Godox AD battery-powered flashes compared – from the AD100 Pro II to the AD1200 Pro

A battery-powered flash is a hybrid between a shoe-mounted flash and a studio flash: it has the power of a studio flash but operates without mains power. Godox’s AD series battery-powered flashes are the most popular choice amongst wedding photographers, portrait photographers and home studios, as they are powerful, affordable and work with all camera brands via the same wireless system. In this comparison, we’ll be looking at the entire range, from the 100 Ws pocket flash to the 1200 Ws field flash, and we’ll explain which model is best suited to which application and which transmitter is used to control them.

In a nutshell: which Godox battery-powered flash should you choose?

• The lightest to carry around: Godox AD100 Pro II. It fits in the palm of your hand, and the round head gives off a soft light. A good fill light and a second flash for weddings.
• The most popular and versatile: Godox AD200 Pro II. Twice the power of the AD100 and interchangeable flash heads. If you’re only buying one battery-powered flash, go for this one.
• Lightweight yet powerful: Godox AD300 Pro II. 300 Ws at around 1.2 kg, and the softboxes attach directly to the flash.
• For portraits and home studios: Godox AD400 Pro II. The fastest recharging time in the entire range and a bright 30 W modelling light.
• The power of sunlight: Godox AD600 Pro II. The latest version of this classic model, with a direct Bowens mount. A more affordable manual option is the AD600BM II.
• Maximum power in a single chassis: Godox AD800 Pro. 800 Ws and an extremely short flash duration for freezing motion.
• Professional on-location flash: Godox AD1200 Pro. 1200 Ws, separate battery pack and flash head for large light modifiers.

Godox AD flashes in a comparison table

Model	Power	Flashes at full power	Download time	Printed from	Fixing	TTL
AD100 Pro II	100 Ws	approx. 490	0.01–1.5 s	approx. 0.5 kg	Round head, magnetic accessories	Yes
AD200 Pro II	200 Ws	approx. 500	0.01–1.8 s	approx. 0.9–1.0 kg	Interchangeable flash heads	Yes
AD300 Pro II	300 Ws	approx. 350	0.01–1.5 s	approx. 1.2 kg	Godox mount, with Bowens adapter	Yes
AD400 Pro II	400 Ws	approx. 460	0.01–1.0 s	approx. 2.0 kg	Godox mount, Bowens adapter included	Yes
AD600BM II	600 Ws	approx. 500	0.01–1.9 s	approx. 2.9 kg	Bowens	No, manual
AD600 Pro II	600 Ws	approx. 360	0.01–0.9 s	approx. 3.0 kg	Bowens	Yes
AD800 Pro	800 Ws	approx. 300	0.01–1.5 s	approx. 3.7 kg	Bowens	Yes
AD1200 Pro	1,200 Ws	approx. 400–500	approx. 1.5–2 s	Separate head and battery unit	Bowens	Yes

The information is provided by the manufacturer. The weight is stated including the battery, and the manufacturer measures it slightly differently for different models (for example, with or without the reflector).

How much power do you need?

Flash power is measured in watt-seconds (Ws). A shoe-mounted flash typically has a power output of around 60–80 Ws, so even the AD200 is clearly more powerful. In photography, power is expressed in f-stops: Double the power provides one stop more light. The AD400 is therefore more powerful than the AD200, and the AD800 is more powerful than the AD400.

• Interiors and weddings: 100–200 Ws is more than enough, especially when the light is reflected off an umbrella or a small softbox.
• Home studio and portraits: 300–400 Ws is sufficient even with a large softbox and leaves some power in reserve for small apertures.
• Outdoors in the sunshine: 600 Ws or more. In bright sunlight, the flash needs to overpower the daylight, and if you use high-speed synchronisation (HSS) to open up the aperture, the flash loses a lot of power.
• Large lighting set-ups and group photos: 800–1200 Ws. A large octabox or a light source that needs to be photographed from a distance requires a lot of power.

It’s not worth buying too much power: a larger flash is also heavier to carry, and at the lowest power setting, a smaller flash is often more practical. For many people, the best solution is two smaller flashes rather than one large one.

