Buying Guide
The Best Autofocus Gaming Webcams
We weighed four webcams on top frame rate and top resolution, and the Galyimage ring light costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Autofocus keeps you sharp when you lean toward the screen. Every pick lists 1080p60 or higher and autofocus, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects top resolution, max frame rate and focus and framing from maker specifications; we did not test these webcams ourselves, and a missing privacy is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Galyimage 4K Webcam with Ring Light
The lowest price among these webcams at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Galyimage 4K Webcam with Ring Light (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Acer A640 4K Webcam
4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps.
Best for: Buyers who want 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps.
Our take Check price for Acer A640 4K Webcam (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Razer Kiyo V2 X Webcam
1440p at 60fps.
Best for: Buyers who want 1440p at 60fps.
Our take Check price for Razer Kiyo V2 X Webcam (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Logitech MX Brio 4K Webcam
ISO, shutter speed, tint and vibrance controls in Logitech software at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Logitech MX Brio 4K Webcam (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these webcams at the time of writing. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Galyimage 4K Webcam with Ring Light (opens in a new tab) |
| 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps. | Buyers who want 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps. | Check price for Acer A640 4K Webcam (opens in a new tab) |
| 1440p at 60fps. | Buyers who want 1440p at 60fps. | Check price for Razer Kiyo V2 X Webcam (opens in a new tab) |
| ISO, shutter speed, tint and vibrance controls in Logitech software at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for Logitech MX Brio 4K Webcam (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Galyimage 4K Webcam with Ring Light on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Galyimage ring light brings to the table is a built-in ring light with three color temperatures, plus dual noise-cancelling microphones.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It also offers a 60fps top frame rate. The built-in ring light has three colour temperatures and dims by touch, which helps in a dark room. TOF autofocus and two noise-cancelling mics cover calls without extra gear.
A TOF autofocus focus and framing is unique to it among these picks, while the Acer A640 uses a PDAF focus and framing. It also offers stepless dimming. 4K output needs a USB 3 port and an app that accepts 4K; most video-call apps send 1080p or less. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the Acer A640 the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 4K30, 1080p60
- Max frame rate: 60fps
- Focus and framing: TOF autofocus
Pros
- Built-in ring light with three color temperatures
- Dual noise-cancelling microphones
- Stepless dimming
- TOF autofocus focus and framing, the only one here
Also Consider2 of 4
Acer A640 4K Webcam on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Acer's A640 records 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps from a Sony 1/2.8in sensor with phase-detect autofocus.
Best for
- Buyers who want 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Galyimage ring light, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It was the lowest-priced webcam here at the time of writing. PDAF autofocus locks on quickly without the hunting of contrast autofocus, and a Sony 1/2.8-inch sensor records 4K. It suits streamers who move closer and further from the camera.
You get a PDAF focus and framing here, which sets it apart from the Galyimage ring light and its a TOF autofocus focus and framing. It shares a privacy shutter with the Kiyo V2 X; the MX Brio goes with a rotating lens cover privacy. You also get AI noise cancelling on the microphone and a USB-A to USB-C adapter in the box.
4K output needs a USB 3 port and an app that accepts 4K; most video-call apps send 1080p or less. When we checked, only the Galyimage ring light cost less, and the Kiyo V2 X cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 4K30, 1080p60
- Max frame rate: 60fps
- Sensor: Sony 1/2.8in
- Focus and framing: PDAF
- Privacy: Privacy shutter
Pros
- 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps
- AI noise cancelling on the microphone
- USB-A to USB-C adapter in the box
- PDAF focus and framing, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Galyimage ring light at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
Razer Kiyo V2 X Webcam on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Razer's Kiyo V2 X records 1440p at 60fps with autofocus and a privacy shutter.
Best for
- Buyers who want 1440p at 60fps.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Galyimage ring light, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It sits between 1080p and 4K cameras. It records 1440p at 60fps, sharper than most 1080p webcams, and autofocus keeps you in focus as you move. Razer Synapse handles image adjustments.
It shares an autofocus focus and framing with the MX Brio; the Acer A640 goes with a PDAF focus and framing. It shares a privacy shutter with the Acer A640; the MX Brio goes with a rotating lens cover privacy. It also offers a built-in microphone.
