Pigtou.com is supported by its audience. When you buy through the links on our website, we may earn a small commission.
Do you want to know about the best webcams for video conferencing? This article is for you. Many of us today rely on webcams to keep in touch with family, friends, and coworkers from across the globe, so having a high-quality setup is essential for effective communication. Businesses have benefited from video calls as well, allowing employees to stay in touch with coworkers and clients while working from home. It’s not news that video conferences will continue to be an important part of hybrid working practices, and a quality webcam is the next way to make things easier. A large number of webcams still have a maximum video resolution of 720p or have difficulty maintaining a decent picture in natural indoor lighting. Having a webcam with such good features can be difficult when trying to engage in a video conference.
There are a lot of built-in webcams on many laptops that aren’t very good, so finding the best one for a satisfying video conference can be a challenge. Therefore we went through customer reviews on several webcam brands. We analyzed these reviews, noting down their benefits and their downsides. We also viewed the manufacturer manual for specifications and special features. However, we focused on customer evaluation since personal experience is the best way to analyze a product.
With thorough research, we came up with a list of high-quality webcams and their distinguished features. Although among this list, Logitech C920 is our top pick because of its outstanding specification and good customer reviews and rating. Join us as we venture into a list of the best webcams for video conferencing.
Brand Overview
- Logitech C920 – Overall Best
- Anker PowerConf C300 – Best for Large Groups
- Razer Kiyo Pro – Best for Low Light
1. Logitech C920 – Overall Best
Key Features:
- Excellent low-light performance
- Full 1080p HD and 720p Resolution
- Noise-canceling built-in microphone
Since its release in January 2012, the Logitech C920 has been one of the top webcams on the market, constantly outperforming competing models that offer more price or enhanced efficiency – and with good reason. This is a popular choice among broadcasters, content creators, and office employees, for example.
Logitech’s webcam is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a straightforward, low-cost webcam for video conferencing. It’s able to fit on the lid of a computer or a desktop, and it can capture and make video conferences using Skype, Google Hangouts, or Logitech’s own VID HD app. This fan-favorite camera is one of the top overall webcams commercially available, with sharp 1080p HD quality, superb illumination, and color detection at a reasonable price.
Its sleek black appearance is great for attaching to displays or connecting to tripods, and its associated software allows you to customize your characters and themes. It also incorporates a privacy shutter that physically blocks the lens of the camera. Logitech’s Webcam Software for Windows is compatible with the C920. Although the manufacturer claims to support Mac OS X, Chrome OS, and Android, however, none of these operating platforms have this program. The camera in the app may pan left and right and zoom in and out. If you’re working at a desk, you’ll probably only need to do this once, but people while out and about may find themselves using these frame options more frequently.
Most customers sound impressed about the performance of this webcam. However, there are some downsides attached to the product. According to some customers’ reviews, the webcam has bad lighting.
Pros
- Affordable and budget-friendly
- Constructed with sturdiness and dependability in mind
- The autofocus feature is excellent
- The video is clear and fluid
- There are numerous recording choices
- Mounts for a screen and a tripod are included
Cons
- Framerate is restricted at 30 frames per second
- It lacks a changeable field of view
2. Anker PowerConf C300 – Best for Large Groups
Key Features:
- AI-powered color adjustment
- Low-Light Correction, Zoom Certified
- AI-Powered Framing & Autofocus
The Anker PowerConf C300 has been recognized as one of the best webcams in the technology industry. One of the reasons is because of its excellent sound recording capabilities. This gadget comes with ultra-sensitive dual microphones that enable you to capture great sounds. The device also includes a comprehensive voice pickup, allowing you to achieve excellent results.
Anker PowerConf C300 is a 1080p webcam that can capture both 720p and 360p at 30 and 60 frames per second. The webcam has a 115-degree lens, which is substantially broader than typical webcams; most webcams have an 80-degree lens. It runs on macOS 10.13 and above and also Windows 7, 8, and 10. The Anker PowerConf C300 has a low-profile structure and a well-designed design for a great outcome. It has a fast auto-focus system that takes only 0.35 seconds to achieve great results.
However, that isn’t all. In addition, the C300 features dual noise-canceling microphones that allow it to capture exquisite images with 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second. The lens offers different fields of view, the largest of which being 115 degrees. HDR balances out brilliant backgrounds and dark foregrounds, while the associated Windows/macOS program lets you change colors, frame rate, resolution, and more. The Anker PowerConf C300 is a good webcam, although it’s definitely an asset to large meeting rooms rather than a single user.
According to customer reviews, most users seem to be satisfied with the performance of the gadgets; however, some claim it to be more expensive. Nevertheless, we believe getting a very high-quality webcam will cost a lot.
