Best Photographic Lighting Slaves of 2026

Alan Eaton Avatar
Alan Eaton
Last Updated: Jan 10, 2026

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Photographic lighting slaves are essential tools for any photographer who wants to achieve professional-grade lighting effects. These devices are designed to synchronize with a camera's flash and activate additional lights at the same time, creating a multi-point lighting setup that enhances the depth and detail of the subject being photographed. With a range of models available, from basic wired slaves to advanced wireless units, photographers can choose the right lighting slave to suit their specific needs and budget. Whether shooting portraits, still life or action shots, lighting slaves are a must-have accessory for any serious photographer looking to take their work to the next level.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

LightPix Labs FlashQ Q20III Cover #TOP 1
LightPix Labs FlashQ Q20III
ftb score rating icon 9.8
NEEWER Z160 Camera Flash Cover #TOP 2
NEEWER Z160 Camera Flash
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Flashpoint R2 Pro MarkII Wireless Flash Trigger Cover #TOP 3
Flashpoint R2 Pro MarkII Wireless Flash Trigger
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Photographic Lighting Slaves

#TOP 1

LightPix Labs FlashQ Q20III

FLASHQ-Q20III-BLACK
LightPix Labs FlashQ Q20III Cover
LightPix Labs FlashQ Q20III

The LightPix FlashQ Q20III offers several upgrades that make your photography lighting easier and more versatile. With USB Type-C ports, you can charge the device quickly and conveniently without worrying about outdated cables. It also includes a new color gel holder and diffuser panel, allowing you to customize your lighting effects to get the perfect look. The added lamp indication clearly shows whether you’re in flash or video mode, so you always know the current setting. Plus, the detachable 2.4GHz radio transmitter lets you wirelessly trigger the flash and adjust power remotely, controlling multiple flashes at once for more creative freedom.

What We Like
USB Type-C charging
Color gel holder and diffuser
Flash & video mode indicator
Wireless flash triggering
Remote power adjustment
#TOP 2

NEEWER Z160 Camera Flash

Z160
daylight
NEEWER Z160 Camera Flash Cover
NEEWER Z160 Single Contact Camera Flash Compatible with Canon Nikon Sony Fuji Olympus Cameras, 22Ws GN14 6000K Speedlite, A/M Mode 1/1-1/128 Power, 1100mAh Battery 650 Full Power Light 1.5s Recycling

The NEEWER Z160 Flash is a compact and stylish lighting solution that fits comfortably in your hand and camera bag, making it perfect for on-the-go photography like street shoots. It delivers bright, consistent lighting with a 22Ws output and a natural color temperature, helping you capture vivid and true-to-life images. You can easily adjust the flash power manually or let it work automatically, giving you control over your lighting in various settings. Plus, its built-in rechargeable battery charges quickly and offers fast recycling time, so you can keep shooting without long waits.

What We Like
Compact and lightweight design
Consistent color temperature
Adjustable flash modes
Fast battery recharge and recycling
#TOP 3

Flashpoint R2 Pro MarkII Wireless Flash Trigger

R2 Remote
Flashpoint R2 Pro MarkII Wireless Flash Trigger Cover
Flashpoint R2 Pro MarkII Professional 2.4 GHz TTL Wireless Flash Trigger for Canon

The Flashpoint R2 Pro Trigger is designed to give you reliable and consistent flash firing with its advanced 2.4 GHz radio frequency, helping you avoid misfires during shoots. With an impressive range of 300 to 400 feet, you can easily control your flashes from a distance, giving you more flexibility in different shooting setups. The full TTL support means your flash power adjusts automatically for perfect exposure, so your photos look natural without extra effort. Plus, fast recycle times help you capture quick moments without waiting, making it ideal for fast-paced photography sessions.

