Indoor photography can be more challenging due to the lack of natural outdoor light. That’s why you need indoor lights for photography. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll cover the essential factors to consider and recommend some top lighting options. Whether you’re an experienced photographer or just starting, you’ll find the best one that suits your needs.
How to choose indoor lights for photography: 5 key factors
To choose indoor photography lights, look at five key factors: type, CRI, CCT, lux, and wattage. These affect how bright, accurate, and natural your photos will look.
Type
First, let’s look at the type of indoor photography lighting. There are two main options: strobe and continuous lights. Strobes are powerful and great for freezing motion but can be harder to control. Continuous lights are easier to use and show real-time lighting effects.
For most indoor photographers, especially beginners, continuous lights are the more practical and flexible choice. So we will focus on this type in this article.
Here is the comparison table of different contentious lights used in indoor shooting to help you make a quick choice.
Table: Comparison of different types of lights for indoor photography
| Type | Features | Application in indoor photography |
| Ring light | soft and even light; reduces facial shadows; easy to set up |
portraiture, macro, and video content like makeup tutorials |
| LED panel | flat and wide beam; low heat output |
portraiture, product photography, flat art, videography, and real estate |
| COB light | focused beam; high brightness; often used with modifiers |
simulating natural light for real estate, product and creative portraits photography |
| Light bulbs | Affordable; used with softboxes or umbrellas; basic color control |
beginner setups in controlled environments |
CRI
CRI refers to the Color Rendering Index and it affects color accuracy in indoor photography. High CRI lights ensure natural and accurate color reproduction, while lower CRI values can cause color distortion, making them look washed out or unnatural.
When selecting indoor lights for product or portrait photography, choose a CRI of at least 90 to ensure accurate color rendering.
CCT
CCT refers to Color Temperature and it influences the mood and tone of your indoor photography. You should select the right CCT to ensure your lighting aligns with the desired atmosphere in your photos.
For indoor photography, the typical CCT range is between 2,700K and 6,500K. Warm light, around 2,700K to 3,200K, creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for portraits or indoor lifestyle shoots. On the other hand, cooler light, around 5,500K to 6,500K, mimics daylight and offers a more neutral, crisp look, which works well for product photography or real estate shoots.
Lux
Lux measures how bright a light is at a certain distance. A higher Lux value means more light reaches the subject. This is important when shooting indoors, where the distance between the light and the subject may change. For example, a light may produce 1,000 Lux at 1 meter, but the brightness decreases as you move further away. Consider the Lux rating to make sure the light provides enough brightness for your setup.
Wattage
Wattage shows how much power a light uses and gives a general idea of its brightness. For indoor photography, 60–100W LED lights are usually enough for portraits or small setups. In larger spaces or group shots, choose options with higher wattage and Lux. Dimmable options let you adjust brightness easily, giving you better control over the lighting.
Best lighting for indoor photography: 4 picks at COLBOR
Looking for the best indoor lights for photography to improve your photo or video work? Whether you’re shooting portraits, products, or videos, these four COLBOR picks can help bring out the best in your indoor photography.
Best budget: COLBOR PL8B LED panel for indoor shooting
The COLBOR PL8B is an affordable indoor light for photography. It features an HD display and supports APP control, so even beginners can easily adjust its 10 built-in lighting modes to create more than 27 light effects.
This Bi-Color LED light has a high CRI of 98 and a wide color temperature range from 2500K to 9000K. This gives you full control over brightness and tone to suit different indoor setups.
One unique feature is its built-in 5000mAh battery with a Type-A output port. This allows you to charge your phone during shoots, helping you avoid power interruptions.
Thanks to its magnetic back, cold shoe mount, and 1/4" screw holes, you can attach it to cameras, tripods, or metal surfaces in seconds. No extra gear is needed, just set it up and start shooting at home.
