The last 12 months have significantly impacted the way we work. Zoom meetings and Teams conferences are now a daily occurrence for most of us – and unfortunately so is the poor quality and lighting that comes with them. Ever glanced at your own feed and been shocked at how shadowy and blurry you look? If so, it’s time to get a ring light.
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Simply put, ring lights are a cheap, effective way of throwing soft light on something – and they’re a great way to step up your appearance and professionalism on camera. They’re able to illuminate your face and make it much clearer on video calls, and most produce out several shades of light – from warm to cold – depending on the look you prefer.
Our increased use of video calls – and social media – hasn’t gone unnoticed by brands, and that means you’ll find countless ring lights on Amazon alone. To make things easier, we’ve sifted through all the specs and reviews and tested some, to find the best ring lights you can buy in 2021.
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Of course, ring lights come with aesthetic benefits too, and that’s why you’ll find them marketed towards everyone from beauty bloggers to TikTok enthusiasts. The lights on the list we’ve compiled below will be suitable for meetings and make-up tutorials alike.
Best overall
AIXPIIf you're looking for a versatile ring light that's also relatively compact, this is the one for you. Featuring a 6.3-inch array, it's not the biggest device on the list, but it can throw out a good amount of light. Although the light is suitable for desk use, its extendable tripod means it can stand on the floor, and can throw out a good amount of light. The light offers a choice of three colours: cold white, warm white, and warm yellow. It also has a Bluetooth remote shutter, which is ideal if you’re using a phone and want to take selfies. It can be charged via USB and will work alone for 2.5 hours, and although the Panmax is suited for desk use, its extendable tripod means it can stand on the floor too. A steal for under £30.
Pros
- Extendable tripod offers versatility
- 3 colour temperatures and 10 levels of brightness
- Included Bluetooth remote is a bonus
Cons
- Tripod may not withstand heavy use
Best design
YarrashopThis kit includes ten brightness levels, three light temperature settings, and a range of attachments for the tripod and clamp. Unlike some other kits, it lets you attach either a phone or a webcam, and its ball-and-socket construction makes it; the ring light itself is on the compact side, but it's packed with 72 bulbs and comes with a wireless remote. There are ten brightness levels and three light temperature settings. It uses USB power, which we believe is most suited if you use the ring light at a desk as it won't ever need to be fussed with in terms of running out of battery. At £35 it’s not cheap, and with a £10 off voucher right now, it gives you a lot for the money.
Pros
- Easily assembled and adjusted
- Compact enough to work in any space, big or small
- Sleek design so as not to stick out on your setup
Cons
- The round base may be less stable than a tripod would have been
Best RGB
GerTingIf you're after a larger, more robust ring light, it's worth looking at the GerTing. At 12 inches, it's one of the larger kits here, and it can be mounted on a desk or the floor. A tripod means it can stand from 65cm to 176cm, making it very versatile. The GerTing can be powered via USB from a laptop or USB hub, but the big feature is the >150 colour modes available on this RGB light, meaning whatever colour you're after with your light, this can get you it. There’s a phone holder too – all for under £30.
Pros
- Over 150 colour options available
- The tripod makes it perfect for standing up
- Included remote is always a bonus
Cons
- Bit tall for desk use
Best value
If you're looking for a quick, inexpensive way to get involved in the ring light game, you could do much worse than this Aixpi kit. It boasts similar specs to the better lights on this list; there are three light modes and ten brightness levels, and at 10 inches in diameter, the light itself doesn't scrimp on size.
The Aixpi sits on a small desk tripod and even includes a phone holder. Although it appears more fragile than more expensive lights, we’re willing to forgive it: at £20, it’s great value.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Strong LED light output
- Lightweight for easy set-up and storage
Cons
- Tripod legs are rather thin, bringing questions to the stability
Best compact
JuiceThe Juice selfie ring light is an ingenious way to illuminate your calls—or anything else, for that matter. Incredibly compact, it's designed to clip onto your smartphone, laptop screen, or monitor, and it doesn't require a bracket or clamp—it is the bracket and clamp.
The Juice is small enough to fit in a purse but still packs 36 LEDs for a good amount of light. It’s chargeable via USB, and it’ll work for anything between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on which of the three brightness levels you use.
The main catch? This ring light doesn’t adjust the light temperature, and only three dimming levels are available. Still, it’s just £9.
Pros
- Compact and light, good for taking anywhere
- Can sit on top of a mirror not just a phone
- 36 LEDs give you a lot of light in a little package
Cons
- May not fit all smartphones
Best double light
AndoerWhat's better than one ring light? Well, two 3.5-inch ones, which is precisely what this Andoer kit has. It clamps to the table and features two small lights on flexible stalks, with three colour temperature options and ten brightness levels. There’s a third flexible column for your phone, too, and the whole thing is easily clamped to the side of a desk or monitor.
The Andoer ’s dual-wielding setup means it can quickly light up your face and desk.
Pros
- Dual light setup allows for more versatility when lighting something
- Metal arms are firm and won't wear out
- Remote close to light so easy to find
Cons
- Isn't as bright as many hoped
Best for professional setups
UPhitnisOne of our favourite ring lights is on sale right now; the UPhitnis delivers on performance but also gives you options later. At 10-inches, the UPhitnis’s USB-powered ring light packs in 120 LEDs, and lets you choose between three colour temperatures and ten levels of brightness. At full blast, it’s enough to light up your face and desk simultaneously, though it’s easy to dial down for more subtle illumination.
It’s designed to sit on your desk, and a tall-ish robust stand means it’ll peek well above a 15-inch monitor. There’s a sturdy phone holder, but the UPhitnis’s most impressive feature is its forward-thinking approach; as you're able to mount your phone in the ring or under it – ideal if you decide to change your setup.
Pros
- Comes with 3 phone grips
- Great for table-top or at-height lighting
- Foldable for easy storage
Cons
- Some say it could be brighter
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