Best Ring Lights: Budget-Friendly Finds of 2025

LED Ring Lights

These are the most common types of ring lights. They consume less energy since they use LED bulbs. These ring lights emit a bright white light. They are also lightweight and, therefore, portable. They come in a range of sizes, normally from 10-18 inches. The modern LED ring lights have a dimmable option, which means you can control the brightness level of your ring light with ease.

Fluorescent Ring Lights

These were more common before the LED ring lights came into the picture. They use the CFL and CCFL bulbs. They are good at showcasing the colors in the video or photo, but they may have a low brightness output compared to the LED lights.

Tungsten Ring Lights

If you want a soft, warm touch on your videos, then this is the type of ring light you should have. They use hot lamps and, therefore, emit a warmer, softer look on the photos or videos. Since this type of ring light uses more heat, it also uses more energy compared to other ring lights. You may also need to keep changing the bulbs.

Camera Ring Lights

This is the type of ring light that you can mount directly on your camera and surround your lens. They are mostly small, and this makes them very portable. These are excellent for close-up shots or for YouTube videos.

Off-camera ring Lights

These are much bigger than the off-camera ring lights. For these ones, you may need to mount them on a different stand. They are excellent, especially If you need to keep moving your

Size

Note that ring lights come in different sizes. Most of them are 10 to 18 inches in size. You need to first consider how you are going to use the ring light before purchasing the ring light. Most full-body videos or pictures may require ring lights with a larger diameter. For example, if you are filming the whole body, you might need a ring light with a diameter larger than 10 inches.

Brightness or Light intensity

Brighter does not always mean better with ring lights. You only need adequate brightness needed for your needs. In this case, you also need to choose a ring light with dimming abilities so that you can use only the right amount for different scenarios. Usually- but not always – larger ring lights have brighter lights than smaller ones.

Adjustability

Consider the ring light’s adjustability based on how you use it. Some may come with a separate mounting accessory, while some may need you to have a tripod.

Temperature range

This aspect matters if you are into precise filming or if you do creative shots. It’s the measure of both the coolness and warmth of the light’s tone. If you only do TikTok and videoconferencing, you might not really need a ring light with a large range.

Color Rendering Index (CRI)

CRI measures how close a light bulb looks to natural sunlight. CRI uses a scale from 0 to 100. A CRI of 100 means the light looks exactly like real sunlight. A low CRI like 0 means the light does not look natural at all.

When buying lights, you want a high CRI of 95 or more. This makes your pictures look more realistic and natural. Some light brands don’t tell you the CRI, though, so it can be hard to know. Try to find lights that say the CRI number. The higher the CRI, the better.

Energy Efficiency

When buying a ring light, you should look at how much electricity it uses. Some ring lights use up a lot of power, which costs more money. Others are made to use less electricity. LED bulbs use much less electricity than older types of bulbs. They last a long time, too. Also, look for lights that have settings to make them dimmer.

Dimming the light means it uses less electricity. Some ring lights have batteries, so they don’t plug into the wall. Battery ring lights use less power overall. The best way to save money and help the planet is to buy an LED ring light that can dim and run on batteries when possible. That way, you get plenty of light but don’t waste electricity.

Ease of Use

When getting a new ring light, you want one that is easy to use and also set up. Some ring lights take a long time to put together or adjust. Others are made to be simple for beginners.

Look for ring lights that don’t require tools to set up. You want to be able to use it right out of the box. Check that it has knobs or buttons to change the brightness and color instead of complicated menus. See if the light can attach to a phone or camera without extra equipment. Ring lights with batteries and remote controls are easier to move around, too. Choosing a ring light that is uncomplicated will make it more fun to use. You’ll be able to focus on your photos instead of struggling with the equipment.

Adjustable Light Temperature

Photographers or videographers might use a mirror, a lamp, or any other light to replace a ring light. In the end, the photos or videos may need a lot of editing to make them appealing.

Ring lights have an adjustable light temperature where the user can select different temperatures for different shootings. Warmer lights are also safer for long shooting hours, especially for makeup artists. A study published by the American Public Health Association concluded that warmer light temperatures are less damaging to the eyes.

Movable Light Source

Depending on the effect you want, you may need different distances from your light source. However, some light sources might be rigid such that you cannot get the effect you need. Ring lights can be moved, or the subject can move to create a distance that will cause a much-needed effect.

Affordable Lighting

High-quality photography lighting can be very expensive. Large studio lights or flash kits can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. This makes professional lighting impossible for many beginners to afford.

Ring lights, on the other hand, offer a budget-friendly alternative. While not as powerful as expensive studio equipment, ring lights provide soft, flattering illumination at a fraction of the price. Aspiring photographers no longer need a huge studio or expensive gear to achieve well-lit portraits and videos. The affordable price point allows beginners to experiment and learn photography lighting techniques. Ring lights are a great entry point into artificial lighting before upgrading to more robust setups. They make attractive lighting achievable on a modest budget.