This is by far an outstanding piece of lighting equipment that performs so well, I can set some of my other lighting tools to the side. It's also built for holding a smart device in the center of it. With the remotes included, it's more than enough lighting for single subject shots and videos of yourself. After just letting it run, my body didn't mistify from extra heat. Yet, the light output is like turning on the sun just at 50 percent in a 9 x12 space. It definitely lights up a larger studio
For upfront lighting, it has to be turned down and that's wonderful. This is greater lumens comparability than the multiple light stands I have with the bonus of being able to store different settings for use later.
The controls allow changing the temperature and intensity of the ring light - the light is everywhere and even making the additional shades & filters not as necessary. It's an all in one powerful enough to merge backlighting, or it's settings makes professional lighting that assists the camera naturally wash out a background. This ring light is very adjustable.
The stand is average, high quality and easily bears the weight of a device placed inside the the stand. A flexi-tripod is included and the light has two other slots for bigger projects utilizing multiple devices.
The newer and best to me is the lithium battery. After charging, it's a wireless powerful light source. It can be taken outside - no wires. It feels safer to use in general since there isn't a power line to trip over. If out somewhere, the search for a power outlet in the right spot is no more. The rear also has an extra way to plug in the recording device or extra microphone to keep them charged during operation, too.
Overall as kit, it's professional quality and it comes with a protective carrying case. Everything folds and fits perfectly and few could believe that its containing a such powerful lighting. It's innovative to me, it's not a bare glass that heats up the room, it lights up the room. With its multi-function controls makes even the worst makeup applications look stellar. Lighting can be everything, this light can be at a distance or up-close without having to reposition it. The remote or it's panel control has the settings that are easy to use and adds speed to calibration the camera for the desired effects.
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Tony M.
★★★★★
Quality ring light
This thing is a beast. It is large, bright, and durable. And thats just the light fixture itself. The tripod is heavy duty as well. And the storage case is strong and provides ample protection. The fixture is easy to adjust and the unit itself, but it also includes a nice remote for on the fly adjustments. The phone/camera mount is easy to install and quite strong. It provides a wide range of placement angle options also. This really is a quality light at a value price.
EcoGuy
★★★★★
Lights up houses with no power, everything else feels like an afterthought
I record videos at houses that don't have power turned on yet. Not full walkthrough tours. Usually I'm standing in a kitchen, living room, or whatever room I'm shooting in, talking about a topic. That's exactly where a battery powered ring light earns its spot in my kit.
This is a battery powered light first. It plugs in too, but if you always had an outlet nearby, you'd never spend the extra money on the battery powered version. You buy this because you need light where there's no power, not because you need a ring light.
It doesn't matter whether it's sunny, cloudy, or raining outside, or whether I get the shot in ten minutes or spend an hour with the light running. I get the light I need for a good picture without needing an outlet.
The light is the reason to buy this. The accessories aren't.
It has a USB-C port labeled "input," and the listing says it supports PD 100W fast charging. In my hands, that port didn't take a charge. I had to use the included actual DC power brick and let it charge overnight. I couldn't find anything on how fast it's supposed to charge, so I just let it sit.
It's heavy too. It won't cut into your hands carrying it in the case, but pick it up and you feel real weight. That's the batteries, and I don't hold that against it.
I already own a better Neewer phone mount and a better Neewer light stand, so I'm not really judging this on those. I expected better from the light for the money, though. The included phone mount and stand are entry-level.
The bag is bigger than I expected, but the math is the math. You can't get an 18" light into something smaller. It's black canvas with a foam pad inside and handles.
I never opened the app. Every setting I wanted was right on the buttons on the light itself, one less app to have and need. I also never touched the remote. Once I had the light set where I wanted it, I wasn't tweaking it session to session.
I haven't run the battery completely dead yet. I top it off before every session, so I can't give you a real-world maximum runtime. It has outlasted everything I've asked it to do so far. I've used it holding my iPhone 17 Pro Max without any issues fitting inside the ring, it is 18 inches after all!
At north of $200, this is probably multiples of what a similar-sized, plug-in-only ring light would cost. If battery power matters to you and you already own a V-mount battery, that's likely the less expensive way to get a similar result if your budget's tight. But you can never have enough batteries when you're shooting on location. This gives you the battery and the light in one package, and to me that's worth the extra cost.
This does that. Would I get it again? Yes. Just remember you're paying for a battery powered light, not a ring light that happens to run on batteries.
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Michael A.