Detail information
| Specification | Details |
| Type | Bi-Color LED panel |
| CRI | 98+ |
| CCT | 2500K-9000K |
| Lux |
/ |
| Wattage | 8W |
Best portable: COLBOR CL60 LED lights for indoor photography
For photographers who move between rooms or setups, the COLBOR CL60 is a great portable option. Made with aerospace-grade aluminum, it’s lightweight and easy to carry.
Though small, it delivers strong output with a built-in 65W COB LED chip and a peak power of 80W. At 1 meter, it can produce up to 2600 lux, bright enough for most indoor photography scenes.
The CL60 also offers accurate color with a CRI of 97+ and adjustable color temperature from 2700K to 6500K, letting you create warm or cool tones as needed. Its smart cooling system keeps noise low, which is great for both photo and video shoots.
It also includes a Bowens mount adapter, so you can easily attach softboxes, reflectors, and other modifiers to suit different indoor lighting setups.
Detail information
| Specification | Details |
| Type | COB LED light |
| CRI | 97+ |
| CCT | 2700K-6500K(±200) |
| Lux |
2,843Lux (at 1m 5600K, No Reflector); 19,665Lux (at 1m 5600K, With Reflector) |
| Wattage | 60W+ |
Best lighting kit for indoor photography: COLBOR Wonder Kit with highlight reflector
The COLBOR Wonder Kit is a powerful and compact lighting kit for indoor and outdoor photography. It comes with a 60W or 100W light head, a battery base, and a full set of magnetic light modifiers. These include a high-output reflector, barn doors, ball diffuser, and honeycomb grid. These accessories give you full control over light shape and direction.
With a high CRI of 96+, it delivers natural color for accurate results. The adjustable color temperature (2700K–6500K) helps match various indoor lighting conditions, and there’s also an RGB version for more creative effects.
Whether you’re shooting portraits, products, or videos, this all-in-one kit makes it easy to shape and control light with minimal setup.
Detail information
| Specification | Details |
| Type | LED Bi-Color/RGB light kit |
| CRI | 96+ |
| CCT | 2700K-6500K(±200) |
| Lux |
45,200 LUX (at 0.5m, with Reflector, W100 Kit); 11,700 LUX (at 1m, with Reflector, W100 Kit) |
| Wattage | 60W/100W |
Best professional: COLBOR CL220R RGB indoor lights for photography
The COLBOR CL220R is designed for professionals who need precise color and powerful output in indoor shoots. It features full RGB capabilities, an adjustable color temperature range from 2700K to 6500K, and a high CRI/TLCI of 97+, ensuring accurate, vivid colors for any creative setup.
With 220W of output, it delivers up to 30,600 Lux at 1 meter with the COLBOR BHR45 reflector. The M/G color balance control gives you an even finer adjustment, especially when working with mixed lighting sources.
It also supports 13 built-in lighting effects and offers wide compatibility thanks to the NATO rail and Bowen’s mount, making it easy to add softboxes, reflectors, and other gear to suit your shoot. This is ideal for commercial photography or professional video production.
Detail information
| Specification | Details |
| Type | RGB LED COB light |
| CRI | 96±2 |
| CCT | 2700K-6500K(±200) |
| Lux |
7,100Lux (at 1m 5600K, No Reflector); 30,600Lux (at 1m 5600K, With Reflector) |
| Wattage | 220W |
FAQ
Here are some common questions about choosing indoor lights for photography, from portraits to macro shots, to help you find the right gear faster.
What is the best lighting for indoor portrait photography?
For indoor portrait photography lighting, accurate skin tones and flattering light are key. The COLBOR Wonder Kit is ideal. With a 96+ CRI, adjustable color temperature, and multiple magnetic modifiers, it helps create soft, flattering light perfect for skin tones and facial details.
Which one is good for indoor macro photography lighting?
For macro photography, you need soft, close-up lighting with flexible positioning. The COLBOR PL8B is a great fit. It’s compact, easy to position close to your subject, and delivers accurate color (CRI 98) with adjustable brightness—perfect for capturing fine details.