It doesn't matter if you're video conferencing with coworkers, chatting with family members, or connecting with a streaming audience — you want to look good! Or, at least, like you're not using a laptop from 2004.
It looks like the external webcam market will probably stick around: the pandemic spawned a slew of new webcams (and webcam makers), spurring innovation and somehow launching every one into uncomfortably high-resolution. Webcams today range from standard HD (1080p) to 4K resolution, have increasingly larger lenses and sensors, and are packed with AI-powered tech that can do everything from improving low-light performance to tracking face and body movement.
It's impossible to recommend a universally perfect webcam, because there are so many different ways to use webcams these days. It's not as easy as going for ultra high-res 4K and calling it a day — after all, most of the common video conferencing platforms (e.g. Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams) don't even support resolutions higher than 1080p (if that).
We've tested dozens of webcams: inspecting build quality, capturing photos in a variety of common lighting conditions, and playing with settings and software to determine the best webcams for every situation — whether you're trying to appear professional while working from home in sweats or creating live streaming content for millions of viewers.
The Quick List
Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best Webcam for Most People
Best Webcam for Most People: Logitech Brio 500 Webcam
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
It’s been over a decade since Logitech released a new webcam (for non-creators, anyway) — and while the Logitech Brio 500’s 1080p/30fps resolution may sound underwhelming, its performance is not. Armed with a flexible 90-degree field of view and Logitech’s RightLight 4 image adjustment technology, the Brio 500 produces an impressive, exposure-balanced image right out of the box.
Image 1 of 3
Logitech Brio 500, well-lit setting
(Image credit: Future)
Logitech Brio 500, overexposed/backlit setting
(Image credit: Future)
Logitech Brio 500, low-light setting
(Image credit: Future)
We were especially impressed with the Brio 500’s auto-white balance, which is something almost all webcams struggle with — it wasn’t perfect, but it was almost as impressive as the auto-white balance seen on much pricier webcams, such as the Insta360 Link. Logitech’s RightLight 4 technology, which is designed to compensate in less-than-ideal lighting situations, did an excellent job of producing flattering, evenly-lit images in both low and overexposed lighting.
The Logitech Brio 500 shows that resolution isn’t everything — it may have the same surface-level specs as older Logitech webcams, such as the C920s and C930e, but it produces much better images. For the average person looking to upgrade their webcam from whatever’s built into their laptop’s bezel, the Logitech Brio 500 offers the best out-of-the-box performance at a reasonable price ($130).
Most web conferencing apps limit your streaming resolution to 1080p or 720p, but that doesn’t mean a webcam with a higher resolution is wasted. If you plan on zooming in to crop out your background, you may prefer the 2K WB5023 Dell Pro Webcam, which is similarly priced to the Brio 500 and also offers impressive out-of-the-box performance.
Read: Logitech Brio 500 Review
Best Webcam for Content Creators
Best Webcam for Content Creators: Insta360 Link
(Image credit: Future)
Best Webcam for Content Creators
Our expert review:
FOV:
79.5 degrees
Video Resolution:
4K/30fps, 1080p/60fps, 720p/60fps
Focus:
Autofocus
View at Amazon+
Excellent auto-lighting and white balance
+
4K resolution with extremely good auto-focus
+
Variety of AI-powered modes
-
Expensive
-
Overkill for most users
The Insta360 Link is an AI-powered 4K webcam perched on a 3-axis gimbal, packed with a variety of capture modes and features that will appeal to content creators such as AI movement tracking, and offers incredibly impressive color reproduction and auto-exposure. This doesn’t come cheap, however — the Link is one of the pricier webcams on this list with a retail price of $300.
Image 1 of 3
Insta360 Link, well-lit setting
(Image credit: Future)
Insta360 Link, overexposed/backlit setting
(Image credit: Future)
Insta360 Link, low-light setting
(Image credit: Future)
The Link offers unparalleled image quality, thanks to its 1/2-inch sensor and 4K resolution. But — more importantly — the Link has some of the best auto-exposure, color reproduction, and auto-focus we’ve ever seen in a webcam. Most webcams have difficulty adjusting between different lighting scenarios (especially quickly), and while the Link isn’t perfect, it’s very good at adjusting on the fly. This, combined with the webcam’s 3-axis gimbal and AI-powered movement tracking, makes the Link a very powerful contender for content creators who move a lot, or for professional or educational presentations.
The Link is a very impressive webcam — maybe a little too impressive. Realistically, the Link is probably overkill for all but a very small user demographic. 4K resolution isn’t even possible in most web conferencing apps, and capture modes such as “portrait mode,” “top-down mode,” and “desktop mode” are fun to play with but aren’t terribly beneficial unless you already know how you’re going to use them.
