Buying the best webcam your budget can afford is one of the most important investments you can make these days. With many of us working from home a lot more, being able to attend video calls while broadcasting yourself in high definition with crystal-clear audio is essential.
Having a solid webcam isn't just important for home workers, either. If you're a streamer or content creator, buying a high-quality webcam will make a huge difference to the image quality of your productions. Of course, the best webcams are also great additions for anyone who wants to use their PC to keep in contact with friends and family around the world. In fact, it can be as vital as having the best PC or the best laptop, especially if you’ve been relying on your phone camera or your laptop’s low-resolution webcam for video calls.
Not all webcams are created equal, of course, and some of the heavy-featured and 4K ones cost much more than the basic and 1080p options. So when choosing the best webcam for you, you'll need to decide what you'll be using it for and which features will be useful. We've got some advice at the bottom of the page to help you make your decision.
Whatever your needs or budget, however, we can help you find the best value for your money. We test all of the best webcams extensively to ensure they work as claimed and that the footage they provide is of the quality we'd expect for the price. And whether you want the best Logitech webcam or the best cheap webcam, whether you need something for work, travel, or streaming, you'll find something on our list below.
Scroll down for our overview of the products in this guide, then jump to a more detailed write-up for each entry.
The quick list
The best webcam for you might not be the most kitted-out option, which is why we gathered the top models we've tested here at TechRadar and put together this list. Below, you'll see a summary of our top picks, but if you want to know more about each option, hit that "Read more" link to find about more about its features and performance.
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best webcams in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best webcam overall
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if:
✅ You want options for mounting your webcam: The C920 has a standard claw-type mount, but also includes a conventional thread that supports most tripods and flex mounts.
✅ You want to try streaming: Although the C920 is still a high-quality webcam, its comparatively low entry price makes it a good choice for anyone looking to dip their toes into the world of streaming.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You need a wide field of view: With a fixed 78-degree FOV, you can't use the Logitech C920 for wide-room (or ultra-focused) shots.
❌ You want insanely high-quality video: Although it does offer excellent value for money, there are definitely more powerful webcams available for buyers with deep pockets.
The Logitech C920 has been one of the best webcams on the market since its release in January 2012, consistently beating out rival products that promise more affordability or better performance – and for good reason. This is a beloved favorite across the entire spectrum of streamers, content creators, and office professionals alike.
We found its picture quality to be great out of the box. And, when cost, quality, and performance are all calculated, the C920 is still one of the best everyday webcams you can buy, despite being almost a decade old.
With crisp 1080p HD resolution and fantastic lighting and color detection at an affordable price, this fan-favorite webcam hits a spot in the market that struggles to see any substantial competition and is still one of the best performing webcams on the market today, though we feel the Razer Kiyo Pro is the new top dog when it comes to webcams right now.
Read our full Logitech C920 review
The best budget webcam
(Image credit: Logitech)
The best budget webcam if 720p resolution will do
Average Amazon review:Resolution:
720p
Features:
Noise reduction, Auto light correction, Zoom and Skype compatible
View at WalmartView at AmazonView at Newegg+
Very affordable
+
Auto light correction
-
Only 720p
-
Mono mic
Buy it if:
✅ You have casual video call needs: If you don't need anything with high-resolution footage and special features, this is the stripped-down webcam for you.
✅ You're on a tight budget: Cheap but reliable, this webcam is reliable without costing you more than $50/£50.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You need higher-resolution footage: Limited to 720p, this isn't going to offer the sharpest image quality.
❌ You want something for content creation: There are fairly affordable webcams out there that offer better quality videos for content creation and streaming.
The Logitech HD Webcam C310 is a solid option for those who just can’t splurge on a webcam. It's perfect for anyone just needing to get onto that Zoom or Skype call and be seen clearly.
It does only shoot in 720p, which these days is a tad outdated for professional video calls, but it’s a great budget webcam for personal video calls with friends and family. Plus, the C310 does come with Logitech’s RightLight 2 auto-light correction technology so you’ll always be shown in the proper light – even if it’s not in the sharpest resolution. And, its noise-reducing mic should not only ensure that you’ll be heard clearly from up to 5 feet or 1.5 meters away, but also minimize environmental noise.
This may not be a streamer’s top choice. Nor is it great for business calls. However, it’s a quality pick for anyone on a budget.
The best premium webcam
(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
Buy it if:
✅ You're a serious content creator: The price of admission here is high, but the huge range of smart features make this a great choice for online content creators.
✅ You want to look great on screen: 4K resolution, smart head tracking, and 'Beauty Mode' ensure that you'll be looking your best whether it's on a livestream or in a video meeting.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You're shopping on a budget: The steep price tag is justified by its rich feature set, but the Obsbot Tiny 2 is undeniably one of the priciest webcams out there right now.
❌ You just need a webcam: At the end of the day, this is an advanced piece of kit - not worth the investment if you just need a straightforward webcam for video calls.
The Obsbot Tiny 2 is a webcam for people who take their hardware seriously. With an elegant, lightweight, and pocket-friendly design, the Tiny 2 looks and feels like a premium piece of hardware, with excellent build quality and a bundled softshell carry case. The camera itself sits atop a gimbal that allows its AI head-tracking capabilities to adjust the direction and aperture on the fly to best highlight your face regardless of your movements.
