Low-light vlogging is tough: even if your footage is shake-free, murky faces kill production value. Consequently, gimbals with integrated LEDs are trending. Below are the five best gimbals with built in lights 2025, ranked after hands-on night shoots across city streets and wedding receptions.
1. Zhiyun Crane 4 – Brightest LED for Mirrorless
The Crane 4 mounts a 10 W bi-colour COB on its roll arm and ships with magnetic reflector plates. At one metre it output ~230 lux—twice DJI RS brightness in my test. Moreover, the reflector turns the beam into a mini key-light for interviews.
- Payload: 4 kg
- Battery: ≈10 h (LED at 50 %)
- Best for: Hybrid shooters who need a real fill light
Read the full Zhiyun Crane 4 Review
Check out the Zhiyun Crane 4 on Amazon
2. DJI Osmo Mobile 7 Pro – Best LED Phone Gimbal
The OM 7 Pro’s bi-colour spotlight brightens faces up to arm’s-length and dims steplessly from 2700–6500 K. Runtime drops by ~20 % at full power, yet quick USB-C charging offsets the drain.
- Weight: 368 g
- Extension rod: 215 mm
- Best for: Mobile vloggers and TikTokers
Read the full DJI Osmo Mobile 7 Pro Review
Check out the DJI OM 7 Pro on Amazon
3. Insta360 Flow 2 Pro (Spotlight Add-On) – Smartest Tracking plus Light
While Insta360 sells the spotlight magnetically, the Vlog Bundle keeps cost to $179 total. Deep Track 4.0 locks subjects even while the light swivels during 360-pan transitions.
- Battery: ≈8 h with 50 % light
- DockKit native iOS tracking
- Best for: iPhone creators wanting app-free tracking + light
Read the full Insta360 Flow 2 Pro review
Check out the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro Vlog bundle on Amazon
4. Zhiyun Smooth Q4 + Fill-Light Clamp – Cheapest Combo
For <$140, the Smooth Q4 plus $19 fill-light clamp offer an entry route to lit vlogging. Output is modest (~60 lux at 1 m) yet perfect for face-fill during city-night B-roll.
- Battery: 15 h (light drains <5 %)
- Fold-out selfie arm
- Best for: Budget phone shooters
Check out the Zhiyun Smooth Q4 on Amazon
5. Hohem iSteady M7 – Double-Purpose Light & Remote Screen
Hohem’s detachable module doubles as a remote screen and LED. Although only 40 lux, its quick magnetic snap-on makes it great for impromptu travel reels—and you can angle it independently of the phone clamp.
- Payload: 500 g phones
- Battery: 10 h with Module 50 %
- Best for: Travel vloggers on a tight budget
Check out the Hohem iSteady M7 on Amazon
Buying Tips: Choosing a Gimbal with Light
- Lux vs CRI: Brightness matters, yet colour-rendering (CRI ≥ 90) avoids sickly skin tones.
- Beam angle: Wide beams (≥90°) fill faces; narrow beams suit product highlights.
- Battery impact: Expect 15–30 % runtime loss at full brightness.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, integrated LEDs mean smaller bags and faster set-ups. Mirrorless shooters who crave real power should grab the Crane 4. Meanwhile, phone creators can pick between DJI’s bright OM 7 Pro or the smarter Flow 2 Pro bundle. Whatever your rig, one of the five picks above will keep both footage and faces bright well into blue hour.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How bright should a built-in gimbal light be?
For close-up vlogging, aim for at least 80 lux at one metre. Crane 4’s 230 lux is overkill for selfie work but great for interviews.
Does the LED drain the gimbal battery quickly?
Yes. Expect 15–30 % shorter runtime, especially if you film at full brightness.
Can I swap the colour temperature?
Crane 4 and OM 7 Pro offer 2700–6500 K bi-colour; Smooth Q4’s clamp is fixed daylight.
Are add-on lights as good as built-in?
Add-ons like Insta360’s spotlight match built-ins, but magnetic mounts can slip on rough motion.
Which is best for mirrorless cameras?
Zhiyun Crane 4. Its 10 W COB and 4 kg payload suit full-frame rigs.
