Q: Does a ring light always function properly, even when I do not need one. A: No, the builtin ring light can be turned on or off as needed.
Best Webcams of 2021
Livestreaming webcams can run on the expensive side, sometimes up to $500, in exchange for additional features such as 4K, professional-level microphones, and wide-angle lenses. But since video compression and lag are still problems for most conference call apps, you probably won’t need these features for a home office, with 1080p and often even 720p support being appropriate for most situations. The best webcams on the market used to always include some sort of built-in microphone, but that doesn’t mean the audio quality is always top-notch — or even good.
With webcams usually situated above and away from your face, it’s not uncommon for built-in mics to be quiet and include plenty of background noise or echo.
Logitech C920 / C920S Oldie but a goodie Specifications FOV: 78 degrees Video Resolution: 1080p 30 fps Megapixels: 15 Focus: Autofocus TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Best Buy View at Walmart 866 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Industry-leading image quality + Good microphone + Privacy shutter (on C920S model) Reasons to avoid – More likely to sell out – Colors often washed out Senior Editor Andrew Freedman wrote a Logitech C920 review for Laptop Mag back in 2016 and he was impressed with both the image quality and width. Time has caught up to this camera a bit, in that more recent rivals have made its color reproduction look a little washed out. Costing $10 less than the Logitech C920 and generally being more available even as stock refreshes, the Microsoft Modern Webcam is also more feature full than its older competitor and tended to produce warmer, more accurate colors in our time with it.
It is where you’ll adjust most of this camera’s special features, though, which include HDR and flicker reduction powered by its ability to capture footage at 60 fps. But if you want a camera in the C920’s space that doesn’t wash out colors as much and has more options, the Microsoft Modern Webcam is an easy choice.
Dell Ultrasharp Webcam The Best Image Quality Specifications FOV: 65/78/90 degrees Video Resolution: 4K, 1080p, 720p Megapixels: ? It’s also got three different field of view options, and lots of customizability thanks to the ability to turn on manual focus and zoom sliders.
It also includes a built-in omnidirectional microphone, but it’s key feature is an adjustable ring light, which will help with dark offices. Tom’s Hardware Senior Editor Andrew Freedman wrote a Razer Kiyo review for Laptop Mag when it came out in 2017, where he praised this webcam’s excellent image quality and flexible design. Razer Kiyo Pro The Best Premium Webcam Specifications FOV: Choose from 80 degrees, 90 degrees, 103 degrees Video Resolution: 1080p @ 60 fps Megapixels: 2.1 Megapixels Focus: Autofocus, digital manual focus TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Best Buy Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart Reasons to buy + Light sensor makes room lighting easier + HDR + 1080p @ 60fps recording + Heavily customizable + Clear audio on microphone Reasons to avoid – Expensive – Needs tuning to your needs – Software can be obtuse
The Kiyo Pro’s features can also be a touch difficult to access, as you’ll need Razer Synapse to change settings like field of view or how warm/cool your photos are. But given that most streaming platforms don’t support 4K yet, the Kiyo Pro’s other features do help justify its cost despite its 1080p max resolution. The Kiyo Pro’s image quality is still plenty excellent, and its 60fps recording is great for game streamers while its HDR capture makes it more appealing to just about everyone.
Most people can probably make do without these bells and whistles, but if you want something premium and aren’t sold on 4K, the Kiyo Pro is a solid bet. Logitech StreamCam Bells and whistles at a premium Specifications FOV: 78 degrees Video Resolution: 1080p and below, 60 fps and below Megapixels: 2.1 Foxus: Autofocus TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Low Stock View at Walmart View at Best Buy Reasons to buy + Supports many resolutions and frame rates + Omnidirectional mic with noise filter + USB-C connectivity + Innovative vertical video solution Reasons to avoid – No swivel – More expensive than basic home use calls for – Just $30 cheaper than the higher quality Brio 4K It also comes with a built-in omnidirectional microphone, complete with a small noise filter, as well as a white indicator LED, a standard tripod mount (in addition to a monitor mount), auto-focus and exposure, USB-C connectivity, and streaming software for fine-tuning filtering and other capture details. While its image quality is hard to argue against, Tom’s Hardware Senior Editor Andrew Freedman still had problems with it back when he reviewed it for Laptop Mag. The monitor mount, for instance, didn’t feel as if it attached securely, and the optional, detachable privacy cover came across as a cheap afterthought, even leaving residue on the camera. Its 60 fps option and high quality lens helps it maintain some relevance at 1080p, but it lacks the creature comforts of the Logitech StreamCam or Razer Kiyo Pro.
