amaran has launched two new compact LED lights. The Ace series includes the bi-color Ace 25x and full-color amaran Ace 25c. Amaron says they deliver double the brightness of similarly sized lights. They also feature amaran’s new Ace Lock quick-release mount.
Compact design
Both the amaran Ace 25x and Ace 25c share the same compact form factor. The lights measure only 4.65 inches (118.1 mm) wide by 3.03 inches (76.9 mm) high by 1.30 inches (33.0 mm) deep. They are also lightweight at just 0.72 pounds (325.5 g). In addition, you can choose between five colors for the body of the lights: charcoal, white, silver, pink and green.
The amaran Ace 25x and Ace 25c have a control dial and colored display on the back to switch between functions or enable the built-in effects. You can also create custom shortcuts for CCT, FX or Boost Mode settings that you can recall with a double click or a long press of a button. In addition, the lights feature active cooling with a fan. However, you can use a Silent Mode which sacrifices some power output for a longer runtime.
Output
Despite their small size, both lights still deliver up to 32 W of light output with a CRI and TLCI of 95+. The bi-color Ace 25x has a color temperature range from 2,700 K to 6,500 K. It also outputs up to 6,320 lux at 0.5 meters when set to 5,600 K. The Ace 25c has a wider CCT range of 2,300 K to 10,000 K as well as offering full RGB color. However, the maximum output is a little lower at 4,440 lux at 0.5 meters and 5,600 K.
Battery life
The amaran Ace 25x and Ace 25c have an impressive runtime of up to 4 hours and 40 minutes in Silent Mode and 70 minutes in Standard Mode. This should be able to see you through your shoots with ease. In addition, a fast recharge time of 40 minutes to go from 0% to 90% means you can power up again in no time. One neat feature is that the Ace 25 lights offer reverse charging. This means that in an emergency you can power other compact lights, cameras or even your phone via the USB-C PD charging port.

amaran Ace Lock
The Ace 25x and 25c are amaran’s first products to feature the Ace Lock. This is an entirely new quick-release mount ecosystem that keeps the lights stable while delivering incredibly fast mounting adjustments. amaran also says that you can attach the lights to your camera in under a second with the included Ace Lock to Cold Shoe Adapter. In addition, the Ace 25 lights have an integrated back silicone pad so you can attach them to any magnetic surface for easy mounting.
What we think
amaran continues to deliver budget lights with great specifications. While perhaps not as durable as the products from its sister company Aputure, amaran’s lights are ideal for content creators and indie filmmakers. The Ace 25x and Ace 25c are perfect for anyone who needs a small light they can take with them when they are out and about. With a great battery life and powerful output, you can also rely on these lights to help capture the shots you need. If you are looking for a light you can take with you wherever you go, the amaran Ace 25x and Ace 25c are a great choice.
Pricing and availability
The amaran Ace 25x and 25c are available now and cost only $69 and $99 respectively. You can also buy the lights as part of a travel-ready kit which includes a 30º Light Control Grid and an Ace Lock Mini Tripod in a protective carrying case. These kits cost $95 for the Ace 25x version and $125 for the Ace 25c version.