Buying Guide
The Best 1080p Webcams
From the Tewiky to the Facecam MK.2: four webcams ranked on top frame rate and top resolution, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
1080p is enough for calls and most streams. Every pick records at 1080p, ordered by frame rate.
Our comparison rests on published figures for top resolution, max frame rate and focus and framing; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out focus and framing, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Top Frame Rate
OBSBOT Meet SE Webcam
The highest top frame rate here (150fps).
Best for: Buyers who put top frame rate first.
Our take Check price for OBSBOT Meet SE Webcam (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
OBSBOT Tiny SE 1080p PTZ Webcam with Mini Tripod
1080p at 100fps and 720p at 120fps.
Best for: Buyers who want 1080p at 100fps and 720p at 120fps.
Our take Check price for OBSBOT Tiny SE 1080p PTZ Webcam with Mini Tripod (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Elgato Facecam MK.2
The top of this price range, adding uncompressed 1080p60 output.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Elgato Facecam MK.2 (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Tewiky Full HD Webcam with Rotatable Tripod
Undercutting the Meet SE on price when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Tewiky Full HD Webcam with Rotatable Tripod (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest top frame rate here (150fps). | Buyers who put top frame rate first. | Check price for OBSBOT Meet SE Webcam (opens in a new tab) |
| 1080p at 100fps and 720p at 120fps. | Buyers who want 1080p at 100fps and 720p at 120fps. | Check price for OBSBOT Tiny SE 1080p PTZ Webcam with Mini Tripod (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding uncompressed 1080p60 output. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Elgato Facecam MK.2 (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the Meet SE on price when we checked. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Tewiky Full HD Webcam with Rotatable Tripod (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Top Frame Rate1 of 4
OBSBOT Meet SE Webcam on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
OBSBOT's Meet SE records 1080p at 100fps on a 1/2.8in sensor.
Best for
- Buyers who put top frame rate first.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Tewiky, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is small enough to disappear on a monitor. It records 1080p at up to 100fps, or 720p at 150fps, which keeps fast movement smooth. AI framing can switch to a group mode that keeps several people in shot.
Nothing else here matches its 150fps top frame rate; the Tiny SE with tripod comes closest at 120fps. It shares a 1080p100 top resolution with the Tiny SE with tripod; the Tewiky goes with a 1080p30 top resolution. You get an autofocus focus and framing here, which sets it apart from the Facecam MK.2 and its a fixed focus focus and framing. When we checked, only the Tewiky cost less, and the Tiny SE with tripod cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 1080p100
- Max frame rate: 150fps
- Sensor: 1/2.8in
- Focus and framing: Autofocus
- Privacy: Not stated
Pros
- 1080p at 100fps
- 720p at 150fps
- 1/2.8in sensor
- Highest top frame rate of the picks (150fps)
Cons
- Costs more than the Tewiky at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 4
OBSBOT Tiny SE 1080p PTZ Webcam with Mini Tripod on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Tiny SE with tripod stands out for 1080p at 100fps and 720p at 120fps, and it adds a mini tripod in the box.
Best for
- Buyers who want 1080p at 100fps and 720p at 120fps.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Tewiky was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 120fps top frame rate. Its two-axis gimbal physically follows you, and gesture controls let you change framing without touching the PC. PDAF autofocus and 4x digital zoom keep close-ups sharp.
A mini tripod comes in the box, so it can stand on a desk away from the monitor. Its 120fps top frame rate ranks second of 4 here, behind the Meet SE (150fps) and ahead of the Tewiky (30fps). It shares a 1080p100 top resolution with the Meet SE; the Tewiky goes with a 1080p30 top resolution.
Its motorized gimbal needs clearance above the monitor to tilt and pan. It was priced above the Meet SE and below the Facecam MK.2 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 1080p100
- Max frame rate: 120fps
- Focus and framing: PDAF, PTZ AI tracking
Pros
- 1080p at 100fps and 720p at 120fps
- Mini tripod in the box
- Gesture control and 4x digital zoom
- Top frame rate of 120fps, ahead of the Facecam MK.2
Cons
- Costs more than the Tewiky at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 4
Elgato Facecam MK.2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Elgato's Facecam MK.2 outputs uncompressed 1080p60 and has a built-in privacy shutter.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Tewiky was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is built for streaming rather than calls. It records uncompressed 1080p60, and Camera Hub offers DSLR-like image controls. On top frame rate it sits mid-pack at 60fps: the Meet SE offers 150fps, and the Tewiky comes in at 30fps.
