Whether you're a big-time Twitch streamer or someone whose job has them hopping on and off video calls all day long, picking the best webcam for streaming is no joke.
The right webcam helps you look your best; the wrong one turns your stream into a grainy nightmare. That could make or break your stream, depending on what you're doing.
I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with webcams, and I relied on my laptop to do the job for a long time. But if you don't have one of the best laptops, chances are your webcam might not be outstanding; besides, laptop webcams aren't optimized for streamers. It's time to treat yourself and your viewers to an upgrade.
Right now, the best webcam for streamers is the Elgato Facecam Pro. This is a high-end webcam that lets you stream at 4K60fps. It's exquisite, and while not cheap, it makes up for it in performance.
Want something more affordable? The Logitech HD Pro C920 can stand its ground when faced with more impressive, pricier alternatives. This one is a great pick for video calls and more casual streamers alike.
There's more to explore, including 1080p, 2K, and 4K webcams to satisfy even the most demanding of audiences. Check out some of the best webcams for streaming and give your setup a major upgrade!
Best webcams for streaming
Best webcam for streaming
+ Impressive 4K at 60 fps with Sony's STARVIS sensor
+ Solid low-light performance and dynamic range
+ Great image quality
- Most streaming platforms won't let you use it to its full potential.
Elgato's Facecam Pro is one impressive webcam. It lets you not just record, but also stream at up to 4K, and at 60 fps, too, which is a rarity: Most webcams max out at 30 fps when streaming in 4K.
According to our sister site Tom's Hardware, the Elgato Facecam Pro delivers excellent image quality. The only downside is that it's expensive, and depending on your platform of choice, you may not need 4K60 as an option. If you do, there's no better way to get it.
Best budget webcam for streaming
+ Excellent 1080p performance
+ Solid autofocus
+ Affordable, yet solid alternative to pricier options
- This webcam is old, so it lacks newer features
If you want to stream at a reliable 1080p without breaking the bank, you'll like the Logitech HD Pro C920. TechRadar praised its ability to deliver crisp 1080p visuals at a reasonable price point. It's an all-around solid pick, and while not the best on this list, it's good enough for most casual streamers.
The downside? It's capped at 30 fps. More importantly, it was released in 2012, so it's not new by any stretch—but the fact that it's still relevant today shows how good a webcam this is.
Best webcam for streaming in low lighting conditions
+ Camera-like webcam quality
+ Fantastic auto-exposure
+ Crisp visuals even in low-light conditions
- It's expensive
The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra gets praised far and wide for its image quality. Razer itself claims to offer "DSLR-like 4K quality," and surprisingly, many people agree. This webcam delivers sharp visuals thanks to its massive sensor, and then it sharpens them even further with AI-powered video imaging. The webcam can hold a steady focus and automatically adjust lighting, both of which are crucial if you stream games in a darker room.
The only downsides are that it's capped at 30 fps at 4K and that it's pricey. But in terms of pure image quality, you'll struggle to find something better.
Best webcam for active streamers
+ Built-in auto-tracking gimbal
+ Great color accuracy
+ Decent price point for a 4K webcam
- Only two-axis gimbal
Many streamers (or video callers) tend to just stay put and only move here and there, but if you're particularly expressive and tend to leave your chair, the Insta360 Link 2 is a good option for you. This relatively recent webcam comes with a built-in gimbal, allowing it to pivot around the room and follow you as required.
The use of a two-axis gimbal instead of a three-axis version means that the webcam cannot rotate for vertical video; you'll need to adjust it manually.
Best webcam for streaming at high fps
+ Up to 100 fps at 1080p or 150 fps at 720p
+ AI-framing mode for individuals and groups
+ Super affordable
- Gesture controls could be better
Many say that the human eye cannot see above 60 fps, but anyone who's ever gone from a 60Hz monitor to a 144Hz display will tell you otherwise. There is a difference, even if not entirely tangible. If you tend to stream fast-paced content with a lot of motion, this webcam could be a good solution. It can stream at up to 100 fps at 1080p and up to 150 fps at 720p; for your viewers' sake, steer clear of 720p and stick to the 100 fps variant.
