The Best Lighting for Video Conferencing: Our Top 10 Lights

Perfecting your video conferencing set-up might seem like overkill, but poor lighting can cast a shadow on even the most well-prepared video calls, making you look tired and washed out.

In every video conference, you want to look vibrant and professional. After all, you could be meeting a client, your boss, or a new business partner. To help you put your best face forward, we've curated a list of the best lighting for video conferencing and a few simple tips.

By the end of this article, you'll have a list of the 10 best lighting options for video conferencing and the know-how to set them up for a flattering effect. Read our guide to video conferencing for more.

What is the best lighting for video conferencing?

From ring lights to desk lamps, clip-on lights, portable lights, and light bars, there are many options to choose from when looking for home office setup ideas.

Here's our selection of the 10 best lighting options for video conferencing:

1. Best clip-on light for video conferencing: Whellen
2. Best webcam light for video conferencing: Lume Cube
3. Best desk light for video calls: Pixel Ring Light
4. Best desktop ring light for video conferencing: Neewer
5. Best LED light for Zoom meetings: Logitech Litra Glow Premium LED Streaming Light
6. Best light bar for video conferencing: Hioume
7. Best LED light panel for video calls: Raleno LED Video Light
8. Best USB light for video conferencing: Hanerdun Bright LED USB Lamp Light
9. Best DIY lighting for Zoom calls: FluxSmart Bluetooth Light Bulb
10. Best two-point lighting kit for video calls: Lume Cube Edge Light 2.0

1. Best clip-on light for video conferencing: Whellen

Whellen Selfie Ring Light is an easy-to-use clip-on light. This ring light attaches directly to your phone, making it the best selfie light for video conferencing. It's also rechargeable via USB, so you don't have to worry about batteries.

It has three levels of brightness and three color temperatures: warm light, cold light and warm-cold light, which you can adjust with a simple touch. Since it’s a mobile phone light, however, it’s less ideal for video calls on a laptop or desktop.

2. Best webcam light for video conferencing: Lume Cube

Lume Cube is a small, powerful, and portable light. It's USB-rechargeable with up to 14 hours of battery life. You can mount it directly onto your computer monitor, or you can attach it to a stand.

It has a built-in diffuser so you can get soft, even light. You can also adjust the brightness from a range of 1% to 100% and change the color temperature from warm to cool making, giving you the right kind of professional lighting for video conferencing at home.

3. Best desk light for video calls: Pixel Ring Light

The Pixel Ring Light is suited for those who don't have much space on their desk. It's small and lightweight, with a fully adjustable stand.

It comes with a built-in frosted lens and a white diffuser. You can also choose from a wide range of color temperatures and brightness levels.

4. Best desktop ring light for video conferencing: Neewer

With 352 LEDs, the Neewer 20-inch LED Ring Light Kit comes with a rechargeable battery and USB port. The stand is adjustable from 90cm to 2 meters and has a strong base. The color temperature ranges from 3200K to 5600K.

It comes with extra accessories, including a phone holder that lets you go hands-free if you're attending a video conference on your phone. The only downside to this light is that as a complete kit, it’s one of the priciest options on this list.

5. Best LED light for Zoom meetings: Logitech Litra Glow Premium LED Streaming Light

The Logitech Litra Glow Premium LED Streaming Light comes with a USB-C cable, compatible with USB-C and USB-A ports. You can adjust the three levels of brightness (high, medium, and low) with a touch.

The soft-white light gives you a natural light for video conferencing. Although it’s relatively subtle, this light gives you a quick and easy way to look better on video calls.

6. Best light bar for video conferencing: Hioume

The Hioume light bar can be used with any laptop or monitor with a USB port. It's lightweight and portable, making it easy to take with you on business trips. Best suited for monitors up to 24 inches, it comes with a white diffuser to soften the light.

It has 10 dimming brightness levels. The light bar eliminates reflective glare off the screen so it only illuminates your desk which makes it the best monitor light for video conferencing.

7. Best LED light panel for video calls: Raleno LED Video Light

The Raleno LED Video Light is a panel light designed to create soft, uniform light. It’s adjustable from 0% to 100%, and its temperature options range from 3200K to 5600K.

Because this light has a rechargeable battery, it’s a great portable option. And since it comes with a mini stand, it’s easy to set up for optimal lighting.

8. Best USB light for video conferencing: Hanerdun Bright LED USB Lamp Light

The Hanerdun Bright LED USB Lamp Light comes with a 180-degree flexible goose-neck, so you can position it in any way that's comfortable for you. This is a reading-style laptop light that's ideal for those who want a USB light for video conferencing.

