Working on your car often requires extra light, and nothing is better than an LED lamp. They are small, have a long life and low heat, plus are stronger than halogen bulb or fluorescent tube lamps. As many are cordless, these lamps are perfect for garages without electricity, too.
All these attributes used to mean a premium price, but LED lamps are now much closer in cost to standard units. So it makes sense to upgrade and shed light on those gloomy DIY jobs. Here we pick the best from 12.
As LEDs tend to be directional, we measured light intensity at a variety of angles. We also paid close attention to battery performance and charging time. Finally, points were given for durability, multi-charging options and versatile mounts, as well as price.
Our Best Buy, the Sealey LED24, is a great all-rounder. While it didn’t have the brightest output on test, it was very well spread and the battery performance was excellent.
An improved stand helped Ring’s RIL2550 secure the recommended spot, although the price prevented it winning. Laser’s 4349 is another strong all-rounder, and small enough to keep in the glovebox for emergency use.
1. Sealey LED24
2. Ring RIL2550
3. Laser 4349
Contacts
Draper 023 8026 6355, www.draper.co.uk
Laser 01926 815999, www.lasertools.co.uk
Ring 0113 276 7676, www.ringautomotive.co.uk
Sealey 01284 757500, www.sealey.co.uk