Hi folks, we've been busy researching Desktop Lighting to help you figure out what you need to make your best audio and video content and stay on budget.
We're now in the era of video conference calls. Don't be in the 90% of people on laptop built-in laptop webcams with no lighting, making you look truly awful. All it takes is one keylight and you'll stand out from the crowd and look great.
Links to all the products on Amazon are included, as well as on other online retailers where available. Links are regionalized to your local Amazon store where possible.
Now before I move on, we'd love to hear what Desktop Lighting you're using right now and what you think of it. Let us know in the comments!
Okay, let's get into it!
Here are our top five best Desktop Lights.
Raleno LED Video Soft Light Panel
The Raleno LED video soft light panel is affordable yet highly functional. It’s equipped with 192 SMD lamp beads with an acrylic light guide plate which lets the light disperse perfectly, leaving no room for harsh glare or reflection. The diffusion it provides prevents harsh shadows and bright spots, giving your scene a nice even look.
The Raleno light panel is rechargeable and comes with an 8000 milliampere hour battery. On maximum power, the Raleno can last from 90 to 110 minutes. It also comes with a 2-meter or 6-foot-long cord for continuous use.
It has adjustable color temperature and brightness that you can adjust to suit your lighting needs.
It also has a storage feature that lets you save your commonly used lighting parameters.
The Raleno LED soft light panel can be used as an on-camera lighting panel. It's easy to install on any tripod or light stand and it's adjustable by 180 degrees front and rear, giving you flexible positioning options. It locks in place properly to avoid shaking during use.
The Raleno LED video soft light panel is a great functional option that won't let you down. It's ideal desktop lighting for anyone who wants to improve their lighting setup at an affordable price.
Buy Raleno LED - https://geni.us/ENZKo
The fourth product on our list is Neewer SMD LED Ring Light
An LED ring light is great for beginners and perfect for streaming. The Neewer SMD ring light is an affordable 45-centimeter or 18-inch lighting rig that is easy to set up and comes with a dedicated carrying bag. The height of the aluminum alloy stand is easy to adjust and goes from 75 centimeters or 29 inches to 154 centimeters or 61 inches.
The Neewer SMD ring light has two sets of color filters to change the shooting effect: The white filter can be used to cool the light source, while the orange filter changes the temperature of your shot to warm it up.
Camera or phone placement isn't an issue when it comes to the Neewer SMD ring light. It comes equipped with a shoe mount adapter and a 360-degree rotatable phone holder. The phone holder is convenient to use and lets you adjust your phone placement without removing it from the holder.
With 240 individual LED bulbs you can rest assured that the Neewer SMD can provide the perfect lighting for your room ambiance. The ring light makes it easy to adjust light levels with a wide dimming range that can go from 1 to 100 percent.
The Neewer SMD also comes with a Bluetooth remote for added convenience. This ring light can last you up to 50,000 hours, making it a perfect investment for people who want to start streaming, take better-lit videos or pictures, or use it in their everyday virtual meetings.
Buy Neewer SMD LED (Paid Link) - https://geni.us/Td6YsK
The third product on our list is the Dazzne Desk Mount LED Video Light
The Dazzne Desk Mount LED Video Light is a space-saver that is perfect for streaming, photography or recording. It employs a c-clamp that attaches directly to your desk, making it really stable. With adjustable brightness and color control, this video light lets you choose the ideal lighting for your current project.
There are four light scene modes that you can switch by pressing the button at the back of the light panel. Along with its wide dimming range, the Dazzne LED video light is the perfect companion for shooting videos or pictures.
It has a built-in diffuser that softens the light and distributes it in a balanced ratio to avoid harsh glare. The Bi-color temperature goes from warm to cool lighting. The LCD screen shows the brightness and color temperature readings so you can adjust the settings accurately.
The Dazzne LED video light has two power supply options: using a mains adapter for prolonged use or batteries for added portability.
Overall, the Dazzne LED video light has all the great features you would need to create a great lighting setup with enough versatility to accommodate different media projects.
This desktop light is perfect for people looking to invest in a long-lasting lighting device.
Dazzne Desk Mount LED (Paid Link) - https://geni.us/l5OcGNU
The second product on our list is the Neewer 90W Desk Mount LED Video Light.
If you're looking for a slim and bright panel light that mounts to your desk, then the Neewer Desk Mount LED Video Light is perfect for you. This LED light provides bright and continuous lighting without being an eyesore in the room. It has a low energy consumption despite its high output.
The light provides soft diffused light for video makers and photographers to make images look sharp and more appealing.
The brightness and color temperature can be adjusted using knobs on the panel or the remote. You can get the perfect intensity, warmth or coolness with the remote as well. The dimming range is wide and lets you set the scene along with the other settings.
The Neewer LED video light comes as a set of two making it an affordable choice for desktop lighting. It clamps onto the desk and helps save space. The stability of a desk clamp lets you rest assured that the lights won't topple from sudden movement.
You don't have to worry about looking for power outlets when you need to shoot outside because the Neewer LED video light can also be powered by batteries for shooting on the go. This set gives you every penny's worth and comes with two power adapters, two power cables and a dedicated carrying bag.
This desktop light is perfect for streamers and all kinds of content creators.
Neewer 90W Desk Mount LED (Paid Link) - https://geni.us/yFH0
The first product on our list is the Elgato Key Light
Elgato is a well-known name in the world of desktop lighting, and for good reason. This is a professional quality studio lighting panel with 2800 lumens that can be used for all your creative applications, whether it be conference calls, video, photography or streaming.
The durability of the Elgato Key Light is legendary, with an attractive metal frame with built-in cable routing to keep your desk tidy.
This desktop light doesn't only illuminate the subject for imagery, but also has adjustable color temperatures ranging from a warm 2900K to ultra-white 7000K. This wide range means that you can adjust the controls to adapt at any time and create the perfect ambiance for your media content.
The Elgato Key Light's settings are controlled through the Corsair app which can be accessed through a computer, phone or any compatible device. This unique feature allows you to tweak the settings to perfection, more accurately than when using a knob or remote.
While other desktop lighting might clutter your desk and your workspace, the Elgato Key Light clamps onto the table and has an adjustable height and angle feature. It keeps the heat under control despite the massive output of 2800 lumens.
The Osram LEDs ensure that your Elgato Key Light is bright or soft enough to suit your needs.
The Elgato Key Light is an investment that you can rely on. It is perfect for people who are looking for a great desktop light that will last for years to come and deliver the quality you need.
Elgato Keylight (Paid Link)- https://geni.us/5qnLyo8
When we were in lockdown I used a SAD lamp for some Zoom calls, angled slightly up at my face. It was a bit irritating to have it shining there, but it did give a bit of a boost.