Unfortunately, all those clever features come with a sky-high price tag to match. At $329 / £269 / AU$519, this is one of the most expensive webcams on this list - although its 4K resolution and an incredible variety of features do go a long way to justifying the cost. Voice controls, a full-featured companion app, and a 'Beauty Mode' that lets you touch up your appearance on-screen mean that this Obsbot Tiny 2 really is the complete package.
Read our full Obsbot Tiny 2 review
Premium webcam for streaming
(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
Premium webcam you'll want even if you're not a streamer
Our expert review:
Resolution:
4K 30FPS / 1440P 30FPS / 1080p @ 60/30/24FPS / 720P @ 60/30 FPS
Features:
Built-in privacy shutter, large 1/1.2” Sony Starvis CMOS sensor, Razer Synapse support, omnidirectional mic
View at AmazonView at Razer+
Great low-light and noise performance
+
Fantastic autofocus
+
Built-in privacy shutter and mic
-
Expensive
-
4K at 30fps only
Buy it if:
✅ You can afford it: At the end of the day, this is an absolutely incredible webcam - even at its sky-high asking price.
✅ You're a serious streamer: The Kiyo Pro Ultra's phenomenal picture quality and rich feature set make it the perfect weapon for any online content creator's arsenal.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You’re on a budget: If you don’t need the best of the best and also don't have money to burn, it's safe to skip this one.
❌ You need 4K at 60fps: The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra's 4K shooting mode is capped at 30fps, so if you need a high framerate and 4K video, you'll need something else.
Razer throws its hat in the 4K webcam ring with the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra, a heck of a camera that currently sports the largest sensor on any webcam, which means you're getting a wider dynamic range, better low-light performance, and deliciously creamier background, to name a few advantages. It also helps that its aperture is a massive f/1.7, which will help to produce attractively blurred backgrounds in your streamed content, and that it's got HDR and 3D noise reduction (via the Razer Synapse app).
Not that Razer's webcams need any noise handling anyway, as they've always done so well on that front - and the Kiyo Pro Ultra does it even better. That's not all. On test, its autofocus proved not just snappy but butter-smooth as well, and the fact that the Razer Synapse gives you manual control over focusing (as well as exposures, digital zooming and panning, and more) gives you a level of customizations you'll be hard-pressed to get with most other webcams.
Oh, and you're also getting a built-in privacy shutter and omnidirectional mic - both of which you'll miss out on if you get its direct rival, the equally formidable Elgato Facecam Pro. The only thing is that it limits you to 4K at 30fps shooting, something the Facecam Pro does offer.
Read our full Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra review
The best 4K 60fps webcam
(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
Impressive premium webcam for 4K at 60fps footage
Our expert review:
Resolution:
2160p60, 2160p30, 1080p60, 1080p30, 720p60, 720p30
Features:
1/1.8” Sony Starvis CMOS sensor, manual controls
View at AmazonView at Best Buy+
4K at 60fps video resolution
+
Wide dynamic range, great noise reduction
+
Snappy auto-focusing
-
Definitely expensive for a webcam
-
AF is slower in low light
Buy it if:
✅ You're a committed content creator: With full 4K 60fps support, excellent noise reduction, and lots of manual controls, the Facecam Pro is a stellar pick for creating high-quality streaming content.
✅ You’ve got money to burn: This is quite literally one of the most expensive webcams money can buy, and its extremely high quality does work hard to justify the price tag.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You just need a webcam for video calls: If you only need a webcam for work meetings or video calls with your family, this is an almost hilarious level of overkill.
❌ You want great portability: The Facecam Pro is actually lighter than it looks, but this is still a chunky webcam that isn't super travel-friendly.
We would put the Elgato Facecam Pro at the top if it wasn't for its steep price tag. As expensive as it is, this is the best webcam you can buy, especially if you're a streamer, a TikTok creator, or a vlogger. At its center is that 4K at 60fps video resolution – it's the first webcam in the world to do so – thanks to that 1/1.8-inch Sony Starvis sensor that's also responsible for its exceptional dynamic range.
During testing, we found this webcam to not only handle dark shadows and bright highlights impressively well, preserving detail in those areas better than all the other pro-level webcams we've tested, but also deliver impressive noise reduction without unnatural smoothing. What's more, its autofocusing is snappy in well-lit situations and its autoexposure is always spot on – although you can take the helm and make creative exposures yourself, thanks to the improved Camera Hub software that gives you plenty of autonomy over the webcam's settings.
Read our full Elgato Facecam Pro review
Affordable webcam for content creation
(Image credit: Peter Hoffmann)
Buy it if:
✅ You're a streamer on a budget: The Logitech StreamCam offers great video quality at a sensible price, making it a good choice for streamers who can't drop hundreds on their setup.
✅ Aesthetics matter to you: If you want a webcam that matches a stylish desktop setup, this unusual-looking piece of hardware can be a great choice.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You need a wide field of view: Like Logitech's own popular C920, the StreamCam has a default 78-degree FOV that can't be adjusted for wide-angle shots.
