We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
Good LED shop lighting is energy-efficient and vital for performing precision tasks. It also helps ensure safety when working with different types of tools, so we decided to test a variety of the top-rated modern shop lights in our own workshops. We researched more than 40 different models and then selected the top seven for hands-on testing. Our favorite was the Commercial Electric 80W Hanging Shop Light for its easy installation and widespread, consistent illumination.
A good quality shop light with LED bulbs will help you see what you’re working on, reduce eye strain, and improve the finished results of your project. Keep reading to learn more about choosing the right type of lighting for your needs, and find out how the following lights earned their spot in this lineup of the best LED shop lights.
- BEST OVERALL: Commercial Electric 80W Hanging Shop Light
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Pvilub 50W Construction String Lights
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PORTABLE: Maxxima 60W Linkable 60W Portable Work Light
↓ Jump to Review - BEST INDOOR PICK: Husky 10,000-Lumen Twin Head LED Work Light
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SPOT LIGHTING: Performance Tool 3000+LM 120V LED Work Light
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ADJUSTABLE: DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Tripod Light Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST COOL LIGHTING Barrina LED T5 Integrated Single Fixture (Pack of 6)
↓ Jump to Review
Our Top Picks
The following are the best LED shop lights and garage lights for a range of different purposes. From most portable to best for indoor spaces, each offers a specific advantage to suit your workshop needs.
Best Overall
Commercial Electric 80W Hanging Shop Light
What We Like
- 7000 lumens of 4000 kelvins (K) neutral white light
- Less harsh than fluorescent light
- Ease to install
- Linkable up to four units
What We Don’t Like
- No cord switch
Specs
- Type: Hanging
- Power source: Plug-in
- Lumens: 7,000
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.75/5; Light Quality 5/5; Durability 4.5/5; Value 5/5
The 4-foot-long Commercial Electric hanging shop light is basic but bright. It emits 7000 lumens of 4000K neutral white light that we found easy on the eyes yet powerful enough to light our task area effectively.
While it resembles the older fluorescent fixtures used in warehouses and industrial buildings, the Commercial Electric light isn’t nearly as harsh or glaring. Plus, it’s easy to install–we just put hooks in the ceiling and hung it about 4 feet above our work area. It also comes with mounting hardware if you’re looking for flush mount LED shop lights or a bright LED light for garage use.
This is a linkable light (up to 4 units); it has a 5-foot plug on one end and a receptacle for plugging in another light on the other end.
It would have been handy to have a switch on the cord, but it’s not too much of an inconvenience to just plug the light in when we want to use it. Eventually, we’ll probably plug this into an outlet that’s controlled by a wall switch, so it will operate in a similar fashion. Overall, this is an excellent light that offers widespread illumination for most shop-lighting tasks.
Get the Commercial Electric shop light at The Home Depot or Amazon.
Best Bang for the Buck
Pvilub 50W Construction String Lights
What We Like
- Budget-friendly shop lighting
- Delivers 5000 lumens of 5000K white light
- Customizable spacing up to 10 feet apart
- Indoor or outdoor use
What We Don’t Like
- Need to manage excess cord between lights
Specs
- Type Hanging
- Power source Plug-in
- Lumens 5,000
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Light Quality 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
You don’t have to spend a lot on shop lighting. We tried out the Pvilub 50-watt work lights in our mobile shop, and they provided all the illumination we needed to use our tools and equipment. Best of all, they’re available at an affordable price point. These are similar to string lights, but rather than dozens of tiny bulbs these lights come with five bright bulbs that attach to hooks via clips on each unit. This makes the Pvilub lights handy because they can be moved from project to project or hung permanently in the shop.
These plug-in LED shop lights provide 5000 lumens of 5000K (bright white) light, and you can hang them as closely as you like, with a maximum distance apart of 10 feet. We rolled up the excess cord between the lights and held the cord loops in place with zip ties.
Like other types of shop lights, these turn on when plugged in and turn off when unplugged. If you need to light a large area, you can link up to 10 units, providing enough illumination to serve as multi-stall garage ceiling lights.
A really nice perk is that they can be used indoors or outdoors because they’re IP65-rated for dust and water resistance. In addition, we really liked the durability of these lights—when handling them, we accidentally dropped the entire string of lights on a concrete patio, but none were even slightly cracked. They’re budget-friendly and tough!
Get the Pvilub shop lights at Amazon.
