When the Covid-19 epidemic came, most industries were hardly hit by the lockdowns. Some of these industries include the ones that gravitate towards the works of creativity. For instance, on-cam talents, photographers, and local film directors had to put their projects on hold to observe the ministry of health COVID-19 preventative measures and regulations. One of the best ways to continue the creative work is by buying the best lighting for the studio. Luckily, there are those that are portable. Thus, you can continue with your work without minding the health rules.
Finding the best studio light is not a simple task. This is because they are available in the market in many different options. But we have your back. This post will help you find the best without a lot of struggles. In addition to giving you a list of our top picks we came across in the market, we have discussed a buyer’s guide to help you make the right choice if the one you need is not here.
From the list, one of the best studio lights we came across is Neewer 2-Pack Dimmable 5600K USB LED Video Light. Because apart from being easy to set up, you can adjust its brightness and have optimal color filters.
Our Top Pick:
Our 10 Favorite Lighting for Studio Comparison Table
| Product | Description |
| Neewer 2-Pack Dimmable 5600K USB LED Video Light | Output Power: 10W Luminous Flux: 1000 lm Color Temperature: 5600K Dimming Range: 10%-100% |
| UBeesize 10” Ring Light | Light:10 inches Wireless Communication: Bluetooth Item Weight: 1.7 pounds |
| NEEWER I60 LED CN-160 Dimmable Ultra High Power Panel | Luminous Flux: 900 lm Weight: 8.57 oz Color Temperature: 5600K Maximum Power: 9.6 Watt |
| Elgato Key Light Air- Professional 1400 Lumens Desk Light | Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi Communication Technology: Wi-Fi Color Temperature: 2900-7000K Item Weight: 3.52 Pounds Item Dimension: 9.9”x23.3”x4.0” |
| ULANZI VL49 2000mAh LED Video Light | Color Temperature: 5500K Power: 6W Weight: 160g |
| GVM RGB LED Video Light | Color Temperature: 3200-5600K Max height: 200 cm Battery power Option: Yes Brightness Control: Yes Product Material– Aluminum alloy |
| LimoStudio LightBox Photography Tent for Product Shooting | Item Weight: 4.59 pounds Product Dimensions: (18x4x18) inches |
| UBeesize 8” Selfie Ring Lights | Color: Black Item Weight: 2.2 pounds Material: Aluminum Compatible Devices: Smartphones |
| Dazzne LED Camera Panel Lights | Color: White Chip On: Yes Rechargeable: Yes Battery Type: Built-In Lithium Battery Product Dimension: (3.1×3.1×1.0) inches |
| QIAYA LED Selfie Ring Light | Color: White Chip On: Yes Rechargeable: Yes Battery Type: Built-In Lithium Battery Product Dimension: (3.1×3.1×1.0) inches |
Best Lighting For Studio: Top 11 Picks
1. Neewer 2-Pack Dimmable 5600K USB LED Video Light
This best lighting for a studio is designed for tabletop/low-angle shooting, game streaming, zoom/video conference lighting, and YouTube video photography.
Besides, it features an adjustable brightness that ranges from 100%-20%. You need to press the up or down button to control the brightness. It comes with an LED light color temperature of 5600K, ideal for video calls.
Features
USB-Powered Light- You can keep the LED light powered through a USB power strip or USB wall charger. In case of low power output and quick battery drain, you can increase time use by avoiding overpowering the light with a tablet, laptop, and power bank.
Extendable and Foldable Tripod- A mini-tripod with a minimum height of 22.5 cm can be mounted directly to the panel light to give ultra-low position lighting. You can use an extension rod to adjust the size from 22.5 cm to 1.16 cm.
Optimal Color Filters- The item comes with eight filters with four colors (red, blue, yellow, and white) that help you create flexible, colorful lighting effects for game live streaming.
Specifications
- Output Power: 10W
- Luminous Flux: 1000 lm
- Color Temperature: 5600K
- Dimming Range: 10%-100%
- Number of LEDs: 66
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Adjustable
- Several brightness levels adjustment
Cons
- Impossible to adjust color temperature
2. UBeesize 10” Ring Light
When it comes to UBeesize right, the first thing that should arrive in your mind is portability. This is because they are light in weight and compact. These features alone make these products best for photography needs.
UBeesize 10” Ring Light is the best lighting you need to buy if you want to get into creating video content. Besides being affordable, you have a guarantee that it will last longer once you use it keenly. Mainly, it is excellent when used in small apartments and dorm rooms.
