Makita DML811 Lights Up Your Work With or Without a Cord
Following a similar design to 10,000-lumen DML09, the Makita DML811 18V LXT LED work light illuminates a broad picture of the work in front of you. With a smaller profile and lower weight, this hybrid work light has a lot to offer.
Pros
- Up to 3,000 lumens of output
- 3 output levels (3,000/1,500/750 lumens)
- Corded or cordless operation
- IP65 rating
- Tripod-ready frame
Cons
- Some people may notice artifacts in the throw
Recommendation
With 750 to 3,000 lumens of output available, the Makita DML811 is an excellent all-around work light that’s highly portable while outshining some of its competitors with a similar footprint. Its broad throw is suitable for nearly any job that doesn’t require a specialty light and its hybrid power options cater to Pros who appreciate the infinite runtime of AC and still need to be cordless at least part of the time.
Power Source
The Makita DML811 uses either a single 18V battery or AC power to run. If you’re going the AC route, Makita includes a generous 8-foot power cord. It’s long enough that you might not have to go back to the truck for an extension cord if there’s already power in the structure you’re working on.
For cordless power, any of Makita’s 18V LXT batteries work, all the way from their 2.0Ah slim packs to 6.0Ah extended capacity batteries.
If you’re running on AC and the power happens to go out, the light automatically kicks over to battery power. You don’t need to cycle the power switch back on.
Even though the light does have hybrid power capability, there’s no built-in charger. There are very few cordless lights currently available that have a charging feature.
Output
Even though you might think of this model as the DML809’s little brother, it still delivers a lot of light. High gets you 3,000 lumens to work with and that’s plenty bright enough to cover most interior jobs, small scope exterior work, and safety lighting to outdoor spaces.
Medium runs at 1,500 lumens and low is set to 750.
Using a 6Ah battery, expect your runtimes to be around 3 hours on high and up to 13 hours on low. Medium puts you right in the middle, around 7 hours.
The light appears clean and neutral, offering a clear picture of what’s in front of you. The light’s 30 LED chips create some artifacts throughout the throw of the light, that discerning eyes may pick up. You’ll notice it more by the strange shadows the chips create if there’s something blocking them. However, it doesn’t affect the light’s ability to let you see what you’re working on.
The throw is both wide and tall, stretching out to about 160º in all four directions. There are noticeable linear artifacts around the edges, making the effective lighting range closer to 140º.
Additional Features
Tough and Weatherproof Design
Not all lights can handle working in the rain and snow. However, the Makita DML811 LED work light has an IP65 rating, making it ready for what you and the weather throw at it.
The lens area has rubber overmold protection around the sides and corners. It won’t do anything to a strike directly on the lens, of course, but it’s well-protected from the sides.
Cord Wrap
Like its big brother, this Makita work light has a cord wrap on the side rather than a storage area in the housing. With the length of the cord, it makes a lot of sense and also allows us to quickly see that we have the cord before leaving the shop.
Carry Handle
The carry handle on the top has a rubber overmold that makes it comfortable to carry. The handle position gives it a neutral balance so the light’s 10.4-pound weight (light and 6.0Ah battery) isn’t working against you.
Pivoting, Tripod-Ready Frame
Knobs on either side of the frame let you pivot the light around the top. It doesn’t give you much downward angle, but we don’t think it’s necessary. The throw angle both up and down more than compensates for it.
A metal bar at the base of the frame has three holes that you can use to mount the light on a tripod. If you don’t already have one, Makita makes a really well-built and stable one you can check out here.
Pricing
The Makita DML811 LED work light runs $179.99 with the power cord. It’s in line with what we see from our industrial level lighting and just about right considering the quality of the build and the ingress rating you get from it. You can find less expensive options in the same output range, but you’re going to have to give up some of the toughness you get with this one.
The Bottom Line
With 750 to 3,000 lumens of output available, the Makita DML811 is an excellent all-around work light that’s highly portable while outshining some of its competitors with a similar footprint. Its broad throw is suitable for nearly any job that doesn’t require a specialty light and its hybrid power options cater to Pros who appreciate the infinite runtime of AC and still need to be cordless at least part of the time.
Shop Amazon Shop Acme ToolsMakita DML811 LED Work Light Specifications
- Power Source: Makita 18V LXT battery, AC cord (included)
- Output: 750/1,500/3,000 lumens
- Weather Resistance: IP65
- Weight: 10.4 pounds with 6.0Ah battery
- Dimensions: 9-3/4 x 11-7/8 x 10-5/8 inches
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: $179.99
