Zhiyun Fiveray M40From real comments

Verdict distilled from 13 mentions across 7 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment50%
PROS 50%
CONS 50%

Rank based on 13 mentions across 7 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a pocket-sized light that's genuinely powerful for small spaces or streaming setups
  • You need a spare light for unplanned low-light or emergency shooting situations
  • You're fine keeping brightness below 100% to avoid fan noise during audio recording

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need silent operation at full brightness for on-camera audio
  • You rely on a digital display for quick, precise Kelvin adjustments
  • You need guaranteed reliability, given reports of charging and LED-flashing faults

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Zhiyun Molus G60
Extremely portable form factorCombo kit and mini softbox valueEffective brightness for its sizePerceived as overpriced versus rivalsShort battery life at full powerReliability and connectivity issues
Zhiyun Molus G60
Extremely portable form factor
Combo kit and mini softbox value
Effective brightness for its size
Perceived as overpriced versus rivals
Short battery life at full power
Reliability and connectivity issues
You are here
2
Zhiyun Fiveray M40
Powerful for its sizeCompact, pocket-friendly designHandy as a backup lightLoud fan noiseNo digital displayNo fan/noise demo in reviews
Zhiyun Fiveray M40
Powerful for its size
Compact, pocket-friendly design
Handy as a backup light
Loud fan noise
No digital display
No fan/noise demo in reviews
3Mid
Zhiyun Molus X100
Compact, powerful outputHighly portable for travel and run-and-gunBi-color and app controlUnreliable proprietary batteryCheap or incomplete accessoriesLow-end dimming color shift
Zhiyun Molus X100
Compact, powerful output
Highly portable for travel and run-and-gun
Bi-color and app control
Unreliable proprietary battery
Cheap or incomplete accessories
Low-end dimming color shift
Best value
4Budget
Nikon SB-600
Works well across many camera bodiesGreat value usedReliable for home studio useConfusing off-camera/remote triggeringMissing accessories on some unitsThird-party trigger compatibility issues
Nikon SB-600
Works well across many camera bodies
Great value used
Reliable for home studio use
Confusing off-camera/remote triggering
Missing accessories on some units
Third-party trigger compatibility issues
5Mid
Logitech Litra Glow
Flexible mountingGlasses-friendly lightingGood value for qualityNo Stream Deck supportNo battery, USB power onlyG Hub software issues
Logitech Litra Glow
Flexible mounting
Glasses-friendly lighting
Good value for quality
No Stream Deck support
No battery, USB power only
G Hub software issues
6Budget
Elgato Key Light Neo
Affordable pricingCompact secondary lightFlexible tilt anglePerceived long-standing reliability issueUncertain power for demanding tasksValue concerns given the issues
Elgato Key Light Neo
Affordable pricing
Compact secondary light
Flexible tilt angle
Perceived long-standing reliability issue
Uncertain power for demanding tasks
Value concerns given the issues
7Premium
Logitech Litra Beam
Versatile beyond streamingGlasses-friendly, glare-free lightGood build and light qualityHigh price pointNo good monitor mounting optionRequires AC power, not just USB
Logitech Litra Beam
Versatile beyond streaming
Glasses-friendly, glare-free light
Good build and light quality
High price point
No good monitor mounting option
Requires AC power, not just USB
8Mid
Elgato Key Light Air
MagSafe accessory mountingBright, high-quality light outputPortable and compact form factorUnreliable WiFi connectivityFlimsy, poorly designed mountHigh price relative to expectations
Elgato Key Light Air
MagSafe accessory mounting
Bright, high-quality light output
Portable and compact form factor
Unreliable WiFi connectivity
Flimsy, poorly designed mount
High price relative to expectations
9Mid
Elgato Key Light Mini
Compact and portableVersatile use casesEasy setupHigh price relative to competitorsWiFi connectivity failuresBattery drain while off
Elgato Key Light Mini
Compact and portable
Versatile use cases
Easy setup
High price relative to competitors
WiFi connectivity failures
Battery drain while off
10Mid
Zhiyun Molus X60
Responsive customer service for replacementsCompact, portable form factorWorks well with third-party power banksWidespread battery failureBuggy app and RGB controlProprietary battery design frustrates users
Zhiyun Molus X60
Responsive customer service for replacements
Compact, portable form factor
Works well with third-party power banks
Widespread battery failure
Buggy app and RGB control
Proprietary battery design frustrates users

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Impressively powerful output packed into a pocket-sized body. Commenters repeatedly call the M40 one of the most powerful lights they've used, surprising given its tiny pocket-sized form factor, with one even joking they couldn't find where to charge such a small device. Owners found it genuinely useful for lighting guitars, loop pedals, and background elements in streaming setups, and appreciated carrying it as a spare emergency light for unplanned low-light shots, praising its versatility despite the compact size.

Fan noise is the most-reported drawback. Multiple users flag the cooling fan as a real issue: one calls it the loudest fan they've encountered, saying the M40 becomes unusable for same-room audio recording at 100% brightness, though 50% power is manageable. Others echo this as a red flag before buying, and several commenters specifically asked the reviewer to include an audio sample of the fan at peak use, since it wasn't demonstrated.

Missing conveniences like a display, steady power-bank output, and companion app. Several users wished the M40 had a small digital display, since adjusting Kelvin between 2700 and 6000 without one seems less intuitive, though one found it fine regardless. A separate report notes brightness drops to about 50% when running off a USB-C power bank rather than the internal battery. Others wanted a Zhiyun mobile app and more third-party accessories like bigger softboxes for the light.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?