Best Lighting for Zoom Calls in 2024: Gear & Tips

Enhance your video quality with the proper light for Zoom meetings.

Although Zoom has software optimization techniques that automatically brighten your video in low light conditions, this may not be enough in some situations. Investing in the lighting for Zoom calls, influencers, content creators, and remote workers can look more professional and give the impression that they're in a professional office or studio with top-notch lighting.

Natural light is the best option for a video call, but it's not always available, especially in office settings. That's why it makes sense to use artificial lighting.

LED light strips. They're way more adaptable than standard photography light bulbs because they come in the form of lengthy, pliable, flat ropes that you can slap onto virtually any flat surface. Using them, you can achieve perfect lighting for Zoom meetings in a quick way!

Almost all strip LEDs come with a sticky side, so it's as simple as peeling and sticking them wherever you need. You've got lots of options here – you can tuck them beneath your desk, under cabinets or shelves, put them behind your bookcases, wrap them around your computer screen, or line them up along the ceiling.

Ring lights. This type of light for Zoom meetings is great for getting rid of pesky shadows that show up in Zoom calls because of the light located above your head. They have a circular shape so the light is scattered evenly. Plus, they produce a gentle glow that allows hiding any little imperfections or wrinkles.

When it comes to ring lights for photography and video, there are all sorts of sizes and styles to choose from, so you are sure to find an ideal variant. For instance, you can place a light source right on your laptop for convenient work.

Task lights. When you use a desk lamp, you actually make your face more illuminated in those places where the overhead lights just can't reach. A desk lamp can act like a spotlight, making your camera focus on you and giving everyone else a clear view of what matters most.

Studio lighting. Most studio lighting kits usually feature a trio of fixtures: a key light, a fill light, and either a backlight or an extra fill light. These three elements make up three-point lighting. Using them, you can control lighting effects, altering mood, depth, and intensity, thus, giving your surroundings that extra pop and dimension.

Picking the right color temperature can help you appear more natural and professional during video conference calls. Warmer-color lights give off a cozy yellowish tone, while cooler-color lights lean towards a white or blueish hue.

Avoid unflattering shadows on your face by setting up your lighting for Zoom calls at the right angle. If possible, position yourself near a window to benefit from natural light. However, keep in mind that outdoor lighting can vary depending on the weather and time of day. So, it's always good to have a backup lighting option ready.

Type: Ring | Color temperature: 3200-5600K | Power source: USB or battery | Dimensions: 20.08x4.33x24.02” | Weight: 9.55 lbs

The Neewer 18" Ring Light Kit is a universal lighting solution for videographers, photographers, and content creators. It reduces shadows and highlights your face, giving you that iconic catchlight look for your Zoom calls. The video lighting kit comes with everything you need, including a reverse-folding light stand, versatile color filters, a phone holder, and a carrying bag.

The ring light itself is pretty compact, making it easy to transport. It has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 1-5 hours, so you don't have to worry about it running out of power during your Zoom calls.

The suction cup mount allows you to attach it to any flat surface, giving you flexibility in positioning.

Type: LED | Color temperature: 2700-6500K | Power source: USB | Dimensions: 3.56x1.71x3.56” | Weight: 0.4 lbs

The Logitech Litra Glow uses TrueSoft technology to provide you with a balanced and cinematic LED light for Zoom calls that is not only soft on your skin but also helps reduce eyestrain during those long video conferences.

One of the standout features of this video LED light is its compact size and USB-powered design. It can easily be mounted on any monitor, and it even comes with cable management to help keep your desk tidy.

The manual lighting controls are conveniently located on the back of the light, but if you prefer, you can assign the control to mouse clicks or keyboard buttons using the G Hub software for quick access.

Type: LED | Color temperature: 3200-5600K | Power source: USB or battery | Dimensions: 9.06x2.36x6.3” | Weight: 0.88 lbs

The Lume Cube Video Conference Lighting Kit allows you to adjust the brightness, so you don't have to worry about blinding light in your eyes. You can also control the color temperature, which is great for achieving more natural and true-to-life lighting on video calls and broadcasts.

