Investing in an external webcam is a good decision if your job is to consult clients on-line or you have just decided to stream on Twitch or YouTube.
Normally, the built-in cameras on Windows, Mac and Linux laptops are of rather low quality that produces choppy and blurry footage. Simultaneously, the need for a high-quality HD webcam has been on the rise for a few years now.
Does an absolute leader exist in this category? What is the cost and functionality of efficient webcams? Is it possible to find the best camera for streaming without spending a fortune? This article will list the best webcam options in a range of categories or price segments. Among the popular options, there is surely something to fit your requirements and provide you with the best recording quality.
FixThePhoto’s choice
Resolution: 1080p 30FPS / 720p 60FPS | FoV: 81.6° | Weight: 10.56 ounces
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Rating
⊕ Useful ring light
⊕ High-quality footage
⊕ Great performance in insufficient light
⊕ Compact
⊕ Simple in use
⊖ None detected
This model with a peculiar design is a good sample of the brand’s aesthetics. It is a highly-efficient streaming webcam that is in demand with modern users. The manufacturers deliberately kept it sober, installing only the crucial components and ignoring all the fun little features that the higher-range cameras come with.
Such specifications make it a great option for game streamers and YouTube vloggers because they only need the high quality of image, which the Light Ring sufficiently increases in dim surroundings. Plus, you don’t need to fuss with any settings, just plug it in and start recording.
Best webcam for game streaming
Resolution: 1080p 30 fps / 720p 60 fps | FoV: 78° | Weight: 5.71 ounces
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Rating
⊕ Great low-light capabilities
⊕ Background exclusion
⊕ Supports 720p/60fps streaming
⊕ HD quality
⊖ No RealSense capabilities
⊖ Duplicates the C920 design
The body exactly replicates one of the earlier models. But inside there are a few additional frills for gamers. The 1080p video quality is great and the camera can be used comfortably for video calls.
The low-light correction feature improves the image when the lights are no longer sufficient for normal filming. The Logitech C922 background removal service is very useful for YouTubers.
Small webcam
Resolution: 1080p 30fps | FoV: 150° | Weight: 5 ounces
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Rating
⊕ Miniature
⊕ Supported by many devices
⊕ iOS and Android compatible
⊕ Incorporated stereo microphones
⊖ Short battery life
⊖ Expensive
The latest creation of Livestream, this is possibly the best webcam since it is faster and more reliable. Whatever you’re filming with it, the result will look professional.
You can make use of real-time video editing and stream directly to the most viewed platforms. The live editing is possible between several cameras. You can just install an app and learn a few easy manipulations: tap to cut, pinch to zoom, drag to pan, etc.
Some automated features provide motion tracking and face recognition, turning video making into a really simple matter.
Best camera for professionals
Resolution: 1080p 30fps | FoV: 75° | Weight: 4.5 ounces
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Rating
⊕ 360° rotation
⊕ TrueColor system
⊕ Wideband microphone
⊕ Wide-angle lens
⊖ Hyperactive autofocus
⊖ Low-quality footage
The device will require patience in learning. That’s because it’s intended for professionals who do conferences or presentations and have some experience with similar equipment. The great technical characteristics, like 1080p recordingand 720p for broadcasting in combination with a wideband mic, provide high-quality video and sound.
This web camera for PC is rather demanding so you will need a powerful computer to run it at the peak performance values. There are some fun features as well, like the 360-degree rotation, the TrueColor from Microsoft, and the dynamic exposure that makes sure the main object is well lit as it moves.
Best webcam for Smart TV
Resolution: 1080p 30fps | FoV: 65.5° | Weight: 4.0 ounces
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Rating
⊕ Works on Samsung TVs
⊕ Skype certified
⊖ Skype is inoperable on TVs
⊖ Price is too high
The smart TVs of this brand are not compatible with many webcam options. But they have designed their own cameras for several of the models. If your aim is to use Skype, don’t bother since the program no longer operates on TVs. For other things like gesture control or virtual mirror, this iscurrently the only decent option for you.
Best budget webcam
Resolution: 1080p 30fps | FoV: 65° | Weight: 4.3 ounces
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Rating
⊕ Integrated microphone
⊕ Full HD
⊕ Crystal-clear image
⊖ Focuses manually
If you’re aiming at an HD webcam but your funds are limited, this is a really great option that can film in 1080p HD and take 12MP snapshots. Plus, it has a noise-rejection feature and can make up for the insufficiency of light.
The only inconvenience is the absence of autofocus and perhaps the limitation in software capabilities. For the price, though, such components are a bargain that allow you to jump right into streaming.
Best webcam with high resolution
Resolution: 4K 30fps / 1080p 60fps | FoV: 65,78,90° | Weight: 11.84 ounces
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Rating
⊕ 4K Ultra HD
⊕ Available for Windows Hello
⊕ HDR feature
⊕ Noise-canceling microphone
⊖ Faulty autofocus
⊖ Too high-res
In cases when a 4K webcam is an absolute requirement, theperformance of this model can not be matched without an increase in cost. Many also appreciate the Windows Hello functionality which widens the possibilities of use. I like its convenient stand that’s easy to manipulate for the best angle.
Best webcam for live streaming
Resolution: 1080p 30 fps / 720p 60 fps | FoV: 77° | Weight: 11.2ounces
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No Customer Reviews
⊕ Background exclusion
⊕ Available for Windows Hello and Cortana
⊕ Facial tracking
⊕ Low-light correction
⊖ High price
This webcam for PC is filled with various features that will help a creative person experiment. The cutting-edge 3D scanning and facial tracking modules will extend thequality andcapabilities of video games and AR. The camera is among the higher-priced, but it offers many newer integrated technologies.
