The best webcams these days can be placed on a scale from no-fuss all the way up to total overkill. Of course, if you're a content creator who relies on a webcam to connect with their audience, arguably nothing will be overkill, but there are some webcams that compete more with full DSLR cameras now. For remote workers, these types of cameras are admittedly going to be more than they'll ever need, but luckily we've put together a handy guide to help you find that'll fit your budget.
These days, there's no real point in going for a webcam that can't record at 1080p. That's true for remote workers, but it's especially true for streamers. You could also go for even smoother 4K quality, which is slowly becoming more affordable. Still, those are really only necessary for full-time content creators and enthusiasts. For basic video conferencing without breaking the bank, 1080p isn't too expensive now, in all honesty. Alongside resolution, it's worth keeping an eye on a webcam's framerate, too. Matching your webcam output with your other best gear for streaming could be really helpful when it comes to video editing further down the line.
The Quick List
The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra is the best webcam ever made. For streamers and content creators, it provides incredible image quality without going down the pricey DSLR road.
We've seen quite a few PTZ AI-controlled webcams now, but none do it better than the Insta360 Link, which gives you excellent 4K image quality and so many clever features.
Elgato's Facecams are well-known by content creators, but its updated 1080p option from 2024 is an excellent choice for most streamers. Its software has tricks up its sleeve too.
OBSBOT is a serious competitor in the AI webcam market, and its Tiny 2 Lite laughs in the face of the typical price range for a 4K webcam. This is a real bargain for emerging creators.
The Logitech StreamCam gives you everything you need in a simple plug-and-play webcam package. It's not the best 1080p camera out there, but its all you need for going live.
If you're looking for a versatile webcam at the start of your YouTube career, the Razer Kiyo Pro gives you excellent 1080p image quality. It also works great in low-light scenarios thanks to its size.
If you frequently need close-ups of artwork, product details, or tabletop miniatures, there's really only one webcam that caters to you, and it's the BenQ IdeaCam S1 Pro.
The best webcam overall
If you're at all familiar with that camera's design, the Kiyo Pro Ultra will be virtually indistinguishable from it. It has the same chunky build quality and rock-solid stand but now houses the biggest sensor ever placed inside a webcam. It also has a lens cover and internal shutter, giving you some simple privacy and protection options.
Sequels are so hard to get right these days. Particularly when one comes out hot on the heels of something as good as the Razer Kiyo Pro, which we deemed the best webcam on the market. The Kiyo Pro Ultra had a lot to live up to, and if you take things back even further to the original Kiyo, Razer might as well have a trilogy of films to cap off here. Other than a seriously steep price of admission to the tune of $300 / £300, this has smashed box office records, instantly become the best film in the series, and left all genre competitors in its wake.
There's no way around it - the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra takes some stunning footage, and can capture 4K in 30fps, or lesser resolutions in up to 60fps. Even without a ring light to help you, the images are so well-balanced. It's almost as though the Kiyo Pro Ultra performs better in low-light scenarios than in the daytime when there was plenty of light in the room. This is excellent for streamers who rely on RGB lighting in a dark room. Razer's Synapse software helps to keep things under control, and you can use it to fine-tune basically any aspect of the webcam you need to.
This is a webcam for content creators that will roll a DSLR camera and face-cam into one package. As a result, you'd be hard-pressed to find a pricier webcam, and unless you really need 4K capabilities, it isn't necessary to spend this much. That said, I don't think there's a better webcam on the market if your budget can stretch this far.
The best webcam for remote workers
The Insta360 Link is the epitome of the Scottish phrase "great gear comes in sma' bulk." Which, hopefully, translates pretty easily to "good things come in small packages." For such a small camera, it packs a lot of power and a myriad of features inside it. As well as being an adorable little companion that genuinely resembles a small digital pet, it's easily one of the top webcams you can get at the moment.
I find it really hard not to humanize this webcam's design, in all honesty. As soon as it sparks to life, it resembles a tiny WALL-E, with all the animated expression a single tiny eye can give it. It's so weirdly adorable, and its impressive movement pace exudes a feeling of excitement that's hard to come by from technology these days.
