Features
- Magnetic backing for attachment to steel surfaces
- Up to 300 lumens output
- Includes 4.9 ft USB cable
- Includes eight cord clips for cable organization
- Can be installed vertically or horizontally
- Part of workshop storage/organization system
Specifications
Color | Black |
Product Width (In) | 1.77 in |
Number Of Pieces | 1 |
Is It A Set? | No |
Includes | (1) 25 in magnetic LED light; (1) 4.9 ft USB cable; (8) cord clips |
Lumen Output | Up to 300 lumens |
Cable Length | 4.9 ft (USB) |
Material | Plastic |
Warranty | 3 Year Limited Warranty; 1 Year Free Service; 90 Days Satisfaction Guaranteed |
Installation | Magnetic attachment to steel surfaces; can be mounted vertically or horizontally |
Intended Application | Workshop storage/tool storage |
Related Tools
25-inch magnetic LED strip light designed to attach to steel surfaces. Provides up to 300 lumens of illumination. Includes a 4.9 ft USB power cable and eight cord clips for cable management. Can be mounted vertically or horizontally and is intended for workshop/tool storage use.
DeWalt 25in Magnetic LED Strip Light Review
I’ve been looking for a simple way to light the inside of steel cabinets and the underside of shelves without drilling holes or running permanent wiring. This strip light hit that sweet spot: a slim, 25-inch bar with a magnetic back, powered by USB, that I can move around the shop as needed. After using it for a few weeks on a tool chest, a steel pegboard, and the side of a drill press, here’s how it stacks up.
What it is
This is a low-profile magnetic LED strip meant for workshop and tool storage areas. It’s 25 inches long, about 1.77 inches wide, and outputs up to 300 lumens. It’s not trying to be overhead lighting; it’s a task and accent light designed to brighten drawers, cabinet interiors, and work zones that benefit from a local boost. The bar is plastic, with embedded magnets on the back, and it comes with a 4.9-foot USB cable and eight small cord clips to keep the cable tidy.
Setup and mounting
Installation is extremely simple if you have a steel surface. The magnets grip cleanly to painted tool chests, steel cabinet doors, and machine frames. I was able to mount it horizontally along the underside of a shelf, vertically along the side of a cabinet, and even diagonally across a pegboard—no fasteners or brackets required. Because there are no screws, repositioning takes seconds, which is the whole appeal of a magnetic light.
A few practical notes:
- The magnets won’t stick to aluminum or certain stainless steels. If your surface isn’t ferrous, you’ll need an alternative plan (adhesive-backed metal strip or screws—though this light isn’t designed for screw mounting).
- On freshly painted or delicate finishes, I recommend wiping both surfaces and sliding the bar gently into place to avoid scuffs. The magnets are fairly secure but don’t have a soft pad over them.
- The included cord clips are handy for routing the cable along the cabinet edge or the back of a toolbox. They keep the cord from snagging when drawers open.
Power and controls
Power is via a standard USB cable (about 4.9 feet). You can feed it from a wall adapter, a power strip with USB ports, or a power bank. I ran it off a small 5V battery pack on a shelf for a portable setup and off a surge protector’s USB ports on my bench. This flexibility is a big plus—no proprietary charger to keep track of.
Operation is straightforward once you know the trick. There’s a touch-sensitive button on the bar. After you plug the USB cable into power, a small indicator shows the light has power available. To turn the actual LEDs on, tap the touch area; tap again to turn them off. Two caveats:
- The touch switch is capacitive, not mechanical. It works best with bare fingers. With heavy gloves or very dry hands, it can miss a tap.
- If you leave it plugged in, it remembers nothing; you need to tap it each time you want light. There’s no motion sensor or auto-on mode.
If you’re installing it somewhere you’ll regularly have gloves on, consider placing the touch area within easy reach, or plan to use a finger through glove material to register a tap.
Brightness and beam quality
At up to 300 lumens across a 25-inch bar, this is a gentle, even wash of light, not a bright spotlight. In practical terms:
- Inside a dark tool chest or cabinet, it makes labels and parts clearly visible.
- Under a shelf over a bench, it provides enough light to find hardware and see outlines of tools.
- As lighting for detailed work (fine layout, soldering, finishing), it’s marginal unless it’s very close to the work and you have additional overhead light.
The beam is diffuse, so there are no harsh hotspots or stripes. Color quality is acceptable for shop tasks—fasteners and wire colors are easy to distinguish—but it’s not tuned for color-critical work. I found it pleasant and functional for general illumination in the 1–3 feet range.
Build quality and durability
The housing is plastic, and the profile is slim. That makes it light enough to stick securely to vertical surfaces and easy to handle. In day-to-day shop use—dust, vibration, and the occasional bump—it’s held up fine. The magnets haven’t loosened, and the lens hasn’t scratched noticeably after some repositioning.
Because it’s plastic, I wouldn’t mount it near grinding sparks, hot exhaust, or solvents that could haze a lens. This is a utility light for storage and light-duty task zones, not a rugged machine light meant to live next to a lathe chuck or in a welding booth.
The included USB cable is adequate for most cabinet or chest setups. In a tall locker or when mounting high on a wall panel, I needed a USB extension or a closer power source. Plan your routing with the cord clips upfront and it stays tidy.