It effectively eliminates any shadows or harsh lighting around your face, giving you a more professional appearance. The credit-card-sized LED light is compact and portable, making it convenient to use wherever you are.

It's also compatible with both laptops and desktop computers, and you can easily mount it to your screen using the suction cup mount. 

Type: LED | Color temperature: 3200-5600K | Power source: AC adapter or battery | Dimensions: 8.3x8.3x10” | Weight: 3.52 lbs

The Neewer Dimmable Bi-color LED lighting is USB-powered, so it's super convenient to use, especially with the rise of remote work and video conferencing. The lighting itself is designed to minimize shadows and blemishes, giving you a more natural and flattering look. It also brightens your face, ensuring that others can see you clearly during your Zoom calls.

Setting it up takes just a few seconds, and you'll have a flattering ring of light surrounding your head and shoulders. The high levels of brightness help to minimize skin imperfections, giving you a more confident and professional appearance.

The LED light for photography and video is also dimmable and can match the color of your skin tone by adjusting the white and orange LEDs. Additionally, the base of the stand is flexible, allowing you to rotate it 360 degrees and tilt it 180 degrees to fit your needs.

Type: Ring | Color temperature: 3200-6800K | Power source: USB | Dimensions: 8.4x7.2x1.8” | Weight: 0.8 lbs

The Whellen Video Conference Lighting Kit is a great option if you're looking for an affordable and easy-to-use solution to improve your video calls. It includes two small lights and a desktop tripod that can be easily mounted behind your screen or camera for Zoom meetings.

The Zoom lights have adjustable settings for brightness and color temperature, allowing you to find the perfect lighting that suits your needs.

You can easily move the lights from room to room and adjust the brightness accordingly. This is especially useful if you have different spaces for your video calls or if you want to take your lighting setup with you on the go.

Type: Ring | Color temperature: 3200-5600K | Power source: USB | Dimensions: 21x17x24” | Weight: 7.33 lbs

The Lume Cube Cordless Lighting is powerful enough to keep you in your Zoom call well-lit and visible. You can easily mount it to various surfaces or even use it as an external flash for your smartphone camera.

This lighting for Zoom calls emits a useful amount of daylight-balanced light and even comes with filters and light modifiers to enhance your lighting setup.

This ring light for iPhone powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, allowing you the freedom to film without being tethered to a power outlet. It's compact, making it a popular choice among professional videographers for its brightness and size.

Type: Ring | Color temperature: 3000-6500K | Power source: USB | Dimensions: 19.6x17.5x4.2” | Weight: 4.39 lbs

The Razer Ring Light is a fantastic upgrade for your virtual meetings. Not only does it provide a steady, even array of light on your face and upper body, but it also eliminates shadows and glare, making you look your best on camera.

One of the great things about this ring light is its versatility. It's not just for Zoom calls - you can also use it for selfies and smartphone video recordings.

This light for Zoom calls is adjustable, with a dial for brightness and color temperature. You can connect it to your computer via USB or use a portable power bank for more flexibility.

Type: LED | Color temperature: 3200-5600K | Power source: USB or battery | Dimensions: 4.65x2.83x2.8” | Weight: 0.18 lbs

The Pixel GOs Zoom Light is ultra-lightweight, which is great for those who are always on the go. One of the standout features of this lighting tool is its built-in frosted lens with adjustable white balance and brightness. This is a game-changer when it comes to video conferences because it ensures that your skin tones look their best.

And let's not forget about the rechargeable battery that provides up to 10 hours of operation. This is perfect for those long workdays or when you're traveling and don't have access to a power source.

