If you want to look your best on video calls, your laptop's built-in camera often won't cut it. Here's what to look for in an add-on webcam, along with the top models we've tested.
ByWill Greenwald
Will Greenwald
Lead Analyst, Consumer Electronics
My Experience
I’ve been PCMag’s home entertainment expert for over 10 years, covering both TVs and everything you might want to connect to them. I’ve reviewed more than a thousand different consumer electronics products including headphones, speakers, TVs, and every major game system and VR headset of the last decade. I’m an ISF-certified TV calibrator and a THX-certified home theater professional, and I’m here to help you understand 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and even 8K (and to reassure you that you don’t need to worry about 8K at all for at least a few more years).
Read Full Bio
UpdatedMarch 6, 2024
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Our Top 9 Picks
Best Overall Jump ToDetails Best 4K Webcam Jump ToDetails Best for Vertical Video Jump ToDetails Best Picture Quality Jump ToDetails Best for Groups Jump ToDetails Best Ultra-Affordable Webcam Jump ToDetails Best Entry-Level 4K Webcam Jump ToDetails Best Video-Only 4K Webcam Jump ToDetails Best Webcam Under $100 Jump ToDetails 
Dell Pro Webcam
Logitech MX Brio
Logitech StreamCam
Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra
Anker PowerConf C300
Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p V2
Creative Live Cam Sync 4K
HyperX Vision S
Poly Studio P5
The Best Webcam Deals This Week*
- Logitech C920x Pro HD Webcam — $58.01(List Price $69.99)
- Logitech StreamCam 1080p Premium Webcam — $136.72(List Price $169.99)
- NexiGo StreamCam N930E 1080p Webcam — $47.99(List Price $79.99)
- Razer Kiyo Pro 1080p Streaming Webcam — $85.50(List Price $199.99)
- Logitech C922x Pro 1080p Stream Webcam — $82.99(List Price $99.99)
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Video chat is big these days. More people than ever before are working from home and many of them are hopping on video conference calls. You want to look your best in a video meeting, and that goes beyond showering and actually getting dressed. What you really need is a decent webcam.
If you have a laptop, you most likely already have a webcam. It probably isn't very good, though. Small lenses, skewed colors, awkward exposure, and grainy indoor video are just some of the problems you might experience with cheap, built-in webcams. A dedicated webcam can solve these problems and give you the flexibility to aim it wherever you want. It's a worthwhile investment if you're planning to spend a lot of time on calls, recording vlogs, or doing anything else with video.
Here are our top picks for webcams, followed by what you should know when shopping for them.
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Table of Contents
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Dell Pro Webcam
Best Overall
4.0 Excellent
Why We Picked It
The Dell Pro Webcam offers strong performance for its reasonable price. Its 2K resolution makes it sharper than most others on this list and it's not nearly as expensive as 4K models. The microphone works well, too, which is a distinct advantage over the mic-free Dell Ultrasharp Webcam.
Who It's For
This is our default recommendation for anyone who wants sharper-than-1080p picture quality for under $100. The Dell Pro Webcam can't stand up to 4K webcams in terms of detail capture, but it's the best pick for most people.
PROS
- Sharp 2K video
- Clear audio
CONS
- Noisier than it should be for the resolution
- Sluggish auto framing
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Dell Pro Webcam Review
Logitech MX Brio
Best 4K Webcam
4.0 Excellent
Why We Picked It
The Logitech MX Brio offers an incredibly sharp 4K picture along with strong low-light performance and excellent auto-exposure and color balance. Its deep focal plane ensures that both you and your background stay sharp at the same time, without requiring you to tweak any settings. It also has a unique Show Mode that flips the picture when you tilt the camera forward, so you can show off what your hands are doing without wrestling with awkward angles.
Who It's For
This is an excellent all-around webcam that offers video quality comparable to the HyperX Vision S, but with some extras like Show Mode and a microphone array. With three separate configuration apps catered to different use cases, it's a top choice for video calls and streaming alike. The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra remains the sharpest webcam available and our top pick for content creators, but the MX Brio is easier to use and costs $100 less, making it our top recommendation for most people.