It's not all looks though, the Insta360 Link is packed with great-performing features for content creators and remote workers. AI facial tracking, 4K resolution, whiteboard mode (for presenting during video calls), and clever gesture controls are just the tip of the iceberg here, and more versatile uses even include things like DeskView.
Of all the webcams with AI facial tracking I've seen, the Insta360 Link is the best, and most natural. So much of the time, this feature in webcams is really distracting, and often obtrusive. If it isn't tracking the subject's every slight movement, it's probably accompanied by a hilarious zoom that, every time I see, makes me feel like I've been pulled into one of Oblivion's NPC interactions.
Admittedly, this is one of the pricier webcams you can go for, and most people don't need this many features. If you can afford it though, this is a super versatile webcam that won't let you down.
The best value webcam
When we first tested the Elgato Facecam MK2 at launch, we weren't very impressed. Some software issues and a lack of vibrant colors kept it from getting our seal of approval. Fortunately, firmware updates have improved things, and we're now looking at a 1080p webcam that suits live streamers down to a T.
If you know of Elgato's other webcams, you'll immediately recognize the design of this device. It takes on a similar shape and size, albeit smaller than the Facecam Pro. You aren't getting fancy 4K features here, but not every content creator needs that - especially if you're only using a webcam for a small box in the corner of your live stream.
If you drop the resolution to 720p you do have the option to record at 120fps, which could be a versatile setting depending on your setup and slow-mo needs. One small detail you win here compared to other webcams is that the transfer rate is directly tied to the Elgato cable you get in the box. Cable speeds can cause havoc with modern webcams, and a simplified compression system on board the MK2 is something to shout about.
Out of the box, colors and contrast aren't the best here. We found that fine-tuning the various settings in the Elgato Facecam Hubb was well worth the time, as the automatic exposure and white balance especially were never able to generate a desired image without taking a hands-on approach. Luckily, the software you gain access to with your purchase is extensive, and there are lots of ways to adjust the image quality to your preferences.
For a brand new 1080p webcam for $150, this is a conclusive package that's well-worth buying.
The best budget 4K webcam
The latest tiny 4K webcam from OBSBOT makes its price tag one of the most surprisingly small parts about it. We've known this brand is capable of some amazing AI-powered webcams for a while, but we haven't seen a 4K webcam be this affordable - especially from a well-known brand in the space.
If you're familiar with AI-tracking webcams like OBSBOT's previous Tiny 4K, the Tiny 2, or indeed the InstaLink 360, you'll find a familiar look and feel with the Tiny 2 Lite. It doesn't seem to change much from the Tiny 2, but comes in at a much more affordable price. You'll find all the same tracking, pan, tilt, zoom, and hand gestures that these types of cameras are known for. For streaming, that's wonderfully useful as you can move around without worrying about shifting out of frame. For remote workers, presenting during video meetings just became a lot easier.
Even without all of those frills, the Tiny 2 Lite produces some brilliant picture quality - especially for something this small. For reference, you aren't going to compete with the likes of the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra in terms of picture quality, but 4K for this kind of price is still 4K. It's a real shame OBSBOT doesn't seem to care about 1440p support, but that's one of the few disappointments we have for its Tiny 2 Lite.
The best no-fuss webcam
The Logitech StreamCam is aimed squarely at the amateur streaming market. More specifically, it's focusing on members within that market running high-quality machines that can really push this device to its limits.
With footage captured at up to 1080p resolution at 60fps, you're getting particularly impressive video quality here, all running silky smooth and taking advantage of additional software features like backlight correction, center framing, and image stabilization.
There's no denying that the Logitech StreamCam produces an excellent video quality, on par with far more expensive devices
Logitech StreamCam review
You may need to fiddle with a few of these settings to get everything working just right for you, dropping down the framerate to allow the center framing to react quickly, for example, but if your PC can withstand the considerable power draw this webcam requires, this is an amazing piece of kit.
The best YouTube webcam for beginners
If you want something that goes above and beyond the call of duty (particularly for streaming), the Razer Kiyo Pro has you covered. It's expensive, but that high price tag nets you equally high quality.