It plugs into a standard USB port and doesn't require any batteries. The LED light is flicker-free and has touch-sense adjustable brightness levels. The only downside to this

9. Best DIY lighting for Zoom calls: FluxSmart Bluetooth Light Bulb

The FluxSmart Bluetooth Light Bulb works with desk and floor lamps. It’s ideal for video conferencing setups that need extra lighting but don’t have space for additional equipment.

With the free Flux Bluetooth app, you can easily adjust the light’s brightness. You can also choose from 16 million colors to get the temperature just right.

10. Best two-point lighting kit for video calls: Lume Cube Edge Light 2.0

The Lume Cube Edge Light 2.0 comes in a 2-pack to create two-point lighting. Together, the two lamps create even lighting and full illumination for any video conferencing setup.

Both lamps attach to your desk, making them ideal for desktop or laptop video calls. They rotate and have dimmable LED bulbs to create the ideal level of lighting for the space.

What’s the most flattering light for video conferencing?

The most flattering light for video conferencing is soft, diffused light so your face looks evenly lit. There are three types of lighting that you can use to achieve this:

1. Natural light for video conferencing
2. Light bulb for video conferencing.
3. 3-point lighting for video conferencing

Let's see how they're different and how you can use them to get the best lighting for Zoom calls and Livestorm events.

Natural light for video conferencing

Sitting near a window during a video call will give you the best natural light for video conferencing. The daylight will brighten up your face and make you look more awake.

Be sure to face the window because having the light source behind you will cause a glare for others in the call. If the light is too bright for you, slightly close the curtains or adjust the blinds to diffuse it.

What about using light bulbs for video conferencing?

Light bulbs give off a brighter light than natural light, so they're ideal for those who want a well-lit face during a video call. The best light bulbs for video conferencing are LED bulbs because they don't produce as much heat as other types of bulbs. They also come in a range of color temperatures, so you can choose one that complements your skin tone.

3-point lighting for video conferencing

3-point lighting is a type of professional lighting that's often used for big events, webinars, and webcast set ups. It uses three light sources:

• The key light is usually placed in front of you and to the side, so it casts a shadow on one side of your face.
• The fill light is placed on the opposite to the key light to fill in the shadow. It's usually dimmer than the key light.
• The backlight is placed behind you and points towards your head. It creates a halo effect and makes your hair look shiny.

Each light is usually placed on a stand so it can be moved around easily. This kind of lighting is not often used for video conferencing because it requires a lot of space and professional equipment.

What to look for when buying a light for video calls

Now you have a sense of the best video conference lighting, including the most flattering options. So, how do you choose the right lights for your needs? Use this brief guide:

• Configuration: Consider the space where you take calls and the equipment you use for video conferencing. A space with ample natural light may require a simple ring light or LED panel. A darker space or a studio may look better with a two-point kit.
• Adjustability: If you always work in the same space, you probably won’t need to adjust the lighting. But if you take video calls in a variety of different lighting conditions, you’ll be better off with lights that have adjustable stands and temperature options.
• Temperatures: No matter where you do video calls, you’ll likely have to balance multiple different color temperatures from windows and overhead lights. Look for lighting with a color temperature closer to 6000K, as it’s best for blending with existing light.
• Budget: How much do you want to spend on video call lighting? As a general rule, basic mobile ring lights are the least expensive option. Complete lighting kits with multiple parts are the most expensive.

What’s the best light for on-the-go video conferencing?

When you shop for lighting for your home office, you’ll find tons of desk light and light panel options. But if you tend to take video calls while you’re on the go, these options won’t work.

Instead, you need portable lighting. And if you plan to log in from many different locations, you need versatile light for video calls. Here’s what to look for:

• Lights that take up minimal space so you can easily pack them in your laptop case
• Small lights that won’t interfere with others in coworking spaces like coffee shops
• Panel lights that mount to your laptop or ring lights that attach to your smartphone

When you set up for a video call while you’re on the go, it’s also a good idea to use existing lighting to your advantage. For example, sit near windows to use the natural light. But avoid sitting with a window behind you because the backlight will create lighting issues.

How to set up lighting for video conferencing

Factors like color, brightness, and position of your light source can impact how you look in a virtual meeting. But you don't need to be an expert to get it right. Just follow these steps:

1. Perfect your setup and optimize your room lighting for video conferencing
2. Pick the best light for video conferencing
3. Choose the best light color for video conferencing
4. Consider the best light temperature for video conferencing
5. Set your virtual background
6. Test everything ahead of time

Let’s take a look at these factors in detail.