What We Like
Reliable flash firing
Long wireless range
Automatic TTL exposure
Quick recycle times
#TOP 4

Paul C. Buff Einstein Strobe Flash with Cybersync

Einstein E640
Paul C. Buff Einstein Strobe Flash with Cybersync Cover
Paul C. Buff Einstein Strobe Flash Unit with Cybersync Trigger Transmitter 3 and Transceiver

The Buff Einstein Strobe Flash is a powerful lighting tool that lets you control your light from very dim to super bright, perfect for shooting outdoors even in sunlight or indoors with wide apertures. It offers ultra-fast flash speeds that can freeze even the quickest movements, helping you capture sharp action shots. You can fine-tune the brightness with easy digital controls, adjusting in small steps to get just the right light. This flash unit also includes useful accessories like a sync cord and a modeling lamp, making it a versatile choice for photographers who want reliable and flexible lighting options.

What We Like
Wide power range
Ultra-fast flash duration
Precise digital controls
Includes useful accessories
#TOP 5

Olympus FC-WR Wireless Radiowave Flash Commander

V327140BW000
Olympus FC-WR Wireless Radiowave Flash Commander Cover
OM SYSTEM Olympus FC-WR Wireless Radiowave Flash Commander

The Olympus Flash Commander is a wireless radiowave flash controller that boasts a dust, splash and freeze proof design with an impressive range of up to 30 meters (98 feet), even in bright locations and areas with obstructions. It can support up to 3 groups with individual buttons for an unlimited number of flash units, allowing you to quickly access group settings while watching the monitor. Compatible with a range of Olympus cameras and flash receivers, this commander offers flexibility and convenience for photographers on-the-go. Its wireless capabilities make it easy to control your flash units without the need for cables or additional equipment, while its durable design ensures it can withstand even the toughest of environments.

What We Like
Wireless radiowave technology
Supports up to 3 groups
Dust, splash and freeze proof design
#TOP 6

Godox MS300V Studio Flash 2-Pack

MS300V
Godox MS300V Studio Flash 2-Pack Cover
Godox MS300V 2-Pack Professional Studio Strobe Flash Light 300W Studio Flash Strobe kit 300W GN58 0.1-1.8 s Recycling time 2.4 G X-System,LED Modelling lamp 5600 ± 200K Flash Light

The Godox MS300V Flash offers a compact yet powerful lighting solution ideal for studio, portrait, and still life photography. Its small size makes it easy to handle while delivering strong, reliable performance. The built-in 2.4G wireless X system lets you control the flash remotely within 50 meters, giving you creative freedom without tangled wires. The LCD screen is user-friendly, showing clear settings that the flash remembers after being turned off, saving you time on adjustments. Plus, with 50 levels of flash intensity and a bright, adjustable modeling lamp, you can fine-tune the light output precisely to suit your scene.

What We Like
Compact and powerful design
2.4G wireless control system
Easy-to-read LCD display
Adjustable flash and modeling light
#TOP 7

Godox AD200PRO II Flash Kit

AD200Pro II
black
AD200 Pro II
Godox AD200PRO II Flash Kit Cover
Godox AD200 Pro II AD200Pro II, 200Ws TTL Pocket Flash - Enhanced Heat Dissipation, 0.01-1.8s Recycling, 500 Fulll Power Flashes,1/1 to 1/512 Wider,Bi-Color Modeling Light, (AD200Pro Upgraded)

The Godox AD200PRO II is a powerful and compact off-camera flash kit designed for both hobbyists and professionals. Its enhanced performance allows you to achieve stunning lighting effects without the bulk. The seamless wireless sync feature means you can set up quickly and start shooting efficiently, saving you precious time. Plus, the advanced heat management system ensures that the flash remains reliable during long sessions, preventing overheating issues. With a versatile LED modeling light, you can easily set the mood for your shoots, making it perfect for both photography and video projects.

What We Like
High power in compact design
Quick wireless setup
Reliable heat management
Versatile LED modeling light
#TOP 8

Flashpoint R2 TTL Receiver for Sony Flashes

Flashpoint R2 TTL Receiver for Sony Flashes Cover
Flashpoint R2 TTL Wireless Flash Receiver for Sony, Godox X1R-S

The Flashpoint R2 TTL Receiver for Sony Flashes is a wireless receiver that unifies and simplifies your Sony flash photography. The receiver has a great reception range of over 330ft/100m and supports high-speed sync up to 1/8000th, allowing you to capture fast-moving subjects with ease. The group selection feature enables you to control up to 5 groups (A/B/C/D/E) of flashes, giving you greater flexibility and control over your lighting setup.

