It's no secret that video content is the way to go as a creator, and having great lighting in your video content matters. There are many ways to do so, but if you're the "spotlight" of your video, a ring light is a great way to ensure that your video content will look more engaging and aesthetically pleasing to your followers. Here are some of the best options for smartphone ring lights.
What is the best phone ring light right now?
I've worked in the creative space recording, streaming, and broadcasting content for 10 years. Based on my experience, the best phone ring light overall is the Lumecube Cordless Ring Light Pro , thanks to its pro-grade build quality, adjustable brightness modes and color temperature, and remote control. Read on for the rest of my picks for the best phone ring lights to find the right one for you.
The best phone ring lights of 2024
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 96+ CRI for great brightness
- Wide range in selectable color temperature
- Adjustable angle for top-down capture
- Remote controlled
Cons
- Pricey for newcomer creators
- Not ideal for vlogging on the go
More Details
I've owned a few Lumecube products as part of my photography and video kit for years. The company has a great reputation regarding not only light quality but also build quality that's built for the long haul in a content creator's career. The Cordless Ring Light Pro is a great option from the company.
This cordless light has a professional build quality aimed at photographers and videographers, with a subtle nod to content creators using their smartphones. The device comes with an adjustable smartphone clamp that works well in landscape and portrait modes. The actual light fixture produces beautiful diffused light at many brightness and color temperature levels. This is important, as you can change the "mood" of your shot based on brightness level and color temperature. Standard 5600K color temperature is ideal for creating a natural daylight look, but adjusting hues to tungsten can be another way to create a warmer, moody shot.
When using this ring light from Lumecube, you cannot vlog on the go, as the kit is connected to a standard light stand you'd find in a studio setting. The kit is portable but not necessarily ideal for run-and-gun capture of typical vlogging. But if you're creating a flat lay or top-down production shot, the Ring Light Pro will allow you to angle the light for perfectly flat lighting in a top-down orientation. This helps with minimizing shadows on your product. At $279 the Cordless Ring Light Pro may be a bit pricey for new creators. But seasoned content creators will find great value in the price considering what's offered with this kit.
Lumecube Cordless Ring Light Pro features: Pro-grade build quality | USB-A rechargeable interface | Adjustable brightness modes and color temperature
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Simple installation
- Bright enough for recording live video in social media
- Built in mirror to confirm the look
Cons
- MagSafe verbiage can be limiting
More Details
Joby has been a popular vendor for content creators for many years and was once the standard for mobile tripods -- the GorillaPod 5K flexible tripod is something I still use to this day for various mounting scenarios on set. But this isn't a list of tripods. This is of ring lights for your smartphone.
Joby's Beamo ring light uses the MagSafe offered on the Apple iPhone to seamlessly attach a nice lighting option for vloggers and creators. The $50 price is fair considering the build quality, up to four-hour battery life, and 5600K color temperature. Though I'll provide the asterisk here: While Joby touts four-hour battery life, the battery life actually depends on the brightness. If you're going full power for brightness, you will not get four hours of battery life, but more like 90 minutes. Either way, good numbers.
Though the Beamo ring light is marketed as a MagSafe option, it's not just for iPhones: It will work with most other flagship Android devices, as well.
Joby Beamo ring light features: Angle: 135 degrees | 5600K color temperature | Up to 4 hours in battery life | Magnetic mount
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Integrated phone clip
- Varying brightness
- Rechargeable
More Details
Photo and video professionals often use Westcott lighting and backdrops on their sets. In addition to offering great monolights and flashes, Westcott offers a universal ring light that can be used on smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The premise is geared more towards making video chat look great with better lighting than professional-quality lighting, but it can still make a big difference.
This ring light offers daylight color temperature and three levels of brightness. It's pretty standard in what you should look for in your lighting options. Perhaps more importantly, it comes at an eye-opening price of $17. Of course, there's a caveat. At $17, you're not getting ultra-bright lighting. You'll get just enough for a dimly lit room, but probably not good enough for a night at the campsite with no lights outside.
