Best RGB Tube Lights: Part 4 (Aputure/Amaran, Zhiyun, GVM, Sirui, Viltrox, Ulanzi, Neewer, JYJZPB)

In this video I review and compare 8 new RGB tube lights ranging from 4" to 4' for budgets of around $25 to $425 each.
The lights included are: Aputure Amaran PT1c, PT2c, and PT4c Pixel Tubes, Zhiyun FIVERAY F100, GVM PRO BD25R and BD45R, Sirui Dragon B25R Bendable Panel Light, Viltrox H18, Ulanzi VL110, Neewer RGB1 Stick Light, and JYJZPB HDL-10AIMT.
This video includes a huge variety to help you find the light best suited to your own needs.
Some lights have green/magenta tint control, pixel support, and mobile app control, while others include extensive modifier systems with barn doors and softboxes. Or, if budget is your main concern, there are lights that have no extras, but simply work well in the basic CCT and HSI modes.
Watch the full video and let me know if any of these RGB tube lights look promising, or if you have your eye on something else out there.
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== LINKS ==
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Aputure Amaran PT1c - geni.us/amaranpt1c
Aputure Amaran PT2c 2-Light Kit - geni.us/amaranpt2ckit
Aputure Amaran PT4c 2-Light Kit - geni.us/amaranpt4ckit
Zhiyun FIVERAY F100 - geni.us/zhiyunf100
GVM PRO BD25R - geni.us/gvmbd25r
GVM PRO BD45R - geni.us/gvmbd45r
GVM PRO Tube Light Connectors - geni.us/gvmproconnectors
Sirui Dragon BD25R - geni.us/siruib25r
Viltrox H18 - geni.us/viltroxh18
Ulanzi VL110 - geni.us/ulanzivl110
Neewer RGB1 - geni.us/neewerrgb1
JYJZPB HDL-10AIMT - geni.us/jyjzpbhdl10aimt
Tube Light Comparison: Part 1 - • Ultimate RGB Tube Ligh...
Tube Light Comparison: Part 2 - • Ultimate RGB Tube Ligh...
Tube Light Comparison: Part 3 - • Ultimate RGB Tube Ligh...
Aputure Amaran Pixel Tubes Review - • Amaran PT1c/PT2c/PT4c ...
Zhiyun FIVERAY F100 Review - • These New Zhiyun Light...
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== TABLE OF CONTENTS ==
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0:00 - Intro
0:12 - Aputure Amaran Pixel Tubes
1:24 - Neewer RGB1
2:26 - Ulanzi VL110
3:09 - Zhiyun FIVERAY F100
4:03 - JYJZPB HDL-10AIMT
5:01 - Viltrox H18
5:51 - GVM PRO BD25R & BD45R
7:22 - Sirui Dragon B25R
8:19 - Final Thoughts
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== CONNECT ==
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TiTok: / nwlyr
Instagram: / newlayercom

[@NewLayer]

What tube lights are you currently using? Would you consider replacing them with any of these?

[@BrisCassa]

I have the two pack of the Godox TL30, and the Aputure Amaran's rainbow mode/colour shifting looks so so soooo much nicer.

[@NewLayer]

@@BrisCassa One of my favorite things about the Amaran pixel tubes, which I mention in the slightly longer video I did for them, is how smooth the color transitions and pixel effects are!

[@crooklynx972]

Really great video, Thank you! only missing a couple of features comparative lumens, and color saturation. That's without going too scientific about it. I have the original Fiveray F100. Very powerful but it lacks saturation on the color side. This got fixed on the second version FV100.

[@hhankx]

The lumecube xL! Have you tried these yet?

[@NewLayer]

@@hhankx I have them for testing, but just haven't gotten around to them yet!

[@Veypurr1]

I like that this video was under 10 minutes and packed with info.

[@NewLayer]

I too like sub-10 minute videos. Unfortunately, KZbin does not so much, haha.

[@Mike0193Azul]

Always look forward to your Tube Light comparison videos! Currently I am very intrigued by the Sirui bendable lights and the Sirui extendable telescopic tube lights 💡

[@NewLayer]

I've got a few videos coming up on the Zhiyun V60 (awesome light if you don't need RGB), Aparo Meteor Tubes, and more. Not sure when the next full comparison video will be but... I was never able to get ahold of the Sirui extendable tubes, but thought they looked cool too.