★★★★★
Professional quality ring light
This ring light and tripod will definitely take your videos up a level. The light has a phone holder that attaches in the center and a remote shutter button you can use to start/stop filming. The light has an impressive number of controls and features. Not only can you control the brightness and color temperature, it also has special effects like lightning, simulated photo flashes and evening lightning. The tripod has a significant height and is very stable. The phone app was easy to install and use with the light. Overall, this is a professional quality ring light and you will be happy with the improved quality of your videos.
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Mitra
★★★★★
This Changed What I Expect From Neewer
I have been using this ring light for more than a month, both indoors and outdoors, and I want to share what I actually found so you can decide if it is right for you.
My first reaction when I opened the bag surprised me. I have used Neewer gear before and always thought of the brand as budget friendly and useful but not quite professional. This light changed that opinion. The build quality is excellent, and I could not find anything to complain about in how it is put together. It looks like Neewer is aiming this one at prosumers and working creators, not just casual phone shooters.
The light uses edge lit LED chips, similar to how a tablet or TV screen is lit from the sides. This gives the ring a very even glow across the whole diffuser, with no dark spots or bright patches. The internal battery is a real strength. It runs for hours on a single charge, which makes it easy to shoot outside without hunting for an outlet. When you do need power, you have options. You can rapid charge it with a USB C cable and a portable PD quality battery bank, or plug in the included 20 volt adapter at home. Between the two, it covers pretty much every situation.
Brightness control is smooth, ranging from a soft, almost candle like glow all the way up to a strong output that can act as fill light even in direct sunlight. What impressed me most is the quality of the light itself. Because the ring is large in diameter, it produces a soft, diffused look similar to a softbox, with no harsh shadows when the camera sits in the center hole. Neewer markets this mainly for phone use, but I have been using it as my main light source for a DSLR, and it holds up well in that role.
The box includes a full function remote that runs on AA batteries, plus a separate Bluetooth remote for triggering your phone's shutter. The carrying bag is also worth mentioning. It has a foam insert cut to hold the light and all its accessories snugly, so nothing shifts around during transport.
If I had to point to one area for improvement, it would be the light stand. A carbon fiber pole or an air damped column would feel a bit more premium, though that would likely push the price higher. That is a minor note next to everything else this light gets right.
After a month of regular use, this is a light I reach for often, and it has earned a place in my regular kit.
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Samiul I.
★★★★★
Bright, Portable & Perfect for Content Creation
The NEEWER 18" Ring Light is an outstanding lighting solution for photography, video recording, streaming, and makeup. One of my favorite features is the built-in rechargeable battery. Being able to use the ring light without always needing to plug it into a wall is incredibly convenient, especially for outdoor shoots or when moving between locations.
The brightness is excellent. Even at lower settings, it provides plenty of light, and at full power it's more than bright enough for professional-looking videos, live streams, and portrait photography. The tripod stand is sturdy, and the overall build quality feels premium and durable.
Overall, this is a high-quality, powerful, and portable ring light that delivers excellent performance. Highly recommended!
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Ellis E. Fowler
★★★★★
Worth it to upgrade!
I am an actor who does a lot of self tapes. I had the previous version of this with the cords and the snap on plastic to change the color temperature. It was clunky and did the job, but a hassle to take out and put away and to deal with the whole set up. This new one is quite a bit pricier, but so worth it! The wireless functionality allows you to move it around at will. I love that you can see the exact intensity and color temperature and always know where you had it for a particular shoot. I've only used it for one SelfTape since I've gotten it, but it was such a joy to use so much sleeker and even the carrying case makes more sense and it's easier to access. Five stars!
A couple of things to note: even with the last one I used my light stand. I haven't opened this one yet, so I don't know if it's any sturdier than before, but even if it's not, the light is lighter and easier to handle in general so the lights stand might be OK.
I also have the phone holder on there in the picture, but I do not use it. I prefer to set my phone up on a tripod to make it easier to have the light at a different elevation than the camera.
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Keeton
★★★★★
Review Game Changer
SOLID
– Bright, even edge lighting with excellent color quality
– Built-in battery means no hunting for an outlet
– Wide color temperature range for different environments
– Tripod is sturdy and easy to adjust
– Makes photos and videos look noticeably more professional
– Great for product photography, reviews, streaming, or content creation
SUSPECT
– 18" ring light takes up a decent amount of storage space
– Battery adds weight compared to plug-in-only models
– Overkill if you only need a small desk light
EXPERIENCE
I honestly don't even remember ordering this, but I'm glad I did.
I review a lot of products, and having a dedicated, bright, consistent light makes a huge difference. Before this, I'd just chase whatever decent natural light I could find around the house. Now I can set products down anywhere and get clean, evenly lit photos whenever I want.
