Portable LED Work Lights: A Buying Guide

LED work lights have become increasingly common for commercial applications, creating a safer, brighter, and more productive environment. Portable LED work lights are often the best choice because they offer greater efficiency over other types of lighting. Yet even among portable LED lighting fixtures, there’s a substantial selection of work lights. When looking into the most suitable portable LED lights for a commercial application, there are numerous important details a buyer should keep in mind.

Why Use LED Work Lights?

Work lighting, also often called “job lighting,” “site lighting,” or “task lighting,” is important for efficient and safe performance in a commercial environment. They offer many advantages; for example, LED lighting uses considerably less electricity while running cooler. Many portable LED work lights are available, including battery-operated and rechargeable options. Yet it’s still important to understand the difference between these portable LED work lights and alternative halogen options. Below, we explain what to consider when investing in LED work lighting, as not every portable LED work light will be right for an application.

Brightness 

Measured in lumens, the brightness portable LED work lights give off is often a factor, with a higher lumen number indicating brighter lighting. Generally, smaller projects will need lighting between 1000 and 2000, whereas larger projects may require a lumen rating of more than 3000. If replacing standard lighting with something more portable, LED work lights should have a similar lumen rating to those they’re replacing. With standard work lights, wattage indicates brightness, but using the same wattage for LED lighting will result in a higher lumen rating, as they require much less wattage to produce the same amount of light.  

Color Temperature

When choosing portable LED work lights, color temperature should be a consideration. Measured in Kelvin (K), it relates to the coolness or warmth of the lighting.

Color temperature is another important factor when choosing a portable LED work light. The color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K), which refers to the light’s warmth or coolness. For portable work lights needed for working indoors, a color temperature between 2700K to 3500K is suitable. In contrast, for outdoor work, a color temperature of 5000K to 6500K would be better.

For example, the following types of lighting have these associated color temperatures: 

• Cool white: Giving off a “bluish” white light, the color temperature of this lighting ranges between 7000K and 7500K.
• Direct sunlight: Compared with artificial lighting, sunlight has a color temperature of around 5000K.
• Natural white: Referred to as “true” white, color temperatures range from 4000K to 4500K.
• Traditional fluorescent: Older fluorescent lighting is sometimes referred to as a “blue” white, with a color temperature of about 10,000K.
• Warm white: Also known as “yellow” white, the temperature ranges from 2700K to 3200K.

Regardless of color temperature, once chosen, there’s no way to adjust it without purchasing new lighting. Because of this, when selecting portable LED work lights, a buyer needs to be aware that the lower the color temperature, the lower the lumen output.

Portability

Regardless of the type, lighting often needs to be portable in many workplaces. LED work lights are naturally the more efficient option for construction sites and other places where there’s a danger of theft from job sites. Additionally, portable lighting allows employees to reposition lighting as needed so there’s always enough light.

Corded vs. Cordless 

Corded lighting will offer longer runtime without recharge, while cordless options are easy to move but don’t retain a charge as long. Using corded portable LED work lights attached to a generator or power outlet may add to setup time, but it will provide sufficient electricity for lighting throughout the workday. 

Hybrid options allow for greater flexibility, with both corded and cordless power available. However, hybrid and cordless solutions add to the cost of any lighting.

Power Source

When choosing corded or cordless portable LED work lighting, it’s important to consider the power source for any lights needing to be portable. LED work lights that rely on cords for power should have a cord length sufficient to reach work areas from an accessible electrical outlet. However, this can be mitigated through the use of extension cords or even retractable cord reels. Portable LED work lights can instead be powered by rechargeable batteries, which are best for outdoor applications, though charging time and battery life should also be considered. Considers should also be made about compatibility with electrical infrastructure, so understanding the voltage required for any portable LED work lighting is also important.  

Construction, Durability & Safety Features

For portability, work lighting should be made from lightweight materials like plastic polymers or aluminum, which are both flexible and corrosion-resistant. Many portable LED work lights must also operate reliably and safely under harsh conditions. Depending on the application, portable LED work lighting should offer features that better withstand dust, shock, and water. Robust construction for demanding work environments should also be paired against safety certifications, such as ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratories), FCC (Federal Communications Commission), or UL (Underwriter Laboratories).

Water-Resistance, Waterproof or Submersible

Following the need for safety standards and durability in construction, especially with outdoor work lighting, water-resistant or waterproof materials should be used; for certain applications, portable LED work lights may require the ability to withstand submersion in water. The IP (ingress protection) code offers a rating system for how an electronic product resists water and dust.  

The following three IP ratings for water resistance are: 

• IPX4: Indicates lighting is water-resistant and can withstand water splashing on it from any direction
• IPX7: Indicates lighting is waterproof and can withstand temporary submersion at up to a meter for at least half an hour
• IPX8: Indicates lighting can be submerged and can stay submerged for up to four hours and specific depth

Commonly, nylon polymers, copolymers, and aluminum are used for portable LED work lighting due to their ability to resist damage from water, along with both their light weight and strength

Features

Numerous design features can affect the transportability and accessibility of portable LED work lights.

These features might include:

• Adjustable mounting supports
• Ergonomic handgrips
• Lightweight construction
• Size and shape of assembly
• Uncomplicated controls to adjust brightness and color temperature

Certain portable LED work lights may even provide USB or USB type C ports for charging other mobile devices.

Price

Often, businesses consider price over other factors, and the same goes for portable LED work lights. While price certainly needs to be considered, it shouldn’t be the only reason to purchase a portable LED lighting system for a workplace. Additionally, a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean a better lighting system than less expensive alternatives that may meet a company’s requirements. A balance between quality and affordability should be foremost when considering LED work lighting and appropriate application features.

Warranty & Customer Support

Any lighting used for work should be considered an investment, whether it stays in one place or is portable. LED work lights should come from a trusted distributor or manufacturer who backs them with a warranty of a decent length. Warrantees for portable LED work lights should be for at least a year, though terms and conditions should also be checked to understand what could invalidate it. Any lighting provider must also offer easily accessible customer support for any issues.

Portable LED Work Lights from Alert Reel

With so many options available, we hope this guide helps you decide what you need for portable LED work lighting. Alert Reel offers a range of corded and portable work lights. Our expert team can also help you design and develop high-quality lighting solutions for any application. Whether you’re a retailer, manufacturer, brand, or even an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Alert can create a lighting system to suit your needs.

Our custom lighting capabilities include: 

• Corded, battery-operated, and rechargeable power source
• Handheld lights that are either standalone or integrated into a lighting system
• LED or other bulb types with various levels of illumination
• Switch types include pull, motion, or rocker

For more information on the best portable LED work lights for your application or to learn more about our custom lighting capabilities, contact our expert team at Alert Reels today.