Great lighting is a must-have if you produce a lot of video content. After all, good video light properly illuminates your subject to keep you and your audience more engaged in your content. It doesn’t matter what type of content you produce—whether it’s a make-up tutorial or an unboxing video. Having a ring light is the most practical way to light up your set. Ring lights are a great choice for vloggers because they create attractive catchlights in the subject’s eyes and help eliminate shadows.
So if you’re gunning for a professional YouTube set-up, you’ll have to buy a high-quality ring light kit at some point. Ring lights have turned into one of the best types of lighting equipment for YouTube videos. It’s no surprise because it can make vloggers, like you, look great on camera.
What Exactly are Ring Lights?
Also known as ring lamps, ring lights are a circular-shaped light with a large aperture designed to be placed in front of a subject. They’re a continuous light source that eliminate shadows and gives you the coveted “halo” catchlights in the eyes.
With a good video light, you can create top-quality videos. You can also take advantage of the portability and versatility that a good video light provides.
What is a ring light good for?
A ring light has many uses, and one of the main ones is to get the perfect lighting for your face. During close up portrait shots, streaming online, and even makeup tutorials, a ring light will go a long way. Another great area ring lights improve upon are close up shots on food and objects. If you plan on going live on social media apps like Instagram, Twitter, Twitch, and Facebook the first thing you’ll want to get after a camera is a ring light!
How to choose the best ring light
Figuring out how you want to use your ring light will help determine which ring light is best for you.
Durability & Portability
You may want to travel with your ring light and want one that is easy to pack and ready to take with you. Especially if you are a travel blogger, having a ring light with you is important.
Size
How much space do you have? What is the area you want to light? If you are just trying to light your face, then a smaller ring light around 12 inches should be enough. But a bigger ring light gives you more flexibility.
Dimming Settings
Having control of your dim settings on your ring light is crucial. When it comes to lighting you want to be able to set it and forget it.
Color Temperature
A ring light that lets you choose if you want cool or warm light is great for different environments and skin tones.
Power
Do you want a ring light that plugs in via USB, outlet, or one that charges and you don’t need to worry about wires? Some ring lights plug straight into a computer via USB, but you may also have the option to plug it into a USB adapter if you want more flexibility.
Neck
A flexible neck or a rotatable ring light is good to have if you want to focus on different areas of your studio. Versatility is nice to have!
Best Ring Lights for YouTube Videos
JOBY Beamo Studio Creator Kit
This kit has everything you could need when creating YouTube videos: including a key light, a color background light and a microphone.The lighting options will have you looking your best with very little work needed from you. Meanwhile, the added microphone improve your audio — all in one simple package.
Key Features:
- 12 background light color options
- Supplied Wavo Mobile microphone
- Flexible GorillaPod Arm
- Rycote shock mount
- Cables for smartphone, camera, and deadcat included
- Cold shoe mount with safety locking disk
Lume Cube 18″ Portable Bi-Color LED Ring Light
Get rid of those pesky power cords with the new Lume Cube Ring Light. This is the most user-friendly experience and set-up for content creators. The Lume Cube Ring Light features adjustable color temperature, adjustable brightness from 0-100%, and is battery-operated for ultimate portability. The light will run up to 70 minutes on the batteries before needing to charge, making it great while traveling or on location.
Key Features:
- 18″ bi-color LED ring light with built-in diffusion
- Up to 1.5 hour run time
- Powered by AC adapter or two batteries (no power cord needed)
- Flicker-free operation and up to 97 CRI
- 3200-5600K color temperature
- Brightness adjustability from 0-100%
- Lightweight design with included 6.5′ stand and carry case
Flashpoint Photo/Video 19″ AC Powered 55W 5500K Dimmable LED Ring Light
The Flashpoint Photo/Video 19″ ring lamp is a lightweight and portable ring light that’s great for shooting beauty videos. You can easily vary the light intensity through its adjustable dimmer so you can achieve the right amount of light without repositioning the light source. The light produces low heat and can be titled to any angle.
The light can make any subject look flattering, producing signature catchlights in their eyes.
Key Features:
- 19″ continuous soft envelope of light
- 5500K color temperature
- Stepless variable intensity
- Low heat output
- Optional tungsten and diffuser panels clip
- Extremely lightweight and portable
VidPro RL-18 18″ LED Ring Light Kit
Easy to set up, and a great size, the VidPro is a solid choice. The stand height is adjustable from 19 inches to 75 inches. You also get a dimming range from 1% to 100%, which is great for control. It produces a maximum output of 5400 lux, and uses only 55 watts of energy. The VidPro has multiple power options, an AC plug for stationary use, and a battery for travel.
