Webcams have proven to be priceless portals to the outside world throughout the ongoing pandemic, enabling you to work from home while prompting more people to livestream on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook than ever before. You can do a lot better than the built-in lens on the best gaming laptop, tablet, or smartphone, however, as a dedicated webcam captures your likeness with crystal clear clarity.
Razer, Logitech, and Avermedia pack the best webcams with up to 4K resolution, a smooth 60fps, and some even work better in the dark with low-light sensors. They’re backed by software that makes customisation easy, so you can stop that pesky autofocus from blurring your face during all-important Discord, Zoom, or Google Meet calls and tinker with the colour balance.
Nothing quite beats the quality of Sony’s dedicated DLSR cameras if you’re a content creator, but these webcams are feature-rich while keeping the price between $30 and $200. They even fit right on top of the best gaming monitor without the need for a stand. There’s something for everyone, no matter your use case.
These are the best webcams to buy in 2021:
- Razer Kiyo Pro
- Elgato Facecam
- Jelly Comb HD 1080P
- Logitech Brio
- Logitech C922x Pro
- Avermedia PW315
- Sony Alpha 6600
- Elgato Cam Link 4K
Razer Kiyo Pro
The best webcam is the Razer Kiyo Pro.
Razer’s streaming camera is the best all-round option on this list, with clear 1080p imagery along with a butter-smooth 60fps frame rate. There’s also the option of HDR to really make your picture pop, if you don’t mind moving down to 30fps. You might question why it doesn’t have a built-in ring-light like the non-pro version, but its upgraded sensor ensures quality even in harsh or low lighting conditions.
The field of view is set to a wide 103° by default, although you can reduce this in Razer’s Synapse software for a narrower scope. It sits pretty sturdy on its robust stand and comes with the frustration-free option to mount it to a tripod. As for the cherry on top, those of you concerned about privacy can rest easy that it comes with its own cap for when you’re done.
| Razer Kiyo Pro | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p |
| Frame rate | 60fps |
| Image sensor | 2.1MP CMOS w/ low light |
| Field of view | 103° |
| Focus | Auto |
| Microphone | Omnidirection |
| Price | $199.99 / £189.99 |
Elgato Facecam
The best webcam for streaming is the Elgato Facecam.
The Facecam joins Elgato’s expansive range of dedicated streaming hardware, and it doesn’t disappoint. The camera is a bit of a chonker compared to Logitech’s slimmer models, but this leaves room for its own heatsink, flash memory, and the same Sony Starvis CMOS sensor that’s present in DSLRs – which produces a crisp 1080p image at up to 60fps.
It’s backed by the dedicated Camera Hub software, which displays all the same options a dedicated camera has – like shutter speed and ISO. It even integrates seamlessly with the Elgato Stream Deck so you can make adjustments on the fly. If it wasn’t for its lower field of view and Razer’s superb low-light sensor, it might have even taken the crown. It still boasts wonderful image quality, but doesn’t work as well in dimly-lit conditions. Pair it with an Elgato Key Light or ring light, however, and it’s one of the best-in-class.
| Razer Kiyo Pro | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p |
| Frame rate | 60fps |
| Image sensor | Sony Starvis CMOS |
| Field of view | 82° |
| Focus | Auto |
| Microphone | N/A |
| Price | $199.99 / £179.99 |
Jelly Comb HD 1080p
The best cheap webcam is the Jelly Comb HD 1080P.
If you want to save some money with a cheap webcam so you can budget for the best gaming keyboard, then this option fits perfectly, coming in at just $30 / £35. Unlike the Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000’s lower 720p, the Jelly Comb HD has the same 1080p resolution as the Razer Kiyo Pro, just at a lower 30fps. It still has a decent image quality in low lighting, although you can improve it with the use of an additional ring or key light.
There’s also a sliding privacy shutter, LED indicator to notify you when the camera is on, and stereo microphones, so you won’t have to worry about picking up a standalone microphone either. It’s available in several colours, too – perfect if you want to adhere to the theme of your setup.
| Jelly Comb HD 1080p | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p |
| Frame rate | 30fps |
| Image sensor | CMOS |
| Field of view | 75° |
| Focus | Auto |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Price | $29.99 / £32.99 |
Logitech Brio
The best 4K webcam is the Logitech Brio.
Webcams rarely stand up to the quality of a fully-fledged DSLR camera, but the Logitech Brio’s high resolution, HDR-powered, 13-megapixel sensor bridges the gap nicely. It’s quite versatile depending on your needs, with 4K resolution at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps, or even 720p at a whopping 90fps.
There’s a wide 90° field of view, although a digital 5x zoom can reduce that if needed. It also comes with a flip-down privacy shutter that attaches above the lens, a carrying bag, and Windows Hello facial recognition support for super-fast authentication when logging in.
| Logitech Brio | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | up to 4K |
| Frame rate | 4K / 30fps, HD / 60fps, 720p / 90fps |
| Image sensor | 13MP CMOS |
| Field of view | 90° |
| Focus | Auto |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Price | $199.99 / £219.99 |
Logitech C922x Pro
The best webcam under $100 is the Logitech C922x Pro.
