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Use one of these best webcams for your next gaming session or when you're video chatting on Skype, Zoom, or Google Hangouts.
The Rundown
- Best Overall:Logitech HD Pro C920 at Amazon, “This webcam is every bit a camera, capable of providing HD stills and video for a variety of purposes.”
- Best for Business and Video Conferencing: Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 at Amazon, “It records and streams 720p HD video and allows recording in the 16:9 format.”
- Best Video Quality:Besteker 1536P at Amazon, “This beast rakes in 30 frames per second which will give it the crispest quality for moving images.”
- Best Budget:Docooler USB 2.0 12 Megapixel at Amazon, “It works with both laptops and desktop computers and plugs straight into your USB port.”
- Best for YouTube: Tecknet 1080P Plug and Play at Amazon, “Setup is a snap — simply plug it in and you’re ready to stream.”
- Best for PC Gaming: Logitech HD Laptop C615 at Amazon, “It’s simple to set up on Windows, OS X, and Chrome OS — just plug and play.”
- Runner-Up, Best for Business and Video Conferencing:Logitech C270 at Amazon, “You can snap really basic three-megapixel still images, and it features a built-in noise reduction mic.”
- Best Wide-Angle Webcam:Genius 120-degree Wide Angle at Amazon, “It captures Full HD (1080p) video at a wide angle of up to 120 degrees.”
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920
3.9
A lot of webcams eschew hardware in favor of rudimentary functionality. While high-end specs may be unnecessary for most users, they can certainly come in handy, especially if the addition will only cost you an extra $15 or so. Enter: the Logitech C920. This webcam is every bit a camera, capable of providing HD stills and video for a variety of purposes, making it a versatile webcam for gaming, blogging, conferencing and even creative purposes. It shoots and streams in Full HD (1080p) at 30 fps (although some models may shoot 1080p at slower frame rates), records stereo (two channel) audio, and can capture still images at 15 megapixels. This is comparable to most high-end smartphone cameras. It also features a tripod-ready universal clip that fits to laptops and LCD monitors, a 360-degree swivel base and an articulating support.
Best for Business and Video Conferencing: Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000
A lot of folks depend on standalone webcams to provide a more high-res video conferencing experience. They either don’t have a dedicated cam on their computers or do not appreciate the sub-par image quality it provides. If you find yourself in this camp — constantly using Skype or Zoom or Google Hangouts — consider investing in the Microsoft LifeCam. It records and streams 720p HD video and allows recording in the 16:9 widescreen format. It features a passive noise-canceling microphone, TrueColor technology for bright and colorful video feeds and a universal attachment base for connection to any laptop or desktop computer.
Best Video Quality: Besteker 1536P Full HD Webcam
At an astounding 1526P Full HD resolution—compatible up to 2048x1536 resolutions—this webcam was an easy choice for our best video quality slot. The other key contributing feature for video quality is how many frames you can record, and this beast rakes in 30 frames per second which will give it the crispest quality for moving images—particularly impressive for a webcam. The Full HD Carl Zeiss standard 6 element optical glass lens provides still yet clearer images, while the H.264 video compression technology right on-board will ensure that beautifully captured video won’t choke up your Internet connection (this is a webcam after all). Finally the Aptina CMOS sensor picks up an insane number of pixels, which means that even in low light, this thing will provide true colors and minimal graininess.
Best Budget: Docooler USB 2.0 12 Megapixel HD Camera Web Cam
Here’s a stylish little webcam that should satisfy anyone on a tight budget. The Docooler’s 12-megapixel camera shoots high definition and true color images, which means you can use this thing as a still image or video camera. It has a built-in sound absorption microphone, a stylish exterior design and a fully rotational support. It can swivel 360 degrees left or right, and tilt 30 degrees up and down. It works with both laptops and desktop computers and plugs straight into your USB port.
