The Good and Bad of Lume Cube‘s Camera Lighting Gear
As a filmmaker and photography enthusiast, having portable, high-quality lighting in my kit is essential. When the brand Lume Cube first popped up on my radar a few years back with their bright but compact LED light attachments for GoPro cameras, I was intrigued.
Fast forward to today, and Lume Cube now offers an extensive range of lighting gear for mobile content creators, from advanced bi-color panel lights to desk lamps for video calls. After taking a deep dive into their lineup for this review, I realized Lume Cube provides some incredibly handy tools – but they‘re certainly not perfect.
Below I‘ll break down the pros and cons of some of Lume Cube‘s most popular products based on first-hand testing and feedback from fellow creators. Read on to find out if their innovative lights are worth adding to your kit!
Overview of Lume Cube as a Brand
First, some quick background on the company itself…
Lume Cube launched in 2014 after a successful Kickstarter campaign raising over $300k. The original product was a waterproof, mountable LED light for GoPro cameras designed by surfers and videographers Riley Stricklin, Matt Cummins and Mornee Sherry.
This portable supplemental light addressed a common pain point for action cam users dealing with spotty lighting. And the brand took off from there.
They‘ve now expanded into manufacturing tripod-mounted panel lights, tube lights, desk lamps and more all catered to mobile content creation. Their gear is also commonly used for selfies and live streaming in addition to film and photography.
While young and relatively unknown compared to legacy brands like ARRI and Kino Flo, Lume Cube has earned respectable praise in major publications like Forbes and Rolling Stone. And with over 160k Instagram followers, they‘ve built quite the audience of creators using their products in the field.
Okay, onto what you really want to know…
Lume Cube Product Reviews
Here is an in-depth look at some of Lume Cube‘s most popular products, their benefits and their potential downsides:
Lume Cube Panel Mini
[image]This ultra-portable bi-color LED panel measures at only 3.5 x 3.7 inches yet outputs an impressive 105 lumens of adjustable light.
I took this little panel along on a recent camping trip to light some nighttime hiking shots. Despite its tiny form factor, it was more than enough to act as a key light at short range.
The good:
- Incredibly lightweight, fits easily in a jacket pocket
- Bright, soft & even output from such a small source
- Endless customization with the Lume Cube app
- 14 hours of battery life, charges via USB C
The bad:
- No diffusion filter included
- Gets very hot with prolonged use
- A bit pricey at $120
Bottom line: This mighty mini panel delivers powerful portable lighting perfect for selfies, travel docs and lighting on the fly. Just be mindful of heat and diffusion.
Lume Cube 2.0
[image]The 2.0 is Lume Cube‘s updated version of their original GoPro light. The key upgrades are 40% brighter output, an 80 degree beam angle for wider light spread, and Bluetooth connectivity.
I tested the 2.0 recently while filming some outdoor interviews. The 60 LED bulbs provide a nice soft directional fill light to complement daylight. The Bluetooth allows brightness adjustment right from a smartphone.
The benefits:
- Waterproof & rugged
- Easy mount system fits most cameras
- Bright, but not overbearing
- Decent battery life, charges via USB
The limitations:
- Cool temp LEDs limit color accuracy
- Can create lens flare if aimed poorly
- On the heavier side for action cams
Bottom line: A convenient mountable light that makes mobile filming far less frustrating when natural light gets tricky.
Lume Cube Panel Pro
[image]Lume Cube‘s high-end bi-color LED panel features a high CRI rating (96+) for accurate color rendition, 1500 Lux of brightness, and a wide degree of customization between 3000K-6500K color temperatures.
I recently used the Panel Pro as a key for a commercial shoot and found it to be an impressively versatile production-level light. The included accessories like diffusion filters, gel holders and multiple mounting options make it easy to rig this light up exactly how you need it.
What I liked about it:
- Very portable form factor with pro-grade output
- Accurate adjustable color temp from dawn to noon to dusk
- Solid metal casing for protection in the field
- Easy to mount and includes good amount of accessories
What I didn‘t like:
- Fan is loud at highest brightness setting
- Not cheap – $250 is a lot for us low budget creators
Bottom line: If your mobile productions demand advanced lighting capabilities, the Panel Pro delivers plenty of professional punch.
Real-World Feedback from Lume Cube Users
Rather than just relying on my own experiences, I also interviewed a few fellow content creators who frequently use Lume Cube gear to get their candid takes:
[image]Caleb G., Travel Videographer:
"I‘ve been rely on Lume Cube‘s panel lights for going on three years now for shooting travel videos all around the world. The color quality is fantastic, they mount to just about anything with the ballhead shoes, and I can run an entire day of filming off a single charge from the Panel Mini. Yes, they are a bit costly, but when it comes to professional lighting that can withstand adventures to remote jungles and arctic climates, Lume Cube has never let me down. These lights have 100% paid for themselves."
Anne Z., YouTuber:
"As someone who films mostly beauty tutorials and reviews in my homemade studio, having truly portable lighting was a game changer. I use the Lume Cube Air VC light for all my self-shooting. It lets me set up customized lighting anywhere in seconds with the Bluetooth app. The adjustable mount fits perfect atop my tripod without taking up extra space. Are they cheap? Not at all. But the quality and portability provides so much added creative flexibility, the cost per use is worth it for serious creators like myself wanting more professional production value."
So clearly, Lume Cube has won over many mobile creators even with their relatively premium pricing. Their gear may not be realistic for total beginners on a tight budget. But for established creators who rely on outstanding lighting capabilities in compact form factors, Lume Cube delivers.
Final Verdict – Who Should Buy Lume Cube?
In conclusion, here‘s my honest take on the pros and cons of Lume Cube as a camera lighting brand after extensive hands-on testing:
The Good
- Specialized, innovative lighting for mobile creators
- Emphasis on portability without sacrificing power
- Overall simple but very flexible and customizable
- Known for durability in rough shooting conditions
The Not-So-Good
- Priced higher than competitors in most cases
- Limited battery lives compared to studio gear
- Not as established of a lighting company long-term
Best For: Serious content creators frequently shooting self-produced videos, films, travel docs and other projects on the go requiring compact yet robust lighting gear.
Think Twice If: You‘re an entry-level creator on a tight starter budget. Lume Cube products are considered professional-grade with the price tags to match.
So if your passion is mobile filmmaking or you earn a living as full-time solo creator, splurging on quality portable lights like Lume Cube‘s can truly take your productions to the next level while saving tons of headaches.
Just don‘t expect their specialized gear with unique features tailored to portability to come cheap! But in my experiences, the high cost does translate to products built to last in the field.
I hope this in-depth Lume Cube review gave you some helpful impartial insight into their benefits and limitations for real-world use. Have you used Lume Cube lighting yourself? I‘d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
