A $40 Ring Light That Surprised Me — Small-Space Creator Lighting Review
Lighting can make or break your content — but getting started shouldn’t cost hundreds.
So when someone asked me for a simple lighting solution for small spaces, I picked up this 10-inch cantilever ring light to see what it could do.
Spoiler: I wasn’t expecting much for $40 CAD (~$28 USD)…
but this thing over-delivered.
Why This Ring Light Matters
If you’re creating content in:
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A bedroom
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Apartment
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Small office
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Kitchen setup
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Dorm or tight corner desk
…lighting that clamps, tilts, and stays out of your way is a game-changer.
This little setup frees your workspace and gives you clean, flattering light — even if all you have is a phone.
Unboxing & Build Quality
Inside the box you get:
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10” ring light head
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Cantilever arm with tension joints
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Desk clamp
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Phone holder
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USB power cord + inline controls
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Bluetooth remote
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Manual (which I ignored 😅)
Key impressions:
| Feature | Rating |
|---|---|
| Compact | ✅✅✅✅✅ |
| Stable mounting | ✅✅✅✅ |
| Tilt & overhead ability | ✅✅✅✅✅ |
| Lighting power | ✅✅✅✅ |
| Material quality | ✅✅✅ (expected for budget) |
This doesn’t feel like a flimsy ring light tripod — it feels smarter and more functional.
Setup & First Look
Clamp to desk → mount phone → plug into USB power → done in 2 minutes.
The arm gives you:
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Front-facing light
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Side key light
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Overhead/top-down angles
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Tilt-forward beauty lighting
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Hide-off-frame fill light
For creators filming from small spaces — huge win.
Lighting Performance
3 color temperatures + 9 brightness levels.
At max brightness?
Let’s just say it gave me “Dentist Exam Light Energy” — in a flattering way 😅
Low end = subtle and soft
High end = bright enough for beauty shots or desk content
Works great with:
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Phone cameras
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Sony mirrorless
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Webcam content
And it’s USB-powered — works with power banks & V-mounts.
Best Uses
| Content Type | Works Well? |
|---|---|
| Talking-head desk videos | ✅✅✅✅✅ |
| Makeup / beauty | ✅✅✅✅✅ |
| Cooking / craft top-down | ✅✅✅✅ |
| Zoom / livestream | ✅✅✅✅ |
| Large room lighting | ❌ (not its purpose) |
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Very affordable
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Small-space friendly
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Overhead shots possible
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Easy mounting
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USB power + Bluetooth remote
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Beginner-friendly
Cons
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Plastic joints — tighten as needed
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Not for large or cinematic key lighting
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Main arm loosens over time
Final Thoughts
If you’re starting your creator journey and don’t have space (or budget) for a full lighting kit…
This little light can drastically improve your videos for the cost of a dinner.
Great starter tool. Great value. Simple wins.
🎯 Recommended for beginner creators, desk setups, and small-space filming.
📦 Product Mentioned: 10” Cantilever Ring Light (~$40 CAD / ~$28 USD)
(insert affiliate link here)
Trying to upgrade your content setup on a budget?
Drop your lighting questions below — happy to help you build smart and simple.
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