A great webcam for office can help you look your best by offering extras that most built-in webcams lack, like autofocus, light correction, full HD video, and the ability to frame yourself just right, the best webcam for office.
We’re still working from home, so one of the best webcam for office is still an essential tool for any computer setup, no matter your use case.
A great webcam will make you more present in digital meetings with colleagues, can connect students and teachers during a time of remote learning and will allow content creators to shine on-screen.
Even laptop users should consider the best webcams, as built-in laptop cameras are often far too blurry for a serious meeting.
Related Post: 12 Phones With Best Camera for Video
And if you’re looking to take over Twitch, Discord, or YouTube, there are plenty of premium options for broadcasting at high resolutions and frame rates, complete with cool software tricks.
What Are The Best Webcam For Office Right Now?
Our pick for the best webcam for office overall is the Logitech C920, which offers crisp 1080p video at 30 frames per second.
The C920 also features dependable dual microphones for capturing your voice, and a flexible design that’s ideal for laptops, monitors and tripods.
If you need better quality, the Logitech C922 Pro Stream packs 60 frame-per-second video and automatic background removal into the same sleek and versatile design.
The Logitech C310 is a popular budget option that records at 720p, as is the Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000. If you’re looking for the best webcam for office or content creation, the Razer Kiyo is a great choice that features a built-in ring light that helps illuminate your face while you stream.
Logitech C920S HD Pro Webcam with Privacy Shutter Bundled with Knox Gear 4-Port 3.0 USB Hub
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After researching 15 top webcams and testing nine, we recommend the Logitech C920S HD Pro Webcam.
It has all the features you need for great video, whether you’re using it for video conferencing, streaming, or checking in with distant friends and family.
The Best Webcam For Office You Can Buy Today
1. The Logitech C920S HD Pro Webcam
This is succeeding our top webcam pick, the C920, which has held that spot for the past three years.
Like its predecessor, the C920S captures sharp, high-definition (1080p) video with excellent auto white balance and speedy autofocus.
It’s easy to set up and use, plus the new webcam cover protects your privacy and will make you feel more comfortable having it always attached to your computer or monitor.
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There’s a reason you’ve probably seen the Logitech C920 in just about any conference room — this is the best webcam you can buy overall.
The C920 records sharp videos at 1080p and 30 frames per second, and has a wide 78-degree field of view that’s ideal for both solo conference calls and large meeting rooms.
Its sleek black design is equally ideal for clipping to displays or attaching to tripods, and its companion software offers customizable backgrounds and avatars.
If you need something higher-end for gaming, the Logitech C922 Pro Stream webcam is an enhanced version of the C920 that touts 60fps video recording at 720p.
But if you’re just seeking the best overall quality for video calls, the Logitech C920 is the way to go.
2. Logitech HD Webcam C615.
If you need a less-expensive option. Its video quality doesn’t match the C920S’s—the picture isn’t as sharp, autofocus is slower, and auto white balance isn’t as accurate—but the C615 is just as easy to set up, provides 1080p resolution, and has the best quality of any webcam we tested under $50.
Its mount also folds around the camera to protect the lens, making the C615 a solid portable option.
3. Logitech C310
A good affordable Best webcam for office.
A popular affordable option, the Logitech C310 offers solid 720p picture quality within a simple design that should mount just fine on most monitors and laptop screens.
The C310 can automatically adjust to lighting conditions to get the best possible picture, and with the included Logitech Webcam Software, you can use it to customize the frame or set the webcam up as a motion detector.
Logitech HD Webcam C310
You’ll have to spring for something more expensive if you want 1080p video or tripod mounting options, but if all you need is a solid camera for everyday video calls, the C310 is one of the best webcams for most people.
4. Razer’s Kiyo Streaming Webcam is for you.
If you regularly use your webcam to stream to sites like YouTube or Twitch and want to be able to put smooth 60 fps video of yourself on top of your 60 fps game footage, the Razer’s Kiyo Streaming Webcam is for you.
The adjustable ring light can help you get clear video in low light situations—our panel of testers noticed that video samples from this camera were more flattering for faces than the other cameras we tested.
But the brightness of the light, even at its lowest setting, can be jarring the first few times you use the webcam and would be more distracting than helpful if you’re mostly in professional video conferences.
5. Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000
Dependable performance for a good price
Resolution: 720p | Framerate: 30 fps | Field of view: 68.5 degrees
One of the best webcams under $50, the Microsoft Lifecam HD-300 offers 720p video recording for everyday video calls and group chats.
The camera is enhanced by Microsoft’s LifeCam software, which offers a variety of filters and effects for customizing your look as well as options for customizing the default resolution.
