The best webcams are an essential purchase if you want to look your sharpest during an important work call or if you're a committed streamer. While modern laptops come with cams, you should still buy an external snapper if you care about image quality or you regularly deal with challenging light conditions.
I'm part of a team that reviews a ton of webcams, and we put all of them through rigorous tests to make sure if a model is worth your money or not. The most important factor when it comes to shopping for a new cam comes down to resolution, with 4K cams obviously costing more than 1080p ones. Thankfully, Ultra HD webcams have come down in price quite a lot since they first hit the market.
The best webcam I'd recommend to most people is the peerless Insta360 Link 2C. This 4K cam delivers unbelievable image quality, and it has the honor of being the only webcam we've ever given a perfect 5/5 review to. If you can't afford this sensational $149 snapper, then I suggest picking up the Anker PowerConf C200; a terrific 2K cam that represents brilliant value for money at only $60.
My following picks of the best webcams have be whittled down from the 25 webcam reviews we've published over the last 12 months. My choices span a variety of budgets, so no matter what funds you're working with, you'll find a cam for your work and downtime needs below.
The quick list
The highest rated webcam in Tom's Guide history. Its 4K images are sublime, build quality exudes class, autofocus and tracking features excel, and its software is terrific. The king of cams.
Our favorite sub-$100 webcam is Anker's excellent Powerconf C200. For around $60, you're getting a 2K cam that delivers brilliant video quality, no matter what your lighting setup is.
Boasting excellent tracking features and pristine 4K image quality, this is the premium webcam. At $299, the Tiny 2 ain't cheap, yet it’s so high-tech and incredibly well-made.
Elgato's latest Facecam gives you a lot for its $149 price tag, including amazing image quality (even in low light), DSLR-level customization controls, and a HDR picture at up to 60 FPS.
One of the most clever cam ever and one that is perfect for video conferencing. Boasting innovative software and a gimbal-mounted camera, the auto tracking of the Insta360 is classy.
A truly elite webcam from perhaps the most respected peripheral maker in the world. $200 isn't chump change, but the 4K image quality the MX Brio puts out is simply sublime.
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If you're a passionate content creator, this is the webcam for you. Not only does it sport an attractive design, it can also be mounted in both landscape and portrait modes.
There are a number of quality 4K cams out there now, and the Meet 4K is one of our faves. Not only is image quality drool-worthy, its head tracking app is fab, while its magnet attachment is also superb.
Touted by Opal as the "first portable webcam", the teeny Tadpole is a terrific 4K cam. It's laptop-only, though, as it doesn't come with a stand and its clip is narrow.
About the author
My name's Dave and I look after many of our computing-focused buying guides, including not only best webcams, but also best monitors, best gaming monitors and best PC games. I've been building my own PCs for 20 years at this point, and I have an obsessive love for desktop components, be it the fastest GPUs or the best gaming CPUs. After going the budget route when it came to webcam purchases for far too long, owning the amazing Logitech MX Brio 4K has really opened my eyes up to how much a quality cam can improve your work call experiences on a daily basis.
The best webcams you can buy today
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The best webcam overall
For streamers, content creators and people who find themselves giving presentations daily, the Insta360 Link 2C is an excellent webcam. Its compact size and lightweight body makes it easy to travel with so it’s ideal for hybrid workers.
Practically a plug-and-play webcam, plug the Link 2C into your laptop and you’re good to go. The webcam is capable of recording 4K video at 30fps and shooting sharp and detailed stills, which I love. In our testing, the Link 2C accurately showed the details in a coaster’s coffee stains.
The Link 2C, like its first-gen predecessor, is a very smart webcam which can be controlled with hand gestures. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's smarter than me. You can zoom in and out, enable Whiteboard Mode, and even stop the webcam from following you around, simply by showing it your hand. It also has a handy True Focus mode which content creators will value. It puts the object the center of the frame in focus and blurs everything else, perfect for product unboxing videos.
