Dissimilar to many other web cameras, the lens here is further protected with a panel of glass mounted on a durable plastic shell. The mount is also extra durable and stable (there is a mounting hole at the underside, which allows you to attach it to a tripod).
It's a bit bulky.
With 15-million pixel resolution, the Logitech C920 model offers a superior video calling and recording experience. It also boasts a wide field of view, which makes it a good choice for family video calls when you need to fit a couple of people in a video frame.
1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Android
Universal (table stand and clip-on)
The dual noise-cancelling microphone setup uses the first mic to minimise background noise, while the second microphone focuses on transmitting audio, enabling comfortable video calling without connecting a dedicated mic/headset.
The aluminium alloy bracket is impractical.
The Papalook PA452 is the most attractive-looking mid-range webcam, hands-down. Besides bringing sleek aesthetics, the camera is no slouch performance-wise, especially with its automatic light correction software that lets you stream without taking the ambient light into account.
1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
30 FPS
~2.1 megapixels
Glass
Dual noise-cancelling microphones, Auto low light correction
Wire connection via USB
Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Android
Universal (table stand and clip-on)
1 year
This webcam provides a great set of different functions and ensures excellent photo and video quality. The RightLight option comes in handy when the lighting conditions are poor, and RightSound ensures that the background noises are reduced to none.
The Logitech C270 is an inexpensive and reliable cam that comes packed with all functions necessary for streaming high-quality video chats. What's more, it delivers outstanding sound quality and solid image resolution, making it a decent alternative to more costly cameras.
1280 x 720 (HD)
~3 megapixels
Fluid Crystal technology, Noise cancellation, Face tracking
Wire connection via USB
Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Android
Universal (table stand and clip-on)
The privacy protection cover shields the lens when the webcam is not in use, which is important for your safety and peace of mind. It also protects the lens against dust and dirt.
The set-up instructions could be a bit clearer, but that is not a real problem.
The NexiGo N60 is an advanced webcam with a glass lens, automatic white light balance, and image transmission contrast optimisation. It features a 110° wide viewing angle and a noise-cancelling microphone. The camera is suitable for schoolchildren and distant learners, as well as business conferences, or simply for communicating via Zoom, FaceTime, and other services.
1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
30 FPS
2 megapixels
Glass
Built-in noise-cancelling microphone, Plug-and-play, Automatic white balance and contrast optimisation, Privacy protection cover
Wire connection via USB
Windows, macOS, Chrome OS™, Android™, Linux 2.6.24, Ubuntu Version 10.04 or above
Universal (table stand and clip-on)
1 year
This webcam offers you numerous adjustability options. Besides the 360° horizontal rotation, 50° up and down rotation and 180° adjustable base, you can choose between 3 different brightness levels. So, you'll achieve ideal light conditions even in a dim environment.
The camera is too plasticky.
A wide-angle web camera from Tecknet allows you to shoot crystal clear videos and take distortion-free photos. It's also ideal for group video conferencing owing to the dual-noise reduction microphone and the intelligent Magnetic ring filter. It can pick up your voice within a 5-10 metre distance.
1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
~ 30 FPS
2 megapixels
Plastic
3-level brightness adjustable, Dual noise reduction microphone, Auto face capture function
Wire connection via USB
Windows 7/8/10/XP, macOS 10.6, Android V5.0
Universal (table stand and clip-on)
Amazon's 30-day return policy
Amazing Resolution
If you're looking for an ultra-sleek, precise, and affordable webcam from a trustworthy manufacturer, you should definitely consider the Logitech C920 model. Well, the first thing that turned our attention was the number of megapixels it boasts. Fifteen million points together with a neat glass lens enable Full HD video calling and recording to bring customers an enjoyable experience. With that, it can record and stream video at up to 30 frames per second. These specs make it far better than typical built-in cameras on laptops. The colours appear much more vibrant and the image sharper.
What's more, the field of view here is noticeably better too. Actually, the Logitech C920 offers a 78-degree field of view and captures the background pretty well, so it's a solid choice for family video calls when you need to fit a couple of people in a single video frame. Yet, if you need more focus, you can easily narrow down the field of view or reduce the resolution up to standard 720p at 30fps.
