The best photo lightboxes can give you exactly what you need to level up your photography game. Good lighting is one of the most crucial elements to taking a great photograph.
Lightboxes not only soften the light being cast on an object, but they often provide the right background as well. Other things to consider in a soft light box include multiple backdrops, and interior space.
If you just want a lightbox, we think you should just buy The Fositan Photo Box. It can’t teach all the skills needed to be a good photographer, but it can help you get enough light for a great image, which is why it’s our top pick for the best photo box.
Our experts have looked at many lightboxes, and we have our other picks below.
The Foistan photo box is our favorite lightbox on the list and it’s also the largest. Measuring just under 3 feet on each side, this box is large enough for any kind of shooting you might have to do. It could hold a chair or lamp without having to do any weird maneuvering to get it to fit. If you’re a jewelry maker, you’ll want something smaller, but otherwise, this box can handle basically anything.
Best Overall
Fositan Photo Box
Included carrying case
Dimmable lighting
Four colored backdrops
Long assembly time
Almost too big
The photo box comes with a case for easy transportation, but it does take a while to set up and take down, so budget your time appropriately. The box has integrated, step-less, dimmable lighting, which is a nice bonus, along with the four colored backdrops that ensure you can get the exact shot you’re looking for. There’s a lot to like here.
Dimensions: 90 x 90 x 90 cm | Weight: 17 pounds | Color temperature: 5,500 +/- 200K | Wattage: Not specified
While it’s not the cheapest on our list, the Limostudio Tabletop Photography Studio Kit comes with everything you’ll need, and at an affordable price.
Best Budget
LimoStudio 16" x 16" Table Top Photo Photography Studio
Good price
Portable
Complete package
Backdrops are wrinkly
Dim lights
You get a lightbox, backdrops, lights, and a phone tripod and holder, which all packs away into a neat carrying case. Keep in mind: It seems the background fabric easily wrinkles (so you’d have to iron it) and the spotlights aren’t the brightest. If those two marks don’t worry you, this kit is a bargain.
Dimensions: 17.5 x 3.7 x 17.75 inches | Weight: 4.09 pounds | Color Temperature: Not specified | Wattage: 75W
If the colored backdrops caught your attention, great. But keep this in mind: It’s a small photo box. We’re talking 9 x 9 x 9 inches. If this meets your needs, you might have a winner. The included colors are white, red, blue, green, lime green, and black, and can really help your item stand out in a sea of all white backgrounds.
Best for Colored Backdrops
JHS-TECH Mini Photo Studio Box
Lighting powered by USB
Very portable
Small
For added versatility, you can shoot from the top or the side. This is a very compact size and, because the two sets of lights are USB powered, you can use a wall adapter or a portable battery to light up your item. And, heck, it’s pretty cheap.
Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 9 inches | Weight: 350 grams | Color Temperature: 6000 to 6500K | Wattage: 7.5W
If the Foistan is out of your budget, then the StudioPRO Fovitec is a great substitute. It comes with everything you need to get well-lit photos: two light stands, two small tables to hold the item being photographed, and four colored backdrops.
Best All-in-One Kit
StudioPRO Fovitec Photography Portable Studio Table Top Lighting Tent
Even light
Table stand included
Unstable light stands
No carrying case
Now, the lower price comes at a cost: There’s no carrying case for all these pieces and the light stands can tip over easily. Overall, this a good kit if you are starting with nothing other than a camera.
Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 12 inches | Weight: 8 pounds | Color Temperature: 5500 to 5600K | Wattage: 300W
The “3” in the Foldio3’s name is technically because it’s the third generation in the Foldio family, but we think it’s because the lightbox has three particular features: 1) It folds flat and reassembles magnetically, 2) It has a Bluetooth-controlled turntable, and 3) It has a short power cord.
Best for Portability and Extras
ORANGEMONKIE Foldio3 Foldable Photo Studio Box
Magnetic design
Turntable included
Lets you take 360 degree photos
Flimsy
Power cord is short
Now, the Foldio3 is more expensive than the StudioPro, but, come on—it’s got a turntable. That’s super handy for some images and can make quite a bit of difference in your final shot (or animated gif). Plus, thanks to its Bluetooth controller, you won’t have to keep touching the object and risk fingerprints or knocking it over.
Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 22 inches | Weight: 7.28 pounds | Color Temperature: 5700K | Wattage: Not specified
“The Foldio3 scores serious points for design innovation, as the magnetic assembly makes it super easy to set up—it’s also one of the few lightboxes to have 360-degree photo capabilities.” — Katie Dundas, Tech Writer
Sometimes you don’t need a huge photo box. If your subjects are typically small, the Puluz mini photo studio box is a great pickup. This is a completely foldable lightbox that sits on a table and folds down to be less than 1 inch thick. It also comes with five different background colors including orange, red, green, blue, and black. You can’t beat it for what it does.
