If you already use DEWALT batteries, the DEWALT 12V/20V MAX Compact Task Light (DCL077B) is the best portable work light for most small woodworking shops. It puts out up to 2,000 lumens, can sit, hang, or mount on a tripod, and works with DEWALT 12V MAX, 20V MAX, and FLEXVOLT batteries. That makes it a practical light to move from a glue-up to a sanding station without adding another battery platform.
Portable lighting does not replace decent overhead shop lighting. It solves the shadows, tight corners, and low-angle checks that overhead fixtures leave behind. Pick the light that fits the batteries you already own and the way you need to aim it.
| Product | Best for | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DCL077B | A movable area and task light for DEWALT users | Battery and charger are sold separately |
| RYOBI PCL660B | Close task and inspection work for RYOBI ONE+ users | Its focused beam is not a whole-shop flood light |
| Makita DML801 | Cabinet interiors and under-bench checks for Makita LXT users | It is a compact inspection light, not a primary area light |
Best overall: DEWALT DCL077B
The DCL077B earns the top pick because it covers more small-shop situations than a flashlight-shaped light without becoming a large, dedicated floodlight. DEWALT lists three brightness settings with up to 2,000 lumens of natural-white light. The 360-degree handle gives you several ways to set the beam, and the built-in 5/8-inch-11 and 1/4-inch-20 mounts let you put it on a tripod when a low-angle light will reveal sanding scratches or glue squeeze-out.
At 2.8 pounds tool-only, it is easy to carry to a bench, assembly table, or machine. DEWALT rates it IP54 for dust and water ingress protection, but that rating is not permission to use it in wet conditions. The bigger advantage is battery compatibility: it works with the DEWALT 12V MAX, 20V MAX, and FLEXVOLT lines. If you already own those packs, this is a straightforward way to add useful movable light.
Pros:
- Up to 2,000 lumens and three brightness settings
- Handle and two tripod-mount threads make aiming flexible
- Works across three DEWALT battery families
Cons:
- Sold as a bare tool, so new DEWALT users need a battery and charger
- No verified dimensions or independent bench-coverage test
Choose it if you need one light that can follow work around a small shop. Skip it if you do not use DEWALT batteries and only need a narrow beam for looking inside cabinets or behind machines.
Budget and beginner alternative: RYOBI PCL660B
For someone already on RYOBI 18V ONE+, the PCL660B makes sense as a simple close-work light. RYOBI lists 280 lumens, a 130-degree pivoting head, and a beam distance of up to 500 feet. The long beam specification tells you it can direct light into a specific spot. It does not mean the light will fill a workbench or a room the way the DEWALT area light can.
That focused role is useful when you are checking a joint, setting up a machine, looking under a bench, or trying to see into a cabinet. RYOBI also lists up to 22 hours of runtime, although runtime depends on the battery and the conditions.
Pros:
- Pivoting head directs light where you need it
- Uses the RYOBI 18V ONE+ platform
- Compact option for inspection and setup work
Cons:
- 280 lumens is better suited to a focused task than broad area coverage
- Tool-only purchase
Choose it if you already own RYOBI batteries and want a repositionable light for close tasks. Skip it if your goal is to light a sanding or assembly area from several feet away.
Compact inspection alternative: Makita DML801
The Makita DML801 is the pick for Makita LXT users who need light in awkward places. Makita specifies a folding and rotating head, a folding 360-degree metal hook, and a 15-inch body. That shape works well for a cabinet interior, under-bench repair, or a close check during setup. The 12-LED setting is rated at 240 lumens, with a 120-lumen six-LED setting for lower-output work.
Makita lists runtime of up to 17 hours at full output and 40 hours at half output when the light uses an 18V LXT 5.0Ah battery. Like the other picks, it is a bare tool. Its hook and articulating head are the reason to buy it, not raw output.
Pros:
- Folding head and hook suit tight or overhead positions
- Two output settings for close inspection work
- Uses the Makita 18V LXT platform
Cons:
- 240 lumens is not enough for a primary area light
- Stated runtime depends on a 5.0Ah battery
Choose it if you have Makita LXT batteries and need a light that can hang or point into a tight space. Skip it if you want broad, movable illumination for sanding, glue-ups, or assembly.
How to use a portable work light in a small shop
Use the light as a supplement, not the only light in the room. Set the DEWALT at the bench or on a tripod for broad task lighting. Put the RYOBI or Makita close to the work when you need to see inside a joint, cabinet, or machine opening. Change the angle before you decide a surface is ready for finish. Light raked across the wood will make scratches and glue residue easier to spot than overhead lighting alone.
If you are planning other upgrades for a compact workspace, see our guide to the best workbench casters for a small woodworking shop. For a machine that benefits from clear, close lighting during setup, our guide to the best benchtop belt and disc sander for a small woodworking shop can help you compare the next purchase.
Final recommendation
Buy the DEWALT DCL077B if you already use DEWALT batteries and want the most versatile portable light for a small woodworking shop. Choose the RYOBI PCL660B for focused setup and inspection work on the RYOBI platform. Choose the Makita DML801 when an articulating, hook-equipped inspection light fits your Makita LXT workflow.