Flashguns, also known as speed lights, are essential if you're passionate about photography. They perform quicker than in-built camera flashes, and won't drain your camera's battery as they use their own dedicated power supply. Flashguns can also be operated remotely, allowing for experimentation and professional photography in a studio setting.
Read our guide for tips and advice on everything you need to know, from power ratings and recycle speeds, to ensuring that you purchase a flashgun that's compatible with your camera. We've even included a ranking and reviews of the 10 best flashguns in the UK from Canon, Nikon, Nissin and more!
Quick List - Top Flashguns
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
Look to the guide number or ' GN' to help you decide, as a flashgun with a higher GN will create a brighter and more powerful flash. Just be aware that GNs vary significantly depending on factors such as setting, modifications and zoom angles. Unfortunately, this means some sellers provide guide numbers measured at small distances to make a flashgun appear more powerful than it really is.
It's standard practice for all manufacturers to measure the power of their flashguns under the same conditions, which is why reputable retailers give their guide numbers at ISO 100. If the product description doesn't state the ISO number, it's probably wise to steer clear!
So what GN should you aim for? To get the most out of a flashgun, it's sensible to opt for the most powerful flash you can afford. This'll enable you to experiment with tons of different lighting effects. Don't worry about your flashgun being too bright as any decent flashgun will automatically adjust to account for factors such as distance.
Power isn't everything, and you should also consider how you wish your flashgun to perform. For a rough idea of how it'll handle under professional settings, check the recycle speed and how many flashes it can emit per cycle.
Recycle speed refers to how long a flashgun must wait between each flash. How fast a recycle speed you need will depend on how you use your flashgun as lower speeds will suffice for casual photography. Some high-end flashguns may even be slower, on account of being a more powerful unit.
You'll also need to consider how many flashes you need your flashgun to perform per charge cycle. Constant flashes put quite a strain on batteries, and if you're conducting a lengthy photo session, you'll want to ensure they'll last. One method is to carry a spare battery, but you might be better opting for a flashgun that offers more flashes per charge cycle.
Every flashgun falls into one of two categories: manual or TTL (Through the Lens). Both describe different methods a flashgun uses to determine how much power to use per shot. As the name suggests, the power of a manual flashgun is set manually, whereas a TTL flashgun uses your camera’s exposure reading to automatically compensate for the amount of light generated by the flash.
The benefit of a manual flash, aside from generally being more affordable, is that it allows full control. However, a TTL flash is more adaptable and suited to situations where quickfire photography is necessary. TTL flashes also allow for more effects, and because they also allow manual flash options, meaning that they're almost always the superior option, where your budget allows.
Many flashguns allow for wireless remote communication. This means that with the right setup, you can fire your flashgun from the other side of the room, allowing for some truly creative photography. Most flashguns communicate wirelessly via either infra-red (IR) or radio frequency (RF).
IR models are generally cheaper and support TTL metering. However, they require a clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver, without any obstructions. This makes them ideal for outdoor use. On the other hand, RF flashguns can be operated through walls or objects, giving you more flexibility when it comes to positioning. Although, they often don't support TTL functionality.
You'll also need to take into account whether a flashgun allows wireless communication as a 'master' or 'slave'. For example, some flashguns allow RF communication, but only as a slave, meaning you'll need additional equipment to fire it remotely. On the other hand, you might find a flashgun that works as both master and slave, meaning it can activate and be activated remotely.
Extra features and modes are more than just gimmicks when it comes to flashguns, and depending on your photography style, they can mean the difference between a game-changing flashgun and one that's all-but-useless to you.
Some of the most popular modes include;
Whether you need these modes is up to you, but they can create some truly arresting photographs.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hähnel Modus 600RT MK II | ![]() | Long-Lasting Power and Impressive Performance at a Budget Price | |
2 | Canon Speedlite EL-1 | ![]() | A Professional Flashgun That’s Durable and Dependable | |
3 | Nikon Speedlight SB-5000 | ![]() | Internal Cooling System for Lightning-Fast Recycling Speeds | |
4 | Canon Canon Speedlight 430 EX III-RT | ![]() | Intuitive Flashgun With Wireless RF Communication | |
5 | Nissin i40 | ![]() | High Performance Flash With a Compact Design | |
6 | Godox TT600 Flash Kit | ![]() | Two Flashguns and Accessories Bundle for a Low Price | |
7 | Phottix Mitros+ TTL Transceiver Flash | ![]() | Sturdy Flashgun With a Built-in RF Wireless Transceiver | |
8 | Metz 52 AF-1 | ![]() | Low Price and Intuitive Control That’s Perfect for Beginners | |
9 | Nissin Di700A + Air 1 | ![]() | A Reliable Third-Party Buy With a Choice of Slave Modes | |
10 | Neewer TT560 | ![]() | Entry-Level Flashgun With GN 38 Power Rating and 270° Rotation |
The Modus 600RT MK II has a GN 50 power rating, a 20-200mm motorised zoom head, and plenty of advanced flash options, including high-speed sync and stroboscopic mode. However, what sets this flashgun apart, is that it uses a long-lasting Li-ION battery rather than regular AAs, giving you an impressive 550 flashes at full charge.
