If you have started streaming and want to elevate your stream to a higher level, you have likely discovered that professional Twitch streamers utilize key lights. You may have seen a particular streamer’s setup and noticed that they are using an Elgato key light, but then you probably noticed the price.
Do not let that discourage you. While the Elgato key light is indeed quite expensive, there are many alternatives that can significantly enhance your stream at a lower price. For example, the Neewer 2-Pack Dimmable 5600K is an excellent alternative, offering nearly the same features as the Elgato but at a much lower cost.
In this article, I will present five product reviews of alternatives to Elgato key lights. Additionally, I will guide you on what to consider when purchasing a key light.
QUICK OVERVIEW: Elgato Key Light Alternatives
 | Top Choice Neewer 2-Pack
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 | EMART LED Video Light
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 | RALENO LED Video Light
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This article features key lights that are both affordable and suitable for beginner streamers, as well as options that may meet the needs of professionals.
Table of Contents
1. Neewer 2-Pack Dimmable 5600K
Top Alternatives to Elgato Key Light
Stefan’s Take:
Neewer 2-Pack Dimmable 5600K is a great, cheaper Elgato key light alternative that has a decent number of lighting options.
It works best in darker settings, but it can also be applied in bright as well. This is a great option for beginner Twitch streamers.
| Lighting Quality | 9.5 |
|---|---|
| Adjustability | 9.6 |
| Power Options | 9.1 |
| Price | 9.6 |
Why do I believe the Neewer 2-Pack Dimmable 5600K is the best key light among these?
Neewer dimmable LED lights emit low heat, which is essential for effective lighting. They also offer four color options (blue, red, yellow, and white), providing you with greater versatility for various lighting setups.
The lights will remain stable even when you set the brightness to low.
It uses USB for a power adapter, allowing you to easily connect this key light to a PC. However, keep in mind that it consumes a considerable amount of power, making it unsuitable for laptops and tablets.
It includes a tripod that serves as a light stand with a standard 1/4 screw, allowing you to detach the LED panels if you wish to achieve various lower angles. Additionally, you could potentially attach another inexpensive light source to the tripod.
The tripod head features a ball head that allows for 180-degree rotation, offering you additional options for adjusting your video light.
The package contains two light panels, two tripod-style light stands with extendable pole mounts, and color filters.
Overall, this is an excellent alternative to the Elgato key light. If you are looking to enhance your streaming setup with key lights, this could be an ideal solution.
Pros
- Quite inexpensive
- Quite adjustable
- Four different color options
Cons
- The material from which it is made is fragile
2. EMART LED Video Light
The Most Versatile Video Light
Stefan’s Take:
EMART LED Video Light is a truly versatile key light setup with many options and a great package for its price.
It is a great lighting source with great temperature settings which provide stable lights. The lights come with four different color filters ( white, orange, red, and blue), which will provide you with many different lighting options for your streaming setup.
| Lighting Quality | 9.3 |
|---|---|
| Adjustability | 9.4 |
| Power Options | 9.2 |
| Price | 9.5 |
EMART LED Video Light includes a 65-inch USB power cable, making it well-suited for a PC setup. However, it is not recommended for use with devices that have low battery power, such as tablets.
The tripod and extension pole are constructed from aluminum alloy and feature a safety lock that can be engaged once you achieve your desired height. It includes a 1/4 screw. Overall, these are excellent, stable stands.
In addition to the regular tripod, the package also includes a mini tripod that can accommodate a LED panel. This is an excellent option if you need to utilize your desk space for lighting.
The ball head features a 180-degree rotation, providing numerous options for adjusting your lighting setup.
The package contains two LED light panels, two tripods with extension poles, two mini tripods, and a color filter.
Additionally, when you purchase this product, you receive a one-year warranty in case the product develops any faults.
This key light package offers excellent value for its price. Its USB cable is of considerable length, the brightness settings provide a wide range of adjustment options, and overall, with a stable color temperature, it serves as a good lighting source.
The additional mini tripods offer you more options to adjust your light source, as they are very compact.
