Whether you want to connect with family abroad, hold video conferences for work, or even stream yourself gaming, one piece of technology is essential: a webcam. Most laptops these days already come with a built-in webcam, but if you plan to use yours frequently then it's worth picking up an external one with superior video quality and better audio capabilities.
We’ve done some thorough research and created a handy buying guide that'll walk you through the webcam basics. We've also found the best products to buy at Amazon, eBay, and John Lewis, from trustworthy brands such as Logitech, Microsoft, and Razer. Regardless of which operating system you use, be it Windows 10, Mac, or Android, we'll provide the perfect recommendation. Let's get started!
Quick List - Top Webcams
Jani is a professional photographer and filmmaker from Finland with over 15 years of experience in both fields. He has studied at some of the best schools and universities across the globe, leading him to become an expert in creative industries. Today he is the creative director and the owner of JP Harrow Portraits that specialises in portraiture for same-sex couples and families in London, UK.
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Jani is a professional photographer and filmmaker from Finland with over 15 years of experience in both fields. He has studied at some of the best schools and universities across the globe, leading him to become an expert in creative industries. Today he is the creative director and the owner of JP Harrow Portraits that specialises in portraiture for same-sex couples and families in London, UK.
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There are a few key factors to consider to make sure you pick up a webcam that's not only top quality, but great value for money too. These include your laptop's operating system, image quality, as well as the type of microphone and focus.
As with all tech purchases, the first factor you'll need to consider is the operating system that you’re going to be running this new gadget alongside. Some webcams won't work with all types of operating systems, which is no good at all in this day and age!
To ensure that you choose one that's compatible with your laptop, we'll be including the relevant info in the specification table below each product review.
The good news is that these days almost all webcams are Mac and PC compatible. It used to be that it was harder to get additional accessories to work on a Mac, but these days Mac OS is so smart that it can automatically install drivers and get your new device up and running almost instantaneously.
Next up, you’re going to want to think about picture quality. The lower the resolution, the grainier an image will look. Luckily, most modern webcams only support high-definition resolution, which is typically 720p or 1080p - "p" meaning progressive scan.
Both of these types of resolution work well, but if you’re picking up a webcam for the long haul then we suggest 1080p - the way technology is evolving, a 720p webcam might need replacing sooner rather than later! A further option is 4K, which provides the best quality images but is usually only found on more expensive webcams.
Another factor that affects image quality is FPS (frames per second). Webcams that only offer 15 FPS might cause stuttering issues during conference calls, but one with around 30 FPS will be suitable for general use. Overall, a higher FPS like 60 is the best option, but this isn't always available on lower-priced webcams.
These days the ideal resolution for a webcam is FullHD which is also known as 1080p. It provides excellent picture clarity and doesn't exhaust your internet connection.
While no one will ever complain about you using a 4K camera, you need to remember that 4K requires a fast internet connection to work. If you already know that your friends have a slow internet connection, you will be much better of with a 720p or 1080p webcam over 4K.
Since you're likely to be making calls with your webcam, it’s important to think about the kind of microphone it uses. There are generally 2 options: mono and stereo.
Mono is the cheaper of the two, as it has a limited range - it picks up sound best when you're sat still rather than moving around. It's therefore ideal for Skyping with family on your sofa or one-to-one video calls at your desk.
If you prefer to be a bit more mobile when making calls or creating vlogs, then we recommend a webcam with a stereo microphone. This is because it will have two forms of input (left and right channels) which can pick up sound from a much larger area.
Based on my own experience, the microphone quality in webcams can vary significantly. Sometimes the webcam might have pristine image quality, but the microphone is a huge letdown even if it were to have a built-in stereo microphone. The microphone is one of those things you need to test and try yourself during a video call and see if it is good enough for your purposes.
Webcams tend to have 3 focus options: manual, fixed focus, and auto-focus. Manual, as you can probably guess, requires you to adjust the focus on the camera yourself.
Fixed focus is where the focus is not adjustable because it's set at the time of lens design, so you have to move yourself around to get in focus. Both of these lens settings tend to be available on cheaper models and are perfectly suitable when using your webcam for casual purposes like chatting to friends.
However, if you need to stay in sharp focus for an important business meeting or streaming video content online, we'd say opt for auto-focus. This option will automatically refocus the lens whenever you move, so that you always look clear to the person watching.
If you have already established a workstation from where you will always do primary video calls, you might be fine with a fixed focus or manual webcam. If you always sit on the same spot during video calls, then there is no need for further adjustments.
If you do need to move a lot during video calls and maybe show certain items to other people during the call, you would be better off with a webcam with an automatic focus feature.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Logitech C922 Pro Stream | ![]() | A True Tech Leader That Ticks All the Boxes | |
2 | Logitech C270 | ![]() | The Best Budget Webcam on the Market | |
3 | AUKEY Webcam 1080p | ![]() | Affordable, Auto-Focused, and Versatile | |
4 | Microsoft LifeCam Studio | ![]() | Balances Brightness and Saturation to Provide High Quality Images | |
5 | Razer Kiyo | ![]() | An Excellent, Reliable All-Rounder | |
6 | Logitech StreamCam | ![]() | Designed With Content Creators in Mind | |
7 | Logitech C920s Webcam | ![]() | A Top Quality Webcam With Adjustable Settings | |
8 | TedGem 1080p Webcam | ![]() | Cancels Out Noise to Ensure Clear Conversations | |
9 | Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 | ![]() | Works Best With Older Windows Systems | |
10 | Logitech BRIO Ultra HD Pro Webcam | ![]() | Ideal for Important Conference Calls |
Logitech is certainly leading the way in the webcam arena and their latest offering, the C922, keeps that trend going. It has 1080p and 720p resolution, available at 30 FPS and 60 FPS respectively. If you're looking to stream whilst gaming, you'll love the automatic low-light reduction and background removal background.