Pros
- It’s ideal for groups to have a very wide-angle camera
- Excellent low-light operation
- Good microphone
Cons
- For a single individual, the angle may be too large
3. Razer Kiyo Pro – Best for Low Light
Key Features:
- 1080p 30/60fps with HDR enabled
- Adjustable between 80°, 90°, and 103°
- Incredible image quality
- Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Our final recommendation on the best webcam for video conferencing is Razer Kiyo Pro, the latest addition to Razer’s webcam family. This monster isn’t cheap, but it’s well worth the money, especially when considering its versatile features, which make it ideally suited to everything from video conferencing to live broadcasting on networks like Twitch. The Kiyo Pro has a large, spherical design that is identical to the previous Kiyo.
Dimensionally, the device is much larger than the Logitech C920, measuring 8.5 x 7 x 4.5 inches. Comparing the Kiyo Pro to the Kiyo webcam, you can immediately tell that the Kiyo Pro doesn’t have a ring light. The Kiyo Pro’s adaptive sensor, on the other hand, allows you to capture photographs in low-light situations, so you won’t be missing out on anything.
The Kiyo Pro’s key selling point is its potential to record 1080p video at 60 frames per second without losing image quality. HDR video is also available on the Razer Kiyo Pro, but the frame rate is lower at 30 fps. When you Livestream, you have the option to select three different fields of view and to playback a high-resolution ‘HDR’ stream for Zoom sessions or a smooth 1080p 60FPS stream for gameplay.
The Razer Kiyo Pro excels at image exposure, achieved using the Kiyo Pro’s STARVIS technology. A wider f2.0 aperture and a Type 1/2.8 sensor are responsible for this, enabling the webcam to provide steady light coverage. Another fantastic feature is the customizable field of view, which lets you choose from three presets which are “Narrow” (80°), “Medium” (90°), and “Wide” (103°). The Razer Synapse software allows owners to adjust this, giving them a lot of freedom for when they want to switch things up.
According to users’ reviews, the webcam is of good quality and the image is great even in low light, however, many complained of not being able to update the firmware.
Pros
- Sharp video quality
- Even in low-light situations, the exposure is good
- dSharp and clear microphone
Cons
- Not budget-friendly
- Outsized razer software
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Webcam— Buying Guide
Before buying a webcam for video conferencing, there are some factors you need to consider. These factors are features, benefits, and even drawbacks that need to be considered. Although webcams appear to be simple devices to use, you must pay full attention to some factors before selecting one for your computer or Laptop. Webcams with diverse functions, both built-in and detachable, are developed for various business requirements. An external webcam may be a nice choice for you if you desire extra features or greater experiences. The factors highlighted in this post should be taken into account while selecting the best webcams.
Video Resolution
When it comes to webcam priority, the image quality is certainly up there with the amount that several people are ready to spend, and the price will normally rise as the image quality improves. The image quality of a webcam is defined by its resolution, which is known by the entire number of pixels. When buying a webcam, always push to buy those with HD (1280 x 720 pixels) resolution or higher. Check the pack of the product for 720p and 1080p. Although you can also get 4K webcams, it will cost you a lot of money.
Streaming vs. Recording
Video chats in real-time are different from recording a file for upload later. No camera can stream in 1080p simply because it can record in that resolution. If you live stream on Twitch or video chat on Zoom with friends and family, it is important to remember this distinction.
Microphone Quality
A built-in microphone is another feature worth considering, and some webcams offer more advanced microphones than others, with sound detection, noise filters, and other features. Some webcams offer built-in microphones, but some do not. Even if there is a built-in mic, it might not be good. So, if you want better audio, get a good microphone separately. You should check your microphone’s noise reduction technology if you’re working in an environment where a lot of background noise is frequently present.
Design and Adjustability
Another factor to take into consideration is this. Webcams are divided into two categories: clip-on and freestanding. Check out the different types of webcams available. Clip-on webcams are intended for thin screens and may be easily mounted on the screen’s top. The freestanding webcam necessitates additional desk space.
There must also be some form of adjustment so that it can be used more effectively. You can’t just sit on a chair for the rest of your life. Moving up and down should be possible. It will be an added benefit if the device can rotate 360 degrees.
Lens and Field of View
The field of view is largely determined by the webcam’s lens. The framing, or how near the video looks to the lens, is determined by the field of view. If you only need to display your face for a video conversation, a small field of view will suffice. For video conferences in which numerous individuals are assembled in a conference room, a greater field of view may be required.
Devices with a high resolution may allow you to zoom in or modify your field of view without compromising video quality. Cropping or having a fixed field of view will reduce the quality of lower resolution models. The most frequent field of view range is 65 to 90 degrees, with 78 degrees being halfway in the center. Some devices have a field of view that exceeds 100 degrees.
Conclusion
In 2022, owning a webcam is equivalent to getting a laptop or cellphone. Having all the necessary devices with you will allow you to connect not only with your customers and potential clients but also with the rest of the world. However, before buying a webcam, you need to check factors like the lens, video resolution, and many more variables. We hope that our selection of the best webcams for video conferencing assists you in finding the right one for you. For a mix of video and audio quality, the Logitech C920 earns the top spot on our list. You may video in a variety of resolutions and frame rates, giving you more flexibility.
