Best Photographic Lighting Monolights in 2022

Last update: November 29, 2022

Are Monolights strobes?

A monolight is a type of photographic flash lighting device that contains both the power source and the flash head in a single unit. Monolights are often more expensive than speedlights, but they offer more power and more features. Many monolights can be plugged into an AC outlet, making them ideal for studio photography.

Do I need a monolight?

If you're just getting started in photography, you may be wondering if you need a monolight. Here's a quick rundown of what monolights are and what they're used for. Monolights are self-contained flash units that come with their own power source. This makes them ideal for on-location shoots where you don't have easy access to an electrical outlet. Monolights are also usually more powerful than smaller flash units, so they're great for shooting in low-light conditions or for creating dramatic lighting effects. So, do you need a

Do you need two lights for photography?

No, you don't need two lights for photography, but having two lights can give you more creative options and allow you to experiment with different lighting techniques. If you're just starting out, one light should be plenty.

How do I choose a Speedlite?

If you're looking to buy a Speedlite, there are a few things you'll need to consider. First, think about what you'll be using the Speedlite for. If you're a professional photographer, you'll need a more powerful and feature-rich Speedlite than someone who is just starting out. Second, consider your budget. Speedlites can range in price from around $100 to $1000, so it's important to know how much you're willing to spend. Finally, take a look at the different features offered by different Speedlites and choose the one that best


Godox H200R Ring Flash Head for AD200, 200ws Strong Power and Natural Light Effects for Godox AD200 Pocket Flash,Light and Portable Review:


I recently acquired an H200R and felt the need to test it out. My first thought was to shoot against a background to compare the light pattern of the H200R with that of a bare bulb, a bare bulb with an AD-S2 reflector, and a Fresnel head, in order to compare the light spread from the various heads. It appears that others had the same idea.Since the light from the Barebulb spreads out in all directions (and you wouldn't focus the bulb directly at the subject anyhow), it really needs to have the power turned up. Although the AD-S2 has a hot spot in the center, it still appears far better than the Fresnel pattern. The H200R has a fantastic appearance, with a very smooth falloff and a much more evenly distributed circular light pattern.I then shot each head into an umbrella, but I decided to skip that step and instead present a picture of the light spill to the sides of the umbrella. You can see how the different heads compare at filling the umbrella in several of the other reviews. You can see from that series that the H200R has very low light loss to the sides, which makes it more effective at directing light where you want it to go and gives you greater control over where it hits.Okay, excellent, enough of that, let's see how some folks appear in the light! I took these pictures after using a few family members as models or victims. Can it be used on windy days without a modifier (like a softbox, for example)? Using a 3 stop ND filter, I was able to shoot wide open with the Canon 135 f/2.0 in bright light. I also used my AD200 with H200R at roughly 45 degrees to camera right for fill light in the first photo of the male subject (just the H200R – no other modifier). The H200R was placed close to the camera axis in the first photo of the female subject, which was taken in a shady setting with a bright background. The second photograph of the male subject was taken from across the pool at a distance of around 25 feet, at an angle of roughly 60 degrees off camera right, using an AD200/H200R in a Cheetahstand Colt 45 reflector. The female subject is in shadow in the second photograph, which is less bright.Can I take portraits without using any modifiers and the AD200 with the H200R? That is, in my opinion, a yes!(That is especially helpful for lone shoots on windy days because it eliminates the risk of the entire light stand toppling over and damaging your AD200. It is also much lighter to carry. It is evenly lit. No hot area is visible to me. Nothing about the light seems harsh or unpleasant. I'm a buyer! Because the AD200 and H200R are still very small, they make a flexible grab-and-go arrangement. Get one for your AD-200; it's a very wonderful piece of equipment!Additionally, when purchasing from this seller on Amazon, your stuff arrives quickly (rather than 2-4 weeks when buying on ebay from China). What's not to appreciate about them getting the H200R into my hands in just 2 days? I'm now anticipating the delivery of the AK-R1 attachment kit that I recently ordered (snoot, barndoors, gels, etc. that mount directly on the H200R magnetically).



