The Best Lights For Streaming

Brighten up your streams with the best lights on offer.

2023 has brought a lot of content creators into the fold. With new streamers entering the scene every day, the competition for viewership is quite fierce. The spotlight isn't just on your content, it is literally also on the type of light that you use. Good lighting can make even the most simple content into an engaging cinematic visual, capturing every reaction and emotion in crystal-clear detail.

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However, there are different types of lighting for different setups, depending on the type of content you shoot and the vibe you're going for. Throw in the fact that the market is practically flooded with all kinds of brands, and it's crucial that you go for something that lasts in the long run while delivering on its promises. Take a look below!

Powerful and compact.

With a color temp range of 2700-6500k, this light is a great solution for getting some natural ambiance into your shoots. Throw in the compact size and sleek design, and it’s perfect for content creators.

If you are someone who is tight on space or constantly on the move, the Zhiyun MOLUS G60 is a massive game changer. Size-wise it is about the same dimensions as a Rubik's Cube, but it pulls out a massive 60W which gives you ample brightness for close/mid-distance shoots.

The DynaVolt fan also makes sure it remains cool during extended use, and the ZY Vega app gives you seamless control over the brightness and the color temperature. An added advantage for streamers is that the cooling system is virtually noiseless, so you won’t be getting any ambient noise in your shots.

The only hiccup here is that there is no internal battery for the light, and it requires a 100W PD USB-C adapter, which may be a slight issue for some, but the compact size and lighting power more than make up for that minor setback.

For a professional aesthetic.

With a 5700K color temperature which offers a perfectly bright and neutral light for streaming, this kit by NEEWER is a great plug-and-play solution for making sure that your shots are more engaging and well-lit.

The NEEWER Softbox Lighting Kit is a definite game-changer for both amateur and professional streamers. You get two 24x24 inch soft boxes that give you a super-even and diffused light, giving that professional touch to your streams.

The kit is powered by two UL certified 35W LED bulbs, which adds up to 700W of incandescent lighting. That means you get great illumination without having to deal with excess heat or energy consumption.

The kit also boasts an 83-inch aluminum stand which gives you great stability and durability, and also includes E26 sockets, making it versatile and compatible with various bulb types. Plus you get a cool little carry bag that’s great for transporting your equipment.

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For the streamer on-the-go

Seamless integration with Stream Deck, complete lighting control, versatile range from 2900-7000K, this key light has all the things you need whether you’re on the go or just chilling in the studio.

The Elgato Key Light Mini is a great addition to your streaming gear if you need something that doesn’t take up too much space and still want great hues. It gives you versatile options from warm sunset vibes to bright daylight. Additionally, the build quality and design is a one of the most appealing things about this device.

The metal chassis exudes a premium feel, giving a sense of durability, while the design is sleek enough to fit into any video setup.

The 800-lumen output ensures that lighting is sorted, while the Osram LEDs are there to guarantee consistent output when it comes to brightness and longevity. A feature that cannot go unappreciated is its 4000 mAh battery which gives you up to four hours on 50 percent brightness for streamers, making it a great choice for the great outdoors.

Compatibility-wise, you can connect the device to iPhone, Android, Mac, or even PC for adjusting your lighting in real time without having to exit your streaming software. Yet another cool feature is the magnetic back panel which allows you to stick the light on metallic surfaces.

Dynamic RGB lighting

This RGB setup offers a spectrum that caters to every mood and theme, from warm to cool. Features like cross-platform integration, fully remote customizable lighting make it a dream come true for content creators.

If you are looking to add a touch of RGB to your stream, the NEEWER LED is a great option to consider. It has 144RGB LED beads which give an illuminance of 5000 lux at 0.5m, ensuring that your videos are always in a great light.

The 360 degree full-color system comes along with 17 special lighting effects which are customizable to the T, allowing for great ambiance. The app also allows for control over multiple light groups, preset waving, and adjusting the color brightness and temp in real-time.

The side-emitting design is also integrated with a diffuser which gives soft lighting and no harsh shadows. Combined with cross-platform compatibility, this is a must-have in your live stream toolkit.

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Simple, yet elegant.

This ring light revolutionizes content design with adjustable illumination and a cordless design. The broad color temperature spectrum and intuitive app control make it a great tool for live streams and photography sessions.

When it comes to lighting and content creation, ring lights are a must-have. They’re simple, effective, and not as space consuming as some of the other professional lighting options out there. The Lume Cube is one such right light which offers great quality and portability.

Adjustable color range of 2500-8500K gives you everything from warm, cozy vibes to a bright sunlight feel. This device also deals with popular ring light problems like dark spots or uneven shadows, thanks to its consistent performance.

The added convenience of app control is much-appreciated, as we often don’t see that in ring lights. This means you get real-time adjustments at a single touch, and let’s not forget the 360-degree adjustable mount that you get, which gives you the perfect angle every time.

Simple, yet elegant.

Transform your entertainment space with the Govee Flow Pro! With nifty features like voice control, intelligent color sync, and more, this device is more than a lighting solution, it is an experience enhancer.

A backlight is a great addition to any streaming setup. It sets up a little vibe that shows that you’ve put some thought into your content, also it just looks cool. The Govee Flow Pro Light Bars are a great example of this. They have 16 million colors and 23 preset modes that can be customized to give any streaming setup that extra edge.

A great feature is the intelligent camera which captures colors from your monitor and adapts it into the lights in real-time without having to set it up through an HDMI connection. Plus the music sync feature ensures your light bars pulse and change in time with ambient sounds from your monitor.

The Govee Home App takes it a step further, offering smart options like video mode, scene mode, DIY colors, etc.

Soft lighting is always a safe bet when it comes to streaming. It gives a gentle output that minimizes highlights and harsh shadows, making sure that you look your best on camera.

Depending on whether you’re lighting for a face cam or a wider subject, you can either go for a ring light or a soft box. Also, in case you're using a green screen for your streams, it's important to have a dedicated light for it to ensure even lighting. This helps with preventing shadows and ensuring better chroma keying.

Color temp is very important when it comes to lighting. What it does is essentially determine how warm or cool the light appears. The range of flexibility you get is great for adjusting the mood for your setup or choosing a temperature that’s most flattering for you.

While setting up professional lighting can cause a significant difference to your video quality and overall streaming, it is not strictly necessary for those just starting out. If you are on a budget, you can go for the cheaper backlighting options or a simple key light for some basic shoots.

As you grow into your work and have the resources to invest, you can try purchasing and positioning lights at different angles, such as key light, fill light, and backlight.

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Sai is a singer-songwriter from India with a passion for gaming and tech. His music has been featured on Rolling Stone, Rock Street Journal, Indie Music Diaries, and such. Sai's favourite game of all time is Assasin's Creed 2.