1. The list in brief
2. Best webcam overall
3. Best budget webcam
4. Premium streaming webcam
5. Best 4K 60fps webcam
6. Affordable for content creation
7. Best 4K webcam for travel
8. Best 1080 webcam for low light
9. Best webcam for streamers
10. Best webcam for livestreaming
11. Best webcam with AI tracking
12. How to choose
13. How we test
You need the best webcam to keep you connected with colleagues and loved ones. If you’ve been relying on your phone camera or your laptop’s low-resolution webcam for video calls, it's high time that you upgrade to a stand-alone webcam that offers better video quality and perhaps a higher resolution - particularly if you’re using it for work meetings.
Before choosing your webcam, you'll need to decide what you'll be using it for and which features will be useful; we've got some advice at the bottom of the page to help you make your decision. But whatever your needs or budget, you'll find an option here to suit you, from webcams for streaming to webcams for work and webcams for travel.
The good news is that even 4K webcams are increasingly affordable, and we've also got a separate list of the best cheap webcams if the budget options on here don't suit you, plus a guide to the best Logitech webcams.
We test all of the best webcams extensively to ensure they work as claimed and that the footage they provide is of the quality we'd expect for the price. Scroll down for our overview of the products in this guide, then jump to a more detailed write up for each entry.
The quick list
The best webcam for you might not be the most kitted-out option, which is why we gathered the top models we've tested here at TechRadar and put together this list. Below, you'll see a summary of our top picks, but if you want to know more about each option, hit that "Read more" link to find about more about its features and performance.
The best overall
Featuring crisp 1080p HD resolution, fantastic exposure, and an affordable price, it remains a fan-favorite webcam that hits that sweet spot in value.
The best budget
A great budget webcam for personal video calls with friends and family, it boasts Logitech’s auto-light correction technology at 720p resolution.
The best for streamers
Though pricey, that 4K shooting resolution, massive f/1.7, and excellent noise and low-light handling makes it the best webcam to splurge on.
The best 4K 60fps
This monster is the right choice if you're a streamer, a TikTok creator, or a vlogger. It shoots 4K videos at 60fps and delivers snappy autofocusing.
Affordable streaming
Though originally for streaming, this incredibly reliable webcam is affordable enough for casual users and those who need something for work.
The best 4K webcam for travel
Small and portable, this travel-friendly option is far more capable than it looks with 4K footage, auto framing, and landscape and portrait modes.
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The best for low lighting
An excellent pick for a well-rounded high-end webcam option, this high-end 1080p webcam is terrific at handling low lighting situations.
The best webcam for streamers
A niche buy that sways itself towards content creators, this shoots fantastic 60fps 1080p videos that are geared towards streamers.
The best for livestreaming
Is it a webcam or is it an action camera? You get the best of both worlds with this brilliant 1080p webcam from Logitech that's feature-rich and affordable.
The best with AI tracking
Is it a webcam or is it an action camera? You get the best of both worlds with this brilliant 1080p webcam from Logitech that's feature-rich and affordable.
The best webcams 2023
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best webcams in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best webcam overall
✅ You want great quality video on a budget: There's no denying that the Logitech StreamCam has fantastic video quality.
✅ You're looking to give streaming a try: It's significantly more affordable than dedicated streaming webcams while still being a high-quality device.
❌ You need a wide field of view: The Logitech C920 is set to a 78-degree FOV, so you can't get any wide room shots
❌ You want insanely high-quality video: There are certainly more powerful products on the market if you're willing to empty your wallet.
The Logitech C920 has been one of the best webcams on the market since its release in January 2012, consistently beating out rival products that promise more affordability or better performance – and for good reason. This is a beloved favorite across the entire spectrum of streamers, content creators, and office professionals alike.
We found its picture quality to be great out of the box. And, when cost, quality, and performance are all calculated, the C920 is still one of the best everyday webcams you can buy, despite being almost a decade old.
With crisp 1080p HD resolution and fantastic lighting and color detection at an affordable price, this fan-favorite webcam hits a spot in the market that struggles to see any substantial competition and is still one of the best performing webcams on the market today, though we feel the Razer Kiyo Pro is the new top dog when it comes to webcams right now.
