Quick answer
The right softbox balances size with your light's output and your shooting space. For a Bowens-mount light like the Lume Cube XL 60W, choose a 22-inch softbox for softer, broader light or a 12-inch mini for portability and tighter control.
Size vs. light quality: why diameter matters
A larger softbox (22-inch) creates a bigger light source relative to your subject, producing softer shadows and a more flattering wrap-around look. This is ideal for portraits and product shots where you want to minimize hard edges.
A smaller softbox (12-inch) keeps the light more directional and easier to position in tight spaces. It also maintains a higher light intensity per square inch, so you can still get good exposure at a distance without boosting your light's power.
Mount compatibility: Bowens S Mount is the industry standard
Most studio lights and softboxes use a Bowens S Mount, but not all accessories are universal. If your light has a Bowens mount, you can swap softboxes from different brands as long as they also use that mount. This gives you flexibility to mix and match without buying into a single ecosystem.
The Lume Cube Large Softbox and XL Mini Softbox both feature a built-in speed ring with a universal Bowens S Mount, so they attach directly to compatible lights without extra adapters.
Softbox vs. umbrella: a quick trade-off
Umbrellas are cheaper, faster to set up, and produce a very broad, diffused light. However, they spill light everywhere, making it harder to control the beam. Softboxes are more directional, letting you shape the light and minimize stray spill onto backgrounds or other subjects.
If you need precise control or shoot in a small room where spill is a problem, a softbox is the better choice. For quick, broad fill light in a larger space, an umbrella can still work well.
How to choose your softbox: decision rules
- Match size to your subject and space: For headshots and small products, a 12-inch softbox is enough. For full-body portraits or larger groups, go with a 22-inch or larger. In a cramped room, a smaller softbox lets you keep the light closer to the subject for softer shadows. Measure your typical shooting distance and subject size before picking a diameter.
- Confirm your light's mount type: Most video and studio lights use a Bowens S Mount. If yours does, any Bowens-mount softbox will attach directly. If your light uses a different mount (e.g., a proprietary bayonet), you may need an adapter or a dedicated softbox. Check your light's spec sheet for 'Bowens S Mount' before buying a softbox.
- Decide between portability and light quality: A 12-inch mini softbox packs smaller and is easier to travel with, but its smaller surface means harsher shadows at typical distances. A 22-inch softbox is bulkier but gives noticeably softer light. There is no free lunch here. If you shoot mostly in a studio, the larger softbox is worth the space. If you shoot on location, the mini softbox is a better trade-off.
Softbox options from Lume Cube
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Lume Cube Large Softbox: 22-inch diameter softbox designed for the Lume Cube XL 60W RGB COB Light, with a built-in Bowens S Mount speed ring. The larger size gives you softer, more flattering light for portraits and product work, and the universal mount means it works with other Bowens-compatible lights.
Lume Cube Large Softbox
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Lume Cube XL Mini Softbox: 12-inch diameter mini softbox for the Lume Cube XL 60W RGB Mini COB Light, also using a Bowens S Mount. The compact size is easier to pack and positions in tight spaces, while still providing controlled, diffused light with the included fabric grid.
Lume Cube XL Mini Softbox
Who should buy which?
Best for
- Portrait and product photographers who want soft, flattering light and have space for a larger modifier
- Video creators who need directional, spill-free lighting in a controlled studio environment
Not for
- Travel shooters who need the smallest possible kit (consider a 12-inch mini softbox or even a small umbrella instead)
- Users with non-Bowens lights who don't want to buy an adapter (check compatibility first)
