Best Webcams for Zoom Meetings (User Tested Reviews)

This guide to the best webcam for zoom meetings is indispensable for anyone working from home.

In our tests, we found that investing in one of the web camera models reviewed below will ensure you look and sound your best during your video chats.

(There are plenty of cheaper webcams available, but we recommend avoiding them since most feature mediocre video quality and lack essential features.)

Zoom is the world’s most popular video conferencing platform, and the web cameras below are optimised for top performance, whether you’re using Zoom for work or for talking to the family during lockdown.

All the best webcams also excel at video streaming to other platforms, including Google Hangouts, Facebook Live, YouTube and Twitch.

Let’s take a look at the results of our webcam tests.

Best Webcams for Zoom in 2023

Image	Product	Features
	LuminaOUR #1 CHOICE	Deep Fusion One-step Setup Adaptive Color Correction Ultra Wide	View Price →
	Logitech BrioBEST BUSINESS	Spectacular video quality 4k streaming and Recording Windows Enterprise Ready HD 5X Zoom	View Price →
	Meeting Owl ProBEST 360 DEGREE	Universally Compatable Recommended by Zoom Plug & Play Simplicity Better Collaboration	View Price →
	Insta360 LinkBEST FACE TRACKING	Excellent video quality Best face/body tracking Unique whiteboard zoom Hand gesture compatible	View Price →
	NexiGo N930AFBEST BUDGET	Widely Compatible & Multi Application USB Webcam Plug and Play Privacy Cover HD Webcam 1080p Autofocus	View Price →

 

1. Lumina | Overall Best Webcam for Mac, Windows

This cute little device is our pick of the best webcam in 2023. From the moment you unwrap the iPhone-like packaging, you know that this is an HD video webcam like no other.

Lumina’s headline feature is its AI-powered depth-sensing technology, which can help hide distractions with a configurable background bokeh (blurring) effect.

This is great for anyone using Zoom at home since it stops the viewer from seeing your messy dishes or kids playing in the background, and is much better than Zoom’s built-in background blurring effect.

The 4K ultra-wide camera on the Lumina webcam provides DSLR-like image quality, and there’s even an auto-focus feature that follows your face around the call, making sure you’re perfectly centred in the frame while video chatting.

Lumina’s adaptive colour correction system, auto light correction and Deep Fusion technology (to light up low-light scenes), make sure everything looks great during your Zoom video calls, even if you don’t have the best lighting.

Lumina offers 4k video streaming, which is the best way to use a webcam for optimum video clarity. If your connection isn’t fast enough, you can change the settings to a lower quality, like 1080p.

Set up is refreshingly simple – just plug it in and configure your look exactly as you want it, or simply click on Auto to let the AI do its work. The software is compatible with Mac OS, Linux and Windows.

All in all, Lumina is the best web camera for Zoom for those who are ready to invest in the latest technology to ensure you look your best while video conferencing.

• Lumina webcam review

2. Logitech BRIO | Best Webcam for Business

If you work in a business that conducts regular Zoom video conferences or team meetings, the Logitech BRIO Ultra is the best choice of webcam in 2023.

You know it’s a serious product when it captures 4K video on a 1-inch image sensor for high-quality webcam video footage. If your colleagues are having trouble streaming 4K video, you can also drop the resolution to 1080p or 720p.

The BRIO Ultra is a serious and sturdy piece of tech that mounts securely to a laptop, monitor or even to a tripod mount. As a result, you can mount this to a table-top tripod in the boardroom or dining room.

Its lens has a glass construction for optimal picture quality, and the webcam features a 5x digital zoom that’s easy to control.

Thanks to the zoom function, the field of view ranges from 65 to 90 degrees – you can sit at your desk or the head of the meeting room table and remain in view.

The BRIO webcam features Logitech’s RightLight auto light correction technology. Along with HDR imaging, it will ensure your video content looks crystal clear regardless of the lighting conditions.

 

As for audio quality, the Logitech BRIO Ultra has a pair of stereo microphones that are omnidirectional and noise-cancelling. Your peers or family members won’t miss a word of your video recording.