Read our full Logitech C920 review
The best budget webcam
✅ You have casual video call needs: If you don't need anything with high-resolution footage and special features, this is the stripped-down webcam for you.
✅ You're on a tight budget: Cheap but reliable, this webcam is reliable without costing you more than $50/£50.
❌ You need higher-resolution footage: Limited to 720p, this isn't going to offer the sharpest image quality.
❌ You want something for content creation: There are fairly affordable webcams out there that offer better quality videos for content creation and streaming.
The Logitech HD Webcam C310 is a solid option for those who just can’t splurge on a webcam. It's perfect for anyone just needing to get onto that Zoom or Skype call and be seen clearly.
It does only shoot in 720p, which these days is a tad outdated for professional video calls, but it’s a great budget webcam for personal video calls with friends and family. Plus, the C310 does come with Logitech’s RightLight 2 auto-light correction technology so you’ll always be shown in the proper light – even if it’s not in the sharpest resolution. And, its noise-reducing mic should not only ensure that you’ll be heard clearly from up to 5 feet or 1.5 meters away, but also minimize environmental noise.
This may not be a streamer’s top choice. Nor is it great for business calls. However, it’s a quality pick for anyone on a budget.
Premium webcam for streaming
✅ You have the cash: Even if you’re not a content creator, you’ll get a lot out of this webcam.
✅ You are a content creator: Its picture quality, impressive autofocus, and tools that give you a lot of control over your exposures, making it a must for streamers and content creators.
❌ You’re really strapped for cash: If you don’t have to have the best and are on a tight budget, give this one a skip.
❌ You need 4K at 60fps shooting: Sadly, the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra tops out at 4K at 30fps.
Razer throws its hat in the 4K webcam ring with the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra, a heck of a camera that currently sports the largest sensor on any webcam, which means you're getting a wider dynamic range, better low-light performance, and deliciously creamier background, to name a few advantages. It also helps that its aperture is a massive f/1.7, which should yield gorgeous bokeh, and that it's got HDR and 3D noise reduction (via the Razer Synapse app) to boot.
Not that Razer's webcams need any with noise handling anyway, as they've always done so well on that front, and the Kiyo Pro Ultra does it even better. That's not all. On test, its autofocus proved not just snappy but butter-smooth as well, and the fact that the Razer Synapse gives you manual control over focusing (as well as exposures, digital zooming and panning, and more) gives you a level of customizations you'll be hard-pressed to get with most other webcams.
Oh, and you're also getting a built-in privacy shutter and omnidirectional mic - both of which you'll miss out on if you get its direct rival, the equally-formidable Elgato Facecam Pro. The only thing is that it limits you to 4K at 30fps shooting.
Read our full Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra review
The best 4K 60fps webcam
✅ You are a content creator with a big budget: The Elgato Facecam Pro’s 4K at 60fps shooting capabilities, wide dynamic range, and great noise reduction.
✅ You’ve got extra cash you’re itching to spend: This is an expensive webcam, among the priciest on the consumer market, but if you’ve got some extra cash lying around.
❌ You need one for meetings and personal video calls: This is a pro-level tool whose prowess and features will only be maximized by pro users. If you’re just a casual user, this is overkill.
❌ You want to travel light: This is bigger than most consumer webcams, so it isn’t the most travel-friendly companion… even if it is lighter than it looks.
We would put the Elgato Facecam Pro at the top if it wasn't for its steep price tag. As expensive as it is, this is the best webcam you can buy, especially if you're a streamer, a TikTok creator, or a vlogger. At its center is that 4K at 60fps video resolution – it's the first webcam in the world to do so – thanks to that 1/1.8-inch Sony Starvis sensor that's also responsible for its exceptional dynamic range.
During testing, we found this webcam to not only handle dark shadows and bright highlights impressively well, preserving detail in those areas better than all the other pro-level webcams we've tested, but also deliver impressive noise reduction without unnatural smoothing. What's more, its autofocusing is snappy in well-lit situations and its autoexposure is always spot on – although you can take the helm and make creative exposures yourself, thanks to the improved Camera Hub software that gives you plenty of autonomy over the webcam's settings.
