Best On-Camera Video Lights of 2025

Alan Eaton Avatar
Alan Eaton
Last Updated: Jan 4, 2025

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On-camera video lights are essential tools for videographers and photographers who need to capture high-quality footage in low-light conditions. These portable lights attach to the camera and provide extra illumination to brighten up the scene. They come in different sizes, shapes, and power options to suit various shooting styles and environments. Some models are adjustable, allowing users to customize the light's intensity and color temperature. On-camera video lights are perfect for shooting in dark venues, outdoor events, or interviews where natural light may be limited. They are easy to set up and use, making them ideal for professionals and amateurs alike.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

ULANZI VL49 RGB Video Lights Cover #TOP 1
ULANZI VL49 RGB Video Lights
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Neewer Magnetic RGB Video Light Cover #TOP 2
Neewer Magnetic RGB Video Light
ftb score rating icon 9.8
SMALLRIG RM120 RGB Video Light Cover #TOP 3
SMALLRIG RM120 RGB Video Light
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 On-Camera Video Lights

#TOP 1

ULANZI VL49 RGB Video Lights

ULANZI-2287
Black
VL49 RGB
ULANZI VL49 RGB Video Lights Cover
ULANZI VL49 RGB Video Lights, LED Camera Light 360° Full Color Portable Photography Lighting w 3 Cold Shoe, 2000mAh Rechargeable CRI 95+ 2500-9000K Dimmable Panel Lamp Support Magnetic Attraction

The ULANZI RGB Video Lights are professional LED lights with 60 high color rendering beads that provide an illumination angle of 120°. The brightness can reach up to [email protected], ensuring that the light is natural and lifelike. The lights can be adjusted for hue, brightness, and color temperature, with an LCD display for accurate readings. The lights have a 2000mAh rechargeable battery with a charging time of 2 hours and can last up to 10 hours on minimal brightness. The magnetic design allows for easy scene set up and the lights are lightweight and portable, making them ideal for portrait, wedding, and new photography, as well as selfie, vlog, still-life, party atmosphere lights, and YouTube videos.

What We Like
Adjustable Hue, Brightness, and Color Temperature
2000mAh Large Capacity Battery
Magnetic Attraction Design
#TOP 2

Neewer Magnetic RGB Video Light

10100577
Neewer Magnetic RGB Video Light Cover
NEEWER Magnetic RGB Video Light, 360° Full Color RGB61 LED Camera Light with 3 Cold Shoe Mounts/CRI 97+/20 Scene Modes/2500K-8500K/2000mAh Rechargeable Portable Photography Selfie Lighting

The Neewer Magnetic RGB Video Light is a portable, lightweight camera light with 61 LEDs, 20 scene modes, and adjustable hue, brightness, and color temperature settings. Its high CRI of 97+ ensures accurate color reproduction, and the integrated magnet allows for creative placement on any metal surface. The rechargeable 2000mAh battery provides up to 2.6 hours of continuous lighting, while the bottom cold shoe mount and 3 additional mounts offer multiple mounting options for accessories.

What We Like
Adjustable settings for hue, brightness, and color temperature
20 scene modes for different photography needs
Integrated magnet for creative placement on any metal surface
Rechargeable 2000mAh battery provides up to 2.6 hours of continuous lighting
Multiple mounting options for accessories
#TOP 3

SMALLRIG RM120 RGB Video Light

RM120
RGB Video Light
SMALLRIG RM120 RGB Video Light Cover
SmallRig RM120 RGB Video Light, 5000mAh 180 Minutes Portable Camera Light 7W Output Power, LED Video Light Panel, 2500-8500K CRI TLCI 98+ for TikTok, Content Creator, Photographer

Take your photography and videography to the next level with the SMALLRIG RGB Video Light. This portable camera light features a built-in 5000mAh rechargeable battery and USB Type-C charging port, providing up to 180 minutes of maximum brightness. The excellent parameters include 1580Lux, 7W MAX Power, 98+ CRI, 98+ TLCI, 2500-8500K color temperature, 360° Hue adjustment, 100-level saturation adjustment, and 12 lighting effects. The all-in-one design and portability make it easy to install and take with you wherever you go. The anti-twist 1/4 "-20 threaded hole and diffuser offer convenience and versatility. The product comes with a Dual Cold Shoe Mount, USB-C Charging Cable, Diffuser, and User Manual. With 1-year warranty and 30-day money back guarantee, you can trust the SMALLRIG RGB Video Light to meet your photography and videography needs.

