How to choose the right video light? - 5 tips

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Hoe kies je de juiste videolamp? - 5 tips

When taking photos and videos, but also during livestreaming and video calls, the right lighting makes a world of difference. A video light is the perfect solution to always illuminate your footage perfectly. Video lights come in all shapes and sizes, suitable for many different purposes. Want to know what to consider when choosing the right video light? This blog post provides 5 tips for choosing the right video light.

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Ulanzi U60 RGB Videolamp - Cameralampen

1. The light intensity

Perhaps the most important thing about a video light is the brightness. Brightness determines how brightly your light shines. Different situations require different brightness levels. Below is a list of options that work in various situations:

Photography in the dark
 In a dark environment, there's little light. You might expect this to require a lot of light, but that's not always the case. When photographing in the dark, you want to create a mysterious setting by taking advantage of the darkness. A lamp capable of providing a weak, not too bright, light is perfect for this situation. A lamp with a brightness of 50-200 lumens is recommended.

Portraits or interviews in bright daylight
If you film someone with a window or the sun behind them, backlighting can easily occur: the subject appears dark while the background is very bright. This creates a silhouette effect: the subjects appear dark against a light background, creating a silhouette. You'll need a video light with enough power to prevent this, because a good light ensures the subject is clearly visible. A high-output light ensures that skin tones remain natural and you don't create a silhouette effect. A light with an output of 800-1500 lumens should be sufficient, but if there's really bright daylight behind the subject, 1500-2500 lumens can be more effective. The brighter the backlight, the brighter your light needs to be.

Product videos and close-ups
When filming a product up close, you want all the details to be clearly visible. Everything should be clear: the texture of the material, the buttons, the logo. You need sufficient light for this. But not too bright, as this will cause the product to turn completely white or create unsightly reflections. That's why a lamp with adjustable brightness is ideal. Set it bright for sharp details and turn it down if you encounter glare or "eaten" areas. For small products, a lamp with 300-800 lumens is good. For larger products, a lamp with 800-1500 lumens is recommended, as you'll need more distance from the product. However, in this category, we also recommend using accessories like a diffuser: you can read more about that later in this blog post.

MOJOGEAR Lumi RGB LED-lamp 12W - Medium - Cameralampen

2. The size

One of the practical factors to consider when choosing a video light is size. Larger video lights provide more light and are often more complex, but in certain situations, a smaller video light can be sufficient or even better. It's also important to consider how mobile you want your video light to be: a larger video light will often be bulkier and heavier, making it more difficult to transport. A smaller video light is smaller and lighter, making it easier to transport, but they are often less complex to set up. It's also a good idea to consider a ring light . Ring lights distribute the light evenly over the person or subject they're shining on, reducing shadows.

Advice per target group:

  • Smartphone users → small or ring lamp
  • Content creators & streamers → small to medium or ring light
  • Outdoor creators & travel vloggers → small to medium
  • Product photographers & videographers → medium to large or ring light
  • Professional videographers → large

View all our video lights

3. The colors

When creating content, good color temperature and color rendering are essential. Light can range from warm to cool, and from neutral tones to fully colored effects. The most important choice you'll make here is between a bicolor lamp and an RGB lamp.

A bicolor lamp lets you switch between warm and cool light to precisely adjust the mood. An RGB lamp takes things a step further: it allows you to create virtually any color, from subtle red to intense green, ideal for creative accents or mood lighting in your videos.

Situations where you would rather use a bicolor lamp:

  • Filming indoors in mixed light
  • Interviews of talking heads
  • Product photos or videos
  • Studio setups
  • Photography and videography at varying locations

Situations where you would rather use an RGB lamp:

  • Creative scenes
  • Backlight
  • Music videos, gaming content or YouTube videos
  • Product photos or videos with color effects
  • Accent lighting
MOJOGEAR Magnetische Mini Videolamp voor MagSafe - Videoverlichting

4. The lifespan between charges

When you're creating content that uses lighting, you don't want to run out of light halfway through your shoot. That's why the lifespan between charges is important: you measure this using the battery capacity. The actual battery life depends on what you use your video light for: this is influenced by the brightness setting, effect mode, and color temperature, among other things. We've created a list that shows you how long a battery with a certain capacity will last. Keep in mind that this depends heavily on how you use the light and its size: a larger light consumes more energy, and if you set it to a brighter setting, it will also consume more energy. This varies by product, so before buying a new video light, carefully check its rated lifespan.

If you're using your video light to take photos on the go, a small 300 mAh video light will be sufficient. If you're shooting portraits, product photos, or videos in a studio, a 2,000 to 4,000 mAh video light will be sufficient. For long-term shoots, such as filmmaking or if you spend all day shooting content, an 8,000 mAh or 10,000 mAh video light is recommended.

MOJOGEAR Handvat voor smartphone / camera / GoPro - Handgrips

5. Accessories

To get the most out of your video light, various accessories can help. We've compiled a list of several useful accessories and their added value:

  • Diffuser
     You use these to make the light from the lamp softer and more even, creating fewer harsh shadows.
  • Mount
     Use this to securely and adjustably mount your video light. This is handy if you want to adjust the angle or position of your light rig.
  • (Table) tripod
    Use this to stabilize your video light. Ideal for vlogging or video recording from a desk/table.
  • Handle
     Handy for clamping your video light. This gives your video light a kind of grip, making it easier to hold in mobile situations.

View video light accessories

Ulanzi U60 RGB Videolamp - Cameralampen

Conclusion

When choosing a video light, several factors are important to consider. After reading this blog, you'll have gained insight into:

  • The light intensity
  • The size
  • The colors
  • The lifespan between charges
  • Accessories

We hope this article helps you choose the best video light for your content. Curious about the best video lights? Read our blog post: "Best Video Lights in 2025."

If you have any questions or need advice, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service .

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