So you’re thinking about improving your setup with a lighting kit?
Great choice! 📸✨
Lighting is the key to taking the perfect picture… so much so that a flawlessly lit scene can help you take professional-level photos even with basic DSLR cameras (or your phone!).
Now only imagine what you could do if you combined the right lights with a market-leading camera? 🤩
Enough daydreaming though, let’s get back to the question at hand:
What photography lights should you buy in 2020?
Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer. There are just too many possibilities and too many individual factors to consider…
You’ll need a super-detailed comprehensive guide to help you find the perfect lights for your studio.
Good thing we wrote just that!
Buckle up and prepare to read about the best lighting kits available on the market. One is bound to fit you like a glove!
Let’s dive in.
In This Article
The Best Photography Lighting Kit of 2020
- The Best Photography Lighting Kit: Profoto 901056 D1 Studio Lighting Kit
- Runner Best Studio Lighting Kit: Godox 1800W 3x DP600II
- Best Budget Photography Lighting Kit: Godox 600W MS200
- Best Cheap Lighting Kit For Photography: Neewer 2-Pack 2.4G LED Softbox Light Kit
- The Best Softbox Lighting Kit: Neewer 2-Pack 2.4G LED Softbox Lighting Kit
- The Best Budget Softbox Lighting Kit: Fovitec 2-Light 1000W Fluorescent Kit
- The Best Cheap Softbox Lighting Kit: HPUSN Softbox Studio Lighting Kit
- The Best Professional Studio Softbox Kit: Godox Honeycomb Grid Softbox Kit
- The Best Strobe Lighting Kit: Profoto 901056 D1 Studio Lighting Kit
- The Best Cheap Strobe Lighting Kit: Neewer 250W Photo Studio Strobe Kit
- The Best Portrait Lighting Kit For Photography: Godox QT400II Kit
- The Best LED Lighting Kit: Neewer 3-Pack 660 LED Light
- The Best Budget LED Lighting Kit For Photography: Neewer 2-Pack 480 LED Video Light
- The Best Professional Photo Studio Backdrop and Lighting Kit: Neewer Umbrellas Softbox Continuous Lighting Kit
The Best Photography Lighting Kits
| Editor’s Pick | Brand |
| The Best Photography Lighting Kit | Profoto 901056 D1 Studio Lighting Kit |
| Runner Up Best Studio Lighting Kit | Godox 1800W 3x DP600II |
| Best Budget Photography Lighting Kit | Godox 600W MS200 |
| Best Cheap Lighting Kit For Photography | Neewer 2-Pack 2.4G LED Softbox Light Kit |
| The Best Softbox Lighting Kit | Neewer 2-Pack 2.4G LED Softbox Lighting Kit |
| Best Budget Softbox Lighting Kit | Fovitec 2-Light 1000W Fluorescent Kit |
| Best Cheap Softbox Lighting Kit | HPUSN Softbox Studio Lighting Kit |
| Best Professional Studio Softbox Kit | Godox Honeycomb Grid Softbox Kit |
| The Best Strobe Lighting Kit | Profoto 901056 D1 Studio Lighting Kit |
| The Best Cheap Strobe Lighting Kit | Neewer 250W Photo Studio Strobe Kit |
| The Best Portrait Light For Photography | Godox QT400II Kit |
| The Best LED Lighting Kit | Neewer 3-Pack 660 LED Light |
| The Best Budget LED Kit For Photography | Neewer 2-Pack 480 LED Video Light |
| The Best Professional Photo Studio Backdrop and Lighting Kit | Neewer Umbrellas Softbox Continuous Lighting Kit |
The Best Photography Lighting Kit: Profoto 901056 D1 Studio Lighting Kit
The Profoto 901056 D1 Studio Light Kit is the winner of four separate categories including the coveted ‘best overall’ lighting set. Truly impressive!
This can only mean one thing:
There’s no doubt that this is currently the best studio lighting kit in the world for illuminating your pictures.
This photography lighting kit provides you with 1000Ws of Profoto-quality lighting power, speedy recycling times (0.2 – 0.95s), short flash duration (1/2600s to 1/1000s), and 1/10 f-stop precision exposure control.
#micdrop
This Profoto 901056 is best-suited for experienced photographers or professionals who can spend the money for the best available products.
