With working from home, attending online classes, and engaging in streaming now the norm, having a high-quality webcam is a necessity. If you’re still using a basic webcam or the one that’s built in your laptop, you may want to finally make an upgrade so that you can enjoy better video quality and more helpful features. Whether you want the absolute best webcam available, a webcam for a specific purpose, or a webcam on a budget, these are the best webcams you can buy in 2024.
Logitech Brio
Best webcam overall
Pros
- Sharp images
- Infrared depth-sensing
- Background replacement
- Plug and play support
Cons
- Barebones internal software
- Tinny microphone
- Few programs capture in 4K
Specification: | |
Resolution | 4K |
Frame rate | Up to 90 fps |
Autofocus | Yes |
Privacy shutter | Yes |
The main selling point of the Logitech Brio is that it supports 4K resolution, which means you’ll look your absolute best with sharp details and vivid colors. But it goes beyond that, with support for up to 90 fps at lower resolutions — something no other webcam can do.
The webcam also offers automatic light adjustments, especially during low-light and backlit situations, and built-in omnidirectional microphones with noise-cancelling technology. The Logitech Brio may be integrated with the Windows Hello facial-recognition system, and it also comes with a privacy shade that you can flip down to cover the lens when it’s not in use.
Logitech Brio
Best webcam overall
Logitech C920S
Best midrange webcam
Pros
- 1080p resolution
- Includes privacy shutter and mount
- Has autofocus
- Works in low light
Cons
- Lacks 4K resolution
- No high frame rate support
Specification: | |
Resolution | 1080p |
Frame rate | 30 fps |
Autofocus | Yes |
Privacy shutter | Yes |
The Logitech C920S Pro is a Full HD webcam with dual microphones that capture natural stereo audio while filtering our background noise, which makes it perfect for joining online meetings through teleconferencing apps such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom. You can use the Logitech C920S Pro to record videos for purposes such as demos and showcases, and it also works in low-light situations so you don’t need to edit the footage to increase brightness. The Logitech C920S Pro also comes with a privacy shutter for your peace of mind against hackers.
I use this webcam as my daily driver and it’s been going strong for years. 1080p is plenty for making me look good for work conferencing and video calls with relatives, and it’s available at an affordable price, too.
Logitech C920S
Best midrange webcam
Elgato Facecam Pro
Best 4K webcam
Pros
- Supports up to 4K resolution
- Supports 60 fps recording
- Offers various autofocus modes
- Universal mounting system
Cons
- Expensive
- Lacks a built-in microphone
Specification: | |
Resolution | 4K |
Frame rate | 60 fps |
Autofocus | Variable |
Privacy shutter | None |
The Elgato Facecam Pro is the amped up version of the iconic Facecam, which has been a popular model among streamers, gamers, and workers alike for years. This model updates the video to an impressive 4K resolution and 60 frames per second recording, letting you look your absolute best in the crispest of detail. It’s overkill for a lot of users, but if you want to really stand out, or use your webcam for showing off detailed objects or paperwork, then the Elgato Facecam Pro is an excellent option.
It lacks a built-in microphone or privacy shutter, but with a webcam like this you’re likely to have your own options anyway. The included mount makes it easy to attach to just about anything — a tripod, the top of your laptop or monitor, wherever you like. The low-light recording mode is impressive, too, so you’ll look great whether you have some dedicated lighting setup, or just stumbled out of bed in time for the meeting.
Elgato Facecam Pro
Best 4K webcam
Razer Kiyo
Best 1080p webcam
Pros
- Built-in ring light
- 1080p resolution
- Compact, folding design
- 60 fps support
Cons
- Ring light is uncessary for some
Specification: | |
Resolution | 1080p |
Frame rate | Up to 60 fps |
Autofocus | Yes |
Privacy shutter | No |
For an all-in-one 1080p webcam, or for those who prefer working or streaming in the dark, you should think about getting the Razer Kiyo. The brightness of the built-in 5600K ring light surrounding the webcam’s Full HD lens may be adjusted by rotating its bezel, so you’ll always get the perfect lighting. It’s an excellent choice for influencers who need the illumination to showcase product unboxings, technical instructions, and similar streams, and once you’re done with it, the compact folding design of the Razer Kiyo means you can easily store it until the next time you need it.
It doesn’t have a built-in privacy shutter, but there are a range of aftermarket options that will fit it just fine. It also supports higher frame rates at lower resolutions, so if you want to show off some fast motion on your stream, the 60 fps mode at 720p is a great option to have.
Razer Kiyo
Best 1080p webcam
Logitech C270
Best cheap webcam
Pros
- Very affordable
- 720p resolution is fine for most
- Easy to mount
- Designed to work well with video conferencing apps
Cons
- Lacks higher resolutions
- Lacks privacy shutter
Specification: | |
Resolution | 720p |
Frame rate | 30 fps |
Autofocus | No |
Privacy shutter | No |
Do you just need a simple webcam, but you want to make the most out of your tight budget? You should go for the Logitech C270, which offers HD resolution for video calls and recording, a built-in microphone with noise-reducing technology, and light correction capabilities. Despite its low price, it works amazingly well with teleconferencing apps such as Skype and Zoom, and it comes with a secure mounting clip that securely attaches to your monitor or laptop.
It’s got a built-in microphone, too. While it’s not super high quality, that lets you set up conference calls or video chats with your relatives with no needed extras.
Logitech C270
Best cheap webcam
Logitech MX Brio
Best premium webcam
Pros
- Up to 4K resolution
- Supports up to 60 fps
- Includes AI audio and video enhancements
- Dual omni-directional microphones
- Has a wide field of view
Cons
- Expensive
- Lacks 90 fps of standard Brio
Specification: | |
Resolution | 4k |
Frame rate | 60 fps |
Autofocus | Yes, including AI enhancement |
Privacy shutter | Yes |
If you want a webcam that goes beyond what most webcams can offer, the Logitech Brio is well worth considering. At $200, it’s far more expensive than most options, but then it does come with a truly premium feature set.
Alongside its support for 4K resolution and up to 60 fps at 1080p, it has dual omni-directional microphones, making it a capable all-in-one conference tool. It also has AI enhancements that can dynamically adjust your video and audio for better quality, helping you appear better and more clearer to those you’re talking to. There’s also a “Show” mode, which can track down to show someone on the other end what’s on your desk. Handy for sharing documents or insights into products and objects.
There’s also a built-in privacy shutter, and it does a stellar job of picking you up in low light thanks to the new Brio sensor. This is a top-tier webcam from Logitech that will last you for years to come.
Logitech MX Brio
Best premium webcam