Logitech’s C922x isn’t as high spec as the company’s Biro 4K offering, but for under $100, this webcam is a praiseworthy peripheral. For starters, the C922x is capable of capturing and streaming at 1080p 30fps, while switching things to 720p bumps the cam’s frame rate to 60fps. The device also boasts two built-in microphones for enhanced audio quality, and an autofocus feature that should keep things looking razer sharp.
Logitech’s mid-tier webcam also has a 78 degrees field of view, so you should have no problem including more participants within its frame. Of course, while that makes it a winner for business calls and conferences, it’s also perfect for streamers on a budget, especially since its price point means you can invest in other accessories, like the Elgato Stream Deck.
| Logitech C922x Pro | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | up to 1080p |
| Frame rate | 1080p / 30fps, 720p / 60fps |
| Image sensor | 13MP CMOS |
| Field of view | 78° |
| Focus | Auto |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Price | $99.99 / £99.99 |
Avermedia PW315
The cheapest Full HD webcam at 60fps is the Avermedia PW315.
This option packs many features brilliant for content creation, while also being one of the cheapest 1080p options capable of fluid 60fps video. First, you can mount it to a tripod or desk clamp for a better view, and it has 360-degree rotation if you need to move it. It also features AI-powered auto face-framing and filters, so you can add some flare.
It has a wide 95° field of view, along with a decent inbuilt microphone thanks to AI noise cancellation. It’s not likely something you’ll use often, but is a good backup in case things with the best gaming headset go wrong.
| Avermedia PW315 | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p |
| Frame rate | 60fps |
| Image sensor | 2MP CMOS w/ low light |
| Field of view | 95° |
| Focus | Fixed |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Price | $119.99 / £108.99 |
Read the PCGamesN Avermedia PW315 review for our full verdict.
Sony Alpha 6600
The best DLSR camera for streaming is the Sony Alpha 6600, with Sony’s 18-135mm zoom lens.
While Logitech’s Brio 4K camera gives the best image quality out of the small sensors found on a conventional webcam, there’s nothing quite like a full mirrorless or DLSR camera for broadcast-quality video.
By downloading Sony’s Imaging Edge Webcam software and connecting the camera via USB, you’ve got the camera turned into a fully functioning webcam, with unrivalled image quality.
| Sony Alpha 6600 w/ 18-135mm zoom lens | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 4K |
| Frame rate | 30fps |
| Image sensor | 24.2MP CMOS |
| Field of view | N/A |
| Focus | Auto |
| Microphone | Mono |
| Price | $1,799 / £1,675 |
elgato cam link 4K
The best camera capture card is the Elgato Cam Link 4K.
Already have a decent camera lying around, and want to turn it into a webcam? Providing your camera has an HDMI output, /and/ you’ve gone for the best gaming desk with enough space to accommodate for a standalone camera, it’ll plug right into this dongle which Windows recognises as a dedicated webcam, while it supports video at up to 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps.
webcam buying guide
It can be a maze finding out which solution is best for you, with such a range of prices. On one end of the spectrum, you have the budget Jelly Comb webcam, which offers decent image quality for a low price. Then, you’ve got the option of a standalone camera for top-tier quality, if price is no issue. It entirely depends on your budget and what kind of quality you’re wanting out of your capture device. We recommend starting small if you’re a content creator, though, upgrading later down the line.
CAN I USE A CAMERA AS A WEBCAM?
Dedicated webcams are a default option for anyone wishing to video call or live stream on a gaming PC or laptop, but it’s now possible to use some cameras and camcorders as a cam alternative. By plugging in your camera’s video output to the likes of Elgato’s Cam Link, you can use its live video feed to stream footage over the internet.
It’s worth noting that not every camera out there is compatible with Cam Link, but many mirrorless DLSR devices, like the Sony Alpha 6600, should play nice with Elgato’s capture card gadget. While this kind of setup is admittedly more elaborate than using a webcam, it’s a great solution for anyone looking to achieve the best streaming setup for Twitch or YouTube.
how to improve webcam quality
Even with the budget options on this list, you can improve image quality in a couple of ways. First, if you’ve got the best graphics card from Nvidia, you can download Nvidia broadcast. This lets you remove video noise in poor lighting environments, remove or blur your background, and auto frame to your face as you shuffle in the best gaming chair.
You’ll need one of Nvidia’s RTX cards for this, however. If you’ve got an Nvidia GeForce GTX or AMD Radeon GPU instead, you can always improve lighting in your environment with the addition of a light ring or Nanoleaf wall lights, helping to reduce video noise.
do webcams have microphones?
All the options listed here have a microphone built-in, although that’s not the case for every webcam out there. Of course, none are a match for the best gaming microphone or even those found on a budget headset, but they’re still a useful stopgap if you’re still saving for a standalone mic.
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