A matte box is a camera accessory that blocks stray light to prevent flare and helps you manage filters in front of the lens. It typically mounts to rods or clips to the lens, offers top and side flags, and accepts square or rectangular filters in rotating or fixed trays. Professionals use matte boxes to control contrast, protect the front element, and swap filters without touching the lens thread. This guide reviews the Top 10 Matte Box Brands in the World so beginners and advanced creators understand the design differences, compatibility options, and key features that matter when building a reliable, cinema ready rig.
ARRI
ARRI matte boxes set the benchmark for rugged build, precise geometry, and industry standard filter control. The LMB and SMB families support clamp on and rod mounted setups, with lightweight clip options for handheld work and swing away stages for studio rigs. Trays accept 4 by 5.65 and 6.6 by 6.6 filters, and multiple rotating stages enable polarizer and grad alignment. Flags and side wings are adjustable and hold position under wind or movement. Accessory ecosystems include donuts, backplates, and safe lock features that protect lenses, making ARRI a go to choice on demanding commercials and narrative sets.
Bright Tangerine
Bright Tangerine is known for engineering that combines strength with very low weight. The Misfit Atom, VIV, and Strummer DNA deliver clip on agility or rail support, all with smart quick release hardware. Carbon fiber and precision machined alloys keep rigidity high while reducing bulk on gimbals and aerial platforms. Tool less adjustments, captive fasteners, and wide rotating stages simplify filter changes. The company supports 4 by 5.65, 5 by 5, and 138 millimeter round filters with compatible donuts and bellows. Thoughtful touches like hard stops, frame safeties, and replaceable wear parts make these matte boxes favorite choices for crews.
Chrosziel
Chrosziel brings decades of German cinema heritage to matte box design with refined ergonomics and reliable mechanics. Models like the 450 and 456 series offer swing away stages for fast lens swaps, adjustable masks to fine tune field of view, and solid flag hinges that resist drift. Filter stages support two or three trays with options for rotation, and sizes include 4 by 5.65 and 5 by 5. Compatibility with 15 millimeter and 19 millimeter rod standards ensures easy integration. Chrosziel accessories include rubber bellows, clamp rings, and French flags that maintain alignment across long days on set.
Tilta
Tilta has built a broad ecosystem that serves indie shooters and studio crews with equal focus. The MB T12 and MB T15 provide modular stages, clamp on backplates, and swing away options that pair well with cage and rod kits from the same brand. The lightweight Mirage system adds drop in variable neutral density support for run and gun work. Filter compatibility covers 4 by 5.65, 95 millimeter, and 114 millimeter options, with rotating stages for polarizers and grads. Practical touches include secure latches, easy to replace light seals, and wide donut options for modern cinema zooms.
Wooden Camera
Wooden Camera is valued for robust construction and clever mounting solutions that adapt to mixed camera fleets. The UMB series and Zip Box Pro support clamp on and rod mounted configurations with multiple rotating stages. Build quality favors machined aluminum and reinforced composites that hold shape under pressure. Filter trays accept 4 by 5.65 and 5 by 5 formats, and the swing away design speeds lens changes on larger studio setups. Modular backplates, rubber donuts, and top and side flags integrate smoothly with the company cage systems and power plates, creating a unified rig for commercials and documentaries.
Vocas
Vocas offers thoughtfully engineered matte boxes that emphasize adaptability and precise control. The MB 216, MB 256, and MB 435 lines cover mirrorless to cinema cameras with clamp on, clip on, and swing away stages. Trays support 4 by 5.65 filters with rotation for polarizers and grads, and removable masks help tune coverage for wide lenses. The hardware is compact yet durable, with strong flag hinges and low profile knobs that resist snags. Accessories include flexible rubber adapters, backplates for common diameters, and lightweight flags, making Vocas a dependable choice for crews that value compact rigs and clean operation.
SmallRig
SmallRig focuses on accessible, lightweight matte boxes for hybrid and indie systems while offering pro features that scale. The Mini and Pro models deliver clip on use for gimbals and run and gun setups, with optional rod support and swing away kits for larger configurations. Filters include 4 by 5.65 and 4 by 4 trays, with rotating stages for polarizers and variable neutral density integration. The materials balance carbon fiber and aluminum for stability without excess weight. Abundant adapters, donuts, and flags make it easy to match different lens diameters, giving new filmmakers a cost effective path to solid control.
NiSi
NiSi brings deep filter expertise to its cinema matte boxes, resulting in streamlined systems that pair perfectly with optical glass sets. The C5 and C4 series accept multiple trays, support rotation, and integrate square filter holders with optional round mounts for polarizers. Slim profiles reduce vignetting on wide lenses while carbon fiber and aluminum constructions keep weight down. Magnetic or quick latch designs speed filter swaps during changing light. NiSi packages often include precisely matched neutral density and diffusion options, helping crews maintain color consistency across shots while benefiting from a compact, modern matte box platform.
PolarPro
PolarPro earned a following for lightweight, travel ready matte boxes that pair well with mirrorless and drone cameras. The BaseCamp system uses a compact frame, top flag, and secure latches to hold 4 by 5.65 and 2 by 2 filters with minimal bulk. Carbon fiber components keep weight extremely low for gimbals and hiking setups. Optional thread plates and clamp rings accommodate common diameters, and rotating stages support polarizer alignment. Kits bundle neutral density and diffusion filters that maintain color accuracy. For creators who hike, fly, or operate handheld, PolarPro offers reliable flare control in a very portable package.
Shape
Shape from Canada produces dependable matte boxes that integrate smoothly with its rigging ecosystem. The lightweight clip on models suit hybrid shooters, while swing away versions support studio style lens changes on larger builds. Filter stages include fixed and rotating trays for 4 by 5.65 and 4 by 4 formats, with generous flag adjustments for precise shading. The hardware uses aluminum and composite materials that withstand daily use. Accessories such as donuts, bellows, and backplates cover common diameters, and the company offers clear documentation and spare parts availability, giving crews confidence that their system will remain serviceable over long schedules.