Read our full Elgato Facecam Pro review
Affordable webcam for content creation
✅ You're a streamer or broadcaster: The Logitech StreamCam has fantastic video quality and is a great choice of streaming camera.
✅ You want to style your webcam to your setup: This is a very funky-looking device, much nicer to look at than many other webcams on the market.
❌ You need a wide field of view: The StreamCam is set to a 78-degree FOV, so you can't get any wide room shots.
❌ You need to make occasional calls: This is a very pricey investment if you're not planning to use it for broadcasting regularly.
The Logitech StreamCam won’t just have your back when you’re video conferencing, video chatting with families and friends, and live streaming your games. On test, we found the StreamCam's raw footage to be exceptionally good, with great color balance and autofocus right out of the box. It is a little darker than the Razer Kiyo Pro, and less sharp. But, the picture quality is pretty great and its low-light handling to be impressive.
This feature-rich 1080p webcam has many tools to offer for your content creation needs as well, including auto-focusing, smart exposure, facial tracking, up to 60fps frame rate, and a flippable design so you can take photos and videos in 9:16 format. You can even mount it on a tripod, and it uses USB Type-C for fast and more efficient video transfer speeds.
Read our full Logitech StreamCam review
The best 4K webcam for travel
✅ You want a 4K webcam that’s rich in features: It’s rich in features, and some of them you won’t find in other webcams in its class.
✅ You need something small and portable: It’s not just laptop- and travel-friendly; it’s made for remote workers and digital nomads.
❌ You need crisp footage with a wide dynamic range: Its dynamic range isn’t very wide so you’ll lose a lot of detail in shadows and highlights.
❌ You want fast autofocusing: It struggles to keep up with the Auto Framing feature and during low-light situations.
The Obsbot Meet 4K is a small wonder, quite literally with its smaller-than-a-GoPro size and list of excellent features, many of which you won't find on other webcams. Its design and features are the highlights here.
The magnetic mounting, for example, not only makes it easier to handle - it just snaps onto the included mount - but also allows you to switch between landscape and portrait modes, the latter of which should be ideal for social media content creation. There's also Auto Framing, which we found to be incredibly intuitive and responsive, ensuring that you're very much in the middle of the frame no matter how much you're moving.
Its performance isn't too shabby either. Beyond its crisp 4K resolution captures, we appreciate just how great its noise handling and exposure compensation are, even in low-light situations. Its dynamic range, auto focus, and image processing, which struggle in low light and uneven lighting, aren't anything to write home about, but they're not terrible either. The only real issue here is that it tends to get hot very quickly, but we haven't seen that affect its performance.
Read our full Obsbot Meet 4K review
The best 1080p webcam for low lighting
✅ You like to customize video quality: The Razer Synapse offers customizations that are very intuitive and translate over to other software well.
✅ You're a streamer or broadcaster: This is one of the best webcams on the market, so if you're looking for uncompromised quality then look no further.
❌ You need a cheap webcam: This is an expensive webcam and there are certainly cheaper products on the market for anyone who can't stretch their budget.
❌ You only require occasional conferencing: This is overkill for anyone who makes a few calls a month at work.
The Razer Kiyo Pro, the latest addition to Razer's webcam family, is an excellent pick for a well-rounded high-end webcam option. This beast doesn't come cheap but it delivers a performance worth every penny, especially given its flexible features that make it well suited just everything from remote calling into a conference meeting to streaming live on platforms like Twitch.
We found its picture quality to be incredibly high for a webcam. Its light detection is especially good while its dynamic range wide and noise handling to be excellent, which makes this particularly great if you are streaming in low light. You can choose between three different fields of view for different scenes in your Livestream as well, and select either a smooth 1080p 60FPS option for gameplay or a high-res 'HDR' mode for improved video quality during Zoom sessions.
Read our full Razer Kiyo Pro review
The best webcam for streamers
✅ You want a great streaming webcam: It's been designed specifically for streamers rather than typical webcam use.
✅ You already own Elgato kit : It fits well into the Elgato ecosystem if you own a Streamdeck and other Elgato accessories.
❌ You don't want to buy a microphone: Without a built-in mic or autofocus, this might be a deal-breaker for you.
❌ You already own a decent mirrorless camera: If you already own a camera that would be suitable for streaming with then there's a better choice.
