We take webcams for granted nowadays. Most laptops (and some desktops) have them built in, manufacturers are starting to catch up to the remote-work trend by making sure that their latest machines have semi-decent cameras on them. But if you spend most of your work day on video calls, or you live stream on YouTube or Twitch in your free time, it may be worthwhile to upgrade your camera. External webcams offer video quality and customizations that most built-in lenses do not, making them a good choice for anyone who needs to put their best face forward at all times. We’ve tested dozens of webcams over the years to find the best webcams you can buy right now \u2014 and with Prime Day<\/a> right around the corner, there could be opportunities to save on your next webcam soon.<\/p>\n Quick Overview<\/p>\n See 1 more<\/a><\/div>\n While some newer computers have 1080p webcams, most built-in cameras have a resolution of 720p, so you\u2019ll want to look for an external webcam that\u2019s better than that. FHD webcams will give you better video quality; ideally, you\u2019re looking for something that can handle 1080p at 60fps or 30fps. If you\u2019re considering a cheap 720p webcam, make sure to get one that supports at least 30fps (most will) or, even better, 60fps. However, if your primary concern is better picture quality during video calls, 1080p is the way to go.<\/p>\n Some webcams can shoot in 4K, but that\u2019s overkill for most people. Not to mention most video conferencing services like Zoom, Google Meet and Skype don\u2019t even support 4K video. When it comes to streaming, Twitch maxes out at 1080p video, but YouTube added 4K live streaming<\/a> back in 2016. Ultimately, with 4K webcam shots having such limited use, most people can get by with a solid 1080p camera.<\/p>\n Field of view (FOV) controls how much can fit in the frame when you\u2019re recording. Most webcams I tested had a default field of view of around 78 degrees, which captured me and enough of my background to prove that I really need to organize my home office. On cheaper webcams you\u2019ll usually see narrower fields of view (around 60 degrees), and those aren\u2019t necessarily bad. They won\u2019t show as much of your background, but that also means you won\u2019t be able to squeeze as many friends or family members into frame when you\u2019re having Zoom birthday parties. On the flip side, more expensive webcams may let you adjust the field of view to be even wider than average.<\/p>\n Webcams with autofocus will keep the image quality sharp without much work on your part. You should be able to move around, step back and forth, and remain in focus the whole time. Some standalone webcam models let you manually adjust focus, too, if you have specific needs. Devices with fixed focus are less convenient, but they tend to be more affordable.<\/p>\n In the same vein is auto framing, a feature that some high-end webcams now offer. Similarly to Apple\u2019s Center Stage feature, the camera automatically adjusts to keep you in the center of the frame even as you move around. This used to be a feature only available on the most premium webcams, but now you can find it on sub-$200 devices.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll also see other \u201cauto\u201d features listed in webcam specs, most notably auto light correction. This will adjust the camera\u2019s settings to make up for a dimly lit room. If you don\u2019t have bright lights, or often take calls in places where you can\u2019t control the lighting, this feature will be valuable.<\/p>\n Most webcams have built-in microphones that, depending on your setup, might end up being closer to you than your computer\u2019s own mics. Check to see if the model you\u2019re considering has mono or stereo mics, as the latter is better. Some even use noise-reduction technology to keep your voice loud and clear. While audiophiles and streamers will want to invest in a standalone microphone<\/a>, most others can get by using a webcam\u2019s built-in mic.<\/p>\n There aren\u2019t a ton of fascinating breakthroughs when it comes to external webcam design. Most are round or rectangular devices that clip onto a monitor or your laptop screen. Some have the ability to swivel or screw onto a tripod stand and others can simply sit on your desk beside your computer. But unless you really like having people stare up your nose, the latter isn\u2019t ideal. We recommend clipping your webcam to your monitor and ensuring that it\u2019s at or slightly above eye level.<\/p>\n A few webcams go above and beyond by adding hardware extras like built-in lights and lens covers, too. The former can help you stand out in a dark room, while the latter makes it so hackers can\u2019t view you through your webcam without your knowledge.<\/p>\n Most external webcams that are just good enough to be a step up from your computer\u2019s built-in camera cost between $60 and $150. If the webcam has the same resolution as the internal one on your laptop, you should look out for other specs like auto light correction, a wider field of view or an extra-long connecting cable that can provide a step-up in quality or ease of use.<\/p>\n Spending $150 or more means you might get advanced features like 4K resolution, vertical and horizontal recording options, stereo mics, customizable video settings and more. But unless you\u2019re spending hours on video calls each day or streaming multiple times each week, you can settle on a budget webcam and safely skip most of those high-end options.