DeWalt 12V/20V MAX Cordless Hood Light

First impressions

I reach for a hood light more often than I expected, and the DeWalt hood light has quickly become the one I grab first. It’s a straightforward tool: clamp it across a hood or hatch, flip it on, and suddenly an engine bay or undercarriage becomes a workable space. What separates this one from the pack is how it balances brightness, adjustability, and portability without feeling clumsy.

Design and build

This is a two-arm LED bar that folds at the center, with a battery interface on the body and padded hooks on each end. Folded, it’s 26.5 inches long and slides into a drawer or rides easily in a back seat. Unfolded, it extends from 51 to 74 inches, which covered everything I tried—from compact sedans to full-size truck hoods—without needing to “stretch” the frame to its limits. At about 6.75 pounds, it’s not featherlight, but the weight helps it sit solidly without bouncing around when you bump the bumper or fender.

Build quality is what I expect from DeWalt: tight tolerances, sturdy tubes, and a hinge that doesn’t feel like a weak point. There’s a bit of flex when fully extended, but nothing that affects stability on the vehicle. The anti-marring pads on the hooks are generous, and the hook ends rotate 360 degrees, so it’s easy to clock them to a safe contact point. I still keep a microfiber handy if I’m working on a delicate paint or a freshly corrected surface, but the padding has been kind to every finish I’ve tried.

Mounting and adjustability

The mounting system is the win here. The 51–74 inch range covers most SUVs and trucks, and the rotating hooks make odd angles simple—think open hatch, door jamb, or across strut towers. The folding hinge is more than a storage trick; it lets you angle the arms slightly to favor the front or rear of an engine bay without moving the hooks. I’ve also braced the light under a vehicle by catching the hooks on pinch welds and subframe lips. It’s not as fast as a dedicated undercarriage stand, but it works well and saves space in the truck.

Controls are straightforward: a single switch cycles through High, Low, and a Single-arm mode. That last one is surprisingly useful. If I’m working on one side of the bay or trying to cut glare from one direction, single-arm concentrates illumination where I need it and stretches runtime.

Light output and quality

DeWalt rates it at 1,700 lumens, and subjectively it’s right in the sweet spot for bay work. On High, I get plenty of punch to see fasteners at the back of a V6, read casting marks, and spot fluid seepage. On Low, it’s comfortable for longer jobs without fatiguing my eyes. The beam pattern is wide and even across the span; it’s not a spotlight, and that’s the point. Illumination fills the space rather than creating harsh hot spots, with enough edge throw to keep fender liners and the floor in view.

I also appreciate the versatility outside of automotive use. Hung across a doorway during a power outage, it lit a small room well enough to work safely and move around. The bar format helps—light is spread out, so shadows are less pronounced than with a single-head work light.

Power, runtime, and battery compatibility

Power flexibility is a standout. It runs on DeWalt 12V MAX and 20V MAX packs, and even FLEXVOLT, with the exception of the DCB615. If you’re already in the DeWalt ecosystem, that’s a huge convenience. If you’re not, keep in mind that batteries and charger are sold separately.

As for runtime, plan according to the battery you choose and the mode you use. The published “up to 10 hours” figure is with a 20V MAX 4Ah pack, and that aligns with light-duty or Low mode use. In my experience, a 5Ah 20V MAX pack handled a full day of intermittent work, and about seven hours straight on Low. On High, smaller packs drain quickly—2Ah batteries in particular feel short-lived. My advice: use 4Ah or larger if you tend to run on High, or keep a couple of smaller packs ready if you’re bouncing between tools.

The light sips power better in Single-arm mode than I expected. For tasks focused on one fender or an alternator swap, that setting makes a meaningful difference in battery life without leaving me in the dark.

Portability and storage

The foldable design is more than a gimmick. Collapsed, it’s compact enough to fit in a toolbox drawer and rugged enough to ride in a service truck without complaint. The folding joint has a positive detent feel when opening and closing, so it doesn’t flop around while you’re carrying it. If you work mobile, or just want to avoid another long, awkward item floating around your shop, this form factor is a treat.

Durability and maintenance

Shop tools get dirty—oil mist, brake dust, coolant splatter—and this light wipes down easily. The housings and lens covers clean up with a simple degreaser and rag. I wouldn’t leave it out in the rain or blast it with a pressure washer, but for day-to-day shop grime it’s holding up well. The hooks haven’t chewed through their pads, and the rotating ends still feel tight after repeated adjustments.

DeWalt’s warranty on this model is 3 years limited, plus 1 year of free service and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. That’s standard for their work lights and offers some peace of mind if you’re hard on gear.

Where it shines and where it falls short

What it does best:
- Fast, secure mounting across a wide variety of hoods and openings
- Bright, even coverage with useful modes, including single-arm
- Folds small but feels sturdy at full extension
- Runs on common 12V MAX/20V MAX/FLEXVOLT packs (excluding DCB615)

What could be better:
- Power consumption on High is real; small 20V packs feel short-lived
- At full extension there’s mild flex (still usable, just noticeable)
- No battery or charger in the box makes the entry cost higher if you’re not already on DeWalt batteries

One note on the center hinge: some people see a foldable bar and worry about a weak point. In practice, the hinge is tight and hasn’t introduced play. If anything, the ability to fold and angle is a net positive for storage and positioning.

Value

If you’re already invested in DeWalt’s battery platform, this hood light makes a lot of sense. You get strong output, a smart mounting system, and a compact form factor without buying into a new charger ecosystem. If you’re not on DeWalt batteries, factor the cost of at least one 4Ah (or larger) pack and a charger. There are cheaper plug-in or built-in-battery alternatives, but few match the combination of reach, adjustability, and ecosystem convenience here.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt hood light to techs, serious DIYers, and anyone already carrying DeWalt 12V MAX or 20V MAX batteries. It delivers bright, even light across engine bays and undercarriages, mounts quickly without risking paint, and folds small enough to live in a drawer instead of cluttering the shop. Plan on using 4Ah or larger packs—especially if you’ll live on High—and you’ll get practical runtimes and a reliable, flexible work light that pulls double duty during power outages or mobile jobs. If you’re starting from zero in terms of batteries, the total buy-in climbs, but the performance and portability justify it for regular use.