The thing that this webcam does itself is adjusting the focus whenever you shift around your desk. Also, it's able to maintain image clarity even in dim environments owing to the proprietary Logitech’s RightLight 2 technology that automatically adjusts brightness, contrast, and colour settings according to the ambient light. However, if you'd like to customise the image on your own, you can set digital zoom, focus, exposure, brightness, contrast, sharpness, white balance, and saturation using a handy slider.
High Quality Guaranteed
As it's often the case with many other similar webcams, the Logitech C920 is a little bulky. At 9.4 x 7.1 x 4.3 cm, it's not nimble, but it's well-made and quite sturdy. Featured with a versatile plastic clip, it can be easily propped up on your desk, placed on top of a computer monitor, or attached to a tripod via the mounting hole located at the underside. The clip also doubles as a decent stand if you need to place it on your desk.
Concerning durability, the lens is protected with a panel of glass mounted on a durable plastic shell, and the cable is sheathed in a thick coat of rubber.
Besides producing high-quality output, Logitech is also well-known for its warranty service. Even if you happen to lose a sales cheque, the warranty will be still valid. All you need is to tell a support manager over a phone the serial number of your device, and that would be enough to claim for webcam replacement. In some cases, it's even possible to get a brand-new product instead of the one that could have been shipped with a defect to a customer. So, that's how amazing Logitech support is and that's how confident its customers feel when buying from them. By getting the Logitech C920 webcam, you really have nothing to lose.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £79.60 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B006A2Q81M |
See-Through Aesthetics
WebCams usually look somewhat uniform. They're compact devices and, generally speaking, people do not pay that much attention towards these devices' aesthetics, so the people behind them usually construct these cameras a little bland-looking, which is not a huge tragedy, but we can appreciate a model that looks as great is it works. Cue the Papalook PA452, a model that embodies that we've just described.
Starting with aesthetics, this camera looks quite unlike most webcams that we've seen, and even more different from the ones we've listed here. While most are adopting plastic, pairing a glass lens with an ABS body, this one is constructed from a transparent glass through and through, with an aluminium alloy bracket being the one exception to the glass profile.
Considering the see-through glass approach, you'd expect that the housing would be susceptible to scratches and a fingerprint magnet, but this is not quite the case, which's a pleasant surprise. No, despite its somewhat fragile appearance, this 1080 webcam is tough as nails and twice as durable (by webcam standards), so you can rotate and fiddle with the camera knowing that there's very little chance you might damage the lens.
Automatic Light Correction
Rambling about its appearance, we understand that web cameras are primarily about the specs and the tech that showcases these specs, so let's pivot towards those. To begin with, the camera records Full HD (1920 x 1080) footage, nothing unusual or surprising about that since this is no cheap, low-end device. The model can work with Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and Android, which is also not necessarily surprising.
The dual noise-cancelling microphones are a little surprising though, not that they're there, but how they are executed. With the first microphone eliminating background noise and the second mic transmitting audio, this webcam enables comfortable online communication without a dedicated headset. The automatic low light correction tech is even more comfortable, letting you stream and record in low-light conditions without adjusting the brightness postfactum or ensuring that there's sufficient ambient light beforehand.
Not unlike most web cameras, this model will let you choose between table stand and clip-on use, fitting desktop PCs, laptops, you name the setup. In other words, matching sleek aesthetics with above-average performance, the engineers behind the Papalook PA452 make this product an easy mid-range decision.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £33.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B01GYFOXK2 |
New Level of Communication
Would you ever believe that it would be possible to communicate with your friends, relatives or colleagues from abroad in a real time mode and see them just as if they were right in front of you? With the invention of a webcam, it’s become a reality. But not all webcams are created equal and not all are able to compete with this affordable yet effective model from Logitech. Simplicity and high-quality tech are what make this web camera so much attractive to customers worldwide.
After a quick installation, you will feel free to experience the joy of cyber communication. The webcam is compatible with all popular messaging applications such as Skype, Google Hangouts, Yahoo, Messenger, and others. Don't be misled by the fact that its quality is only 3 megapixels – you will be totally satisfied with good video and photos. Thanks to Logitech Fluid Crystal Technology, your video will be smoother with richer colours and clearer sounds. Plus, Logitech developed special software (available at logitech.com/downloads), which can improve picture quality even more: RightLight option comes in handy when lighting conditions are poor, and RightSound ensures that the background noises are reduced to none. Also, you can make your chats much funnier by sharing the effects from Logitech Video app and adding animated avatars and faces between the lines with your friends.