Read: Insta360 Link Review
Best Budget Webcam
Best Budget Webcam: Microsoft Modern Webcam
(Image credit: Future)
Best Budget Webcam
Our expert review:
FOV:
78 degrees
Video Resolution:
1080p, 30fps
Focus:
Autofocus
Check Amazon+
Even Color
+
HDR
-
Monitor stand can feel insecure
The Microsoft Modern Webcam is cheaper and more readily available than everyone's favorite old standby, the Logitech C920. Plus, the Modern Webcam has more features and offers better color reproduction than its 12-year-old competitor.
The Microsoft Modern Webcam's monitor mount can be shaky on some monitors, especially those that aren't flat along the back — but you can get it to sit relatively still with some artful balancing. The sliding physical camera shutter gives this budget-friendly webcam a more premium feel.
Image 1 of 3
Microsoft Modern Webcam, well-lit setting
(Image credit: Future)
Microsoft Modern Webcam, overexposed/backlit setting
(Image credit: Future)
Microsoft Modern Webcam, low-light setting
(Image credit: Future)
The Microsoft Modern Webcam comes with an intuitive, if not particularly powerful app that's designed to look like a Windows menu. You can use the app to turn on and customize this webcam's special features, which include flicker reduction and HDR mode.
The webcam's built-in stand is convenient (and impossible to lose), but it doesn't allow the camera to swivel or rotate for better shooting angles. Logitech's C920 shares this limitation, but there are cheaper options that offer more flexibility. If you're looking for a webcam that costs and performs in the C920's space, the Microsoft Modern Webcam does a better job of reproducing colors more vividly and accurately, and has advanced options such as HDR. It's an easy choice, so long as your monitor isn't too curvy on the back.
Read: Microsoft Modern Webcam Review
Best 4K Webcam
Best 4K Webcam: Elgato Facecam Pro Webcam
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best 4K Webcam
Our expert review:
FOV:
90 degrees
Video Resolution:
4K/60fps, 4K/30fps, 1080p/60fps, 1080p/30fps, 720p/60fps, 720p/30fps
Megapixels:
-
Focus:
Autofocus
View at AmazonView at Best Buy+
Excellent image quality
+
4k/60fps video capture
+
Further reading:Good software
-
No privacy cover
-
Expensive
-
Images need tweaking to look good
Like most (all) ultra-high-res 4K webcams, the Elgato Facecam Pro isn’t for everyone — remember, web conferencing apps such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, limit your outgoing stream to 720p or 1080p at most. The Facecam Pro is not only capable of producing a high-res 4K image, it’s able to output a 4K stream at 60fps. For context, other 4K webcams max out at 4K/30fps; the Facecam Pro is the first and only webcam capable of 4K/60fps streaming.
The Facecam Pro’s design isn’t particularly impressive — it’s bulky, boxy, and large — but the webcam is relatively lightweight and easy to maneuver, whether you place it on the included monitor mount or attach it to a tripod. It does lack a physical privacy cover, which seems like a pretty big oversight given how incredibly detailed and high-def the webcam’s picture is (plus, the Elgato Facecam came with a privacy cover).
Image 1 of 3
Elgato Facecam Pro, well-lit setting
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Elgato Facecam Pro, overexposed/backlit setting
(Image credit: Future)
Elgato Facecam Pro, low-light setting
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
It has a 90-degree field of view and an autofocus lens, and it comes bundled with Elgato’s Camera Hub software, which offers a surprisingly detailed amount of control over exposure, white balance, and framing. The Facecam Pro retails for $299 and is a good option for professional streamers and content creators who need 4K/60fps video and who are already part of Elgato’s streaming ecosystem.
Read: Elgato Facecam Pro Review
Best Image Quality
(Image credit: Future)
Best Image Quality
Our expert review:
FOV:
82 - 72 degrees
Video Resolution:
4K (30fps), 1440p (30fps), 1080p (60/30/24fps), 720p (60/30fps)
Megapixels:
not disclosed
Focus:
Autofocus=
View at RazerCheck Amazon+
Excellent image quality
+
Integrated privacy shutter
+
Great auto-exposure and white balance
-
Razer Synapse app is the worst
-
Expensive
-
Big
Razer’s first 4K webcam, the Kiyo Pro Ultra, has the largest sensor ever put in a webcam — a 1/1.2-inch Sony Starvis 2, with a wide f1.7 aperture — as well as 4x digital zoom, an adjustable field of view (72 - 82 degrees), and a nicely-integrated physical privacy shutter. It’s a large but relatively lightweight webcam, and it has the same detached-DSLR lens aesthetic as its predecessors.
