I tested five cheap ring lights for vertical video — the one that doubled engagement

I spent two weeks testing five budget ring lights to see which actually makes vertical videos feel less like a TikTok made in a dim closet and more like something your friends would actually stop to watch. I filmed the same short clips using each light on my phone (iPhone 13), kept the framing and background identical, and measured engagement by tracking watch time, likes, and comments on identical captions posted across staggered times to avoid algorithm overlap.

Why ring lights — and why cheap ones?

Ring lights are a staple for creators because they give your face flattering, even light and that telltale catchlight in the eyes. But you don’t need to drop a small fortune on pro gear to get good results — especially for vertical-form content meant for Reels, TikTok, or Shorts. I wanted to know: which affordable ring light actually improves engagement, and which ones are false promises in plastic bodies?

How I tested (so you can replicate it)

• I used five lights priced between £20 and £60.
• Each test clip was a 15–30 second vertical video, same script, same outfit, same background (a window to one side, a plant, and a textured wall).
• Phone settings: 1080p, 60fps. Ring lights mounted on the same tripod at eye level.
• I posted each video separately on Instagram Reels with the same caption and hashtags across different days of the week. I tracked 48-hour watch time, likes, comments, and replays.
• I also evaluated color accuracy, softness, build quality, and extra features (diffusers, phone holder, adjustable color temperature).

The five lights I tested

Light choices were based on popularity and price on UK retailers: Neewer 10" ring light, UBeesize 10" LED ring light, Inkeltech 18" ring light (budget model), Digitek 14" selfie ring light, and a no-brand 10" Amazon special I found for under £20.

What I cared about (and why it matters)

Quick list of the variables that actually affect how people watch and react to short videos:

• Brightness — If you’re filming indoors, crappy light makes viewers swipe past. Better brightness = more eyes staying on the clip.
• Color accuracy — If the light ruins skin tone, it looks amateurish.
• Softness — Harsh shadows are ugly. A soft, diffused light is kinder to faces.
• Practical features — Phone mount stability, adjustable stands, and battery vs USB power affect usability.
• Engagement metrics — Ultimately I wanted to tie these technical differences to watch time, likes, and comments.

Results — the engagement winner (and the surprise)

The ring light that doubled engagement compared to my baseline (no ring light) was the Inkeltech 18". I know — it’s the priciest of the bunch, but it wasn’t just about raw brightness. The larger 18" panel gave a soft, flattering wrap-around light that improved skin tones and erased distracting shadows. My average 48-hour watch time increased from roughly 6.5 seconds (no light) to 13.2 seconds with the Inkeltech light. Likes and comments also roughly doubled.

But here’s the twist: the UBeesize 10", a tiny, much cheaper light, was a massive runner-up for creators who need portability. It didn’t match the Inkeltech’s softness, but it boosted engagement by about 65% and was perfect for quasi-on-the-go setups. The Neewer and Digitek sat in the middle: solid performance, adjustable color temps helped when matching natural window light, but not the same dramatic jump as the Inkeltech.

Quick breakdown of each light

• Inkeltech 18" — Best engagement boost, most flattering, widest color temp range. Pros: soft light, professional look, sturdy. Cons: bulky, needs more space, a little more money.
• UBeesize 10" — Best budget portable pick. Pros: lightweight, decent color modes, cheap. Cons: harsher shadows at close range, weaker catchlight.
• Neewer 10" — Reliable mid-budget. Pros: solid build, good color adjustment. Cons: not as soft as larger rings, tripod flex.
• Digitek 14" — Good value middle ground. Pros: bigger than 10", good brightness. Cons: color temp felt a touch cool at lower settings.
• Amazon Basics 10" — Cheapest but limited. Pros: price, basic improvement over no light. Cons: single temp, flimsy mount, minimal engagement lift.

Practical tips I learned while testing

• Position the light slightly above eye level and tilt down for the most natural look — direct-on can flatten features and create weird highlights.
• Match your ring light color temp to your environment — warm for lamps, cool for daylight. The Inkeltech’s wider range made this the easiest.
• If you only film quick vertical clips, a 10–14" ring is fine; if you want a more 'studio' finish, go 18". The difference in softness is real.
• Use a diffuser even on cheap lights if they come with one — it’s the difference between “well-lit” and “glowing.”
• Battery-powered or USB? USB is fine if you’re near a plug; battery wins if you’re filming outside or moving around.

How much should you spend?

If you’re experimenting with vertical video and want a noticeable lift in engagement without blowing your budget, aim for the £30–£60 range. The Inkeltech pushed the envelope, but the UBeesize gave the best cost-to-result ratio if portability matters. If you only need occasional lighting, the cheapest model will still help — but don’t expect it to double your engagement.

If you want budget shopping tips: look for adjustable color temperature, a stable phone mount, and a decent tripod. Those are the features that matter more than flashy claims on a product page.

Final practical setup I used for the winning result

• Inkeltech 18" ring on a medium-height tripod, slightly above eye level, tilted down 10–15 degrees.
• Soft white diffuser attached and color temp set to ~4300K to balance my window light.
• Phone centered in the ring, face 1–1.5 meters away, background kept simple with one visual element (plant).
• Scripted 20-second hook, then a quick payoff — short enough to keep attention and long enough for the light to shine.

If you're curious about buying links or want a short checklist tailored to your filming style (desk setup, on-the-go, or full mini-studio), tell me how you film and I'll send a compact buying guide that matches your needs.