Best Portable
Maxxima 60W Linkable 60W Portable Work Light
What We Like
- Exceptionally bright at 7200 lumens
- Can be hung or placed on workbench
- Durable steel cage protects bulbs
- Indoor or outdoor shop lights
- Linkable up to 10 units
What We Don’t Like
- May be too bright for small areas
Specs
- Type: Hanging/tabletop
- Power source: Plug-in
- Lumens: 7,200
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.75/5; Light Quality 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.5/5
When you need extra light in a specific area of the shop or on the job, check out the Maxxima work light. This was a very bright light, and we tested it while working in a dimly lit staircase. It was more than adequate for our needs.
The Maxxima plug-in shop light can be used in two ways—hung overhead or set on a workbench or table. Either way, it produces a whopping 7200 lumens of bright white (5000K) light in all directions. Its LED bulbs are protected by a metal cage, and the light comes with a 10-foot cord.
The Maxxima is linkable for up to 10 units, providing super-bright illumination in a larger space. We only tested one unit, but it was very bright. The build quality is good, and the light is IP65-rated so you can use it outdoors or indoors. This is one of the brightest lights we tested—so bright, in fact, that we preferred to hang it overhead because it could be blinding if used at table height.
Get the Maxxima shop light at The Home Depot, Amazon, or MaxximaStyle.
Best Indoor Pick
Husky 10,000-Lumen Twin Head LED Work Light
What We Like
- Bright, adjustable, LED work lights
- Use with or without the tripod
- Heavy-duty 8-foot power cord
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Excellent LED lighting for garage
What We Don’t Like
- Light-duty tripod
- Lamps are not waterproof
Specs
- Type: Standing
- Power source: Plug-in
- Lumens: 10,000
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Light Quality 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Whether you need temporary construction lights or modular LED workplace lights that you can set up, adjust, and transport as needed, the Husky 10,000-lumen twin-head work light could be a great choice. The 120-volt (V) corded LED lamps produce a flood of neutral white light (4000K). The twin lamps are equipped with independent power switches along with up/down and right/left position adjustment knobs. The light includes built-in feet so it can be used with or without the telescoping tripod.
This work light produced excellent illumination. Having two light sources to cover the work area allowed us to intensify lighting in a smaller space or spread the light across a wider area. We also liked that it has a quick-attach coupler. This allowed us to remove the lamp assembly from the tripod for work in cramped areas, such as an attic or basement crawl space or in a crowded outbuilding. Since this is an LED work light, the heat output was far less than the old-style halogen work lights built on a similar tower platform.
To be fair and honest, this light won’t be perfect for every user. It is limited to locations where a power outlet is readily available. And since it is not IP-rated for dust or moisture resistance, you’ll want to use caution in certain conditions. But for home, garage, and other indoor or outdoor projects, this is an affordable and very effective workshop lighting option.
Get the Husky LED shop light at The Home Depot or Amazon.
Best Spot Lighting
Performance Tool 3000+LM 120V LED Work Light
What We Like
- Bright LED flood light
- Compact and lightweight
- Versatile setup options
- Budget-friendly
What We Don’t Like
- Short 3-foot power cord
Specs
- Type: Standing or hanging
- Power source: Plug-in
- Lumens: 1,542 to 3,032
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Light Quality 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Standard garage light fixtures are usually adequate for getting to and from the car, but not much else. If you need a compact but versatile automotive work light that won’t break the bank, consider the Performance Tool W2233 corded LED work light. It features a fold-out hang hook, a built-in adjustable stand, and it can pivot on its base to cast up to 3,032 lumens in any direction. There’s no need to worry about dust and moisture ruining the light either, as it’s rated IP54 dust- and water-resistant.
This work light has the versatility needed in any workshop setting, but we especially liked it in the garage. We could set it flat on the floor or angled slightly upward to light the undercarriage, or we could hang it from the hood latch at any angle we chose to clearly see the top side of the engine. When we used the low power setting, it lit up an area about the size of a large desktop. The high power setting could illuminate a small room.
In addition to its low price and work performance, we also appreciated the Performance Tool work light’s small stature. It measures about 8 inches tall, 6 inches wide, and 2 inches high in the folded position, and it weighs less than 2 pounds. When it wasn’t in use, we could fold it flat and either hang it on the pegboard wall or slip it into the tool chest for storage. For supplemental LED work lighting in any shop setting, this is an excellent deal.
