In this modern time of Instagram influencers and vloggers, photography is becoming more and more accessible, with more people delving into it and wanting to take good photos at home.
But what makes photography reach that professional level that is so appealing?
Having high-end cameras with a variety of different lenses certainly helps a lot, equipment always improves performance.
Having the necessary skill and talent also plays a big part in achieving unique and appealing shots.
But something that is highly-accessible and can massively improve the quality of your photography, is good lighting.
There’s a reason photographers get up for dawn or wait out for the golden hour. Photography works by capturing light through a lens, so having the best light possible is what achieves the best results.
If you want your photos to look high-quality and professional, instead of awkwardly standing next to your window, you can buy a ring light. It will up your game massively and will provide you with a good and even light source that will help your photography look professional.
Ring lights have revolutionized the accessibility to good photos and videos, as they are budget-friendly and often portable and easy to set up.
So, whether you want to show off your makeup, or take some artsy pictures at home to fight off boredom or gain a following, a ring light is a tool you need.
As there are many different types and many brands offering ring lights in the market, it can be a bit overwhelming to choose the best.
We’ve compiled a list of our top picks to help you out, so you can focus on getting that creativity flowing!
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- Please note: 1. The light stand is packed in a separate box inside the big package box (under the ring light box at the extreme bottom of the box)as shown in the 2nd picture. If you can't find it, please contact seller customer service; 2. Instructions for unfolding the stand are in the 8th picture. The legs are upwards, so please unfold the legs upside down
- Kit includes: (1)18"/45cm Outer 55W 5600K LED Ring Light+(1)61"/155cm Light Stand+(1)Soft Tube+(1)White and Orange Color Filter Set+(1)Ball Head Hot Shoe Adapter+(1)Universal Power Adapter with Plug+(1)Smart Phone Holder+(1)Carrying Bag for Ring Light
- Dimmable 18"/45cm Outer 55W 5600K 240 Pieces LED bulbs with a wide dimming range from 1%-100%. Special LED SMD design, lightweight and portable. No ultraviolet and infrared light radiation, low heat output, safety, and environmental protection
- 61"/155cm light stand is constructed from aluminum alloy, giving it exceptional strength; The soft tube makes the light rotate freely for the best position. White and orange color filters are made of high light transmission plastic material with steady color temperature. The light stand is the most stable when the center joint of the legs is 4-8in (10-20cm) from the ground. Please note that raising the legs too high may cause the light stand to fall and damage the ring light.
- A cold shoe ball head adapter is included for most DSLR cameras and a smartphone holder for most smartphones (compatible with iPhone 15 Pro Max 15 Plus 14 Pro 13 Mini 12 11 Samsung Galaxy S23 S22 Ultra Huawei P60 Mate60 Google Pixel 7 Pro, etc. camera and smartphone not included) Perfect studio lighting for video recording for estheticians, barbers, eyelash extensions tattoos makeup artists YouTubers, TikTok content creators, live streaming, selfie
Ring lights are easy to use, fast to set up, and provide you with excellent and improved results in your photography. If you were on the fence about getting on or not, we strongly recommend that you do.
Every influencer and photographer has one, it’s simply a must.
If you’re eager to get all of your creative ideas into motion, and all you’re missing to get started is a good ring light, we recommend you go straight for our top number one pick: the Neewer Ring Light Kit.
This ring light is truly the best overall option, the absolute favorite among customers, with a huge amount of overwhelmingly positive reviews.
18” large and set up on a stand that can range between 36 and 78 inches tall, it has flexibility in lighting with 2 different filters that can make the light warmer or softer, according to your preference or desired result.
You can also adjust the brightness, and you can position your phone or camera on the ring light itself for self-portraits thanks to the hot-shoe feature and the phone holder.
Here are the main features:
- Large 18” ring
- Different lighting filters: warm and soft
- Adjustable brightness
- Adjustable stand
- Hot-shoe adaptor and phone holder, for self-portrait mode
Best Ring Light for Photography – Comparison Table
Best Ring Light for Photography – Reviews
Neewer is one of the top leading brands when it comes to ring lights, as they have some of the most best-selling products, used by many photographers and vloggers, with a great reputation for being a high-quality product.
The Neewer Ring Light Kit we’ve chosen as our top pick is the absolute best overall ring light you can choose, with an astounding amount of positive reviews and satisfaction rates.
