The Best Webcams for 2022 — Compare the Top Models from Logitech, Dell, Anker and Razer
The age of remote learning and working is here, and we’re right in the middle of it. Whether you are a teacher, student, or employee, a proper webcam has risen to the top of the list as a must-have in your home. We hate to use the word, but webcams are essential if you want to get anything done remotely, especially if you need to connect with fellow students, teachers or workers.
Why Buy a Webcam?
You might ask yourself, “What’s the point of buying something my laptop already has?” While school districts operate on a hybrid remote learning structure and working from home is openly integrated with several companies, many of us have noticed that we need more from our webcams. For instance, the built-in cameras on many laptops, such as MacBooks, may boast HD resolutions, but the picture is washed out, grainy, and doesn’t handle tricky lighting situations all that well. Plus, you can’t adjust the camera without moving the screen. That in itself can create problems with getting the right video angle. And if you’re trying to give a presentation or demonstration for your online class, that isn’t going to cut it.
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Dedicated webcams generally have better image quality and a larger field of view than built-in ones. They can also clip to your screen or a tripod, rotate and tilt to get the video angle you are looking for.
The Best Webcams At a Glance
1. Best Overall: Razer Kiyo Pro — $118 at Amazon
2. Also Great: Logitech StreamCam Plus — $140 at Best Buy
3. Razer Runner Up: Razer Kiyo — $69 at Walmart
4. Great For Groups: Anker PowerConf C300 — $130 at Amazon
5. Best Logitech: Logitech C920 — $63 at Amazon
6. Great Features: Logitech C615 — $50 at Best Buy
7. Great For Conference Calls: Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 — $25 at Best Buy
8. 4K Resolution: Logitech BRIO — $136 at Amazon
9. Great Audio Software: Creative Live! Cam Sync — $40 at Amazon
10. Best From Microsoft: Microsoft LifeCam Studio — $100 at Microsoft
11. Great Image Quality: Dell UltraSharp Webcam — $200 at Amazon
12. Also Consider: Special Wide-Angel Webcam — $28 at Amazon
13. Best Splurge: Mevo Start — $380 at Amazon
14. Amazon Best Seller: Wansview 1080p Webcam — $30 at Amazon
15. Budget Option: XPCAM 4K Webcam — $18 at Amazon
16. Honorable Mention: Logitech C310 Desktop or Laptop Webcam — $28 at Amazon
17. Webcam Accessory: Anker PowerConf S3 Bluetooth Speakerphone — $85 at Amazon
18. Best Newcomer: Insta360 Link — $299.99 at Insta360
1. Razer Kiyo Pro
BEST OVERALL
It doesn’t matter whether you are on a Zoom call for work or streaming while gaming with your friends, the Razer Kiyo Pro is going to make you look great. The camera can film at an ultra-smooth 60fps at 1080p. So, the stream will look incredibly smooth and equally as sharp. You can forgo the 60fps on Zoom calls and go with the HDR setting to look as clear and sharp as possible. Even if the lighting is terrible, you’ll still look good through the Razer webcam.
Razer Kiyo Pro
Price: $99.99 (orig. $199.99) 50% OFF
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2. Logitech StreamCam Plus
ALSO GREAT
If the Razer Kiyo is unavailable, consider the Logitech StreamCam Plus. It can also stream 1080p at 60fps for ultra-smooth and detailed picture quality. And thanks to auto-focus and face tracking, you’ll stay in frame as you move around in your chair. Beyond streaming, you can flip the camera and take pictures and transfer pictures and data through a speedy USB-C cable.
Logitech StreamCam Plus
3. Razer Kiyo
RAZER RUNNER UP
Looking for a webcam that’ll turn a few heads? The Razer Kiyo webcam looks like something out of a science fiction movie, but it packs some serious horsepower under the hood. One hundred percent designed for streaming use, this webcam records video at an impressive 60 frames per second. It even features a multi-step ring lighting system that lets you dim or brighten the camera’s light on command. A smart option for gamers and everyday streamers, it’s also the best general webcam that you can buy right now. It will work great for anyone who doesn’t want to look like a grainy, pixelated, washed-out zombie during their Zoom calls.
