When it comes to taking pictures of products and small items, having a high-performance camera is just but the first step. You need to create the most ideal lighting condition to get the high-quality photos that you need. And that is exactly what a light box offers. Despite being simple and compact, light boxes are uniquely designed to ensure the item being photographed gets the right amount of light.
A light box disperses light evenly, thus highlighting all the features of your product. Additionally, a light box allows you to select the most appropriate backdrop for each item. As such, you will be able to come up with colourful themes that can boost the overall appearance of every picture. Depending on the type of light box that you pick, you can customise the colour temperature and brightness according to your preference.
TL; DR: The #1 Light Box for Most People 👇
The 40cm light box by Puluz has a long list of features that will provide you with great results in different lighting conditions. It has a frontal window and a vertical window for multi-angle shots.
Plus, it comes with 6 double-sided backdrops that you can swap at will. If you are after value for your money, the Puluz Light Box is the way to go! 🙌
Furthermore, most light boxes are portable, meaning you can carry them to wherever the work may take you. They are equally easy to assemble, making them ideal for professionals and amateurs. The below list is made up of different sizes of light boxes, so you are the one to choose the product that suits you.
The Best Light Boxes to Buy Today in Australia
- Best Overall: Heorryn Professional Photo Light Box
- Best Value: Abeststudio Photo Studio Tent Softbox
- Best for Most People: Puluz Portable Photo Studio Light Box
- Best for Portability: Neewer Upgraded Photo Light Box
- Best Budget: Mini Photo Studio Box
1. Best Overall: Heorryn Professional Photo Light Box
Why we like it:
- The inner lining is made of reflective fabric for even light diffusion
- Adjustable LED panels for flexible lighting
- Wrinkle-resistant backdrop paper boards create the perfect background
- Dimmable LEDs for customised lighting
What customers say:
“…There is plenty of space with the 60x60x60 option. Everything appears to be custom-built and so all parts; the led lighting rig, support bar, diffuser and backdrop inserts, just fit in snug…”–Andy
We chose the Heorryn Professional Photo Light Box as our top pick, and with good reason. For starters, the shooting tent offers a lot of space and can accommodate small to medium-sized items that are no wider or longer than 60cm. Also, it will provide you with detailed photos of the items that you want to sell.
This light box comes with two LED panels that emit up to 12000 lumens when on the highest setting. The panels will provide you with flicker-free lighting, allowing you to take photos with a more balanced exposure. Additionally, the panels are rotatable, so you can adjust them according to your lighting needs.
The LEDs are equally dimmable and will allow you to customise the lighting system based on the available natural light. With a colour rendering index that is ≥95, this light box will enable you to create colourful photos in all scenarios. Its use can apply when taking photos of shoes, jewellery, toys, watches, and other small products that you may want to sell on an e-commerce store.
You can as well use it for food photography. We recommend this photo light box to both beginners and professionals because it is very easy to set up. Besides, everything that you may need is included in the package, so you only have to install the accessories, and the box will be ready for the first shot. The kit is also inclusive of two butterfly clips that will ensure the backdrop material stays in place at all times.
Speaking of backdrops, the light box ships with 5 different colours of backgrounds that can help you come up with the perfect theme for each of your products. The material from which the backdrops are made is not only of high quality but also thick. This means they are less likely to fold, thereby preventing the formation of creases.
Although the LEDs have a constant colour temperature of 5500K, they’ll provide you with pure white light that will make the photos more aesthetic. The interior of the shooting tent features a reflective surface that disperses light evenly. As such, all parts of the box will receive an equal amount of lighting, thus providing you with well-balanced photos.
The front horizontal shooting window measures 40cm by 27cm, while the vertical opening at the top is 19cm by 17cm. Both windows will allow you to take photos from multiple angles without straining yourself. Ensure that the item is centrally placed to get the best flat lays.
2. Best Value: Abeststudio Photo Studio Tent Softbox
Why we like it:
- It has horizontal and vertical shooting windows for customised image angles
- Comes with a carrying bag for easy portability
- Two LED panels for maximum luminance
- Stepless dimming for quick customisation
What customers say:
“Lightweight and easy to carry this is a great value light setup that is handy for taking on location without stressing about the cost of replacement in case of damage.”–Jennifer
The Abeststudio Photo Studio Tent Softbox is the same size as the unit before it, so you can go for either of the two. This light box is made of high-quality materials that will provide you with long-lasting service. Upon purchase, you will get two LED panels that offer multi-angle lighting.