The ring is perfect for shooting portraits straight on or at an angle, thanks to its large size. It also allows for different lighting results, with an orange filter that warms up the light, and a white filter that provides a softer, diffused light.
You can also adjust the brightness of the ring light, so you can adapt to the lighting conditions you’re in or opt for different types of photos, whether you’re going for a dim or a vibrant look.
This product comes with a stand, so you can set up your ring light between a height of 36 to 78 inches tall, adapting to your needs.
A hot-shoe adaptor and a phone holder completes the set, meaning you can position your phone or camera on the ring light itself, for self-portrait photography or vlogging!
- Large 18” ring light
- Flexibility in lighting with different filters
- Brightness can be adjusted
- Stand with adjustable height
- Hot-shoe adaptor and phone holder
- No downsides
If you want a more portable and manageable approach to ring lights, you might want to opt for the ring lights that attach on to the camera lenses. Wherever you point your camera, that is what the ring light will shine at.
The best option for this modality is by far the Neweer 48 Macro Ring Light, as it is very budget-friendly and offers one of the highest qualities available. It’s compatible with DSLR cameras, and also comes with adapters to fit most lenses, so you can give it a lot of use!
It has a few different light filters for a big range of different results: blue, yellow, white, and standard. The best way to use it is in macro shots or close distanced portraits, with the continuous and stable light perfect for giving you the professional finish.
It plugs into an electricity charger, and is known for having a long battery life, so no need to cut your photoshoot short!
- Budget-friendly with excellent quality
- Compatible with DSLR cameras
- Comes with adapters to fit most lenses
- Different light filters
- Good battery life
- Flash is a bit slow
The InkelTech Ring Light is a bit pricier than other ring lights, but it’s absolutely worth it because it’s extra fancy and has some amazing tech features.
It’s the perfect choice for someone who wants to invest a bit more and is looking to create photography content on a regular basis, and is looking for the added quality.
Just like our top pick, the InkelTech has a large 18” diameter and comes with a hot-shoe and a phone holder so you shoot through the ring light itself, making it perfect for all types of portrait and self-portrait.
What sets it apart, is that instead of having different light filters, it can completely adjust the light temperature between 3000k and 6000k, so you can create your own custom settings for the exact type of light you want.
It also comes with a remote to change these settings and make all the adjustments you need without having to move from your perfectly posed position.
The stand it comes with can adjust the height, for better positioning, and it also comes with a carrying case so you can take your ring light to whatever location you’re taking photos in!
- Large 18” diameter
- Adjustable temperature between 3000k and 6000k
- Stand with adjustable height
- Carrying case
- Pricier than average
The Pixel 19” Ring Light is another jump upwards into pricier and more high-end light rings, but with the added features it has, it is more than worth it!
The 19” diameter makes it slightly larger than average, so you’re going to get plenty of lighting for your portrait photography, allowing for more angles.
The camera adapter and the phone holder are perfect for shooting through the ring, and the stand has an adjustable height to find the perfect positioning.
You can adjust the brightness power from 1% to 100% really fast, and you can custom adjust the temperature of the light within a range of 3000k to 5800k.
What ups the price on this ring light is that it also has a LED display screen where all of your custom adjustments show up, meaning you can keep track of your settings and can ensure consistency across different photos and photoshoots – an absolutely professional feature to have.
The higher price is worth it if you want to achieve studio worthy content!
- Larger 19” diameter
- Adjustable temperature between 3000k and 5800k
- Camera adapter, phone holder, and adjustable stand
- Adjustable light power from 1% to 100%
- LED display screen to view your custom settings
- A lot pricier than average
Back to budget-friendly options, the PLOTURE Ring Flash Light is perfect for people starting out with photography, that are looking to test out the option of lighting and to get acquainted with its usage.
It’s compatible with DSLR cameras and comes with 8 different lens adapters. It also has three different light filters: white, orange, and blue.
So despite the lower price, it offers a good range of versatile shooting, with lighting options and usage with most commonly owned cameras.
What makes it unique, is that it comes with three different usage modes. The standard, in which the flashlight is completely lit up, and a right or left side mode, in which only half of the ring lights up.
This offers many photography possibilities, and allows you to get artsy with your craft! Good battery life, good quality, and excellent price, it really is a perfect option for beginners!
