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Best webcams 2021: top picks for working from home and streaming

The best webcams can often cost a pretty penny, especially if you need features like a fast framerate, high resolution and a high-quality sensor for low light environments. While it might be tempting to grab yourself a cheap webcam from Amazon or eBay, there’s more the how well a camera can perform than just it’s resolution, and you don’t want to be caught about by a bad quality product advertising itself as a professional 1080p conferencing webcam.

If you have a specific purpose in mind, such as live streaming on Twitch or YouTube, remote calling into the office or even just catching up with distant loved ones, then don’t panic – we’ve compiled the best options into an easy list to help you make the right choice, and avoid purchasing something that will look like you’re filming in the 1970’s.

This time last year, it was almost impossible to get your hands on any webcam, let alone some of the better ones, and this was all thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. Remote working became commonplace and regional lockdowns across the world forced people to remain in their homes, unable to meet with family and friends.

Perhaps during that time you bought a cheap (and unsatisfactory) product, or couldn’t get your hands on something that suits your needs. Now that stock levels are returning to normal, and the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are just around the corner, you might be in the best possible position to buy yourself your dream webcam.

The best webcams of 2021

The Razer Kiyo Pro at an angle against a white background
The Razer Kiyo Pro is the new king of HD streaming. (Image credit: Razer)

1. Razer Kiyo Pro

The best webcam on the market

Resolution: 1080p | Features: Variable FOD, smart exposure and focus, detachable cable

Buttery smooth 60fps 1080p HDR settingGreat low-light capabilitiesToo expensive/powerful for most people needsSimple adjustments, no ball joint swivel

The Razer Kiyo Pro, the latest addition to Razer’s webcam family, is our top pick for the best webcam you can buy right now. This beast doesn’t come cheap but it delivers a performance worth every penny, especially given its flexible features that make it well suited just everything from remote calling into a conference meeting to streaming live on platforms like Twitch.

You can choose between three different fields of view for different scenes in your Livestream, and select either a smooth 1080p 60FPS option for gameplay or a high-res ‘HDR’ mode for improved video quality during Zoom sessions.

Read the full review: Razer Kiyo Pro

The Elgato Facecam at an angle against a white background
The Elgato Facecam is the plucky, optimized new kid on the block. (Image credit: Elgato)

2. Elgato Facecam

The best webcam for streamers

Resolution: 1080p, 60fps | Features: Variable FOD, fixed focus, Sony sensor

Great Sony sensorFantastic 60fps 1080p Incredible softwareNiche userbaseNo mic / autofocus

The Elgato Facecam might be in second place overall, but thanks to some divisive design choices that make this a niche buy that sways itself towards content creators, this is actually our top pick if you need a webcam purely for streaming or creating YouTube videos.

The choice to not include a microphone or autofocus capabilities will make it seem like a half-baked product for anyone just looking for a webcam, but the inclusion of those features often proves to be more trouble than they’re worth for folk broadcasting on sites like Twitch or YouTube. As a result, the Facecam is beautifully optimized for the streaming community, with some of the best software we’ve ever seen on a webcam to boot.

Read the full review: Elgato Facecam review

The Logitech C920 from the front against a white background
The Logitech C920 is the long-reigning jack of all trades (Image credit: Logitech)

3. Logitech C920

The overall best webcam

Resolution: 1080p | Features: Background removal, Low-light correction, Stereo audio, autofocus, auto light correction

Great low-light capabilitiesFull 1080p HDNo 1080p/60fpsFixed camera, no swivel

The Logitech C920 has been one of the best webcams on the market since its release in January 2012, consistently beating out rival products that promise more affordability or better performance – and for good reason. This is a beloved favorite across the entire spectrum of streamers, content creators, and office professionals alike, and when cost, quality, and performance are all calculated, the C920 is still one of the best everyday webcams you can buy, despite being almost a decade old.
With crisp 1080p HD resolution and fantastic lighting and color detection at an affordable price, this fan-favorite webcam hits a spot in the market that struggles to see any substantial competition and is still one of the best performing webcams on the market today.
Read the full review: Logitech C920

Logitech StreamCam from the front against a white background
Logitech StreamCam has many tools to offer for your content creation needs. (Image credit: Logitech)

4. Logitech StreamCam

The best Logitech webcam for content creation

Resolution: 1080p | Features: Smart auto-focus and exposure, AI-enabled facial tracking, 9:16 format, built-in electronic image stabilization, USB Type-C connectivity

Content creation featuresFacial trackingAuto-focusingToo expensive for simple office useFixed USB-C cable connection

The Logitech StreamCam won’t just have your back when you’re video conferencing, video chatting with families and friends, and live streaming your games. This feature-rich 1080p webcam has many tools to offer for your content creation needs as well, including auto-focusing, smart exposure, facial tracking, up to 60fps frame rate, and a flippable design so you can take photos and videos in 9:16 format. You can even mount it on a tripod, and it uses USB Type-C for fast and more efficient video transfer speeds.

