Whether you are working from home, or you want to talk with friends and family while away, a webcam helps you stay connected in a way that talking on the phone simply cannot. While most laptops and cell phones come with built-in cameras, they often have limited features. If you’re looking for a way to keep in touch, here are the best webcams for 2020, including cheap webcams for laptops, 4K webcams for Windows 10, and more.
Best Webcam for Laptops – Logitech C270
Looking for a webcam that you can use for video conferencing on your laptop? The Logitech C270 is one of the best choices. This affordable webcam has a resolution of 720p, and it comes with a built-in microphone that mutes background noise.
It is compatible with all major operating systems (OS), including Windows 7, 8, and 10. If you are a Chromebook or Apple user, this webcam works with macOS 10.10 or later, Chrome OS, and Android 5.0 or above.
Apart from wide OS compatibility, this webcam also works with a wide array of video calling platforms. Whether you use Google Hangouts, Facetime, or Skype, you will not have any problems making video calls with family and friends with this webcam.
$39.95
Best Webcam for Windows 10 – Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
If you’re using a computer or laptop with Windows 10, then the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema is one of the best webcams you can get. This webcam features HD 720p video, and it comes with TrueColor Technology.
With this webcam’s glass lens, you will always enjoy bright and clear videos and photos. Whether you’re making a video call in a dark room, or if the light streaming from your windows is too bright, the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema webcam will give you vibrant videos every time.
This webcam also showcases 360 degrees of rotation and an integrated microphone. It comes with a universal attachment base, so you can place it on top of any laptop, desktop, or LCD monitor.
This webcam is compatible with Windows 7 and above and macOS 10.7 and above.
$39.99
Best Webcam for Streaming – Logitech C922 Pro Stream Webcam
If you’re a serious streamer, the Logitech C922 is one of the best webcams you can get. It’s a little pricey, but if you’re a gamer or influencer who makes money from streaming videos, this webcam is a great investment. What makes the Logitech C922 a good webcam for streaming is that it has a frame rate of 60 fps.
The Logitech C922 also comes with HD autofocus and light correction for sharp and bright videos. It has two microphones for clear and natural-sounding audio. It also has a wide 78-degree field of view. This means that there can be two people in the stream without them having to sit too close together.
This webcam is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, or later. It works with macOS, Chrome OS, and Android as well.
Best 4k Webcam – Logitech Brio Ultra HD
If you want better video quality, the Logitech Brio is one of the best 4K Ultra HD webcams that you can buy. This webcam is on the pricey side, but it does have a long list of spectacular features.
With this 4K webcam attached to the top of your desktop or laptop, you can zoom without losing high definition resolution, so your viewers don’t have to see anything but your face. On the other hand, if you wish to show more of your room or include a group of people, you can do so quite easily using this webcam’s adjustable field of view. You can choose to set your field of view to 65, 78, or 90 degrees.
This webcam also has a glass lens and two built-in microphones. It is certified for Windows Hello, and it can perform facial recognition tasks, so you don’t have to type in your password to log into a Windows 10 computer.
This webcam is compatible with popular video calling apps, such as Skype, Zoom, Facebook Messenger, and others. It also works on computers running on Windows 7 or higher, macOS 10.10 or higher, and on the newest Chrome OS released after 2013.
$99.95
Best Webcam Overall – Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920
This Logitech webcam was released about eight years ago, but it is still one of the best webcams you can get. The Logitech C920 supports full HD video calling, with a maximum resolution of 1080p at 30 frames per second. As a rule of thumb, the higher the frame right, the better the quality. AS long as you have a solid, reliable internet connection, you should not experience choppy video or audio with the Logitech C920.
This webcam also comes with stereo microphones that feature noise reduction, so you will be able to hear the other person, and they will be able to hear you. It also has a universal clip that fits most laptops and LCD monitors. It also comes with low-light correction, which automatically adjusts to create clear recordings, even if you’re sitting in a dark room.
This webcam is compatible with macOS 10.10 or newer, Windows, 7, 8, 10, or later, Android 5.0 or above, and Chrome OS. It works with Skype, Google Hangouts, FaceTime, and other major video calling apps.
Now that you know the best webcam for you, check out our list of the best video chat apps here.
HelloTech editors choose the products and services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.