1. Perfect your setup and optimize your room lighting for video conferencing

The position of your desk, camera, and light sources can impact the quality of your video. If possible, set up your desk so that you're facing a window. This will give you the best natural light for video conferencing. If your desk is away from the window, you'll want to use an artificial light source to help illuminate your face.

Positioning your light source at eye level, or at a 45-degree angle will create the most flattering light for video conferencing (and help you avoid the dreaded "double chin" effect). The goal is to avoid having any harsh shadows on your face.

2. Pick the best light for video conferencing

When a natural light source isn't an option, you’ll need artificial solutions to get the best lighting for video calls. If you take video calls at home or in an office, you can use a ring light, clip-on light, desk lamp, or light bar.

If you host large hybrid events, you might consider 3-point lighting, where three professional lights are positioned around the room to create even, flattering light for photography, and filming. The key is to find the lighting solution that works best for you, your space, and your budget.

3. Choose the best light color for video conferencing

Lights like bright white LEDs or fluorescent bulbs can be harsh and unflattering on video. Instead, look for light bulbs with a warmer color temperature. These "soft white" bulbs will help create a more natural look on video.

Avoid yellow or "candle light" bulbs, as these can make you look pale on camera. Similarly, bright colors like red or blue can cast an eerie glow on video and make it difficult to see your face.

4. Consider the best light temperature for video conferencing

Temperature is the measure of how warm or cool a light source appears. This is measured in Kelvin (K). For example, lights with yellow, orange, or red tint are considered "warm" lights and can make you look flushed on camera. These have a color temperature of 2700K-3000K.

At the other end of the spectrum are "cool" lights with a blue or white tint. These have a color temperature range of 3300-5300K or higher and can make you look washed out on video.

The best light temperature for video conferencing is a "daylight" or "natural" white which has a balance of cool and warm tones. This type of light will have a temperature of around 6500K. Some light bulbs will even have a "daylight" or "natural white" setting.

5. Set your virtual background

A cluttered background can be distracting. If you don't have a tidy space to set up your camera, you can use a virtual background. The best virtual meeting platforms let you add a professional looking background or blurr your current surroundings.

Livestorm’s online meeting software offers a library of 100+ best virtual backgrounds to choose from. You can also upload your own image or video as a virtual background. This is a great option if you want to add some personality to your video call or hide the background.

6. Test everything ahead of time

Once your room is set up, test everything out so you can avoid any stressful or last-minute scrambling during your meeting. Open up your video conferencing software to do a test call and adjust your lighting or position as needed. You can even record yourself on a conferencing platform like Livestorm to see how you look on camera.

With Livestorm, you can do a dry run before the event. For best results, invite all your guest speakers so everyone has a chance to check their lighting and test their connection in advance.

So which lighting is best for video conferencing?

If you're looking for a simple, portable and easy-to-use solution, a clip-on light might be the best option for you. If you want something that's more versatile and can be used in different settings, a ring light might be a better choice.

Whichever lighting you choose, make sure it's flicker-free and has adjustable brightness levels to get the perfect lighting for video conferencing. And if you're looking for a video conferencing solution with a customizable virtual background Livestorm is the perfect choice.

Livestorm is a powerful, yet simple video conferencing software that comes with a wide range of features to make your video conferences more efficient and fun.

Frequently asked questions about the best lighting for video conferencing

What lighting is best for Zoom meetings?

The best lighting for Zoom or Livestorm meetings is a ring light with color temperature controls that match the lighting of your room. This type of light is bright enough to illuminate your face evenly without being too harsh.

Should light be in front or behind for Zoom?

For Zoom (or even better, Livestorm) calls, your light should be in front of you so there are no shadows on your face. If the light is behind you, it will create a halo effect while casting a shadow on your face, which can be distracting for other people on the call.

Is warm or white light better for video calls?

For video calls, a light with a warm color temperature will make you look more natural on the call. A white light can be too harsh and make you look like you're under a spotlight.

Do you need professional lighting for video conferencing at home?

Professional lighting for video conferencing at home can be beneficial if you want to look your best on calls. However, it's not a necessity. You can achieve good lighting for video conferencing with a few well-placed lamps or by facing towards a window.

What is the difference between ring and circular lights?

Ring lights and circular lights are the same things. They use ring-shaped bulbs to emit an even light. Ring lights are often used in photography and videography to create a flattering light on the subject's face.