As the hybrid in-person/online aspect of our lives continues to perpetuate, whether it’s for work-related or gaming events, it might be worth considering investing in accessories to enhance the online meeting experience. From comfy chairs to standing desks, there are a number of such peripherals but when it comes to streaming and online meetings, in addition to a decent camera, lighting also plays an important role. While the ambient lighting condition can fluctuate throughout the day, having an external solution can really enhance the video output.

Companies like Elgato have offered some handy external lighting solutions recently but these bear a premium price tag. The Elgato Light Mini  for instance goes for £90 / $100. Taking on such products with a competitive price is Streamplify, an up-and-coming streaming peripheral manufacturer. Among their catalogue of lighting solutions are the Light 10 and Light 14, which retail for £19.99/ 19.90 € and £64.99/ 69.90 € respectively. 

Unlike the pricier counterparts, the Light 10 and Light 14 come as all-in-one packages which include an adjustable tripod, phone mount, camera mount and, in the case of the Light 14, a carry case. With ring lights, you’ll inevitably want a stand or tripod for adequate positioning and it’s more than welcome to find one in these all-in-one packages. Out of the box they really do appear to be value-for-money

 

The tripods can also double as selfie sticks as the legs can be retracted and the included phone mounts can securely hold your phone. Also included is a camera mount which I found to be particularly handy as it keeps the camera in the centre and ensures a uniform lighting of the face.

 

In the Light 10, you’ll find in-line controls while the Light 14 features touch-sensitive controls as well as an IR remote. In both models, you can adjust the brightness (10 levels) as well as the colour temperature (3 levels in the Light 10 and 4 levels in the Light 14) to your liking. Being able to adjust how bright the ring light shines really helps to make the effect less blinding while still illuminating my face during calls. But I still have use for the higher intensities which are handy for taking pictures of products for reviews.

Having the option to choose between warm white, cool white and a mixture of both across a 3000K-6000K colour temperature range is also very welcome. They offer a range of choices based on the users’ preference and needs. Below are some images based on different options.

   

No exernal light, cool white, warm white, mix colour temperatures

   

No exernal light, cool white, warm white, mix colour temperatures

With an external light, the effect on the visuals is immediate and Streamplify’s Light 10 and Light 14 seamlessly provide such enhancements. However, for regular use cases, I’d recommend the Light 10. It is more compact, takes less space on your desk and comes with every accessory you'll need. To me, the Light 14 seems a bit overkill for regular use and seems more appropriate for more demanding needs such as professional photography. The whole package is heavier and the tripod is quite bulky in comparison. But given its larger size (14 inch vs 10 inch), it can provide illumination across a larger area. 

 

That said, the price point is reflected on the finish of the accessories. Both Light 10 and Light 14 bear a plastic-y finish which pales in comparison to Elgato’s premium build. But this is the compromise for the price. And as Streamplify is clearly competing with Elgato, having a wireless option for its ring lights would also be very welcome but isn’t available in those models. These models are also not as customisable as Elgato’s products but they are off to a decent start.

But for £19.99/ 19.90 €, the Light 10 is really a steal for an external lighting solution dedicated for streaming, online meetings or if you just want better illuminated close shots. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a ring light that won’t break the bank while the Light 14 would be more appropriate if you need to illuminate a larger area or wish for an accessory that has some slightly more fancy features.