Readers have harsh things to say about the new Milwaukee RedLithium USB neck light. For those of you saying “headlamps are better!,” have you tried a neck light before?
I have flashlights, worklights, headlamps, a wrist-mounted light, and a neck light. There are many ways to achieve hands-free lighting, whatever the need or environmental circumstances might be.
A neck light is somewhat of a hybrid between a worklight and a headlamp. It’s still worn on the body, but not on your head. You can aim it, and the lighting angle doesn’t move (much) when you move your head.
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Are neck lights a must-have? Absolutely not.
If I’m not in the mood for a headlamp to burden my head, I wear a cap with a small light clipped to the front. Or I find a way to aim a flashlight or worklight towards wherever I need light.
Neck lights are not indispensable – in my opinion – but they can be convenient.
I own one – I bought an EZ Red model last year after seeing the Kobalt holiday-special model. Either would have sufficed, and the EZ Red seems to appear under other branding as well (such as CAT and RealTree). I skipped the Kobalt, not knowing whether it would be a one-season or regular product.
My EZ Red has (2) AA batteries, one in each light head. That’s a bit clunky, as it means two buttons to press for activation or mode changes. But, I also didn’t want another product with a built-in rechargeable battery.
I also went with the EZ Red because it was a small investment at around $20, and it’s a tried-and-true design.
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I don’t use it a lot, but I like it. The small weight falls on my shoulders and is very unobtrusive.
There are times when my headlamp is completely blocked, and I reach for other means of hands-free lighting. That’s the type of environment where a neck light might work best. And when it’s time to clean up, the neck light is one less thing to hand-carry back to a tool bag, box, or truck.
Would I spend $100 on a rechargeable neck light? No – I don’t use mine enough to justify the expense.
Would I spend $100 on a headlamp? No, because less expensive models meet my needs and wants well enough.
I bought my neck light out of curiosity, but mainly an obligation to expand my familiarity and experiences for ToolGuyd-related purposes.
I’m not about to give mine away, but I honestly couldn’t tell you if I would replace mine if it broke or went missing today.
There are many ways to work with hands-free lighting. Neck lights can work better than headlamps in certain environments, but they’re not the only option.
It really comes down to preference.
If you could only buy one bodily-worn lighting product, I’d say go for something you can both hold in your hand and clip to a hat. If you could only buy two, get a flashlight and a basic headlamp. If you could buy three, also get a good hands-free worklight. If you could buy four or five or six, try a neck light.
But, there’s also a chance that a neck light will suit you better than a headlamp or stationary hands-free worklight.
Work lighting and personal lighting selection is not as decisive as other categories.
If you drill holes in masonry on occasion, a hammer drill will usually suffice. Regularly? You’ll probably want a rotary hammer.
Neck lights are one of those types of products – in my opinion at least – where they could be exactly what you need to avoid frustrations. Or it could be optional and completely replaceable or interchangeable with other lighting products.
In my opinion, rechargeable neck lights, such as the new Milwaukee model, is for users who have tried neck lights and found them to work well for their particular needs.
If you kind of see the appeal and are wondering if a neck light will work well for your needs, start with a basic model, like the EZ Red.
If you’ve used a neck light before, what are your thoughts? Is there a model you would recommend over the EZ Red?
Some of the marketing images for neck lights are a bit far-fetched, to put it lightly. But that doesn’t mean they’re a gimmick.
If you’re looking for a basic LED headlamp, the Petzl Tikkina is compact, bright, and reliable.
The Tikkina is regularly ~$20, and it’s available in several colors.
If I had $20-25 to spend on a hands-free body-worn lighting product, I’d buy the Petzl over the EZ Red neck light.
There’s also the Tikka, which is a step up for ~$30. You can find it at Amazon and elsewhere.
Petzl also has professional and work-focused headlamps. I bought my Pixa 1 back in 2011, and you can still buy it today (via Amazon). The Pixa 1 is one of my favorite worklights (still!), but it’s a bit bulky for low-demand tasks and has not been updated with modern LED technology.
Joellikestools
It seems like folks tend to be a bit more negative and dismissive in comments on lighting posts. I could see the appeal of a neck light especially for specialty technicians. It could be something as simple as not liking to wear a headlamp with safety glasses or a respirator. I would imagine it casts shadows differently that other lighting options, which could be a bonus.
