Nowadays, most laptops and tablets come with built-in webcams – it’s even possible to do some video conferencing via your phone if you so wish – but for the best webcam experience possible, it’s worth investing in a dedicated option.
Part of the problem is that too many built-in webcams are capped at a 720p resolution which doesn’t exactly push the boat out when it comes to making you look your best on camera. By comparison, there are tons of 1080p webcams on the market and even a handful of 4K options that can help you to stand out on your next video call.
We’ve reviewed numerous webcams over the years, and so have picked the highest scoring options for you to peruse in this very list. We’ve also made sure to pick a variety from budget options to those that excel at streaming.
If you’re looking to upgrade more than just your webcam, you can also check out our round-ups of the best monitors as well as the best wireless keyboards. For all things webcams, just keep on reading.
- Best webcam: Obsbot Meet 2 – check price
- Best for motion tracking: Insta360 Link 2 – check price
- Best HD webcam for versitility : Logitech StreamCam – check price
- Best budget webcam: Logitech Brio 100 – check price
- Best for software: Elgato Facecam MK.2 – check price
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Learn more about how we test webcams
We use every webcam we test as our main device for video conferencing throughout the review period, while also running its proprietary software through its paces.
We’ll also check the device’s compatibility with more widely available software for professionals and content creators, as well as testing all the features.

Obsbot Meet 2
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Super fast autofocus
- Great software
Cons
- The lens cover could get lost easily
- Background noise cancellation could be better
- HDR capabilities are lacking

Insta360 Link 2
Pros
- Great image quality
- Reliable autofocus and tracking
- Improved microphone
- Impressive AI noise reduction
Cons
- No roll axis
- Noisy image in low-light
- Gesture controls are hit-and-miss

Logitech StreamCam
Pros
- Sleek, grey design
- Convenient mounting solution
- Smooth and detailed output
Cons
- No HDR can cause images to lack a bit of pop
- Lack of 4K output may turn some off

Logitech Brio 100
Pros
- Compact frame is easy to mount
- Decent detail on displayed images
- Options+ offers solid customisation
Cons
- Uninspiring looks
- Privacy shutter attachment is a little odd

Elgato Facecam MK.2
Pros
- Smooth 1080p/60fps output in well-lit environments
- Easy to mount
- Clever software with Nvidia AI integration
Cons
- Noisy low light output by default
- Lacks a microphone

Obsbot Meet 2
Best webcamPros
- Excellent image quality
- Super fast autofocus
- Great software
Cons
- The lens cover could get lost easily
- Background noise cancellation could be better
- HDR capabilities are lacking
It says a lot about a company when the only device that can outdo its flagship product is another device released by that same company. That’s exactly where we find ourselves with the extraordinary Obsbot Meet 2 which has dethroned the Obsbot Tiny 2 Lite to become our favourite webcam of the moment.
This is a device that truly defies all logic. Not only is it compact and fairly affordable, it also boasts some of the best image quality that we’ve ever seen on a webcam, so it shouldn’t be too surprising to understand why it rates so highly.
Starting with video quality, the Meet 2’s 1/2-inch 48MP CMOS sensor is able to capture video at up to 4K 30fps. Our test footage depicted a very natural-looking level of colour reproduction, although if you want to tweak the capture to highlight certain colours then the included Obsbot software gives you that freedom.
The autofocus is also incredibly fast, so if you’re a content creator who regularly talks about products then you’ll appreciate what’s available here. Just hold up a product or device in front of the Meet 2 and the focus will quickly and reliably snap to the object. Remove it from the frame and the autofocus will latch back on to you. It’s really that simple.
To top it all off, the Obsbot Meet 2’s compact and squared-off design means that it doesn’t take up much space on your monitor, and it’s easily transportable as a result. The only major downside is that there’s no built-in lens cover to protect your privacy when the device is not in use. There is a magnetic lens cap included but this can become lost easily if you’re not careful. Still, it’s a minor gripe on what is otherwise an exceptional webcam.

Insta360 Link 2
Best for motion trackingPros
- Great image quality
- Reliable autofocus and tracking
- Improved microphone
- Impressive AI noise reduction
Cons
- No roll axis
- Noisy image in low-light
- Gesture controls are hit-and-miss
When Insta360 brought its first ever webcam to market, we were immediately impressed. The Insta360 Link left you wanting for nothing where features were concerned, but it did have a pretty high price point as a result. Luckily, Insta360 shook things up in the successor by launching the Insta360 Link 2 with the far more reasonable RRP of £199.99/$199.99.
While there’s a case to be made that the Insta360 Link 2 is the best option to go for if your budget stretches further than the price point of the Obsbot Meet 2, we reckon that it’s actually the best bet for streamers and content creators who would benefit from seamless motion tracking.
Thanks to its two-axis pan and tilt gimbal, the Link 2 is able to follow you around the room, all whilst keeping you in frame and in focus. If you’re a streamer who tends to move around at their desk then you’ll appreciate the peace of mind in knowing that you don’t have to constantly check that you’re correctly framed.
In fact, that tracking also extends to multiple people at once, so if you’re filming an interview then the Link 2 will make sure that all the key players are always kept in the shot.
Even though we recommend that streamers use a dedicated mic for audio capture, the Link 2, at the very least, is no slouch in this department. Not only is there a new and improved mic that allows for better clarity in voice capture, but there’s also an AI-powered Voice Suppression which cuts down on external noise so that your voice can be picked up in a crowd.