What We Like
Portable
Long battery life
High-quality lighting
#TOP 4

SMALLRIG P96 LED Video Light

3286-CF
Gray
SMALLRIG P96 LED Video Light Cover
SmallRig P96 LED Video Light, Portable Camera Lights, 96 LED Beads for Photography Video Lighting, Rechargeable 2200mAh CRI 95+ 2700-6500K w 3 Cold Shoe

The SMALLRIG P96 Portable Camera Light is a versatile lighting solution that offers 96 high-quality LED beads with an illumination angle of up to 120°. With a top CRI95 rating, it produces natural and lifelike light that's perfect for portraits, weddings, and new photographers. This dimmable RGB video light supports 0-100% brightness control, CRI95, and a color temperature range from 2700K to 6500K, making it ideal for a wide range of lighting scenarios. The built-in 2200mAh rechargeable lithium battery provides up to 105 minutes of continuous use at maximum power, while the 3 cold shoe mounts and standard 1/4 screw adapter make it compatible with DSLR cameras, camcorders, tripods, and light stands, making it a versatile lighting solution for a variety of applications.

What We Like
Portable
Dimmable
Long battery life
Versatile mounting options
#TOP 5

RALENO LED Video Light

PLV-S116
Black
116 LEDS
RALENO LED Video Light Cover
RALENO LED Video Light, Camera Light for Pictures Video Recording with 4000mAh Battery Support Type-C USB Power Supply, CRI>95 3200K-5600K Photo Light for Outdoor Photography Live Streaming Zoom Calls

The RALENO Video Light is a versatile lighting solution for various applications such as video conferences, photography, and live streaming. Featuring edge-lit technology and 4-layer diffusers, this panel light provides gentle and uniform lighting without glare, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience. With a long-lasting battery life of up to 90 minutes on full brightness, you can stay illuminated wherever you go. The adjustable brightness (0%-100%) and color temperature (3200K-5600K) allow you to create different lighting effects to enhance your videos and photos. This portable light is lightweight and perfect for outdoor use, making it easy to take on-the-go. The high-definition LCD display enables real-time monitoring of brightness, color temperature, and battery power, making your work more efficient. With its flexible compatibility, you can easily attach the RALENO Video Light to SLR cameras, camcorders, and stands.

What We Like
Gentle and uniform lighting
Long-lasting battery life
Adjustable brightness and color temperature
#TOP 6

NEEWER 9" LED Video Light Panel

NL-116AI
NEEWER 9" LED Video Light Panel Cover
NEEWER 9" LED Video Light Panel, Dimmable DSLR Camera Soft Light with Mini Tripod, 4000mAh Battery, USB Type C Ports, 3200K~5600K CRI95+ 600Lux for Photography Video Recording Live Streaming, NL-116AI

The NEEWER LED Video Light is a versatile lighting solution perfect for various photography and video needs. It features warm and cool LEDs, allowing you to customize brightness and color temperature easily, enhancing your recording quality. With a built-in 4000mAh battery, you can enjoy up to 1.5 hours of use, and it charges quickly via USB Type C. The included mini tripod allows for height adjustments and stable positioning, making it ideal for everything from live streaming to professional portraits. This light panel's cold shoe adapter ensures compatibility with a wide range of cameras too.

What We Like
Customizable brightness and color
Quick charging capabilities
Compatible with various cameras
Portable mini tripod included
#TOP 7

Cyezcor Video Conference Lighting Kit

LT-05
Cyezcor Video Conference Lighting Kit Cover
Cyezcor Video Conference Lighting Kit, Ring Light for Monitor Clip On,for Remote Working, Distance Learning,Zoom Call, Self Broadcasting and Live Streaming, Computer Laptop Video Conferencing

The Cyezcor Video Conference Lighting Kit features adjustable temperature and brightness with 3 color temperatures, 5 levels of brightness adjustment, and 48 LED lamp beads. Its circle design provides even lighting without glare or shadow. It is stable, flexible, and easy to carry with a clip set design, and can be powered by USB. It is suitable for remote online work, video conferences, live streaming, makeup, and more.

