Best ring light 2024: for vlogging and video calls

The best ring light might not be something you’ve spent too much time thinking about, not when you also have to consider the device you’re going to capture your videos on, however, if you invest in the best ring light, you could see your video content (and some types of stills) elevated from merely good, to excellent.

Right now, with the popularity of video on sites such as TikTok, Instagram and of course YouTube, there’s never been a wider choice of different types of ring lights on the market. There’s something to suit every type of content creator, and even better, something for pretty much every budget.

Whether you’re shooting with something relatively straightforward, such as your smartphone, or you’re using a more in-depth camera/video setup, then you can use a ring light to add extra illumination to your shots. You’ll typically find that the light produced by a ring light is even, flattering and can be used for both close-ups and slightly more distant subjects.

The even better news is that you don’t need to be a leading videographer or expert on external light sources in order to use a ring light. Most of them you simply plug in and away you go, so it’s not easy to see why they have become so popular with all types of content creators.

When you’re thinking about the best ring light you can buy, there are a few key things to take into consideration. You’ll want to think about what size is best, how the ring light is powered (whether battery for maximum portability, or mains for maximum power), the colour spectrum it offers, how it works with your existing gear, and of course whether or not it offers value for money.

We’ll be covering all of these points as we make our suggestions in our guide, so without further ado, read on to discover the best ring lights you can buy, and, when you're finished, also check out the best smartphone, best mirrorless camera, best compact camera or even the best webcam.

The best ring lights you can buy today:

Designed primarily for vloggers and mobile content creators, the Job Beamo Ring Light 12” is a fantastic all-round budget option for those just starting to think about how to improve their videos. 

It features 10 brightness levels so you can work with exactly the intensity you need, and also includes three different colour temperatures so you can get exactly the look you want. 

Available to buy on its own, or in various kits depending on how exactly you want to use the kit, the Beamo is compatible with a variety of different accessories (such as microphones, stands and mounts) and works well with smartphones and smaller cameras. 

Being small enough to be neatly portable, the Beamo is powered via USB. If you’re working with an at-home / interior set up you can plug it into a wall socket, but you can also power it via portable power banks for even more versatility.

The Beamo provides flattering coverage alongside a fun catchlight in the eye for that characteristic “ring light” effect, and is well-suited to lots of different type of content creators - or even those who want to improve the look of their working from home Zoom calls.

• Joby Beamo Ring Light 12” review

First off, the shape of the Logitech Litra Glow means that this is very much not a ring light but if you’re after a light to make you look better on video, the Litra Glow fulfils the same function. You can place it on top of your monitor using the included mount which extends to a height of 365.9mm or remove it and mount it on a standard tripod. The lamp features a diffuser to soften the glow and make it easier on your eyes and Logitech says it has been tested to ensure safe all-day streaming.

To control the light, there are buttons on the back that let you turn it on and off, adjust the brightness and cycle through a range of colour temperatures from cool to warm. Even better, you can download the free Logitech G HUB software (available for Windows and Mac) and control it on the fly from your desktop. If you have a Logitech G-series mouse or keyboard, you can also use that to control the Litra Glow. The G HUB software also lets you create your own colour and brightness presets for the light.

As you can read in our Logitech Litra Glow review we liked the Litra Glow for its unobtrusive mounting system as well as the ability to be able to control it via the G HUB app. The diffused light feels less harsh on the eyes than that of cheaper ring lights, and because of its form factor, it doesn't give you those telltale ring light reflections in your eyes or glasses (though you may still get some reflection, depending on where you mount the light).

Head to our Logitech discount codes to snap up a deal. 

• Logitech Litra Glow review

Although a little bit pricier than some of the models you can find, with its great build quality and excellent quality of light, you pretty much get what you pay for with the Razer ring light. 

On top of that, you also get tripod with it, so you could save some money there too - happily, the bundled tripod is steady and well-built.

