Big Impact, small budget: top pinball lighting upgrades under $50
If you’re looking to upgrade your pinball machine lighting without diving into expensive or complicated upgrades, targeted illumination is a great place to start. At Mezel Mods, some of the most effective lighting upgrades focus on areas players interact with constantly—scoops, ramps, and the trough. Below are three of the best lighting mods under $50 that improve visibility, accent playfield colors, and enhance gameplay —plus a look at how you can take them even further by making them interactive!
Pinball scoop illumination
The Ghostbusters Pinball Scoop Illumination in green is a classic bestseller
What is a Pinball Scoop? 🤔
A pinball scoop is a recessed or cut-out area of the playfield designed to capture the ball when hit correctly. Unlike a ramp or orbit where the ball keeps moving, a scoop temporarily holds the ball before sending it back into play—often through a kicker or VUK (Vertical Up-Kicker).
Small Area, Huge Visual Upgrade
Scoops are among the most-common mechanisms in pinball machines and most all are like dark caverns on the playfield. Adding scoop illumination helps players clearly see the shot while drawing attention to a critical gameplay feature. And interactive versions can help remind you to ‘look here’ when a mode or shot for the scoop is active.
Mezel Mods scoop illumination kits are designed to attach to the scoop mechanism from below the playfield, providing focused light exactly where you want it—without glare or distraction.
This gold (aka yellow) kit is perfect on Stern's Rush Pinball. Shown here with the Rush Dice Light Covers
Pinball ramp illumination
The two-color Avengers Infinity Quest Ramp illumination accents the variations in the backboard artwork, bringing the ramp areas to life
Whether it’s a clear plastic ramp or a wireform, ramp lighting ties the ramp openings into the overall design of the game. Mezel Mods ramp lighting options are easy to install, making them a great choice for both modern Stern games and classics alike.
What is a backboard ramp? 🤔
A pinball backboard ramp is a ramp that enters the backboard of the pinball machine—usually near the top of the playfield—and then re-emerges at a different location, such as another ramp exit, wireform, or habitrail.
Light the path of the ball into the backboard
Unfortunately, these backboard ramps are almost always unlit leaving two dark openings in the backboard. Ramp illumination fixes this issue adding a pop of color that announces the balls arrival visually.
This must-have ramp kit for Guardians of the Galaxy Pinball is an excellent example of the transformative look of ramp illumination
If you don't see a kit for your specific game, try out the Generic Kit available in red, blue or green.
Pinball Trough illumination
Twilight Zone trough area artwork stands out with trough lighting
What is a pinball trough? 🤔
The area at the bottom of the cabinet that stores pinballs when they’re not in play. The trough feeds balls into the shooter lane and is used for ball counts and multiball starts.
The trough may not be the flashiest part of a pinball machine—but it’s an area you find yourself looking at frequently while flipping. Often the area between the flippers has eye catching artwork that can be overlooked.
Functional lighting that looks great
Trough lighting at Mezel Mods are designed and manufactured by Lermods using high quality LEDs and parts.
Trough lighting is one of those subtle additions that has you wondering why you didn’t add it sooner. Trough illumination is one of those “you don’t realize how much you like it until you have it” upgrades—simple, subtle, and budget-friendly.
The fantastic Jurassic Park Pinball is even better with the classic logo in full illumination
make it interactive with the Mezel mods ILS kit
A flexible, light activated way to make your lighting interactive
Want to take these lighting upgrades from static to spectacular? That’s where the Mezel Mods ILS (Interactive Lighting System) Kit comes in. The ILS Kit allows compatible scoop, ramp, and trough illumination products to react to gameplay events, such as:
- - Mode starts
- - Multiball
- - Jackpots
The kit includes all you need to transform your 5/6v static lighting mods into a game interactive experience.
Instead of staying always on, your upgrade becomes part of the action by lighting up with an insert and alerting you to shoot the ramp or the scoop. This kit uses light sensor technology that signals the illumination to turn on. It’s flexible allowing you to choose what trigger or light you want to use.
Good to Know 💡
Scoop illumination kits can be purchased as interactive or static (always on) versions. Ramp and trough illumination can be made interactive with the addition of the ILS Kit. Additionally, you can start with non-interactive lighting and add the ILS Kit later. It’s an easy upgrade path that lets you build your lighting system over time.
Concerned this looks complicated? We've got you covered- check out our throw back video explainer on how the light sensor system works.
bottom line
If you want cool pinball mods under $50, focused lighting upgrades are a great way to upgrade your game. They are also excellent for first time owners to get practice adding mods to the playfield. You’ll get practice locating playfield mechanisms, installing general illumination bulbs and adjusting lights to your liking.
And when you’re ready, the Mezel Mods ILS Kit gives you the option to make those lights react to the game—turning functional upgrades into a fully immersive experience.
Explore all of these products and more at Mezel Mods, and give your new game a budget friendly boost.