Color gels empower you to take incredible photos.
With the right colored gel, you can define the mood. Take a simple scene and transform it into a luminous atmosphere.
Gels also give you more possibilities to express your creativity and define your style.
With so many commercial gels available it would take you a lot of trial and error, not to mention money, to figure out which color gels work best for you.
Luckily, we went ahead and did all the homework to figure it out for you!
No matter what your setup looks like or what kind of dreamscape you are dying to photograph, we have the right color gels for you!
Let’s take a look!
In this article:
- Best Gels For Photography Lighting:
- Best Value Gels:
- Best Color Correction Filters and Gels
- Best Red Gel Filter: Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filter
- Best Blue Gel For Lights: Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filter
- Best Green Light Filter: Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filter
- Best Amber Gel Lighting: Selens Lighting Gels
- Best Rosco Lighting Gels: Rosco Color Effects Filter Kit, 12 x 12″ Sheets
- Best Camera Light Gel: Color Mogu 14 Pack
- Best LED Light Gels: Selens 20 Pieces Universal Gels Lighting Filter Kit
- Best Cellophane Light Filters: Outus Cellophane Wraps
- Best Color Correction Lighting Gel Filter: Color Mogu 14 Pack
- Best Color Filter Paper: Color Mogu 14 Pack
- Best Black Light Gel Sheets: eBoot 9 Pieces Gel Filter Transparent
Best Overall Color Gels
Editor’s Pick
| Best Gels For Photography Lighting: | |
| Best Camera Light Gel For Flash | Rogue Gels Universal Lighting Filter Kit |
| Best Color Gels For Strobe | Color Mogu 14 Pack |
| Best Value Gels: | |
| For Flash | Neewer Speedlite Lighting Color Gel Filter Kit |
| For Strobe | SAKOLLA 16 Pack Color Correction Gel Light Filter |
| Best Cheap Color Gels | Cowboystudio Color Correction Gels |
| Best Color Correction Filters and Gels: | |
| Best Red Gel Filter | Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filter |
| Best Blue Gel For Lights | Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filter |
| Best Green Light Filter | Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filter |
| Best Amber Gel Lighting | Selens Lighting Gels |
| Best Rosco Lighting Gels | Rosco Color Effects Filter Kit, 12 x 12″ Sheets |
| Best Camera Light Gel | Color Mogu 14 Pack |
| Best LED Light Gels | Selens 20 Pieces Universal Gels Lighting Filter Kit |
| Best Cellophane Light Filters | Outus Cellophane Wraps |
| Best Color Correction Lighting Gel Filter | Color Mogu 14 Pack |
| Best Color Filter Paper | Color Mogu 14 Pack |
| Best Black Light Gel Sheets | eBoot 9 Pieces Gel Filter Transparent |
Best Color Gels For Flash: Rogue Gels Universal Lighting Filter Kit
The top pick for gels to use on your flash is the Rogue Gels Universal Lighting Filter Kit. This kit will give you everything you need to start using gels on the go! It includes a gel-band attachment for your flash. The gels are labeled for ease of use. And it comes with a padded storage pouch with dividers. This is hands down the best gel kit for flashes.
Key Features of the Rogue Gels Universal Lighting Filter Kit
- 20 filters:
- 14 color effects
- 5 color correction
- 1 diffusion
- Includes Rogue Gel-Band attachment
- Includes Padded storage pouch with quick-reference dividers
Best Color Gels For Strobe: Color Mogu 14 Pack
The top pick for gels to use with your strobe light is the Color Mogu 14 Pack. With 7 different colors, you will have all the gels you need for color correction and to create awesome color effects. With two gel sheets for each color, you can set up multiple lights and have more to spare.
Key Features of the Color Mogu 14 Pack
- Colors: Orange, Yellow, Red, Pink, Blue, Purple, Dk. Yellow (2 pieces of each)
- Wonderful for color correction and lighting effects
- 8.5 x 11 in/ 22 x 28 cm
- Bonus use: use to highlight pages and make reading easier!
Best Value Gels For Flash: Neewer Speedlite Lighting Color Gel Filter Kit
The best value choice for your flash is the Neewer Speedlite Lighting Color Gel Filter Kit. This kit has 30 different popular colors from which to choose. It also comes with a bag to hold all of your gels. This kit includes a “barn door” to attach the gels to your camera and the barn door can be flipped up when not in use to let you switch between lighting modes quickly.
Key Features of the Neewer Speedlite Lighting Color Gel Filter Kit
- 30 Different Colors Filters
- Barn Door with strap
- Carrying case
- Thickness provides good color saturation
Best Value Gels For Strobe: SAKOLLA 16 Pack Color Correction Gel Light Filter
The most value you can get for your gel dollar is the Sakolla 16 Pack Color Correction Gel Light Filter. You get 16 gels, 8 colors, so you can add even more color to your scenes. Made from high light transmission material they are great for everything from to the theatre to DJ lighting.
Key Features of the Sakolla 16 Pack Color Correction Gel Light Filter
- PVC plastic film sheets
- Colors: Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Orange, Pink, Rose Red and Red
- Vibrant Colors
- Two sided protective film
Best Cheap Color Gels: Cowboystudio Color Correction Gels
If you are looking for gels that work with no fuss then you need Cowboystudio Color Correction Gels. Nothing fancy but you can’t argue with the price point. Four basic gels ( red, yellow, green, blue) will work for almost anything you can imagine and not break the bank.
Key Features of the Cowboystudio Color Correction Gels
- Size: 12×12 inches
- Colors: Red, Green, Yellow, Blue
Best Color Correction Filters and Gels
Best Red Gel Filter: Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filters
When it comes to having the basics covered you can never have too many of the Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filter. High light transmission, steady color temperature, and low loss make it the best red gel going. And with 9 pieces you can have multiple filters and still have enough leftover.
