ToolGuyd

Tool Reviews, New Tool Previews, Best Tool Guides, Tool Deals, and More!

  • New Tools
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • Best Cordless Power Tool Brand
    • Tool Brands: Who Owns What?
    • Best Cordless Drills (New for 2019!)
    • Dewalt UWO Explained
    • Best Multi-Bit Screwdrivers
    • Best Cordless Impact Drivers (2015)
    • Best Cordless Circular Saws
    • Best Tape Measure
    • Best Cordless Oscillating Tools
    • Best EDC Gear
    • Best Multimeter
    • Best Precision Screwdrivers
    • Best Modular Tool Boxes
    • Ultimate Tool Gift Guide
  • Hand Tools
    • Bit Holders & Drivers
    • EDC, Pocket, & Multitools
    • Electrical Tools
    • Flashlights & Worklights
    • Knives
    • Mechanics’ Tools
    • Pliers
    • Screwdrivers
    • Sockets & Drive Tools
    • Wrenches
    • All Hand Tools
  • Power Tools
    • Accessories
    • Cordless
    • Drills & Drivers
    • Oscillating Tools
    • Saws
    • Woodworking Tools
    • All Power Tools
  • Brands
    • Bosch
    • Craftsman
    • Dewalt
    • Makita
    • Milwaukee
    • Milwaukee NPS19 Tools
    • Ryobi
    • All Brands
  • USA-Made
  • Deals
ToolGuyd > Editorial > Headlamps vs Cordless Work Lights, Which Do You Use More?

Headlamps vs Cordless Work Lights, Which Do You Use More?

Dec 2, 2011 Stuart 10 Comments

If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.

Petzl Tikka Plus 2 Headlamp

When working on a project, in addition to the right tools, you need good lighting. Sometimes room lighting is not enough and a little extra brightness can make your work go quicker, easier, and more safely. These days, LEDs are are a great way to go, and hands-free products have obvious benefits. Which do you prefer to use more, headlamps or cordless work lights?

The main benefit of a headlamp is that the beam moves with you and can be perfectly aligned with your vision. A major downside is that headlamps are limited in how large and heavy they can be.

Advertisement

Cordless, or even corded work lights, can be a lot larger and brighter. Many offer multiple support and positioning options, but must still be carefully aimed at the work area. Depending on the surroundings, this can sometimes be tricky.

My preference? I tend to use work lights for larger projects, but whip out a headlamp for quicker projects or tasks. Overall, I use headlamps far more, with my current favorite being the Petzl Pixa 1.

Petzl Headlamps (I’ve got 3 of these and love ’em!)
Dewalt 12V Max LED Worklight (My favorite work light, but it’s sold without a battery. It’s one incentive to buy into the Dewalt 12V Max lineup. Second-favorite is a Craftsman 12V fluorescent model.)

Related posts:

Milwaukee M18 12Ah High Output BatteryMilwaukee M18 12.0Ah Battery and LED Worklight Compatibility Info

Sections: Editorial, Flashlights & Worklights Tags: headlamps, work lights

« Spyderco Tenacious Folding Knife – Cheap But Superb
Gearwrench Flex and X-Beam Ratcheting Wrench Sets Super Deal »

10 Comments

  1. D.C.

    Dec 2, 2011

    I use headlamps far more as well…I like the ability to highlight specific ares directly. The one caveat is I like using night vision on headlamps so any I buy such as the energizer industrial which is good but not great due to its low (45 lumen output)…it would be nice to have a 100 lumen headlamp with night vision…

    Reply
  2. Tom

    Dec 2, 2011

    I have a handful of headlamps around the house. I also use one while biking at night (along with bike lights). It is nice to have your hands free.

    Reply
  3. Kevin

    Dec 2, 2011

    I used to use my camping headlamps, but prefer the LED glasses, between those, the LEDs on my tools and a bunch of charged up ryobi 18v work lights I’m all set.

    Reply
  4. rob

    Dec 2, 2011

    I tend to use my headlamp for outdoor projects at night. It’s biggest use is in the wintter when I run the snowblower and it’s dark outside. My snowblower didn’t come with a headlight and I found the headlamp seemed to work pretty well.

