The best reflectors for photography give you more control over light. Light is the most important element in photos. But getting the perfect lighting isn’t easy. That’s why light reflectors are so useful for photographers. Whether you’re shooting food, product, or portrait photography, a reflector can be a game-changer.
The Neewer 5-in-1 circular reflector is the best light reflector for photographers. It’s a versatile piece of equipment with five different reflective surfaces. It’s lightweight and easy to transport. And it’s great value for money. Every photographer needs a reflector. And Neewer has the perfect option.
What Are the Best Reflectors for Photography?
The best reflectors for photography should help you achieve the perfect lighting for your photos. They can be used in photography studios. Or you can use them on location.
You can use them to redirect artificial lights. Or you can use a reflector to manipulate and enhance natural light.
Light reflectors are popular with portrait photographers. And they are an essential piece of equipment for food and product photographers.
They are useful for fine art photographers. And fashion photographers also use them all the time.
Light reflectors come in different shapes and sizes. So you have plenty of choices. But it can make finding the best light reflector difficult.
Think about what you’re shooting. And consider your photoshoot location. You have to think about how much light you have to manipulate. We’ll discuss this in more detail and provide tips in the FAQ section at the end.
First, here’s a brief list of the best reflectors for photography in the table below. Then keep scrolling to see all our reflector recommendations in more detail.
- 5-in-1 design gives you creative options
- Made of high-quality, durable materials
- Easy to collapse and store
- Lightweight and portable
- Reversible silver or white surface
- Folds to a third of its original size
- Collapsible and lightweight
- Comes with a carry bag
- 5-in-1 design for all your lighting needs
- Versatile reflector that reflects, diffuses, absorbs light
- High-quality materials make it a durable option
- Lightweight and foldable for a portable design
- Three reflective surfaces of gold, silver and white
- Easy set up and storage
- Durable and long-lasting material
- Compact and lightweight design
- 5-in-1 design for great versatility
- Durable construction for long-lasting use
- Folds up to 7.5 inches for convenient storage
- Collapsible and lightweight for easy transport
- Used for lighting, diffusing and reflecting
- Great value for a versatile piece of equipment
- Made of high-quality materials for long-lasting use
- Folds up to a small size for easy portability
- 5-in-1 design gives you creative control
- Large reflective surface for max illumination
- Folds down to a small size so it's easy to carry
- Comes with a carrying bag for easy transportation
- 5-in-1 design
- Reflects and diffuses light
- Handles on either side for more control
- Portable and lightweight
- Reflects and diffuses light for perfect shots
- Easy to set up and fold
- Sturdy and durable
- Lightweight and portable
- Five reflective surfaces for more creative lighting options
- Adjustable height and angle
- Tripod stand included
- Lightweight and portable
10 Best Light Reflectors for Photography
These are the best reflectors for photography. We’ve included different shapes and sizes. And there’s a reflector for every budget.
Every photographer needs a light reflector. And our list will help you find the best photography light reflector.
1. Neewer 5-in-1 Circular Light Reflector
| Brand |
Brand
Newer
|
| Type |
Type
Circular
|
| Material |
Material
Nylon
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
16.1 x 1.6 x 15.3 inches / 41 x 4 x 39 cm
|
| Surface Colors |
Surface Colors
White, black, silver, gold, and translucent
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Foldable, includes carry case
|
| Best For |
Best For
Portrait, fashion, headshot, and product photography
|
The Neewer 5-in-1 circular light reflector is the best in the business. With five reflective surfaces, it’s a versatile piece of equipment.
It’s lightweight and easy to use. And it folds down and has a carry case, which makes it a portable option. That means you can use it in the studio or on location.
You get white, black, gold, silver, and translucent surfaces in one reflector. Not only can it redirect and manipulate light. You can also use the surfaces to change the quality of the light. So this 5-in-1 reflector gives you excellent creative control.
When expanded, the reflector has a circumference of 43 inches (110 cm). The large surface area means it reflects plenty of light. This allows you to work with natural light. And you don’t need artificial lighting.
If you do use studio light, you only need to use one. The reflector is powerful enough to redirect light from another direction.
It’s a handy size to work with. You can use it handheld. Or an assistant can easily handle it while you take photos.
It weighs next to nothing. So you can use it for long periods without fatigue. Or you can also use it with a tripod and reflector holder or a light stand with a clamp.
From its expanded size, it folds down to 15 inches (35 cm). And when folded down, it fits into its handy carry case. The case also has a handle. So you can attach it to your camera bag.
It’s useful and portable. And the price is excellent. You won’t regret buying the Neewer 5-in-1 reflector.
