DeWalt Tool Connect 20V MAX All-Purpose Cordless Work Light (Tool Only)

On a recent weekend tear-out, I swapped my usual string of halogens for DeWalt’s cordless work light, and it changed how I stage light on a job. This is a compact, cage-style area light built for abuse, and it runs on the standard 20V MAX packs many of us already own. After several days of drywall, attic, and crawlspace work, here’s how it stacked up.

Design and build

This is a stout, 11-pound light with a tough ABS body and an impact-resistant lens. The frame doubles as a carry handle and there’s a large, metal rafter hook that rotates up and locks securely. The base is wide and stable on plywood, concrete, and even compacted gravel; rubber feet keep it from skating. It never felt tippy, even with a FlexVolt 9.0Ah pack onboard.

It’s rated IP54, which in practice means dust resistance and protection from light splashes. I used it in a damp basement and under a patio roof during a drizzle without issue. I wouldn’t leave it out in a downpour or aim a hose at it. Heat management is excellent; the housing gets warm on high but never hot enough to worry about when moving it around.

One thing to note: my sample has no tripod threads on the base or sides. That limits mounting options to freestanding or hanging by the hook. It’s fine for most interior tasks, but if your workflow relies on locking a light to a tripod at a certain height, that’s a miss.

Light output and quality

Rated at up to 5000 lumens, this unit delivers a broad, even wash rather than a tight spot. It’s a diffuse, glare-controlled output that fills a one-car garage or a 12×15 room with ease. I didn’t see harsh hot spots, and shadows are soft—ideal for paint, trim, and general interior work where contrasty light can be counterproductive.

The three modes are simple: 1500, 3200, and 5000 lumens. The mid setting is the sweet spot for many tasks; it gives a lot of light with a big bump in runtime. Color temperature is a neutral 4000K, so it doesn’t skew too cool or too warm. CRI is 80—good enough for electrical, framing, and drywall, and acceptable for paint and stain selection, though not in the “color-accurate” category that finish pros might want for matching tones.

The diffuser and housing do a good job of cutting glare when the light sits at floor height. Hanging the light from a joist or a ladder rung puts the center of the spill closer to eye level, which further improves coverage and reduces shadows behind you.

Power, batteries, and runtime

This is a 40W light at full tilt, and power is battery-only. There’s no AC input. If your workflow demands infinite runtime from a wall outlet, that’s a limitation. For cordless use, it’s efficient and predictable.

With a 6.0Ah 20V MAX pack, I averaged:
- High (5000 lm): about 2.5–3 hours
- Medium (3200 lm): roughly 5–6 hours
- Low (1500 lm): just over 10 hours

With a 9.0Ah FlexVolt, high stretched to around 4 hours and low went well past a long workday. The onboard fuel gauge and the app’s battery status readout are both helpful for pacing breaks and swaps.

A quirk worth calling out: on high, my compact 5.0Ah PowerStack pack occasionally tripped the light after a minute or two. It behaved fine on medium and low. Swapping to a DCB206 6.0Ah or a FlexVolt solved the issue entirely. If you plan to use this light at 5000 lumens for extended periods, I’d stick with higher-capacity XR or FlexVolt batteries, which seem to handle the current draw better.

The upside of battery-only power is portability. I carried it from room to room and up ladders without dragging cords or stringing temp power. For punch-list tasks and short bursts in tight spaces, that freedom is worth a lot.

Controls and the Tool Connect app

The physical interface is straightforward: a power button and a brightness toggle that cycles through the three levels. The buttons are glove-friendly and have a positive click. There’s also an ECO option that moderates output when the battery is low to stretch runtime; it kicks in cleanly without a jarring change.

Tool Connect is better than a gimmick here. Pairing took under a minute, and the Bluetooth range covered a two-story home without drama. From the app, I could:
- Turn the light on and off
- Select brightness levels
- Enable ECO mode
- Check remaining battery percentage and estimated runtime
- Set an auto-off timer
- Trigger a brief flash to locate the light in a cluttered room

Remote control sounds minor until you set the light in an attic or crawlspace and need it off while you’re back at the panel or out at the truck. For multi-person crews, having the light tied into the same inventory app as other DeWalt Tool Connect gear is also handy.

Jobsite performance

Day-to-day, this light is a reliable generalist. I used it for cutting in baseboards, running wire, and setting cabinets. On high it erased dark corners; on low it became an unobtrusive fill light that didn’t blow out surfaces. The rafter hook felt strong enough to trust, and the light hangs close to vertical without swinging around as you work.

It’s quiet—no fan noise, no buzz. Pick-up-and-go speed is quick: set it down, pop a battery, click once, and the room is lit. The 11-pound weight is the price of durability and a big battery cavity; it’s not featherweight, but the balance and handle make it manageable.

Weather resistance is appropriate for jobsite use, but I treated it like a power tool, not a site light you leave in the yard. Wipe off dust, keep the battery well-seated, and it shrugs off normal abuse.

What could be better

• No tripod mount: The lack of threaded inserts limits placement options. A tripod is still the fastest way to get light above head height without finding a hook point.
• No AC passthrough: Hybrid AC/DC would broaden its appeal for long, stationary tasks and reduce battery cycling.
• Price-to-feature balance: It’s a premium light, and while build and output justify much of that, the absence of AC and tripod mounting will be deal-breakers for some.
• CRI is just okay: 80 CRI is fine for most trades, but finish carpenters and painters who need color-critical light may want a higher-CRI option.

Who it’s for

• Pros already invested in DeWalt 20V MAX and FlexVolt batteries who want a tough, cordless area light with real output.
• Remodelers, electricians, and punch-list crews who move frequently and need fast, cord-free setup.
• Anyone who’ll benefit from app control for attic/crawlspace work or managing lights across a team.

Who should look elsewhere

• Users who require AC power or hybrid operation for all-day tasks without battery management.
• Folks who depend on tripod mounting to place light precisely at 6–8 feet without a rafter or pipe to hang from.
• Finish pros who prioritize high-CRI lighting for color-critical work.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt work light for tradespeople already in the 20V MAX ecosystem who value rugged build, broad and even 4000K illumination, and the convenience of app control. It’s a dependable, jobsite-ready area light that covers a surprising amount of space without cords, and it’s especially effective when hung overhead by its stout hook.

Before you buy, consider two cautions. First, there’s no AC option and my unit lacks tripod threads, so think about your mounting strategy. Second, plan on pairing it with higher-capacity XR or FlexVolt batteries if you expect to run at 5000 lumens for long stretches; smaller packs can struggle at full output.

If those trade-offs fit your workflow, this light is an excellent addition to a DeWalt kit and has the durability and output to earn its spot in the truck. If you need AC power or a guaranteed tripod interface, a hybrid or dedicated tripod light may be a better match.