The best LED ring lights of 2023

LED ring lights were once considered a very specialized piece of lighting equipment for photographers. But these days, a ring light is a popular tool for vloggers, makeup artists, TikTok stars, and video calls. An LED ring light delivers flattering, shadow-free lighting and striking circular catchlights in the eyes. This style of light is a great way to enhance the quality of light in a room and make you look your best. They come in a variety of sizes, suitable for a range of applications. A large ring light is incredibly versatile, and many come with an accessory to clip your phone into the center. On the other hand, a mini clip-on ring light is best suited for grabbing well-lit footage on the go or clipping onto your laptop before a video call. Here’s how to find the best LED ring lights for you.

• Best overall: Lume Cube Ring Light Pro
• Best multipurpose: Westcott Bi-Color LED Ring Light Kit
• Best clip-on: Cyezcor Video Conference Lighting Kit
• Best for phones: QIAYA Portable Clip Selfie Light
• Best for makeup videos: Lume Cube Ring Light Mini
• Best budget: MountDog LED Ring Light 14 inch Dimmable Selfie Ring

How we chose the best LED ring lights

When selecting the best LED ring lights, we considered a range of factors. Build quality was one of our primary considerations, as you want a light—and stand if it comes with one—that will last you a long time. Second, we evaluated brightness, dimming options, temperature options, colors available, and size. We selected lights with a range of power sources since some may prefer to use the light on the go as opposed to being tethered in the studio. Finally, we looked at the accessories included with each light, which have the potential to make them more convenient to use.

The best LED ring lights: Reviews & Recommendations

Ideal lighting doesn’t always exist when you need to take photos or videos. LED ring lights are a great way to create your own perfect light, enabling you to take beautiful photos or videos whenever you need or want to. The lights below are suitable for just about everyone, whether you are a smartphone vlogger or a professional studio photographer. 

Best overall: Lume Cube Ring Light Pro

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Specs

• Color temperature: 3200 – 5600K
• Dimming: 0 – 100%
• Brightness: 1700 Lux at 1.6 feet
• Power source: AC Adapter or built-in battery
• Diameter: 17 inches
• Weight: Not provided

Pros

• Produces soft, even light with built-in diffusion
• Powered by AC adapter or built-in battery
• Very bright with adjustable temperature and brightness
• Can also charge accessories while you use the light
• 70 minutes of battery life at full power

Cons

• Expensive

The Lume Cube Ring Light Pro earns the top spot thanks to its versatility and high-quality design. It features 256 bi-color LEDs capable of putting out 1700 lux at 1.6 feet. You can easily dim the light or adjust the temperature to your needs. The light offers a 96+ CRI output, resulting in accurate skin tones. It’s an ideal choice for fashion photographers, hair stylists, or makeup artists as a result. Thanks to the edge-lit technology, it produces soft, even light. 

One of the best features of the Ring Light Pro is that you can run it off of the included AC adapter or via the built-in battery. That means you can use the light in places where you don’t have access to an outlet. And there’s no need to keep track of separate batteries like you do with other ring lights. Plus, there are two USB ports on the side that you can use to charge accessories and devices if you need to. 

The Ring Light Pro comes with a sturdy stand that is adjustable from 18 to 70 inches. It includes a phone mount, or you can use your camera via the standard tripod thread. Lume Cube also included a remote, so you don’t have to run back and forth to the light to make adjustments. This Lume Cube option is a pricey one, but if you want a multipurpose LED ring light with plenty of features and quality, it’s the best option available. 

Best multipurpose: Westcott Bi-Color LED Ring Light Kit

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Specs

• Color temperature: 3200 – 5600K (+/- 300K)
• Dimming: 0 – 100% (stepped)
• Brightness: 
• Power source: AC adapter or two Sony L-Series / NP-F batteries
• Diameter: 18 inches
• Weight: 1.7 pounds

Pros

• Can be powered by batteries or AC adapter
• Comes with lots of accessories
• Adjustable temperature and brightness
• Comes with a travel case

Cons

• Included stand isn’t very sturdy

If you don’t want to spend quite as much as the Lume Cube light above but still want a versatile, multipurpose LED ring light, the Westcott Bi-Color light is your next best option. Wescott has a long-standing reputation for creating high-quality lighting products, and its ring light is no different. 

This Wescott ring light produces soft, even, and attractive light. It offers the same range of temperature adjustment, though in 300K increments. The brightness is also adjustable from zero to 100 percent. Westcott promises a CRI/TLCI rating of 97, meaning it is very color-accurate, an important feature for portraiture. 