The BRIO is a professional webcam for business with impressive features suited perfectly to the work environment, but can equally be used in a home office.

If you’re running Windows Hello, face recognition permits you to rejoin your video meeting or meeting rooms without typing in a password.

While the price is high, it’s one of the best webcams to conduct meetings on Zoom and gain valuable face time with colleagues.

• Best Mac Webcam

3. Meeting Owl Pro | Best 360 Degree Webcam

If you’re looking for a Zoom HD webcam solution with some incredible tech features, look no further than the Meeting Owl Pro. Of all the webcams you can buy, this one certainly stands out, both in appearance and functionality.

The Meeting Owl Pro is a free-standing cylindrical 360-degree webcam that sits upon a desk rather than connecting to your laptop or monitor.

What’s unique about the Owl Pro is that it captures 360-degree video in Full High Definition 1080p. Plus, it captures 360-degree audio up to 18′ away from the unit – see also: what does a 360 camera do?

But how does it know where to look and listen? That’s the fascinating part about the Meeting Owl Pro; it uses voice and motion detection to know where to focus the camera from the 360-degree footage. The same applies to how it captures audio.

Despite its odd appearance, the Meeting Owl Pro has won multiple awards for its unique design and performance. It’s also one of the few webcams certified by Zoom for use with their platform.

The Meeting Owl Pro is excellent for those that hold calls with more than one person in the room. It detects who’s talking and only streams the video content with that person in it rather than all the 360-degree footage.

 

Anyone in the meeting can control it with the Meeting Owl mobile app for Android and iOS. We recommend opting for the Premium Pack, which includes an Owl Lock Adapter, a 16’ USB Extension cable and Owl Care support for peace of mind.

This is a premium HD webcam best suited to companies looking for a serious business device to conduct regular Zoom meetings in a boardroom with multiple participants.

• Best YouTube webcam

4. Insta360 Link | Best Face Tracking Webcam for Zoom Meetings

Insta360 has taken all its wizardry from making 360-degree action cameras and applied it to the Link, an innovative AI-powered 4k webcam for Zoom.

With its AI technology, the Link tracks your every move as if you had a personal cameraman filming.

(While other premium webcams may have this feature, its implementation with the Link is by far the most impressive.)

If you’re looking for a computer camera for Zoom which will make your viewer think you’ve got some kind of professional DSLR set up, this is definitely the one to choose.

To use the Insta360 Link only for Zoom meetings would be a waste – this powerful webcam is perfect for YouTube content creators, streamers and anyone needing the best quality face-tracked video.

The Link’s perfect for standing Zoom meetings – the type when you need to present ideas and gesticulate with your hands or move to a whiteboard to explain concepts.

There’s even a feature that tracks the content of a whiteboard, zooming in on your text and cropping the talker out of the frame.

If you need to show a ‘top-down’ shot of a document on your desk, there’s a feature called ‘desk view’, which drops the camera 90 degrees to show exactly that.

The only hesitation in not recommending the Insta360 as the best all-around webcam for Zoom is its price, which may be too steep for some users.

However, if you use your webcam every day and value great video quality and useful features, it’s an investment you definitely won’t regret.

• Insta360 Link Webcam review

5. NexiGo 930AF | Budget Webcam for Zoom

The NexiGo FHD is futuristic-looking and one of the best webcams available at this price range. It’s compatible with all operating systems and perfect for applications such as Zoom.

As the FHD title suggests, it captures Full High Definition 1080p video recording at 30fps, ensuring that your next webchat with family is of the highest quality.

What’s more, it features white balance correction much like a photography camera, ensuring that colours appear accurately and your skin tone isn’t too grey or orange!

The NexiGo FHD delivers an intuitive and straightforward installation with a plug-and-play mentality of simply connecting the camera to the computer via the included USB cable.

As a result, you can take it out of the box, plug it in, and you’re all ready for your business call.

What we love most about the FHD are its autofocus features which ensure you always appear in sharp focus. It also offers an adjustable focal range from 7cm to infinity.

If you need to present away from your desk, you can set the camera to infinity for optimal picture quality – the 65-degree field of view is perfect for this.

