Are you looking for the best LED lights for photography? You’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll feature 7 of the best LED lights available on the market right now. So, you can find the perfect one for your needs.
We’ll list small LED lights for handheld photography to large LED panels for studio photography. Whatever you need, you’ll find the right LED light for your project.
There’s a massive range of different lights out there, but our top pick is the Godox SL60IID. It’s a 70-watt COB light with a Bowens mount, so every softbox and umbrella in that system fits straight onto the front. You get the full 0 to 100% dimming range and app control from your phone.
What Are the Best LED Lights for Photography?
The best LED light for photography is the Godox SL60IID, a 70-watt daylight COB light with a Bowens mount that takes the softboxes and umbrellas you already own.
The right light still depends on your style and objectives. Different photographers prefer different lights when shooting.
Portrait photographers and vloggers get the most from a ring light like the Lume Cube. Product and food photographers do better with a COB light like the Godox, or a pair of panels like the GVM kit. And colored strip lights like the Govee set give you creative options no white panel can match.
All these bases are covered in our list of the best LED lights for photographers. But before we look at each LED light in detail, here is a summary of our recommendations.
- Bowens mount fits any standard softbox, umbrella, or grid
- 70W COB output, 18,600 lux at 1 m with the standard reflector
- 0 to 100% dimming from the panel, the remote, or your phone
- Eight built-in lighting effects
- Quieter fan than the original SL60W
- Three cold shoes and a magnetic back, so it mounts almost anywhere
- 60 LED beads: 20 white, 20 warm, and 20 RGB
- 2,500 to 9,000K plus full 0 to 359 degree hue control
- LCD readout for brightness, color temperature, and charge
- USB-C battery runs around two hours at full output
7 Best LED Lights for Photography
Now let’s look at our top picks in more detail.
1. Godox SL60IID LED Video Light
| Brand |
Brand
Godox
|
| Power Supply |
Power Supply
Mains
|
| Dimmable? |
Dimmable?
Yes, 0 to 100%
|
| Adjustable Color Temperature? |
Adjustable Color Temperature?
No, fixed 5,600K daylight
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Bowens mount, Bluetooth app control, 8 built-in lighting effects
|
| Best |
Best
Studio and location key light
|
The Godox SL60IID is the only light on this list that behaves like a proper studio fixture. It’s a 70-watt COB lamp with a Bowens mount, so every softbox, umbrella, beauty dish, and grid in that system fits straight onto the front. A flat panel gives you one quality of light. This gives you as many as you own modifiers for.
That makes it the LED to buy if you light people or products rather than talk to a webcam. It reaches 18,600 lux at 1 m with the standard reflector, which is enough to be a real key light at base ISO and a working aperture. Put it in a softbox for clamshell lighting, bounce it off a wall for studio photography, or drop it low for a rim light behind a bottle.
Dimming runs the full 0 to 100% range, and you can set it from the panel on the back, the bundled remote, or your phone over Bluetooth. Eight built-in effects cover a broken bulb, a TV, a lightning strike and more, for when you want movement in the frame. Godox also made the fan quieter than the original SL60W, which matters when you record sound in the same room.
The catch is that the SL60IID is daylight only, fixed at 5,600K. If you want warm light without gels, you need the bi-color SL60IIBi instead. It runs on mains power with no battery option, and the Bowens mount does nothing for you until you buy a modifier to put on it. Skip it if you want something that clips to a camera or lives in a backpack. The ULANZI and RALENO picks below do that job.
2. Lume Cube 18-Inch Cordless Ring Light
| Brand |
Brand
LUME CUBE
|
| Power Supply |
Power Supply
Rechargeable battery
|
| Dimmable? |
Dimmable?
Yes
|
| Adjustable Color Temperature? |
Adjustable Color Temperature?
Yes
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Even large cameras can be placed in the center, useful carry case and tripod
|
| Best |
Best
LED ring light
|
This ring light from Lume Cube is one of the best LED photography lights you’ll find. It gives you fantastic illumination with useful brightness controls, providing even, continuous light without harsh shadows.
It’s the perfect LED light option for portraits, headshots, and self-portraits. And it’s a must-have for vloggers and video makers.
The light ring is 18″ (45.7 cm). The wide ring prevents shadows from forming on your subject’s face. And it illuminates the outer edges of their face and head so they stand out from the background. The ring’s size allows you to use large cameras in the center. It’s big enough for DSLR or mirrorless cameras.
