By Tati Taylor 10 days ago, Photography Gear
Producing videos was my main hobby before I turned it into a career, and since my house is filled with all kinds of lighting equipment, I think I have enough experience to help you find the best video LED light for your own setup.
I produce videos, work at wedding celebrations, and record behind-the-scenes footage at various events with the help of my DSLR camera. Additionally, I record reviews of the different gear I own on my iPhone as well as often host YouTube streams.
I have a unique lighting setup prepared for all of the purposes I’ve mentioned above. Below, I’ll go over an array of high-quality video LED lights, while covering their main features, benefits, and drawbacks.
Color Temperature: 3000-10000K | Dimensions: 1.97 x 5.71 x 5.71 in | Brightness: 5443 lux | Weight: 12.5 ounces | Power: NPF-750 24V
The NEO 3 expands on the foundation laid by NEO 2, offering superior specifications and earning the rank of one of the best LED panel lights for video recording.
Both models provide flash and continuous lighting modes, but NEO 3 has a wider selection of colors, allowing me to enjoy RGBWW settings. As such, I can set the lighting to any color I want. Moreover, it comes with a variety of digital color filters and special effects, which I can control via an integrated touchscreen.
My favorite aspect about this studio lighting kit is how compact it is. It doesn’t require a lot of space while producing a very powerful light, serving as the perfect travel companion. Whenever I’m on the road for a wedding or behind-the-scenes video project, I have no trouble packing and carrying the light with me.
The only downside is that the flash mode of NEO 3 isn’t as powerful as a pro-grade flashgun, which can feel rather limiting in certain situations. The battery runs out of juice rather fast as well, which is why I always bring a couple of spare ones for long recording sessions.
Color Temperature: 2700K - 6500K | Dimensions: 9.45 x 9.35 x 4.8 in | Brightness: 84500 lux | Weight: 23 pounds | Power: Dual Adapter / V-Mount Battery
SmallRig RC 220B offers impeccable versatility, representing one of the best LED lights for video production and regular vlogging.
It offers a customizable color range, allowing you to adapt to different recording scenarios. Whether I’m recording a wedding ceremony outside or working in a dim studio environment, I can adjust the available settings to get the light I need. The provided power rating is high enough to ensure I can properly illuminate the subject without having to use another light source.
This LED light for photography employs cutting-edge COB light technology, which provides a lot of power and makes sure the produced colors are natural and not washed out, which is essential for video production of any kind.
The main drawback is that I had to buy the stand separately, which makes this option more expensive, and it’s also not waterproof, so you shouldn’t take it to a recording if the weather promises to be poor.
Color Temperature: 5600K | Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.1 x 4.7 in | Brightness: 6000 lux (continuous) 12000 lux (flash) | Weight: 3.05 pounds | Power: Battery pack or mains
StellaPro Reflex S is arguably the best continuous LED lighting for video recording, as it manages to pack a lot of power into a small unit. When set to flash mode, it offers a continuous shooting speed of 20 fps, which is enough even for recording sports games, let alone lifestyle or wedding videos. Such speed will come in handy when recording a dynamic moment like the bouquet tossing ceremony or newlyweds’ first dance.
When set to continuous mode, you can use this light for up to half an hour on maximum brightness setting, or shoot 10,000 flashes, which should last you the entire day if you’re a photographer. Such durability is extremely beneficial when working at long wedding celebrations and parties that require artificial lighting during the entire event.
For me, the main weakness of this model is the non-adjustable color temperature, which makes it harder to adapt to changing lighting conditions. This product also comes at a rather high price, which grows even higher if you want to get some compatible accessories, so you might want to look into video equipment rental options if you’re on a tight budget.
Color Temperature: 2700 - 12000K | Dimensions: 50.5 x 5.9 x 5.7 in | Brightness: 746 lux | Weight: 11.08 pounds | Power: Rechargeable battery, AC
Nanlite PavoTube II 30XR has a durable metal case and impressive characteristics, so it’s still widely employed by videography companies. It has a wide CCT range, hence why some people consider it the best LED light for wedding video recording. It’s capable of handling both dark reception halls and sunny outdoor venues with equal success.
I like that this model is about the pixel-based special effects and the provided DMX compatibility. Such functionality lets me put together dynamic and eye-catching lighting setups that provide the same utility as a rectangular softbox while being a lot more versatile.
Since this is a tube light, it’s also more convenient to carry, attach, and transport, which is exactly what any wedding videographer wants to hear.