    Reply
  5. James

    Dec 2, 2011

    I own the Tikka XP 2 headlamp, Milwaukee V28 work light, and Stanley separatable tripod flashlight. Believe it or not, I attached the headlamp to my keychain because its predecessor, the dual AAA Maglite, wasn’t cutting it. I supplement the headlamp with the work lights when working on the car and in the yard. Heck, I even use them in the house when I don’t feel like flipping lightswitches. They all see equal usage.

    Reply
  6. Harry

    Dec 4, 2011

    It depends on the task at hand. For under dash, I prefer either a cordlees makita light, an EZ Red light stick, or one of the Ullman Devices round swivel LED lights with the magnetic base.
    Underhood, I like my Princeton Tec Fuel Headlamp for hands free and no holding the flashlight in my teeth use. It’s even US made!!!
    I’m still not about to give up my Streamlight Polystinger but, it’s nice to have options.

    Reply
  7. Andrew

    Dec 7, 2011

    I love headlamps for working on electrical stuff where the power is off. Frees up both hands and you have good light right where you need it.

    Reply
    • Jon Wells

      May 19, 2020

      My favorite is the Boruit RJ3000, the brightest I’ve seen. The batteries are rechargeable and last a long time; they can also be replaced if you don’t want to wait for a recharge.

      One of the few cautions is that it is easy to blind a coworker if you’re not careful where it’s pointed.

      Reply
  8. Chris L

    Jul 9, 2013

    I have found the Energiser branded head lamp to be brilliant, and I’ve used about every brand except Petzl. For the price, the Energiser is great, a really well focused beam of light like none I’ve ever seen on a head lamp. There are also unbranded versions of it for half the price, but don’t know if there’s a knock-on effect on quality. Expect to pay about £10 for the genuine article.

    Reply
  9. Dave L.

    Sep 24, 2014

    Safe & vault techs have been using headlamps for decades, simply because you need both hands free. Also sometimes you need to work in cramped quarters where a second hand needing to hold a light gets in the way. I have three of them.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest tool news.

ToolGuyd Forum

Recent Comments

  • Drew on The Best Kneeling Pad for Working on the Floor: “Fastcap 1-1/8 Thick Kaizen Foam, 2′ x 4′ We have been using kaizen foam for kneeling and laying at our…”
  • Stuart on RotoShovel is a Cordless Mini-Auger: “I’m thinking 3” for bulbs, 4” for larger veggie and flower plants.”
  • Argie on RotoShovel is a Cordless Mini-Auger: “Jeez. For 125 I’d be buying a drill and an auger bit. That way at least I would be on…”
  • Michael on Gearwrench Double-X Pliers Earned a Spot in My Toolbox: “I’ve had a Crescent set for a few years. They don’t get used often but when they do, they are…”
  • Kizzle on Teaser: New Made-in-USA Tools are Coming Soon: “You do realize that low wages contribute to people seeking ever cheaper products i.e. made in China? Sorry that better…”
  • fred on Teaser: New Made-in-USA Tools are Coming Soon: “Amen to that. Lead pipe and asbestos lagging were commonplace in the plumbing business when I started working – and…”

Recent Posts

  • MEGA Milwaukee Tool Flash Sale - Ends 2/25/21
  • RotoShovel is a Cordless Mini-Auger
  • Teaser: New Made-in-USA Tools are Coming Soon
  • Gearwrench Double-X Pliers Earned a Spot in My Toolbox
  • Milwaukee Safety Vests Expansion
  • Felo Wood-Handled Screwdriver Set, a Modern Classic - What's Not to Like?
  • What it's Like Going to Milwaukee NPS, Their Annual New Tool Media Event
  • The Best Kneeling Pad for Working on the Floor
ToolGuyd New Tool Reviews Image

New Tool Reviews

Buying Guides

  • Best Cordless Drills
  • Best Cordless Impact Drivers
  • Best Cordless Multi-Tools
  • Cordless Power Tool Brands
  • Modular Tool Storage Systems
  • Ultimate Tool Gift & Upgrade Guide
ToolGuyd Knife Reviews Image

Knife Reviews

ToolGuyd Multi-Tool Reviews Image

Multi-Tool Reviews

ToolGuyd LED Flashlight and Worklight Reviews Image

LED Light Reviews

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Stores
  • Videos
  • Gear
  • AMZN Deal Finder
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure