Buying Guide
The Best HDR Webcams
From the Facecam Neo to the Link 2C: five webcams ranked on top frame rate and top resolution, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
HDR balances bright windows and faces in mixed light. Every pick supports HDR, ordered from the lowest price.
We sorted these picks by top resolution, max frame rate and sensor, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips max frame rate, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Elgato Facecam Neo Full HD WebcamThe lowest price among these webcams at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Dell WB7022 the next step up.
Check price for Elgato Facecam Neo Full HD Webcam on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Dell UltraSharp 4K Webcam WB7022HDR.
Best for: Buyers who want HDR.
Check price for Dell UltraSharp 4K Webcam WB7022 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Elgato Facecam MK.2Uncompressed 1080p60 output.
Best for: Buyers who want uncompressed 1080p60 output.
Check price for Elgato Facecam MK.2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Razer Kiyo V2 4K WebcamHDR.
Best for: Buyers who want HDR.
Check price for Razer Kiyo V2 4K Webcam on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Insta360 Link 2C 4K WebcamThe top of this price range, adding phase-detect autofocus.
Best for: Spending more than the Kiyo V2 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for Insta360 Link 2C 4K Webcam on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Elgato Facecam Neo Full HD Webcam
Elgato's Facecam Neo streams 1080p at 60fps with HDR and needs no software to set up.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Dell WB7022 the next step up.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
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.
The 1080p60 output keeps motion smoother with less blur, and the camera works on laptops, desktops and multi-monitor setups without extra drivers. Like the Facecam MK.2, it has a 1080p60 top resolution, while the Dell WB7022 uses a 4K top resolution. Like the Facecam MK.2, it has a privacy shutter, while the Link 2C uses a magnetic privacy cover.
It also comes with plug-and-play setup with no software needed. It undercut the Dell WB7022 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Top resolution
- 1080p60
- Max frame rate
- 60fps
- Privacy
- Privacy shutter
Pros
- 1080p at 60fps with HDR
- Plug-and-play setup with no software needed
- Easy-slide privacy shutter
- The lowest price among these webcams at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Dell UltraSharp 4K Webcam WB7022
The Dell WB7022 is built around HDR, with Teams certification on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want HDR.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Facecam Neo, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
A 4K top resolution is unique to it among these picks, while the Facecam MK.2 uses a 1080p60 top resolution. It shares a sony STARVIS sensor with the Kiyo V2; the Link 2C goes with a 1/2in sensor. You get an autofocus and framing here, which sets it apart from the Kiyo V2 and its an AI framing.
It also comes with HDR. 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 Facecam Neo cost less, and the Facecam MK.2 cost more. If you want a confirmed top frame rate, look to the Facecam Neo instead: it offers 60fps, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Top resolution
- 4K
- Sensor
- Sony STARVIS
- Focus and framing
- Autofocus
Pros
- HDR
- Teams certification
- 4K top resolution, the only one here
- Autofocus and framing, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Facecam Neo at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Elgato Facecam MK.2
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
- Skip it if price comes first: the Facecam Neo cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is built for streaming rather than calls. It records uncompressed 1080p60, and Camera Hub offers DSLR-like image controls. Like the Facecam Neo, it has a 1080p60 top resolution, while the Kiyo V2 uses a 4K30 top resolution.
No other pick in this guide offers a fixed focus and framing; compare the Dell WB7022, which has an autofocus and framing. Like the Facecam Neo, it has a privacy shutter, while the Link 2C uses a magnetic privacy cover. You also get this: HDR at 1080p30. Its price falls between the Dell WB7022 and the Kiyo V2, based on our last check.
Key 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
- Fixed focus and framing, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Facecam Neo at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Razer Kiyo V2 4K Webcam
Razer's Kiyo V2 records 4K30 with HDR on a Sony STARVIS sensor.
Best for
- Buyers who want HDR.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Facecam Neo, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Synapse exposes ISO and shutter controls. Like the Link 2C, it has a 4K30 top resolution, while the Facecam Neo uses a 1080p60 top resolution. Like the Dell WB7022, it has a sony STARVIS sensor, while the Link 2C uses a 1/2in sensor.
It is the only pick here with an AI framing; the Dell WB7022 has an autofocus and framing instead. It also comes with HDR and AI framing. 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 fourth of 5, between the cheaper Facecam MK.2 and the pricier Link 2C, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its top frame rate; if that figure matters, the Facecam Neo offers 60fps.
Key specs
- Top resolution
- 4K30
- Sensor
- Sony STARVIS
- Focus and framing
- AI framing
- Privacy
- Not stated
Pros
- HDR
- ISO and shutter control in Synapse
- AI framing
Cons
- Costs more than the Facecam Neo at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Insta360 Link 2C 4K Webcam
Insta360's Link 2C uses a 1/2in sensor with phase-detect autofocus and AI framing, without a gimbal.
Best for
- Spending more than the Kiyo V2 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Facecam Neo, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
A magnetic cover closes the lens. It shares a 4K30 top resolution with the Kiyo V2; the Dell WB7022 goes with a 4K top resolution. A 1/2in sensor is unique to it among these picks, while the Kiyo V2 uses a sony STARVIS sensor.
