We are in an age of video calls, and this list of the best webcams is here to help. Whether you use them in a professional sense or with friends and family, we've got something for you below.Â
While pretty much every laptop comes with a web cam built in, they are often only capable of low resolutions – and if you rely on the small microphones that are included in the webcam, then sound quality is compromised as well.
By installing one of the best webcams on this page, however, you can give your video calls and conferences a massive boost both in terms of video and audio quality. Because these web cams are external devices (connected via USB), the manufacturers are able to pack in more advanced tech, so you're able to get webcams with 1080p and even 4K resolutions, as well as microphones that offer advanced features such as noise cancellation, which is ideal for using them in busy environments with lots of ambient noise.
Read on for our pick of the best webcams of 2020 that can quickly and easily make a huge difference to your video calls and conferences (our pick of the best ring lights can also help). Alternatively, you can take a look at our pick of the best smartphones for making quality video calls on the go.Â
The Logitech C922 Pro Stream is our pick for the best webcam of 2020. It ticks all the boxes you want from the best webcams, including a 1080p camera, low-light correction, and fantastic audio quality. Logitech is a well respected brand when it comes to webcams, and the Logitech C922 Pro Stream is currently the best webcam the company has made. It's also very reasonably priced, and has an unobtrusive design that allows it to fit into any home, studio or office without being an eyesore.
If you've got a decent budget and want the very best webcam money can buy in 2020, then Mevo is the one for you. This is an incredibly powerful webcam that can record in 4K resolution, and is compatible with mobile devices as well as PCs, Macs and laptops. It's ideal for recording events, so if you're looking for a webcam that doesn't just do one-on-one videos, but can broadcast entire meetings, events, gigs and exhibitions. The high price and huge range of features means this won't be for everyone, but if it suits your needs, this is a remarkable webcam and well worth the investment.
The Microsoft LifeCam Studio is our pick for the best cheap webcam of 2020. For the low asking price, it packs an impressive amount of features, including 1080p recording and 720p live streaming – which will be plenty for most people. It also boasts autofocus, a wideband microphone and TrueColor, which changes the exposure on the fly to ensure your video looks the best. It's easy to set up and adjust, so don't think just because if its low price this is a webcam that makes too many compromises.
Logitech's second entry in this list is ideal for video conferencing. That's because it has a stunning 1080p resolution and wide 90-degree field of view. This lets it record everyone in the room, and with built-in video encoding, it means it offers excellent image quality that doesn't put the strain on your PC – which would usually handle the encoding duties. It's also Skype-certified for PC and Mac, so if you use that for your video conferences, you know that the Logitech C930e is the perfect compliment to the software.
Every webcam in this list has a built-in microphone, and while all of them are pretty decent, the one that comes with the Ausdom AW615 is especially good, thanks to noise-cancelling technology, that allows you to be heard while eliminating background noise – making it perfect for using in busy offices. It also offers full 1080p resolution, which not many webcams at this price do. It does lack a few features – most notably autofocus – but the quality microphone, full HD resolution and low price more than make up for it.
This feature-packed webcam is our pick for the best webcam 2020 for Windows PCs. It supports Windows Hello, which allows Windows 10 to recognise your face, and log you in. It's quick, simple and secure, and it's an excellent feature to have in a webcam, as it means you don't need to type in your password. Because of the technology behind Windows Hello, not every webcam supports the feature. It's also certified to work with Cortana, the virtual assistant that comes with Windows 10, and it can handle advanced features like facial and body tracking and AR (Augmented Reality) as well.
The Logitech Brio Webcam is our pick as the best webcam for Macs, thanks to its slimline design that won't look out of place next to one of Apple's stylish PCs. It features 4K resolutions for absolutely stunning video quality – so anyone watching you on a Retina display will certainly be impressed – and there's HDR (High Dynamic Range) support as well, further boosting the impressive video quality of this webcam.  Of course, it's also a great webcam for Windows PCs thanks to Windows Hello support as well.
If you're looking for the best webcam for livestreaming on services such as YouTube and Twitch, then the Razer Kiyo is the one to get. It features 1080p resolution, so your videos will look great, and its unique design includes a ring of light that ensures you're always well lit when broadcasting. It boasts a plug and play setup, so you don't need to spend ages messing around to set it up, and compatibility with popular streaming software OBS and Xspilt.
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