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I would reluctantly call the Ulanzi L024 RGB COB continuous light my most unsuccessful purchase in my entire career as a videographer. I have had other disappointing gear purchases. For example, the Canon EOS R6, which cost significantly more. But at least I was still able to use the camera to some extent. In this case, that was not possible. Despite looking ideal on paper, the product did not prove usable in my actual workflow.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Specifications
- Weight: 490 g
- Dimensions: 105×85×85 mm
- White light colour temperature: 2500–6500 K
- Beam angle (unmodified): 120°
- Power: up to 40/50 W
- Power supply: PD 19 V 5.5 × 2.1/5.5 × 2.5 mm, 65 W Type-C
- Battery: 3400 mAh/50.3 Wh, 14.8 V
- Run time on a single charge: from 50 mins
- Additional effects: 20
- Light control: colour, hue, saturation
- Light accuracy (CRI): 95+
- Light accuracy (TLCI): 96+
ULANZI L024 Video review
Market position
It started when my personal light, the Yongnuo YN300 III LED light, began to fail. It is a solid unit, but relatively underpowered – up to around 18 W under ideal conditions. That limitation pushed me to look for something more powerful and versatile. At that point I came across COB lighting (Chip-on-Board). The appeal was obvious: significantly higher output in a compact form factor, while still being relatively affordable. This is what led me to consider the Ulanzi L024 RGB COB continuous light.
The final choice of setup came down to two Ulanzi L023 LED video light units and one Ulanzi L024 RGB COB continuous light. However, the L024 RGB arrived first. It costs just under $100 and, at least on paper, comes with a substantial number of advantages straight out of the box.
Compatibility
First of all, and this was new to me – it uses a “mini Bowens” mount (which, strictly speaking, is not an official standard). This is a mounting system for light modifiers and accessories.
Something that had NEVER existed in my world before. Everything I used before was limited to relatively basic accessories – a universal softbox and simple plastic diffusers for softening the light.
The mini Bowens system allows for a much wider range of modifiers – reflectors, spot attachments, softboxes, zoom attachments, diffusers, and even Fresnel lenses. I have already ordered one of these Fresnel units. There are also adapters that convert it to a full Bowens mount, which opens up an even larger ecosystem of accessories, although in some cases those accessories can cost more than the light itself.
The Ulanzi L024 RGB COB continuous light also comes with a basic set of accessories out of the box: a reflector, a silicone diffuser, a carrying pouch, and a user manual.
I strongly recommend reading the manual, because compared to my current light, the Ulanzi L024 RGB COB continuous light feels like a Motorola Signature compared to a Nokia 3310. Technically, both can perform the same basic function, but as always, the differences are in the details.
Capabilities
Technically, the Ulanzi L024 RGB COB continuous light offers three operating modes. It provides adjustable white light from 2500K to 6500K, full RGB output with hue control across 0–359 degrees, and a set of 20 built-in lighting effects. I will likely demonstrate these at the end, since I have recorded them, but they include effects such as camera flashes, candlelight, emergency-style lighting, and other pre-programmed lighting simulations.
For the continuous white light mode, there are controls for brightness and color temperature. In RGB mode, you can adjust hue (0–359°), brightness, and saturation, each on a 0–100 scale. This means the color output is not limited to 360 discrete steps in practice, since brightness and saturation adjustments significantly expand the number of possible variations. Brightness control is also not strictly limited to a 0–100 range. It extends up to 125 in an “overdrive” mode, which the Ulanzi L024 RGB COB continuous light can enter under certain conditions.
Power supply
The minimum output of the Ulanzi L024 RGB COB continuous light is around 14 W, while the maximum exceeds 40 W. In “overdrive” mode, power draw is estimated at approximately 50 W, although this value is not precisely specified. The reason for this uncertainty will be addressed later in the review. Power can be supplied either via USB-C Power Delivery (up to 65 W) or through a DC 19V input.
My existing Yongnuo YN300 III LED light adapters fit perfectly here, and I have around ten of them. In practice, they are even more convenient, since the cable does not bend downward. However, they are not strictly necessary. In fact, external power is optional altogether because the Ulanzi L024 RGB COB continuous light has a built-in 3400 mAh battery. That battery provides roughly 50 minutes of runtime at maximum brightness. It also supports pass-through charging, meaning it can be powered and charged simultaneously during operation.
Lyrical aside: to understand what “40 W maximum output” means in practice (even without overdrive), consider a typical ceiling light. Look at the main light fixture in your room. It is most likely an LED bulb rated around 10–15 W. Notice how much area it illuminates and how much usable light it provides in the space around it.
Ulanzi L024 RGB appears brighter even at minimum brightness. At maximum output, it is roughly comparable to two to three standard lamps. In overdrive mode, it can reach the equivalent of about five. It features high color rendering performance, with CRI 95+ and TLCI 96+, which indicate good color accuracy for photography and broadcast video applications, respectively. Overall, it is suitable for professional photo and video production.
The light is also very compact. It weighs under 500 g and fits in the palm of a hand. Instead of one of my Yongnuo units, two Ulanzi L024 RGB lights can fit in a single box, and they can also run on battery power for hours. This reduces the need for multiple external power supplies. It also includes a mounting system with two locking holes for securing pins.
Main issue
The reason the Ulanzi L024 RGB did not work well for my use case is the cooling fan, which does not turn off at any time. It can become louder – for example, when operating via USB – but it does not become quieter. It is also worth noting that when powered via USB, the overdrive mode is not available, which prevented me from measuring power consumption in that configuration. There is also no software support or remote control functionality. However, this is less critical given the price segment of the device.
The key issue is this: I bought a more expensive light than my current setup, but I cannot actually use it because it is too noisy. The fan noise makes it unsuitable for my workflow. I cannot properly test things like CPU or laptop cooling performance, the sound of mechanical keyboard switches, or even subtle background noise in recordings, since the fan noise is clearly audible and contaminates the audio.
It is also louder when powered from mains, and in my case it is always running from mains power. I understand the thermal design constraints: there is a fairly large aluminum heatsink that reaches around 70°C during operation, even with active cooling. I also understand that the Ulanzi L024 RGB is positioned as one of the cheapest RGB COB lights on the market. However, at nearly ~$100, it ends up being effectively a wasted purchase for my use case, since it is not reliable for the type of audio-sensitive testing I need to do.
So what are my plans? I’m going to sell it. After that, I’ll go to a store and buy the K&F Concept PL-60B. Yes, it’s about 1.5× more expensive and it doesn’t even offer RGB, but it has a passive cooling mode, which is important for my use case. I’ll also test it, and I might even record a trip with it, although I haven’t decided yet.
Summary
The main point to understand is this: I did not call the Ulanzi L024 RGB my most unsuccessful purchase without reason. The light itself is genuinely capable and well-designed. It is compact, battery-powered, convenient in use, and supports a mini Bowens-style mount system, which adds versatility for different modifiers. In that sense, it is a fairly feature-rich portable RGB COB light. However, in my specific workflow, the constant fan noise makes it impractical to use, which outweighs its advantages. If fan noise is not a concern for your use case, then it can be a reasonable option within its category and price range.
It really gets on my nerves, so I wouldn’t recommend it to myself, and that drives me mad. So YOU can thank him. But I can’t, even if I wanted to.
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Where to buy the Ulanzi L024 RGB