History of Logitech
In 1981, when personal computers evolved into mass-market devices, Giacomo Marini and two Stanford alumni, Daniel Borel and Pierluigi Zappacosta, founded their own company in Apples, Switzerland. The production started with computer mice which made the company extremely popular. By 2008, the company had produced over one billion computer mice. After a while, of course, the range of products became more and more diverse, and now Logitech supplies us with keyboards, web cameras, speakers, headsets, gamepads and other devices. Today, the Logitech trademark is well-known all over the world, except for Japan where the company is recognized by the Logicool name.
If you'd like to replace your old keyboard with a new one, take a look at the Logitech Keyboard K120 that provides a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £23.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B01BGBJ8Y0 |
Impressive Picture Quality
Looking for a quality webcam to make online calls? The NexiGo N60 might be your best choice in this case. Full HD image, impressive light capture and powerful noise cancelling – these are only a few pros of this device.
The cam doesn’t compromise on picture quality. You’re getting the 1920x1080 / 30fps resolution for private calls, streaming, or distant learning. The crisp and clear image is captured via the 3.6 mm fixed focal glass lens that is optimised for indoor use. Impress your family, friends, or subscribers with the contrast-adjusted, well-balanced video stream.
The NexiGo N60 can capture the image at a 110° angle. Great for presentations, it doesn’t limit your on-screen presence. Simply place the cam on any laptop, monitor, or TV screen with a tight and handy mounting clip. Don’t worry, it will not be falling off.
This versatile webcam is fully compatible with such popular online solutions as Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Teams and many more. Feel absolutely free to connect on your favourite platform; no bugs, no disconnections, just the perfect interaction.
Stay Private at All Times
No-one will compromise your privacy with the NexiGo N60. This webcam has a privacy cover for when you’re not using it. No need to be a conspiracy theorist to appreciate this feature; we all can forget to disconnect and go about our business with the camera actually on. Enjoy the real peace of mind, knowing that the cam lens is always blocked. What’s more, this cover helps protect the lens from the dust and dirt, giving you the extra clear video streams.
Great, but what about the sound quality? No problems here either. The integrated microphone cancels the background noise for boosted voice clarity. Save everyone’s – and your own time by being heard from the first try with this advanced tech. If you want to use a separate headset, you are always welcome, of course. The only thing that won’t change is the upscale sound quality.
Is this cam difficult to set up? The correct answer will be, mostly, yes. On the one hand, this is a plug-and-play device; on the other one, you’ll need to set up the app, and here’s where the problems start. The instructions are not exactly clear, but it’s not a deal-breaker in any way.
So, are there any reasons you shouldn’t get this webcam? Most probably, not.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B088TSR6YJ |
Good Adjustability
TeckNet is a flagship brand that has been specialising in high-quality electronic products for many years. With that, it offers cameras for very competitive price tags, and this model is a good example. For less than £30, it's a great budget-friendly model with a 1080P HD resolution and a natural, fluent video experience. It's made with a decent 2-million pixel image sensor chip to deliver rich videos with great colour accuracy. Actually, the video quality is fantastic with a good focal range, constant focus, and no lags.
Yet, while it can be hard to surprise PC users with Full HD resolution, the TeckNet webcam really shines when it comes to image quality in low light conditions. Unlike many other models on the market, this one is featured with the built-in 3-level adjustable fill light. And by touching the sensor switch on the top of the cam, you can choose between 3 LED light modes - low, medium and high. The Camera instantly responds to your touch, helping you to achieve the ideal brightness and get the best picture regardless of the surrounding lighting conditions.
Besides that, the TeckNet camera has a 360° horizontal rotation function and supports angle correction. It can be rotated 360° horizontally and 50° up and down, while the 90° wide viewing angle ensures distortion-free image and lets you accommodate more participants in your video calls.
