Say what you like about the Big Light, but sometimes a bright burst of illumination is exactly what you need.
Whether you’re doing up the house, working on fiddly tasks or headed camping for the weekend, a source of uninterrupted luminescence is an infinitely handy thing. But many need plugging in or continual purchasing of batteries to keep them going.
Find a rechargeable work light, and you blitz through those issues while being sustainable to boot. Sure you’ll need to spend a little in electricity bills to power up your work light with enough juice so it can work, but at nowhere near the cost of buying AAs on repeat. And with most work lights fitted with long-lasting LEDs, they should last you a fair while too - which means you can stash them in the car boot or your tool kit without having to check they have enough power when you go to use them.
If you’re in the market for a work light, there are a few boxes on the checklist.
- Brilliance is the first: you want to ensure they offer enough lumens (the measurement for light) to light up your work area - higher numbers mean a stronger light.
- Flexibility is another great feature, especially if you’re working in tight or awkward spaces - look for lights that can stand independently and be turned to different angles.
- If you’re someone who works outside a lot - in a trade, say, or spends most of their time behind a steering wheel - a water-resistant light means you can continue to go about your business, whatever the weather.
And of course, a work light makes a great alternative to a camping lantern, brightening your pitch when night falls. Just be sure to position yours away from other campers to keep the peace.
If you’re looking for a bright light to help you work or enjoy outdoor activities, we’ve rounded up the best below.
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LE Rechargeable Camping Light
- Lumens: 1000
- Lighting modes: 3
- Water-resistant?: IP44, can resist splashing water
Designed with a little kickstand, this LED beams out a powerful 1000 lumens at the top whack, making it ideal for a range of scenarios. The case holds a 4000mAh rechargeable battery and offers three lighting modes, from full brightness, low brightness and flashing for emergencies. It can also be used as a power bank, charging up essential gadgets in case of a power outage.
Buy now £17.99, Amazon
NEBO Big Larry PRO Flashlight
- Lumens: 500
- Lighting modes: 3
- Water resistant?: IPX7
No brain-zapping series of numbers and letters by way of a name here; Nebo has given this flashlight personality instead.
This is Larry, a stand-up kind of guy ready to light up your life. Sure, he can only do one job, but he does it well, offering white and red lights for hazards. The lantern sits on a base offering hands-free lighting but can easily be detached and moved into new positions, like behind pipework or under cars for closer inspections.
Oh, and he's made from aircraft-grade anodized aluminium, so you'll know he'll go the distance in practically any conditions.
Buy now £26.99, Amazon
Bosch Cordless LED Worklight
- Lumens: 2100
- Lighting modes: 3
- Water resistant?: no
Left garden maintenance or DIY to the winter months? No matter, when natural light is scarce, Bosch comes to the rescue with its rechargeable floodlight instead.
The design is perfect for workrooms and studios, with the ability to tilt at 10 angles to find the perfect one for the job. If the floor is out of bounds, there are hook and magnet mounting options too.
It uses an 18V Power For All battery which is universal across Bosch's range, cutting down on unnecessary plastic waste. This means this light comes without a battery and charger since Bosch presumes you'll have one already. Presumed wrong? No matter, you can shop them here.
Buy now £65.00, Amazon
DEWALT DCL077 Battery-Powered Construction Light
- Lumens: 2000
- Lighting modes: 3
- Water resistant?: no
They say good things come in small packages, and that's certainly true with this work light. DeWalt's dinky 26 x 13 x 20.2cm cordless light can go up to 20 hours on the lowest setting and comes with a strong handle that doubles up as a stand and there are threads to mount it on a tripod too. It's light too at just 1.6kg meaning you can have the power of the sun in your hands and barely feel it.
Buy now £85.99, Amazon
Unilite SLR-500 USB Rechargeable High Power LED Folding Portable Work Task Light
- Lumens: 500
- Lighting modes: 3
- Water resistant?: IPX5
Trying to change a tyre on dark roads isn't just a challenge; it's downright dangerous. Alert other road users to your situation with this ultra-compact work light. It runs on a 2000mAh battery which can be charged by micro-USB when needed. It comes with a 180° adjustable magnetic stand which features an additional hook so you can hang it off shelves and doors and work hands-free. The case itself also sports a glow-in-the-dark strip so you can locate it easily in busy car boots.
