Choosing the right brightness for a site light isn’t as simple as picking the most powerful option on the page. The lumen level you need depends on the job you’re doing, the size of the space, power availability, safety requirements, and whether you’re working indoors or outdoors. In this guide, we break down exactly how many lumens you need, how to choose the right type of work light, and whether higher lumens really mean a brighter light.
Below, we also recommend some of the best LED work lights from Makita and JCB based on real-world use across trades.
What Are Lumens?
Before working out how many lumens you need, it’s worth understanding the basics.
Lumens (lm) measure brightness output.
More lumens = more visible light.
But brightness isn’t the full story - beam spread, colour temperature, and LED quality also influence how “bright” a light actually feels.
How Many Lumens You Actually Need (By Job Type)
Small Indoor Rooms (450–1500 lumen)
For tight spaces like cupboards, lofts, or small repair jobs, you don’t need anything too strong.
Recommended:
- Makita DML812 18V LED Light (Body Only) - directional beam + excellent runtime. Can be operated on either 600, 1000, 1250 lumen.
- Makita DML801 18V/240V LED Worklight - stable, versatile, and bright enough for full-room visibility. Can be operated on either 450 or 750 lumen
- Makita 18V/40V ML003G LED Light - Part of Makita's high powered 40v XGT system, this cordless work light features a 2-mode operation: delivers 1,100 lumen on High mode or 450 lumen on Low mode
- Makita DML805 18V/110V LED Worklight - rugged, wide beam, and site-ready. Can be operated on either 450 or 750 Lumen
- Makita DML186 LED Light - great for close-up tasks and inspection work. Can be operated on 500 lumen
General Decorating, DIY & Day-to-Day Trade Work (1,500–4,000 lumens)
Ideal for painting, plastering, electrical jobs, or interior carpentry.
Recommended:
- Makita DML811 18V/110V LED Light - high-quality flood coverage with excellent clarity. Can be operated by 750 lumen on a low mode, 1,500 lumen on a medium mode and 3000 lumen on a high mode.
- Makita 40V ML005G LED Light - extremely powerful with long-range visibility. Can be operated on two modes: 900 lumen on low, and 3600 lumen on high)
Personal Mobility, Walking, and Inspection (100–450 lumens)
If you need a light that moves with you:
Recommended:
- Makita DML185 LED Light - compact, handheld, perfect for spot work.
- JCB Multifunctional Head Torch & Worklight - reliable, hands-free visibility with up to 4 hours run-time. This is operated on 260 LumenJCB Dual Inspection & Worklight — ideal for automotive or tight-space inspection
Do Higher Lumens Mean Brighter? (Yes - But Not Always How You Think)
In general, more lumens = more brightness.
But two lights with the same lumen rating can appear different in real use. Here’s why:
1. Beam Spread Matters
- A wide flood beam disperses light over a large area → looks softer
- A tight spot beam focuses the light → looks sharper and brighter
2. LED Efficiency
Higher-quality LEDs produce cleaner, stronger light at the same lumen rating.
Makita’s LXT and XGT ranges use premium LED chips, so they often appear brighter than cheaper equivalents at similar lumen levels.
3. Height and Positioning
A 3,000-lumen tripod-mounted light can outperform a 5,000-lumen light placed too low.
Bottom line:
Lumens matter - but beam angle, LED quality, and placement matter just as much.
The Best Site Lights on Bell Tools (Based on Real Needs)
Best All-Round Site Light
Makita DML811 18V/110V LED Light
- Bright, durable, extremely reliable
- Perfect for tradespeople working indoors or outdoors
- One of the most balanced lights Makita produce
Best Budget Option
Makita DML185 LED Light
- Simple, compact, affordable
- Great for small room jobs and occasional work
Best for Plastering, Painting & Decorating
Makita DML805 18V/240V LED Worklight
- Wide, even light distribution
- Less shadowing → ideal for finishing work
Best High-Power Option
Makita 40V ML005G LED Light (900–3600 lumen)
- Massive output
- Ideal for large spaces or night work
- Beastly runtime when paired with 40V XGT batteries
Best for Mobility & Moving Around Site
JCB Multifunctional Head Torch
and
JCB Dual Inspection & Worklight
- Hands-free
- Perfect for plumbers, electricians, mechanics
How to Choose the Right Light for Your Job
Choosing work lighting comes down to three things:
1. Space Size
Bigger job = brighter light.
2. Power Source
- 18V cordless = portability
- 110V site legal = continuous power
- 40V XGT = maximum output
3. Purpose
- Flood lighting for general work
- Spot beams for inspection
- Tripod setups for uniform room lighting
If you’re unsure, the Makita DML811 is one of the safest, most versatile choices.
Final Thoughts — How Many Lumens Do You Need for a Site Light?
To wrap up, the ideal brightness depends entirely on your workspace and your job. Smaller rooms may only need around 1,000–2,000 lumens, while large construction areas can require 6,000–10,000+ lumens for safe visibility. And yes, higher lumens do generally mean a brighter light — but LED quality, beam angle, and position will ultimately decide how effective your lighting feels.
If you’re upgrading your site light, Bell Tools stock a wide range of Makita and JCB work lights suitable for every trade, budget, and environment. Explore the full collection to find the right setup for your next job.