I'm definitely not a professional photographer, but this thing makes me feel like one. The lighting is soft, even, and bright enough that my photos immediately looked better without having to mess around with editing afterward.
The built-in battery is another feature I didn't realize I'd appreciate so much. Being able to carry it wherever I need it instead of worrying about extension cords makes setting up for reviews incredibly easy.
If you create content, sell online, livestream, or just want better-looking photos, this is one of those tools that quietly improves everything you do.
VERDICT
Solid Buy – One of those accessories you don't realize you needed until you start using it. My review photos have never looked better. It's a bit pricier than I would normally spring for, but I'd say its a great value.
PRO TIP
Position the light slightly above and about 45° off-center from your subject instead of directly in front. You'll get much more natural-looking photos with better depth and fewer reflections.
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BoyMomma13
★★★★★
Easy Setup, Flattering Light
I’m a hobbyist photographer who has been slowly adding to her kit through the years. I’ve wanted to add lighting so that some day I may take my hobby and turn it into my profession. I’ve purchased other Neewer products and have been quite happy with them. Their 18” ring light is no exception.
The tripod is rather flimsy (which was a surprise), given the cost of the kit. I will definitely use weights when using this light. That said, the tripod is telescoping and enables the user to adjust the angle of the light.
I really appreciate that this light can be used plugged in or out in the field with a charged battery. Neewer was kind enough to include a canvas case so this light can go anywhere the user desires.
I was surprised that there wasn’t a user manual included. There is a tiny guide with rudimentary steps in what feels like 46,000 languages, but nothing that fully explains what this light is capable of doing. I would prefer a written manual that can stay with the ring kit so that I can easily reference before using the ring light. I don’t want to have to hunt for information that should be readily available.
The user can operate the light with the buttons directly on it or with the included remote. As with current times, there’s also an app for that. Yep, you can run this light off your phone! Neewer has created a product that allows the user to operate it in the way he/she is most comfortable or which is most convenient. This means more time to focus on creating.
I am impressed with the light’s output. The light emits even light that flatters skin tones. The user has the ability to adjust the temperature setting and the output setting that best works for the project. As with all ring lights, there will be a significant ring light catchlight when lighting the face of the subject. I snapped a couple of test shots of me and thought the light made my eyes look almost alien-like!
Overall, I’m ecstatic to have this Neewer ring light in my kit. It’s going to enable me to create better images and to get more creative with my projects.
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Ne-Ne W
★★★★★
Robust Ring Light - Edge to Edge
I'm noticing the newer Neewer ring lights have the lighting made to shine through all the way to the edge of the ring. Even the smallest of improvements enhance your photos in a big way. A slight move of the light can mean the difference between a shadow or fill light. Having the light all the way to the edge decreases opportunities for shadows in the most inopportune places. I love it. This light boasts 18 inches, can be operated on it's built in internal battery or can be powered through the cord. My other Neewer ring light is smaller and for portability, you must add two batteries to the back. I love the convenience of this light where the battery is already built inside. That's less gear to take with you. Also, this light is on the premium tier and can be operated wirelessly also. It comes with a tripod stand, its own remote control, the power adapter, a carrying case, extension cord and a Neewer remote camera trigger. It's 45 W and when turned up just half way, it can light the entire room. On full power, this ring light is a beast. I was the person that used to say, if you've seen a ring light, you've seen them all but I was wrong. This one is bigger, better, has more features and covers more area. The light balance can go from daylight, white, to natural. I includeda video that shows the power of the thing light in an already lit room. The thing light can over power my house lights. I'm more than pleased with the order and plan to use this for years to come.
Kathleen Johnson
★★★★★
Fantastic Ring Light, Especially With the App Control
This is an excellent ring light and honestly a big step up from the basic one I had before. The light itself is strong, even, and very flattering, which makes it especially useful for content creation, video calls, photos, or any setup where you need reliable lighting. The app control is the standout feature for me because being able to adjust the settings without getting up is a huge advantage. It has a lot of lighting options, color temperature adjustments, and extra features, but once I downloaded the app, it was pretty self-explanatory and easy to use. The directions that come with it are very small and hard to read, so I would definitely suggest using the QR code and getting the better instructions online. Once you get past that, the setup is not bad at all. Very impressed with the quality and functionality.
