Buying Guide
The Best Webcams for Video Calls
Five webcams compared, from the 1080p webcam with tripod to the Meet SE, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Autofocus keeps you sharp when you lean in on a call. Every pick has autofocus and cost $150 or less.
We sorted these picks by top resolution, max frame rate and sensor, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips sensor, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Pro HD 1080p 30fps Webcam with TripodThe cheapest way into this group, below the Galyimage ring light.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $50.
Check price for Pro HD 1080p 30fps Webcam with Tripod on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Galyimage 4K Webcam with Ring LightA built-in ring light with three color temperatures.
Best for: Buyers who want built-in ring light with three color temperatures.
Check price for Galyimage 4K Webcam with Ring Light on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Pro QHD 2K 60fps Webcam with TripodA tripod in the box.
Best for: Buyers who want tripod in the box.
Check price for Pro QHD 2K 60fps Webcam with Tripod on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
EMEET S600 4K WebcamA Sony sensor.
Best for: Buyers who want Sony sensor.
Check price for EMEET S600 4K Webcam on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Top Frame Rate
OBSBOT Meet SE WebcamThe highest top frame rate here (150fps).
Best for: Buyers who put top frame rate first.
Check price for OBSBOT Meet SE Webcam on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Pro HD 1080p 30fps Webcam with Tripod
The 1080p webcam with tripod is built around a tripod in the box, with dual noise-reducing microphones on top.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $50.
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. Its two noise-cancelling microphones pick up voice from up to 10 feet away, and autofocus keeps your face sharp. A tripod comes in the box.
It suits calls, webinars, online classes and game streaming. It records 1080p at 30fps with autofocus and low-light correction. No other pick in this guide offers a 1080p30 top resolution; compare the EMEET S600, which has a 4K30 top resolution.
Like the 2K60 webcam with tripod and Meet SE, it has an autofocus and framing, while the Galyimage ring light uses a TOF autofocus and framing. It undercut the Galyimage ring light and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Top resolution
- 1080p30
- Max frame rate
- 30fps
- Focus and framing
- Autofocus
Pros
- Tripod in the box
- Dual noise-reducing microphones
- Low-light correction
- 1080p30 top resolution, the only one here
Cons
- Top frame rate trails the Meet SE (150fps)
The catch
The trade-off is top frame rate; for more, the Meet SE offers 150fps.
Also Consider2 of 5
Galyimage 4K Webcam with Ring Light
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
- Buyers who want built-in ring light with three color temperatures.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the 1080p webcam with tripod was cheaper at our last price check.
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.
On top frame rate it ties with the 2K60 webcam with tripod and the EMEET S600 at 60fps. No other pick in this guide offers a TOF autofocus and framing; compare the EMEET S600, which has 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. Its price falls between the 1080p webcam with tripod and the 2K60 webcam with tripod, based on our last check.
Key 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
- Top frame rate of 60fps, ahead of the 1080p webcam with tripod
Cons
- Costs more than the 1080p webcam with tripod at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Pro QHD 2K 60fps Webcam with Tripod
The 2K60 webcam with tripod stands out for a tripod in the box, and it adds dual microphones with a 10-foot pickup.
Best for
- Buyers who want tripod in the box.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the 1080p webcam with tripod cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 60fps top frame rate. It records 2K at 60fps, and its dual microphones pick up voice from up to 10 feet away. Low-light correction brightens a dim room automatically.
The lens rotates 360 degrees and the aluminium tripod adjusts the height precisely. A privacy shutter covers the lens. It matches the Galyimage ring light and the EMEET S600 on top frame rate (60fps).
You get a 2K60 top resolution here, which sets it apart from the EMEET S600 and its a 4K30 top resolution. It shares an autofocus and framing with the 1080p webcam with tripod and Meet SE; the EMEET S600 goes with a PDAF focus and framing. It was priced above the Galyimage ring light and below the EMEET S600 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Top resolution
- 2K60
- Max frame rate
- 60fps
- Focus and framing
- Autofocus
Pros
- Tripod in the box
- Dual microphones with a 10-foot pickup
- Low-light correction
- Top frame rate of 60fps, ahead of the 1080p webcam with tripod
Cons
- Costs more than the 1080p webcam with tripod at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
EMEET S600 4K Webcam
EMEET's S600 pairs a Sony 4K sensor with phase-detect autofocus and a privacy cover.
Best for
- Buyers who want Sony sensor.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the 1080p webcam with tripod cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the budget 4K option here. It matches the Galyimage ring light and the 2K60 webcam with tripod on top frame rate (60fps). A 4K30 top resolution is unique to it among these picks, while the 2K60 webcam with tripod uses a 2K60 top resolution.
You get a PDAF focus and framing here, which sets it apart from the Meet SE and its an autofocus and framing. 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 2K60 webcam with tripod and cheaper picks cost less, and the Meet SE cost more.
