DeWalt Rechargeable LED Task Light

A compact light you’ll actually bring beats a bigger, brighter one you’ll leave in the truck. That’s why I’ve been reaching for this DeWalt task light on jobsites, in crawlspaces, and around the shop. It’s small, sturdy, and thoughtfully designed, with enough output on tap to handle real work without the bulk and fuss of a full-size work light.

Design and build

The form factor is the first win. It’s palmable at roughly 6.5 x 2.5 x 3.4 inches and just under a pound, so it lives comfortably in a pocket of a tool bag. The housing feels like the familiar DeWalt jobsite plastic with rubberized edges—nothing flashy, just durable. It’s rated IP54, which means it’s fine with dust and splashes. I’ve used it in sawdust and a light drizzle without issues; it’s not a dunkable light, but it’s built for everyday site abuse.

The head pivots and rotates to let you steer light exactly where you need it. It stays put wherever I leave it—no sagging over time—and the range of motion means you can go from lighting a wall panel to bouncing light off a ceiling without moving the base.

Mounting versatility

Mounting is where this light really earns its keep:

• Magnets: Two strong magnets in the base lock onto steel surfaces. They’re strong enough to stick to a lift post, a breaker panel, or a truck hood at an angle. On thinner painted sheet metal, I still got a confident hold, but as with any magnet-mounted light, a bit of dust or oil reduces grip. Quick tip: if you care about a painted surface, lay down a strip of painter’s tape first to prevent scuffs.

• Carabiner/stand: The integrated carabiner doubles as a stand. It’s an elegant touch—clip it to a belt loop while moving, hook it on a ladder rung, or flip it out as a stable kickstand on a shelf or floor. I used it clipped to a wire rack and also balanced on a 2x4; it never felt precarious.

This combination lets you improvise in tight or awkward spaces without juggling a spotlight in one hand.

Light quality and output

On its highest setting, it’s a 1,000-lumen flood—bright enough to fill an engine bay or bounce off a white ceiling to light a small room. The beam is a broad, even wash with a soft edge, not a narrow hotspot; that’s exactly what I want from a task light. The color temperature reads neutral to my eye—clear and crisp without that icy blue cast cheaper LEDs can have—and it’s easy on the eyes for longer tasks.

There are three brightness levels accessible with a single button. Low is perfect for close-up work or as a courtesy light when you don’t want to blind yourself with reflected glare, medium is the sweet spot for most bench and cabinet work, and high is what I use outdoors, under a deck, or when I need to flood an area before dialing back. Cycling modes is simple, and the button is glove-friendly.

Battery and charging

The light uses an integral rechargeable battery (4Ah class) and charges over USB. A cable is included, but the fastest charge requires a 5V, 3A power supply, which is not included. With a 3A brick, I routinely see a usable charge in about 85 minutes, matching the spec. On a weaker 5V/1A or 2A charger, you’re looking at a noticeably longer wait, so it’s worth keeping a proper 3A USB charger in the tool bag.

Runtime will depend on how you use it. The spec says up to 12 hours on low; in my real-world use I average:

• High: roughly 2–3 hours
• Medium: 4–6 hours
• Low: 10–12 hours

That’s enough to cover an afternoon of focused work or to run low all day for general illumination. There’s a battery status indicator next to the port, which I appreciate—it’s better to top off before crawling into an attic than learn the hard way.

Two trade-offs to note:

• The battery is not user-replaceable. That keeps the size and weight down but means you can’t hot-swap packs like you would with a platform light. Long term, battery health will dictate the light’s service life.

• It doesn’t natively use the brand’s tool batteries. If you’re invested in a platform and expect to run 20V packs, this isn’t that kind of light.

In use

I’ve used it under hoods, in crawlspaces, and for punch-list work. A few highlights:

• Electrical panel work: Magnet to the side of the cabinet, head rotated inward, low or medium to avoid glare off breakers. Hands-free and perfectly positioned.

• Cabinet installs: Carabiner hooked on a shelf bracket with the head angled at the work plane. The broad beam avoids harsh shadows.

• Automotive: Under the hood, magnets on the radiator support or fender with a strip of tape underneath to protect paint. High fills the entire bay; drop to medium once you’ve found the problem.

• Crawlspace/attic: Clipped to a belt loop while moving, then set as a stand on joists. IP54 was reassuring with airborne insulation and dust.

Thermally, the light gets warm on high but never uncomfortably hot to touch, and there’s no fan noise—just silent, steady output.

Durability and maintenance

After scuffs, minor drops, and plenty of sawdust, everything still functions as expected. The hinge and rotation mechanisms feel tight with no play. The lens hasn’t scratched in my use, and the overmolded edges take the brunt of bumps. Keep the magnet faces clean; a wipe with a rag restores full grip. Given the 3-year limited warranty, I’m comfortable tossing it into the mix with other jobsite gear.

Ergonomics and controls

The single-button interface is straightforward, even with gloves. Press to cycle through low/medium/high; it remembers the last mode when you power it back up. The charging port is easy to access, and the rubber cover seats well enough to keep dust out. The carabiner gate has a positive snap, and as a stand, it gives the light a wide, stable base. It’s a rare small light that doesn’t tip when you prod it.

What I’d change

• Include a fast charger: The USB cable is nice, but without a 5V/3A power supply in the box, many users will charge slower than the advertised time.

• Offer a replaceable-battery option: An interchangeable pack (even a proprietary one) would extend service life and add flexibility for long days.

• Add a lanyard point: The carabiner covers most hanging scenarios, but a small cord loop would help in very tight spaces or when you want a tether.

These are nitpicks in the context of the tool’s size and intent, but they’re worth knowing before you buy.

Who it’s for

• Tradespeople and DIYers who want a compact, throw-it-in-the-bag light that can cover most tasks without a tripod or extra hardware.
• Auto techs who value strong magnets and a broad flood over a tight spot.
• Anyone working in finished spaces who needs flexible mounting; just mind painted surfaces when using magnets.

If you need all-day continuous high output, a larger, platform-powered area light is still the better choice. If your work is mobile and varied, this light’s versatility is hard to beat.

The bottom line

This DeWalt task light strikes a near-ideal balance of size, output, and mounting options. The magnets and carabiner/stand design let me put light exactly where I need it in seconds, and the beam quality makes long tasks easier on the eyes. USB charging is convenient, and with a proper 3A supply, turnaround time is quick enough to keep it in rotation. The non-replaceable battery and omission of a fast charger are the main compromises.

Recommendation: I recommend this light. It’s a compact, well-built task light with genuinely useful mounting and aimability, enough brightness for real work, and an IP54 rating that stands up to jobsite conditions. If you value portability and hands-free placement over swappable packs, it’s an excellent addition to a tool bag.