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Smaller than a deck of cards, Lume’s Cube Panel Mini shines light on mobile video

We were already impressed with the phone-sized Lume Cube Panel, but the new Lume Cube Panel Mini takes small form factor LED lighting to a new level. Smaller than a deck of cards, it is designed to pack a lot of light in a portable design for vlogging and videoconferencing. The Panel Mini is also Lume Cube’s cheapest portable lighting solution yet, selling for about $60.

Using an array of 60 bicolor LEDs, the Lume Cube Panel Mini offers adjustable brightness and color temperature. The light levels can be adjusted from 1% all the way to full power, in 5% increments. That allows creatives to better match the light to the scene with subtle effects or more obvious direct lighting. 

A small LCD at the back displays the current brightness and color temperature, along with the battery life. Settings can be adjusted through a simple dial system on the side, and the power button doubles as a mode switch to toggle between brightness and temperature adjustments.

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You’ll find standard tripod threads on both the bottom and one side of the device for mounting the light either horizontally or vertically, while a metal shoe mount is included for attaching the panel straight to a camera. A diffuser box made from a stretchy white material can sit over the light for added softness. The light recharges via a USB-C port, although the Mini lacks the additional USB port found on the larger Lume Cube Panel that can be used to charge a phone.

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Unlike the original Lume Cube, the Panel Mini doesn’t have Bluetooth to use the light as an off-camera smartphone flash. Like the larger Lume Cube Panel, the Mini is a constant light meant for video work. (Constant lights can also be a learning tool and steppingstone for photographers learning flash). 

The small size allows for more portability and a more affordable price point compared to the Panel, which launched in fall 2019. The front is the size of a credit card, but the light’s thickness feels closer to a deck of cards. The compact design is ideal for smartphone videos and video calls, although the $20 smartphone clip isn’t included.

In our early hands-on testing, the Panel Mini was easy to use right out of the box, with self-explanatory controls. Despite small size, the light packs quite a bit of power. It’s enough to light the corner of a dark room, or add some fill to an otherwise shadowy video call. The trade-off for the smaller size is harsher light, but for applications where portability is a must, it’s likely worth it.

The Lume Cube Panel Mini is available beginning today for about $60.

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