- Budget-friendly
- Compatible with DSLR cameras
- Comes with 8 lens adapters
- 3 light usage modes
- 3 different light filters
- Less high-standard than other light rings
Best Ring Light for Photography – Buyers Guide
Ring lights are the perfect tool for taking photography to the next level and are becoming more and more popular amongst people that want to take their own photos or self-portraits within the comfort of their own home, without having to go to a studio.
They’re perfect for indoor shoots or for getting the perfect lighting even if it’s night time, and are constantly recommended as an essential accessory to photography.
While using a ring light, you’re no longer limited to having to wait for the right time of day to shoot your pictures, and you can also position and adjust to preference to achieve all the artsy and creative shots that will help develop your personal style.
If you’re looking to start out in photography, or you’re looking to step up the level with a ring light, there are a few features you can look out for to make sure you get the best option that will suit your style of photography.
We’ve done the research for you and have compiled this little buyer’s guide with the main features explained!
Ring Light Type
There are two main types of ring lights that you can buy for photography purposes.
The first and most common one is the ring light that comes on a stand, which you can position anywhere in a room to light the setup.
The other type is the ring light that attaches onto the lens of your camera, so you’re taking the light with you no matter where you point at.
There’s no best or worse out of the two and it is completely down to personal preference and shooting style. However, if you’re not sure which one to go for, we recommend you use a ring light with a stand.
Most ring lights come with a camera adapter and a phone holder, so you have the option of shooting through the ring light as if it was attached to the lense, meaning you can do both modalities and get a more versatile use out of your ring light.
Size and Height
The average ring light diameter is 18” large, but there are many different sizes and you should choose the one that works best for you. The bigger the ring is, the more light you’ll have, and the larger the area for your setup will be.
As for the height, you should look out for stands with adjustable height, as that allows you to position the ring light to what you need it for.
Temperature of Light
The temperature of the light will affect the outcome of the photo and the overall feel and vibe. A lot of ring lights come with a few different light filters, to choose between warmer, colder, or softer lighting.
However, more professional ring lights can completely custom adjust the temperature, so you can get a lot more specific than with the filters.
Choosing between an average ring light or one that can provide you with the complete customization is up to personal preference and whether you want to make that extra investment to achieve a higher standard of pictures.
Brightness
Most ring lights can slightly adjust the brightness of the light, to suit the different lighting conditions you find yourself in, or to achieve different photographic outcomes.
Fancier light rings will be able to completely adjust the brightness, from 1% to 100%. You don’t need to completely be able to adjust your brightness unless you’re working at a higher and more professional level.
Added Features
The pricier the ring light gets, the more features it will have, so ask yourself if this is going to be a pastime or if you’re going to become professional.
Some high-end ring lights, not only can completely personalize the lighting settings but can also keep track of them thanks to a LED display screen that monitors all the numbers and modes in use.
This allows for more consistency throughout different photos and photoshoots and helps you learn what kind of settings you prefer and work best for your photography style.
Set up and Portability
Most ring lights are used at home or at indoor locations, meaning you’re likely to keep your ring light in one room where it barely moves.
However, it’s important to have the option to carry your ring light to various different locations, so that your photography isn’t limited to a single set up. Look out for ring lights that come with carrier bags, as they will make it really easy to transport and keep safe wherever you go.
Also check for how easy the ring lights, with their respective stands, are to set up and install. If the set up is a struggle, you’ll be tired out by the time shooting starts and the photos won’t come out as good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ring lights damage your eyes?
Like any source of light, ring lights can damage your eyes over time, due to the intensity and brightness of the LED.
This can happen if you use them very regularly and are looking straight at the light, or if you’re constantly using the highest settings for brightness while being in a dark or dimly lit room.
If this is the case, you might notice that after a while, your eyes become irritated and fatigued. When you feel these symptoms, you should turn your ring light off and go for a walk somewhere with soft natural light, to let your eyes rest for a while.
However, with normal usage, ring lights are perfectly safe to use and shouldn’t cause any significant damages.
How far away should my ring light be?
The distance between you and the light ring depends on the kind of outcome you want in your photos.
The closer the light ring is, the brighter and crisper the result will be. The further away the light ring is, the softer and more diffused the light will be.