Picking the best studio lighting kit is a hugely important decision for any studio photographer to make. Whether you’re shooting portraits, products, still-lifes or whatever else, chances are good your lights are going to be firing hundreds of times in a day. You need consistency, responsiveness and longevity from a studio lighting kit, so you can be sure you’ll get the job done.
We’ve picked out some of the kits that have most impressed our team of photographic experts, with options from market leaders like Godox, Bowens, Profit and Elinchrom. The kits here aren’t exactly cheap — studio lighting isn’t. But all the kits on this list are ones our team have judged to provide excellent value for money, and there are options covering a wide range of price points.
We have plenty more helpful guides to lighting if the kits here aren’t quite what you’re looking for — check out our roundups of the best photography flashguns and the best lighting modifiers for starters. Otherwise, let’s get right to it.
Our top picks
Godox QT400II-C Studio Flash Kit
This Godox QT400II-C Kit is designed for photographers who wish to get professional studio lighting outside the studio. It includes all that is to be needed - two QT400IIM flash heads, 2 light stands, a softbox, an umbrella, a standard reflector, and a wireless trigger. All of it can be easily carried using the included kit case and the carrying bags.
£882.00 View
Pros:
- Very good value for money
- Highly portable and useable outdoors
- Wireless control
Cons:
- Other kits offer greater power
While we’re talking about studio flash in this guide, one thing that’s notable about the Godox QT400II-C Studio Flash Kit is that it’s portable and versatile enough to be packed up and used on location. This makes it a viable option for wedding photographers as well as those who stay in the studio. Consisting of two daylight-balanced flash heads, each with its own stand, the Godox QT400II-C Studio Flash Kit has built-in 2.4 GHz wireless X technology for remote control and triggering.
Its two heads are designed to facilitate high-speed photography, with 0.05-0.7 sec recycling times and high-speed sync flash modes. It also offers a wide range of colour temperature modes, though there’s the handy Stable Colour Mode which fixes the temperature at 5600K if you’re looking to keep things as consistent as possible. Much more affordable than many other flash kits, the Godox QT400II-C Studio Flash Kit is an excellent starter choice.
Elinchrom FIVE Dual Head Kit
The Elinchrom FIVE Dual Head Kit centres around the versatile FIVE monolight. It features a bi-colour 27W LED modelling lamp with an adjustable colour temperature of 2900K to 6500K, a 4000 Lumens output and a CRI 95 rating. With 65W USB-C chargers that can charge a battery to 80% in one hour, 16cm reflectors, and a storage case included, you’ll be ready and fully prepared for any shoot.
£2,799.00 View
Pros:
- Brilliant powerful flash
- Long-lasting batteries with fast charging
- Features bi-colour modelling lamp
Cons:
- On the expensive side
Don’t be confused by the name — there are only two flash heads in this kit. “FIVE” is the name of Elinchrom’s versatile monolight, finally properly unveiled in 2022, and it delivers absolutely incredible versatility and power for the studio and location photographer. Each FIVE head delivers a bright 4000 lumens output with a CRI 95 rating, as well as adjustable colour temperature that ranges from 2900K to 6500K. High-speed sync is possible up to 1/8000sec, and the smart proactive cooling cycle adjusts its cooling according to your usage in order to provide the greatest possible efficiency.
The heads run off lithium-ion batteries, which can be charged quickly via the USB-C connection — Elinchrom estimates that its supplied 65W USB-C chargers can get the batteries up to 80% with just an hour of charging. Two reflectors are also packaged in the kit, along with storage bags, giving you everything you need to get started with this highly impressive professional studio kit.
Profoto B10X Plus Duo Kit
The Profoto B10X Plus Duo Kit is tailored to content creators looking for a lightweight, portable, and high-functioning off-camera video light and flash system. With an increased maximum continuous light output of 30% (3250 lumens), enhanced recycling speeds, and Bluetooth enabled AirX - the B10X Plus Duo Kit supports a smooth creative workflow in the studio, on set, and out on location.
£4,150.00 View
Pros:
- Intuitive, easy-to-use design
- High flash power with fast recycling
- Batteries last well
Cons:
- Professional price
When you first unbox the Profoto B10X Plus Duo Kit you may be a little surprised by how small the heads are — but size isn’t everything, and these diminutive flash units pack a punch. A single battery charge is enough to pump out 200 flashes at full power, with a maximum energy output of 500W and lightning-fast recycling times. One thing that many photographers also love about the Profoto B10X Plus heads is how easy they are to use — thanks to the clear menu and sensible controls, you don’t get too overwhelmed by buttons and options.
Buying into the Profoto system also gives you access to a wealth of extra light-shaping accessories, allowing you to fine-tune and customise your setup as you see fit. The modelling lamp means that the heads can also function as video lights, further expanding your versatility. If these utterly brilliant heads are within your budget (which, granted, is asking a fair bit) you will not be disappointed.