What We Like
Unifies and simplifies Sony flash photography
Great reception range of over 330ft/100m
Supports high-speed sync up to 1/8000th
Group selection feature allows control of up to 5 groups (A/B/C/D/E)
#TOP 9

Flashpoint iT30Pro R2 TTL Portable iFlash

FP-LF-IT30P-BF
Flashpoint iT30Pro R2 TTL Portable iFlash Cover
Flashpoint iT30Pro R2 TTL Portable iFlash for Fujifilm (Black), Godox iT30Pro F

The Flashpoint iT30Pro Portable Flash offers a powerful light output with a Guide Number of 15, giving you enough brightness for clear, professional photos in many settings. Its quick 1.5-second recycle time means you won’t miss important moments, making your shooting flow smoother. With TTL metering, the flash automatically adjusts its brightness for perfect exposure, so you don’t have to guess the right settings. Plus, it supports high-speed sync up to 1/8000s, allowing you to capture fast action or shoot creatively in bright light by using wider apertures. This flash is designed to make your photography easier and more effective.

What We Like
Strong light output
Fast recycle time
Automatic exposure control
High-speed sync support
#TOP 10

Godox V1-C USA Version Camera Flash with AK-R1 Kit

Godox V1CU+AK-R1 for Canon Cameras
Godox V1-C USA Version Camera Flash with AK-R1 Kit Cover
Godox V1 V1-C V1C USA Version Camera Flash with Godox AK-R1 Accessories Kit for Canon Cameras,76Ws 2.4G TTL 1/8000 HSS,480 Full Power Shots,1.5s Recycle Time,2600mAh Li-ion Battery

The Godox V1-C Flash is designed for Canon cameras, offering versatile lighting for your photography. Its round flash head delivers soft, even light that enhances your photos with a natural look, whether mounted on or off your camera. You’ll appreciate the adjustable LED modeling lamp, which helps you preview lighting effects before shooting. Powered by a high-capacity 2600mAh Li-ion battery, this flash recycles quickly in just 1.5 seconds and can fire up to 480 full-power shots on a single charge, so you won’t miss important moments. Additionally, its built-in 2.4G wireless system lets you control the flash remotely, giving you more creative freedom and convenience during shoots.

What We Like
Soft, even light distribution
Adjustable LED modeling lamp
Fast recycle time
Long-lasting Li-ion battery
Wireless control compatibility
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is slave lighting?

When talking about photography, specifically lighting, Slave mode is mode that instructs a flash unit to monitor incoming light, and fire when it senses the light produced by another flash unit firing.

2. What is a slave unit in photography?

When talking about photography, specifically lighting, a 'photo slave' is a flash unit set to slave mode which will fire when it detects the output of another flash unit.

3. How do you use slave flash photography?

To get your speedlight into slave mode, all you have to do is toggle the “Mode” button on the back of the flash. Most flashes will function in a similar way. You can use slave mode to work with any brand of speedlight. All the speedlight is doing is detecting a pop of light to trigger itself.

4. What triggers the slave camera?

Optical slave trigger - A light sensitive sensor at each remote flash, which triggers the flash in sync when it sees the flash of another manual flash unit. This light path can be reflected from close walls or the photo background, but light is line of sight, normally blocked by obstacles.

Editor's Notes

During our photographic lighting slave research, we found 16 photographic lighting slave products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 54,559 customer reviews through our big data system to write the photographic lighting slaves list. We found that most customers choose photographic lighting slaves with an average price of $346.93.

The photographic lighting slaves are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of photographic lighting slaves, including LightPix Labs, NEEWER, Flashpoint, Buff, OM SYSTEM. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 85 consumers with an average rating of 4.6.

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.