<\/p>\n We primarily test webcams by putting them through as much real-world use as possible. We examine their design, how flexible they are and how easy they are to reposition, and make note of how heavy they are and if that affects their ability to stay put while sitting on top of a screen. We use each webcam for at least a week straight as our primary camera for all video chats, and we make sure to use the device in different lighting environments to test low-light performance. We also use any built-in microphones as our primary audio inputs on video calls as well. Finally, we test out any proprietary software that\u2019s intended to work with each webcam, tweaking things like field of view, video resolution and effects, and using any special features like Show Mode on Logitech webcams.<\/p>\n Logitech<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Resolution: <\/strong>up to 1080p | Mic:<\/strong> Yes | Software support:<\/strong> Yes | Features: <\/strong>auto-light correction, Show Mode, RightSight, built-in lens cover<\/p>\n The Logitech Brio 500<\/a> is essentially an upgraded version of the beloved C920s HD Pro. It shoots the same quality of video \u2014 up to 1080p 30fps \u2014 but it has a wider field of view, an upgraded zoom, improved auto-light correction, a better mic array and a USB-C connecting cable. The biggest difference I noticed in testing the Brio 500 was the improved light correction. My home office can feel very cave-like when the blinds are shut or when it\u2019s raining, but you wouldn\u2019t know it when on a video call with me. Logitech\u2019s RightLight 4 technology does a great job of brightening the whole shot when you\u2019re in a dim or dark environment.<\/p>\n This Logitech webcam works with the LogiTune software, which lets you customize camera settings like field of view, autofocus, contrast, brightness and more, plus lets you enable Show Mode and RightSight features. The former lets you present things on your desk just by tilting the camera down while the latter will automatically keep you in frame during calls even if you move around. RightSight works much like Apple\u2019s Center Stage feature does on iOS devices, and most people will likely get more use out of this feature than Show Mode. If you prefer to keep things more consistent (or control how much of your background is visible), you can choose from 90-, 78- or 65-degree field of views instead of enabling RightSight.<\/p>\n Logitech also updated the design of the Brio 500. It\u2019s made of recycled plastic and it comes in three different colors that you can match to other Logitech peripherals. The camera attaches magnetically to its base and it easily swivels from side to side when you need to adjust its position, plus it has a built-in lens cover for extra privacy when you\u2019re not using it. Overall, it has the best mix of essential features and handy extras of any webcam we tested.<\/p>\n But $130 might be a lot for some people to spend on a webcam. We think it\u2019s worth it if you\u2019re primarily a hybrid or remote worker, but there is a cheaper option for those with tight budgets. The Logitech Brio 300<\/a> has many of the same core features as the Brio 500: 1080p resolution, auto light correction, a built-in privacy shutter and USB-C connectivity. However, you won\u2019t get HDR support, an adjustable field of view, Show Mode or omnidirectional mics (although it does have a noise-reducing microphone of its own). It\u2019s a pared-down version of the Brio 500 and it\u2019ll only cost you $70.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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Logitech Brio 500<\/h3>\n
Best webcam overall<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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Anker PowerConf C200 2K Webcam for PC, Webcam for Laptop, Computer Camera, with AI-Noise Canceling Microphones, Stereo Mics, Adjustable Field of View, Low-Light Correction, Built-in Privacy Cover<\/h3>\n
Best budget webcam<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra<\/h3>\n
Best webcam for streaming<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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Logitech for Creators StreamCam Premium Webcam for Streaming and Content Creation, Full HD 1080p 60 fps, Premium Glass Lens, Smart Auto-Focus, for PC\/Mac \u2013 Graphite<\/h3>\n
Runner up – best webcam for streaming<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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Logitech MX Brio Ultra<\/h3>\n
Best premium webcam<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
![](\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/RzUpf57k0TAcrUSpPFYa.A--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDtoPTEzNg--\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/uu\/api\/res\/1.2\/p6VO4DnV_6YQIho.s.XYSw--~B\/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u\/https:\/\/media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-04\/c604b970-f1bf-11ee-97ff-1d5144cbf2cb\")
Elgato Facecam MK.2<\/h3>\n
Honorable mention<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Factors to consider before buying a webcam<\/h2>\n
Resolution and field of view<\/h3>\n
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Autofocus and other \u201cauto\u201d features<\/h3>\n
Microphones<\/h3>\n
Design<\/h3>\n
Price<\/h3>\n
How we test webcams<\/h2>\n
Best webcams for 2024<\/h2>\n
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