Godox SL60W vs Amaran 60d – My Honest Comparison
As someone who shoots both video and photo content in a small home studio, choosing the right light wasn’t just about brightness—it had to be quiet, compact, and budget-friendly. I’ve worked with both the Godox SL60W and the Amaran 60d, and here’s what I found.
Build Quality – Amaran Feels More Premium
Godox SL60W is built mostly out of plastic. It feels decent for its price but definitely entry-level. The Amaran 60d, on the other hand, surprised me. It’s more compact, has a metal mount, and comes with a better yoke system. It just feels sturdier overall.
Winner: Amaran 60d for better materials and portability.
Brightness – Practically Equal
On paper, both lights offer about 60W of power, and in practical use, they are very close in output. With a softbox or reflector, the Amaran might appear slightly more focused due to its design, but I didn’t notice any dramatic differences in terms of exposure when filming talking heads or products.
Winner: Tie
Color Accuracy – Amaran Is More Reliable
This one was clear. The Godox SL60W has a decent CRI (around 93+), but the Amaran 60d consistently delivers CRI 95+ and TLCI 96+. When color matching scenes, especially with other lights, the Amaran gave me cleaner skin tones and more consistent white balance.
Winner: Amaran 60d
Fan Noise – Godox Loses Here
If you record sound on set, this is a big deal. The SL60W has a constant fan noise that’s noticeable in a quiet room. With a shotgun mic nearby, I had to EQ it out. Amaran 60d is practically silent, and even under long use, I barely heard anything.
Winner: Amaran 60d – by far
Control & Interface – Amaran Offers More Flexibility
The Godox has a simple rear panel with manual dials. It works, but it’s basic. The Amaran 60d connects to the Sidus Link app, which I used to control brightness wirelessly—super handy during solo shoots.
Also, Amaran includes lighting effects (like paparazzi, lightning, etc.), which the SL60W lacks completely.
Winner: Amaran 60d
Price – Godox Still Wins on Budget
If you’re on a tight budget, the Godox SL60W is still a great entry-level light. It’s often cheaper by 30–40%, and if you’re working in controlled environments or replacing ambient lighting, it’s still usable—just know its limitations.
Winner: Godox SL60W
Comparison Table
| Feature | Godox SL60W | Amaran 60d |
|---|---|---|
| Power Output | 60W | 65W |
| Color Temp | 5600K | 5600K |
| CRI/TLCI | ~93 CRI | 95+ CRI / 96 TLCI |
| Fan Noise | Noticeable | Whisper-quiet |
| Control | Manual knobs | App (Sidus Link) + Buttons |
| Weight | ~1.6 kg | ~0.9 kg |
| Mount | Bowens | Bowens (mini Bowens adapter) |
| Effects | None | Yes (8 built-in) |
| Price (avg) | ~$130 USD | ~$200 USD |
Final Thoughts – Which One Did I Keep?
I ended up keeping the Amaran 60d. Even though it’s more expensive, the silent fan, color accuracy, and wireless control made a big difference in my workflow. For professional work or client-facing projects, it just feels more trustworthy.
That said, if you’re just starting out or shooting for fun, the Godox SL60W is still a solid value, especially with a good softbox.