Stuart
It’s not just lighting posts. It seems natural for many people to have a “if it’s not useful to me, it must not be useful to anyone” attitude except when blatantly untrue.
It’s similar to how people who like their steak cooked rare might say “how can anyone like their steak well-done?!” and vice versa.
Juan
Well said.
David Z
Stuart, what are you looking for in terms of “modern LED technology” for the Pika 1?
Stuart
Brighter, more efficient LEDs, at the least.
One of the commentors below remarked about how how 200 lumens for the neck light above is “really dim.”
It doesn’t seem like Petzl updated the Pixa at all in the 11 years since I bought mine. The Pixa 1 delivers 60 lumens.
MM
The only gripe I had with the Milwaukee neck light was it’s sky-high price. And this is not unique to Milwaukee, I feel it is a general trend that’s happening with many power tool brands: lighting products are sold for similar prices to products containing complex parts like motors, gears, etc, even though their production cost much be much lower. This EZRed light looks like great value.
In my opinion the type of light you use is dependent not only on personal preferences but also what sorts of things you’re doing with the light. Sometimes a headlamp is best, sometimes a mag-base or clamp-on light is best, sometimes a neck light is best. I don’t really think it’s possible to talk about which is the best choice without first talking about a specific application first.
Mackenzie
As a guy with thick hair that makes headbands roll up, I can see the appeal of a neck light. I might get one now that I think about it as I have to be wary of looking people in the face when I’m using my headlamp.
Jon98
still have to be careful some coworkers of mine have the snap on version and I wanted to break it every time they talk to me and forget it was on
Collin
Like many Milwaukee tools, this neck lamp will likely be part of a Home Depot savings event in which you can get the lamp itself for 30 to 60% off.
The M12 Fuel impact driver (gen 2) for example was down to less than $50 recently, and this wasn’t a one-off find. Plenty of people ordered it online, and it wasn’t a mistake.
It’s easier to lower prices than to raise prices.
I did purchase a brushed M12 impact driver recently, as a result of an emergency and I had forgotten my tools at home, and the bare tool cost me $99 at HD. This is a decade old tool going for $99. While the Fuel version was going for half that. But that’s because I got the brushed M12 without any sort of promotion.
Pie in the sky MSRPs also help with creating a sense of “value” when they can claim it’s “50% off” instead of a mere “10% off” at the same lowered price.
Nathan
I sit corrected the EZ red has hinges too. Now I wonder what model/brand I was looking at that had flex arms. It was a nice piece as it was silicone wrapped or so it felt. it was rechargeable but not removeable battery.
as I said before I don’t see a benefit to them for how they feel on the neck vs the small light on the head. Take the coast that I use it’s got an adjustment lense but 2 AAA, fairly compact and it was 20 dollars at home depot. doesn’t bother me when I use it. but it’s like many things – some people don’t know why I keep a set of magnifying glasses in my workbench drawer. neck light isn’t for me it seems.
fred
In the plumbing business – we bought a batch of EZ-Red COB stick-pen lights in countertop display boxes. We put them out on the counter of our workout center tool cage, and they kept getting gobbled up. It finally slowed down – probably when everyone of our plumbers, sisters and cousins and aunts all had one. What we decided to do, based on their popularity – was to contract with the company we used for promotional items – get our logo/name on them – and both use them for work and hand them to customers to stimulate repeat business.
Wayne R.
Fred, how’s your place in Sanibel? Can you even get to it?
fred
The roof seems to be intact. I suppose that I could fly down and go over by boat – but I have an agent who can do that for me. They are saying that they will have a temporary fix for the causeway by the end of the month. Meanwhile the important stuff is fine. the tenants who were renting the place – got out well ahead of the storm. Also good was that I had sold the car that I kept down on the island, so it was nothing to worry about. I’m guessing that if the windows held – mold will be the major issue based on the AC being off for a prolonged period. Our living quarters are 2 flights up off the ground – but figure the bikes, beach furniture, etc. that we stored in a room at ground level are probably trash. Overall, the island will probably never be the same. The Mad Hatter – one of our favorite restaurants washed out into the Gulf – but it looks like many of the others along Periwinkle survived (at least from aerial photos and other reports.) What’s tough is that I know that many folks living on the island have no or little insurance – and talking to FEMA – if their places are second (or third) residences there may be no federal aid. I guess we will have to wait and see.
