Best Light Meters
Top light meters ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Sekonic L-308X-U Flashmate
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Pocket-sized and lightweight
- Measures ambient and flash
- Retractable lumisphere is convenient
Cons
- No spot metering capability
- Basic LCD display
Don't buy this if…
- The L-308X does not include a spot meter; for precise zone-system metering, step up to the L-858D model.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Built-in 1-degree spot meter
- Radio trigger integration
- Touchscreen with custom profiles
Cons
- Expensive flagship model
- Complex for beginners
Don't buy this if…
- Radio trigger modules for PocketWizard and Elinchrom are sold separately; confirm compatibility before purchasing.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Extreme low-light sensitivity
- Analog-style intuitive display
- German precision engineering
Cons
- Dated interface design
- No wireless trigger capability
Don't buy this if…
- The analog display dial is accurate but takes practice to read quickly; digital users may find the interface counterintuitive.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Built-in 5-degree spot attachment
- 9-reading memory for comparison
- AA battery convenience
Cons
- Bulkier than Sekonic models
- 5-degree spot is wider than ideal
Don't buy this if…
- The 5-degree spot attachment is wider than the 1-degree found on flagship meters; readings may average adjacent tones.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Full spectral analysis with graphs
- CRI, TLCI, and SSI measurement
- Gel correction recommendations
Cons
- Very expensive specialized tool
- Not a traditional exposure meter
Don't buy this if…
- This is a color and spectral meter, not an exposure meter; you still need a separate light meter for f-stop readings.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Very affordable lux measurement
- Remote sensor on cord
- 200,000 lux range
Cons
- Measures lux only, not exposure
- Not designed for photography
Don't buy this if…
- Lux meters measure illumination intensity but do not calculate camera exposure settings; this is not a substitute for a photographic light meter.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Uses your phone as the display
- Measures color temperature too
- Compact and always with you
Cons
- iPhone only, no Android support
- Requires Lightning port
Don't buy this if…
- Requires an iPhone with a Lightning connector; not compatible with USB-C iPhones or any Android devices.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Designed for classic rangefinders
- Compact shoe-mount design
- Matches Leica metering pattern
Cons
- Reflected metering only
- Niche rangefinder market
Don't buy this if…
- This is a reflected meter only and reads the light bouncing off subjects; incident metering requires a separate meter.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
Change Log
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