Looking for an LED work light for small or tighter spaces? The Milwaukee M18 LED Stick Light might fit the bill. Its strength is in its size rather than its output, so let’s take a look and see if the Milwaukee 2352 will be your new go-to.
Pros
- Pivoting design and swiveling hang hooks put light at nearly any angle
- Compact design is great for smaller spaces
- Handle design makes for a comfortable grip
- Crossover potential as a light for outdoorsmen or vehicle trouble
Cons
- No major drawbacks unless you just need more output
Recommendation
I like this light for working in tight spaces like cabinets, crawl spaces, and engines. The low output is designed for that kind of work, so don’t assume you’re going to light up an entire room with it.
Design
The Milwaukee M18 LED Stick Light is a more right angle flashlight than most of Milwaukee’s lighting options. It features an overmolded handle similar to their drill and impact driver handles, so it’s easy and comfortable to grip.
The light pivots 90° and clicks into 7 different positions. Milwaukee’s website says it’s 45°, but that’s in either direction for a total of 90°.
Using any M18 battery as a power source (yes, even the 12.0 Ah High Output pack), it has a stable base to sit on. The top hang hook is handy. Once you unlock it, it swivels 360° and is useful for casting light straight out. You don’t really get the benefit of the pivoting action with it, though.
That’s where a second hang hook hidden in the handle comes in. It pulls out of the handle, slides down toward the base, and swivels freely 360°. The battery you’re using will determine the exact angle of the hang. Thanks to the pivoting action, you’ll be able to point the light straight down or at a downward angle. This makes it a win for hanging over a workbench or under the hood of a vehicle.
Output
As a compact light, Milwaukee isn’t going for extreme lumen output here. You get a fairly modest 300 lumens on high and 150 lumens on low. That’s plenty for working around tight spaces where you’re going to set the light up close by. Think plumbers working under a sink or a mobile mechanic on a nighttime call.
As a bonus, it makes a nice crossover light for camping or to store in your vehicle in case you run into mechanical or tire trouble after dark.
The three vertical LED chips cast a rectangular throw. It’s a pretty even light without much of a center hotspot. As a TrueView product, the light is neutral so you get solid color accuracy where it counts. You will notice a trend toward the orange side of the spectrum around the edges, though.
Price
$59 as a bare tool is where the 2352-20 sits. For Pros already on Milwaukee’s M18 battery platform, this is a pretty easy addition to your work light collection.
The Bottom Line
When you’re working around tight spaces, the lower output and compact size of the Milwaukee M18 LED Stick Light is really useful. The pivoting action and dual hang hooks give it more versatility than some of the other options in this style.
Milwaukee M18 LED Stick Light Specifications
- Model: Milwaukee 2352-20
- Power Source: Milwaukee M18 RedLithium battery
- Lumens: 150/300
- Height: 11.6″
- Weight: 1.1 pounds bare
- Warranty: 5 years tool, lifetime LED
- Price: $59.93
