Gear of the Year: Lighting

Posted on Jun 19, 2026 by bright_oliver

Gear of the Year is here – cast your vote and back the best lighting of 2026

Filmmakers expect ever brighter, stronger and more colour-accurate lights that can work anywhere from compact home studios to major commercial shoots.

LED panels still dominate thanks to their versatility and portability. Aputure’s Nova 9° 2×1 impressed with big output and refined colour control, while the Amaran Pano 120c and Verge Max offered creator-friendly flexibility for compact set-ups. Astera’s Hydrapanel remains a favourite for those needing rugged RGB lighting, and Litepanels’ Astra IP delivers reliable professional performance.

Nanlite’s Alien 300C and Pavoslim 360C pushed slimline RGB lighting further, while Godox’s Knowled P1200R Hard P8 delivered serious output for larger productions.

In the hard light class, output and precision are king. Aputure expanded its Storm range with the 1000c, 1200x and CS32, while Nanlux’s Evoke 150C pairs high output with advanced colour performance. Godox continued its push into high-end work with the Knowled M1000R and massive MG6K, while the Creamsource Vortex 24 is a premium choice for demanding productions.

For creators and smaller crews, the Amaran Halo 600x, Zhiyun Molus X200 and Neewer HB80C offer compact lighting solutions without sacrificing performance in terms of power or consistency.

Specialist lighting also saw innovation this year. Astera’s Lunabulb and Solabulb introduced creative practical lighting options, while the Quikbeam added portable fresnel-style control. Atomos’ Sun Dragon flexible light stands out for cinematic effects and rigging possibilities, while Nanlite’s Pavotube II 6CP and Pico are perfect for compact creator set-ups.

Lighting accessories and modifiers also evolved rapidly. Aputure’s Quick Domes and Spotlight Mount II refined shaping control, while Dedolight’s Eflect system remains one of the most advanced reflector solutions available. Meanwhile, Nanlux’s FL-35E Motorized Fresnel Lens and Yoke-L also showed how automation is part of modern lighting workflows.

This year’s lighting gear proves filmmakers have never had more creative control over shaping a scene.

Cast your vote here!