The following phone ring and panel lights provide that extra pop to make your two-dimensional appearance a little more dynamic. Also: The best phones to buy (surprise, Apple isn’t my top pick) For other accessory ideas, check out our picks for the best phones, best tablets, and best computers! In the box:
LED clip-on light Micro USB cable Front and back clip
Thanks to TikTok influencer Alix Earle, the Newmowa light has been sold out on and off for the past few months. After finally getting my hands on the light and testing it for selfies, videos, and Zoom calls, I can confidently say that it is in fact worth the viral hype. Using three light modes (bright white, warm yellow, and a mix of the two) and 10 brightness levels, the Newmowa replaced the otherwise grainy overlay of my raw iPhone photo with a clear, bright, natural-looking photo. And rather than amplifying my pores, the light made my skin look (almost) as glowy as Alix Earle. Perfect for hybrid work or a mobile lifestyle, the 6.7-ounce “Alix Earle light” comfortably slips into my favorite purse, backpack, or work tote. Additionally, you can easily clip the light onto your computer to look extra professional during work meetings, webinars, an interview, or even a class presentation. Equipped with a power indicator light and Micro USBC and USB-C charging interfaces, I don’t have to worry about the light unexpectedly dying when I need it most – especially since I found it to charge relatively quickly. Review: I tried the TikTok-viral ‘Alix Earle phone light.’ Does it live up to the hype? In the box:
Dimmable LED Ring Light61"/155cm Light StandSoft TubeWhite and Orange Color Filter SetTripod Head Hot Shoe AdapterSmart Phone HolderChargerBluetooth ReceiverCarrying Bag
The Neewer 18-inch Ring Light Kit incorporates LED lighting within dual reflective layers for better, brighter lighting with 240 pieces. It uses soft tubing for its construction, allowing you to bend and twist as needed until you can get that perfect shot. Brightness varies from 0% to 100% for easier adjustment, thanks to the dimming knob. A reverse folding leg stand comes included, plus two additional filters: one white and one orange. These filters make it easy to achieve a variety of lighting temperatures with just one light and very little hassle. While the professional features are sure to give a photoshoot feel, there’s a bit of setup required as the light stand is packed in a separate box and the legs need to be folded down for easy transportability. And at 9.83 pounds, it’s definitely not as heavy as studio lighting equipment, but it’s certainly not an ideal travel companion for those with an on-the-go content capture lifestyle. In the box:
Selfie Ring Light Charging Cable User Manual
The Auxiwa Clip-On Selfie Ring Light is small enough to carry with you on the go, but not at the expense of power. It includes three brightness levels with 36 LED lights, offering soft illumination instead of the usual harsh hospital-like lighting that washes you out. It also boasts a focal length ranging from 1 to 100 millimeters for greater flexibility. Note, however, that the most satisfied consumers used the light for selfies or Zoom calls, whereas those who wanted to capture more outside the small light’s perimeters weren’t as pleased with the brightness results. In the box:
Panel mini USB-C charging cable DSLR mini shoe mount 1 silicon white softening diffuser
High power lighting isn’t synonymous with a grandiose setup, and the Lume Cube Panel Mini is the perfect, compact piece of evidence. With fully adjustable brightness, 14 hours of battery life, and 60 Bicolor LEDs, this light is great for creators and photographers with a highly nomadic lifestyle. On it’s own the light is compatible with DSLR cameras, but to use it with your phone, you’ll need to purchase Lume Cube’s $20 smartphone clip for lighting. “The Lume Cube Smartphone Clip and Mini Panel is the exact duo I’ve been searching for,” says Charlotte Maracina, an associate writer for CNET. “The clip doesn’t require a lot of set up and is easily portable. Plus, the light wasn’t too harsh or dim, making it the perfect fit for selfie taking and all my Zoom meetings. Essentially, if you’re looking for top of the line lighting and sturdy clip quality, the Lume Cube gets the job done,” Maracina adds. In the box:
LED Ring LightTripod StandPhone HolderWireless Remote Shutter
The UBeesize 10-inch Selfie Ring Light + Tripod gives you three filters to get you started: warm white, cool white, and daylight. A touch panel conveniently controls 10 different levels of brightness. The tripod is sturdy, working with a variety of devices in addition to your phone, and there is also a phone clip that extends up to 4.5 inches. What I particularly like about this light is that it allows for taking well-lit photos and videos from up to 30 feet away via a wireless remote control – I’ve noticed this comes in handy for my eyebrow technician when she films my brows go from gnarly to clean. It also features a handle that makes switching from landscape to vertical orientations relatively hassle-free. Clip: $19.99
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, there are a number of ways that you can use your phone ring light to take better photos.Construction: We look for phone ring lights that have a strong, reliable build to last a long time.Price: We consider budget when determining the best phone ring lights, so there is something available to match every budget.
The term photo literally means “light”! It’s the most important component of any photo and can completely change our perception of it," says Ann Douglas Lott, a freelance photographer and associate editor for Lonely Planet. Lott also explains that we’re mostly drawn to natural light and soft light, “so that the viewer can clearly see the subject without losing any detail in overexposure or dark shadows – keeping everything crisp and bright. But you can also play around with it if you want to change up the tone or mood of a photo. Lighting can have a fascinating effect on our emotions.” Adding a ring or panel light contributes to an ongoing lighting experience.