John L
Sounds like the one walmart sells for around 13 bucks. Its red. Its that generic brand they sell. I would be ok with it except it does the most annoying thing an led light can do. When the battery gets low it blinks s couple times a minute. I swear whoever came up with that idea should be tortured to death slowly. Your damn light is not such an important thing in my life that I need to drop everything and change the battery right now.
Frank
So a flashlight makes light where you point it, but you have to hold it in one hand. Stationary lights on a hook or magnet or tripod or whatever might not cover the whole area you’re interacting with and you might have to stop and reposition the light. Headlamps move with your head, so whatever you look at is illuminated.
A “neck light” doesn’t move when you turn your head to the side, seems like a downgrade. The few neck lights I’ve seen have much lower specifications than flashlights or free standing lights, weigh more, and are overwhelmingly plastic construction.
TomD
The main benefit I can see is easy on/off; headlamps often have to be tight enough that you’re not just removing it all the time, and I’ve certainly held a light in my teeth before.
Still not sure the value, but I may pick one up on sale someday.
Jerry
A neck light is actually a.benefit in some instances because it DOESN’T move with your head. Get 2, 3, or 4 mechanics all working next to each other and they are.constantly blinding each other with their lights when they discuss things or help each other. Neck lights allow you to swivel your head to discuss something with the person next to you without blinding them.
Working alone, headlights are usually better.
Dustin
I work laying down looking up and my headlamp slips off quite often, I think I will give the neck lamp a try. Besides a headlamp often times gives me a headache.
eddie sky
I think if you can use it, use it. Me? I don’t wear hats all the time, especially when I need to move around (craw, climb, etc) in spaces that rim would hit. And my EDC lights are larger than a small clip on, but I don’t want to rule them out for those that wear hats and clip on- wish they had these when I was a teen.
Who remembers those GI L-shaped flashlights, you clipped on your jacket? D-Cells were used! A neck light would be amazing replacement for that! Who remembers that rechargeable pos Dewalt flexible lamp, that used a bulb (pre-LED) and 18v battery and it never stayed bent because the head was heavy? I have a Craftsman flashlight, flex neck, https://www.searshometownstores.com/product/Craftsman-415540-LED-Flexible-160-Lumen-Flash-Light that you can hang from your neck. It was a pain to use but if you were alone and needed to use both hands, it worked.
I use the headlamp only when doing electrical work and power is off. I noticed that its not friendly when working with others (blinded by our headlights). But I keep it in my electrician’s bag, along with a pen light/live circuit tester, and a magnetic light (Astro wand). I also have an electric-powered LED flood that is great to put on floor, under hood, car, or on extension and see when a breaker is powered off to that circuit/recept.
But yes, a necklight is a niche. I’m not getting one, and don’t want a neck-collar light.
Rog
I use a headlamp to bring in firewood during the winter. Its nice to keep both hands free. I would be concerned that a neck lamp would slide or move around
Mr. C
EZ Red — let’s see how bright this is….200 lumens. ~$30. [this is really dim]
The Milwaukee light? Proprietary batteries, eww. 400 lumens. ~$100 [this is still kinda dim — it’s like a single cell AAA penlight. better than “nothing”, but it’s not going to really illuminate anything you need to do WORK work on. A dim light during a critical task with power tools is like using a dull knife when cooking.]
Zebralight 604c or 604d (c and d are different color temps) headlamp — highly adjustable from 0.08 lumens to 1,616 lumens. $89 + buying an 18650 battery (~$6-9) + basic charger. Let’s say ~$100.
So, for about the same price as the Milwaukee light — you can get something that’ll LIGHT up your work instead of wondering “is it actually on?” 1600 lumens is “blind the person next to you…and yourself if you hit a reflective surface”, but being stuck at 200 lumens for a third of that price is a bad joke.
But hey, to each their own.
Stuart
How much light do you really need when working on something close up? 200 lumens is plenty.
