The Best Ring Lights for Photography in 2024

Stunning ring lights for selfies, product, and macro photos

The ring lights are simple in use, have a donat shape, and usually use LED lighting to illuminate the product with diffused, continuous glow without unflattering shadows that can spoil the overall look.

In addition to shooting videos for YouTube, I often use ring lights for photography to take various pics. I noticed that these accessories are especially useful for macro or product images.

When selecting the best ring lights for photography, I primarily considered the size of the device.

The brightness of the 10-inch model is ideal for working at a desk, whereas the 16- or 18-inch model is more appropriate for use while standing.

CRI is another important aspect to consider: the Color Rendering Index (CRI) should be as close to 100 as possible to get crisp and vivid colors.

Besides, I made sure that the models had different brightness levels to adjust the lighting to my shooting conditions.

The availability of various color temps was also an important aspect for me. If there are many steps between various color temperature levels, you become more flexible in adjusting it to your skin tone and environment.

Color temperature: 5500K | CRI: 95 | Brightness: 0-100% | Light Stand: 61"

This model is probably the best ring light for product photography, as it allows adjusting lighting to satisfy all my needs. It is fitted with an ingenious key remote that makes management of the light configurations a seamless task.

This lighting unit has become my handy assistant when shooting food pics for social media networks. Another great plus is its small size, so it is easy to hold in a hand and control my phone’s recording feature via Bluetooth.

I’ve used it for different purposes, combining it with other LED lights for photography. This model delivers top-level results when shooting product images and creating fantastic social media posts. Moreover, it has a portable design, so it is ideal for travelers who will also appreciate the convenience of taking it around in a nice travel case that is included in the kit. With this handy light, I get the needed freedom and mobility to illuminate virtually any space.

Color temperature: 3 modes (Cool, Warm, Daylight) | Brightness: 10 levels | Light Stand: 50"

This ring light is not only extremely user-friendly but can be also set up in various ways. With its help, I could shoot excellent self portrait photos. This model has a sturdy body and offers different lighting options with varied light intensity. There is also a mini remote, which allows connecting your smartphone to this piece of gear via Bluetooth even when shooting pics or videos away from the phone.

The tripod has a small weight, so it can accidentally fall over. The flat touch buttons are also inconvenient for me, as when adjusting the position of the light, I often shut it off/ change the light without the intention to do it. This would not happen if they were tactile click buttons.

Color temperature: 3200-5600K | CRI: 97 | Brightness: 0-100% | Light Stand: 6.5'

Westcott 18” Bi-Color produces excellent light and offers other goodies. It is very easy to set up, so for me, this is probably the best ring light for clothing photography.

The ability to switch from AC to battery on the fly is another considerable advantage. I also do not have trouble adjusting the light from the front or back (brightness) as well as lighting temperature (from warm yellow to cool blue).

To get better results, you’ll have to upgrade the phone bracket to the one, which is more convenient to use for shooting vertical videos (like Instagram Live). The construction seems to be reliable, but when installed on top of the tripod with just a tension screw, it is a bit wobbly.

Color temperature: 3200-5600K | CRI: 97 | Brightness: 1-100% | Light Stand: 71"

This model has all the features that you might need for shooting professional photography. The pack includes three phone holders, ports for charging devices, remote control, etc. Besides, you won’t have trouble adjusting the shade and brightness, as well as putting your camera phone securely in the holder.

I have not used all phone holders, but I realize that using multiple of them is very beneficial and allows implementing various self portrait ideas into life. The only downside is that this light is not so bright compared to the original ring lights from this manufacturer.

Color temperature: 3000-6000K | CRI: 90+ | Brightness: 1-100% | Light Stand: 78"

I am a portrait photographer, but I also work in other genres like life still and macro photography, as well as shoot various videos like interviews. No matter what content I am going to produce.

Godox devices are always with me. This lighting equipment is reliable, versatile, and is not worth a fortune.

I’ve tested LR150 and was pleased to find out that although this model has a low price tag, the manufacturer fitted it with all the needed features for shooting macro photography.