There’s no question this is one of the best webcams we’ve ever tested when it comes to image quality — it has excellent auto-exposure and color balancing and a shallow depth of field that gives you a nice blurred-background effect without using software. Its impressive image quality was most apparent in our well-lit test setting, but it also did pretty well in our low-light and overexposed scenarios (once we tweaked some settings). The crispness and clarity of the picture is shockingly good, even compared to other 4K webcams — and while the average person probably doesn’t need (and can’t even use) such ultra-HD streaming, this does mean a better picture for lower-resolution streams, especially if you’re zooming and cropping.
Image 1 of 3
Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra, Backlight
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra, full-light setting
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra, low-light setting
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
The Kiyo Pro Ultra works with Razer’s Synapse 3, which offers pretty detailed control over the webcam with manual adjustments for focus, exposure, and color balance, as well as photo and video resolution settings and processing effects. Unfortunately, to adjust any of the Kiyo Pro Ultra’s settings in Synapse 3, you must have the in-app preview turned on, and Windows only allows you to use the webcam with one app at a time — so if you’re trying to set up an image in a program other than Synapse 3 (and you probably are), this quickly becomes a very frustrating process. While this may not be too much of a problem for the casual user, professional streamers and content creators would probably be better off with the Insta360 Link or the Elgato Facecam Pro, which are both similarly-priced 4K webcams with very usable software.
Read: Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra Review
Best 2K Webcam
Best 2K Webcam: Dell Pro Webcam (WB5023)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best 2K Webcam
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
FOV:
78 degrees
Video Resolution:
2K QHD/30fps; Full HD/30fps; HD/60fps
Megapixels:
-
Focus:
Autofocus
View at NeweggCheck Amazon+
HDR is decent in low lighting
+
Looks and feels high-quality
+
Performs well without software tweaks
+
Relatively accurate coloring
-
Auto-white balance is a little sallow
-
Takes a second to adjust auto-exposure/white balance/etc
-
Software image adjustments are…not great
-
Weak built-in microphone
If you’re not quite ready to spring for a 4K webcam — and, let’s face it, you probably don’t need one — the Dell Pro Webcam (WB5023) is a nice compromise. This 2K QHD webcam records video at 1440p/30fps (1080p/60fps) and has a 78-degree field of view as well as HDR, 4x digital zoom, a built-in mic, and AI auto-framing.
The Dell Pro Webcam looks similar to its pricier sibling (but... cheaper). It has a plastic chassis, a magnetic lens cap, a non-detachable USB-A cable, and a built-in monitor clamp — it’s definitely less “premium” than the Dell Ultrasharp, but it’s well built and still looks relatively sleek sitting on top of your monitor.
Image 1 of 3
Dell Pro Webcam, well-lit setting
(Image credit: Future)
Dell Pro Webcam, overexposed setting
(Image credit: Future)
Dell Pro Webcam, low-light setting
(Image credit: Future)
The Dell Pro Webcam is a good plug-and-play webcam — it performed well (but not perfect) in all of our lighting scenarios. It was especially impressive in our low-light test scenario, as it’s one of the only webcams we’ve reviewed that has managed to adequately light both the foreground and the background in a near-dark setting. It also features Digital Overlap HDR.
Most video conferencing apps cap streaming video quality at 1080p, so a 2K webcam might not seem any more usable than a 4K webcam in that regard. However, a higher resolution webcam can still make a difference if you plan on zooming in (perhaps to crop out your background), so it’s not just content creators who can benefit.
Read: Dell Pro Webcam (WB5023) Review
Other Webcams We Tested
How We Test Webcams
We test each of our webcams by inspecting its specs, design, and build quality, as well as how easily its lens can be covered for privacy. We also test the stability and flexibility of any built-in or included monitor stands.
We then shoot test photos in three lighting conditions: (1) well-lit, with bright lighting both in front of and behind the subject; (2) backlit/overexposed, with bright light behind the subject and one 27-inch monitor in front of the subject; and (3) low-light, with no lighting aside from one 27-inch monitor in front of the subject. Our home office lighting is completely controlled.
Our first round of shooting uses the camera's default, out-of-the-box settings. We then manually adjust the camera's settings using the camera's companion software, if applicable. If the camera doesn't come with software, we use a third-party application (YouCam 9) to adjust its settings. We take our photos using the Windows Camera app for consistency.
Quick Shopping Tips
Here are a few details to consider while you're shopping for the perfect webcam.
Finding Discounts on the Best Webcams
Whether you're shopping for one of the best webcams or one that didn't quite make our list, you may find savings by checking out the latest Logitech promo codes, Newegg promo codes, Amazon promo codes, Razer promo codes or Micro Center coupons.
MORE: Best Gaming Headsets
MORE: Best Gaming Microphones
MORE: Best Gaming Monitors
Not every webcam is an upgrade over the built-in one on your laptop. These are the models I tested that ranged from merely unimpressive to ones that made me look like the subject of a second-grade art project.