The Elgato Facecam might be in second place overall, but thanks to some divisive design choices that make this a niche buy that sways itself towards content creators, this is actually our top pick if you need a webcam purely for streaming or creating YouTube videos.
The choice to not include a microphone or autofocus capabilities will make it seem like a half-baked product for anyone just looking for a webcam. However, the inclusion of those features often proves to be more trouble than they're worth for folk broadcasting on sites like Twitch or YouTube.
As a result, the Facecam is beautifully optimized for the streaming community, with some of the best software we've ever seen on a webcam to boot.
Read our full Elgato Facecam review
The best webcam for livestreaming
✅ You're running a solo show: If you're a small streamer that needs more angles for your broadcast, the Mevo system can be controlled by a single individual.
✅ You're a broadcaster with a small budget: It's possible to livestream using the Logitech Mevo Start system without access to a laptop or other expensive equipment
❌ You need 4K: If you need anything more than 1080p at 30fps then you'll need to look elsewhere.
❌ You just need a webcam: While these cameras can be used as webcams, they're more expensive than most and don't match the same quality of a premium offering.
While the Logitech Mevo Start isn't technically a webcam, and more of a streaming ecosystem with a great camera module, it's a brilliant choice for streamers, and it can be used as a webcam if needs be. Unlike many of the other webcams on this list, the Logitech Mevo Start is wireless, which gives you a good degree of flexibility when it comes to setting it up, and several Logitech Mevo Start cameras can be used for multiple angles, and you can switch between them using the feature-rich app.
Its quality proved to be decent during testing, above average for a webcam. But, it's the mic customizations that really impressed us, allowing you to alter the recording volume, or switch between different optimization modes such as 'Wind’ and 'Music’, as well as a manual Audio Gain Control. For some people, the Logitech Mevo Start will be overkill, offering features that just aren't needed. But for people live streaming events, for example, the Logitech Mevo Start is a brilliant investment.
Read our full Logitech Mevo Start review
The best webcam with AI tracking
✅ You want a no-button/fully automated webcam: The gesture system is simple yet clever and the automatic lens head movement is excellent.
✅ You want a 4K webcam: The 4K mode is absolutely gorgeous, guaranteed to make you look your best during video conferences with crystal clear picture quality and a stable framerate.
❌ You need a budget webcam: This is not a cheap webcam by any means, with a steep price tag of $300.
❌ You don’t want AI tracking: If you’re not a fan of the AI tracking system, this is a webcam to avoid as the device functions entirely on AI-control with no button options.
The Insta360 Link is our top pick for best webcam on the market thanks to its high-end specs and unique AI-controlled modes. Instead of having buttons on the webcam itself, you use gestures to switch between various modes. There's also an automatic privacy mode that activates after a ten-second period of inactivity, which is handy for avoiding any mishaps on the work conference call.
On test, we found the AI controls to be truly impressive, with the lens head in particular moving with an impressive level of precision. Even its mode switching using hand gestures feature works pretty well. Combined with 4k and 1080p resolutions, 60FPS and 30FPS options, and the clearest sound quality you'll find on any webcam, and you have a near-perfect webcam for any situation and need. The price might just be worth it for some people.
Read our full Insta360 Link review
How to choose the best webcam for you
How to choose the best webcam for you
As the world returns to something resembling normalcy, the best webcams for laptops and PCs are finally back in stock. Whether they’re from Microsoft, Razer, Logitech, or one of the cheaper brands whose products punch above their weight, there’s a plethora of choices to pick from to help you upgrade your streaming or video conferencing.
Since more communication is happening online these days, it’s crucial to have your zoom calls with friends and video conferencing meetings that are crystal clear. And, that means you need to invest in one of the best webcams for your computer setup. It’s true that most laptops or all-in-one computers already come with a webcam installed but having a dedicated one will offer more features and higher resolutions.
It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to keep in touch with your extended network, putting together the perfect work-from-home setup or getting ready for back to school season, invest in one of these made for computer cameras to make sure your family and colleagues can see your bright, shiny face. From the webcams ideal for game streaming to excellent webcams for Zoom, we’ve collected our top picks here as well as included our price comparison tool to help you find the best deal.