Read the full review: Logitech StreamCam

Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000
The Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 is a cheap-and-cheerful hero (Image credit: Microsoft)

5. Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000

The best webcam for Skype

Resolution: 720p | Features: Colour correction, noise cancelling

Good video quality for the price Capable software720p onlyOutdated design and hardware

If you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful, but you still want to stick to a recognizable brand then the Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 could be exactly what you need. It’s capped at 720p, but then so are some conferencing applications like Google Meets, and it’s reliable plug-and-play capabilities make it a great option for anyone who needs a highly affordable webcam without getting scammed by wholesale products with inferiors sensors.

Razer Kiyo at an angle against a white background
Razer Kiyo focuses on what matters most to game streamers and YouTube vloggers.

6. Razer Kiyo

The best ‘all in one’ solution

Resolution: 1080p | Features: Ring light, Compatibility with OBS and Xsplit

Convenient ring lightEasy to usePricey for a 1080p / 30fps webcamRing light comes with a learning curve

The Razer Kiyo might look weird, a testament to Razer’s unique designs, but it’s still one of the best webcams out there for streaming – which is unbelievably popular in this day and age. With the Razer Kiyo, Razer has stripped away a lot of the bells and whistles that more premium webcams offer, focusing instead on what matters most to game streamers and YouTube vloggers – good image quality and lighting through a “Light Ring”. You don’t need to spend a ton of time configuring the stream – just plug in the Razer Kiyo and get to work.

Microsoft LifeCam Studio at an angle against a white background
Microsoft LifeCam Studio is made for business conferencing and presentations.

7. Microsoft LifeCam Studio

The best webcam for offices

Resolution: 1080p | Features: Colour correction, hi-fi microphone, Skype

Wide field of viewWideband mic for better soundOverpriced compared to newer optionsReally designed for corporate types

It isn’t the most attractive webcam, but the LifeCam Studio isn’t really designed to be attractive. Instead, it’s made for business conferencing and presentations, with its 1080p recording, 720p live video calling and wideband mic to deliver crystal clear sound. This is a serious peripheral – one that requires a powerful PC for max settings – but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking bells and whistles. For instance, it comes with 360-degree rotating capabilities and Microsoft’s TrueColor system, which will shift the exposure dynamically to keep you well lit.

Read the full review: Microsoft LifeCam Studio

Logitech BRIO 4K Pro at an angle against a white background
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro is a terrific 4K webcam. (Image credit: Logitech)

8. Logitech BRIO 4K Pro

B2B conferencing in Ultra HD

Resolution: 4K | Features: High dynamic range (HDR), integrated optical and infrared sensors, Windows Hello support, three field of view (FOV) presets

4K optionsTripod screw mountEasy to deployThe camera cover was an afterthoughtWeird method of connecting the clip

For your video conferencing needs at work, the Logitech BRIO 4K Pro may just be the ultra HD resolution webcam. It’s a finely built one too, gloriously engineered for professionals and businesses that need robust tools. The image quality, of course, superior – especially to anything else you’ll find on a typical laptop, including business ones. There are other features worthy of mentioning as well, including its three fields of view presents and omnidirectional mics with noise-canceling technology.

Read the full review: Logitech BRIO 4K Pro

Logitech HD Webcam C310 at an angle against a white background
Logitech HD Webcam C310 is a great affordable option (Image credit: Logitech)

9. Logitech HD Webcam C310

The best cheap webcam

Resolution: 720p | Features: Noise reduction, Auto light correction, Zoom and Skype compatible

Very affordableAuto light correctionOnly 720pMono mic

The Logitech HD Webcam C310 is a solid option for those who just can’t splurge on a webcam. It’s perfect for anyone just needing to get onto that Zoom or Skype call and be seen clearly. And, while it does only shoot in 720p, the C310 does come with Logitech’s RightLight 2 auto-light correction technology so you’ll always be shown in the proper light. With its noise-reducing mic, you’ll also be heard clearly from up to 5 feet or 1.5 meters away. This may not be a streamer’s top choice but it’s a quality pick for anyone on a budget.

Logitech C930e at an angle against a white background
Logitech C930e is Logitech’s most advanced HD webcam yet.

10. Logitech C930e

The best webcam for home offices

Resolution: 1080p | Features: On-board processing, Zeiss lens, wide angle lens

On-board video processingWide field of viewThe C920 model is cheaper and similarThe microphone isn’t great for team calls

Unlike traditional webcams, which rely on the PC for all the heavy lifting, the Logitech C930e does the video encoding itself, which should in turn result in better video quality. The wide, 90-degree field of view means it’s well-suited to business video conferencing and presentations. And of course, it’s Skype-certified for PC and Mac.

Read the full review: Logitech Webcam C930e

What should you look for when buying a webcam?

