Ring Lights for Phones | 9 of the Best You can Get

Have you ever wondered how your favorite Instagrammer gets so much out of their smartphone's camera? They're most likely using a ring light!

In this article we will go through the 9 best ring lights for phones, and what to look out for in a ring light.

If you're shooting with more than your phone, consider reading our article on best ring lights. Here you'll find a list of the best ring lights for your camera and not just your phone!

Remember that lighting isn't all you need when doing videos. You can read our article on camera equipment to learn everything you need to know!

The 9 best ring lights for phones

1. Nanlite Halo 16C Bicolor and Tunable RGB 16-Inch LED Ring Light

Key Features:

Mirror
Dimming
Wireless Remote
RGB LED

Phone Fits:

5/8" receiver mount

Temperature:

2700K-6500K

Pros:

Customizable color temperature brightness
Good for many things
Over 360 colors
Charger-friendly design
Sturdy built

Cons:

Remote not included ($12,99 addon)
No stand included

2. Neewer 18-inch 55W 5500K Dimmable LED Ring Light Kit

Key Features:

Dimming
Remote controlled via Bluetooth
Aluminum stand

Phone Fits:

1.9-3.9 inches clip width

Temperature:

5500K (3200K with filter)

Pros:

Dimming
Comes with a stand, Bluetooth receiver, and bag.
Rotatable smartphone mount
Cheap

Cons:

Fixed color temperature

3. Inkeltech 21-inch Ring Light with Tripod

Key Features:

Mirror
Dimming
Wireless Remote
Large diameter

Phone Fits:

Mount fits for phones between 4.5" & 7.8"

Temperature:

2700K-6500K

Pros:

Two remotes included
Tripod included
Customizable colors
The large diameter allows for better positioning
Fairly cheap

Cons:

Build feels a little weak
Low color range

4. UBeesize 10" Selfie Ring Light and Tripod

Key Features:

Great tripod stand
Dimming
Rotatable phone mount
USB Powered

Phone Fits:

Fits up to 3.6-inches wide phones.

Temperature:

3000K/4500K/6000K (3-modes)

Pros:

USB powered
10 brightness levels
Adjustable tripod
Rotatable phone mount
Versatiles adjustments

Cons:

Remote is wonky
Not as usable with phones on the heavier side
Limited color range

5. Xinbaohong Rechargeable Portable Clip-on Selfie Ring Light

Key Features:

Portable
Works on every device
Cheap
Easy to use

Phone Fits:

The clip-on design fits every phone (and tablet and laptop)

Temperature:

6000K

Pros:

Portable
Fits on every phone
Clip design
Extremely cheap alternative

Cons:

Not versatile at all in terms of color and light settings.

6. Lume Cube 18-Inch Cordless Ring Light

Key Features:

Cordless LED ring light
Tiltable light
Portable
Wireless Remote
RGB LED

Phone Fits:

Fits all phones and cameras up to 10lbs

Temperature:

3200K-6500K

Pros:

Versatile
Stand and carry case included
Lightweight

Cons:

Weak mount quality
Short battery life

7. Auxiwa Clip-On Selfie Ring Light

Key Features:

Lightweight
Easy to use
Portable

Phone Fits:

Fits all phones

Temperature:

5600K

Pros:

Portable
Fits on every phone
Clip design
Extremely cheap alternative

Cons:

Not versatile at all in terms of color and light settings.

8. Sensyne LED Circle Lights with Phone Holder

Key Features:

Mirror
Dimming
Wireless Remote
RGB LED

Phone Fits:

Fits all phones up to 5.3" in width

Temperature:

3000K-6000K (3 individual settings)

Pros:

Compact
Good for many things
Remote controlled

Cons:

Limited color temperature and brightness

9. Raya Bendie-Brite Folding USB Bi-Color LED Ring Light 10-inch

Key Features:

Flexible holder
Dimming via touch
Portable and compact

Phone Fits:

Max width: 3.25"

Temperature:

2700K-5600K

Pros:

Compact
Portable
Cold shoe for microphone
Adjustable
Cheap

Cons:

Cheap build
No tripod

4 things to consider in a phone ring light

There are different things to consider when investing in a ring light. Besides the price, which usually follows the "you get what you pay for principle," there are other factors to pay attention to.