Everyday use in the shop
- Tool chest lid: Mounted under the lid of a steel chest, the strip light turns a black-hole top tray into a clearly lit space. I routed the cable along the back with the clips and powered it from a USB port on a nearby strip.
- Machine side light: On the column of a drill press, it gives just enough extra visibility to find bits and set depth without casting harsh shadows.
- Cabinet interior: One bar on the door and one on the vertical frame lights both shelves when the door swings open. It’s a simple, neat upgrade if you don’t want to run permanent LED tape and a 12V driver.
The ability to pick it up and move it without tools is the standout advantage. When I need light somewhere else, I just lift the bar and stick it where I’m working.
Limitations and quirks
- Brightness ceiling: 300 lumens is modest. If you want bench-wide task lighting, you’ll need something stronger or multiple bars.
- Touch-only switch: Great with bare hands, occasionally finicky with gloves. There’s no mechanical click to confirm a press.
- Always needs USB power: There’s no internal battery. You need a nearby USB outlet or a power bank, and the included cable may be short in larger spaces.
- Magnetic-only mounting: If your workspace is primarily wood, aluminum, or stainless, you lose the advantage of the magnets unless you add a ferrous strip.
None of these are deal-breakers in the intended role, but they’re worth knowing before you plan a larger layout.
Value and warranty
As a workshop accessory, the value comes from fast, clean installation and the flexibility of USB power. The included cord clips are a small touch that helps keep the setup looking intentional rather than improvised. The warranty package—3-year limited, 1-year free service, and 90-day satisfaction—is generous for a simple light and provides some peace of mind if you’re equipping multiple stations.
Who it’s for
- People who want to light steel tool chests, cabinets, or pegboards without drilling.
- Renters or those who prefer reversible installs.
- Anyone already running USB power in the shop, or willing to use a power bank.
- Techs who need a movable light to bring to different machines or stations.
Who should look elsewhere:
- Users needing high-output task lighting for precision work across a wide bench.
- Shops that are mostly wood or aluminum where magnets aren’t useful.
- Environments where gloves are always on and a mechanical switch is a must.
Recommendation
I recommend this strip light for what it’s designed to do: add quick, clean illumination to steel storage and work surfaces with zero permanent installation. It’s easy to place, easy to move, and the USB power makes it flexible—especially if you pair it with a power bank. The light output is even and useful at close range, and the included cord clips keep the setup neat. Just be aware of the touch-only control and the modest 300-lumen output. If you need a portable, magnet-mount utility light for cabinets, chests, or machine frames, this is a smart, hassle-free upgrade. If you’re after bright, bench-spanning task lighting or non-magnetic mounting, there are better choices.
Project Ideas
Business
Tool Chest Lighting Upgrade Service
Offer on-site installs of magnetic LED bars on steel tool chests, shelves, and pegboard frames. Bundle with cable management using the included clips and charge per light plus labor. Market to auto shops, makerspaces, and facilities maintenance teams.
Garage Organization Lighting Kits
Sell curated kits (2–6 bars, USB hubs, power adapters, adhesive cable raceways) for DIY garage makeovers. Provide a simple layout guide for vertical/horizontal mounting on steel cabinets and racks, and upsell installation.
Field Tech Lighting Packs
Create portable lighting packs for HVAC, plumbing, and appliance techs: magnetic LED bar + rugged power bank + USB dimmer. Private-label the kits and offer volume pricing to service companies for consistent task lighting on steel equipment.
Pop-Up Vendor/Booth Lighting Rentals
Rent sets of magnetic LED bars to food trucks and market vendors with metal carts/booths. Fast, tool-free install on steel surfaces, with cable clips to keep serving areas tidy. Offer nightly or weekend packages.
Content Creator Product Light Bar
Bundle the bar with clip-on diffusion, colored gels, and a metal mounting strip for desk setups. Target makers and reviewers who shoot on steel backdrops or tool chests, positioning it as a compact, repositionable 300-lumen key/fill light.
Creative
Magnetic Workbench Edge Light
Snap the 25 in bar beneath a steel shelf lip or the front edge of a metal workbench for shadow-free task lighting. Use the eight cord clips to route the 4.9 ft USB cable cleanly to a power strip or power bank. Mount horizontally to wash the whole surface with up to 300 lumens.
Drill Press/Lathe Spotlight
Attach vertically to a drill press column or lathe bed to illuminate the cutting zone without clamps. The magnetic backing lets you quickly reposition for different setups, and the slim 1.77 in width keeps it out of the way.
Steel Locker Display Case
Turn a metal locker or tool cabinet into a lit display by mounting the strip to the door or side wall. Route the USB cable with the clips and power via a compact USB adapter. Great for showcasing finished projects or storing parts with clear visibility.
Light-Painting Wand
Stick the bar to a steel ruler or a thin metal bar to create a handheld light wand for long-exposure photography. Power with a USB power bank for cord-free movement and add colored gel sheets for creative trails.
Magnetic Knife Strip Uplight
Attach the LED just above or below a kitchen’s steel knife strip to create a practical, dramatic backsplash glow. The magnet keeps it secure, while the low profile avoids interfering with knives and tools.