Studio shooting allows you to have full control of the environment. You’re not limited by the time of day, available light, weather, or background.
Worried about the expense?
Worry no more!
Today, you’ll discover the best cheap studio lighting equipment whether you have a pro studio, a home studio, or you’re looking for lights to use on the go so you can make every image perfect without breaking the bank.
Let’s jump right in.
In this article:
- Best cheap studio lights for the money: Neewer 2-pack 2.4G Softbox LED Light Kit
- THE best cheap studio lighting kit: Neewer Photo (2) 300W Studio Strobe
- Runner up best cheap studio lighting kit: Godox E250 (2) 250W Photo Studio Strobe
- Best cheap studio flash for the money: Neewer 300W 5600K Photo Studio Strobe
- THE best cheap studio flash: Godox SK400II Studio Strobe 400Ws
- Runner up best budget studio flash: Neewer S101-300W Professional Studio Monolight
- Best cheapest studio flash: Limostudio Photography 200W Photo Monolight
- Best cheap portable studio light: Neewer Vision 4
- Best cheap LED studio lights: Neewer 2-pack 2.4G LED Softbox LED Lighting Kit
| Editor’s Pick | Brand |
| Best cheap studio lights for the money | Neewer 2-pack 2.4G Softbox LED Light Kit |
| THE best cheap studio lighting kit | Neewer Photo (2) 300W Studio Strobe |
| Runner up best cheap studio lighting kit | Godox E250 (2) 250W Photo Studio Strobe |
| Best cheap studio flash for the money | Neewer 300W 5600K Photo Studio Strobe |
| THE best cheap studio flash | Godox SK400II Studio Strobe 400Ws |
| Runner up best budget studio flash | Neewer S101-300W Professional Studio Monolight |
| Best cheapest studio flash | Limostudio Photography 200W Photo Monolight |
| Best cheap portable studio light | Neewer Vision 4 |
| Best cheap LED studio lights | Neewer 2-pack 2.4G LED Softbox LED Lighting Kit |
Best Cheap Studio Lights for the Money: Neewer 2.4G Softbox LED Light Kit (2-pack)
The Neewer 2-pack 2.4G Softbox LED Lighting Kit is powered by a DC power adapter or Li-ion batteries. This value-packed outfit has two softboxes with 48W dimmable LED light heads that provide bi-color temperatures of 3200K-5600K . The brightness adjusts from 10%-100% with the knob on the panel or through 2.4G remote control.
It also comes with two light stands that adjust from 31-74 inches with a stable, locking 3-leg design. An easy to use LCD control panel, diffusers, and filters along with a bag to carry everything round out this complete kit.
This set up is perfect to use in portrait/product photography or video shooting. The lighter weight and availability of DC power or Li-ion batteries gives this set maximum flexibility for use in the studio or on the go.
The Neewer 2-pack 2.4G Softbox LED Lighting Kit is the best cheap studio lighting for the money because of the quality components, beautiful color quality, and the flexibility of use in the studio or on the go. It’s a really great kit at such an affordable price.
Key features of the Neewer 2-pack 2.4G Softbox Kit:
- DC power or battery
- Compact size, weight
- Adjustable brightness
- Variable color temperature
THE Best Cheap Studio Lighting Kit: Neewer Photo 300W Studio Strobe (2-pack)
The Golden Hour isn’t golden all year. You may be feeling the need to move your photography into a studio or at least be able to create light that Mother Nature can’t always provide.
This super-impressive Neewer Photo 300W Studio Strobe (2-pack) kit has 300WS tungsten lights with power control from 1.0 to 6.0 in 0.1 increments and a very fast recycle time of 0.3-1.8 seconds. The temperature range is 5600K +/- 200K and it has several trigger modes including photosensor, flash trigger, and test-button trigger.
Included in the kit are softboxes, strobe flashes with modeling lamps, stands, a remote trigger and a carrying bag.
It will work seamlessly with your camera system to create consistent, beautiful light. It would also be fantastic for shooting video. Two of everything means you’ll have a good start to your lighting grid.
The Neewer Photo 300W Studio Strobe (2-pack) is THE best cheap studio kit because it has so many features of the much more expensive kits at a much more affordable price. Stellar temperature range, multiple trigger modes and fast recycle times top the list of features for these economical studio lights.
Key Features of the Neewer Photo 300W Studio Strobe 2-pack:
- Easy to use
- Brilliant color
- Fast recycle times
- Multiple trigger modes
Runner Up Best Cheap Studio Lighting Kit: Godox E250 (2) 250W Photo Studio Strobe
While not the most powerful strobe, the Godox E250 250W Photo Studio Strobe is the best runner-up cheap lighting kit because it has all of the features you need to make a workable studio without spending all your dough.
This studio photography light kit features two Godox 250W strobe lights along with stands, softboxes, and remotes. The lights also have 150W modeling lamps that adjust in 9 power levels. A quick recycle time of 0.3-2 seconds, multiple trigger modes and great color round out this top discount pick.
Continuous lighting mode also makes this a good choice for video lighting.
The Godox E250 250W Photo Studio Strobe also offers wireless control port and flash triggering system with anti pre-flash functions for seamless synchronization. Truly phenomenal equipment whether you’re an amateur or pro.