The NexiGo FHD features a single built-in noise-cancelling microphone to reduce ambient and background noise, making it great for use at home if others are present.

The FHD is one of the best budget webcams for personal or business Zoom video calls and it’s easy to see why it has so many positive reviews and happy users.

• Best Zoom microphones

6. Logitech C920 S HD Pro Webcam

The Logitech C920 S HD Pro Webcam is another one of the best webcams for Zoom calls when working at home or in an office.

It has an impressive list of features kicking off with a Full High Definition 1080p video camera that captures stunning resolution at 30fps (frames per second).

As a result, you’ll show up in your next Zoom call looking true-to-life – remember to get out of your pyjamas!

The glass lens on the Logitech C920 S features an accurate and responsive autofocus system that keeps you front, centre and in focus during your critical Zoom call.

The lens has a wide 78-degree field of view, meaning you can present away from your desk or have more than one person in sight.

The Logitech C920 S features a rigid build quality plus a functional clip to attach it to the top of your monitor or open laptop.

I love that it has a little privacy shutter that can drop down over the lens for when the kids walk in screaming and fighting during your work Zoom call!

In terms of audio, the Logitech webcam features dual multidirectional microphones to capture authentic stereo sound and optimal audio quality, even if you’re not placed directly in the centre of the computer.

Overall, the Logitech C920S HD Pro is one of the best webcams in this price category. It’s a great-looking product and perfect for your next Zoom call, video recording or streaming session.

7. Logitech C270

Logitech is a household name in computer accessories, and the Logitech C270 webcam is a brilliant example of their consumer products.

The C270 webcam is a no-fuss and highly affordable product ideal for taking Zoom calls on a laptop or desktop.

The compact size and minimal weight (2.65oz) mean it will not put undue pressure on your laptop screen, or topple over when you type. It also has a 60-degree field of view.

It’s robustly built and folds up compactly(for a webcam), so you can drop it in your laptop bag without any issues for those that work on the go.

The C270 delivers 720p video, but while the image quality is excellent in good light, things get less clear when there’s less light available.

It includes a single microphone plus a little LED indicator when the camera is live and capturing your every action – there’s nothing worse than wiping breakfast from your beard only to realise that the whole boardroom is watching you!

Audio quality is good as long as you don’t stray more than a few feet from your computer.

While the Logitec C270 is definitely not the best webcam for your video calls, it’s actually one of the cheapest. Plus, it’s compact, lightweight and doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb on top of your monitor or laptop.

If you need a wallet-friendly option for personal use and face time with family, the C270 is one of the best webcams for the money.

8. Vitade 960A Pro

I would describe the Vitade 960A Pro as the best webcam for influencers, streamers, contentment creators, vloggers and web presenters.

It features an HD webcam that captures 1080p resolution 30fps video via its primary camera. Surrounding this – and the reason for my recommendation – is a built-in ring light.

A ring light is a unique face-lighting tool that delivers flattering results and a tell-take ‘ring’ of light in each iris. They’re great for those that want to deliver high-quality video content live to an audience.

Ring lights are also the preferred lighting accessory of YouTubers, to ensure presenters look their best.

With the Vitade 960A Pro attached to your laptop or monitor, you’ll appear in high resolution and well lit on your next presentation.

It’s quick and easy to set up and compatible with all current-generation operating systems. Plus, the 960A Pro uses H2.65 encoding to compress video data for faster streaming over platforms like Zoom.

The lens has fast and accurate autofocus and a low light correction feature to optimise video quality and appearance from this HD webcam.

The Vitade 960A Pro is an affordable and brilliant product – pardon the pun! It’s not the best webcam for Zoom, but it’s probably the only one that delivers flattering light on the subject.

9. Microsoft LifeCam Cinema

Microsoft has been in the computer tech game for a long time now, and we expect their products to be ahead of their time.

The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema is one of the best webcam products available – despite it not being a 1080p camera.

The LifeCam captures crystal clear 720p HD widescreen video at 30fps via the stylish-looking digital camera, making it ideal for work or family calls.

Constructed from aluminium, it’s compact and lightweight with a retro feel thanks to its unique tubular design.

