Studio Lighting Kit Wattage Buying Guide: 2400W vs 2700W vs 150W
By ephotoinc | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Buying Guides
Decode continuous lighting wattage before you buy. Compare 2400W, 2700W, and 150W kits, plus when a tungsten halogen modeling lamp makes sense.
Quick answer
If you shoot portraits or video in a small to medium studio, a 2400W continuous kit gives you three softbox lights and a green screen background for under $121. For more softboxes and a hair light, choose the 2700W kit. The 150W tungsten halogen modeling lamp is a $9 replacement bulb, not a main light, so buy it only to fix a burned-out modeling socket.
What wattage actually means in a continuous kit
In continuous lighting kits, the wattage number is the total bulb power the kit can hold, not the brightness of a single fixture. A 2400W kit with twelve 45W bulbs spreads 540W of actual light across three softboxes. A 2700W kit with four 45W bulbs per holder delivers 180W per fixture but uses fewer, larger softboxes. Higher wattage means more bulbs and more even coverage, not necessarily a brighter single source. When you compare kits, count the bulbs and softboxes first, then look at the total wattage.
Match the kit to your shooting space and subject
A 2400W kit with three 16x24-inch softboxes and a 10x8-foot background stand works well for headshots, product shots, and solo video. The three-point setup covers key, fill, and background light without crowding a small room. The 2700W kit adds a hair boom light and three softboxes, which helps when you need separation between a subject and a green muslin backdrop. If you shoot large groups or full-body fashion, neither kit is ideal because the softboxes are small; you would need larger modifiers, which are not part of these kits.
Why the 150W tungsten halogen modeling lamp is a different purchase
The 150W tungsten halogen modeling lamp is a replacement bulb for a screw-type light holder on 110V power. It is not a continuous lighting kit and will not light a scene on its own. Buy it when a modeling lamp in an existing fixture burns out and you want a frosted, screw-in replacement. Check your fixture's socket and voltage before ordering; the listing states it fits any screw type holder and most modeling lamps on the market, but it does not list color temperature or dimming compatibility.
Decision rules for buying a studio lighting kit
- Rule 1: Count bulbs and softboxes, not just the wattage number: A 2400W kit with twelve 45W bulbs gives you more individual light sources than a 2700W kit with four bulbs per holder. More bulbs mean more even fill and easier replacement, but also more outlets and setup time. Choose the kit whose bulb count matches how many light positions you actually use.
- Rule 2: Buy the kit that includes the background you need: The 2400W kit includes a green screen background stand but no muslin. The 2700W kit includes a green muslin background and support stand. The 99.19 kit includes white, black, and green backdrops. If you already own a backdrop, a kit without one may save money; if not, bundle the background to avoid a second purchase.
- Rule 3: Treat the 150W modeling lamp as a spare part, not a lighting solution: It fits screw-type holders on 110V and replaces most modeling lamps, but it produces only 150W of light. It cannot replace a multi-bulb softbox kit for portraits or video. Buy it only when a modeling lamp burns out and you have confirmed your fixture uses a screw-type socket.
- Rule 4: Check voltage and room size before ordering: The 2700W kit is rated for 110–120V. The 2400W and 99.19 kits use 5500K 45W bulbs but do not list voltage in the supplied facts. Measure your shooting space: 6.5 ft stands and 10 ft cross bars need clearance. If you are outside North America, confirm voltage compatibility with the seller before purchase.
Product facts to compare
- 2400 Watt Continuous Video Photography Studio Chromakey Green Screen Lighting Kit: Includes 1 background stand (8 ft height, 10 ft wide, 4 sections), 3 light stands extending to 6.5 ft, 3 four-light sockets, 3 softboxes (16x24 in), and 12 45W 5500K bulbs equivalent to 2400W. A complete three-point continuous kit with a green screen stand, so you can set up portraits or video in minutes without buying separate stands.
- Three Softbox 2700 Watt Photography Video Hair Boom Light Lighting Kit Chromakey Green Muslin Background Support Stand Case Kit: Three softbox kit with a hair boom light, operated with 4 daylight studio bulbs per holder (total 4 bulbs), works with 110–120V, and includes a green muslin background support stand and case. Adds a hair light and a larger softbox count for better subject separation when shooting on green muslin.
- Photography Studio Video Lighting Kit 3 Chromakey Muslins Background Stands Case: Includes 2 background stands, 4 cross bars extending to 10 ft, 4 light umbrella holders, 4 6.5 ft light stands, 2 white umbrellas, 2 black/silver umbrellas, 4 5500K 45W bulbs, white/black/green 6x9 ft backdrops, and a carrying case. A lower-cost 4-light kit with umbrellas instead of softboxes, giving softer, broader light for groups or full-body shots when you have more space.
- 150 Watt Tungsten Halogen Modeling Lamp Replacement: One 150W frosted halogen modeling lamp that fits any screw-type light holder and works on any 110V power source, replacing most modeling lamps on the market. A low-cost fix for a burned-out modeling lamp, but not a substitute for a main continuous light.
Which kit fits your studio?
Best for
- Portrait and video shooters who need a complete three-point softbox kit with a green screen stand in one purchase
- Small studios with limited space that still want even, soft continuous light
- Buyers who want a hair light and green muslin background included in the kit
Not for
- Photographers who need battery-powered or strobe lighting for fast action
- Large group or full-body shoots that require softboxes larger than 16x24 inches
- Anyone looking for a single bright light rather than a multi-bulb continuous kit