The provided wireless control options, CRMX and Bluetooth, further increase the convenience of this light.
The biggest drawback of the PavoTube II 30XR is the high cost. Its 4400mAh battery is solid enough and lasts for about 1 hour and 30 minutes at maximum power, but that won’t be enough for longer recording sessions.
Color Temperature: 2700 - 7500K | Dimensions: 6 x 3.14 x .43 in | Brightness: 835 lux | Weight: 7.36 oz | Power: 4,000 mAh battery
This model just might be the best budget LED light for video recording for anyone interested in a compact, multifunctional panel light that is suitable for recording vlogs and studio footage.
The Lume Cube Panel Pro 2.0 offers a wide range of color temperature settings that can be set anywhere between 1 and 100%, allowing you to adapt to different lighting conditions. I use this light both in my home studio and when traveling for behind-the-scenes recordings and never had any problems adjusting it to my needs.
Probably my favorite feature is the provided lighting effects that allow me to make my footage more creative and experiment with various filmmaking techniques without having to buy any extra gear. Its compact build and lightweight construction make the Lume Cube Panel Pro 2.0 a portable travel companion and a terrific option for recording in tight spaces.
The biggest flaw of this model is the screen's blue text which makes it nearly impossible to see when working outdoors on a sunny day.
Color Temperature: 2700 - 6200K | Dimensions: 5.39 x 3.07 x 1.14 in | Brightness: 14000 lux | Weight: 11.3 ounces | Power: Battery
I often take the Fiveray M40 whenever I’m using my DSLR. This video lighting kit looks stylish, is pleasantly sturdy, has an impressive power output of 40W, and takes up very little space when being transported. It’s barely bigger than a large smartphone, representing a fantastic option for recording in tight spaces.
When set to maximum brightness, the Fiveray M40 provides a lot of illumination given how compact it is, while allowing you to adjust the power output between 0 and 100% according to the recording conditions. This model is also supplied with a silent cooling fan, which lets me use the light longer without any risk of overheating.
The biggest drawback of this product is the lack of lighting effects or adjustable colors. The provided controls allow me to set the desired parameters quickly and easily, but they are also highly sensitive and can be adjusted by accident.
Color Temperature: 2700 - 6500K | Dimensions: 11.22 x 9.37 x 5 in | Brightness: 2376 lux | Weight: 1.52 pounds | Power: USB-C PD, AC power adapter
The X60 RGB is an 'always on' LED light that can fit in your hand. Even after I attached the provided battery to it, the light continued to be lightweight and portable, allowing me to implement all kinds of YouTube video ideas with my iPhone. The available animated effects are also creative and highly versatile. For instance, I added the Hue Loop effect to a tech review I filmed a while ago, and the changing colors helped me ensure the viewers stayed engaged throughout the entire video.
I paired this light for green screen with my iPhone via Bluetooth and the supported ZY Vega application was very convenient to use. I can freely adjust the colors and brightness in just a couple of taps. It also has an innovative feature that lets me measure the scene's color temperature with my phone and then have the light adjust its settings automatically.
The provided dials are very intuitive, but a tad overly sensitive, which can make it more difficult to get the exact value you need. Also, while the maximum brightness of this light is impressive, consider using a diffuser or umbrella to deal with rough shadows.
Color Temperature: 2700-6200K | Dimensions: 22.83 x 7.68 x 3.94 in | Brightness: 20708 lux | Weight: 4.75 pounds | Power: mains, built-in rechargeable battery
The Fiveray F100 is arguably the best LED video lighting equipment if you value portability above everything else. Its stylish design and stick shape ensure you’ll have no trouble packing and carrying the light, and I was able to use it both in my studio and when traveling to different locations.
The customizable color temperature, Hue, Saturation, and Lightness allow me to fine-tune the illumination until I’m happy with the result. I often do a lot of tweaking before recording YouTube content to ensure everything looks as aesthetically pleasing as possible.
Another benefit of this set is the 6 animated effects designed to enhance lighting for YouTube videos. Whenever I’m recording product overviews, and tutorials, or doing live streams, I use these effects to get the vibes I need and attract more viewers.
That said, I noticed that the F100 lacks stability when placed on a short tripod, meaning it can fall over if you’re not careful. I switched to a sturdier, reinforced tripod to minimize this risk.
