If you’re a streamer, a vlogger, or someone who’s on video calls a lot for work, good lighting is essential. A ring light is a simple tool whose diffuse glow can bring you out of the dark and make you look more professional.
Unlike many ring lights, which can draw power from a laptop’s USB port, this Neewer model requires an outlet to work. The stand’s flat, fold-out feet make the light easy to position behind a monitor.
11 Best Ring Lights in 2021 for TikTok, YouTube & Vlogs
Beyond millions of followers and major brand deals, a great ring light could be the main difference between true TikTok influencers and more casual users. Of course, not everyone on the app is hoping to reach Hype House levels of fame, but if you’re looking to up your TikTok game from the comfort of your home, purchasing a high-quality ring light is the perfect place to start. Though ring lights can be purchased from traditional tech retailers like Best Buy, they’re also available via Amazon and Urban Outfitters, with prices starting at $11.
However, this one is particularly specialized for videography, with three levels of light settings and ultra-wide range that will create stellar TikTok content, even in the dark. It’s among the pricier models on the list, but Sunpack’s 12-inch Bicolor Ring Light Kit contains everything you need to brighten up your photos and videos. It includes an expandable tripod, an adjustable phone and camera mount, a built-in USB remote, and, of course, an easy-to-use carry bag. In addition to the 18-inch dimmable ring light, the fully-equipped kit features an adjustable light stand, white and orange color filter sets, a smartphone holder, a hot shoe adapter for DSLR cameras, a remote control, and a carrying case to store it all. With 10 brightness settings and three light modes of varying warmth levels, Amazon shoppers note that it’s both effective and easy to assemble.
Forget the fancy camera: This ring light can bring your vlogging dreams to life using only your phone.
10.2″ Selfie Ring Light with Tripod Stand & Cell Phone Holder $30 Amazon Shop Now If you’re live streaming and your phone or tablet dies, no worries… there’s a USB Port on the back, you can charge your devices and keep going! INKELTECH’S ring light has a larger and brighter aperture so it gives you a much more professional environment for indoor shooting.”
This low-profile lighting solution is small and sleek and is super simple to set up behind your laptop for your next Zoom sesh.
13 Best Ring Lights in 2021 Reviews & Buying Guide
Ring lights have been widely used by Instagram influencers and Youtubers to improve their image quality by 30 to 40%. So, the outcome of videos/photos will look more professional, even if captured by a beginner or amateur.
If you want to focus on just a particular area or object, then 6-inch to 8-inch ring light is adequate. If you want to focus on the whole body or cover a large area, then you have to go for ring light more than 10-inch. Check for a model that comes with a dimmable knob so that you can adjust the brightness according to your preference. For further information on how to choose a ring light, you can read our “Buying Guide”. Scroll down to check out a detailed review of each ring light model. You can choose from three different color modes and ten brightness levels to clink the perfect pictures.
You do not have to worry about the ambient light spoiling your photos and videos. The ring light is very easy to use with the sensitive touch panel design.
You can easily change the color mode or brightness level with a single touch. Besides, you get a Bluetooth remote to control your phone within a range of 30 feet.
Irrespective of your height, you can click pictures and shoot videos from the best angle. Sensyne has backed this product with a 12-month after-sales service warranty. UBeesize is one of the prominent brands that deliver a wide range of ring lights with advanced features. Besides, you can adjust the phone holder to set the light at the desired angle making it ideal for all photo and video purposes.
UBeesize provides a 3-year replacement warranty for this ring light. Neewer is another prominent brand that has everything you need to set up your own digital studio.
With this 18-inch ring light, you get a complete setup for your portrait, YouTube or TikTok shootings. This ring light is the largest on our list and provides better brightness to your whole body.
You can rotate the ring head to about 180 degrees to meet your shooting angle needs.
The brand LIPETY is known for providing high-quality ring light solutions for both professional and personal use. It is compatible with digital cameras and 2.2 to 3.4 inches width cell phones. A tripod is provided along with the ring light which stretches to 59 inches.
Being USB-powered, you can connect it to your computer, cell phone chargers and laptops. Mactrem supplies lighting equipment for amateur and professional portrait photographs, vlogs, and makeups. You can choose the ideal setting for your shoots from the three color lighting modes and 11 brightness levels. Even though it is expandable, you still have to place it on a table to focus the ring light on your face. The kit includes a Bluetooth remote to help you take selfies from your smartphone. Mactrem offers 24 months of after-sale service for this ring light.
Erligpowht offers a limited number of products including ring lights, selfie lights, selfie sticks, wireless earbuds, and phone tripods at affordable prices. This allows you to create the perfect setting for vlogs, makeups, live streaming, and selfies.
On top of this, you can rotate the phone holder 360 degrees to create the desired angle.
For selfies, you can use the remote shutter to take the perfect shots. The brand provides an 18 months warranty and lifetime customer support for this ring light. 3 color lighting modes and 10 adjustable brightness levels
The ring light features a sensitive touch panel. Even then, in some cases, you will have to keep the tripod on a table to create the perfect angle. You can use the Bluetooth remote control to take selfies from a distance of up to 30 feet.
The brand offers a 3-year replacement warranty and lifetime customer service for this ring light.
3 years replacement warranty and lifetime customer support Qiaya specializes in manufacturing and supplying selfie ring lights, professional photography lights, iPhone and camera tripods, and microphones, at affordable costs.
The Qiaya 14-inch ring light is the most affordable option on our list. Large size to focus the light on the entire body
No extra accessories – tripod stand, Bluetooth remote, or phone holders This in itself reveals the quality and the high features of the brand’s products. So, even if you are using it in a dark place, you can increase the brightness level to the maximum and take perfect clicks. With these settings, you can create the ideal lighting for selfies and videos.
