Video conferencing can be one of the most effective collaboration tools you use during your meetings. Camera, audio and networking equipment are needed to make the right setup that will allow you to connect your team.
Video conferencing can help boost productivity, reduce costs and it is also more efficient than holding regular business trips.
Logitech C920
The overall best webcam
The Logitech C920 has been one of the best webcams on the market since its release in January 2012, consistently beating out rival products that promise more affordability or better performance – and for good reason. This is a beloved favorite across the entire spectrum of streamers, content creators, and office professionals alike, and when cost, quality, and performance are all calculated, the C920 is still the best overall achiever across the board.
With crisp 1080p HD resolution and fantastic lighting and color detection at an affordable price, this fan-favorite webcam hits a spot in the market that struggles to see any substantial competition and is still one of the best performing webcams on the market today.
REASONS TO BUY
+Great low-light capabilities+Full 1080p HD+Supports 720p/60fps streaming
REASONS TO AVOID
-No 1080p/60fps-Fixed camera, no swivel
SPECIFICATIONS
Resolution: 1080pFeatures: Background removal, Low-light correction, 720p/60fps video while streaming, Stereo audio, autofocus, auto light correctionTODAY’S BEST DEALSPrime$67.98
Logitech StreamCam
The best Logitech webcam for content creation
SPECIFICATIONS
Resolution: 1080pFeatures: Smart auto-focus and exposure, AI-enabled facial tracking, 9:16 format, built-in electronic image stabilization, USB Type-C connectivityTODAY’S BEST DEALSPrime$141.19VIEW AT AMAZON$149.99View at Best Buy$199.99View at WalmartSee all prices (10 found)
REASONS TO BUY
+Content creation features+Facial tracking+Auto-focusing
REASONS TO AVOID
-Too expensive for simple office use-Fixed USB-C cable connectionAdvertisement
The Logitech StreamCam won’t just have your back when you’re video conferencing, video chatting with families and friends, and live streaming your games. This feature-rich 1080p webcam has many tools to offer for your content creation needs as well, including auto-focusing, smart exposure, facial tracking, up to 60fps frame rate, and a flippable design so you can take photos and videos in 9:16 format. You can even mount it on a tripod, and it uses USB Type-C for fast and more efficient video transfer speeds.
Read the full review: Logitech StreamCam
Razer Kiyo Pro
The close second for high quality streaming
SPECIFICATIONS
Resolution: 1080pFeatures: Variable FOD, smart exposure and focus, detachable cableTODAY’S BEST DEALSPrime$199.99VIEW AT AMAZON$199.99View at Walmart$199.99View at Best BuySee all prices (11 found)
REASONS TO BUY
+Buttery smooth 60fps 1080p +HDR setting+Great low-light capabilities
REASONS TO AVOID
-Too expensive/powerful for most people needs-Simple adjustments, no ball joint swivel
Coming in at a close second for streamers is the Razer Kiyo Pro, the latest addition to Razer’s webcam family. This beast doesn’t come cheap but it delivers a performance worth every penny. You can choose between three different fields of view for different scenes in your Livestream, and select either a smooth 1080p 60FPS option for gameplay or a high-res ‘HDR’ mode for improved video quality during Zoom sessions.
Elgato Facecam
The best webcam for streamers
-Niche userbase-No mic / autofocus
Edging out ahead of the competition for the best streaming webcam is the Elgato Facecam, thanks to some divisive design choices that make this a niche buy that sways itself towards content creators. The choice to not include a microphone or autofocus capabilities will make it seem like a half-baked product for anyone just looking for a webcam, but the inclusion of those features often proves to be more trouble than they’re worth for folk broadcasting on sites like Twitch or YouTube. As a result, the Facecam is beautifully optimized for the streaming community, with some of the best software we’ve ever seen on a webcam to boot.