[@MaximSalazar]

Great video man! Got the Neewer RGB1 because of it!

[@NewLayer]

Nice! Thanks for the support.

[@nana-ld4cr]

Thank you so much for this video! It helped a lot

[@NewLayer]

Glad it helped! Thanks for the comment.

[@rexonazetyairism429]

This helps so much ! You are the best !

[@NewLayer]

Happy to help!

[@markrikey]

Great review(s)! I will stick with my Weeylite K21's tough ☺

[@NewLayer]

Fair enough! I covered those in my previous tube light comparison, and they are a solid choice!

[@markrikey]

@@NewLayer That's where I found them 😂

[@NewLayer]

@@markrikey Haha, thanks for the support! Glad they've worked out for you so far!

[@iPhone-Cinematograhy]

Very helpful... thank you.

[@NewLayer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chrisjohnston964]

Another great video! I'm looking for the brightest 4' tube light at 5600K out there because I need to fill in a shadow cast onto a backdrop by a mannequin. I got excited when you mentioned Zhiyun FIVERAY F100 was the brightest of the bunch AND it came with barn doors and a diffuser. Unfortunately they don't have a 4' version. Can you recommend the brightest 4' tube light at 5600K? I don't technically need RGB features, but bi-color and dimmable are must haves. I'm leaning towards the Amaran T4C, as I have two other Amaran lights right now.

[@NewLayer]

Thanks, glad it was helpful. If you're looking strictly for 4' tubes, then I would say the T4c is a good choice. I'm a big believer in sticking to 1 lighting ecosystem when possible, and since you have other Amaran lights, it just makes sense. The T4c (geni.us/amarant4c) is about 1 stop brighter than the Amaran PT4c, although the PT4c has an internal battery and is more strictly a tube-shape only with no battery grip, if that matters. And it comes in a 2-light kit (geni.us/amaranpt4ckit). Most of the "crazy bright for their size" lights are in the 1.5-2' range, so whatever 4' tube you by should serve you well.

[@chrisjohnston964]

I agree, sticking to one ecosystem is the way to go. I'm hoping a 4' light is long enough to evenly light approx. 3' x 6' section of backdrop. Ideally I'd go for a 6' light, but then I'd be switching to team Godox with their TL180 6' light and paying double the cost of the T4C IF I can even find one in Canada. There's also the 4' or 6' Quasar Science Crossfade bi-colour lights, but I'd have to find a 3rd party dimmer switch. Plus I don't know anyone who has ever used them so I'd be going in blind.

[@NewLayer]

@@chrisjohnston964 I have a couple 8' Pavotubes from Nanlite. They are really cool if you for some reason decide that even 6' isn't enough, haha.

[@chrisjohnston964]

Oh, wow! 16' of lightsaber glowy goodness... Maybe someday, but this light is the missing piece of the puzzle for my bare bones home studio. I use it to promote my wife's vintage clothing store. I'm currently using a 6' reflector to try to bounce some light to the right side of the mannequin from the two Amaran 100x lights on the left, but it barely does anything at all. The T4C with a boom stand would do a stellar job. Time to start saving! Thanks for all your advice. Keep up the great work!

[@flashqbephotography2828]

A chart at the end of the video scoring each tube in different categories / listing unique features would’ve been helpful.

[@NewLayer]

I did this in the first one or two of these, but it's unfortunately just too time consuming on my end.

[@nachtadler568]

I want to buy one RGB cube for party time. I dont create videos so I dont need speific stuff. Thanks for your video

[@NewLayer]

No problem!

[@Pontcher]

This GVM are nice... Im between GVM and Amaran, both look amazing, gvm has the external battery, thats a plus but its a downside on beauty on the same time... Idk

[@NewLayer]

I think that's the big deciding factor, because no one will be able to tell which lights you used in your finished video, so you have to choose whatever fits your workflow best :)

[@daniel5na]

Which one would you say has the best app to go along with it?

[@NewLayer]

Aputure/Amaran is the best app for sure. The most features and easy to use. The only downside is that sometimes is slower to connect than some, but that’s a minor issue and because it’s a mesh network.