❌ You're only a casual user: If you don't intend to stream regularly and instead just need a camera for occasional video meetings, this is a fairly expensive choice of webcam.
The Logitech StreamCam is a solid all-rounder webcam with a pleasingly unique design, well suited for virtual meetings, video calls with friends, and livestreaming your favorite games. In our tests, we found it provided extremely good raw footage with great color balance. While it falls down a bit compared to the similarly-priced Razer Kiyo Pro in terms of brightness and picture sharpness, it still provides excellent overall picture quality and impressive low-light performance.
The StreamCam is a notably feature-rich 1080p webcam, offering a plethora of useful tools for content creators. From smart exposure and autofocus to facial tracking and an option 60fps mode, there are very few features this webcam lacks. It even has a flippable design that lets you record in a 9:16 smartphone-friendly format, and can be mounted on a tripod too.
Read our full Logitech StreamCam review
The best 4K webcam for travel
(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
Buy it if:
✅ You want a feature-rich 4K webcam: The Obsbot Meet 4K has a tonne of useful features, many of which simply aren't present in other webcams at this price point.
✅ You need portability: This is one of the most travel-friendly webcams we've ever reviewed, from its compact size to the included carry case.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You need crisp footage with a wide dynamic range: The somewhat flat dynamic range of the Obsbot Meet 4K means that you'll lose some detail in shots with poor or uneven lighting.
❌ You're on a tight budget: While it's far from the most expensive webcam on this list, the Meet 4K is still fairly pricey, so cash-strapped buyers might want to look elsewhere.
The Obsbot Meet 4K is a small wonder, quite literally with its smaller-than-a-GoPro size and list of excellent features, many of which you won't find on other webcams. Its design and features are the highlights here.
The magnetic mounting, for example, not only makes it easier to handle - it just snaps onto the included mount - but also allows you to switch between landscape and portrait modes, the latter of which should be ideal for social media content creation. There's also Auto Framing, which we found to be incredibly intuitive and responsive, ensuring that you're very much in the middle of the frame no matter how much you're moving.
Its performance isn't too shabby either. Beyond its crisp 4K resolution captures, we appreciate just how great its noise handling and exposure compensation are, even in low-light situations. Its dynamic range, autofocus, and image processing, which struggle in low light and uneven lighting, aren't anything to write home about, but they're not terrible either. The only real issue here is that it tends to get warm very quickly, but we haven't seen that affect its performance.
Read our full Obsbot Meet 4K review
The best 1080p webcam for low lighting
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if:
✅ You like to customize: Razer Synapse isn't perfect, but it offers a lot of customization options that can be translated over to other software too.
✅ You're a streamer: The Kiyo Pro has been one of the best straightforward streaming webcams on the market for a while, and it's still a very reliable choice.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You need a cheap webcam: While its $199 price tag isn't the highest on this list, it's still a very expensive professional-standard webcam.
❌ You're only a casual webcam user: The Razer Kiyo Pro is a lot of webcam, and users who are only looking for semi-regular video conferencing just don't need this level of power.
The Razer Kiyo Pro, now a staple of Razer's webcam family, is an excellent pick for a well-rounded high-end webcam option. This beast doesn't come cheap, but it delivers performance worth every penny, especially given the flexible feature set that makes it well-suited to just about everything from remote calling into a conference meeting to streaming live on platforms like Twitch.
When we reviewed it, we found the Kiyo Pro's picture quality to be incredible. Its light detection is especially good, while its dynamic range is wide and noise handling is excellent, which makes this a particularly great webcam if you're streaming in low-light conditions. You can choose between three different fields of view for wider shots as well, and select either a smooth 1080p 60fps option for gameplay or a high-res HDR mode for improved video quality during Zoom sessions.
Read our full Razer Kiyo Pro review
The best webcam for gamers
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if:
✅ You want a great streaming webcam: The Facecam was designed with streamers in mind, with features that specifically cater to virtual content creators.
✅ You've got other Elgato hardware: Elgato's (well, Corsair's) ecosystem is very intuitive, meaning you'll get a lot out of this webcam if you already own kit like the Elgato Stream Deck.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You don't want to buy a microphone: There's no built-in mic here, which is perfectly fine for streamers who plan to use a proper standalone mic, but will no doubt be a dealbreaker for some.
❌ You want the best value for money: At $200, this is a pricey piece of kit, and you're paying a premium for the Elgato brand - though it is an excellent webcam.
The Elgato Facecam might be fairly low on our overall ranking, but thanks to some divisive design choices that make this a niche buy that sways itself towards content creators, this is actually our top pick if you need a webcam purely for streaming or creating YouTube videos.
The choice to not include a microphone or autofocus capabilities will make it seem like a half-baked product for anyone just looking for a webcam. However, the inclusion of those features often proves to be more trouble than they're worth for folks broadcasting live on sites like Twitch or YouTube, where a standalone microphone is frequently a better choice.