The ring light features the latest 2020 design with a touchpad in the front to choose the settings. Besides, you can remotely take selfies and record videos using the Bluetooth controller. UBeesize provides 3 years replacement warranty and lifetime customer service to all its ring lights. Anbes is a reliable brand that leverages advanced technology to deliver feature-packed products.
Its product portfolio includes ring lights, smartwatches, soldering iron, security cams, webcams, and earphones. You get the default three-color lighting mode and 10 brightness levels.
With this wide range, you can easily create the ideal lighting for your selfies, live stream, and makeup. Additionally, you can control the camera’s shutter using the Bluetooth Remote.
Even if you are very tall or short, the expandable 53-inch tripod ensures you get the desired angle for taking selfies. GearLight has used its patent-pending design to create this 10-inch ring light. The customized lighting makes you look flawless during your zoom calls, vlogs, or while taking selfies. You can also alter the angle by using the 360 degrees adjustable phone holders.
The kit includes a Bluetooth remote control to take selfies and shoot videos. However, their ring light has trust-worthy quality which is why we have shortlisted this product. This ring light has powerful metal clamp which is strong and durable.
Yarrashop is relatively a less known brand but their ring light is perfect for people looking for an affordable yet good quality option.
Features you Need to Check Before Choosing the Perfect Ring Light Here is a complete list of features you need to check before you finalize your choice. Most of the modern ring lights, like the ones mentioned in this article, are in fact made up of LEDs. Setting up the perfect angle to take photos and videos is a separate art in itself.
Most ring lights have flexible necks but the amount you will be able to rotate them differs from one model to another.
Most ring lights come with a control pad located on the front side of the tripod or copy stand. The control pod will have a touch screen using which you can easily navigate the settings. The most common accessories are a tripod stand, phone holders, and Bluetooth remote.
Irrespective of the quality of the ring light, they are susceptible to defects like all electronic equipment. YouTubers and TikTokers often use ring lights to illuminate their face or a product they are showcasing. But for general video production or images, an 18-inch or a larger ring light will do a good job.
Ring lights are an excellent option for streaming, whether it is YouTube or Twitch.
A good light is essential for decent video quality. If you are not planning to capture yourself while applying makeup, then mirror lights are the best bet. For daytime makeup (college or office), cool white is better and for evening time makeup (party or dinner), then a warm white ring light is perfect. They are designed to be used for photography and video production and are not different from your regular household lights (except the formfactor). That being said, since ring lights are often used at a close range, continuous gazing at them might strain your eyes a little bit.
Try to take breaks and rest your eyes if you are planning for a longer video. Many professional content creators use ring lights either to illuminate them or a product they are showcasing. If you want to take photos or videos of your whole body, then we recommend you go with the Neewer 18-inch ring light.
Setting up the perfect angle to take photos and videos is a separate art in itself. Most ring lights have flexible necks but the amount you will be able to rotate them differs from one model to another.
If you want an affordable option only to take selfies, do makeups, and for Zoom calls, then you can try the Mactrem 6-inch ring light.
If you are still finding it difficult to choose the best ring light, let us know your requirements using the comments section.
The best ring lights of 2021
Long used by professional portrait and macro photographers as well as makeup artists, and perfect for selfies, streaming, vlogging and most photo and video tasks, they have become favorites of social media influencers and content creators of all kinds. But you don’t have to be a top Twitch streamer or overnight TikTok sensation to appreciate being cast in a better light on Zoom calls — they’re also the perfect addition to work-from-home office setups. The convenient clip mounting fits on your phone or laptop, and won’t scratch your screen. It brings it all together at an affordable price point, making it a clear winner among the ring lights we tested.
This flexibility gave the EMart major bonus points, as it was the only ring light we tested that peeked above laptop height even at its lowest setting. But what, er, shone brightest during our tests was the flattering light cast by the EMart, which came across as natural sunlight in both portraits and selfies. In photos taken during both day and night, the lighting gave us high-quality images, highlighting everything it was supposed to without producing distracting shadows. One of them is quite handy, clipping onto the thinnest part of the tripod stand with a small metal clasp that wraps around the pole; it can hold your phone vertically or horizontally. This isn’t a deal breaker since the other phone holder gives you plenty of options, but it is annoying nonetheless. Whether you’re using this light for a professional appearance in virtual meetings or for fun and creative content making, this is a great option. The Whellen Selfie Ring Light is extremely lightweight and small, so it easily fits in pockets, purses, backpacks — you name it. We stuffed it in a purse while grocery shopping, and even with keys, a phone, a wallet and some spare change around it, the light didn’t so much as get scratched.
The Whellen’s clip has rubber padding on the reverse side to prevent it from scratching your screen. Once the light is at its dimmest, you can click and hold the top button again for it to come back to brighter levels until you reach the brightest setting. While on par with the entire field (almost all averaged the same life span), the included USB charging cable is only 10 inches long. We then established parameters to test, looking in particular at brightness, color options and results in photos and videos.
Portable lights were carried in purses while running errands and checked for scratches or cracks. This is a bright LED light that has a cold shoe mount for a camera, a tripod mount and a magnetic back to attach to other surfaces, but it isn’t easily usable with a phone, and you’ll have to supply a small tripod to use it with a laptop.
The photos we took with this light seemed to have a white film over them that made them look unnatural or poorly edited. Fotodiox Selfie Starlite Vlog Pro Ring Light and Tabletop Set ($99.95; amazon.com)
This is a good desktop option if you’re looking for a ring light to use while applying makeup, while filming videos or during virtual meetings. The tripod included is very short, so it sits at a good height on a desk but doesn’t adjust tall enough for use with a laptop’s built-in camera. The light looked great in photos and worked really well for video calls, but overall was overly bright and distracting during use.
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