DeWalt 8V MAX Worklight

A compact, no-nonsense task light that earns its spot in the bag

I’ve been using this 8V worklight for a handful of months, and it’s the one I keep grabbing when I need quick, reliable illumination in tight quarters. It’s not a flood cannon, and it doesn’t try to be. Instead, it’s a pocketable, lightweight tool that covers common jobsite and around-the-house tasks without fuss—precisely the kind of light you forget about until you need it, and then appreciate because it just works.

Design and build

The first thing that stands out is the size-to-utility ratio. At roughly 9.6 oz, it’s easy to slip into a jacket pocket or clip to a belt. The housing feels robust enough for daily use, with no creaks or flex when you twist it in your hand. I’ve tossed it into a tool bag with bits and drivers, and it hasn’t picked up anything beyond minor scuffs. It can sit flat on its base for hands-free use on a shelf or floor, and the integrated clip is sturdy enough to secure to a pocket, strap, or tool pouch.

There are no extra frills—no rubberized bumpers, no elaborate pivoting head—but the overall shape and balance make it comfortable to hold in both upright and cigar-style grips. The switch has a positive click, and I haven’t had accidental activations in a bag. The light also keeps cool; even after extended runtime, the head gets warm but not finger-scorching.

Beam and brightness

Output is rated at 80 lumens, and the beam uses a two-zone pattern: a defined center spot for where you’re working, with a useful spill around it. In practice, that translates to clear visibility within an arm’s reach to about six feet, which is the sweet spot for close work—inside cabinets, under sinks, peering into junction boxes, tracing plumbing runs, or lighting a small section of engine bay.

If you’re expecting a room-filling flood, you’ll be disappointed. For that, you’d want a high-output area light in the 500–1500 lumen range. Here the focus is on controlled, glare-limited task lighting. The center spot makes it easy to locate and track fasteners, markings, and edges. The surrounding spill helps your eyes stay oriented without the fatigue that can come from a harsh hotspot. I also appreciate that the color temperature looks neutral in use; it doesn’t skew overly blue or amber, so wire colors and markings remain distinguishable.

The light has a single output mode—no stepped brightness, no strobe—and I’m okay with that. Switching modes is useful on some lights, but on small task lights it often adds extra clicks and confusion. One press for on, one for off, be done with it.

Runtime and power

This light runs on DeWalt’s 8V MAX lithium-ion platform. If you already have the 8V screwdriver, you’re set. If not, you’ll need to factor in a battery and charger, as the light doesn’t include one. With a fresh pack, I consistently see around 4–5 hours of real-world use. My typical pattern is 20–30 minutes at a time spread across a day, and it comfortably gets through a work session without anxiety. Left on continuously, it hits right around the advertised “up to five hours,” with a gentle dimming before it calls it quits.

The 8V ecosystem is fairly small compared to the big 12V and 20V platforms, and that matters. If you’re already invested in another voltage, the value question gets trickier—no way to cross-share those packs. On the flip side, the 8V battery keeps the light compact and balanced; it slides in flush and doesn’t turn the handle into a brick.

Ergonomics and usability

The usability story is straightforward:

• One button, one mode, no learning curve.
• Easy to stand up on a flat surface for hands-free work.
• A clip that’s actually strong enough to trust.
• A beam that hits a task-oriented sweet spot.

Because the beam is more spot than flood, I’ve found it best for close, directed work rather than room-scale illumination. If I’m running cable across a basement or lighting up a crawlspace, I’ll bring a broader, brighter light. But if I’m tightening hose clamps, checking a breaker label, or fitting hardware inside a cabinet, this is the light I reach for first.

A small annoyance: there’s no battery gauge on the light itself. You’ll rely on whatever indicator the battery platform provides, or simply keep a spare pack on hand. Not a dealbreaker, but something to know.

Durability and reliability

I’ve dropped it from waist height onto concrete twice. Cosmetic scuffs, no functional issues. The lens has resisted scratches so far, and the switch hasn’t gotten finicky or intermittent. There’s no stated water or dust rating, so I treat it as a dry-use tool. It’s survived dusty remodel work in my bag, but I don’t use it in the rain and I wouldn’t expect it to shrug off a soak.

As with any small worklight, the best insurance is common sense: don’t store it with sharp debris pointed at the lens, keep it dry, and give the contacts a quick wipe if you toss batteries around in a bucket.

Where it shines

• Inside cabinets and baseboards: The narrow beam helps you see fasteners without blinding yourself with splash.
• Electrical work: Clear visibility of labels and conductor colors without washing everything out.
• Plumbing repairs: Easy to place on a shelf or the floor and aim into tight under-sink spaces.
• Automotive interiors: Focused light on connectors, HVAC ducting, and fuse boxes without lighting the entire footwell.
• Travel and camping: Small enough for a glovebox or RV drawer, with runtime that gets you through a long evening.

What I’d change

• Battery ecosystem: As a standalone purchase, the 8V platform narrows the audience. A USB-rechargeable version would make this a slam dunk for more users.
• Brightness options: A low mode around 20–30 lumens could extend runtime even further and reduce glare on very close work.
• Status indication: A simple three-bar battery indicator on the light would help with planning.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re the first things I notice after a few weeks of regular use.

Value and alternatives

Compared to bigger, brighter area lights, this one’s modest. But those larger lights don’t disappear into a pocket, and they’re often overkill for task lighting. Against compact penlights, this offers a more confident grip and longer runtime, with a beam that’s easier to aim than a wide, floody penlight. The sticking point is the battery: if you’re not already on 8V MAX, you’re buying into a small island in DeWalt’s battery world.

If you’re already using 8V packs, the value is straightforward—you’re adding a practical accessory at a reasonable total cost. If you’re starting from scratch, consider whether a USB-rechargeable task light or a 12V/20V platform light (to match your existing tools) would make more sense long-term.

The bottom line

This 8V worklight is a simple, dependable task light with a beam profile that suits close work and a form factor that encourages you to carry it. It’s not the brightest, flashiest, or most feature-packed option out there—and that’s part of its charm. It trades spec-sheet bravado for the basics: a solid build, useful beam, and real-world runtime that matches its claims.

Recommendation: I recommend this light if you already own DeWalt’s 8V MAX batteries or you specifically want a compact, single-purpose task light with long runtime and a controlled beam. It’s excellent for electricians, cabinet installers, DIYers, and anyone who’d rather have a reliable pocket light than a bulky area lamp. If you need high-output illumination, multi-mode control, or cross-compatibility with 12V/20V packs you already own, look elsewhere. For its intended role—small, targeted tasks—it’s a trusty companion.