You can adjust the panels independently to get the desired level of lighting. There are 4 backdrops that you can choose from depending on the colour of the item that you are photographing. This is one of the light boxes that we tested, so you can purchase it knowing that it will deliver great results.
Since the shooting tent has multiple openings, we were able to take pictures from a range of angles using both DSLR and SLR cameras. We also took a couple of shots from a smartphone camera. The shooting tent splits light into soft beams that can render more colours, allowing you to take accurate photos.
In addition to this, the front flap has zippers that will simplify your work when customising the tent. Like most light boxes in its class, this unit allows you to increase or decrease the level of brightness based on your preference. And because the softbox is collapsible, you can easily carry it from one location to another.
Plus, it does not take up a lot of storage space when folded and is thus ideal for photographers who are always on the move. You won’t have a difficult time setting up this light box, thanks to its simple design. It boasts a sturdily built frame that keeps the tent fabric in the correct position.
To make it even more convenient, you can swap backdrops in a matter of seconds. This will greatly reduce your downtime, enabling you to take more pictures. The backdrops will brighten your photos while absorbing unwanted reflections.
What’s more, the base of this light box sits flat on surfaces, so you won’t have to adjust its placement every now and then. The control unit is conveniently attached to the power cord to give you easy and direct access. This way, you can make the needed adjustments with no fuss.
The included carrying bag is just as durable as the light box and also has zippers for added security. To top it all up, this product is reasonably priced, making it an excellent choice for everyone.
3. Best for Most People: Puluz Portable Photo Studio Light Box
Why we like it:
- Adjustable colour temperature from 3200K to 6500K for different lighting needs
- 6 double-sided backdrops for colourful photos
- Multi-angle shooting tent for creative shots
- Diffuser cloth for quality lighting
What customers say:
“I have a tiny workspace and this tiny studio makes taking pictures of my crafts so wonderfully perfect. The lighting is great and I can fold it away when not using it. I can’t rave enough about it.”–LivinMontes
The Puluz Portable Photo Studio Light Box is 20cm smaller than the first two light boxes on the list. It not only has a space-saving design but is also foldable and portable. This light box comes pre-assembled, so you’ll only have to attach an appropriate backdrop and you will be good to go.
Moreover, Puluz provides you with six double-sided backdrops for added convenience. But that is not all; the backdrops offer a rich assortment of colours that will brighten up your product photos. The LED beads have a colour temperature range of 3200-6500 Kelvin, so you can customise each shot according to your photography needs.
More importantly, the light box has a colour rendering index of 95 for professional colour quality. You can adjust the brightness to a level that best suits you when taking shots vertically or horizontally. There are up to 10 brightness levels that you can use, making this one of the most versatile light boxes that you can buy.
All the shooting windows are strategically placed to give you easy access to the subject. When photographing items with highly reflective surfaces, you should consider attaching the diffuser cloth to allow for even light dispersion. This will help you avoid unwanted reflections that may lower the quality of your photos.
You will be happy to know that the diffuser cloth has Velcro fasteners for easy set up. Best of all, the inner part of the shooting tent has a granular reflective surface for equal light distribution. With the right background, all your product photos will come out looking amazing.
And it won’t matter whether you are using a digital camera or a smartphone, this light box will deliver great results. In terms of durability, the tent cloth is made of high-quality oxford fabric, while the frame is crafted from polyethylene, PVC, and ABS plastic. Additionally, you can neatly fold down the light box when you are not using it.
The backdrops won’t get wrinkled, provided that you store them properly after each use. Furthermore, they are very easy to attach, so you won’t waste a lot of time during assembly. This product is a favourite among most people because it has a user-friendly design and is equally durable. If you are in search of a high-quality photo light box, this may just be the right item for you.
4. Best for Portability: Neewer Upgraded Photo Light Box
Why we like it:
- Uniform lighting for shadow-less photos
- Customisable brightness for excellent exposure effect
- Non-reflective backdrops for glare-free shots
- Three light modes for added versatility
What customers say:
“…I love the ring light and the ability to take photos from the top. Changing the background is a breeze and it’s big enough that I can take photos of the bags I make…”–Cassie
Weighing approximately 0.8 kilograms, the Neewer Upgraded Photo Light Box is one of the most portable units on our review list. It is the same size as the Puluz Portable Photo Studio Light Box but has additional features that you will find helpful. The circular LED lighting system emits 1060 lumens and also provides you with 10 brightness levels that you can use in different lighting conditions.