Worth noting too: 1440p60 top resolution, the only one here. It was priced above the Acer A640 and below the MX Brio at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 1440p60
- Max frame rate: 60fps
- Sensor: Not stated
- Focus and framing: Autofocus
- Privacy: Privacy shutter
Pros
- 1440p at 60fps
- Built-in microphone
- Privacy shutter
- 1440p60 top resolution, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Galyimage ring light at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
Logitech MX Brio 4K Webcam on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's MX Brio records 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps and lets you set ISO, shutter speed, tint and vibrance in Logitech's software.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Galyimage ring light cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
A Show Mode tilts it down to film the desk. It shares an autofocus focus and framing with the Kiyo V2 X; the Acer A640 goes with a PDAF focus and framing. You get a rotating lens cover privacy here, which sets it apart from the Kiyo V2 X and its a privacy shutter.
It also offers dual beamforming noise-reducing microphones. 4K output needs a USB 3 port and an app that accepts 4K; most video-call apps send 1080p or less. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Kiyo V2 X the nearest cheaper option. Top frame rate is its weakest area, and the Galyimage ring light covers it better at 60fps.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 4K30, 1080p60
- Max frame rate: 60fps
- Focus and framing: Autofocus
- Privacy: Rotating lens cover
Pros
- ISO, shutter speed, tint and vibrance controls in Logitech software
- Dual beamforming noise-reducing microphones
- Show Mode that tilts down to film the desk
- Rotating lens cover privacy, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Galyimage ring light at the time of writing
How We Chose These Autofocus Gaming Webcams
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared four webcams on top resolution, top frame rate, focus and framing and privacy as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Galyimage ring light to the MX Brio, state top resolution, top frame rate and focus and framing.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Galyimage ring light gives no privacy.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Galyimage ring light (under $50) to the MX Brio ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in an Autofocus Gaming Webcam
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Privacy
The Acer A640 and the Kiyo V2 X list privacy shutter; the MX Brio lists rotating lens cover. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Extras that separate them
The Acer A640: AI noise cancelling on the microphone. The Kiyo V2 X: a built-in microphone. The MX Brio: dual beamforming noise-reducing microphones.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the Galyimage ring light and the Acer A640; $50 to $100 buys the Kiyo V2 X; $150 to $250 buys the MX Brio at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible: the Galyimage ring light. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor: the MX Brio.
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 an Autofocus Gaming Webcam
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | Galyimage ring light | The lowest price among these webcams at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps | Acer A640 | 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps |
| Buyers who want 1440p at 60fps | Kiyo V2 X | 1440p at 60fps |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | MX Brio | ISO, shutter speed, tint and vibrance controls in Logitech software at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Galyimage ring light, the Acer A640 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Webcam | Top resolution | Max frame rate | Sensor | Focus and framing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galyimage ring light | 4K30, 1080p60 | 60fps | Not listed | TOF autofocus |
| Acer A640 | 4K30, 1080p60 | 60fps | Sony 1/2.8in | PDAF |
| Kiyo V2 X | 1440p60 | 60fps | Not stated | Autofocus |
| MX Brio | 4K30, 1080p60 | 60fps | Not listed | Autofocus |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Galyimage ring light was the lowest-priced pick and the MX Brio the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Webcams |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Galyimage ring light, Acer A640 |
| About $50 to $100 | Kiyo V2 X |
| About $150 to $250 | MX Brio |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the MX Brio our Premium Pick pick?
It earns the label for ISO, shutter speed, tint and vibrance controls in Logitech software at the highest price in the group. It suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Do the Galyimage ring light and the Acer A640 differ on focus and framing?
The Galyimage ring light uses TOF autofocus; the Acer A640 uses PDAF; the Kiyo V2 X and the MX Brio use autofocus.
What extras do the Galyimage ring light and the Acer A640 include?
The Galyimage ring light: a built-in ring light with three color temperatures. The Acer A640: 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps. The Kiyo V2 X: 1440p at 60fps.
Who should choose the Galyimage ring light?
The Galyimage ring light carries our Lowest Price Here label for the lowest price among these webcams at the time of writing. It ranks first of 4 here.
Should I pick the Galyimage ring light or the MX Brio?
The Galyimage ring light suits spending as little as possible; the MX Brio suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Galyimage ring light, chosen for the lowest price among these webcams at the time of writing. Look at the Acer A640 for 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps, the Kiyo V2 X for 1440p at 60fps and the MX Brio for ISO, shutter speed, tint and vibrance controls in Logitech software at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Light your face from the front.