With a 5MP sensor and a glass element lens, the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema utilises precise and quick autofocus and a low light correction system perfect for your next video call regardless of the lighting conditions.

Despite only being a 720p camera, it automatically applies sharpness and TrueColor correction to outgoing videos.

The lens has a field of view of 73 degrees, a minimum focal distance of 5″, and it features a 5x digital zoom controlled to work seamlessly with the autofocus function.

A single noise-cancelling built-in microphone captures audio and does a good job of reducing background murmurs.

All in all, the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema is just the right price and has all you need for a video chat with family or game time with the family streamer.

10. Razer Kiyo Pro

Razer is a name best known to gamers and streamers as they’re the producers of top-spec gaming PCs and accessories.

True to its design ethos, the Razer Kiyo Pro looks more like a bespoke retro camera lens than a webcam.

Its barrel lens design connects neatly with a laptop or gaming PC to deliver 1080p video resolution at a staggering 60 fps!

By far the best in the class in terms of image quality, the praise doesn’t stop there.

With professional imaging features more akin to a dedicated camera than a webcam, the Razer Kiyo Pro is almost overkill as a webcam for Zoom!

What makes the Kiyo Pro one of the best webcams is its Type 1/2.8 CMOS sensor and Razer’s STARVIS technology to manage image quality and adapt in real-time to low light conditions.

If you drop the frame rate down to 30fps, you can enable the HDR function allowing greater video quality, colour density and exposure compensation across the dynamic range of this impressive 1080p webcam.

If you’re using this camera for dynamic video feed in a range of spaces, it features an adjustable field of view up to an ultra-wide 103 degrees. Also, the precision glass lens has an f/2 aperture, allowing you to blur the background behind the subject, and use it in low light.

Image quality of this level is unusual for a webcam – you’ll be wanting to use it for much more than simple Zoom calls!

In terms of audio, the Razer Kiyo Pro has a pair of omnidirectional stereo microphones to capture the best audio clarity on your next call.

Despite the price, if you need the best webcam for Zoom with unparalleled image quality and video quality for video calls or gaming, the Razer may just be what you’re looking for!

How do I Choose a Webcam?

Here’s what to look for when buying a webcam for Zoom or any other live streaming or video conferencing application:

1. Video Resolution – measured in pixel width x pixel height, this will affect the clarity of the video. The 3 most common webcam resolutions are 1280 x 720 pixels/720p (HD Ready); 1920 x 1080 pixels/1080p (Full HD); and 3840 x 2160 pixel/4K (UHD).
2. Field of View (FOV) – measured in degrees, this relates to the width of the area being captured by the webcam. The greater the FOV, the more of your background will appear in shot. The best webcams allow you to alter the FOV from wide to narrow, such as with the Lumina. A wide angle camera for Zoom meetings is generally preferable to be able to include some background for presentation purposes.
3. Plastic Lens vs Glass Lens – If you want to use your webcam for video streaming 2K/4K, you need a webcam with a glass lens since clarity will be better than one with a plastic lens. All the best webcams will have glass lenses, and consequently, are more expensive. That’s the trade-off for better video quality.
4. Webcam with optical zoom – most webcams offer some sort of zoom capabilities, but it’s almost always digital, which can result in some pixelation, particularly in low light. If you need an optical zoom on your webcam, you should consider using a separate interchangeable lens digital camera or a camcorder.
5. Frame Rate (FPS) – measured in how many pictures (frames) your webcam is taking a second. Higher frame rate means a smoother streaming experience. All the best webcams are capable of streaming at 30fps or more.
6. Autofocus – webcams should focus on the person or subject in the frame, with some of the better ones able to follow or lock on focus to give the effect that a cameraman is filming you.
7. Low-light level adjustment – many of the best webcams offer low-light boosting features which add back detail to shadow areas in the frame, expanding the dynamic range. The result is more clarity and better exposure in low light.
8. Green Screening/Chroma Key Effects – modern web cameras allow you to do green screening without an actual green screen – this allows you to change your background or simply block it all out.
9. Wired vs wireless – Most external webcams interface with your computer via a miniUSB, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, or Thunderbolt connection, although some webcams connect wirelessly via Bluetooth. You can also create your own DIY wireless camera for Zoom meetings if you purchase a wireless USB hub and receiver.
10. Tracking – Many users would prefer a tracking webcam for Zoom, which keeps your face in focus even if you move around the screen.
11. Size – While models such as the Meeting Owl are perfect for a permanent office room setup, other users may be looking for a portable camera for a Zoom meeting. Models such as those above are small enough to be carried around easily, even attached the top of a laptop lid.