Microsoft LifeCam Studio for $120: It says it's a 1080p webcam, but there's a catch—that's only for recording video. Using it for video calls restricts you to 720p. My coworkers commented on how out-of-focus I constantly was. The white balance was so off that I looked more orange than an Oompa Loompa. And the exposure was so blown out that I never stopped looking like I was living through the last scenes of The Lighthouse. There was also a lot of lag in my movements and bad motion blur.
Logitech Brio 500 for $100: I'm struggling to think of a reason why Logitech decided to make the Brio 500 mount via an adhesive patch on its bracket, which is not meant to be removed once placed onto a laptop or monitor. What if you want to use it on multiple computers, as many of us do, or if you swap the case on your laptop? The adjustment is wacky, too. The webcam is held onto the base via a magnet. Panning the cam downward often pulled it off the base instead of adjusting the angle, and swiveling it left or right caused it to loosen so much it wouldn't stay put. That meant I kept having to pull it off the magnetic stand, screw the mount back down, and reposition it—and then not adjust it during the rest of the Zoom. That said, the image quality of its 1080p resolution, white balance, and color contrast was quite good, if not excellent, and it came with a USB-C connection and a physical privacy shutter. The autofocus could stand to be a touch quicker. Other positives are that you can get it in black, white, or pink, which is two more colors than most webcams offer you.
Logitech Brio 300 for $60: The image quality is lacking on this one. Even in a fairly well-lit room, my picture was grainy. It also did weird things with the white balance as it autofocused. The field of view is quite narrow at 70 degrees and non-adjustable, so the image onscreen is up in your face. You'll want to scoot back quite a bit so everybody else isn't looking up your nose. Like the Brio 500, it comes in black, white, and pink, connects via USB-C, and has a physical privacy shutter. There are better options for this price without these image quality oddities.
Razer Kiyo Pro for $100: Although it looks similar to its cheaper, non-pro sibling, the Pro ditches the light ring and instead relies on software to compensate for low-light conditions. I resented having to download the Razer Synapse app to get a decent image out of the Kiyo Pro. Yes, fine-tuning settings is a very WIRED thing to do, but most people just want to plug their webcam in. Once you fiddle with the app settings, the picture image is sharp and beautiful. However, it has the same overly obvious autofocusing as the regular Kiyo, and it's also a little overpriced. It's not a bad pick, but again, the Logitech Brio can do 4K/30 fps, as opposed to this camera, which tops out at 1080p/60 fps.
Creative Labs Live! Sync 4K for $60: I was skeptical about a 4K resolution webcam for this price, and my skepticism was validated in the wildly-strange white balance that turned me and everything faintly orange. It may be the only webcam that made my room look darker than it actually was. The Creative Labs app is available only for Windows, leaving Mac users out in the cold. The privacy shutter is a rubber cap you put on and take off. The bit that holds it to the webcam when it's off is flimsy enough that if you're rough or careless, you could rip it off, but it's nice that it isn't plastic, which would weaken over time. A minor issue is that the black cap blends in with the black webcam and lens, so that at quick glance it could be hard to tell whether the cap is on or off. The USB-A plug is also a downside. These days, a new webcam really ought to have a USB-C connection so as not to mandate using a hub.
Cisco Desk Camera 1080p for $125: Not to be confused with Cisco's almost identically named Desk Camera 4K. I tried the 1080p, 8-megapixel version in a variety of natural and artificial lighting, but my fellow Gear Team members and I couldn't help but notice that no matter how I used it, the video looked overly pixelated. Unless a webcam can make me look as good pixelated as Axel from Streets of Rage, then I want smooth video that actually looks like it's 1080p. During Zooms, the Desk Camera 1080p had trouble with focusing and zooming, frequently and jarringly refocusing but never getting it quite right.
Logitech StreamCam for $101: The StreamCam did weird things with its white balance, constantly auto-adjusting from one extreme to the other. It was a very nouveau art house vibe having everything on the screen to go from blinding, brilliant blue to toasty, volcanic orange and back. And back, and back again. It swivels left and right, but the swivel is unstable, so the StreamCam wobbles around a lot, especially if it's mounted on a laptop. On one of our many Zoom meetings, a coworker asked if I was on the deck of a boat. The only great thing about it is that it uses a USB-C cable, while most other webcams use USB-A.
Anker PowerConf C300 for $100: It's not a bad webcam, but when I checked the price my eyes bugged out a little, Daffy Duck-style. The picture image on the Anker just didn't look as sharp. While its white balance and autofocusing were … fine, it just isn't worth the triple-digit price, not when the sharper Logitech C920 and Razer Kiyo exist.
Comments
0