Best Webcams for Streaming or Video Conferencing
Welcome to the post covid world where video conferencing and live streaming and regularly going to the office is abnormal. We need the Best Webcams for Streaming or Video Conferencing as a part of our normal life now. Getting up and running for streaming or video conferencing is usually as easy as firing up an application and using your built-in webcam. But what if you want to look better for those Teams, Zoom, and/or live streams? This is where this list comes into play.
We have a very simple break down here for the best webcams for streaming or Video Conferencing. These cameras will make Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Streaming look amazing. Generally speaking, you can plug in any webcam and it will “work”. But these devices are designed for maximizing your video feeds for your software solution of choice. Before get into the products lets get a couple of definitions out of the way so we’re all on the same page.
Updated 12/4/2022
Certified for Zoom
- Official Zoom Program verify hardware functionality with Zoom Software.
- Requires 3rd party test & fee to become
Certified for Microsoft Teams
- Official Program to verify and/or require specific hardware for Microsoft Teams Solution
- Requires Test, Fee, and firmware to be validated by Microsoft.
Designed for Streaming
- This is a catch all term to collect the Webcams that are designed to be used for live streaming as the first priority before things like Zoom and Teams.
- Because living streaming platforms very so much there isn’t a standard yet to group them together.
Because of the variables involved this is our sorting order.
- Streaming equipment – Most specific purpose
- Certified for Microsoft Teams – More strict Certification requirements then Zoom and all Teams Certified devices are also certified on Zoom. (but not all Zoom devices are certified on Teams).
- Certified for Zoom
With any webcam, generally it will work on all platforms. Please remember to update the firmware on the device before using it. Now lest take a look at the Best webcams for streaming and video conferencing!
Designed For Streaming
AVerMedia PW315 Webcam
Pros:
- 1080p @ 60 FPS
- 360 degree swivel design
- Support for ClickShare
Cons:
- Vendor Software is difficult to use
- Auto focus isn’t great
- Difficult configuration
Product Links:
Summary
The AVerMedia PW315 Webcam is a 1080p 60fps capable webcam designed for live streaming and recording Youtube video. The camera features a 90degree field of view, rotating camera, and a privacy cover. The camera works with all major video conferencing platforms and has support for clickshare conference room systems. The only reported draw back is the steep learning curve of AVerMedia’s software.
AVerMedia PW513 Webcam
Pros:
- 4k @ 30 FPS
- 360 degree swivel design
- 94 degree field of view
Cons:
- Vendor Software is difficult to use
- Auto focus isn’t great
- Difficult configuration
Product Links
Summary
The AVerMedia PW513 Webcam is a 4K 30fps capable webcam designed for live streaming and recording Youtube video. This Camera is a set up from the PW315 and feature most of the same features 90degree field of view, rotating camera, and a privacy cover. The camera works with all major video conferencing platforms as well. The CamEngine is Enhanced for this web cam giving you more options to control the picture from it, but it doesn’t look like they did anything to solve the steep learning curve in the software.
Elgato Facecam
Pros:
- 1080p @ 60 FPS
- Sony STARVIS Sensor
- Advanced Image Engine: uncompressed video without artifacts
Cons:
- Locked into elgato software ecosystem
- No auto focus – fixed focus
- Exterior materials feel cheap
Product Links:
Summary
The Elgato Facecam is a premium webcam designed for content creators and streamers. The Facecam is a 1080p 60fps camera made with top-of-the-line premium materials like all glass lenses, Sony STARVIS CMOS Sensor, Custom heatsink to keep the webcam from overheating, and advanced image engine to produce the best image quality from a webcam. The Facecam is heavily integrated into the Elgato software ecosystem and is fully compatible with leading streaming software. The only noted draw back is the outside case feels cheap. Otherwise, it’s a great product especially if you’re already invested into the Elgato ecosystem.
HP 960 4k Webcam
Pros:
- 4K 30 fps or 1080p 60 fps Webcam
- Stunning Color with HDR Support
- Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor 8-Megapixel
Cons:
- Slow software
- Reported framerate shuttering with HDR enabled.
- Low light shuttering
Product Links:
Summary
The HP 960 4k Streaming Webcam is HP’s take on a streaming webcam. The camera supports 4k 30fps or 1080p 60fps with HDR and dual microphones. HP’s design also includes 360 camera rotation, a 90 degree pivot with 78 to 100 degree field of view with AI image process to your get you into the best picture possible. User have reported that the software is sluggish and the camera struggles in low light. Hopefully these issues can be solved with a firmware and software updates.