[@viewsbynoe]

I really want some rgb tube lights that don't show the individual led bulbs, it will show just a full bar of light, What should brands should I be looking at?

[@NewLayer]

I use the Amaran PT2c and PT4c tube lights for this reason. I think they are the best all-around tube lights right now.

[@JerryWoo96]

What's the brightest 30cm/10 inches tube light?

[@NewLayer]

The Zhiyun V60 is crazy bright for it's size, but not strictly a "tube". I did a video on it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX_OdGuvhdSNibM It's also only bi-color/non-RGB. The Zhiyun F100 is another insanely bright tube/wand light for its size, but a little bigger than 10" kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGOqc2yhZ8mbhZo Other than those, the rest are pretty much the same, so I'd choose one based on price and features rather than a different difference in brightness.

[@brettalexander.studio]

Id love to learn more about the GVM ones. Ive been pretty impressed with thier new line.

[@NewLayer]

What other questions do you have? I think I covered everything for the most part, albeit quickly, and I don't have them any more, so the sooner I can answer questions, the more likely I am to have not forgotten anything about them, haha.

[@brettalexander.studio]

@@NewLayer I'm interested in the effects. I'm working on a Lord of the Rings spoof comedy and hoping to find something with good fire emulation.

[@NewLayer]

@@brettalexander.studio Ah gotcha. There are so many effects across so many lights I unfortunately can't cover them in my comparison-style videos. I don't have those tubes any more, so sadly I can't take a look, but if I recall correctly, you can change the intensity, speed, and CCT of the "candle" effect. There's no specific fire effect in Pixel FX mode, which some pixel tubes have. I will say that I think the Aputure/Amaran tubes have the most realistic and customizable FX. The PT pixel tubes especially. Nanlite tubes also have really realistic FX. While GVM effects are typically OK at best. So if that's a huge consideration, I would go with Amaran PT2c/PT4c tubes or Nanlite pixel tubes.

[@brettalexander.studio]

​@@NewLayer thank you so much! I'm looking specifically for great fire /candle emulation

[@dwayneelizondomountaindewh1465]

If I am running 2220 lumens of overhead led lighting will this be bright enough to flood a room for photo ?. I am thinking not, it might just be a expensive govee.

[@NewLayer]

Without knowing details of the lights or room size/setup, I would say it's highly doubtful. To *evenly* light an entire room at a level bright enough for photo (or video, which needs way less light), I'd recommend at least 150-300 watts. I'd imagine the Govee would only be 1/10 that power. That's if you're trying to evenly light a room, but if you're lighting yourself more directly, and the rest of the room doesn't matter as much, then a couple ~2 foot tube lights could do. You can always DM me on Insta @newlayercom if you want to chat details on what might work best for your space.

[@dwayneelizondomountaindewh1465]

@@NewLayer Thanks for the breakdown, yeah the govee thing is just for like a lamp, not sure what a 1 foot tube can do besides look good in a photo ?. Probably not a lot, thanks.

[@NewLayer]

@@dwayneelizondomountaindewh1465 They are great for accent lighting, and CAN work as a key if the room is small or the light is close enough, but they are definitely best suited for background/accent lighting.

[@dwayneelizondomountaindewh1465]

@@NewLayer Thank you very much

[@gaboguerra950]

And your favorite is… ?

[@NewLayer]

I use the Amaran PT2c and PT4c in my studio, alongside the Aputure MC Pro pocket lights and MT Pro tube lights :)

[@NRYT2360]

no godox?

[@NewLayer]

I covered some Godox options in Part 1 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/baevdIajr5Kqgdk) and Part 2 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ2rmXmkmNWKd9E) Hope that helps!

[@devispesaresi9069]

Ulanzi vl119????

[@NewLayer]

It's fine if you need colors, but a LOT of Ulanzi lights have poor color accuracy in CCT mode, so I don't recommend them for that.

[@devispesaresi9069]

@@NewLayer ulanzi vl110 Is good

[@purvue]

What about the rgb brightness for the rgb modes. Does it get bright. I'm tired of weak rgb modes

[@NewLayer]

Unfortunately it's too time consuming to test and catalog that much. Some brands list the brightness for red, green, and blue in their specs. I use the Amaran PT2c and PT4c and the color modes are quite bright.