Frank
for people who grew up with maglites and incandescent bulb flashlights, 200 lumens is probably great and it’s better than nothing for sure, but on any flashlight made after let’s say 2010 it’s a very low output.
Stuart
For distance, yes. But for working at arm’s length?
Kent Hanson
My edc flashlight for work is milwaukees penlight and it’s 100 lumens and unless the batteries(AA) are low it’s does everything I need it to do as someone who repairs locks in a institutional setting. Just wish I didn’t have to hold it in my off hand and headlamps are a pain in my A.
MM
I agree with Stuart on this. High lumen output is absolutely a great thing for many outdoor activities, if you need lighting for photo/video, or perhaps if you want to light up a whole room like a “rocket” or tripod light. But that’s not what a neck lamp is for. These are obviously for up close work, like the auto mechanic in the photo, or some other technician working with their hands. 200 lumens may not be much in today’s constant game of who-can-post-the-biggest-lumen-rating but it is plenty for working under the hood of a car, an electrical junction box, etc.
I have a few Olight Swivel work lamps in my toolbox. These have a multi-position magnetic base and can also hang from a hook. They’re great for auto work, heavy equipment, etc. I also have a few in the house for emergency use if there’s a power failure, they aren’t bad for camping either. They go up to 400 lumens on the highest setting….and I almost never use it. In fact for general auto use I normally keep it set on one of the lower power COB modes under 200 lumens. That’s plenty for wrenching up close. Too much more than that and there’s more light coming back in your face than there is helping you see.
Now of course if I’m going out camping or hunting or some other outdoor activity where I need to see or be seen at a longer distance you bet I’m going to be bringing something stronger than 400 lumens, but that’s a case of different tools for different jobs.
Wayne R.
I can see using an adjustable neck light under a car lift, and other similar upward-looking situations. Especially when all the ambient light’s overhead anyway. But maybe one of those headband-looking LED strip lights might even be better, a much larger source area would minimize shadows from your hands/tools. The strip type I have works well that way for me.
Duck Dodgers
I am really big on the Princeton tec head lamps, made in the USA and decent price for features. L.L. Bean rebadged a Princeton tec design now too.
Stuart
Those are good too. My wife broke one (plastic failure), but it lasted a very long time.
Bonnie
I’m sure there are use-cases, but every one I’ve seen mentioned is an edge-case. Handy to have in a pinch, but just not something useful to the majority.
That Kobalt image is absolutely hilarious! It’s just about the worst possible thing you’d want for chiselling/gouge-work. If you’re adding task-specific lighting you want raking light coming from the opposite side of the workpiece to enhance your depth perception, not blow everything out or get shadows from your own arms/tools.
Stuart
“I’m sure there are use-cases, but every one I’ve seen mentioned is an edge-case.”
I agree, but an edge-case to you or me might be a daily usage environment to someone else.
Frank D
I have finished a multitude of things with a pair of neck lights – that were not designed to be neck lights, but rather snake lights to go around a pipe or 2x or … – with a dial or button for area or flood. The benefit being that it is not a narrow focus, just where you look spotlight as my headlights have been and the slightest turn or your head is disorienting where you want to step safely or grab something a but farther away …
Ct451
My car mechanic uses neck lights if you ask him to have a look at something outside the shop. He starts with the lights in his hand and puts them on if he has to reach in. The transition is probably easier with neck lights with dirty gloves on.
I bought numerous wearable lights I don’t use anymore. Simplicity won me over. I have a bunch of 3xAAA flashlights I stick to whatever head gear I have on. On ear muffs, on goggles, on welding masks. Some have build in lights but I need a source on a new angle to fight the shadows. I also put them on power tools. For DIY around the house at night to beat the heat these are plenty.
nigeldh
Headlamps are blinding when you are working with folks and they are looking at you – unless they remember to keep angling the lamp down. One will often see folks on night searches, night ops, wear a second headlamp around their neck. The around the neck headlamp is just like a neck light – used for illumination when working around people, close-in illumination.
Headlamps are great when you need to illuminate in the distance and don’t mind some weight on your head. Face shields, other head gear, often get in the way. This is why the Milwaukee Bolt helmets are nice – a headlamp can be mounted and the visor or face shield, will clear the headlamp. Not the case with a Petzl helmet.