You can also use the app to easily capture photos and videos to your hard drive or share them to social media.
The LifeCam HD-3000 is Skype certified, which is worth keeping in mind if you primarily use Microsoft’s online chat app to stay connected.
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6. Logitech StreamCam
The best webcam for office streaming and content creation
Resolution: 1080p | Framerate: 60 fps | Field of view: 78 degrees
If you’re a serious streamer or avid content creator, the Logitech StreamCam is one of the best webcams you can buy.
This high-end webcam records at 1080p at a smooth 60 frames per second, making it ideal for Twitch streams and high-quality YouTube videos.
The StreamCam has the unique ability to be mounted in both landscape or portrait modes, so you can use the latter orientation to shoot content for platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
This excellent streaming webcam offers a high-speed USB-C connection, a variety of mounting options and 3 months of XSplit Premium streaming software.
Its refreshingly attractive design, which comes in white and charcoal, is also a great touch.
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7. Logitech Brio
The best 4K webcam for office
Resolution: 4K | Framerate: 30 fps (4K) 60 fps (1080p) | Field of view: Up to 90 degrees
If you’re looking for the highest video quality you can get from a webcam, the Logitech Brio is among the best in its class.
This premium webcam allows for 4K ultra video recording at 30 fps or 1080p video at 30 fps, making it ideal for professional-grade Twitch streams or crystal-clear conference calls.
The Brio supports up to 5x HD zoom, allowing you to zoom in on yourself and crop out unwanted background fodder while maintaining sharp image quality.
And thanks to the cameras Right Light 3 and HDR support, you’ll look highly visible even in less than ideal lighting conditions.
Whether you’re a content creator that’s looking to make polished video or simply want to be seen as clearly as possible, the Brio Ultra HD is hard to top in this price range.
How to choose the best webcam for office use
When looking for the best webcam, you should consider a few key factors including resolution, framerate and price.
If all you’re doing is a few daily video calls, a 720p camera that records at 30 frames per second will do the trick just fine.
Entry-level cameras such as the Logitech C310 and Microsoft Lifecam HD-3000 are ideal for this use case.
If you’re using your webcam for content creation on platforms such as YouTube, Twitch and Facebook Gaming, you should aim to get a webcam that shoots in 1080p.
Many top webcams such as the Logitech C920 and Razer Kiyo shoot at 1080p at 30 frames per second.
But if you want the most immersive quality for streams and videos, you should go for a camera that can handle 1080p at 60 fps, such as the Logitech StreamCam.
It’s also worth considering any special features a webcam has. The Razer Kiyo has a built-in ring light, making it ideal for folks who are recording in low-light rooms and don’t have a separate light handy.
Logitech cameras generally have robust software options for customizing your shots, and the StreamCam can shoot in both landscape and portrait modes, which is worth considering if you’re shooting video for mobile consumption
Who this is for
Most recent laptops and all-in-one desktops have a decent—sometimes even great—built-in camera, so many people don’t need a standalone webcam.
But a USB webcam can provide better quality and additional features like autofocus for video calls, recording videos, and streaming games to help you look more professional.
If you use a second monitor or if your laptop’s integrated webcam is in a dumb place, a standalone webcam will help you frame yourself properly so you’re looking into the camera, as opposed to presenting a strange up-your-nose angle from your laptop.
That’s much friendlier for video conferences and calls. And if you’re streaming, it’s crucial to be able to frame your shot correctly with an external camera.
How we picked
We evaluated 15 current webcams for the update to this guide, including our previous picks, new webcams released since the last time we tested, and best-selling cameras from Amazon.
To narrow the field down to five contenders, we compared each camera’s specs, test data from the previous version of our guide, and reviews from webcam owners and professional reviewers.
A good webcam for most people should meet all of these basic criteria, which we used as guidelines for our research:
1. Price:
A webcam with great video quality doesn’t have to cost much. Even professional streamers or YouTubers with more demanding requirements don’t need to spend over $100.
Webcams over $100 often offer a larger field of view—90 degrees versus 70 to 80 degrees—which is helpful if you want to show more of the room, such as a conference table with many participants.
Some other webcams that cost more are “designed for business,” meaning mostly that they’re certified to work with Skype and other video software.
But that certification is unnecessary for most top webcams today to work with those programs.
2. Resolution and frame rate:
We favored cameras that support at least full high-definition video (1920×1080, or 1080p resolution) at 30 fps, which is useful for the streaming apps that support it and for video recorded locally.
Some high-end cameras support 720p video at 60 frames per second, which makes for smoother video but isn’t necessary for most people who just want to look better in video calls.
