DeWalt 20V MAX Tool Connect Corded/Cordless All-Purpose Light

I put this work light to work on a few late-night jobs—framing a partition wall, roughing in electrical, and a garage clean-out—and it has the kind of output that changes how you plan a workday. Flip it on and a two-car garage reads like midday. That alone won me over, but there’s more going on here than just brightness.

Build and jobsite readiness

The light is built like a jobsite tool, not a cheap shop lamp. The housing and lens feel genuinely impact resistant, and after a couple of truck rides and a few topple scares, mine came away with only superficial scuffs. It’s hefty, especially with a big battery onboard, but the handle is placed well and the weight stabilizes it on uneven surfaces. IP54 means it shrugs off dust and the occasional splash, but I still treat it as “weather resistant,” not “weatherproof.” I used it under a covered porch in a light mist with no drama, but I wouldn’t park it in a direct downpour.

The rafter/pipe hook is robust and actually useful. Hanging it from ceiling joists or a ladder rail is often faster than fiddling with a stand, and the light’s center of gravity keeps it from swinging too much while you move around.

A note on tripod mounting: the documentation and marketing show tripod compatibility, and the base design clearly anticipates it. However, the unit I received didn’t have the threaded inserts I expected on the underside. That turned into a minor scramble on a site where I’d planned to use it elevated on a stand. Freestanding and hanging got me through, but if a tripod is critical for you, verify the specific unit you’re buying has the tripod threads before you commit.

Light quality and output

Brightness is this light’s headline: over 5,000 lumens of natural white output. Subjectively, the color is neutral without the blue cast cheaper LEDs push. That matters when you’re matching finishes or reading markings—copper grounds look like copper, not something washed-out and cold. The beam pattern is broad and even, with enough throw to cover a room while still filling in close-up work. It’s not a spotlight; it’s meant to flood a workspace, and it does that very well.

Hot surfaces are handled with a sensible thermal strategy. On high for extended periods, the housing gets warm but not alarming, and the output remained steady on AC and with compatible high-capacity batteries.

Power options and runtime

This hybrid power setup is the secret sauce. On a site with outlets, I ran it on AC and used the pass-through to feed a corded sander for a quick punch list—one cord in, one cord out, no rats’ nest. When plugged in, it also charges the attached battery, so I’d top off a pack while lighting the room, then cut the cord and stay mobile for the next task. That integrated charger/pass-through combination is legitimately useful; once you get used to it, other lights feel limited.

On batteries, it runs on 20V MAX and FLEXVOLT packs. With a 6Ah pack (DCB206), I got a solid evening’s work on lower settings and enough time on high to handle punch work without babysitting a charger. A 9Ah FLEXVOLT stretched that to most of a day when I wasn’t blasting full power the whole time. There’s an understandable trade-off: at maximum brightness, you’ll drain even big packs faster, but the output is there when you need it.

Compatibility is worth calling out. With standard 20V MAX and FLEXVOLT packs, performance was great. With a certain newer 20V pack I tried, the light would kick into high and then shut down abruptly after a minute, flashing an error. Swapping to a listed compatible pack solved it immediately. The takeaway: stick to the batteries listed for the light, particularly if you plan to run full blast. If you’re buying batteries at the same time, cross-check the compatibility list rather than assuming any 20V pack will behave the same.

Controls and Tool Connect

The onboard controls are simple and glove-friendly. Brightness steps are spaced sensibly, and there’s an Eco mode that lowers draw when you don’t need full tilt. Pairing with the Tool Connect app let me toggle power and adjust output remotely, which sounds gimmicky until you hang the light over a stairwell or prop it 15 feet up on framing. Being able to kill it or dim it from the ground is genuinely convenient. Monitoring status from the app also helped me keep tabs on a battery that was charging while the light was on AC.

I wouldn’t choose the light solely for the app, but as part of a broader Tool Connect ecosystem, it’s a nice bonus and works reliably.

Everyday usability

• Setup is quick. Freestanding, it’s stable enough to survive incidental bumps, and the footprint is reasonable in tight spaces.
• The handle is comfortable and centered well for carrying with a battery installed.
• The lens wipes clean without smearing, and jobsite dust doesn’t cling as much as on softer plastic lenses.
• Noise is a non-issue; there’s no fan whine to talk over.

My only usability gripe was that missing tripod mount on my unit. Elevated lighting can reduce shadows and glare dramatically; without a mount, you’ll rely more on hanging or propping if you need height.

Durability and service

Between the impact-resistant construction and IP54 rating, it’s built for real work. After weeks of use, nothing rattles, the hinge remains tight, and the lens hasn’t picked up the hairline cracks I’ve seen on cheaper lights. Warranty coverage is solid: 3-year limited warranty, 1 year free service, and 90-day satisfaction guarantee. Keep your proof of purchase and the manual with the compatibility list—both matter if you need support.

Value

This is not a budget light. You’re paying for output, hybrid power with an integrated charger, AC pass-through, and app control in a rugged package. If you just need occasional illumination in a home shop, there are more economical options. If you’re already in the DeWalt battery ecosystem and you want a reliable jobsite light that can be the lighting backbone for a crew area, the cost starts to make sense. The pass-through and charger alone simplify power management on site in a way cheaper lights can’t match.

Who it’s for

• Pros and serious DIYers already on DeWalt 20V MAX/FLEXVOLT
• Anyone who needs hybrid power with AC pass-through and battery charging
• Crews who benefit from app control for lights placed out of reach
• Users who need a durable, dust- and splash-resistant light for daily site work

Who should look elsewhere: buyers who absolutely require tripod mounting (verify before buying), and those who need all-weather, sustained outdoor exposure. If price is your top priority and you can give up the pass-through/charger features, lighter-duty hybrid lights can save money.

Pros

• Truly bright, natural white output with even coverage
• Hybrid power: AC plus 20V MAX/FLEXVOLT battery support
• Integrated battery charging and AC pass-through/daisy-chain capability
• Tough build with IP54 dust/water resistance
• Useful rafter/pipe hook and stable freestanding design
• Tool Connect app control and monitoring

Cons

• Some units lack the advertised tripod mounting threads—verify before you buy
• Heavy, especially with large packs
• Battery compatibility matters; certain packs can cause shutdown at max output
• Premium price

Recommendation

I recommend this light for users invested in DeWalt who need serious, reliable illumination with the flexibility of AC and battery power. The combination of high output, integrated charging, and AC pass-through sets it apart in day-to-day use, and the build quality stands up to jobsite abuse. Just make sure the unit you’re buying has the tripod threads if elevated mounting is central to your workflow, and stick to listed compatible batteries—especially if you plan to run at full brightness. If you can live within those boundaries, this is a work light that earns its keep.