Godox X3 Pro vs X3 vs XPro – Which Flash Trigger Is Right for You in 2025?

If you are currently looking to buy a wireless flash trigger from Godox, you have probably hesitated between the X3, the X3 Pro, and possibly the older XPro. After using all three in real shooting environments, I put together this practical comparison to help you understand which trigger truly fits your workflow.

These three triggers do not play in the same category. While they all let you trigger flashes wirelessly, their ergonomics, speed, visibility, and professional usability are very different.

Size, Screen and First Impressions

The most obvious difference appears immediately when you place the X3 and the X3 Pro side by side. The X3 is extremely compact. It feels like a nano trigger designed to sit discreetly on a small camera body. The X3 Pro, on the other hand, is clearly a full-size professional trigger with a much larger screen and better readability.

On the X3, you can view three flash groups at the same time. On the X3 Pro, you can see four groups simultaneously. That might seem like a small difference, but when you are regularly working with three to five flashes, those extra visible groups make a real difference for speed and precision.

With my older XPro, I had access to five visible groups at once. That was especially useful for complex lighting setups. Even though four groups on the X3 Pro is slightly fewer, it still fits most professional workflows.

Infrared Assist and Low-Light Shooting

One important feature that separates the two modern models is the infrared assist beam. The X3 Pro includes it. The X3 does not.

If you are shooting TTL flash at night, during events, receptions or in dark environments, this assist beam helps your camera focus properly. Without it, autofocus can struggle in very low light. This alone already places the X3 Pro in a more professional category.

Battery Life and Charging

The X3 Pro also wins clearly when it comes to standby time. The smaller X3 offers around a week of standby, while the X3 Pro can sit powered on for more than 30 days. In real-world use, this means far less stress about battery management during long shooting periods.

Both models now charge via USB-C, which is a major upgrade compared to the old AA battery system found on the XPro. You simply plug them in for about an hour and you are ready to shoot again.

Case Design and Protection

Godox did something clever with the X3: it comes with a solid hard case that protects the trigger properly inside your bag. The small protruding section is well shielded against impacts, and the angled resting position even makes it look nicely designed on a table.

The X3 Pro, strangely enough, ships with the same basic soft pouch that came with the XPro and even older Godox triggers. It offers virtually no impact protection. With such a large exposed screen, that feels like an unfortunate downgrade in terms of transport safety.

Speed and Responsiveness

The power-on speed difference is immediately noticeable. When you turn on both the X3 Pro and the XPro at the same time, the X3 Pro is ready almost instantly. The older XPro takes noticeably longer to boot up. In fast-paced professional environments, this difference matters.

Touchscreen vs Physical Controls

The X3 Pro introduces touchscreen control as a primary interface. Initially, this can feel unfamiliar if you are used to physical buttons. However, Godox implemented it in a smart way.

You can adjust power in several ways:

• Using plus and minus buttons for micro adjustments

• Sliding your finger directly on the screen

• Selecting a group and adjusting it manually

• Controlling all flashes at the same time

The presence of the physical control dial on the X3 Pro is a crucial advantage. It allows fast adjustments without relying exclusively on touch input. This is one of the reasons why it truly feels like a professional tool.

The old XPro remains extremely fast for direct button-based control. Many photographers still appreciate its tactile simplicity.

TTL to Manual Conversion (TCM)

This function alone can dramatically change your workflow.

On the XPro, you could convert TTL readings for all flashes simultaneously with a single press using the dedicated TCM button. On the newer models, the behavior is slightly different. You take your TTL shot, then switch to manual mode individually and the trigger transfers the TTL values into manual power settings.

While this process is still functional, the one-touch global TCM conversion on the older XPro remains faster for high-volume shooting.

Zoom, Modeling Light and Group Management

With the X3 Pro:

• You can adjust flash zoom directly from the screen.

• You can choose modeling light power as a percentage.

• You can also use proportional modeling light which follows flash output.

• You can add and manage multiple flash groups easily.

• You can navigate between groups vertically or via menu selection.

The control layout is highly flexible and adapts well to both studio and location work.

Bluetooth, App Control and Presets

Another important upgrade is Bluetooth connectivity. By connecting your trigger to the Godox smartphone app, you can:

• Save lighting presets

• Recall power setups instantly

• Control your flashes remotely

• Adjust lighting without physically reaching high-mounted flashes

  
  

For photographers who work with lights mounted on stands, ceilings, or hard-to-reach areas, this is a massive practical advantage.

Which Trigger Should You Choose?

Here is the short version:

• The X3 is ideal if you want a compact trigger for a small camera and simple setups.

• The X3 Pro is clearly designed for professional photographers who need speed, visibility, multi-flash control and Bluetooth workflow.

• The XPro still remains one of the fastest and most intuitive physical-control triggers Godox ever made, especially for TTL to manual conversions.

  
  

If you are entering the photography world today and want a modern trigger with touchscreen control, smart connectivity and excellent usability, the X3 Pro is a strong choice. If you value purely tactile control and speed above all, the XPro still deserves respect.

Final Thoughts

All three triggers can fire your flashes reliably. But once you factor in group management, speed, battery life, usability and professional workflow, they clearly target different types of photographers.

The right choice depends entirely on how you shoot, how many flashes you use at once, and whether you prioritize compactness or complete control.

Instagram: @cris_photo_graphy

LinkedIn: Cris Estalayo

Website: www.crisphotography.info