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Aputure has frequently blurred the line between it’s budget line, called Amaran, and it’s “pro” line under it’s own moniker. You can expect the Amaran products to be made of plastic, but beyond that it’s something of a toss-up. Aputure as blazed new ground with the Amaran Ace 25 series, creating a mid-point between their mini lights and the big boys, like their Storm 1200X. The result is generally favorable, with some considerations.

For the price point of $69 the 25X version is a very good value. The Ace 25x is the same form factor as the mini portable LED lights that have proliferated over the past few years– a small rectangular light that kinda fits in the pocket. It’s slightly taller and wider than those lights, but about 2.5 times the thickness (and weight). For the heftier size you get almost four times the power in “Boost” mode. It’s small enough to fit on top of your camera, and powerful enough to be an emergency key light, or an anytime rim or fill. This is perhaps the first of the considerations. It works in a pinch as a key light, but that pinch is pretty hard. For a larger source you’ll want to shoot through an umbrella, which, if you’ve decided to bring one, kinda negates the tiny footprint of the Ace 25 in your kit. If you just want a a rim or kick light, those less expensive LEDs will do the job. But if you don’t know what you’ll need and want to travel light, the Ace 25 series is a good bet.

The light comes with a diffuser with a magnetic mount, and it does a great job of softening and diffusing the light. It does, however, reduce the output by 1.5 stops, which is substantial. The $69 version doesn’t come with the magnetic grid, which is unfortunate. It’s really the only part of the “Creator’s Kit” that has value for professionals. In the coming months you should be able to purchase the grid for $8. As a 20-32 watt panel, you’re more likely to be trying to focus the light that expand it into a soft source.

The Ace 25 series also comes with a newly designed magnetic clip-on mount that is similar to what you’d find on a GoPro or DJI Action cameras. It is… moderately useful? The magnet makes it easier to mount on a stand quickly (because it’s essentially a quick release) but it’s also another thing to pack and keep track of. Luckily, you also have a quarter inch mount on the top of the light, too; unluckily it turns the screen and knobs upside down.

The unit has a fan which is very quiet. You can hear it next to your ear but not at arm’s length. The fan is, however, exposed. There is no weather sealing of any kind on this light and a light mist will likely send it into shock.

The back of the unit has a magnet for mounting the light on metal objects and it’s the most powerful I’ve seen on a portable light. It will stay put in any position.

Curiously, while the Ace 25X outputs up to 32 watts, it consumes 45 watts. This is a consideration when powering it via a USB Power Bank. At 20 watts of full power in “normal” mode the light will last roughly 70 minutes. The “Boost” mode increases the output to 32 watts which sounds like a big deal but in reality is pretty subtle. Increasing from 20W to 32W is about a half stop, which visually isn’t huge— nor is it a big increase in terms of lowering your ISO in low-light situations. With Boost enabled, the battery life drops to about 40 minutes, which (again) might be helpful in a pinch.

At $70 I find the Ace 25X version to be a good lumen to dollar value in a fairly convenient form factor. I’m less sure about the $100 Ace 25c, the RGB version that’s more expensive and also roughly 35% dimmer (or half a stop depending on the color temperature). It’s really all about what lights you already own and your needs. Who are these lights for? I’d say it’s a relatively inexpensive light for YouTube creators, smaller budget professionals, and videographers who travel. This is neither the first light I would get, nor is it an integral piece of gear for someone who has half a dozen lights. I have several small $40 LED panel lights, and I imagine I’ll grab the Ace before any of them. But I use those for adding accents to my background; the Ace 25 is essentially a more powerful accent light in my current kit, and an emergency light if I suddenly need more. I think Amaran is casting for a wider audience with their Creator Kit versions of both lights ($95 and $125, respectively) but these seem rather over-priced and unhelpful. If you’re just starting out and need a mini tripod stand, you should probably be looking at other lights altogether. Since I have a ridiculous number of lights big and small already, what might I get instead? Look for my review of the curiously absurd Inkee Inflatable Tube Light, which I recently brought on a documentary shoot.