Best Compact
PULUZ Mini Photo Studio Box
Small and compact
Great price
Multi-angle shooting
Power cord is short
Delicate
The box itself is made of thin plastic and held together with velcro, so we’re not talking about a rock-solid build quality here. There’s an included light that has an admittedly short cord, so remember to keep an extension cord in your gear bag. But overall, as long as your items are not too large, this is a great inexpensive option that will help you capture amazing product photos.
Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 0.7 inches | Weight: 7.7 ounces | Color Temperature: Not specified | Wattage: 3.5W
If you have the space for a photo studio without having the budget for a photo studio, look no further than the MyStudio MS20PRO. This is a big unit and since it doesn’t travel very easily, it’s best for someone with a dedicated area to just keep it set up.
Best for Pro Results
MyStudio MS20PRO-LED Tabletop Lightbox
Curved background
Shoot from any angle
Very bright lights included
Not portable
Very pricey
The MyStudio MS line of photo boxes comes in a variety of sides, but we’re recommending the MS20PRO because we think it’ll meet the needs of most people most of the time. Because there are other sizes, you can make the final decision. Its seamless background, powerful lights, and the included bounce cards make this the best photo studio box to have.
Dimensions: 30 x 28 x 18 inches | Weight: 7 pounds | Color Temperature: 500K | Wattage: Not specified
What to Look For in the Best Photo Light Boxes
Size
A lightbox uses a closed environment to effectively diffuse light over your subject. Therefore, a larger subject will necessitate a larger lightbox. If you’re shooting jewelry, an 18-inch box should suffice, whereas someone shooting desktop computers might need a 48-inch box.
- How does a lightbox work?
- A photo lightbox uses either light-reflective or absorbing surfaces to surround your subject in smooth, even lighting which provides a better sense of depth and dimension. This also helps eliminate unwanted shadows by bouncing the light into areas you can’t reach.
- Do you need a separate lighting kit to get the most out of your lightbox?
- Not necessarily. Having a lighting kit is certainly a plus, but will benefit you the most only when trying to photograph larger objects. A lightbox is really meant to either amplify or adequately diffuse the flash from your phone or DSLR camera. It also contains its own light source, which helps you get even lighting in your photo, free from unwanted shadows.
- If you don’t have a DSLR camera, should you buy a lightbox?
- You’ll arguably get more from a photo lightbox if your camera isn’t a DSLR camera. The benefit will likely be more noticeable if your camera falls below the professional level. But yes, if you need to take some better photos of individual products without a DSLR camera, a lightbox can help immensely.
A photo lightbox uses either light-reflective or absorbing surfaces to surround your subject in smooth, even lighting which provides a better sense of depth and dimension. This also helps eliminate unwanted shadows by bouncing the light into areas you can’t reach.
Not necessarily. Having a lighting kit is certainly a plus, but will benefit you the most only when trying to photograph larger objects. A lightbox is really meant to either amplify or adequately diffuse the flash from your phone or DSLR camera. It also contains its own light source, which helps you get even lighting in your photo, free from unwanted shadows.
You’ll arguably get more from a photo lightbox if your camera isn’t a DSLR camera. The benefit will likely be more noticeable if your camera falls below the professional level. But yes, if you need to take some better photos of individual products without a DSLR camera, a lightbox can help immensely.
“Casual photographers can benefit from using a lightbox by easily creating a clean, portable, and easily controlled lighting environment in any situation. This makes the outcome of product photography more consistent, allowing for less photo editing.” — Nathan Berry, Lensrentals Lighting Supervisor
Accessories
If you need a little more flexibility in your lighting setup, some lightboxes come packaged with a variety of accessories to let you fine-tune your lighting environments, such as different backdrops or supplementary lighting.
Portability
Much of this will have to do with the size of the lightbox you choose and whether you have a dedicated space for photography, but having a lightbox that makes it easier to set up and break down will give you greater flexibility in where you can stage your photos.
“Besides just the included options, a photographer should consider all their creative needs when purchasing and setting up a lightbox. If the goal is to provide consistency, using a tripod for the camera is especially important for video, and can make shooting still photos much more simple. If external lights, such as strobes are being used, having stands will help for perfect light positioning.” — Nathan Berry, Lensrentals Lighting Supervisor
About Our Trusted Experts
Katie Dundas is a freelance writer and journalist who has been covering tech for several years. She’s also an avid photographer and a digital camera expert.