What We Like
Adjustable temperature and brightness
Circle design provides even lighting without glare or shadow
Stable, flexible, and easy to carry with a clip set design
#TOP 8

ULANZI VL49 LED Video Light

VL-49
Black
VL49 Black
ULANZI VL49 LED Video Light Cover
ULANZI VL49 2000mAh LED Video Light w 3 Cold Shoe, Rechargeable Soft Light Panel, Portable Photography Lighting for DJI OSMO Sony DSLR Canon Camera GoPro Vlogging

The ULANZI VL49 LED Video Light is an essential accessory for vloggers, photographers, and videographers. The upgrade soft light board provides softer and lighter supplement lighting without being dazzling. It comes with a built-in 2000mAh Lithium battery that can last up to 120 minutes and has a charging time of only 2 hours. The 49 LED beads with a CRI up to 95+ produce natural light with 5500K color temperature, making it ideal for macro photography, product shots, and video recording. The expandable connection system via 3 cold shoe mounts allows multiple light panels to be connected to achieve better lighting effects.

What We Like
Provides softer and lighter supplement lighting
Built-in 2000mAh Lithium battery lasts up to 120 minutes
Natural light with 5500K color temperature and CRI up to 95
Expandable connection system via 3 cold shoe mounts
#TOP 9

VL-81 LED Video Light w Softbox

VL81
VL-81
VL-81 LED Video Light w Softbox Cover
VL-81 LED Video Light w Softbox, Portable Light for Photography Cold Shoe On-Camera Video Lights CRI95+ 3200K-5600K Bi-Color 3000mAh Rechargeable Dimmable Vlog Light for DSLR Camera Gopro

The VL-81 LED video light is a portable and rechargeable camera light that is designed to enhance your photography and videography. It comes with 81 beads, CRI95 + 3200k-5600k, a softbox design that reduces glare, and 41 white light beads + 40 warm light beads that can be adjusted according to the change of application scenario. With a 3000mAh built-in lithium battery, it can provide up to 150 minutes of maximum brightness output and up to 480 minutes of minimum brightness output. Also, the VL81 camera light is designed with 3 cold shoe and a hot shoe, making it extremely versatile and convenient for on-camera lighting and microphone mounting.

What We Like
Portable and lightweight
Softbox design reduces glare
Adjustable color temperature
Multiple cold shoe mounts for brighter lighting
Rechargeable lithium battery
#TOP 10

NEEWER LED Selfie Light with Phone Clip and Rechargeable Battery

10099181
NEEWER LED Selfie Light with Phone Clip and Rechargeable Battery Cover
NEEWER Basic Selfie Light with Front & Back Phone Clip, 60 LED 2000mAh Rechargeable CRI 95+, 3 Light Modes, Portable Clip on Light for Phone/Tablet/Laptop, Zoom Call TikTok Video Fill Light - NL-60AI

The NEEWER LED Selfie Light is designed to help you look your best in front of the webcam, with adjustable lighting and a high CRI rating of 95+. The 60 high-quality SMD LEDs provide constant, flicker-free light with a dimming range from 10% to 100%, and you can switch between warm tungsten light and cool daylight. The built-in 2000mAh rechargeable battery lasts up to 2 hours, and the light can be mounted in two ways, with a circular clip or a phone holder.

What We Like
Adjustable lighting with a dimming range from 10% to 100% and two color temperatures
High CRI rating of 95+ provides natural, smooth, and radiant skin tone
Built-in 2000mAh rechargeable battery lasts up to 2 hours, and can be recharged using a 5V/1A power source
Buying Guide Image

Everything You Need to Know About On-Camera Video Lights

Introduction to On-Camera Video Lights

If you're a filmmaker or videographer, you know that lighting is a crucial aspect of any production. The right lighting can make or break a shot, so it's important to choose the right lighting equipment for your needs. On-camera video lights are a popular choice among many professionals, as they are portable, easy to use, and offer a variety of lighting options. In this article, we'll discuss how to choose the best on-camera video lights for your needs.

Consider the Type of Light

One of the first things to consider when choosing on-camera video lights is the type of light they produce. There are several different types of on-camera video lights, including LED, fluorescent, and tungsten. Each type of light has its own unique properties, so it's important to choose the one that best suits your needs.