Godox AD100 Pro II – the smallest pocket flash

AD100 Pro II It’s only slightly larger than a shoe-mounted flash, but it has 100 Ws of power and a round flash head that distributes the light evenly. The battery provides around 490 full-power flashes, and the 5 W LED modelling light allows you to see the direction of the light before taking the shot. The Pro II version features a colour display, a group colour indicator light and quick pairing with the X3 transmitter.

Okay: as a secondary light source for weddings and events, for travel, and for photographers who do a lot of walking. The same magnetic adapters are also compatible with the Godox V1 hot-shoe flash.

Godox AD200 Pro II – the most popular battery-powered flash

AD200 Pro II is the most versatile model in the range. It features two interchangeable flash heads: a hot-shoe-style head for directional lighting and a bare flash tube that distributes light evenly into a softbox or umbrella. It has an output of 200 Ws, and at full power the battery provides around 500 flashes. In the Pro II version, the power can be adjusted down to 1/512, and both flash heads feature a dual-colour LED modelling light.

Okay: Ideal as a first battery-powered flash, for wedding photographers, for outdoor portraits in the shade or in cloudy weather, and for a small home studio. Two AD200s fit into a small bag and are sufficient for most shoots.

Godox AD300 Pro II – lightweight and powerful

AD300 Pro II It is a 300 Ws flash that weighs only about 1.2 kilograms, including the battery. This makes it popular for outdoor photography, where the flash is mounted high on a tripod or light arm. Softboxes and other modifiers attach directly to the flash, so no separate mounting bracket is required. The Pro II version features a 12 W dual-colour modelling light, a short flash duration for freezing motion, and HSS up to 1/8000 s.

Okay: for outdoor photography, when the AD200 isn’t powerful enough but the AD600 is too heavy, as well as for portrait photographers on the move.

Godox AD400 Pro II – for portrait photography and studio use

AD400 Pro II It is the fastest in the range: the charging time at full power is only about a second, and the battery provides around 460 full-power flashes. A bright 30 W two-colour modelling light helps with focusing in low light and shows how the light will fall. The pack includes a Bowens adapter, so the flash is compatible with all Bowens-mount softboxes.

Okay: For a portrait photographer who shoots both in the studio and outdoors, and as the main flash for a home studio.

Godox AD600 Pro II and AD600BM II – power for outdoor photography

AD600 Pro II It is one of the most popular battery-powered flashes used by professionals. Its 600 Ws output is sufficient to overpower sunlight, and the recharge time at full power is less than a second. The flash features a direct Bowens mount and a 40 W dual-colour modelling light. The Pro II version features a redesigned colour display, a group colour indicator light and quick pairing with the X3 transmitter.

AD600BM II is the more affordable manual version. It doesn’t have TTL automation, but it offers the same power output and the battery provides up to around 500 full-power flashes. If you always adjust the flash output yourself, the BM II is a good way to get 600 Ws at a lower price.

Okay: for portrait photography in sunlight, sports and equestrian photography, and when using large light-modifying accessories.

Godox AD800 Pro – maximum power in a single unit

AD800 Pro is Godox’s latest battery-powered flash. At 800 Ws, it offers a third more power than the AD600, yet the flash consists of a single, integrated body with no separate battery unit. In Freeze mode, the flash duration is as short as approximately 1/35,000 s, which freezes even the fastest motion, such as splashing water or a leaping athlete. The battery provides around 300 full-power flashes, and the direct Bowens mount is compatible with all Bowens modifiers.

Okay: For photographers for whom the AD600’s power is insufficient, but who find the AD1200’s separate battery pack too heavy to carry.

Godox AD1200 Pro – a portable flash for professionals

AD1200 Pro is the most powerful model in the range. It features a separate battery unit and a cable-connected flash head, so only the lightweight head is mounted on the tripod. The 1200 Ws output is sufficient for large softboxes and group shots, even in bright sunlight. The flash can also be fitted with a ring flash head and a mains adapter, allowing it to function in the studio just like a standard studio flash.