Suz Burke
★★★★★
WOW, Great Light for Photography & Content Creation
This 18” Ring Light by Neewer is perfect for photo shoots and content creation. I have several online stores and I do photoshoots for the inventory every week. This ring light is fantastic for the photo set up I do in my apt office. I can adjust the color temperature and brightness for just the right light for the items I’m shooting. The light tilts forward to a 90° for shooting items on a flat lay without any shadows in the shots.
Plus I use this light for content creation when I’m the one on camera. Easy set up with warmer light temps and softer brightness levels. The tripod can be adjusted to accommodate seated or standing shooting. Either a camera or mobile can be mounted in the light plus the extra cold shoe mounts can be used for mics or other accessories. I am really impressed with the quality and versatility of this Neweer ring light.
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Taylor
★★★★★
Fantastic - Effective, great features, strong quality
This 12” selfie ring light stand is excellent because of its effectiveness, features, and quality.
It is easy to set up and use. Everything comes in a nice carrying case that has a zipper close and handles. The tripod is collapsible and reversible which makes it nice and compact when it is stored. Pulling down the stand and adjusting the height levers in the tripod is smooth. It can go up to about 5’9” tall (177 cm).
The features of the ring light came exactly as described. The brightness is easy to adjust as is the temperature on the panel once I learned how to adjust the features. The 12 dynamic lighting effects each work effectively. A great feature is the light is rechargeable with a USB C cord. As noted, a power adapter is not included.
The remote control connected right away via Bluetooth and worked well. The phone holder is flexible and easy to adjust the phone in a variety of positions.
Overall, I feel this ring light tripod is an excellent set with strong features including a rechargeable battery, 12 dynamic lighting effects, and a simple set up.
W. C. Bryant
★★★★★
Love this ring light and tripod combo!
This selfie ring light has been an amazing upgrade for me! I love that it comes with its own case for convenient storage. It’s fast and easy to assemble and take back down. Then packs away nicely for storage.
The light itself has many different features to utilize and the tripod can be adjusted to multiple heights. It’s also incredibly sturdy once tightened and isn’t wobbly at all. The part the phone mounts to is super easy to insert your phone - and for me, it’s great because I have the option for where I want the grippers to be on my phone, so it doens’t cover the photo button and compress it throughout filming/take random photos.
I also like that it comes with a remote that is brightly colored so it’s not easily misplaced.
Overall, great product that makes content creating/podcasts so much easier.
Obi (MNKOGaming)
★★★★★
Bigger and more powerful than I expected
I love this NEEWER ring light, and it’s going to be used for working from home, streaming, video calls, and content creation. It was larger than I expected, which is actually a good thing because it gives off enough light to fill an entire office or creator space.
This is not a small cheap desk ring light. It’s an 18-inch edge-lit light with 45W output, 288 LEDs, and strong color accuracy with CRI 97+ and TLCI 98+. That makes it useful for video, photography, makeup, livestreaming, product content, and any setup where skin tones and color need to look good.
I really like that it’s bi-color from 2900K to 7000K, so you can match warmer indoor lighting or cooler daylight depending on the room. The brightness is stepless from 0-100%, so you can use it as a soft fill light or crank it up as a main light.
The built-in rechargeable battery is a huge plus. It can run around 70 minutes at full power or longer in eco mode, so you’re not stuck near an outlet. It also supports fast charging, comes with a stand, phone holder, remote, wireless shutter, and carrying bag.
You can control it on the light itself or use the remote, which is nice if you’re sitting at a desk or standing in front of the camera. The stand has reversible legs and gets tall enough for most home studio or office setups.
It’s definitely more expensive than a basic ring light, but it also feels much more professional. For creators, streamers, makeup artists, video calls, or home studio work, this is an excellent lighting kit.
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SS
★★★★★
Easy to Setup, Powerful Output, and Great Portability
This review is for the NEEWER RB18B Ring Light. The product comes in a nice branded box and safely secured in its own carrying case. It includes the phone mount (not great at all), a remote (no batteries came with it), a small click-remote, charger, and tripod. The instruction manual has a barcode to download the manual. As soon as you scan the barcode with your phone, the support page appears with a list of products where you have to research the model number... and what did I find?? NOTHING! This model DOES NOT have a manual in the site. I had to search for the closest match to read about it.
The tripod is a bit flimsy. It certainly could've been better for the price. Specifically, the rubber on the legs is cheap. It works as intended and I know we would like a tripod to be as lightweight as possible but lightweight shouldn't mean cheap. The ring is a bit heavy so a sturdy tripod is a must.
The remote works well to configure the light at a distance without having to walk back and forth to it. The phone holder is simply too basic for proper alignment. Fortunately I have much better mounts for this set up so I won't be using this phone holder. No star off as well for this detail. The obvious star of this setup is the light itself and its control box.
