The best webcams in 2023

Looking for the best webcam? There are plenty of options for your gaming PC that’ll run circles around the built-in offerings found in the best gaming laptop. Cameras from big-name brands like Elgato, Razer, and Logitech will typically offer the best specs such as high resolution and frame rates, but there are great value picks from lesser-known boutique manufacturers you might never have heard of.

If you’ve money to spare, a DSLR camera will offer the highest quality experience, but for everyone else, the best webcam will do wonderfully with 1080p video capture at 60 frames per second – not to mention they’re significantly cheaper. Some devices even support HDR, but it’s worth mentioning that the only streaming service that currently supports high-dynamic range is YouTube Gaming, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for something for Twitch or Zoom calls.

These are the best webcams in 2023:

• Razer Kiyo Pro – best webcam overall
• Elgato Facecam – best for streaming
• VUPUMER 2K HD – best budget webcam
• Streamplify Cam – best video quality under $100
• Logitech Brio – best 4K/30fps or 1080p/60fps
• Elgato Cam Link 4K – best for turning your camera into a webcam
• OBSBOT Tiny 4K – best for conferences

1. Razer Kiyo Pro

The best webcam overall.

Razer Kiyo Pro specs:

Pros

• Great HD video at 60fps
• HDR looks wonderful
• Fantastic low-light performance

Cons

• Expensive

The Razer Kiyo Pro is the best webcam because it’s a fantastic all-rounder, with uncompressed 1080p video capture at a buttery-smooth 60 frames per second. It supports HDR too, providing you don’t mind the frame rate shifting down to 30fps. In place of the built-in ring-light found on the base version, the Kiyo Pro boasts an upgraded sensor that can handle harsh and dim lighting conditions with ease.

Sure, it may be a little more expensive than some of the others, but it’s nothing when you consider everything it can do. Even in low-light settings, it manages to capture some really great footage.

Field of view is set to a wide 103° by default, but you can turn this down as low as 80° via Razer’s Synapse software. If you’ve forgotten to pack your favorite gaming headset, the Razer Kiyo Pro can double up as a microphone too with omnidirectional chops. For those concerned about privacy can also rest easy, as it comes with a detachable cap for when you’re done showing off your face to your fans, friends, or colleagues.

2. Elgato Facecam

The best streaming webcam.

Elgato Facecam specs:

Pros

• DSLR-like sensor
• Great customization
• Good low-light performance

Cons

• Expensive
• Needs a good amount of tinkering in software
• Bulky

The Elgato Facecam joins the company’s expansive range of dedicating streaming equipment, and it doesn’t disappoint. The webcam may be chonkier than a lot of its competition, but this allows the Facecam to pack some serious tech. It has its own heatsink, flash memory, and a Sony Starvis CMOS sensor you’ll find it in DSLRs – all of which leads to a crisp 1080p video at 60fps.

It’s a big piece of hardware, which might be off-putting if you need something like to travel around with. Nonetheless, if you just want something to stay in place for a static gaming setup, this is a quality choice that’s very much worth the higher price tag.

It’s backed by powerful and versatile Camera Hub software, which not only allows you to customize basic settings on the fly like FOV and contrast but gives you the means to tinker with white balance, shutter speed, and ISO. While it’s not quite as good as the Razer Kiyo Pro in certain lighting conditions, when paired with an Elgato Key Light it quickly ascends to best-in-class territory.

3. Vupumer 2K HD

The best cheap webcam.

Vupumer 2k HD specs:

Pros

• Affordable
• Lightweight design

Cons

• Autofocus is inconsistent
• Stuck at 30fps

If you want to save some money with a cheap webcam, so you can budget for the best gaming keyboard, then this option fits perfectly, coming in at less than $20. Unlike the Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000’s lower 720p, the Vupumer 2K HD has the same 1080p resolution as the Razer Kiyo Pro, just at a lower 30fps. It still has a decent image quality in low lighting, although you can improve it with the use of an additional ring or key light.

This is one of the cheaper webcams on the list, and we certainly don’t want to be too critical of it. It’s more than worth the price tag, and a fantastic choice for anyone who perhaps wants to wade into the world of streaming and wants an affordable option as a starter.

This webcam features a sliding privacy shutter, LED indicator to notify you when the camera is on, and stereo microphones, so you won’t have to worry about picking up a standalone microphone either. What more could you want?

4. Streamplify Cam

The best webcam under $100.

Streamplify Cam specs:

Pros

• Affordable
• Privacy cover
• 1080p/60fps under $100

Cons

• No software customization
• Mediocre quality with low-light

The Streamplify Cam is a fantastic budget webcam that doesn’t compromise on spec, and it’s designed with Twitch streamers in mind. Not only does it hit that 1080p 60fps sweet spot, but its form factor makes it an affordable alternative to its more expensive kin.

Streamplify’s electric eye comes with a few neat extras you won’t see on many other webcams in this price range. It’s got two built-in microphones and a 90-degree field of view, meaning you won’t need to cram your streaming backdrop into a tiny frame.

