DEWALT 20V MAX* LED Work Light/Flashlight (DCL040) - $39.99 @ Amazon w/ free prime shipping

SammieSocal25

Mar 15, 2026 5:06 PM

6,902 Posts

Joined Oct 2009

SammieSocal25Mar 15, 2026 5:06 PM

6,902 Posts

I wouldn't pay $5 for this haha I own a few Dewalt lights and this is one of the worse Dewalt products ever made

1

SharpRailway9531

Pro

Mar 15, 2026 5:20 PM

359 Posts

Joined Mar 2021

SharpRailway9531

Pro

Mar 15, 2026 5:20 PM

359 Posts

Its not a bad light but it is not worth it at 40

1

Nords

Mar 15, 2026 6:16 PM

359 Posts

Joined Sep 2014

NordsMar 15, 2026 6:16 PM

359 Posts

Quote from SharpRailway9531

:

Its not a bad light but it is not worth it at 40

Its a terrible light. Its NOT good for working on cars, MAYBE good as a (shitty) spot lamp for pointing at a specific part, but its ANNOYING when using it as a light. the DCL050 is THE light to get. I loved it so much I bought TWO, as its a flood light, not this WEAK spot lamp. I would NEVER recommend anyone buy this light. It usually comes free, and I've never sued this light ever since I got my two 050s.
I would NOT buy this light, especially for 40 bucks! FInd it use don facebook marketplace, or buy a GOOD light for 5 bucks more (the DCL050)

DO NOT BUY this junker!

2

1

immortal_tricycle

Mar 15, 2026 8:09 PM

39 Posts

Joined Dec 2024

immortal_tricycleMar 15, 2026 8:09 PM

39 Posts

I picked this up a while back to replace an old Maglite rather than deal with C cell batteries, no complaints. Its modest output translates to longer operating time; it will provide dim illumination if pointed straight up in a room, which can be handy during a power outage. It's not a flood light, and if you expect it to be one you will be disappointed. But if you want the functionality of a basic flashlight using DeWalt batteries, the DCL040 is perfectly cromulent.

1

vid1900

Pro

Mar 16, 2026 4:10 AM

3,072 Posts

Joined Sep 2016

vid1900

Pro

Mar 16, 2026 4:10 AM

3,072 Posts

This never runs out of battery.

Even in a week long power failure, this light still works.

It's not too bright to use under a car for a brake job; and with a big battery, it's almost impossible to tip over.

Note, that before the tariffs, this used to go on sale for $24 to $28, but this might be the new "best price".....

1

SammieSocal25

Mar 16, 2026 5:15 AM

6,902 Posts

Joined Oct 2009

SammieSocal25Mar 16, 2026 5:15 AM

6,902 Posts

Quote from vid1900

:

This never runs out of battery.Even in a week long power failure, this light still works. It's not too bright to use under a car for a brake job; and with a big battery, it's almost impossible to tip over. Note, that before the tariffs, this used to go on sale for $24 to $28, but this might be the new "best price".....

So you buying this light as a candle replacement or what? Lol not worth it other much cheaper flashlights using led tech that's been around for quite a while can do what you're describing for $5.

1

SammieSocal25

Mar 16, 2026 5:18 AM

6,902 Posts

Joined Oct 2009

SammieSocal25Mar 16, 2026 5:18 AM

6,902 Posts

Quote from immortal_tricycle

:

I picked this up a while back to replace an old Maglite rather than deal with C cell batteries, no complaints. Its modest output translates to longer operating time; it will provide dim illumination if pointed straight up in a room, which can be handy during a power outage. It's not a flood light, and if you expect it to be one you will be disappointed. But if you want the functionality of a basic flashlight using DeWalt batteries, the DCL040 is perfectly cromulent.

Led tech in 2026 should be more powerful than this. I'm not saying as bright as the DCL050 which is the best bang for your buck, but this thing is behind in everyway. Just buy a dim led flashlight for $5 then lol

1

vid1900

Pro

Mar 16, 2026 5:33 AM

3,072 Posts

Joined Sep 2016

vid1900

Pro

Mar 16, 2026 5:33 AM

3,072 Posts

Quote from SammieSocal25

:

So you buying this light as a candle replacement or what? Lol not worth it other much cheaper flashlights using led tech that's been around for quite a while can do what you're describing for $5.

For me, it came free in a kit of other Dewalt tools.

I love that it NEVER fully drains the battery. Sometimes I turn off the basement lights and I see it glowing under a pinball machine, after being forgotten probably for a week.

None of my other flashlights can supply anywhere near the battery life of this thing.

1

immortal_tricycle

Mar 16, 2026 12:37 PM

39 Posts

Joined Dec 2024

immortal_tricycleMar 16, 2026 12:37 PM

39 Posts

Quote from SammieSocal25

:

Led tech in 2026 should be more powerful than this. I'm not saying as bright as the DCL050 which is the best bang for your buck, but this thing is behind in everyway. Just buy a dim led flashlight for $5 then lol

This may surprise you, but it's often functionally impossible to produce LED lights that lag behind modern tech too far. LED manufacturers tend to stop producing diodes that no longer have competitive efficacies. If your product uses a common LED package, you usually have several current options at your disposal at any given time, all of which are easier to source than an obsolete spec. DCL040 uses the same domed high-power 3030 LED package that's in the DCL050 (and most other LED work lights of this class). If they're made in the same facility, they're likely using the same exact LED. Your issue is that the DCL040 was designed for an output that isn't useful for you. And that's fine, no one is forcing you to use it. For me, it compliments my battery flood lights, it doesn't replace them.

SammieSocal25

Mar 16, 2026 3:43 PM

6,902 Posts

Joined Oct 2009

SammieSocal25Mar 16, 2026 3:43 PM

6,902 Posts

Quote from immortal_tricycle

:

This may surprise you, but it's often functionally impossible to produce LED lights that lag behind modern tech too far. LED manufacturers tend to stop producing diodes that no longer have competitive efficacies. If your product uses a common LED package, you usually have several current options at your disposal at any given time, all of which are easier to source than an obsolete spec. DCL040 uses the same domed high-power 3030 LED package that's in the DCL050 (and most other LED work lights of this class). If they're made in the same facility, they're likely using the same exact LED. Your issue is that the DCL040 was designed for an output that isn't useful for you. And that's fine, no one is forcing you to use it. For me, it compliments my battery flood lights, it doesn't replace them.

For sure. Buy this if you want a few candles of very dim luminescent power. However Dewalt engineered this to make it seem really lackluster for the high price is beyond me.

DEWALT 20V MAX* LED Work Light/Flashlight (DCL040) - $39.99 @ Amazon w/ free prime shipping

$40

$84

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