The Best Tablets and Ring Lights for Content Creators

By Derek Self

Simply by investing in a tablet, ring light and tripod, you can transform your business or passion into a revenue stream on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Professional content creators are growing their reach: The creator economy is now estimated at $104.2 billion annually. Check out some of the latest gear that will give you the flexibility to create content anywhere you like.

What kind of gear do I need?

Tablets offer the convenience of shooting and editing videos on one device. Most tablets are equipped with video-production software out of the box—so you can start editing right away.

Creators use ring lights to brighten their faces and reduce shadows. Ring lights have dimming features that give you control over the brightness in the room. While warmer lighting is ideal for TikTok, you’ll want more vibrancy for YouTube tutorials and Zoom calls.

4 great tablets for video recording and editing

1. iPad Pro (2021)

The iPad Pro has up to 2TB of storage and lightning-fast processing speeds, thanks to the Apple M1 chip. Your high-quality videos will render and play back faster. Equipped with 4K video and cinematic video stabilization, the iPad Pro comes with iMovie for editing and quick upload to YouTube or social media.

2. iPad Air (2022)

Released earlier this year, the iPad Air has many of the same features as the Pro at a slightly lower cost. The main advantage it has over the Pro is portability, and it’s the first Air to have the Apple M1 chip. It’s a great option for creators who want a bigger screen than the iPad mini but still value portability.

3. iPad Mini (2021)

The lightweight iPad Mini is the most portable tablet for creating videos. While it captures 4K video like the Pro and Air, its major drawback is the screen size, which makes it harder to edit videos. However, it still supports the Apple Pencil, a must-have device for precise clip editing in iMovie.

4. Microsoft Surface Pro 8 (2022)

If you’re accustomed to an Android/Windows workflow, the new Microsoft Surface Pro 8 simplifies the video recording and editing process. Its easy-to-use, detachable keyboard is ideal for advanced editors who use shortcuts in Adobe Premier. The Surface Pro 8 has an upgraded camera that shoots in 4K and powerful dual far-field studio mics that are ideal for capturing audio at a distance.

3 great ring lights for recording videos

1. Neewer Pro 18” LED Ring Light kit

I bought this kit for three reasons: a) the dimming feature is connected to the light and easy to use, b) the kit includes a tripod with a phone mount that can easily be switched out for a tablet mount and c) it all fits into a small bag that you can travel with and set up anywhere in under five minutes.

2. Lume Cube Cordless 18” Ring Light

The cordless Lume Cube runs on a rechargeable battery, so you’re not tethered to an outlet, which is ideal if you’re shooting videos outdoors. You can easily mount an iPad or Surface Pro and use the dimmer to adjust brightness.

3. Invisii 19” Ring Light

The soft halo light and versatile color options make it an appealing choice for makeup tutorials, dance videos and Instagram reels. The wide 19” diameter easily fits most tablets. It includes a Bluetooth remote that connects to your tablet, so you can start your video with the click of a button and do multiple takes without having to stop and get behind the camera. Plus, it comes with an iPad holder for creators who don’t want to buy a mount separately.

Your questions answered

How can I use my tablet and ring light together?

Use your ring light and tablet simultaneously by mounting them on a tripod. Most ring lights come with a tripod and phone mount. If you’re working with a tablet, you’ll want to upgrade to a tablet mount. Make sure your mount accommodates vertical and horizontal shooting.

Can I upload to YouTube, TikTok and Instagram from a tablet?

Tablet versions of these apps function like smartphone apps. So anything you can do from your phone you’ll be able to do from a tablet—and much faster, as the larger display screen makes editing on TikTok easier.

How can I stream from my tablet?

Within apps like YouTube, Facebook and Twitch, you can stream live videos to your fans or network. Click on your account and select “Go Live” within the app. You can then use either the front-facing or back camera to record your live video. If you run into latency issues, check your wireless connection and try again. If the issue persists—and your video is not streaming in 4K or appears pixelated to your viewers—you might consider upgrading your internet package to increase speed.

What size ring light do I need?

If you’re planning to sit at a desk to record your videos, consider an Edge Light or desktop Selfie Ring Light. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to mount a tablet to either of these. If you’re using a tablet to record and normally stand—or dance!—in your videos, one of the ring lights listed above is going to be more effective. They come with tripods you can adjust to the correct height.

My ring light is hurting my eyes. How should I adjust it?

LED lights make you look great but, unfortunately, they’re tough on the eyeballs. If you’re experiencing fatigue while using your ring light, adjust the light so the bottom is at eye level and tilt it to a 45-degree angle. You can also try moving the ring light off to the side for a more natural look. Or bounce it off a white wall for a studio look.

Trends move fast, so video content creators need to upload videos quickly. Ideally, you’ll want to have a fiber connection as it supports uploads and video streaming without lag and also handles 4K video.

Product features may have changed and are subject to change.