Trying to capture great-looking video content or even just nail that perfect look for a video call used to be a struggle, often hindered by inconsistent or unflattering lighting. I remember how frustrating it was when shadows fell in all the wrong places or when the colour felt off, detracting from the subject. Finding a reliable, portable solution that could adapt to different situations seemed like a constant quest. Poor lighting didn’t just make visuals look bad; it could impact the professionalism of a presentation or the creative feel of a shot, making a quality portable LED video light essential.
Anyone looking to improve their photography, videography, or even just their appearance on video calls understands the fundamental need for good light. These portable LED lights are designed to solve problems like insufficient ambient light, harsh shadows, and lack of control over colour temperature or creative effects. The ideal customer for a compact video light is often a content creator, vlogger, photographer, or professional who frequently participates in video conferences and needs a quick, flexible lighting setup. If you require extremely high power output for large sets or professional studio lighting that stays put, a small portable panel might not be your primary solution, and you might need larger, more powerful fixtures. However, for on-the-go scenarios, small product shots, fill light, or simple key lighting for interviews or calls, these units are incredibly versatile. Before buying, think about battery life requirements, brightness needs, colour capabilities (CCT range, HSI), control methods (app vs. on-board), mounting options (threads, magnets), and overall build quality.
- 【Full Color Smart Light】The SmallRig RM75 RGBWW LED Video Light is the first full-color smart video light launched by SmallRig that supports Intelligent App Control and is magnetic on all 4 sides!...
- 【Intelligent App Control】Download the "SmallGoGo" App on your smartphone to achieve multi-video light control. Inside the app, you could control up to 50 light panels, and adjust brightness, color...
- 【Built-in Rechargeable Battery】with built-in large-capacity 4,000mAh battery, the LED video light can last from 3 hours at 100% brightness to 16 hours at 1% brightness. Supports USB PD fast...
Introducing the SmallRig RM75 RGB Video Light
The SmallRig RM75 RGB Video Light, model 3290, is a full-colour smart LED panel designed with portability and versatility in mind. SmallRig promises a high-quality, adaptable lighting tool that fits in your pocket but offers extensive creative control via a smartphone app and intelligent features like magnetic mounting. When you purchase the RM75, the package typically includes the light unit itself, a silicone diffuser, a USB Type-C charging cable, and a manual. While I haven’t used every single light on the market, compared to some popular compact RGB lights, the SmallRig RM75 stands out with its multi-sided magnetic design and robust app control right out of the box. It’s aimed squarely at creators who need reliable, flexible light in various shooting conditions, whether they are shooting videos, taking photos, or just need to look good on a conference call. It’s less suited for someone who wants a super-simple, single-button operation without needing app connectivity.
Here’s a quick look at some pros and cons based on my experience:
Pros:
* Excellent build quality with a premium feel.
* Strong magnets on all four sides (plus the back).
* Versatile full RGBWW colour control and wide CCT range.
* Long-lasting built-in 4000mAh battery with PD fast charging.
* Intuitive and functional smartphone app control (“SmallGoGo”).
Cons:
* On-board control wheel can be less responsive compared to the app.
* Requires an app download (and potentially an account) for full functionality.
* Silicone diffuser, while useful, can sometimes be a bit fiddly to attach perfectly.
- 【30 LIGHTING MODES】The LED video light has 3 Color temperatures (2800K, 4800K & 6500K). Equipped with 160 Led beads which offers 12w max power output. Features a high CRI of 85+ for precise color...
- 【MULTIPLE COLOR TEMPERATURE & ADJUSTABLE BRIGHTNESS】Provide 3 Color temperatures (2800K, 4800K & 6500K)to create various lighting atmosphere; This Upgraded Studio Light which is equipped with 352...
- 【Professional RGB LED Video Lights】The new version VL49 RGB LED video light adopts 60 high color rendering led beads, illumination angle up to 120°, the brightness can reach [email protected], topest...
Exploring the Capabilities and Practical Benefits
The SmallRig RM75 packs a serious punch for its size, and after extended use, several features have become indispensable to my workflow.
Full Color Smart Light (RGBWW & CCT)
This is where the RM75 truly shines. Having full control over the light’s colour output isn’t just a novelty; it’s a powerful tool for creative expression and achieving accurate results. With RGBWW capabilities, you’re not limited to just warm or cool white light. You have access to 360° of hue and 100 levels of saturation, meaning you can dial in virtually any colour imaginable. Need a splash of deep blue for a moody background? Want to match the practical lights in a scene? Or maybe add a vibrant splash of colour for a party effect? This light does it. Beyond the creative RGB side, the video light offers a CCT (Correlated Colour Temperature) range from 2500K to 8500K. This vast range is incredibly useful. 2500K gives you a very warm, inviting tone, perfect for mimicking tungsten or firelight, while 8500K provides a cool, almost blue light that can match overcast skies or specific creative looks. Being able to precisely adjust the colour temperature allows you to match existing light sources or set a specific mood, ensuring consistent and professional-looking footage or photos. The high CRI (≥95) and TLCI (98) ratings are also crucial, indicating excellent colour accuracy. This means that the colours of your subjects will be rendered faithfully, without weird colour shifts that can be common with lower-quality LEDs. For anyone doing product photography or video where colour accuracy is paramount, this feature is non-negotiable. The ability to fine-tune both colour temperature and hue/saturation gives unprecedented control for such a compact LED light panel.
