Many of us have no access to showrooms where we can test matte boxes. A lot of research includes hearsay, educated guessing and years of experience in the field.
In this article, I will list down seven clip-on (or clamp-on) matte boxes for specs, versatility and price, specifically mini matte boxes.
If you don’t know anything about matte boxes, I highly recommend you start by reading my matte box primer:
If you’re interested in 2-stage matte boxes read this:
What am I looking for in a clip-on mini matte box and why
The goal of a clip-on mini matte box is to typically attach it directly on to the lens (hence the words “clip-on” or “clamp-on”). This is done when you don’t need 15mm or 19mm rod supports to keep the weight down.
The big negative about clamp-on matte boxes is that you need lenses that don’t extend out when you zoom or focus. Most photo lenses don’t make the cut!
Here are some important considerations to make before investing in a mini matte box:
- It should take 4×5.65″ filters, 4mm thick. This size covers a full frame sensor, even at wide angles.
- It should have at least one or more filter trays.
- It must be able to take cinema lenses.
- It must have a great sunshade and if possible, mattes – ideal for wide angle lenses (at least 18mm for Super 35mm, or 24mm for full frame 135)
- It must be lightweight and of sturdy construction.
- It ideally should have 15mm LWS mounting option.
The matte box should give me enough options to work with current and future gear, while still being lightweight and versatile.
I mainly use Formatt Firecrest 4×5.65″ ND filters, both solid and graduated. I can’t afford to have them fall off!
If your favorite manufacturer or model isn’t on this list, I’ve discounted them for personal reasons or because I’ve used stuff from them that don’t meet my standards. Let’s leave it at that.
Here are my top suggestions:
1 Tilta Mirage Pro
Here are the specs of the Tilta Mirage Pro (Amazon, B&H):
| Feature | Tilta Mirage |
| Filter Stages | 1-3 |
| How many rotating? | None |
| Angle of rotation | N/A |
| Maximum Diameter | 136mm |
| Hard Mattes | No |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Materials | Aluminum alloy, Carbon Fiber |
| Mounting points | None |
The Tilta Mirage (Amazon, B&H) is a cheaper option but is limited to up to 95mm lens diameters. The Mirage Pro (Amazon, B&H) lets you go up to 136mm, so is definitely more future proof.
You can also slip in three filters in their own filter trays. One of them can be a Tilta VND filter.
You can buy it as a kit and turn it into a complete matte box system mountable on 15mm or 19mm rods.
2 SmallRig Mini Matte Box Lite
Here are the specs of the SmallRig Mini Matte Box Lite (Amazon, B&H):
| Feature | SmallRig Mini Matte Box Lite |
| Filter Stages | 2 |
| How many rotating? | None |
| Angle of rotation | N/A |
| Maximum Diameter | 95mm |
| Hard Mattes | No |
| Weight | 0.108 kg |
| Materials | Aluminum, Carbon Fiber, ABS |
| Mounting points | None |
The SmallRig Mini Matte Box Lite (Amazon, B&H) is the cheapest matte box on this list. With its wide 95mm opening, can take almost any modern cine lens. It also comes with 67, 72, 77, and 82mm threaded adapter rings.
One of the filter trays can hold a 92.5mm circular filter. It doesn’t get any cheaper than this from a reputable brand. There’s also a Pro version.
3 Wooden Camera Zip Box Pro
Here are the specs of the Wooden Camera Zip Box Pro (Amazon, B&H):
| Feature | Wooden Camera Zip Box Pro |
| Filter Stages | 3 (no trays) |
| How many rotating? | None |
| Angle of rotation | N/A |
| Maximum Diameter | 114mm |
| Hard Mattes | Yes |
| Weight | 225 g |
| Materials | Rubber, Carbon fiber flag |
| Mounting points | None |
The Wooden Camera Zip Box Pro (Amazon, B&H) has a maximum of three filter stages of 4 x 4.565″ without the filter trays. It has vertical, horizontal and tilt adjustments, so you can adjust the filter to negate reflections.
There is an alternate Zip Box Pro 4×5.65 (Swing Away Back Only) (Amazon, B&H) version available in the market if you need a swing-away bracket.
