6 Harbor Freight Lighting Solutions To Brighten Up Your Work Area

For tradespeople and tool enthusiasts, few shops can compare to Harbor Freight tool stores. The budget-themed tool and hardware store is legendary in the world of tinkerers and gadget lovers, and it's one of the go-to spots for entry-level pros and hobbyists alike. Harbor Freight is perhaps most famous among mechanics, electricians, plumbers, and other tradespeople for its affordably-priced yet relatively high-quality tools. The company maintains a large inventory of tools for DIY car projects, home improvement tasks, and various hobbies and trades. Harbor Freight also owns many different in-house brands, with each providing different prices and quality levels. However, Harbor Freight doesn't just sell tools for workers and DIYers. The store also sells everything from children's toys to kitchen equipment and outdoor décor.

Among the various products Harbor Freight sells are lighting solutions. The tool store's inventory of lighting products includes everything from basic Harbor Freight flashlights to outdoor lighting systems, security lights, and large work lights. If you're considering adding a bit of extra illumination to your work space or adding a new flashlight to your tool kit, Harbor Freight could be a great place to check. 

We searched the company's site ourselves, and we found six highly-rated lighting solutions that could be beneficial in your work area. We based our selection on factors like price, product features, and user reviews, but we'll cover our methodology deeper later. For now, check out these six Harbor Freight lighting solutions to brighten up your work space.

When it comes to lighting solutions for your work area, not all products are created equal. While a small and compact flashlight may be all the light your neighbor needs for their weekend projects, you may need to light an entire home workshop. It's important that you consider your needs and look for products that address them. If you need to brighten up a larger space, like a home garage or small warehouse, you'll likely need a dedicated work light, at the very least. Work lights are generally portable, making them ideal for construction sites or anyone who knows they won't need a stationary light all the time. They come in various shapes and sizes, but they're commonly square or box-shaped, and they may come with a cage or screen covering the actual light to protect it from debris and damage in a work environment.

If you're looking for a quality work light to brighten up your shop or garage, you may want to consider the Braun 18,000 Lumen LED Detachable Work Light. With an 18,000-lumen output, the Braun product is powerful enough to brighten large areas, while the individual LED lights are fully adjustable, allowing you to change the light's angle for all your projects and tasks. 

It comes with a powder-coated steel tripod that you can adjust from between 33 to 75-inches tall and easy-grip handles to make transportation quick and simple. You can use the Braun light outside, thanks to its water-resistant construction, while the LED bulbs themselves are designed to stay cooler and last longer than competitors. The Braun LED work light costs $129.99 and boasts 4.7 out of five stars based on nearly 500 customer reviews.

In comparison to work lights, which are generally portable, a hanging shop light is usually meant to be installed with some degree of permanence. These lights can be paired up and linked together with various others, or you can buy one and install it above your primary work area. If you typically work in the same space and don't have the need for a lot of mobile light, you may want to consider some hanging shop lights to brighten up your garage or shop.

If you're planning to install some stationary lighting in your garage or workshop, you may want to consider the Braun 4-foot Linkable LED Hanging Shop Light. The light provides 5,500 lumens of illumination to brighten up your work area, and you can connect up to eight lights together for larger shops and garages. The light weighs just 2.4 pounds, making it easy to maneuver and install, while a sturdy pull chain allows you to turn the light on and off, even if installed relatively high above your head. The LED lights provide 30,000 hours of life, eliminating the need to constantly replace bulbs and helping to conserve money. The Braun hanging shop light costs $22.99 and is extremely well-rated by customers, featuring 4.8 out of five stars based on nearly 5,000 user reviews.

Whether you're a professional mechanic or a weekend tinkerer, if you work on cars, you probably understand how valuable it is to have quality lighting. The problem is that even if you work in an extremely well-lit shop, that light can't cover every inch of the vehicle, especially if you're working under the car or in the engine bay. That's because lighting is typically installed above our heads, meaning if you're underneath the vehicle, the top of the car will block most of the light from reaching your work space. The same applies when you're working in the engine bay, as the car's hood will block a substantial amount of light. While mobile work lights and flashlights can be helpful when working under a vehicle, an underhood light is one of the best options when it comes to illuminating the engine bay.

If you're in the market for a quality underhood light, you may be interested in the new Braun Foldable Underhood Light. The device attaches to the underside of a car's hood and provides 2,000 lumens of light for exceptional illumination while performing things like tuneups and engine repairs. It features a 360-degree adjustment mechanism, allowing you to fine tune the light's direction, while padded, non-marring hooks will protect the vehicle's paint from damage. 

