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Best Webcam for Streaming

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Webcams are one of the most essential tools for new live streamers, as they’re a portal that connects you to your viewers. Viewers can interact with the streamer in near real-time and see their face and reaction, which creates an emotional connection.

Having a face behind the brand has been studied thoroughly and keeps viewers returning, far more than opting out of using a webcam or DSLR camera.

Are you looking for the best webcam for streaming? Look no further. I’ve compiled the best webcams on the market today. Learn about their many features as well as their pros and cons in this article.

What to Look for in a Webcam for Twitch

Buying a dedicated webcam for streaming isn’t the easiest task. As a streamer, you’ll need to know the key features that a good streaming webcam should have. Here are some things you should look for to get the best webcam for your live-streaming sessions.

  • trophy

    Video Quality

    This is the most important quality of a webcam. A good webcam should be able to provide good video quality. Since you’ll be streaming, look for the resolution and frame rate it can support. You’ll probably want to look for a webcam that offers 720p at 60fps or 1080p at 30fps. This is usually the streaming specifications resolution needed by Twitch and other platforms.

    Apart from that, you should also look for auto-focus, auto white balance, smart exposure, light correction, and background replacement features. Not all of these are required, but they are nice to have.

    It’s crucial that your get great picture quality with your chosen webcam. This way, you’ll be confident to produce high-quality streams that your audience will surely appreciate.

  • adjustments

    Compatibility

    Your streaming camera should be compatible with your PC. You need to check two things for this. First is the operating system needed by the webcam. Second is the webcam connectivity option.

    Now, most webcams work with all of the current OS. However, do check which version it works with. You may be stuck on an old OS version, so your webcam cannot be supported.

    In the same way, you should be aware of how your webcam can connect to your setup. Some webcams are plug-and-play. Their port options may be USB-A or Type-C. On the other hand, other brands offer wireless connectivity options via Bluetooth.

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    Mounting Options

    It’s wise to consider how the webcam will fit into your streaming setup. Most webcams can be clipped to your monitor or can be mounted on a tripod. Others can even be wall-mounted. Look for a webcam with the mounting option best suits your workspace.

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    Price

    Makes sure that you look for a webcam that fits your budget. The best way to do this is to create a list of the most essential features you want your streaming webcam to have.

    With that list, you can narrow down the best webcam choices for your set budget. And don’t worry. There are plenty of affordable yet high-quality webcams for streaming on the market.

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    Other Features

    Most webcams today offer extra features that add value to the device. What’s prominent now is built-in microphones that help novice streamers get a video and audio recording device. A few of these webcams have mics that can also help block out background noise. Apart from that, some webcams offer built-in ring lights that help with lighting.

Best Webcams for Twitch

From this list, you’ll find the best streaming webcam for you. I’ve also included budget webcams for those who have only begun their Twitch-streaming journey.

Logitech-HD-C920 camera

Logitech C920

Features

  • Full HD 1080p
  • Video compression
  • 78° Field of View
  • check Light correction
  • check Autofocus
  • check Built-in Stereo Mics
  • close Only has basic features (unlike the C922)
  • close Audio quality is muffled

The Logitech C920 has become an industry staple in video content creation and the live-streaming community. It’s relatively cheap and produces a clean, full HD signal. It’s easily mountable, and lightweight, making it a versatile camera, and Logitech provides software to give some user control. The C920 can be found for around $85.

As it is a value-orientated option, it does lack some key features that other cameras provide. The C920 can only hit a maximum of 30fps and doesn’t save the settings locally on the camera. You must readjust the settings manually if you plug the camera into another PC or Mac.

Another downside is that it has a non-detachable cable. If the cable fails, it can’t be replaced to continue using the camera; you will likely have to invest in another webcam.

logitech-c922 webcam

Logitech C922 Pro

Features

  • 78° Field of View
  • 1080p 30fps and 720p 60fps options for streaming
  • check Autofocus
  • check Light correction
  • check Built-in Stereo Mics
  • check Background replacement
  • close Background replacement features can cause issues

If you are looking for one of the best pro options for webcams, this might be the one for you. This Logitech webcam offers a ton of pro features you’ll surely appreciate. It’s specifically designed for streamers too!

This is the best cheap webcam you can find on the market today. You get HD video quality with its 1080p 30fps or 720p 60fps max resolution options. It has an amazing autofocus feature and light correction, perfect for low-light environments.

