# Aputure Light Dome III vs Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-M (36in): specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Aputure Light Dome III (Aputure) and Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-M (36in) (Westcott) among photography softboxes. Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-M (36in) is the cheaper of the two at $209.9.

## Side by side

| Spec | Aputure Light Dome III | Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-M (36in) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $219 | $209.9 |
| Brand | Aputure | Westcott |
| Shape | 32-sided circular dome (octa-style) | octa |
| Size | 90cm / 3ft diameter | 36in nominal diameter |
| Mount type | Bowens | Westcott Switch Insert (proprietary quick-lock, not a standard speedring) |
| Diffusion layers | 2 (1-stop and 2-stop diffusion cloths included) | 1 |
| Grid included | Yes | No |
| Recessed front | No | — |
| Speedring compatibility | Bowens mount; fits all Aputure Bowens-mount COB lights and third-party Bowens lights | Not a standard speedring; uses interchangeable Switch Inserts for Bowens/Profoto/Elinchrom/other mounts sold separately |
| Fabric | reflective interior with 16 heavy-duty steel support rods; quick-folding flat-pack hinged speedring | heat-resistant fabric over aluminum frame, taut silver interior |

## Key differences

- Shape: Aputure Light Dome III 32-sided circular dome (octa-style) vs Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-M (36in) octa
- Size: Aputure Light Dome III 90cm / 3ft diameter vs Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-M (36in) 36in nominal diameter
- Mount type: Aputure Light Dome III Bowens vs Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-M (36in) Westcott Switch Insert (proprietary quick-lock, not a standard speedring)
- Diffusion layers: Aputure Light Dome III 2 (1-stop and 2-stop diffusion cloths included) vs Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-M (36in) 1
- Grid included: Aputure Light Dome III Yes vs Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-M (36in) No
- Speedring compatibility: Aputure Light Dome III Bowens mount; fits all Aputure Bowens-mount COB lights and third-party Bowens lights vs Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-M (36in) Not a standard speedring; uses interchangeable Switch Inserts for Bowens/Profoto/Elinchrom/other mounts sold separately
- Fabric: Aputure Light Dome III reflective interior with 16 heavy-duty steel support rods; quick-folding flat-pack hinged speedring vs Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-M (36in) heat-resistant fabric over aluminum frame, taut silver interior

## Sources

- Aputure Light Dome III: https://www.aputure.com/products/light-dome-iii (aputure.com, verified 2026-08-12)
- Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-M (36in): https://www.fjwestcott.com/products/rapid-box-switch-octa-m (fjwestcott.com, verified 2026-08-12)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/photography-softboxes/aputure-light-dome-iii-vs-westcott-rapid-box-switch-octa-m/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Aputure Light Dome III ($219) vs Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-M (36in) ($209.9) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/photography-softboxes/aputure-light-dome-iii-vs-westcott-rapid-box-switch-octa-m/
License: CC BY 4.0.