One of the key aspects of professional photography is lighting. Built-in camera flashes often create harsh shadows, reduce the depth of a photo, and leave subjects with red eyes in low-light conditions. While LED panels and strobes are permanent light sources, speedlites provide extra light to a scene and help balance the exposure and fill in shadows. They add depth and detail without compromising the color temperature of the subjects and surroundings. For newbies and professional photographers alike, choosing a speedlite can be a huge challenge because of the countless brands and designs competing for a share of the market. To help you choose the best speedlite for your setup, our experts reviewed many speedlites and hand-picked their five favorites. These speedlites have low recycle times, are compatible with most DSLR cameras, and have impressive battery lives. You’ll never take a dull picture again!

What is a speedlite and do I need one?

Speedlites are small, battery-powered flashes that are used in photography as a light source. These flashes can be mounted to cameras or not. They are very small, lightweight, and easy to install and remove when needed. With a speedlite, users can add exposure when shooting subjects at higher shutter speeds, like fast-moving sports cars. They come with adjustable power levels so users can control the spread and intensity of the light.

What is the difference between a flash and a speedlite?

Built-in flashes on cameras provide a brief secondary source of light in low-lighting conditions. Users cannot control the brightness levels or the focal length of a flash. A speedlite, on the other hand, uses TTL (Through the Lens) to monitor and control the flash and gives users the proper exposure they need to take the best pictures.

Many camera brands and third-party manufacturers have a range of speedlites that suit different cameras. But how do you know which one works best for your DSLR camera and style of photography? We answer all your questions and highlight some of the top things to look for when shopping for speedlites.

Vertical and Horizontal Rotation

Our top choice is compatible with all DSLR cameras with a standard hot shoe mount. It can be vertically rotated 90 degrees and rotated 270 degrees horizontally for superior flexibility.

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Wireless Transmission

This option comes with a remote transmitter and can be triggered from up to 60 feet away. Eight variable flash outputs provide users with flexible lighting demands.

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Compact and Powerful

This option comes with a built-in panel that catches the light and enhances facial expressions and skin tones. Super fast recycling times mean you’ll never miss a shot again.

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Easy to Use

This option features a large LCD display that allows users to precisely control the brightness, zoom level, and choose from one of three flash modes depending on your setup.

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Automatic Standby Mode

This option comes with a 2.4GHz wireless kit and can be triggered from up to 100 feet away. It can be used in a multi-flash mode, M mode, and S1 and S2 modes.

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