In Today’s article, I have rounded up what I think are the best Speedlight for Canon T3i.
Canon EOS Rebel T3i is a great DSLR entry-level camera that uses APS-C Sensor and feels very nice and comfortable to shoot with. Thanks to its intuitive and easy menu systems make it a great camera for beginners to hit it off in the photography world.
A good flash/speedlight opens up a new world of creativity. It is a multi-purposing device that can either be used to illuminate dark environments or create amazing light effects.
A Quick Look At My Favorite Canon T3i Speedlights
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Value  | 10 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Most Affoardable  | 9 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Battery-Life  | 8.6 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best for Proffesionals  | 8.5 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Compact  | 8.6 | Check Price On Amazon |
Key Takeaways
- While the Canon T3i does an excellent job, adding a Speedlight will appear much better and allow you to take the best pictures.
- Due to its features and compactness, the Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT would be my ideal choice if I could only choose one.
- There are various speedlights, but the Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT is my top pick if you’re a professional photographer.
- Knowing why you need a Speedlight is the first step; once that is established, picking one will be more straightforward.
The Top 5 Best Speedlights For Canon T3i
5. Neewer Flash Speedlite NW570 – Best Value
What I Like
- Great build quality
- Amazing battery life
- Affordable
- Features powerful flash Speedlite that provides clear images
What I Don’t Like
- The mounting base may come off during heavy use
Starting the list with a flash from Neewer, the Flash Speedlite NW570.
Neewer is a company that is taking the photography world by storm. It promises to bring pieces of equipment that will benefit all photographers, whether it is a professional or a beginner behind the camera. All that, at a cost-effective price.
It measures 8.8 x 3.4 x 2.8 inches and weighs 15.2 ounces, it comes with a hot shoe mount, which is a spot that holds accessories, for example with our case which is the Speedlight. Its vertical rotation angle goes from 0 to 90 degrees and the horizontal rotation angle from 0 to 270 degrees.
Flash Mode that is included is M, S1, and S2 while the flash duration goes from 1/200s – 1/20000s. With a pretty decent guide number 38 at 100 ISO.
Its recycle time approx would be from 0.1-5s, with recycle time we mean the amount of time until the flash is ready to fire again.
It has a workable distance of 15m and a color temperature of 5600k. As a power supply, it uses 4x AA batteries.
Why should you buy it?
Neewer promises to bring equipment that will benefit all photographers, professional or beginner, at a cost-effective price.
4. Godox GN33 Camera Flash Speedlite – Most Affoardable
What I Like
- Affordable
- Very versatile
- Multiple auto-self protection against overheating
What I Don’t Like
- Not compatible with other cameras
Among the most affordable Speedlight in the Godox family, the GN33 is the perfect flash for use with a variety of Canon DSLR cameras.
It is really compact measuring 10.63 x 3.46 x 2.8 inches and weighing 1.12 pounds. It can swivel at a vertical angle from 0 degrees to 90, and at a horizontal angle from 0 to 270 degrees.
For improved versatility and usability, it uses 3 flash modes, M, S1, and S2. It also has multiple auto-self protection against overheating.
Its guide number sits at 33 with 100 ISO with a recycle time of 0.1 to 5 seconds. A workable distance of 15m and 100 to 1500 lightning times. Flash duration varies from 1/300s to 1/20000s.
As for power supply, you have to manage only 4 AA batteries, which last quite a long time.
Why should you buy it?
It has multiple auto-self protection against overheating, so it will endure more than you think.
3. Flashpoint Zoom Li-on R2 TTL for Canon – Best Battery-Life
What I Like
- Amazing battery life
- Wireless capabilities
- High-speed sync
- High flash power and quick recycle speed
What I Don’t Like
- No built-in ND filter
On the third spot, we have Adoramas exclusive Speedlight for Canon, the Flashpoint Zoom Li-on R2 TTL. It sure ticks all of the boxes on a photographer’s wish list.
It comes in a tough and solid high-quality plastic build with a metal hot shoe plate. Sadly, you won’t find any weather seals here. It measures 9 x 8.2 x 3.2 inches and weighs 2.05 pounds. Its head goes from -7 degrees, which is useful for Hotshoe-mounted close-ups, up to 120 degrees. There’s also the 180 degrees to the right swivel, and 150 degrees to the left.
