Elevate Your Films With These 7 Powerful Pocket LEDs

Pocket LEDs solve problems bigger lighting fixtures can’t. What are they?

What are Pocket LEDs?

Pocket LEDs are small battery-powered LED light panels that fit in a lens pouch, travel case, or even a jacket pocket.

They supplement larger fixtures by slipping into tight spaces, adding fill, hair light, or accent color without extra cabling. Because they run on internal cells and charge over USB-C, they work in cramped interiors where plug-in lights just aren’t practical.

I’ve used Pocket LEDs many times and it’s always part of my kit. I personally own an Aputure MC (Amazon, B&H) for “emergencies”. The image above was keyed with a couple of MCs inside the enclosure.

Pocket LED defining features:

• No larger than a smartphone and under 500 grams
• Built-in rechargeable battery
• High CRI/TLCI (95+) for accurate color
• 1/4-20″ thread and/or strong rear magnets for quick rigging
• Bi-color or RGB output
• USB-C PD charging
• On-board controls plus Bluetooth or Wi-Fi app for HSI, CCT, and effects
• Clip-on diffusers, grids, or domes to soften or shape the beam
• Silent or near-silent cooling for use near microphones
• Durable metal or reinforced plastic housing to survive film sets

I’ll cover LED tubes in another article. They are versatile, but not pocketable.

Here’s the list:

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1. Amaran Ace 25c

Buy Amaran Ace 25c on Amazon or B&H.

Here are the important specs:

• Output @ 1 m: 1172 lux (5600 K) RGBWW
• Dimming is stepless 0-100% via dial or app
• Mounting: back magnets, ¼-20″ thread, cold-shoe foot (included)
• Modifiers: magnetic dome diffuser (in box); optional third-party grids/softboxes available
• Control: Sidus Link Bluetooth – complete control
• USB-C PD: yes (90% charge in 40 minutes)
• Runtime at full power: About 50 minutes; 280 minutes at minimum power
• Weight: 317 g
• Size: 4.6 × 3 × 1.3″
• External power: USB-C pass-through; no NP-F or V-mount plate
• Box mounts: lock-to-shoe adapter, mini stand foot
• Case: soft pouch supplied
• Multi-unit link: Yes, you can group units via Sidus Mesh
• UI: LCD, two dials, four buttons
• Effects: Fireworks, Faulty Bulb, Lightning, TV, Pulsing, Strobe, Explosion, Fire, Paparazzi, Welding, Cop Car, Party
• IP rating: n/a
• Power draw: 45 W max

Bright for its size, the Ace 25c pushes a decent amount of light but the power draw is quite high. Tou get about 50 minutes on its internal battery. Sometimes, it takes about 15-30 minutes to light and setup a shot, so they can run out quickly.

A solo shooter can stick it to a fridge, tweak hue from a phone, and keep rolling before the next card swap. The trade-off is fan noise in Boost and no built-in tilt bracket, so pack an arm if you need angle control. 

2. Rotolight NEO 3

Rotolight NEO 3 on Amazon or B&H.

Here are the important specs:

• Output @ 1 m: 4541 lux; 50° beam; RGBWW
• Dimming: stepless 0-100% (wheel or touchscreen)
• Mounting: rear ¼-20″ thread or cold-shoe; no magnets
• Modifiers: Snapbag softbox & filters sold separately
• Control: Bluetooth/Wi-Fi app, on-light touchscreen, DMX sync mode 
• USB-C PD: no; uses an NP-F battery
• Runtime full power: About 45 minutes on NP-F750
• Weight: 354 g; Size: 5.7 × 1.9″
• External power: D-tap, or AC adapter
• In-box mounts: ball-head shoe, PSU (kit-dependent)
• Case: only in 3-light or bundles
• Multi-unit link: Rotolight Sync (wDMX) master/slave
• UI: 1.3″ color touchscreen + joystick
• Effects: 14 cine FX (Lightning, Siren, Fire, etc.) 
• IP rating: n/a
• Power draw: 50W 

If raw output matters more than pocketability, the NEO 3’s output dwarfs every light in this list. However, what’s unique about this light is it’s round. If you’re looking for round catchlights it’s the one to get.