Godox MS300 Studio Strobe 300Ws 110V GN58 5600K Bowens Mount Monolight, Built-in Godox 2.4G Wireless System, 150W Modeling Lamp, Outstanding Output Stability, Anti-Preflash, 1/32 to 1/1 Steps Output Review:


This is a quick review.items I enjoy. Cheaply made but of acceptable quality. It feels a touch flimsy and cheap. For the pricing point, the flash and model lights are quiet and effective.Dislikes. Flash distance is constrained. That is undoubtedly related to the cost as well. Model lights become quite hot when used for extended lengths of time, and the silent fans are likely a contributing factor because they will not adequately cool the light. Additionally, throughout my shots, the lights automatically turn off. It occurs with all of them, but I'm not sure if it is a timeout issue or an overheating issue (I bought 5)We'll monitor their durability over time, but for now, we're content.additionally unable to locate replacement strobes for them not sure where to find these or whether they work with another model.



GODOX AD200Pro AD200 Pro with BD-07 Barn Door Honeycomb Grid 4 Color Filter Kit, Standard Reflector with Soft Diffuser, 200W 2.4G Flash Strobe, 1/8000 HSS, 500 Full Power Flashes, 0.01-2.1s Recycling Review:


10 out of 5 stars for PRODUCT. The flash itself is incredible.Transaction grade: 2 out of 5. (The first one showed up damaged, ugh)Because another piece of equipment was not functioning properly and I needed it for an event, I am a professional wedding photographer and I ordered this at the last minute. It arrived quickly, however when I switched the flash on, nothing happened even though there was a sticker inside the container saying "Quality Control Passed." I changed the head, speculating that perhaps only one of the flashes was damaged. Nope. No luck. I attempted to reach GoDox assistance, emailed the seller, and spoke with Amazon customer service. They would have to send me a replacement because the item was defective. Even though they fixed the issue straight quickly, it was really frustrating and wasted a lot of my time that no one bothered to turn on the first flash to make sure it worked.What was the story's point there? - If you need to place an urgent order for a project that must be done right away, you may need to place two orders simultaneously. Once the first one is received and tested, you can return the second one.After clearing out the TRANSACTIONAL portion of the plot, I WILL state that the flash itself is AMAZING. With the wireless trigger, this device may be easily controlled and recycles extremely quickly. I work in a tourist area, where the sun is always out. With this, I can easily overpower the sun and capture beautiful sunset portraits. I can place this across from the reception on a lamp stand to generate highly dynamic backlighting during the dance. Although I really enjoy my GoDox V1 flash, which I also own, this one tops them all in terms of power and versatility.This is IT if you require studio-level power with the portability and compactness of a Speedlight!



Godox AD200Pro AD200 Pro with PERGEAR Diffuser, 200Ws 2.4G Flash Strobe, 1/8000 HSS, 500 Full Power Flashes, 0.01-2.1s Recycling, 2900mAh Battery, Bare Bulb/Speedlite Fresnel Flash Head, Lightweight Review:


These two Godox AD200Pro strobes were my primary buy for portrait photography in a compact studio. The two apartments are really well constructed. It seems like one of the strobes' on/off switches was a touch loose, but I think this is a small problem because it still works. I need to determine whether this switch is a concern in the long run. Both devices' color uniformity is within the specified range of -/100K. (i tested it). In comparison to most speed-lights, the recycle times are great and significantly faster. If you find that you are outgrowing the output or recycle time of your standard speed-lights, these strobes are a logical move forward. These strobes have an output of 200 watt-seconds, which is roughly three regular speed lights. Using a Godox X-Pro trigger for Sony, I discovered that these strobes fired reliably during my photo shoots. Are you attempting to defeat the sun outside? Better options for you are the AD400 Pro or AD600 Pro strobe. Although these strobes are often fairly compact, most people's pockets can't accommodate their size. A good carrying case for the charger and other equipment is included with the strobes. I think these units are a great deal overall. Would I buy the same strobes once more? Definitely!