Razer Kiyo
4. Anker PowerConf C300
GREAT FOR GROUPS
Whether the family is video chatting with grandma and grandpa or your team at work all needs to hop on a Zoom call, the Anker PowerConf C300 captures excellent wide-angled streaming footage. It connects USB-C to USC-C for the best data transfer speeds, but if your computer doesn’t have a USB-C port, a USB-A adapter is also included. A sliding camera privacy door can also pop on the front of the camera when it’s not in use to protect from hackers and accidental live camera accidents (we’ve all seen the YouTube videos).
Anker PowerConf C300
5. Logitech C920
BEST LOGITECH
The Logitech C920 is far from new. In fact, it’s almost reached its 10th anniversary. But don’t let that deter you from one of the best webcams available. Its 1080p resolution, exceptional lighting and coloration make this a top choice among businesses and streamers. Not to mention, the price is right, too.
Logitech C920
6. Logitech C615
BEST FEATURES
Chances are you’re mostly just looking for a webcam that will get you through your weekly slate of work-related Zoom calls. If that’s the case, the Logitech C615 is the best webcam for the job, providing a solid 1080p picture at a reasonable price. Unlike many budget offerings, the C615 software allows you to tweak video and exposure settings for an optimal picture in any environment, features an effective autofocus feature, and delivers clear audio through its mono mic. While aspiring YouTubers and Twitch streamers may want something more robust, this is an excellent choice for work meetings and calls with family.
Logitech C615
7. Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000
GREAT FOR CONFERENCE
What makes the LifeCam HD-3000 a good choice for conference calls isn’t just the 720p live video but also the built-in wide-band microphone. This provides great audio for your fellow participants and helps prevent audio from cutting out or being too quiet. It can rotate 360 degrees and even connect to a tripod if necessary. When you want to be seen and heard loud and clear, it’s a great choice.
Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000
8. Logitech BRIO
4K RESOLUTION
Image quality is the bread and butter of this webcam. It captures crystal clear 4K image quality, great for streaming or Zoom calls. Additional Microsoft Hello functionality allows you to open your computer with facial recognition. It’s not the most adjustable camera, but if you plan on setting it and forgetting it on your computer, the limited angle adjustment shouldn’t be a bother.
Logitech BRIO
Price: $133.67 (orig. $149.99) 11% OFF
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9. Creative Live! Cam Sync
GREAT AUDIO SOFTWARE
This affordable webcam has decent visual acumen and even better sound quality features. What’s so special about the sound quality? Using the VoiceDetect and Noise Cleanout features, the camera will automatically mute the mic when you aren’t talking to reduce background noise. This also means you don’t have to worry about speaking for a full minute without anyone hearing you. Plus, you can pick up this webcam for just around $50.
Creative Live! Cam Sync
10. Microsoft Lifecam Studio
BEST FROM MICROSOFT
If you want a camera that can compete with the Logitech C920 in terms of image quality, the Microsoft LifeCam Studio is the way to go. Capable of recording up to 1080p resolution (720p for video calls), this camera is built to deliver a clear, detailed and color-accurate image in any lighting situation. On top of that, it has a design that screams premium, so you can ensure that your home office decor won’t suffer a downgrade.
Microsoft LifeCam Studio
11. Dell UltraSharp Webcam
GREAT IMAGE QUALITY
If you’re looking for great image quality, look no further than the Dell UltraSharp webcam. The camera can film in 4K at 30 frames per second and get even smoother at 720p at 60 frames per second. And no need to fool around with exposure or focusing as the camera white balances and auto-focuses and automatically keeps you in the center of the frame. The only downside is that it doesn’t have a built-in microphone, so pairing this with the Anker PowerConf S3 Bluetooth Speakerphone below is a smart idea.
Dell UltraSharp Webcam
Dell UltraSharp Webcam
12. Spedal Wide-Angle Webcam
ALSO CONSIDER
This Spedal model features a super-wide 120-degree viewing angle to help you record more when you want to capture more space. The 1080p lens can record video at roughly 30fps, and the built-in noise-canceling microphones make it a great option for bigger groups and rowdier environments. It also features automatic low-light correction and image enhancement technology, both of which help make it a solid choice for video conferences and large video chats.
