Buying Guide
The Best Webcams for Zoom Meetings
We weighed five webcams on top frame rate and top resolution, and the Tewiky costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
For video calls, clear 1080p, good auto exposure and a privacy cover matter most. Every pick cost $150 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these webcams on top resolution, max frame rate and sensor using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these webcams ourselves, and where a maker leaves out max frame rate, we say so.
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.
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
Galyimage 4K Webcam with Ring Light
A built-in ring light with three color temperatures.
Best for: Buyers who want built-in ring light with three color temperatures.
Our take Check price for Galyimage 4K Webcam with Ring Light (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
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)
Premium Pick
EMEET S600 4K Webcam
A Sony sensor at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for EMEET S600 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.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: top frame rate of 30fps, behind the Galyimage ring light (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 matches the 1080p webcam with tripod on top frame rate (30fps). It shares a 1080p30 top resolution with the 1080p webcam with tripod; the EMEET S600 goes with a 4K30 top resolution. It shares a privacy cover with the EMEET S600; the Acer A640 goes with a privacy shutter.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the 1080p webcam with tripod was closest. What it gives up: top frame rate of 30fps, behind the Galyimage ring light (60fps); by contrast, the Galyimage ring light offers 60fps.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 1080p30
- Max frame rate: 30fps
- Privacy: Privacy cover
Pros
- Rotatable tripod
- Wide-angle lens
- Noise-cancelling microphone
- Undercutting the 1080p webcam with tripod on price when we checked
Cons
- Top frame rate of 30fps, behind the Galyimage ring light (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 Galyimage ring light 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 shares a 1080p30 top resolution with the Tewiky; the EMEET S600 goes with a 4K30 top resolution. You get an autofocus focus and framing here, which sets it apart from the EMEET S600 and its a PDAF focus and framing.
It also comes with low-light correction. When we checked, only the Tewiky cost less, and the Galyimage ring light cost more. Top frame rate is its weakest area, and the Galyimage ring light covers it better at 60fps.
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
- Autofocus focus and framing, the only one here
Cons
- Top frame rate trails the Galyimage ring light (60fps)
- Costs more than the Tewiky at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
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
- Buyers who want built-in ring light with three color temperatures.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Tewiky, which cost less when we checked.
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 1080p webcam with tripod uses an autofocus focus and framing. You also get stepless dimming. 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 Acer A640 at the time of writing.
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
- Top frame rate of 60fps, ahead of the Tewiky
Cons
- Costs more than the Tewiky at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
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
- Skip it if price comes first: the Tewiky 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.
It matches the Galyimage ring light on top frame rate (60fps). It shares a PDAF focus and framing with the EMEET S600; the Galyimage ring light goes with a TOF autofocus focus and framing. You get a privacy shutter here, which sets it apart from the EMEET S600 and its a privacy cover.
It also offers 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 and cheaper picks cost less, and the EMEET S600 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
- Top frame rate of 60fps, ahead of the Tewiky
Cons
- Costs more than the Tewiky at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
EMEET S600 4K Webcam on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
EMEET's S600 pairs a Sony 4K sensor with phase-detect autofocus and a privacy cover.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Its top frame rate is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It is the budget 4K option here. No other pick in this guide offers a 4K30 top resolution; compare the Tewiky, which has a 1080p30 top resolution. Like the Acer A640, it has a PDAF focus and framing, while the 1080p webcam with tripod uses an autofocus focus and framing.
Like the Tewiky, it has a privacy cover, while the Acer A640 uses a privacy shutter. 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 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Acer A640 and the rest. The maker doesn't give its top frame rate; if that figure matters, the Galyimage ring light offers 60fps.
Key dimensions & specs
- Top resolution: 4K30
- Sensor: Sony 1/2.55in
- Focus and framing: PDAF
- Privacy: Privacy cover
Pros
- Sony sensor
- Phase-detect autofocus
- Privacy cover
- 4K30 top resolution, the only one here
Cons
- No published top frame rate
- Costs more than the Tewiky at the time of writing
How We Chose These Webcams for Zoom Meetings
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Privacy and extras
- We checked for shutters, microphones and software controls.
- Resolution and frame rate
- We recorded listed maximum resolution and frame rate.
- Focus and framing
- We checked autofocus type, AI framing and PTZ tracking.
- Sensor
- We noted sensor sizes and types where listed.
What to Look for in a Webcam for Zoom Meetings
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
Privacy shutter
A physical shutter or lens cover gives certainty the camera is off. Gimbal cameras can often point down instead.
Mounting
Most webcams clip to a monitor. A tripod thread lets you place the camera at eye level or off to the side.
Resolution versus frame rate
4K helps when you crop or zoom, but streams and calls usually send 1080p. For smooth motion on stream, 1080p60 matters more than 4K30.
Autofocus and framing
Phase-detect autofocus (PDAF) holds focus quickly. AI framing crops to follow you; a motorized PTZ gimbal physically turns the camera.
Software controls
Manual exposure, white balance and saved settings keep the image consistent across apps. Check the software runs on your system.
How to Choose a Webcam for Zoom Meetings
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | 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 built-in ring light with three color temperatures | Galyimage ring light | A built-in ring light with three color temperatures |
| Buyers who want 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps | Acer A640 | 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | EMEET S600 | A Sony sensor at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| 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 |
| Galyimage ring light | 4K30, 1080p60 | 60fps | Not listed | TOF autofocus |
| Acer A640 | 4K30, 1080p60 | 60fps | Sony 1/2.8in | PDAF |
| EMEET S600 | 4K30 | Not listed | Sony 1/2.55in | PDAF |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Webcams |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Tewiky, 1080p webcam with tripod, Galyimage ring light, Acer A640 |
| About $50 to $100 | EMEET S600 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these webcams compare on top frame rate?
The Galyimage ring light, at 60fps. The Acer A640 follows at 60fps, while the 1080p webcam with tripod has 30fps.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
The Tewiky cost the least when we checked, and the EMEET S600 sat at the top of the range. Prices move often, so check the current listing before buying.
Why does my webcam look grainy?
Usually the room is too dim. Face a window or add a key light before upgrading the camera.
Do they work on a Mac?
Most USB webcams work on macOS, but companion software can be Windows-only; check the product page.
Is a 4K webcam worth it for calls?
Mostly for the extra framing room and detail when cropping. Most call apps compress the image to 1080p or lower.
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 Galyimage ring light for a built-in ring light with three color temperatures and the Acer A640 for 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps if those matter more to you.
Place the camera at eye level; a laptop-height angle looks worse than any resolution.