The Best LED Panel Lights for a Professional Look

If you want your livestreams, videos, or photographs to look top of the line, you have to harness the power of light—good lighting is the key to videos and images that look professional and establish your brand.

LED panels are especially useful camera accessories that give you a continuous source of light and allow you to see and control the quantity, quality, and direction of the lighting in your shots.

Here are our recommendations for LED panels to level up your image quality without spending too much.

Key Features for LED Light Panels

Here’s what to consider when looking for LED light panels:

• Color Temperature: “White” light comes in different colors perceived as a temperature— “warm” or “cold,” or maybe somewhere in between. Color temperature for lighting is measured on the Kelvin (K) scale, which ranges from 1,000 K to 10,000 K. Typically, lights used in filmmaking and photography will be in the 2,000 K to 3,000 K range for the warm white of firelight or indoor lighting, the 3,000 K to 4,500 K range for the whites you see in the early morning or late afternoon, and the 4,600 K to 6,500 K range for whites you see in direct sunlight or under overcast skies. The ideal LED panel will allow you to adjust for the most flattering or interesting light.
• Brightness: Ideally, LED panels should allow you to change the intensity of light without changing the color temperature. Check to see if the panel has a built-in dimmer switch.
• Power Source: Be aware of the panel’s power source. LED panels should allow you to use a battery for outdoor shooting and/or a power adapter for indoor shoots.
• Portability and Convenience: Your LED panels should be light and portable so you can shoot in almost any situation. A panel should be easily mounted on a camera or a stand.

Best for YouTubers: Neewer 660 LED Video Light Panel

This LED panel can illuminate your shot with color temperatures from 3,200 K to 5,600 K and has two separate knobs on the panel back for adjusting color temperature and brightness. With a color rendering index (CRI) of 96+, you will get excellent color accuracy. The panel also comes with barn doors to create a beam spread of light and a carrying bag to store the panel and accessories.

Best for Smartphones: Aputure Mini LED Light Panel

This LED panel is so small it fits in your pocket, but it still allows for a temperature range of 3,200 K to 6,500 K and brightness control of 0 to 100 percent. With a CRI of 96+, full hue, saturation, and intensity (HSI) color control, and 100 levels of saturation, this panel is the perfect tool for powerful smartphone shots. The panel can be controlled by a mobile app.

Best for Budget: SUPON Ultra-Thin LED Video Light Panel

This ultra-thin and lightweight panel attaches directly to your camera or camcorder with an adjustable mount, so it’s perfect for on-the-go lighting. It also mounts on light stands and tripods. With a CRI of 95+, the color rendering is excellent. The color temperature range is 3,300 K to 5,600 K and the brightness adjusts between 20 percent and 100 percent. It’s powered by a DC power adapter or battery. Get good lighting without breaking the bank with this LED panel light.

Also Consider: Neewer 60 LED Lighting Kit

With a constant color temperature of 5,500 K, this lighting kit can be used for creative lighting effects. Brightness can be controlled via the adjustment knob set on the power adapter. This kit comes with two LED light wands powered by adapters with extra-long cables, two adjustable light stands, and a carrying bag.