Lighting is a crucial part of any photo or video recording, giving photographers and vloggers a way to boost image quality and set a scene exactly how they like it. With many types on offer, from ring to panel lights, finding the right lighting equipment can be a bit of a minefield.

Best Lighting Equipment Overall: Elgato Key Light

A man adjusting the position of an Elgato Key Light on the Master Mount L stand
Elgato

Our top pick is this versatile Key Light from Elgato. It can be used for various purposes, including live streaming, videography, online conferencing, and even basic studio photography. It is streamlined and portable, but if you need something even more compact, the Elgato Key Light Mini is actually slimmer and lighter for ultimate portability and can be mounted onto a camera.

The Elgato Key Light is bright with a maximum output of 2,800 lumens. But, the light is diffused, so it is soft and even, and you can adjust this brightness in-app. You can also adjust the color temperature, which ranges from a 2,900K Sunset Amber to a 7,000K Arctic Blue.

Elgato Key Light
Elgato Key Light
Best Overall

The Elgato Key Light is a high-quality option for many different purposes, from Zoom meetings to vlogging. It’s bright, features adjustable luminosity and color temperature, and is about the size and weight of a 13-inch MacBook Air. On-the-go content creators can conveniently slip it into their luggage with little trouble, while when mounted on its clamped stand, it uses minimal desk space.   

Pros
  • Solid build quality
  • Master Mount L stand with sturdy desk clamp
  • Takes up less space than studio lights
  • 160 low-heat OSRAM LEDs
  • 360-degree ball head
Cons
  • No physical controls, in-app adjustments only

Best Budget Lighting Equipment: Neewer CN-160 LED Light

A Neewer CN-160 LED Light being used for gaming purposes
Neewer

The excellent Neewer CN-160 LED Light offers outstanding value, with the rock-bottom price not reflected in its quality. You can mount it on cameras, including most DSLRs, or video cameras and tripods, and it comes with a soft diffuser, a 3,200K warm-light filter, and a pink filter. The light intensity is also adjustable, so you can create different effects.

Its 660 lumens ensure ample brightness, while its 900 lux at one-meter illumination makes it ideal for close-up photography and videography. It’s small and lightweight, making it perfect for traveling, while its up-to-80-minute battery life ensures it’s good for outdoor use, too.

Neewer CN-160 LED Light
Neewer CN-160 LED Light
Best Budget

If you need a bright, affordable light for photography or videography that still offers good quality, the Neewer CN-160 may be the one for you. It features 160 LED lights generating 660 lumens with adjustable brightness. The frosting on the cake is amber and pink filters and a soft diffuser. 

Pros
  • Adjustable head angle
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Physical brightness control on light
  • Supports different battery types
Cons
  • No daisy-chain support
  • Battery powered only
  • Plastic build

Best Lighting Equipment for Vlogging: Aputure MC Pro

Several Aputure MC Pro lights built on top of each other and displaying different colors.
Apurture

Despite its pocket-sized dimensions, the Aputure MC Pro packs a punch. It’s a compact LED panel that throws out up to 563 lumens, ideal for close-range vlogging in addition to video calls and product photography.

With a 2,000 to 10,000K color-temperature range, RGBWW control, and a green-magenta adjustment for fine-tuning, you have a versatile and broad color-mixing system. Throw in the 15 built-in lighting effects, two diffusers (one domed and one flat), and a 30-degree light-control grid, and you can imagine how creative vloggers can get with this compact companion.

However, if you’re looking for something even more compact, the Aputure MC Mini is smaller and lighter, and is available at around half the price. Alternatively, if you need a bunch of MC Pros, you can invest in an eight-light kit.

Aputure MC Pro
Aputure MC Pro
Best for Vloggers

The Aputure MC Pro can beam plenty of lumens for vlogging, video calls, and even studio photography for such a compact LED panel. It has an excellent color temperature range with RGBWW control, and you can get creative with its fun effects.

Pros
  • Dustproof and weather-resistant
  • Fits easily into a pocket
  • Bluetooth app, DMX, or LumenRadio control
  • 4,200mAh LiPo battery is fully charged in 1.5 hours
  • Two-hour battery life at maximum brightness
Cons
  • Not waterproof, only water-resistant
  • Magnetic base is not very strong

Best Lighting Equipment for Studio Photography: Elinchrom D-Lite RX 4/4 to Go Kit

A Elinchrom D-Lite RX 44 Studio Flash to Go Kit at use
Elinchrom

The Elinchrom D-Lite RX 4/4 to Go Kit is a superb choice for studio photography. The included pair of 400W flash heads, a 66cm square softbox, a 56cm octagonal softbox, a deflector, and a pair of light stands are sure to meet most of your needs.

