While modern laptops come designed with built-in webcams, the video call quality of many models is not good enough. Investing in a standalone webcam for laptop is undoubtedly worth it, especially if:
- You’re a student taking live online classes.
- Or if you’re a professional (e.g., YouTuber) doing presentations that require high-resolution filming or display.
- You regularly conduct video meetings, whether it’s with business associates or clients.
So, what are your best options when it comes to webcams for video conferencing, streaming, and recording?
- Logitech Brio Webcam
- Logitech C922 Pro Webcam
- Microsoft LifeCam Cinema Webcam
- Redragon GW800 Webcam
- TP-Link NC260 HD Camera
Let’s give you a quick overview of each webcam.
Logitech Brio Ultra HD Webcam
Logitech is one of the leading manufacturers of laptop webcams, with their best model being Logitech Brio Ultra HD Webcam. It is a stylish 4K resolution webcam, offering unparalleled image and video quality.
Users have access to the Logitech Capture Software, which allows them to adjust resolution settings as needed when recording videos. You can capture 4K videos at 30 fps, 1080 videos at 30or 60 fps, 720p videos at 30,60, or 90 fps.
The product is backed by a High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, which delivers excellent color and brightness contrast. In other words, this camera adapts to just about any lighting condition with superb auto-focus. You can look forward to inspiringly sharper and defined images or videos.
Logitech Brio webcam also features omini-directional microphones with remarkable audio quality. There’s the audio-picture match. So, this webcam for laptops is easily a perfect option for video conferencing.
What’s more, the camera takes in plenty of background in HD resolution. It allows a 5x zoom and field of view of up to 90-degrees. Of course, if you want tighter view options, you can adjust to 65 or 78 degrees.
Logitech Brio is certified or compatible with popular video calling apps, including Skype, Cisco, Google Meet, Zoom, WebEx, and Facebook Messenger. However, very few conferencing services support 4K resolution at the moment. And top names like Skype and Zoom aren’t on that list, unfortunately.
What we like about the Logitech Brio webcam
- High-quality audio
- Solid auto-focus
- Capture crisp, explicit videos at a resolution of up to 4,096 x 2,160 pixels
- High frame rate
- Excellent color accuracy even in extreme lighting
- 65, 78, and 98 degrees field of view
- A flip privacy cover to bock the lens
- Supports biometric facial authentication
- 1 year warranty
What we didn’t like
Agree that, Logitech Brio is a high-end webcam, although it’s worth the price if you can get it.
Logitech C922 Pro Webcam
Well, Logitech Brio sets the standard high but, likely; you may not need some of the features it offers. A1080p webcam would probably be enough, considering most video conferencing services run at 720p or lower.
If you want a high-quality and cost-effective professional option with decent features, you cannot go wrong with the Logitech C922 Pro webcam. Besides that, it is a sturdy, compact, versatile, and easy-to-use webcam for laptop.
You can record presentations or stream 1080p videos at 30 frames per second. It also supports 720p recording at 60 frames per second. With such frame rates, you wouldn’t have to worry about distortion or lags when you go live.
Users appreciate the HD auto-focus and light correction feature. The camera captures surprisingly sharp videos in dim or bright light conditions.
The dual microphones can be heard from any angle, guaranteeing natural and clear audio.
Another rewarding thing about Logitech C922 Pro has to do with accessing the XSplit Broadcaster & Gamecaster features for three months.
Like Logitech Brio, this model features a Capture app to fine-tune your camera settings as desired. It is easier to zoom, pan, and customize your recordings and audios.
With this webcam, the horizontal field of view is set at 78 degrees. Well, this is a standard view.
Unlike other Logitech models, Logitech C922 Pro includes a handy tripod. It also has a mounting clip, allowing you snugly fit on any laptop or desktop computer.
Overall, the camera is compatible with several video applications, including Skype and Zoom.
What we like about Logitech C922 Pro
- Crystal clear video
- Excellent audio quality
- High frame rate
- Reasonably priced
- Background replacements
- 3-month XSplit premium license
- 1 year warranty
What we didn’t like
- It lacks the privacy shutter
Microsoft LifeCam Cinema 720p HD Webcam
Microsoft LifeCam can do the trick if you need a webcam for business or personal conferencing needs. While this Microsoft webcam supports recording 720p at 30 fps, the quality of videos and images is amazing than most models in this class offer.