Logitech for Creators StreamCam Premium Webcam
Pros:
- 1080p 60 fps Webcam
- Designed to compete with Elgato Facecam
- Auto focus and Face based autofocus with Logitech Capture
- Optimized for OBS, XSplit, Streamlabs OBS, and YouTube livestream
Cons:
- short fixed USB Cable
Product Links:
Summary
The Logitech StreamCam streams and records in full HD 1080p at 60 fps. Designed for recording YouTube videos to streaming on Twitch and beyond, StreamCam’s premium glass lens and smart auto-focus system make it easy to get professional-quality results. Advanced features like auto-framing and intelligent exposure ensure you always look your best in any lighting. The StreamCam is fully compatible with leading Streaming software and connects over USB C. The only negative feedback we’ve see is the relatively short fixed USB cable at 1.5 meters / 5 feet. This length cable is fine for a laptop but could cause issues with large multi monitor desk set ups.
Certified for Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Modern Webcam
Pros:
- Best value for a Certified for Teams Device.
- Auto white balance and exposure compensation with HDR
- Fixed focus to cover 0.4m to 1.5m
Cons:
- Doesn’t support Windows Hello
- Microphone disabled by default.
Product Links
Summary
The Microsoft Modern Webcam is hands the down the best budget webcam for Teams on the market. The Modern Webcam is designed for mobile or office workers and provides stunning HD HDR video quality for you video meetings. The camera supports true look and all the AI enhancements built into the teams. The only downside on this came is that it doesn’t support Windows Hello for passwordless authentication.
Logitech Brio 500 Full HD Webcam
Pros:
- 1080p @ 30 fps
- 90 degree field of view
- Lighting correction with Right Light 4
- Auto Framing to keep focus on you during a video call
Cons:
- No Windows Hello Support like the Original Brio
- Big Step down from Brio 4k for not much of a price difference
Product Links:
Summary
The Logitech Brio 500 web cam is a refinement on Logitech’s previous camera released before covid and with all of the knowledge gained from video conferencing during covid. The Brio 500 is 1080p web cam designed for Microsoft Teams and Video conferencing. The webcam supports Auto light correction, Advanced image process and auto framing to keep you looking your best and front in center on your call. The camera also comes in Off White, Graphite, and Rose to allow a little personalization in the workplace. The only downside of this camera is that it doesn’t support Windows Hello for almost same price as the original Logitech Brio 4K which is still available.
Logitech BRIO 505 Webcam
Pros:
- 1080p @ 60 fps
- 90 degree field of view
- HDR & Lighting correction with Right Light 3
Cons:
- No Windows Hello Support like the Original Brio
- Big Step down from Brio 4k for not much of a price difference
Product Links:
Summary
The Logitech Brio 505 web cam is very similar to the Logitech Brio 500. The differences with the 505 vs the 500 are, the 505 only comes in graphite and trades some of the auto image quality correction in Right Light 4 for 1080p 60fps and Right Light 3. The web cam is still focused for office workers but allows a little higher image quality in properly lit rooms. Logitech is consistent with Brio 505 when compared to the Brio 4k as well. The Brio 505 doesn’t support Windows Hello and is almost the same price has the 4k version.
Logitech Brio 4K Pro Webcam
Pros:
- 4k 30 fps
- Windows Hello Support
- Lighting correction with Right light 4
- Auto Framing to keep focus on you during a video call
Cons:
- No Auto Framing
- Older model Webcam
Product Links:
Summary
The Logitech Brio 4k Pro Webcam is a rebrand Logitech Web cam. It was the first 4K webcam on the market and the first web cam to support Windows Hello for passwordless authentication on Windows 8 originally. The Logitech Brio 4k, uses HDR and Right light 3 to clean up the lighting to make you look amazing on the Teams or Zoom calls.
Logitech C920e Webcam
Pros:
- Budget Webcam
- 1080p @ 30fps
- Lighting correction with Right light 2
Cons:
- Original go to webcam for business video conferencing before covid.
- Older model Webcam – very dated
Product Links:
Summary
The Logitech C920e Business Webcam is the tried and true webcam for businesses. This webcam is the good webcam for business to deploy video conferencing to the masses. It’s a basic 1080p 30 fps webcam the is certified on all video conferencing platforms. The plug and play functionality allows for users to get up and running quickly.
