Makita DML809 LED Work Light Blasts 10,000 Lumens With or Without a Cord
With an increased focus on jobsite lighting, the Makita DML809 18V X2 LED work light boasts an incredible 10,000 lumens of output. What sets it apart from other high-output lights is that you can use it with a cord or with Makita’s 18V batteries.
Pros
- Massive 10,000-lumen max output
- 3 output levels (2,000/4,000/10,000 lumens)
- Corded or cordless operation
- IP65 rating
Cons
- No major drawbacks
Recommendation
If you’re looking for a high-output work light that can run without a cord, it’s hard to argue with the Makita DML809. Makita really nailed the design aspects and put together a package that there’s very little to complain about. Some Pros may prefer to another setting or two between 4,000 and 10,000 lumens and there’s the potential to add a Bluetooth connection and app-based controls. Overall, we’re highly impressed and heartily recommend it as a high-output halogen replacement.
Power Source
This Makita work light has a legit amount of output and it takes a good amount of power to run it. It has slots for a pair of 18V batteries but it’s an 18V light and can run on just one. A battery in the second port helps with the runtime.
You can also run the light on AC power and there’s a cord that comes with it. Unlike some pigtail cords, this one has a reasonable 8-foot length, giving you a shot at not dragging out an extension cord when you’re close to a power source.
If you keep a battery or two in the slots and the power goes out while you’re running on AC, the light automatically kicks over to the batteries without interrupting your light.
Output
The Makita DML809 is capable of putting out 10,000 lumens with its 96 LED chips. Working in tandem on a tripod, you can blast 20,000 lumens with a pair of these lights. That’s pretty significant considering our high-output tripod lights “only” have 6,500 lumens coming from each light.
Two additional modes let you work with 2,000 or 4,000 lumens when you don’t need full power. Those modes extend your runtime significantly.
If you’re running a pair of Makita 6.0Ah batteries, high gets you about 1 hour, 40 minutes of runtime. Medium extends to 4 hours, 30 minutes and low can run for 8 hours, 30 minutes.
Only getting an hour and a half out of a pair of batteries may seem short. However, you can’t change the physics of what the power requirements are. At this output level, anyone’s 18V/20V max system is going to have a short runtime. The good news is that you can easily cycle a set of four batteries with how quickly Makita’s Rapid Optimum Chargers are.
The light itself is very even and neutral, though there are some artifacts near the extreme edges. The full throw extends out about 160º and its effective work area is about 140º.
Additional Features
Weatherproof
With an IP65 rating, you can worry more about getting the job done than the weather.
Cord Wrap
There’s a cord wrap on the side. Considering the included power cord is 8 feet long, we think it’s a more helpful solution than trying to build in a storage area somewhere on the housing.
Carry Handle
The Makita DML809 18V X2 LED Work Light is pretty stout at 15.4 pounds with a pair of 6.0Ah batteries. A carry handle with rubber overmold makes carrying it to and from the site much easier.
Tripod-Ready
Holes in the frame under the light make this light tripod-ready. They’re not threaded, though, so you won’t be able to repurpose your laser tripod for it.
Pivoting Frame
Tightening knobs on either side allow you to adjust the tension on the light and pivot it to an advantageous angle. It allows for roughly 220º of rotation. You miss out on an extreme down angle, but with so much output and a wide throw, we don’t see that as an issue.
Pricing
You can pick up the Makita 10,000-lumen LED work light for $259.99. Compared to some cordless lights, that may seem expensive. But when we look at it compared to the high-output lights we normally use, it’s right in line with what we expect.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a high-output work light that can run without a cord, it’s hard to argue with the Makita DML809. Makita really nailed the design aspects and put together a package that there’s very little to complain about. Some Pros may prefer to another setting or two between 4,000 and 10,000 lumens and there’s the potential to add a Bluetooth connection and app-based controls. Overall, we’re highly impressed and heartily recommend it as a high-output halogen replacement.
Get it on Amazon Get it at Acme ToolsMakita DML809 18V X2 LED Work Light Specifications
- Power Source: 1 or 2 Makita 18V LXT batteries, AC cord (included)
- Output: 2,000/4,000/10,000 lumens
- Weather Resistance: IP65
- Weight: 15.4 pounds with two 6.0Ah batteries
- Dimensions: 9-3/4 x 14-1/2 x 11 inches
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: $259.99
