Trusted Reviews is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Learn more.
Best Webcam 2024: Our top choices, rated and reviewed
In This Article
Nowadays, most laptops and tablets come with built-in webcams – it’s even possible to do some video conferencing via your phone if you so wish – but for the best webcam experience possible, it’s worth investing in a dedicated option.
Part of the problem is that too many built-in webcams are capped at a 720p resolution which doesn’t exactly push the boat out when it comes to making you look your best on camera. By comparison, there are tons of 1080p webcams on the market and even a handful of 4K options that can help you to stand out on your next video call.
We’ve reviewed numerous webcams over the years, and so have picked the highest scoring options for you to peruse in this very list. We’ve also made sure to pick a variety from budget options to those that excel at streaming.
If you’re looking to upgrade more than just your webcam, you can also check out our round-ups of thebest monitorsas well as thebest wireless keyboards. For all things webcams, just keep on reading.
Best webcams at a glance
How we test
We use every webcam we test as our main device for video conferencing throughout the review period, while also running its proprietary software through its paces.We’ll also check the device’s compatibility with more widely available software for professionals and content creators, as well as testing all the features.
Obsbot Tiny 2 Lite
Best webcam
While there is a separate ‘best budget’ option on this list for those who might be strapped for cash, the label of ‘best value webcam’ is bestowed to a device that offers tons of features at a price that manages to undercut a fair amount of the competition. With that in mind, theObsbot Tiny 2 Litefits the bill perfectly.
In the past, if you’ve wanted a PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) webcam then you will have had to part with a serious amount of money for the privilege. For instance, excellentInsta360 Linkhas an RRP of £318.99/$299.99, but the Tiny 2 Lite comes in at just £149/$179, making it far more affordable for most people.
Despite the lower price, the tracking hardly feels compromised as the webcam was able to follow our reviewer around the room without hassle, so you won’t have to worry about falling out of the frame during a Zoom call.
The only thing missing is that it can’t rotate at a 90-degree angle like the Insta360 Link can for the purpose of shooting vertical video, but unless you’re a specific type of content creator, it’s hardly a feature that you’ll find yourself clamouring for.
The detail is also quite impressive with a capture resolution of 4K, so you can zoom in without it hampering your footage. There’s also HDR available which makes skin tones look a lot more natural on-screen.
With a 1/2-inch sensor, the Tiny 2 Lite isn’t quite capable of delivering the same level of natural bokeh found on more pricey webcams, but as a concession there are plenty of filters that can be applied with Obsbot’s accompanying software.
While the Insta360 might offer better specs across the board, there’s no denying that for most people, the Obsbot Tiny 2 Lite just offers much better value for money, so if you want great tracking and high resolution for less, this is your best bet.
Reviewer:Luke BakerFull Review:Obsbot Tiny 2 Lite Review
Logitech StreamCam
Best webcam for versatility
TheLogitech StreamCamscored an almost faultless 4.5 stars from us. It offers a sleek and modern design, with our reviewer noting that the size and shape make it the centrepiece of your streaming setup. The StreamCam is predominantly made of plastic and carries a reassuring heft which reinforces the excellent build quality. We liked the inclusion of fabric around the lens as it added some more texture and personality to the otherwise plastic shell.
We found mounting the StreamCam to be easy as it comes with a secure-clip-in system that gives you the chance to use it in portrait and landscape orientations. It also comes with the standard tripod thread at the bottom, giving it even more versatility.
This webcam is capable of outputting video inFull HD(1080p) at 60fps. We felt that it provided an excellent amount of detail and smooth motion, making it a joy to use for streamers. The face-tracking and Auto Framing features were particularly coherent, making it very easy for us to stay in frame and in focus even while moving around.
If you are interested in a high-end webcam, you might want to consider theInsta360 LinkorHP 960 4K Streaming Webcam, both of which can capture content in 4K resolution. As you would expect, these 4K webcams are a lot more expensive than the StreamCam, so you’ll have to decide if a higher resolution is more of a priority than an affordable price tag.