There’s also something to be said about the Streamplify Cam’s built-in lens shutter, as it both blocks its gaze and cuts audio capture with a physical off switch for security. Y’know, just in case you’d rather keep any cyber creepers from watching you eat a sandwich or something.

4. Logitech Brio

The best 4K webcam.

Logitech Biro specs:

Pros

• Up to 4K at 60fps or HD at 30fps
• Lightweight design
• HDR

Cons

• Autofocus is inconsistent
• Pricey
• You can lose the additional privacy cover

Webcams rarely stand up to the quality of a fully-fledged DSLR camera, but the Logitech Brio’s high resolution, HDR-powered, 13-megapixel sensor bridges the gap nicely. It’s quite versatile depending on your needs, with 4K resolution at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps, or even 720p at a whopping 90fps.

You know you’re getting a quality product from Logitech, so its versatility is no surprise (neither, we suppose, is the price tag). It’s a lightweight bit of hardware too, which can easily be transported around, which will appeal gamers on the go.

There’s a wide 90° field of view, although a digital 5x zoom can reduce that if needed. It also comes with a flip-down privacy shutter that attaches above the lens, a carrying bag, and Windows Hello facial recognition support for super-fast authentication when logging in.

6. Sony Alpha a7 II

The best mirrorless camera for streaming.

Sony Alpha a7 II specs:

Pros

• Value for money
• Full frame sensor

Cons

• Needs an adapter to use on PC
• Priciest option here

While Logitech’s Brio 4K camera gives the best image quality out of the small sensors found on a conventional webcam, there’s nothing quite like a full mirrorless or DSLR camera for broadcast-quality video.

In case it’s not obvious, this is not a webcam. It’s a digital camera that can double as a webcam if you need it to. This might be useful if you want to use it for filming or photographing other things, rather than just you at your desk, so the bigger price tag is quite justifiable when you think of all the applications.

By downloading Sony’s Imaging Edge Webcam software and connecting the camera via USB, you’ve got the camera turned into a fully functioning webcam, with unrivalled image quality. You can even take things up a notch by adding with Sony’s 18-135mm zoom lens too.

7. Elgato Cam Link 4K

The best camera capture card.

Elgato HD60 S+ specs:

Pros

• Bridges the gap between DLSR and gaming PC
• Easy to use
• HD version available to save money

Cons

• More expensive than some webcams

If you already have a camera lying around and want to turn it into a webcam, the Elgato Cam Link 4K is just what you need. If your camera has an HDMI output, it’ll plug right into this dongle which Windows recognizes as a dedicated camera.

In terms of specs, it’ll support 4K video output at 30 frames per second or 1080p at 60 fps. That’s not bad at all, and will give you some smooth, high-quality footage – ideal for making your streams standout.

Obviously, this requires a little more technical expertise than a simple plug-and-play webcam, but for those who want a slightly fancier setup, this is probably the way to go.

8. OBSBOT Tiny 4K

The best webcam for conferencing.

OBSBOT Tiny 4K specs:

Pros

• Auto face and body tracking
• Gesture controls
• HD option to save money

Cons

• Not Windows Hello compatible
• Expensive

There are plenty of webcams out there that include face and body tracking as a core part of their features, but most rely on software gimmicks that make panning a little sluggish.

The OBSBOT Tiny 4K has a built-in gimbal and AI to physically turn its head, meaning you never miss a beat as you wander around the room or shuffle in your gaming chair. The software is intuitive with three customisable presets so you can always return it back to its original position. And it has a timer when it’s not in use that makes it automatically look downwards to preserve your privacy.

You don’t necessarily want to open up the software mid-presentation or mid-stream to make a point, and that’s where gestures come in handy. There’s a learning curve that might make you feel a little silly waving your hand next to your face as you figure out what gesture does what, but zooming in and out to emphasize a point is so much easier. At the sacrifice of Windows Hello, which would have been a nice addition, we’ve never been able to position our lens so perfectly without sticking a webcam on a tripod.

How we chose the best webcams

When we created this list, there were several key factors we considered to help us decide which webcams to include. If you’re in the market for a webcam, we suggest you keep the following points in mind:

• Pricing: If you want something cheap that gets the job done, there’ll be options out there for you. If money is no option, there are some real luxury items too. We included a mixture of both for this list.
• Frames per second: Do you want your footage to be as smooth as can be? 60fps is kind of the standard for most models, but if you want movement to be even more fluid, look at models that reach 90fps or beyond.
• Resolution: Smoothness is one thing, but clarity is another. If you get something with 4K resolution, your picture quality will be as crisp as can be –  although you’ll get a lower fps if you have a higher resolution, so it depends on what you value most in a camera.
• Microphone: Do you already have a microphone? If so, you won’t want to spend money on a webcam that’s a little more expensive because it has a fancy mic. On the other hand, going for a premium choice will save you from having to buy one separately.

For more on how we decide which products to include in these lists, check out our how we test page. Our guides on the best gaming mics and the best capture cards will also be handy points of reference.