Is the Ulanzi VL49 worth it for vlogging?

Yes, if you need a small, adjustable fill light for faces and products at close range. It is not a substitute for a larger key light in a big room.

How long does the battery last?

Ulanzi rates it at 2 to 10 hours depending on output. Expect closer to 2 hours at full brightness and much longer at low levels.

Can I mount it on a phone or tripod?

It has a cold shoe and a 1/4-inch thread, so it fits cameras, cages, and tripods. Phones need a cold-shoe adapter or clamp, which is not included.

Does it work as a main light or only as fill?

It works best as fill or a close key for interviews and product shots. At about 800 lux at 0.5 m, it is too dim to light a large scene alone.

The light and a USB-C charging cable. Cameras, phones, stands, and adapters are not included.

How does it compare with a plain white on-camera light?

It adds full RGB and a 2500K–9000K range, so one panel covers warm and cool looks. A plain white light is simpler but far less flexible.

Where is the Ulanzi VL49 cheapest?

At Amazon, for $16.68, 46% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.

Where can I buy the Ulanzi VL49?

6 stores we checked sell it, including eBay, GoSupps.com, Amazon, Adorama, Best Buy.

Ulanzi VL49

Best price now

$16.68at AmazonObserved at 8:05 AM

46% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 6 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when. As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Visit Amazon

What reviewers say

Owners of the VL49 line generally treat it as a handy, affordable mini light with good color and easy mounting. Complaints center on output being limited for anything beyond close fill and battery life shrinking at high brightness.

What people mention

BrightnessMixedOwners find it bright enough for close fill but not for lighting a whole scene.
BatteryMixedRuntime is long at low output but falls to a couple of hours at full brightness.
ColorPraisedUsers like the wide white range and RGB hues, and say skin tones look natural.
MountingPraisedThe magnet, cold shoe, and threaded mount make it easy to place on cameras and rigs.
BuildPraisedIt feels solid and stays out of the way on a small setup.
Light qualityCriticisedThe small panel gives hard light, so some users add a diffuser.

About the Ulanzi VL49

An on-camera fill light usually means one color temperature and one output level, and this mini RGB video light from Ulanzi runs from 2700K tungsten to 9000K daylight and adds 359 hue steps in HSI mode, so a warm interview and a cool product shot come from the same panel. Brightness moves from 0 to 100 percent, a CRI of 95 or higher keeps skin and product color close to what the eye sees, and the 120 degree beam covers a subject at arm's length without a modifier. Six watts through 60 LEDs, split 20 white, 20 yellow, and 20 RGB, put about 800 lux on the subject at 1.6 ft. Thirteen built-in effect modes cover scene work, and the 2000 mAh cell runs about 2 to 10 hours depending on output and recharges over USB-C. Mounting is three-way: the magnetic back holds on metal surfaces, the cold shoe slides onto a camera or cage, and the 1/4 inch thread screws onto a tripod or rig. At 3.5 oz it stays out of the way on a small rig. The light and a USB-C charging cable are in the box; cameras, smartphones, and other accessories are not included.