As a result, the Facecam is beautifully optimized for the streaming community, with some of the best software we've ever seen on a webcam to boot. Since being taken over by Corsair, Elgato's internal ecosystem means that the Facecam can be easily controlled from an Elgato Stream Deck - so the more Corsair and Elgato products you have, the more synchronized your streaming experience can be.
Read our full Elgato Facecam review
The best webcam with AI tracking
(Image credit: Future)
A premium webcam with lots of special features
Our expert review:
Resolution:
4K, 1080p
Features:
Variable FOD, smart exposure and focus, detachable cable, gesture-controlled modes
View at Amazon+
4K, 1080p resolutions and 60FPS options
+
AI features are well implemented
+
Plenty of included accessories
-
Very expensive
-
Learning curve with gesture-controlled modes
Buy it if:
✅ You want a fully automated webcam: With gesture controls and head-tracking, the Insta360 Link requires far less button-pushing than the average webcam.
✅ You need mounting versatility: You can mount this webcam in three different ways: a standard monitor clasp, a portable tripod, and an overhead stand - and all three work great.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You need a budget webcam: With a price tag of $300, this sits among the most expensive webcams on this list.
❌ You don’t want AI in your webcam: If artificial intelligence makes you nervous, you should avoid the Insta360 Link - it's highly reliant on AI for tracking, autofocus, and the nifty gesture controls.
The Insta360 Link is a rather unique and highly recommended webcam thanks to its high-end specs and clever AI-controlled functionality. Instead of having buttons on the webcam itself, you use gestures to switch between various modes. There's also an automatic privacy mode that activates after the camera registers ten seconds of inactivity, which is handy for avoiding any mishaps if you need to step away from your computer during a work call.
In our review process, we found the AI controls to be truly impressive, with the lens head mounted on a mechanized gimbal to track your head's position with an impressive level of precision. Even its hand gesture features work pretty well. Combined with 4k and 1080p resolutions, 60fps and 30fps options, and some of the clearest sound quality you'll find on any webcam, you have a near-perfect webcam for any situation and need. It's also very expensive, but at this level of quality, the price might just be worth it for some people.
Read our full Insta360 Link review
How to choose the best webcam for you
As the world returns to something resembling normalcy, the best webcams for laptops and PCs are finally back in stock. Whether they’re from Microsoft, Razer, Logitech, or one of the cheaper brands whose products punch above their weight, there’s a plethora of choices to pick from to help you upgrade your streaming or video conferencing.
Since more communication is happening online these days, it’s crucial to have your zoom calls with friends and video conferencing meetings that are crystal clear. And, that means you need to invest in one of the best webcams for your computer setup. It’s true that most laptops or all-in-one computers already come with a webcam installed but having a dedicated one will offer more features and higher resolutions.
It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to keep in touch with your extended network, putting together the perfect work-from-home setup or getting ready for back to school season, invest in one of these made for computer cameras to make sure your family and colleagues can see your bright, shiny face. From the webcams ideal for game streaming to excellent webcams for Zoom, we’ve collected our top picks here as well as included our price comparison tool to help you find the best deal.
In this bizarre new world of home working, you may feel a little overwhelmed when looking at webcams to buy – after all, all these cheap models on Amazon look the same right? Webcams are usually marketed with resolution (720p, 1080p, 4K etc) and framerates because this is the most important factor for most people when buying a product, but there are many other considerations that make a webcam 'good' or 'bad'.
The first thing to consider is what you need your webcam for. For working professionals or office staff, most conference calling software such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams will restrict your broadcast quality to 1080p resolution and 30fps to preserve bandwidth. Google meets goes a step further and restricts your quality to 720p as this is the standard resolution on most built-in laptop cameras.
If you're planning on using a webcam purely for these work-related calls then there isn't any point in buying a powerful 4k model as you simply won't see the benefit. The light and color detection will vary for each model though, so you'll still see a variance in recording quality depending on what webcam you buy.
For content creators such as YouTubers or Streamers, there is a range of powerful webcams available, with some reaching 4K resolution and 60fps for buttery smooth video. These webcams are overkill for occasional use, but with features like a variable field of view (or FOV) and adjustable resolution or and zoom, the extra cash could be a worthy investment to your hobby.
Our list is heavy on big brand names such as Logitech for good reason. Reputable brands have been tested across many different devices to make sure that the products are compatible with different graphics software. This is why you may see different quality if you use the same camera on a desktop and a laptop - the webcam hardware communicates differently with different devices.
Logitech, Razer and other well-known webcam manufacturers can provide a product that is more likely to work well across a wide range of different machines, so whether you're looking to run your camera on a new gaming desktop or an old Chromebook, you should see similar results.
A cheap 1080p/30fps webcam from Amazon or eBay may disappoint you if the drivers and sensors are not up to the same standards as trusted products on our list, so don't take the resolution and framerate as gospel that you'll be getting great video quality. As the saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
If you're buying a Logitech webcam, though, you can check out the latest Logitech promo codes for ways to get money off your purchase.