SPECIFICATIONS
Resolution: 1080p, 60fpsFeatures: Variable FOD, fixed focus, Sony sensorTODAY’S BEST DEALSPrime$199.99VIEW AT AMAZON$199.99View at Best Buy$236.48View at WalmartSee all prices (4 found)
REASONS TO BUY
+Great Sony sensor+Fantastic 60fps 1080p +Incredible software
REASONS TO AVOID
-Niche userbase-No mic / autofocus
Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000
The best webcam for Skype
SPECIFICATIONS
Resolution: 720pFeatures: Colour correction, noise cancellingTODAY’S BEST DEALSPrime$26.25
VIEW AT AMAZON$31.61View at Walmart$32.99View at DellSee all prices (13 found)
REASONS TO BUY
+Cheap+Cheerful
REASONS TO AVOID
-720p onlyAdvertisementhttps://14176ae78dd09880d876a8cb1f33c097.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
The Microsoft LifeCam Studio is one of the best webcams out there. Aimed at users with large displays, it features a familiar configuration of 1080p recording and 720p live video calling. It rotates 360 degrees, and can be mounted on a tripod with autofocus. The wideband mic delivers crystal clear audio, and Microsoft’s TrueColor system will shift the exposure dynamically to keep you well lit, making it a great choice for business conferencing and presentations.
Read the full review: Microsoft LifeCam Studio
Razer Kiyo
The best ‘all in one’ solution
SPECIFICATIONS
Resolution: 1080pFeatures: Ring light, Compatibility with OBS and XsplitTODAY’S BEST DEALSPrime$64.45VIEW AT AMAZON$76.99View at Walmart$76.99View at Best BuySee all prices (13 found)11 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
REASONS TO BUY
+Convenient ring light+Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
-Pricey for a 1080p / 30fps webcam-Ring light comes with a learning curve
The Razer Kiyo might look weird, a testament to Razer’s unique designs, but it’s still one of the best webcams out there for streaming – which is unbelievably popular in this day and age. With the Razer Kiyo, Razer has stripped away a lot of the bells and whistles that more premium webcams offer, focusing instead on what matters most to game streamers and YouTube vloggers – good image quality and lighting through a “Light Ring”. You don’t need to spend a ton of time configuring the stream – just plug in the Razer Kiyo and get to work.https://14176ae78dd09880d876a8cb1f33c097.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Lenovo ThinkSmart View
All-in-one conferencing terminal (Zoom or Teams)
Lenovo’s handy little VOIP 360 Camera Speaker seems to have been discontinued, but the company recently launched a new range of ThinkSmart collaboration devices that includes a variety of video and audio devices for home and office use.
The ThinkSmart View is an unusual option for video calls, effectively acting as a self-contained terminal. The all-in-one unit combines a touch-sensitive 8-inch screen with 1280 by 800 resolution, a 5MP camera, twin microphones and a built-in speaker. And rather than using USB to connect directly to your computer, it uses wi-fi to connect to your home or office network. It also supports Bluetooth so you can use a wireless headset or external speakers if you want.
The ThinkSmart View is available direct from Lenovo, costing $349.99. However, there are two versions of the View, designed for either Zoom or Microsoft Teams, so make sure you choose the right one.$350 at Lenovo$335 at Walmart
AverMedia Live Streamer Cam 513
4K webcam with 94-degree FoV
Aver’s Cam340+ that we covered last year provides 4K resolution and an impressive wide-angle lens, but it’s fairly expensive, so the company recently released the Live Streamer Cam 513 to provide a more affordable alternative.
The Live Streamer Cam 513 costs $250 when bought direct from AverMedia in the US, but we’ve seen it for sale online for under $200. Despite the lower price, the Live Streamer still provides 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution to provide a clear, sharp image. It doesn’t have the wide-angle lens of the Cam340+, but AverMedia states that its 94-degree field of view is suitable for small groups of up to four people in a huddle room, and the adjustable stand also allows you to rotate the camera freely.
The camera does require a USB 3.0 or USB-C port in order to handle 4K streaming and, somewhat oddly, AverMedia reports ‘video delay’ when used with macOS that might cause syncing problems, so the LiveStreamer may not be the best choice for your new candy-coloured iMac (or any other Mac model). $175 at Amazon$200 at Best Buy
ClearOne Unite 50 4K AF
4K webcam with 110-degree FoV but no mic
ClearOne’s Unite range includes an extensive selection of webcams, starting at around $65 for the 1080p Unite 10 and rising to over $1,500 for the 1080p Unite 200 PTZ with its mechanical pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) functionality and powerful 12x optical zoom lens. The new Unite 50 4K AF is a 4K camera with electronic PTZ (ePTZ) that’s suitable for both huddle rooms and working from home.