2. Lastolite Halo Reflector
| Brand |
Brand
Lastolite
|
| Type |
Type
Circular
|
| Material |
Material
Aluminum / Nylon
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
2.7 x 2.7 x 11 inches / 7 x 7 x 28 cm
|
| Surface Colors |
Surface Colors
White and silver
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Collapsible ring, carry case, ergonomic handle
|
| Best For |
Best For
Traveling and location shooting
|
The Lastolite Halo is the best reflector for photography if you shoot on location. With stow-away dimensions of 2.7 x 2.7 x 11 inches (7 x 7 x 28 cm), it’s easy to take anywhere.
It also has a large surface area when expanded. And this makes it a powerful light reflector for location shooting.
When expanded, it gives you a 32.2-inch (82) cm circumference. It’s a big area for reflecting light. So you get more luminosity and brighter shots.
It also means you can use it for full-length body shots. That’s ideal for environmental portraits or fashion photos.
The Halo reflector has two reflective surfaces of white and silver. The white side gives you light similar to the original light used. The silver surface gives the light more dazzle. It’s colder and more metallic but can make your images pop.
The aluminum ring is collapsible. So the reflective nylon surface can be folded away. Plus, the reflector comes with a handy carry case.
The whole set is compact and easy to carry. So it fits nicely in your camera backpack. The Halo reflector is the most portable light reflector for photography on our list.
3. Selens 5-in-1 Triangle Reflector
| Brand |
Brand
Selens
|
| Type |
Type
Triangular
|
| Material |
Material
Nylon
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
31.4 x 29 inches / 80 x 74 cm
|
| Surface Colors |
Surface Colors
White, black, silver, gold, translucent
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Foldable, carry case included, user handle
|
| Best For |
Best For
More lighting control
|
The Selens 5-in-1 triangle reflector gives you terrific lighting control. With a triangular shape and a useful handle at one end, it’s easy to control reflected light.
It’s lightweight. So you can use them for long periods. It has a big surface area for excellent illumination. And it folds down to a portable size.
As a 5-in-1 reflector set, you get white, black, gold, silver, and translucent surfaces. So you have fantastic creative options. They bring diverse lighting effects to your photos.
The handle at one end also gives you more physical control. And since it weighs so little, you can hold it in one hand. But it gives you a large surface area when expanded. So you have excellent levels of illumination.
You can bring more light into your images without using a camera flash. (Read our articles on Canon flashes and Nikon flashes.)
This Selens reflector is also portable. It folds away and fits into the handy carry case. And when folded away, it measures only 11.8 x 11.8 inches (30 x 30 cm).
It’s great for portraits in the studio or wedding photography on location. And the price is also excellent.
4. Meking 3-in-1 Folding Photography Reflector
| Brand |
Brand
Meking
|
| Type |
Type
Foldable Rectangles
|
| Material |
Material
Cardboard
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
17 x 12 inches / 43.2 x 30.5 cm
|
| Surface Colors |
Surface Colors
White, black, silver
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Weighs 13.7 oz / 389 g
|
| Best For |
Best For
Food, product, and tabletop photography
|
The Meking 3-in-1 folding photography reflector is the best light reflector for tabletop photography. It has a super-simple design. Yet it’s incredibly effective.
It’s lightweight and portable. It’s free-standing in vertical or horizontal orientation. And it’s affordable for any photographer. Plus, you get three reflective surfaces to work with—white, black, and silver.
The white gives you a bright fill light. The black side reduces reflective light and glare and highlights contours. And the silver side is extra reflective, giving you sharp light.
This 3-in-1 folding reflector by Meking is free-standing. So you don’t need a separate stand. And you can use it in vertical or horizontal orientation. This gives you different lighting angles. And it allows for more shot variety.
This reflector weighs next to nothing. And it folds down to fit in any camera bag. You can even take it with you in a messenger bag.
Along with a good food photography tripod, it can revolutionize your product or food photography. So it is a must-have item if you work in those industries. And it costs very little.
5. Neewer 5-in-1 Light Reflector
| Brand |
Brand
NEEWER
|
| Type |
Type
Circular
|
| Material |
Material
Nylon
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
7.5 x 7.5 x 2 inches / 19 x 19 x 5 cm
|
| Surface Colors |
Surface Colors
White, black, silver, gold, translucent
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Foldable, carry case included
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photographers who want smaller, round reflectors, location shooting
|
The Neewer 119.6-inch 5-in-1 light reflector is similar to the option in our number one position. You get the same five reflective surfaces to work with. But this photo reflector is smaller and easier to manage.
