ChillBeam GlowMad Review – Rugged, Inflatable and Strangely Brilliant?

The ChillBeam GlowMad is one of the more unique lighting products we’ve had on test recently, combining rugged build quality, inflatable design, and a clean light output into a genuinely interesting and versatile bit of kit.

It’s pitched as a premium outdoor lighting solution for everything from wild camping to overlanding, with features like magnetic mounting, solar recharging, and water resistance. But how does it hold up in the real world?

After testing it across multiple UKSN scenarios including beach use, vehicle setups, and under tarps - we’re ready to share our thoughts.

ChillBeam GlowMad Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

• Inflates in seconds with included pump (or just a few breaths)

• Excellent light diffusion – soft and easy on the eyes

• Solid battery life (up to 50 hours)

• Magnetic mounting is great for vehicles and metal surfaces

• Lightweight, compact, and waterproof (IP66)

• USB-C charging and backup phone charging capability

• Built in solar panel

• Incredibly rugged and durable

• Genuinely caught public attention in low-light use

❌ Cons

• Accessories (bag, straps) feel low quality for a premium product

• Magnetic mount won’t work on curved poles

• Rear solar panel is blocked during normal use

• No warm/RGB light options currently (coming soon)

UKSN Rating: ★★★ (3/4)

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First Impressions & Packaging

Let’s address the packaging straight away: ours arrived with a crushed product box due to being shipped in a padded envelope. While the product itself was undamaged, this felt out of step with the premium positioning. ChillBeam told us they’d be reviewing this issue, which is encouraging but it's something to watch out for if you’re giving this as a gift.

The accessories including the plastic storage bag function well enough, but they don’t feel premium. The instruction booklet and outer packaging also use lower-grade materials that don’t match the standard of the actual product.

Magnetic Mounting & Build Quality

The built-in magnets are a standout feature, especially if you camp with a 4x4, van, or overlanding rig. It’s fast and intuitive to slap the GlowMad onto a tailgate or flat metal surface for quick area lighting.

That said, these magnets have limited use in many common UK camping setups. They won’t hold on curved tarp poles due to reduced contact area, and they obviously won’t work on fabric tents. One improvement could be selling optional external clip-on magnets or magnetic patches for tent material allowing for secure attachment where there’s no metal.

Where the GlowMad really stood out was during our real-world testing. We left it out in the rain for several days, threw it around in the sea, and gave it a generally rough time with zero failures. This light isn’t just waterproof; it’s tough as nails.

In fact, more than once during our time testing it on the beach in low light, people came over to ask about it. They were genuinely intrigued by the design and how rugged it looked, which tells you something about its unique visual presence and practicality.

Light Performance & Specs

Here’s where the GlowMad truly shines — pun intended.

• Output: Up to 339 lumens

• Temperature: 6000K (Daylight white)

• Modes: 3 Brightness levels + SOS

The light is bright without being harsh, thanks to the frosted exterior and soft diffusion. It’s genuinely pleasant to have on in a tent or under a tarp, a big step up from bare LED strips or blinding torches.

It creates even illumination that covers a surprisingly large area. We used it to light full-sized tents and communal tarp setups with ease. This also makes it ideal for preppers, or those needing to light rooms during unexpected blackouts!

The SOS mode is arguably a bit niche, but it doesn’t detract from everyday use. We’d love to see more control options added in future models — such as remote or Bluetooth functionality — and even better, ChillBeam confirmed on 04/06/25 that warm white, red light, and RGB colour versions are already in development. As it stands, the lighting quality is still excellent, with a soft, diffused 6000K beam that’s bright without being harsh on the eyes.

Charging, Solar & Power Features

The GlowMad uses a 4000mAh battery, offering:

• Up to 50 hours runtime on low mode

• Around 12–20 hours on full brightness

• About 1 phone charge from full capacity

• USB-C charging time: 3–4 hours

• Solar charge time: ~18–24 hours (in ideal sun)

Charging via USB-C is simple, and you can use the light while charging, which is excellent.

However, the solar panel placement is a major usability flaw: It’s located on the rear, which is the same surface used for magnetic mounting or strap hanging. So in most real-world scenarios, the panel is blocked and unable to collect sunlight. While it’s technically solar-rechargeable, this only works if you deliberately lay it out flat, which isn’t practical during regular use.

We’d suggest ChillBeam consider selling an optional clip-on or external solar panel accessory. That would let users leave the GlowMad mounted as intended while topping it up via sunlight — no repositioning required.

Inflation & Portability

Inflating the GlowMad is quick and effortless. Thanks to the Breezevalve™, most people can fully inflate it with just a few breaths, or use the included Titan hand pump for a near-instant setup.

Deflated, it folds down to a compact 8 x 15cm, making it easy to stash in packs or gear boxes. At just 266g, it’s light enough for backpackers too.

The only downside is the rear hanging strap design: to use them properly, you often need to under-inflate the light. The straps themselves also feel flimsy, and a wider, reinforced version would better suit the product’s otherwise excellent durability.

Why the GlowMad is a Great Fit for UKSN Members, Campers, and Preppers

The ChillBeam GlowMad isn’t just a cool bit of kit for weekend adventures - it’s genuinely useful across a wide range of scenarios, making it ideal for UKSN members, outdoor enthusiasts, and those thinking ahead for emergency situations.

For campers, its inflatable design, uniform light output, and magnetic or strap mounting options make it perfect for setting up under tarps, inside tents, or on the side of vehicles. It’s bright enough to illuminate larger areas without being harsh on the eyes, and it folds down small enough to stash in any rucksack or gear bag.

For preppers, the GlowMad is a seriously useful bit of redundancy lighting. During power outages or blackouts, its 50-hour runtime on low and dual charging options (USB-C and solar) make it a reliable source of light when other systems fail. Being IP66 rated, it’ll handle storms, leaks, or rough handling — exactly what you’d want during emergencies.

UKSN members, in particular, will appreciate how versatile it is. Whether you’re wild camping, prepping for a worst-case scenario, or just enjoying a night on the coast, the GlowMad punches well above its weight. We left it out in the rain for days and even tossed it around in the sea — and it still worked perfectly.

ChillBeam GlowMad Final Thoughts

The ChillBeam GlowMad is a strong performer with a great core idea - a soft, rugged, all-weather light that inflates in seconds, mounts in multiple ways, and doubles as a backup power bank.

The light output, durability, and charging options make it a genuinely useful addition to any outdoor setup. And the fact that it stood up to rain, sea water, rough handling, and still drew attention from curious beach folk says a lot about both the design and real-world impact.

Yes, the accessory quality, packaging, and solar usability could be improved, but these are areas that can be easily addressed in future iterations or through optional add-ons.

Bottom line? The GlowMad isn’t just a gimmick, it’s a capable, eye-catching, and rugged lighting solution that fits well into any UKSN member’s outdoor gear list.

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UKSN Rating: ★★★ (3/4)

Durable, bright, and clever, a great piece of kit let down slightly by its accessories and solar setup. Still highly recommended.

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🔄 Update – New Light Colours Incoming!

Since publishing this review, ChillBeam has confirmed (as of 04/06/25) that they are actively developing new versions of the GlowMad featuring warm white, red light, and full RGB lighting options. These updates will expand the GlowMad’s versatility even further, from preserving night vision around camp to creating ambient lighting for different scenarios. We’re excited to see how these new models perform once released, and will update this post if we manage to get hands-on with them.