Westcott Universal Ring Light features: Three brightness levels | Color temperature: 5600K | LED Quantity: 36 PCS
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sufficient lighting output
- Two-pack for better dollar-for-dollar value
Cons
- Plastic build quality can be questionable for durability
- All-white casing
More Details
Ulanzi has quietly been a popular budget-friendly brand for content creators. The selfie ring light offered here is a nice option as it provides the convenience and features needed for content creators, including seven brightness levels, adjustable color temperature, and a swiveling head to allow creators to adjust where the light is cast. This is helpful for product photography or video.
There's even a strong magnet to attach your smartphone. There's no need to worry about tightening down clamps or brackets to secure the camera. The controls interface to adjust the light settings is easy to access, but Ulanzi also includes a wireless remote to cycle through settings if you'd like.
Ulanzi VIJIM ring light features: Adjustable color temperature from 3000 to 6000K | Comes as a two-pack set | Three color balance presets available
What is the best phone ring light?
The Lumecube Pro ring light will offer consistent output and color accuracy for your shoot. If you use this kit for your Instagram live stream or TikTok makeup artist tutorial, you will not have to worry about shadows or inaccurate skin tones being seen by your online viewers.
The build quality is top-notch, as it's a pro-grade light kit expected to be used by professional and consumer creators alike. This means durability won't be a problem for Lumecube's offering.
Which is the right phone ring light for you?
Not everyone needs a ring light, but if you're someone who does, you should consider what would work best for you. Some right lights don't offer remotes, some have lower quality light output, some are great for on-the-go shooting. Here's how to choose the best phone ring light for your needs.
Choose this phone ring light... |
Cost |
If you want... |
Lumecube Cordless Ring Light Pro |
$279 |
Pro-grade build and lighting. Ideal for a studio environment. |
Joby Beamo Ring Light |
$71 |
Convenient magnetic connection. Ideal for on-the-go shooting. |
Westcott Universal Mini Ring Light |
$16 |
Clip-on versatility for phones or laptops at a super low price. |
Ulanzi Selfie Ring Light |
$79 |
Quality lighting that's budget-friendly. |
Factors to consider when choosing a phone ring light
There are several factors you should consider when choosing the best phone ring light:
- Lights: The number of bulbs in a phone ring light can help determine the brightness of the light. The more bulbs there are, the brighter your picture will be.
- Size: From portable options to tripod-mounted ring lights, the size and style make a difference in how you create your shot.
- Construction: Look for phone ring lights that have a strong, reliable build quality. Plastic is OK, but not all plastic is created equally.
- Price: Consider your budget when determining a phone ring lights, since they range in price from under $20 to closer to $300.
How we chose these phone ring lights
Choosing a ring light has a few factors to consider. The size, portability, adjustments, lighting features and pricing. The reason ring lights are used is to create soft, flat lighting onto your subject without shadows. In some instances, having a ring light that can adjust to a top-down view instead of a portrait view is the way a photographer would like to go. Portability matters for some. An in-studio creator would be ok with with a more stationary ring light. Where an on-the-go vlogger may want an options that much more portable. And lastly, pricing matters to most creators.
How do I set up a phone ring light?
This is a debate that can really cause a stir online among creators. Ring lights are aimed at creating flat lighting. The best way to achieve flat lighting is to make sure your subject (you) is directly in front of the light. With a ring light, your camera or smartphone can be mounted in the center of the "ring." The lighting will surround the camera and emit onto the subject evenly. When I see ring lights mounted off to the side of the subject, I cringe. A regular light can do what an off-center ring light does.
Why do you need a phone ring light?
If you're looking for a simple way to create light for your subject while filming on your phone that is flat and without shadows, a ring light is the way to go. The key is the light surrounds your camera allowing you to capture your subject without casting shadows onto your subject.
How much do phone ring lights cost?
Phone ring and panel lights can vary significantly in cost, depending on which one you choose. The best phone ring light varies from under $15 to more than $200 if you have a little more to spend. Variables include the number of lights in the ring, additional features, and build quality.
Are there alternative phone ring lights worth considering?
In addition to the best phone ring and panel lights shown here, there are also a few others that almost made our list. It's great that today in the world of content creator tech, options are abundant. Sure you'll come across a few items that should have been left on the research table, but there are plenty of options available to creators regardless of budget.