The best ring lights for phones: Top Picks in 2025

Why do some people always look clear and attractive in their videos, photos, or live broadcasts, while some people, no matter how hard they try, get a pale and blurry picture? The secret is simple, and it lies in the right lighting. To be more precise, when using the best ring light. It provides soft, even illumination, which conveys the picture in the best possible way.

But choosing a high-quality ring light is not so easy; it may not fit with the rest of the equipment or may not give the desired result. There are universal lamps that can be connected to a camera, laptop, or smartphone. There are mobile and lightweight devices for convenient use outside the home or studio. And there are large lamps with a lot of settings for a flight of fancy. We will tell you about the top models of circular lighting and how to use them properly.

The Originality of the Ring Light

Why are ring lights a go-to for bloggers, photographers, and streamers? Simple: they provide soft, even lighting that flatters the subject, reduces harsh shadows, and adds a clean, circular catchlight to the eyes.

Ring lights are circular lamps, often with a phone or camera placed in the center. This design ensures uniform light distribution, even in small spaces like bathrooms or kitchens — something traditional lamps or softboxes can’t do as easily.

They’re great for portraits, videos, macro, or even food photography. Many models are compact, USB-powered, and easy to set up anywhere. Some come with remote controls, phone holders, and adjustable color temperatures.

Learn more: Food Photography Lighting

In short, the best ring light provides:

• gentle and balanced light;

• the option to realize various ideas;

• a simple connection to any device;

• the smallest possible size and portability;

• on video, the effect of “bright” eyes;

• the possibility of a quick image correction without the experience of working with the light.

That is why ring lights have gone from being a popular choice for bloggers to becoming a classic one for photographers, makeup artists, and those who film lessons or presentations. Little lamps are great to carry around, while big ones offer a soft light for portraits. There are models with a remote control, a mount for several phones, and color adjustment. Thus, the ones who are in a hurry and need a beautiful result straight away choose it.

Don't Compromise on High-Quality Ring Lighting

Ring lights are useful for photographers, makeup artists, manicurists, teachers, and content creators who shoot with a camera, DSLR, or webcam. Ring lights increase the quality of videos and photos, making selfies and close-ups brighter and clearer, and preventing the lens from picking up unwanted glare.

Here are some examples of where you can use ring lights:

Experienced video and photo content creators choose the best ringlight because it is suitable for a wide variety of conditions (apartment, street, basement studio) and does not require lengthy setup (like studio lighting).

For photographers, the advantage is that no time or additional knowledge of settings is required to use it. Even professionals use the best ring light in the studio when they need soft front lighting. And it can be easily combined with background sources. Turn on the lamp, adjust the brightness and temperature, and the background and face will immediately look even. Photo Editor is suitable for processing captured images. They will help make the light and color even more expressive.

What You Need to Know About the Tool to Choose the Best Ring Light

Behind the external simplicity of the equipment lie complex details that determine the results achieved by photographers, streamers, presenters, and beauty artists. To find the ring light best, it is necessary to study and check several characteristics.

1. Ring diameter. Larger models (30 cm and above) are better suited for portraits and videos. The light is softer, and glare in the eyes is more even. Small lamps are convenient for macro, selfies, and shooting details (facial features or nature). For bloggers, a universal option is 26-33 cm.

2. Brightness and its adjustment. With a wider range of brightness levels, it is easier to adjust the frame for a specific task. High-quality ring lights usually have a smooth dimmer. This allows you to adjust the light down to the smallest detail, rather than just “bright/medium/dim.”

3. Light temperature — warm, neutral, cold. Warm light adds coziness. Cold light emphasizes details and sharpness. Neutral light is suitable when you need naturalness. If the lamp has temperature control, you can minimize subsequent photo processing.

4. Power type: mains or USB. There are lamps with USB connectors that can be connected to a laptop or power bank. In the studio, you can use mains lamps, but without access to a power outlet, you cannot do without a charger. Top models often combine both options.

5. Mounting on a tripod or bracket. A lamp without a mount and height adjustment will be extremely inconvenient to use, as you will need to adjust the angle of the light direction. Smartphone holders and remote controls are often included with the lamp.

6. Materials and assembly. Good ring lights have a durable plastic body and metal mounts. Buttons and controls should work smoothly, without sticking.

These parameters are necessary for several reasons, the main one being that videos and streams require different brightness levels. For backlighting photography, the lamp is often turned behind the object to illuminate the outline. Furthermore, macro and subject photography look better with cold light. And for portraits, warm light is used to make the skin look softer.

Ring lights cannot replace studio equipment, but for blogs, master classes, and subject photography, they remain the simplest and most convenient solution.

