Buying Guide
The Best Webcams for Zoom
From the Tewiky to the Brio 4K: five webcams ranked on top frame rate and top resolution, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
For Zoom the useful features are a stable 1080p picture and a way to cover the lens between calls. Every pick here lists 1080p or better and a privacy option.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: top resolution, max frame rate and focus and framing come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing max frame rate is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Tewiky Full HD Webcam with Rotatable Tripod
Undercutting the 1080p webcam with tripod on price when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the 1080p webcam with tripod the next step up.
Our take Check price for Tewiky Full HD Webcam with Rotatable Tripod (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Pro HD 1080p 30fps Webcam with Tripod
A tripod in the box.
Best for: Buyers who want tripod in the box.
Our take Check price for Pro HD 1080p 30fps Webcam with Tripod (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Dell UltraSharp 4K Webcam WB7022
HDR.
Best for: Buyers who want HDR.
Our take Check price for Dell UltraSharp 4K Webcam WB7022 (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Elgato Facecam MK.2
Uncompressed 1080p60 output.
Best for: Buyers who want uncompressed 1080p60 output.
Our take Check price for Elgato Facecam MK.2 (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Logitech Brio 4K Webcam
The top of this price range, adding 65, 78 and 90-degree field-of-view settings.
Best for: Spending more than the Facecam MK.2 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for Logitech Brio 4K Webcam (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
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, with the 1080p webcam with tripod the next step up.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: top frame rate of 30fps, behind the Facecam MK.2 (60fps).
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 includes a 5ft cable and a detachable tripod, and automatic light correction adjusts brightness and colour. The maker gives a 12-month warranty for quality-related faults. On top frame rate it ties with the 1080p webcam with tripod at 30fps.
Like the 1080p webcam with tripod, it has a 1080p30 top resolution, while the Dell WB7022 uses a 4K top resolution. No other pick in this guide offers a privacy cover; compare the Facecam MK.2, which has a privacy shutter. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the 1080p webcam with tripod was the next step up. The main gap: top frame rate of 30fps, behind the Facecam MK.2 (60fps). If that matters, the Facecam MK.2 offers 60fps.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 1080p30
- Max frame rate: 30fps
- Privacy: Privacy cover
Pros
- Rotatable tripod
- Wide-angle lens
- Noise-cancelling microphone
- Privacy cover, the only one here
Cons
- Top frame rate of 30fps, behind the Facecam MK.2 (60fps)
Also Consider2 of 5
Pro HD 1080p 30fps Webcam with Tripod on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 1080p webcam with tripod is built around a tripod in the box, with dual noise-reducing microphones on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want tripod in the box.
Skip if
- Skip it if top frame rate matters most to you; the Facecam MK.2 offers 60fps.
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. Like the Tewiky, it has a 1080p30 top resolution, while the Dell WB7022 uses a 4K top resolution.
Like the Dell WB7022, it has an autofocus and framing, while the Facecam MK.2 uses a fixed focus and framing. Its price falls between the Tewiky and the Dell WB7022, based on our last check. If top frame rate is your priority, the Facecam MK.2 (60fps) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 1080p30
- Max frame rate: 30fps
- Focus and framing: Autofocus
Pros
- Tripod in the box
- Dual noise-reducing microphones
- Low-light correction
Cons
- Top frame rate trails the Facecam MK.2 (60fps)
- Costs more than the Tewiky at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Dell UltraSharp 4K Webcam WB7022 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Dell WB7022 is built around HDR, with Teams certification on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want HDR.
Skip if
- Pass if a published top frame rate matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
You get a 4K top resolution here, which sets it apart from the Brio 4K and its a 4K30 top resolution. It shares an autofocus and framing with the 1080p webcam with tripod; the Facecam MK.2 goes with a fixed focus and framing. It also offers HDR.
4K output needs a USB 3 port and an app that accepts 4K; most video-call apps send 1080p or less. It was priced above the 1080p webcam with tripod and below the Facecam MK.2 at the time of writing. There is no published top frame rate figure, whereas the Facecam MK.2 offers 60fps.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 4K
- Sensor: Sony STARVIS
- Focus and framing: Autofocus
Pros
- HDR
- Teams certification
- 4K top resolution, the only one here
Cons
- No published top frame rate
- Costs more than the Tewiky at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
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
- Buyers who want uncompressed 1080p60 output.
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 ties with the Brio 4K at 60fps.
No other pick in this guide offers a 1080p60 top resolution; compare the Dell WB7022, which has a 4K top resolution. It is the only pick here with a fixed focus and framing; the 1080p webcam with tripod has an autofocus and framing instead. It is the only pick here with a privacy shutter; the Tewiky has a privacy cover instead.
You also get HDR at 1080p30. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Dell WB7022 and the pricier Brio 4K, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 1080p60
- Max frame rate: 60fps
- Sensor: Not stated
- Focus and framing: Fixed
- 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
Premium Pick5 of 5
Logitech Brio 4K Webcam on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's Brio 4K offers three field-of-view settings and Windows Hello face sign-in.