The webcam has built-in microphones as well. Lastly, the C922 Pro also comes with a 3-month premium license for the XSplit video and audio mixing application.

logitech streamcam

Logitech Streamcam

Features

  • Full HD 1080P at 60 fps
  • Smart auto-focus
  • 90° Field of View
  • check Auto-focus and exposure
  • check Two front-facing mics
  • close Not good in low light

Logitech’s Streamcam is its modernized solution for live streaming. It can produce 1920×1080 at 60FPS to give a really sharp and fluid feed. Unlike the C920, Logitech provides bespoke software to manage the camera’s settings, such as video fidelity, the field of view adjustments, and framerate. These settings are saved on the camera locally, allowing you to move the camera between setups easily.

Another advantage is that the Streamcam can be mounted vertically for live streamers that use services such as YouTube Shorts, Tiktok, or Twitter; having a 9:16 aspect ratio to record is incredibly convenient. Like the C920, it also has a non-detachable cable, so you may fall into the same issue if your cable fails as the C920. With all these extra features and comforts, it commands a significantly higher price of $180.

Razer kiyo pro

Razer Kiyo Pro

Features

  • 1080p 60FPS
  • HDR-Enabled
  • Wide-Angle Lens with Adjustable FOV (80°, 90°, 103°)
  • check Adjustable FOV
  • check Adaptive light sensor
  • check Autofocus
  • check Allows for tripod mounting
  • close No built-in ring light like the original Razer Kiyo

The Kiyo Pro is Razer’s way of producing the “Best-in-class” webcam for streaming. Like the Streamcam, the Kiyo Pro can output at a Full HD Resolution of 1920×1080 at 60FPS. It also has the added feature of switching to HDR mode, giving a massive bump in dynamic range, and making the highlights and shadows pop.

The sensor itself is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, making the webcam extremely durable when paired with its durable construction. Unlike the Logitech solution, it comes with a detachable USB-C cable. If the cable fails, it’s easily replaced, saving you from purchasing a new webcam.

Lastly, Razer also includes a privacy cover for the camera, so when you’re finished streaming, you can cover the webcam, and rest assured that your privacy is protected.

razer-kiyo webcam

Razer Kiyo

Features

  • 1080p 30 FPS/720 p 60 FPS
  • Adjustable Brightness Ring Light
  • Advanced Autofocus
  • check Sleek design
  • check LED ring lighting with adjustable brightness levels
  • close Not the best audio quality for the built-in microphone

The Razer Kiyo is an older version of the Razer Kiyo Pro. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles like HDR, more protective glass, and Full HD 60fps output, but it can still produce a Full HD 30fps signal, and if you’re willing to drop the quality, it can output 1280×720 at 60FPS.

Another great feature is that it has a built-in ring light, which is very appealing for beginner content creators as it may save the need for purchasing lighting. The LED light can get quite bright, so it’s recommended that you situate it at least a foot away.

Like the Razer Kiyo Pro, it also has autofocus, so the camera will keep you in focus regardless of how close or far you are from the sensor. This is the best budget webcam on the market. And with today’s best deals, you can get it at its lowest price on Amazon.

logitech-brio webcam

Logitech Brio Webcam

Features

  • Up to 4K Ultra HD Recording
  • 5x Digital Zoom
  • Adjustable Field of View (65°, 78°, 90°)
  • check Autofocus and exposure
  • check Adjustable FOV
  • check Facial recognition
  • check Built-in dual stereo mics with noise-canceling capabilities
  • close Does not have an optical zoom
  • close Inconsistent build material

The Logitech Brio initially started a business-orientated webcam and has gained a lot of traction in the live streaming and content creation community. The Logitech brio is uniquely situated from the other webcam offerings, as it can push 4K at 30FPS. This gives the Logitech Brio the highest resolution and the most detailed picture quality.

It has a similar mounting system to the other Logitech cameras. It isn’t easy to justify the Logitech Brio’s price tag when you are squishing down your webcam on live stream sessions, so a webcam with 1080P 30FPS output will look almost identical.

Although the Logitech brio has the best picture quality, it’s difficult to recommend due to its high price, as a little further investment can yield a DSLR camera.

Microsoft LifeCam Studio

Microsoft LifeCam Studio

Features

  • 75° Field of Vision
  • 360° Rotation
  • check 1080p 30fps for streaming
  • check Autofocus
  • check Exposure control
  • check Built-in Mic
  • check Affordable
  • check Allows for tripod mounting
  • close Slow auto-focus adjustment
  • close Not the best audio quality for the built-in microphone

This is one of the best webcams on the market. Not only is it great for streaming but also for video calls during virtual meetings. This webcam uses TrueTone technology that produces excellent image quality in the process.

