Last Updated on April 12, 2021
Find the top ring lights picked by the pros. Improve your image quality with the superior lighting used to capture some of my favorite shots with the reviewed ring lights below.
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How to Choose the Best Ring Light for Your Needs
Ring lights are often needed when taking pictures and even videos for vlogging, video conferencing, and much more. They project just the right amount of light onto the subject so that the perfect photograph can be taken, and if you’re curious about how to find the best one for your needs, it’s a lot easier than you think.
Some of the features you may find when shopping for the perfect ring light include adjustable brightness levels, variable color temperatures, and the inclusion of certain accessories that make using the light much easier, such as mounts for your camera or smartphone.
Ring lights can be used with any camera you own, including the one on your smartphone, and make taking professional-looking photographs a breeze regardless of the conditions.
Using the lights is also easy because all you have to do is set it up in the proper location so that there is enough light to get a great shot but not so much that there’s a glare in the room. In most cases, people use a ring light instead of a flash, which produces softer shadows, more dramatic catchlights, and photos that are clearer and better all the way around.
Who Uses Ring Lights?
If you want great pictures but don’t have the budget for the most expensive cameras and lighting equipment on the market, you can use your cell phone and a ring light to get the same great results. Ring lights are easy to use and can be used for YouTube videos, videos and pictures for your website or social media, and even by corporate people who want professional-looking content on their website and social media pages.
In other words, anyone who wants great-looking photos or videos for either personal or professional use can use these lights to make sure all of their photographs and videos look like they were done by a true professional. Even makeup artists can use a good ring light to make sure their job is done to perfection every time, which makes these lights a very integral part of a lot of people’s lives.
What Is a Ring Light?
Ring lights typically come in 12”, 14”, or 18” sizes and usually operate with either LED or fluorescent lighting.
With your camera placed in the middle of the light, you get just the right amount of light to complement the subject and make sure everything you’re taking a picture of always looks natural and detailed. Most ring lights are placed on a stand so that you can enjoy their effects and not have to think about where they are located or how to move them properly.
If you’re curious about what they cost, just know that they are generally not all that expensive. The average price for a good ring light is $50 to $150, but you can spend less than that and still get a good light if you’re using it for personal use only. While the adage, “you get what you pay for” certainly applies to ring lights, even the better-quality lights still shouldn’t cost you too much money.
Most ring lights also come with the accessories you need to operate them as soon as you get them out of the box, which is convenient because you won’t have to wait long to get your project started. They are easy to use and come with the instructions you need to use them properly, and if you’d like to start researching them, below are some of the best ring lights on the market that you might want to compare.
Best Ring Lights
Westcott 18” Bicolor LED Ring Light
Complete with batteries, stand, and everything else you need to use it immediately, the Westcott ring light costs around $200 and provides continuous lighting for video conferencing, photography, and video production of all types. It has very user-friendly controls and the quality is second to none. The lighting it produces fills in shadows on faces and reduces facial imperfections so that you get the perfect picture every time you use it.
This lightweight ring light comes with a 6.5” stand, a flexible gooseneck arm, and a special mounting device just for your cell phone.
Pros:
- Includes everything you need to start using it right away.
- Great for vlogging, live-streaming, headshots, and more.
- Has the capability to make the light dimmer or brighter.
Cons:
- Some professionals find it lacking in some areas.
- May be pricy for nonprofessionals.
GODOX Witstro AR400 Light Flash for DSLR Cameras
The GODOX AR400 light flash is made for professionals and definitely delivers a very professional quality despite the type of project you’re working on. It is a reliable ring light and offers perks such as 22 steps of power, a remote control that makes setting it up and using it much easier, and 400 watts of power for shadow-free illumination.
Although the device looks fancy, the truth is that it is easy to learn because the buttons are common sense and the instruction manual tells you everything you need to know to get started.
Pros:
- Very high-quality light for both personal and professional use.
- Lots of settings to get the perfect image every time.
- Can be operated with batteries or DC power.
Cons:
- Can be a little expensive for nonprofessionals.
Fotodiox Selfie Starlight Pro Light for Vlogging and More
Priced at around $100 and therefore affordable for everyone, the Fotodiox Starlight ring light is an 18-inch dimmable light that you can use for portraits, live streaming, YouTube videos, makeup applications, and so much more. It has a 100W LED bulb and comes with a mirror and a phone mount so that you can begin using it immediately.
A padded storage bag is included for convenience and you even get a gooseneck arm to keep it in the perfect position at all times. This is one light you won’t run out of uses for anytime soon.
Pros:
- Very reasonably priced.
- Comes with a phone mount, storage bag, and more for immediate use.
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver.
Cons:
- Complaints about the pole attachments being flimsy.
- Complaints about overall quality of the item.
Neewer Ring Light Kit
This kit comes with everything you need to start taking great videos and photographs immediately, including an 18” light, a light stand, a carrying bag, and both orange and white color filters. You can adjust the brightness levels on this light and use it for numerous purposes, including self-portraits, TikTok and YouTube videos, and lots more.
Best of all, the price is affordable for everyone, which is a huge perk. It means that anyone can use this ring light and enjoy professional results without the high price.
Pros:
- Very affordable at only $80.
- Comes with everything you need to start using it immediately.
- Can be used with most smartphones and DSLRs.
Cons:
- Complaints that it stops working quickly.
- Complaints about screws that broke when trying to put everything together.
Yongnuo YN-14EX Macro Ring Flash for Canon DSLRs
Made specifically for Canon DSLR cameras, the Yongnuo YN-14EX macro ring flash is perfect for casting just the right amount of light on the subject so that you get great visual results every time. Great for portraits, videos, and so much more, the flash is easy to use and uses an LED bulb that will last for a very long time. You can even save your favorite settings so that you can use them over and over again in the future.
This is a high-quality ring flash priced at just $115, which means you’ll get professional results every time you use it, and you can do that without breaking the bank.
Pros:
- Can support exposure compensation, rear-curtain sync, and FE lock.
- Makes capturing unexpected moments a lot easier to do.
- Very reasonably priced.
Cons:
- Complaints about inconsistent results regarding the exposure.
- Complaints that it won’t keep a charge for very long.
Conclusion
Although all of these lights are great and work well, when all things are considered, the Westcott 18” bicolor ring light is likely the best deal overall. Why? Not only is it reasonably priced at around $200, but it offers tons of perks that are not often found on ring lights that don’t cost tons of money. It has very few negative reviews from real customers and provides excellent quality and a light that seems to automatically detect just what your pictures need to look their best in the end.
With an 18-inch diameter that is perfect for all subjects, the Westcott light ring also comes with a regular stand and adjustable color and light intensity so that there is always the perfect amount of light regardless of the subject matter. This adjustability allows you to work in both dark and light areas and guarantees the perfect picture or video every time.
While the price of $200 may sound pricy to some people who are not professionals, it is an excellent price once you consider what you get in return. When you compare the features to other ring lights in this price range, it’s easy to see why this is an excellent choice when this is the product you need.