Even the most expensive webcam can look terrible if you don't take your environment into consideration. Lighting can make a cheap 720p webcam look almost HD, and this doesn't have to make a dent in your wallet. Natural lighting is prized by photographers for being better than most expensive studio lights, so where possible try and record in front of a window. This will not only illuminate your features and make you pop against your background, but it'll illuminate background 'noise' – the fuzzy static effect seen when webcams are trying to film in low lighting conditions. You can also replicate this using studio lights if you work in darker environments away from a window. You can also use cheap desk lamps in a pinch by directing them against a wall to reduce the harshing lighting and create a diffused appearance. Always make sure your background looks nice. This doesn't mean you need to do anything fancy (unless you're a streamer and have the budget for some fancy LED lights and gamer swag), but you need to make sure you're the focus of the broadcast. Tidy up any mess, don't sit behind an open door and make sure you don't sit behind any other light sources. This will usually throw off the light sensors in your webcam and reduce your film quality.
How we test the best webcams
TechRadar doesn't use any computer programs to benchmark a webcam as their quality is visually noticeable. Instead, models will be stacked up against products with similar specifications and MSRP to see how they compare, and ran through a few scenarios.
We keep lighting levels consistent and test for well-lit and low-light conditions to put the webcam sensor through its paces. Webcams with unsatisfactory sensors struggle if a subject isn't well lit, resulting in a fuzzy 'static' like interference known as background noise. We make note of how accurate the colors are in any recorded footage and the overall clarity of video and photographs taken on the webcam.
We also compare features like field-of-view (often abbreviated to FOV), frame rate and resolution, as well as any software that ships with the product. Operating systems like Windows 10 have a camera application capable of making minimal adjustments to contrast and hue, but there are branded applications like Razer Synapse and Logitech Capture that can better adjust your footage.
The hardware itself will also be checked for mounting options and available movement, such as a swivel ball joint or fixed positioning. Finally, any onboard microphone will be checked for clarity and its ability to filter out background noise, though it's worth mentioning that most webcams on the market have poor-quality microphones when compared to a dedicated headset or USB mics.
Today's best webcam deals
If you don’t have a 1080p webcam for your Teams or Zoom calls, you’re missing out. Why spend money on hair, makeup, and skincare, then use a poor 720p webcam in front of friends and colleagues? Our picks for the best webcams mean that you can look your best, for less.
Probably no other hardware category has seen such rapid improvements as webcams, thanks to the work-from-home trend. Webcam makers have realized that 1080p resolution and improved audio are now basic requirements. Most laptops still ship with a 720p webcam, however, making a standalone webcam a valuable upgrade. Premium options include 4K resolution, ring lights, and more.
We haven’t tested every one of these webcams, just most of them. You can also refer to our separate story on the best Windows Hello webcams for recommendations on webcams that aid videoconferencing and log you into your PC. We’ve taken two recommendations from that list and added them here: a premium and budget webcam with Windows Hello. We present our recommended webcams first, followed by buying advice to help you decide. Take note of our FAQ, as there’s a new upcoming Windows feature that may have some big ripples on the webcam industry!
Why you should trust me: PCWorld has been testing PC hardware since the 1980s, and I’ve been a technology journalist for 30 years, with extensive experience in reviewing PC hardware. When it comes to webcams, my recommendations are based on hands-on testing in real-world scenarios. I also tap the expertise and published reviews of my counterparts in Sweden and Germany to offer a comprehensive view of the current webcam landscape.
Updated April 4, 2024: Some webcams we review don’t make the cut: The EPOS Expand Vision 1 4K webcam, for example, demonstrated a lack of grip. But my recent review of the BenQ IdeaCam S1 Pro, revealed a terrific webcam that I’ve named as my best premium webcam pick. Read the summary below to learn more about it. This most recent update also points to our article on how we test PC webcams, in case you want a more detailed explanation.
Pros
Cons
Price When Reviewed:
$59.99
Best Prices Today:
The Anker PowerConf C200 offers an affordable yet substantial upgrade from the 720p cameras found in most laptop webcams to a 1440p webcam, yet does so at an affordable price. The webcam also works well in low light, a pitfall of many webcams. For all that, at just $60? That’s a solid value in my book, and makes this webcam our top recommendation.
(Anker and Amazon characterize this as a “Mac” camera. It’s plug-and-play within Windows, however.)
Additional features include an adjustable field of zoom that crops down to 65 degrees, meaning you can orient the camera on your face alone. The camera autofocuses, too. Naturally, there are noise-canceling mics and a privacy shutter that actually turns off the entire device. You will need Anker’s free Windows software, though, to enable some of these features. (That’s available on the Anker website.) We weren’t sold on the need for original software at first, but many other webcams now offer similar apps to enable full functionality.
What sold us on this webcam are the basics: It’s just a good webcam for an affordable price. As such, it will appeal to a broad segment of buyers: work-from-home employees, small businesses, and general consumers. If you’re tired of your laptop’s 720p webcam and want even more, start here with the Anker PowerConf C200.
Pros
Cons
Price When Reviewed:
$69.99
Best Prices Today:
My preferred webcams offer at least 1080p resolution at a ballpark price of between $50 to $70. This webcam goes a step further by offering Windows Hello. This biometric login technology is found on most modern laptops, but not on older ones. If your laptop lacks this technology, the HelloCam is an excellent way to add it — and for very little out of your wallet.
