This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
The NEEWER RGB1 is a battery-powered RGB stick light about 25 cm long. I bought it to add color to the background of my filming room, and ended up liking it more for product shots, where being able to move a cordless light by hand makes a real difference. Color control is easy on the light itself, and the app lets you mix exact RGB values.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | About 25 cm |
| Runtime (per the manual) | About 90 minutes at 100% brightness |
| Mounting | Magnets at both ends, tripod thread, strap |
| Price in Japan (at the time of recording) | About ¥9,000 for the set I bought |
What I tested
- Unboxing and every accessory in my set: grid, steel plate with adhesive, strap, waterproof case, carry case, USB cable
- Changing colors on the touch bar and in the smartphone app
- Lighting the back of my studio
- Moving the light by hand while filming a product, with and without the grid
- Running it while powered from a mobile battery
What I found
- Touch bar: tap the bar and the light changes to the color printed there. There is a lock so you don’t change it by accident. For quick color changes you don’t need the app.
- App: brightness, color temperature and an RGB mode where you set red, green and blue directly. “Source Match” uses the phone camera to match the light to a color it sees, which is fun.
- Magnets: it snaps onto anything steel. On a wooden desk, stick the included steel plate down first.
- Background lighting: I wanted the light to spread a bit more. Finding a color and position that worked took trial and error; an orange tone looked best in my room.
- Product shots: moving the light during a shot looks good, and the grid gives a crisper, more directional beam.
- Power: it stayed lit while charging from a mobile battery, so you can leave it in place for longer sessions.
Who it’s for
Creators who want a cordless light they can move around, try different lighting angles for product shots, or stick and hang in odd places. If you need one light to softly fill a large area, this is probably not enough on its own.
Watch the video
The video is in Japanese. Unboxing starts at 00:20, the app at 04:36, and the background test around 07:40.
Limitations
I didn’t measure runtime myself; the 90-minute figure is from the manual. The cases in my set were very tight to get the light into. NEEWER also sells bundles with more accessories, so check which set you are buying.
Products
NEEWER RGB1: on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan link above is an affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All Camera & Desk Setup (42) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.