4 Bright Tangerine Misfit Atom
Here are the specs of the Bright Tangerine Misfit Atom Clip-on (Amazon, B&H):
| Feature | Bright Tangerine Misfit Atom B1230.1007 |
| Filter Stages | 2 (no trays) |
| How many rotating? | None |
| Angle of rotation | N/A |
| Maximum Diameter | 114mm |
| Hard Mattes | No |
| Weight | 220 g |
| Materials | Aluminium, Elasto Polymer and Stainless Steel |
| Mounting points | None |
The Bright Tangerine Misfit Atom Clip-on (Amazon, B&H) has a spring loaded clamp to attach 2 filters at the same time without using filter trays.
The removable hood can hold its shape even in temperature extremes. The low weight makes this mini matte box a great choice for gimbal, drone and Steadicam work.
The Bright Tangerine Misfit Atom Clip-on (Amazon, B&H) can be upgraded to a rod mounted design.
5 Arri LMB Clamp-on
Here are the specs of the Arri LMB Clamp-on:
| Feature | Arri LMB KK.0015175 |
| Filter Stages | 3 |
| How many rotating? | None |
| Angle of rotation | N/A |
| Maximum Diameter | 162mm |
| Hard Mattes | No |
| Weight | 707 g |
| Materials | Plastic, Carbon Fiber |
| Mounting points | No |
The Arri LMB Clamp-on has 3 filter stages, but can be pared down to two or one. It has a carbon fiber flag which can be mounted on the top or at the bottom of the matte box. The Swing-away Tilt Module function is used to change lenses in quick time and the tilt module can be tilted up to 10 degrees up and down to prevent reflections.
The Arri LMB comes with a tray catcher for better safety. A lens clamp adapter needs to be purchased separately.
To mount on a rod you’ll need the Arri LMB KK.0015176, which also has a rubber donut adapter. The downside is the lens diameter goes down to 143mm. If you need really wide cine lenses, this is the matte box to get.
6 NiSi Cinema C5
Here are the specs of the NiSi C5 Matte Box (Amazon, B&H):
| Feature | NiSi C5 Matte Box |
| Filter Stages | 2 |
| How many rotating? | One |
| Angle of rotation | Continuous |
| Maximum Diameter | 95mm |
| Hard Mattes | No |
| Weight | 350 g |
| Materials | Composite Plastic, Carbon Fiber |
| Mounting points | No |
The NiSi C5 (Amazon, B&H) is compact and light with two stages for 4×4 and 4×5.65″ and a geared, drop-in True Color VND (1–5 stops).
It clamps to 95mm cine fronts and adapts to 67-82mm threads out of the box. It’s an efficient run-and-gun option; note that the 15mm rod reference is for motorizing the VND, not supporting the matte box itself.
7 PolarPro Nano 4×5
The PolarPro Nano 4×5 (Amazon, B&H) is another new entrant to the matte box game. Here are the specs:
| Feature | PolarPro Nano |
| Filter Stages | 1 |
| How many rotating? | None |
| Angle of rotation | N/A |
| Maximum Diameter | 114mm |
| Hard Mattes | No |
| Weight | 129 g |
| Materials | Composite Plastic, Carbon Fiber |
| Mounting points | No |
The Nano 4×5 (Amazon, B&H) is an ultralight, single-stage clamp-on that accepts standard 4×5.65″ filters and clamps to 114mm fronts (with additional rings/plates).
It is designed for aerial, vehicle, gimbal and handheld builds where every gram matters. The TPE insert protects filters, and a top flag can be added. This is a minimalist tool; so no rod mount. Another negative is I couldn’t find a top flag for it, so this one falls into a special category of its own.
Who should pick what
If you want a modern, expandable clamp-on with full pro options, the Tilta Mirage Pro (Amazon, B&H) is the most complete “mini” system here – on a budget.
If you want the lightest possible 4×5.65″ clip-on for gimbals, drones or car rigs, the PolarPro Nano 4×5 (Amazon, B&H) is purpose-built for that.
If you want proven, ultra-light two-stage performance and you already have 114mm-ish cine primes, the Bright Tangerine Misfit Atom Clip-on (Amazon, B&H) remains a safe pick that’s still sold and well-supported.
If you need even larger diameters or full studio functionality while staying clamp-on, the Arri LMB Clamp-on set has adapters up to 162mm, a tray catcher, top/bottom flag, and an optional tilt/swing module that helps kill reflections. It’s bigger than a “mini,” but worth mentioning for wide-angle cine zooms.
I hope this comparison will help you find your own mini matte box for film work.
If you know of any other models that you prefer please let me know in the comments below.