Features
Universal Phone Holder- Comes with a phone clip you can extend to 4.5 inches. Since it is compatible with smartphones, you can fix it to any angle you prefer using a rotatable phone clamp.
Long-lasting Tabletop Tripod- Inside the kit, you will find a sturdy tripod that can fit in a pocket when contracted. Besides using it as a ring light stand, you can use it as a camera stand for digital cameras, cell phones, and webcams.
Wireless Remote Control- It comes with a wireless remote that helps you control your phone’s camera and take photos from a distance of 30 feet. It is compatible with android phones and ios phones.
Specifications
Light:10 inches
Wireless Communication: Bluetooth
Item Weight: 1.7 pounds
Pros
- Portable
- Easy to use
- Extendable and adjustable tripod
Cons
- Not suitable for experts.
3. NEEWER I60 LED CN-160 Dimmable Ultra High Power Panel Digital Camera
This is another ideal studio lighting we came across when doing our search. It is best for those photographers that do a lot of shooting on location. But, it is also used in studios because it has a bright light that is enough for that.
It is compatible with a DSLR camera. Besides, you can mount it on a standard hot shoe. This device is one of the best-led lights you can buy in the market at an affordable price. Since these are LED lights, you can enjoy a great light amount with this light when recording video footage outdoors and indoors.
Features
Two Different Filters- The role of these filters is to help you achieve a spotlight effect, a diffuser effect, alongside dropping the color temperature to 3200k. You can easily change these filters to achieve different visual results when filming.
Versatile Power Options- These lighting kits can work with Sony, Panasonic, and simple AA batteries. However, batteries are not involved in the package. Luckily, you can buy them at a rate that you can afford.
Two Light Stands- The manufacturer of this product gives you two light stands whose maximum height is 30 inches. Luckily, they are adjustable. Therefore, you can adjust its height based on your preferences.
Specifications
- Luminous Flux: 900 lm
- Weight: 8.57 oz
- Color Temperature: 5600K
- Maximum Power: 9.6 Watt
- Runtime: 60-80 mins
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Durable
Cons
- Battery pack purchased separately
4. ULANZI VL49 2000mAh LED Video Light
ULANZI VL49 2000mAh LED Video Light is the best lighting for a vlog, selfie, party atmosphere, still-life, video, and children’s photography. Even though it is small, it puts out a decent light amount.
Features
Built-in Lithium Battery– This item takes two hours to charge fully. It takes the battery 2 hours to give maximum brightness when fully charged. On the other hand, it takes 5 hours when produce min brightness.
Expandable Cold Shoes– It features three cold shoe mounts that allow several lights connected to enhance lighting brightness besides getting better lighting effects.
Type C Charging- You can use this device when it is charging. Thus, you do not have to worry anymore concerning insufficient battery issues when you get this device.
Specifications
- Color Temperature: 5500K
- Power: 6W
- Weight: 160g
Pros
- Good battery life
- Portable
- Uses modern USB-C style
Cons
- Looking directly at the unfiltered LED makes you see spots for a while.
5. Elgato Key Light Air- Professional 1400 Lumens Desk Light
If you are a YouTuber, streamer, or doing a live video feed of yourself in front of a smartphone or computer camera, it is worth investing in Elgato Key Light Air. It can make your feed or video more professional and sharper because of its edge-lit LED architecture coupled with multi-layer diffusion technology.
Features
Freestanding Base- This helps you use the light on your computer desk. Besides, you can use it on the floor when streaming how to do Yoga. Luckily, the stand has some weight that guarantees its stability and durability once the lighting is being used.
Cable Management Solution- Here, you can hide the cable behind the stand to keep your desk tidy. Happily, the stand is easily adjustable.
Wi-Fi Enabled-You can switch on and off the lights through the app on Android, iPhone, Windows, or Mac. This is because of the ability to be connected to the Wi-Fi network.
Specifications
- Item Weight: 3.52 Pounds
- Item Dimension: 9.9”x23.34”x4.0”
- Communication Technology: Wi-Fi
- Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi
Pros
- Quick and easy way to control lighting
- Portable
- Durable
Cons
- A bit expensive
6. GVM RGB LED Video Light
This is one of the most costly video light kits you can come across. However, it is valued is worth the money. One of the features it comes with that will amaze you is the clever app that enables you to take complete control using your smartphone.
