the essentials, but basic grouping or simple scenes would make multi-light setups even smoother.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re areas where a future revision could move from very good to excellent.

Value, warranty, and who it’s for

The overall package—rugged housing, IP67 sealing, drop survivability, flexible mounting, and straightforward app control—adds up to a dependable work light that feels purpose-built for trades work and serious DIY. The warranty terms (3-year limited, 1 year free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee) align with pro expectations and help justify putting it into daily rotation.

If you live on generators and temporary power, the cord won’t bother you. If you spend half your time in fields or on new slabs without power, you’ll either be dragging cords or you’ll want to complement this with a cordless light. For most indoor trades and maintenance roles, the consistency of corded power paired with 3000 lumens of controlled output is a strong fit.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt area light for pros and serious DIYers who value reliable, all-day illumination with minimal fuss. It’s rugged, genuinely weather- and dust-resistant, and bright enough to make a room workable without stacking extra fixtures. The mounting options save real time, and the Tool Connect app adds convenience without getting in the way. The main caveat is the corded-only design—if your work routinely takes you away from power, look at a hybrid or cordless alternative. Otherwise, this is a well-executed, durable light that earns its space in the truck.