Perfect for Online Meetings
What also makes the TeckNet camera ideal for collective calls is the addition of the dual-noise reduction microphone and the intelligent Magnetic ring filter. Actually, the camera is capable of picking up your voice within 5-10 metres and filtering out the background noise for distortion-free communication. So, this model ensures crystal clear sound and very legible speech, which is crucial for conference calls.
To proceed with the installation, it's a plug-and-play device that is supplied with clear instructions, a warranty card and a Type-C USB cable. Setup is driverless, and the webcam is automatically installed once you plug it into your device. Thanks to a flexible base, it can stand on a desktop, hang on a computer screen or attach to a tripod.
With no drivers to install and secure mounting options, it's an easy-to-use webcam suitable for noisy and low-lit environments. A combination of a dual noise reduction microphone, 3-level coloured light above and the main camera light will give a studio-quality experience to any online meeting.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £24.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B08R3XDW1T |
What Is a WebСam?
Were you born two-three decades ago, would you ever believe that it would be possible to communicate with your friends, relatives or colleagues from abroad in a real-time mode and see them just as if they were right in front of you? Yeah, most people back in the days probably would've never believed this science fiction-esque idea either. Nevertheless, with the invention of a webcam, this concept has become a reality.
Most applications today (both computer and mobile) offer their users an opportunity to video call the contacts from their list and shorten the distance between each other by times in a single click. All you need to have is a device to install a webcam (in case with smartphones, installation is not required) and a decent camera. In our review of the best webcams, you can find out how various models differ and how to make the right choice.
If you want to hear your interlocutor clearly during video conversations, pay attention to our computer speakers or gaming headsets review.
What Features to Compare
Image Quality
When looking for a webcam, first things first, consider how good the image quality the camera provides. Primarily, it’s determined by a few technical parameters - a resolution matrix and a frame rate. Let’s take a closer look at each of them and figure out how they affect the quality.
- Matrix Resolution stands for picture clarity and its sharpness. When they talk about resolution, what they really mean is a number of horizontal and vertical pixels on the screen. The more pixels there are, the sharper the picture will be. For this reason, we recommend choosing among models that have at least 3 megapixels, the optimal rate that will allow you to view clear and well-defined pictures. When it comes to the resolution, many customers choose HD cams. Although the quality of the picture they provide is not ideal, it's good enough for most average needs, especially considering that in most cases you will be viewing a thumbnail. Naturally, Full HD cameras will provide a better-quality picture and will come in useful for those who need or want to video-stream professional footage. However, it's important to keep in mind that they will work only if you have a high-speed Internet. If it's not quick enough, the pictures will keep frizzing and appear looking blurred and distorted.
- Frame rate determines the smoothness of pictures and is expressed in FPS (Frames Per Second). The higher the frame rate, the smoother the picture. What values should you look for? Well, the optimal rate is a minimum 30 FPS, so you can start from there.
- Photo Quality (measured in megapixels) will tell you how good or bad your pictures will be. If you plan to use your webcam not only for streaming videos but also for taking pictures, which these cameras can be used for too, make sure to check out the megapixels as well.
Lens Quality
The lens quality also matters. Quite often, instead of expensive lenses, they use a plastic optic, which cuts down the price of the model and also worsens the picture quality. Plastic lenses don’t transmit as much light as glass lenses and often turn dark over time. That's why if you look for a webcam that will last you a long while, make sure to check what lens type it uses and go for the one that uses glass. Though these cameras are a bit more expensive, they usually are more durable too, so the deal is fair.
Functional Capabilities
Aside from the above-mentioned specs, it's important to check the cam's functional capabilities. These include the connection type used as well as such nifty features as Editor, Face detection, Light correction, and more. The number of these features may vary between models and will affect the product price.
Design
Last but not least, consider the camera design. Obviously, it isn't as important as the camera's specs but if you're buying a camera for professional use, like for example, for making online presentations or broadcasting video courses on the Internet, the mounting options can be of importance.
Sources:
1. How to Pick a Webcam and Microphone, eBay. April 8, 2014.
2. Elise Lagarde How to Choose the Best Webcam for Streaming, DaCast.
3. Damian Erskine Choosing the Right Webcam in the Youtube Era, No Treble. April 25, 2012.
4. Nicole Cozma How to record your webcam with VLC, CNET. November 24, 2014.