Best LED Video Lights in 2025

Over the years, LED video lights have become popular with content creators of all levels, from filmmakers to YouTubers.

Not too long ago, Tungsten and HMI lights were the first choice for most filmmakers. However, they were expensive, hot, heavy, and consumed huge amounts of power.

Today, LED lights are cool, compact, portable, quick to set up, and use much less power. Also, with a variety of options like panels, tubes, fresnels, and ring lights, they can be easily matched to other light sources. Overall, they are much easier and more affordable.

In this article, I’m going to test out the best LED video lights on the market. I’ll put them through their paces by looking at key areas like power, color temperature, features, build quality, and pricing. This should all help to make sure you choose the right ones.

Before we start, let’s cover a few of the basics…

What Are LEDs?

LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode. They can use up to 75% less energy than incandescent lighting and last much longer.

What To Look For?

Firstly, it’s important to consider a few quick things when choosing your first LED video light kit. For example:

• How much power do I need?
• Am I shooting indoors or outdoors?
• Do I want harsh or diffused light?
• Do they need to be dimmable?
• Do they need to be portable and battery-powered?
• Do I need Tungsten (3400K) or Daylight (5600K) color temperatures, or both?

Once you have the answer to these questions, you can then work out what you need.

Key Terms You Need To Know

Without confusing you even further, here are a few key terms you should try to understand.

So, without further delay, let’s look at a few different light kits.

Multi-Source Lights (LED Panels)

First are multi-source lights (LED panels). These are rows of individual LEDs arranged to form a single output of light. They can be large or small and are used to create lots of soft, diffused light.

LED panels have become popular in the last few years, so they are very affordable.

Neewer 480 Bi-Color

To get started, I’ll introduce you to a respected brand called Neewer. If you need lights that don’t take up much space and can be taken anywhere, then check out this pair of run-and-gun LED panel lights. 

First, are you filming at a location without power outlets? No problem. A Sony NP-F550/NP-F970 Li-ion battery can provide up to 40 minutes of continuous shooting. It’s also nice to work without annoying cables everywhere.  

With budget lights, you don’t usually see many U-brackets, AKA a ‘yoke’. This one does. Also, the panel frame is built like a rock. The whole frame is made out of aluminum.

Finally, you can get maximum intensity from the naked LED by easily removing the diffusion sheet.

Neewer 13″ Bi-Color

Next, we have a pair of larger 13” LED panels from Neewer. These are perfect for home studios, interviews, or tight-space shooting.

In addition to this, these lights are portable and require no extra batteries. But how? Because they’re built directly in the light. As a result, you have up to 90 minutes of continuous lighting. Also, the recharge of the 4000mAh battery takes only 2 hours.

The crystal clear digital display at the back allows you to check your settings at a glance. You can easily see the brightness percentage, color temperature, and battery life.

Lastly, you have a variety of mounting options. Both are 1/4 thread standard and are directly to your camera with a cold shoe mount.

Neewer 9″ 660 PRO II

Moving along, if you want to add some real style to your project, try out this third option from Neewer. This LED panel has a spectrum of colors to choose from besides warm and cold. For example, if you run a YouTube channel, you can highlight your background with the color of your personal brand.

Next, all functions are made available through wireless control from your phone. Imagine comfortably sitting next to your camera’s viewfinder while cycling through various looks without moving.

Lastly, you can experiment with its 17 different light effects, such as color cycling, party mode, pulsing, police car, candlelight, or paparazzi. These panels are great as they give you total control.

GVM 1000D Bi-Color RGB

Next, we have an LED panel from a growing brand called GVM. This package has all you need for a basic 2-point light setup that’s lightweight and portable.

First, the softbox setup is fast and easy with its velcro attachments. On top of that, you also have an egg-crate diffuser, which is great for making your talent look their best. Also, you can add or remove the included barn doors with four screws.

When choosing lights, you can’t ignore the Bi-Color + RGB feature. Having a wide creative color range, along with the ability to match any light source, adds great value to any project.

Lastly, if you want both lights to have the exact same settings, you can use slave mode. Set each light to the same channel, and everything you set on one light will be mirrored on the other.

Single-Source LED Video Lights

As you can guess, single-source lights have a single source of light coming from them. They are known for creating hard, clearly defined shadows, harsher light (when not diffused), or more directional light.

Single-source LED lights are more popular with professional filmmakers because they allow for full control of the output, direction, and quality of light.

Godox SL-60W

Moving on, we have the Godox SL-60W. There are so many ways for filmmakers to use this compact light.

First, it’s very lightweight and portable, which makes it ideal for packing and transporting to a location.

Secondly, the built-in Bowens mount allows you to use countless third-party reflectors and softboxes. When testing, we tried using it as a key light, so we added a grid to prevent light from spilling onto our background.

For the price, I feel you’re getting quality light for an insanely low price.

Godox SL100Bi 100W Bi-Color

Next, we have an entry-level light with intense output and Bi-Color ready – the Godox SL100Bi.

First and foremost, this light comes with COB (chip-on-board technology). This basically means it can fit more LEDs in a smaller space and deliver high-intensity light. This also equates to a longer equipment lifespan.

The compact and lightweight body offers flexibility for use in small studios or home settings. It’s perfect for content creators.

The easy-to-use control interface is also nice. The dials have no wobble or play, and the buttons feel nice, as they’re rubber and tactile.

GVM 300W

First off, the GVM 300W light is very, very useful. If you’re looking for one of the sturdiest and brightest lights at a low price point, then this one is for you. It’ll do whatever you need it to do.

For instance, you could run this light for hours and touch the body anywhere without feeling any heat. The metal and plastic are fine. There’s a mesh grill on the top and bottom, so the fan passes air through easily. 

Next, it also has master and slave options. If needed, you could control up to 12 lights without having to configure them all.

In fact, it not only performs very well, but when set up, it looks impressive to clients when filming.

Amaran 200x Bi-Color

Next, we have a budget-friendly option from Aputure called the Amaran 200x. It uses a 200W COB LED output to create an equivalent to a 750W tungsten light. However, the Amaran stays cool no matter how long you shoot.

Without a doubt, this is one of the easiest studio lights to adjust and transport. It is a great key light for small interview setups. In fact, it has a built-in umbrella holder for fast and easy soft light.

Lastly, with Amaran’s app, you can trigger the light effects at the exact time you want without having to wait for them to cycle through. This is a small touch but a great benefit when timing is key.

Aputure LS 300x Bi-Color

Now, we’ve finally arrived at our last choice – the Aputure LS300x. This is a top-of-the-line light that delivers consistency and accurate colors that are higher than industry standards.

More importantly, when your light measurements need to be precise, the LS300x has you covered. First, you can adjust your color temperature with +/- 50K increments. Second, you can maintain consistent exposure levels while adjusting color temperatures. Not many LED video lights offer this feature.

Next, you can connect with a remote or have full control with the wireless app. A DMX connection is also available for complex shoots.

Overall, I thought this light had excellent build quality and a stylish design. Its values are brighter than daylight, and it produces light that is warmer than typical tungsten lights. So, if you can afford it, then this is one of the best options out there.

Wrapping Up

In short, my advice is to consider the type of shooting you do, whether it’s short films, corporate videos, or vlogging, and work out your needs. Consider things like portability, power, color temperatures, features, and pricing.

Also, many accessories and light modifiers (like softboxes) are available for the ones listed above, so you don’t have to live with one brand for the rest of your career. Most lights make it easy to mix and match, adding to your kit as you go.