Key Features of the Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filters
- Size: 11.7 x 8.3 Inches
- Made of high light transmission plastic
- Protective film
- Numerous uses
Best Blue Gel Filter: Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filter
The Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filter has your blue color needs taken care of. High light transmission, steady color temperature, and low loss make it the best blue gel going. And with 9 pieces you can have multiple filters and still have enough leftover.
Key Features of the Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filter
- Size: 11.7 x 8.3 Inches
- Made of high light transmission plastic
- Protective film
- Numerous uses
Best Green Light Filter: Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filter
Who said it ain’t easy being green? With the Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filter you will get the freshest photos of plants you could want. Tired of your landscapes getting washed out? This green pack will make sure your landscapes are never dull.
Key Features of the Pangda 9 Pack Gel Filter
- Size: 11.7 x 8.3 Inches
- Made of high light transmission plastic
- Protective film
- Numerous uses
Best Amber Gel Lighting: Selens Lighting Gels
Selens Lighting Gels are perfect for changing the color temperature of a room through strobe light or ambient light. Make your photos more realistic and transform a cold room with these great amber gels. You can use a combination of these amber filters to add more variation to your lighting.
Key Features of the Selens Lighting Gels
- Size: 15.7×19.6 inches/40x50cm
- Different thicknesses for more precise temperature control
- Pack of 4 pieces
- 1x Full Orange Filter
- 1x 1/2 Orange Filter
- 1x 1/4 Orange Filter
- 1x 1/8 Orange Filter
Best Rosco Lighting Gels: Rosco Color Effects Filter Kit, 12 x 12″ Sheets
Rosco is a trusted name in colors and the Rosco Color Effects Filter Kit shows you why. Choose from 15 different colors to make your lighting vibrant. Includes pinks and rosy ambers for skin tone enhancement. These gels are great for background washes, dance areas, and set pieces.
Key Features of the Rosco Color Effects Filter Kit
- Size: 12 x 12 inches
- 15 different colors
- Vibrant colors for background washes
Best Camera Light Gel: Color Mogu 14 Pack
Whether you are using direct light or diffusing the light via a softbox, gain the control you need with our favorite Gel kit. The Color Mogu 14 Pack gives you 2 gels of each color so you can use it on multiple light sources at once without buying anything else. This one pack has you covered.
Key Features of the Color Mogu 14 Pack
- Colors: Orange, Yellow, Red, Pink, Blue, Purple, Dk. Yellow (2 pieces of each)
- Wonderful for color correction and lighting effects
- 8.5 x 11 in/ 22 x 28 cm
- Bonus use: use to highlight pages and make reading easier!
Best LED Light Gels: Selens 20 Pieces Universal Gels Lighting Filter Kit
If you are looking for the right gels for LED lights the Selens 20 Piece Universal Gel Lighting Filter Kit has everything you need. Providing you with 20 filters, 14 color effects, and 6 color correction filters, all within an organized pouch. Get ready to create your next magic scene.
Key Features of the Selens 20 Pieces Universal Gels Lighting Filter Kit
- Size: 3.74” x 2.56”/9.5cm x 6.5cm
- 20 filters:
- 14 color effects
- 6 color correction
- Includes carrying pouch
Best Cellophane Light Filters: Outus Cellophane Wraps
A great alternative to flash gels, Outus Cellophane Wraps will take your lighting options in a whole new direction. Perfect for your constant lighting, these cellophane wraps let you set a mode without setting fire to your softbox! The sheets are 11.8 x 8.5 inches giving you plenty of coverage for any light you have.
Key Features of the Outus Cellophane Wraps
- Size: 11.8 x 8.5 inch/ 30 x 22 cm
- Colors: clear, red, green, orange, pink, blue, orchid and yellow (13 pieces of each color)
Best Color Correction Lighting Gel Filter: Color Mogu 14 Pack
The Color Mogu 14 Pack is one of the most versatile packs out there. We chose it for the best overall and it turns out the color correction gels in this pack are good enough that we chose it again. The color corrections sheets in particular have a great steady color with low loss.
Key Features of the Color Mogu 14 Pack
- Colors: Orange, Yellow, Red, Pink, Blue, Purple, Dk. Yellow (2 pieces of each)
- Wonderful for color correction and lighting effects
- 8.5 x 11 in/ 22 x 28 cm
- Bonus use: use to highlight pages and make reading easier!
Best Color Filter Paper: Color Mogu 14 Pack
The Color Mogu 14 Pack does a great job at everything it trys. Yes, it is a great gel for your flash. Yes, it’s great for your ambient lighting. BUT it also does a terrific job as a color filter. Placing any of these sheets will minimize glare, enhance colors, reduce the light reaching your camera. This pack is a win, win, win.
Key Features of the Color Mogu 14 Pack
- Colors: Orange, Yellow, Red, Pink, Blue, Purple, Dk. Yellow (2 pieces of each)
- Wonderful for color correction and lighting effects
- 8.5 x 11 in/ 22 x 28 cm
- Bonus use: use to highlight pages and make reading easier!
Best Black Light Gel Sheets: eBoot 9 Pieces Gel Filter Transparent
Want an affordable way to diffuse your light? Create amazing color effects with the eBoot 9 Pieces Gel Filter pack. Including a black gel great for using as a light diffuser. Create softer light for portraits using the black gel. There are 9 pieces, one color each, giving you a wide range to choose from when transforming your space. One of the few filter backs with a black filter for diffusion.
Key Features of the eBoot 9 Pieces Gel Filter Transparent
- Size: 11.7 x 8.3 inches
- Colors: Black, Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Orange, Pink, Grey, Fluorescent Yellow