In our testing, the Link 2C performed well in low-light conditions, too. It struggles in dimly lit conditions straight out of the box but this can be quickly fixed by diving into the companion software and enabling HDR and adjusting exposure.
Speaking of, I think the companion software is both great and detailed, allowing you to add backgrounds, bokeh, and change picture settings. The Insta360 Link Controller software is also much cleaner and more intuitive than the pricier Elgato Facecam Pro’s software.
Overall, the Link 2C is a great choice for hybrid workers who travel and content creators, who don’t want to spend too much money on a fantastic webcam. This is our current favorite webcam on the market, as you can clearly see considering it's the only cam on this guide with a perfect score.
Read our full Insta360 Link 2C webcam review.
| Test | Notes | How it stacks up |
|---|---|---|
| Picture quality | Unbeatable 4K images at a great price | ★★★★★ |
| Low-light quality | Picks out the details in a dark room with ease | ★★★★☆ |
| Software | In-depth software lets you tweak picture settings and add backgrounds | ★★★★☆ |
The best budget webcam
The best webcam under $100 is the Anker PowerConf C200. For the price, you get a 2K snapper that delivers excellent video in all sorts of lighting conditions, an adjustable field of view, and an integrated privacy shutter for those times when you don't want to be seen.
I've found its 5MP camera sensor to be great at accurately displaying colors, even if the overall image can be a bit grainy at times. Its dual mics are also very sensitive — it could hear me from 30 feet away. On the flipside, its AI noise cancellation is great at blocking out extraneous noise. Anker's software also lets you tweak the image and audio settings easily.
Considering this cam usually retails for around $60, its 2K image quality is absolutely outstanding at such a reasonable price point. Not only will you look crystal clear during that next important conference call, it also won’t matter what time said call takes place, as the Anker PowerConf C200 is great at picking your face out in dimly lit conditions (in part thanks to its larger aperture size).
The small form factor of Anker’s cam is also pleasing to my eyes. Measuring in at 2.4 x 2 x 1.6 inches and weighing only 2.9 ounces, its size and weight make it easy to perch on top of a monitor or laptop.
The fact that this little cam’s privacy shutter is physically built into the C200 is another great design choice I admire. As is the addition of tripod threading on the bottom, which allows you to easily place Anker’s cam down on your desk and adjust viewing angle appropriately.
In all, this is a great bargain for an excellent webcam. At time of writing, you're simply not going to find a snapper that brings so much to the table at a price point that normally hovers around the $60 mark.
Read our full Anker Powerconf C200 webcam review.
| Test | Notes | How it stacks up |
|---|---|---|
| Picture quality | Excellent 2K images | ★★★★★ |
| Low-light quality | Fantastic in low-light scenarios | ★★★★☆ |
| Software | Horizontal flip, anti-flicker, Pick-up mode | ★★★★☆ |
Best premium
For a 2-inch body, there’s a lot of tech stuffed into Obsbot’s Tiny 2. For $299, you get an obscene amount of innovative and premium features. The Tiny 2 is a PTZ camera, like the CCTV cameras you probably see every day, which means it can pan, tilt, and zoom to track its subject. This would be ideal for remote class teachers, business professionals who spend a lot of time presenting virtually, or professional streamers who want to up their game.
With “desk mode”, “whiteboard mode” and various different body parts you can track, this is an ideal premium webcam that I think folks who fit into the above catergories will really appreciate. You can choose which body part you want the Tiny 2 to track via the Obsbot Center app, too. The Tiny 2 will track your upper body, lower body, left hand, right hand, head, headless — the possibilities are endless. It also has optional beauty filters, but you don’t have to use them if that’s not your cup of tea. Also, my eyes still can't believe how adorable it is.
On top of that, it can record in 4K 30 fps, so your presentations or streams will look as professional as you do. The webcam has an omni-directional microphone that adjusts gain automatically and minimizes ambient noise. While I class the picture quality is phenomenal, the mic is simply fine. It does its job well, but no built-in mics can replicate a dedicated clip-on mic or a streaming mic. If you’re a serious professional streamer, likely you’ll have a separate mic anyway.
