Your search for the best lens for portrait shots is not that simple. We understand that and that is why we have explained here what makes a lens "best" for portraits and our recommendations.
Okay, the best lens for portraits is highly subjective and can be different for everyone. Why, well, every photographer is different, and so are their personal preferences, shooting styles, and specific needs. For example, some love a 50mm prime lens, which is great for a natural field of view and environmental portraits. Some prefer 85mm lenses, which are known for their creamy bokeh and flattering compression. For both, the definition of best is different.
But when it comes to portraits, people love bokeh and separation from background. For that, prime lenses are generally considered the best type of lens to go for. There are tons of brands out there, and every one of them has its strengths and weaknesses. You get lenses from these brands with different focal lengths and other added features. To mark out the best lens for portraits, we can trim them down to three based on common focal lengths:
An 85mm prime lens
This one is now pretty much a gold standard focal length for portraits and is time-tested to deliver professional-grade flattering compression with minimal distortion. You also get stunning background separation, which is suitable for portraits during a ceremony or crowded place.
This focal length is also known to capture naturally compressed facial features and avoids exaggerated noses or stretched-out faces, which can happen in other focal lengths. You get to use these lenses not too far and not too close to objects, making them ideal for portraits. Many professional photographers love 85mm with f/1.8, as portraits at these numbers can be taken at faster shutter speeds without having to increase ISO and still will be sharp portraits.
The SIRUI Aurora 85mm lens is one such lens that delivers the gold standard advantages of 85mm and goes beyond by delivering a lighter form factor and a wider f/1.8 aperture which allows it to snap portraits with exceptional low-light performance and stunning bokeh. Definitely makes it to the top of our list of best lens for portraits in 2025 and is a great option for both beginner and professional photographers.
A 35mm prime lens
35mm and 50mm are great for head/waist-up shots where separation and bokeh are needed. These focal lengths closely resemble how the human eye sees an object in front of him. The 35mm is a great option when you are taking family portraits and want to be creative in solo portraits, thanks to its big field of view.
Shorter focal lengths allow the photographer to even go down to kids' height level and take shots while talking or in slight movement, as 35mm's are much faster to focus on. This makes them particularly good for kids' photography. They are also quite small and lighter, so the camera shakes during movements unless the shutter goes above 1/200.
A 135mm prime lens
Suited for outdoor environments, the lens of this focal length delivers exceptional background compression, which makes the object stand out with smooth contrast. These lenses are quite useful in situations where one needs portraits of someone with a distracting background. The compression and object isolation easily separate the object from the creamy bokeh. Combined with f/1.8 or f/2 in 135m lenses, the level of bokeh you will get is even better.
Many people also use a zoom lens for portraits due to their high compression, but such lenses are quite costly, their performance suffers in low light, and are quite inconvenient to carry, especially when carrying with a set of prime lenses for an event photography.
Wrap-up
Every photographer has different goals and needs for their gear. The 35,85 and 135mm cover pretty much every scenario. Among these, the SIRUI Aurora 85mm lens stands out as a perfect blend of portrait quality and ease of use.
If you are a rookie and are looking to build a high-performance lens, then opt for the SIRUI aurora 85mm lens, which packs high-quality optics to deliver you the best in class portrait quality. Its lens delivers high-quality image quality while retaining a compact design.
