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To find the best webcam for Mac you’ll need to determine the features that are right for you and your home. We recommend that you favor full macOS-compatible webcams that capture 1080p video at 30FPS, feature a high-SPL mic that records high-quality digital audio or compressed audio, and offer plenty of connectivity options for mobile devices, video/audio recording apps, and video calls and video chatting. Image enhancement features like fast, precise autofocus, low-light compensation, and gamma correction, and auto video compression to save hard drive space and increase transfer and streaming speeds are also good to look for.
After analyzing hundreds of reviews amongst a multitude of products with varying price points and features, we’ve determined that the Logitech C922x is the best webcam for Mac you can buy on the market today. Keep reading about this and our other top picks to learn more about the best webcams available for purchase.
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Automatic light correction, Full HD video and image correction for excellent video quality, and other professional features make it a best-in-class option.
The Logitech C922x Pro Stream is a high-end webcam that captures up to 1080p/30FPS or 720p/60FPS video with an advanced image processor and high-quality full HD glass lens for excellent image quality rivaling some digital cameras. It features low-light compensation, precise, fast autofocus, and two high SPL condenser mics for crisp, distortion-free stereo audio.
Its fast USB-3 connection and 5-foot cable allow for latency-free live streaming and fast transfers with easy integration into gaming consoles and game streaming apps for both Windows and macOS. Firmware and software updates do require manual installation, which is easy enough but needs to be monitored from time to time. But for fast, easy streaming of high-quality video and sound with a mobile device, desktop app, and laptop connectivity, it’s a top choice. For more options with excellent streaming capabilities, check out our best webcams for streaming buying guide.
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: A built-in ring light for low-light situations, high FPS capture great for 4k gaming, and a highly portable design for professional results at a great value.
The Razer Kiyo is a stripped-down, highly portable webcam built for ease of use and designed to accompany 4k gaming in high fidelity with 720p/60FPS or 1080p/30FPS video capture. It features a built-in ring light that helps manage and remove shadows for easy framing regardless of light levels or sources. Its high FPS makes it great for Twitch and other game streaming as well as chat apps or any other application requiring speed and precision.
Though its built-in mic doesn’t provide the high SPL and fidelity of some other models, its plug-and-play compatibility with all major gaming consoles and streaming apps and its simple, easy-to-use design make it a great choice for gamers. Additionally, the Razer Kiyo’s compact folding design makes it a great choice for content creators who need portability in their setup. Paired with the best microphone for streaming you have a perfect setup.
Award: BEST RESOLUTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Ultra HD, high-FPS capture, and a host of advanced features like facial recognition software and low-light compensation make it a top performer for professional streaming and business use.
The Logitech BRIO is an Ultra HD high-performance webcam that offers exceptional high-speed image quality excellent for game streaming, conferencing, and general live streaming. It features a 5x digital zoom, exceptional low-light performance, and its RightLight™ 3 tech offers full HDR for rich, deep color and contrast. Multiple aspect ratio options like ultra-widescreen add to the variety of professional results it’s capable of.
Its exceptional fidelity and high frame rate performance come with a higher price point than many in its class, including other Logitech webcams But for some of the best video capture available amongst webcams with a good deal of customizable framing options, it’s a powerful option. You might also want to check out our best wireless webcams guide for additional options with great portability.
Award: BEST ADJUSTABILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: High res, high FPS video capture, a super-flexible mount, and extra-wide FOV with plug and play compatibility for multiple apps and operating systems.
The Logitech C930 is a full HD webcam that captures up to 1080p/30FPS video. Its super-flexible mount allows for an exceptional amount of framing possibilities, augmented by its 90-degree extended FOV that offers some of the widest shots available in class. It offers plug-and-play compatibility with Windows and macOS and a large number of web and desktop apps include Skype and Google Hangouts.
Its USB 2.0 allows for smooth streaming and fast transfers, though it’s not as fast as models featuring USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt connections. But its exceptional field of view, advanced image processor, framing flexibility, and easy-to-use design and versatility make it a great choice, especially for conferences needing large image capture and lots of software compatibility. It’s a great option for Mac users looking for the best webcams for Skype.