Overall, there are numerous benefits to upgrading your laptop’s built-in webcam to an external webcam or buying one of the recommended models we tested on this list.

Zoom Web Camera FAQs

What Equipment Do I Need to Zoom?

Essential equipment for Zoom is a computer or an Android or iOS smartphone. In most cases, a computer or mobile device has all you need – a microphone, speakers and camera. You should also consider external speakers, Bluetooth headphones, a built-in microphone, and a high-quality webcam for the best experience.

Can I use an external Webcam with Zoom?

Yes, you can use an external webcam with Zoom meetings. There are purpose-built webcams that clip to the top of your computer monitor. Plus, photography cameras can also be used in place of a webcam.

Are Webcams better than laptop camera?

The cameras built into a laptop or computer monitor are usually small with low image quality or resolution. Webcams have a larger lens and capture higher quality video footage. Plus, many have built-in autofocus to ensure you’re always in focus.

Are cheap webcams any good?

Cheap webcams generally have lower quality parts and can’t capture high-resolution video. However, there are some amazing budget-friendly webcams available, like the Logitech C270.

Can I have two cameras in Zoom?

You can have two cameras in a Zoom call thanks to its software allowing this feature. Using the Advanced options in Screen Share, you can opt to include content from a second web camera.

Is 720p webcam good enough?

A 720p webcam is suitable for a web call – plus they’re usually are cheaper in price than 1080 and 4K. However, we recommend that you step up to a 1080p webcam for full High Definition performance and the best resolution.

How much should I spend on a Webcam?

The best webcams vary in price from $15 up to several hundred for professional conference room webcams. For home use, determine your budget and how often you need to use it. Plus, decide whether you need a low resolution, full HD or 4K webcam.

Is autofocus important for webcam?

More and more webcams have autofocus technology for good reason. Autofocus means that you’ll always be in focus even if you move around during the call. While not essential, it’s worth investing in a webcam with autofocus for the best outcomes.

Does Walmart sell webcams?

Yes, Walmart has a wide range of webcams in the electronics department, starting from as little as $8.98 to over $250.

How can I improve my zoom video quality?

There are a few ways to improve your zoom video quality, including:

• Enabling HD: This option allows you to stream your videos in 720p or 1080p. To turn it on, click on your profile picture and open Settings. Then, select Video, locate the word HD and check the box beside it.
• Enabling Low Light Adjustments: You can do so from the settings tab. Select Video, and toggle on the “Adjust for Low Light” option.
• Sitting in a Well-lit Room: Light plays a huge part in the video’s quality. So, try to relocate your zoom meetings to a brighter room.

How much does a webcam cost?

The price of a webcam depends on its quality and what features you’re getting from it. The higher the price of a webcam is, the more it costs.

For a webcam with reasonable quality, you can expect to spend anywhere from $30 to $100. Of course, you can find a webcam for less than $30, but those don’t provide a good image or sound quality.

If you’re looking for a 4k webcam, on the other hand, you’ll end up paying around $200 for decent quality.

Final Words

At some point in the past, we’ve all endured work or study from home. Most of us have been in lockdown and distanced from close contact with family and friends.

Having the ability to jump on a Zoom call with our loved ones and colleagues has made all the difference.

What’s more, having the best webcam for Zoom makes the experience all the more real and valuable – you can’t put a price on that.

Just remember that whatever webcam you choose, setting up the best lighting for Zoom will make the biggest difference to how you look on calls.

What have been your experiences with the use of webcams on video conferencing calls? Have you upgraded from your laptop’s embedded camera, or are you planning to do so?

Share your experiences, thoughts and questions below to join the conversation.