Top Picks: The Best Ring Lights of 2025

Today's range of ring lights can shock and confuse both beginners and experienced streamers. You can buy them online, in chain stores, in shopping malls, and at street stalls. Thousands of models from hundreds of brands, each with unique characteristics and prices, are ready to work for you.

But how do you choose the perfect option? More often than not, we end up buying the same equipment several times and becoming disappointed. It is only on the third or fourth attempt that we buy what we need. Learn from the experience of others, not your own. We have compiled a list of the best ring lights of 2025 — these are ring lights we have tested and models that have been tried and tested by hundreds of content creators. Here you will find both professional models and more affordable, cheap ring lights for beginners.

1. Elgato Ring Light

17-inch circle, OSRAM LEDs, up to 2500 lumens. Color temperature adjustable from 2900 to 7000 K. Hue rendering index CRI 94, allowing for accurate reproduction of all skin tones. Two diffusion layers provide a cinematic effect and eliminate harsh shadows. There is a ball mount with a 1/4-inch screw, which allows you to tilt the camera independently of the lamp.

You can control brightness and temperature via an app on your smartphone or PC, or using buttons. Settings are accessible from any device in the studio. Works with Windows 10 and macOS 10.14+, supports Android 6.0+ and iOS 12.1+. Compatible with Master Mount S and Elgato Multi Mount out of the box.

Suitable for streaming on YouTube and Zoom. Smooth, flicker-free light, metal housing. Supports configuration via PC or smartphone. The choice for those who need a high-quality ring light with maximum precision.

2. Lume Cube Ring Light Pro

Ring light with built-in battery, allowing 70 minutes of operation at full brightness and up to 2 hours at medium mode. The device can be charged from a power outlet and removed without connecting to the mains.

Specifications:

• 18-inch diameter;

• 256 Edge-Lit LEDs with diffuser;

• brightness up to 1700 lux at 0.5 meters;

• color rendering index CRI 96+;

• temperature adjustment in the range of 2700–7500K — from cold blue to warm amber;

• brightness up to 1500 lumens.

A remote control with a display is provided to facilitate control, allowing you to view the charge indicator, brightness, and temperature settings. Two USB ports for charging your phone or microphone. Alternatively, you can use the control buttons on the body. No apps — just turn it on, set it up, and get to work.

Branded phone mount: 360° rotation, 180° tilt. Easy to change the angle and shoot with the front or rear camera. Included: lamp, tripod, remote control, case, cable, and phone holder. The model is popular with makeup artists and photographers thanks to its powerful light output.

3. Godox LR120 Ring Light

Compact model powered by USB, which is advantageous when working with a laptop, power bank, or 5 V/2 A adapter (not included). The lamp is convenient for shooting at your desk or while traveling.

Specifications:

• outer diameter 12 inches (30,5 cm), inner diameter 9,4 inches (23,9 cm);

• two-color LEDs with adjustable temperature from 3000K to 6000K;

• brightness adjustable from 10% to 100%;

• Color rendering index CRI >90.

The lamp tilts 180°, which is convenient for adjusting the desired angle. The table stand extends from 32,5 to 49,5 cm and locks at a convenient height. There is a universal phone holder with a 360° swivel mechanism. Control is simple — buttons on the power cord and mode switch.

This is a lightweight, mobile model from the best ring lights category, suitable for video, photos, live broadcasts, and travel content.

4. UBeesize 10" Table Top Ring Light

The main advantage of this model is its compact size. The 10-inch ring light is ideal for video, live broadcasts, and beauty photography. It fits conveniently on a table and is easy to carry.

Features:

• three lighting modes: warm, cool, and daylight;

• ten brightness levels for each mode — a total of 30 options;

• touch panel for light control — turn on, turn off, adjust effects;

• USB power supply.

The set is equipped with a sturdy folding tripod to which a phone, camera, or webcam can be attached. The holder expands up to 4,5 inches and is suitable for most iOS and Android models. The swivel mechanism allows you to mount your smartphone vertically, horizontally, or at any angle. There is a wireless remote control for hands-free photos and videos. The range is up to 30 feet. Compatible with iPhone, Samsung, and other devices.

The set contains a tripod, phone holder, and remote control. This lighting will be a lifesaver for content on TikTok, YouTube, and Stories.

5. Rotolight Ultimate Vlogging Kit

This lightweight and portable lighting kit has impressed bloggers and makeup artists alike. They particularly like this model because it is easy to take with you wherever you go.

