Welcome toHype Machine, our hit-list of the top reviewed products across the web — according to a crowd of die-hard shoppers. Call this your 4-star & up only club, with entry granted by our devoted-to-the-goods shop editors.
Remote workweeks followed by a weekend full of digital dates and virtual happy hours have become the new normal. Life as we now know it features a whole lot of on-screen time — which often involves deciding which lamp or window makes us look most alive while videoing in from the depths of our dimly lit small-spaces. We're here to cross that extra to-do off your already-sapped cyber schedule.
Good lighting is the missing link in your faction of WFH essentials. Not only is the right fixture-and-bulb combo a fantastic tool for looking literally lit on Zoom, but it's also perfect for taking effortless stuck-at-home-alone selfies. Ahead, check out the best glow-enhancers that we could suss out online — all featuring reviews from social media and #selfieoftheday enthusiasts alike.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Glow On The Go Selfie Light
The Hype: 4.8 out of 5 stars and 131 reviews on Ulta
Video Enthusiasts Say: "10/10 love this. I actually clipped in on my laptop around the camera for late-night work calls and it's the best thing ever!" — Callie, Ultra reviewer
e.l.f. Cosmetics Glow On The Go Selfie Light, $, available at Ulta
Dazzne D50 Desk Mount Video Light
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 310 reviews on Amazon
Reviewers Say: "I've been using this since early Jan 2021 for video calls so that I no longer look like I'm part of a witness protection program. It's easy to adjust the brightness, either with the remote or the knob on the back of the lamp. Having it set at just 6% of max brightness makes a significant difference to calls without eye strain." — Struan Robertson, Amazon reviewer
Reviewers Say: "I thought this was going to be much smaller but this is a high-quality, fully-equipped ring light with multiple settings. Brighter than I expected but I'm so happy with this purchase. Full stand, mirror, and phone attachment. Highly recommended if you're looking for something of great quality." — kiabeeya, Urban Outfitters reviewer
Fotodiox Fotodiox Selfie Vlog Pro Ring Light And Studio Stand, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Miady LED Desk Lamp Eye-Caring Table Lamp
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 3,176 reviews on Amazon
Reviewers Say: "I had no idea I could love a desk lamp so much. This light is awesome. It has different light modes (warm and cool tones) and a touch dimmer (just slide your finger across the levels on the base of the lamp.) It goes perfectly on my white desk with black and white accessories. I bought it because I didn't have enough light for work video calls at my desk and it's perfect — I don't look like I'm in a dark cave now." — Nicole V., Amazon reviewer
Miady Miady LED Desk Lamp Eye-Caring Table Lamp, $, available at Amazon
Sunpak -LED Bi-Color Ring Light
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars and 495 reviews on Best Buy
Reviewers Say: "Absolutely love this light. It lights up my whole bedroom. I love that you can dim the lights if you’d like. The knobs adjusting the size and angle are great. 10/10 recommended! Ps: also very good lighting for anyone doing lash extensions!" — Crystal, Best Buy reviewer
Hammacher Schlemmer The Brightness Zooming Natural Light Lamp, $, available at Hammacher Schlemmer
UBeesize LED Ring Light with Stand and Phone Holder
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars and 9,951 rating reviews on Amazon
Reviewers Say: "For Zoom, Skype, and similar uses this works like a champ. Three color settings, from cool to warm, are selectable by tapping a button. Similarly, the brightness is adjustable with plus and minus buttons. This lets you balance both the color and intensity with ambient or other light sources." — Roger Dooley, Amazon reviewer
UBeesize UBeesize LED Ring Light with Stand and Phone Holder, $, available at Amazon
Cyezcor Video Conference Lighting Kit
The Hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars and 427 reviews on Amazon
Reviewers Say: "Perfect tool for video conferencing. Gives the right amount of lighting and the best part is that you can adjust the brightness. I also like the feature of using a yellow or white light. The yellow light helps create warmth and doesn’t wash you out like a bright white light." — Kizzy Esquivel, Amazon reviewer
wonderful LIFE Cyezcor Video Conference Lighting Kit, $, available at Amazon
MACTREM LED Ring Light Tripod Stand
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars and 12,057 reviews on Amazon
Reviewers Say: "I used this product for recording YouTube videos at my desk. Although I did use another 3-point lighting kit that was about $200, I could have easily filmed it with my ceiling light and this as this little device is extremely bright on full, almost unnecessarily bright, but the controller makes it easy to dim." — Rexlight, Amazon reviewer
MACTREM LED Ring Light Tripod Stand, $, available at Amazon
Neewer 2 Packs Portable Photography Lighting Kit
The Hype: 4.3 out of 5 stars and 3,354 reviews on Amazon
Reviewers Say: "Honestly I could not be happier with these lights. I cannot believe how good they are for the price. I currently use one light with a white diffuser to light my face during my streams, the second light has a blue gel inserted and it lights up the wall behind me as a blue ambient light." — Haggard Gamer, Amazon reviewer