Overall, if you’re after smooth footage and a polished and mature design, the StreamCam ticks all these boxes. It may even be the best choice for streamers who are first starting out or those who are constantly engaged in work calls since it has support for all third-party video call services including Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
Reviewer:Reece BithreyFull Review:Logitech StreamCam review
Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra
Best 4K webcam
Although it’s one of the most expensive 4K options we’ve tested, the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra is a truly excellent streaming webcam that offers bang for your buck.
With a circular chassis that resembles a mirrorless camera lens, the Kiyo Pro Ultra boasts a striking design that looks and feels well-made. Having said that, this is a webcam designed primarily for desktop use and while it fits well with a proper monitor, we did struggle to attach it to laptops, especially theMacBook Pro.
It is also equipped with useful privacy features, such as a shutter and a rubber cover that fits over the front of the webcam for extra protection.
While the Kiyo Pro Ultra is a plug and play webcam, users are advised to install Razer’s Synapse 3 suite to get the most out of it. This software allows you to manually set the Kiyo Pro Ultra’s pan and tilt, zoom in, adjust the exposure and more.
Your preferences can then be saved to a preset and then called up with a shortcut key via your keyboard.
The Kiyo Pro Ultra’s picture quality at 4K/30fps was some of the best we’ve seen on any webcam as it offers bright, vivid images with heaps of detail. While low light performance is admirable and detailed, we did find there was a tendency for it to overcompensate its exposure.
With this in mind, if the lighting in your home isn’t great then we’d recommend opting for theLogitech MX Brioinstead as this offers a much better low-light performance.
Much like other webcams, while the Kiyo Pro Ultra’s microphone is clear enough for conference calls, anything else will require a separate device from our list of thebest microphones.
Full review:Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra
Reviewer:Reece Bithrey
Logitech Brio 100
Best budget webcam
Logitech is at the top of the mountain when it comes to home working peripherals and its range of webcams is a key part of that. It doesn’t just do high-end either, and we rate theLogitech Brio 100as the best budget webcam you can buy.
Affordability really is what makes the Brio 100 such a great pick but, of course, that has to be backed up by quality to make it value for money. It comes with a 1080p resolution and up to 30fps. We found the visuals to be up to a good quality, especially for such a cheap option. It’s auto-light balancing feature also worked like a treat too. The Brio 100 comes with a built-in microphone, which was crisp and clear.
The frame of the webcam makes it easy to mount on a monitor, while the Logi Options+ software brings handy customisation options. And, for your peace of mind, there’s a privacy shutter attachment too.
Reviewer:Reece BithreyFull Review:Logitech Brio 100 review
HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam
Best streaming webcam
What do you expect of a 4K streaming webcam? Well, theHP 960 4K Streaming Webcamdoes exactly what it says on the tin. Stunning video quality, that’s here. Crisp and clear microphones, absolutely present. These are the two key factors that make this high-quality webcam our favourite for streaming.
The 4K resolution is paired with 30fps capabilities and offers boosted colour through HDR (high-dynamic range). If you’re after a smoother frame rate then you can drop down to 1080p for 60fps too. The wide FOV and Auto Frame functions are ideal for setting up your frame perfectly, ideal for streamers who like to move around or want their whole set-up shown. Additional features like the HP Accessory Center offer a bunch of handy configuration options as well.
The compact webcam doesn’t look half bad either, with an understated modern design. It’ll sit neatly on top of your monitor and can be easily linked up using USB-C.
The biggest issue with this HP webcam is that it’s expensive. TheElgato Facecam MK.2is a great alternative, with lower capture quality at 1080p/60fps, but with plenty of clever software that still makes it ideal for streamers.
Reviewer:Reece BithreyFull Review:HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam review
Logitech Brio 300
Best small webcam
After a webcam that doesn’t cost the Earth and, perhaps most importantly, doesn’t add an unsightly chunk to the top of your monitor, theLogitech Brio 300is the pick for you.
The stylish, cone-shaped design makes this a webcam that you won’t be embarrassed to have seen atop your display. At 53.1 x 45 x 65.6mm, the Brio 300 is positively dinky, meaning you could easily take it on the go if needed.
The results are strong too, with the Logitech Brio 300 offering up accurate colour across its 1080p resolution, and a smooth 30fps. There is a 70-degree field of view as well, providing great angles for video conferencing. It is, of course, not as good as a dedicated mic but the singular microphone onboard offers good clarity if you don’t fancy donning a headset or shelling out for a full microphone.