It also has an in-built RF transceiver, allowing wireless communication at a range of up to 100m. It doesn't have weather seals to protect it from the rain, and the LCD screen is pretty basic, but the Modus 600RT MK II more than holds its own against the big names at a fraction of the price!
The EL-1 is a flashgun you can depend on. Its sealed design is weather-resistant, it has its very own internal cooling system to prevent overheating, and the lithium-ion LP-EL battery gives about 335 flashes with minuscule recycle times.
Specs-wise, it offers 180-degree rotation in both directions, a 24-200mm zoom and infra-red and radio frequency communication as both wireless master and slave. All of this comes at a price that's way above the average consumer's budget, but it may just be worth forking out if you're a professional in need of something they can rely on.
The SB-5000, Nikon's new flagship flashgun, boasts a respectable GN 55m power rating and a 24-200m zoom range. Better yet, it features high TTL accuracy and an internal cooling system for lightning-fast recycling speeds.
Communication has been updated since the previous model, and as well as infrared, the SB-5000 now allows radio frequency wireless communication, albeit only as a slave. Unfortunately, this means additional expenses if you wish to use multiple flashguns with RF.
It's hard to fault the 430 EX III-RT. It has an impressive GN 43m power rating and a motorised 25-105mm zoom head that swivels 150 and 180 degrees to the left and right, respectively. It also boasts fast recycling speeds.
The 430 EX III-RT is solidly built with highly intuitive controls, eliminating the need for clumsy in-camera menus. Most notably, it allows radio frequency triggering as a wireless master or slave. Unfortunately, it can't be used as an infrared wireless master, which means it's unable to pair with most Canon flashguns, which only support optical transmission.
The i40 features a compact design that doesn't sacrifice performance. Unlike many smaller flashguns, it uses four AA batteries rather than two, meaning you'll still get a decent 220 flashes per charge, as well as fast recycle times.
It's packed full of features and has a decent GN 40 max power. Plus, it's built well enough to withstand a few knocks and scrapes. It's probably not the right flashgun for a professional studio, but it's more than good enough for casual use.
First things first, the TT600 is not nearly as powerful as its branded competitors. It's also a manual flashgun, which means no TTL, and its recycle times can be slow. However, its GN 60 power rating is impressive for the price, as is the fact that it's capable of 230 flashes per charge.
What we like best of all is that you get two flashguns and tons of accessories within this kit, including coloured filters, diffusers and more! At such a low price, this bundle is perfect for those looking to get to grips with a manual flashgun.
The Mitros+ is a well-built flashgun with a weather-sealed mounting foot to protect your camera's hotshoe. It features a selection of programmable modes, including high-speed sync, rear-curtain and repeat flash.
It also boasts a built-in RF transceiver, so you can use it as a wireless RF master or slave with multiple flashguns without needing to purchase an extra RF transceiver. The Mitros+'s main failure is its slow recycling speed, which becomes even slower when used with alkaline batteries, but that aside, it's a decent flashgun for the price.
The simple design of the 52 AF-1 makes it a flashgun that's perfect for beginners. It has only two buttons, but the touchscreen allows access to more sophisticated features. It also boasts infrared wireless master and slave modes and a GN 52 power rating.
There's no denying that the 52 AF-1 has a few flaws, including a slow recycle speed and no programmable repeat flash mode. However, it's easy to turn a blind eye when this flashgun comes for such a low price.
The Di700A features three wireless slave modes. RF communication is enabled via the included Air 1 Commander transmitter that slots into the camera's hotshot, with the option of IR communication and two optical modes; digital, and a film slave mode that triggers on the first pulse of light.
It has an impressive GN 60 power rating, fast recycling speeds and consistent TTL metering. That said, the Di700A's main drawback is its limited onboard interface settings. Consisting of a single-set button and a control wheel, you'll likely need to rely on the host camera's menu system for more sophisticated adjustments.
The best thing about the TT560 that it offers decent specs at an entry-level price. It comes with a GN 38 power rating, 270 degree rotation, and S1 and S2 slave modes - which ignore pre-flashes, only firing with the main burst. The universal hot shoe is also compatible with most standard cameras.
It doesn't feature TTL or a zoom head, and in terms of specs, the TT560 pales in comparison to offerings by better-known brands. But, if you're looking to dip your toes in the world of flashguns, there are worse places to start.
No. 1: Hähnel|Modus 600RT MK II
No. 2: Canon|Speedlite EL-1
No. 3: Nikon|Speedlight SB-5000
No. 4: Canon|Canon Speedlight 430 EX III-RT
No. 5: Nissin|i40
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games