To help minimize distractions and create the best lighting conditions, you should choose a softbox size and shape that’s right for your project. You’ll also want to consider the features and accessories, such as stand heights, carrying cases, and the lighting temperatures and switches, that will help you achieve the desired effect. There are tons of options for soft lighting kits and supporting accessories in various styles, sizes, and with special features. We’ve researched and reviewed the best softbox lighting kits to use for portraits, products, and anything in between. In the box, you get three adjustable light stands with heights upward of 90 inches, three 20x28-inch softboxes, and three lamp heads (two with five bulb sockets and one with a sole socket) to use as you see fit. Each of the heads has three switches on the back to control power to the light sockets. The softbox set is available in one, two, or three-light variants, but we recommend the latter option for maximum versatility. Fovitec also includes an adjustable boom stand with a counterbalancing sandbag, but our reviewer Benjamin notes that the stand is flimsy even with the sandbag, so you may need to supplement the weight. The StudioPRO kit also ships with 11 45-watt compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs and a large carry bag with a hand strap. In all, the StudioPRO kit is a steal that supplies a ton of equipment for a fair price. It’s not the cheapest on our list, but it’s outstanding for new photographers looking to take their shots to the next level. Light Source: Compact fluroescent︱Color Temperature: 5500 kelvin︱Softbox Dimensions: 20x28 inches︱Lamp Wattage: 45 watts Like the Fovitec kit, the StudioFX kit lets you adjust your stands up to 7 feet high. Depending on your needs, you can attach the boom mount to any of the stands, with the length of the boom ranging from 31 inches to 71 inches. StudioFX’s floor-mounted enclosures hold five 45-watt 5500K compact fluorescent lamps, optimal for shooting daylight photos. You can control each bulb via a switch at the back for the desired configuration. Unlike the straight stands, the boom-mounted softbox holds just one 85W CFL, and some photographers dislike boom stands with a sole bulb. As with many inexpensive kits, the stands can be slightly flimsy during adjustment and when fully extended. Nonetheless, StudioFX did throw in a counterweight and a sandbag for stability. Overall, the kit is a flexible, great-value way of getting started with softbox photography. Light Source: Compact fluroescent︱Color Temperature: 5500 kelvin︱Softbox Dimensions: 20x28 inches︱Lamp Wattage: 45 watts Neewer’s octagonal lights, called octoboxes, are well suited for shooting human subjects, while the square lights are good 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 further adjust your lighting. 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 fluroescent︱Color Temperature: 5500 kelvin︱Softbox Dimensions: 24x24 inches︱Lamp Wattage: 85 watts 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 up to 8,000 hours while providing a remarkable photographic environment. With standard E27 sockets, you can change the bulbs as you see fit. Neither socket exerts any control over brightness, though, so you have to modify the diffusion level by adjusting the front cover or moving the lights altogether. You can adjust the kit’s contents as you see fit. For example, the lamp holder can be adjusted by 210 degrees, which is well-suited for taking pictures at any angle. Either light stand can be folded to 27" inches or expanded 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 don’t fall over, as the kit doesn’t come with sandbags or weights of any sort. Light Source: Compact fluroescent︱Color Temperature: 5500 kelvin︱Softbox Dimensions: 20x28 inches︱Lamp Wattage: 95 watts Despite its lack of fancy accessories, this kit is superb for simple, everyday use. Two 5500K lights dispense natural illumination but remain fixed at that temperature. The temperature shouldn’t pose a problem when used 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 kit easy to set up and use. While the RaLeno can get you started creating digital pictures and videos on a budget, you may want to consider buying a boom arm or a different mount later if you need them for your photography. Light Source: Compact fluroescent︱Color Temperature: 5500 kelvin︱Softbox Dimensions: 20x28 inches︱Lamp Wattage: 85 watts
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. Our list consists of pretty lightweight kits, but 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 important to diffuse light across the exact area you have your camera focused 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 rotate.
About Our Trusted Experts
Nicky LaMarco has been writing and editing for more than 15 years for consumer, trade, and technology publications about many topics, including antivirus, web hosting, backup software, and other technologies. Her work has appeared in publications such as Tech Republic and Web Hosting Sun. Benjamin Zeman has a background in film, photography, and graphic design. His work has been published on SlateDroid.com, AndroidForums.com, and others. He reviewed our top picks from Fovitec and StudioFX.