You can link up the Tiny 2 with OBS seamlessly and it integrates with Google Meet, Zoom, and Skype, too. It has a USB-C cable for pain-free connection to your laptop or computer. I used this mic to stream and I had no issues recording straight from the Tiny 2 into OBS.
If you need something with these premium features, this is a phenomenal webcam, with amazing picture quality and incredible smart tech features. It just might be overkill for the average person.
Read our full Obsbot Tiny 2 review.
| Test | Notes | How it stacks up |
|---|---|---|
| Picture quality | 4K images don't get much better | ★★★★★ |
| Low-light quality | Manual exposure settings means it performs reasonably | ★★★☆ |
| Software | Extensive voice commands, gesture controls and key shortcuts | ★★★★★ |
The best game streaming webcam
When it comes to game streaming on the likes of Twitch or YouTube, your webcam needs to have amazing picture quality, a deep suite of customization options to get that image just right, and the versatility to fit in with any setup. Elgato's Facecam MK.2 nails all three factors, and does so at just $149.
That 1/ 2.5" Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor paired with Elgato's Prime Lens optics gives you a crispy picture that is full of color, and even supports HDR for a cinematic contrasty look I can't get enough of. On top of that, the frame rate is buttery smooth at 60 fps by default (going up to 120 fps at 720p if you want that super slow-mo effect).
I had nothing but great game streaming experiences while using the MK.2, too. Broadcasting hundreds of miles of gorgeous racing action in Gran Turismo 7 — PS5’s premier driving simulator — proved to be an utter pleasure my eyes couldn't get enough of. Thanks to the Facecam’s silky smooth 60 fps frame rate, synching my races with the steering inputs I normally use proved a doddle.
Combine that top-tier game streaming with the 1/4-inch thread that screws onto your desk with ease, a superb software suite that gives you DSLR levels of control, a built-in privacy shutter, and you're left with the makings of an extremely solid snapper to grace the top of one of the best gaming monitors.
You just need to be able to look past the lack of a built-in microphone, and turn off the oddities of AI post-processing.
But honestly, neither of those issue come that close to being true deal-breakers, such are the other outstanding qualities of this superb webcam.
Read our full Elgato Facecam MK.2 review.
| Test | Notes | How it stacks up |
|---|---|---|
| Picture quality | A fantastically sharp, contrasty picture quality. | ★★★★★ |
| Low-light quality | Some odd AI post-processing, but great in low light | ★★★★☆ |
| Software | Software is complex, but gives you a ton of control. | ★★★★☆ |
The best webcam for conference calls
This is the smartest, most innovative webcam I've seen in recent years. The Insta360 Link has a 3-axis, gimbal-mounted camera that can track you as you move around the room.
But that's just the beginning: it has a number of AI-enhanced modes, including Whiteboard, in which it will automatically find, then resize and center a whiteboard in a room, so that callers on the other end have the clearest view possible.
It can also zoom in to just your face, half your body, or show your entire body; you can also have it zoom in and out using hand gestures, which is a seriously cool touch that I certainly appreciate.
Yet all of its fancy features would mean nothing if the video was poor. Fortunately, its 1/2-inch image sensor delivers some of the best image quality we've seen, day or night I've seen. Even in a dark room, it was able to show me on-screen perfectly, using nothing more than the light from my monitor. For power users, this is the webcam to get.
A good example of said snazzy software? That would be Streamer mode: as long as the streaming platform supports 9:16 video, you can instruct this snapper to rotate its camera 90 degrees to support filming your videos vertically. Although it's a slight shame the Insta360 Link's HDR mode only works at resolutions of either 1080p or 720p.
For power users, though, there's no question this is the webcam to get. And that's no mean feat considering how many amazing cams that are all currently vying for your hard-earned money on the market right now. Quite simply, this is a completely classy cam I find easy to recommend.
