Head-to-head · Best Softbox Lighting Kits

Godox DP1000III-V 2-Light Studio Flash Kit vs Godox SK400II 2-Light Studio Flash Kit

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Godox SK400II 2-Light Studio Flash Kit comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.7). The gap is mostly about Portrait and product photographers who want an affordable, expandable studio strobe kit — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Softbox Lighting Kits

Godox DP1000III-V 2-Light Studio Flash Kit

4.5

1 source$819as of Aug 1

If you need to overpower the sun or feather a large modifier, the Godox DP1000III-V 2-light kit is the high-power studio strobe here. A full DPiiiV-series video review and retailer testing single out the 1000Ws output and roughly 1-second full-power recycle, with reviewers saying 'the strobe seems impossible to beat for the price.' Against that: a bulky head, and more power than a small-studio shooter will ever use.

Strengths

— Huge 1000Ws per head for overpowering ambient light and big modifiers
— Very fast recycle time, around 1 second at full power
— 30W LED modeling lamp runs cool and efficient, safe with softboxes

Watch-outs

— Heads are bulky and heavy compared to lower-wattage strobes
— Overkill for small-room portrait work
— Modeling lamp could be brighter for previewing in bright rooms

$819 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Softbox Lighting Kits

Godox SK400II 2-Light Studio Flash Kit

4.7

3 sources2 derived$419.9as of Aug 1

The Godox SK400II 2-light kit is the best-value entry into studio strobe lighting, and Digital Camera World made it a 5-star pick, noting you get a full two-head softbox kit 'for less than the cost of just a single flash head from a premium brand.' TheGadgetHead rated it 4.5/5. The Bowens mount and built-in Godox X radio make it easy to expand later; the main caveat is the plasticky build.

Strengths

— Two 400Ws strobes with softbox, umbrellas, stands and remote for one low price
— 150W modeling lamp adjustable 5-100% to preview the lighting effect
— Fast 0.4-3s recycle time and stable output (under 2% variation)

Watch-outs

— Mostly plastic body that can feel a little fragile
— Strobes need AC power, not battery-portable
— Flash output means it is less beginner-friendly than continuous LED for video

$419.9 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Godox DP1000III-V 2-Light Studio Flash Kit

The DP1000III-V is the most powerful pick here at 1000Ws per head, far stronger than the Godox SK400II's 400Ws and in a different league from the continuous Neewer 700W and Neewer backdrop bulb kits; like the SK400II it uses a Bowens mount and the Godox X radio.

Godox SK400II 2-Light Studio Flash Kit

The SK400II is a flash kit, where the Godox SL60IIBi, Neewer 700W and Neewer backdrop kits are continuous lighting; it offers far more power-per-pop than any of them and recycles faster than the higher-wattage Godox DP1000III-V at lower cost.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Godox DP1000III-V 2-Light Studio Flash Kit	Godox SK400II 2-Light Studio Flash Kit
Light Type	Strobe (2x 1000Ws monolight)	Strobe (2x 400Ws monolight)
Power	1000Ws per head	400Ws per head
Color Temperature	5600K	5600K
Mount	Bowens	Bowens
Included Accessories	2 strobes, softbox, stands	2 strobes, softbox, 2 umbrellas, 2 stands, remote, bag
Control	2.4GHz Godox X	2.4GHz Godox X

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