This is a guide to the best webcams for YouTube for new and advanced content creators.
Using a webcam for YouTube is an easy way to get started with video sharing.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Lumina AI Webcam4K studio-quality Mac webcam with AI software to make you look great when using YouTube.
Use code SHOTKIT for 10% off at Lumina.
CHECK PRICE ON LUMINA CHECK PRICE AT AMAZONThere’s no need to worry about camera settings, composition or any of the myriad other elements to filming high-quality videos.
Whether you’re live streaming or simply recording your latest vlog, a webcam makes everything much easier.
Let’s take a look at the top web camera models for your next YouTube video.
What is the Best Webcam for YouTube in 2024? 1. Lumina | Overall Best Webcam for YouTube ProsProfessional YouTube content creators focused on live streaming high-quality videos in a range of circumstances have widely adopted the Lumina 4K webcam.
Its pocket-sized, sleek design makes it ideal for content creators who need to record YouTube videos on the go without compromising on the overall picture and sound quality.
Delivering 4K high image quality, it can be set to record in 1080p and 720p, with plenty of settings to alter image tone, saturation, and white balance.
Additional options available via the app include artificial blur and bokeh, with a digital zoom that allows users to hone in for a close-up on the subject.
The sound quality offered by the built-in mic is also exemplary, considering its small size, further enhancing its appeal for YouTubers creating content in the wilderness.
The Lumina 4K’s combination of high-quality sound and pictures, together with a raft of options, makes it the most versatile webcam available for YouTube vlogging.
2. Insta360 Link | Best Face Tracking Webcam for YouTube ProsLike the Lumina 4K webcam, the Insta360 Link delivers premium-level performance capable of satisfying the expectations of the most hardened YouTuber.
This fully motorised webcam delivers fast and responsive face and body tracking thanks to its AI-powered control and 360-degree swivel mechanism.
This makes it a leader in the webcam market for those who prefer to move around the frame when creating content rather than sitting head-on in front of their camera.
In addition to excellent facial recognition and tracking, it can also be used to track hand gestures, which can be used to control the camera zoom and other functions.
If you’re running a YouTube channel that posts tutorials, there’s also an overhead mode that swivels the webcam downwards to display the contents of your desk.
All of these unique features are matched by the exemplary image quality delivered by the 1/2-inch sensor, which allows you to record video in 4K resolution for professional results.
3. Logitech C270 | Best Budget Webcam for YouTube ProsIf you’re new to the YouTube content creation game and don’t have a large budget to play with, the Logitech C270 is an excellent cost-effective webcam to get started.
This no-frills webcam offers surprisingly good camera quality for the price, with 720p resolution at 30fps complemented by impressive automatic light correction.
It’s lightweight and robust, fitting snugly on the top of a laptop for on-the-go content creators, and comes with a built-in microphone that produces clear mono audio.
While the resolution limitations may be insufficient for tasks such as Twitch streaming, it’s crisp and clear enough for video calling and practice streams on YouTube.
Pro YouTubers may want to look elsewhere, but the Logitech C270’s unbeatable price makes it an ideal backup webcam or a solid entry-level option for newcomers to the scene.
It’s a cheap webcam, but YouTubers working on a tight budget can get started streaming games online before taking the plunge with a more expensive model.
4. Logitech BRIO | Best Webcam for YouTube with Light ProsStudio-bound YouTubers often enhance the visual appeal of their sets by using sparse lighting around the background, which can lead to poorly-illuminated subjects.
The Logitech BRIO webcam, featuring outstanding lighting adjustment options for high dynamic range video, is a great choice for video streaming in such low-light conditions.
The quality of the 4K video delivered by the Logitech BRIO is top-tier and comes with a 90-degree capture angle to ensure everything fits nicely within the frame.
Logitech’s RightLight 3 feature further enhances its potential with the ability to alter brightness, contrast, and colour settings to bring out additional detail and vibrancy.
Since YouTube is currently the only major streaming platform that supports 4K, the Logitech BRIO is a no-brainer for serious content creators who demand video footage at this resolution.
This combination of exceptional 4K and HDR images with stereo audio and a sharp 5X digital zoom cements the reputation of the Logitech BRIO as a serious webcam.
5. Logitech StreamCam | Best Webcam for Live Streaming ProsAnother outstanding webcam from Logitech is the StreamCam, which, as its name suggests, was designed specifically for content creators and streamers.
As such, it features a wealth of mounting options for all situations, including angling the camera up or down or mounting it on a tripod for bespoke setups.
Face tracking is aided by effective image stabilisation, as well as smart autofocus and exposure, to guarantee a consistent aesthetic throughout a live stream.
Shooting sharp and vibrant images in 1080p at 60fps, the Logitech StreamCam works perfectly in conjunction with streaming software such as XSplit or OBS.
This high quality carries across to the Logitech StreamCam’s built-in mic, which delivers clear audio thanks to the omnidirectional design and noise reduction filter.
