Join filmmaker Kuba Urban as he reviews the Godox UL150 COB LED light, a game-changer in his studio setup. With his practical experience in videomaking, Kuba breaks down the UL150’s features, performance, and how it compares to a popular competitor. Find out why this light has become a staple in his gear collection and see if it’s the right fit for your projects.
Finding the perfect lighting for videomaking can be quite a challenge. Today, I’d like to introduce you to a light that I believe is underrated and has become a permanent fixture in my studio.
First, a brief disclaimer: the Godox brand distributor has once again sent me this particular light for free, but they have no influence on my opinions or what I publish. This is the first of many reviews on my channel, all of which will share a common trait—honesty. In general, I don’t have the time or interest to review equipment that I don’t use or like. But enough about that, let’s get back on topic.
First, I’ll discuss what I like about this light. Then, I’ll address some of its drawbacks. Finally, I’ll compare it to another very popular light, the Aputure 120D.
When it comes to video lights, which are continuous light sources, it’s often said that the more powerful, the better. However, one feature alone isn’t enough to judge the overall quality of the equipment. Often, high-powered lights require active cooling, which typically generates noise. This is where the Godox UL150 shines in its full glory.
This sizable light, unlike other similar products, has no fans. Its large, perforated body is designed to dissipate heat. And the result? The UL150 is completely silent.
Before one of my talks at the Beiks Media Show in Warsaw, I did a test by leaving the light on at full power in the studio for 24 hours. After the test, it was warm, of course, but it produced no sound—no buzzing, nothing. This means we can place it very close to microphones without them picking up any noise in the audio track. For those who frequently record interviews, training sessions, or other YouTube videos, this is invaluable. That’s why Godox markets the UL150 as a ”silent LED video light”, and it truly lives up to that claim.
Let’s go back to the power for a moment. At 150 W, it produces approximately 58 000 lux at 1 meter. This is more than enough power for any medium-sized film set. It’s suitable not only for use with a softbox but also for bouncing reflected light off bright surfaces and through diffusion. For recording YouTube videos or online courses, I typically set it at around 14% power, which accurately demonstrates its potential.
In terms of build quality, it is a large piece of metal and sturdy plastic. You can feel the solid workmanship, which is important when taking such a light to record outside the studio. The light itself weighs about 3 kg and is slightly larger than, say, an Aputure 120D or Quadralite VideoLED 1000. This size difference is due to the lack of cooling fans and is absolutely not a problem.
At first, I was concerned that the plastic tilt lock knobs might be too weak to hold large softboxes, as I use it with a 120 or 150 cm octabox myself. But soon, I found that the knobs hold securely, so I don’t have to worry about them falling apart even with hard clamping.With other lights, I often had to add bags with lead weights to the back to balance the softbox – now, I don’t have that problem anymore.
What’s more, this mounting yoke makes it very easy to set up and adjust the light’s position, not only on a light stand but also, for example, on a ceiling mount, and personally, I prefer attaching everything overhead so I can move freely around the studio.
The light can be powered from a wall socket or by a V-lock or V-mount battery, allowing for use outside the studio without access to a permanent power source.
The power supply and controller are separate from the light body, which, combined with the three cables, provides great convenience in adjusting the light output. We can also change the settings with the remote control or the Godox app. Importantly, the power is adjusted linearly, meaning that 50% power on the controller is exactly 50% of the light’s power. Personally, I prefer this method of power control over the S-curve.
And the last perk I’ll mention is the price. We can get this light for around €450, which – for equipment like that – sounds like a permanent bargain.
Alright, let’s talk about the downsides now—although I have to say, I haven’t found many. First, the issue of the storage bag. There isn’t one. The light simply comes in a cardboard box. This isn’t much of a problem in the studio, but when you need to take it to client locations, a bag would be very useful. While I have my own set of bags, not having one specifically for this light is definitely a downside.
Second, the remote control. Again, it’s missing. Other Godox remotes work and can be purchased separately, but there isn’t one included in the kit.
Third, although this is quite normal and more of a characteristic than a flaw, there is a slight magenta tint. For most people, it’s unnoticeable and can be easily corrected in post-production with a color checker. Incidentally, almost every light has some tint, with some leaning more towards magenta and others towards green.
And that’s it for the disadvantages. So, how does it stack up against the competitors, like the Aputure 120D? When it comes to power, the Godox fares better. Fan noise? The Aputure is audible, while the Godox is silent. For control convenience, the Aputure includes a remote, whereas the Godox doesn’t. However, the Godox has an app for power control, which the Aputure lacks. Price-wise, the Aputure is around €725, while the Godox starts at about €450. The Aputure uses an S-curve for power adjustment, while the Godox uses a linear dimming, which I personally prefer. But again, the Aputure 120D comes with a bag, and the UL150 does not. In terms of color, the Aputure has a slight green tint, and the Godox leans towards magenta, so it’s a tie there.
All in all, my score is 5 for Godox and 2 points for Aputure. But remember, this is my opinion, and you can form your own by borrowing and testing lights before you buy.
Who is this light for? The UL is a light aimed at streamers, youtubers or small to medium-sized video production companies. I would absolutely honestly recommend this gear to anyone. It is unquestionably worth the price.
Watch the original review in Polish below:
Kuba Urban
A filmmaker dedicated to telling stories about people and brands, specializing in online courses, corporate videos, cooking videos, and short commercials. Regularly shares knowledge and insights on his YouTube channel and as a podcast co-host to help others improve their videography skills.