Pros
- Great price
- Sturdy material
- Quite adjustable
Cons
- Light produced by the LED panel can be too bright and unnatural
3. RALENO LED Video Light
Excellent Key Light for Professionals
Stefan’s Take:
If you are truly looking to make a breakthrough in the streaming world, then this lighting kit can really make a difference.
This lighting kit has truly high-quality LED lights that can help you achieve some high standards set by other professional streams. In addition, it is a portable lighting kit that is easily disassembled. All the parts are light but at the same time sturdy, and the carry bag is a huge plus.
| Lighting Quality | 9.5 |
|---|---|
| Adjustability | 9.4 |
| Power Options | 9.5 |
| Price | 8.9 |
The lights have a color temperature range of 3200-5600K and full brightness adjustability, allowing you to modify them according to the needs of your environment.
The two ultra-thin PLV-S192 Soft LED lights are designed for portraits and can help you achieve an HD effect.
This device features a built-in battery that lasts approximately two hours; however, if you plug it in, you can use it continuously.
The tripod and extension pole are constructed from high-quality aluminum alloy and feature a standard 1/4 screw.
The package also includes a carry bag specifically designed for this product, offering excellent protection and a convenient means of transportation.
When you purchase this package, you will also receive a USB microphone as a gift, which is compatible with various devices.
The light stand can extend to an impressive height of 190.5 centimeters (75 inches), allowing for versatile modifications to your lighting setup. It features a standard hot shoe and a 1/4 screw, enabling compatibility with various other setups for both the lights and the light stand.
The package includes two PLV-S192 Soft LED lights, each with its own power adapter, two light stands, two hot shoe mounts, a carry bag, and an instruction manual.
Pros
- High-quality LED light panel
- Easy for transport
- Great potential for adjustments
Cons
- Quite pricey for a lighting kit
4. VILTROX 2 Packs
Best Key Light with Wireless Remote Control
Stefan’s Take:
Viltrox video light kit is another high-quality lighting kit that can truly enhance the performance of your stream, making it one of the best choices for the Elgato key light alternative.
The LED panels have a high CRI, which vastly improves the quality of color rendering and can help you achieve natural lighting. The lights which are produced are soft to the eyes, which makes this lighting kit great for longer usage.
| Lighting Quality | 9.3 |
|---|---|
| Adjustability | 9.1 |
| Power Options | 9.6 |
| Price | 8.8 |
Here, you can also adjust the color temperature to suit your needs and the environment. Brightness settings can be modified as well, but compared to some devices, the range of adjustments is limited.
This light setup features built-in batteries that can last approximately three hours, but it also offers the option to connect to a power source for continuous use.
The LED panel features a screen that displays the current settings you are using for your lights.
This lighting kit can be controlled remotely, and a remote controller is included in the package, allowing you to adjust the settings of the LED light.
The LED lights are ultra-thin, and both the lights and the tripod are constructed from durable aluminum alloy.
A specially designed carry bag is also included, which greatly facilitates transportation and ensures the product’s protection.
Overall, this is a high-quality lighting kit that offers various adjustable lighting options. The LED light panel produces a soft, pleasant glow, and when considering the battery life, this product is designed for extended use, as the light is gentle on the eyes.
Another great feature is the wireless remote control, allowing you to change the settings of your lighting set without having to leave your spot.
The package contains two LED panels, a power adapter, two tripods, a wireless remote controller, and a carry bag.
Pros
- It can be remotely controlled
- Great quality of lighting
- High battery durability
Cons
- The brightness range is limited
- Pricey
5. Dazzne D50 Video Light
Best Key Light with C Clamps
Stefan’s Take:
Dazzne desk mount is a high-quality lighting kit that has a C clamp as a light stand. It is designed to save space, and it is a great lighting source for PC setups.
The light which is emitted by LED panels is soft and pleasant. This product can be used for a long time without experiencing any difficulties with your eyesight.
| Lighting Quality | 9.0 |
|---|---|
| Adjustability | 9.2 |
| Power Options | 9.3 |
| Price | 8.7 |
The LED panels offer an extensive range of settings, particularly the color temperature, which you can adjust to significantly improve your stream.