You can either rely on an outlet for power or utilize the two included NP-F750 batteries for on-location shoots. It comes with a light stand that extends to 6.5 feet, so you’ll be able to work with some tall models. There’s also a gooseneck arm, swivel mount, and mobile device mount, giving you plenty of options for connecting a camera or accessories. And everything packs into a handy travel case to keep you organized.

Best clip-on: Cyezcor Video Conference Lighting Kit

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Specs

• Color temperature: 3200K, 4500K, or 6500K (3 levels of adjustment)
• Dimming: 0-100% (5 levels of adjustment)
• Brightness: 10W
• Power source: USB
• Diameter: 5.12 inches
• Weight: 10.2 ounces

Pros

• Very affordable
• Easy to use
• Compatible with most laptops and monitors
• Tiny and portable

Cons

• Limited brightness and temperature adjustments

Many of us spend countless hours in remote meetings, in office spaces that aren’t very well-lit. This Cyezcor clip-on ring light is great for those long hours spent in video chats or Zoom meetings. It clips onto the top of your laptop or monitor and provides flattering, even light so that your colleagues can see you clearly. The built-in clip features a ball joining so that you can get the angle of the light just right. Just don’t forget a quality webcam if you really want to up your game. 

The clip-on light offers three color temperatures (white light, warm light, and natural light). It also provides five levels of brightness and up to 10W of brightness from the 48 LED lamp beads. It’s USB-powered, which makes it very portable since you can simply plug it into your laptop or a power bank. It’s not the fanciest light out there, but it’s an affordable, straightforward option for illuminating your work meetings or live streams. 

Best portable: QIAYA Portable Clip Selfie Light

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Specs

• Color temperature: 5600K
• Dimming: 3 Levels (low, normal, high)
• Brightness: Not provided
• Power source: Two AAA batteries
• Diameter: 3.5 inches
• Weight: 1.5 ounces

Pros

• Very compact and portable
• Easily clips onto a phone or other devices
• Three brightness levels
• Affordable

Cons

• No temperature adjustment

If you exclusively use your phone for creating content, you don’t necessarily need a giant ring light. This portable battery-powered LED ring light features 36 bulbs to deliver flattering light for photo or video capture. It clips to the top of your phone, laptop, or tablet using a soft, sponge-gel clip. The soft clip ensures it won’t scratch your phone as you film videos for TikTok or YouTube, host live streams, or capture beautiful, evenly lit selfies.

This mini LED ring light can be set to low, normal, or high brightness. You’ll simply need two AAA batteries for power, meaning you don’t have to fuss with cables. It’s small enough to throw in your pocket or purse, so you can keep it on you when you’re on the go. And you can even use it as a reading light or run with it for safety purposes, adding to its versatility. It’s a basic ring light with no temperature adjustment, but for around $12, it’s a fantastic option.

Best for makeup videos: Lume Cube Ring Light Mini

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Specs

• Color temperature: 2700K – 7500K 
• Dimming: 0 – 100%
• Brightness: 960 Lux at 1.6 feet
• Power source: USB-C
• Diameter: 12 inches
• Weight: Not provided

Pros

• Comes with two mounting options
• USB-C powered 
• Brightness is adjustable in 1 percent increments
• Produces bright, soft, and even light

Cons

• Doesn’t include a case
• No cordless option

Makeup artists will appreciate the smaller diameter of the Lume Cube Ring Light Mini. The 12-inch size is an ideal option for the headshot range that makeup tutorials utilize, as it doesn’t overpower the subject or take up too much room. It is USB-C powered and comes with a 6.5-foot cable so that you can plug it into a power block or device. That means you’ll always have a cable around, but you can use a portable battery pack for on-location shoots. 

As with the other Lume Cube light, it utilizes edge-lit technology and built-in diffusion for soft, even light. And it provides 960 lux at 1.7 feet, which is plenty bright for makeup videos. The brightness is adjustable in one percent increments and you can adjust the temperature from 2700K to 7500K. You’ll be able to really dial in the look and feel of your light to fit your needs and balance any other light in the room.

This small but mighty LED ring light comes with two mounting options. You’ll get a desk clam for sturdy mounting on a table or desk. It also includes an aluminum tripod base so that you can use it on any flat surface for quick setup and breakdown. Both stands offer 180 degrees of tilt for capturing your tools and workstation as well. And the light comes with a rotating smartphone mount, so you can take portrait or landscape photos and videos.

