Best Products > Camera & Video 23 23 people found this article helpful The 5 Best Ring Lights for Cameras in 2023 Make sure your photos get the perfect amount of light By Emmeline Kaser Emmeline Kaser Writer Sarah Lawrence College University of Michigan Emmeline Kaser is a tech writer and former editor for Lifewire. She writes and edits commerce content about consumer technology for Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 8, 2023 We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Tweet Share Email Camera & Video Accessories The key to great-looking photographs? Good lighting. Content creators have been using ring lights for years to look their best for vlogs and Instagram photos. Whether you’re creating shareable photo and video content or simply putting your best foot forward over Zoom, we’ve done the research to find the best ring lights for your needs. The Rundown Best Overall: Neewer 18-inch Ring Light at Amazon Jump to Review Best for a Portable Studio: Neewer LED Ring Light 14" at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Selfies on the Go: Auxiwa Selfie Ring Light at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Canon DSLRs: YONGNUO YN-14EX at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Video: Savage Luminous Pro at Amazon Jump to Review in this article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Best Overall Neewer 18-inch Dimmable SMD LED Ring Light Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Aliexpress.com What We Like Tripod adjusts from 36-78 inches Comes with orange and white light filters Mounts for both a smartphone and DSLR camera What We Don't Like No carrying case Flimsy tripod This versatile ring light kit from Neewer is a great fit for most users and comes with everything you need to create great lighting in your photos and videos. It's a little on the pricier side, but there are quite a few things in the box. This kit includes the 18-inch ring light, an orange and white filter (to create warmer and more diffuse light), a smartphone holder, a hot shoe adapter for cameras, and a Bluetooth receiver so you can remotely control the camera shutter. The 18-inch size makes this a large ring light, and it may take up too much space on your desk if you only want something to use for video calls. But if you're taking product photos or creating content for social media, the adjustable tripod and two different mounts make this a super versatile option. The light is dimmable, and the two filters let you choose between cooler and warmer light, from 3200K to 5500K. The included phone holder rotates 360 degrees and has a clamp design that's easily adjusted for different phone sizes. The standard quarter-inch thread ball head fits any camera with a standard tripod mount, so you can easily switch from recording social media posts to taking professional-quality product photos. If you have an especially heavy camera, the tripod might not be sturdy enough to support it securely, especially when extended to its full length. Diameter: 18 inches | Color Temperature: 3200K to 5500K | Total Power: 55W | Connectivity: Bluetooth Best for a Portable Studio Neewer LED RL-12 LED Ring Light 14" Amazon View On Amazon View On Aliexpress.com What We Like Complete kit with camera and phone mounts Collapsible tripod Carrying case What We Don't Like Not as bright as the 18-inch model Large phones only fit in the holder in landscape mode This 14-inch ring light from Neewer is a more portable alternative to the large 18-inch model. It has the same included accessories: a white and orange filter, phone holder, camera mount, Bluetooth receiver for remote shutter control, and an adjustable tripod that extends up to 61 inches. But this tripod folds down to 29.5 inches, and the entire kit comes with a carrying case for easy transport. This light has 36W of power compared to the 55W of the larger model, but that’s still plenty of brightness for most people’s needs. Like the 18-inch version, this ring light is dimmable and comes with both white and orange filters that allow you to adjust the light temperature. The added benefit is the ability to break this ring light down into a bag whenever you want to take it on the go or store it away. Diameter: 14 inches | Color Temperature: 5500K | Total Power: 36W | Connectivity: Bluetooth Best for Selfies on the Go Auxiwa Clip-on Selfie Ring Light Amazon View On Amazon View On Auxiwa.com What We Like Clips directly to a laptop or mobile device Quick to set up and use Inexpensive What We Don't Like Not very bright Might not fit around bulky phone cases This clip-on ring light from Auxiwa is an inexpensive solution that provides even lighting for your phone or laptop camera. And there’s no setup required; clip it to the top of your phone or computer and switch it on. The clip is also padded to prevent scratches on your device. This ring light has 36 LEDs adjustable to three levels of brightness. You can easily recharge it with the included USB cable when the battery dies. You can also use it with either the back or front-facing camera, but note that the 3W of power means it doesn’t throw light very far and is optimal for close-up photos. The low-profile design makes it super portable but also means