Sol 5 Bi-Color Mobile light by Harlowe
The Sol5 LED Light by Harlowe is a compact, stylish, and functional lighting solution designed for mobile content creators and photographers. While it’s primarily marketed towards users with MagSafe-compatible devices, I found that it still has plenty of uses even without that feature.
The Harlowe Sol5 fits easily into your camera bag, luggage, backpack or pocket making it the perfect companion for all your adventures. Lightweight at 0.24 lb, the Sol5 delivers a dazzling 5.5W output across the entire color spectrum (2700K – 6500K). Even without the Magsafe phone case, it has so many uses. Let’s have a closer look!
Note: Blonde Robot (Australian Harlowe Distributor) sent the Harlow Sol5 kit to review and return. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this light are my own.
Harlowe Sol5 Portable Bi-Color Continuous LED Light
Pros
Compact, lightweight and portable
Very cool and funky, great retro design
Adjustable brightness and color temperature (2700K — 6500K)
Decent battery life with USB-C charging
Soft, flattering light for photography and video
useful even without the Magsafe, as it is magnetised and can be attached to light stands and other objects
Has a handy mirror, great for touchups on set etc.
Operation time: 1 hour 24 mins
Great optional accessories
Cons
Not the brightest LED for larger setups
Would be even better with more universal mounting options
Harlowe Sol5 Portable Bi-Color Continuous LED Lighting Kit — Technical specifications
All technical specifications are from the Hobolite website/marketing material.
Output Power: 5.5W (Boost Mode),3.5W (Standard Mode)
Color Temperature Range: 2700K~6500K
Luminous Flux: 360LM (Boost Mode),200LM (Standard Mode) (@6500K)
TLCI: 99
Input AC – 100-240V, 50~60HZ / DC input power 5V
Control: Onboard Dials
Battery run time: 1 hour 24 minutes full power
Battery: 3.7V 1000mAh, 3.7Wh
Battery Charging: 1 x Type C Charging Cable
Dimensions: 3.14”x2.7”x1.06” (Folded) / 7.36”x2.7”x0.19” (Unfolded)
Net Weight: 0.24 lb
Color: Brown Faux Leather
Harlowe Sol5 Portable Bi-Color Continuous LED Lighting Kit — Versatility
Even without a MagSafe phone, I found plenty of ways to use the Sol5:
Fill Light for Photography & Video – Works great as a small fill light for close-up shots.
Portable Desk Light – Useful for Zoom calls or quick lighting setups.
On-the-Go Creativity – Handy for adding dramatic lighting effects or experimenting with creative shadow play.
Emergency Light – Small enough to keep in a bag for unexpected low-light situations.
Build quality
The Sol5 is impressively lightweight and sleek, making it easy to carry in a pocket or camera bag. It has a premium feel with its smooth, matte finish and well-built construction. The magnetic back is a great feature for those with MagSafe, but even without it, the light is small enough to be handheld or mounted using accessories like tripods or adhesive mounts.
Out of the box
The Harlowe SOL5 Bi-Color Light Kit features an SOL 5 Mobile Light for Magsafe, a USB-C type Charging Cable, a Soft Pouch.
Harlowe Sol5 Portable Bi-Color Continuous LED Lighting Kit — Power in the palm of your hand
The LED output is bright, and the adjustable color temperature (ranging from warm to cool tones) makes it adaptable for different shooting conditions. Whether I’m using it for still-life photography, creative portraits, or product shots, it provides soft, flattering illumination. The dimmable settings also help fine-tune the lighting for different moods.
Mounting
So the base (with the mirror) can twist and turn, you can attach it to the back of a Magsafe Case on your Phone and use it as a fill light or video light. The handy mirror is good for quick touchups to hair and makeup too. Being magnetised I could attach it to a metal C-stand and then twist and turn in the direction I needed.
Setup
It’s so simple to use. However, to turn it on you press the power button and a little message appears, to turn the dial, ie; to turn the Sol5 on use one quick press and turn the dial. This is handy so you’re not wasting the battery accidentally pressing the power. Adjust the dials for power and color temperature and you’re ready to shoot. It’s that simple.
Harlowe Sol5 Portable Bi-Color Continuous LED Lighting Kit — A terrific lighting addition to your kit
I have been using this light in the studio for a variety of shoots from macro, still life and portriat photography. It’s a terrific little light and very handy. The fact that it is so small, lightweight and easy to use is a big plus for me. Sample images below on Sony A7RV at 5600K.
Harlowe Sol5 Portable Bi-Color Continuous LED Lighting Kit — Sample images
Sol5 used in conjunction with the Blade 5 & 10
Our verdict
Harlowe Sol 5 Bi-Color Mobile Light for MagSafe
★★★★★4/5
If you have a MagSafe-compatible phone, the Sol5 seamlessly integrates into your mobile workflow. However, even without MagSafe, it’s still a great little LED light that offers excellent portability and versatility. For photographers, content creators, and even casual users needing an extra light source, the Sol5 is a worthwhile addition to any kit. Would be even better with more universal mounting options!
