DeWalt 20V MAX TOOL CONNECT Corded/Cordless LED Area Light (Kit)

A jobsite light that behaves like a tool, not a toy

I put the DeWalt area light to work on a basement remodel and a couple of evening punch-list visits, and it quickly felt less like a glorified flashlight and more like a power tool I could rely on. It’s purpose-built: big, stable, and designed to be used hard with either AC power or a 20V battery. The headline numbers tell part of the story—up to 7000 lumens on AC, 3000 on battery—but it’s the way those lumens are delivered, and how the light fits into a workflow, that stood out.

Setup and build

This is not a small light. At roughly 31 by 21 by 21 inches and about 27 pounds, it occupies real space and has the mass to sit steadily on uneven subfloors. The housing feels tough, the kind you don’t baby. The stackable design is a nice touch for storage; I stacked two units in the van without them sliding around, and the flat top and bottom keep them organized.

The battery compartment is well thought out. It takes standard 20V MAX packs and FLEXVOLT packs without drama, and there’s room to grab and release the battery with gloved hands. The included 6.0 Ah pack and charger get you started, and the onboard charger means you can top off a pack while you’re running on AC—handy on longer days.

Light quality and control

Output is instant—no warmup—and the dimming range is practical, from a very bright work setting down to 500 lumens when you just need orientation lighting. The two light heads operate independently, so you can run one side to conserve battery or avoid blasting light into a reflective surface. Being able to aim the heads separately helped me keep glare off freshly painted walls while flooding the floor and workbench.

On AC, the bump to 7000 lumens is obvious in a larger room. It pushes enough light to function as primary illumination in a two-car garage or a full-size family room. On battery, 3000 lumens is still plenty for a focused task zone. My tip: on DC, start at a lower setting and bring it up only as needed. You’ll maintain usable runtime without sacrificing usability.

Power options: AC for maximum, battery for mobility

Having true corded/cordless flexibility changes how and where you use a light. If I’m setting up for a full day on one floor, I’ll plug in and run the light at higher output without thinking about runtime. The built-in AC outlets allow daisy-chaining lights across a long space or powering a corded tool in a pinch. Just be mindful of circuit load if you start hanging multiple devices off a single run.

For service calls or quick inspections, battery power is the play. With a high-capacity FLEXVOLT pack, the light kept pace through a series of short tasks without needing a swap. The independent head control is a simple way to stretch runtime—use one head for 180-degree coverage, both when you need to flood a room.

Bluetooth features that actually help

I’m typically skeptical of Bluetooth on jobsite tools, but the Tool Connect integration here is well executed. Pairing took a few seconds via the dedicated button (hold for 3–5 seconds), and the app made remote on/off and scheduling straightforward. Scheduling is more than a gimmick; if you’re managing a space where you want the light on at start of shift and off at a set time, it removes one more thing to remember.

The “last-seen” location logging matters when you’re moving gear between vehicles, floors, and crews. It’s not a substitute for a tracker, but it’s enough to check the app and see which site or area the light was last connected from. For small companies building an inventory list, having the light show up in Tool Connect keeps things tidy.

Onboard charger and lockable door

The onboard charger is a convenience that adds up. With the light on AC, I can drop a low battery in and let it charge while I work. The door-lock option is a thoughtful bit of jobsite reality. Locking that compartment keeps casual hands from walking away with your battery or flipping switches. It’s not a high-security feature, but it discourages borrowing.

Portability and stability

At 27 pounds, this isn’t something you throw over your shoulder between floors without noticing it. The trade-off is stability. The footprint and mass keep it planted: no wobbly tripod, no tipping when you brush into it while carrying sheet goods. If you’re moving light-to-light every 10 minutes, this wouldn’t be my first pick. If you’re setting up a dependable base of illumination for a real work zone, the format makes sense.

Everyday usability

A few workflow notes after living with it:

• Use AC to get full 7000-lumen output when you need to flood larger spaces; keep battery for targeted zones and mobility.
• Dim aggressively on DC. There’s no penalty for starting low and adding light only where needed.
• Run a single head to cut shadows on sensitive tasks and to stretch runtime.
• Pair it to Tool Connect on day one, label it in the app, and set a simple schedule for the shop or site trailer so it’s never left on overnight.
• If you do daisy-chain, map your outlets and keep an eye on amperage. It’s a convenience, not a power strip replacement.

What I’d change

Two things stood out as wish-list items:

• Battery capacity options: The light’s size and runtime-oriented features would pair well with multiple battery bays for hot-swapping or extended cordless sessions. As it stands, you’re relying on one pack at a time.
• Weight-to-function ratio: The heft is justified by stability and durability, but you feel it. There’s not much to shave without compromising toughness, though a dedicated cart or accessory handle would make frequent moves easier.

I’d also love a small status indicator in a more obvious location for quick battery checks at a distance, but that’s a minor nit in daily use.

Reliability and warranty

I’ve had no issues with flicker, false starts, or connectivity drops once paired. LEDs come on instantly every time. DeWalt backs it with a 3-year limited warranty, one year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. That’s in line with other pro-grade tools and gives some peace of mind for a purchase that’s more investment than impulse.

Who it’s for

• Remodelers and finish carpenters who need stable, glare-manageable light in occupied homes.
• Electricians and plumbers working in basements and mechanical rooms where outlets are limited.
• Facility teams and event crews who can benefit from scheduling and last-seen tracking.
• DIYers with larger projects who want a single, dependable area light rather than a cluster of smaller lamps.

If your work is primarily quick-hit service calls with lots of in-and-out, you may prefer a lighter, tripod-mounted head for rapid redeployments. If you need to set up a consistent, bright work area and keep it running all day, this light fits well.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt area light for pros and serious DIYers who value stable, high-output illumination with flexible power options and practical connected features. It shines—literally—on AC with 7000 lumens, and remains genuinely useful on battery with smart dimming and independent head control. The onboard charger, lockable door, and daisy-chain outlets show that it’s built for the realities of a jobsite. The trade-offs are its weight and the single battery bay, but those are acceptable given the durability and output.

If you need a tough, set-and-forget work light that integrates into a modern tool ecosystem and can pull double duty on corded and cordless days, this one earns a spot on the truck.