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To find the best webcams available for your next conference call or streaming event, we took a look at the essential factors, including each cameras’ video resolution, audio quality, lighting control, and focus. If you’re looking to chat with friends and family, or jump on a business call, you might want an option that offers high-resolution video and superior audio quality. On the other hand, if you are a streamer, you might also desire advanced lighting, such as a built-in light ring. No matter your need, we’ll point you to the best webcams you can purchase.
In our research, our top pick for the best webcam goes to the Logitech C930e — no surprise as Logitech has been making top-rated computer peripherals for almost forty years. The C930e features a high-resolution 1080p video feed with high-grade stereo audio. Even better, this ‘e’ edition features an extended camera view of up to 90-degrees, ensuring you capture everything in the frame. The built-in autofocus also ensures your video stays sharp. Keep reading to learn more about the Logitech C930e and other great webcams.
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re seeking the ultimate webcam, look no further. Logitech offers a superb webcam with high-quality 1080p video and a wide 90-degree view so that you always stay in frame. Plus, it features an adjustable stand for perfect placement.
Read Full Review: Logitech C930e Review
The C930e Logitech webcam is our top pick if you’re looking for the ultimate option for online video conferencing. The C930e starts with a camera sensor capable of handling 1080p recording Full-HD video and H.264 video compression, ensuring that your video is always smooth; the integrated auto-focus system also keeps your image quality sharp even if you move around the frame. You aren’t likely to get cut-off either, as the C930s features an ultra-wide-angle 90-degree field of view, tilt, and 4X digital zoom. The Logitech webcam software can be used with this in order to access all camera settings such as white balance.
We also appreciate the highly adjustable webcam stand that Logitech mounts the C930e upon; it fits nearly every monitor and can even mount onto a standard tripod mount. The built-in audio quality is acceptable with two omnidirectional microphones, but if you are looking to take things to the next level, you may want to pick up a separate external microphone. It also has an external privacy shutter. Overall, the C930e is still the best webcam for Google Hangouts and Zoom meetings and a great webcam for PCs. If you like this Logitech web camera, then you’ll enjoy reading our best Logitech webcam guide.
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Anivia provides an affordable webcam with superb 1080p HD video performance and built-in dual noise reducing microphones for superior stereo audio quality; it also includes an intelligent automatic lighting correction feature.
Read Full Review: Anivia 1080p HD Webcam Review
If you’re looking for a high-quality webcam that won’t break the bank, you’ll want to check out the Anivia HD 1080p webcam. You may not be familiar with Anivia, but you’ll wonder why after using their extremely easy to set up webcam, compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, and Android — just plug in and enjoy. Or, you can buy a new computer with a camera built-in after reading our best webcams for Chromebook guide.
This sharp camera even includes an intelligent automatic low-light correction feature for perfect video quality and a built-in beauty effects option for those who wish to touch-up their appearance during a video call. The only less-than-stellar point to mention is that the Anivia’s customer support seems to be non-more existent, as we couldn’t find a company website. Another great camera option is the best instant film camera.
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Award: BEST AUDIO QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: AUKEY strikes the market again, this time offering a 1080p webcam with excellent built-in dual stereo mics that allows you to leave your external microphone behind; it also features a portable design that’s easy to slip into laptop bags.
Read Full Review: AUKEY PC-LM1 Webcam Review
AUKEY is a company that has quickly become known for a wide range of peripherals, and its PC-LM1 webcam shows precisely why — a dedication to quality. This 1080p Full-HD webcam offers crisp video at a smooth 30 frames per second, in addition to excellent stereo sound. The AUKEY built-in dual stereo microphones work well on video calls, and may even allow you to keep your larger external microphone behind at times. It comes with a 1.8m USB cable for connections, and setting up this webcam is fairly simple. You just connect the webcam’s USB cable to your PCs USB port and open your video calling software (Skype/YouTube). A blue LED indicator will let you know that the webcam is connected.
If you’re always on the move, the PC-LM1 also features a portable folding design that allows it to slip easily into your favorite laptop bag without issue. We do wish that AUKEY included an autofocus lens, but still, the included option keeps everything within 5-meters crystal sharp, so the image quality isn’t all that bad. It works well with the best photo box.
Award: BEST FOR STREAMING
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you stream content online, or simply want great video quality with stellar lighting, then Vitade has the best option for you; this fantastic webcam includes a built-in adjustable ring light and facial-enhancement technology.
