Elgato Key Light Neo Review: Elegant Design Delivering Soft, Adjustable Light That’s Not Only for Video Calls

The Lowdown

The Elgato Key Light Neo is not for everyone. At nearly $90, there are less expensive lights on the market. But the Neo is worth considering if you are looking for a light that is easy to install and set up to deliver the right quality and amount of light for every video call. If you plan on using it for other purposes, such as a fill or accent light for photography or videography, the cost seems very reasonable compared with the lights in that market segment.

Overall
5

Pros

Elegant design; Easy to install and setup; Excellent light quality; Adjustability

Cons

We all spend a good amount of time in video meetings these days, and looking good in this environment depends on only a few key factors: how you dress, where you shoot, and the lighting. I don’t dare suggest how anyone presents themselves for meetings, and depending on the situation, it is not always easy to select the perfect location, but thankfully, lighting is no longer an issue thanks to the Elgato Key Light Neo.

Elgato Key Light Neo

The Elgato Key Light Neo is an edge-lit LED flat panel that delivers light similarly to a photographer’s softbox. This means soft, adjustable light, both in terms of intensity and color, all without harsh shadows. There are many ultra-cheap options on the market today. What makes this light worth the $90 price tag? Read on, and I’ll explain.

What’s in the Box

  • Key Light Neo
  • USB-C to USB-A 2.0 braided cable (100 cm | 39.4 in)
  • USB-A to USB-A 2.0 braided extension (150 cm | 59.1 in)
  • Monitor mount with 1/4″ thread

Elgato Key Light Neo

Design

The Elgato Key Light Neo is elegant in its simplicity and aesthetic. The circular light panel sits centered in an off-white square with rounded edges that measure nearly six by six inches. In each corner, there is either a switch or a knob. The top and bottom buttons on the left side are preset for cool and warm light, respectively. The top right button turns the light on and off, and the knob in the bottom right corner controls intensity.

The back of the Elgato Key Light Neo mounted on a monitor.

The back of the Elgato Key Light Neo’s panel has a wraparound cable reel for cable management and a port for the included USB-C to USB-A cable. The back of the unit also has vents around the edges to dispel heat and a pinhole for resetting the unit on the right side. On the left side is another pinhole behind, which sits the Wi-Fi receiver.

The Elgato Key Light Neo is made from 60% recycled plastic and comes packaged in 100% plastic-free recycled materials.

Mounting

The bottom of the Elgato Key Light Neo’s light panel has a standard ¼” 20 thread for mounting to tripods, light stands, arms, and the included monitor mount. The monitor mount is a folding design with clever additions such as a clear front lip so that it does not obscure any part of your screen and an adhesive strip on the back that holds the light firmly onto any vertical surface.

Once mounted, the light can swivel 360 degrees horizontally and be tilted up and down as needed.

Performance

The Elgato Key Light Neo employs a ring of LED lights facing into the panel’s center. This is covered by a diffusion lens, which distributes the light evenly and without harsh shadows. The color and intensity of the light can be adjusted in a number of ways.

The buttons on the left side of the light are presets for warm and cool light but can also be programmed for any user-preferred settings. This is done by adjusting the color and intensity of the light and then holding down the desired button for three seconds.

Elgato Key Light Neo

If additional control is desired, users can download the free “Elgato Control Center” app, which facilitates the adjustment of the light output from 3% to 40% (the maximum while running off of the USB-A port). If additional light intensity is desired, the Neo can be connected via USB-C for a maximum output of 700 lumens and with an external power supply like a USB charging brick to deliver up to 1000 lumens. This is too much light for video meetings but allows the Neo to be used as a fill or accent light for photography and videography, amongst other uses.

Elgato Key Light Neo control center

The app also allows users to select any color temperature, from the coolest 7000k to the warmest 2900k, and anywhere in between.

In short, the Elgato Key Light Neo can deliver just the right amount and color of diffused light that makes you look natural for popular applications like YouTube, Zoom, and Teams. The light creates no glare and is easy on the eyes.

I offered it to my wife to test as she spends much of her time on video calls. She has purchased and been disappointed by several different key lights in the past. How did she like the Elgato Key Light Neo? Let’s just say that now I need to get my own.

When paired with an external power supply and mounted onto whatever type of support you wish, the Neo can become a flexible light source for a wide variety of uses. The Neo even makes this easier by including the 39” braided USB-C to USB-A 2.0 cable and a 59” braided USB-A to USB-A 2.0 extension.

Technical Specifications

Brightness USB-A (4.5 Watt): 400 lm / USB-C (7.5 Watt): 700 lm
3A Power Supply 1000 lm
Color Range 2900 – 7000 K
CRI > 94%
Power Consumption Up to 15 W
Connectivity USB-C or WiFi (2.4 Ghz, 5 Ghz)
Dimensions 1.49 x 5.9 x 5.9 in / 138 x 150 x 150 mm (depth x width x height)
Weight 246 g
System Requirements External USB power supply (minimum 3A) / Windows 10 (64-bit) or later / Android 6.0 or later / macOS Monterey 12 or later / iPadOS 12 / iOS 13 or later / Internet connection

The Elgato Key Light Neo is not for everyone. At nearly $90, there are less expensive lights on the market. But the Neo is worth considering if you are looking for a light that is easy to install and set up to deliver the right quality and amount of light for every video call. If you plan on using it for other purposes, such as a fill or accent light for photography or videography, the cost seems very reasonable compared with the lights in that market segment.

The Elgato Key Light Neo retails for $89.95 and is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Elegant design; Easy to install and setup; Excellent light quality; Adjustability

What Needs Improvement: More expensive than some competitors

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. If you are shopping on Amazon anyway, buying from our links gives Gear Diary a small commission.

About the Author

Charles Kliment
A lifelong gearhead, as a teenager Charles was obsessed with high-end audio and musical instruments and through the years has focused on computers, mobile devices, 3d printing and drones. Both in his career and hobby, he employs a wide range of video, still and VR cameras. An avid gamer, dog lover and father of three adult sons, Charles is married to Jane Randel and lives in New Jersey.

5 Comments on "Elgato Key Light Neo Review: Elegant Design Delivering Soft, Adjustable Light That’s Not Only for Video Calls"

  1. Excellent price point; easy to connect and appealing size, not large.

  2. This looks like a nice light. Thanks for the review!

  3. I like this light, I actually wish they would make it in a bigger form. I just can’t seem to get a lamp that gives me the color I want. Not super fluorescent and not too yellow, in the middle!

  4. MisterTrance | January 31, 2025 at 2:31 am |

    Honestly, I’m a huge fan of all of Elgato’s products! I’m not a streamer, but I’d love to get a Key Light Neo for work calls. I’ve also been eyeing a physical Stream Deck since I only have the mobile version… but that’s a discussion for another day!

  5. I am in the market for something like this. It’s got a bit of a price tag, but the quality looks great. Thanks for the review.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.