As if that is not enough, it allows for precise colour temperature adjustment from 3000K to 6500K. With all these features in place, you can customise the parameters to match your photography needs. The brightness adjustment system allows for 20% increments, so ensure that you apply the correct setting before taking each picture.
And unlike most light boxes on the list, this unit is not made of fabric. The material used in the construction is thick, so don’t expect it to collapse. Plus, it comes with an iron bracket for added support. This photo light box features a USB cable that will allow you to draw power from multiple sources.
As such, you can power the light box via a USB adaptor, laptop, power bank, or desktop computer. Attached to the cable is an easy-to-use control unit that will give you quick access to the available functions. The light box comes with a mini tripod that will help you keep your smartphone camera at the correct angle when shooting short videos or taking photos.
In addition to this, the phone holder is compatible with most smartphones on the market. When you buy this light box, you will get four different colours of backdrops—black, blue, green, and white. The backdrops are brightly coloured to enhance the overall appearance of each product photo.
To add to their list of features, they are non-reflective, thus making them even more reliable. You will be able to take pictures of items with reflective surfaces without lowering the quality of the photos. Aside from the wide frontal shooting window, this photo light box has an additional vertical window at the top. This makes it a great choice for those who prefer flat lays.
When testing this light box, we noticed that photos that were taken without firing the camera flash were of better quality than those taken with the flash. As such, we recommend that you only use the built-in LEDs. However, this may vary depending on the type of camera that you are using, so you are the one to decide whether or not to use the flash.
5. Best Budget: Puluz Mini Photo Studio Box
Why we like it:
- Has front and overlooking shooting windows for multi-angle photos
- Convenient USB cable for multiple power options
- Foldable for easy portability and storage
- Snap buckles for quick assembly
What customers say:
“Product worked perfectly for what I needed. Ideal for small items like earrings, tumblers, and card-sized objects. Not as flimsy as I was expecting but you would want to be somewhat gentle with the unit.”–Heather Winter
If you are on a tight budget, the Puluz Mini Photo Studio Box may just be the right product for you. Out of the five light boxes that we chose, it is the smallest and is ideal for those who deal in small craft items, jewellery, toys, and many more.
You should keep in mind that this is a 20cm light box, so ensure that you double-check the size of each item that you intend to photograph before buying this product. Despite its size, this mini light box has a long list of features that will greatly improve the quality of your photos. It is super easy to assemble and will only take a few seconds of your time.
The snap buckles are easy to attach and detach, so you can set up the light box without using any tools. Plus, the LED strip comes pre-installed, making it convenient for beginners. This photo studio box is similar to the Neewer Upgraded Photo Light Box in that both come with USB cables for maximum versatility when it comes to choosing power sources.
You can attach any of the 6 backdrops to get the desired results. Since it has a hook and loop design, you can install the backdrops within the shortest time possible. Still on the backdrops, they are made of crease-resistant EVA material to prevent the background of the photos from appearing wrinkly. The material is equally resistant to tear and will serve you for an extended period.
During set up, ensure that you fold the shooting tent along the lines to make it more stable. If you do everything correctly, the light box won’t lean towards one side, and neither will it fall over when taking photos. Being the most affordable option on the list, the Puluz Photo Studio Box can be a great pick for those who are trying out light box photography for the first time.
It can help you hone your photography skills while providing you with professional-grade product photos. Besides, it is designed with your lighting needs in mind, so you won’t have to worry about unwanted shadows when taking photos for product advertisements. It not only creates soft lighting but also diffuses it to all parts of the shooting tent for maximum illumination.
How We Researched the Best Light Boxes
To create this list, we chose the best light boxes based on our research findings, testing, and independent customer reviews on Amazon Australia. We only picked high-quality products with good reviews and also considered the ratings to check if they are in line with the reviews. Plus, we focused on specific features and functionalities to ensure you get light boxes that offer value for money.
Additionally, we tested some of the light boxes to determine how perform in different lighting conditions. And because most of the units that we had picked feature adjustable settings, we were able to configure the light boxes according to our photography needs. We took pictures from DSLR and smartphone cameras under different light settings and made comparisons to identify the best light box.
