Welcome to our guide to the best flashguns. Here, we’re aiming to give you everything you need to know about these hugely useful photographic accessories — not just which ones to pick, but what to think about when making your selections.
The key thing to consider about any photographic lighting is power. The golden rule that applies to buying any type of lighting system is getting the right amount of power. Buying something too powerful is a waste of money and buying something not powerful enough is always going to disappoint. So think carefully about the type of work you want to shoot now and in the near future.
Obviously what flashgun you buy is always going to be dictated to some extent by your budget. So, we haven’t just picked out high-end professional choices here, but have filled out our list with a mix of options, including cheap flashguns that we reckon offer some brilliant value for money.
Top picks
Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT Flashgun
A refined, lightweight flashgun with power and capabilities that belie its compact frame, Canon's Speedlite 430EX III-RT improves on prior models with an enlarged display screen, simplified controls and the introduction of radio-based wireless TTL - previously the remit of the much higher priced 600EX-RT. The 430EX III-RT also boasts optical triggering, a guide number of 43 with 24-105mm coverage, movable head with integral reflecting panel and a 3.2s cycle time. All in all, on or off camera the 430EX III-RT is a wonderfully capable tool: Brilliant for portraiture, enormously cost-effective and packed full of photo-making possibilities.
£269.00 View
Pros:
- Fast and silent recycling
- Compact, mid-range build
- Radio trigger built in
Cons:
- 600EX II-RT is better (but costlier)
When you first open the box, you might be surprised by how compact and small the Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT is. However, this is not a flashgun to be underestimated, as it offers a level of lighting power belied by its small frame. The guide number of 43 isn’t the highest you’ll see, but it’s realistically enough for the majority of purposes, making this an excellent mid-range flash for Canon users.
The Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT has a moveable flash head, making it easy to bounce light onto your subject if necessary. We also like the inclusion of radio-based wireless TTL, which was previously exclusively reserved for the much more powerful but much more expensive 600EX-RT. The flash is easy to set up for off-camera remote control — no line of sight required. It’s a great flash too for just shooting and shooting — with fast recycle times and near-silent operation. The unit is powered by common AA batteries.
Sony HVL-F60RM2 Flashgun
Sony’s HVL-F60RM2 Flashgun is the second in its series and is packed with features that make it a compact, high-performance and reliable flash system. This flash is impressively fast, boasting fast-action recycle times suited to pro-workflows with up to 200 flashes at 10 per second. It offers flexible control via compatible cameras and supports a wide radio control.
£499.00 View
Pros:
- Fast recycle times for quick shooting
- Solid build quality and durability
- Head rotates for bouncing flash
Cons:
- Micro USB, not USB-C
Speed is the name of the game with the Sony HVL-F60RM2, which is capable of positively pumping out the flashes — Sony cites it as being capable of 200 flashes at 10 per second, with consistent power. So, while this is of course a great flashgun for portraits, it’s also well-suited to more reactive and fast-paced environments where you might want to fire off a few flashes in a row. It’s easy to control via Sony’s camera system, so it’ll slot easily into your workflow if you’re already set up on Sony kit.
The HVL-F60RM2 (an updated version of the popular HVL-F60RM) is powered by AA batteries, and features a rotating head (also known in some quarters as a cobra head) for bouncing flash. Flash sync speeds are also faster with the high-end professional cameras in Sony’s range, such as the Sony A1. The guide number of this unit is 60, meaning you have a good level of power at your disposal.
Godox V860III Flashgun for Canon
The 3rd generation Godox V860 offers a range of features that will help your illuminate your scene with precision and efficiency. New to this model is a modelling light that will help you visualise what your end result will be like before releasing the shutter. This flash offers super-fast 1.5 second recycling times and a full battery will provide up to 480 full-power flashes.
£179.00 View
Pros:
- Tremendous value for money
- Useful modelling light
- Li-ion battery pack
Cons:
- Build doesn’t feel quite as robust as pricier units
Available for: Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Olympus/OM System, Panasonic, Pentax. Click here to see them all.
The cheap flashgun market can be something of a minefield — so when we see an affordable one that’s really good and worth the price, we like to shout it from the rooftops. The Godox V860III is such a flashgun, offering a big load of power and a sophisticated degree of control for a bargain price — and even better, it’s available for a bunch of different systems.
Useful features for this latest version of the flashgun include a 2W LED modelling light with ten controllable stages, allowing you to visualise your results and make adjustments in real time. Charge up a full battery and you’ll get 480 full-power flashes — and, happily, the Godox unit uses a Li-Ion battery pack, rather than relying on disposable AAs. It has wireless Master/Slave TTL functionality, so can be used as the lynchpin of a multi-unit lighting setup if required.
Hahnel Modus 360RT Speedlight - Canon
Ultra-compact Speedlight, perfectly suited to the smaller Interchangeable lens cameras such as the Nikon Z series, Canon R series, Sony Alpha a7 & a9, Fujifilm X series, Panasonic Lumix series & Olympus OM-D series. This version works with Canon cameras.
£199.00 View
Pros:
- Available for lots of systems
- Built-in transceiver
- Includes video light
Cons:
- Not the most powerful
Available for: Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Olympus/OM System, Panasonic. Click here to see them all.
