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To find the best webcams for streaming you’ll need to determine the features that are right for you and your home. We recommend that you favor webcams that capture video at 1080p and 30FPS frame rates, 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 streaming you can buy on the market today. Keep reading about this, and our other top picks to learn more about the best webcams on the market.
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. If you prefer a wireless option, you might want to consider the best wireless webcams as well.
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
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, including 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 one of the best webcams for conference rooms on our list.
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
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 a great value in a quality model.
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 makes it a great choice for gamers. Its compact, folding design also makes it a great choice for content creators who need portability in their setup, making it a nice option if you’re looking for the best webcams for YouTube on a tighter budget.
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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, and 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. But for some of the best video capture available amongst webcams with a good deal of customizable framing options, it’s a powerful option. If you’re a Mac user, our best webcams for Mac buying guide might also be of interest to you.
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, fast autofocus for consistent shots at 1080p/30FPS, and an extra-long 5ft USB cable for easy setup.
This Logitech Streamcam is bulkier than some models available and 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. Its privacy features make it one of the best webcams for Skype as well.
Award: BEST AUDIO CAPTURE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Wide field of view, image correction technology, and HD video capture round out a full-featured option with high-performance audio and a noise-canceling stereo microphone.
The Audsom Full HD is a 1080p/30FPS webcam with a wide 90-degree FOV, great for conferencing and advanced image correction like fast autofocus and low light compensation. Its high SPL dual noise-canceling stereo mics create clear, crisp audio with no distortion or clipping, and its USB 2.0 and 3.0 compatibility gives it more versatility for interfacing with a wide variety of devices.
Its advanced digital sound features make it fairly bulky and heavy compared to some models, but it’s still easily mountable on nearly any size monitor or laptop. Its high-quality video and image correction features combined with its state-of-the-art top audio performance make it great for conferences and noisy events where a defined, low-noise stereo sound image is crucial. Pair it with the best selfie light for perfect video capture.
Award: BEST VERSATILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: A combination laptop mount and desktop stand, multiple view options including zoom, and compatibility with a wide variety of apps, platforms, and hardware make it an all-in-one option.
The Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 captures 720p/30FPS video with a variety of image enhancement and correction features like multiple digital pan, digital tilt options, and 4x digital zoom. Its omnidirectional integrated microphone captures high-quality audio and automatic noise reduction, and its universal mount/base for laptops, desktops, notebooks, and monitors makes it easy to set up with practically any device.
The 720p/30FPS maximum resolution means some professional content creators won’t find it suitable, but the TrueColor tech augments the lower resolution images with an exceptional color depth and white balance for its class. Its variety of shooting modes, image correction features, and place-anywhere mount make it an extremely versatile webcam of great value. It’s a great option for Chromebook users in search of the best webcams for Chromebook.
Award: BEST FOR WINDOWS USERS
WHY WE LIKE IT: A precision glass element lens and ClearFrame tech for a clean, focused, wide-angle image in an option optimized for Windows digital media production platforms.
The Microsoft LifeCam Studio is a 1080p/30FPS or 720p/60FPS webcam designed and optimized to work seamlessly with Microsoft’s Lync communications and content-creation platform. Its precision glass element lens is assisted by patented ClearFrame and TrueColor technology for focus, clarity, and deep, rich colors, and the high-fidelity built-in microphone captures quality audio for conferences and single-person footage alike.
Its Windows platform-favoring design means it’s perfectly usable, but less plug-and-play for MacOS platforms and devices. However, its high-performing, and reliable, and features like face tracking and noise cancellation round it out as a great option, especially for Windows-based content creators and streamers.
Award: BEST EDITING FEATURES
WHY WE LIKE IT: Ultra HD capable, with an advanced image processor, precision glass lens, and full-featured editing software, it’s a powerhouse webcam and digital media all-in-one.
The Mevo Plus is an Ultra HD webcam and digital media suite capable of 1080p/60FPS and 4K/30FPS video with an advanced image processor and precision glass element lens. It comes with a full-featured editing suite app compatible with Windows, macOS, and Android, allowing live streamers and other content creators to shoot, edit, and upload professional-quality media with relative ease.
Its variety of image capture options, including zoom, autofocus, and low light correction, give users even more control over the content, but its exceptional performance and versatility come at a much higher price point than most in its class. However, for professional quality results, it’s a complete digital media production option that excels at everything from live streaming to conferencing to competitive gaming. You might also be interested in our best action camera guide for more options.
Award: BEST ADVANCED FEATURES
WHY WE LIKE IT: An ultra-modern, high-performance option with advanced technology like a depth-sensing infrared sensor and lens, motion tracking and facial movement, and body-gesture recognition.
The Creative Blasterx Senz3D is a highly advanced 1080p/30FPS infrared-equipped webcam with a host of cutting edge tech features for an innovative streaming experience with many creative possibilities. A unique three-lens design captures complex visual data- using an RGB camera, an infrared camera, and a laser projector for depth sensing, facial recognition, and body gesture recognition.
Other features like background cancellation for reverse-engineered green screening, autofocus, and zoom make for a camera that may be overbuilt for some live streamers and content creators and has a higher learning curve than many models in the class. However, its innovative tech and high image and sound quality offer possibilities not available to most webcams on the market. You might be also interested in purchasing the best digital camera for beginners to take your photography skills to the next level.
We preferred 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
We appreciate webcams that came with editing software and had convenient features like switchable video compression for saving HDD space and allowing fast file transfers. We liked models that were compatible with both Windows and macOS and had Android and iOS connectivity options, including the ability to use mobile devices as remote controls.
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 features like noise cancellation for video conferencing and similar uses.