Intelligent App Control (“SmallGoGo”)
Honestly, this is the game-changer for the SmallRig RM75. While the on-board controls are functional, the “SmallGoGo” app takes usability to a whole new level. Pairing is straightforward, and once connected, the app allows you to control every aspect of the light remotely from your smartphone. This is particularly useful when the light is positioned in a hard-to-reach place. You can easily adjust brightness (0-100%), colour temperature, hue, and saturation with sliders or number inputs. But the app offers more than just basic control. It includes built-in lighting effects (FX modes) like Paparazzi, Fireworks, Lightning, TV, and more, which can add dynamic elements to your videos or photos. A standout feature within the app is the colour picker function, where you can use your phone’s camera to sample a colour from your environment or even a reference image, and the RM75 will reproduce that colour. This is incredibly useful for matching ambient light or colours within a scene. The app also supports controlling multiple RM75 lights simultaneously, allowing for complex lighting setups controlled from a single interface. While some users might find downloading an app an extra step (and one review mentioned needing to create an account), the sheer flexibility and ease of use provided by the app make it an essential part of the RM75 experience. It’s significantly faster and more precise to dial in settings using the intuitive app interface compared to navigating menus on the small on-board screen with the scroll wheel, which, while functional, can feel a bit less responsive for fine adjustments.
Built-in Rechargeable Battery & Fast Charging
Power is always a concern with portable gear, and the SmallRig RM75 addresses this with a substantial 4,000mAh built-in battery. The battery life is impressive for a light of this capability and brightness. While it will last around 3 hours at 100% brightness (which is still quite good for such a bright panel), it can stretch to a remarkable 16 hours at 1% brightness. This variability is key; you might only need a low fill light for a long time, and this battery handles it easily. For typical use at moderate brightness levels, you’ll get several hours of solid performance. What’s even better is the support for USB PD fast charging. This means you can quickly top up the battery, reducing downtime significantly. A full charge takes around 2 hours with PD charging, which is fantastic when you’re on the go and need to be ready quickly. The LCD screen displaying the remaining battery working time in real-time is a thoughtful touch, helping to alleviate the anxiety of running out of power unexpectedly mid-shoot or call. The convenience of a built-in rechargeable battery, eliminating the need for external batteries or constant wall power, makes this an incredibly portable solution. Just plug in a USB-C cable, and you’re charging.
Magnetic Adsorption Design
This is arguably one of the most unique and practical features of the SmallRig RM75 RGB Video Light. Magnets aren’t new to compact LED lights, but the implementation here is superior. Instead of just having a magnet on the back, the RM75 has strong magnets on all four sides *plus* the back. This multi-sided magnetic capability opens up a world of mounting possibilities. You can stick it to any metallic surface – a light stand, a shelf bracket, a car panel, a fridge door (if you’re getting really creative!) – providing instant, flexible positioning without needing a separate clamp or mount. More impressively, the magnets on the sides allow you to seamlessly connect multiple RM75 panels together, creating a larger, more powerful light source or shaping the light output by arranging them in different configurations. This modularity is a huge benefit for scaling your lighting setup without needing bulky connectors. Coupled with the standard 1/4″ thread mount on the body, which allows attachment to tripods, light stands, or camera cages, the magnetic design provides unmatched versatility in placement.
High-Quality Surface & Build
Holding the SmallRig RM75, you immediately feel the quality. The rugged, all-metal chassis gives it a premium, durable feel that suggests it can withstand the rigours of being thrown into a camera bag or used on location. The design is sleek and borderless on the front, presenting a clean look for the diffused LED panel. The back features a carbon fiber texture, which not only looks good but adds a bit of grip. The built-in LCD readout on the back is clear and bright, displaying essential information like brightness percentage, colour temperature, battery life (including estimated remaining runtime), and mode settings. The single scroll wheel/button on the side serves as the primary on-board control interface. Pressing it cycles through different parameters (brightness, CCT, HSI, FX modes), and rotating it adjusts the selected value. While the app is the preferred method for detailed control, this physical interface is useful for quick adjustments when you don’t have your phone handy or for basic on/off and brightness changes. The overall construction feels solid and well-engineered, typical of SmallRig’s reputation for quality camera accessories. The included silicone diffuser is a welcome addition, softening the light output and helping to reduce harsh shadows, which is particularly important when using the light as a key or fill light on a subject’s face.
What Other Users Are Saying
I’ve checked out opinions from other folks who have used the SmallRig RM75, and the general consensus seems overwhelmingly positive, echoing many of my own findings. Many people highlight the exceptional build quality, noting that it feels robust and well-made compared to other compact lights they’ve used. The brightness level for its size is frequently praised, with some users finding it noticeably brighter than competitors. The unique magnetic feature on all sides is a big hit, seen as a truly innovative aspect that offers creative mounting possibilities and makes linking multiple units super easy. The app control is also mentioned as a major plus, described as simple and effective for dialing in precise settings or using the various lighting effects. Battery life is another strong point consistently brought up, with users impressed by how long it lasts, even at higher brightness levels, and appreciating the convenience of USB-C PD fast charging. While the on-board scroll wheel control receives occasional comments about being less intuitive or slightly stiff compared to the app, this is often overshadowed by the overall positive experience with the light’s performance, features, and value for money.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with inadequate lighting can truly undermine the quality of your visual content, leading to distracting shadows, inaccurate colours, and a generally unprofessional look. This problem needs to be addressed because poor lighting affects not just aesthetics but also the clarity and impact of your message, whether it’s in a creative project or a professional setting like a video conference. The SmallRig RM75 RGB Video Light is an excellent solution for this. Its combination of powerful, accurate full-colour output, versatile magnetic mounting options on all sides, and the convenience of smart app control makes it stand out. Add to that the solid build and reliable battery life with fast charging, and you have a portable light that’s tough to beat for flexibility and performance. If you’re looking for a high-quality, feature-rich, and incredibly portable LED light to elevate your photos, videos, or virtual presence, the SmallRig RM75 is definitely a great fit. To learn more and check it out for yourself, Click here to view the product page.
Last update on 2025-07-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API