The Best Webcams for Streaming

A slide shutter covers the lens when you are off air. It records 1080p at 60fps with HDR for harsh lighting, and it works without installing software. A privacy cover closes over the lens when you're done.

On top frame rate it ties with the Kiyo V2 Pro, the N680E Pro, the Acer A640 and the MX Brio at 60fps. No other pick in this guide offers a 1080p60 top resolution; compare the Kiyo V2 Pro, which has a 4K60 top resolution. Like the N680E Pro and Acer A640, it has a privacy shutter, while the MX Brio uses a rotating lens cover privacy.

It also offers plug-and-play setup with no software needed. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper Acer A640 and the pricier N680E Pro, at the time of writing.

Razer Synapse exposes ISO, shutter, gain and field of view for manual control. One-click enhancement adjusts exposure and white balance in dim or backlit rooms, and a privacy shutter is built in. On top frame rate it ties with the Facecam Neo, the N680E Pro, the Acer A640 and the MX Brio at 60fps.

No other pick in this guide offers a 4K60 top resolution; compare the Facecam Neo, which has a 1080p60 top resolution. It is the only pick here with an AI auto-framing; the N680E Pro has a PDAF focus and framing instead. 4K output needs a USB 3 port and an app that accepts 4K; most video-call apps send 1080p or less. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the MX Brio and the rest.

It also records 4K at 30fps from a 1/2in sensor. Its 120fps top frame rate is the highest here; the Facecam Neo comes next at 60fps. You get a 4K30 or 1080p120 top resolution here, which sets it apart from the Kiyo V2 Pro and its a 4K60 top resolution.

A 1/2in CMOS sensor is unique to it among these picks, while the Acer A640 uses a sony 1/2.8in sensor. It also offers a motorized gimbal with AI tracking and voice or gesture control and a three-microphone array with five audio modes. 4K output needs a USB 3 port and an app that accepts 4K; most video-call apps send 1080p or less.

Its motorized gimbal needs clearance above the monitor to tilt and pan. It was priced above the N680E Pro and below the MX Brio at the time of writing.

It streams 1080p at 60fps from a Sony 1/2.5in 4K sensor with phase-detect autofocus. A built-in ring light helps in dim rooms. It works with Windows, macOS, ChromeOS and Switch 2 with an adapter.

It matches the Facecam Neo, the Kiyo V2 Pro, the Acer A640 and the MX Brio on top frame rate (60fps). You get a sony 1/2.5in sensor here, which sets it apart from the Acer A640 and its a sony 1/2.8in sensor. It shares a PDAF focus and framing with the Acer A640; the MX Brio goes with an autofocus focus and framing.

It shares a privacy shutter with the Facecam Neo and Acer A640; the MX Brio goes with a rotating lens cover privacy. It also comes with dual noise-reducing microphones and an 80-degree field of view. When we checked, only the Facecam Neo and cheaper picks cost less, and the Tiny 3 Lite cost more.

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.

On top frame rate it ties with the Facecam Neo, the Kiyo V2 Pro, the N680E Pro and the MX Brio at 60fps. No other pick in this guide offers a sony 1/2.8in sensor; compare the Tiny 3 Lite, which has a 1/2in CMOS sensor. Like the N680E Pro, it has a PDAF focus and framing, while the Kiyo V2 Pro uses an AI auto-framing.

It undercut the Facecam Neo and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: top frame rate of 60fps, behind the Tiny 3 Lite (120fps). If that matters, the Tiny 3 Lite offers 120fps.

A Show Mode tilts it down to film the desk. On top frame rate it ties with the Facecam Neo, the Kiyo V2 Pro, the N680E Pro and the Acer A640 at 60fps. It is the only pick here with an autofocus focus and framing; the N680E Pro has a PDAF focus and framing instead.

It is the only pick here with a rotating lens cover privacy; the N680E Pro has a privacy shutter instead. You also get 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.

On price it sat fifth of 6, between the cheaper Tiny 3 Lite and the pricier Kiyo V2 Pro, at the time of writing. The trade-off is top frame rate; for more, the Tiny 3 Lite offers 120fps.