Lighting’s one of those things you don’t think about until it’s suddenly not there and then it’s all you can focus on.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve wasted way too much time fiddling with cheap stick-on LEDs that barely last a week—total money pit. For me, clamp lights are the best bang for your buck, even if the cords are a pain. I haven’t tried the magnetic work lights yet, but honestly, if they’re just another battery-powered gadget, I’m skeptical. Has anyone found a budget-friendly option that actually holds up in tight corners?
I hear you on the stick-on LEDs—total waste in my experience, especially in older houses where nothing’s square and surfaces are uneven. I’ve had better luck with those old-school plug-in trouble lights, the kind with a cage around the bulb. Not fancy, but they’re tough and you can hang them just about anywhere. Cords are annoying, but at least they don’t die mid-project. Haven’t found a battery light that lasts long enough to trust yet... maybe I’m just old-fashioned.
Those plug-in trouble lights with the metal cage are seriously underrated. I’ve got one that’s probably older than me and it just keeps going, even after a few drops down the basement stairs. Cords can be a pain, especially in tight crawlspaces, but I’d rather trip over a cord than have my light die halfway through patching plaster. The stick-on LEDs always seem to peel off or flicker out at the worst moment—maybe they’re fine for closets, but not for real work. Sticking with what works isn’t old-fashioned, it’s just practical.
I get the appeal of those old-school trouble lights—they’re nearly indestructible and you always know what you’re getting. But I’ll admit, I’ve been tempted by some of the newer rechargeable work lights. The battery life isn’t always stellar, but not having to snake a cord around the water heater is kind of nice. Still, when I’m doing anything that takes more than an hour, I usually end up dragging out the corded one anyway. Guess there’s a reason those things have stuck around for decades...
Yeah, I hear you—those old corded lights just keep going, no matter what. I’ve tried a few of the rechargeable ones too, but I always end up back with the classic when I’m working late at a property. Sometimes simple really is better.
