Using one of the best ring lights is a quick, easy and effective way to make your content look professional. Whether you're taking selfies, vlogging, video conferencing, shooting professionally or you're a make-up artist, a good ring light will help.
As you might've guessed, ring lights cast a circular ring of light. Put one of the best phones or best cameras in the middle of the ring, and the effect is even lighting over your whole face in photos and video. You (or your subject) will also have a halo reflection in their eye.
Thankfully, the best ring lights don't have to break the bank. We've tested lots of ring lights and rounded up our favorites here. To find the right one for you, all you need to do is read on!
The best ring lights: Quick list
The Neewer RP19H is the best ring light overall, with strong performance, high accuracy and a wide array of features, all for a respectable price.
The Neewer BR60 is a tiny ring light that offers decent performance and ease of use, not to mention portability, all on a budget.
The Rotolight Vlogging kit is ideal for vloggers, thanks to its powerful light, compact design and included phone/camera grip.
The Neewer RL-18 is ideal for make-up artists thanks to its bright 5600K natural lighting, high accuracy and extremely sturdy tripod.
The Westcott 18-inch light is ideal for professionals thanks to its power, brightness, accuracy and NP battery compatibility.
The Rotolight NEO 2 is our top choice for video calls due to its powerful light, desk-friendly design and included tripod.
The best ring lights: Meet the experts
Pete heads up the reviews and cameras sections here at Tom's Guide. He's been a photographer for 10 years and oversees all the site's cameras testing and coverage. Pete leads the team that tests every ring light on this guide. As cameras editor, he sets Tom's Guide's testing criteria for reviewing ring lights, and he edits each review to ensure our testing and analysis meet the exacting standards we know you deserve and demand. Specializing in architecture photography and portraiture, Pete has experience using all kinds of lighting for studio photography and video, including flash and continuous lights. From fluoro bulbs, to LEDs, strobes and, of course, ring lights — Pete's used them all, so he knows what makes a great light (and what doesn't).
Ashley is a reviews writer here at Tom’s Guide and spends her time testing, well, everything! A lifelong photography enthusiast, she has a keen eye for detail, so having the right lighting for photos is essential. Whether it’s golden hour selfies (she considers herself a professional selfie-taker!) or getting the best lighting for pictures of her dog, she is always ready — and the best ring lights help with that. After studying media production at university, Ashley has experience using professional lighting rigs as well as small ring lights for in-the-field reporting, so she knows what to look for in the best lighting setups.
Nikita is a reviews writer and specializes in drones, cameras and everything in between — and that includes ring lights! She's been a photography enthusiast since she was a teenager, which led her to working on Canon's content marketing team before joining Tom's Guide. On average, she reviews one camera a week, and that involves testing autofocus, resolution, video capabilities, battery life, you name it. She's well-versed with both the technical and artistic aspect of photography, which also makes her the right person for testing ring lights for pros. If you're wondering if a ring light renders colors accurately or is fit for remote shoots, Nikita has you covered.
The best ring light overall
Why it’s the best ring light overall: The Neewer RP19H ring light is the one that can do it all. Whether you need it for vlogging, a make-up artistry setup, or simply for taking selfies, this 19-inch ring light has got you covered.
🤳 Use for: Streaming, content creation, photography, make-up
✅ Buy if: You need lots of features and customization
❌ Don’t buy if: You need something portable
The color temperature varies from 3200K to 5600K and is adjustable in 100K increments, making it fully customizable to suit any situation. The cooler tones show off a lot of detail, but also pick up on some imperfections. The warmer tones are more forgiving and can bring back some natural color with a CRI of 97+ for portrait work, and create an even look. You are also able to fine-tune the brightness in 1% increments to be super precise with your lighting. And this light gets super bright, so mid-level brightness is more than enough here.
The ring has three (yes, three) cold shoe mounts, making it ideal for live streaming and getting different angles at the same time. And any avid streamers will be delighted to hear that there are USB sockets at the back of the light that will charge up your phone, so you never have to worry about your battery running low.
The touch controls on the bottom of the light make it easy to control up close, but there is also a 2.4GHz remote and a Bluetooth shutter button to make shooting from a distance a breeze too.
Not only is the initial setup of the light incredibly simple, but it is easy to pack away when you need to move locations. But for a light that is even more portable and can be used without a power outlet, the Westcott 18-inch Bi-color LED kit is best for professional photographers, as it includes NP batteries.
- Read Ashley's full Neewer RP19H review
The best budget ring light
Why it’s the best budget ring light: An essential for anyone looking to elevate their Instagram game or hop on the latest TikTok trends, the Neewer Basics BR60 is a five-inch ring light that can instantly polish any selfie or first-person video. The light is simple, yet in the best way possible — no fuss is needed to achieve professional results. And most important, it won't break the bank — this light costs under $20.