This is a great value for money due to the amount of equipment included:
- TWO (!) D1 Air 500Ws strobe lights
- Two small white umbrellas for softer illumination
- Two sturdy stands
- A sync cord
- A carrying case
If you want to make your Studio Kit even better, consider adding a few optional accessories. We suggest the Profoto Air Remote for up to 300m (1000’) of wireless control and the Profoto BatPac for flexible battery-powered shooting.
Key Features of the Profoto 901056 D1 Studio Lighting Kit:
- 300W tungsten modeling light
- Minimizes stray light with a built-in reflector
- Professional level strobe that’s easy to use and easy to set up
- Outstanding color temperature consistency between flashes (+/- 40K)
Runner Up Best Studio Lighting Kit: Godox 1800W 3x DP600II
For most people, the Godox 1800W 3x DP600II might just be the finest studio lighting kit that their budget can stretch to. At less than half the price of a Profoto D1, it’s an incredible value!
You won’t need to break the bank to fit your studio with a professional lighting system…
But don’t think Godox cheaped out or designed a bulky product, this bundle is lightweight and built to last.
The real star of the show is the DP600II flash… well the THREE DP600II flashes! Each one is equipped with a robust 600Ws of power, 0.3 – 1.5s recycle times, and flash durations as quick as a show-stopping 1/2000s. They also have adjustable 150W modeling lights and variable power from 1/16 to 1/1.
Wait there’s more:
All these amazing features can be controlled wirelessly via the included X1T-N trigger!
Almost sold? Then convince yourself by checking out all the other amazing accessories this kit includes:
- Two 60 x 90cm ( 24″ x 35″) softboxes
- Two adjustable 2.8m (9’2″) light stands
- One studio boom arm
- One 120cm (47″) FW softbox
- One honeycomb grid with barn doors
- Four color filters
- One Bowens mount reflector
- One 5-in-1 90 x 120cm (35″ x 47″) reflector board
Key Features of the Godox 1800W 3X DP600II:
- Built-in wireless receiver
- 5600K color temperature (+/- 200K)
- Contains all the accessories you’ll ever need
- Settings conveniently auto recover after restarting
Best Budget Photography Lighting Kit: Godox 600W MS200
Looking for something a little cheaper and a bit better suited to non-professional photographers?
Godox has exactly the right product for you. The 1800W 3X DP600II’s little brother:
The 600W MS200 Studio Strobe Kit.
It’s made up of three MS200 monolights that have strikingly similar features to their more expensive sibling: short recycle times (0.1 – 1.8s), flash duration as low as 1/2000s, variable power output (1/32 to 1/1), 5600K color temperature, and adjustable 150W modeling lights.
They even come with a comparable amount of accessories:
- Three 2m (6’6″) light stands
- Two 60 x 90cm (24″ x 35″) softboxes
- One 102cm (40″) black umbrella reflector
- One XT-16 wireless transmitter
- One Bowens mount reflector
- One roller travel bag
There’s only one thing they can’t match: the DP600II’s raw flash power.
Each MS200 strobe only supplies 200Ws…
But the good news is that this is still more than enough power for most of us. Novices, amateurs, and anyone working in a smaller photography studio will barely notice the difference in a finished image!
Key Features of the Godox MS200:
- Compact and lightweight
- 50-step power output control
- Built-in wireless receiver with over 100m (328′) range
- Each flash comes with a stable, aluminum-framed light stand
Best Cheap Lighting Kit For Photography: Neewer 2-Pack 2.4G LED Softbox Light Kit
If you’re on a razor-thin budget, then you need to take a look at the Neewer 2-Pack 2.4G LED Softbox Light Kit.
This is the second (and last) product to be recognized as the winner of four separate categories on our list… a real testament to the quality Neewer has been able to achieve whilst keeping prices remarkably low!
For less than $150, you can buy a capable toolkit that consists of:
- Two dimmable 48W LED continuous lights, each with their own 188cm (74″) aluminum alloy light stand
- Two 50 x 70cm (20″ x 28″) softboxes
- Six color filters (red, yellow, and blue)
- Two white diffusers
- One 2.4G remote control
- One large storage case
It’s perfect for beginner photographers and videographers that want to buy their first studio light, but it will also work wonders for YouTubers, vloggers, and streamers.
Key Features of the Neewer 2-Pack 2.4G LED Softbox Light Kit:
- Brightness dimmable from 100% to 10%
- Adjustable color temperature from 3200K to 5600K
- A remote control makes it super easy to change settings as you shoot
- A/C powered, but also works with batteries that are sold separately here
The Best Softbox Lighting Kits
The Best Softbox Lighting Kit: Neewer 2-Pack 2.4G LED Softbox Light Kit
A multipurpose softbox lighting kit for video, the Neewer Softbox Lighting Kit has a lot to say for itself!