The light is excellent. Unlike some traditional ring lights that can create hotspots, this light with its edge-lit design produces softer and more evenly distributed light that looks natural on camera and is more favorable for portraits and video recordings. The adjustable color temperature is extremely useful and the CRI 97+ rating is noticeable when photographing objects because colors appear accurate and consistent. The brightness output is amazing for an 18-inch ring light. Even in a moderately lit room, it provides enough light to clearly illuminate the subject without needing additional lights. On my first test I took some quick pictures of my Sun Conure bird with the front iPhone camera. I did like the result, even though some color saturation occurred - not to blame the light but the photographer and camera as this was a very rough trial. Still, the images look great and show what is possible with this light.
One of the features I really liked about this light is the battery - yes, it has a built-in 14.4V 3500mAh battery. Being able to operate without a power cord adds a level of convenience that other ring lights don't have. The battery is part of the black control box and as soon as you plug the control box, the battery starts charging. The control box also has 3 cold-shoe mounts which is excellent. I can place a camera plate there and set it up with a camera and even a screen monitor.
This rign light has been a great choice. It delivers more than expected and is very easy to configure. Its features and performance deserve 4 stars but unfortunately I did take one star off for the deficiencies in the tripod, no manual available online, and low quality phone holder. Regardless, I highly recommend this product.
Ruben Geek
★★★★★
A capable ring light for video, photos, and content creation
I have been using this NEEWER ring light for home video and photo lighting, and my overall impression is very positive. It feels like a more serious setup than a basic small ring light, mainly because of the 18-inch size, the amount of light it puts out, and the level of control it gives you. I tested it on the included tripod, but for my own use I prefer placing it on a heavier, more robust stand for extra stability when the light is raised.
The first thing I noticed is how large and even the light output looks. The ring has a built-in control panel at the bottom with physical buttons for power, mode, color temperature, and brightness adjustment. The blue display is easy to read and clearly shows information like brightness level, channel, CCT mode, and color temperature. It also comes with a remote control, which is useful once the light is already positioned and you do not want to keep reaching up to change settings.
In real use, the best part for me is the flexibility. The light can go from a warm tone to a much cooler white, which helps when recording during the day, at night, or in a room with mixed lighting. The difference between the warmer and cooler settings is easy to see, and the adjustments are simple from the control panel. The center phone mount also makes sense for recording videos, taking photos, livestreaming, or setting up front-facing lighting without needing extra accessories.
The construction gives a good impression, but because the ring is large, tripod stability is something to keep in mind. The included tripod works for normal use, but if the light is extended high, placed where people may walk near it, or used with extra accessories attached, I would rather use a heavier stand. That is not because the light feels weak, but because a large ring light simply feels safer and more stable on a stronger base.
Overall, this is a very capable ring light for video recording, product photos, social media content, streaming, or any setup that needs controlled front lighting. What I like most is that it does not feel like a simple desk light. It feels like a more complete lighting tool, with useful controls and enough flexibility to adjust the scene without making the setup complicated.
WHAT I LIKED MOST:
* The large ring gives even front lighting.
* The built-in display makes brightness, channel, and color temperature easy to check.
* The remote control makes adjustments more convenient.
* It can shift from warm light to cooler white light depending on the setup.
* The center phone mount is well placed for recording or photos.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
* Because the ring is large, a firm stand is important when using it high.
* The included tripod works, but I prefer a more robust one for my setup.
* It takes more space than a small desktop ring light.
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Kevin Thomas
★★★★★
Extremely Versatile Lighting Solution!
As someone who creates a lot of product videos, I've ended up using this ring light for much more than I originally expected. What stands out most to me is how flexible it is. I can position it directly over a product for unboxing shots, adjust it for close-up detail work, or set it up for talking-head videos when I'm filming myself. Being able to change both the brightness and color temperature makes it easy to get the look I want without constantly moving other lights around the studio.
The built-in battery is also very useful. Most of the time I'll use it in my studio, but when there is a situation where I need a powerful lighting solution and can't plug in this is a great alternative to needing other power sources in addition to the lighting. If you create content in different locations, that's a feature you'll appreciate.
Another nice touch is the carrying case. It keeps everything organized and makes it easy to take along when I will need to take it with me.
The light output is smooth and flattering, and the controls are simple to adjust whether you're shooting products, recording videos, live streaming, or taking photos. For content creators looking for a lighting setup that can handle a variety of shooting situations, this one is a good choice in my opinion.
