LED work lights are an essential piece of equipment for a mechanic as they allow you to illuminate work areas in poor lighting. Whether you are fixing your car during a dark night or inside a garage, using a light will allow you to work more efficiently.
The best work light for mechanics is the Astro Pneumatic Tool 40SLMAX, which outputs 450 Lumens from a rechargeable lithium battery.
Desirable traits that mechanics require from a work light include bright LED output, a narrow design, various hooks, stands or magnets and durability. Unlike an underhood work light, all of our recommendations below are completely portable.
Table of Contents
LED Mechanics Work Light Comparison
| Mechanic Work Light | Type | Lumens |
|---|---|---|
| Astro 40SLMAX | Cordless | 450 |
| Neiko 40339A | Cordless | 700 |
| Coquimbo COB 360 | Cordless | 600 |
| Light-N-Carry | Cordless | 200-500 |
| Bayco SL-864 | 50 Foot Cord | 150 |
| Voltec 08-00629 | 6 Foot Cord | 1,200 |
You can have the best garage lighting possible but the light output may not always be where you want it. Tricky areas such as under the car, around the wheels or engine and even inside the car are areas where lighting may not be adequate.
The main factors to consider is how the work light is the powered because they are available as corded or cordless lights. Due to modern battery technology, most cordless options can last far longer than previous generations.
Below is a list of the best work lights for mechanics that illuminate the work space and are durable enough for the garage environment.
The Best Work Light For Mechanics
1. Astro 40SLMAX Mechanic Work Light
The Astro 40SLMAX is a premium work light for mechanics and an improvement upon the brands previous models. This is mainly due to the enhanced 3,350mAh lithium battery cell, which is able to last between 3.5 to 13 hours.
Unlike some of the alternatives that have a single light settings, the 40SLMAX allows you to adjust the amount of light to your desirable amount.
Other features of the Astro 40SLMAX include:
- 450 Lumens
- Cordless with a USB charger
- 60 degrees swivel base
- Collapsible hook for hanging
- Strong magnetic base
- Dial adjustment for light output
The Astro 40SLMAX is by far the best work light for mechanics that is versatile and has a powerful light output. The ultra-slim design allows you to reach and illuminate areas that is simply not possible with other lights. Although it does come with a premium price tag, it’s a worthwhile investment that you won’t regret.
Check it Out2. Neiko 40339A Cordless LED Work Light
Neiko are a reputable brand within the automotive industry and their work light for mechanics is one of the most popular. It features a USB rechargeable 4,400 mAh Li-ion battery that provides between 4.2 to 11.5 hours run time.
Unlike some of the cheaper alternatives, this work light uses COB (Chip On Board) technology to increase the Lumen-output per square inch. This means you don’t need a large light to output a large amount of Lumens.
Other features of the Neiko 40339A include:
- 700 Lumens
- Ergonomic handle
- Three levels of brightness
- Aluminum housing with polycarbonate lens
- Includes a magnetic base and 2 rotating hooks
- Battery level indicator and overcharge protection
The Neiko 40339A is a great all-round work light for mechanics that ticks every box and won’t disappoint. It’s bright, versatile and built to last with an aluminum and impact resistant polycarbonate lens.
Check it Out3. Coquimbo LED Work Light
The Coquimbo is an affordable option that is available in three different sizes. Unlike many of the alternatives, this work light is collapsible with a 360 degree rotation, which allows you to illuminate the hard to reach areas.
It’s a cordless work light that is recharged using a USB charging point, which fully charged, you can expect up to 3 hours of light.
Other features of the Coquimbo LED Work Light include:
- Up to 600 Lumens
- 5 light settings – adjust brightness, strobe or red light output
- Hook for hanging and strong magnet for attaching to a surface
- Durable hard rubber construction
- 12 month warranty
The Coquimbo LED work light uses an intuitive design and offers excellent value for money. The collapsible design make it perfect for angling towards the work area whilst being attached to a surface using the magnet. Overall, it won’t disappoint and it’s far cheaper than some of the alternatives.
Check it Out4. Light-N-Carry LED Automotive Work Light
The Light-N-Carry LED work light by Clore Automotive is another affordable option that is available as a 200, 300 or 500 Lumens model. It’s a cordless option that is supplied with a USB charger and can last up to 4 hours on its maximum power setting.
A unique feature of this LED work light for mechanics is the battery status indicator. Rather than relying upon guesswork, you will know exactly when it requires recharging.
Other features of the Clore Automotive Light-N-Carry include:
- 200, 300 or 500 Lumens output
- Magnetic base and hanging hook
- Rubberized grip and housing
- Rechargeable via a USB port
- Advanced COB technology
- LED battery status indicator
It’s a professional grade LED work light for mechanics that uses the latest technology and is packed with intuitive features. The Light-N-Carry is also manufactured by the reputable Clore Automotive brand for peace of mind.