🤳 Use for: Vlogging, content creation, conference calls
✅ Buy if: You need a budget, portable ring light with just enough power
❌ Don’t buy if: You need a large and/or powerful light with lots of adjustment
Thanks to a Color Rendering Index rating of over 97, real-world color replication with the five-inch ring light is some of the best I have achieved. The image instantly looked more professional, and it totally upgraded the quality of my phone camera.
The color temperature can be altered from 3000K to 6000K, giving cool tones and warm tones with ease. This is a wide range of adjustment for such a small light. The alterations are incredibly easy to make with the control panel that is built into the charging lead, so you never have to worry about losing the controls.
The BR60 has 60 LEDs on the light to give a maximum illumination of 450Lux/0.5m, which isn't hugely bright, but should be enough for basic indoor vlogging and video calls. There are 10 levels of adjustment to the brightness, giving an ideal glow for any scenario. For more adjustment and the extra power needed to light up photoshoots and do serious content creation, you should look at a bigger light like the Neewer RP19H.
The BR60 comes with a clip to attach it to your phone for ultimate portability and a mini tripod for a desk setup. The light is powered using a built-in USB cable, so it can be used portably with the addition of a power bank.
- Check out Ashley's Neewer Basics BR60 review
The best ring light for vlogging and content creators
Why it’s the best ring light for vloggers and content creators: For online creators shooting for YouTube or social media (especially if they travel vlog), who want a cheap and cheerful ring light, the Rotolight Ultimate Vlogging Kit really is the ultimate choice.
🤳 Use for: Vlogging; content creation; streaming
✅ Buy if: You need portable ring light with features tailored to content creation
❌ Don’t buy if: You want to be able to adjust the color temperature easily
The kit has everything you need to elevate your content, including an RL48-B ring light, a cell phone adjustable mount, a twin accessory bar, a mini tripod, and a set of four filters.
The Ultimate Vlogging Kit is more versatile than the Rotolight Video Conferencing Kit in terms of handling as you can easily hold it in your hands. It’s also better than the Neewer Basics BR60 5" for vlogging as you can’t mount a camera on Neewer’s offering.
The Ultimate Vlogging Kit’s lightweight design and easy setup make it ideal for creators who want a hassle-free, stripped back ring light. Its mini tripod doubles as a comfortable handheld grip while the ball head mount keeps everything steady, even while walking or moving around quickly.
Housing 48 LEDs — as opposed to the BR60 5" which houses 60 LEDs — and boasting a color rendering index of 95+, the Ultimate Vlogging Kit ensures accurate color and lifelike skin tones. In my testing, I was highly impressed with the Ultimate Vlogging Kit’s performance, especially because it’s so cheap. It’s also got a runtime of approximately three hours as it’s powered by three AA batteries, which is similar to the Video Conferencing Kit which uses six batteries, making the Ultimate Vlogging Kit better for the environmentally conscious.
But one of the ring light’s flaws is that it has a fixed color temperature of 5600K, and if you want to change it, you’ll need to use one of the four included filters for warmer tones (3200K and 4100K) and diffusion. In comparison, the BR60 5” has an adjustable color temperature of 3000K-6000K. Although lacking in advanced features like adjustable temperature or a companion app, for under $30, it’s hard to beat the Ultimate Vlogging Kit’s value and ease of use.
- Read Nikita's full Rotolight Ultimate Vlogging Kit review
The best ring light for make-up artists
Why it’s the best ring light for make-up artists: Consistent lighting is a part of any good make-up artist’s arsenal, and the Neewer RL-18 is the perfect solution for wherever you may need to work. This 18-inch ring light is incredibly easy to set up and take with you anywhere. This means you are able to get perfect lighting conditions every time, wherever your client may be. The tripod is incredibly stable, so your lighting won’t move, meaning you can be as accurate as possible with make-up.
🤳 Use for: Make-up, photography, streaming
✅ Buy if: A consistent and accurate lighting solution for detailed work
❌ Don’t buy if: You need a lot of color temperature adjustment
To get the best results with make-up artistry, you need to have a consistent light source that replicates the natural lighting of daylight, so the client looks natural and not washed out. The brightness adjustment on the light makes this possible with ease.
There are only two color temperature settings that can be changed with plastic filters, from 5600K to 32000K. But for make-up artistry, consistent white light works best as it will show every little detail of the masterpiece being created for a flawless finish every time.