Where most webcams struggle with low-light environments of the kind you'd find in a streaming setup, the Kiyo excels. Its sensors nail the landing in almost any scenario, be it darkened rooms lit only by your monitor or bright offices awash with overexposure. It's noticeably better than the competition in that regard.
It's worth the price of admission if you're a streamer or influencer. It's one of the best premium webcams you can get your hands on right now
Razer Kiyo Pro review
In our testing, we were initially let down by the Razer Kiyo Pro's lack of built-in ring light as we had with the original model, however, our fears were quickly put aside when the performance was taken into account. This webcam features a stellar low light sensor which made for impressive results even in darkened and dimly lit rooms illuminated by nothing more than a monitor's glow.
Razer started the year with a bang, announcing the Kiyo Pro Ultra, a 4K update to this popular webcam. We're currently sourcing one to review, and once we do, we'll be sure to update this page. If anything, this camera might be more prone to a price drop now, making it even better value than before.
The best macro webcam
If you're an artist or product designer, or maybe a jeweler who needs a webcam with the ability to zoom in on the finest details of something, you have few options on this list. The BenQ IdeaCam S1 Pro caters to a small minority in the webcam market, but for that reason, it's hard to really compare it to any other camera we've looked at here.
The true selling point of this device is its detachable Macro lens which snaps onto its front and lets you zoom in by 15x. On top of that, this camera attaches to its monitor stand with an ingenious magnetic base, meaning you can quickly and easily grab it and use it in handheld mode. That's perfect for art streamers who want to show off the fine details of what they're creating, but it's not exactly a feature that's needed by the mainstream.
The design of this webcam is a few years old now, as it still has the integrated ring light which manufacturers have since discovered, doesn't do an awful lot. That said, in close up macro shots, it'll surely help to provide balanced lighting.
If you're one of the remote workers or niche content creators this caters to, you'll find no true rival for capturing the finer details than this experimental BenQ product.
Best webcam 2023: FAQs
What webcam is best for streaming?
In our eyes, the best webcam for streaming is the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra. It has excellent picture quality, an HDR mode, works great in low lighting, and can record in 4K. Through great software, you have ultimate control over the Ultra's every element, and for streamers and content creators, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option. Unfortunately, with great power comes a high price, so keep this in mind. A more affordable mid-range option for streaming is the AverMedia PW315. It'll give you great picture quality for a little less money.
Is it worth getting a webcam?
At a time where many of us are still working from home or doing flexible hours in the office, a good webcam can help you to be seen in your best light. Should you be considering starting a Twitch or YouTube streaming channel, though, then a decent webcam should be strongly considered in order to stand out on the platform and bring out the best of your personality in your content.
Which brand makes the best webcams?
While there are many different brands making some of the best webcams, we've found that Razer, Logitech, Avermedia, and Trust are the most reliable names on the market right now. No one wants to spend money on a new camera only to be disappointed by poor visuals or a lacking lifespan. In our testing, these are the models worth your time and attention.
What is the best webcam for work from home?
We'd argue that if you're just looking for one of the best webcams for video conferencing and working from home, you don't need to splash out quite as much on something which is geared at content creators. In our opinion, you'd be quite safe with something like the Logitech C270. It only records in 720p, but also won't break the bank.
What is a good webcam video quality?
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If you're looking for a webcam for some basic video conferencing, 720p webcams should be all you really need. For any budding streamers or content creators, you'll definitely see the benefit of getting a 1080p webcam that can record at 30-60fps. The extra clarity, combined with the stability of a decent framerate will match up with any gameplay recording you're doing at the same time, and will most likely match the streaming service you're broadcasting on. There are also 4K webcams, but these are usually the most expensive option.
Is a webcam better than a laptop / portrait phone camera?
While laptops and smartphones have continued to get sharper sensors and smarter technology behind smaller cameras, a dedicated webcam, in most cases, will look better. There's also the question of convenience, however, as you can attach a webcam to the top of your monitor, or set up in bespoke fashion on a desk without having to worry about battery lives of either your laptop or phone. Dedicated webcams tend to offer more controls, too, such as wider field of view, adaptive auto focus, and superior microphone sound in many instances.
To refine your streaming loadout further, check out the best capture cards, the best microphones for streaming and gaming, and the best streaming mixers.
