Hasta La Ideas

Milwaukee’s got an interesting design for portable lighting with their M18 Packout Light/Charger. To make it play nice with their Packout system of stacking toolboxes, they’ve opted for a boxy form factor that clicks in to the top half of any of the other Packout components.

For maximum light options and flexibility, they’ve kitted it out with three independent LED panels—two smaller ones, one large one—that swing out and can be pivoted.

A compartment on one side of the box is where you plug one of their M18 batteries in; alternatively you can run an extension cord into it. A compartment on the other side features a USB port and a dust-free place to toss your phone into while it charges.

All three lights working together will provide a maximum of 3,000 lumens, which can be dialed down to 1,500 or 1,000. A topped-off battery will power all three lights for 4, 8 or 12 hours, respectively.

The unit runs $200 a pop, and it’s either a popular item or Milwaukee’s been hit with the same supply chain issues plaguing many industries; at press time, my local big box was limiting sales to 3 units per customer.