If you’re serious about video production or just getting started, you know that good lighting can make or break your content. Today, I’m reviewing the Zhiyun CINEPEER CX100, a powerful but budget-friendly 100W LED video light for anyone looking to elevate their video quality.
This LED light is perfect for a range of users, from YouTubers and TikTokkers to professional filmmakers. It will meet your needs if you’re shooting reels, product reviews, tutorials, interviews, or even cinematic short films. It’s also great for photographers who want continuous lighting in their toolkits.
COB (Chip-on-Board) video lights like this CX100 have become increasingly popular in the filmmaking and photography industries by providing high-intensity light output with relatively low power consumption. COB lights typically offer a high Color Rendering Index (CRI), which means they produce light that accurately represents colors, essential for professional work.
Zhiyun CINEPEER CX100 review
Disclosure: I received this 100W video light in a product review collaboration with Zhiyun-Tech. Product specs and quality may vary according to the manufacturer’s reliability, so I cannot guarantee that you will get a unit that performs the same as seen in my review.
Zhiyun’s new Cinepeer product line aims to offer a balance between performance and affordability. It targets users who want reliable filmmaking gear without the higher cost associated with professional equipment. This product range includes gimbals and video lights.
To be cost-effective and offer the most attractive price, the CX100 video light comes in a simple box made of recycled cardboard. In addition to the product manual and warranty card, the box includes a USB charging cable, a mini reflector, and a silicone dome diffuser.
At a glance
Right out of the box, the Cinepeer CX100 stands out with its sleek and compact design, measuring only 197 x 52 x 94 mm. It’s lightweight (710 grams), making it ideal for on-the-go shooting, yet it feels robust enough for regular use. The build quality is excellent, with no flimsy components, which gives me confidence in its durability.
In addition to the power button, it has only two control dials with gradation (CCT: 2.7K, 3.5K, 4.3K, 5.0K, 5.6K, and 6.5K, and DIM: 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%). There is no status screen, only four battery-level indicator LEDs.
It uses a dimmable 100W COB LED with 3840 Lux and adjustable color temperature (2700K-6500K). Instead of a huge copper heat sink, it uses active fan cooling with variable speed to keep it light.
Unlike its pricier brother (MOLUS C100), the CX100’s battery grip isn’t removable. The four internal batteries have a total power of 66.6Wh and provide about 30 minutes of run time at the highest light level.
At the bottom of the light are two standard 1/4″ threaded holes for mounting on a tripod. The Type-C and DC 24V charging ports, located behind a rubber flap, are also on the bottom.
The included mini reflector and other Zhiyun accessories can be attached to the front through the ZY mount.
CINEPEER CX100: Usability
Using this light is a breeze. The controls are intuitive, and dials show your current settings, so there’s no guesswork involved. The light is turned ON like DJI drones, but double-tapping the red PWR switch. By grabbing the battery grip, you can hold it comfortably with one hand. It has a quiet cooling system, so you won’t have to worry about fan noise interfering with your audio.
The Zhiyun CX100 is much brighter than all my existing lights together, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use. When I turned it on in the dark in the yard, I was swarmed by all kinds of insects within just a few seconds; it acts like honey for them! :)
The mini reflectors and diffusers can significantly improve the quality of your shots by offering better control over lighting, which is key in achieving professional-looking results. You can dim the light intensity, but the adjustment isn’t very smooth at the lower end.
The internal battery lasted about 25 minutes during my tests, which is fairly enough for YouTube shorts and TikTok reels.
The light isn’t waterproof or dust-tight, so be careful when using it outdoors. Some parts can get hot (up to 150°C) during longer use, so be careful where you lay your fingers. When you put it in your backpack, double-check that it’s turned off; otherwise, it might catch fire!
Six key features
- [Portability and Battery life] Ultra-light at just 710g and fits in your hand. It’s compact enough to carry into a small bag all day and runs on an AC/DC adapter and internal batteries (4500mAh 66.6Wh). The battery life is impressive, too —lasting up to 30 minutes at full power. Using it from an external power bank is perfect for creators who need to shoot in different locations without worrying about finding a power source.
- [Brightness and Dimming] The brightness of this LED light is one of its standout features. It packs a punch with up to 3840 lux of output, which is more than enough for most indoor and even some outdoor shoots. What’s great is that it’s fully dimmable, so you can easily adjust the intensity to suit different scenarios. Whether you need a soft fill light or a strong key light, this CX100 LED covers you.
- [Color Temperature Control] Another fantastic feature is the adjustable color temperature, which ranges from 2700K to 6500 K. This allows you to seamlessly transition from warm, tungsten light to cool, daylight tones with just a turn of a dial. The flexibility here is key for matching the light to your shooting environment or creating different moods in your videos.
- [Color Accuracy] For those particularly interested in color grading, this LED light has a high CRI (Color Rendering Index) of ~96, reproducing colors faithfully on camera. Your footage will look natural and vibrant, which is crucial for professional-looking videos.
- [Min Size, Max Cooling] The Advanced DynaVort Cooling System™ with FOC fan and specialized cooling design significantly improves heat dissipation, ensuring the light is lightweight and reliably consistent.
- [Additional Features] The included mini reflector and diffuser help soften the light, reducing harsh shadows and creating a more flattering look, especially for portrait shots. The ZY mount system allows the attachment of other light-enhancing accessories. Two standard 1/4″ threaded holes allow it to be installed conveniently on tripods and light stands. It has dual-power input, allowing it to be powered from a Type-C external power bank or 24V AD/DC power adapter.
Pricing and availability
The CX100 video light is available to order today with 10% off, and like all Zhiyun CINEPEER products, it’s priced competitively compared to what’s out there on the market. You can order it from the manufacturer’s website for $179 in the US and €189, £179, AU$ 269, or ¥30,699 (JPY) in the rest of the world. All CINEPEER products can also be ordered from the company’s official ZY Amazon store.
CINEPEER CX100 vs MOLUS X100: Which video light suits you best?
The CINEPEER CX100 and MOLUS X100 are both outstanding portable COB lights with similar performance, but they are tailored to meet the needs of different users.
Both lights have a similar run time (~ 30 minutes), but the MOLUS’ battery grip is detachable, allowing for a quick swap for longer field operation. The MOLUS features high-quality metal dial knobs, in contrast to the CinePeer’s inexpensive plastic controls.
The CX100 is an excellent choice if you are on a tight budget and need to use only one or two lights. On the other hand, if you need to illuminate from several angles for complex shots, the X100 is a more suitable choice, being equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless control of the fleet.
Comparison Table
| CINEPEER CX100 | MOLUS X100 | |
| Peek power | Partial-Range CCT, 100W | Full-range CCT, 100W |
| Peak Illuminance (1m) | 3840 Lux | 3881 Lux |
| Color temperature | 2700K~6500K | 2700K~6500K |
| Grip battery | Integrated | Detachable |
| Display | No | Yes |
| APP control | No | Yes |
| Music mode | No | Yes |
| Run time | 30 min at 100% | 30 min at 100% |
| Price | $179 | $249 |
You Can Trust Our Reviews!
Since 2014, FirstQuadcopter has reviewed, thoroughly tested, and rated hundreds of products, including drones, gimbals, power stations, action cameras, 3D printers, and other high-tech gear to help you make better buying decisions. As always, if you found this review helpful, don’t forget to like, share, comment, and bookmark for more content like this!
