Which RGB Critter Kit Is Right for You? A Buyer's Guide
7 min readEvery kit we make is built around the same brain: the RGB Critter BT, a 170-lumen, app-controlled light that twists into whips, sabers, staffs, tubes, and 200+ other tools. That is great news for your wallet â one light, many tools â but it raises a fair question: where should I start? We build all of these, so we have no reason to steer you to the wrong one. This guide matches each kit to the person it is actually for, and we will tell you plainly when the cheaper option is the right call.
The short version
The flexible core
The light by itself: 16 million colors, 145+ modes, works with or without the app. Every accessory attaches to it. Best for tinkerers, people who already own props, and anyone who wants to add tools one at a time.
$129.95
Best first light painting kit
Light Painting Photography Kit for Beginners
The easiest on-ramp: everything you need for your first real light painting shots without overbuying. Best for first-timers and gift buyers.
$189.95saves $54 vs buying separately
For photographers getting serious
A broader set of light-shaping tools for someone ready to develop a real body of work. Best for hobbyists leveling up from the beginner kit.
$384.95
The everything box
The complete photographer's arsenal: the widest range of tubes, shapers, and tools in one box. Best for working artists â and honestly overkill for a first-timer.
$899.95
Best first flow tool
Our flagship whip and most popular flow tool: bright fiber trails, performance-grade build, lifetime warranty on the whip head. Best for most flow artists starting out.
$149.95$169.95 as a full kit
For saber spinners
A diffusing tube saber for smooth, even trails. Best for dancers and saber spinners. Patterned sabers â Honeycomb, Hive, Butterfly, Stellar â sit at the same tier.
$189.95
For staff spinners
A full-length contact and spinning staff lit end to end. Best for staff spinners who already know that is their tool.
$299.95
For rope and fluid flow
Flexible rope-dart-style flow. Best for rope and fluid-motion artists.
$159.95
For dual-wield performers
Two whips for symmetrical, dual-handed spinning, synced off one app. Best for performers ready to level up â not a first purchase.
$309.95+
For costumes and wearables
Turns the Critter into a glowing, app-controlled wearable â festival outfits, performances, and dramatic portraits.
$179.95+
Start with one question: spin or shoot?
Almost everyone lands in one of two camps:
- Flow artists spin, dance, and perform with the light in motion â whips, sabers, staffs, ropes.
- Light painting photographers use long camera exposures to "paint" with light in still images â tubes, blades, writers.
The Critter does both, so if you want to try everything, start with the standalone light and add tools later. Nothing you buy today gets orphaned: every kit on this page runs on the same removable light and the same app, so upgrading means adding an attachment, not rebuying the electronics. If you already know your lane, jump to the matching section below.
Every kit at a glance
| Kit | Price | Lane | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| RGB Critter BT (light only) | $129.95 | Both | Tinkerers; people who already own props; add tools one at a time |
| Beginner Photography Kit | $189.95 | Photography | First-timers and gift buyers; saves $54 vs buying separately |
| Light Painting Starter Kit | $384.95 | Photography | Hobbyists getting serious about a body of work |
| Light Painting Pro Kit | $899.95 | Photography | Working artists who want the full range up front |
| BitWhip | $149.95; $169.95 full kit | Flow | Most flow artists starting out |
| Sol Saber Kit | $189.95 | Flow | Dancers and saber spinners |
| LED Staff Kit | $299.95 | Flow | Staff spinners |
| Jupiter Rope Kit | $159.95 | Flow | Rope and fluid-motion artists |
| Double BitWhip Kit | $309.95+ | Flow | Performers ready to level up |
| Fiber Optic Costume Kit | $179.95+ | Wearable | Festival outfits, performances, portraits |
The core: just the RGB Critter BT
If you want the most flexible starting point, buy the light by itself. The RGB Critter BT ($129.95) works on its own as a 170-lumen color-changing flashlight â 16 million colors, 145+ modes, and unlimited custom playlists through the iOS/Android app, though it runs fine without the app too. It is the foundation every accessory attaches to, which is exactly why we tell undecided buyers to start here: you cannot buy the wrong thing when the thing you are buying is the part every kit shares. Pair it with our accessory guide to plan your build.
