Lighting is a critical aspect of any video production, as it can be used to enhance the visual appeal and impact of your footage.
The best video lighting kits allow you to balance exposure levels in a scene, retain more detail in shadows and highlights, create effects with different colors, and even simulate the blue flashing light of an emergency vehicle.
With so many options available on the market today, selecting the right video lighting kit for your needs can be overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you find the best video lighting kit for your budget in 2023.
We’ll cover everything from basic LED lights to professional studio kits so that you can find something that fits your needs and budget perfectly.
We’ll also discuss essential features such as color temperature settings, dimming capabilities, diffusion filters for softening harsh light sources, and more.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have all the information necessary to make an informed decision about which type of video lighting kit is right for you!
What is Video Lighting?
Video lighting refers to the use of different types of video lights to bring cinematic depth and character to footage.
Natural light is great, but video lights can be used to craft the perfect narrative and create the exact atmosphere you want for your video.
From LEDs to fluorescents, tungsten to strobes, and HMI lights, each video light offers its advantages and can help shape your project’s key lighting.
And as video lighting can be an intricate process, it features countless ways in which light can be manipulated to set tone and mood – sunshine-inspired whites for that summery feel or soulful amber tones for a warm and nostalgic vibe – allowing you to get creative with your shots.
The 7 Best Video Lighting
So whether you’re a beginner looking for budget-friendly options or a professional cinematographer in search of studio-level lighting, there’s something out there for everyone.
1. Rotolight NEO 3
Overall best video lighting
REASONS TO BUY
- Compact and lightweight
- Constant light and flash modes
- Wide range of lighting effects
REASONS TO AVOID
- Flash power is quite low
- Wireless flash trigger sold separately
The Rotolight NEO 3 is the fluorescent lights of the future – packed with a suite of improved features that make its predecessor, the NEO 2, seem downright archaic.
From flash output to constant lighting, this key light gives you unparalleled control and range, allowing for full RGBWW options.
It also comes in various configurations and kits, so you can customize it to fit your needs perfectly.
The intuitive color touchscreen menu completes the package with an impressive range of electronic color filters and special effects.
So, if you’re looking for next-level lighting performance, look no further than the NEO 3!
2. Aputure MC RGBWW LED Light
best video lighting for portability
REASONS TO BUY
- Very portable
- Built-in lighting FX
- Wireless charging
REASONS TO AVOID
- Won't light huge areas
For studio-on-the-go content creators and videographers, the Aputure MC RGBWW LED Light is a total game changer.
It’s a tiny studio light, slightly bigger than a credit card, and almost as thin as your phone, so you don’t have to lug around clunky studio lights or multiple lights ever again!
Designed for convenience and practicality, you can attach it to any metal surface or mount it directly on your camera using the built-in magnets or 1/4 inch cold shoe mount.
Plus, full power offers up to 100 minutes of illumination on one charge or 15 hours when used in its minimum setting – AND batteries are included!
Um, really – where has this been all our lives?
Download the Sidus Link app from iOS or Android to get control of color accuracy and adjustable settings while having fun along the way.
3. Rotolight AEOS 2
best video lighting for heavy-duty light
REASONS TO BUY
- RGBWW constant light and flash
- Digital filters and special effects
- Slim, lightweight construction
REASONS TO AVOID
- Expensive
- Some kits lack battery packs
- RF wireless trigger sold separately
The Rotolight AEOS 2 is your fill light’s knight in shining armor!
This ultra-light octa-core LED panel comes with 16.7 million colors to fill your lighting setup with brighter, more vibrant options than ever before.
Not only can you light up the scene using constant fill light, but you can also flash it at high-speed speeds and explore your creative side with digital filters and special effects, all thanks to the color touchscreen interface.
If you want to take this fill light on the go, then all kits come complete with a diffuser for a softer look.
So no matter if you’re creative or just need that fill of light, the Rotolight AEOS 2 is ready!
