Since the whole world is moving towards online, including services, communications, etc. it is not strange that business meetings, job interviews and similar operations are also starting to follow this path. When we also add the increase of gaming streaming for both commercial and personal reasons, we get to the conclusion that owning the best webcam for streaming is no longer a matter of luxury, but a necessity.
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If you have a newer laptop, you probably already have a decent built-in webcam that will do the job, but if you prefer PCs, there is no other option than to buy one and stay in touch with modern tendencies. Of course, if you are not that familiar with the matter, that may present a problem, and that is the reason for this guide in the first place. Today, we’ll help you in your search for a webcam for streaming that will best fit your needs.
How to Choose the Best Webcam for Streaming
Every type of hardware has its own specifics, things that are important for their overall performance. In the case of webcams, these specifics are presented through the following characteristics:
Resolution
If you have ever taken pictures or recorded videos, you know how low resolution can completely ruin the whole experience. No one wants grainy or blunt pictures or videos of their most important life events. It’s similar to video streaming – why you would accept mediocre picture quality? Especially if you need a webcam for commercial reasons and videos that you make are bringing the food to your table.
Frame Rate
A frame rate is the speed of your video capturing, or simply said, the number of frames (images) per every second of a video. More frames mean the smoother movement of the people and objects in the video. For instance, all the TV programs in the USA are done with a frame rate of 30 fps or 60 fps, because that is proving to be the minimum for all the motions to look natural. It is the same with webcams. If you want a smooth motion in your videos, go for at least 30 fps in the desired resolution.
Megapixels
Although they are as not crucial for the quality of the picture as the optics, they still present an aspect that can significantly decrease or increase the image quality. Therefore, if you can, always go for higher numbers, but not at the expense of the optics, they should always be your priority.
Optics
The better the optics, the better the image quality. If you want an image that is sharp, with natural colors, always go for quality, such as Carl Zeiss optics or something similar.
Low Light Quality
If you are only into streaming during the day or in a well-lit room, this feature won’t mean much to you, but if you are into gaming or some horror-themed streaming, the video quality under low light is very important. In this case, you should look for the webcams that have an improved low light performance.
Autofocus
Although it is not a must, especially if you have a stationary image that needs to be streamed, a lack of autofocus can be problematic because it requires for constant readjustments that can be pretty frustrating, especially if you forget about it and end up with a poor quality video that is unusable. Therefore, the advice is to always go for webcams with autofocus, unless you have no problem with constant adjustments.
9 Best Webcams for Streaming
Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam
A Discrete Upgrade of an Already Great Device
If you liked Logitech C920, you will also like its successor C922, mostly because that is almost the same device, both according to the design and features, with only a few improvements. These discrete upgrades include improvement of a low light performance, which was basically the only feature C920 was lacking in order to become the best webcam for Twitch streaming.
Another upgrade is 720p video capturing with the frame rate of 60 fps (1080p video capture is still at 30 fps, as with C920) and last, but not the least, is background removal that has a constantly growing popularity recently. Although this was possible with a third-party software, with C922 this function comes right out of the box thanks to its Personify ChromaCam software.
C922 supports all major operating systems, has Carl Zeiss optics that guarantee for a premium quality picture, built-in mics for clear stereo sound recording, premium autofocus, USB connectivity; overall, everything that you could need for both your professional and personal streaming is there. Excellent for streaming on YouTube, Twitch and similar platforms, great for online gaming, video-conferencing… all in all, Logitech C922 is the best webcam for streaming you can find.
Pros:
- great low light picture
- background removal
- excellent image quality
- strong audio
Cons:
- no RealSense technology support (no Windows Hello support)
- design same as with C920
- finicky to set up
Anivia 1080p HD Webcam W8
Best Webcam for Versatile Use
This excellent web camera from Anivia features FHD recording resolution, allowing you to record and stream full HD 1080p videos at a stable 30 fps.
It has a wide range of compatibility, which includes Skype, Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, Gmail, WeChat, Android IPTV, QQ and some other apps for instant messaging.
As for the OS compatibility, this webcam is fully compatible with Windows 7/8/10, Mac OSX 10.7, as well as Android 4.0 or higher.
You can use Anivia 1080p HD Webcam W8 on desktop PC, Notebook, laptop or Android TV with a USB port for easy connectivity.
When it comes to connectivity, it is fairly easy to set it up, since you can simply plug it and wait for your operating system to recognize it. There is no need for any additional installation of specific drivers.
Apart from that, this webcam is pretty versatile when it comes to positioning since it has a universal clipping system, which allows you to place it anywhere you want.