The Lume Cube ring light gives you an adjustable color temperature. It has a temperature range of 3,200 to 5,600K. You have enough power for intense illumination. But you can also switch to warm light for more natural scenes. The LED lights give flicker-free illumination, which is ideal for videos and vlogs.
It’s a wireless lighting solution. The Lume Cube ring light uses two lithium-ion batteries. So you don’t need an electric outlet. The batteries give you 70 minutes of maximum continuous light output. That gives you the freedom to shoot from anywhere. And it allows you to shoot long-form media content.
This ring light is also a portable lighting solution. Not only is it wireless. It comes with a handy carry case for transportation. So you can take it anywhere.
The kit also includes a tripod stand. There’s a mount for your smartphone or camera. And there’s a battery charger. It’s the best LED ring light for photographers.
The trade-off is runtime and shape. Seventy minutes at full output means packing spares for a long shoot. And a ring light only ever gives you one flat, frontal look, with that telltale circular catchlight in the eyes. If you want shadows with direction to them, put the Godox in a softbox instead.
3. Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights
| Brand |
Brand
Govee
|
| Power Supply |
Power Supply
Mains
|
| Dimmable? |
Dimmable?
Yes
|
| Adjustable Color Temperature? |
Adjustable Color Temperature?
Yes
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
15 separate segments, 6 different colors, all controllable from the free app
|
| Best |
Best
LED light strips with remote controls
|
The Govee RGBIC Smart Strip Lights are the best on the market. They’re far better than any set of Christmas lights, giving you creative lighting options for photography. You can create different moods and transform atmospheres for stylish photos. And you have incredible lighting control with the Govee app.
The Govee set of strip lights allows for incredible creativity when it comes to lighting. You get 65.6 ft (20 m) worth of strip lighting. That works out at 5050 LED bulbs. Govee sells the same strip in 32.8 ft (10 m) and 16.4 ft (5 m) lengths too.
Plus, every LED bulb can change color. They can change between red, green, blue, indigo, and cyan. And there’s also basic white.
You don’t have to use the lights as one big strip. The main strip is separated into 15 segments. And each segment can be controlled individually, giving you unlimited creative options.
The Govee strip lights are “smart.” So you can control them using your smartphone after downloading the Govee app. Then you have complete control over the strip lights.
You can change the colors and sequences. Or apply one of the 64 scene modes. It’s all done from your phone, so you don’t need to move to make changes.
You can also sync the strip lights to music. They flash and change color with the music. It’s a great way to bring energy and excitement to your photoshoots. It sets the tone and creates the mood for taking stylish pictures.
The Govee smart strip lights are ideal for commercials and music videos. You can also use them when vlogging or live streaming. They’re a fun and vibrant LED lighting option for media makers.
Be clear about what they are, though. Strip lights are set dressing, not a light source. They will not expose a face on their own, and their color accuracy is nowhere near the CRI 95 of the panels on this list. Use them to color a background, and light your subject with something else.
4. ULANZI VL49 RGB LED Video Light
| Brand |
Brand
ULANZI
|
| Power Supply |
Power Supply
Rechargeable battery, USB-C charging
|
| Dimmable? |
Dimmable?
Yes, 0 to 100%
|
| Adjustable Color Temperature? |
Adjustable Color Temperature?
Yes, 2,500 to 9,000K
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Three cold shoes, magnetic back, full RGB hue control, LCD readout
|
| Best |
Best
Compact on-camera LED light
|
The ULANZI VL49 RGB is the light you keep in the camera bag and forget about until you need it. It carries three cold shoes and a magnet on the back, so it mounts on a camera, clamps into a rig, or sticks to anything metal on set.
That makes it useful for product photography, macro work, and vlogging, where the subject is close and you only need a little fill. It also hides inside a set as an accent light, which is where the magnet earns its place.
There are 60 LED beads behind the diffuser: 20 white, 20 warm, and 20 RGB. Color temperature runs from 2,500 to 9,000K, hue covers the full 0 to 359 degrees, and brightness dims from 0 to 100%. An LCD on the back shows all three plus the charge level, so you set it by numbers rather than by eye. The 2,000mAh battery charges over USB-C, runs about two hours at full brightness or ten at minimum, and works while plugged in.
Output is the limit. At 800 lux at half a meter this is a fill light and an accent light, never a key light, and past a couple of feet it disappears. Buy it as your second or third light, not your first.
5. GVM 2 Pack LED Video Lighting
| Brand |
Brand
GVM Great Video Maker
|
| Power Supply |
Power Supply
Mains or battery (not included)
|
| Dimmable? |
Dimmable?
Yes
|
| Adjustable Color Temperature? |
Adjustable Color Temperature?