Read our full Insta360 Link review.
| Test | Notes | How it stacks up |
|---|---|---|
| Picture quality | Generally great, but HDR not available in 4K | ★★★★☆ |
| Low-light quality | Decent, though not outstanding | ★★★☆☆ |
| Software | AI zoom, auto subject tracking, Insta360 Link Controller | ★★★★★ |
The best Logitech webcam
If you need to look your absolute best during an important conference call or you're a serious streamer, the Logitech MX Brio is simply an astounding 4K webcam. Sure, it's not exactly cheap at $199, but for that outlay you're getting a cam that outputs ultra crisp images that hard tough to top in my opinion.
It also boasts some seriously impressive AI features that constantly impress me. AI-enhanced auto light correction ensures this webcam picks out the smallest details in a dark room, while the MX Brio's dual beamforming mic utilizes AI to reduce background noise. A handy feature if you happen to be working from home and your kids start screaming/the dog starts howling its heart out. And hoo-boy do I know the latter scenario all too well.
Logi's software also allows you to calibrate color and brightness settings, letting you make further tweaks to the already outstanding out-of-the-box picture performance. And you better believe the image quality the MX Brio serves up is something special. When you switch this snapper to 4K mode, the clarity of your calls (at least on your end), are going to look absolutely sensational.
In my review, we hailed this Logi snapper as "the Michael Jordan of webcams." A statement I fully stand by. I called the Brio "ruthlessly efficient and in an NBA zone of its own." It's tricky to think of any higher form of praise that could be given to Logitech's top-tier cam.
There is a small caveat if you're in the U.K. and are tempted to take the plunge on the MX Brio 4K. If you have any lightbulbs switched on that fall into the cam's field of view, you may encounter distracting on-screen flickering. This is down to a power frequency issue, with the 50Hz refresh rate causing a conflict with the Brio's 30 fps shutter speed. Thankfully, this isn't something folks in the U.S. should experience.
If you have the money to spare (and admittedly $199 is a lot to pay for a webcam), the Logitech MX Brio 4K is a slam dunk purchase you should definitely consider picking up. It truly is the king of Logitech snappers.
Read our full Logitech MX Brio 4K review.
| Test | Notes | How it stacks up |
|---|---|---|
| Picture quality | Amazingly clear picture quality | ★★★★★ |
| Low-light quailty | AI-enhanced auto light correction works brilliantly | ★★★★★ |
| Software | Three fields of view, dual beamforming mic with AI noise reduction | ★★★★☆ |
The best streaming webcam
If you’re a serious streamer or avid content creator, the Logitech StreamCam is one of the best webcams you can buy; coming packed full of all the bells and whistles YouTubers could desire. This high-end webcam records at 1080p at a smooth 60 frames per second, making it ideal for Twitch streams and high-quality YouTube videos.
The StreamCam has the unique ability to be mounted in both landscape or portrait modes, so you can use the latter orientation to shoot content for platforms like Instagram and TikTok. And although it lacks a privacy shutter, which I find disappointing, the fact the StreamCam sports a premium glass lens takes the sting out of the shutter issue a little for me.
The StreamCam also makes use of AI-enabled facial tracking allowing for smart auto-focus and exposure. During our tests, this cam proved especially strong at facial tracking.
Even if you attach this snapper to a laptop then turn it sideways, the peripheral’s auto exposure allows the webcam’s lighting to match your environment. Image stabilization, which keeps the camera from shaking if you accidentally knock it, is another welcome feature I'm glad is present and correct.
This excellent streaming webcam offers a high-speed USB-C connection, a variety of mounting options and 3 months of XSplit Premium streaming software. Its refreshingly attractive design, which comes in white and charcoal, is also a great touch that I'm impressed with.
I was highly impressed with its image quality throughout the review process, and there's no denying it's definitely worth the price tag.
Read our full Logitech StreamCam review.
The best 4K webcam
The Obsbot Meet 4K webcam is a compact little thing, but inside its tiny 2 x 1 inch exterior is a powerful 4K camera with beautiful picture quality that I adore. The video and picture is crystal clear and will add a sense of professionalism to any streams or work calls you may be using it for. And with the companion Obsbot software, you can customize your auto framing, gimbal, FPS settings, and custom backgrounds.