Powered by USB - you can either plug the Razor into your computer or a portable USB bank, it’s not quite as bright as some of the mains-powered ring lights on the market, but it still provides enough illumination for most types of situation. It’s also dimmable in 10 steps to give you precise control over the amount of light thrown into the scene. Three different colour temperatures take you between warm, balanced and cool lighting to get exactly the type of you look you require too. 

You can attach either a mobile phone or a small camera to the tripod mount,  or use it alongside webcams such as Razer’s own Razer Kiyo Pro. You can either place your camera/phone in the middle of the ring light, or place the ring light to the side of you depending on how you want it to look - there’s plenty of flexibility here. 

If you’re mainly streaming video content from your smartphone and want an easy to use solution, then the Rotolight Ultimate Vlogging Kit is a great buy. 

This all-in-one kit includes not only a small ring light, but also a mini tripod, stand adapter, phone clip and accessory bar (for products such as microphones and so on).  Use it on tabletops for streaming tutorials, vlogs and other types of content. 

Being compatible with any smartphone via its extendable clip, it’s an easy choice to recommend no matter what brand of phone you prefer. It’s powered by three AA batteries so you can take it with you wherever you like and not have to worry about the power supply. You might want to invest in some rechargeable AAs though if you plan to use it a lot.

It’s aimed at smartphones, but you could also use it with “proper” cameras if you invest in the sold-separately foot for your camera’s shoe. 

The only major downside here is that although different colour temperatures are available, you’ll need to manually change the filters to achieve it, which can be a little fiddly.

If you don’t have a huge budget to spend on a ring light, this Smoovie option is a good option, providing a decent array of specs at a very affordable price. 

It’s a small ring light, which comes with a phone holder included. You can also use it with normal cameras and webcams by mounting the ring light in  a variety of different positions using the attached clamp. Having the clamp grip gives more flexibility than standard tabletop devices since you can also mount it elsewhere, such as on shelves, existing lamp stands and more besides.

Powered by USB, you can either plug the light into a power bank or your device, such as your laptop computer, making it ideal for moving around, or for using when making video calls.

This is a small and basic ring light, so although great for the price, more advanced or enthusiastic content creators will probably be looking for more.

If you’re looking for a more professional / extensive set up from a ring light, then this option from Godox makes a lot of sense. 

With its 18-inch diameter it’s ideal for recording multiple types of video content, including presenting to camera for a little distance away. With its dimmable light and three different selectable colour temperatures, you can create exactly the light you want with a flattering final result. 

You can use this light with lots of different types of camera, but interestingly you can also mount up to five smartphones for studio-type streaming from slightly different angles or different streaming services. Additionally, the light has a USB port which you can use to charge the phones at the same time - nifty. 

The Godox LR150 also comes with a tripod stand included which is adjustable into a number of different positions for ideal flexibility. Of course, being one of the larger ring lights - and being mains powered - in our list, it’s not suitable for portable vlogging and streaming, so you might find you need another smaller one for such needs.

If budget is no object and you want the best of the best, then this pro-level ring light from Westcott is a smart option. 

It’s a pricey choice, but it comes with batteries and stand, and with a range of pro specs, then it’s arguably excellent value for money for those that the power and flexibility that it offers. 

With its range of colour temperatures and a built-in diffuser that produces soft and flattering light, it’s ideal for multiple types of video content, including presenting directly to camera and capturing selfies. It can be used with lots of different types of camera devices, including smartphones and cameras, thanks to the included mounts. 

The light runs is powered from the mains, but, for ultimate flexibility, it also comes with two lithium-ion batteries, giving you the option to move it around a studio, or even use it in outdoor conditions. These batteries provide up to 70 minutes at full power, so you should get plenty of bang for your buck. 

Everything in this kit fits into a handy carrying case, so you can take it with you on shoots and the like easily and neatly. Although it’s portable in this manner, for those who are primarily shooting smartphone vlogs it is of course overkill, but for the best possible performance, it’s a wise investment.