Mechanics require a wide range of tools. Anyone who works on cars as a professional or in their spare time knows the value of a few basic shop essentials as well as the absolute necessity of a variety of specialty tools. Hand tools are a common refrain, and some of the most reliable brands read as a laundry list of the usual suspects (tool manufacturers like DeWalt, Proto, and Wright Tool, to name a few).

Beyond the standard collection of hand and power tools, however, there's a unique need that comes into play for mechanics: reliable lighting solutions that offer a kaleidoscope of specific illumination parameters are an equal necessity. Working under the hood is a physically demanding task at the best of times, and it comes with a unique complication in that the hood itself frequently stands between the light source above and the target components. Additional work lighting is almost aways necessary when tackling jobs large and small in the automotive workshop. Whether you're fixing rust damage on a project car or performing a standard oil change yourself, target-specific worklights command a special place in the performance of the task. Fortunately for mechanics, worklights come in a bevy of shapes, sizes, and functions. From the humble inspection penlight to the powerful tripod-equipped directional flood light, these are some of the best illumination options to help you get your tasks done with (hopefully less) swearing and more efficiency.