Do you work from home and do a lot of Zoom or Skype calls? You’ve probably realised that your own home lighting leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to video conferences - and first impressions count. Choosing the right type of lighting to flatter your features, suit your purpose and fit the space you have makes a huge difference to how you come across on your video calls.
The most flattering and even light for video conferencing is created with ring lights. These doughnut-shaped lights produce a soft light that smooths out harsh facial shadows and reduces the look of any lines and wrinkles. Some of them are compact enough to fit even the smallest of home offices and not get in your way.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry - we’re going to give you the lowdown on the best ring lighting for your home video conferencing, so you’ll look like a professional superstar every time (even if you are still wearing your pyjamas!)
Perfect for On The Go - Spectrum Firefly
If you need to travel to different locations with your laptop, then your best travel buddy will be the Spectrum Firefly.
This compact ring light is perfect for clipping on to any phone, tablet, or laptop camera. It measures just 8.5cm in diameter, so will fit easily in your bag, and because it charges through USB, there’s no wires to get in your way or batteries to charge.
There are three levels of brightness, so you can adjust the Firefly to suit the ambient light of your surroundings, and it features a colour temperature of 5400K, which mimics natural daylight and gives accurate colour rendition.
The Spectrum Firefly is also seriously budget-friendly, and the universal clip means it will fit any make and model of laptop, phone or tablet.
What’s included:
- 1 x Spectrum Aurora LED Firefly Ring Light
- USB short charging cable
- Instruction manual
Perfect for Efficient Use of Space - 6" Inner Artist Plus
The Inner Artist Plus tabletop lighting kit includes a versatile ring light that will clamp on to your desk or table. The 360-degree swivel ball head allows you to rotate it to any angle to give you hands-free lighting.
The Inner Artist Plus features three lighting colour temperatures (white, warm yellow, warm yellow plus white) to suit any skin tone or ambient lighting. It also comes with an adjustable 10 levels of brightness to further optimise the light.
This smart little ring light is powered by a 2-metre-long USB cable, so no need to charge batteries. It also comes with a universal phone holder, which works with all iPhone/Samsung smartphones up to 3.6 inches wide. You can also use the Inner Artist Plus as a handy table lamp, and it’s also great for taking photos with.
What’s included:
- 1 x 6'' Desk Ring Light
- 1 x Suspension Arm with 1/4'' screw thread for ring light
- 1 x Suspension Arm for Phone
Perfect for a Small Work-From-Home Setup - 10” Opaluxe
Level up your Skype or Zoom calls with the 10" Opaluxe USB LED Ring Light.
This adaptable ring light can be adjusted 180 degrees both front and back and sits on your table or desktop like a lamp. It’s compact, but don’t let the size fool you - it’s 10 steps of brightness and colour temperature adjustment means the Opaluxe Ring Light can pack a lot of light into small spaces.
It’s great to use on a compact desk or worktable, but if you need extra height then you can mount this ring light onto a light stand too. The Opaluxe Ring Light is compatible with several USB devices, which means the light can be powered through USB chargers, computers, laptops or any compatible devices with USB ports.
What’s included:
- 1 x 10" LED Table Ring Light - Opaluxe
- 1 x Flexible Goose Neck Phone Bracket
- 1 x Desk Stand
Perfect for a Spacious Home Office - 13” Mini Pearl III
If you have a larger home office and don’t want to take up valuable desk space, then the 13” Mini Pearl III may be the one for you. This ring light stands on the floor with the included light stand, and can be used with the phone bracket in the middle of the ring light, or with a laptop set up on the desk in front of it.
You can also use the mirror that is included in the kit, so you know exactly how good you look before you take that Zoom call! If you want to travel with the 13” Mini Pearl III, then it packs up easily in a neat shoulder carry bag.
What’s included:
- 1 x Spectrum Aurora 13” Mini Pearl III 13"/33cm LED ring light
- 1 x FREE Spectrum 1.8m Ring Light Stand (RRP $39.99)
- 1 x FREE Spectrum Bluetooth Remote ($19.99)
- 1 x Power adapter
- 1 x Australian plug by default country otherwise selected by customer
- 1 x FREE Spectrum Smart Phone Holder (RRP $14.99)
- 1 x FREE Spectrum Aurora Half Mirror (RRP $49.99)
- 1 x FREE Spectrum Aurora Shoulder Carry Bag (RRP $69.99)
- 1 x FREE Spectrum Camera Ball Mount. *Please note a small camera is recommended for this ring light (RRP $19.99)
- 1 x Spectrum Aurora Box packaging
- 1 x Instruction Manual
Perfect for Professionals Doing Meetings all day - 18” Diamond Luxe III
If you are in video conferencing meetings all day long, then you need a ring light like the 18” Diamond Luxe III to give you the power, versatility, and reliability you require in your lighting to ensure you look both great and professional on your calls.
This ring light makes anyone look flawless, and you can achieve a natural daylight effect or a warmer lighting effect. The 18” Diamond Luxe III is the most powerful light on our list, but it is also dimmable for extra flexibility in any ambient light.
What’s included:
- 1 x Spectrum Aurora Diamond Luxe III 18"/44.5cm LED ring light
- 1 x FREE Spectrum 1.8m ring light stand (RRP $39.99)
- 1 x FREE Spectrum Bluetooth Remote (RRP $19.99)
- 1 x Power Adapter
- 1 x Australian plug by default country otherwise selected by customer
- 1 x FREE Spectrum Flexible Smart Phone Holder (RRP $14.99)
- 1 x FREE Spectrum Aurora 20cm 180-degree swivel-design mirror (RRP $49.99)
- 1 x FREE Spectrum Aurora EZ-GRIP flexible gooseneck (RRP $29.99)
- 1 x FREE Spectrum Aurora Shoulder Carry Bag (RRP $69.99)
- 1 x FREE Spectrum Camera Ball Mount (RRP $19.99)
- 1 x Welcome Pack including a link to our online manual
- (Batteries Sold Separately)
Final Thoughts
We hope we’ve given you some food for thought with this list of ring lights for video conferencing, but here’s a few extra tips on how to get the best out of that next Zoom call:
- If your desk or work area is in front of a window where the sun hits your face directly, then try to move it or close your blinds. Direct sun makes you squint and will cause harsh shadows, and that’s not a good look for anyone!
- The best position for using a ring light is having it placed directly in front of you, with the light in line with your face. Don’t place the light too high or too low, as this can cause facial shadows.
- The angle of your camera will also have an effect on how good you look on your conference videos. If your camera is too low, then you will give everyone that dreaded “up-nostril” view. If it’s too high, then you run the risk of gaining a double chin when you look downwards. Adjust the height of your chair or workstation to ensure that your monitor is at eye level.
- Do you get that annoying glare from the light reflecting in your glasses during video calls? You can get rid of it by adjusting the angle of your light. For glasses-wearers, move your ring light up a bit and to the side of your face. Because it will give you shadows, you need to add a fill light on the opposite side of your face - this could be another light, or even a window.