Logitech C925-e Webcam
Pros:
- Replacement for c920e Budget Webcam
- 1080p @ 30fps
- Lighting correction with Right light 2
Cons:
- No Windows Hello Support
- Almost identical to the older model, but for more money.
Product Links:
Summary
The Logitech C925e Business Webcam is the upgraded replacement for the C920e entry level business webcam. The C925e support h.264 video encoding and 1080p 30 fps with improved image correction and autofocus. This webcam will be the new standard issue webcam for business that need to deploy web cams to all their staff.
Poly P5 Webcam
Pros:
- 1080p with 4x Zoom
- 80 degree field of view
- Poly Lens Desktop App
- Rear USB for (poly) USB wireless headset dongles
Cons:
- Autofocus isn’t great
- Short USB Cable
Product Links:
Summary
The Poly Studio P5 webcam is fine-tuned with Poly optics make you look so good that you’ll own the conversation. The Poly Studio P5 is super easy to set up and use. Automatic low-light compensation and brilliant colors make you look your best. The 1080p resolution with 4x digital zoom camera puts the focus on you. The Poly Studio P5’s directional microphone clearly captures your voice while ignoring the distracting noise that interrupts your calls. The last unique feature of the Poly Studio P5 is that it has a USB port on the back of the webcam. This is intended for the dongle for your Poly Wireless Headset to save a USB port on your laptop. Similar to some of the other webcams on the market, the main complaint is the short length on the fixed USB cable.
Poly P15 Webcam
Pros:
- Premium 4K Webcam Solution
- Versatile video conferencing solution for different situations like home office, micro huddle/focus rooms, telehealth, distance learning and more
- Poly MeetingAI to create virtual workspace with NoiseBlockAI and Acoustic Fence
Cons:
- Mini sound bar on top of monitor/laptop
- Expensive
- USB-C to USB-A Adapter not included with a $300 webcam
Product Links:
Summary
The Poly Studio P15 is a mini soundbar and camera in one for video conferencing. It can be used on top of your monitor as a personal webcam or be paired with smaller conference rooms or huddle spaces for video meetings. The camera supports up to 4k @ 30 fps, with auto framing and superior sound quality in both the microphones and speakers. This is truly an all-in-one device to handle the media part of a video conference.
Certified for Zoom
Anker PowerConf C300 Webcam
Pros:
- 1080p @ 60 FPS
- .35 second Autofocus
- Ultra sensitive microphones
- USB-C Connection with USB-A Adapter included
Cons:
- Anker Software Collects Personal information
- Questionable color accuracy
- Spotty firmware and firmware releases
Product Links:
Summary
The AnkerWork PowerConf C300 webcam is Anker’s Intermediate product to enter the webcam space. This webcam is positioned to take on the Logitech Brio 500 and 505 webs. The PowerConf C300 Support 1080p @ 60 FPS and uses AI to the auto focus and clean up image quality in .35 seconds. The Main concerns with this product is color quality and multiple personal information collection issues that have been recently alleged against Anker and Anker companies.
AVerMedia PW515 Webcam
Pros:
- 4k @ 60 FPS
- 360 degree swivel design
- Zoom’s Recommended Camera
Cons:
- Vendor Software is difficult to use
- Auto focus isn’t great
- Difficult configuration
Product Links:
Summary
The AVerMedia PW515 Webcam is a 4K 30fps designed to be the best Unified Communications Webcam on the market. The officially recommended webcam from Zoom includes and HDR compatible 4k video camera with a 60 to 100 degree field of view. The AVerMedia PW515 has AI Gesture built in to have the camera track the motion during your meeting to keep you focused and centered in the picture. The Webcam is also compatible with clickshare conference room solutions as well.
HP 950 4k Webcam
Pros:
- 4k resolution
- 103 degree field of view
- AI Face Framing
Cons:
- Replaced by the HP 960 Webcam
- Questionable auto exposure
- Reported issues with MacOS
Product Links:
Summary
The HP 950 4k Webcam was HP’s original entry into the 4k webcam space with alot of advanced features. The webcam supports 4k 30fps with a large 103 degree field of view. HP also uses AI for face framing, autofocus, and lighting. Recently the product neglected and HP would rather have you buy the HP 960 4k webcam for $2o more.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading my overview of the best webcams for streaming, Teams and Video. All the webcam links in this article are Amazon affiliate links, if you purchase one (or more) of these items using the links the site may receive a small commission. Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