What should you look for when buying a webcam?
In this bizarre new world of home working, you may feel a little overwhelmed when looking at webcams to buy – after all, all these cheap models on Amazon look the same right? Webcams are usually marketed with resolution (720p, 1080p, 4K etc) and framerates because this is the most important factor for most people when buying a product, but there are many other considerations that make a webcam 'good' or 'bad'.
The first thing to consider is what you need your webcam for. For working professionals or office staff, most conference calling software such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams will restrict your broadcast quality to 1080p resolution and 30fps to preserve bandwidth. Google meets goes a step further and restricts your quality to 720p as this is the standard resolution on most built-in laptop cameras.
If you're planning on using a webcam purely for these work-related calls then there isn't any point in buying a powerful 4k model as you simply won't see the benefit. The light and color detection will vary for each model though, so you'll still see a variance in recording quality depending on what webcam you buy.
For content creators such as YouTubers or Streamers, there is a range of powerful webcams available, with some reaching 4K resolution and 60fps for buttery smooth video. These webcams are overkill for occasional use, but with features like a variable field of view (or FOV) and adjustable resolution or and zoom, the extra cash could be a worthy investment to your hobby.
What about those cheap webcams on Amazon or eBay?
Our list is heavy on big brand names such as Logitech for good reason. Reputable brands have been tested across many different devices to make sure that the products are compatible with different graphics software. This is why you may see different quality if you use the same camera on a desktop and a laptop - the webcam hardware communicates differently with different devices.
Logitech, Razer and other well-known webcam manufacturers can provide a product that is more likely to work well across a wide range of different machines, so whether you're looking to run your camera on a new gaming desktop or an old Chromebook, you should see similar results.
A cheap 1080p/30fps webcam from Amazon or eBay may disappoint you if the drivers and sensors are not up to the same standards as trusted products on our list, so don't take the resolution and framerate as gospel that you'll be getting great video quality. As the saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
If you're buying a Logitech webcam, though, you can check out the latest Logitech promo codes for ways to get money off your purchase.
How to make your webcam look better
Even the most expensive webcam can look terrible if you don't take your environment into consideration. Lighting can make a cheap 720p webcam look almost HD, and this doesn't have to make a dent in your wallet. Natural lighting is prized by photographers for being better than most expensive studio lights, so where possible try and record in front of a window. This will not only illuminate your features and make you pop against your background, but it'll illuminate background 'noise' – the fuzzy static effect seen when webcams are trying to film in low lighting conditions. You can also replicate this using studio lights if you work in darker environments away from a window. You can also use cheap desk lamps in a pinch by directing them against a wall to reduce the harshing lighting and create a diffused appearance. Always make sure your background looks nice. This doesn't mean you need to do anything fancy (unless you're a streamer and have the budget for some fancy LED lights and gamer swag), but you need to make sure you're the focus of the broadcast. Tidy up any mess, don't sit behind an open door and make sure you don't sit behind any other light sources. This will usually throw off the light sensors in your webcam and reduce your film quality.
How we test the best webcams
TechRadar doesn't use any computer programs to benchmark a webcam as their quality is visually noticeable. Instead, models will be stacked up against products with similar specifications and MSRP to see how they compare, and ran through a few scenarios.
We keep lighting levels consistent and test for well-lit and low-light conditions to put the webcam sensor through its paces. Webcams with unsatisfactory sensors struggle if a subject isn't well lit, resulting in a fuzzy 'static' like interference known as background noise. We make note of how accurate the colors are in any recorded footage and the overall clarity of video and photographs taken on the webcam.
We also compare features like field-of-view (often abbreviated to FOV), frame rate and resolution, as well as any software that ships with the product. Operating systems like Windows 10 have a camera application capable of making minimal adjustments to contrast and hue, but there are branded applications like Razer Synapse and Logitech Capture that can better adjust your footage.
The hardware itself will also be checked for mounting options and available movement, such as a swivel ball joint or fixed positioning. Finally, any onboard microphone will be checked for clarity and its ability to filter out background noise, though it's worth mentioning that most webcams on the market have poor-quality microphones when compared to a dedicated headset or USB mics.
Today's best webcam deals
