HANDS-ON REVIEW
OlumiRing Clip-On LED Ring Light Review: Is It Worth It?
A pocket ring light that clips onto any phone or laptop and makes you look lit, flattering and clear on camera.
OlumiRing clips onto a phone or laptop for soft, even, flattering light anywhere. Photo: OlumiRing
Our verdict
OlumiRing solves a problem everyone has and most people ignore: your camera makes you look bad because the light is bad. It clips on, charges over USB, and instantly upgrades selfies, calls and clips for the price of a couple of phone cases. For anyone who's on camera even occasionally, it's a tiny buy with an outsized payoff.
The short version
Bad lighting makes every selfie, video call and TikTok worse — grainy, shadowed, washed out. OlumiRing is a tiny rechargeable LED ring light that clips straight onto your phone, tablet or laptop. Three brightness levels and a soft, even ring of light wrap your face in flattering glow, no tripod or wall plug needed. It folds shut and drops in a pocket or bag so you've got good light wherever you are.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Clips onto any phone, tablet or laptop in seconds
- Soft, even ring light that flatters skin and kills shadows
- Three brightness levels for any room
- Rechargeable — no wall outlet or AA batteries
- Pocket-sized and foldable for travel and on-the-go shoots
- Works for selfies, video calls, makeup, content and reading
Cons
- Smaller than a full studio ring light on a stand
- Very bright settings drain the battery faster
- Clip works best on devices without a thick case lip
How it works
Clip it on
Open the padded clip and slide OlumiRing onto the top of your phone, tablet or laptop screen.
Pick your brightness
Tap through three light levels to match the room — soft fill for a call, brighter for makeup or video.
Shoot or call
The ring throws even light straight at your face, so you look clear and flattering on any camera.
Who it's for
- Anyone who takes selfies or makes short videos
- Remote workers who want to look better on video calls
- Makeup lovers needing true, even light in any room
- Creators who shoot on the go and can't carry a stand
Why clip-on ring light beats your room's lighting
Your phone's camera is only as good as the light hitting your face, and overhead room lights are the enemy — they sit above you and cast shadows under the eyes, nose and chin, which is why so many selfies and video calls look tired or grainy. A ring light fixes this by placing a circle of soft, even light right at the camera, filling in those shadows and giving skin a smooth, flattering glow with the signature catchlight in the eyes.
OlumiRing puts that studio trick in a clip the size of a chunky bookmark. Because the light source is attached to the device, it follows the camera angle automatically — front-facing for selfies and calls, or clipped to a laptop for meetings. You don't need to rearrange lamps or sit by a window; the light comes with you.
Is OlumiRing worth it vs a big ring light on a stand?
A full 18-inch ring light on a tripod throws more light and is great for a fixed desk setup or a dedicated filming corner. But it's bulky, needs a power outlet, and never leaves the room. OlumiRing trades raw output for portability: it's rechargeable, folds flat, and clips to whatever you're already holding, which makes it the one you'll actually use for a quick video, a call from a hotel, or makeup in a dim bathroom.
For most people the honest answer is that the best ring light is the one that's with you when the lighting is bad — and a stand in the closet helps no one on a 7pm work call. If you film professionally from one spot, get the big one too; for everyday selfies, calls and clips, the clip-on does the job for a fraction of the size and price.
How to get the best results with OlumiRing
Clip it centred on the top edge of your device so the light sits directly above the camera, then start on the lowest brightness and step up only as much as the room needs — going maximum in a dark room can blow out close-up skin. For the most flattering look, face the light slightly so it hits you straight-on rather than from a hard side angle.
Battery lasts longest on the lower levels, so use those for long calls and save full brightness for short clips or makeup. Charge it over USB between sessions, fold the clip shut to protect it in a bag, and if your phone has a thick case, take it off or slide the clip onto the screen bezel for a firmer grip.
Frequently asked questions
What devices does OlumiRing work with?
It clips onto virtually any phone, tablet or laptop. You just open the padded clip and slide it onto the top edge of the screen, so it works for front-facing selfies, video calls and content on whatever device you use.
Does it need batteries or a wall plug?
Neither — it has a built-in rechargeable battery that you top up over USB, so there are no disposable batteries and no need to be near an outlet.
How many brightness settings are there?
Three brightness levels, so you can use a soft fill for a video call or crank it up for makeup and video in a darker room.
Is it actually portable?
Yes — it's pocket-sized and folds shut, so it drops into a bag or pocket. That's the whole point versus a big ring light on a tripod.
Will it help on work video calls?
Very much. Clipped to your laptop it lights your face evenly from the front, removing the under-eye and overhead shadows that make webcam footage look grainy and tired.
How long does the battery last?
It varies with brightness — lower levels last considerably longer, while maximum brightness drains faster. For long calls, use a lower setting and save full power for short clips.
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