4. SmallRig RC 220B COB
best for color fidelity
REASONS TO BUY
- Powerful light
- Easy to use
- Many adjustment settings
REASONS TO AVOID
- Doesn't come with stand
- Softbox tricky to assemble
SmallRig’s RC 220B COB light kit is light on your wallet but packs a powerful punch, giving you an incredibly bright light that ranges from 2700 to 6500K.
You can depend on this light in any interior, exterior, or mixed light setting as it gives accurate colors and ensures your subject is well-lit.
Whether you’re shooting film or stills, you’ll appreciate the convenience of easily adjusting the light level up and down steplessly so you get exactly the perfect brightness for the scene.
Its lightweight design and solid construction make transport a breeze, plus the latest in COB technology means you don’t have to worry about sacrificing quality for value with this light kit.
5. Lume Cube 2.0
best Size (Small and powerful)
REASONS TO BUY
- Tiny but powerful
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Good battery life
REASONS TO AVOID
- Original was more waterproof
It’s finally here! The long-awaited continuous light from Lume Cube, the Lume Cube 2.0, offers all of the advantages of its predecessor plus some delightful extras.
This little mountable light packs twice the brightness and a much larger beam angle thanks to its updated LED bulbs – which means it’ll do twice as good of a job lighting up your scenes.
And don’t forget how lightweight it is – at just 99g you could easily build a setup with three or four of them to get your perfect shot.
USB-C compatibility is another welcome bonus, and you can expect solid battery life in this version too.
Sure, waterproofing might have been scaled back a little (it’s only rated down to 30ft), but let’s be real – if you’re not diving deep anytime soon, is this an issue?
6. Profoto C1 Plus
best for smartphone
REASONS TO BUY
- Innovative design
- Small and portable
- Plenty of accessories to attach
REASONS TO AVOID
- Not suitable for lighting larger scenes
Not every vlogger needs light stands, a DSLR, and bulky lights. Profoto’s C1 Plus is designed to light up those smartphone videos with light that won’t flicker or fade in intensity.
It’s perfectly mini, runs on a built-in Li-Polymer rechargeable battery, and allows the user to capture up to 40 minutes of continuous light at full power – that’s brighter than what light stands can usually offer!
On top of that, the C1 Plus will provide 2000 flashes per charge while it only takes two hours to reach full battery potential via USB-C connection.
A perfect gadget for digital nomads everywhere!
7. Godox CL10
best for smartphone
REASONS TO BUY
- Very affordable
- Highly adjustable colors
REASONS TO AVOID
- 10W output is pretty low
- USB power only
If you’re an influencer, streamer, or TikToker looking to inject a bit of life into your videos without breaking the bank, then look no further than the Godox CL10!
With 10W of power output and a wallet-friendly price tag, this LED light provides plenty of bang for your buck.
Whether you want to bring some vibrant colors to your setup with 36,000 selectable shades or add in some special effects like a broken bulb’ and ‘a police car’, the Godox CL10 can help you take your content up a notch.
So, if you’re looking for affordable excellence in lighting then make sure the Godox CL10 is on your radar.
FAQs
What is the best lighting for videos?
When it comes to lighting your videos, LED is the clear winner.
LED panels are the perfect way to light any scene thanks to their low energy consumption; no more worrying about overheating while you’re filming!
LEDs also have the advantage of being easily dimmable, so you can find just the right ambiance for your project.
How do you get good lighting for videos?
When it comes to creating a great video, lighting is key.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure your subject is well-lit – NO more dimly lit selfies.
- Stay away from overhead lighting – this won’t give you a flattering look. Instead, position the camera to capture the darker side of your subject’s face.
- Use soft lighting from diffused light sources instead of harsh light sources.
- Try using the three-point lighting setup.
- Make sure you avoid too much lighting as this can be overkill for most projects.
So there you have it – follow these simple rules and watch as your videos start to shine with proper lighting!
What are the 3 types of lights used in video production?
Three-point lighting is essential to video production, and three key lights make up the trifecta.
There’s a main light: The Key Light that casts its illuminating rays across your scene and creates an overall exposure.
Then there are Fill Lights which fill in any dark shadows or corners of a shot, as well as Backlights that define subject outlines against darker backgrounds so they can stand out!
