How much room is on the desk?
A small panel beside the camera suits a compact desk; a larger panel on a clamp spreads softer light over a face or two people from further away.
Lights for streaming
Light decides more of your picture than the webcam does. A camera starved of light raises its gain, adds noise and often drops its frame rate; a soft light in front of you lets it run at full speed with a clean picture.
9 current models · From each maker’s own pages
How will it be powered and mounted?
Check whether the light runs from a USB-C port, a battery or its own supply, and whether its clamp or stand fits your desk. Each profile lists both.
Every current model
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A small light beside the camera for a compact desk
Elgato Key Light Neo
Match the USB power to the brightness you need. If your computer’s port gives less power, use the higher-power supply the maker lists or settle for less brightness.
Connections & full profile →A USB-C desk-clamp light for a face or shared camera frame
Elgato Key Light Air MK.2
Full brightness needs a 30 W or stronger USB-C power supply. Use the included desk clamp; the original Air stand is a different design.
Connections & full profile →A larger key light that clamps to your desk
Elgato Key Light
Check the desk edge, clamp clearance and power location before choosing it.
Connections & full profile →A battery-powered panel light that also runs from USB at the desk
Elgato Key Light Mini
No mount comes in the box: it needs a 1/4-inch screw mount, a tripod or Elgato’s Multi Mount. On battery it lasts about 4 hours at half brightness.
Connections & full profile →View at Elgato ↗A small USB-powered light that clips on the monitor above the camera
Logitech Litra Glow
At 250 lumens it lights a face at the desk, not a room. Logitech asks for a USB 3.0 port to power it.
Connections & full profile →View at Logitech ↗A slim bar light on its own desk stand, set from the light or from G HUB
Logitech G Litra Beam
Logitech does not print a lumen figure. For full brightness it needs a USB 3.1 Gen 2 port or a 5 V, 1.4 A USB power adapter.
Connections & full profile →View at Logitech G ↗A bar light with a key light on the front and an RGB accent light on the back
Logitech G Litra Beam LX
It runs from the mains adapter in the box, so place it within reach of an outlet; the USB cable is for control only. The front key light gives up to 400 lumens.
Connections & full profile →View at Logitech G ↗A 7-inch round key light on a desk clamp and arm, set from a touch panel or a remote
NEEWER R18 desktop ring light
There is no app or computer control, so you set it by hand, and its power adapter needs a mains socket near the desk.
Connections & full profile →View at NEEWER ↗A small battery panel on its own telescoping desk stand, for a face light you can set up anywhere
Lume Cube Broadcast Lighting Kit
On its battery it lasts up to 75 minutes at full brightness. Lume Cube’s page does not say whether it runs while plugged in, so try a full-length session on its USB cable before a long stream.
Connections & full profile →View at Lume Cube ↗Older models, for owners
- Elgato Key Light Air (first generation): Already own the original Key Light Air? Keep it and its base.
Check your own
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