If you were to ask any well versed cinematographer about the most important aspect of videos. Their usual response would be framing and lighting. Combining these two things together have created some of the most iconic scenes ever.
As lighting is such a critical component in video. I have researched and done my own field testing to see what are the best video lighting kits out there that won’t break the bank. But first…
Different types of video lighting kits
There are several types of lighting kits that can be used by video creators as a general purpose lighting set up. Each of these different types of continuous lighting kits have their own advantages and disadvantages. Nonetheless, all of these are great options.
- Rings lights are great for anyone shooting video of close up subjects. This can also include portrait style video shoots. A make up tutorial, for instance, would probably greatly benefit from a ring light set up. They offer almost completely shadow less lighting. Range is limited, though, so ring lights are not usable for every subject we are likely to shoot.
- Soft boxes and umbrellas can be used with different light sources and they give options in how a videographer can modify whatever lights source they are using. In this list, we have included kits that come with light fixtures already built in. Soft boxes and umbrellas are usually relatively easy to set up and can be placed to either create shadows and a lighting ratio, or for flatter light without shadows.
- Boom lights can be added to give us even greater lighting control, especially with people or products. Some come in kits with other lights, but we can also add a boom light to anything we already have on hand.
- LED panel lights offer high light output at low power and with little heat. Some LED panel lights have variable power levels and even adjustable color temperature. These are great for location use due to generally being very portable for their high light output.
- On camera lights are often small battery powered LED panel lights, some may even include a soft box or other type of light modifier.
How I found the best video lighting kits
When it comes down to it, not all video kits are equal. Because of this, I gave myself a certain criteria for my research. This assured that I found the best products that gave me the best versatility and value.
- Size and weight. For many YouTubers, vloggers, and videographers, being portable is a key consideration. Often times, vloggers find themselves travelling to a location other than a studio in their own home or office. For any camera mounted lights, being truly compact is a definite need.
- Versatility. Versatility allows use for a variety of subjects. Kits tend to offer lots of versatility by including different items for different purposes.
- Brightness. We of course want a bright light. However we also want to be able to control that brightness for certain lighting conditions and styles.
- Power supply. Battery power makes a video light extremely portable. AC power is used for many of the higher intensity lights. Some lights can be powered either way.
- Ease of set up. If the lights are difficult to set up, that slows us down. We don’t want to be fiddling around with parts while the subject is waiting to be filmed.
- Price. We aren’t opposed to spending money on a high quality product, but we also don’t want to waste money. The best lighting kits for video provide a good balance of value.
Top 5 Best Video Lighting Kits For YouTuber & Videographers
1. Neewer 18″ Ring Light Video Kit
Coming in first on my list is the super useful and affordable Neewer 18″ ring light. Neewer is a relativity new but reliable brand. Their lineup of products are outstanding and I have yet to be disappointed by their products.
As for the 18” LED light, it delivers a continuous output of daylight balanced 55 watt light at a daylight color temperature of 5500K. It also comes with two sets of filters that fit directly on the ring light, soft white and orange. Combined with the filters is a camera mount, sturdy light stand, power cord and a carry bag.
Setting up and operation was extremely simple. I mounted the ring light to the stand, attached my camera to the thread, plugged it in and turned it on. Simple!
After setting up, there is also a goose neck which allows for variation in the lighting angle, but I found it was a little stiff. But after several uses, I noticed this stiffness dissipated, but still held onto the light securely.
Right after turning on, I noticed how incredibly bright this light was. I was able to adjust the brightness quite a bit by turning the adjustment knob on the power supply. It adjusts from 100% all the way down to 1%.
In 2020, the popularity of the ring light has skyrocketed. View a list the other best ring lights for other options!
Overall I was very impressed with this unit and the continuous shadowless light it gave which was great for many video uses. Primarily I was using this for landscape recording in a portrait style while talking to the camera. This video kit easily earns my number one spot! You can also check out my compressive review on this light here.
2. LimoStudio 800W 5500K Umbrella Softbox Lighting Kit
Next up on my list is a full featured video kit by LimoStudio which included 4 lights, modifiers and a background system. Pretty much everything I needed. Surprisingly, the price is very reasonable too!
In total, there are four separate lights with their own individual stands which extend to a maximum height of 7 feet. Two of the lights are mounted permanently inside a soft box, while the other two are simple sockets with mounts.
I found the soft boxes can be used with the front diffusion screens attached, or leave them off for a slightly different level of light modification. Also the soft boxes collapse umbrella style for easy transport and very quick set up and tear down, but you will need to remove the bulbs first before folding them up.
