Lens filters are equipment that can help photographers improve their photography. Different types of filters can play different main roles, including protecting the lens, improving contrast, and adding special effects. To help you purchase the perfect filter for your camera, in this post, we share selection tips and introduce you to 5 of the best lens filters.

The 5 Best Lens Filters in 2025

1. NEEWER True Colors Variable ND Filter

If you like to capture landscapes, such as rivers, waterfalls, and more, preparing a NEEWER True Colors Variable ND Lens Filter will greatly help you. This Variable ND Filter can really show the true colors of your images and videos and solve the common color cast problem. It offers a 5-step exposure adjustment, you just need to rotate the filter and fader to adjust from ND2, ND4, ND8, ND16 to ND32 settings to precisely control the amount of light entering the lens.

You will feel very relaxed when installing and removing the NEEWER True Colors Variable ND Lens Filter. That's because it features an ultra-thin aluminum frame and CNC precision-machined knurled ring that ensures a secure and firm grip.

Price: $51.99

Pros:

• True to Life Color Reproduction
• Multi NANO Coated HD Optical Glass
• Lightweight Aluminum Frame

2. NEEWER ND1000000 Lens Filter

To capture total and partial solar eclipses and other fascinating astronomical phenomena like a pro, you don't want to miss out on the NEEWER ND1000000 Lens Filter, which is specially designed to capture celestial events and help you take photos with exceptional clarity and lifelike colors. It offers 20 stops of light reduction with no overexposure or color cast at all, delivering photos that have stunned many photographers.

The NEEWER ND1000000 Lens Filter is made of CNC precision-machined aluminum alloy with an extremely slim frame, which is also sturdy, rust-resistant, and very durable. In addition, it is very affordable and is a total value-for-money choice.

Price: $24.99

Pros:

• Professional for Celestial Photography
• 20 Stops of Light Reduction
• Ultra Slim yet Durable Frame

3. NEEWER MRC Ultra-Slim UV Lens Filter

The NEEWER MRC Ultra-Slim UV Lens Filter is made of high-quality optical glass and is a camera lens filter that can really help reduce haze and UV rays. In addition to protecting your lens from dust and scratches, it also improves contrast. As a result, it allows you to take more perfect photos when taking photos of high altitude and snowy landscapes without the bluish cast.

The NEEWER MRC Ultra-Slim UV Lens Filter features a 30-layer optical coating with 99.8% light transmission, so it blocks UV rays from 300nm to 410nm, reduces ghosting and glare, and really meets your requirements. The nano-coating also protects with waterproof and scratch-resistant efficacy.

Price: $17.99

Pros:

• High-Quality Optical Glass
• Nano-Coatings
• Strong Lens Frame

4. NEEWER Polarizer CPL Lens Filter

The NEEWER Polarizer CPL Lens Filter features a 30-layer polarizing film on both sides that eliminates 99.9% of reflections from non-metallic surfaces. Therefore, if you are looking for a camera filter that is suitable for photographing blue skies, snow, and other colorful objects, this CPL filter with a minimum light reflection rate of less than 0.1% should be your best choice.

The NEEWER Polarizer CPL Lens Filter features premium HD optical glass and a variety of resistant coatings for a high-definition visual experience and also blocks UV rays in the range of 300nm to 380nm, improving contrast and saturation for more natural, vibrant colors in photos.

Price: $23.99

Pros:

• Natural Color Enhancement
• HD Visual Experiences & Low Light Reflectance
• Ultra Slim Frame & Smooth Rotation

5. NEEWER FL-E1 Kaleidoscope Prism Lens Filter

Want to add special effects to your photos without the need for editing software? The NEEWER FL-E1 Kaleidoscope Prism Lens Filter gives you a cool refractive effect. This kaleidoscope prism lens bends and refracts light to create repetitive and unique elements in your scene. It gives you more natural special effects than photo editing applications.

Most impressively, the NEEWER FL-E1 Kaleidoscope Prism Lens Filter is capable of adjusting as lighting conditions change, which can give you greater flexibility in your photography and ensure precise control. Plus, it's made of K9 optical glass, which is incredibly sturdy and capable of transmitting light at a high resolution. However, you must not shoot it directly into the sun or Django to avoid damage.

Price: $31.99

Pros:

• Magical Prism Effect
• Variable Flexibility
• Built to Last

How to Choose A Good Lens Filters?

1. Understand the Different Types of Lens Filters

Lens filters serve various purposes, from enhancing colors to reducing glare and protecting the lens. The most common types include:

• UV Filters: Primarily used for lens protection, these filters reduce haze in outdoor photography and prevent scratches or dust from damaging the lens.
• Polarizing Filters: Improve color contrast, reduce reflections from water and glass, and make skies appear more vivid. Ideal for landscape photography.
• ND (Neutral Density) Filters: Reduce the amount of light entering the lens, allowing for long exposure shots or wider apertures in bright conditions. Essential for waterfall photography, video recording, and outdoor portraits.
• Graduated ND Filters: Darken only part of an image (usually the sky), balancing exposure between bright and dark areas. Great for landscape photography.
• Color and Special Effect Filters: Enhance colors, add artistic effects, or create unique lighting conditions in creative photography.

For example, a landscape photographer capturing dramatic skies might use a polarizing filter to deepen blue tones and reduce glare, while a videographer filming in bright daylight would benefit from an ND filter to maintain cinematic motion blur.

2. Choose the Right Filter Size for Your Lens

Lens filters come in different diameters, so choosing the correct filter size is essential to ensuring compatibility. Filter thread sizes are usually marked on lens barrels. Selecting an incorrect size could result in improper fitting or require step-up/step-down adapter rings to complete.

3. Consider the Filter Material and Coating Quality

The quality of the lens filter plays a pivotal role in image sharpness, durability, and resistance to reflections or smudges. Common materials for filters include optical glass which provides accurate color reproduction while lightweight resin/plastic versions tend to scratch more easily while offering reduced optical quality.

Multi-coated (MC) or nano-coated lens filters help minimize reflections and flares while repelling water, dust, and fingerprints from surfaces - an ideal choice for travel photographers working in humid or dusty environments requiring regular equipment maintenance. Travel photographers might prefer multi-coated filters for easier upkeep and enhanced image quality.

4. Select the Right Type of Mount for Convenience

Lens filters come in both screw-on and square/rectangular (holder-based) designs. Screw-on Filters easily fit onto lenses but need different sizes depending on which lenses are being used. Square and rectangular filters provide more versatility for landscape photography by fitting multiple lenses at once with just one filter. Portrait photographers needing fast filter changes may prefer screw-on ND filters; landscape photographers requiring precise gradient adjustments might go for graduated ND filter holder systems instead.