Get the Performance Tool LED shop light at Amazon or NAPA.
Best Adjustable
DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Tripod Light Kit
What We Like
- Compatible with other DeWalt batteries
- IP55 rated for dusty, damp worksites
- Adjustable lamp height and tilt angle
- Fast setup and takedown
What We Don’t Like
- Heavier and more expensive than corded lights
- Battery and charger sold separately
Specs
- Type: Standing
- Power source: 20V battery (not included)
- Lumens: 3,000
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Light Quality 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Tripod work lights are a great option for larger work areas, indoors and out. We recommend cordless work lights for projects where outlets are not readily available or where power cords would present a tripping hazard. The DeWalt 20V cordless tripod work light is fast and easy to set up anywhere, is compatible with all of DeWalt’s 20V batteries, and emits up to 3,000 lumens to brighten any workspace.
This light features energy-efficient, long-lasting LEDs and a rugged portable design. The heavy-duty aluminum and plastic tripod folds into a tight cylindrical package for convenient storage, and it includes a molded carry handle for easy transport. Powered by a 6 amp-hour battery (not included), the DeWalt tripod work light offers up to 11 hours of runtime. It carries an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance.
The DeWalt tripod was heavier, more expensive, and produced less light than the other freestanding work light we tested, but the tripod was more stable and the design felt more rugged overall. We felt more confident using the DeWalt model outdoors, and although the lumen rating was much lower than that of the twin lamp model we tested, we didn’t find the DeWalt lacking in practical applications. This light was fast and easy to set up. We also found it easy to adjust the light, and the level locks held all the adjustments securely. All in all, it was a great user experience.
Get the DeWalt LED shop light at Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, or The Home Depot.
Best Cool Lighting
Barrina LED T5 Integrated Single Fixture (Pack of 6)
What We Like
- Lots of flexibility
- Plenty bright for most garages
- Incredibly easy installation
What We Don’t Like
- Jumper wires far too short
Specs
- Type: LED
- Power source: Plug-in
- Lumens: 2,200 each
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Light Quality 5/5; Durability 4.5/5; Value 4.7/5
This set of LED T5 single fixtures from Barrina is a smart choice for lighting up an entire workshop with plenty of lumens. This pack of six (also available in an eight-pack) delivers 2,200 lumens per light, which are wired together with simple plug-in jumpers. Just plug them into an existing outlet, clip them in place, and an entire garage’s lighting system is complete.
Each Barrina light is 4 feet long, features a very cool 6500K color temperature, and uses very little power (20 watts per section). And since they’re LEDs, they’ll work well in very cold environments—so no excuses for not tackling those jobs when chilly weather arrives!
We really liked installing the Barrina LED T5 system, as it requires simply screwing the clip to the ceiling and snapping each light in place. And with six lights in the pack, the flexibility to put a light where necessary is a welcome change from the norm. Also, we found the brightness to be more than adequate for most garages. Our only complaint is that the jumper wires are far too short; similar systems come with jumper wires more than twice as long, which makes them easier to connect and direct the light as needed.
Get the Barrina LED shop light at Amazon.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best LED Shop Lights
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 7 |
| Time spent testing | 7 hours |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Price range | $30 to $100 |
Whether your shop is in a shed, a garage, or a large dedicated space, one essential requirement is good lighting. We researched dozens of shop light options, looking for models that were bright, durable, and (in some cases) weather-resistant. After narrowing down the possibilities, we selected seven for hands-on testing in our own shops.
Testing was straightforward—we hung the lights, set them on workbenches, or set them on the floor, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Many were portable, at least to an extent. We noted their build quality and how much illumination they provided. We also noted whether they were expandable by linking more units.
We awarded points based on a rubric—the better a shop light performed on a test or assessment, the higher the points. After testing, we averaged the points to determine our best overall pick and to categorize the rest.
What to Consider When Choosing LED Shop Lights
Sometimes jargon can be confusing. It can be difficult to understand what impact lumens, kelvins, volts, and watts have on specific lighting choices. In the following section, we explain each of these specifications in detail so you’ll have the information you need to make an informed decision. We also cover ease of installation and additional features that may be of interest.
Brightness
Not so long ago, bulb brightness, particularly for incandescent lights, was given in watts. However, watts actually indicate power consumption. It’s a useful metric because a higher wattage means more power consumption and therefore higher bills, but it isn’t about brightness at all.
