Bring wireless connectivity to your camera and flash. We put six the leading remote trigger systems to the test to see which is the best wireless flash trigger.
You can't beat the simplicity of fixing a flashgun directly to your camera's hotshoe, but this seldom gives the best results. Use the flashgun off-camera and you'll generally get a much more natural lighting effect, especially in portraiture. The easiest way to do this is to buy a remote flash cable. This doesn't come cheap, however.
Another drawback is that because there's a cable connection between the camera and flashgun, your mobility is limited and there's a risk of inadvertently toppling the camera or flashgun if either is mounted on a tripod.
Some DSLRs, for example, like the Nikon D7100, enable you to use the pop-up flash in Commander mode, triggering Nikon Speedlights that have a wireless slave function.
Even so, this is less than ideal and the wireless flash trigger systems tested here work with third-party flashguns and without requiring an unobstructed line of sight.
Best Wireless Flash Trigger: 01 Yongnuo RF-603N
Price: £32, $30
Buy it: www.premier-ink.co.uk
Unlike most systems that rely on a transmitter and a receiver, the Yongnuo trigger set contains two identical 'transceivers'.
Each unit automatically switches between transmitter and receiver mode as required.
A bonus feature on this trigger is that if you use the supplied cable to connect whichever unit is attached to the camera's hotshoe to the camera's remote control port as well, you can remotely fire the camera from the two-stage shutter button on the unit attached to the flashgun.
There are various editions to suit whichever remote connector your DSLR uses, and additional cables are available to buy separately.
Our verdict
Pros… Enables remote triggering of the camera, good build quality, bargain price.
Cons… No built-in mount for a tripod or lighting head.
WE say… With its 100m range and easy operation, it's a steal at the price.
Score: 4/5
PAGE 1 - Best Wireless Flash Trigger: 01 Yongnuo RF-603N
PAGE 2 - Best Wireless Flash Trigger: 02 Interfit Strobies iSync 4 Trigger Receiver Set
PAGE 3 - Best Wireless Flash Trigger: 03 Hähnel Combi TF
PAGE 4 - Best Wireless Flash Trigger: 04 Phottix Strato II Multi 5-in-1 Trigger Set
PAGE 5 - Best Wireless Flash Trigger: 05 SMDV Flash Wave III Trigger/Receiver Kit
PAGE 6 - Best Wireless Flash Trigger: 06 PocketWizard MiniTT1 + FlexTT5
PAGE 7 - Five things to look for in a wireless flash trigger
READ MORE
Best camera flash for portrait photography: 6 top models tested and rated
How camera flash works: free photography cheat sheet
Flash photography made easy: master everything from pop-up flash to multiple flashguns
Flash photography tips: external flash techniques anyone can understand
