Skil 20V Flood Light

Why I picked up this light

Jobsite lighting is one of those categories where convenience matters as much as raw output. I wanted something cordless that could fill a room, tuck into awkward spaces, and mount a few different ways without fuss. The Skil flood light checked those boxes on paper with dual rotating panels, a compact footprint, and compatibility with PWRCORE 20 batteries I already own. After several weeks of work—plumbing under a crawl space, raking light across patchy walls, and general around-the-house tasks—it’s become a regular in my kit.

Design and build

This is a compact, squat cube of a light that feels stable on the ground or a bench. At around 3.2 pounds and roughly 8.5 x 8.2 x 6.9 inches, it’s easy to carry and stash without sacrificing stability. Each LED panel folds out from the body and rotates independently, so you can spread the beams to widen coverage or pivot them to punch light into a specific corner. The hinges are firm and hold position well, which matters when you’re angling light upward on a tripod or balancing it on a joist.

The housing is mostly plastic, but solidly executed. It’s the kind of plastic that shrugs off scuffs, not the brittle stuff. I wouldn’t toss it down a flight of stairs, but it handled trunk travel and a couple of ungraceful knock-overs in the garage without complaint. There’s no stated weather rating, so I’ve kept it out of rain and used it under cover outdoors.

A thoughtful touch: the light automatically shuts off when you close the panels. That prevents accidental battery drain when you toss it back in a bag and is one less switch to remember after a long day.

Brightness and beam quality

The light offers three levels: 450, 900, and 1800 lumens. In practice, here’s how they map:

• Low: 450 lumens for close work and long runtime
• Single panel: 900 lumens when you want focused output from one side
• High (both panels): 1800 lumens for full-room illumination

Output at 1800 lumens is plenty for small and medium rooms, crawl spaces, and a typical one-car garage bay. It’s not in the same league as larger, corded work lights or the biggest jobsite towers, but for a handheld battery light, it punches above its size. The beam is broad with a soft transition at the edges, which helps reduce harsh shadows when you’re moving around a workspace.

What I especially like is using the two panels to create a “two-point” effect from a single light. Aim one panel to bounce off a ceiling or wall to fill the area, and use the other panel for a more direct rake. That trick works well for surface inspection—skim the light across a wall and defects in drywall or plaster jump out immediately.

Runtime and battery behavior

Skil claims up to 4.5 hours on high with a 4.0Ah PWRCORE 20 battery. My results were in that ballpark: with a healthy 4.0Ah pack, I consistently cleared multi-hour tasks on high without watching the clock, and on lower settings I could stretch into multiple sessions over a couple of days. As always, battery health and ambient temperature affect runtime, but nothing about this light felt power-hungry for what it outputs.

When the battery gets low, the light dims to warn you. The step-down is noticeable but not abrupt enough to be unsafe; it gave me enough runway to finish what I was doing or swap packs. I would love a numerical fuel gauge on the light itself, but as long as you’re using Skil batteries with built-in indicators, it’s easy enough to check levels.

One note: the light ships bare. If you’re not already on the PWRCORE 20 platform, factor in the battery and charger. If you are, the pack interchangeability is a plus—this light runs on the same 20V packs as Skil’s drills, saws, and inflators.

Controls and usability

The interface is dead simple: a single button cycles modes. It remembers the last setting when you power back on, which I appreciate when I’m alternating between raking light (single panel) and general illumination (high). The panels swing smoothly and land where you put them. The onboard low-lumen setting is genuinely useful rather than an afterthought; it’s perfect for tight quarters or when you need to avoid blinding yourself with bounce.

Heat management is good—after long runs on high, the panels are warm but not untouchable, and there’s no throttling beyond the end-of-battery dimming. No buzzing, no flicker.

Mounting options and portability

This light can sit flat on its base, hang from a hidden base hook, mount via three-position keyholes, or thread onto a tripod. That flexibility matters more than it sounds. A few scenarios where it made work easier:

• Hung from a floor joist while soldering copper in a crawl space
• Keyholed to a temporary plywood panel to keep light off the floor during a trim-out
• Mounted on a tripod to raise the light for painting, keeping shadows off the cutting line at the ceiling

The base is stable even when the panels are angled aggressively. On a tripod, you can get the light high and throw a wide, even wash across a room—great for painting or flooring where consistency matters.

Where it shines

• Crawl spaces and attics: Compact, lightweight, and the dual panels let you aim one at the work and one for general area fill.
• Surface inspection: Rake the single-panel mode along walls to reveal seams, ridges, or sanding swirls before you prime or paint.
• Garage and driveway: Set it on the floor or a tripod to light up a bay for brake jobs or detailing.
• Backyard chores under cover: Enough output to canvass a patio or porch area at night without dragging out extension cords. I keep it out of the rain.

Shortcomings

• No weather rating: I treat it as an indoor/covered use light. If you work in wet environments, look for a model with an IP rating.
• Battery not included: A non-issue if you’re already on PWRCORE 20, but it raises the barrier to entry if you’re starting from scratch.
• Mode mapping could be clearer: The three modes are simple, but it’s not immediately obvious from the button which is “single panel 900 lumens” versus “low.” After a day it’s second nature, yet a small icon set by the button would help.
• Ceiling for output: 1800 lumens is solid for the size and battery class, but if you regularly light big, open spaces, you may want a higher-output tower or multiple units.

Value and ecosystem fit

In the 20V cordless category, this light offers a smart balance of output, runtime, and adjustability. The dual panels make it more versatile than single-head bricks that blast everything straight ahead. If you already have Skil 20V batteries, it’s an easy add-on. If you don’t, you’ll have to weigh the cost of entry versus alternatives on the platform you use. For my mix of home renovation and shop work, one well-designed, portable light beats chasing outlets or stringing cords for smaller jobs.

Tips for better results

• Bounce for evenness: Aim one panel at a ceiling or light wall to create soft fill, then direct the second at the task. It reduces glare and harsh shadows.
• Use single-panel mode to “rake” surfaces: Hold the light low and sweep along walls or floors to spot imperfections.
• Mount it high whenever you can: A tripod turns this from a local spotlight into a room light. It’s a force multiplier for painting and sanding.
• Close the panels to store: The auto-off works reliably and stops phantom drain.

Recommendation

I recommend this Skil flood light to anyone who needs a compact, cordless work light with flexible aiming and honest runtime. It’s bright enough for most room-sized tasks, the independently rotating panels make it more useful than typical single-head lights, and the multiple mounting options fit real jobs. If you need a weatherproof unit or stadium-level output, look elsewhere. For day-to-day indoor projects, inspections, and covered outdoor use, this one earns its spot on the shelf.