Swap the internal NP-F battery and you can run for hours or tap AC on studio days. Downsides? No magnets, and we’re stretching the word “pocket” here.

3 Aputure MC & MC Pro

Buy Aputure MC on Amazon or B&H & MC Pro on Amazon or B&H.

Here are the important specs:

• Output @ 1 m: MC 100 lux / MC Pro 396 lux; 45° beam; RGBWW
• Dimming: 0-100% stepless
• Mounting: rear magnets + ¼-20 thread; MC Pro adds magnetic plates & baby-pin adapters
• Modifiers: both include silicone dome; MC Pro adds flat diffuser and a 30° grid
• Control: Sidus Link Bluetooth (MC Pro adds CRMX, USB-C DMX)
• USB-C PD: yes; MC supports Qi wireless
• Runtime full power: About 2 hours
• Weight/Size: MC 131g, 3.7 × 2.4 × 0.7″ / MC Pro 226g, 4.3 × 2.8 × 1″
• External power: USB-C; MC Pro accepts D-tap via cable
• Accessories: MC includes pouch; MC Pro ships with cold-shoe ball heads, grids, charging case (kit)
• Case: MC 4- & 12-light kits; MC Pro charging hard case (kit)
• Multi-unit link: Sidus Mesh (up to 100 lights) + CRMX groups (MC Pro)
• UI: MC OLED + wheel; MC Pro TFT + dual dials
• Effects: MC 9 FX / MC Pro 15 FX (adds Color Chase, Magic Program, etc.)
• IP rating: MC IP20 / MC Pro IP65
• Power draw: MC 5W / MC Pro 7W

The original MC is the classic eye-light: and I own one. It’s still really useful, though underpowered.

The MC Pro fixes brightness and adds IP65 weather-proofing. It has other features too, but these two are enough to get one over the MC. Either model integrates with larger Aputure fixtures.

4 SmallRig RM75

Buy SmallRig RM75 on Amazon or B&H.

Here are the important specs:

• Output @ 1 m: 120 lux; beam angle n/a; RGB
• Dimming: stepless 10-100%
• Mounting: rear magnets, ¼-20 thread (bottom)
• Modifiers: silicone diffuser in box; third-party grids available
• Control: Bluetooth app plus side buttons
• USB-C PD fast-charge (18 W)
• Runtime full power: About 2 hours
• Weight: 185g; Size: 3.9 × 2.6 × 0.72″
• External power: USB-C pass-through
• Accessories: USB-A–C cable; no mounts included unless “shoe kit” chosen
• Case: none
• Multi-unit link: magnets allow light-wall; no wireless group sync
• UI: rear LCD + two buttons + wheel
• Effects: 15 (Lightning, Party, Police, etc.)
• IP rating: n/a
• Power draw: 5W max

Four-sided magnets and a 0.72-inch profile make the RM75 the easiest LED to hide behind props or furniture.

Light output modest – think colored rim or product accent, not key. Lacks a grid or snoot system out of the box, and the UI scroll wheel can feel laggy, but the price is friendly. 

5 Yongnuo YN60 RGB II

Buy Yongnuo YN60 RGB II on Amazon or B&H.

Here are the important specs:

• Output @ 1 m: 135 lux (5600 K); beam angle n/a; RGBWW
• Dimming: 1-100% stepped (buttons)
• Mounting: bottom ¼-20″ thread; no magnets
• Modifiers: n/a
• Control: on-body buttons only; no app
• USB-C (5V 2.1A) charging; no PD
• Runtime full power: 1.1 hours
• Weight: 86g; Size: 2.6 × 2.6 × 0.77″
• External power: USB-C; no battery plates
• Accessories: cold-shoe foot, USB-C cable, pouch
• Case: fabric pouch
• Multi-unit link: none
• UI: 0.96″ OLED + four buttons
• Effects: 25 scene modes (Lightning, SOS, Party, etc.)
• IP rating: n/a
• Power draw: 6W max

For under $35, the YN60 II offers RGB, a 2500-9900 K range, 25 effects, magnets, and a cold-shoe adapter.