The ability to change the color and hue offers you different great options. Luckily, you can use old school when operating on this light. The back of this item comes with an LCD and dial set up that is smart and easy to navigate.
Features
Intelligent App Control System- This light comes with a mobile application control function. To use it, you need to download the GVM app in the leading app stores like the play store. Having it is an added benefit as you can easily control the accurate temperature and color that you require.
Light and Portable- The size of this unit is (10.2 x 10.4 x 1.9) inches while the weight is 1 kg. Hence, you can easily carry it from one place to another.
Top-Notch Material- This lighting is made using aluminum material. Hence, you have a guarantee that when maintained adequately, it is going to last longer.
Specifications
- Color Temperature: 3200-5600K
- Max Height: 200 cm
- Battery Power Option: Yes
- Brightness Control: Yes
- Product Material- Aluminum alloy
Pros
- Portable
- Nice LCD screen
- A clever app for full control from a smartphone
Cons
- Expensive
7. LimoStudio LightBox Photography Tent for Product Shooting
If you do a lot of product shooting, this lighting kit from LimoStudio can be a perfect add-on in your studio if need be. Inside the kit, you will find a light tent, 2 LED lights, a small tripod for holding smartphones, and colored backdrops. You can take clear photos of this product once you place it in the tent. This saves you plenty of effort that you could have used in photoshop or other photo editing software.
Features
Separate lights and backdrop- This helps control the light amount inside the tent and the background color. The tent walls act as the diffuse light softens before reaching the object.
Tabletop Lighting- The main role of the tabletop LED light stand is to allow you to move your light source with ease. This offers you reliable tripod legs whenever you want to place them on your surface choice.
Steady Tripod- This stand furthers your photo-taking skill by allowing you to have steady aimed shots or varying angles you require for your products.
Universal Phone Holder- You can use your smartphone to take photos and upload them using the holder of this product. This is regardless of whether you want them professionally done or not.
Specifications
- Item Weight: 4.59 pounds
- Product Dimensions: (18x4x18) inches
Pros
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Lights are not very bright
8. UBeesize 8” Selfie Ring Lights
If you are a beauty blogger or frequently have a live stream on YouTube, this is the best ring light you need to get. It is a versatile item you can use to adjust the brightness and color temperature of the light to create a different atmosphere for your YouTube videos. Even though it is cheap, it features three color modes. They include warm yellow, warm white, and white.
Features
Rotatable Phone Holder– It is easier to rotate the phone holder to find your desired angle. Luckily, the phone holder is spring-loaded and can extend up to 3.6 inches wide. It is compatible with almost all smartphones.
Upgraded Tripod Stand- This product has a tripod that adopts quick-flip locks and a weighted base to enhance stability. It is made of aluminum and can extend from 17.5 inches to 51 inches.
Dimmable ring light- It features three color lighting modes that include the color white (4500K), warm light (3000K), and daylight (6000K). Each of these models has 11 brightness levels. Dimming in these lights ranges from 1-100%.
USB Powered- It works with most devices that support USB ports like power bank, PC, laptop, and AC adapter.
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Item weight: 2.2 pounds
- Material: Aluminum
- Compatible devices: Smartphones
Pros
- Portable
- High brightness
- Durable
Cons
- Does not include battery
9. Dazzne LED Camera Panel Lights
This continuous panel light is meant for mounting to the DSLR camera. The color temperature of this product varies between 3200-5600K. This means it has greater flexibility once it comes to the color of the light. On the other hand, you will love its color reproduction capacity. It is high because of featuring a high CRI.
When adjusting the color temperature of this item, the corresponding Kelvin value is displayed at the back of the lights. This is considered to be impressive.
Features
Dual Power Supply- This device supports DC adapter or battery powered. It comes with a 2200mAh NP-F550 battery.
Lightweight and High CRI- The high CRI of these lights bring authentic, natural, and colorful images or videos. Besides, it weighs 256 g. Hence, it is ideal for portrait photography, outdoor shooting, and videography, among many more.
Dimmable Brightness and Bi-Color Temperature– With this light, you can change color temperature from 3200-5600K. Also, you can adjust the light brightness from 1-100%
Universal Use and Flexibility- This led light can mount to any standard hot shoe on digital video cameras, light stands, tripods, and DSLR cameras. Also, you can adjust the light angle to 1800 with the help of a standard hot shoe.