3. Autofocus:
We considered only those models that support autofocus.
This feature allows webcams to adjust their focus when you move closer to or farther away from the camera or when you hold something up in front of it, so you always look sharp.
4. Automatic brightness and color correction:
You should be able to manually adjust these settings if you really want to, but any good webcam should give you a decent image without requiring you to fiddle with settings.
5. A good clip or stand:
Any webcam needs a clip that makes it simple to attach it to a variety of laptop screens and desktop monitors, and it should be easy to tilt the mic up or down to adjust the view.
Stands that also allow the cameras to sit independently on a table or desk, that allow the camera to swivel, or that include a tripod mount are a bonus.
A few other things are nice to have, but most people don’t need to worry about these:
a) A Decent Microphone:
Most webcams include a noise-cancelling microphone so that you can be easily heard when you’re chatting in a room with a little ambient noise (like a ceiling fan).
But if you need better sound quality, you should consider either a USB microphone, or our picks for office, gaming, or Bluetooth headsets with integrated mics.
b) A Glass Lens:
Glass lenses generally make for better picture quality than plastic ones.
Most mid-level to high-end webcams have a glass lens, but ultimately the camera’s resolution, autofocus, and brightness/color adjustments have a larger impact on image quality.
c) A Larger Field Of View:
A larger field of view (measured diagonally) means the people you’re chatting with can see more of you and your room at once.
But for video chatting, a larger view isn’t that important, and most webcams offer roughly the same field of view anyway.
Almost all of the cameras we tested had a field of view between about 70 and 80 degrees; the lowest-end model had a 60-degree field of view, and the highest-end model had a 90-degree field of view.
d) A Longer Warranty:
Most of the webcams we tested had two- or three-year warranties. But overall, webcams are relatively simple, mostly stationary devices that don’t tend to break often.
e) Extra Software:
Most webcams will work without any extra software. If the webcam does include optional software, it should be purely additive and easy to use.
How We Tested The Best Webcam For Office
Once we narrowed down the field, we took multiple pictures and videos with each webcam under controlled conditions so we could compare them directly.
For Each Contender, We Captured The Following:
- A still photo in a dimly lit room: Most webcams struggle in low light, but that doesn’t keep people from using them without good lighting.
- A video shot in a room that was well-lit with both sunlight and overhead lighting: These are typical conditions for most webcams, so they give a good idea of how you’ll look when you record video or chat over Skype. The mix of different light sources can also trip up a camera’s white balance.
- A video shot at 60 fps: We did this for the Logitech C922x and the Razer Kiyo, the only two cameras we tested that support this feature.
Now we then had four zerox24 staffers—three of them members of our audio and video team—compare the images and videos from the different cameras, without knowing which was which, and rank their quality from best to worst.
After that we used that data, our findings from the previous version of this guide, and notes from other professional reviewers to settle on our picks.
We also downloaded and used Logitech’s webcam software for the cameras we tested; the other webcams don’t offer similar software.
All of these webcams are automatically detected by Windows 10, macOS, and other modern operating systems, but fine-tuning certain settings like the field of view is made easier with the help of this software.
Our pick: Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920S
The Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920S is the best option for most people who need a standalone webcam, thanks to its superb image quality, ease of setup, and helpful (but optional) software.
Its video—1080p at 30 frames per second—was crisp and clear in our testing, and the autofocus and auto white balance features worked better than those of any of the other webcams we tested.
Logitech introduced the original C920 back in 2012 and updated it in 2019 to add the handy privacy shutter. There’s still nothing better for the price.
When comparing videos and pictures taken by the five webcams we examined, two of our testers—including Zerox24’s head of photo and video, Titus—ranked the C920S first.
Testers found the camera produced “decent neutral colors” and “the truest, most white-balanced and detailed images.”
The C920S produces sharp, 1080p-resolution video both locally and streamed through services such as Skype, Google Hangouts, and Zoom (though many services default to, or max out at, 720p to save bandwidth).
The C920S’s autofocus works quickly, and the camera does a good job of adjusting its exposure and white balance—even in rooms with a mix of sunlight and warm overhead light or when you’re sitting in front of a bright window.
It did just as well as or better than the more expensive Logitech C922x and the Logitech Brio in our previous tests. By comparison, the less expensive C615 produced darker, less detailed images with overly saturated colors.
The Best Webcam For Office Alternatives
If our picks are unavailable or you simply don’t want to spend money on a webcam, there are several ways you can turn your phone, tablet, or DSLR camera into a webcam for your computer.
