DeWalt Tool Connect Corded/Cordless LED Area Light

First impressions and setup

I put the DCL070 area light to work on a basement renovation where overhead power was intermittent and the space soaked up light like a cave. Out of the box, the unit feels purpose-built: squared-off, stackable, and unapologetically jobsite-tough. The frame has the kind of overbuilt confidence you expect from a pro light, but it’s not dainty—plan on two hands when you’re moving it around.

Setup is straightforward. Battery drops into a well-protected compartment with plenty of room for larger packs, including FLEXVOLT, and there’s actual finger clearance to pull them back out. If you’re running corded, you get instant full output and the convenience of pass-through AC outlets on the side for daisy-chaining additional lights or powering a corded tool.

Pairing with Tool Connect was painless: hold the pair button for a few seconds and the app finds it quickly. From there, you can toggle the light, adjust output, schedule on/off, and tag it in your inventory with “last seen” location. The app features matter more than I expected; the ability to turn lights on from the truck at 6 a.m. or confirm where a unit was last used has already saved me time.

Light output and beam quality

Rated up to 7000 lumens, the DCL070 has the punch to flood a medium room or a small indoor site with even, usable light. The LED array comes up to brightness instantly—no warm-up—and I didn’t notice flicker on camera or to the eye. The ability to dim down to 500 lumens is genuinely useful; I often ran it at a lower setting for punch-list work to minimize glare and reflections off glossy finishes.

A standout feature is independent control of the left and right sections. On a recent wall-hanging job, I used just one side to eliminate shadows behind me without lighting up the entire room. It’s a simple way to “shape” the light for layout and install tasks, and it conserves battery when you don’t need full flood.

One note: on AC, the light feels a touch stronger than on battery at comparable settings. It’s not a night-and-day difference, but if you need peak punch for larger spaces, plug-in power gets you the most out of the LEDs.

Power: corded vs. cordless

The dual personality is the DCL070’s biggest strength. On corded power, you get maximum brightness and unlimited runtime. On a generator or standard outlet, I daisy-chained two units and kept a larger workspace consistently lit without running extra extension cords back to the panel. The AC outlets are more than a convenience—being able to power a small corded tool from the light kept my cord management sane.

Cordless performance has been reliably good. With a high-capacity 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT pack, I can get a solid chunk of the workday at mid-level output, and easily make it through punch-list work on low. Expect the usual trade-offs: the higher you set the brightness, the quicker you’ll cycle through packs. That’s where the fine-grained dimming and single-side control pay off. I’d love to see dual battery bays for hot-swapping or extended runtime on future versions, but the current setup still covers most scenarios I encounter.

On-board charging and security

Plug the unit into AC and it functions as a charger for your DEWALT 20V MAX battery. It’s a genuinely useful touch—one less charger to haul—and it simplifies life when the light lives on a rolling cart or follows you room to room. There’s a door-lock option for the battery compartment to keep the pack secured. On busy jobsites where gear floats between crews, that extra layer of security plus Tool Connect’s “last seen” location helps reduce the risk of walk-offs.

Controls and usability

Day to day, the interface feels intuitive. I can adjust brightness quickly without cycling through pre-set modes, and swapping between left-only, right-only, or both sides takes a beat. The tool doesn’t try to be clever; it just makes the common adjustments fast and predictable. Bluetooth control has been stable for me from across a site, and scheduled on/off is handy if you want lights on for early deliveries or inspections without leaving them blasting all night.

The stackable design deserves a shout. These units nest neatly and don’t waste vertical space in the van or gang box. Corners and edges are reinforced enough to survive the usual knocks—door jambs, concrete floors, and the occasional tip-over when someone drags a hose across a cord.

Jobsite performance

In tight mechanical rooms and basements, the DCL070 shines—literally and figuratively. It fills space with diffuse, workable light that reduces eye strain and makes color-critical tasks like paint and finish matching easier. For layout and framing, it kills shadows well when positioned off-axis. The no-warm-up LED array is particularly nice in winter when you’re cycling power frequently.

I also appreciate the lack of fan noise. On finish work or when recording quick walkthroughs for clients, a quiet light matters more than you might think. Heat output is well-managed; even after hours of use, surfaces are warm, not scorching.

What could be better

• Weight and size: it’s built like a jobsite tool, and it carries that heft. Not unreasonable, but you’ll notice it compared to compact task lights.
• Battery-only brightness: on cordless power, peak output feels slightly conservative. It’s still strong and very usable, but if you’re expecting the exact same punch as AC, plan accordingly.
• Single battery bay: runtime management would be easier with dual bays or hot-swap capability.
• Extras: this light focuses on lighting, charging, and pass-through power. If you’re expecting extras like a radio or other multi-tool bells and whistles, this isn’t that product—and that’s fine by me. The focus keeps it dependable.

Warranty and support

The coverage is solid: 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and 90-day satisfaction. For a tool that’s likely to get daily use and the occasional drop, that support window matters.

Who it’s for

• Pros who already run DEWALT 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT batteries and want an area light that can anchor a room.
• Remodelers, electricians, and finish carpenters who benefit from fine brightness control and directional left/right lighting.
• Crews who value Tool Connect for inventory tracking, “last seen” location, and remote/scheduled on/off.
• Anyone needing a corded/cordless hybrid that can daisy-chain additional lights or power a small corded tool without extra cords.

If you primarily need a pocketable task light or something that lives in a service pouch, this isn’t the right tool. If you need to flood a workspace reliably and appreciate smart controls, it fits.

Recommendation

I recommend the DCL070 for pros and serious DIYers who want a durable, high-output area light that plays well on and off the grid. It earns the spot with strong AC performance, genuinely useful dimming and split-section control, smart Tool Connect features, and the convenience of on-board battery charging plus pass-through AC. The size and weight are the trade-off for its durability and output, and the slightly reduced battery-only brightness is worth knowing about, but neither is a deal-breaker.

If you’re already in the DEWALT ecosystem, the DCL070 makes even more sense. It consolidates lighting, charging, and daisy-chain power into one rugged box and adds app-driven control that’s practical rather than gimmicky. For jobsite lighting that you can trust to do its one job well—and make a few others easier along the way—it’s a strong buy.