The Best Softbox Lighting Kits of 2024

Good lighting is everything

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Updated on January 30, 2024

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Accessories

You have many options for soft lighting kits and supporting accessories in various styles, sizes, and unique features. We've researched and reviewed the best softbox lighting kits for portraits, products, and more.

in this article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ

Best for Compact Space

MountDog Softbox Lighting Kit 20"X28"

MountDog

View On Amazon $40 View On Mountdogs.com

Pros

Adjustable lamp holder
Embossed nylon material
Range of light stand heights

Cons

Lack of brightness control
No weights for light stands

The compactness of the MountDog Softbox Lighting Kit doesn't sacrifice quality material. The softbox's light reflector has silver film reflective fabric with a white nylon screen that aids in banishing shadows and softening harsh light. When you're on the go, you'll enjoy the convenience of the kit's one-piece opening to fold, store, and transport easily.

The kit has two 20x28-inch softboxes, two light stand tripods, an adjustable lamp holder, two 95-watt energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs, and a storage case. Supplying 5500K of color temperature, the bulbs last 8,000 hours while providing a unique photographic environment. With standard E27 sockets, you can change the bulbs as you see fit. Neither socket controls brightness, so you must modify the diffusion level by adjusting the front cover or moving the lights.

The lamp holder can be adjusted by 210 degrees, which is well-suited for taking pictures at any angle. The light stands can compress to 27" inches or expand to 80 inches. Just as the lamp holder and stands can serve different needs, this lightweight kit works well for shooting portraits, glamor shots, products, and more. But be careful that your light stands to stay upright, as the equipment doesn't come with sandbags or weights.

_{Light Source: Compact fluroescent︱Color Temperature: 5500 kelvin︱Softbox Dimensions: 20x28 inches︱Lamp Wattage: 95 watts}

Best for Vloggers

RaLeno Softbox Photography Lighting Kit

Amazon

View On Amazon $66

Pros

Professional bulbs
Dual technology
Long cable

Cons

Pricey
Lacks accessories

RaLeno's Softbox Photography Lighting Kit is ideal for vloggers, YouTubers, and social media influencers. Even though it's relatively basic, it offers all the essentials for your home setup. RaLeno includes two 20x28-inch enclosed softboxes, two adjustable light stands spanning between 27 and 80 inches, and two 85-watt CLF bulbs. The kit's heat-resistant nylon reflectors and polyester fiber diffuser panels are standard features in most softbox lighting kits.

Despite lacking fancy accessories, this kit is superb for everyday use. Two 5500K lights dispense natural illumination but remain fixed at that temperature. However, this limitation should be acceptable in your home office or workstation. You can eliminate shadows with the bulbs' dual technology without washing out the characteristics and features of your subject. The RaLeno kit also has a 90-inch cord, so reaching your nearest outlet won't be an issue, which helps make the equipment easy to set up and use.

While the RaLeno can get you started creating digital pictures and videos on a budget, you may consider buying a boom arm or a different mount later if you need them for your photography.

_{Light Source: Compact fluorescent︱Color Temperature: 5500 kelvin︱Softbox Dimensions: 20x28 inches︱Lamp Wattage: 85 watts}

Best Budget

Neewer Softbox Lighting Kit

Neewer 700W 24-inch Softbox Lighting Kit

B & H

View On Amazon $129 View On B&H Photo Video

Pros

Variety of lamp options
Budget-friendly
Impressive light stand height

Cons

Lackluster materials

The Neewer 700W 24-inch Softbox Lighting Kit is worth a look to improve your studio photography on a budget. The dual-light system is affordable and comes in a range of kits with square, rectangular, and octagonal lamp options and an LED variant. Neewer offers a three-lamp kit version with an overhead boom, but the square and octagonal lamp kits are the best budget choices.

Neewer's octagonal lights, called octoboxes, are well-suited for shooting human subjects, while the square lights are suitable for general-purpose photography. Whichever version you choose, you receive a pair of softbox enclosures, two 85-watt 5500K CFL bulbs, two adjustable stands that span from 44 inches to 88 inches, and a Cordura carry bag. You can angle the included enclosures in almost any direction for precise lighting control. In addition, you can easily swap bulbs with different color temperatures or a flash unit with a sensor via the standard E27 fittings to adjust your lighting further.

As a budget option, the quality of materials isn't top of the-line. Nevertheless, many photographers claim this Neewer kit is a budget-friendly introductory kit that's reliable and gets the job done.

_{Light Source: Compact fluorescent︱Color Temperature: 5500 kelvin︱Softbox Dimensions: 24x24 inches︱Lamp Wattage: 85 watts}

The Best Softbox Lighting Kits of 2024

What to Look For in Softbox Lighting Kits

Size

As a general rule, the appropriate softbox size should be similar to the size of your subject, whether it's a person, object, or both. The smaller the box, the harsher the light. The larger the box, the softer the light. Larger boxes are more high maintenance since they require larger bulbs to supply more energy. A softbox with an 18-inch to 24-inch diameter works fine for headshots and portraits. Full-size body shots require double the size. Beginners probably won't need a softbox wider than 27 inches.

Portability

Portability is crucial if you need to shoot images on the go. Most lighting kits come with a carrying case. You want to focus on softbox lighting kits that can be effortlessly assembled and disassembled. Weight plays a factor in equipment portability as well. Anything more than 10 to 15 pounds may be troublesome.

Adjustability

Getting the perfect angle or height for your shots can be tricky. It's essential to diffuse light across the exact area your camera focuses on. A fixed lightbox or stand won't have the range necessary to get the shot you desire. You can modify almost all light stands with heights ranging between 27 and 80 inches. On the other hand, not all lightboxes can rotate. A good range is more than 200 degrees for those that do.

FAQ

What is a softbox?

A softbox is an enclosure designed to surround a light source to soften and increase the size of the source. The reflective interior of the softbox emphasizes the artificial light source, such as a flash tube or halogen lamp. The projected light is emitted onto the photograph's subject through the diffusion screen.
Aren't softboxes the same as umbrellas or beauty dishes?

Although softboxes, umbrellas, and beauty dishes all deal with lighting, they each assist differently. Umbrellas produce uncontained and uncontrolled diffused light. Beauty dishes make dissimilar lighting, too. These dishes sculpt a subject's face and improve overall brightness, while softboxes deliver softer light with less contrast.
What are the types of softboxes?

The most common classifications include rectangle, square, strip, umbrella, lantern, and octagon. The types you need depend on your subject and shooting environment. For beginners, rectangle or square softboxes will likely do the trick. Still, once you grow your photographic skillset, you may want to explore using a lantern for omnidirectional lighting.

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