The video quality can be even better than a traditional webcam, although there are some tradeoffs like difficulty positioning the camera and potential overheating depending on how long you use the camera.
Generally speaking, these options all work the same way: You install software, connect the device (over USB or Wi-Fi in some cases, but USB is more reliable), and then you’ll be able to select it as the camera in web conferencing and video streaming apps.
You should also have a tripod or other way to raise the camera or mobile device to the proper height.
After two days of testing popular options, here’s what we recommend:
If you already own a DSLR, check with your camera manufacturer to see if they have webcam software for your model.
Software is available for both Windows and Mac.
- Canon EOS Webcam Utility
- Fujifilm X Webcam
- Nikon Webcam Utility
- Panasonic LUMIX Tether for Streaming
- Sony Imaging Edge Webcam
- GoPro
If you use a Mac and have an iPhone or iPad, use Camo.
The free version offers 720p video and lets you use either the front or back camera; it places a watermark over the video.
For even higher quality 1080p video, to remove the watermark, and unlock professional features such as color correction and zooming, Camo costs $40 a year.
While that’s more than what most people need, it’s a more affordable alternative to buying a DSLR.
The software is simple to use and we found the video quality excellent at both 720p and 1080p (tested with an iPhone XR)—on par, even, with the Logitech C920S.
A Windows version is in development and the company is also considering an Android option.
If you use Windows and have an iPhone/iPad or an Android, use DroidCam.
Compared to Epocam and iVcam, DroidCam was the only app that actually worked for us (tested using a Windows 10 SurfaceBook, MacBook Pro, Samsung Galaxy Note 7, and an iPhone XR).
The free version for Android provides only 480p video and it has ads. The free version for iOS is 720p but adds a watermark.
Upgrade for $5 to get 720p video on Android, remove the watermark on iOS, and unlock camera controls.
We found the quality of the video using DroidCam grainy and just barely acceptable compared to a dedicated webcam or a laptop’s built-in webcam, but it will do in a pinch.
The Competition – Best Webcam For Office Use
The Papalook AF925
Has a similar list price (at the time of this writing) as the Logitech C920S and has similar features including auto focus and auto light correction.
Although it doesn’t come with a privacy cover, the webcam swivels 360 degrees, so you can angle it precisely, versus the C920S’s basic vertical adjustment.
However, in our tests, the camera constantly tried to refocus when we moved in even the slightest, which was distracting. (This is likely due to the camera’s proclaimed AI facial tracking technology.)
Logitech’s C922x Pro Stream Webcam
Was a previous webcam pick for video streamers, since it records at 720p at 60 fps, like the Razer Kiyo.
In this latest round of testing, however, our video team testers preferred the video quality, color accuracy, and brightness of the Kiyo over the C922x. With its light ring, the Kiyo offers more versatility for about the same price.
The Microsoft LifeCam Studio
Ranked lowest for video and image quality of the five webcams we tested for this round.
The video and photo test images were terribly overexposed, and motion blur was a big issue. Although it’s an inexpensive webcam, you’re better off using your laptop’s built-in webcam.
From previous versions of this guide, some of the webcams we evaluated and dismissed include:
The Logitech Brio
Costs more than three times as much as the C920, and our testers almost always preferred images and video taken by both the C920 and C922.
That said, the Brio is the only webcam we tested that can record 4K video—but only on computers with seventh-generation or newer Intel Core processors or modern dedicated graphics cards.
The Brio also has a built-in infrared camera that you can use to log into Windows 10 using your face via Windows Hello, and it has a USB-C port instead of a built-in cable so you can use whatever type and length of USB cable you want.
It records 720p video at 60 fps, works better in low light than our picks, and supports background replacement. It’s a great webcam—it’s just too expensive, and most people don’t need its extra features.
The Logitech C525
Is a cheaper version of our budget pick, but it doesn’t support 1080p video, uses a plastic lens instead of a glass one, and doesn’t include a tripod mount on its foldable clip.
Our testers found its images “grainy” and “fuzzy” and generally preferred the C615. We think the C615 is worth the extra money even if you’re on a budget.
The Logitech C270
Is a $20 webcam we tested to see how it would fare against more-expensive models.
It consistently placed dead last in our image-quality tests, it lacks autofocus, and its small field of view is claustrophobic compared with the views of the rest of the cameras we tested.
The Logitech C930e (also called the Logitech Pro Webcam) is a more expensive version of the C920S that’s aimed at business users rather than home use.
It has a wider, 90-degree field of view meant to capture large meeting rooms for video conferences. This wider field of view isn’t something most people working from home need, and this camera is pricier than our current pick. Best Webcam for Office Use.
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