Best for
- Spending more than the Facecam MK.2 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Tewiky, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
A privacy shade covers the lens. RightLight 3 corrects glare and backlighting, and dual noise-cancelling mics pick up voice at about 1.2 metres. Logi Options+ sets zoom, colour and focus.
It matches the Facecam MK.2 on top frame rate (60fps). A 4K30 top resolution is unique to it among these picks, while the 1080p webcam with tripod uses a 1080p30 top resolution. You get a privacy shade here, which sets it apart from the Facecam MK.2 and its a privacy shutter.
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 Facecam MK.2 the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 4K30
- Max frame rate: 60fps
- Sensor: Not stated
- Focus and framing: Autofocus, 5x digital zoom
- Privacy: Privacy shade
Pros
- 65, 78 and 90-degree field-of-view settings
- Windows Hello face sign-in
- Dual microphones
- Top frame rate of 60fps, ahead of the Tewiky
Cons
- Costs more than the Tewiky at the time of writing
How We Chose These Webcams for Zoom
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared five webcams on top resolution, top frame rate, focus and framing and privacy, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out top frame rate.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Tewiky to the Brio 4K, state top resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Dell WB7022 gives no top frame rate; the Tewiky gives no focus and framing.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Tewiky (under $50) to the Brio 4K ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Webcam for Zoom
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 1080p webcam with tripod to 60fps on the Facecam MK.2, a 100% spread. Start with the Facecam MK.2 if top frame rate decides it. The Dell WB7022 gives no top frame rate figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Privacy
The Tewiky lists privacy cover; the Facecam MK.2 lists privacy shutter; the Brio 4K lists Privacy shade. Settling privacy first narrows 3 picks to 1 or 1 or 1.
Features beyond the spec table
The Dell WB7022: Teams certification. The Facecam MK.2: HDR at 1080p30. The Brio 4K: Windows Hello face sign-in.
Budget
Under $50 buys the Tewiky and the 1080p webcam with tripod; $100 to $150 buys the Dell WB7022 and the Facecam MK.2; $150 to $250 buys the Brio 4K at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Spending as little as possible, with the 1080p webcam with tripod the next step up: the Tewiky. Spending more than the Facecam MK.2 costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Brio 4K.
How to Choose a Webcam for Zoom
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the 1080p webcam with tripod the next step up | Tewiky | Undercutting the 1080p webcam with tripod on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want tripod in the box | 1080p webcam with tripod | A tripod in the box |
| Buyers who want HDR | Dell WB7022 | HDR |
| Buyers who want uncompressed 1080p60 output | Facecam MK.2 | Uncompressed 1080p60 output |
| Spending more than the Facecam MK.2 costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Brio 4K | The top of this price range, adding 65, 78 and 90-degree field-of-view settings |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Facecam MK.2 leads on top frame rate at 60fps, ahead of the Brio 4K at 60fps. "Not listed" marks top frame rate where the Dell WB7022 leaves the figure out.
| Webcam | Top resolution | Max frame rate | Sensor | Focus and framing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tewiky | 1080p30 | 30fps | Not listed | Not listed |
| 1080p webcam with tripod | 1080p30 | 30fps | Not listed | Autofocus |
| Dell WB7022 | 4K | Not listed | Sony STARVIS | Autofocus |
| Facecam MK.2 | 1080p60 | 60fps | Not stated | Fixed |
| Brio 4K | 4K30 | 60fps | Not stated | Autofocus, 5x digital zoom |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Tewiky, sat in the under $50 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Brio 4K at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Webcams |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Tewiky, 1080p webcam with tripod |
| About $100 to $150 | Dell WB7022, Facecam MK.2 |
| About $150 to $250 | Brio 4K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Brio 4K worth paying more than the Tewiky?
On paper it adds top frame rate (60fps against 30fps). The Tewiky sat in the under $50 tier and the Brio 4K in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if top frame rate decides your purchase.
What makes the Tewiky the Lowest Price Here?
It carries the badge for undercutting the 1080p webcam with tripod on price when we checked. It is aimed at spending as little as possible, with the 1080p webcam with tripod the next step up.
Do the Tewiky and the Dell WB7022 differ on top resolution?
The Tewiky and the 1080p webcam with tripod use 1080p30; the Dell WB7022 uses 4K; the Facecam MK.2 uses 1080p60; the Brio 4K uses 4K30.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Tewiky and the 1080p webcam with tripod apart?
The Tewiky: a rotatable tripod. The 1080p webcam with tripod: a tripod in the box. The Dell WB7022: HDR.
Who should choose the Brio 4K?
The Brio 4K carries our Premium Pick label for the top of this price range, adding 65, 78 and 90-degree field-of-view settings. It ranks fifth of 5 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits spending more than the Facecam MK.2 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Tewiky, chosen for undercutting the 1080p webcam with tripod on price when we checked. Look at the 1080p webcam with tripod for a tripod in the box, the Dell WB7022 for HDR and the Facecam MK.2 for uncompressed 1080p60 output if those matter more to you.
Zoom compresses video, so face a window or lamp instead of spending more on resolution.