Bowens XMT500 Twin Head Kit
Engineered for speed, reliability and cutting edge aesthetics, the Bowens XMT500 Twin Head Kit boasts an enhanced specification, including TTL, high-speed sync (up to 1/8000s) flash durations as short as 1/10,309s and recycle times as rapid as 0.01s. A foldaway stand mount allows portability and easy storage, and an integrated reflector cap allows you to shoot straight out of the box.
£849.00 View
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Excellent light quality and recycle rate
- Integrated reflector cap
Cons:
- On the bulky side
Another twin head kit that’s great for those who just want to pick up and shoot, this pair of Bowens XMT500 heads has hugely impressed our testing team. Ridiculously easy to set up, the XMT500 heads offer all the features you’d expect like TTL and high-speed sync (with Canon, Nikon or Sony), and fire flash at speeds as fast as 1/10,309sec. There’s also a sync delay mode that can be set from 001 to seconds for more complex setups, and a strobe mode that can fire up to 100 consecutive flashes. There’s a compatible range of accessories, as well as an integrated reflector cap that makes the heads ready to shoot straight out of the box.
An integrated lithium-ion battery provides power and is rated for up to 500 full-power flashes on a single charge. If you do need to charge it up, it takes four hours to go from empty to full.
Elinchrom ONE Off Camera Flash Dual Kit
The Elinchrom ONE is a high-powered off camera flash that is incredibly compact and lightweight. Weighing in at just 1.5kg, the Elinchrom ONE utilises a sealed Li-ion battery, USB-C Active Charging, and bi-colour LED modelling lamp, as well as a streamlined touch interface. Suited to both on set and on location productions, this low-profile flash system is ready for your next creative adventure.
£1,379.00 View
Pros:
- Brilliant portability
- Up to 725 full-power flashes per charge
- Comes with useful transporting backpack
Cons:
- Less raw flash power than other kits
One thing the Elinchrom ONE flash heads are absolutely brilliant for is portability, making them a highly cost-effective option for travelling wedding or event photographers who want a professional light setup on the go. They even come bundled with their own dedicated backpack, and with the flash system tipping the scales at just 1.5kg, you shouldn’t have any problems carrying them.
The lights themselves have all the features you’d demand and expect — TTL, high-speed sync, etc. With an output of 131W the lights definitely aren’t as powerful as some others on this list, so that is something to bear in mind. However, for most portraiture and similar applications, that should be an ample amount of power. The touchscreens on the rear also make the heads easy to control and use. With the included adapter, you can add light-shaping accessories for precise lighting control.
Godox AD300 Pro TTL Wistro Dual Flash Backpack Kit
The Godox AD300 Pro TTL Wistro Dual Flash Backpack Kit is an all-in-one solution for quick and easy lighting setup at any location. The kit includes two battery-powered Godox AD300 Pro lights, a parabolic softbox, a translucent umbrella, one silver umbrella, all packed in a durable backpack for easy transport. It provides a lightweight and compact photo setup for photography.
£1,023.00 View
Pros:
- Kit includes softbox and umbrellas
- Intuitive wireless control
- Comes with sturdy backpack
Cons:
- Mid-range power may not be enough for some
Another kit that comes equipped with its own backpack (in this case the sturdy CB20 backpack with a 15-inch laptop sleeve), the Godox AD300 Pro is ideal for anyone who liked the sound of the Elinchrom ONE kit but wanted something with a bit more kick to it. The Godox kit’s output power of 300W puts it pretty firmly in the mid-range, though it’s a significant jump over the 131W offered by the Elinchrom.
The lightweight Godox heads are easy to use, with intuitive wireless setup, precise lighting power control, and full support for all the usual features like high-speed sync and TTL. It also comes with a number of handy accessories, including a softbox, a silver-interior umbrella and a transparent shoot-through umbrella, meaning you’re well kitted-out to control your light from the moment you open the box. Offering exceptional value for money, Godox’s AD300 Pro is a terrific kit for both studio and travel use.
FAQs
What is the best lighting setup for portrait photography?
The best lighting setup for portrait photography often involves a key light positioned at a 45-degree angle to your subject, a fill light to soften shadows, and a backlight to separate the subject from the background. Using a softbox or an umbrella can help diffuse the light and create a flattering effect.
How do I avoid harsh shadows in my studio?
You can avoid harsh shadows by using diffusers or softboxes to spread the light more evenly. Position your light source further away from the subject and use a larger light source to create softer, more flattering shadows. You can also use a fill light to help balance the overall lighting.
What is the difference between continuous lighting and flash lighting?
Continuous lighting provides a constant light source, allowing you to see the effects in real time, which is useful for video and still photography. Flash lighting, on the other hand, produces a brief burst of light, which is great for freezing motion and creating high-contrast effects.
How can I create dramatic lighting effects in my studio?
To create dramatic lighting effects, use a single, strong light source positioned to create deep shadows and highlights. You can use a grid or snoot to focus the light and add intensity while adjusting the distance of the light from the subject to further alter the effect.
What type of lighting is best for product photography?
For product photography, even and diffuse lighting is key to showcasing details without harsh reflections. Softboxes or light tents can provide uniform illumination while using multiple light sources and reflectors can help eliminate shadows and highlight the product's features effectively.