Features:

• RL48-B LED lamp;

• light output up to 1000 lumens (242 lux) at 5600K;

• operates on three AA batteries for up to 4 hours;

• includes filters for changing the temperature to 4100K and 3200K;

• cosmetic and color filters for soft and even light.

The lamp is indispensable for filling shadows and shooting in different lighting conditions. It is easy to use and requires no unnecessary settings. The set includes a lamp, a phone holder, an accessory rod, a tripod, and a set of filters. A mobile and versatile solution from the best ring lights category for video, makeup, and streaming.

Alternative Lighting For Work: Instead of Ring Lights

The best option for presenting yourself on camera is undoubtedly a ring light. As we have already mentioned, they enliven the face and eyes and give viewers a sense of presence. However, ring lighting is not appropriate in all cases. When you need to capture wider shots on large sets or, conversely, need a small source of additional lighting, you can consider alternative lighting options.

Compact LED Panel: Neewer RGB62 Mini RGB

Compact RGB panel for creating accents and testing with colored light. Lightweight and portable version — only 110 g. Powered by a built-in battery, USB-C, or 15 V power supply. It can be taken with you when shooting outdoors, used for blogging and video calls. RGB mode is more about creativity than regular white or yellow light.

Features:

• color temperature from 2500 to 8500 K;

• full RGB spectrum (360 degrees);

• dimensions 3.1 × 2.6 × 1.2 inches;

• diffuser for soft light included.

The lamp has four cold shoe mounts for attaching accessories or connecting several panels into a single system. A magnetic mount on the body allows you to quickly attach it to a metal surface without a stand. Settings are controlled using the Neewer app, which allows you to adjust color, brightness, and lighting effects accompanied by music.

ShiftCam SnapGrip Creator Kit — For Those Who Value Mobility

This tool is a ready-made kit for content creators. It combines a smartphone or camera holder, a tripod, and a light in one compact solution. Suitable for stories, blogs, and online broadcasts. Useful for those who want to improve the quality of their phone shots without bulky equipment.

Technical capabilities of the equipment:

1. SnapGrip. MagSafe magnet, suitable for iPhone 12/13 and other smartphones with a magnetic sticker. The built-in battery charges the phone (powerbank); the exact capacity is not specified. The Bluetooth shutter works at a distance of up to 10 m. Charging via USB-C.

2. SnapPod. The tripod extends to a fixed height and is adjustable with a ball joint. Supports rotation on the joint, allowing you to shoot at any angle.

3. SnapLight. 4 brightness levels. Lighting to fill in shadows and sweeten the face in the frame. The lamp is easy to control with a button on the body, without additional applications.

The set is popular among content creators primarily for its image quality — the light is similar to Rembrandt lighting. This is a lighting technique in which a small triangle of light is formed under the eye on the shadow side of the face. This effect is achieved with a single light source positioned at an angle to the face. Secondly, despite its multifunctionality, the kit is quite mobile and weighs only 140 grams.

How to Combine a Ringlight in Photography and Editing With Luminar Neo

With a ringlight, it's easy to set up even lighting and create a beautiful image, which undoubtedly helps simplify further post-processing in the editor. The online image editor Luminar Neo is valued for its simplicity and speed, even with heavy RAW files. The interface is intuitive and easy to understand from the very first use.

The editor's AI tools make photos with ring lights even better. Relight AI adjusts the light in the frame, removes shadows, and adds volume. The face looks more natural, without overexposure. Skin AI and Face AI smooth the skin while preserving its texture. This is noteworthy for beauty bloggers and makeup artists. Structure AI emphasizes details without making the image look “plastic.”

The program allows you to work with layers and masks, quickly add effects, and adjust the background. For example, you can select a model in a portrait and change the background or lighting, as if you had rearranged the ring light. Therefore, if you don't have the best ring light, you can use the editor.

If you shoot videos for YouTube, Instagram, or marketplaces using a ring light, Luminar Neo makes the final image more professional without lengthy manual retouching. The result is a beautiful, edited photo that stands out from the rest.

A Ringlight That Will Work For You

First, consider whether you need a ring light or another type of light. It is best suited for shooting where the main subject is a face or small objects: vlogs, live streams, makeup, beauty content, and food. If you often shoot such videos, our TOP best ring lights will help you make your choice.

If you shoot simple stories on your phone, a compact and inexpensive lamp will suffice. If you do weekly podcasts, reviews, or shoots for YouTube, you'll have to spend more on a model with wide brightness and color temperature adjustment. Pay attention to the power source: it is more convenient when the lamp can be powered from the mains and batteries. And, of course, look at the size — lightweight and portable models are convenient to take with you, while more massive ones are suitable for a stationary studio.