Yes
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Tripod, heat dissipation, barn doors, and soft panel
|
| Best |
Best
Studio LED light panels
|
GVM LED light panels give you professional quality lighting for photography and video. They’re ideal for studio photography, including portraiture and fashion. But they resolve your lighting issues on location too.
They’re the best LED light panel light for serious video makers. Whether you’re shooting a music video or period drama, the GVM LED light panels have you covered.
Each light panel has a total of 480 bulbs. That’s 240 white and 240 yellow bulbs for cool and warm light. You have a color temperature range between 2,300 and 6,800K. That solves your lighting problems for any situation.
Plus, you can change the brightness level at any temperature. You can go from 100% brightness down to 10%.
The panels have manual controls for brightness and temperature on the back. But you can also go remote using the GVM app. You can make any adjustment you like from your smartphone. That saves time and energy during a busy shoot. Scan the QR code on their website or in the manual to download the app.
The GVM LED panels are serious pieces of equipment for professional photographers. They’re made of aluminum alloy. And the heat-dispersion technology means they don’t overheat.
They have a U-mount bracket that attaches to the tripod. An adjustable soft board and barn doors are included to adjust light intensity. And the carry case is another handy accessory in the pack.
The GVM lights work through an AC power adapter. You can also go wireless with a lithium-ion battery. But the NP-F550 batteries and charger are sold separately.
The light stands are included, though. And it’s a set that includes two lights, giving you professional lighting options. The GVM LED light panels will take your photography and video to a whole new level!
They are bi-color white only, so any color effect needs gels over the front. And two panels, two stands, and a case add up to more kit than you want to carry on foot. If you shoot on location without a vehicle, the Godox and a single stand travel far better.
6. GSKAIWEN 180 LED Lights
| Brand |
Brand
GSKAIWEN
|
| Power Supply |
Power Supply
Mains
|
| Dimmable? |
Dimmable?
Yes
|
| Adjustable Color Temperature? |
Adjustable Color Temperature?
Yes
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Two wand lights, two stands that reach 79 inches, dimming adapters, carry bag
|
| Best |
Best
Two-light kit for product and still-life work
|
The LED studio light panels from GSKAIWEN offer another studio lighting solution. They’re ideal lights for studio photography. They give you the perfect lighting for fine art portraits and fashion photoshoots.
They are also ideal for video media. You can shoot vlogs, makeup tutorials, and interviews. They boost lighting for your music videos too.
The LED lights are arranged on a long light panel. There are two LED panels in the set. And each panel has 90 LED beads. They give you fantastic color temperature options.
You can opt for bright white light. Or you can reduce the temperature for warmer tones and softer light. They are perfect continuous lights for product photography.
The LED panels come with excellent tripod stands. And the flexible panel neck gives you infinite setup options. Two adaptors with temperature control knobs are included. The whole lighting kit allows you to get the perfect lighting arrangement no matter what you’re shooting.
There’s no battery power option, so you must plug it in. That’s no problem if you’re in a studio. But it does limit your location shooting with these LED lights. Once plugged in, you get up to 10,000 hours of light from the LED bulbs!
7. RALENO LED Soft Light Panel
| Brand |
Brand
RaLeno
|
| Power Supply |
Power Supply
Mains and battery
|
| Dimmable? |
Dimmable?
Yes
|
| Adjustable Color Temperature? |
Adjustable Color Temperature?
Yes, 2,500 to 6,500K
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Adjustable desk stand, 1/4-inch thread, built-in rechargeable battery
|
| Best |
Best
Budget LED photography light
|
The RALENO soft light panel is the cheapest way onto this list, and it earns its place. It's ideal for vlogs, videos, and baby photography, and it gives you soft light straight out of the box because the diffusion face is part of the panel.
The panel measures 13″ (33 cm) across and carries 192 LED beads. Color temperature runs from 2,500 to 6,500K, and RALENO quotes a CRI above 95, so skin tones hold together under it rather than going green.
Power comes from a built-in 8,000mAh battery that gives you 90 minutes at full output. A 1.8 m mains adapter takes over when the battery runs down, and you can shoot while it charges. An LCD readout on the back shows brightness, color temperature, and charge.
It ships with an adjustable desk stand that raises the panel between 6.4 and 10.2″ (16 and 26 cm), and there's a 1/4″ thread on the back for a proper light stand or a tripod. The head tilts through 180°.
That desk stand tells you what this light is for. It's built for a desk or a tabletop set, not for lighting someone standing up, and 650 lux at 1 m makes it a fill light rather than a key. Buy it for close work and streaming. Buy the Godox or the GVM kit if you need to light a whole room.
