Godox transmitter – X3, XPro II or X2T?

With the Godox transmitter, you can trigger and control your flashes wirelessly from your camera. The transmitter attaches to the camera’s hot shoe and is used to control the power, groups and modelling light of all Godox flashes from a distance of up to approximately 100 metres. In this guide, we compare Godox’s current transmitters X3, XPro II and X2T as well as the X1R receiver, and we’ll tell you which one is right for you.

In a nutshell: which Godox transmitter should you choose?

	Godox X3	Godox XPro II	Godox X2T
Display	Touch screen	Large LCD screen and dedicated buttons	Smaller LCD
Power	Built-in battery, USB-C charging	AA batteries	AA batteries
Printed from	48 g	93 g	about 90 g
Special feature	The smallest, when used with One-Tap Sync Pro II flashes	The quickest way is to use multiple flashes	Wearing the Lightning Shoe and app control
Suitable for	For most people, especially beginners	For studio use and 3+ flashes	For wedding photographers and a budget-friendly start

The transmitter is chosen according to your camera brand (for example, X3 Canon or X3 Sony), but the flashes themselves are compatible with all brands.

How does the transmitter work?

The transmitter triggers the flash when the flash is not attached to the camera. This allows light to be directed onto the subject from any angle, for example from the side through a softbox. Godox transmitters also transmit TTL data to the flash, allowing the flash to adjust its output automatically. In addition, the transmitter is used to remotely control the power and modelling light, as well as high-speed synchronisation (HSS) up to a shutter speed of 1/8000 of a second.

• Groups: The flashes are divided into groups, such as A, B and C, and the power of each group is adjusted separately. If you place several flashes in the same group, the settings for all of them will change at once.
• Channels: Each photographer uses their own channel to ensure that those shooting in the same space do not trigger each other’s flashes.

Godox X3 – a compact transmitter with a touchscreen

X3 is Godox’s latest and smallest transmitter. It features a touchscreen and a built-in battery that is charged via USB-C, so no batteries are required. In terms of features, it is equivalent to the XPro II. Flashes from the Pro II series, such as the AD200 Pro II and AD600 Pro II, can be paired with it using the One-Tap Sync function with a single tap. We recommend the X3 for most people, especially if you’re just starting out with the Godox system.

• Built-in lithium battery 3.7 V / 850 mAh, charging time approx. 2 hours
• TTL, manual, multi-flash, HSS, and front and rear curtain synchronisation
• Flash exposure compensation: ±3 EV in 1/3 EV steps, and TCM conversion from TTL to manual
• 2.4 GHz, 32 channels, wireless ID 01–99, groups A–F and 0–9, range approx. 100 m
• Software update via USB-C, dimensions 4 × 4.7 × 3.9 cm, weight 48 g

Godox XPro II – large buttons for multiple flashes

XPro II It has long been our best-selling transmitter. Its large display and clearly marked buttons make it the quickest to use when you have three or more flashes, or when you’re constantly adjusting them whilst shooting. It runs on two AA batteries.

• 32 channels and 16 groups, range approx. 100 m
• TTL and HSS up to 1/8000 s, TCM conversion from TTL to manual mode
• Model light control, large LCD screen and quick-access buttons for groups
• USB-C port for updates and a 2.5 mm sync port
• Dimensions 9.5 × 6.2 × 4.9 cm, weight 93 g

Godox X2T – hot shoe mount and app control

X2T It is the most affordable of the transmitters, and it has two special features. There is a hot shoe on top of the transmitter, so you can keep a hot-shoe flash mounted on the camera whilst simultaneously controlling other flashes remotely. This is important, for example, for a wedding photographer who is shooting a dance with a single flash on the camera and a few others positioned in the corners of the room. Furthermore, the X2T can be controlled via Bluetooth using the Godox app on your mobile phone.

In terms of its other features, the X2T is similar to the XPro transmitter, but the display and buttons are smaller. It runs on AA batteries and weighs around 90 grams.

X1R receiver for other flash units

Godox’s new flash units come with a built-in receiver, so there is no need for a separate receiver. X1R-With the receiver, you can also connect flashes from other brands to the Godox system. The receiver is selected according to the flash brand, and TTL works with Canon, Nikon and Sony flashes.

The X1R can also be used to trigger studio flashes via a sync cable. The pack includes a 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm sync cable, which is compatible with most studio flashes.

Compatibility

• Lightning: The transmitters control all Godox 2.4 GHz X-System flashes, such as the V1, V860 and TT685 hot-shoe flashes, as well as battery-powered flashes ranging from the AD100 Pro II to the AD1200 Pro. We compared them in our articles A comparison of Godox flashes and A comparison of Godox AD battery-powered flashes.
• Camera: The transmitter is selected according to the camera brand, and the brand is indicated in the product name: C = Canon, N = Nikon, S = Sony, F = Fujifilm, O = OM System and Panasonic, P = Pentax and L = Leica. A transmitter of the wrong brand may fire the flash, but TTL and HSS will not work in that case.
• HSS is important: Without high-speed synchronisation, the flash cannot be used at shutter speeds faster than 1/200–1/250 of a second, which is necessary, for example, when shooting outdoors in sunlight with a wide aperture.

You can find all transmitters and receivers in the department transmitters.

Frequently asked questions

Which Godox transmitter should I buy?

For most people, the X3 is small and lightweight, and its battery is charged via USB-C. Choose the XPro II if you use multiple flashes and want large buttons, and the X2T if you want to keep a hot-shoe flash mounted on the camera whilst controlling other flashes.

What is the difference between the X3 and the XPro II?

The features are almost identical. The X3 is significantly smaller and has a touchscreen and a rechargeable battery. The XPro II has a large screen and physical buttons, and runs on AA batteries.

Do I need a receiver?

No, not if you’re using Godox flashes, as they come with a built-in receiver. You’ll only need a receiver for flashes from other brands or older studio flashes.

Will a Canon transmitter work with a Sony camera?

The flash may fire, but TTL and HSS will not work. You should therefore always select a transmitter compatible with your camera brand.

Can a shoe flash be used as a transmitter?

Oh. For example, the Godox V1 Pro and V860 III act as transmitters, meaning that the flash mounted on the camera both illuminates the scene and controls the other flashes. However, a separate transmitter is lighter and easier to use.