13. Mevo Start
BEST SPLURGE
This is a fantastic webcam, albeit a pricey one. But with the high price comes great wireless video and streaming capabilities. For starters, in tandem with the app, you can pan, tilt and zoom the camera, so you can continue teaching or demonstrating without touching the camera. It’s battery-operated, so you can set it up anywhere and start your live stream. And with low-light correction and 1080p streaming, your video will look sharp as ever. If it weren’t so expensive, we’d consider this camera the best webcam of 2022.
Mevo Start Live Event Webcam
Price: $379.99 (orig. $399.99) 5% OFF
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14. Wansview 1080p Webcam
AMAZON BEST SELLER
Wansview might not be one of the heavy hitters in the webcam world — not like Logitech or Microsoft anyway — but there’s good reason it is the best-selling webcam on Amazon. It shoots in 1080p for clear video calls and can easily clip to your TV, laptop or desktop. It plugs in via USB 2.0, so you’ll need an adapter for a laptop like the MacBook Pro or Air. But it only runs you about $38 for a quality webcam, and there’s nothing wrong with saving cash.
Wansview Webcam
15. XPCAM 4K Webcam
BUDGET OPTION
The Xpcam 4K webcam can stream video in 4K, 1080p and 720p. When you’re done streaming, you can use the attached privacy shutter to close the webcam to prevent hacks or inadvertent live streaming. Speaking of stopping the stream, there is a handy play/pause button on top of the camera to stop your live streaming with a simple button press. It’s a pretty solid choice considering the price.
XPCAM 4K Webcam
Price: $29.99 (orig. $39.99) 25% OFF
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16. Logitech C310 Desktop or Laptop Webcam
HONORABLE MENTION
For when you need a bare-bones webcam that’s easy to use, offers reliable video quality and doesn’t demolish your bank account, Logitech’s C310 model has you covered. This versatile webcam can be used for laptops and desktops and has 720p video quality. It also features its own built-in mic (great for Skype calls) and comes with the ability to easily take 5MP snapshots with the click of a button. While it may not pack as much power as these other cams, it’s a great budget option that may surprise people with how easy it is to use.
Logitech C310
Price: $26.25 (orig. $27.78) 6% OFF
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Logitech C310
17. Anker PowerConf S3 Bluetooth Speakerphone
WEBCAM ACCESSORY
This is not a webcam, but a speaker can be an essential part of your webcam, especially the Dell UltraSharp cam that doesn’t have a microphone. This Bluetooth speaker has six microphones built around the speakerphone so you’ll be heard loud and clear whether you are sitting down or walking around your office and talking. It also has built-in voice optimization software to eliminate unwanted background noise and focus on your voice.
Anker PowerConf S3 Bluetooth Speakerphone
18. Insta360 Link
Best Newcomer
If your main concern with any new purchase is how new something is, and with tech moving as fast as it does, that’s understandable, then the Insta360 Link is for you. As we said when talking about our excitement for the webcam, the Insta360 Link “The Insta360 Link is no mere webcam, though; with 4K resolution and a powerful onboard AI, it can serve multiple purposes, from helping with work meetings to live streaming at the end of the day. In fact, it’s one of the most unique webcams ever released.” Not bad, eh?
Insta360 Link Webcam
Why Buy a Webcam When My Laptop Already Has One?
While school districts operate on a hybrid remote learning structure and working from home is openly integrated with several companies, many of us have noticed that we need more from our webcams. For instance, the built-in cameras on many laptops, such as MacBooks, may boast HD resolutions, but the picture is washed out, grainy, and doesn’t handle tricky lighting situations all that well. Plus, you can’t adjust the camera without moving the screen. That in itself can create problems with getting the right video angle. And if you’re trying to give a presentation or demonstration for your online class, that isn’t going to cut it.
Dedicated webcams generally have better image quality and a larger field of view than built-in ones. They can also clip to your screen or a tripod, rotate and tilt to get the video angle you are looking for.
How We Chose the Best Webcams
We looked for cameras with 1080p resolution and at least 30fps (although gamers and YouTubers will appreciate the cameras with 60fps found below). However, there are still some quality 720p cameras that we included. Cameras that feature auto-focus and light correction will help you stay in focus for your co-workers and students. And with the economy being shaky at best, we looked for cameras that feature all the above but won’t cost you an arm and a leg (the exception being the Mevo Start). You can snag a pretty amazing webcam for around $100.
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