Pros:
- Full HD support
- Compatible with a lot of software
- Good OS compatibility
- Easy to install
- Adjustable positioning
Cons:
- Lacks some additional features, such as zoom, auto-focus, and filters
Vitade 960A
Webcam with the Best Lighting
Vitade 960A features already built-in and completely adjustable light, with 3 different levels of brightness, alongside the touch control and facial-enhancement technology, which will definitely improve your image during streaming sessions.
It has a lens that is able to capture up to the angle of 80 degrees, as well as allow you to record and stream videos and create images in HD at 1080p and stable 30 fps.
This makes Vitade 960A perfect for streaming games on Twitch, YouTube or Xbox One, while also being good for Skype and social media streams.
Along with that comes 30 days money-back guarantee and 12-month warranty, with full customer support, in case you need any help.
One of the best features of Vitade 960A is its auto-focus and automatic low-light correction, which makes it capable of presenting you at your best, with perfectly rendered colors and brightness.
When it comes to installation, it is fairly simple to do so, since you simply need to plug in and use it according to your needs.
It is compatible with Windows 7/8/10, Mac OS 10.6 and higher, Chrome OS, Smart TV, as well as TV BOX Android 5.0 and above.
Pros:
- Supports Full HD resolution
- Warranty and money-back guarantee included
- Simple to use
- Excellent OS compatibility
- Adjustable brightness and lighting
Cons:
- No zoom option
Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920
A Webcam that Delivers Everything You Need
If you are looking for a great value for the money and have no specific preferences considering its features, Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 is an excellent choice for you. With quality overall characteristics that include an amazing 20 step autofocus, very sharp 1080p image thanks to Carl Zeiss optics, and a great low light performance, this webcam will satisfy the majority of users that are looking for a proper video conferencing tool.
This device delivers accurate white balancing, while its default settings make the picture look a bit washed out under bright light, but thanks to its Logitech Camera App, that can be adjusted. Fully compatible with the majority of today’s operating systems (Windows, Mac, Chrome OS and Android), with USB connectivity and minimal setup, C920 becomes your loyal companion in streaming your videos or video chats in no time.
Equipped with a camera that can shoot 15MP photos and record 720p videos with 60fps, dual microphone, H.264 compression for decreasing the size of your files, while keeping the high quality of the picture, this device is the best webcam for streaming your money can buy.
Pros:
- amazing picture quality
- excellent stereo audio
- great auto-focus
- excellent low light performance
- great value for the money
Cons:
- high price
- auto color is a bit washed out
Microsoft LifeCam Studio HD Webcam (Q2F-00013)
The Second Best Webcam
Microsoft LifeCam Studio HD Webcam is a quality webcam that is most suited for a personal use because its 1080p sensor requires for a third party software and it comes out of the box only with a 720p (30 fps) recording capability. Therefore, if you are not willing to spend a few more bucks for a Cyberlink YouCam, or some other similar software, better forget about its full HD use, which is a standard in business conferences nowadays.
Other than this drawback, this is a high-quality device that delivers great durability, sharp image, still photos of up to 8MP in size, TrueColor Technology for automatic adjustment of color and brightness, petal lens for reduction of the unwanted light, 360-degree rotation and much more.
Unfortunately, if you want to get yourself the best webcam for twitch streaming, or business calls, this device just isn’t that. Both Logitech C920 and C922 are better according to the value and features that they deliver and they are not more expensive than the Microsoft LifeCam Studio HD Webcam. Overall, this is a good device, but for this money, you can do much better.
Pros:
- sharp video
- the camera can be rotated by 360 degrees
- auto exposure correction
Cons:
- the need for a third party software to perform full HD recording
AUKEY FHD Webcam
An Affordable Webcam with Great Picture Quality
If you want to get yourself a cheap webcam with a quality picture that will satisfy your needs for both video conferencing and online gaming, AUKEY FHD Webcam should be your choice. Very compact, made out of quality plastic, with 2MP camera, CMOS sensor of 1/3“ in size that allows for recording in resolutions from 240p to 1080p, all at 30 fps, built-in stereo microphones, USB connectivity and a plug & play function for easier use, this device is an excellent option for everyone looking for a durable device with a good quality of picture.
Of course, its low price tag comes with a cost – it lacks autofocus and that it demands the illumination of at least 5 lux to work properly, but other than that, there are no big downsides. Compatible with Mac, Windows and Android, with great image quality and equipped with a mic for streaming, AUKEY FHD Webcam offers everything you would expect from the best cheap webcam for streaming.
