To find out which are the best webcams, we put them through a series of tests in our home office. Logitech cameras generally have robust software options for customizing your shots, and the StreamCam can shoot in both landscape and portrait modes, which is worth considering if you’re shooting video for mobile consumption. The Razer Kiyo has a built-in ring light, making it ideal for folks who are recording in low-light rooms and don’t have a separate light handy. It’s also worth considering any special features a webcam has.
But if you want the most immersive quality for streams and videos, you should go for a camera that can handle 1080p at 60 fps, such as the Logitech StreamCam. Many top webcams such as the Logitech C920 and Razer Kiyo shoot at 1080p at 30 frames per second. If you’re using your webcam for content creation on platforms such as YouTube, Twitch and Facebook Gaming, you should aim to get a webcam that shoots in 1080p. Entry-level cameras such as the Logitech C310 and Microsoft Lifecam HD-3000 are ideal for this use case.
If all you’re doing is a few daily video calls, a 720p camera that records at 30 frames per second will do the trick just fine. When looking for the best webcam, you should consider a few key factors including resolution, framerate and price.
Read our full Poly Studio P15 Personal Video Bar review. However, its very large size means it's not good for travel, and will have a hard time staying on top of some smaller laptops. In addition, the P15 has USB ports so you can charge other devices, as well as a privacy shutter when you don't want to be seen. This massive video bar is much larger than most other webcams, but with the increased size you get three beamforming mics that will pick up your voice much better, a 4K camera with a 90-degree field of view, and large speakers that will ensure you hear everything that's said on the other end. If your home office needs a near-professional-like web conferencing setup, the Poly Studio P15 could be your answer.
If you want the absolute best, we recommend the $199 Logitech Brio, which has a 4K camera and a number of features that will make you the star of any Zoom meeting. You can also make yourself look better with the best ring lights, and the best microphones will make you sound better on your calls. We’re also big fans of the Logitech Streamcam, which delivers smooth 60 frame-per-second video capture for streamers and YouTubers and has a variety of advanced software customization features. If you need better quality, the Logitech C922 Pro Stream packs 60 frame-per-second video and automatic background removal into the same sleek and versatile design. The C920 also features dependable dual microphones for capturing your voice, and a flexible design that’s ideal for laptops, monitors and tripods.
Our pick for the best webcam overall is the Logitech C920s Pro HD, which offers crisp 1080p video at 30 frames per second. So, regardless of if you're using Zoom, Skype, Discord, or Microsoft Teams, there's a webcam for everyone. Still, we've tested a range of webcams, starting at models less than $40, to bring you as wide a range of options as possible. Even the most expensive of the best webcams are rather affordable the top-end models, some of which have built-in lights and can stream in 4K, are usually no more than $200.