Once you set up the HelloCam, you’ll just need to present your face to the camera, and poof! You’re logged in. With biometric identification becoming more and more important to PC security, this is a worthwhile investment.
Otherwise, this is a good 1080p/30fps fixed-focus webcam, whose other signature feature is an iris-like physical webcam shutter. Once the webcam is in use, the iris opens; if turned off or disconnected, the shutter closes. The images this webcam produces are good, and the noise-cancelling mics are too.
Budget buyers and mainstream users looking to improve upon their laptop’s 720p webcam, and who also want the added security of Windows Hello biometric security. Until recently, Windows Hello capability would probably have put this webcam over $100. (If you want Windows Hello with even more advanced features, see our pick below for best premium Windows Hello camera.)
Pros
Cons
Price When Reviewed:
59.99
Best Prices Today:
The question you should always ask of budget hardware is, what corners did they cut? Here, the answer is: not many. This is a 4K webcam at a cheaper price than many 1080p webcams, and that alone makes it noteworthy. Okay, it has manually adjustable focus, but that’s not a problem if you don’t move around a lot. Similarly, backlight adjustment is typically handled automatically, but this webcam’s manual adjustment is not a problem you work in a single location you can dial it in and forget it. There’s a flip-over privacy shutter, and a button to mute the mic.
You’re going to find that it cheats in the frame rate a bit, and I wasn’t wild with how well it captured my image, from a color perspective. But for about $50, for a 4K camera? It’s worth investigating.
If 4K matters, and you don’t feel like spending a lot, this is the camera for you. To me, this feels like a good choice for a student, or someone who wants to look good in front of their friends and maybe while taking remote classes, but just doesn’t want to spend a ton of money.
It’s also best for someone who will be streaming from an environment without a lot of (changing) natural light, but is still well-lit by a lamp or screen.
Read our full Creative Live! Cam Sync 4k review
Pros
Cons
Price When Reviewed:
49.99
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Upgrading from 720p to 1080p is a nice boost, and it’s even better when you can make the leap to 1440p, too. Monoprice and Walmart appear to have discounted this webcam to about $35, and for that price it’s hard to pass up this webcam.
Our review points out that the camera tends to overexpose the user, so you’ll need to make adjustments within the camera settings of whatever application you’re using. Yes, you’d like the webcam to manage this automatically, but it’s a fair trade-off for a budget camera. Under good lighting, anyway, this shouldn’t be an issue. The webcam’s mic is another trade-off, so a good laptop mic is necessary.
This is for the person who says, “I want to upgrade my webcam, but I want to spend the least amount of money possible.” You’ll still get a decent upgrade; more than you would expect, actually. You’ll just need to manage your lighting accordingly, and, again, have an adequate laptop mic.
Read our full Monoprice 2K USB Webcam review
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Cons
Price When Reviewed:
$199.99
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BenQ’s marvelous webcam offers a substantial amount of value, from its midrange price to the multiple, useful accessories that ship right inside the box. What I think I like most about this webcam, though, is that it excels as a webcam, then adds additional value through its peripherals, including both a macro (closeup) lens as well as a free remote control. This almost-but-not-quite 4K webcam even flips over for a top-down view.
The IdeaCam S1 Pro would probably be our favorite webcam if it wasn’t for the $100 or so price premium it commands, which isn’t for everyone. It’s robustly built, and ships with a free software utility that adds to its capabilities. (Zooming in and out is most easily accomplished via the remote control, which does take up more room on your desk.)
The webcam slides in and out of a robust mount quite easily. Pair that with the macro lens, and you can zoom in on detail work for presentations or hobbyists. The webcam has autofocus, though you’ll probably want to lock down the focus for the macro lens. It all works surprisingly well together, though.
If you’re a streamer (a woodworker or baker, say) then the ability to flip the webcam into a top-down mode, then undock the IdeaCam S1 Pro and the bring it in close with the macro lens, feels like a tool no other webcam offers.
But yes, the IdeaCam S1 Pro also works as a generic everyday webcam, too. It also looks particularly nice under good lighting, so it’s better for a user who isn’t expecting the camera to do a lot of heavy lifting in that regard. And while it might not offer the absolute top-of-the-line options, it never really fails at anything, either. It’s just a good, solid value. Period.
Read our full BenQ IdeaCam S1 Pro review
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Cons
Price When Reviewed:
$329.00
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This 4K webcam does something unique: It follows you. Floating on a gimbal, this tiny(!) webcam can literally pan, zoom, and rotate essentially 360 degrees, using AI to lock on your face and follow it as you walk around a room.
While the Tiny 2 webcam boasts the same gimbal and tracking features as the first Tiny PTZ webcam, OBSBOT used a bigger 1/1.5-inch 50Mpixel sensor in the new model that lets in more light and provides a slightly clearer picture. So it accomplishes what you’d expect in a webcam: It wildly succeeds as just a webcam, with gorgeous 4K HDR images — but provides the increased tracking capabilities to add value. It almost tracks a little too well; avoid zooming in too close if you walk around so as not to give your viewers vertigo!