Key Features:
- 18” LED light
- 480 high intensity LEDs
- Dual power options: AC or battery (battery not included)
- Adjustable brightness 0 -100%
- Color Temperature 3200K to 5600K
- Dimming Range 1% – 100%
- 6.5lbs
NanLite Halo 18 Dimmable Adjustable Bi-Color 18″ LED Ring Light
The Nanlite Halo 18 is another strong contender if you’re looking for an 18-inch ring light. This has a maximum output of 2700 lumens and an adjustable color temperature from 2700 to 6500k. The Nanlite is powered by an AC adapter, it comes with a smartphone holder, and a dual sided mirror for makeup tutorials.
Key Features:
- 18” LED Light
- 2700 Lumens
- AC Power source
- Adjustable brightness 0 -100%
- Color Temperature 2700K- 6500K
- Dimming Range 0 – 100%
- 4lbs
NanLite Halo 10B Dimmable Bi-Color USB 10″ LED Ring Light
Another great addition to the Nanlite family is the 10-inch LED light with smart touch control. This ring light is ideal for close up shots due to its size. This ring light is perfect for streaming and makeup applications. You have a color temperature range from 2700K to 6500K. It’s incredibly lightweight, only weighing .9lbs, which makes it the perfect travel companion. With the swipe of a finger, you can change also the brightness and color temperature.
Key Features:
- 10” Bi-Color LED
- Smart Touch Control
- USB adapter
- Adjustable brightness 0 -100%
- Color Temperature 2700K- 6500K
- Dimming Range 0 – 100%
- .9lbs
Savage 12″ Bi-Color RGB Tabletop Ring Light
The Savage 12” Bi-color will not only light your face, but can also switch to 36 different RGB colors. You have a ton of creative options with the color patterns that you can also control remotely from your phone using the Savage Light Manager app. You can even sync your music to the color! The Savage comes with a swivel mirror, a mobile phone holder and the light stand extends from 10 inches to 17 inches. This is the type of ring light to liven up your streams, and add some color!
Key Features:
- 12” Bi-Color LED
- 36 RGB Color, with 25+ lighting Patterns
- Control remotely with Savage App
- Syncs to music, voice, and ambient sounds
- AC Adapter
- Color Temperature: 3200K – 5600K
- Dimming Range: 10% – 100%
- Comes with a carrying case
CLAR Jupiter 1200B Super-Large 48″ Bi-Color LED Ring Light
The CLAR Jupiter ring light is meant to be stationed in your at-home studio, rather than for travel. This ring light is ideal for big photo and video situations. It will accomplish the job of multiple lamps or huge modifiers on its own. This is great for interviews, fashion shoots, and larger sets. The ring light comes with a handheld controller to adjust color and brightness. The CLAR produces 2200 Lux at 3f/1m.
Key Features:
- 48” Bi-Color LED
- 2200 Lux at 3f/1m
- 1408 LEDs
- AC/DC transformer with cords
- Color Temperature: 3000K – 5500K
- Dimming Range: 1% – 100%
- Remote Control
Godox LR150 18″ Bi-Color LED Ring-Light
The Godox 18” Bi-Color LED ring light is a great light to take with you. The light plugs in via USB, which makes it easy to use with a computer or power adapter. The color temperature is 3000K to 6000K, giving you plenty of light and flexibility. Two knobs on the front allow for color and brightness adjustment. A phone holder is also included with the ring light.
Key Features:
- 18” Bi-Color LED
- USB plug
- Color Temperature: 3000K – 6000K
- Dimming Range: 1% – 100%
- 1.94lbs
Godox LR120 12″ Bi-Color LED Ring-Light
Sticking with the Godox family, the 12” Bi-Color is great for a starter ring light. With an easy USB plug-and-play, you’re ready to go. It comes with a phone holder, and has a color temperature of 3000K to 6000K. Just like the previous Godox ring light, you are able to take this on the go as well. This is a great ring light that gives you the flexibility of moving from room to room as you film in different environments.
Key Features:
- 12” Bi-Color LED
- USB plug
- Color Temperature: 3000K – 6000K
- Dimming Range: 10% – 100%
- .97lbs
CLAR 10″ LED Selfie Ring Light Kit
The CLAR 10” LED is an amazing and affordable ring light that will do everything you need a ring light to do. The CLAR comes with a remote Bluetooth control of all the light functions. It comes with a phone holder with full rotation to help with those close-up shots. The color temperature is 2700K to 6700K, and plugs in via 5V USB.
Key Features:
- 10” LED
- 5V USB
- Color Temperature: 2700k – 6700K
- Remote Bluetooth control
- 1lb 14.5 oz
Godox LR160 LED 3200K-8000K Bi-Color Ring Light
The Godox 19.4”adds some flare to your studio with its pink casing. Keep in mind the light is not pink, and will still be your normal ring light color. With 160 premium LED beads, you get light that covers your face. You have multiple knobs to adjust the color temperature and brightness. You can purchase lithium batteries separately, take this ring light on the go and not have to worry about plugging it in for power. Included is a mirror, smartphone holder, and an adapter.