In this bizarre new world of home working, you may feel a little overwhelmed when looking at webcams to buy – after all, all these cheap models on Amazon look the same right? Webcams are usually marketed with resolution (720p, 1080p, 4K etc) and framerates because this is the most important factor for most people when buying a product, but there are many other considerations that make a webcam ‘good’ or ‘bad’.

The first thing to consider is what you need your webcam for. For working professionals or office staff, most conference calling software such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams will restrict your broadcast quality to 1080p resolution and 30fps to preserve bandwidth. Google meets goes a step further and restricts your quality to 720p as this is the standard resolution on most built-in laptop cameras.

If you’re planning on using a webcam purely for these work-related calls then there isn’t any point in buying a powerful 4k model as you simply won’t see the benefit. The light and color detection will vary for each model though, so you’ll still see a variance in recording quality depending on what webcam you buy.

For content creators such as YouTubers or Streamers, there is a range of powerful webcams available, with some reaching 4K resolution and 60fps for buttery smooth video. These webcams are overkill for occasional use, but with features like a variable field of view (or FOV) and adjustable resolution or and zoom, the extra cash could be a worthy investment to your hobby.

What about those cheap webcams on Amazon or eBay?

Our list is heavy on big brand names such as Logitech for good reason. Reputable brands have been tested across many different devices to make sure that the products are compatible with different graphics software. This is why you may see different quality if you use the same camera on a desktop and a laptop – the webcam hardware communicates differently with different devices.

Logitech, Razer and other well-known webcam manufacturers can provide a product that is more likely to work well across a wide range of different machines, so whether you’re looking to run your camera on a new gaming desktop or an old Chromebook, you should see similar results.

A cheap 1080p/30fps webcam from Amazon or eBay may disappoint you if the drivers and sensors are not up to the same standards as trusted products on our list, so don’t take the resolution and framerate as gospel that you’ll be getting great video quality. As the saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Woman working at desk
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

How do we test webcams?

TechRadar doesn’t use any computer programs to benchmark a webcam as their quality is visually noticeable. Instead, models will be stacked up against products with similar specifications and MSRP to see how they compare, and ran through a few scenarios.

We keep lighting levels consistent and test for well-lit and low-light conditions to put the webcam sensor through its paces. Webcams with unsatisfactory sensors struggle if a subject isn’t well lit, resulting in a fuzzy ‘static’ like interference known as background noise. We make note of how accurate the colors are in any recorded footage and the overall clarity of video and photographs taken on the webcam.

We also compare features like field-of-view (often abbreviated to FOV), frame rate and resolution, as well as any software that ships with the product. Operating systems like Windows 10 have a camera application capable of making minimal adjustments to contrast and hue, but there are branded applications like Razer Synapse and Logitech Capture that can better adjust your footage.

The hardware itself will also be checked for mounting options and available movement, such as a swivel ball joint or fixed positioning. Finally, any onboard microphone will be checked for clarity and its ability to filter out background noise, though it’s worth mentioning that most webcams on the market have poor-quality microphones when compared to a dedicated headset or USB mics.

Choosing the best webcam for you

As the world returns to something resembling normalcy, the best webcams for laptops and PCs are finally back in stock. Whether they’re from Microsoft, Razer, Logitech, or one of the cheaper brands whose products punch above their weight, there’s a plethora of choices to pick from to help you upgrade your streaming or video conferencing.

Since more communication is happening online these days, it’s crucial to have your zoom calls with friends and video conferencing meetings that are crystal clear. And, that means you need to invest in one of the best webcams for your computer setup. It’s true that most laptops or all-in-one computers already come with a webcam installed but having a dedicated one will offer more features and higher resolutions.

It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to keep in touch with your extended network, putting together the perfect work-from-home setup or getting ready for back to school season, invest in one of these made for computer cameras to make sure your family and colleagues can see your bright, shiny face. From the webcams ideal for game streaming to excellent webcams for Zoom, we’ve collected our top picks here as well as included our price comparison tool to help you find the best deal.

How to make your webcam look better

Even the most expensive webcam can look terrible if you don’t take your environment into consideration. Lighting can make a cheap 720p webcam look almost HD, and this doesn’t have to make a dent in your wallet.
Natural lighting is prized by photographers for being better than most expensive studio lights, so where possible try and record in front of a window. This will not only illuminate your features and make you pop against your background, but it’ll illuminate background ‘noise’ – the fuzzy static effect seen when webcams are trying to film in low lighting conditions.
You can also replicate this using studio lights if you work in darker environments away from a window. You can also use cheap desk lamps in a pinch by directing them against a wall to reduce the harshing lighting and create a diffused appearance.
Always make sure your background looks nice. This doesn’t mean you need to do anything fancy (unless you’re a streamer and have the budget for some fancy LED lights and gamer swag), but you need to make sure you’re the focus of the broadcast. Tidy up any mess, don’t sit behind an open door and make sure you don’t sit behind any other light sources. This will usually throw off the light sensors in your webcam and reduce your film quality.

Jackie Thomas has also contributed to this article

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