Webcams (26 products)

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What is a webcam?

At the most fundamental level, a webcam is a video camera which feeds or stream an image or video in real-time through a computer, computer network or over the internet.

While many laptops are already equipped with built-in webcams, they don't quite cut it for high-quality recording or streaming from a powerful gaming PC.

Webcams comes in all shapes and sizes, from integrated laptop webcams to small standalone enclosures which either sit on a desk or attach to a user's monitor with a clip-on mechanism.

Webcams are practically a necessity for up-and-coming live streamers, professionals conducting lengthy meetings when out-of-office or anybody looking to engage face-to-face virtually.

What should I look for in a webcam?

Like purchasing a brand-new laptop, PC or other peripherals, you want to ensure all elements are carefully considered before settling on your choice. Webcams are no different.

First and foremost - what do you need your webcam for? The requirements for a casual, laid-back streamer differ greatly from someone wanting to create pristine quality, 4K videos.

Read on the find all the features you should search for in a webcam and scroll further down for our top recommendation for the best webcam for laptops, streaming and working from home.

Resolution

Getting a webcam with a high-quality resolution used to be a problem with older models, but today's designs can easily accommodate HD resolutions all the way up to 4K.

Your choice of resolution depends greatly on your intended use case. If you're simply after a webcam for infrequent work calls, a webcam which supports 720p resolution might be all you need and will be a great addition to your set-up.

However, if you're wanting to use your webcam for more specialised functions - frequent video calls, recording, streaming - you'll want one which supports 1080p resolution. It's the gold-standard of webcams, delivering an ideal balance of quality, performance and price.

And for those seeking to push the boat out, investing in a 4K webcams means you can record video high-quality video content to rival other dedicated cameras.

It's also recommended to look at available frame rates. Higher frames rates - 60 frames-per-second (FPS) and above - appear much smoother compared to bog-standard 30FPS webcams. Get a high frame rate webcam for a fluid image and less stuttering when you move so your image doesn't fragment while recording.

Video compression

Digital videos are comprised of tens of photos a second, requiring lots of storage. Without compression, files would bloat to unmanageable sizes. Transferring videos from one machine to another wouldn't be easy.

Fortunately, modern compression techniques hardly impact image quality. Modern webcam software allows users to retain HD resolutions and above, without consuming vast quantities of bandwidth. To ensure you're getting the best compression, look for webcams which support H.264 AVC or higher.

Field of view (FOV)

A webcam's field of view (FOV) determines how wide an angle the camera captures, or more simply, how much a webcam can see. Webcams come in a broad range of FOVs, each one suited for any given scenario.

Narrow FOVs might only be able to capture a single person sitting in front of a computer, while the widest FOVs can capture whole conference rooms. How much space you intend to capture with your webcam is going to determine your choice of FOV.

Auto-focus and low-light correction

The days of manually focusing webcams are long gone. The best webcams nowadays come equipped with both auto-focus and low-light correction features, meaning you don't have to worry about appearing blurry due to distance and lighting. These features are especially helpful if you're on a laptop and constantly changing location.

Mountings

There's a huge variety of webcam mounting mechanisms. A static mount is ideal for desktop users who've got space to spare. For those streaming or recording, a flexible tripod mount allows you to fine-tune your webcam's position to find the perfect angle. There's also webcams which clip onto the top of monitors and laptops for quick and easy placement.

Software Controls

While auto-focus and low-light correction features make life simpler, having manual controls to dial in the image is always appreciated. A robust software suite allows you to adjust brightness, contrast, colour intensity and even the ability to split-screen between your webcam image and what's on your monitor.

Microphone

The vast majority of webcams come with built-in microphones, which are adequate enough for causal video calls. However, if you're a streamer or want your voice to come across crystal clear, you might want to invest in a webcam with a dual-mic set-up for a more natural, pleasing sound.

For those looking to record in the utmost quality, you might be better off with an external, dedicated microphone. Check out our broad range of external microphones, streaming microphones and headsets.

Glass vs plastic

A minor aspect but important regardless, choosing a glass or plastic webcam lens can noticeably alter image quality. High-quality glass lenses produce a sharper, crisper images but come at an increased cost. Whereas plastic lenses are cheaper and more durable if your webcam's accidentally bumped off your monitor.

The best webcam for streaming

Look no further than a Logitech webcam for the best streaming webcam. As one of the biggest manufacturers, there's a huge range of Logitech webcams. From portable HD webcams to high-definition 4K webcams.

For the perfect set-up, match the webcam's features with the content you stream on a regular basis. For instance - if you've got the capacity to stream at the highest quality possible, a 4K webcam is only logical.

Whereas if you're streaming competitive, fast-paced shooters at high frame rates, pick up a high frame rate webcam so there aren't any discrepancies between the on-screen action and your webcam feed.

Typically, streaming is focused solely on your face, so a lower FOV makes sense. If you regularly stream couch co-op shenanigan with mates, you'll need a webcam with a wider FOV to capture everybody.

Auto-focus, low-light correction and a well-rounded software suite are a must, so your viewers can clearly see you under any condition. A webcam with a flexible mount positioned up from your desk comes highly recommended as to avoid shakes, wobbles and vibrations if you frantically hammer on your keyboard mid-game.

A dual-mic webcam will cleanly pick up your voice, but as previously mentioned, a standalone streaming microphone is a better choice. And if you want a little extra image quality, then investing in a webcam with a glass lens goes a long way.

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