So you want softer lights for your studio?
Getting a kit with softboxes is a wise decision.
Getting the Neewer 2-Pack 2.4G LED Softbox Light Kit is an even wiser decision.
It’s ideal for softening harsh light sources, removing annoying shadows, and enhancing people’s skin tone and texture.
Sound expensive?
It does…but it isn’t!
This Neewer LED Softbox Kit is exceptionally well-priced at under $150, especially considering all the gear it comes with:
- Two dimmable 48W LED continuous lights
- Two 188cm (74″) aluminum alloy light stands
- Two 50 x 70cm (20″ x 28″) softboxes
- Two white diffusers
- Six color filters (red, yellow, and blue)
- One 2.4G remote
- One large carrying case
Great lights at a great price. Enough said!
Best Budget Softbox Lighting Kit: Fovitec 2-Light 1000W Fluorescent Kit
The Fovitec 2-Light 1000W Fluorescent Kit is an excellent choice if you’re tired of hard-to-assemble softboxes… these have been specifically designed to be a breeze to put together and take apart.
But these lamps aren’t just about convenience, they’re also about providing you with a ton of energy-efficient lighting power at a great price. This bright performance is achieved through two 105W fluorescent lamps, two 50 x 50cm (20″ x 20″) softboxes, and two sturdy aluminum light stands.
The sky’s the limit in terms of what these bad boys can be used for:
Studio portraits, small product photography, vlogging, streaming, and headshots are a few options that come to mind.
Another big advantage is that these Fovitec lamps use continuous lighting, which makes them super easy to use and master. They’re particularly wonderful for beginners that are worried about using strobe flashes!
Key Features of the Fovitec 2-Light 1000W Fluorescent Kit:
- 5500K color temperature
- Very quick to set up and use
- Carrying case not included but available for purchase
- Each light stand is adjustable from 69 – 229cm (2’3″ – 7’6″)
Best Cheap Softbox Lighting Kit: HPUSN Softbox Studio Lighting Ki
The HPUSN Softbox Studio Lighting Kit can be described using just one expression:
Bang for the buck! 💥💵
For well under $100, you’ll secure yourself a wealth of lighting gear that is worth far, far more:
- Two 50 x 70cm (20″ x 28″) softboxes
- Two continuous 85W CFL light bulbs
- Two adjustable (66 – 200cm / 26″ – 79″) light stands with 210° rotatable heads
- Two light diffusers
- One protective duffel bag
The build quality is also impressive… we haven’t tried anything anywhere near as sturdy or durable at this price point!
As its name suggests, this HPUSN set is primarily geared for use in a photography studio. Here it’ll shine and consistently deliver superb results regardless of your specific focus.
Key Features of the HPUSN Softbox Studio Lighting Kit:
- 5400K color temperature
- Soft, gentle, and bright light
- 24-month guarantee from HPUSN
- Energy-efficient, long-lasting bulbs
Best Professional Studio Softbox Kit: Godox Honeycomb Grid Softbox Kit
Pay close attention:
The Godox Honeycomb Grid Softbox Kit is very different from all the other lighting equipment in this article…
It doesn’t come with any studio lights or strobes (or even a light stand).
So you might be asking yourself:
How has it still managed to sneak into our list of the ultimate lighting kits?
It’s thanks to the two incredible, professional-quality softboxes that we couldn’t leave this product aside… especially given how affordable it is!
These softboxes help photographers attain a stunning variety of lighting contrasts. You’ll be able to make your lights softer, more accurate, brighter, and/or smoother depending on which of the following accessories you use:
- Two honeycomb grids
- Four diffusers (two internal, two external)
- Two Bowens mount speed mounts
- Two padded cases for extra protection when you need to carry your gear around
- One randomly-colored USB light
Take our word for it:
Your jaw will drop when you discover just how much better your pictures are.
Key Features of the Godox Honeycomb Grid Softbox Kit:
- Easy to assemble, disassemble, fold and transport
- Rectangular softboxes that are 22 x 90cm (9″x 35″) in size
- The perfect addition to any studio light that has a Bowens mount
Best Strobe Lighting Kits
The Best Strobe Lighting Kit: Profoto 901056 D1 Studio Lighting Kit
The Profoto 901056 D1 Studio Light Kit is the best strobe lighting kit because it provides you with 1000Ws of Profoto-quality lighting power, a 1/10 f-stop precision exposure control, speedy recycling times (0.2 – 0.95s), and short flash durations. (1/2600s to 1/1000s).