Read Full Review: Vitade 960 1080p Review
There is nothing worse than watching a webcam feed with someone who is too dark to see properly. Vitade comes to the rescue with its 960 webcam, a 1080p HD option that sports a built-in adjustable ring light. Illuminate yourself correctly with the Vitade’s three different brightness options, easily changeable using the built-in hardware button. The included software then goes to the next level with facial-enhancement technology, so the light is always spot-on. Setup is easy because webcam is plug & play, all you need to do is connect it to your PC, laptop, Mac, via USB.
The Vitade 960 also features an advanced encoding algorithm, H.264 compression, that allows for smaller video file sizes — a great feature for online streaming. If you’re a podcaster, we also found the Vitade 960 to be the best webcam for podcasts. Just be ready to pay for the Vitade 960, it’s an excellent webcam, but it isn’t the cheapest option on our list. If you want to look your best while recording videos, then you need to read about our best selfie light.
Award: BEST WITH TRIPOD
WHY WE LIKE IT: This great webcam from HZQDLN provides a sharp 1080p video stream and an ultra-wide 110-degree field of view. Add on the included tripod and you’ve got a webcam option that is perfect for business video conferencing.
Read Full Review: HZQDLN 1080p HD Webcam Review
We know that you won’t be able to pronounce the company’s name, but we do know that HZQDLN produces an excellent webcam; it’s the best webcam for video conferencing. Featuring an ultra-wide 110-degree lens and a long 6-foot USB cable, this webcam is ideal for mounting at the front of a boardroom or other meeting space. HZQDLN even includes a tripod in the package, great for perfect placement on a desk or table.
HZQDLN’s webcam works across Windows, macOS, Android, and ChromeOS, and we are thrilled with the broad compatibility. The only feature we aren’t thrilled about is the lack of zoom control; for a conference webcam, this would be a highly desired feature. Overall, still an excellent webcam for large groups. For outdoor activities, look at the best action camera.
Note: Other WebCams worth mentioning that we haven’t included in our list are the Razer Kiyo that features a ring light with a resolution 1080p video/picture quality. The light ring on the Razer kiyo is for illumination while streaming, for video brightness. There’s also the Logitech C920S with 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second, 78 degree field of view, and a privacy shutter, the Logitech C922 Pro Stream supporting 60 frames per second, and Logitech StreamCam ideal for video calls and video chat, and the Logitech Brio Webcam that features Windows Hello and a field of view of 90 degrees. The StreamCam is also perfect for content creation on YouTube, Twitch or Facebook, as it can switch instantly between portrait and landscape by tilting the camera. Also, there’s the Microsoft LifeCam Studio that uses Truecolor technology for a better image, although it is an older webcam, top of the line when it came out. Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 and 5000 are the latest. The Genious webcam is another interesting one with an ultra-wide-angle lens of up to 150-degrees. All are available at any of our recommended retailers.
When searching for the best webcam on the market, we took the time to examine critical factors, contributing to a great video conferencing or streaming experience; these include each webcam’s video resolution, audio quality, lighting control, and focus. We then set minimum criteria, assuring only the best selections make our guide; this ensures that no matter which webcam you purchase, you’ll receive a fantastic experience.
Video quality was at the top of our list for each webcam. As such, we ensured that every webcam we selected offers full 1080p HD video — sorry, but lackluster 720p HD video just doesn’t cut it anymore. Additionally, we made sure that each webcam offers solid audio quality via built-in microphones. Some of our options even feature dual stereo microphones for more robust and immersive video calls.
When it comes down to lighting, we selected webcams that perform well in low-light and offer levels of exposure control. Some of our top picks even include advanced lighting algorithms to illuminate your face and surroundings better. To take it a step further, our top streaming pick even consists of a built-in ring light. Lastly, we made sure that each camera either offers integrated autofocus, or a crisp fixed-lens that can capture at least 2.5m in front of it.
According to our research, we found the best webcam to be the Logitech C930e; it offers high-quality 1080p video and a wide 90-degree view so that you always stay in frame. Plus, it features an adjustable stand for perfect placement. As usual, Logitech comes out on top when it comes to computer peripherals.
Our list features the upgraded Logitech C930e webcam. While the Logitech C920s HD Pro webcam is a great offering from Logitech, the newer C930e provides an expanded field of view (up to 90-degrees), so that you can fit more people into the frame and keep yourself centered.
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