A magnetic privacy cover is unique to it among these picks, while the Facecam MK.2 uses a privacy shutter. It also comes with HDR and AI noise cancelling on the mic. 4K output needs a USB 3 port and an app that accepts 4K; most video-call apps send 1080p or less. Only the Kiyo V2 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- Top resolution
- 4K30
- Sensor
- 1/2in
- Focus and framing
- PDAF, AI auto framing
- Privacy
- Magnetic privacy cover
Pros
- Phase-detect autofocus
- HDR
- AI noise cancelling on the mic
- 1/2in sensor, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Facecam Neo at the time of writing
The catch
There is no published top frame rate figure, whereas the Facecam Neo offers 60fps.
How We Chose These HDR Webcams
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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five webcams on top resolution, top frame rate, sensor and focus and framing, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out top frame rate.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Facecam Neo to the Link 2C, state top resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Dell WB7022, the Kiyo V2 and the Link 2C give no top frame rate; the Facecam Neo and the Facecam MK.2 give no sensor.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Facecam Neo ($50 to $100) to the Link 2C ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in an HDR Webcam
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Sensor
The Dell WB7022 and the Kiyo V2 list Sony STARVIS; the Link 2C lists 1/2in. Sort out sensor before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 2 and 1.
Privacy
The Facecam Neo and the Facecam MK.2 list privacy shutter; the Link 2C lists magnetic privacy cover. Sort out privacy before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 2 and 1.
A streaming desk with a ring light, a mic arm and monitors Features beyond the spec table
The Facecam MK.2: HDR at 1080p30. The Kiyo V2: ISO and shutter control in Synapse. The Link 2C: HDR.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the Facecam Neo; $100 to $150 buys the Dell WB7022, the Facecam MK.2, the Kiyo V2 and the Link 2C at our last check.
A gaming room with a lit desk, a monitor and shelves of collectibles Match the pick to your priority
Spending as little as possible, with the Dell WB7022 the next step up: the Facecam Neo. Spending more than the Kiyo V2 costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Link 2C.
How to Choose an HDR Webcam
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the Dell WB7022 the next step up | Facecam Neo | The lowest price among these webcams at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want HDR | Dell WB7022 | HDR |
| Buyers who want uncompressed 1080p60 output | Facecam MK.2 | Uncompressed 1080p60 output |
| Buyers who want HDR | Kiyo V2 | HDR |
| Spending more than the Kiyo V2 costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Link 2C | The top of this price range, adding phase-detect autofocus |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Facecam Neo, the Dell WB7022 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Webcam | Top resolution | Max frame rate | Sensor | Focus and framing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facecam Neo | 1080p60 | 60fps | Not listed | Not listed |
| Dell WB7022 | 4K | Not listed | Sony STARVIS | Autofocus |
| Facecam MK.2 | 1080p60 | 60fps | Not stated | Fixed |
| Kiyo V2 | 4K30 | Not listed | Sony STARVIS | AI framing |
| Link 2C | 4K30 | Not listed | 1/2in | PDAF, AI auto framing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Facecam Neo, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Link 2C at $100 to $150; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Webcams |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Facecam Neo |
| About $100 to $150 | Dell WB7022, Facecam MK.2, Kiyo V2, Link 2C |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Facecam Neo the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the lowest price among these webcams at the time of writing. It suits spending as little as possible, with the Dell WB7022 the next step up.
Do the Facecam Neo and the Dell WB7022 differ on top resolution?
The Facecam Neo and the Facecam MK.2 use 1080p60; the Dell WB7022 uses 4K; the Kiyo V2 and the Link 2C use 4K30.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Facecam Neo and the Dell WB7022 apart?
The Facecam Neo: 1080p at 60fps with HDR. The Dell WB7022: HDR. The Facecam MK.2: uncompressed 1080p60 output.
Who should choose the Link 2C?
The Link 2C carries our Premium Pick label for the top of this price range, adding phase-detect autofocus. It ranks fifth of 5 here and sat in the $100 to $150 tier at our last price check; it suits spending more than the Kiyo V2 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Should I pick the Facecam Neo or the Link 2C?
The Facecam Neo suits spending as little as possible, with the Dell WB7022 the next step up; the Link 2C suits spending more than the Kiyo V2 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Facecam Neo, chosen for the lowest price among these webcams at the time of writing. Look at the Dell WB7022 for HDR, the Facecam MK.2 for uncompressed 1080p60 output and the Kiyo V2 for HDR if those matter more to you.
HDR can lower frame rate; test both modes.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Webcams for Streaming
- Related guideThe Best 4K Webcams
- Related guideThe Best Webcams for Streaming
- Lower budgetThe Best Webcams Under $40
- Similar guideThe Best 1080p Webcams
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Webcam for Your PC
- ExplainerWebcam Features Explained: What Is Worth Paying For?
- Also see: microphonesUSB vs XLR microphones: what each needs and what each gives you
- Similar guideThe Best 4K Gaming Webcams
- Topic hubAll webcams and streaming gear guides
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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