In-depth review
Aputure Amaran 100d S Review (2027)
In-depth review of the Aputure Amaran 100d S: output, colour accuracy with SSI scoring, Sidus Link control and modifier choices.
Aputure Amaran 100d S
The daylight COB benchmark with Sidus Link and a Bowens mount.
Our verdict
The Amaran 100d S is the key light recommendation that survives every follow-up question. Its output through a softbox is ample for interviews at sensible ISOs, its colour scores are the class benchmark, and Sidus Link turns a one-light purchase into the foundation of a whole set. Buy it with a quality softbox and stand, and your lighting stops being the weak link.
What we like
- 100W COB with hyper-reflector output in the tens of thousands of lux at 1 m
- SSI and TLCI scores in the mid-90s for honest skin tones
- Sidus Link app control with professional lighting effects
- Universal Bowens mount opens the full pro modifier catalogue
What to watch out for
- Daylight 5600K only, so warming needs gels or the bi-colour sibling
- Softbox and stand are separate purchases for a working key setup
- Fan is quiet but present for ultra-close microphone work
What owners report: Aputure Amaran 100d S
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Skin tones under the daylight COB look honest without heavy correction in editing
- The Bowens mount accepting professional modifiers makes the light grow with a studio
- Sidus Link control from the talent chair feels like a cheat code during solo shoots
Common complaints
- Warming the fixed daylight output means gels or a different bi colour model
- A working key setup still needs a stand and softbox bought separately
- The fan is audible in the quietest close miked setups despite being hushed
Who it is for
Interview, YouTube and corporate video creators building a primary key light they will not outgrow in a year.
Output and modifiers
The 100W COB with its hyper reflector is rated in the tens of thousands of lux at 1 metre, and through a 90 cm softbox it delivers the classic interview exposure triangle at low gain. The Bowens mount is the real feature: every softbox, lantern, fresnel and snoot in the professional catalogue fits, so the light grows with your craft instead of boxing it in.
Colour quality
Aputure publishes SSI alongside CRI and TLCI, and the 100d S scores in the mid-90s with an SSI (D56) in the mid-80s, figures that translate to skin tones needing minimal correction. Against budget COBs the difference is not brightness, it is the absence of a green or magenta rescue operation in every grade.
Control and noise
Onboard controls cover brightness and effects, while Sidus Link adds scenes, grouping and remote control from the talent chair. The fan is well behaved at typical interview distances; for whisper-close microphones, plan placement first, since even quiet fans are audible in treated rooms at full power.
Key specifications
- Type
- 100W daylight COB point light
- Colour
- 5600K fixed, CRI 96+ / TLCI 96+ class, SSI (D56) 86 class
- Output
- Approx. 34,600 lux at 1 m with hyper reflector (maker rated)
- Mount / control
- Bowens S mount, onboard, Sidus Link app, DC battery options
- Dimming
- 0 to 100 percent stepless, 8 lighting effects
Also consider
SmallRig RC 120B COB Light
A 120W bi-colour COB with punchy output and SmallRig app control.
Why consider it: Bi-colour range and punchier rated output if you regularly match warm practical lighting.
- Type: 120W bi-colour COB point light
- Colour: 2700K to 6500K, CRI 95+ / TLCI 96+ class maker rated
Godox SL100Bi
A bi-colour COB workhorse with Godox Light app and silent mode.
Why consider it: Silent mode and Godox ecosystem fit if your studio already runs Godox flashes.
- Type: 100W bi-colour COB point light
- Colour: 2800K to 6500K, CRI 96+ / TLCI 97+ class maker rated
Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
100d S or 100x S?
The d is daylight only and slightly more efficient; the x is bi-colour from warm to daylight. Choose the x if you shoot in mixed light you cannot control, the d if your set is fully yours.
What softbox should I pair with it?
A 90 cm class dome or softbox for single interviews, a lantern for wider two-person softness. Stay within the Bowens mount and sane weight for your stand.
Can it run on batteries?
Yes with suitable DC and V-mount solutions rated for its draw. Budget the battery system properly, since a 100W light empties small batteries quickly.