As for the other two lights, they have a mounting hole in the light stand for an umbrella to be attached. The mounts for all four lights tilt up and down for simple and easy light positioning.
There is also a set of clamps are included. Three heavy duty clamps and five smaller ones attached to rings meant to be used on the background cross pole.
All the lights are AC power and the kit includes 4 CFL daylight balanced bulbs. CFL bulbs are cooler than regular incandescent bulbs and are more similar to the color spectrum of LED’s. I would recommend allowing them to cool off a bit before transporting them to minimize the chance of breaking them.
After using this video kit for over three months. I was more than happy with the results that it gave me! This is a kit that I keep coming back to. A must have!
3. Neewer 800W 5500K Umbrella Soft box Lighting Kit
Moving onto the next pick on my list of best video lighting kits is another moderately priced kit from Neewer.
As I touched on above, Neewer is a brand that has made a good reputation for supplying outstanding quality lights, stands and other photographic accessories at very reasonable prices. This kit follows that trend.
Again, there are four lights! I feel like Captain Picard when I say that. Two lights are mounted permanently inside a soft box, and two are plain sockets with mounts, which can be used in a variety of ways including with the supplied umbrellas. All the lights mount onto four supplied extendable light stands that raise to about 7 feet each.
From receiving the box to unpacking and setting up. In total it took me 20 minutes! Thats not bad considering that amount of lights and stands that are included. In many ways, this kit is similar to the above LimoStudio as far as the items included and the performance.
I was able to distribute all four lights in my studio for some recent YouTube videos. While I have used these lights several times, it still impresses me how much a simple setup of lights can make for enhanced video quality.
Along with the lights and stands, there is also a background system included in this kit. It is comprised of an 8 ½’ x 10‘ stand and three different color 6×9’ backgrounds. The colors are green, white, and black, all of them muslin material. A set of clamps are included.
Overall, this kit was an absolute standout that I wouldn’t hesitate a second to recommend to any video or content creator!
4. Neewer 2 Packs Dimmable Bi-color 480 LED Video Light Kit
Not another Neewer!? I promise I am not getting any sponsorship from Neewer, I just really dig their range of products. They really have all the bases covered! This lighting kit has 2 bi-color lights (each with 240 LED’s, so 480 in total!), 2 stands, power adapters and a carrying case.
By setting the camera to one or the other color temperatures and switching the lights to the corresponding color, a very accurate color rendition of the subject and surroundings can be realized. Not to mention that they are incredibly bright!
One other great benefit of these lights are that they are powered by either AC adapters or by batteries. The ability to use batteries makes these lights extremely versatile. A YouTuber, Vlogger or videographer can take these on almost any location with the optional rechargeable batteries.
Unfortunately batteries are not included and will add to the over all cost of the kit. Without buying batteries and chargers, the kit is a little more expensive than kits of comparable power with CFL or incandescent bulbs. But for the wide range of uses this kit delivers, I found it was worth the money.
As for the size of the lights, they are about 10” square and are mounted inside a u-shaped bracket. The brackets and mounts allow the user to adjust the lights to whatever angle required. I found the light stands ware extendable and are heavy enough to be very stable with these relatively compact lights mounted.
Using batteries, a full charge is good for around 90 minutes run time before being drained. Recharging is somewhat slow, so a videographer doing a lot of remote work with these might want to carry extra batteries. On AC power, the cords are a decent length, but you will probably want a power strip and extension cord for added placement versatility.
Overall this kit is an absolute home run and is easily one of the best video lighting kits around!
5. StudioFX 2400 Watt Soft box Continuous Photo Lighting Kit
A three light soft box kit with one light mountable to a boom, this kit is a very versatile lighting source for vlogging people or products. It has a very attractive price, but isn’t all that easy to set up and tear down for location shoots.
The lights are very bright, since each unit holds four CFL bulbs. Attaching the soft box to the light fixture will require some patience and practice.
The boom arm is easy to use, once you get the right amount of counter weight in the sand bag. As a hair light, or as an over head light for table top shoots, the boom arm adds a level of capability to what we can film. Even used as a stand alone light source, the boom arm light is more than adequate for many situations, since the light unit holds four bulbs.
There you have it!
These are some of the best video lighting kits for YouTubers, vloggers, Tik Tokers, social media creators and videographers. They offer a lot of power and versatility for your videos in 2020. None of them is very high priced, especially when considering how capable they are of doing the job as needed.
Whether filming intimate interviews, Tik Toks, making instructional videos, or simply creating an entertaining vlog, these lights will open up an exciting aspect of your already awesome video repertoire. If you want to learn more about setting up lights for video, you can check out this great resource.
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