Buy now £42.99, Amazon
OUTASK Portable Camping Lantern
- Lumens: 500
- Lighting modes: 6
- Water resistant?: IPX7
Built for camping, this telescopic outdoor lantern is perfect for a range of uses, from lighting under sinks and cars to propping up to cast a wider glow around your campsite.
It comes with tripod-style legs to offer stability and is made with robust ABS plastic, meaning it can survive most bumps and knocks. You can even tweak the stand and light level and stick it in your backpack, creating light on the move.
It takes six hours to charge via a USB port.
Buy now £139.90, Amazon
Stanley SAT3S Yellow and Black SATELLITE Rechargeable LED Work Light
- Lumens: 1000
- Lighting modes: 5
- Water resistant?: no
Seemingly taking inspiration from nature's flowers, Stanley has developed this compact work light, made for bringing light to the darkest of work areas. The compact model comes with three panels that can fold and pivot to shed light exactly where it's needed. The panels can also be pushed back so the central light can be used as a flashlight. It offers five modes of lighting for various settings, including flashing to call attention if needed.
Buy now £33.52, Amazon
Evadict Ontrail 900 Lumens Trail Running Frontal Lamp
Best for: ultra trail runners
- Lumens: 900
- Maximum range: 150 metres
- Maximum burn time per battery: 9 hours
Designed to last all night, Evadict’s weather-resistant headlamp is ideal for those partial to a longer trail run. With a detachable and rechargeable battery, you can add on the mileage as long as your heart desires, while it illuminates your path. With the weight evenly distributed between the front and back of the head, and a comfortable, adjustable strap, you’ll barely know it’s there.
Buy now £49.99, Decathlon
Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp Outdoor Head Torch
Best for: standard trail runs
- Lumens: 400
- Maximum range: 100 metres
- Maximum burn time: 200 hours
A powerful torch that would fit easily in your pocket, Black Diamond’s Spot 400 features a range of settings and a powerful beam, and will even work underwater for up to 30 minutes. It’s a rechargeable option and will let you know the percentage of power remaining so you’re never left in the lurch.
Buy now £50.00, Snow + Rock
Blukar LED Rechargeable Torch
Compact and lightweight, pack this pocket-sized torch into your bag and be armed with 300 lumens of light wherever you go. With four lighting modes, you can switch between high, low, strobe or SOS lighting and also zoom in using its adjustable focus feature, with a beam range of up to 180m.
Recharge from a variety of devices using the USB port (e.g. laptop or phone charger) and take on the move. Its aluminium alloy construction makes it extra strong and drop-resistant.
Buy now £6.99, Amazon
LE Camping Lantern
Best for: using in the pouring rain
If you’re after a powerful lantern that can handle pretty much everything the outdoors can throw at it, look no further than this 1000-lumen light which can last 12 hours, even at the highest setting.
Perfect for camping and fishing trips, the IPX4 waterproof design means you don’t have to worry about leaving it out overnight. Use it in the tent to avoid rummaging around in the light of your handset (thereby draining precious battery) or keep it by your side as you pore over the festival map. It comes with a handle which you can use to hook into your tent and has four modes to choose from: daylight, warm white, combined, and flashing.
You can even adjust the brightness so you’ll never be caught like a deer in headlights. Powered by three D alkaline batteries.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
Vango Nova 200 Rechargeable USB Lantern
Best for: rustic charm
If you put aesthetics side-by-side with function, here is an option that should tick your rustic checklist. This wood effect lantern may not be as powerful as some of the other options on our list at 200 lumens but its main draw is that it’s rechargeable with up to five hours of use from a full charge, or 20 hours on low charge. It also weighs just 300g making it a great choice for short camping trips with the family.
Buy now £19.48, Amazon
