Godox VL150 vs SL150W II | Which one is better?

Godox VL150 is a 150W COB LED light that is a feast for independent filmmakers and small-scale studio owners. As the name suggests, SL150W II is a studio light whereas the Godox VL150 is a video light that is lightweight and portable. It is rated at 150W as well. Besides, both models output almost the same amount of light. If so, why is the company making 2 models with the same power and light output? Let’s take a closer look at the Godox VL150 vs SL150W II comparison and understand what each model offers, and what would suit your need.

Price Comparison | Godox VL150 vs SL150W II

Godox VL150 vs SL150W II

Control Box

The control box is the main difference between the Godox VL150 and SL150W II. The VL150 comes with a compact control box that includes the power unit as well. The buttons in the control panel box let you adjust the settings of your light, whether it be dimming, turning the fan off, or turning off the light. Coupled with the remote, it lets you control your light from where you are without going to the control box.

Winner: Godox VL150 (Amazon) – Comes with a control box with a power unit.

Battery

Godox VL150’s V-Mount battery plate in the control panel lets you use a battery to power the light if you have to shoot outdoor or places where you might be worried about a dedicated power supply. However, keep in mind that V-Mount batteries are expensive and you might want to give in some extra money to use that feature.

Godox VL150 will suit you best if you are looking to shoot outdoor and carry around equipment frequently and it is much lighter than SL150W II. The later one is specifically for studios and does not come with support for an external battery, that’s the reason it’s priced lower than SL150W II.

Winner: Godox VL150 (Amazon) – Comes with a V-Mount battery plate.

Output Power

Both models are rated for 150W, and for the same power supply (AC100~240V 50/60Hz) so that they can be used all around without the risk of circuit breakdown. If you are a traveler you don’t need to worry about finding the right power supply if you going in and out of a country. In addition, both Godox VL150 & SL150W II features the universal Bowens accessory mount that open for numerous modifiers and other accessories. You can add a softbox or a fresnel, or any other light modifier to control your light.

Winner: Tie

Brightness

Both models deliver somewhat similar light output. Godox VL150 can deliver 61000 lux at 1m with just the standard reflector whereas the SL150W II models can deliver 58000 lux at 1m with the standard reflector. Practically, there is only a slight difference between the lux value at 5600K and it can be further increased using a Fresnel. Both models can dim their light as low as 0% from full brightness giving you full control over what you are buying.

Winner: Godox VL150 (Amazon) – Offers slightly brighter output than SL150W II.

Color Temperature, TLCI, and CRI

Both Godox VL150 and SL150W II are daylight corrected to 5600K(± 200K). In terms of color accuracy, both of them carry a high CRI rating of 95. However, a slight difference arises when it comes to TLCI measurement. Godox SL150W II boasts a slightly higher TLCI value of 97 vs 95 that VL150 supports.

Winner: Godox SL150W II (Amazon) – Offers a slightly higher TLCI value for better color accuracy.

Fan Noise

For some videographers, fan noise may not be an issue. But those who shoot or broadcast live videos really want the fan noise to be as low as possible. Compared to Godox SL150W II, the VL150 is much quieter. Do note that there is an option in the SL150W II to turn the fan off to go completely silent, but that also decreases the maximum light output. If noise is an issue for you, definitely go with Godox VL150. It’s quite silent and the fan in this light only turns on after a significant amount of time.

Winner: Godox VL150 (Amazon) – Much quieter than SL150W II

Yoke and Fan

Both Godox VL150 and SL150W II supports a yoke with a handle that allows full 360-degree rotation of the light. In addition, both models offer an option to turn off the fan if you need total silence while shooting, but with reduced brightness. Note that the fan noise is already minimal in both models.

Specifications | Godox VL150 vs SL150W II

Conclusion | Godox VL150 vs SL150W II

Godox VL150 is specifically for those filmmakers and photographers who travel frequently and have to carry the lights with them. The bag that comes with the purchase is a decent one. The Godox SL150W II is a cheaper model that can do well as VL150 but does not come with support for an external battery like VL150.

Our recommendation: Godox VL150 (Amazon)

Relevant Comparison:

Aputure LS C120D II vs Godox VL150