LED lights are energy-efficient and produce a cool, white light. They are popular among many videographers because they are lightweight, durable, and produce little heat. Fluorescent lights are also energy-efficient and produce a softer, more natural light. They are a good choice for shooting in areas with limited space, as they are compact and lightweight. Tungsten lights are more traditional and produce a warm, yellow light. They are a good choice for shooting in low-light conditions, but they can produce a lot of heat and are not as energy-efficient as LED or fluorescent lights.

Consider the Size and Weight

Another important factor to consider when choosing on-camera video lights is the size and weight. On-camera video lights are designed to be portable, so it's important to choose ones that are small and lightweight enough to be easily carried around on location. Larger lights may be more powerful, but they can be cumbersome and difficult to use on-camera. Look for lights that are compact and lightweight, but still powerful enough to meet your needs.

Consider the Mounting Options

On-camera video lights should be easy to mount on your camera or other equipment. Most lights come with a mounting bracket that allows you to attach them to your camera or tripod. Some lights also have flexible arms or other mounting options that allow you to position the light exactly where you need it. Consider the mounting options available for each light, and choose one that is easy to use and allows you to position the light exactly where you need it.

Consider the Battery Life

On-camera video lights typically run on batteries, so it's important to consider the battery life of the lights you are considering. Longer battery life is important, especially if you are shooting on location and don't have access to a power source. Look for lights that have long battery life, or that use rechargeable batteries so you can easily replace them on the go.

Consider the Price

Finally, consider the price of the on-camera video lights you are considering. On-camera video lights can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the features and capabilities they offer. Determine your budget and look for lights that offer the features and capabilities you need at a price that fits within your budget.

Conclusion

Choosing the right on-camera video lights is an important decision for any filmmaker or videographer. Consider the type of light they produce, the size and weight, the mounting options, the battery life, and the price to find the lights that best meet your needs. With the right on-camera video lights, you'll be able to capture high-quality footage that looks professional and polished.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are on camera lights any good?

On-camera lights are a versatile and inexpensive solution for lighting in video production. They can be used as the main light, backlight, fill light, or in combination to achieve the desired lighting effect. On-camera lights help illuminate subjects effectively and can create exciting shots.

2. What are the cons of sensor lights?

While motion sensor lights have their benefits, there are some drawbacks to consider. They can be unreliable, as they may be triggered by wind, pets, or other objects when you don't want them to. This unpredictability can be a disadvantage of using motion sensor lights.

3. Is it better to have light behind you or in front of you?

When recording video, it's generally better to have light in front of you rather than behind you. If the light is behind you, it can create a backlighting effect, making you less visible and the focus of the shot. To ensure you are well-lit, face towards a window or another light source.

4. What are the different types of video camera lights?

There are several types of video camera lights, including the key light, fill lighting, backlighting, sidelighting, bounce lighting, practical lighting, soft light, and hard light. Each type serves a specific purpose and can be used to create different lighting effects in video recordings.

5. How do I get good lighting for video recording?

To achieve good lighting for video recording, you can utilize natural light whenever possible. In low-light rooms, you can create a DIY three-point light setup using lamps. Be mindful of your backlighting and try to avoid mixing different types of lighting to maintain consistency in your video.

6. Are LED lights good for videography?

LED lights are highly suitable for videography due to their convenience and flexibility. They offer a variety of color temperatures and have a high color rendering index (CRI) of 95 or better, ensuring accurate and even color reproduction across the spectrum. LED lights, such as those from Sorra, are a popular choice among videographers.

Editor's Notes

During our on-camera video light research, we found 16 on-camera video light products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 163,038 customer reviews through our big data system to write the on-camera video lights list. We found that most customers choose on-camera video lights with an average price of $30.64.

The on-camera video lights are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of on-camera video lights, including ULANZI, Neewer, SMALLRIG, RaLeno, Cyezcor. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 919 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Alan Eaton Avatar

Alan Eaton is a seasoned writer whose expertise is in anything related to electronics, such as headphones, monitoring equipment, computer, and so on, built over a 15-year career in the technology industry. Working in the trade during his youth, he accumulated a great deal of knowledge about machinery.