ZHIYUN CINEPEER CX100 review: A powerful light for creators at a great price

When it comes to lighting for video content creation, creators need to find a light that balances both portability and power. The ZHIYUN CINEPEER CX100 aims to deliver just that. It’s geared towards a professional look, but it’s also a light marketed to content creators. We can see its appeal to both groups by offering a high level of brightness that can create cinematic-level lighting while being super portable for outdoor use. But does it live up to this image? Let’s discuss the details.

Overview

Diving in, the CINEPEER CX100 is a bi-colored light ranging from 2700K to 6500K. Additionally, it features a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 96 and a Television Lighting Consistency Index (TLCI) of 97. In total, the light weighs just 710 g, so it’s super portable (more on that later), but that doesn’t detract from its power as it boasts an impressive 3,840 lux brightness.

The CINEPEER CX100 is a COB light. A COB light is a light that features a chip-on-board design. What this means is that it multiple LED chips into a single module. This creates a uniform, compact light source. COB lights are also known for their continuous output and lack of visible diodes. As a result, the CX100 delivers a cleaner, more consistent glow than many other options on the market.

However, the CX100 isn’t without its flaws. The brightness control diminishes significantly below 20% and abruptly turns off rather than tapering smoothly to zero. While this is somewhat typical for lights in this price range, it’s still a point of frustration for precise lighting adjustments. As for the light’s color temperature control, while not the most accurate, is sufficient for harmonizing with other light sources on set.

Portability and performance

Portability is a major selling point for the CX100. It remained cool throughout our test thanks to its fan, which works effectively to prevent overheating. Not only does this help the light operate smoothly, but it also makes it quite useful on the go. Since the light remains cool, it’s quick and safe to pack it up shortly after use. Plus, the fan is quiet enough that it won’t disrupt audio recordings, which is super important for video professionals.

Battery and charging

Equipped with a built-in 4500 mAh battery, the CX100 offers commendable runtime. It impressively surpasses its expected battery life. It lasted 42 minutes at maximum brightness and temperature, outperforming similar models in its class. The battery is not replaceable, which could be a limitation over time. However, the unit does support continuous operation via USB-C or DC input. This ultimately enhances its flexibility in longer shoots.

Mounting

Mounting options for the CX100 are somewhat limited. The light itself includes basic mounting points. For more robust setup options, purchasing additional accessories like the ZHIYUN Bowens mount adapter is a must. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s a bit of a nuisance.

What about the light’s durability?

For a light that’s light and portable, we’d hope for a build that’s durable. However, unfortunately, the CX100 is constructed predominantly out of plastic. While we didn’t have issues with its durability during our tests, we still have concerns. We recommend careful handling if you want to avoid damaging the light.

Is it hard to turn on?

There have been several reviews that take issue with how you turn on the light. In our view, there’s no issue here. If you have ever used a drone or a gimbal, powering on the light won’t be a problem. For those who haven’t, here’s how you do it: tap once, then hold and then it will power on. Why is it designed like this? It keeps the light from turning on in your bag or any other time when not in use. It also comes with a sticker explaining this function. So, overall, we feel this issue is a non-issue.

Should you buy?

Overall, the ZHIYUN CINEPEER CX100 is a good value for its price. It’s bright, portable and offers decent battery life. Just be aware of its mounting limitations and handle it with care. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, portable light the CX100 is worth buying. The CX100 retails at an affordable $200, but not that you may need to make additional purchases, like mount adapters, which could add to its overall cost.

ZHIYUN CINEPEER CX100

$179.00 at Amazon

Tech specs