The Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Webcam
You can dress however you like for your next Zoom meeting, but if you’re using your laptop’s frail webcam, you’ll probably still look hazy or out of focus. Especially if you regularly work from home, you probably need something better. However, if you’re new to the world of webcams, the wide range of options can be overwhelming. Let’s take a look at what features you need in a webcam and some of the best options.
What you need to know before buying a webcam
Before you buy a new webcam, there are a few important considerations to consider, starting with:
permission
When it comes to cameras, pixels and resolution matter a lot. This is why your laptop’s built-in camera appears to be pixelated. When you buy a new camera, 1080p is the baseline. Don’t buy a 720p camera.
If you can afford it, buy a 4K webcam. This will help you frame and frame better (if you plan on using your webcam to record videos for YouTube).
Frame frequency
Frame rate refers to the smoothness of the video. Video at 30fps is pretty good, but a 60fps camera will give you better, more natural video.
lenses
Again, the larger the lens, the better. A larger lens means that more light enters the sensor, making you look better. This is called aperture size and is measured in f/(number) format. Most webcams range from f/2.0 to f/2.8 so you don’t have to worry about that.
line of sight
The lens also determines the field of view. This indicates which area the video is capturing. A wide field of view will capture a lot more room. Webcams typically have a viewing angle of 60 to 90 degrees, with 78 degrees being the most common.
autofocus
Most of the inexpensive webcams you find on Amazon are fixed focus. This means that if you move your face or raise your hand to show something, it will not automatically change focus. We recommend that you use a webcam with autofocus for more convenience – most webcams these days offer this feature.
Microphone
Some budget cameras come with microphones, but you don’t need them. It is best to use a microphone with headphones. Many high-end cameras, such as the Dell Ultrasharp webcam, no longer ship with microphones.
Is it possible to do without a webcam?
If you can’t find a webcam (due to supply chain issues) or if you just don’t want to spend $50-$100, it might be better to use your smartphone than buy a cheap webcam online.
While it may seem like a logistical challenge, using your smartphone as a webcam is pretty straightforward. You can use the free software, available for both iPhone and Android smartphones, to connect your phone’s camera as a webcam to any video calling app on your computer. You can even turn your DSLR into a webcam .
It’s a good solution in a pinch, but if you’re on frequent video calls, a real webcam will serve you better. Here is our selection.
Best Webcam Overall: Logitech StreamCam
Logitech is a well-known brand in the webcam industry, and StreamCam is the result of decades of development. This is a 1080p square webcam specially designed for a generation of YouTube users.
Even with default settings, it’s great for recording video interviews and podcasts. In addition, it shoots 1080p video at 60fps for smoother, more natural video. Because of its unique shape, you can also use it to shoot portrait videos (for TikTok or Instagram).
StreamCam has a very versatile mounting system and comes with a tripod.
Best Budget Webcam: Nexigo N60
If you’re looking for a good camera for less than $50, check out the Nexigo N60. At $40, this is a basic webcam with the basics clear. This is a 1080p webcam that records at 30 frames per second. But the main advantage of Nexigo is its software. While the camera is basic, the software delivers pretty good video quality.
There are a couple of disadvantages: the 110-degree viewing angle is too wide, the zoom does not help. Low-light performance is okay at best, and it takes quite a bit of tweaking in the software to get good results. But for only $40, it’s a good buy.
Most Reliable Workhorse: Logitech C920x HD Pro
The original C920 webcam was released in 2012. This series of webcams has been gaining popularity for 10 years now and we continue to recommend it with confidence for home installations. The reason is simple: it’s an absolute workhorse – you’ll find this camera in just about every office meeting room. It doesn’t have the best image quality (StreamCam will eat it for breakfast), but it’s reliable and configurable.
A 1080p webcam will record at 30fps, with a 78-degree field of view, and with autofocus. Once set up, use Logitech software to adjust brightness and contrast and you’re done.
Best midrange option: Razer Kiyo X
Razer, the company behind Baller RGB gaming components, makes a pretty good webcam for less than $100. The Razer Kiyo X is an upgraded version of their previous Kiyo webcam. They added an X and removed the microphone and ring light. But the webcam is still great at what it does, which is image quality.
You get 1080p video at 30fps or 720p video at 60fps. It has autofocus and comes with a universal mount system. Where Razer wins is in video setup and settings.
The Razer balances white and exposure well on its own – just give it enough light.
Best high-end 4K webcam: Dell Ultrasharp Camera
If you have the money, and if you’re looking for the best video quality, go for the $200 Dell Ultrasharp camera. The 4K camera allows you to shoot high quality video directly to your computer, as well as zoom in on the face with much less quality degradation than the 1080p camera. It also supports 1080p at 60fps or 30fps if you don’t have enough bandwidth to stream 4K video.
The camera does not have a microphone, but as we mentioned above, you don’t need one. The camera has customizable software that helps you adjust the video quality and allows you to use presets.