What are LED Lights for Photography?
LED lights offer new lighting opportunities for photographers. There’s nothing wrong with a flash setup and some softboxes. But LED lights offer something different. They give you a variety of lighting styles. Plus, they add color and energy to your shoots.
We list three types of LED lighting for cameras. We have strip lights, LED panels, and ring lights. All three offer excellent lighting for photography. But each gives you something different. It’s important to get the LED lights that suit your photography needs.
LED Strip Lights for Photography
LED strip lights are long, thin, flat pieces of material. They’re similar to fairy lights. But the LED bulbs are attached to these strips of material. The strips can be stuck to walls using the adhesive on the back. And you can often cut them up for more creative options.
LED strip lights are more sophisticated than traditional fairy lights. They don’t just twinkle or flash on and off. You can create lighting sequences by having the lights change color or flash in rhythm.
You can synch some LED light strips with an app. The app lets you control the color changes and sequence of the lights. You can sync some strip lights to music to flash and change with the beat. It can add energy to any photo shoot.
Strip lights are also excellent for creating an atmosphere. You can transform a dull shooting location into a neon dungeon or romantic hideout.
People originally viewed strip lights as home decorations. But now, professional photographers have seen how they can transform a photoshoot. They are excellent for moody fairytale portraits and fashion photography. And you can get creative with your product photography lighting.
© Super Lighting LED
LED Light Panels for Photography
An LED light panel is a flat unit equipped with LED bulbs. They’re excellent for these reasons:
- They offer consistent light for photo shoots.
- They’re less intense than traditional strobes and bulbs.
- They can imitate more natural light.
- They give you more variety and brightness options.
LED light panels can be rectangular or round. Both give you flat, continuous lighting for a variety of photo styles. They work well for portraits and headshots. And they’re handy for Zoom calls and internet conferencing.
LED panels tend to give you white light. But you can apply filters and gels to change the color.
Many portrait photographers use three lights for perfect portraits. The main light sits in front. Another is placed on the side to remove shadows. And one is put behind the subject to make them pop from the background. You don’t need all three lights for success. But LED light panels make this lighting setup easy.
© Aditya Wardhana
LED Ring Lights for Photography
Ring lights are perfect for portrait photography and self-portrait photographers. The LED lights sit in a circle, and you place that ring in front of your subject. Ring lights provide even lighting over the subject’s face, removing harsh shadows. They also give the eyes an attractive sparkle.
Ring lights are popular with social media influencers and TikTokers. They’re a simple lighting solution. And they give you flattering light when you need to face the camera. You can also use two for more light intensity and creative lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use LED Lights for Photography Instead of Flash?
Yes, and the trade is power for predictability. A continuous LED shows you the lighting before you press the shutter, which makes it far easier to learn with and far quicker to tweak. Flash still wins on raw output and on freezing movement. For studio lighting setups, product work, and anything shot on a tripod, an LED like the Godox SL60IID is plenty.
How Bright Does an LED Photography Light Need to Be?
Brightness is quoted in lux at a stated distance, so only compare figures measured the same way. The Godox SL60IID gives 18,600 lux at 1 m and works as a key light. The RALENO panel gives 650 lux at 1 m and works as fill. Treat anything under about 1,000 lux at 1 m as an accent light, whatever the listing claims.
What Color Temperature Should a Photography LED Be?
5,600K matches daylight and 3,200K matches tungsten. A bi-color light that covers the range, like the GVM panels at 2,300 to 6,800K, saves you carrying gels. A fixed daylight light is usually brighter for the same wattage, and that is the trade you make.
Does CRI Matter on an LED Light?
More than brightness does. CRI measures how accurately a light renders color, and below about 90 you get skin that reads green or magenta and refuses to correct cleanly. Look for CRI 95 or higher. The ULANZI VL49 RGB and the RALENO panel both quote it.
Conclusion
There’s a wide range of LED lights to choose from if you’re a photographer or content creator. Ring lights are perfect for portraits and vlogging. Strip lights help you transform any space to suit the mood of the shoot. And mountable panels give you lighting control that’s second to none.
But the Godox SL60IID is our favorite LED light for photographers. It’s the only one here that takes modifiers, so it grows with you instead of getting replaced. Put it in a softbox and it will light headshots, products, and food equally well.
If this is your first LED, start with what you are lighting. A face on camera wants the Lume Cube ring light. A background or a room wants the Govee strips. A subject you want lit properly wants the Godox.