They were generous with the zoom range equating from 20 to 200mm in full-frame aspects. Max output has a guide number of 60/197ft at an ISO of 100 meters, with a maximum recycle time of 1.5 seconds. It promises us approximately 650 full flash pop-ups.
At its heart, it has a rechargeable Li-ion battery, that comes with a USB-C charger.
This battery can be a double-edge knife, if you run out of juice you have to recharge, but if it used AA batteries you could quickly replace them with fresh ones.
Why should you buy it?
It comes in a rugged, solid, high-quality plastic build with a metal hot shoe plate and has a great battery life.
2. Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT – Best for Proffesionals
What I Like
- Superior continuous flash performance
- Wide focal length
- Versatile LCD screen
- Durable
What I Don’t Like
- No “A” mode to use with old non-TTL cameras
If you want a powerful and big Speedlight then the 600EX II-RT is your friend. It is a great choice for those who want professional performance and results. Thanks to its super fast recycle time, it is unbeatable and ideal for fast action events.
The painful price that it comes with, isn’t there for nothing. This big mean boy is designed to maintain a high standard of dust and water resistance than you find on the Canon EOS-1d series.
It measures 4.8 x 3.1 x 5.6 inches and weighs 1.29 pounds while it is capable of full swiveling in 180 degrees.
Its zoom flash head covers a wide range of areas,20 to 200mm while the maximum guide number is 197 ft./60m at ISO 100. Its recycle time is among the best, 0.1 seconds to 5.5 seconds.
Its multiple flash system allows the 600EX II-RT to control up to five groups of flashes and despite the powerful guide number it manages to survive 100 to 700 flashes.
As for the Power supply, it uses Four AA-size/LR6 alkaline or if you prefer AA/HR6 Ni-MH batteries.
Why should you buy it?
This one is the best for professionals, so if you are a professional, this one is a must-purchase to be made.
1. Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT – Best Compact
What I Like
- Very powerful and versatile
- Compact
- 1200 flash triggers on a single battery life
What I Don’t Like
- Doesn’t suit the needs of a professional photographer
The 430EX promises to take a new approach to lighting with a powerful, versatile yet portable flash.
It comes in a compact body size in order to save space efficiently and in style, it measures 4.1 x 4.2 x 2.9 inches and weighs 10.4 ounces. It tilts upwards by 90 degrees, 180 degrees to the left and 150 to the right, for a more directional flash.
It has a great guide number of 141 ft at, 100, and 105mm ISO.
With that being said feel free to use this detachable camera flash for any shooting condition. It even lasts up to 1200 flash triggers on single battery life.
Its recycle time takes from 0.1 to 3.5 seconds and it has a zoom range of 24 to 105mm or 14mm with the panel.
As for batteries, it uses 4x AA batteries.
Why should you buy it?
The 430EX promises to take a new approach to lightning with a powerful, versatile yet portable flash.
Choosing the right Speedlight for Canon T3i:
Choosing the best Speedlight for your camera depends mostly on what you need and what gear you are already using. For example, if you’re using a 200mm lens you want it to illuminate as much light as possible.
Flashes are ranked by their guide number, so the higher the guide number is the more light it is capable of producing.
There’s also TTL (Through The Lens) Speedlights that has an auto mode inside, and choose the best settings for you on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a Speedlight?
Speedlights are camera accessories that help you during “dark times” whenever you are taking a photograph in a super dark place. It can also be used during daylight, as it is known to help many photographers somehow control the light.
What is the difference between a Speedlight and a flash?
Even though a Speedlight and a flash are the exact same thing for some people, I would like to say no! A Speedlight and a flash aren’t the same things but similar. A Speedlight is known to be an add-on flash that stands on top of the camera; meanwhile, a flash is basically the flash that your camera has within.
Does Canon T3i have a good built-in flash?
The Canon T3i camera has a great built-in flash with a number rating of 43 feet, but if you need more, a Speedlight is what you would use!
Which is the best brand for Speedlights?
You choose the best brand for a Speedlight depending on your preferences and the camera you use. However, based on the fact that you are searching for a flash for your Canon camera, there are a few names that you should know, as they are Neewer, Godox, and the Canon brand itself.
Final words:
As I said earlier it really depends on what you need the Speedlight for and on your budget, since there are many capable speedlights. Flagging them as the best or worst isn’t agreeable for everyone.
Photo & Videographer
A photographer with a passion for capturing the beauty of nature and the human form. My work has been featured in galleries and publications around the world, and I strive to create images that evoke emotion and tell a story.