The brightness of the 240 LED lights is fully adjustable with a dial up to 5500Lux/0.5m. And with a colour rendering index rating of 95, the light can replicate how colors will appear in real-world lighting extremely well.
If you also need to make social media content, the ring light comes with a phone holder that attaches in the centre. There is also a Bluetooth shutter button that connects to your phone to stop and start video without having to fiddle with your phone on the stand, and it can take photos without the need for a countdown timer.
The cushioned carry case that comes with the light makes it perfect for carrying between appointments, but the tripod also means it is great for a fixed studio space. It needs to be plugged in, so if you need a light that can be used without a plug socket or even outdoors, look at the Westcott 18-inch Bi-color LED light instead, although that light is more expensive.
- Read Ashley's full Neewer RL-18 review
The best ring light for professionals
Why it’s the best ring light for professionals: The Westcott 18-inch Bi-Coler LED Kit is the perfect, premium ring light for professional photographers. While it sits at the premium end of the price range alongside the Neewer RP19H, the Westcott 18-inch delivers powerful, professional-grade performance, and it’s packed into a smart design. It also comes with a carry case for easy transportation.
🤳 Use for: Professional photography; content creation
✅ Buy if: You want a powerful light for the studio and on location
❌ Don’t buy if: You’re on a tight budget or want a remote control
It has a key feature that sets it apart from its competitors, especially the RP19H: battery-powered operation. Two NP-F750 batteries are included to power the Westcott 18-inch, so you can use the ring light on location outdoors or in spaces without easy access to mains power. A pair of batteries lasts just over an hour and the kit includes a battery charger. You can also fit any NP-F batteries, which are the professional industry standard.
The Westcott 18-inch’s performance is fantastic too, with a high color rendering index of 97+, which ensures accurate color rendering which is all-important for portraiture and product photography. Its CRI is far better than the Godox LR120’s 90. In our testing, we were highly impressed with the lifelike colors. You can dial in the exact look you want thanks to adjustable color temperature (3200K to 5600K) and powerful brightness on par with the RP19H.
The Westcott 18-inch isn’t without its flaws as it doesn’t have multiple cold shoe mounts for videographers who want to attach accessories like microphones — which is something the RP19H features but the LR120 also lacks. However, for professionals who value portability, powerful output and color accuracy, this ring light is hard to beat. If you’re working across varied environments, especially without guaranteed access to mains, this is the best ring light you can buy.
- Read Nikita's full Westcott 18-inch Bi-Color review
The best ring light for video calls
Why it’s the best ring light for video calls: If you want a ring light that will make you look professional on any call with a client or coworkers, the Rotolight Video Conferencing Kit offers everything you need. The kit includes a NEO 2 light, a desktop light stand, a 360° ball head, and four filters/diffusers.
🤳 Use for: Video calls; vlogging; streaming
✅ Buy if: You spend a lot of time on conference calls and need to look professional
❌ Don’t buy if: You’re on a tight budget or are environmentally conscious
Unlike bulky studio setups or budget ring lights, the Video Conferencing Kit strikes a fantastic balance between power, portability and performance. It’s similar in size to the Rotolight Ultimate Vlogging Kit but the Video Conferencing Kit offers more stability when stood up on a surface.
The included NEO 2 light panel offers bright, true-to-life illumination with an excellent color rendering index of 96, and adjustable color temperature ranging from 3150K to 6300K. It offers more versatility compared to the Ultimate Vlogging Kit which has a fixed color temperature (unless you use the included filters). Thanks to this, you can ensure your skin tone looks natural whether you’re in a dim home office or a well-lit coworking space.
It takes under five minutes to set up the kit too. The controls are also straightforward and intuitive, making it ideal for people who are new to ring lights and lighting gear. However, the ring light doesn’t include Bluetooth or come with a companion app, and it requires six disposable AA batteries. Meanwhile, the Ultimate Vlogging Kit requires just three — something to keep in mind if you’re an environmentally conscious person.
At the end of the day, if you want to look polished and your best on every Zoom, Google Meet or Teams call, the Video Conferencing Kit is a premium choice that’s well-worth the investment.
- Read Nikita's full Rotolight Video Conferencing Kit review
The best ring light that isn't a ring light
Why it’s the best ring light that isn’t a ring light: While it is not technically a ring light, the Neewer 7-inch round panel light serves a very similar purpose and offers steady and consistent lighting for any home office or studio setup. It’s best used in a fixed position on a desk, as the weighted base makes it hard to move.
🤳 Use for: Streaming, video calls
✅ Buy if: You need consistent lighting at you desk for streaming or work calls
❌ Don’t buy if: You need a light that’s portable
The light offers a lot of adjustment. The telescopic arm of the light extends to a maximum height of 33.1 inches, and the head of the light can move 180º horizontally and 210º vertically. It can be set at the perfect angle to create the best lighting for your needs, whether that’s a work call or a Twitch stream.