Godox AD200 200Ws 2.4G TTL Speedlite Flash Strobe 1/8000 HSS Monolight with 2900mAh Lithium Battery and Bare Bulb Flash Head to Provide 500 Full Power Flashes Recycle in 0.01-2.1 Second Review:


The Godox AD200 is a high-powered strobe device that is small and compact, with the battery and radio triggers incorporated right into the flash unit. It has been sweeping the photography community by storm. You can get portability and flexibility, which are invaluable in the field, but giving up roughly 100 W/s of your standard studio strobe. Off camera lights are frequently not used by photographers due to the lengthy setup processes and bulky equipment needed to use them. With this system, all you'll need to produce some imaginative and well-lit images is the strobe and commander.Setting adjustments are incredibly quick and simple because to the XPro radio commander's complete control of the strobe unit. The interface on the rear of the strobe is simple and clear to use even if you are using different triggers. Despite having never used a flash before, I was able to figure out the buttons' purposes thanks to my career-long use of flashes from other well-known brands. You can use numerous flash units and have the lighting ratios configured exactly how you want them all from behind the camera by having access to different channels and flash groups.This is a significant historical milestone that will be recorded in history, speaking as a professional photographer who has witnessed the advancement of lighting technology over the previous ten years. With the introduction of this flash unit, off-camera illumination has never been so quick and simple, and the level of professional photographers' output has significantly improved.Grab at least one of these devices to revolutionize your work and advance your photography.The first wedding I shot with this gear is attached to the review. In order to setup quickly and easily, I was using simple MagMod modifiers, which allowed me to remain mobile and concentrate on what was crucial—creating stunning photographs.



Neewer Vision 4 Powered Outdoor Studio Flash Strobe (700 Full Power Flashes) with Softbox, Light Stand and Cleaning Kit for Video Location Photography Review:


There are no cables to worry about tripping over or losing, allowing for portable portability. The menu settings' digital black and grey panel is quite helpful for making adjustments. The wireless trigger is included into the light for even more ease, one less component to worry about, and long-range transmission. For a bigger, more widely spread diluted balance, an octagonal soft box is the perfect size. provides superior long-range lighting compared to the other tiny forms. Strong metal stand with a large height range of 3 to over 6 feet! My lens can be easily cleaned with the brush thanks to the anti-static gloves. No dust, smudges, or scratches are visible.



Neewer Battery Powered (700 Full Power Flashes) Outdoor Studio Flash Strobe Li-ion Battery with 2.4G System(Trigger Included),German Engineered,3.96 Pounds,Vision 4 for Location Shooting,Bowens Mount Review:


This item is simple to use, lightweight, and durable for professional photographers during sessions and events. I adore this product and would suggest it to any photographer who enjoys shooting outside and doesn't need to rely on outlets because it is battery-powered! This product was expertly crafted. At first inspection, I initially believed that you had to remove the hood that covers the bulb, but the designer has made a hole big enough for the umbrella rod to pass through. The controller that fits on the camera shoe attachment doesn't click into place, which is the one thing that is a little perplexing, although I must admit that it hasn't yet slipped off the camera. The fact that the battery in the controller is not rechargeable and I haven't been able to find a battery to fit that is rechargeable means you have to buy another battery just in case it runs out, but aside than that, this product is invaluable and a steal for what it accomplishes. Finally, this flash has the body of a Bugatti mono-flash but feels and looks like a high-end automobile.



Neewer Medium Aluminium Alloy Conical Snoot Kit with Honeycomb Grid and 5 Pieces Color Gel Filters for Bowens Mount Studio Strobe Monolight Photography Flash Light Review:


Others, though, have predicted that the very end will come off. It seemed to be quite tight and would securely hold the honeycomb in place. It is compatible with my speedlight's S-Type Bracket (Bowens Mount Holder). Testing demonstrates that it performs exactly as intended and described. The snoot narrows the light very evenly even without the honeycomb and final component. Want super precise lighting? Just add the final piece and honeycomb after that. The colored filters are quite thin and flimsy, which makes them difficult to install while on location and in the middle of the shoot. That is the only drawback I can think of. Otherwise. Amazing tool.



