Key Light vs Key Light Air MK.2 Comparison
Compare Key Light vs Key Light Air MK.2 side by side: specs, ratings, pros and cons, and which one fits your room best.
On this page
At a Glance
Key Light
The Elgato Key Light is a larger, brighter LED panel than the Key Light Air, rated up to 2,800 lumens with 2,900 to 7,000 K colour temperature, mounted on a desk clamp pole and controlled over Wi-Fi.
- Best For
- Bright, even light for creators and presenters
- Type
- Lighting
- Works With
- Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Stream Deck
- Connect
- Mains power, Wi-Fi control
Key Light Air MK.2
The Elgato Key Light Air MK.2 is a desk-mounted LED panel with up to 2,100 lumens, adjustable colour temperature, onboard touch controls and USB-C power, made to light your face evenly on video calls.
- Best For
- Dim home-office video calls
- Type
- Lighting
- Works With
- Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Stream Deck
- Connect
- USB-C power, Wi-Fi control
Review Scores Compared
Expert Score
Primary Output Performance
Build & Desk Ergonomics
Software Suite & Automation
Universal Compatibility
Setup & Installation
Why Key Light Beats Key Light Air MK.2 (and Vice Versa)
Why Key Light beats Key Light Air MK.2
- Light Output: Up to 2,800 lumens vs Up to 2,100 lumens (about 400 lumens on laptop USB power)
Why Key Light Air MK.2 beats Key Light
- Better setup & installation: 9.5 vs 7.9 out of 10
- Better universal compatibility: 8.4 vs 7.7 out of 10
- Connection: USB-C power, Wi-Fi control vs Mains power, Wi-Fi control
- Plug and Play: Yes vs No (app setup)
Review-score leads of 0.5+ points out of 10 first, then specs where only one comes out ahead.
Full Specifications
General
| Key Light | Key Light Air MK.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Bright, even light for creators and presenters | Dim home-office video calls |
| Accessory Type (Lighting, Mounts & Stands, Docks & Hubs, Capture, Backdrops, Other) | Lighting | Lighting |
| Release Year | 2018 | 2024 Better |
| Brand Compatibility | Any webcam | Any webcam |
| Use Case | Key light for calls and recording | Video call key light |
Compatibility
| Key Light | Key Light Air MK.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Works With | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Stream Deck | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Stream Deck |
| Connection | Mains power, Wi-Fi control | USB-C power, Wi-Fi control Better |
| OS Support | Windows, macOS (Control Center), iOS and Android app | Windows, macOS (Control Center), iOS and Android app |
| Plug and Play | No (app setup) | Yes Better |
Features
| Key Light | Key Light Air MK.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Key Features | 160 LEDs, up to 2,800 lumens, 2,900–7,000 K, clamp pole | Up to 2,100 lumens, adjustable colour temperature, onboard touch controls, app control |
| Adjustable | Yes | Yes |
| App / Software Control | Yes | Yes |
| Power | Mains adapter | USB-C (laptop, adapter or battery bank) |
| Height Adjustment | Yes (telescopic pole) | Yes (desk stand) |
| Tilt / Swivel | Yes (ball joint) | Yes |
| Light Output | Up to 2,800 lumens Better | Up to 2,100 lumens (about 400 lumens on laptop USB power) |
| Color Temperature | 2900–7000 | Adjustable warm to daylight |
| Mount Type | Desk clamp with telescopic pole | — |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) | Wi-Fi |
| Companion App | Elgato Control Center | Elgato Control Center |
Design & Build
| Key Light | Key Light Air MK.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | Aluminium frame | — |
| Foldable / Portable | — | No |
In the Box
| Key Light | Key Light Air MK.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| In the Box | Key Light, desk clamp, pole, power adapter | Key Light Air MK.2, desk stand, USB-C cable |
Identifiers
| Key Light | Key Light Air MK.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Model Number | Key Light | Key Light Air MK.2 |
Takeaways
- It's a tie on our rating (4.5/5) between Key Light and Key Light Air MK.2, so choose on the rows that matter most to you.
- Choose Key Light for bright, even light for creators and presenters.
- Choose Key Light Air MK.2 for dim home-office video calls.
Pros and Cons
Key Light
PROS
- Up to 2,800 lumens
- 2,900 to 7,000 K colour range
- Desk clamp keeps the desk clear
- App and Stream Deck control
CONS
- Large panel for small desks
- Mains power required
- Wi-Fi only control
Key Light Air MK.2
PROS
- App brightness and colour temperature
- Wi‑Fi control via Elgato apps
- Desk mount included
- Soft LED panel for faces
CONS
- Needs Wi‑Fi for app control
- Not a full production softbox
- One light may not fix strong backlight alone
Quick Verdict
- Key Light 8.5Leads in Primary Output Performance
- Key Light Air MK.2 8.7Best overallLeads in Software Suite & Automation, Universal Compatibility, Setup & Installation