Logitech StreamCam
Best HD webcam for versitilityPros
- Sleek, grey design
- Convenient mounting solution
- Smooth and detailed output
Cons
- No HDR can cause images to lack a bit of pop
- Lack of 4K output may turn some off
The Logitech StreamCam scored an almost faultless 4.5 stars from us. It offers a sleek and modern design, with our reviewer noting that the size and shape make it the centrepiece of your streaming setup. The StreamCam is predominantly made of plastic and carries a reassuring heft which reinforces the excellent build quality. We liked the inclusion of fabric around the lens as it added some more texture and personality to the otherwise plastic shell.
We found mounting the StreamCam to be easy as it comes with a secure-clip-in system that gives you the chance to use it in portrait and landscape orientations. It also comes with the standard tripod thread at the bottom, giving it even more versatility.
This webcam is capable of outputting video in Full HD (1080p) at 60fps. We felt that it provided an excellent amount of detail and smooth motion, making it a joy to use for streamers. The face-tracking and Auto Framing features were particularly coherent, making it very easy for us to stay in frame and in focus even while moving around.
If you are interested in a high-end webcam, you might want to consider the Insta360 Link 2 or the Obsbot Meet 2, both of which can capture content in 4K resolution. As you would expect, these 4K webcams are a lot more expensive than the StreamCam, so you’ll have to decide if a higher resolution is more of a priority than an affordable price tag.
Overall, if you’re after smooth footage and a polished and mature design, the StreamCam ticks all these boxes. It may even be the best choice for streamers who are first starting out or those who are constantly engaged in work calls since it has support for all third-party video call services including Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

Logitech Brio 100
Best budget webcamPros
- Compact frame is easy to mount
- Decent detail on displayed images
- Options+ offers solid customisation
Cons
- Uninspiring looks
- Privacy shutter attachment is a little odd
Logitech is at the top of the mountain when it comes to home working peripherals and its range of webcams is a key part of that. It doesn’t just do high-end either, and we rate the Logitech Brio 100 as the best budget webcam you can buy.
Affordability really is what makes the Brio 100 such a great pick but, of course, that has to be backed up by quality to make it value for money. It comes with a 1080p resolution and up to 30fps. We found the visuals to be up to a good quality, especially for such a cheap option. It’s auto-light balancing feature also worked like a treat too. The Brio 100 comes with a built-in microphone, which was crisp and clear.
The frame of the webcam makes it easy to mount on a monitor, while the Logi Options+ software brings handy customisation options. And, for your peace of mind, there’s a privacy shutter attachment too.

Elgato Facecam MK.2
Best for softwarePros
- Smooth 1080p/60fps output in well-lit environments
- Easy to mount
- Clever software with Nvidia AI integration
Cons
- Noisy low light output by default
- Lacks a microphone
The Elgato Facecam MK.2 is a refreshingly easy to use webcam that is supported by the Elgato Camera Hub, a software that’s packed with extra tools and features.
The software is easy to install and connects seamlessly to the Facecam MK.2 without a hitch. Camera Hub is then split into three tabs including Camera which boasts heaps of configuration options for the Facecam MK.2 such as face tracking, zoom, pan and settings to adjust the camera’s exposure too.
Next there’s the Effects tab which is home to AI powered features and effects, including Nvidia’s AR Eye Contact function. While this requires an extra download of a separate Nvidia SDK, it essentially uses AI to ensure you maintain eye contact with the webcam. In doing so, it removes the reflection in your eyes for, what we call, an “intriguing experience” but is a useful tool nonetheless.
Effects also allows you to mirror or flip the webcam’s orientation, enable a simple background blur and overall adjust how you appear on screen.
Finally the Camera Hub hosts the Prompter tab which works alongside Elgato’s Teleprompter accessory (sold separately) for easy reading while recording.
Software aside, the Facecam MK.2 offers a smooth and reasonably detailed picture. Opting for 1080p/60fps, in well-lit environments we found the camera balanced light well however we did find that its low light performance isn’t great.
In fact we found the Facecam MK.2’s output in darker conditions can appear quite noisy compared to the similarly priced Logitech StreamCam.
Mounting the Facecam MK.2 is simple too, whether you opt for it on top of your monitor or you utilise the screw-in metal base which reveals a tripod thread. Just note that this webcam isn’t fitted with a microphone, so be sure to visit our best microphones list to find the perfect companion.
If you’re looking for the very best image quality available, then a 4K webcam is definitely worth considering. They may cost a fair bit more than a more standard 1080p option though.
A dedicated webcam will generally be better than a laptop camera, given the higher resolutions they typically offer for more detailed and better quality images, as well as (in some cases) the additional features with an additional suite of software.
Test Data
Obsbot Meet 2 | Insta360 Link 2 | Logitech StreamCam | Logitech Brio 100 | Elgato Facecam MK.2 |
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Full Specs
Obsbot Meet 2 Review | Insta360 Link 2 Review | Logitech StreamCam Review | Logitech Brio 100 Review | Elgato Facecam MK.2 Review | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
UK RRP | £129 | – | £139 | £44.99 | £149.99 |
USA RRP | $129 | $199 | $170 | $39.99 | $149.99 |
EU RRP | – | – | – | – | €149.99 |
Manufacturer | – | Insta360 | Logitech | Logitech | Elgato |
IP rating | – | – | IP57 | IP57 | No |
Size (Dimensions) | x x INCHES | x x INCHES | 58 x 66 x 48 MM | 72.91 x 66.64 x 31.91 MM | 84 x 61 x 38 MM |
Weight | – | – | 150 G | 75 G | 90 G |
ASIN | – | – | B07W4DHNBF | B0CDGHRV61 | – |
Release Date | 2021 | 2024 | 2021 | 2023 | 2024 |
First Reviewed Date | – | – | 24/05/2023 | 17/01/2024 | 28/03/2024 |
Zoom | – | – | – | – | No |
Autofocus | – | – | No | – | – |