We have gathered the 4 most important things to consider when researching phone lights.

1. Purposes

You have to consider the purposes of the ring light. What do you want to achieve with it?

If you're looking for something to pep up your private Instagram selfies or company video calls, then a clip-on light might be sufficient.

If you're looking for something to help light up your vlog or make-up videos you might consider getting a more expensive, sturdy, and customizable light.

You should also consider whether you're going to be sitting or standing in your videos, and how the ring light fits with your video recording room. If you have a table or something similar for it to stand on, then it's fine to get one without a stand or tripod included.

But if you need a tripod or a stand, you should be sure that these things are included when you buy it, or else you're going to have to spend extra money.

The same goes for remote control. Some include remote controls, some have Wi-Fi/Bluetooth control, and some have neither. You should consider whether this is necessary for you and your needs.

2. Features

Another thing you have to consider is the different features that the ring light has. We already touched upon it with remote control abilities, which is very important who are further away from their ring light.

One of the main features you should be aware of is color temperature. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin, and it determines the temperature feel of the light. Lower color temperatures mean a warmer light, and higher color temperatures mean colder.

Furthermore, brightness and dimming are also important. If you are paying much for a ring light, you want the ability to dim the brightness. The brightness controls the strength of the light on your face.

Being able to dim the light can make the difference between an amateur and professional look.

If you're want to use the ring light for different color themes, you should look out for RGB lights. RGB stands for Red Green Blue and all of the different combinations. Typically you can get a ring light that allows for several hundred different colors, which really can set the mood for any type of video.

Lastly, you should look out for flexibility and compactness.

The flexibility is determined by how much the mount and light can be rotated and tilted. If you are doing different angles, this could be something to look out for.

If you are planning to move your ring light around, you should consider getting a compact one. Some ring lights are designed more compact than others and can be folded together. Typically they also come with a carrying bag, which makes it easier to transport.

3. Size and phone compatibility

Size matters when it comes to ring lights, and not just in terms of portability. Bigger lights will mean it's heavier and harder to transport.

Small lights work best for small objects or close-up selfies. It is especially great if your room is not that big, as a bigger light would be too harsh on unfocused to use. Small lights are great for putting the focus on different articles of makeup.

Big lights can light up both small and larger objects, but to use their versatility, you will need to have a fairly big room. It is also harder to use to give focus to small objects such as makeup products.

So consider what you're going to use it for. If it's for smaller items or just to light up your face, go with a small ring light. If you want to light up bigger surfaces or want to light up more of yourself, consider a big light.

4. Available apps

Consider if there are any apps available for the ring light. It makes it easier to fine-tune and customize the light.

You also have to remember that most phones account for the light in the room, and you might want to download a good camera app. With that, you can automatically adjust whether it should account for the light, and make better use of your ring light.

If you just need a ring light for a single project, you don't have to purchase a new one. Consider renting or subscribing to one on Wedio!

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Academy Gear Lighting Best ring light for phones

About the instructors

Gustav Sloth

Filmmaker

Aarhus, Denmark

Gustav Idun Sloth is a filmmaker and a co-founder of Movimentum together with Marcus Hasselgaard. They are two creative minds who are passionate about making movies and telling stories.

Kristian Kettner

Film Creator

Risskov, Denmark

Kristian Kettner is a colorist, workflow specialist, and film creator. He started with wedding videography to being the lead colorist on a feature film.

Mazdak Luyeh

Creative Philosopher

Copenhagen, Denmark

OUTFOX, founded by Mazdak Luyeh, is a bold Danish PR and communication agency that gathers clever ideas and tell amazing stories with visual expressions that focus on quality.

FAQ

How to use a ring light for a phone?

You simply attach your phone to the phone mount, and you turn on the light.

Which ring light is the best for phones?

The best ring light is Nanlite Halo 16C Bicolor and Tunable RGB 16-Inch LED Ring Light.

Which ring light do YouTubers use?

Many YouTubers use either a Nanlite or Neewer brand ring light.

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