Pros:
- cheap
- decent full HD video quality
- nice mounting bundle
Cons:
- no extra safety features
- no memory card in the package
Logitech BRIO
A Webcam with the Best Image Quality You Can Find
If you want a device with the best possible image quality money can buy, Logitech BRIO should be your choice. This is the only webcam that supports HDR recording and 4K streaming. Therefore, if you are into that, there is no other choice than to purchase this device, but be aware you will have to reach deep into your pocket.
BRIO has a 13MP camera, with the 90-degree field of view, for wider area capture, an infrared sensor that makes sit compatible with Windows Hello and 5x digital zoom. In 4K video capturing, this webcam offers a frame rate of 30 fps, in full HD up to 60 fps, and for 720p – up to 90 fps, which is more than respectable.
BRIO has an excellent white balance, great saturation and low light performance, so it is no surprise that its image quality is among the best on the market. If you are into streaming your games, there is no better tool than this device – just put it on top of your gaming monitor and enjoy the ride.
When talking about its downsides, other than the price, there is also a buggy autofocus that sometimes focuses only on closer objects, and you will have to adjust the device manually in order to focus on what you want. This can be very annoying, especially if you consider the fact that this is a high-end device, with a high-end price and the fact that BRIO contends to be the best webcam for streaming on the market.
Pros:
- HDR recording support
- amazing image quality
- detailed 4K recording
- great sound
- detachable USB cable USB3.0 or Type-C)
Cons:
- too expensive
- not that great autofocus
RAZER KIYO
One of the Most Versatile Web Cameras on the Market
The most important feature of the RAZER KIYO webcam is its LED light ring that makes it a perfect fit for any lighting conditions, including pitch black situations. Thanks to the lights turning dial you can adjust the intensity of the lighting to accommodate your needs, and for instance, use it for streaming some horror games, or creepy videos in complete darkness.
The list of RAZER KIYO great features also includes a 1080p sensor that delivers very sharp and detailed picture, fast autofocus and excellent white balancing, while its color saturation is one of the highest on the market. Unfortunately, in darker conditions, saturation makes the images look color-muted, while the absence of the dedicated software for that occasion will force you to adjust the color profile in every app you are using the footage in.
Other than that, RAZER KIYO is a great device, packed with features. It captures colors more accurately than Logitech C920, which is one of the best affordable webcam solutions out there. All in all, if you want to find yourself the best webcam for live streaming, this device is a great choice. Its excellent picture quality and 30 fps when recording in full HD and 60 fps in 720p resolution are more than a good recommendation.
Pros:
- excellent image quality
- innovative design
- ring of light for low light situations
Cons:
- microphone playback is quiet
- expensive
- saturation looks unnatural in some occasions
Jelly Comb Webcam 1080P Full HD
2-in-1 Streaming Webcam
Jelly Comb Webcam is completely FHD Webcam. It supports 1080p resolution and has a glass lens made of premium materials, alongside manual focus and high-resolution CMOS sensor, which is capable of capturing clear images at 25 fps.
Along with that comes the built-in microphone with high sensitivity and noise-canceling technology, which means that you won’t have to buy a separate microphone.
As for installing, it is pretty easy to install this webcam, since there is no need to install any software. You simply need to plug in and wait for your operating system to recognize it. After that, you are good to go.
Jelly Comb Webcam comes with 80 degrees lens angle and automatic brightness adjustment, without any optical distortions, making it perfect for video conferences and streaming.
It can also be rotated for full 360 degrees, with the base that can be opened and closed by 180 degrees rotation.
The webcam is compatible with all PC, notebook, laptop and desktop computers that have Windows 7/8/10/2000/XP and Mac OSX systems.
Pros:
- FHD support
- High-sensitivity microphone included
- Easy to setup
- 360 degrees rotatable camera
- Excellent compatibility
Cons:
- No auto-focus and zoom function
Conclusion
If this guide has helped you in your search or at least narrowed your choice, its purpose has been accomplished. If not, we hope that it at least cleared some of your doubts and that your webcam search will be successful. Happy streaming!
2 Replies to “The Best Webcams for Streaming in 2023”
Thanks for the comparison. Sadly Logitech sucks at software so much, that it cripples many of their products. The Brio for example has good hardware, but no way to disable rightlight3 and set gain/exposure manually, which is a nogo for streaming. The C922 for example won’t save the manual settings. At least the C920 allows to manually control the gain/exposure and saves them.
Thank you for your informative review! OBS is just an excellent solution for my task (video capture of a working area with overlaying of the pattern of aiming markup) and fine tuning of the webcam logitech brio!