Okay: for professionals who take advertising, fashion or group photographs on location using a large light source.

Which transmitter is used to control the battery-powered flash?

The battery-powered flash is controlled wirelessly via a transmitter fitted to the camera’s hot shoe. All AD flashes come with a built-in Godox 2.4 GHz X-system receiver, so no separate receiver is required. Using the transmitter, you can adjust the power and groups of all the flashes from the camera up to a distance of approximately 100 metres. The transmitter is chosen according to your camera brand, but the flash itself is compatible with all brands.

• Godox X3: A small and lightweight (48 g) transmitter with a touchscreen and a built-in battery. Pro II flashes can be connected to it using the One-Tap Sync function with a single tap, without the need to adjust channels. Recommended for most users.
• Godox XPro II: A larger transmitter with a clear display and dedicated buttons for each group. It’s quickest to use when there are three or more lights, or when you’re constantly adjusting them whilst shooting.
• Godox X2T: An affordable, traditional transmitter powered by AA batteries. A good choice if you want to keep costs down.

A Godox hot-shoe flash, such as the V1 Pro or V860 III, can also act as a transmitter. In this case, the flash mounted on the camera both illuminates the scene and controls the battery-powered flashes. We compared Godox’s hot-shoe flashes separately in an article A comparison of Godox flashes. You can find all the transmitters in the department transmitters.

Light modifiers and accessories

A bare flash produces harsh light and sharp shadows. For soft portrait lighting, you’ll need a softbox or an umbrella. The AD300 Pro and AD400 Pro flashes have their own lightweight parabolic softboxes that attach directly to the flash. The AD600, AD800 and AD1200 models feature a Bowens mount, so they are compatible with all Bowens-mount accessories.

• Softbox: Soft, even light for portrait photography. The larger the softbox and the closer it is to the subject, the softer the light.
• Valves and cells: focus the light on a specific area, such as the background or the hair.
• Snoot: produces a small, precise beam of light.
• Spare battery: For a long day’s filming, it’s worth taking a spare battery with you. Batteries can be swapped in a matter of seconds.

You can find more modifiers in the section photomodifiers and all the battery-powered torches from the department battery storage.

Second-hand Godox battery-powered flash

We often receive Godox battery-powered flashes through our trade-in scheme, and you can get a used AD200 Pro or AD600, for example, at a significantly lower price than a new one. We check that every flash is in working order, and all second-hand equipment comes with a minimum 90-day warranty and a 30-day right of return. See Second-hand Godox products.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Godox battery-powered flash?

For most people, the best choice is the AD200 Pro II: it’s lightweight, powerful enough for indoor use and in the shade, and the interchangeable flash heads make it versatile. If you do a lot of outdoor photography in sunlight, go for the AD600 Pro II or the AD400 Pro II.

What is the difference between the AD200 and the AD300?

The AD300 Pro II is about half a stop more powerful, and the softboxes attach directly to the flash. The AD200 Pro II is lighter and features interchangeable flash heads. Choose the AD200 if compact size is your priority, and the AD300 if you mainly use the flash with a softbox.

Do I need TTL?

TTL automatically adjusts the flash output, which speeds up shooting in situations where the distance to the subject changes, such as at weddings. In the studio and for staged portraits, the power is usually adjusted manually, in which case a manual flash, such as the AD600BM II, is perfectly adequate.

Will a Godox battery-powered flash work with my camera?

It works. The flash itself isn’t tied to a specific camera brand; instead, the brand is selected according to the transmitter. Godox transmitters are available for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, OM System, Panasonic and Leica.

Can a battery-powered flash be used with mains power?

Some models are available with an optional mains power adapter, which replaces the battery. The adapter is available, for example, for the AD600 Pro and AD1200 Pro. In the studio, the adapter eliminates the need to charge the battery altogether.

Can I try out the flashes before buying them?

Welcome to our shop in Kouvola. You can try out the flashes and transmitters with your own camera, and we’ll help you choose the right model and lighting accessories.