It’s another great premium webcam for YouTube content creation that can be used in most streaming settings and offers an impressive selection of customisation options.
Further reading:An effective light and good quality webcam for YouTube content creators on the move is the Logitech C920 S HD Pro Webcam, which fits easily to any laptop.
Cheaper than Logitech’s high-end webcams, such as the BRIO, it’s nevertheless a strong performer with lots of useful features for streaming.
Featuring a durable glass lens with a privacy shutter, the Logitech C920 S HD Pro Webcam offers 1080p/30fps video with great image quality thanks to its glass optics.
Colours are vibrant, with vivid details and effective autofocus, along with the option to turn off auto white balance and make additional adjustments via the options.
Just as the built-in light detection further improves the image quality, so too does the noise reduction ensure crisp dialogue reproduction in most shooting conditions.
The Logitech C920 S HD Pro Webcam represents the ideal mid-budget webcam for YouTubers and streamers looking for a highly portable option for their content creation.
7. Razer Kiyo Pro | Best for 60fps Streaming ProsFor content creators producing YouTube videos or Twitch streaming who demand the best possible quality, there’s the Razer Kiyo Pro webcam.
This high-end product comes with a suitably high price tag, but for the money, you get an outstanding full 1080p at 60fps to deliver dynamic live streams.
While the Razer Kiyo Pro lacks the integrated ring light of its predecessor, its superior video quality more than compensates for this omission with optional HDR and clear low-light images.
If you’re recording in low light, the Razer Kiyo Pro will easily compensate to enhance exposure and reproduce sharp skin tones with fine details and a balanced image.
The viewing angle of up to 103 degrees further enhances its appeal for serious gamers who want strong performance assisted by accurate facial recognition.
Razer’s Synapse software offers additional ways to tweak settings to deliver the best results for your streaming setup, with plenty of presets to try out in addition to manual alterations.
If you’re looking for a new webcam dedicated to professional YouTube streaming, the Razer Kiyo Pro delivers exceptionally high-quality video with plenty of bells and whistles to boot.
What Makes a Good Quality Webcam for YouTube?Here are the features to look for when buying a webcam for your Mac:
Make sure to use a website such as Webcamtests to check your webcam online before uploading to YouTube.
Webcam vs Camera for YouTube – What’s better?Choosing the right equipment for creating YouTube content can significantly impact the quality of your videos.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the main camera types you might consider:
In summary, here’s a table to help your decision:
Camera Type Convenience Cost Video Quality Features Versatility Webcam High Low Low-Medium Low Low Camcorder Medium Medium Medium-High Medium Medium DSLR/Mirrorless Low High High High HighPersonally, I like to use my Insta360 webcam for YouTube video content since it’s always there ready for me on the top of my iMac monitor.
If I took YouTubing more seriously, perhaps I’d have a proper studio setup with a dedicated camera on a tripod ready to film, but for now, a webcam is perfect for occasional YouTube videos.
What are the Best Settings to Use on a Webcam?Here are some general recommendations which can be applied when setting the best webcams for YouTube listed above:
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Lumina AI Webcam4K studio-quality Mac webcam with AI software to make you look great when using YouTube.
Use code SHOTKIT for 10% off at Lumina.
CHECK PRICE ON LUMINA CHECK PRICE AT AMAZONOn one hand, you don't need to worry about too many specifications to figure out what you want; on the other, it helps to understand what you're looking at to prevent being blindsided by marketing claims. For instance, all webcams are plug-and-play, despite frequently being called out as a novelty, and claims like "DSLR-quality video" are meaningless. AI is not magic; it doesn't automatically make a camera (or even a particular feature) better, and the term is used excessively and very loosely in marketing. Your new external webcam won't necessarily be better than the one integrated into your laptop. Integrated models increasingly are tuned to work with the operating systems in a way that third-party cameras aren't.
Improving your environment with good lighting or a better angle can often enhance the quality of your webcam video more than upgrading the camera itself. Even in an ideal environment, the best webcam won't necessarily deliver great video and audio quality on the other end; that can depend on the consistency and quality of your network connection as well as the software you're using. Videoconferencing software, for example, tends to aggressively process the video for smoother and more consistent transmission over the network rather than looking great.
The webcams range from $20 to about $300, and the best models usually go for $200 and up. In general, price rises as resolution, features and quality gets better. Some good 1080p models are available for under $100, but if you want to save money on the admittedly pricey high-end models, you can frequently get the previous model at a good price and they tend to go on sale at the usual times of the year, like Black Friday season.
It's important to separate sensor resolution from video resolution; A lot of webcams with high resolutions (greater than 4K -- which is equivalent to about 8 megapixels) don't produce video at it, instead using the extra pixels to get better results when scaling down to the effective resolution of 1080p, 1440p or 4K, zooming and changing the field of view, low-light performance and more. That's why it's worth considering a 4K model to better frame yourself without looking soft, crunchy or blocky or to demonstrate physical objects.