Light output is only 108 lux though, and so is battery life, so it’s best as a colored practical or background spark. There’s no Bluetooth control – so be ready to bend behind the set for tweaks.

6 Godox RGB Mini Creative M1

Buy Godox RGB Mini Creative M1 on Amazon or B&H.

Here are the important specs:

• Output @ 1 m: 1,700 lux; beam angle n/a; RGBWW
• Dimming: stepless 0-100% via side dial
• Mounting: built-in swivel bracket with multiple ¼-20s; no magnets
• Modifiers: snap-on diffusion panel (in box)
• Control: on-board dials; no app / Bluetooth in current firmware
• USB-C charge (5V 2A), not PD
• Runtime full power: 2.5 hours
• Weight: 240g; Size: 5.7 × 2.8 × 0.6″
• External power: USB-C pass-through; no battery plates
• Accessories: articulating bracket, shoe adapter, pouch
• Case: soft pouch
• Multi-unit link: none
• UI: rear LCD + two dials + button
• Effects: 15 FX, 40 presets, Music mode (mic-sync)
• IP rating: n/a
• Power draw: 13W max

The M1 splits the difference between size and punch: good light output plus a 150-minute runtime. A built-in swivel bracket replaces clamps and gives instant tilt, and 15 FX modes (with a fun music-reactive option) invite quick social clips.

However, it charges over USB-C but skips PD, and there’s no magnet – maybe minor quirks against an otherwise balanced spec sheet.

7 Litepanels Lykos+ Bi-Color

Buy Litepanels Lykos+ on B&H.

Here are the important specs:

• Output @ 1 m: 2000 lux (5600 K); 50° beam; Bi-Color
• Dimming: stepless 0-100% (rear dials)
• Mounting: top & bottom ¼-20″ threads, cold-shoe; no magnets
• Modifiers: diffusion gel in box; optional softbox kit
• Control: optional Bluetooth dongle + iOS app; on-body dials
• USB-C: no (barrel input); charges NP-F externally
• Runtime full power: About 50 minutes on NP-F970
• Weight: 500g; Size: 10.2 × 6 × 1.7″
• External power: AC adapter (included) or NP-F battery plate
• Accessories: ball-head shoe mount, AC PSU, diffusion
• Case: only in Flight Kit bundles
• Multi-unit link: app groups via Bluetooth dongle
• UI: rear color LCD + two dials
• Effects: n/a (continuous only)
• IP rating: IP20 dust-resistant
• Power draw: 23W

Okay, this one also stretches the “Pocket”, at 10 inches.

However, if you need a small key with a wide beam this might be it. It runs on an NP-F battery or included AC adapter, and the rear LCD plus side handle feel familiar to video-light newcomers.

The catch: other than the size, it lacks RGB, color effects, and Bluetooth control requires a paid dongle.

Quick comparison

Choosing your Pocket LED

They all have features that could work for you. Sometimes, you might want to consider mixing and matching. E.g., why get two of one, when you can get one of each?

The downside to this strategy is controlling each one might become tedious – but this is something film crews are used to anyway. I really don’t pay much attention to bluetooth control because on a hectic film set – I’ve always found it faster for an assistant to quickly reach in and tweak something. Sometimes, wireless or bluetooth just doesn’t work perfectly, especially since the LED is hidden behind something or someone.

So, if I had to pick two, I’d pick these two for the best versatility:

• Godox RGB Mini Creative M1 (Amazon, B&H) – this gives the punch
• Aputure MC Pro (Amazon, B&H) if you have the budget, or SmallRig RM75 (Amazon, B&H) if you don’t. – this gives the accents.

No single pocket LED covers every brief. But the two lights give you a combined punch of 2,000 lux at 1m, great battery life, and low cost. The cheaper of the two options above have a combined cost of about $200 – can’t beat that for the features.

What do you think?