Another budget-friendly speedlight that has seriously impressed us, the Hahnel Modus 360RT has bespoke versions for multiple different systems. It’s also another unit that’s powered by a Li-Ion rechargeable battery rather than relying on AAs. There are all the usual modes you’d expect like high-speed sync and rear-curtain sync, but Hahnel has also thrown in a high-powered video light, which is useful if you’re the kind of content creator regularly chopping and changing between stills and video.
The unit charges via a USB port, which also doubles up as a means of delivering firmware updates when required. Thanks to its built-in transceiver, the unit is also capable of master/slave communications over significant distances, so once again you can use it as the centrepiece of a multi-light setup if required.
Nikon SB-5000 Speedlight Flashgun
The SB-5000 AF Speedlight takes Nikon's acclaimed Creative Lighting System with Advanced Wireless Lighting to the next level with both traditional optical wireless control and powerful new radio control. Place up to six groups of remote flashes out of view, behind obstacles - even in other rooms - up to 98 feet away. Designed for fast shooting at weddings, commercial shoots or on the red carpet, the SB-5000 AF Speedlight also introduces the world's first hot-shoe mount flash cooling system for more than 100 consecutive shots at full output, all in a smaller design with streamlined operation.
£599.00 View
Pros:
- Plenty of flash power
- Comes with diffusion dome and other accessories
Cons:
- No LED Modelling light
- Commander mode is on-camera only
Nikon’s high-end flash unit delivers both power and versatility. With a guide number of 55 and the ability to fire up to 100 flashes consecutively, the SB-5000 is a workhorse unit for those who need intense bursts of light — however, thanks to included accessories like the diffusion dome, those bursts are also highly configurable. The head rotates for bounce capability, and the 24-200mm motorised zoom head means you have plenty of shooting flexibility at your fingertips.
Forming part of Nikon’s Creative Lighting System, the SB-5000 can be used as Master or Slave. Bear in mind that it needs to be on-camera for Commander mode to work; off-camera, it can be controlled wirelessly by another flash unit, a camera’s built-in flash (if compatible) or Nikon’s SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander, using radio control that does not require line of sight. Small and portable, the SB-5000 is an ideal flash unit to take on the road, making it a good choice for on-location shooting.
Godox TT600 Manual Flash for all brands except Sony
The Godox TT600 Thinklite Manual Flash is designed to be compatible with all major camera brands except Sony. This versatile and reliable flash unit helps enhance your lighting capabilities, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned photographer. With a guide number of 60 m at ISO 100, it delivers powerful and consistent illumination for your shots to capture stunning images with ease.
£84.00 View
Pros:
- Amazing value for money
- Broad camera compatibility
- Plenty of power
Cons:
- AA batteries, not rechargeable
Compatible with all major brands and cameras with a standard hot shoe except Sony.
Frankly, the Godox TT600 Manual Flash is an absolute steal. For a two-digit price, you get a powerful, well-made and versatile manual flash (meaning you control the power yourself, rather than relying on TTL) that works with almost every camera brand. The TT600 can work by itself, or form part of a larger lighting setup thanks to its built-in 2.4G wireless system.
The LCD screen allows you to monitor settings at a glance, and the 20-200mm zoom head gives you a good level of versatility. The head rotates and tilts, too, and the unit has HSS compatibility, meaning you can use faster shutter speeds to capture fleeting moments. If your budget is about as low as it can get, we’d say this is the flash unit to buy, delivering practically everything a photographer needs for an absolutely outstanding price.
Leica SF 60 Flashgun
The Leica SF 60 Flashgun is a high-end, versatile, compact flash system that pairs perfectly with the Leica M, S, and SL-series cameras. It is wireless TTL-enabled, offering a guide number of 60m at ISO 100 and the 200mm setting. The in-built zoom head has a total range of coverage from 24-200m, but can be expanded to 16mm with the built-in diffusion panel. If you are a hybrid-stills or moving-image shooter, be sure to utilise this flash system's built-in LED video light, allowing for continuous illumination - adjustable in nine steps. Full bounce flash control is further available with up to 90° upward tilt and full 360° horizontal rotation. This makes it an ideal flash unit for bounced, indirect and soft flash from varied positions and angles. The SF 60 further incorporates slow, high-speed, first-, and second- curtain sync modes, and features user-friendly, tactile operational dials and a rear LCD screen.
£520.00 View
Pros:
- Built-in LED video light
- Full 360° horizontal rotation
- Good control scheme
Cons:
- More expensive than other options
For many Leica users, there’s just no acceptable substitute for that iconic red dot. The Leica SF 60 Flashgun makes for the ideal branded companion to your Leica M, S or SL-series camera, delivering a powerful flash unit with intuitive controls and flexible shooting options. The head can rotate a full 360° horizontally, as well as tilting upwards 90°, giving you a broad degree of options for bounced or indirect flash.
The built-in diffusion panel can be used for further softening of the light output, and Leica has also included an LED video light, giving this unit further versatility. The flash has both manual control and exposure compensation options for fine-tuning your level of power, and the guide number is 60 at 100m. With that unmistakable premium Leica feel, this is a flash unit for Leica users who want every aspect of their setup to be just right.
