Metabo HPT 18V Cordless Work Light Review: 700 to 4,000 Lumens of Jobsite Tough

Introduction

Metabo HPT has been quietly expanding its 18V lineup, and its new cordless work light is one of the more impressive additions. This is an 18V class tool, so it runs on any of the brand’s 18V batteries or MultiVolt batteries. It steps through a brightness range from 700 lumens all the way up to 4,000 lumens, offers several ways to hang or mount it, and survives abuse that would sideline flimsier lights. After spending time with it top to bottom, here is what stands out, what disappoints, and who this light actually makes sense for.

First Impressions and Build Quality

The first thing you notice is how solid this light feels. The upper housing is tool-grade plastic, though the lower section is metal with cooling fins, and there is metal all around the casing sides. During testing it was pushed and knocked hard, and it held itself together without complaint. The 60-LED head rotates through a wide range of positions, and there are multiple hanging options: a keyhole in the bottom plus a tripod stand.

There is one clear weakness: the stick-on rubber feet. They work fine as feet, but they peel off fairly easily, and one was reportedly lost under basic use. The front lens portion is also plastic, so it will scratch; a knife put two visible scratches in it with no effort. Metabo HPT backs the light with a 2-year professional warranty, which is worth noting since many of the brand’s other tools carry a lifetime warranty.

USB Charging: An Unusual Bonus

Oddly for a work light, there is a USB-A output on the body. Plug in a USB-A adapter and it will charge a phone, and it does so even with the light turned off. That is a genuinely useful trick on a jobsite where outlets are scarce, and it is not something you see on many work lights. The USB port is covered by a rubber overmold that kept water out completely during testing.

Light Output and Brightness Control

Push and hold the top button to turn the light on. From there, the controls are well thought out: a battery indicator at the back, a light level indicator up front that fills with green as brightness increases, and a blinking indicator at the top and bottom of the range. A slightly longer tap shuts it off.

The range runs from 700 lumens at the bottom to the full 4,000 lumens at the top. At maximum, the light covers a significant area and works well as supplementary lighting for a workspace. Even at the 700 lumen floor, output from a light this size is genuinely impressive.

Color Temperature

Compared side by side with a Milwaukee light, the difference in tone is noticeable but modest. The Milwaukee reads slightly more yellow, while the Metabo HPT sits somewhere in the 5,000 to 5,500K range versus roughly 4,500K for the Milwaukee. Neither is dramatically better; it simply comes down to whether you prefer a warmer or cooler white on the jobsite.

Water Resistance in the Real World

The light carries an IP65 rating, with a visible gasket around the battery compartment. That is spray resistance, not full submersion rating like IP67, but testing pushed it further than the spec requires: the light was dunked in a bucket of water while still running, and it kept shining through. After removal, a teaspoon or so of water was found inside the battery area, which is expected given the rating.

The important part is what still worked afterward. All of the LEDs functioned, and the USB port’s rubber cover was completely dry inside. In practice, this means rain, puddles, or an accidental splash will not trouble the light or its battery.

Things to Consider Before Buying

• The feet are stick-on and can peel off easily.
• The front lens is plastic and will scratch.
• The warranty is 2 years, not the lifetime coverage offered on many other Metabo HPT tools.
• The AC adapter from MultiVolt batteries does not work in 18V class tools, so this light runs on batteries only.

Buying Advice

This light suits anyone already in or considering the Metabo HPT 18V platform, since it shares batteries with the rest of the line, which now includes items like a jobsite radio and a variable speed die grinder. The brand also runs frequent promotions, including buy-a-tool-get-a-free-battery offers and kit deals that have included a free AC adapter. If you need a durable, bright, water-resistant work light that can also top up your phone, this one is well worth a look, and the way it holds up to hard use suggests it will last a long time.

Conclusion

The Metabo HPT 18V cordless work light delivers an impressive 700 to 4,000 lumen range, strong build quality with metal where it matters, useful IP65 water resistance, and a rare USB charging output. The stick-on feet, scratch-prone lens, and 2-year warranty are the trade-offs. For jobsite or workshop use on the Metabo HPT 18V platform, it is an easy recommendation.