Award: BEST SECURITY FEATURES
WHY WE LIKE IT: A privacy shutter for security and lens protection and HD, glass-lens video capture with stereo dual-mic audio in an easy to use, sleek package.
The Logitech C920S is an HD webcam with a sturdy but lightweight design made for general purpose high-quality streaming applications. Its built-in privacy shutter allows for security when not in use and also functions as protection for its precision glass lens. It features advanced, a fast autofocus focus for consistent shots at 1080p/30FPS, and an extra-long 5ft USB cable for easy setup.
It’s bulkier than some models available and it may be slightly awkward for small laptops, though its lightweight means it’s still very much usable for any laptop or monitor. Add its excellent image quality, consistent subject clarity, and security-minded design, and it’s an excellent choice for streamers looking for performance and privacy.
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Award: BEST VIDEO PLATFORM COMPATIBILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: HD video capture, chat app optimization, and a highly customizable and portable design make it a very flexible option great for difficult shots.
The Logitech C615 is a 1080p/30FPS webcam designed for capturing high-quality video and optimized for 720p video chatting on Skype, Google Hangouts, Face-time for Mac, and most other popular chat formats. It features a 360-degree full-motion rotating camera, folding design for portability, and a tripod-ready base, making it extremely flexible for a wide variety of shot setups. Its fast auto-focus and stereo mic featuring noise cancellation ensure clean sound and picture with minimal fuss.
It’s bulkier than many on the market, which may make it difficult to balance on smaller laptops. However, its exceptional level of compatibility with a wide variety of formats and apps for both Windows and Mac, its USB 2.0 and 3.09 connectivity, and its fully rotating design make it a great choice for a Mac-friendly webcam that can produce great video and sound in many different shooting situations. If you’re a Chromebook user, you might want to check out our best webcams for Chromebook buying guide as well.
Award: BEST FOR CONTENT MAKERS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Full of advanced features like auto frame finding and low-light compensation, it’s a cutting-edge tool for content creators and streamers alike.
The Logitech StreamCam is a feature-rich 1080p/60FPS USB-C webcam with a large assortment of advanced features like precise auto-focus, smart exposure, AI facial tracking, and a flippable design allowing video and still image capture in ultra-wide 9:16 format. In addition to being tripod-mountable, its built-in mount is designed for maximum flexibility for attaching to a wide variety of devices, and it connects via USB Type-C for impressive transfer speeds.
Its advanced features and exceptional image fidelity come at a higher price point than many on the market. However, its plug-and-play Mac functionality offers a fairly easy-to-use option great for streaming but even better for content creators who desire far more creative options than many webcams on the market, with top-quality results. It’s definitely one of the best webcams for YouTube on our list.
Award: BEST FOR LOW LIGHT STREAMING
WHY WE LIKE IT: Low light compensation and a fully adjustable built-in light with great image fidelity and compatibility with all major streaming platforms perfect for low light scenarios.
The Aobocois a full HD 1080p/30FPS webcam featuring a switchable 3-mode built-in ring light and low light compensation software for capturing quality video streams in low light scenarios. Its 360 degree rotating design makes it highly adjustable for easy framing of difficult angles and it can attach to most tripod mounts for even more flexibility. It also features stereo noise-canceling mics that capture good quality sound up to 5 meters away with moderate SPL for protection against distortion.
Its patented H.264 auto video compression halves normal MPEG file sizes while retaining full quality, allowing for HDD space-saving and faster file transfers. Its ring light, stereo mic, and large lens add a fair amount of bulk compared to some models, however, its flexibility, high compatibility with most streaming platforms, and excellent low-light performance are great for game streaming and other applications where dark rooms are often the rule, making this one of the best gaming accessories for gamers who like to live stream.
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Full HD, auto light compensation, and plug-and-play compatibility in a terrific value for a pared-down but quality streaming camera at a budget-friendly price.
The Wansview is a 1080p/30FPS webcam with plug-and-play macOS functionality and full integration with the most popular streaming, video content, and video conferencing platforms available including Skype, Facetime, Youtube, Twitch, and more. Its dual stereo mic features good quality sound and reasonable SPL along with noise-canceling for clear, distortion-free recording of most average sources.