With a range of up to 200m, the RF trigger allows photographers to adjust flash head settings from afar. Additionally, the push-button control panel is incredibly intuitive. So, even if you're a novice, the Elinchrom D-Lite RX 4/4 Kit is easy to use.

You can adjust the power output via a five-stop range in 1/10th increments. And, just to add the cherry on top, the flash heads boast built-in auto-sensing cooling fans.

Elinchrom D-Lite RX 44 to Go Kit
Elinchrom D-Lite RX 4/4 To Go
Best for Studio Photography

The Elinchrom D-Lite RX 4/4 to Go is an excellent choice to balance value and quality. The kit includes two 400W flash heads with stands, a 66cm square softbox, a 56cm octagonal softbox, and a deflector for a comprehensive kit with enough features to satisfy pros and easy usability suitable for beginners.

Pros
  • Excellent build quality
  • Easy to use
  • Auto-sensing cooling fan
Cons
  • Trigger upgrade required for HSS flash

Best Ring Light: Razer Ring Light

A man illuminating himself with the Razer Ring Light while playing video games
Razer

Whether you need a ring light for certain types of studio photography, videoconferencing, live streaming, or teaching online, the Razer Ring Light offers more than enough to satisfy every need.

It’s a 12-inch ring light with versatile mounting options, thanks to its ball head and smartphone mounts. It has three temperature settings: a warm 3K white, a balanced 4.5K, and a cool white at 6.5K. You can also adjust the brightness, which has a maximum output of 500 lumens.

Included is an adjustable tripod that allows you to teach or give presentations while standing, and you can shorten it down enough to use it on a desktop.

Razer Ring Light
Razer Ring Light
Best Ring Light

The Razer Ring Light is a 2-in-1 deal that gives you a great light source as well as a functional tripod. It has 192 LEDs with a balanced spread that expels all shadows. The 1/4-inch tripod ball mount can accommodate a variety of cameras, including DSLRs, as well as compatible webcams.

Pros
  • 192 LEDs with white diffuser
  • 10- to 100-percent brightness adjuster
  • Versatile mounting options
  • Three color temperatures
Cons
  • Difficult to travel with

FAQ

Q: What type of light is best for photography?

This all depends on the type of photography. The best option is natural light. If the light on offer that day is suitable, it can be perfect for all kinds of photography. For studio lighting, artificial light reigns supreme. Fluorescent lamps, tungsten lights, and LEDs can all mimic natural light to varying degrees, while continuous lights, strobes, and flashes offer better control.

However, a mix of natural and artificial light can create dramatic effects and is often used by professionals. You can also experiment with warm light for a more inviting atmosphere or colored light to create specific moods. You can use a cool-color light to create a contemporary and polished feel for more specific photography genres, such as product or architectural photography.

Q: What type of light is best for streaming and vlogging?

There’s no one answer, as it depends on individual requirements. LED panels, ring lights, and softbox lighting kits are all popular and serve different purposes.

LED panels are often compact and portable and are ideal for on-the-go vlogging. Ring lights are preferable for live streaming from home and create soft, flattering light that helps vloggers look their best. Softbox lighting kits are the go-to for professionals and are ideal for both key and filler lighting.

However, natural light is always the best answer and should be used whenever possible.

Q: Do I need lighting when taking photos or videos outdoors?

First, you should consider the time of day. If it is nighttime, you will likely need lighting. This can be true even if your camera offers the best image stabilization, especially if your subject is moving.

However, the natural light during the so-called “golden hours," just after sunrise or before the sun sets, is soft, colorful, and warm. At this time, you will likely want to capture the light in its natural form, so additional lighting is unnecessary.

When the sun is at its strongest in the early afternoon hours, you don't need any additional light. However, you may want to expel shadows. In this case, you could consider diffusers or reflectors to soften the light.

When shooting portraits outdoors, you can use additional lighting to control shadows and create flattering highlights. You can also create dramatic effects this way, but natural light is the way to create a natural look.

Q: Why are ring lights used for streaming?

There are several reasons why ring lights are used for streaming. First, they give a soft, even illumination and remove shadows. This makes for more flattering features, accentuated by a sparkle in the eyes from the ring light, which adds a lively edge to appearances.

Ring lights also often have adjustable brightness, which can be very convenient when streaming and creating the right ambiance. Additionally, some have adjustable color temperatures, which can also be very effective when setting the mood.

They’re also versatile lights and easy to set up, while their multiple mounting options, such as desk clamps or tripod stands, give streamers more choice.