Best budget: MountDog LED Ring Light 14 inch Dimmable Selfie Ring

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Specs

• Color temperature: 3200K  -5600K (3 levels of adjustment)
• Dimming: 1 – 100% (10 levels of adjustment)
• Brightness: Not provided
• Power source: AC power adapter
• Diameter: 14 inches
• Weight: 3.89 pounds

Pros

• Included stand adjusts from 15 to 60 inches
• Includes a Bluetooth remote with 32-foot range
• Phone mount is flexible
• Adjustable brightness and temperature

Cons

• AC power cord is a little short
• No battery power option

This dimmable 14-inch LED ring light is a great choice if you are looking for a full-sized model but are also on a budget. The dimming range is between one to 100 percent with ten levels of adjustment. And it offers three levels of color temperature from 3200K to 5600K.

This budget LED ring light comes with a stand that can extend from 15 to 60 inches. The included smartphone mount utilizes a flexible hose with a ball head so that you can fine-tune your shooting angle. There is no way to attach a DSLR or mirrorless camera, however, so you’ll need to set up a separate tripod or shoot handheld if you prefer to use one of those. It also includes a Bluetooth remote with a 32-foot range, a surprising feature for such a budget-friendly option. 

What to consider when shopping for the best LED ring lights

Ring lights are overall simple devices with fairly limited features. That said, it’s important that you consider how and where you intend to use the light before making your purchase. Below are some factors that are important when deciding which option is best for you.

Size

LED ring lights come in a variety of sizes that are suitable for different applications. Large 18-inch ring lights are great for shooting portraits, photographing products, or capturing tiny details for macro photography. Most of these ring lights have a place to mount a camera along with your smartphone inside the center of the ring light to create a nice shadow-free even light on your subject. 

If you are planning to use a ring light for video conferencing or closer portraits, a smaller diameter ring light with a small tripod stand or a clip for your laptop will likely do the trick. LED ring lights with smaller diameters typically cost less money too. If you are looking to create makeup videos, selfies, or content for TikTok, a small portable model will serve you well.

Dimming abilities

The ability to dim your ring light is crucial to getting the best light for a range of situations. There are times that full-blast light will be overkill, creating unattractive light on your subject. As a result, be sure to look for a model that allows at least some level of brightness adjustment. If you want full control, look for an option that is dimmable from zero to 100 percent with stepless adjustment. 

Mounting options & device support

Most LED ring lights will come with some sort of stand to hold the light. Usually, that takes the form of a traditional tripod-style light stand. Some may come with clamps to attach the light to a tabletop or a short tripod ideal for working at a desk. Small lights typically clip directly to your monitor, laptop, or phone. No matter what, be sure to verify that the light comes with a stand compatible with how you intend to use it.

Your light will also need to be able to hold the device you plan on using for taking images or videos. While you certainly can hand-hold your camera, it will be much easier to get good results with even light if your device is mounted inside the light. If you plan on using a camera, look for a ring light that offers a tripod mount and can support the weight of your camera. If you will be using your mobile device, focus on a ring light that comes with a phone mount instead. 

Power source

Ring lights rely on various types of power sources. Some require an AC adapter and outlet, while others receive power via USB-C cables. There are also lights that do away with cords entirely and use batteries—either built-in or removable. If you plan on using your LED ring light exclusively in a studio or office environment, you may be able to save some money by opting for a device that requires a corded power method. However, if you want to take the light with you on location, look for a battery-powered light. Built-in batteries are more ideal than removable ones, as it’s one less thing to keep track of. But it also costs more, so there is a tradeoff. 

Remote

When you’re vlogging, making Tiktoks, or conducting a self-styled photoshoot, you’re not going to want to keep walking back and forth to adjust the settings of your light. A remote is a handy way of controlling the light without all the work, simplifying your shoot. Not all LED ring lights come with a remote, though, so be sure to look closely to verify it is remote-compatible if that’s important to you. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best LED ring lights

• Best overall: Lume Cube Ring Light Pro
• Best multipurpose: Westcott Bi-Color LED Ring Light Kit
• Best clip-on: Cyezcor Video Conference Lighting Kit
• Best for phones: QIAYA Portable Clip Selfie Light
• Best for makeup videos: Lume Cube Ring Light Mini
• Best budget: MountDog LED Ring Light 14 inch Dimmable Selfie Ring

An LED ring light is a powerful, easy-to-use tool for photographers and videographers. A larger diameter ring light will be more expensive than the mini ones but a far more versatile tool. Most large ring lights include an accessory for your smartphone, some Bluetooth capabilities, and are dimmable or allow you to control color. A larger diameter ring light is also a great tool for shooting portraits in the studio. If you are looking for a ring light for video chatting or creating content primarily for TikTok, a smaller clip-on LED ring light will likely do the trick. Regardless of the size, the best LED ring lights will provide even, shadow-free light to make sure that you look your best in front of the camera.

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