First, it produces a bright light for the intended close usage. It also has handy controls for a trouble-free adjustment of power and color temperature. Besides, the size and uniformity of light it cast create soft and flattering illumination, which can be compared to a similar-sized softbox.

Color temperature: 2700-7500K | CRI: 96+ | Brightness: 1-100% | Light Stand: 70"

This ring light stands among other smaller and cheaper ring lights with its size. The light has a large diameter, so the ring reflection is barely visible (it depends on the angle you are shooting at).

The amount of light it produces is impressive, which is a considerable plus as well. This model came in handy when I needed to shoot jewelry photography, and is especially useful in scenarios when I would normally install larger LED lights for better results.

This model is delivered with a great padded carrying bag to provide reliable protection for the light, stand, and power supply. I take this light to various photoshoots quite often because of its small weight and versatility. Lume Cube Pro is perfect for portrait photography but is also suitable for other purposes because of its power.

Color temperature: White, Warm White, Warm | Brightness: 10 levels | Light Stand: 6"

The easy setup of the base and mounting of my camera and phone are what I like most about this camera model. The light output produced by it is enough to illuminate the face very nicely. However, for some photoshoots, this amount of light was insufficient.

The light ring offers 4 different modes, so it is easy to achieve the desired face tone. The setup was a no-brainer, so I was able to install it and use it in five minutes.

Color temperature: 5 modes (Warm, Warm White, Nature White, Sunlight, Cold White) | CRI: 95+ | Brightness: 10-100% | Light Stand: 62"

Aureday 14'' is user-friendly and highly flexible, as well as offers different brightness levels, both warm and cool tones, so it’s the best ring light for fashion photography and videos.

The dark backdrop makes the pics eye-grabbing and exquisite. The only downside is a short cord, and the remote does not last well, presumably because of the battery. However, it works without the remote hassle-free.

Continuous LED ring lights. These ring lights deliver constant illumination, so they are ideal for both photography and video shooting. LED ring lights allow adjusting brightness and color temperature, making it a versatile solution for different purposes.

These ring lights are available in both on and off-camera format. The first type is attached to the lens of a camera and emits a narrow band of light, which is ideal for macro photography. Off-camera ring lights are mounted on the stand and can be placed virtually anywhere around the frame of your image, so they provide more flexibility and can serve as both a key light and a fill light.

Flash ring lights work similarly to a camera flash, delivering a burst of intense light, but in a circular shape. They are attached to the lens of a camera, so it is quite easy to transport and carry with them.

Smartphone ring lights. These small ring lights are created to mount on smartphones, so they are suitable for those who are used to taking photos on the go with a phone. They do not weigh much and are portable, making them convenient for spontaneous photoshoots.

Macro ring lights. These lights are specifically developed for macro photography. They better perform when combined with a camera for macro photography and deliver close-up light for increasing the visibility of small objects.

Light intensity. Many ring lights enable users to change the brightness from 0 to 100% in 10% increments (10% brightness, 20% brightness, and so on), but, as for me, the models that allow fine-tuning the brightness to the nth degree are more convenient.

If you shoot tiny objects like jewelry or watches, powerful ring lights are what will allow you to illuminate all the details.

Color temperature. Some ring lights are capable of tweaking the color temperature. The LEDs' color range varies from cold to warm light tones. Thanks to this, it is possible to create more realistic pics, which is pivotal for professional photography.

Size and portability. As the ring light has a smaller size than the items included in a studio lighting kit, it still occupies some space, especially when installed far away from the product. If you are shooting in a studio and do not work on the go, you should probably think of purchasing a ring light with a tripod. However, if you often move around, more compact models will be more appropriate.

Adjustable angle and height. The light should be bendable and allow you to adjust the position of the head to create the most flattering illumination for any type of photoshoot. Such models as Pozliv Ring Light come with a flexible mount for a phone to get the desired angle worry-free. The height of the stand is important to consider as well. The more adjustable it is, the more versatile the light is.

With the best ring light for photography, it is easy to bring your shooting experience to the next level. Of course, at first, you may struggle to set up a ring light properly to get the perfect illumination for a specific shooting scenario, but a little bit of practice will fix this situation and let you create amazing pics without putting much effort.