Similarly, those who need to hold regular conference calls will find the stereo mic and noise cancellation technology extremely beneficial. Most importantly, it works on all of the major operating systems. Because everyone can get something out of this webcam, it just had to take our number 1 spot!
If you're looking for something cheap and cheerful that will just get the job done without any fuss, then the C270 is certainly the camera for you. It boasts extremely respectable technology for such a low price, plus it has a wonderfully minimalist design.
So, what are the tech specs? Well, this device provides 720p at 30 FPS which is more than enough quality for casual camera chats. Best of all, it uses Logitech's "RightLight" technology to give you decent image quality even in low light conditions. For value for money, this is without a doubt one of our favourite webcams.
Can it be... a top-quality 1080p camera, at a budget price? Yes is the answer! This offering from Auckley will supply you with top of the line recordings and live stream capabilities at 30 FPS, for under £50. It also uses a fixed lens that will keep everything in focus up to the range of 5m.
We love the fact that the camera can either be clipped to the top of your computer or it can stand comfortably on most surfaces. Additionally, it's compatible with a whole range of operating systems!
This isn't the most stylish webcam around - in fact, we think it looks like a tiny CCTV camera! But if you're looking to make recordings at 1080p or video conference calls at 720p, it's ideal.
One of this device's best features is the 360-degree rotation capability of the camera, which is just what you need when giving presentations online. It also uses Microsoft's "Truecolour" technology to balance the brightness and saturation, resulting in the highest quality images.
If you're looking for a good all-rounder that's suitable for streaming your gaming sessions as well as catching up with family, you can't go wrong with the Razer Kiyo! The lens even has a built-in light that'll make sure you're looking your best at all times, with the colour temperature set to mimic natural outdoor lighting.
Furthermore, it has a reliable auto-focus and the image quality is great, with both resolutions working at decent frame rates. It's not the cheapest webcam out there, but we think it's definitely worth the price.
As the name of this webcam suggests, it's primarily aimed at those of you who are content creators - gamers, vloggers, musicians, you name it! The camera can film in two video modes, horizontal and vertical, allowing for different angles that'll keep your viewers engaged. The microphone options allow you to choose how you want your videos to sound too, which is always handy.
The main gripe we have with this product is that it can be quite tricky to set up as the software provided by Logitech isn't aimed at tech newbies.
If you're looking for a webcam that provides HD quality video and clear, hi-fi quality sound to make sure you look and sound your best, then Logitech has got you covered. Plus, the camera comes with auto-focus, so you never have to worry about moving around as the camera will readjust itself accordingly.
Unfortunately, the image quality does suffer when using the camera at 60 FPS and 720p, so we recommend sticking to 1080p on calls. Also, whilst you can alter the settings such as contrast and brightness, you can't save them - which is a little frustrating!
After a webcam with top-notch audio quality? The built-in microphone on this device is not only superb, but it comes with noise-cancelling technology too, so your listener will hear your voice clearly without any distracting background noise.
In addition, this product has 1080p resolution and 30 FPS, ensuring that video calls will go smoothly. The clip-on base design also makes setting up incredibly easy. The only downside is that it doesn't sync up with Mac OS operating systems, so it's no good if you've got an Apple device!
If you're after a simple webcam to use when catching up with your family over Skype, then we highly recommend this device by Microsoft. It's affordable, performs 720p at very respectable 30 FPS, and has a fixed focus lens - so as long as you're in the correct range, you'll be in focus.
A slight issue is that this device has difficulties connecting to Windows 10, which is strange considering it's a Microsoft product. If you're using Windows 7/8/8.1 though, it works like a dream!
First on our list is this Logitech BRIO webcam, which offers loads of functionality. It has the most pristine resolution currently available in the UK - a crystal clear 4K. Plus it supports 720 and 1080p too, if you need those options. Running with a high resolution of 30 or FPS, depending on your settings, it always provides sharp-looking video.
This webcam is the top product on the market right now, but unfortunately, that also makes it very expensive. If you're looking for something to use for big business meetings, then it's perfect. For a weekly catch-up with your nan though, you'll probably prefer to pick one up that's a little cheaper.
Once you've decided on a webcam, you might want to invest in even more accessories for your computer. If so, check out some of our other favourite tech products via the links below.
Whether you're looking to facilitate conference calls, kick-start a streaming channel, or just catch up with your loved ones, we hope that our buying guide has helped you identify the best product for your needs. All you have to do now is hope that the person on the other end has a decent webcam too!
Author: Lewis Clark
Buying Guide Reviewed by Jani Ahonen
No. 1: Logitech|C922 Pro Stream
No. 2: Logitech|C270
No. 3: AUKEY|Webcam 1080p
No. 4: Microsoft|LifeCam Studio
No. 5: Razer|Kiyo
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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