PROS
- Crisp 4K video
- Strong low-light performance
- Multiple app customization options
- Deep focal plane
CONS
- Mediocre microphone
- Show Mode requires tricky camera positioning
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Logitech MX Brio Review
Logitech StreamCam
Best for Vertical Video
4.0 Excellent
Why We Picked It
The Logitech Streamcam is a few years old, but it's still competitive with more recent models. This 1080p, 60fps camera records in both horizontal and vertical orientations, so it's just as useful for TikTok as for video calls. Otherwise, dual microphones capture reasonably clear audio and the Logitech Capture app provides useful software support.
Who It's For
This is an ideal option if you are just starting out with recording or streaming content because it includes stereo microphones (and thus saves you some money). It's a little pricey for a 1080p webcam, but the companion software and vertical recording features add significant value.
PROS
- Crisp, smooth video.
- Lots of recording options.
- Includes screen and tripod mounts.
CONS
- Expensive.
- Logitech Capture software doesn't stream.
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Logitech StreamCam Review
Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra
Best Picture Quality
4.0 Excellent
Why We Picked It
The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra simply offers the best picture quality we've seen in a webcam, with superb 4K detail. Its 1/1.2-inch sensor enables excellent low-light performance too, preventing you from looking noisy in darker environments. Finally, its f/1.7 aperture means you get actual bokeh (something that most webcams don't even try) for a naturally defocused background.
Who It's For
If you're a content creator who doesn't want to deal with connecting a phone or a separate digital camera to your computer, consider this premium webcam a wise investment. Just keep in mind that the shallow focal plane isn't ideal if you frequently want your background to be in focus at the same time that you are.
PROS
- Fantastic video quality
- Produces genuine bokeh
- Strong low-light performance
- 4K30, 1440p30, and 1080p60 modes
CONS
- Expensive
- Narrow focus plane
- Mediocre microphone
- Synapse 3.0 software only works on Windows
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Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra Review
Anker PowerConf C300
Best for Groups
4.0 Excellent
Why We Picked It
The Anker PowerConf C300 has the widest lens out of all the cameras on this list at 115 degrees. That makes it ideal for getting everyone in a small conference room in the frame at once. Its 1080p 60fps video could be a little sharper, but it handles awkward lighting well and picks up voices fairly clearly.
Who It's For
The Anker PowerConf C300 works well for groups of people who all need to be on camera simultaneously, as well as for small businesses that don't want to break the bank on a fancier videoconferencing solution.
PROS
- Very wide angle is good for groups
- Strong low-light performance
- Solid microphone
CONS
- Angle can be too wide for a single person
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Anker PowerConf C300 Review
Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p V2
Best Ultra-Affordable Webcam
4.0 Excellent
Why We Picked It
The 1080p Live! Cam Sync V2 won't impress anyone with its specs or performance, but it's still an excellent choice that offers better quality than your laptop's built-in webcam. Creative also sells a 4K Live! Cam Sync V3 for about $10 more, but we haven't tested that model yet.
Who It's For
If you want to save money on your webcam upgrade, this is your best bet. It's not quite suitable for streaming or recording, but it works just fine for video calls.
PROS
- Relatively inexpensive
- Bright picture
- Loud, clear sound
- Built-in privacy filter
CONS
- Noisy video
- Audio isn't particularly clean or crisp
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Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p V2 Review
Creative Live Cam Sync 4K
Best Entry-Level 4K Webcam
4.0 Excellent
Why We Picked It
The Creative Live! Cam Sync 4K offers a native resolution of 4K for just $60, making it an inexpensive way to upgrade how you look on video calls. It doesn't compete with more expensive cameras in terms of image quality, but its mic array is a definite upgrade over the one built into your laptop.
Who It's For
This is the step-up webcam to get if the Dell Pro isn't within your budget and you want more cropping flexibility than a 1080p camera allows.