No other pick in this guide offers a 1080p60 top resolution; compare the Meet SE, which has a 1080p100 top resolution. It is the only pick here with a fixed focus focus and framing; the Meet SE has an autofocus focus and framing instead. It also comes with HDR at 1080p30. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Tiny SE with tripod and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 1080p60
- Max frame rate: 60fps
- Sensor: Not stated
- Focus and framing: Fixed focus
- Privacy: Privacy shutter
Pros
- Uncompressed 1080p60 output
- HDR at 1080p30
- Built-in privacy shutter
- Top frame rate of 60fps, ahead of the Tewiky
Cons
- Costs more than the Tewiky at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 4
Tewiky Full HD Webcam with Rotatable Tripod on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Tewiky is built around a rotatable tripod, with a wide-angle lens on top.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Skip it if top frame rate matters most to you; the Meet SE offers 150fps.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 30fps top frame rate. It records 1080p at 30fps through a wide-angle lens, and a rotatable tripod is included. The noise-cancelling mic covers basic calls.
It is the only pick here with a 1080p30 top resolution; the Facecam MK.2 has a 1080p60 top resolution instead. It makes the most sense for spending as little as possible, since it offers undercutting the Meet SE on price when we checked. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Meet SE was the next step up. If top frame rate is your priority, the Meet SE (150fps) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 1080p30
- Max frame rate: 30fps
- Privacy: Privacy cover
Pros
- Rotatable tripod
- Wide-angle lens
- Noise-cancelling microphone
- 1080p30 top resolution, the only one here
Cons
- Top frame rate trails the Meet SE (150fps)
How We Chose These 1080p Webcams
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up four webcams on top resolution, top frame rate, focus and framing and privacy from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Meet SE to the Tewiky, state top resolution and top frame rate.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Tewiky gives no focus and framing; the Meet SE and the Tiny SE with tripod give no privacy.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Tewiky (under $50) to the Facecam MK.2 ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a 1080p Webcam
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Top frame rate across these picks
Here top frame rate runs from 30fps on the Tewiky to 150fps on the Meet SE. The Meet SE is the pick for top frame rate.
Privacy
The Facecam MK.2 lists privacy shutter; the Tewiky lists privacy cover. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Features beyond the spec table
The Tiny SE with tripod: a mini tripod in the box. The Facecam MK.2: HDR at 1080p30. The Tewiky: a wide-angle lens.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the Tewiky; $50 to $100 buys the Meet SE and the Tiny SE with tripod; $100 to $150 buys the Facecam MK.2 at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who put top frame rate first: the Meet SE. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the Facecam MK.2. Spending as little as possible: the Tewiky.
Sensor size and low light
A larger sensor gathers more light, so it keeps noise down in a dim room. Good lighting still helps any webcam more than a bigger sensor.
How to Choose a 1080p Webcam
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put top frame rate first | Meet SE | The highest top frame rate here (150fps) |
| Buyers who want 1080p at 100fps and 720p at 120fps | Tiny SE with tripod | 1080p at 100fps and 720p at 120fps |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Facecam MK.2 | The top of this price range, adding uncompressed 1080p60 output |
| Spending as little as possible | Tewiky | Undercutting the Meet SE on price when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Meet SE leads on top frame rate at 150fps, ahead of the Tiny SE with tripod at 120fps. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Webcam | Top resolution | Max frame rate | Sensor | Focus and framing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meet SE | 1080p100 | 150fps | 1/2.8in | Autofocus |
| Tiny SE with tripod | 1080p100 | 120fps | Not listed | PDAF, PTZ AI tracking |
| Facecam MK.2 | 1080p60 | 60fps | Not stated | Fixed focus |
| Tewiky | 1080p30 | 30fps | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Tewiky was the lowest-priced pick and the Facecam MK.2 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Webcams |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Tewiky |
| About $50 to $100 | Meet SE, Tiny SE with tripod |
| About $100 to $150 | Facecam MK.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest top frame rate: the Meet SE or the Tiny SE with tripod?
The Meet SE leads at 150fps, with the Tiny SE with tripod at 120fps. The Tewiky is at the other end of this group with 30fps.
Is the Facecam MK.2 worth paying more than the Tewiky?
On paper it adds top frame rate (60fps against 30fps). The Tewiky was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Meet SE the Highest Top Frame Rate?
It earns the label for the highest top frame rate here (150fps). It suits anyone who put top frame rate first.
Do the Meet SE and the Facecam MK.2 differ on top resolution?
The Meet SE and the Tiny SE with tripod use 1080p100; the Facecam MK.2 uses 1080p60; the Tewiky uses 1080p30.
What should I check before buying the Tiny SE with tripod?
Its motorized gimbal needs clearance above the monitor to tilt and pan. In this guide it ranks second of 4.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Meet SE and the Tiny SE with tripod apart?
The Meet SE: 1080p at 100fps. The Tiny SE with tripod: 1080p at 100fps and 720p at 120fps. The Facecam MK.2: uncompressed 1080p60 output.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Meet SE, chosen for the highest top frame rate here (150fps). Look at the Tiny SE with tripod for 1080p at 100fps and 720p at 120fps, the Facecam MK.2 for the top of this price range, adding uncompressed 1080p60 output and the Tewiky for undercutting the Meet SE on price when we checked if those matter more to you.
60fps looks smoother for streams.