Color Temperature: 3200 - 5500K | Dimensions: 20.1 x 4.3 x 24 in | Brightness: 880 lux | Weight: 11 pounds | Power: AC/DC
This is one of the best ring lights I’ve used for recording iPhone videos that I post on my YouTube channel. It produces a uniform, soft light that is a great fit for product reviews since it allows me to emphasize every single detail of an item when showcasing it to my audience.
This ring light for TikTok comes with 240 LED bulbs that have an adjustable brightness, which I can set between 1% and 100%, while its color temperature offers daylight-neutral lighting, perfect if I want my footage to have a natural feel to it.
The cold shoe ball-head adapter is compatible with the majority of modern DSLRs, while the phone holder can fit most smartphones. As such, I often use the Neewer 18” with both digital cameras and smartphones.
Even though this model offers a lot of benefits, it’s not perfect. It feels a bit cheaply made and the provided light stand isn’t particularly sturdy either.
Color Temperature: 3200 - 5600K | Dimensions: 23 x 20.5 x 4 in | Brightness: 1700 lux | Weight: 7.04 pounds | Power: Rechargeable battery
The Lume Cube Cordless deserves your attention if you’re looking for the best LED lights for video recording in terms of functionality and portability. It comes with a convenient travel case while its cordless design means you don’t need to place it near a power outlet and can simply rely on the provided rechargeable batteries.
I’ve used this ring light for iPhone for multiple outdoor recording sessions, including for a couple of YouTube streams, and it never let me down.
The provided dials for adjusting the brightness and color temperature enable me to make intricate changes until I’m completely happy with the produced lighting. Such a high degree of control is essential to recording pro-quality footage like a product review or behind-the-scenes video.
The main weakness of this light is the lengthy battery recharge time, which can cause quite a lot of trouble when I’m going to use the light for a long time but don’t have a power source nearby.
Color Temperature: 5600K | Dimensions: 10.39 x 7.6 x 7.52 in | Brightness: 2888 lux | Weight: 3.94 pounds | Power: Type-C, NP-F
This versatile COB light can be used for a variety of recording purposes, for product reviews and capturing wedding footage. This model is supplied with 60W COB LED beads that provide stunning maximum brightness. Meanwhile, its high CRI rating lands it among the best cheap LED lights for video recording if you value color accuracy.
Another benefit of this model is the provided support for Bowens-mount accessories, which let me easily go from harsh to diffused lighting, based on my current needs. For instance, when working at a wedding reception, I can add a softbox to soften the lighting. Meanwhile, when recording a product overview with my iPhone, I prefer to use a focused light to focus the viewer’s attention on the details.
Even though the specifications of this light are incredible, I had to buy several units to unlock its full potential, which can be an issue if you're on a budget.
Portability. The portability of filming equipment is a valid factor for most film production and content creation needs including travel videos, feature-length movies, wedding videos, reviews, etc. If you know the irritation caused by trying to pack a bulky gear set into a car boot, then you don’t need convincing that slimmer products are generally the way to go.
Brightness adjustments. Regardless of whether you’re recording footage indoors or outside, you can’t expect a single brightness setting to be suitable for all possible situations.
Color temperature. Give preference to models with adjustable color temperatures that allow you to set warm or cool lighting based on the mood you want to create.
CRI. CRI refers to the Color Rendering Index and can have a value in the 1-100 range. A studio lighting kit with a CRI rating over 90 will produce a light that resembles natural daylight, which is ideal for most options. As such, it’s recommended to pick an LED light with the largest CRI rating whenever possible.
Power supply. Does the LED allow you to power it using both an outlet and a battery? Such versatility would make the light suitable for both outdoor and indoor use.
Modifiers. Examine if the LED light includes any modifiers in the package. Those can be diffusers or umbrellas used for softening the lighting or filters for adjusting the light’s tone.
Flicker-free. Certain LEDs suffer from brightness fluctuations, which result in flickering. The best LED light panels for video recording are flicker-free and offer a consistent brightness output.
Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth support lets you connect your phone to adjust the lighting settings remotely, which allows for a much smoother recording experience.
First, LED lights use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light source, which consume less energy, produce less heat, and have a longer lifespan compared to traditional incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. Second, video LED lights are typically more compact, and portable, and offer adjustable brightness and color temperature settings, making them versatile and convenient for video production.
Video LED lights typically have a long lifespan and can last anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 hours of continuous usage.
Yes, many video LED lights offer remote control functionality or smartphone app integration. Thus, users can conveniently adjust the brightness, color temperature, and other settings of the lights remotely, providing flexibility and ease of use during video production.
