user-selectable brightness increments let you set a comfortable level of illumination, and there’s a trio of colour temperature options so you can best match your ambient lighting.

Larger ring lights also facilitate a greater working distance, so you don’t need to position them as close to your subject. The articulation points on the base are rather plasticky and you likely won’t want to fix a large camera directly onto the included ball head. The light features a clamp so you can mount it directly on your laptop, monitor, or the edge of your desk with no need for an additional stand. The result is a uniform ring of light, free of harsh hotspots which is noticeably less fatiguing on the eyes.It produces super soft, wrap-around light to provide flattering, shadow-free lighting across the face. Overall, however, for the money, and with a stand, smartphone holder and carry case all included, this is a well-rounded, useful piece of kit. Once set up it can then be angled to suit, and can be plugged directly into your computer’s USB port, which keeps messy cable runs to a minimum. As you’d expect from a larger light, the Elgato provides a soft, shadow-free look along with bright halo catchlights. It’s no surprise, then, that ring lights are now some of the most popular lighting choices for YouTubers, vloggers and makeup artists.

Ring lights can illuminate a subject from multiple sides, which results in a pleasing, well-lit appearance, free of harsh shadows – a look that is generally flattering on faces. The light diameter is 10", whilst the light 120 non-replaceable LED bulbs can change colours from warm white, to white to bright white with just the touch of a button. USB Powered 3 colour modes Tripod stand 2 Metre cable length Input power: 5V/1A / Output power: 5V/0. Read more about the condition New: A brand-new, unused, unopened and undamaged item in original retail packaging (where packaging is applicable). READ NEXT: Our pick of the best selfie sticks How to choose the best ring light for you What is a ring light?

The light can be powered using the included mains adapter or, for a cable-free setup, you can use a set of six AA batteries (although we’d recommend looking into rechargeables). It features a compact, pocketable design with a clip with which it can be attached to just about any smartphone or tablet. It may be worth taking the ratings advertised by cheaper lights with a pinch of salt but, in general, anything with a CRI of 90 or more should be fine for photo and video work. You’ve no doubt noticed that natural light can appear cool and blue, while indoor incandescent light can seem warm and yellow. A bright rear display makes adjusting brightness and exact colour temperature a breeze, while a set of included diffusion filters let you soften the light to taste.