Since all the light boxes that we chose have shooting windows on the side and at the top, we had an easy time taking frontal and flat lay pictures during the testing process. Also, we compared the light boxes based on Size, Material, Portability, Ease of assembly, CRI, Available backdrops, Colour temperature, Light diffusion, Dimmability, and Shooting angles.
To add to this, we considered the price of each light box and checked the features to ascertain if the amount matches what the product has to offer. We wanted our list to include a range of products, so we selected different sizes of light boxes. You can pick any of the above listed light boxes without worries because they are expertly curated with your photography needs in mind.
Light Boxes: Buying Guide
When shopping for a light box, ensure that you pick a unit that meets all your photography needs. Moreover, light boxes come in different sizes and also vary in terms of light diffusion, accessories, and features.
With that said, finding the right light box is not always easy. However, with the help of this buying guide, you stand a better chance of buying an ideal light box for photography.
What to Consider When Buying a Light Box
Here are some of the factors that you need to take into consideration when purchasing a light box:
Size
Ensure that you select a light box that can accommodate the item you want to photograph. This will enable you to cover all angles without straining yourself. The light boxes on this list measure between 20cm and 60cm. They can help you take professional quality photos of small items like jewellery, beauty products, toys, etc.
Shooting angles
To get the best pictures, you should buy a light box that allows for multi-angle shooting. You need to check if the shooting tent has both horizontal and vertical shooting windows. With this, you will have an easy time taking shots from different points while keeping the object in the frame. Light boxes with an opening at the top will allow you to create beautiful flat lays of different items.
Dimmability
When buying a light box, you should select a unit that will give you full control over the lighting. Units with a dimmable lighting system will allow you to create the perfect ambience for your items. Most light boxes have a dimming range of 1% to 100%. Nonetheless, the increment value may vary from one light box to another.
We recommend that you go for a light box with a small increment value as this will allow you to make precise light adjustments. This way, you can customise the lighting according to your preference and the amount of light available in the environment.
Backdrops
You can get creative with your shots by using a light box with different colours of backdrops. White backdrops are the most commonly used, but they may not be as effective when shooting items of a similar colour.
You should always use a backdrop that will highlight all the features of your product. Some backdrops are double-sided, so you can change the colour of the background by simply flipping the backdrop.
Material
Depending on your budget, you can buy a light box that is made of ABS plastic, polypropylene, or fabric. Some light boxes are made of combination materials in that they have plastic frames and shooting tents that are crafted from cotton fabric.
The material used will determine the overall durability of the light box. So ensure that you invest in a product that can offer long-lasting service to avoid frequent replacements.
Ease of assembly
The good thing about photo light boxes is that they are easy to work with. Nonetheless, not all light boxes are similar in terms of design. Some models are very easy to assemble and disassemble, while others can thoroughly frustrate you during set up. You should, therefore, ensure that you choose a photo light box with a straightforward design.
Many of these boxes feature easy-to-attach clips that will allow you to assemble the unit in seconds. You can as well go for pre-assembled models like the Abeststudio Photo Studio Tent Softbox. All you have to do is unfold the shooting tent and you’ll be good to go.
Colour Rendering Index (CRI)
All the light boxes on our review list are fitted with powerful LEDs that will provide you with maximum illumination. However, if you are looking to get colourful pictures of the items that you are photographing, you need to pick LED lights with high CRI.
A good light box should have a colour rendering index that is closer to 100 and not less than 95. This will enable you to render all colours as they are, thus preserving the aesthetic appearance of your products.
Portability
If you are a professional photographer, you should consider buying a light box that you can carry to and from the photo shoot site with ease. You should pick a foldable unit to save on storage space during transportation. Many brands will also provide you with carrying bags that can hold the light box and all its accessories.
Adjustable colour temperature
The colour temperature that you use when taking photos will determine the overall appearance of your pictures. Light boxes with multiple colour temperature settings are versatile in that they enable you to choose the most ideal configuration for your photography needs.
For example, the Neewer Upgraded Photo Light Box allows users to adjust the colour temperature from 3000K to 6500K for maximum exposure.
Light diffusion
The main reason why people use light boxes is to create smooth lighting that can highlight all the features of the item being photographed. By choosing a light box that can diffuse light evenly, you will be able to take high-quality pictures without struggling with the camera or lighting system.
Units like the Heorryn Professional Photo Light Box feature a layer of reflective silver fabric that ensures light is evenly distributed to all parts of the shooting tent, thus providing you with bright photos that are equally colourful.
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