If you’re a streamer, you can add a green screen background in the Obsbot Center app, which will make your life much easier if you use a green screen every day for videos. You can add in any background you like, too, so you could even use screenshots from new games as your filming backdrop, should you desire.
The Obsbot Meet 4K is compatible with Open Broadcasting Software (OBS), so you can use it with gaming streams or content creation. The head-tracking has proven to be consistently great for me, too, so even if you get super into whatever game you’re playing, the Obsbot Meet 4K will keep you in the middle of the frame. It’s advertised as “AI-powered” head-tracking software — I’m not sure where this “AI” is, but the head-tracking works great regardless.
My favorite part of this webcam is the magnetic attachment clip. I've never used a webcam with such a straightforward and tranquil setup before. I don’t think I can ever go back to the standard frustrating clip after experiencing the beauty of a magnetic attachment. And if you’ve got a tripod, the Meet 4K comes complete with a UNC ¼-20 for tripod attachment, and can be used freestanding on a surface if that suits you, too. The versatility of this little webcam marks it as one of the best I’ve ever tested.
If you’re after a super-high quality webcam with pristine 4K images and an innovative magnet clip attachment, the Obsbot Meet 4K is a great option, but will set you back $149/£199.
Read our full Obsbot Meet 4K review.
| Test | Notes | How it stacks up |
|---|---|---|
| Picture quality | Superb 1080p/60 fps vibrant performance | ★★★★☆ |
| Low-light quality | Reasonable but shadows can be a problem | ★★★☆☆ |
| Software | Logitech Capture, text overlay, scene effects | ★★★★☆ |
| Test | Notes | How it stacks up |
|---|---|---|
| Picture quality | Sharp and sensational when set to 4K | ★★★★★ |
| Value for money | Will certainly outperform a laptop webcam | ★★★ |
| Software | Good options for streamers through Obsbot Center | ★★★★☆ |
The best laptop webcam
The Opal Tadpole is the smallest webcam I've ever seen, which is massively impressive considering it offers 4K video. It alos looks the part, with a sleek minimalist design that won’t look out of place on even high-end laptops.
This tiny little camera measures just 1.37 by 1.57 inches and weighs a little over an ounce, so you won’t have any trouble fitting it into your backpack. Opal supplies the Tadpole with a USB-C cable which can double up as a wrist-strap, too, if you fancy using your webcam as a clothing accessory. What’s more, the company also sells a circular case, to disguise the Tadpole as a yoyo. Kind of dorky, but I'm here for it.
Despite its tiny proportions, the powerful Tadpole packs a 4K UHD Sony imaging sensor, which delivers really sharp images with decent contrast and natural temperature.
Thanks to an f/1.8 maximum aperture lens, the Tadpole produces nice, soft background blue, and its AF is pretty good too, tracking faces reliably during calls. This webcam will certainly be a massive step up in quality over most built-in laptop cameras.
Sound-wise, the Tadpole features a directional microphone tailored to capturing sound from within the camera’s 70 degree field of view. I couldn’t really hear much difference between the Opal’s mic and laptop mics, so if audio quality is of paramount importance to you, check out the Poly Studio P5 instead.
The Tadpole has a few drawbacks, though. Firstly, this webcam is laptop-dedicated. If you have a ball of Fun Tak or you can jerry rig it onto one of the best iPhone tripods, it’ll work with desktops, but it isn’t designed to do so. Its clip opens to only 35-degrees, meaning it may not fit over chunkier laptop displays, either.
At $129, the Tadpole isn’t going to break the bank, and it’ll make a really good replacement for a broken laptop webcam or microphone. It’ll also be great if you simply want to up the quality of your video calls or live streams with as small a footprint as possible. If you’re a desktop user, though, I'd recommend going for another 4K webcam, such as the incredible Insta360 Link 2C at the top of this list.