Don't assume a camera with a high-resolution sensor can output video as 4K. While all software supports 1080p (1,920x1,080 pixels; equivalent to 2 megapixels), other resolutions frequently require specific support -- notably by videoconferencing software. Zoom, for instance, maxes out at 1080p. Keep in mind that software can also take a good image and make it look less good. It does that by compressing excessively for transmission across the software's low-bandwidth pipeline.
Keep in mind that 4K and above webcams can generate a lot of heat, which might be an issue for you if you work in hot environments (prolonged heat may decrease image stability). The metal bodies may be sturdier and sometimes look more attractive, but they also draw heat away from the inside and get hotter to the touch than plastic.
And avoid 720p unless you're desperate and have no money. Even then, you can get a no-name 1080p model for about $20 (maybe less) that will at least be marginally better.
Most webcams usually have a fixed field of view (which from your perspective is zoom or the amount of the view the lens covers); that's fine as long as it covers the amount you need. It's specified in degrees, typically in the range of about 65 degrees (narrow, covering roughly your head and shoulders) to 90 degrees (which can accommodate another person in the view). Conference room webcams tend to have much wider angle of views, unsurprisingly.
Webcams that list multiple fields of view will frequently use digital zoom to achieve it, which means you want to go for a high-resolution webcam; it can look really bad when you start with a 1080p camera.
If the webcam has a wide FOV, then it will likely have distortion that makes straight vertical lines on the sides curve. If that will bother you, look for a narrower FOV, or for a webcam that uses multiple lens elements, which can combat distortion.
Not all webcams have built-in microphones. Models targeted at streamers usually don't, for instance, since the assumption is you'll be using a high-quality headset or standalone mic instead of the webcam mic. Built-in mics tend to be intended for everyday videoconferencing, and you rarely have any control over the characteristics of the sound.
Some are better than others. Noise cancellation sometimes works well, but it often makes your voice sound a little (or a lot) processed, and you can't always control how aggressive it is. Many of the mics are omnidirectional, meaning they pick up sound from multiple locations, but that can generally be compensated for computationally.
Bottom line: If you care about sound quality and can tell good from bad, opt for a non-integrated mic or assume you'll need to supplement it with a dedicated mic. If you just want something "good enough," look at user reviews just to verify that a given webcam doesn't have relevant complaints about the mic.
These come in a billion different sizes and shapes, but the mounts -- the physical clip that lets you perch it on your screen -- are all very similar and tend to be stable but cumbersome. There's no "best" design, but if you want to use it on a laptop, you may want to avoid the big, clunky models.
One advantage bigger models have is the ability to remove the mounts or attach the mount itself to a tripod. Even a small tabletop tripod sitting behind your laptop screen can help avoid the weird looking-down angle you see with a lot of laptop webcams, by raising it to eye level. You'll probably still look down occasionally, but it feels more natural for the people on the other end.
The covers vary a lot, and the ones that completely detach and are fiddly to attach can be annoying, and I lose them about 10 minutes after unboxing. If you're tossing the webcam in a bag and carrying it around, you should use something to protect the front.
Most of a webcam's features are only available via software. Almost any camera will work when you plug it into your USB-C or USB-A port (though 4K webcams frequently need a high-speed USB-C connection to get full resolution). Many of them work well this way.
These features are essential, and they're provided only by software: the ability to override exposure settings when they need correction; some small white balance control (auto usually delivers the best results, but I like to be able to make it slightly warmer or cooler); manual focus and the ability to save the changes as presets. Presets are doubly important for cameras modeled off commercial PTZ (pan, tilt and zoom) webcams like the Obsbot and Insta360 models.
One thing to consider when buying a webcam for a Mac is that there are no controls built into the operating system and Windows doesn't expose the settings (for good reason). If you want to adjust exposure, zoom or white balance, then the support needs to be built into the specific application or into a utility that comes with the camera. Autoexposure can be wrong at unexpected times.
All the cameras focus automatically, but unless you move around a lot, manual focus will let you set it and forget it, and even if you move a bit you don't have to deal with the webcam trying to lock onto you again. At best, it'll snap into focus after a slight delay; alternatively, it will pulse unattractively searching for a focus lock. At its worst, it will fail to lock entirely. Although it's starting to change a bit on the higher end, webcams typically focus on the whole view.
Unfortunately, few manufacturers offer MacOS-compatible utilities; the Elgato FaceCam and FaceCam Pro and the Opal C1 and Tadpole are notable exceptions. The only settings you can control on the Mac natively aren't intended for webcams; Portrait mode (to blur the background) and Studio Lighting (to change the foreground-background exposure balance) -- neither of which works as well on the Mac as it does on an iPhone. Not all the software is as full-featured on both platforms or maintained over time.
For Windows, consider whether you want to use Windows Hello for face recognition. Some external webcams support it, but not all. Usually, if a webcam supports it the manufacturer mentions it in the marketing materials.
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