Best for YouTube: HD Webcam, Tecknet 1080P Plug and Play Web Camera
Calling all vloggers! If you’re launching your own YouTube channel, you’re going to need a webcam with premium image quality, otherwise, you run the risk of seeming amateur. As such, 720p just won’t cut it. This Tecknet webcam captures your clips in true 1080p glory, so even the most detailed makeup tutorials look crisp and clear. You’ll also enjoy a built-in noise-canceling microphone to pick up your audio. Setup is a snap — simply plug it in and you’re ready to stream — and its flexible stand attaches to any desktop or laptop to capture your best angles.
Best for PC Gaming: Logitech HD Laptop Webcam C615
When building your dream gaming PC, a webcam is probably an afterthought. Luckily, the Logitech C615 offers the best image quality available for under $50. You can record HD 1080p videos and video chat in 720p, making streaming and monitoring game feeds a breeze. It has 360-degree full range of motion and lets you pan and tilt manually.
The solid frame rates will keep your fellow gamers happy, and if you’re gaming on the go, you’ll appreciate its light .55-pound weight and fold-and-go portability that protects the lens when you toss it into your bag. It’s simple to set up on Windows, OS X and Chrome OS — just plug and play; no additional software is necessary. Customers who bought this webcam also praise its quality microphone and flexible mounting options, but complain about its short cord length. If that doesn’t bother you, the Logitech C615 will do the trick.
Runner-Up, Best for Business and Video Conferencing: Logitech C270
If you’re a high-energy business type or active Skype user, but you’re trying to spend as little money as possible on a new webcam, you may want to check out the Logitech C270 instead of the Microsoft LifeCam. Logitech is one of the top brands in webcams, having a hold on most of the top-selling products. But there’s a reason for that: they make quality, dependable webcams. With 720p video calling and recording and a modest design, the C270 is a solid option for any Skype session, Google Hangout or Zoom meeting. You can snap really basic three-megapixel still images, and it features a built-in noise reduction mic. It does not swivel left or right but it does tilt and articulate vertically.
Best Wide-Angle Webcam: Genius 120-degree Ultra Wide Angle Full HD Webcam
Wide-angle webcams offer a somewhat niche appeal, but there are certainly reasons to look into buying one. Maybe you want to live stream a musical performance, record an entire family at Thanksgiving dinner, or stream some momentous landscape from your laptop. If you find yourself in one of these or some other camp, check out the Genius Ultra Wide Angle Webcam. It captures Full HD (1080p) video at a wide angle of up to 120 degrees, giving you an unparalleled perspective for a wide variety of conditions. It also captures 12-megapixels still images, rotates 360 degrees and tilts up and down with the laptop or desktop connection. It even features a glass lens that offers manual focus capabilities.
Tested by
How We Tested
Our reviewers spent two hours testing a top-rated webcam. To get the most comprehensive results, they used it for video chatting and recording. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using this webcam, from picture quality to usability. We've outlined the key points here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.
What to Look for in a Webcam
Resolution - Do you need 720p or 1080p webcam? That depends on how you’ll be using it. If you’re planning on recording and publishing video with your device, then maxing out the resolution is probably a good idea. But if you’re just doing some video conferencing with it, and you don’t want to spend extra money for better resolution, 720p should work just fine.
Price - You’d be surprised at how much you can shell out for a webcam, considering the technology hasn’t changed all that much over the last few years. If you are paying extra attention to the bottom line, then you should make sure you aren’t spending too much on a webcam. You can get the quality and features you need without breaking the bank.
Microphone - The built-in microphone on your computer isn’t always the highest quality. If you’re not going to be using an external mic when you are using your webcam (though we highly recommend it if you’re filming for YouTube or another service), then the quality of the microphone built into the webcam is very important.
Test Results: Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 (Best Overall)
3.9
What We Like
- Superb video quality
- Clear audio
- Includes tripod clip
“I think that this webcam is perfect for people who are freelancers or are looking to start a YouTube page or teach via webcam,” one tester revealed. The HD camera was far superior to built-in cameras, according to our reviewers. Clear audio, seamless connectivity, and the ability to attach the camera to a tripod for better angles were other pluses mentioned by Lifewire testers. On the flip side, one person said setup was “a little complicated,” particularly when trying to use this webcam a Mac instead of a PC.