DeWalt TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 Adjustable Work Light with Storage

I don’t usually think of a work light as part of a storage system, but the ToughSystem 2.0 work light made me rethink how I haul and use lighting on site. It’s a compact, stackable light with two pivoting LED heads perched over an open tote, and it drops right into a ToughSystem 2.0 stack like any other module. After several weeks of painting, punch-list, and garage projects, I came away appreciating the flexibility and the way this light solves a few everyday jobsite headaches.

Design, build, and portability

This unit looks and feels like it belongs in the ToughSystem family: rugged plastic, metal pivots, and side latches that let it click onto other 2.0 boxes. At roughly 5 kg (about 11 lb) and 16 x 11 x 14 in., it’s heavier than a typical stand light but much more compact than a tripod tower. The folding handle is well placed for balance. I’ve thrown it in the truck, stacked it on top of a 2.0 toolbox, and rolled the whole tower across gravel without drama.

The open tote isn’t a gimmick. I used it for fasteners, a tape, a square, and a couple of 20V batteries—basically the things I’m constantly misplacing while I’m moving light around a room. Because it’s open, you can grab what you need quickly, but it does collect dust and you’ll want to unstack to access it if the light is buried in the middle of a tower. Trade-offs aside, it’s genuinely useful.

Fit and finish are solid. The pivots have firm detents and held their aim after plenty of adjustments. The wire hook folds out of the back so you can hang the unit from a 2x or rafter—handy for getting the beams above eye level in tight spaces. There’s also a tripod mount for when you want height without improvising.

Light quality and output

The spec sheet says 4,000 lumens max across two heads with seven brightness levels. In practice, it’s a wide, clean flood well suited for interior work. The color is a neutral white—about 4000K by eye—with color rendering that’s good enough to distinguish reds, blues, and purples accurately. That makes a difference for painting, flooring, and electrical work where tones matter. It’s not a high-CRI studio light, but for jobsite use it’s pleasantly balanced and easy on the eyes over long days.

The two heads pivot independently. Being able to split them—one head at the ceiling, one across a wall—creates a more even field than a single source and helps knock down hard shadows. It also means I can keep the light out of my eyes yet still saturate the workspace. Compared to dome-style area lights, the controlled directionality is a big comfort and safety improvement.

The seven levels are well spaced. Low is genuinely low for close work or battery sipping, and high is bright enough to fill a midsize room. Outdoors at night, two heads on max are fine for a vehicle bay or a small patio pour, but if you regularly light up large exterior areas, a higher-output area light or multiple units will do better.

Thermal management is transparent: the heat sinks get warm after extended high-output use, but the body never felt too hot to move. I saw no flicker or audible noise.

Power and runtime

Flexibility is the headline here. You can run it on 20V MAX or FlexVolt batteries, or plug it in with AC. The cord isn’t included, which is a miss, but being able to go corded on long days is a big practical win. No more nursing half-charged batteries late in a shift just to prevent a light from stepping down or flashing at a bad moment.

Runtime matched the spec at the top setting: I got about three hours on a 5Ah 20V MAX pack. On an 8Ah pack, I was just shy of five hours. At mid-levels, it will cruise through a full afternoon task. If you’re building a portable kit, I’d budget for at least two 5Ah batteries or a single high-capacity pack to minimize swaps. The unit draws around 40W at full blast, so it’s efficient relative to the output.

One note: the light doesn’t act as a charger. If you want a corded base that also tops up packs, this isn’t that.

Mounting options in real use

• Freestanding: Stable on floors and stairs. The wide base and low center of gravity make it hard to tip, even when both heads are aimed high.
• Tripod: Great for getting light above your line of sight and increasing coverage on tall walls. The bracket feels secure; I had no wobble issues.
• Hanging: The fold-out wire hook is better than it looks. I used it on exposed joists, garage door tracks, and pipe—fast to reposition, especially during ceiling work.
• Stacked: Locked on top of a ToughSystem 2.0 tower, it travels safely and sets up quickly. I wouldn’t operate it while stacked in the middle unless I only needed forward throw; aiming options are best when it’s on top or standalone.

Controls and usability

Controls are straightforward: a push-button interface cycles through seven brightness levels, and the response is immediate. The light turns back on at the last brightness I used, which is a small but appreciated detail. The heads pivot with enough resistance to stay put after you aim them but without requiring two hands. There’s minimal learning curve—set, aim, work.

Durability and protection

This unit inherits the jobsite toughness of the ToughSystem line, but there’s no listed IP rating. I used it in dusty renovation spaces without issue and in light mist outdoors; I wouldn’t leave it in a downpour. The housing shrugs off bumps, and the lenses didn’t scuff after a few careless tosses into the truck bed.

Warranty is a 3‑year limited, which is in line with other jobsite lights.

What I liked

• Versatile form factor: directional dual-head light plus a genuinely useful open tote
• Neutral, comfortable color with good color rendering for interior finishes
• Seven brightness steps that make sense for everything from close trim work to room fill
• Corded or cordless operation; seamless to switch as the day demands
• ToughSystem 2.0 compatibility for transport and storage
• Multiple mounting options that actually get used: freestanding, tripod, hanging

What could be better

• AC cord and batteries are sold separately; at this price, including a cord would help
• At ~11 lb, it’s not featherweight; you feel it when moving constantly up ladders
• Open tote collects dust and isn’t accessible if the light is stacked in the middle
• No stated weather rating; I treat it as indoor/outdoor fair‑weather only
• Max output (4,000 lm) is strong for rooms, modest for large exterior spaces

Who it’s for

If you’re already running DeWalt 20V MAX or FlexVolt and use ToughSystem 2.0, this light fits neatly into the ecosystem and simplifies transport. Interior trades—painters, remodelers, electricians, finish carpenters—will appreciate the color quality, directionality, and the ability to mount it overhead or on a tripod to reduce glare. Mobile techs and DIYers who value compact gear will like the tote-plus-light package. If your use case is wide-area outdoor illumination, you may want more lumens or multiple units.

Recommendation

I recommend the ToughSystem 2.0 work light. It’s a thoughtful combination of directional lighting and jobsite practicality that reduces glare, packs easily, and adapts to the way most of us actually work—sometimes on batteries, sometimes on a cord, often moving from space to space. The neutral light quality and seven-step control make it useful across tasks, and the tote genuinely cuts down on trips back to the toolbox. I’d like to see an included AC cord and a stated weather rating, but those are manageable misses. For anyone invested in DeWalt’s 20V platform and ToughSystem 2.0, this is a smart, durable lighting solution that earns its spot in the stack.