Type: LED | Color temperature: 5600K | Power source: Battery | Dimensions: 3.39x1.1x2.32” | Weight: 0.35 lbs

The Manfrotto Lumimuse 8 is compact and easily portable lighting for Zoom meetings, making it convenient for when you're on the go or need to take your call elsewhere. The touch-sensitive sliders on the side allow you to adjust brightness and color temperature quickly and easily. Additionally, the wired remote gives you more control over your lighting setup.

The iOS app for remote control offers a range of features, including flash, timers, photo and video modes, and 0-100% dimming. It also works with other camera apps and even the standard iOS camera, giving you the flexibility to add lighting to your selfies or vlogs on the go.

The rechargeable battery ensures you won't run out of power, and the light comes with various mounts and filters to modify its output.

Color temperature. You want to aim for natural and artificial lights that match your skin tone and provide even illumination. Avoid warm-colored lights with a yellow tint as they can create dark shadows on your face. On the other hand, cool lighting can give an unflattering blue or green cast.

So, find artificial lights for Zoom meetings that mimic natural sunlight and have a color temperature close to daylight. LED bulbs with a color temperature of 3000K-5000K are your best bet.

Budget. If you can afford it, opt for a lighting kit that not only includes basic lighting equipment but also features extras like a tripod, additional mounts, filters, and more. On the flip side, if you have a tight budget, it is a good idea to go with a ring Zoom light. It is more budget-friendly compared to all-inclusive kits.

Adjustability. Artificial lights that can be controlled are ideal for Zoom calls. Look for fixtures that can be angled to direct the light towards your face. You can also use a flash diffuser to soften the light and minimize any unwanted shadows.

Brightness. Poorly lit videos with shadows and glare can make it hard for others to see and hear you. So, with the right lighting setup, your video will look clearer, more flattering, and give you a professional and confident image.

If you're striving to improve the video quality for your work meetings, having a big window that lets in loads of natural sunlight can do the trick. In case your focus is on making your evening family video chats well-lit, then you should select lamps and light fixtures.

If you regularly have online meetings with clients, customers, or top-level executives, it's essential to create facial lighting that is both even and flattering. You can achieve this by using clip-on fixtures or key lights for Zoom meetings attached to your monitor or laptop. These are simple solutions that allow you to showcase your facial features in a pleasing manner.

Besides incorporating external lighting accessories into your setup, you can also enable the "touch up my appearance" feature to enhance your Zoom lighting. This digital touch-up tool works like an automatic airbrush, fine-tuning your look by smoothing out imperfections like wrinkles, blemishes, and dark spots.

You can activate this feature on your computer in a matter of seconds. Simply open Zoom, click on your profile picture, then select "Settings" > "Video" > "Touch up my appearance".

It doesn't matter if you're setting up lighting for YouTube videos or prepping for your upcoming conference – the key is to have consistent and uniform lighting across your face, with no harsh shadows in sight. If you're counting on natural light, make sure to position yourself right in front of the window. This way, sunrays will be working in your favor, illuminating you rather than playing hide and seek behind you.

When it comes to using artificial lighting, you should go for the three-point lighting setup. This method involves having a key light, a backlight, and a fill light to make your video really pop. This is the best lighting for Zoom calls, webinars, and important occasions.

Shaping the light means tweaking where and how the light falls on you. To achieve a nice, even glow across your face, position your desk right in front of the window or at a 45-degree angle to it. This way, the sun will light up your face evenly, eliminating shadows and creating a polished look.

When you position your desk at a 45-degree angle to the window, you can achieve an interesting effect with the sunlight gracefully wrapping around your face. Though there will be a subtle shadow on one side of your face, you will also get a sense of depth and dimension.

If you want to create the best light for Zoom meetings, avoid having a window behind you. If you have it there, your webcam will attempt to balance out the strong window light, and you end up looking pretty dark and unclear.

Use a bounce to reflect light and reduce any shadows on your face. To do this, simply place a big white foam board on your side. Make sure it's positioned far enough to the side so that your camera won't capture it in the shot.