Expect quality videos and clear images with vibrant colors, thanks to the top-notch quality glass element lens, autofocus, TrueColor, and ClearFrame technology.
Speaking of TrueColor Technology, it effortlessly tracks your face and adjusts the exposure as needed. The ClearFrame Technology adjusts the resolution and frame rate, matching your laptop performance.
So, Microsoft LifeCam isn’t an ordinary 720p webcam model.
Multiple chat participants can fit the wide-angle lens 73-degree field of view. What’s more appealing is that the Microsoft webcam can rotate 360 degrees.
Furthermore, its dashboard gives users access to unique, creative video effects and controls.
And even though the camera has a single microphone, it is equipped with noise-canceling technology.
The webcam works with Skype, AOL Instant Messenger, and more.
What we like about Microsoft LifeCam
- High-quality video recordings
- Clear audio
- Accurate and balanced colors
- Durable
- Flexible attachment base
- Affordable
- Long webcam cable
- Has privacy cover
- 2 year warranty
What we didn’t like
- May need pairing with a manual zoom option
Redragon GW800 1080P PC Webcam
Redragon GW800 is another webcam worth featuring on the list of best webcams for laptops. It is an impressive peripheral device with many appealing aspects for its price range.
Boasting a 1080p/ 30 fps resolution and autofocusing lens with light correction properties, Redragon GW800 captures outstandingly clear and focused images. The frame rate keeps up with sudden moments.
Whether you plan to hold live streams, video conferences, chats, or recordings, this webcam is worth your attention. It is compatible with Skype, YouTube, Twitch, Discord, etc.
Like the Microsoft webcam, Redragon GW800 is a 360-degree rotation webcam, but with a narrower field of view (72 degrees).
It includes a built-in dual microphone. While it might pick up some background noise during conversations, the system does a pretty good job, in all fairness. In terms of audio quality, the camera performs nearly the same as Logitech C922 Pro.
Redragon GW800 attaches securely to the laptop. Of course, you can mount the webcam on a tripod because it has a tripod screw slot at the bottom.
What we liked about Redragon GW800
- High-quality pictures and videos
- Clear and stable sound
- Very affordable
- Looks sleek and sturdy
- Easy to set up
- Has privacy shutter
- 18 months warranty
What we didn’t like
- Does not perform well in low light or heavy light conditions
TP-Link HD Camera NC260 Day Night WiFi Cloud Micro SD Card
TP-Link is well-known for providing reliable WiFi networking devices, and they don’t disappoint with their NC260 webcam model.
It has a high-precision glass lens and a powerful image sensor. Whether day or night, this 720p HD at 30 fps camera can capture crystal-clear still images. However, as you would expect, the image or video quality of night recordings is reduced.
TP-Link NC260 supports a two-way audio streaming system. Its microphone is very sensitive, meaning it can easily pick up your lowest voice when communicating with the other party.
The viewing angle of this infrared LED camera is wide at 113 degrees, covering a large area in detail than most cameras in the same price bracket. TP-Link NC260 up to 300mbps feature allows fast and steady connection for streaming even when connected to multiple devices.
TP-Link NC260 is designed with a Micro SD Card slot, accommodating a storage size of up to 128GB. Users can record and save videos on their laptops and phones with the tpCamera app and web browser direction connection.
You can link the cloud camera with your tpCloud account after setting up an account through the tpCamera app.
What we like about TP-Link NC260
- Good image quality
- Fast and stable internet speed
- Easy to set up and use
- Budget-friendly
- 2 year warranty
What we didn’t like
- Only available in white
Wrapping Up
A webcam can make a whole lot of difference in your video conferencing, streaming, and recording projects. All these models are good options.
Generally, though, if you want a webcam for professional work like streaming videos on Twitch or uploading the videos to YouTube, get a 1080p camera.
If you want the best quality the industry has to offer, invest in a 4K Ultra HD webcam.
If you are a student or work from home, consider a camera with at least a 720p resolution.
Lastly, when buying a webcam for laptop, make sure to double-check the system requirements. You don’t want to end up with a camera not compatible with your laptop’s operating system.
Here is a review video of Logitech Brio 4K Webcam