Best webcam 2020: video call or stream like a pro

Whether you have a busy video calling schedule or are starting your first game streaming channel on Twitch or YouTube, a quality webcam is about as important as having a quality microphone.. When connecting with people on video calls or with an audience while streaming games, the ability to show people on the other end of the internet a clear stream of what you’re doing is a critical part of establishing a strong connection. The type of webcams that you’ll find on most laptops are usually the bare minimum of what you can use to get the job done. And, while you can try a solution like using your phone as a webcam over an IP connection, a suitable webcam will be a simpler and more efficient solution. The dedicated hardware of a standalone webcam can deliver a clear picture with minimal latency, and some even go above and beyond by providing video at 60 fps or 4K. You’ll quickly notice the difference, as will the people watching your feed. Plus, most webcams have handy brackets to attach to the top of your monitor for a good viewing angle.

We have selected a large number of webcams that can intensify your streaming and video calls, especially if you combine them with quality microphone for streaming. (Note: Webcams are in high demand, so we have highlighted several retailers, but they may be temporarily out of stock.)

TL; DR – These are the best webcams:

1. Logitech C920S HD Pro webcam

Best webcam

Right now, just about any quality webcam you can get your hands on can be worth it. The Logitech C920S HD Pro webcam is one of the main contenders for its balanced offering. Hopefully, you can get it for around $ 80, because that’s what it should cost. That said, the webcams currently available tend to see their prices a bit inflated by the high demand.

Even if you have to pay a little more than retail value, the Logitech C920S will give you good performance. This webcam delivers Full HD video at 30 fps, ensuring you get crisp video for your business calls or game streaming. It also supports stereo audio. The mounting bracket included with the C920S will make it easy to mount on top of your monitor. And, its excellent autofocus will help you stay clear even if your setup isn’t consistent. That said, with prices everywhere, you can find the C920S priced close to some of its high-end competitors, so be sure to check out the other webcams below.

2. Lenovo Essential FHD webcam

Best budget webcam

Despite such demand for webcams this year, Lenovo offers an affordable option that doesn’t make a huge sacrifice in terms of visual quality. The Lenovo Essential FHD webcam is, as the name suggests, a Full HD webcam that can ensure your video quality gets top-notch processing.

It might not be 4K and Lenovo doesn’t mention anything about the 60fps offering, but you can forgive those omissions when you see the price. The Lenovo Essential FHD webcam even includes a privacy cover and has two microphones.

3. Aukey PC-LM1E Full HD webcam

Best ultra cheap webcam

There are plenty of fancy webcams out there that cost a lot of money, but if you just need a simple camera that will do the job with clear image quality, you will need the Aukey PC-LM1E webcam. This webcam only costs $ 60, although we’ve seen a few great discounts cut this down considerably, so it’s much easier to fit into a budget, especially since many webcams are seeing their prices increase by high demand. .

The Aukey PC-LM1E offers Full HD resolution, so you can be sure to have a clear picture. And, with a 1 / 2.9-inch image sensor, it can capture more light than a small webcam. It comes with a stand that will allow you to install it on your desktop or mount it on a monitor. And, from wherever it is perched, it will offer fixed focus and pick up audio with two microphones.

4. Logitech C922 Pro Stream

Best 60fps webcam

No, you don’t see double, but you would be forgiven for thinking that you are. The Logitech C922 is nearly identical to the C920S but with a few more game streaming improvements to (arguably) justify its price increase. You can still record 1080p video at 30 fps, like its predecessor, but the C922x also adds 720p streaming resolution at 60 fps, which means it can match your game’s refresh rate at 60 fps.

Another streamer-focused feature is this webcam’s built-in ability to remove the background around you. The effect looks pretty compelling, but a physical green screen will always be better. The C922 also adds a higher quality glass lens and better low light correction. We still think the original C920S is better value, but if those extra features are important to you, the C922 is a great option.

5. Razer Kiyo

Best streaming webcam

The Razer Kiyo is similar to the Logitech C922x in that it can stream 1080p video at 30 fps or 720p at 60 fps. But what sets the Kiyo apart is its built-in light ring, which allows for more professional capture even in a low-light environment. Light rings have been a semi-secret tool in videographer kits for years, as they tend to make subjects more evenly lit and soften skin tones and features. There’s a reason they’re nicknamed Diva Lights.

6.AVerMedia Live Streamer 4K CAM PW513

Best 4K webcam

A Full HD webcam can get the job done when you’re just trying to join a casual Zoom call or put a tiny picture-in-picture video of yourself in a game stream (after all, it would take a very good internet. capable to stream 4K Video over an uplink connection). But if you are recording your videos and need crisp video, then the AVerMedia Live Streamer 4K Cam PW513 is what you’ll want.

This webcam will capture 4K video at 30 fps or can compose up to 60 fps for 1080p recording. The camera will capture a 94-degree field of view and has a swivel base so you can aim it where you need it. Just note that this level of performance requires a bit more from your PC, so make sure you have an available USB 3.0 port and a computer that meets minimum specs.

7. Logitech C930e

Best webcam for the job

Okay, that might make it look like we’ve just added the same Logitech webcam for the third time between C920S and C922, but stick with us here because the Logitech C930E is hands down the best webcam for the job. While it records videos at the same 1080p and 30fps as some of our picks, this webcam does come with a premium Carl Zeiss lens. It also has one of the widest images thanks to the lens’s 90-degree field of view.

The end result is video calls that appear cleaner, sharper, and bigger. It’s perfect for group gatherings or family video calls if you have multiple people in the same room as you. Of course, this beautiful lens comes at a premium and costs almost twice as much as the C920S.

8. Logitech StreamCam

Best high-end webcam

The Logitech StreamCam is pretty much the only webcam on the market that lets you record both 1080p and 60fps. The StreamCam also has a sophisticated integrated omnidirectional microphone with a small noise filter.

The SteamCam has auto exposure and autofocus functions, and it comes with a fully streaming software suite. You also get a tripod mount with the normal monitor mount, and you can even rotate the camera if you prefer shooting smartphone-style videos in a portrait orientation.

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Kevin Lee is IGN’s material and rounding editor. Follow him on twitter @baggingspam

Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular tweeter on Twitter @ Techn0Mark