The Obsbot Meet SE features some gesture controls, but our sister site TechRadar said those could be better. On the other hand, the reviewer loved Obsbot's exceptional image quality and compact design.
Best value 4K webcam
+ More affordable than other 4K alternatives
+ AI-enhanced image quality
+ Fine controls let you adjust lighting and white balance
- No 60 fps option at 4K
The Logitech MX Brio Ultra is a great webcam if you want to dip your toes into 4K streaming, but aren't quite prepared to shell out the $300 to buy the Elgato Facecam Pro. This one captures crisp 4K video at 30 fps or 1080p at 60 fps, so you can choose between ultra-sharp visuals or higher frame rates.
Logitech decked this webcam out with AI-enhanced image fine-tuning that help you optimize your visuals even further. However, if you expect your stream to involve a lot of movement, you'll probably want a 4K60 option instead.
Best webcam for streaming at 2K
+ Stream at 2K at 30 fps or at 1080p at 60 fps
+ Easy to set up
+ Decent color accuracy
- The microphone isn't great
If you want to up your game from a 1080p webcam, the Dell Pro (WB5023) is an easy way to do it. It lets you stream at 2K at 30 fps, but if you want higher frame rates, you'll need to scale back to 1080p to hit 60 fps.
Our sister site Tom's Hardware reviewed this webcam and praised it for decent HDR in low-lighting and its premium looks as well as accurate coloring. The microphone isn't great, but let's face it—if you're a streamer, you're most likely using one of the best wireless microphones instead.
Best cheap webcam for streaming
+ Ultra-affordable
+ 1080p streaming on a budget
+ Solid auto-light balance for streaming in low lighting
- More suited to video calls than professional streaming
The Logitech Brio 101 is a straightforward, no-frills solution for streamers on a tighter budget. It lets you stream at 1080p at 30 fps. It has a fairly limited (58-degree) field of view and auto-light correction if you don't have the perfect lighting.
It'll do a good job for the price and is an easy way to break into streaming without spending too much money upfront.
How to choose the best webcam for streaming?
Choosing the best webcam for streaming might seem like a simple task, but unfortunately, it's really easy to pick the wrong thing and end up with something that doesn't live up to your expectations. Let's avoid that!
Check out some of my best tips for buying a webcam down below.
- What resolution do I need for streaming?
When it comes to resolution, many believe that "bigger number is better," but that's not necessarily true. Most people won't watch your streams at 4K due to bandwidth limitations. On your end, streaming at 4K uses up bandwidth and resources, too. As such, 1080p is the sweet spot for most streamers. Steer clear of 720p—people expect crisp visuals these days. - What extra features does my streaming webcam need?
As a streamer, keep an extra eye for low-light performance. Unless you're planning to also buy a ring light and all that jazz, you're most likely going to stream in imperfect lighting. Your webcam needs to be able to handle that, so watch out for built-in auto exposure and noise reduction. Fast, reliable autofocus is also crucial. Lastly, solo streamers might enjoy auto-framing features to stay in the middle of the frame. - What kind of frames per second (fps) do I need?
Many pricier webcams will offer 60 fps, and some will offer even more. Treat 30 fps as a minimum—anything under that feels sluggish. These days, 60 fps is the sweet spot, and anything above that is largely unnecessary (but doesn't hurt to have).
FAQ
Webcams are an easy choice when it comes to streaming, although many content creators also resort to other options. I'll try to answer some of the most commonly asked questions below to help you pick the best webcam for streaming for your unique needs.
- Can I stream using just my phone?
Yes, you absolutely can. Many phones have excellent cameras that are comparable to a webcam, although your mileage may vary depending on your model. Newer iPhones and expensive Samsungs tend to do well, but low-light performance may not be that great. - Are there any laptops with good webcams?
Sure, laptop webcams can do the trick for streamers, too. Some of the best laptops do a good job with their 1080p webcams. We've also reviewed laptops with the best webcam performance, too. - Do I need a DSLR camera for streaming?
Some established content creators use DSLR or mirrorless cameras for streaming. The quality is often outstanding, but the price point is much higher than even a high-end webcam. Unless your content specifically relies on mind-blowing stream quality, you're probably better off using a webcam or your phone.