The brightness of the 84 LED lights is adjustable too. With a maximum illumination of 680Lux/0.5m, there are 10 levels of brightness adjustment. The color temperature has five levels of adjustment from 3000K to 6500K. This is controlled with the built-in control panel on the power cord.
There is a phone holder on the stand of the light, but this cannot be positioned directly in the centre of the light (like with a ring light) as it will cast a shadow. So it is best to use this as a primary lighting source and have a camera set up on another tripod or on your computer for desk work.
This creates more of a diffused look than a ring light. It casts more shadows, but can create a more natural look when used in instances such as work calls or online streaming.
- Read Ashley's full Neewer Basics R06 7-inch Panel Light review
How to choose the best ring light for you
Firstly, you'll want to consider whether you want a ring light or a different type of light. Ring lights are the best for vlogging or beauty content, as they're primarily aimed at lighting faces. If you are doing lots of different types of video, you might want to look into a traditional light instead.
If you do want a ring light, with so many available at so many different price points, how do you choose which model is right for you?
Use cases
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Think about how you want to use the ring light. Are you just capturing casual photos on your phone? Then, you won’t need to spend a lot of money. But what if you are producing a weekly video podcast or episode for your YouTube channel? Then, you’ll want to pay more for a ring light that gives you more options.
Features
Do you need a ring that lets you adjust the light’s color temperature or brightness? Or do you need the option of powering the ring light either by an AC adapter or using batteries? You'll probably need a stand, so does the ring light come with one? Do you need a smartphone holder or a camera mount, or both? All the lights above come with some kind of stand or tripod. There are also lights with variety of different phone and/or camera holders, and lights with different power methods.
Size
Additionally, consider the size of the light: some are quite small and portable, which means you can take them on the road with you; others are larger and heavier, which may weigh you down, especially if they have a tripod. We've included both large and small ring lights in this guide, so you can choose the right one for your needs.
The best ring lights: FAQs
What is the point of a ring light?
I know, it sounds kinda obvious: a ring light is there to light you up! But it isn't that straightforward. Ring lights have a very specific purpose and aren't ideal for every situation. The main purpose of a ring light is to light up faces. Instead of just lighting up one side of your face, when used properly they will light up your entire face evenly. This makes them perfect for content where your face is the main part of the frame. So mid-range to close-up shots. This will naturally suit anyone vlogging to camera, or producing fashion or beauty content.
The point of a ring light is not to light up larger video sets, so if you're going to be shooting wider shots or you need a versatile light, take a look at the ring light alternatives we've listed above.
Are ring lights worth it?
If you're a content creator, shooting video to camera, ring lights are definitely worth it! They're an affordable way to light your video professionally, and to cast an even light on your face.
Many of the best ring lights also offer handy features, such as light temperature controls to allow you to set a warmer or cooler tone; Bluetooth hookup and camera or smartphone mounts.
All this means that, even though they can cost a little bit of money, a solid ring light will more than justify its price in terms of features and results.
However, they doesn't mean ring lights are worth it for everyone. If you're producing video on a larger set or outside, you may want to consider a continuous studio LED instead.
Is there something better than a ring light?
That really depends on what you're shooting. If you want to produce a lot of content where your face is the main event, then a ring light is best. If you want the characteristic halo reflection in your eye, which is extremely common in beauty and fashion content, then there really is no substitute for a ring light. If you're filming content in your home or bedroom and won't be going anywhere else, a ring light is also perfect.
As mentioned above, though, if you're going to be filming lots of different shots and angles, or you need a versatile light that that illuminate various set layouts, then you need a more complex lighting set up. Check out our list of the best ring light alternatives above.
Do professional photographers use a ring light?
That all depends on what they need to shoot. Ring lights are entirely feasible tools for professional photographers, especially those shooting close up beauty photos of their subjects' faces. Light is light, and ring lights work wonders for lighting up faces.
Many professional photographers, however, will choose to use more versatile lighting. Pros will know how to get just as fantastic results from other lighting setups, and will tend to choose studio lamps or flash guns with softboxes instead of a ring light. These are more versatile, meaning a pro can use a single lamp in a variety of setups, instead of just lighting faces.
However, chances are you're not a pro, or you wouldn't be asking. Just because professionals may use other lighting setups, that doesn't mean a ring light isn't what you need. If you're producing beauty content or simply need to light your face better for video calls or selfies, ring lights are a great, affordable solution that require very little technical knowledge to set up and operate.