Key Features of the Godox E250 250W Photo Studio Strobe:
- Excellent color
- Quick recycle
- Various trigger modes
Best Cheap Studio Flash for the Money: Neewer 300W 5600K Photo Studio Strobe
The Neewer 300W 5600K Photo Studio Strobe is a budget-busting, professional-quality, indoor studio strobe. The light intensity is quite strong at 300WS; it also comes with a 75W modeling lamp with 3 light power levels and can work as fill light when not using the strobe function.
The lamp is made from durable aluminum alloy and it has a large LCD panel for ease of operation. It has an impressive 60 steps in 0.1 increments with a sync distance of 10 meters and temperature of 5600K +/-200K.
When paired with an umbrella or softbox, this light will produce dreamy, soft, portrait-perfect light for any subject. It can be hand held or placed on a light stand. It may be some of the best lighting you can get on a budget.
What makes the Neewer 300W 5600K Photo Studio Strobe the prime cheap studio flash for the money? High quality versus low price. With one powerful lamp and durable aluminum alloy construction, this strobe really packs a value punch.
Key Features of the Neewer 300W 5600K Photo Studio Strobe:
- Great color
- Powerful light
- Durable construction
THE Best Cheap Studio Flash: Godox SK400II Studio Strobe 400Ws
With the Godox 2.4G wireless X system built in, the Godox SK400II is an economical compact strobe perfect for portraits, products, or lifestyle photography shoots. In small-medium studio use, this versatile light can work as a highlight, background light or hair light.
It also has very fast recycle time of 0.1-1.0s and stable voltage with precise output displayed on a large LCD panel.
It has a compact and lightweight metal body and a built-in cooling fan for excellent heat dissipation. It also has a universal Bowens mount, so you can attach your favorite diffuser.
A jackpot of awesome features at an amazing price is what makes the Godox SK400II THE best cheap strobe for your lighting needs. Versatility and quality will make you glad to have this in your equipment arsenal.
Key Features of the Godox SK400II:
- Cooling fan
- Fast recycle
- Wireless X System
- Universal Bowens mount
- Formidable output stability
Runner Up Best Budget Studio Flash: Neewer S101-300W Professional Studio Monolight
The Neewer S101-300W Professional Studio Monolight is perfectly designed with photographers in mind. It’s perfect for indoor studio photography, product/food photography, weddings, and more.
It has a strong light with 300WS and stable temperature at 5600K +/-200. It has a Bowens-style mount and can be handheld or attached to a light stand.
The Neewer S101-300W is the best runner up studio strobe because it has features comparable to much more expensive flashes. It’s a versatile light to add to your lighting equipment and camera.
Key Features of the Neewer S101-300W Professional Studio Monolight:
- Strong, stable light
- Durable construction
- Modeling lamp included
Best Cheapest Studio Flash: LimoStudio Photography 200W Photo Monolight
If you’re looking for a very basic, inexpensive strobe to add to your studio or for on-the-go lighting, the Limostudio Photography 200W Photo Monolight is a great option.
It offers a test button and power output dial as well as on/off switch for model light. A “ready” sound alert and sync cable round out the features for this strobe. It can work as a main, back, or focus light.
The LimoStudio Photography 200W Photo Monolight comes in as the best, cheapest studio strobe for its simplicity and low price.
Key features of the LimoStudio Photography 200W Photo Monolight:
- Versatility
- Adjustable angle
- “Ready” indicator/alert
Best Cheap Portable Studio Light: Neewer Vision 4
If you need a great strobe that you can take on location, the Neewer Vision 4 is a great bet. Specifically designed for location shooting, it boasts a large-capacity lithium battery to provide up to 700 full-power flashes.
Throw that in with 2.4G wireless operation and 16 channels with brilliant color temperature at 5600K +/-200K and 300WS and this portable strobe is a winner.
The Neewer Vision 4 is the best cheap portable studio light because it was designed to be used outdoors or in studio which makes it maximally flexible. The value of this product makes it an outstanding choice.
Key Features of the Neewer Vision 4:
- Wireless operation
- Sturdy and durable
- Large capacity battery
Best Cheap LED Studio Lights: Neewer 2-pack 2.4G LED Softbox Lighting Kit
A multipurpose softbox lighting kit for video, the Neewer Softbox Lighting Kit has a lot to say for itself!
If you’re looking for inexpensive photography lighting kits, you must check out the Neewer 2-pack 2.4G LED Softbox Lighting Kit.
This low-cost set has 48W dimmable bulbs with a bi-color temperature range of 3200K-5600K and adjustable brightness from 1%-100%. Light weight and powered by DC power or Li-ion battery, this kit could be great for on-the-go camera shoots. It also has an easy-to-read LCD control panel.
The Neewer 2-pack 2.4G LED Softbox Lighting Kit is the best cheap LED studio lights because it has everything you might need for in-studio or on-the-go lighting for your camera setup.
Key Features of the Neewer 2-pack 2.4G LED Softbox Lighting Kit:
- Versatile
- Great color quality
- Dimmable light heads
Now that you have the information you need to make a decision about which lighting kit to get started with, you may be wondering what the leading best studio light setup really is…
If you’re only going to have one light source, it will likely shine right on your subject. One light can evoke a ton of emotion and be very dramatic or moody. You can play with the shadows for different effects. You could use natural light for the background or choose something neutral for the background.
If you have two lights, you can use one for the key light which will shine on your subject and the second, or rim, light will highlight the background and give a sense of depth.
Enjoy your camera and photography more by adding one of these awesome photography lighting kits to your collection.