Godox AD200 200Ws 2.4G TTL Flash Strobe 1/8000 HSS Cordless Monolight with 2900mAh Lithimu Battery and Bare Bulb/Speedlite Fresnel Flash Head to Cover 500 Full Power Shots and Recycle in 0.01-2.1 Sec Review:


My portable lighting setup has benefited greatly from having this addition. I can't really oversell this light; it's fairly amazing how many full power shots it can produce on a single charge, how quickly it recycles, and how it can function as both a high output flash head and a bare bulb in one small body. It is nothing short of amazing that it costs $300 and can perform all of those tasks with an integrated li-ion battery. In a similar vein, its capacity to deliver high speed sync (HSS) has made it incredibly simple to take attractive wide open aperture flash images in broad daylight. (It actually has a lot of features.)Anyhow, I've enjoyed using this light a lot. My first use of it was for a prom photo booth. I used this light with another lower-output flash to create some simple dramatic lighting (30 inch beauty dish with shower cap diffuser), and it worked flawlessly for over 300 images without the battery indicator even lowering. I haven't yet pushed it to 500 full power photos, but given what I've learned so far, it doesn't sound at all unlikely. Granted, shots ranged from 1/16 to 1/4 power, but I've also used it for outdoor shooting at 1/1 and the battery life is still very robust. Additionally, this light is a breeze to set up due to the lack of battery wires and the smaller form factor (compared to something like the older Godox AD180/360). One very minor complaint I have is that this light is a little difficult to fit into a Bowens mount due to its thickness. Despite this, it does fit, but a little more finely than I would prefer.Overall, there aren't many issues to be unhappy about. Every location portrait photographer should be happy with the capability and performance this flash delivers, and the overwhelmingly positive ratings for it on YouTube make perfect sense.I'd be so excited if Godox would just make a flash trigger with HSS support that works for Fuji and Olympus so I could quit hacking together trigger solutions!



Neewer 600W Studio Strobe Flash Photography Lighting Kit:(2) 300W Monolight,(2) Softbox,(1) RT-16 Wireless Trigger,(2) 33 inches Translucent Umbrella for Video Portrait Location Shooting(N-300W) Review:


The real thing is this strobe light and soft box set! It is reasonably priced and furnished with lots of useful items. The wireless trigger is fantastic and makes taking pictures quite simple. The two soft boxes are the ideal size for my indoor cat-dressing photo shoots and are a terrific size. Both professionals and amateur photographers might benefit from this setup for a photo shoot. The stand is extendable and has a maximum height of roughly 6.5 feet. It is quite strong and well-made. When my other lights are off, the strobes are also powerful enough to serve as my main light source. For the amount you pay, the quality of this kit, which includes a nice-sized carrying case, is excellent. not to be beaten! Has to be!


How do photographers use strobes?

Strobes are flashes that emit a very brief, intense burst of light. They are commonly used in photography to freeze motion, or to provide extra light in low-light situations. When used in conjunction with a camera's shutter, strobes can be used to create some interesting effects, such as light painting or frozen motion.

How many Monolights do I need?

If you're just starting out in photography, you may be wondering how many monolights you need to purchase. Monolights are a type of flash unit that is self-contained and plugs directly into an electrical outlet. They're often used by professional photographers because they offer a lot of power and flexibility. How many monolights you need will depend on the type of photography you're doing and the look you're trying to achieve. If you're shooting portraits, for example, you'll likely need at least two monolights to provide enough light. If you're shooting

How many speedlights equal a strobe?

A speedlight is a small, portable flash unit used in photography. A strobe is a larger, more powerful flash unit. So, how many speedlights equal a strobe? It depends on the power of the speedlight and the strobe. A speedlight may have a maximum output of 200 watts, while a strobe can have an output of 2,000 watts or more. So, a strobe is 10 times more powerful than a speedlight.

How many watt strobe do I need?

The answer to this question depends on a few factors, including the size of the room, the desired effect, and the budget. For a small room, a strobe light with a power output of around 50 watts should be sufficient. For a larger room or a more dramatic effect, a light with a power output of 100 watts or more may be necessary. The final decision should be based on a combination of these factors.

Is strobe light the same as flash?

Strobe lights and flashlights are both types of lights that emit a quick, bright burst of light. However, strobe lights typically produce a more intense and focused light than flashlights. Additionally, strobe lights are often used for special effects, while flashlights are more commonly used for illumination.

What are Monolights in photography?

Monolights are a type of flash unit used in photography. Unlike speedlights, monolights are self-contained units with their own power source, making them ideal for studios and other controlled lighting environments. Monolights typically offer more power and features than speedlights, and are often used for more demanding applications such as fashion and product photography.