You can still use it in the photography studio. But the smaller size makes it even better for location shooting.
The total circumference is 15.7 inches (40 cm) when expanded. While this is significantly smaller than the previous Neewer reflector, it still gives good lighting options.
It’s perfect for tightly framed portraits. And it’s a great tool for lighting small products and individual plates of food.
It folds into the carry case, which is easy to transport. So it fits into most camera bags. Plus, it’s lightweight. So it won’t weigh you down.
Finally, it’s an absolute bargain at its current price. This Neewer 119.6-inch 5-in-1 light reflector is perfect for photographers wanting a small handheld reflector.
6. FUDESY Clamshell Curved Reflector
| Brand |
Brand
FUDESY
|
| Type |
Type
Clamshell / Curved
|
| Material |
Material
Nylon
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
67 x 24 inches / 170 x 61 cm
|
| Surface Colors |
Surface Colors
White, black, silver, gold
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Adjustable angles, Velcro attachments, carry case included
|
| Best For |
Best For
Studio photography and large products
|
The FUDESY Clamshell is the best curved reflector for photography. It has a massive surface area, giving you excellent illumination. And the curved surface gives you even lighting from many angles.
It’s one reflector that can replace many flat reflectors. So it’s an ideal curved reflector to have in your photography studio.
It gives you a wider light spread than flat reflectors. This means the light is reflected at different angles. So it gives you better lighting all around your subject.
The FUDESY curved reflector gives you four reflective surfaces to work with. You get white, black, silver, and gold for excellent lighting control.
This curved reflector is a large piece of equipment. So it’s best to have a stand or a tripod to hold it. (Read our article on the best heavy-duty tripods). This means it’s difficult to work with on location.
But it does fold down and fits into a useful carry case. So you can easily take it with you from shoot to shoot.
7. BDDFOTO 5-in-1 Reflector
| Brand |
Brand
BDDFOTO
|
| Type |
Type
Rectangular
|
| Material |
Material
Nylon
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
24 x 35 inches / 61 x 89 cm
|
| Surface Colors |
Surface Colors
White, black, silver, gold, translucent
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Foldable, carry case included
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photographers wanting a rectangular reflector
|
The BDDFOTO 5-in-1 is the best reflector if you want a rectangular one. It gives you a large surface area with powerful reflective qualities.
You get five reflective surfaces. And it’s a portable option that folds down to a much smaller size. It’s another bargain photographers can’t afford to miss.
With five reflective surfaces, it’s ideal for creative photographers. You can change the mood of your images in seconds. (Check our Creative Photography Cookbook and Creative Portrait Concepts e-books for tips.)
Plus, it’s lightweight and easy to use. It folds down and fits into the 12.2-inch (31 cm) case. So it’s popular with location shooters like wedding photographers.
This 5-in-1 reflector by BDDFOTO offers excellent value. You get a lot of illumination and creative options from one simple piece of equipment. It’s a small price to pay for this level of lighting control.
8. SmallRig 32-inch Photography Reflector
| Brand |
Brand
Smallrig
|
| Type |
Type
Circular
|
| Material |
Material
Nylon
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
31.5 x 31.5 x 0.4 inches / 80 x 80 x 1 cm
|
| Surface Colors |
Surface Colors
White, black, silver, gold, translucent
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Two handles, foldable, carry case included
|
| Best For |
Best For
Precision lighting control
|
The SmallRig 32-inch photo reflector offers incredible lighting control. One of the unique selling points of this reflector is its handles.
You have one handle on either side of the ring, giving you excellent control. So it allows you to get the perfect lighting for every shot.
And it’s another 5-in-1 set. This means you get varied reflective surfaces that give you even more lighting control.
It’s also lightweight. So you won’t feel any fatigue during long photoshoots. But this medium-sized reflector ring bounces plenty of light your way.
The 32-inch photography reflector by SmallRig folds down to a convenient size. And it has a carry case, making it easy to transport when traveling to shoots.
It is a bit pricier than other reflectors on this list. But the build quality justifies the higher price.
9. Soonpho Folding Light Reflector
| Brand |
Brand
Soonpho
|
| Type |
Type
Folding Rectangular
|
| Material |
Material
Carboard
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
17 x 12 inches / 43.2 x 30.5 cm
|
| Surface Colors |
Surface Colors
White, black, silver, gold
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Foldable, lightweight
|
| Best For |
Best For
Produce and food photography
|
The Soonpho folding light reflector is perfect for product and food photography. It’s a free-standing light reflector that can be used vertically or horizontally.