that it won’t fit over super bulky phone cases. Diameter: 3 inches | Color Temperature: 5600K | Total Power: 3W | Connectivity: N/A Best for Canon DSLRs YONGNUO YN-14EX Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On B&H Photo Video What We Like Each half of the ring is adjustable External power socket for quick recycling time Can be controlled via the camera’s menu on compatible Canons What We Don't Like Issues with battery compartment door Won’t fit some non-Canon cameras Ring lights can be handy in macro photography, providing even light for close-up subjects. The YN-14EX by YONGNUO is a lens-mounted ring flash specifically designed for Canon DSLRs. It attaches to a camera's hot shoe adapter and can be fitted to the lens using the included 52-, 58-, 67-, and 72-millimeter lens adapters. You can control the two halves of the ring light separately using the LCD screen on the back. On compatible Canons, these settings are accessible through the camera's menu. Use both sides of the ring for direct light, or set them at different strengths to create a directional flash. The AA battery-powered YN-14EX has a few other features that one would typically expect from a more expensive ring flash, including support for standard PC Sync, which helps trigger the flash when you press the shutter. You also get an external power socket for a shorter recycling time (how long it takes for the flash to power up again). Diameter: Fits 52mm, 58mm, 67mm, 72mm Canon lenses | Color Temperature: 5600K | Total Power: N/A | Connectivity: PC synchronous line The 5 Best AA and AAA Rechargeable Batteries of 2023 Best for Video Savage Luminous Pro LED Ring Light Plus Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On B&H Photo Video What We Like Runs cool without a noisy fan LCD readout with settings and power level Includes remote for easy light adjustments What We Don't Like Doesn't include a stand Expensive This premium ring light from Savage is large, adjustable, and absolutely silent, making it well suited to video studios. The 18-inch diameter can provide even light from a distance. Videographers can shoot from the 11.5-inch opening in the center of the ring for direct lighting on their subject. The light can also be adjusted for a variety of different situations. A convenient LCD readout on the back lets you read and manage the settings at a glance, and you can also change the settings using the included remote control. This feature is especially helpful if you’re filming or photographing yourself. This light doesn't come with its own stand, so you need to purchase a tripod separately. Diameter: 17.5 inches | Color Temperature: 3200K to 5500K | Total Power: 96W | Connectivity: Remote control What to Look For in a Ring Light Dimensions When buying a ring light, pay attention to its size. You can find tiny ring lights designed for smartphones, all the way up to professional devices that are several feet in diameter. When deciding on the size, think about the space constraints in your studio. Or, if you frequently travel, a smaller, portable ring light will be a better option. Durability While most ring lights are durable, some models use cheaper construction than others. Before purchasing, note the ring light’s materials and the warranty. You want to ensure you are buying one that can withstand frequent use and is backed by a decent warranty. Color Temperature Each ring light has a color temperature. You can see it noted with a number followed by a K. The K stands for Kelvin and is a measure of temperature. Temperatures above 5000K are cooler whites or blues, while 5000K and under are warmer. For reference, daylight tends to fall between 5000K and 6200K. Most ring lights are around the 3000K to 5000K mark, but you can often adjust the lighting to suit your needs. FAQ What size ring light is best? The size of the ring light you need depends on your usage. If you need a professional setup for a studio, an 18-inch ring light can serve you well. For a more portable option, a 14-inch ring light won't weigh you down as much while still offering plenty of light for your shooting and videography needs. If all you have is a phone, there are simple phone-mounted options as well as camera-mounted options. How do I set up a ring light? If your ring light comes with a stand, adjust and position it to your liking, or set up a tripod. Then place the ring light on the stand or tripod. Depending on the type of ring light you choose, you might also be able to mount your camera or smartphone on the ring light stand. If your ring light is compatible with a camera lens, laptop, or mobile device, you'll need to clip on the light according to the manufacturer's instructions. A final step will be to activate Bluetooth on your phone if your ring light comes with a Bluetooth remote. How do I turn on a ring light? First, make sure to plug in your ring light to a power source if necessary. If your ring light runs on batteries or requires charging, take care of that first. Many ring lights use a switch or a button to control power. This same control may also help you adjust dimming and lighting settings. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! 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