How to choose
It used to be a simple choice for the photographer. Years ago there were only a couple of manufacturers on the market so the options were straightforward; you either bought Braun or Metz if you were a pro, or something like a Sunpak if you weren't.
Here we are many years later and the choice is greater than it’s ever been. Flashguns have improved so much over the years in terms of output and spec, but for a first-time buyer, the choice can be bewildering.
Power
Let’s start at the beginning – power. When you look at the spec of any flashgun, the maximum power is always quoted in Guide Numbers. This is a simple equation that tells us the flashgun's power and therefore distance the light will travel at a certain f-stop. Guide numbers are universal and all manufacturers use the same standard parameters to measure them. Guide numbers are calculated at 100 ISO at 10ft distance.
The equation to find the maximum f-stop will be the guide number ÷ by the distance. Stick with it, it’s really easy to work out. To give an example, say your flashgun has a guide number of 61. To find the maximum f-stop, simply divide the guide number 61, by the distance of 10ft and the answer will be f/6.1. Obviously the larger the guide number the more powerful the flashgun. Knowing how to work out guide numbers will allow you to choose the right power for you.
Specification
We won’t list every last mode on every flashgun here, but the basic features of a decent gun will include TTL mode and of course manual mode. This is similar to manual mode on your camera where you, as the photographer, decide on the settings. Most guns have a series of settings from full power to 1/16th power, very useful as a fill-in light. To control the basic output many flashguns have a drop down wide-angle diffuser that covers the tube. This allows greater wide angle coverage, up to 17mm in some cases and is a useful feature to shoot wider groups. A zoom feature is also important as it adjusts to each lens from 24mm to around 105mm. This can be either manually set or in some cases is automatically set as you zoom the lens. Check the spec of each flashgun to find the right one for you.
These are the very basic features that most flashguns have these days and are all that some photographers really need or use. However, technology has moved at a pace and now many guns feature many different TTL modes, advanced functions and a host of other features, so check them out to see if you really need them.
Tilt-and-swivel
The cheapest flashguns have a head that’s fixed in place. In other words, they face forward at all times. More advanced models have heads that can tilt and swivel, and this allows you to bounce light off a range of surfaces.
LCD screen
Spending a little more on a flashgun will get you a screen that displays information on flash exposure and shooting modes. These can also often be illuminated for use in low light (below).
Bounce card
Some flashguns have a small white card incorporated into their head and this can be used to bounce more light towards the subject. You can buy these separately for flashes without cards.
Built-in diffuser panel
Most flashguns have a small translucent panel built into their heads. This diffuses light when pulled over the head, and also provides coverage for wider focal lengths.
Jargon Buster
There are lots of terms exclusive to flash photography, and these may confuse you if you’re just getting started. Here’s a quick look at what the main ones mean:
Master
A main flash that is designed to instruct other flashes (known as slaves). This is usually mounted inside a camera’s hot shoe although it may be the flash built into the camera. I could also be a flashgun that is in some way being used off the camera.
Slave
A flash that fires when it senses a master flash has fired. Alternatively, a slave may respond to a transmitter, which does not fire a flash itself but simply issues the command for other flashes to do so.
Recycling
The period between the flash being fired and it being ready to do so again. This varies between models and can change with different batteries.
Bounce
Directing light from a flash towards a subject by angling the head towards a reflective surface. This is typically a wall or ceiling, although it could also be an accessory such as a reflector (below).
FAQs
What is the difference between a flashgun and a speedlite?
A flashgun and a speedlite are essentially the same, both referring to an external flash unit used with cameras. The term "speedlite" is specifically used by Canon for their flash units, while "flashgun" is a more generic term. Other brands, such as Nikon, use the term "speedlight" for their flash units.
How do I choose the right speedlite for my camera?
Choosing the right speedlite depends on compatibility with your camera model, ensuring it supports your camera's TTL metering. Consider the guide number, as a higher guide number indicates a more powerful flash suitable for larger spaces or distant subjects. Look for features like High-Speed Sync (HSS), wireless control and zoom head capability to best suit your photography style and needs.
What are the benefits of using a flashgun over the built-in camera flash?
Speedlites are more powerful, providing better illumination for distant subjects and larger areas. They are also more versatile, allowing for tilting, swivelling and adjusting to bounce light off walls or ceilings for softer, more natural lighting. They also typically have faster recycle times and more advanced features, such as High-Speed Sync (HSS) and wireless control, making them more suitable for a variety of shooting situations.
How do we decide?
Our in-house photography experts, store staff and partners all work collaboratively to pour over these guides. The cameras and equipment recommended in our guides are based on their personal opinion, empirical experience and of course, feedback from our customers. We way up price, features, quality and the all-important 'je ne sais quoi' to make sure we recommend products that will delight and inspire.
If you would like more advice on any purchase our contact centre staff are here to help. Alternatively, you can reach us via email or social media. And don't forget. If you were to purchase anything based on our recommendations you'll be covered by our full returns policy
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