As the name suggests, the Unite 50 4K AF provides 4K resolution (3840 x 2160), while the ‘AF’ refers to its AI-powered ‘auto-framing’ option that allows it to quickly focus on the speaker. The wide-angle lens provides a 110-degree viewing angle, capable of covering an entire room, and there are pan-tilt-zoom controls that could be useful if you need to move around while giving a presentation or lecture.
This versatility comes at a cost, though, with the Unite 50 costing $399 when bought direct from ClearOne in the US, or £475.55 (inc. VAT) from its UK retailer. It doesn’t include a built-in microphone, so you’ll need to provide a suitable microphone or speakerphone set-up yourself.
There’s a confusingly similar model called the Unite 50 4K ePTZ, which has a slightly wider viewing angle (120-degree) but lacks the AI-powered auto-framing. This costs $349 from ClearOne.
Poly Studio P5
1080p webcam with privacy shutter and wireless connectivity
Poly’s Eagle Eye Mini that we reviewed last year is still available, but the company recently launched a new range of Poly Studio products, starting with the affordable Studio P5.
Priced at just $129, the P5 provides HD resolution (1920 x 1080) with a low-light compensation feature for when you’re burning the midnight oil, or making calls to colleagues in another time zone. There’s a 4x zoom option and directional microphone so that you can focus the camera on you, rather than any background activity, and a privacy shutter for when you’re off-duty.
In many respects, the P5 is a fairly conventional webcam, but you can also use one of Poly’s USB wireless adapters to connect it to a Poly headset or speakerphone, and the Poly Lens software provides remote management features for your IT department. And if — like me — you find that long video calls give you a headache, there’s also a Poly desktop app for Windows and Mac that you can set up to give you notifications when it’s time to take a break, and to control other camera settings as well.
$101 at Amazon$123 at Walmart$103 at Target
Viofo P800
Budget 1080p webcam
Viofo is best known for its range of dash cams and action cams for cars and motorbikes, but the growth of working from home has prompted it to launch the P800, which is one of the most affordable 1080p webcams we’ve seen so far.
The P800 costs just $49.99. Most cameras in this range are restricted to 720p resolution, so it’s certainly good value for money. The company gets the basics right though, with 1920 by 1080 resolution and twin microphones that are mounted on opposite sites of the camera body to provide good stereo sound. There’s a privacy shutter and adjustable stand that can sit on a desk or attach to your monitor. The stand also allows you to rotate the camera, and provides a tripod connector (tripod not included), while the 5.9ft/1.8m USB cable gives you plenty of room to move the camera around.
VIEW NOW AT VIOFO (UK)View now at Amazon
Meeting Owl Pro
1080p conference cam with 360-degree camera and Smart Zooming
Owl Labs made quite a splash when it launched the first Meeting Owl back in 2018, and the company followed up that success with the updated Pro model (the original Meeting Owl is still available from a few online retailers, so make sure you select the correct model).
The Meeting Owl Pro is, admittedly, rather expensive for simply working from home, costing $999, but it’s an excellent option for small groups who may want to maintain social distancing while working in a huddle room.
The Meeting Owl Pro’s most innovative feature is its 360-degree camera, which provides HD video (1920 x 1080) with a split-screen effect that shows a panoramic view of the entire room along with a close-up Smart Zooming view of the current speaker. You can also lock the camera onto a specific part of the room, which can be useful for individuals who are giving presentations or lectures while working from home. The Meeting Owl Pro also includes a built-in microphone with an 18-foot (5.49m) radius so that you can all spread out a little, and a ‘tri-speaker’ for room-filling sound.
VIEW NOW AT OWL LABS (UK)View now at Owl Labs (US)
Conclusion
Your business relies on one thing – people. So, how exactly do you meet people you need to see – if they are not in your office? Video conferencing is a great way to connect with anyone you want – whether it’s a client or a new prospect.