A more important metric for determining brightness is lumens (not to be confused with the popular online lighting store of the same name). It’s sometimes written as LM. Higher numbers are brighter. The number of required lumens will depend on the work involved and is usually calculated as lumens per square foot. For general purpose tasks like auto repair, a relatively low figure of around 70 lumens per square foot should be sufficient. For highly detailed tasks like working with electronic circuitry or engraving, 300 lumens per square foot or more would be appropriate.
Color Temperature
Color temperature is measured in kelvins, usually just shown as K. 3,000K is at the lower end of the spectrum. It provides a white light usually associated with halogen bulbs and is often found in offices. However, for an LED work light, it can be a little harsh.
5,000K is the most common color temperature for an LED workshop light. The slight blue color is kinder on the eyes, particularly during long days at the workshop. The most powerful lighting for large spaces can measure all the way up to 6500K. The blue tone creates an atmosphere that is close to natural daylight.
Installation
Most LED shop lights are relatively easy to install, though it’s important to consider positioning so that the light shines in the right places. Bear in mind that cheap task lighting can be added if you require more illumination in a specific spot, such as a workbench. Some single LED shop lights can be screwed into existing fittings. Others can be mounted directly to the ceiling, or they can be hung from chains. The latter is useful in steel-framed buildings.
Some shop lights can be plugged into a standard outlet, though hardwiring may also be an option. Those without the required installation knowledge should hire an electrician. In general, safety is an important consideration. While installation may not be complex, fitting LED lights in spaces with high ceilings presents its own dangers, so it may be worth contacting a professional.
Additional Features
- Some shop lights, like LED strip lights, can be linked together so they can be activated using a single switch. Pull chains are another popular way to turn them on and off.
- Motion activation can be convenient, especially if you have your hands full. In some cases, sensors can be placed outside of the main shop area so that the lights automatically turn on as you arrive.
- Multileaved (multipaneled) lights are practical in smaller shops and garages since they can be adjusted to spotlight a particular area or provide overall illumination. It might also be worth considering a hard hat light.
- Some LED shop lights come in waterproof housings (look for the internationally-recognized IP rating). This can be valuable in areas with high humidity for where there’s a risk of water being splashed on the lights.
FAQs
The article above contains detailed information to help buyers assess the best LED shop light for their particular workspace. If you’re still looking for workshop or garage lighting ideas, check out some of the common questions we are often asked.
LED shop light fixtures are generally considered the safest option for shop use for a couple of reasons. Fluorescent lights contain mercury, which is poisonous and can be released when they break. LED lights are usually less liable to break and run much cooler, so there’s little risk of burns or fires.
The best LED color for working depends to some extent on ambient light. In basement rooms where no external lighting is available, the color rating of 4000K provides cool white light suitable for concentration. That rating also works well for cabinet lighting. In more open areas such as garages and warehouses, 5000K is a popular choice, and 6500K is comparable to natural daylight.
The right number of lumens for shop lighting will depend on the type of work taking place. Expert advice varies from around 70 lumens per square foot for typical garage lighting up to 300 lumens per square foot for task lighting or home office use. The more detailed the work, the brighter the lighting should be.
If you’ve wondered how long LED lights last, you can expect to get between 25,000 to 50,000 hours of illumination, depending on the quality of the lights.
Most are very easy to install, requiring only basic tools.
When considering an LED light for shop spaces, your best bet is to look for high lumens (over 4000) and good customer reviews. You may also want to look for a weather-resistant rating if you plan to use them outdoors or in a humid garage.
A good estimate is to aim for 80-100 lumens per square foot.
That ultimately depends on what you’re looking for and what you’re willing to pay, but in most cases, LED shop lights are energy-efficient and cost-effective.
Meet the Testers
Tom Scalisi is a freelance writer specializing in the home design, construction, tools, and automotive industries. As a lover of all things tools, construction, and DIY, he’s always looking for new tools and techniques while also sharing his knowledge with the DIY world.
Glenda Taylor is a contractor, product tester, and writer focusing primarily on construction, DIY tools, and home appliances.
Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with an extensive background in the green industry and an avid DIYer who lives in a 50-year-old home. When he isn’t writing, he spends his time upgrading, repairing, and replacing anything in his home, yard, and garden.
Additional research provided by Bob Beacham.