Key Features:
- 19.4” Bi-Color LED
- A/C Adapter
- Color Temperature: 3300K – 8000K
- Dimming Range: 10% – 100%
- Option for lithium batteries, sold separately
- 2.67lbs
Godox LR180 Daylight Ring light
Another solid choice from Godox, this ring light measures at 14.2” in diameter with 180 LEDS. If you’re looking for something more compact than the LR160, then the LR180 is great. Color temperature ranges from 3300K to 5600K, and it comes with a smartphone holder and a white light filter.
Key Features:
- 14.2” Bi-Color LED
- A/C Adapter
- Color Temperature: 3300K – 5600K
- 1.94lbs
Yongnuo YN608C Bi-Color LED Video Ring Light
The Yongnuo YN608C Bi-Color LED Video Ring Light is perfect for beginners because it offers useful features, like dual power mode support and variable color temperature levels. It also has a simple interface and can be easily mounted on a stand. The light kit includes a wireless remote so you can adjust the color or brightness with minimal fuss.
Key Features:
- 4,864-lumen output
- Digitally-encoded dimming ability
- Color-rendering index of 95+
- Dual power modes (battery pack or AC)
- Adjustable color temperature range
- Tungsten & daylight-balanced LEDs
Westcott 18″ Bi-Color LED Ring Light Kit
The best thing about the Westcott 18″ Bi-Color LED Ring Light is that it offers a hassle-free set-up. It features built-in diffusion, high color accuracy, and adjustable color temperature. Even if you’re in a remote location or far from a power outlet, you can continue using the ring light with its included NP-F750 lithium-ion batteries.
With a CRI of up to 97, the Westcott ring light is perfect for replicating perfect skin tones. It also has an adjustable color temperature ranging from 3200K to 5600K.
Key Features:
- 18″ bi-color LED ring light with built-in diffusion
- Power with AC adapter or two NP-F750 batteries (both included)
- Adjustable temperature range 3200-5600K
- Flicker-free operation and up to 97 CRI
- Lightweight design with included 6.5” stand and carry case
Fotodiox FlapJack LED Ring Light C-318RLS 10″
The Fotodiox FlapJack LED Ring Light is different from typical front-facing LED lights because its LEDs are mounted around the outer edge and directed inward. And instead of producing a direct beam, the light produces a soft, even glow without hotspots. This makes it a perfect glamor light.
Since it produces an internally bounced light, you can look directly into it and experience little discomfort. On top of that, the FlapJack light produces little heat and has a low current draw.
Key Features:
- 130mm lens opening
- Mounting bracket for 15mm & 19mm rod systems
- 10-100% power dimmer dial
- Ultra-bright LED edge lights
- 3200-5600k Tungsten / Daylight Color Temperature
- Color Rendering Index >=85
Savage Luminous Pro 19″ 96W Bi-Color LED Ringlight Plus
The Savage Luminous Pro 19″ is a versatile ring light that’s ideal for shooting videos. You can use it as a smooth on-axis fill light or to capture the perfect catchlight in your subject’s eyes. It’s great for glamor shots because it smooths out skin imperfections and enhances the look of your overall skin tone.
Since it has a diffused front, taking close-up shots with the ring light is much easier. You can also easily adjust settings thanks to its large LCD display and remote control.
Key Features:
- 480 Daylight balanced, cool-running LED chips
- Adjustable color temperature
- 75 minutes of run time at full power (5500K, 3200K) with included batteries
- Dual voltage power supply (110-240v input-14.5v output)
- Even, flicker-free light
- Shoe mount and metal ball head with removable shoe for camera mounting
Yongnuo YN508 Bi-Color LED Ring Light
The Yongnuo YN508 Bi-Color LED Ring Light is a two-in-one LED video light that can be disassembled for separate use. It includes a customized LED light soft panel where the front fill-in light produces a softer, uniform light. When both are used at the same time, the light can produce the unique catchlights effect.
With a dual power support mode, you can use the ring light to meet any shooting requirement. The Yongnuo LED ring light is the top choice for live videos and beauty selfies because it has a TLCI and CRI index of over 95, which translates to whiter and glossier skin tones.
Key Features:
- Customized LED light soft panel
- TLCI and CRI index of over 95
- U-type bracket adjustable at 360 deg
- Mobile APP remote control and YONGNUO 2.4G wireless control
Ring Lights: Frequently Asked Questions
Do ring lights hurt your eyes?
The good news, there is no evidence that ring lights will damage your eyes. However, they could cause eye strain when used for extended periods of time. Same as when you use a computer screen, it’s important to take a regular break from lights. And of course, when using a ring light, you don’t want to be staring at the light, but through it.
What ring light do YouTubers use?
With so many successful YouTubers out there, each tends to have their own unique style and gear used. However, some of the most popular ring lights we’ve seen streamers use include the Westcott 18” Bi-Color, Nanlite Halo 18, and the Flashpoint 19″.
