Quick answer: The Profoto B1X is a 500Ws battery flash built for high-power outdoor work and large fashion sets, while the Profoto B10 is a 250Ws compact strobe optimised for travel, beauty and mobile editorial production. If you need to overpower the sun or shoot wide softboxes outdoors, choose B1. If you need lightweight, low-profile lighting that fits in a backpack, choose B10. Your decision depends on power needs, modifier size and how mobile your shoot is.
At Coyote Rent we rent both flashes (and the rest of the Profoto ecosystem: B30, A1, D2, Pro-11) in Valencia, Alicante and Castellón, with optional DIT service for productions that need on-set capture, backup and color management. Below you will find the full comparison so you can pick the right tool for your next shoot.
Profoto B1 vs B10: comparison table
Both lights share the same Profoto color rendering, AirTTL system and modifier ecosystem, but they sit at different ends of the portable lighting spectrum. Here is the head-to-head:
| Spec | Profoto B1X 500 AirTTL | Profoto B10 / B10 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 500 Ws | 250 Ws (B10) / 500 Ws (B10 Plus) |
| Power range | 9 f-stops (2.0 – 10.0) | 10 f-stops (1.0 – 10.0) |
| Recycle time | 0.1 – 1.9 s | 0.05 – 2.0 s |
| Weight (with battery) | ~3.0 kg | ~1.5 kg |
| Battery life (full power) | ~325 full-power flashes | ~400 full-power flashes |
| Built-in LED modeling light | Yes | Yes (continuous video light, bi-color on B10 Plus) |
| HSS & TTL | Yes (AirTTL) | Yes (AirTTL) |
| Best use cases | Outdoor fashion editorial, big modifiers, overpowering sun | Beauty, travel, Instagram production, run-and-gun editorial |
| Rental price/day (approx.) | From 60€ / day | From 50€ / day |
Final rates depend on rental length, package and accessories. Multi-day discounts apply for editorial and commercial productions.
When to choose the Profoto B1
The B1X is the workhorse of outdoor fashion. With 500Ws of clean output, a fast recycle time and Profoto’s unique color consistency, it is the flash you want when the brief says «sunny exterior, big softbox, fashion editorial».
Pick the B1 when you need to:
- Overpower the sun at midday with HSS, especially through diffusion
- Light a model through a large modifier (Octa 5’, RFi 4x6’, Magnum reflector)
- Shoot fashion editorials and campaigns on location with multiple lights
- Cover a large group or set where the light is far from the subject
- Work with medium-format cameras (Phase One, Hasselblad) that demand more light
Brands like Dior, Hermès, Vogue and Zara have shot with us using B1 setups for that reason: when the production budget allows it and the brief is demanding, you do not want to wonder if your light has enough power. You want to know.
When to choose the Profoto B10
The B10 is a different philosophy. Profoto basically built a 250Ws flash with the size of a zoom lens. It fits in a backpack, weighs half what the B1 does, and gives you the same color science, AirTTL, HSS and modifier mount. The B10 Plus doubles the power to 500Ws while staying compact.
Pick the B10 when you need:
- Travel and location production with airline-friendly weight
- Beauty and portrait shoots where you do not need huge power
- Mobile editorial / social content for Instagram, TikTok or e-commerce
- A discreet setup in tight spaces (hotel rooms, restaurants, small studios)
- Hybrid stills + video shoots, thanks to its bi-color continuous LED
- To carry three lights in the same case where one B1 lives
If your production is run-and-gun, if you change locations every two hours, or if you are a photographer flying to a job, the B10 is hard to beat.
Recommended setups
Profoto B1 setup — outdoor fashion editorial
- 2 x Profoto B1X 500 AirTTL
- 1 x Profoto RFi Softbox Octa 5’ (key light)
- 1 x Profoto OCF Beauty Dish Silver 2’ (rim or accent)
- 2 x C-Stand with sandbags (essential outdoors)
- Profoto Air Remote TTL trigger
- Optional: Magnum reflector for hard, directional sunlight simulation
Profoto B10 setup — beauty / travel
- 1 x Profoto B10 Plus (key)
- 1 x Profoto B10 (fill or hair light)
- 1 x Profoto OCF Beauty Dish White 2’
- 1 x Profoto OCF Softbox Octa 2’ or 3’
- 1 x reflector / negative fill
- Profoto Connect or Air Remote
Both kits are available pre-packed at our Valencia base, ready to load into a van or a flight case.
FAQ
Is the B10 powerful enough for outdoor shoots?
The standard B10 (250Ws) struggles to overpower direct sun through a large modifier. The B10 Plus (500Ws) handles most outdoor situations, but for shaded outdoors, golden hour or controlled exteriors the B10 is enough. For midday sun + big softbox, rent the B1.
Can I mix B1 and B10 on the same shoot?
Yes, and many of our clients do. They use the B1 as key light and the B10 as fill or rim, all controlled from the same Air Remote. Color rendering is consistent across the Profoto ecosystem.
Do you deliver to Alicante and Castellón?
Yes. Coyote Rent operates from Valencia and serves productions in Alicante, Castellón and the rest of the Levante region. We also ship nationally for confirmed bookings.
Do you include a DIT for the shoot?
We can include a DIT service on request: tethered capture, on-set color, backup and Capture One sessions. It is a separate add-on and we recommend it for editorial and commercial jobs.
What modifiers come with the rental?
You can rent the Profoto bodies stand-alone or in a kit with softboxes (RFi and OCF lines), beauty dishes, Magnum reflectors, grids and gels. Tell us the brief and we will pre-pack the case.
Rent Profoto in Valencia, Alicante and Castellón
Whether you need a Profoto B1 for a fashion editorial in the dunes of Valencia, a B10 kit for a beauty campaign in a Castellón hotel, or a full multi-light setup with DIT service, Coyote Rent has you covered. We are the rental partner of choice for productions shooting Dior, Hermès, Vogue, Zara and other brands across the Spanish Levante.
Request a quote or browse our Profoto catalog to check availability.
Coyote Rent
Photography equipment rental and digital technician services for professional productions in Spain and Europe.