Spectrum Aurora Ring Light Comparison: What’s the Difference in 2023

A ring light consists of many LED lights in a circle formation to produce a soft and even light. These on-trend products produce light for portraits, selfies, make-up or hair shoots, macro, and product photographs. The softness of the light depends on the brightness and size of the ring light. 

Ring lights aren't only for product photos; they also assist YouTube and Twitch streamers. Reflected light from these useful tools is unique; users will see a circular catch light in their eyes. To achieve this look, all that's required is to position their camera in the middle of the ring light, or for optimal use, mount their smartphone using the built-in holder to gain consistent framing every time.

Why Choose a Ring Light

We recommend ring lights for streaming and product photography due to the soft directional light they produce. Shadows are drastically reduced thanks to the front-facing light distributed evenly around a user's face. Various sizes are also available, making them ideal when adapting to a laptop screen near the camera, directly on a smartphone, or on a table at eye height using a stand. Larger units can also be set up using a tripod to cater for presenting to a camera when standing.

Unlike traditional flash head units and softboxes, ring lights don't get in the way of your camera – you can shoot right through the centre of the ring and move the lights to the side. You can also sync two or more of our Spectrum Aurora ring lights to create a unique and different lighting aesthetic for your work and combine them with reflectors to lift any shadows.   

Portrait photographers love them because their circular shape gives the subject's eyes that beautiful ring of light around the iris. If you want to know how a portrait was lit, look at the model's eyes – you'll see a reflection called a catchlight, which shows what type of lighting modifier was used. 

As ring lights use LED lights, they won't heat up like conventional tungsten lights. So you can pack up straight away at the end of a shoot without waiting around for your light to cool down.

Types of Spectrum Ring Lights

The lighting requirements of photography and videography are different. As content creators, we need to pick the right ring lights that would effortlessly complement a composition. Below are some of the types of Spectrum ring lights we recommend for particular genres.

Desktop Ring Lights

Crafted specifically for PC users, desktop ring lights help reduce the appearance of shadow and diffuse light evenly on the subject. Well-suited for professional applications, desktop ring lights are worth the investment. If you're looking to add one to your kit, consider the 10" LED Ring Light Portable Zoom Meeting Desk RGB - Unicorn. It comes with an adjustable desk stand and adjustable phone bracket, making it compatible with most smartphone models.

10" White Ring Light LED Table Zoom - Opaluxe is also a great option. Perfect for make-up tutorial content, YouTube videos, selfies, or even social media posts, this ring light comes with ten brightness levels, colour temperature adjustability, and three light modes. 

If you're looking for a fantastic ring light that delivers enviable and flattering lighting, you need to check out the 6" Ring Light Clip-On Desk LED - "Ruby". Its compact design makes it perfect for those working with limited desk space. In addition, the clip-and-go design of this ring light is flexible and works well with different devices.

Smartphone Ring Lights

Finding the right ring light to use on a smartphone is a challenge. There are so many options available, but unfortunately many solutions result in casting shadows when filming or taking photos. To overcome this problem we recommend using a smartphone ring light which attaches as close to the camera as possible.

The 4” Selfie Phone Ring Light - Spectrum Firefly offers the mounting flexibility so users can position the ring light in the correct position. It’s compatible with a wide variety of devices and smartphones, so there is no need to buy any additional mount accessories. Since its lightweight and compact measuring at only 8.5cm in diameter, you can take it on the go! Consisting of 36 individual LEDs, it offers three brightness levels, which is more than enough to capture perfectly lit photos and videos.

Professional Ring Lights (Salon Quality)

Salon quality professional ring lights are well-suited for fashion photography, beauty photography, studio photography, and videography. These lights are just what you need to ensure your imagery looks professional. Below are some of Spectrum's bestsellers, which provide excellent lighting and include everything you need to get started.

Professional 18" Ring Light LED Portable Diva - Diamond Luxe III is a top seller and is what you, as a professional in the beauty industry, need for consistent quality. The soft, clean, and nearly shadowless light ensures you gain flawless imagery. In addition, the Portable Diva ring light is flexible and easy to set up. We also have several power plugs available if you travel or purchase outside of Australia.

Another ring light from Spectrum worth considering is the 22" Ring Light LED Portable - Platinum Pro II. As one of the largest ring lights available, you gain the softest light. Colour temperature is adjustable, allowing you to switch between warm and natural light as the shoot demands. A flexible gooseneck stand makes it easy to position for flat lays, artwork, and beauty applications. In addition, it is battery-powered, so you can easily use it in locations where you have no access to power.

13" Ring Light LED Beauty Portable - Mini Pearl III is a salon-grade professional ring light known for its travel-friendly design. It delivers just the right intensity of light you'd require to accentuate your subject without flooding the frame. With the adjustable colour temperature at your fingertips, you'll find it easy to replicate the type of light you want regardless of the environment you find yourself in. We highly recommend this model for various applications where you need to film yourself or a product application.

Which One is Right For You?

With various ring lights to think about, it can become overwhelming to decide which one might be right for you. You need to consider the environment you are in and how you will use the ring light to obtain the best look. Keep in mind what type of mount the ring light uses and ask yourself if it will be compatible with your smartphone or camera? 

Then consider the environment where you will be filming or creating content. Do you need an adjustable colour temperature setting to replicate the correct colour? In most cases, the answer is yes, so check our comparison chart to help find out which light is right for you. Then, ask yourself which size is appropriate, do you need a ring light that offers portability and what type of brightness controls are present?

These factors will help narrow down the best ring light for you. To learn more about ring lights and for assistance in finding the best model, give our friendly team a call on 1300 449 767 or send us a direct message via social media or our website.