A softbox is an enclosure designed to surround a light source to soften and increase the size of the source. The reflective interior of the softbox emphasizes the artificial light source, such as a flash tube or halogen lamp. The projected light is emitted onto the photograph's subject through the diffusion screen.

Aren't softboxes the same as umbrellas or beauty dishes?

Although softboxes, umbrellas, and beauty dishes all deal with lighting, they each assist differently. Umbrellas produce uncontained and uncontrolled diffused light. Beauty dishes make dissimilar lighting, too. These dishes sculpt a subject's face and improve overall brightness, while softboxes deliver softer light with less contrast.

What are the types of softboxes?

The most common classifications include rectangle, square, strip, umbrella, lantern, and octagon. The types you need depend on your subject and shooting environment. For beginners, rectangle or square softboxes will likely do the trick. Still, once you grow your photographic skillset, you may want to explore using a lantern for omnidirectional lighting.

The Best Softbox Lighting Kits

Our picks are portable, budget-friendly, and great for beginners

Nicole M. LaMarco

Updated on February 20, 2025

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

StudioFX 2400W Large Softbox Lighting Kit — Photo:
Lifewire / Benjamin Zeman

If you're just starting out, finding the best softbox lighting kit comes down to your use case (portraits, product, etc.) and ease of use.

We've researched accessories in various styles, sizes, and with unique features, and here are our top recommendations.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Neewer Softbox Lighting Kit at Amazon $134

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Best for Vloggers:

SALE

RaLeno Softbox Photography Lighting Kit at Amazon ~~$88~~ $65

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Best Overall

Neewer Softbox Lighting Kit

Neewer 700W 24-inch Softbox Lighting Kit

PHOTO: B & H

$134 at Amazon View on B&H Photo Video

TL;DR: A budget-friendly introductory kit and fan favorite among photographers.

Why We Recommend It

The Neewer 700W 24-inch Softbox Lighting Kit is worth a look to improve your studio photography on a budget.

The dual-light system is affordable and comes in a range of kits with square, rectangular, and octagonal lamp options and an LED variant.

Neewer offers a three-lamp kit version with an overhead boom, but the square and octagonal lamp kits are the best budget choices.

Pros

Variety of lamp options
Budget-friendly
Impressive light stand height

Cons

Lackluster materials

Neewer's octagonal lights, called octoboxes, are well-suited for shooting human subjects, while the square lights are suitable 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 adjust your lighting further.

You won't find top-of-the-line materials, but many photographers claim this Neewer set is a budget-friendly introductory kit that's reliable and gets the job done.

Amazon purchasers give this product 4.6 out of 5 stars.

_{Light Source: Compact fluorescent︱Color Temperature: 5500 kelvin︱Softbox Dimensions: 24x24 inches︱Lamp Wattage: 85 watts}

Best for Vloggers

RaLeno Softbox Photography Lighting Kit

PHOTO: Amazon

$88 $65 at Amazon

TL;DR: Even though it's relatively basic, it offers all the essentials for vlogging and home setups.

Why We Recommend It

RaLeno's Softbox Photography Lighting Kit is ideal for vloggers, YouTubers, and social media influencers because it covers the basics well.

RaLeno includes two 20x28-inch enclosed softboxes, two adjustable light stands spanning between 27 and 80 inches, and two 85-watt CLF bulbs.

The kit's heat-resistant nylon reflectors and polyester fiber diffuser panels are standard features in most softbox lighting kits.

Pros

Professional bulbs
Dual technology
Long cable

Cons

Lacks accessories
Relatively basic

Despite lacking fancy accessories, this kit is superb for everyday use.

Two 5500K lights dispense natural illumination but remain fixed at that temperature. However, this limitation should be acceptable 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 equipment easy to set up and use.

While the RaLeno can get you started creating digital pictures and videos on a budget, you may consider buying a boom arm or a different mount later if you need them for your photography.

Amazon purchasers give this product 4.6 out of 5 stars.

_{Light Source: Compact fluorescent︱Color Temperature: 5500 kelvin︱Softbox Dimensions: 20x28 inches︱Lamp Wattage: 85 watts}

What to Look For

When choosing the right softbox lighting kit, we recommend prioritizing size, portability, and adjustability.

Size

As a general rule, the appropriate softbox size should be similar to the size of your subject, whether it's a person, object, or both.

The smaller the box, the harsher the light. The larger the box, the softer the light. Larger boxes are more high maintenance since they require larger bulbs to supply more energy.

A softbox with an 18-inch to 24-inch diameter works fine for headshots and portraits while full-size body shots require double the size.

Beginners probably won't need a softbox wider than 27 inches.

Portability

Portability is crucial if you need to shoot images on the go.

Most lighting kits come with a carrying case, but consider focusing on softbox lighting kits that can be effortlessly assembled and disassembled.

Weight plays a factor in equipment portability as well. 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 essential to diffuse light across the exact area your camera focuses 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.

FAQ

What is a softbox?

A softbox is an enclosure designed to surround a light source to soften and increase the size of the source. The reflective interior of the softbox emphasizes the artificial light source, such as a flash tube or halogen lamp. The projected light is emitted onto the photograph's subject through the diffusion screen.
Aren't softboxes the same as umbrellas or beauty dishes?

Although softboxes, umbrellas, and beauty dishes all deal with lighting, they each assist differently. Umbrellas produce uncontained and uncontrolled diffused light. Beauty dishes make dissimilar lighting, too. These dishes sculpt a subject's face and improve overall brightness, while softboxes deliver softer light with less contrast.
What are the types of softboxes?

The most common classifications include rectangle, square, strip, umbrella, lantern, and octagon. The types you need depend on your subject and shooting environment. For beginners, rectangle or square softboxes will likely do the trick. Still, once you grow your photographic skillset, you may want to explore using a lantern for omnidirectional lighting.