Along with looking stylish, the Brio 300 has the environment in mind, with each model being built with, at least, 48%post-consumer recycledplastic. The design also affords users an integrated privacy shutter for peace of mind.
Logitech’s handy Logi Tune software is included with the Brio 300. The software isn’t as complex as its more powerful options for creators or gamers but many will welcome the simplicity. A key feature it retains is Auto Light Enhancement, aiding the look of your camera feed by fixing overexposed images.
Reviewer:Reece BithreyFull Review:Logitech Brio 300 review
Nacon Full HD Webcam
Best webcam for low-light rooms
Some webcams shoot fantastic video in daylight, but struggle to produce decent results when faced with a dark, dingy room. It’s possible to buy a camera with an advanced enough sensor to tackle such conditions, but they’re usually very expensive. TheNacon Full HD Webcamhas a clever solution, featuring a light-up ring to brighten up your face.
The light ring can be controlled by a little pad on the webcam’s face, with three available modes with varying levels of brightness and temperature. It’s a versatile webcam in terms of design too, capable of being propped on top of a monitor, or even attached to a tripod.
It shoots video in 1080p at 30fps, which isn’t particularly exciting, but we nevertheless found it to offer a solid amount of detail with reasonably natural colours. The Nacon struggles in low light though, making it really important to make use of the glow-up ring in such conditions.
The Nacon Full HD Webcam is a pretty simple webcam truth be told, but with the glow-up ring, built-in microphone and reasonable capture quality, it’s still a worthy buy at its affordable price point.
Reviewer:Reece BithreyFull Review:Nacon Full HD Webcam Review
Elgato Facecam MK.2
Best for software
The Elgato Facecam MK.2 is a refreshingly easy to use webcam that is supported by the Elgato Camera Hub, a software that’s packed with extra tools and features.
The software is easy to install and connects seamlessly to the Facecam MK.2 without a hitch. Camera Hub is then split into three tabs including Camera which boasts heaps of configuration options for the Facecam MK.2 such as face tracking, zoom, pan and settings to adjust the camera’s exposure too.
Next there’s the Effects tab which is home to AI powered features and effects, including Nvidia’s AR Eye Contact function. While this requires an extra download of a separate Nvidia SDK, it essentially uses AI to ensure you maintain eye contact with the webcam. In doing so, it removes the reflection in your eyes for, what we call, an “intriguing experience” but is a useful tool nonetheless.
Effects also allows you to mirror or flip the webcam’s orientation, enable a simple background blur and overall adjust how you appear on screen.
Finally the Camera Hub hosts the Prompter tab which works alongside Elgato’s Teleprompter accessory (sold separately) for easy reading while recording.
Software aside, the Facecam MK.2 offers a smooth and reasonably detailed picture. Opting for 1080p/60fps, in well-lit environments we found the camera balanced light well however we did find that its low light performance isn’t great.
In fact we found the Facecam MK.2’s output in darker conditions can appear quite noisy compared to the similarly pricedLogitech StreamCam.
Mounting the Facecam MK.2 is simple too, whether you opt for it on top of your monitor or you utilise the screw-in metal base which reveals a tripod thread. Just note that this webcam isn’t fitted with a microphone, so be sure to visit ourbest microphoneslist to find the perfect companion.
Full review:Elgato Facecam MK.2
Reviewer:Reece Bithrey
FAQs
If you’re looking for the very best image quality available, then a 4K webcam is definitely worth considering. They may cost a fair bit more than a more standard 1080p option though.
We’d say to go for a 1080p webcam, given the large boost in resolution and therefore picture quality that they offer. In addition, if you’re using a laptop, these typically have 720p webcams inside, so going for one wouldn’t represent that much of an upgrade.
A dedicated webcam will generally be better than a laptop camera, given the higher resolutions they typically offer for more detailed and better quality images, as well as (in some cases) the additional features with an additional suite of software.
You might like…
Comparison specs
After graduating with an MA in History from University College London and cutting his teeth for several years as a journalist in the film and TV industries, Tom joined the Trusted Reviews team as a Co…
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