Check it Out5. Bayco SL-2125 Corded LED Work Light
The Bayco SL-2125 is a corded work light that is made in the USA and designed specifically for mechanics. It utilizes a heavy duty design, which according to the brand has been tested for durability and safety within the toughest of environments.
In order to ensure that you are able to navigate around the whole of the car, this work light features 50 foot long power cord through a metal reel.
Other features of the Bayco SL-2125 include:
- Floodlight Lumens of 120
- White LED illumination
- 35,000 hour life span
- Magnet in body and top
- Hook for hands-free lighting
- Includes mounting bracket for the reel
- Impact, moisture and chemical resistant
Considering that there is a total of 60 LEDs within the light, there isn’t as much light output as you would expect. However, it’s a professional grade work light that is designed to be long lasting and withstand tough garage environments.
Check it Out6. Voltec 08-00629 LED Work Light
The Voltec 08-00629 is a cheap work light for mechanics that produces an impressive 1,200 Lumen output. It’s also the longest lasting too as the brand claim that the LED’s used within the construction have a lifespan rated at 50,000 hours.
However, one drawback compared to the Bayco alternative is that the power cord length is only 6 feet long. This means you will need to be close to an outlet or have an extension cable available to navigate around the whole car.
Other features of the Voltec 08-00629 include:
- Chip On Board (COB) technology
- Ergonomic non-slip handle
- Non-shock bumper for protection
- Heavy duty magnet at the back
- Lightweight at just 1.5 LBS
- 6 foot long power cord
If you require a cheap work light to use when working on your car, the Voltec 08-00629 is perfect. There are hundreds of cheap alternatives on the market but none come close to the performance of this LED work light.
Check it OutMechanics Work Light Buying Guide
Work lights for mechanics is an essential tool that helps improve efficiency. Almost all of the lights that on the market are LED’s due to their performance and reliability.
Unlike a regular light, a mechanics work light has been specifically designed to withstand the garage environment. They also have unique features such as a narrow design, stands and a durable construction are just some of the desirable features.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding work lights for mechanics.
Corded vs Cordless – Which is Best?
One of the most important factors to consider is how the work light is to be powered. Both have benefits and drawback but deciding which is best can be difficult.
Choosing between the two is a matter of personal preference but below are detailed pros and cons of each.
Corded
By using a corded work light, you have the hassle of a power cord following your every movement. If the cord is not long enough, you will have to find another outlet or use an extension cord, which can be a trip hazard within the garage.
However, if you find a work light with a long cord or even one with a reel attachment, it does have its benefits, which include:
- Always have power
- More powerful
- Last longer
- Cheaper
Cordless
Due to the vast improvement in battery power, cordless work lights can last far longer. Most come with various light settings that you can use to help preserve the battery power. In terms of popularity, they are far more popular than the corded alternatives due to their convenience.
Benefits of using a cordless work light include:
- No cord that can damage the paintwork
- Easier to mount to a surface using a magnet
- Cord doesn’t get caught up on any components
- Portable and can be used for jobs away from the garage
Light Output and Settings
In order to compare the brightness of lights, you will need to look at the Lumens measurement. The higher the Lumens value, the brighter the light will be but this doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be the better light.
Too much light can be blinding and make it difficult to view what you are looking at because it may reflect the light back. Most LED work lights have various brightness modes but premium examples such as the Astra 40SLMAX have a dial adjustment, which allows you to choose the perfect amount of brightness up to 450 Lumens.
There may also be a range of settings to choose from that will allow you to adjust the color output, choice of strobe or solid lighting and much more.
The Design
Unlike a regular work light, ones that are designed for mechanics will use a much narrower design. The purpose of this irregular design is so that you can illuminate hard to reach areas. For example, you may need to get between the engine or between body panels, which is not possible with a wide design.
Magnets and Hooks
When working on a car, you are more than likely going to be using your hands. Therefore, the addition of hands-free hooks or magnets are essential for mechanics.
Magnets integrated into the design allow you to place the light upon any surface that is magnetic. However, if there is no suitable surface to place the light, hanging the torch using the hook is the best alternative.
Heavy Duty Construction
Considering that you will be using a work light within a garage environment, its important that it has a heavy duty construction. This includes being able to withstand impact, moisture and chemical damage on a daily basis.
Features to look out for that will ensure that the work light is long lasting include:
- Hard rubber construction
- Impact resistant polycarbonate lens
- Aluminum housing
- Long warranties
Spending a little bit extra for a work light with these features will ensure it will be able to survive within a garage environment.
The Handle
Whilst trying to navigate around the car, you will want a secure grip on the handle. If it does not contain any form of rubber, there will be no friction and the potential for it to slip is increased. We highly recommend choosing one with an anti-slip handle for added convenience.
Conclusion
Owning the best work light is an essential tool as a mechanic. Inspecting the car for faults or bolts in poorly lit areas can be a difficult task without it.
All of our recommendations are suited for a range of budgets and differ in performance. We advise that you choose a work light that suits your requirements.
Cordless LED work lights are great for convenience but if you have an outlet nearby, the corded alternatives is the best option.