For light painting photographers
Three tiers, depending on how deep you want to go â and no, most people should not start at the top:
- Light Painting Photography Kit for Beginners ($189.95) â the easiest on-ramp. Everything you need to take your first real light painting shots without overbuying, and it saves $54 versus buying the pieces separately. Best for: first-timers and gift buyers.
- Light Painting Starter Kit ($384.95) â a broader set of light-shaping tools for someone ready to develop a real body of work. Best for: hobbyists getting serious.
- Light Painting Pro Kit ($899.95) â the complete photographer's arsenal: the widest range of tubes, shapers, and tools in one box. Best for: working artists and anyone who genuinely wants it all up front. If you are not sure you are that person, you are not â buy the Starter and upgrade later; every piece still fits the same light.
New to the craft? Read our full RGB Critter BT guide and the advanced techniques post before you choose.
For flow artists
Pick by the tool you want to spin, not by price â the wrong prop at any price sits in a closet:
- BitWhip Fiber Optic Whip ($149.95, or $169.95 as a full kit) â the flagship whip and our most popular flow tool. Bright fiber trails, performance-grade build, and the whip head itself carries a lifetime warranty. Choose End Glow or Sparkle fiber. Best for: most flow artists starting out.
- Sol Saber Kit ($189.95) â a diffusing tube saber for smooth, even trails. Best for: dancers and saber spinners. (Patterned sabers â Honeycomb, Hive, Butterfly, Stellar â are also available at the same tier.)
- LED Staff Kit ($299.95) â a full-length contact and spinning staff lit end to end. Best for: staff spinners.
- Jupiter Rope Kit ($159.95) â flexible rope-dart-style flow. Best for: rope and fluid-motion artists.
- Double BitWhip Kit (from $309.95) â two whips for symmetrical, dual-handed spinning. Best for: performers ready to level up. If this is your first whip, buy one BitWhip first; you can always add the second.
For costumes and wearables
The Fiber Optic Costume Kit (from $179.95) turns the Critter's light into a glowing, app-controlled wearable â perfect for festival outfits, performances, and dramatic portraits. Because the light is removable, the same Critter that runs your costume on Saturday night can run a light painting tube on Sunday morning.
One smart add-on
Whatever you choose, consider the Lifetime Warranty Protection ($19.95). These tools take real-world abuse; the lifetime upgrade covers the light for as long as you own it. Full terms are on our warranty page.
Which kit should you buy?
"I just want to try it cheaply."
RGB Critter BT ($129.95) or the Beginner Photography Kit ($189.95).
The standalone light if you want to explore; the beginner kit if you already know you want to shoot photos.
"I want to spin."
BitWhip (from $149.95) or a Sol Saber ($189.95).
Whip for trails and cracks; saber for smooth, even lines.
"I'm a serious photographer."
Starter Kit ($384.95), then the Pro Kit ($899.95) when you outgrow it.
"Buy me the best of everything."
Light Painting Pro Kit ($899.95) plus a BitWhip.
That covers both lanes: the full photography arsenal and our most popular flow tool.
"It's a gift."
Beginner Photography Kit or a single BitWhip â both are self-contained and easy to start with.
More ideas in our gift guide.
"I want to build exactly the kit I want."
Open the Kit Builder and spec a full rig around the Critter, then check out in one go.
Kit chooser FAQ
Can I add tools to a kit later?
Yes â that is the whole point. Every tool runs on the same RGB Critter BT and the same app, so you can start small and expand without rebuying the light. The Critter powers 200+ twist-on tools in total.
Do I need a different light for whips vs. photography?
No. The same Critter powers both. Only the attachment changes.
Do I need the app to use a kit?
No. Every kit works out of the box without it. The iOS/Android app is where the deeper control lives â 16 million colors, 145+ modes, and unlimited custom playlists â but it is optional, not required.
What if I want to spin AND shoot photos?
Start with the standalone Critter or a BitWhip, then add light-painting shapers as you go.
Which kit is the best value?
For most newcomers, the Beginner Photography Kit or a single BitWhip gives the most fun per dollar. The Pro Kit is the best value only if you genuinely want the full range up front.