Specifications
- Output Power: 16W
- Lumen: 1080 LM
- Adjustable Brightness: 1%-100%
- Beam Angle: 1200
- Adjustable Color Temperature: 3200-5600K
Pros
- Affordable
- Battery and charger included
- High CRI
Cons
- Less mounting option
10. QIAYA LED Selfie Ring Light for Phone Camera Photography Video, Rechargeable
It does not come with a stand and clamp. This makes it ideal to be used as a selfie light for YouTubers vlogging on the street while traveling to various countries. Despite not having a stand, it has a built-in clip that allows you to attach it to your smartphone.
In addition to being affordable, it has three levels of brightness. Hence, you can select the best mode for different scenarios. Because it has a big hollow in the middle, it is possible to block most of the smartphone’s front camera. However, if your smartphone has a camera at the corner, you need to slide it a little bit while on use.
Features
Lightweight and Compact- You can carry this light inside your pocket. Besides, you can take it anywhere in your bag because it is lightweight.
Perfect for Dark Rooms and Nighttime- It enhances and brightens your face for a perfect selfie. With this device, you do not have to run around the house to find the best spot in your home to take a photo.
Adjustable and Brightness- This product has three-level light settings for different uses like dark scenery vlogging, make-up, and selfie photos, among others. Luckily, this light highlights you and darkens everything that is behind you.
Rechargeable Battery- You have a guarantee of saving plenty of money once you buy this light as you will not be required to keep on buying batteries. It has the rechargeable one.
Specifications
- Color: White
- Chip On: Yes
- Rechargeable: Yes
- Battery Type: Built-In Lithium Battery
- Product Dimension: (3.1×3.1×1.0) inches
Pros
- Easy to use
- Cheap
- You can use smartphones to take photos
Cons
- Bright light can blur the images
11. LimoStudio LightBox Photography Tent for Product Shooting
If you do a lot of product shooting, this lighting kit from LimoStudio can be a perfect add-on in your studio if need be. Inside the kit, you will find a light tent, 2 LED lights, a small tripod for holding smartphones, and colored backdrops. You can take clear photos of this product once you place it in the tent. This saves you plenty of effort that you could have used in photoshop or other photo editing software.
Features
Separate lights and backdrop- This helps control the light amount inside the tent and the background color. The tent walls act as the diffuse light softens before reaching the object.
Tabletop Lighting- The main role of the tabletop LED light stand is to allow you to move your light source with ease. This offers you reliable tripod legs whenever you want to place them on your surface choice.
Steady Tripod- This stand furthers your photo-taking skill by allowing you to have steady aimed shots or varying angles you require for your products.
Universal Phone Holder- You can use your smartphone to take photos and upload them using the holder of this product. This is regardless of whether you want them professionally done or not.
Specifications
- Item Weight: 4.59 pounds
- Product Dimensions: (18x4x18) inches
Pros
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Lights are not very bright
Best Lighting For Studio Buying Guide
You might have saved a lot of money to help you buy the most expensive studio light. But, it is a fact when the buying time comes, you will have to think twice. This does not mean that the most costly one is the best and guarantees you excellence. Gone are when the price tags were used to determine how good a product is. Nowadays, there are different factors you can consider to help you make the right purchase. Following are some helpful tips to allow you to choose the best lighting for a studio.
Budget
Your financial plan is a significant determining factor when doing your shopping. But, always remember that the most expensive product does not mean it is the best for your needs. Also, note that the cheapest alternative is not the best either. The first thing you should do is determine what lighting you want and then consider your budget. It is worth settling with the best studio light that will suit your needs and sell at a rate that you can afford.
Light Color Temperature
In general, there are many different colors light can be. When choosing the best lighting for your studio, it is advisable to note the color temperature diagram because camera sensors are usually programmed to capture color cast. Additionally, consider the bulb kind suitable for a set alongside the temperature it will be.
Photography Type
When looking for the best studio lights to buy, it is essential to consider the photography specialization kind you will focus on. For instance, check if you are a product photographer or take portraits of models and personalities. Regardless of the case, keep in mind that the lighting kit type you choose will impact how your shoot is going to turn out. Most of the kits have softboxes and diffusers.
Types Of Studio Lighting
There are different electric lights you can consider for your studio in the market. But, there are only three options when it comes to video production and broadcasting. They are as discussed below.
Fluorescent Lights
Even though these are not great choices, they also come with a set of benefits. One of them is that they mix with daylight than the tungsten lights do. They are the best when trying to mimic daylight on set. Also, they are cooler than the tungsten lights.