That’s a lot in a lighting kit!
This kit also came in as our overall best lighting kit, so that tells you something!
Key Features of the Profoto 901056 D1 Studio Lighting Kit:
- 300W tungsten modeling light
- Minimizes stray light with a built-in reflector
- Professional level strobe that’s easy to use and easy to set up
- Outstanding color temperature consistency between flashes (+/- 40K)
The Best Cheap Strobe Lighting Kit: Neewer 250W Photo Studio Strobe Kit
Looking for a strobe flash that won’t cost a fortune? Something well-suited for beginners and amateurs?
You don’t need to look further than the Neewer 250W Photo Studio Strobe Kit!
For a fraction of the cost of the best studio lights (Profoto 901056 D1 Studio, Godox 1800W 3X DP600II & Godox MS200), you can get your hands on a full lighting set that comes with:
- TWO (!) 250Ws 5600K strobe lights with 75W modeling lamps (A/C powered only)
- An RT-16 wireless trigger with a sync distance of 10m (33’)
- Two 2m (6.5’) light stands
- Two 50 x 70cm (20 x 28”) softboxes
- A durable carrying case
Whilst you can’t reasonably expect the same level of professional performance as its pricier Profoto or Godox competitors, this Neewer Kit still boasts 1/2200s flash duration, quick recycling times (0.3 – 1.7s), and strong light intensity…
And that’s more than enough to take fantastic studio shots (especially if you work in a small space)!
Key Features of the Neewer 250W Photo Studio Strobe Kit:
- 180° rotatable head
- Easy to set up and use
- Solidly built, yet lightweight
- 5600K color temperature (+/- 200K)
- Outstanding 60-step power output control
The Best Portrait Lighting Kit: Godox QT400II Kit
Calling all portrait photographers:
The Godox QT400II Kit is the product for you!
You don’t need to read anything else in this article… Godox has hit the bullseye for your niche’s needs.
The centerpiece of this bundle is the QT400II strobe flash. Well the three of them.
These 400Ws lights are armed with state-of-the-art specs: lightning-fast recycle times (0.05 – 0.9s), ultrashort flash durations (1/192 to 1/22,988s), variable power output (1/128 to 1/1), a 150W modeling light with variable output, HSS up to 1/8000s and over 10 continuous flashes per second.
Oh and let’s not forget that they have integrated wireless technology for shooting at distances of up to 50m (164′)!
Now that’s impressive! But wait, there’s more:
The strobes’ kit comes insanely well-stocked with every possible accessory:
- Two 35 x 160cm (14″ x 63″) softboxes
- Two 2.8m (9’2″) adjustable light stands
- One 120cm (47″) FW softbox
- One X1T-S wireless control trigger
- One studio boom arm
- One honeycomb grid with barn doors
- One Bowens mount reflector
- Four color filters
- One 5-in-1 90 x 120cm (35″ x 47″) reflector board
Key Features of the Godox QT400II Kit:
- Combined 1200Ws of flash power
- 5600K color temperature (+/- 200K)
- Bowens front mount for easily adding more gear (even if we don’t think you’ll need it)
- S1/S2 slave triggering makes it straightforward to operate cameras that employ pre-flash
The Best LED Lighting Kit: Neewer 3-Pack 660 LED Light
We’ve tested a lot of LED lights over our years in the industry, but this Neewer 660 is our favorite LED lighting kit by a long shot.
Here’s why:
Let’s start by mentioning that it’s very modestly priced. You’ll get all of this gear for a few hundred bucks:
- Three 660-bulb LED panel lights
- Three white diffuser filters
- Three light stands with a max height of 200cm (79″)
- One 2.4G wireless remote with a max distance of 20m (66′)
- One carrying case
Secondly, the three standing lights generate very flexible lighting. They’re fitted with four detachable barn doors for controlling illumination direction and two time-saving knobs for easily adjusting the color temperature from 3200K to 5600K and the brightness from 0 – 100%.
Three, their incredible build quality.
Four, the easy-to-read LCD screen shows you all the most important information (brightness, color temperature, and power status) at first glance.