Read our full Opal Tadpole review.
| Test | Notes | How it stacks up |
|---|---|---|
| Picture quality | Fantastic 4K/60p output with decent contrast and nice background blur. | ★★★★★ |
| Low-light quality | A decent f/1.8 maximum aperture keeps things bright | ★★★☆☆ |
| Software | N/A (as the Tadpole is plug and play) | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Also tested...
The webcams above represent the cream of the crop in their respective categories, but they're far from the only snappers we've tested here at Tom's Guide. There are many quality cams we've reviewed that are still well worth considering, and below I'll quickly run you through some of my favorites that only just missed the cut against the best webcams on the market.
How to choose the best webcam for you
When looking for the best webcam, you should consider a few key factors including resolution, framerate and price.
Video Resolution
You'll be hard-pressed to find a webcam with a resolution of less than 720p; most budget webcams, like the Logitech C270 (which costs less than $30) can stream at this resolution.
The next step up — and the most common resolution — are 1080p cameras like our favorite, the Logitech C920s. Cameras at the resolution typically cost $50 to $100, and are best for most consumers.
If the highest-quality video is required — and you're not using your camera as a webcam — then you'll want a webcam that can stream at 4K, like the Logitech Brio. However, almost every webcam that can stream at 4K will cost more than $100.
Field of View
If you only need a webcam to stream video of yourself, then you can get away with a webcam that has a fairly narrow field of view; most models have about an 80-degree FOV. If you need a webcam for a group setting, you'll want one with a wider FOV, such as the Anker PowerConf 300, which has a 115-degree FOV. Some of the better webcams will even let you adjust the field of view.
Microphones
Cheaper webcams will typically have just one microphone, which is fine for plenty of situations. However, if you work in a noisier environment, you'll want a webcam with two or more microphones, as well as software that can help isolate your voice from the sounds all around you. Another alternative — which will deliver even better audio — is to invest in one of the best microphones.
Extra features
It’s also worth considering any special features a webcam has. The Razer Kiyo has a built-in ring light, making it ideal for folks who are recording in low-light rooms and don’t have one of the best ring lights handy. Logitech cameras generally have robust software options for customizing your shots, and the StreamCam can shoot in both landscape and portrait modes, which is worth considering if you’re shooting video for mobile consumption.
How we tested these webcams
To find out which are the best webcams, we put them through a series of tests in our home office. First, we see how easy they are to set up, and how well they sit on top of our laptop and monitors.
Next, we evaluate the performance of their cameras in varying lighting conditions; after all, not everyone has the best ring lights in their home office. We look to see how well the camera captures our face, how detailed the image is, and how it reacts if we move around the room.
Audio is just as important, so we test the camera's microphone by talking with others while we have background noise - be it a TV or music.
We also look at the software that comes with the camera (if any). How intuitive is it, and what sort of things does it let us do with the camera?
After that, we take the camera's price into consideration to see if its performance and features are a good value.
Best webcams FAQ
What is a good webcam brand?
There are several, quite frankly. As you can plainly see from the way the list above has been compiled, Logitech is on fire when it comes to consistently producing some of the very best webcams around. That doesn't mean you have to go the Logi route, though. Insta360, Anker and Dell all make excellent webcams that are well worth considering, too.
Do I need a 4K webcam?
The short answer? Probably not. 4K webcams are generally a lot more expensive than their 1080p equivalents and unless you find yourself in scenarios where you regularly need to view yourself in 4K, you're better off saving your money and going with a lower resolution cam. Of course, if you're a content creator on YouTube or Twitch and regularly stream the best PS5 games that often output at 2160p their Quality modes, then a 4K cam could be worth considering.
Can I use my phone as a webcam?
You sure can, my friend. There are multiple ways to use your phone as a webcam, thanks to third-party software that syncs your smartphone to your PC. Here's how to use your phone as a webcam when you're really in a pinch.
Today's best webcam deals
For an easy way to save on your webcam purchase, check out our guides to the best Anker discount codes, Logitech promo codes, and Elgato coupon codes.