PROS
- 4K capture from an adjustable, wide-angle lens
- Good audio quality
- Inexpensive
CONS
- Video quality doesn't look very crisp
- Noisy low-light performance
- Underwhelming app
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Creative Live Cam Sync 4K Review
HyperX Vision S
Best Video-Only 4K Webcam
4.0 Excellent
Why We Picked It
The HyperX Vision S is one of the sharpest webcams we've tested, along with the Logitech MX Brio and the more expensive Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra. It has a much deeper focus plane than the Kiyo Pro to keep both you and your surroundings crisp at the same time, though it means you don't get the cinematic bokeh effect. But depending on what you want a webcam for, that might not be a big disadvantage.
Who It's For
If you want a very sharp picture and don't want to get too fancy with framing and focus, the HyperX Vision S is a strong choice that costs less than the Kiyo Pro Ultra. Just be aware that it doesn't have a microphone, so you'll have to use your computer's microphone, a headset, or a USB mic. For comparable video quality, plus a microphone, check out the Logitech MX Brio.
PROS
- Very sharp picture
- Strong low-light performance
CONS
- No microphone
- Software is a bit buggy
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HyperX Vision S Review
Poly Studio P5
Best Webcam Under $100
4.0 Excellent
Why We Picked It
The midrange Poly Studio P5 comes in above the price of the Creative Live! Cam Sync V2, but below that of the Dell Pro Webcam. Clean mic quality and a relatively sharp picture are highlights.
Who It's For
The Poly Studio P5 is a strong value and a good choice for people who want a better-than-budget experience. Like the aforementioned Creative model, it's better for standard video calls than content creation, but that might be all you need it for.
PROS
- Crisp, clear audio
- Strong low-light performance
- Physical privacy cover
- USB port for headset dongles
CONS
- Picture is a bit soft
- Monitor clip has limited adjustments
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Poly Studio P5 Review
Buying Guide: The Best Webcams for 2024
What Webcam Frame Rate and Resolution Do You Need?
A webcam can only get as sharp as its sensor can resolve pixels. Full HD (1080p) resolution is a good starting point for a decent webcam, but if you want to up your picture quality (or be able to crop your frame and keep it sharp), a 4K webcam is what we recommend. Quad HD 2K (2,560 by 1,440) is a rare but flexible middle ground between those two. Stay away from 720p models if you can; they offer the softest image quality and are likely no better than your laptop's built-in webcam.
The frame rate affects how smooth your video looks. A 60fps webcam presents you in a much more realistic and natural way than a 30fps webcam, but the trade-off for most 4K webcams is that 4K resolution is limited to 30, so you'll have to choose between a sharper picture and smoother motion, and the former is usually the better choice.
What Kind of Lens Does Your Webcam Need?
The lens on a webcam is just as important as the sensor, and generally bigger is better. It determines how much light reaches the camera sensor, which affects how you look in less-than-ideal lighting scenarios. This is known as the aperture size, and most cameras express this value as f/(number). The lower the number, the wider the aperture and the more light that comes through. Webcams don't often advertise their aperture sizes, but they generally range from f/2.0 to f/2.8.
Should You Choose a Webcam With a Wide or Narrow Field of View?
The lens also determines the camera's field of view, which is important for framing. If you want to capture only your face and cut out your messy bedroom, get something with a narrow field of view (or a high enough resolution that you can crop the frame). If you want to record an entire conference room, make sure the webcam has a wide field of view. Typically, these ranges fall between 65 and 90 degrees, with 78 degrees serving as a common middle ground. In this case, the smaller the number, the smaller the field of view.
Does Your Webcam Need Autofocus?
Most inexpensive webcams are fixed-focus. That means the lenses don't adjust to keep you in focus, or are simply set to capture you within a wide enough range that you show up clearly. This behavior is fine if you sit directly in front of the camera a few feet away, but it's easy to wander out of the focal plane (particularly if you want to show something up close).
