If you're looking to optimise selfies, brighten up vlogs or zhuzh up your face for video conference meetings, then a ring light is a very worthwhile investment.

Tinkering with lighting may once have been considered exclusive to professional shoots, but a slew of selfie ring lights have made receiving the right kind of light more affordable and more accessible; meaning you no longer have to put up with drab self-facing video or snaps.

However, before deciding how best to illuminate your portrait, you need to decide whether you want an adjustable tripod that sits best on the floor or something smaller that can live on a dressing table or desk.

There are also more portable options to consider, as well, which allow you to simply clip on the light to the top of a smartphone or laptop.

So, if you want to recreate the golden hour during any hour you please, we've compiled some of the top ring lights you can buy. Let's explore.

Our Top Pick: Best Ring Light

Best selfie ring light: Complete the glow up with these top lights for vlogging, video calls and more photo 2
UBeesize Selfie Ring Light

Do it all with this complete ring light

An expert blend of versatility, function and affordability that can easily enhance your surroundings.

UBeesize Selfie Ring Light with Tripod Stand & Cell Phone Holder for Live Stream/Makeup, Mini Led Camera Ringlight for YouTube Videos/Photography(Black)

Amazon

For

  • Phone holder included
  • Loads of accessories
  • Super easy tripod with clips

Against

  • Bluetooth connection can be troublesome

If you need a versatile and affordable ring light, UBeesize's offering is a must-consider.

It gives you a wealth of options to explore, with three different colour temperatures (warm, cool, and daylight), with each offering 11 brightness levels. That means you're able to tune the light to match any surrounding lighting, with the tripod stand locking in place and able to extend between 17.5-inches and 51-inches.

That makes it an asset to pretty much any device you're shooting from, and, if that happens to be your phone, you can take advantage of the rotatable holder just below the ring, too.

Best selfie ring light: Complete the glow up with these top lights for vlogging, video calls and more photo 3
Neewer Ring Light Kit

Receive pro-level functionality

Take your selfie game up a notch with this professional-style ring light kit.

Best selfie ring light: Complete the glow up with these top lights for vlogging, video calls and more photo 3
Neewer Ring Light Kit

Take your selfie game up a notch with this professional-style ring light kit.

For

  • Loads of accessories
  • Can connect a DSLR camera straight onto tripod

Against

  • Expensive

Those who require something a tad more on the professional side will find what they need with Neewer's kit.

While MUAs and other content creators will be able to enjoy the phone holder and experiment with the 5500K LED light (and the white and orange snap-on filters), the 61-inch stand's adjustable height and hot shoe adapter make it ideal for shooting with a DSLR from distance, too.

Wherever you are when shooting, you can adjust with the dimmer switch, while the separate, wireless snapper can take selfies with the touch of a button.

Best selfie ring light: Complete the glow up with these top lights for vlogging, video calls and more photo 7
Diyife Ring Light

Never be without perfect lighting

Upping your selfie game has never been so easy or affordable - perfect for snapping pictures on the go.

Ring Light, Diyife Rechargeable Selfie Ring Light, 3-Level Brightness Adjustment Clip On 36 Highlight LED for Webcast and Applying Make Up for iPhone,TIK Tok

Amazon

For

  • Very well-priced
  • Fantastic for selfies

Against

  • A bit small for laptop usage
  • Could be brighter

Replacing the batteries in traditional ring lights can be a bit of a faff, which is why rechargeable, portable variations like Diyife's option make for a neat choice.

You get three levels of brightness to pick between in use, with the device itself able to easily clip on to smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

Battery life, naturally, depends on how you use the device, but the company estimates you'll receive around one hour on the lowest setting, 45 minutes using just the medium brightness, and 30 minutes on the brightest mode.

Best selfie ring light: Complete the glow up with these top lights for vlogging, video calls and more photo 5
Auxiwa Clip-On Selfie Ring Light

Have the light of your life on standby

A clever, portable ring light that will ensure you never have to take a poorly lit selfie again.

Auxiwa Clip on Selfie Ring Light [Rechargeable Battery] with 36 LED for Smart Phone Camera Round Shape, White

Amazon

For

  • Easily clips onto nearly any phone
  • Can be used on laptops too

Against

  • Fairy large
  • Not the longest battery life

Maybe you don't need something that's permanently fixed to your dressing table or desk, and, instead, require better lighting that you can take wherever you go.

That's where clip-on selfie lights come into their own. With Auxiwa's option, you can forego your device's built-in flash by clipping it onto the front or back, flicking between the three light modes, and taking the perfect picture.

If you want to use it on your front-facing laptop camera, it can snap onto the screen with ease.

Best selfie ring light: Complete the glow up with these top lights for vlogging, video calls and more photo 9
Trongle LED Ring Light

A versatile package for creators

The ideal kit for those who need a ring light in every situation - adjustable, functional and affordable.

Trongle LED Ring Light 10\" with Tripod Stand Selfie Stick, Adjustable Color Temperature 3200K-6500K, Dimmable 1-100% Make Up Light, Selfie, Vlog, Youtube[USB Plug, 2 Carrying Bags]

Amazon

For

  • Adjustable angles
  • Stepless dimming
  • Useful accessories

Against

  • Not the most stable option

For creators who always need a well-lit shot, whether they're standing up or sat down, Trongle's complete kit offers plenty of functionality.

The stand features a mount for your phone and can be adjusted anywhere between 42cm and 160cm, while the 10-inch ring light can be switched between three different colour modes and 10 brightness levels.

Since this is less of a portable solution than others, it also comes with carrying cases for both the tripod and ring light.

How to choose a ring light

Ring lights come in a variety of sizes. Depending on your needs, they can either be a clip on your phone or on a tripod that can have height adjustment.

If you're using the light for streaming from your phone and are often on the move, then a clip-on light might be best suited to you. Otherwise, if you have a home or studio setup that's fairly static, then a larger ring light can be used, which often provide greater illumination.

So, what should you be looking out for?

Why should you buy a ring light?

As we mentioned above, ring lights can make the world of difference to your on-screen appearance. Instead of creating unflattering shadows that can distract your beloved viewers, ring lights cast an even light on your face to evenly light up all your most prized features. It's a simple solution to lighting, where in the past it was fairly difficult to get a good setup, often requiring reflected surfaces and multiple lights for the right effect.

If you're streaming frequently, creating video content, or just want to get the right lighting to get your make-up looking just so, then a ring light is a fantastic accessory to have.

How many accessories do you need?

The ring light is an accessory in itself, but some have further additions to make it easier to use. To get the height correct, some have tripods. While others have remote controls to turn on the lights when needed. Some options also have multiple warmth options, usually in the form of light covers. These will change the light from warm tones to cold tones, depending on your preference.

Is portability necessary?

Portability is necessary for those on the move, shooting in multiple locations. Obviously, the ring lights that clip right onto your phone are ultra-portable but obviously have their own limitations. But some other options are a lot more portable than others. These will come with foldable tripods and cases to easily transport them wherever you need them.

Ring lights we also recommend

Not every ring light we test can take the top spot, but that doesn't mean they aren't worthy of your consideration. Here are the other ring lights we currently recommend.