You can fold the light up for compact storage and convenient transportation, and the rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 11 hours of work time. The Braun underhood light costs $79.99. It's a new product at Harbor Freight and only has 13 user reviews at the time of this writing. However, it's also the highest-rated underhood light sold at the budget store and features 4.8 out of five stars based on customer reviews.

Even if you have an abundance of light in your work area, it never hurts to have some extra illumination. There will always be places where the light can't penetrate, and having a handy flashlight can make a huge difference. However, flashlights have their limitations, too. Those limitations are due largely to the fact that you usually have to hold the flashlight in order to direct its light beam where you need it. That may not be a huge deal, but if you're working on a project that requires you to use both of your hands, trying to maneuver a standard flashlight can really slow you down.

For those times when you need a bit of extra hands-free light, the Harbor Freight Rotating Magnetic LED Work Light could be worth checking out. The light provides 180 lumens of illumination. Its powerful magnetic base allows you to attach it to any magnetic metal, enabling you to free up your hands and increase your efficiency. 

The 360-degree swivel head allows you to point the light exactly where you need it, while SMD LED technology helps reduce power usage and increase battery lifespan. The tool takes three AAA batteries and can provide between three and six hours of light on a single charge. At $4.99, the magnetic work light is quite a bargain, and it's exceptionally well-rated by users, boasting 4.6 out of five stars based on nearly 2,000 customer reviews.

We already covered one mobile work light above. However, not all of these devices work the same or provide the same benefits and features. While the Braun work light described above comes with a tripod and power cable, others are wireless and smaller, allowing for more mobility and easier transportation. Some of them even provide additional features, like a built-in power bank, enabling you to charge your devices while you work.

If you're looking for a versatile work light with some sweet extra benefits, you may want to consider the Braun Rechargeable Battery Bank Work Light. The light provides an impressive 1,250 lumens of illumination to brighten up your work area and all of your projects. It features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery capable of up to 5.5 hours of runtime, while it's less than 1-pound weight and 4-¾-inch length make it easy to store and transport in your toolbox or bag. 

One of the coolest features of the Braun rechargeable work light is its built-in power bank. You can connect everything from cell phones and computers to tablets, cameras, and more, enabling you to charge your devices while you work. It comes with a 2A USB port for connecting all of those devices and costs an attractive $27.99. The Braun battery bank work light is also well-rated by customers and features 4.7 out of five stars based on more than 2,500 user reviews.

Not all work lights and lighting solutions have to be large and bulky. We all know how valuable a small flashlight can be while working. However, many compact flashlights don't provide a lot of light. Furthermore, and as mentioned above, flashlights typically require us to hold them with one hand in order to direct the light where we need it, which can be frustrating for many workers who require the use of both hands to complete a project.

Instead of fumbling with a flashlight, you may want to check out the Icon LED Rechargeable Magnetic Handheld Foldable Slim Bar Work Light. The tool provides 800 lumens of light output, which is a substantial amount of illumination for a tool of its size. It features a magnetic base, enabling you to attach it to a car's frame, your toolbox, or any other magnetic metallic surface to free up your hands, while the folding head pivots 180-degrees so you can shine the light where you need it most. It comes with three light modes: COB LED light, a wide-area back light, and a narrower flashlight beam for precise lighting. 

The lithium-ion battery is rechargeable via a USB-C port, and the IPX4 water-resistance rating allows you to use the device in various climates and weather types. The light folds up for easy storage and includes high and low modes for battery optimization. The Icon folding work light comes in four color options and costs $39.99. It's highly-rated by customers and boasts 4.7 out of five stars based on more than 2,000 user reviews.

We selected the Harbor Freight lighting solutions for this article based on a few key criteria: price, product application and features, and user reviews. Because this article covers Harbor Freight products, we can expect the prices to be relatively affordable. However, we still endeavored to showcase a range of gadgets at various price points. No product on this list costs more than $150, and many of them fall well below that price point, with a few even coming in at under $50. 

Next, we looked for lighting solutions that provide real-world benefits to both professional tradespeople and DIYers. Each product on this list can help illuminate your work area — whether you need some extra overhead light or a handy mobile light for working under a car, there's most likely a gadget on this list that will help you optimize your work. Finally, we considered what actual users had to say about these tools, and we chose to highlight only products that have 4.6 out of five stars or more based on numerous customer reviews.

That said, remember that it's important to understand your needs when purchasing lighting solutions. Consider the ways in which you plan to use your tools and your space when shopping, as doing so will help you get the products you need without any unnecessary expenditures.