The Lume Cube RGB Tube Light Mini is a 1-ft-long LED tube light that will appeal to photographers and videographers looking for a creative lighting solution or portable studio light. Any of the best LED light sticks and light wands can prove an invaluable tool for portrait and product photographers looking to add a different dynamic to their LED lighting setup. The Lume Cube RGB Tube Light Mini's small form factor makes it an appealing choice for content creators on the go.
However, Lume Cube also caters to those requiring a larger light stick in the form of the Lume Cube RGB Tube Light XL. This model has very similar specs to its smaller sibling, while boasting a big 4-ft form factor. The questions are: is the 1-ft Lume Cube RGB Tube Light Mini the better choice for you? How does it fare against the best LED light panels? And does it deserve a glowing report? Let's find out…
Lume Cube RGB Tube Light Mini: Specifications
Lume Cube RGB Tube Light Mini: Price
The Lume Cube RGB Tube Light Mini is available from Lume Cube as a single unit for $149.99, a double pack for $299.99 or a four-pack at $599.99. US and UK users can find it on Amazon for $149.99 and £175.99 respectively.
Inside the box you'll find the Lume Cube RGB Tube Light Mini itself, a small stand, wrist strap, USB-C to USB-A power cable and a hard-shell case. The latter is a nice upgrade from the soft-goods pouch I've received in other Lume Cube products, while the small metal stand that attaches to the 1/4-in threads (at either end of the tube) is also of good quality.
Lume Cube RGB Tube Light Mini: Design & Handling
We've been impressed with the robustness of Lume Cube products and the Tube Light's aluminum build feels as sturdy as ever. The San Diego-based outfit calls the light "weatherproof" and "drop-resistant" – welcome touches when creative shoots can be a little hard on kit.
The light's end caps are well-designed. They're hexagonal to prevent rolling, while also allowing you to lay the light flat at a variety of angles. You can also twist the caps a full 360 degrees. This is because they each have an edge with a magnet – marked with a lightning bolt – so you can attach the light to metal surfaces.
The Tube Light Mini features the same buttons as the RGB Panel Pro 2.0, meaning we’re still pleased to find a dedicated on/off switch, but it does suffer from the same locking control dial. It can also be connected to the Lume Control app for seamless smartphone operation. Another similarity with the Pro 2.0 is the Tube Light Mini's ability to double as a power bank (outputting 14Wh), although it cannot match the Pro's battery life, presumably because its awkward dimensions require a smaller battery.
While it only features a tiny LCD screen, the Tube Light Mini is packed with largely the same internal architecture as the Panel Pro 2.0. The main light's color temp ranges from 2700-7500K, it has a 96+ CRI rating, can emit over 16 million colors and features seven lighting effect presets including simulating flickering candlelight, flames, and an emergency service siren. However, the light stick does contain fewer LEDs than the Panel Pro 2.0, but emits more lumens and increased lux.
Lume Cube RGB Tube Light Mini: Performance
If you've used another Lume Cube LED product before – like the RGB Panel Pro 2.0 – you'll know roughly what to expect from the RGB Tube Light Mini. The light wand's fewer LEDs and fixed diffuser appear to be offset by its increased lumens and lux, because I found very little difference between the strength and quality of light emitted. If I had to separate the two, the Panel Pro’s shape creates a slightly more even light – as to be expected – but the RGB Tube Light Mini still emits an impressive beam that's suitable for everything from portraits to product photography, video interviews to webcam lighting and more.
Despite my grievances with Lume Cube's locking control dial, my preferred method of controlling the RGB Tube Light Mini – and indeed any other Lume Cube light – is via the excellent Lume Control App. You can group the Mini with other Minis or other compatible Lume Cube lights. This means you can control an entire lighting setup from your smart device. Personally, I've found the app to connect quickly and easily, with lights reacting swiftly to my inputs.
The RGB Tube Light Mini stands out for its tubular form factor and in certain situations, it really comes into its own. It's a great tool for creative portrait or product shoots and I like the way it can be led down to light subjects from beneath or stood on one end to emit a thin beam of light. The hexagonal end caps are extremely useful in these situations because they essentially allow you to angle the beam in six different positions and you're never worried about it rolling around.
When I tested the magnets I found the light adhered to some metal surfaces better than others – likely due to the compound in question – but when it did adhere properly, it was suitably secure.
I used it during a toy photography shoot, making use of its millions of RGB colours to emit a fiery red beam. As you can see in the picture (below), space was at a premium. Only the RGB Tube Light Mini was small and thin enough to be placed within a gap in the castle to illuminate the background.
The light wand stands relatively sturdy of its own accord, but the supplied stand will provide you with peace of mind that it won't topple easily. It's sturdily built but doesn't do anything special. It simply unfolds into a single position and while this isn't great if you want to customize the Tube Light Mini's angle or height, in a world of twisty, locking legs, I find the simplicity of this accessory refreshingly utilitarian.
And of course, the 1/4-in threads allow you to attach your choice of stand anyway. It's just a shame there's no thread on the light wand's shaft, it seems an oversight not having the option to mount it horizontally.
Lume Cube RGB Tube Light Mini: Verdict
Lume Cube's portable LED light architecture is the big draw here, especially if you own other Lume Cube products. The RGB Tube Light Mini, then, is everything I've come to expect from a Lume Cube light. It emits a strong, even beam and is bursting with features such as rotating magnetic end caps, a seemingly endless range of RGB colors and excellent Lume Control App compatibility. The latter really is the best way to control the RGB Tube Light Mini, especially if it's part of a group of Lume Cube products.
App control also avoids the frustrating physical locking control dial, which I find myself constantly locking by mistake. It's also a shame there are only tripod threads on either end and not on the main shaft for horizontal mounting. Otherwise, the Lume Cube RGB Tube Light Mini is another great portable LED lighting solution from Lume Cube, and a light that will likely delight toy, product and creative portrait photographers, as well as videographers alike.
✅ Buy this if...
- You're looking for a creative lighting solution that's different from the usually circular or rectangular beams.
- You've already bought into the Lume Cube ecosystem and can make use of the Lume Control App's group controls.
🚫 Don't buy this if...
- You want a more conventional portable LED light, such as the Lume Cube RGB Panel Pro 2.0.
- You require a light wand with a larger form factor. Perhaps consider the Lume Cube RGB Tube Light XL.