I’ve been blinded, blinded other folks, enough times by headlamps that I really like the neck lamps for close in illumination. For spotting down a trail, or a big cave room, give me a headlamp with lots of illumination.
fred
Acme is running a 10% off today on lighting – using code FLASH10
MT
I hate headlamps. The way the light moves around with every slightest head movement is just too distracting and disorienting for me. I’d try a neck light to see if it’s a workable compromise between a headlamp and a stationary lamp.
bj
When you posted the Kobalt light last year, I jumped on it. I was doing some concrete
grinding under the house, and I could not implement my headlamp with my face shield on. Yeah, it threw some awkward shadows but better than nothing. At $20, easy on the wallet, worked for my needs, and feels well built.
JoeM
Bit of a brain spew on this… This is a literal sensitive topic for me, as I’m very photosensitive. That’s not a pun, it’s literal. Too much light, and I’m blind, and get migraines.
That said… I have to look at lighting products one of two ways:
One: How often will it be on my body/in my hands or pockets?
Two: Is there a chance of it harming me if I’m not careful?
Now, looking at these necklights, it seems like it would solve all my worries of it harming me, as 100% of the light appears to point away from me. But that’s not entirely true. They pivot up and down, which risks shining in my eyes. So, issue Two would tell me this is not for me, specifically. And looking at issue One, it isn’t pocketable, and only goes around the neck… so… that’s a really rare need. I have other lights, and ways to use them.
But for other people I know, like my Mother, for example. Their eyes are dimming with age (Mom is turning 76 on the 12th.) they need more light on a regular basis, and sometimes that includes times they need their hands. So, in theory, one of these necklights might be worth getting if I can manage to keep them from looking my direction with the lights on. So there are “Must Have” scenarios I can imagine for these, but I have to leave the Tool industry to actually find those scenarios.
So it comes down to Convenience. In theory, many things in our lives are not necessary for our survival, but they make surviving easier. We pay extra for these things, specifically because we have things to do for our survival, and these things check off a box for us, that we didn’t have to work for. Delivery, strictly speaking, isn’t always necessary. Then the pandemic hit, and we realized, no, Delivery can save lives. So, things like Delivery just need to rotate into a position in the world where they are indispensible before we will realize we have it. I think that is the level of necessity these Necklights have for us. Until we’re unable to hold tools, or the lighting we need is too bulky, or some specific need comes up, we can’t even put these things into our brains, they don’t exist for us yet. We can’t fathom their use.
I spend a lot of my life trying to make things better, easier, or more functional for people. So although I can’t see these working for myself, I know of several people this product category would be mission critical for. I can see them as necessary, just not for myself. Add in the fact that they range in price, they can suit a huge range of people in specific needs.
Not everyone needs a reacher-grabber. It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t exist. It means those that do need them, can’t live without them.
cyberanni
A neck light would be useful if you wear one of those PAPR (Powered air purifying respirator) units with built in hardhat, face shield, and hearing protection, too bad most PAPR helmets don’t have integrated lights.
Also useful for when wearing a welding mask.
Bob
Could use some Velcro adhesive to mount a headlamp quite easily.
Scott ALKB
If you’re like me (and I know I am) a DIYer, alternate sources can be fun. American Science & Surplus (yep, that’s a fun acronym) has inexpensive gear with occasionally spectacular value. It has great stuff, often fun, sometimes serious: technical, military surplus, educational, wtf-ery. Amusing blurbs about the product are to be expected, all safe for work or school.
kemikos
One point that I don’t think anyone has brought up: a lightweight neck light can BE a headlamp. Don’t know about other models, but the EZRED lights (both rechargeable and non) can be worn on your head too, just place the band around your head above the ears. Sits just under my hard hat band.
If you’ve ever had to work on something in such a tight space that you had to twist your head into crazy positions just to see the part you need to access, you’ll know why neck lights can be better than head lamps in some situations (and why mechanics love them, for instance).
Jody
I have yet to see anyone mention that you can wear a headlamp on your neck. It is commonly done, and and a lot of models are tiltable.
One and done.