I also love the fantastic software package that accompanies the webcam, which on the Tiny 1 was the best I’ve ever seen. I’m less impressed by two new features: voice commands, which are useful but not necessary, and new “beauty” features that use AI to adjust your face. While the latter features work, I prefer a more natural appearance, flaws and all.
If the budget webcams we selected above were ideal for students, this is the lecturer’s webcam. Share your slides with your student (or your clients, in a business setting) and let your video app project a snapshot of your face over them as you illustrate your point. If you walk and talk, this is the webcam for you.
Read our full OBSBOT Tiny 2 PTZ 4K Webcam review
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Cons
Price When Reviewed:
$299.99
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The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra claims to offer DSLR-quality images, and boy, it comes pretty close! This webcam captures video with a massive 2-inch lens at 4K at 30Hz or 1080p at 60Hz, using autofocusing technology that does a great job. The camera also can zoom in to offer a field of view between 72 degrees and 82 degrees, making sure that you, and you alone, are on cam.
All of this combines to produce an image that looks simply outstanding. It would be nice to see this camera produce 60Hz at 4K; instead, you have to choose one option or the other. But check out the sample screens in our review, and you’ll agree that it all looks as though a professional captured it. It even handles odd lighting situations very well. Colors just pop! We’ve highlighted some of the shortcomings above, but they’re overshadowed by everything else this webcam does.
If you want to look your very best on cam, buy this webcam. The lack of 4K60 captures may rule out high-end game streaming, but the ability for the camera to capture your face under most lighting conditions means a lot of other people will love it. Whether you’re pitching products on a Zoom or Teams call or you want to stand out among style-conscious peers, the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra is the webcam for making a strong impression.
Read our full Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra review
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Cons
Price When Reviewed:
59.99
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Not everyone needs a wide-angle webcam. But this does allow you to show off more of a scene than an ordinary webcam does, which makes it a valuable tool for specialized applications.
This fixed-focus 1080p webcam captures frames at a smooth 60 frames per second, as opposed to the more standard 30fps. You’ll look smoother and more lifelike as a result. The wide angle means that it will work well in a conference room. A privacy shutter is included.
If you have more than one person on camera at any one time, consider something like the NexiGo N980P. During the pandemic, the local middle school’s drama department broadcast monologues and scenes via Zoom, which allowed students the opportunity to perform. But a narrow webcam wouldn’t have allowed these scenes to be broadcast as effectively.
This camera would work equally well with a small conference room or even a family gathering, such as a living room where one family talks to grandparents overseas. It’s still a fixed-focus camera though— if you want an autofocusing model I recommend you pay about $100 for the upgraded NexiGo N680p instead.
Pros
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Price When Reviewed:
$199.99
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Why wouldn’t you buy a webcam that can protect your PC via biometrics, log you in with your face, and make you look great on a video call? The Logitech Brio 4K Ultra HD webcam is one of the small group of Windows Hello webcams that can perform both tasks.
The autofocusing Logitech Brio 4K supports various resolutions and frame rates, including 4K Ultra HD at 30fps, 1080p at 30- or 60fps, and 720p (HD) at 30- or 60fps. According to our review, Logitech’s RightLight 3 technology snaps photos and video in a range of lighting conditions. It can adjust the field of view from between 90 degrees to 78 degrees or 65 degrees. You will need to download the Logitech app for fine-grained control options, however.
Anyone who doesn’t like entering a password or PIN but doesn’t want to skimp on webcast quality, either. Seriously, as biometric identification becomes more prevalent, with passkeys standing in for passwords, Windows Hello will become more important. Put that way, the Brio 4K is cheap at the price.
Read our full Logitech Brio 4K Ultra HD Webcam review
A standalone 1080p webcam can greatly improve how you look on your next Zoom call. Here’s what to look for: Prioritize a 1080p webcam, then a higher refresh rate, then jump up to 4K. If you can get more than one feature, great! Unless you’ll be moving about a lot, a fixed-focus webcam will do just fine.
It’s important to note that of the three major videoconferencing services (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet) only Teams will automatically scale up your video to 1080p if your network and your webcam support it. You can enable 1080p video in Zoom and (finally!) in Google Meet, but they require some manual adjustment in the app’s Settings menu. All three services will eventually auto-scale video calls for 1080p cameras — it’s just a matter of time.
Looking like you’re on television will subtly lend you authority. People gravitate toward celebrities, and a 4K, 60Hz webcam is basically what your TV offers. If you’re an executive or making sales calls over Zoom or Teams, a premium webcam may give you an edge. That’s why professional streamers use them, after all.
Don’t worry about fixed-focus, as virtually all webcams have been pre-configured at a focal length that’s about the distance between your face and your laptop or monitor. You’ll need to account for this with tripods, however, or pay a little more for an autofocusing webcam. Autofocus webcams are handy for situations where you may be moving about the room, but beware distracting webcams that frequently refocus.
A standard webcam captures video at 30 frames per second, and will look “normal.” You’ll notice the smoothness of a 60fps camera though, and so will people you’re on a video call with.