Key specs
- Top resolution
- 4K30
- Max frame rate
- 60fps
- Sensor
- Sony 1/2.55in
- Focus and framing
- PDAF
- Privacy
- Privacy cover
Pros
- Sony sensor
- Phase-detect autofocus
- Privacy cover
- Top frame rate of 60fps, ahead of the 1080p webcam with tripod
Cons
- Costs more than the 1080p webcam with tripod at the time of writing
Highest Top Frame Rate5 of 5
OBSBOT Meet SE Webcam
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
- Skip it if price comes first: the 1080p webcam with tripod 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 Galyimage ring light comes closest at 60fps. You get a 1080p100 top resolution here, which sets it apart from the EMEET S600 and its a 4K30 top resolution. It shares an autofocus and framing with the 1080p webcam with tripod and 2K60 webcam with tripod; the EMEET S600 goes with a PDAF focus and framing. Only the EMEET S600 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key 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 1080p webcam with tripod at the time of writing
How We Chose These Webcams for Video Calls
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five webcams on top resolution, top frame rate, sensor and focus and framing from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and sensor is missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the 1080p webcam with tripod to the Meet SE, state top resolution, top frame rate and focus and framing.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The 1080p webcam with tripod, the Galyimage ring light and the 2K60 webcam with tripod give no sensor.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the 1080p webcam with tripod (under $50) to the Meet SE ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Webcam for Video Calls
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much top frame rate you need
The Meet SE tops top frame rate at 150fps and the 1080p webcam with tripod sits lowest at 30fps. For less, the Galyimage ring light is the runner-up at 60fps (under $50 tier).
Focus and framing
The 1080p webcam with tripod, the 2K60 webcam with tripod and the Meet SE list autofocus; the Galyimage ring light lists TOF autofocus; the EMEET S600 lists PDAF. Sort out focus and framing before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 3, 1 and 1.
A streaming desk with a ring light, a mic arm and monitors Features beyond the spec table
The 2K60 webcam with tripod: dual microphones with a 10-foot pickup. The EMEET S600: phase-detect autofocus. The Meet SE: 720p at 150fps.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the 1080p webcam with tripod, the Galyimage ring light and the 2K60 webcam with tripod; $50 to $100 buys the EMEET S600 and the Meet SE at our last check.
A gaming room with a lit desk, a monitor and shelves of collectibles Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the cost under $50: the 1080p webcam with tripod. Buyers who put top frame rate first: the Meet SE.
How to Choose a Webcam for Video Calls
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $50 | 1080p webcam with tripod | The cheapest way into this group, below the Galyimage ring light |
| Buyers who want built-in ring light with three color temperatures | Galyimage ring light | A built-in ring light with three color temperatures |
| Buyers who want tripod in the box | 2K60 webcam with tripod | A tripod in the box |
| Buyers who want Sony sensor | EMEET S600 | A Sony sensor |
| Buyers who put top frame rate first | Meet SE | The highest top frame rate here (150fps) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Meet SE leads on top frame rate at 150fps, ahead of the Galyimage ring light at 60fps. "Not listed" marks sensor where the 1080p webcam with tripod, the Galyimage ring light and the 2K60 webcam with tripod leave the figure out.
| Webcam | Top resolution | Max frame rate | Sensor | Focus and framing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p webcam with tripod | 1080p30 | 30fps | Not listed | Autofocus |
| Galyimage ring light | 4K30, 1080p60 | 60fps | Not listed | TOF autofocus |
| 2K60 webcam with tripod | 2K60 | 60fps | Not listed | Autofocus |
| EMEET S600 | 4K30 | 60fps | Sony 1/2.55in | PDAF |
| Meet SE | 1080p100 | 150fps | 1/2.8in | Autofocus |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the 1080p webcam with tripod, sat in the under $50 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Meet SE at $50 to $100; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Webcams |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | 1080p webcam with tripod, Galyimage ring light, 2K60 webcam with tripod |
| About $50 to $100 | EMEET S600, Meet SE |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Galyimage ring light compare with the Meet SE on top frame rate?
The Meet SE leads at 150fps, with the Galyimage ring light at 60fps. The spread runs down to the 1080p webcam with tripod at 30fps.
Is the Meet SE worth paying more than the 1080p webcam with tripod?
On paper it adds top frame rate (150fps against 30fps). The 1080p webcam with tripod sat in the under $50 tier and the Meet SE in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if top frame rate decides your purchase.
What makes the 1080p webcam with tripod the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the Galyimage ring light. It suits keeping the cost under $50.
Do the EMEET S600 and the Meet SE differ on sensor?
The EMEET S600 uses sony 1/2.55in; the Meet SE uses 1/2.8in. The makers of the 1080p webcam with tripod, the Galyimage ring light and the 2K60 webcam with tripod don't state sensor, so 2 of 5 picks are covered here.
Beyond the specs, what sets the 1080p webcam with tripod and the Galyimage ring light apart?
The 1080p webcam with tripod: a tripod in the box. The Galyimage ring light: a built-in ring light with three color temperatures. The 2K60 webcam with tripod: a tripod in the box.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the 1080p webcam with tripod, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Galyimage ring light. Look at the Galyimage ring light for a built-in ring light with three color temperatures, the 2K60 webcam with tripod for a tripod in the box and the EMEET S600 for a Sony sensor if those matter more to you.
Position the camera at eye level.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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