Tungsten Lights
These lights are commonly referred to as hot lights. This is because of the immense heat that emanates from them. Failure to handle them ideally can be pretty dangerous. Therefore, you need to be careful when handling them.
Despite the safety concerns of these lights, they effectively produce a source of warm light. They are ideally used for video production rather than photography. However, they can be used for the ladder under several conditions. They are not the best for photographing since they do not produce power right.
LED Lights
Unlike tungsten lights, LED lights need less power. But, they emit much less heat like the fluorescent lights. Luckily, you can adjust these lights to be warmer or cooler, dependent on what your production calls for. Additionally, they offer you different options that involve flood, spot, and panel. Among fluorescent lights, tungsten lights, and LED lights, the most diverse options are the LED lights.
How To Set Up Studio Lighting
Setting up studio lighting can be daunting, especially if you are doing it first. But, if you are here, you will learn how to do it quickly. Please go through the tutorials below to learn more.
Getting Ready
Before you start the setup process, there are several things you should do in preparation.
- Set up your studio strobe on its stand. Here, you need to set it to full power and ensure it works.
- Know how to connect your strobe to the camera. You can do this by referring to your manuals.
- Settings- You need to set your camera to manual mode in this step. Your shutter speed needs to be 1/125th of a second, while your ISO should be set to 100.
- Get a calculator
- Begin to think in full stops
Thinking in Full Stops
Nowadays, modern cameras can set the aperture in increments of ½ or 1/3 of a stop. This helps fine-tune the exposure in any situation. But, in this state, ignore them and focus on the full stop values.
Find Your Guide Number
Check if the guide number has been listed in meters or feet. Now, know how to use it and not how it works. To use the guide number, you can select your aperture based on the preferred photo outcome and calculate the right place to put your strobe. Otherwise, you can place your strobe for the desired lighting effect and calculate the correct aperture.
Calculating Aperture
Some lighting effects need strobes to be at particular positions and distances from your subject and other strobes. Other times, the strobe can be in a fixed position and cannot be removed. In this case, you can calculate the aperture by measuring the distance between the light source and your subject in meters or feet. Afterward, divide your guide number by that distance.
Calculate Strobe Distance
To know what aperture to use, divide the guide number by your preferred aperture. If the power output is too high, you need to turn your strobe down to fall ½ power and split the guide number by two.
Fine-tune exposure without changing your settings.
From the above, you have to let your aperture remain constant at times. Besides, you have to ensure you do not interfere with the power settings on your strobes to avoid changing your guide number. Here, you can move your strobe further away to reduce or underexpose the light falling on your subject.
Note on Modifiers
The common modifiers in studio photography are likely to affect the strobe output in terms of exposure. Based on your selected modifier, you might require enhancing or decreasing your aperture or light source distance.
Generally, softboxes and translucent or white umbrellas that produce softer or more diffused lights can reduce the light amount of light falling on your subject. You can combat this by choosing a larger aperture. Otherwise, you can move your light source closer to the topic.
Putting it Into Practice
This is the final thing you need to do to see if your setup works. If not, repeat the process checking where you might have gone wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What Lights to Use in a Studio?
A: In a studio, the basic light setup comprises 1-4 lights. They include the key light, fill light, hair light, and background light.
Q: What are the Different Lighting Styles?
A: The most common lighting styles include ambient, accent, and task lighting.
Q: How do I Choose a Light for My Studio?
A: Different factors can determine the best light for your studio; they include the color temperature, the quality of the light, your budget, and your photography type.
Q: How Bright Should a Studio Light be?
A: The best studio light for your needs should have a color temperature of 5000K-5500K, 90+ CRI, and around 85W.
Q: How Many Lumens Do I Need for Studio Lighting?
A: It should give you a light output of 5000 lumens
Q: Is LED Light Good for Artists?
A: Artists are highly recommended with highly reasonably high wattage LED, CFL bulbs, or Fluorescents. The actual wattage you need here is dependent on how far your paintings are from the lights.
Conclusion
From the above guide, it is a fact that studios are available in the market at a high number. Besides, they are available in different types. Thus, when you need one, you have to look for the best lighting for the studio that will suit your needs. It is worth doing thorough research before settling for one. Luckily, this post highlights the top ten studio lights in the market for you. Also, we have given you a buying guide to help you make the right choice if your ideal one is not here. Go through it keenly to learn more information also.