The camera’s field of view can vary. A 90-degree FOV helps people focus on you (and perhaps not the mess you’ve hidden off to the side). A 110-degree or higher FOV works better for group shots, although distortion can become a problem the wider your FOV gets. A 65-degree FOV may be perfect if it’s just you.
Think of a 90-degree FOV as one that would show two people seated side-by-side at what you would consider a “standard” distance from a webcam, or a foot or two. A 110-degree FOV can show three people, squeezed a bit close together. Keep in mind that many videoconferencing applications offer the option of virtual backgrounds, which eliminate visual clutter.
These devices are not a privacy threat, for the simple reason that they can be unplugged easily. Most have a flip-down privacy shutter, but you could always put tape over the camera or drape it with a dark cloth.
Yes, integrated ring lights are now a thing on premium webcams, and worth the money if lighting is a challenge for you. While the integrated light will certainly help with lighting, a big bright monitor display (use a full-screen version of Notepad for a white screen) in front of you can serve a similar function. You can also purchase a ring light separately.
You may have used Windows Hello with a fingerprint reader or another laptop. The camera simply “recognizes” you, logging you in. It’s exceptionally convenient. We have a separate article on the best Windows Hello webcams.
With so many webcams on the market, manufacturers are trying hard to differentiate their products. The new trend is a small tripod, which gives you more options for mounting the camera. Not all webcams include this. Normally, however, you can simply clip the webcam to the top of a display or a laptop with its “jaws” clamp, so a tripod isn’t really necessary unless you move around a lot or want a different angle.
There’s a potential wild card that may be attached to webcams in the future: artificial intelligence, specifically Windows Studio Effects. Right now, the current Surface Pro 9 (5G) uses the AI capabilities in the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor to apply background blue, automatic panning effects, and more. (Our review discusses this.) Other laptops that use Intel Core and AMD Ryzen processors don’t include AI capabilities — yet. Specific models in the 13th-gen mobile Core and AMD Ryzen 7000 Mobile series include some basic AI capabilities, and future processors in both families may offer AI capabilities and therefore Windows Studio Effects.
The OBSBOT webcams don’t need any of this, using an independent gimbal and tracking software to keep you in the frame.
Our recommendations for webcams are weighted pretty heavily toward the image each webcam produces, as you might expect. But there are a number of additional criteria we look at when making a webcam recommendation. A separate article provides a detailed explanation of how we test webcams at PCWorld, but here’s a summarization of the process:
Our first criteria is price. We don’t want you spend more than you have to. But it’s fair to say that a more expensive webcam might be worth it if it offers more. So we factor in features: the resolution, the refresh rate, whether the camera pans or zooms, or offers something rather novel, such as the ability to show a different perspective.
From there, we remove the webcam, examine the packaging, and see how well it sits atop some of our monitors and laptops. Does it grip tightly, or tend to wobble? Is the cord long enough, and does it use USB-A or USB-C?
As the lead reviewer, I take sample images both in my downstairs office, which is normally lit by a combination of dim artificial light and indirect natural lighting. I use a second shot in brighter light, with a nice colorful background that mimics a real-world environment. I’m not really looking for the best-case scenario, as most webcams now take good shots in clear, natural lighting. But how do they do when lighting conditions aren’t ideal? I think that’s important.
I also load any utility software available and explore what options those provides. Does the webcam provide any additional functions, such as a top-down perspective? Ring lights? I try those out, too.
Finally, if the webcam provides any noise-cancelling mics (and most do) I play some background music on my phone and make a recording on my laptop using Windows Sound Recorder. A good noise-canceling mic will try and minimize these distractions.
1.
Soon, yes! Microsoft is testing a smartphone webcam feature in Windows 11 that sounds like it should be out in a month or two. The feature would allow you to mount a smartphone (how you do it is up to you) and then use either its front or rear camera as a webcam in any and all video applications. You’ll need a phone running Android 9 or above, and the connecting software to enable it to talk to Windows.
Sorry, iPhone users: This is only for Android smartphones.
2.
Yes and no. These webcams all connect to your computer directly, via a USB port, and you can record video from them while offline. Your computer will then need to be connected to either ethernet or to Wi-Fi for you to be able to chat with a friend or business partner, however.
3.
Some webcams can work without a computer, but not all of them. USB webcams, featured here, connect via USB to a computer and require it to operate. USB webcams are most often those used for video chat or live streaming from your computer on websites such as Twitch.
IP webcams however, can connect directly to a network, router, or modem and do not require a computer at all in order to work. IP webcams are most often used as security cameras or for live feeds that upload directly to the cloud. Those are separate products, however, and not the same webcams we’re talking about here.
4.
For USB webcams, it will be as simple as plugging the camera into your computer’s USB port, and then connecting to the internet via your computer.
5.
Technically, most webcams are plug and play, so you should simply be able to connect them to your PC to get them to work. Many, however, require their own software utilities to be installed to take advantage of specific features and to facilitate automatic updates. To actually use your webcam in a conference call, however, you’ll need to use Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or another videoconferencing app. Make sure you enter the app’s settings menu and select the webcam’s camera and microphone to provide the audio and video for your call.