Its USB 2.0-only connectivity means transfer speeds aren’t like some models on market, but for a budget-minded model, it captures good quality full HD video and sound and its pared-down design makes it easy to use. Add to that features like low-light compensation and you’ve got an exceptional value for a webcam that will deliver good results for streaming, video conferencing, and content creators alike. Pair this with the best selfie light and you’ve got a winning combination.
Award: BEST FOR ZOOM CONFERENCING
WHY WE LIKE IT: A precision glass element lens, ClearFrame tech for clean, focused, wide-angle coverage for large conferences in an option compatible with all digital media platforms for Windows and macOS.
The Anvia W8 is a super-compact, lightweight webcam with a wide 75-degree viewing angle that makes it ideal for video conferences with any number of devices. Its pared-down design doesn’t feature its own software, but it captures high-quality 1080p/30FPS video, and its high-performance noise-canceling stereo mics are designed to pick up distortion-free sound in loud and noisy settings, with noise-canceling for added clarity.
Its automatic video compression means it’s not ideal for some content creators who require high-quality files for editing and production, but it captures crisp HD video more than adequate for conferencing and streaming. Its plug-and-play compatibility with most major chat platforms as well as macOS and Windows and its excellent value make it a solid choice for business applications that need easy functionality for large rooms and noisy sound fields. It’s one of the best webcams for conference rooms on our list.
We preferred fully macOS compatible webcams that capture a minimum of 720p/30FPS and preferably 1080P/60FPS video in a variety of file types like AVI and MP4. We liked webcams that feature image and image capture options and capabilities like autofocus, low light compensation, and gamma correction, and which were compact enough to mount easily on 13” Macbooks.
We appreciate webcams that came with macOS-compatible editing software and had convenience features like switchable video compression for saving HDD space and allowing fast file transfers. We also liked models that were additionally compatible with Windows, Android, and iOS apps and platforms.
Finally, we liked webcams with built-in condenser mics featuring omnidirectional patterns for even sound pickup and which recorded sound at 16 bits and 44.4kbps, high-quality compressed formats. We also liked webcams that interfaced or synced to sound recording and video editing apps for easy integration into digital media software suites, and which had extra features like noise cancellation for video conferencing and similar uses, making it one of the best office products for your company.
If you intend on streaming video content of yourself or any other talking-head content, you’ll need some sort of camera if your laptop or desktop computer doesn’t come with one (the latter rarely does, as it would have to be connected to the monitor. Even if your laptop is equipped with a built-in camera, they’re often not of the quality of a dedicated external camera, with limited video resolutions, poor SPL mics that can distort and clip easily, and lack of integration with other devices and editing or recording software. A dedicated webcam will generally give you high image quality and superior sound (if they feature mics) and will integrate with your editing and recording software or feature built-in software for an all-in-one mini production suite.
Though many webcams can provide quite high-quality images, their small, modular nature means they generally can’t provide the fidelity and cinematic results as professional-grade digital cameras designed for filmmakers. While most webcams are capable of capturing 1080p, not all of them are capable of 60FPS, and generally speaking, almost none are capable of UltraHD, 4K video. So while they’re mostly more than adequate for high-quality streaming for gaming, vlogs, and talking head content, they’re not really designed to deliver the fidelity, richness, depth of field, and color depth that many professional digital cameras can.
While in theory any webcam can be hacked using trojan horse viruses and other malware, and such hackers can even get to cameras on private networks, the likelihood of this happening to you is fairly low. And while years ago it was conventional wisdom that Macs don’t get viruses and malware- that’s no longer really the case- though it’s still less common. Regardless, it’s best to be on the safe side and, besides taking common-sense precautions with how you use your webcams, firewall apps, whether built-in to Windows or macOS or installed separately, is a good idea, as are VPNs and general security software of which there are countless options. It’s not something to be overly worried about but err on the side of caution just the same.
The best webcam for Mac will feature full macOS compatibility and connectivity options for iOS devices (iPhone and iPad), as well as and video/audio recording apps, digital media suites, and streaming platforms. It should be able to capture video at 1080p/60FPS full HD resolution and with additional Ultra HD options and feature a high-SPL mic that records high-quality digital audio or compressed audio. Image and shot enhancement features like fast, precise autofocus, low-light compensation, and gamma correction, and auto video compression to save hard drive space and increase transfer and streaming speeds are also good to look for.