It has four reflective surfaces you can use. It’s small and lightweight. And it’s an absolute bargain. There’s no reason not to have one in your gear bag.
You get white, black, silver, and gold surfaces. And each color gives you a different lighting effect in your photography.
It measures 17 x 12 inches (43.2 x 30.5 cm), ideal for tabletop photography. And it’s the perfect size for shooting focused products or food photography.
This Soonpho light reflector couldn’t be more simple. But it will transform your photo results. It’s a small price to pay for more professional results.
10. Selens Photography Reflector with Stand
| Brand |
Brand
Selens
|
| Type |
Type
Circular
|
| Material |
Material
Nylon
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
43 x 43 x 0.5 inches / 110 x 110 x 2 cm
|
| Surface Colors |
Surface Colors
White, black, gold, silver, translucent
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Comes with stand and carry case
|
| Best For |
Best For
Studio photography
|
The Selens photography reflector is another 5-in-1 reflector for photography. It gives you white, black, gold, silver, and translucent surfaces. And it folds into its carry case.
The difference here is that this reflector comes with a tripod stand. The light reflector can be used by hand. And it even has two handles on either side of the ring. But the tripod gives you even more stability.
It also means you can work without an assistant. The tripod has a maximum height of 6.6 ft (2 m). This gives you plenty of positioning options. And it folds down to 27.5 inches (70 cm).
This photography reflector also folds down. And when folded, it fits into the carry case. This takes the size down to 14 inches (36 cm). So with the stand, it isn’t the most portable reflector option.
But you can still take it from photoshoot to photoshoot. And the Selens photography reflector set is the best if you want a stand included.
FAQs About the Best Reflectors for Photography
The best reflectors for photographers revolutionize the way you work. But finding the best reflector isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions.
What Types of Photographers Use Reflectors?
Light reflectors are a common tool in photography. They allow you to manipulate light, which is useful for many kinds of photographers.
They are frequently used in portraits. And the way they help you achieve even lighting on the subject is ideal if you’re trying to make a profit from portraits.
Reflectors are also essential equipment for fashion photographers. And they use them in the studio or on location to illuminate the models and clothes.
Food and product photography are two more disciplines that use light reflectors. They are exactly what you need to make edible images. They give you more control over your lighting. And you can use them to manipulate natural or artificial light.
How Do You Use Light Reflectors?
You use light reflectors to reflect light onto your subject. And you can use them to balance light in a portrait, giving you an even shine. This removes hard shadows on the face.
You can place a reflector off to the side of your subject’s face. You can position it below to give the subject more lift. Or you can place it above to give an overhead lighting effect.
You can also use reflectors on or beside a tabletop when shooting food or products. Again, you use the reflectors to remove unwanted shadows.
You can get even lighting right across the shot without additional lighting. Tabletop reflectors are perfect for this type of photography. Or you can position a larger reflector next to the table using a tripod or stand.
Read our guide about using a photography reflector for perfect lighting.
Why Use Different Reflective Surfaces?
Each reflector surface gives you a different quality of light. That’s why multi-surface reflectors give you so much creative control.
A white surface reflects the same light. So similar light will bounce back if you’re using white artificial light. And you get a natural tone if you use it with natural light.
A black side, by contrast, reduces light. This highlights contrasts and accentuates contours.
A silver surface gives you a cold, almost metallic reflection. A gold reflector gives you a warm, yellowish glow. And a translucent option reflects very little light, giving you a more subtle lighting effect.
Selecting the right surface is about understanding the atmosphere you want to create. Do you want a bright or harsh atmosphere? Do you want soft illumination? Or do you want a hearth-like warmth?
What Size Reflector Do I Need?
The reflector size you need depends on what and where you’re shooting. What type of photography are you going to shoot?
You only need a small reflector for tightly cropped portraits. But it’s best to have a large reflector for shooting wider environmental shots.
Snapping small products only requires a small reflector. But bigger products, like cars, need larger reflectors.
Where you’re shooting is also important. You want large light reflectors if you’re working in a studio. And you can even have reflectors on stands.
You might also incorporate them into your photography backdrops. But you’ll need something more portable if you’re shooting on location.
Smaller reflectors are more portable. And foldable ones can even fit in your camera bag.
Conclusion: The Best Reflectors for Photography
After you start using a light reflector, you won’t know how you ever worked without one. They redefine the parameters of your photography. And they bring new life into your work. That’s why finding the best light reflector for photography is so important.
The Neewer 5-in-1 circular light reflector is the best reflector for photographers. With five reflective surfaces, it gives you fantastic creative control. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and portable. And the price is more than reasonable. It’s a must-have for creative photographers.