With that comes a few first-time jitters that need to be worked out, but the Elgato Facecam still has unique advantages that might justify its lack of features elsewhere, assuming you’re part of its target, hardcore steamer audience. At $199, the Elgato Facecam costs as much as the Razer Kiyo Pro and the Dell Ultrasharp webcam, but it doesn’t have 4K or HDR.
This lets you quickly move about your space and bring new objects on screen without waiting for autofocus to catch up. The Elgato Facecam’s build also comes with some compromises, in that the plastic feels cheap and the camera itself is pretty topheavy on its monitor mount.
Ausdom AW635 For Close-ups Specifications FOV: 60 degrees Video Resolution: 1080p @ 30 fps Megapixels: 2 Focus: Autofocus TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon Prime View at Amazon View at Staples Reasons to buy + Small + 1080p @ 30 fps + 360 degree swivel + Cheaper Reasons to avoid – Zoomed in – Poor microphone – Prone to glare – Poor color reproduction – Very little texture reproduction Ausdom AW651 1440p Capture on a Budget Specifications FOV: 78 degrees Video Resolution: 1080p, 60fps Focus: Autofocus TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + 1440p + HDR + 60 fps option + Comes with a tripod Reasons to avoid – Unintuitive software – Images Can Appear Overly Sharp
Angetube Streaming 1080p Webcam For if you can’t find a Razer Kiyo Specifications Video Resolution: 1080p 30 fps Focus: Autofocus TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Prime View at Amazon Low Stock View at Walmart Reasons to buy + Built-in rim lighting + 1080p @ 30fps + Comes with cleaning cloth + Good image quality + Clear audio + Plenty of tilt options + 360 degree swivel Reasons to avoid – Quiet audio – Lesser known brand – Can be hard to find That means it has included ring lighting to help brighten up the face, a unique feature that Angetube has copied fairly well here.
The fear with a webcam like this is that the lighting would just be a cosmetic feature that wouldn’t appear photos, but the Angetube significant affected how well lit my face was on all of its settings. Specifications FOV: 65 degrees Video Resolution: 1080p 30 fps Megapixels: 2 Focus: Autofocus TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Low Stock View at Walmart Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Wide angle + 1080p @ 30 fps + Great texture + Plenty of tilting options + 360 degree swivel + From a reputable company Reasons to avoid – Color a little warmer than in real life Colors were a little warmer than real life in normal lighting conditions, but the angle for my shots was nice and wide while texture was impressively accurate. Audio recorded on its built-in microphone was clear and loud, though a little sharp and prone to picking up background noise.
Anker PowerConf C300 An affordable upgrade Specifications FOV: 78/90/115 degrees Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Megapixels: Focus: Autofocus TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Walmart Reasons to buy + Consistent image quality + Multiple FOV options + 60 fps options Reasons to avoid – Detachable camera shutter feels cheap – Laggy software Usually, recording at 60 fps or in HDR requires you to spend up to almost $200, but Anker’s new PowerConf C300 packs those features at a much more affordable $130 price point. You’ll have to deal with some laggy software to access most of them, and the included detachable, adhesive camera shutters are so cheaply made that you might as well not use them at all. But with fidelity that frequently beats the Logitech C920 and lots of customizability, including multiple field of view options, this is a great choice for those who like to tinker.
Look Your Best On Video Chat With These Webcams With Built-In Ring Light
Products featured are independently selected by our editorial team and we may earn a commission from purchases made from our links; the retailer may also receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. The best way to make sure that you appear clear and professional on the screen – and don’t put your peers through a fuzzy picture – is through the use of a webcam with a ring light. But for maximum results and much less hassle, the best way to participate in video conferences or streaming events is by picking up a webcam with built-in ring light.
Many of the best webcams with ring lights are specifically designed for high-definition streaming, which is essential if you are trying to make your work from home space as professional and polished as possible.
Like all of the best webcams, this one has a plug-and-play setup, a noise-reducing microphone, sharp, HD imaging, and compatibility with Windows, Mac, and Android devices – plus Xbox One. The webcam has an auto-focus lens and dual studio microphones that simultaneously block out ambient noise and amplify your voice.
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