More expensive webcams often include an autofocus system, which means their lenses adjust to make sure you're clear at any distance from the camera. This is preferable because you don't have to worry about sitting in the same spot to remain in focus.
Some higher-resolution cameras have what's called AI autofocus, which combines autofocus with digital zoom to center the frame around your face as you move around within the camera's field of view. This is a handy feature, but it can't replace properly framing the shot ahead of your conference.
The Best Webcam Lighting
Even the best webcams struggle in a dark room. If you want a clear, sharp picture, you need good lighting. Overhead lights and sunlight are helpful, but not ideal and won't necessarily give you the best results. If you want to show anything off on your webcam, consider an adjustable fill light like the Logitech Litra Glow.
Logitech Litra Glow (Credit: Logitech)
Are Webcam Microphones Good Enough?
You aren't going to get amazing sound from your webcam's mic array. Sometimes you can find a webcam with a mic that sounds pretty good, but the acoustics of your room and the simple distance between you and the webcam means there's a limit to how clear your voice sounds.
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With that in mind, some high-end webcams like the HyperX Vision S forego microphones entirely. These webcams focus on video quality and assume that you have a dedicated USB mic or gaming headset with a boom mic—either of which will provide better sound than any webcam mic. We recommend using a USB mic or headset if you're serious about recording, streaming, or any video calls that might be recorded for future use. Obviously, these would come at an extra expense.
Can You Use Your DSLR or Mirrorless Camera as a Webcam?
Fujifilm X-S20 (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Do you have a mirrorless or SLR camera? Good news! You can use it to (potentially) get far better picture quality than any consumer webcam. Our guide to setting up your digital camera as a webcam walks you through all the requisite steps for recording and streaming from your favorite camera.
How to Turn Your Smartphone Into a Webcam
Droidcam (Credit: Droidcam)
Alternatively, if your phone has a good camera, you can try using it as a webcam. Check out our guide on turning your phone into a webcam with free software.
Compare SpecsThe Best Webcams for 2024
Our Picks | Dell Pro WebcamSee It$99.99 at Dell | Logitech MX BrioSee It$199.99 at Logitech | Logitech StreamCamSee It$139.99 at Logitech | Razer Kiyo Pro UltraSee It$299.99 at Razer | Anker PowerConf C300Check Stock$99.99 at Amazon | Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p V2See It$29.99 at Amazon | Creative Live Cam Sync 4KSee It$54.99 at Amazon | HyperX Vision SSee It$199.99 at Amazon | Poly Studio P5See It$39.00 at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Editors'Rating | Editors' Choice 4.0Editor Review | Editors' Choice 4.0Editor Review | Editors' Choice 4.0Editor Review | Editors' Choice 4.0Editor Review | 4.0Editor Review | 4.0Editor Review | 4.0Editor Review | 4.0Editor Review | 4.0Editor Review |
Resolution | 2K QHD | 4K | 1080p | 4K | 1080p | 1080p | 4K | 4K | 1080p |
Field of View | 78 degrees | 90 degrees | 78 degrees | 82 degrees | 115 degrees | 77 degrees | 95 degrees | 90 degrees | 80 degrees |
Microphone | |||||||||
Windows Hello | |||||||||
Where to Buy | $99.99 at Dell | $199.99 at Logitech | $139.99 at Logitech $136.72 at Amazon | $299.99 at Razer | $99.99 at Amazon | $29.99 at Amazon $59.99 at Creative Labs | $54.99 at Amazon | $199.99 at Amazon | $39.00 at Amazon |
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Editors' Choice
I’ve been PCMag’s home entertainment expert for over 10 years, covering both TVs and everything you might want to connect to them. I’ve reviewed more than a thousand different consumer electronics products including headphones, speakers, TVs, and every major game system and VR headset of the last decade. I’m an ISF-certified TV calibrator and a THX-certified home theater professional, and I’m here to help you understand 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and even 8K (and to reassure you that you don’t need to worry about 8K at all for at least a few more years).
Read Will's full bio
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