If people start asking you about your best horror stories every time you’re on camera, there’s a good chance you need better lighting. Luckily, key lights have become a staple for most PC users, which means there’s a ton of them to choose from. Elgato was one of the first gaming brands to branch out into streaming solutions, and the latest to join the lineup is the Key Light Neo.
It’s part of the Neo line, which prides itself on simplicity with plug-and-play functionality and immaculate white designs, at a mid-range price. When you can pay pennies for a airy that gets the job done, $90 is going to take some justification. Let me start.
The Neo series has a theme of simplicity right down to the packaging, with straightforward white recycled boxes. Inside, you’ll find the Keylight Neo, a monitor mount, and a braided USB extension cable. That last bit is useful because the included cable is quite low. On the front of the product, one on each corner, are three buttons and a knob for manual control of power, brightness, and temperature. They’re super simple to locate and operate, even with radiant airy in your eyes.
The back offers some cable management. There’s a standard 1/4-20 UNC screw mount on the bottom that works with the included foldable monitor stand and most other stands I own. While it’s a nice and well-thought-out monitor stand, complete with a clear front bezel, the airy is something I often like to move around. The complete package that comes with the Keylight Neo makes it really simple to do, especially compared to larger lights.
Key Light Neo Specifications
Maximum DC power: 15 In
Brightness: 400-700 lumens on USB, 1000 on 12W
Temperature: 2900K – 7000K
Communication: Wi-Fi and USB Type-A (Type-C port on device)
Accessories: USB A Extension Cable, Monitor Mount
Libra: 246 grams
Price: 90 PLN | 90 pounds | 149 Australian dollars
You’d expect a nice, gentle, even, flicker-free airy from Elgato, and this little lamp absolutely delivers on both balmy and frigid settings and all brightness levels. In addition to the physical buttons for control, the brightness and tone can be adjusted using the Elgato Control app via USB. You can also set up the Key Light Neo on Wi-Fi and apply the app on your computer or phone. I even added it to Home Assistant and can control it from there, including adding it to rooms.
Of course, it integrates seamlessly with Elgato’s Stream Deck devices, including the matching Stream Deck Neo, so the possibilities seem virtually endless.
If you don’t want to bother with other options, you can run the airy via USB only (any 4.5W port on your computer) and get 400 lumens of brightness, which is good for a webcam setup, and that includes in-app controls. Even if you want to ditch the computer, a basic power bank or charger will at least provide basic airy and full manual control.
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The wired cable is USB Type-A for your computer (Type-C for your device), but if you have 7.5W USB ports, they’ll boost the brightness to 700 lumens. If you want to get the most out of this lamp, plug it into a 12-watt power source and enjoy 1,000 lumens.
That’s a complete overkill, considering it’s likely to be a lamp mounted on a monitor, just a few feet from your precious retinas. I was blinded during my tests, but I was able to direct the airy from the monitor’s base at the walls in my office. Since I’m sitting in a corner with white walls, those lumens bounced right back at me, giving me much more even lighting than I’ve ever had at my desk before.
Buy if…
✅ Want a radiant, versatile flashlight: I was able to apply this airy in many scenarios and get great results because it is so versatile. It fits almost anywhere and the included monitor stand or anything else that will work with a standard mount can be used to achieve different angles and positions.
Don’t buy if…
❌ You’re on a budget and don’t need all this versatility: It’s no secret that you can get a pretty good ring airy from China for next to nothing. If you don’t plan on using it very often and only have a straightforward task in mind for the airy, then this is a much more economical solution.
However, many of my filming and lighting requirements have taken me away from my desk. I’m in the middle of the room, under a spotlight with a lot of obstructions. It’s absolutely disgusting. With the standard mounting connection, USB extension cable, multiple control options, and the simple form factor of this airy, moving it around to find the best spot was as simple as it gets.
This flexibility has allowed me to experiment with different setups and brightness levels. Right now it’s on an elderly camera tripod pointed at a very homemade bounce panel and it just works great considering its size, the span of my hand.
Considering its size and versatility, Elgato’s Key Light Neo is one of the best overhead monitors I’ve ever seen. I’ve never had a airy that was so simple to carry, which is incredibly helpful when managing multiple setups or even choosing one. I can also easily control it no matter where I am or what I’m doing. Its immaculate and straightforward design makes it simple to underestimate, but it’s a capable little beast, especially with its 1,000 lumens of brightness. Even the lower settings provide great basic lighting, but the ability to go crazy and actually apply it as a bounce airy drives me crazy with power and looks amazing doing it.