Key Features of the Neewer 3-Pack 660 LED Light:
- 360° rotatable light
- Merely 2cm (0.8″) thick
- Full metal construction
- AC-powered, but also works with separately-sold batteries
The Best Budget Continuous Lighting Kit For Photography: Neewer 2-Pack 480 LED Video Light
The Neewer 2-Pack 480 LED Video Light is the “younger brother” to the stellar Neewer 660 LEDs.
The main differences are that the 480:
- Comes with two lights instead of three.
- Has 480 LED lights and not 660 (logical, right? 😀), which means each lamp is less powerful and bright.
- Utilizes softboxes rather than a barn door and diffuser filters to soften the lamps’ light.
- Doesn’t include a wireless remote.
Everything else is basically the same, the 480 is a superb little kit. And, coming in at almost half the price of the 660 the Neewer 2-Pack 480 is the best bang for the buck continuous kit.
Key Features of the Neewer 2-Pack 480 LED Video Light:
- 360° rotatable light
- Made from aluminum alloy
- Extraordinarily thin and portable
- AC-powered, but you can purchase batteries separately here
The Best Professional Photo Studio Backdrop and Lighting Kit: Neewer Umbrellas Softbox Continuous Lighting Kit
Do you need a backdrop to go along with your new lights?
Order the Neewer Umbrellas Softbox Continuous Lighting Kit and you’ll get three – white, black, and green. One for every shooting occasion!!
Apart from the muslin backdrops, this Neewer product bundle consists of these items:
- Two transport bags
- Six backdrop clamps
- Four 45W CFL bulbs
- Two 84cm (33″) umbrellas
- Two single-head light holders
- Four 200cm (79″) light stands
- Two 60 x 60cm (24″x24″) softboxes with light holders
- One 2.6 x 3m (8’6″ x 10′) background stand for hanging your backdrops on
With four separate light sources and all these extra gadgets, you’ll have the right tools to set up a serious photography studio even if you’re only starting out.
Another plus for beginners is that it’s much easier to use than a strobe flash. The continuous light technology will give you plenty of time to plan out each shot. Don’t rush… perfectly direct each light stand, remove shadows, reduce overexposure, and scatter light!
Key Features of the Neewer Umbrellas Softbox Continuous Lighting Kit:
- Lightweight and portable
- 5500K color temperature
- Fitted with a standard E27 fitting making bulbs easy to replace
- Great for all indoor photography (but not suited for use outdoors)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Best Lighting Kit Under $1000?
The Godox 3 Pack SK400II is the best lighting kit under $1,000 for two reasons:
- you get three Godox SK400II strobe flashes. Each one has 400Ws of power, 5600K color temperature, 0.1 – 1s recycle times, and 1/2000 to 1/800s flash duration. Impressive!
- The kit includes an incredible 26 accessories (softboxes, grids, reflectors, stands, filters, and much more).
What is the Best Lighting Kit Under $300?
With two 600Ws strobe flashes that have excellent recycle times (0.01 – 1.2s) and a 60-step power output control, not to mention that they’re built like tanks, The Neewer 1200W Studio Strobe Flash Kit is the best lighting kit under $300.
One slight drawback is that you won’t have TTL and HSS functionality. Not the end of the world in our minds.
What’s the Best Lighting Kit Under $100?
The Neewer LED Video Light is the best lighting kit under $100 because it gives you everything you need for a YouTube or photography studio:
- Two battery-powered continuous LED lights (9.6W, 660LM, dimmable from 100% to 10% & fitted with a hot shoe mount)
- Two 1.9m (6′) light stands
- Two white (5500K) and two orange (3200K) filters
- One carrying case
What’s the Best Lighting Kit Under $50?
The Neewer 2-Pack Portable Photography Lighting Kit is ridiculously inexpensive but, surprisingly powerful (10W, 1000LM), and extremely compact. This makes this continuous LED light the perfect choice for vlogging, streaming, and small object/product photography and is the best lighting kit under $50.
The Neewer Kit also does a great job at ambient lighting, especially if you use one of the included colored filters (red, yellow, blue) and take advantage of its dimmable brightness (up to 10%).
Concluding Thoughts
You know all the best lighting gear. So…
It’s time for you to pick one of our recommendations and sort your studio lighting needs with only a couple of clicks!
You can rest assured that each one of these 16 photography lighting kits passed our strict quality tests… you really don’t want to see the list of the hundreds that didn’t make the cut.