Best webcam for business
Resolution: 720p 30fps | FoV: 68.5° | Weight: 3.17 ounces
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Rating
⊕ Affordable
⊕ Color correction
⊕ Noise cancellation
⊕ Full-circle rotation
⊖ 720p only
It is probably the best webcam for professionals and viewers with large displays. The model transmits live footage of 720p and records in 1080p. The mount lets the camera rotate freely and can be fixed on a tripod with a set autofocus.
The device will record noise-free, clear audio with its wideband microphone. The lifelike image issupported by the operating TrueColor system. Plus, the exposure values are shifted with respect to your current position so your conference partners or presentation viewers will not miss any detail.
Expensive webcam for commercial work
Resolution: 720p 30fps | FoV: 90° | Weight: 5.7 ounces
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Rating
⊕ On-board video processing
⊕ Wide field of view
⊕ Zeiss lens
⊖ High price
⊖ The 920 is similar but more affordable
Being the most innovative Logitech webcam model, it demands a financial sacrifice from the buyer. Compared to classic webcams, the greatest difference is in the encoding, which is normally delegated to the computer’s hardware. But in this model, it is done by the camera itself, resulting in better quality.
The 90 degrees are the perfect lens width for such activities as conferences or presentations. Being certified by Skype certainly helps that, too.
Best image quality
Resolution: 720p 30fps | FoV: 130° | Weight: 4.05 ounces
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Rating
⊕ Dual microphones
⊕ IR camera with depth-sensing
⊕ Supports Windows Hello
⊕ Low-cost
⊖ Medium quality
⊖ Short cable
Windows Hello is a great feature that helps you secure your computer without creating unnecessary hustle. It exists within the Windows 10 version and the right web camera for laptop or PC would ensure the ease of use and level of security.
The quality isn’t outstanding, only reaching 720p. But the cost is reasonablewith all the capabilities and it makes the model more attractive. The face recognition feature will react within a second, so you are able to access the computer almost immediately. On a shared computer, the feature can be set to open separate accounts for different users.
The camera is rather convenient for things like conferences. But for those looking to equip their Windows Hello security service, this is the most attractive option.
Image | Name | Features | |
---|---|---|---|
Razer Kiyo
OUR CHOICE |
Check PRICE → | ||
AUSDOM 1080P HD Webcam
CHEAPEST |
Check PRICE → | ||
Logitech С922 Pro Stream
FOR STREAMING |
Check PRICE → | ||
Logitech C930e
PROFESSIONAL |
Check PRICE → | ||
Microsoft LifeCam Studio
HIGH QUALITY |
Check PRICE → |
When someone needs a webcam for laptop or PC, they hardly expect to find such a confusing variety of models with all sorts of features. For this reason, I have described some of the most significant characteristics of webcams in order to set the right priorities while you are making a choice.
Resolution. Most users would have high image quality as the first priority. The camera that has a low-resolution value produces a grainy image. So make sure that your choice falls on a device with at least 720p of resolution or more.
For those who aim at maintaining the same camera in use for years to come, it makes sense to set a higher bar. A 1080p resolution camera can already be found at an affordable price and will remain up-to-date for longer.
High frame rate. A high frame rate is what makes the image flow uninterrupted. When you see the video freezing or stuttering, it means that the fps value of the device is too low. The fps measures how many frames fit in one second. For a better viewing experience, you need not less than 30 fps but ideally, double that value. 60 fps commonly cause the price to rise considerably.
Motion sense. With this convenient feature, your camera can double as a security device. In some cases, the camera operates on its own. Some other models can be paired with an appropriate webcam app to serve as surveillance. The information should be on the manufacturer’s page.
Autofocus. This important feature makes sure that when you inevitably shift, the camera will readjust to your current position in the shortest time. You really should prioritize this to make things easier.
In some cases, users need their camera to be able to do special effects. There are cameras that have the feature installed. Other devices might support special software to make this option available. Check the manufacturer’s website for the information on such add-ons.
System requirements. There might be some web cam PCcompatibility issues. Somake sure tocheck the requirements for the operating system and hardware before purchasing a device. This concerns strongly the users of Mac or Linux systems because most manufacturers only go as far as toprovide compatibility with all the latest Windows versions. The users of other operating systems generally have more struggles.
The cameras for Mac and Linux, however, are going to have minimum requirements on the values of processing speed, operating memory and the hard drive. The newer your hardware, the more it will exceed those requirements. On older computers, especially if you plan to work with high-definition videos, you are likely to face some issues.
Additionaloptions. There are certain features that matter a great deal for professionals. Make sure that your webcam has them or you will feel limited.
Automatic zoom. This feature of pricier models allows the user to set automatic zooming on a specific object that the camera will maintain. This makes filming easier.
Built-in microphone. The clarity of the audio won’t be outstanding. But for the more casual purposes, it’smore than enough and spares you the hustle of finding and setting up a microphone.
Most webcams for streaming connect via USB, so the primary connection requirement is a USB port on your computer or streaming device. Some higher-end webcams may require a USB 3.0 or USB-C connection for optimal performance and higher data transfer speeds.
Yes, you can. For this, you need to use third-party software or streaming platforms that support multi-streaming, which allows you to broadcast your webcam feed to multiple platforms simultaneously.
To use a webcam for streaming, you will need streaming software that allows you to capture the webcam feed and broadcast it online. Popular options include OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software), XSplit, and Streamlabs OBS, which provide features for capturing and streaming webcam footage along with other multimedia sources.
Yes. However, you will need additional hardware or software to connect your camera to your computer and convert the camera's HDMI output into a webcam feed that can be recognized by streaming software. There are various capture cards, HDMI-to-USB adapters, and software solutions available that enable you to use your high-quality camera as a webcam for streaming.
Ann Young
Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more