DeWalt Cordless Tripod Light (Kit)

Why this tripod light lives in my truck

I’ve leaned on plenty of jobsite lights over the years, and most share the same two problems: they either blast a harsh hotspot from waist height or they create a tangle of cords waiting to be tripped over. This DeWalt tripod light solves both. It gets the light up where you want it—overhead—and it runs off the same 20V MAX batteries I use all day. After a few months of drywall, punch-list, and emergency-use duty, it’s earned a permanent spot in my kit.

Setup and footprint

Stowed, the tripod light folds into a compact, tube-like package with the legs wrapped tight around the mast. It’s roughly the length of a small contractor’s level (about 40 inches in my shop measurements) and it’s easy enough to carry in one hand while hauling a toolbox in the other. Deployment is simple: drop the legs, set the base, unlock the telescoping sections, and raise the head. The mast extends to about 7 feet, which is the magic number for reducing painter’s shadows and keeping the beam out of people’s eyes.

Stability is solid. The footprint is wide enough to resist being bumped, and once the legs are splayed, the center of gravity feels low thanks to the battery riding in the base. I’ve parked it on subfloor, rough concrete, and some slightly uneven pavers without any drama. If you’re working in tight hallways, you’ll still need to be mindful of the legs, but it’s less intrusive than a linear tower light.

Light quality and coverage

Output is rated up to 3,000 lumens, with three brightness levels. On high, it’s plenty bright for a single-room job, even in a garage with no windows at night. More important than raw numbers, the beam is a clean, natural white—easy on the eyes and color-accurate. Cutting in paint, matching wire colors in a panel, or checking drywall seams all benefit from that neutral tone. It runs cooler than halogen towers, too, so there’s no heat bloom radiating onto your work.

The head rotates and pivots, which matters. I can throw a tight, directional wash where I need it, or aim it at a white ceiling to bounce and create an even, shadow-free ambient light. That bounce-light trick has been great for painting and family-room power outages alike.

Height, aiming, and shadow control

Height is the differentiator. Getting the emitter up to about 7 feet transforms how a room feels. Shadows fall down and away from your work, not across the surface you’re trying to inspect. For drywall sanding and finish work, I’ll extend the mast all the way and set the head just off-axis from the wall to rake light across the surface; high spots and seams pop immediately. For MEP work under ceilings, I raise it above the ladder line so I’m not constantly moving a work light to keep it out of my own shadow.

The adjustment range is broad. Between the mast height and the head’s rotation, you can dial in coverage without moving the base as often. The locks feel positive and don’t creep during the day.

Power, runtime, and batteries

The kit includes a 6Ah 20V MAX pack and a charger, which is the right pairing. On low, I’ve consistently gotten a full workday and then some—over 11 hours is realistic. Medium lands around the 5–6 hour range in my use, and high typically gives me close to 3 hours on a fresh 6Ah pack. That lines up with expectations for a 3,000-lumen LED drawing from a ~108Wh battery.

If you’re already in DeWalt’s battery family, the convenience is obvious. It accepts any 20V MAX pack, and FlexVolt batteries work as well, so you can scale runtime to the job. I often start on high during setup and layout, then drop to medium or low once the room is lit and I’m in detail mode. Those three steps are sensible increments and make it easy to trade brightness for runtime without overthinking it.

One note: there’s no AC option. If you need a light that can plug in and run indefinitely, this isn’t that. For me, the cord-free simplicity has been worth carrying an extra pack.

Durability and jobsite manners

The head is protected by a shroud that’s already spared mine from a stray piece of lumber. The housing takes typical jobsite bumps without complaint, and the IP54 rating has kept out dust from drywall sanding and shrugged off a light drizzle during exterior work. I wouldn’t leave it in a downpour, but it’s clearly built for real-world conditions.

The mast sections and leg locks have a reassuring, no-wobble feel when fully extended. I haven’t had the head sag or the mast slip once set. The light also runs quiet—no fans, no ballast buzz—so it’s easy to have a conversation or hear a beep from a leveling laser nearby.

Everyday and emergency use

Beyond the jobsite, this thing shines during power outages. Set it in a living area, point the head at the ceiling, and you get soft, room-filling light that’s far more comfortable than a flashlight propped on a shelf. I’ve used it for evening yard work as well; pointed along a fence line, it provides a clean swath of light without blinding everyone.

On projects, it’s been especially helpful for:
- Painting and prep: bounce to ceiling for even, glare-free illumination.
- Drywall finishing: high mast + raking angle to reveal imperfections.
- Electrical and mechanical: neutral color output makes wire and pipe color easy to read.
- Ceiling work: set above ladder level to keep your body from blocking light.

What could be better

• No AC input: Battery-only keeps it simple, but an AC pass-through would add flexibility.
• Coarse brightness steps: Three modes cover the bases, but a finer dimmer would help tailor output in reflective rooms.
• Footprint in tight spaces: The tripod is stable but takes some floor area; a wall-mount or magnetic accessory would be a nice add-on for cramped mechanical rooms.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re worth considering based on how and where you work.

Value and ecosystem

Price-wise, the kit feels fair given the included 6Ah battery and charger. If you’re already on 20V MAX, it slots right into the ecosystem and spares you the cost of a standalone light plus an extension cord. If you’re not in DeWalt’s system, the value calculation changes—this light makes the most sense when it can share batteries with your drill, impact, and saw.

The warranty coverage (3-year limited, 1-year free service, 90-day satisfaction) is also stronger than what I see on many lighting tools, which helps justify the investment for daily use.

The bottom line

This tripod light does exactly what a jobsite light should: it gets bright, natural illumination up high, where it reduces shadows and helps you work faster with fewer mistakes. The controls are simple, the build is jobsite-tough, and the runtime with a 6Ah pack is long enough to be practical without babysitting batteries. The lack of an AC option is the main limitation, but for cord-free work and quick setup, it’s a trade-off I’ll take.

Recommendation: I recommend this tripod light to tradespeople and serious DIYers who want stable, elevated, color-accurate lighting without cords. It’s especially strong for painting, drywall, and ceiling work, and it doubles nicely for emergency household lighting. If you need all-day plug-in operation or have extremely tight work areas where a tripod footprint won’t fit, look at corded towers or compact panel lights. Otherwise, this is a dependable, job-ready solution that earns its keep.