This lighting setup includes a power cable, but it also offers the option to use batteries.
The C clamp can be attached to a surface with a maximum thickness of 2.5 inches.
The LED panels can also be operated using a wireless remote, which is included in the package. The panels feature screens that display all the current settings you are using.
This product is designed for desk space, so if you are certain that your streaming activities will be confined to your PC setup, this lighting kit could be a suitable choice. However, if you plan to change locations, you may want to consider a different lighting setup, as the C Clamps can present significant limitations.
The package contains two LED light panels, two C-clamp stands, two power cables, and a remote controller.
Pros
- It saves a lot of space
- Suitable for PC streaming setups
- High-quality light
Cons
- Not made for environments other than a desk space
- Lower price but still somewhat expensive
Things to Know Before Buying an Elgato Key Light Alternative
Your Personal Requirements
Before purchasing a key light setup, you should determine the purposes for which you will use it to select the best lighting.
You need to determine whether you will use key light in an open space or a closed space, whether your current ambient light is brighter or darker, and whether you will change the location of your stream or continuously stream from a single location.
Most beginner lighting kits come with two light panels, which should be adequate for your stream. However, the power of the LED panel lights can vary, so to meet the needs of your environment, you should purchase an LED panel with adequate power.
Many streamers frequently travel and change the scenery of their streams. If you are one of them, you should consider purchasing a key light that is easy to carry and comes with a specially designed carry bag.
The parts are often quite fragile, and transporting them without proper protection can be hazardous.
If you are a streamer who will primarily stream using a PC setup, you should consider key lights with C clamps. These lights can be quite convenient as they are designed for desk spaces and occupy minimal space.
Color Rendering Index (CRI)
When purchasing a key light, you will likely come across the acronym CRI, which stands for Color Rendering Index. This is a crucial aspect of any key light.
The Color Rendering Index indicates how well a specific continuous light can accurately display the colors of your environment. A high index is necessary to achieve optimal lighting for your stream.
The range of CRI spans from 0 to 100, but according to current standards for quality streams, a score below 90 is likely to be inadequate.
Power Source
You need to determine how long you will use your key lights, which typically aligns with the duration of your stream.
Depending on the product, key lights can be powered by USB adapters, batteries, or electrical sockets. It is important to know what resources you have available.
USB adapters are very convenient. However, these devices consume a significant amount of power, so if you are using a laptop or a streaming tablet, for instance, connecting a key light to these devices can be quite detrimental to their batteries.
If you plan to stream in a location where you can only use batteries, it is advisable to determine how long you intend to stream and purchase a key light setup with batteries that can support that duration.
Conclusion
We hope this review has assisted you in selecting a suitable key light for your stream, particularly if you have been searching for an alternative to the Elgato key light.
If you have recently started streaming and have decided to purchase a key light, I recommend considering these products:
You might believe that these more affordable options lack quality, but quite the contrary; they can significantly enhance your stream, and you will acquire all the essential techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any more inexpensive Elgato key light alternatives?
Yes, there is a plethora of products that can perform the roles of key and fill lights. Elgato key light is certainly a renowned brand. However, their products expensive as well, so if you are looking for a budget option, there are plenty of other options to choose from. Furthermore, many of the products which are available can produce similar if not the same effects, even though it is an Elgato key light alternative. A lot depends on your own ability to use the product and manipulate the lighting of your environment.
How many key lights do I need for a stream?
Sometimes just one key light is enough to improve the quality of your stream. However, bear in mind that most key light packages include two lights. Rest assured, if you are looking to improve your stream, two key lights are more than enough. With just one lighting source, you already have a lot of possibilities to modify the lighting of your environment.
What brands should I look for when buying a key light?
Certainly, the most renowned is the Elgato key light. However, their prices are quite high, so if you did not plan to invest so much money for a key light, there are other alternatives. Other more affordable brands which produce key lights are Dazzne, Neewer, EMART, Raleno, Viltrox, etc. Do not think that the quality of lighting will be lower with these products. Although they are more affordable alternatives, each of these products can greatly enhance the quality of your stream when used skillfully and correctly.