In addition, the Microsoft LifeCam Studio webcam has a 360-degree rotation and a 75-degree FOV. With this high-resolution webcam, you get smooth video conferencing and streaming too. Furthermore, the stereo audio quality of its mics is amazing.

Elgato FaceCam

Elgato FaceCam

Features

  • 1080p 60fps uncompressed video
  • 82° Field of View
  • Fixed focus
  • check Easy to use
  • check Has privacy cap
  • check Flash memory
  • check Allows for tripod mounting
  • close No autofocus
  • close Uses USB 3.0

The Elgato FaceCam is a modern-looking webcam that provides the best image quality imaginable. It’s one of the webcams specifically tailored for content creators. As a streamer, you’ll get a premium webcam that is easy to use and makes you look good too.

It has a built-in heat sink, so you don’t have to worry about it heating up when used continuously. The FaceCam also comes with a flash memory card. You can save your preferred camera settings in the device itself. With this webcam, you’ll get professional-looking videos with ease.

Dell UltraSharp Webcam

Dell UltraSharp Webcam

Features

  • 4K 30fps or 1080p 60fps options
  • Adjustable Field of View (65°, 78°, 90°)
  • check Well-built and beautiful design
  • check Excellent picture quality
  • check Adjustable FOV
  • check Light correction
  • check Great for low-light environments
  • close Does not have built-in mics
  • close Can heat up when used for long hours

The Dell UltraSharp Webcam has impressive video quality that’s great for live streaming and personal use. This webcam has customizable settings that you can tweak using its Dell Peripheral software.

This is one be the best webcams that work well in natural lighting. This is thanks to the webcam’s 4K Sony STARVIS CMOS sensors. Moreover, it has an impressive AI auto-framing feature that keeps you focused throughout your live streams.

The features don’t stop there. Dell has prioritized privacy and has included a privacy shutter cap that snaps into place when the webcam is not in use. It supports facial recognition as well.

Logitech Mevo Start

Logitech Mevo Start

Features

  • 1080p 30fps
  • Fixed focus
  • 83° Field of View
  • 2.3x Max Zoom
  • check Easy to use
  • check Connects via USB-C
  • check Built-in microphones
  • check Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity
  • check Allows for tripod mounting
  • close Limited zoom
  • close Apps can be confusing
  • close Does not have auto-focus

This is the best Logitech webcam today. It’s a high-quality webcam that’s perfect for streaming platforms like Twitch, Youtube, Facebook, and many more. This webcam allows you to stream video content clearly and seamlessly.

It has a high dynamic range, white balance presets, and an adjustable exposure setting that’ll ensure you produce professional, high-quality videos.

What’s more, the Mevo Start packs its own battery, letting you stream or record up to 6 hours of content. With this, you have the option to use it wired or wirelessly. This state-of-the-art camera has built-in microphones too.

Frequently Asked Questions

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    Which Webcam Do Streamers Use?

    Many streamers typically use a Logitech webcam, such as the Logitech C920 and C922, as they’re good for the price, and there are plenty of community tutorials to make them look better. As streaming is getting more popular, new webcams on the market have higher fidelity, better framerates, and in some cases, HDR support, such as the Razer Kiyo Pro.

    For a new streamer, looking at the latest offerings might be worthwhile to give yourself an edge over the ordinary streamer.

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    Do You Need a Webcam to Stream?

    You do not need a webcam to begin streaming, and there are case studies of successful streamers who don’t use a webcam. Although this is true, streaming is becoming very competitive, and one of the distinguishing factors of your stream is yourself!

    Investing in a webcam creates a connection between yourself and the viewer, as they can see and react to your responses in real-time.

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    Is a 720p Webcam Good Enough for Streaming?

    720p is perfectly fine for a beginner. Most webcams will be squished down on the screen, so having a 1280×720 webcam will provide enough detail for the viewer.

    If you’re just a chatting streamer that uses their webcam fully blown up, then it might be worthwhile considering a 1080p webcam like a Logitech Streamcam or Razer Kiyo.

Conclusion

It’s important to get yourself quality streaming gear for your setup. This ensures quality outputs and durable equipment. A good webcam can help you to produce high-quality streams that’ll help you gain more viewers. I hope this article has helped you decide on the right webcam for your streaming needs.

About the Author

Igi

Igi is a Content Strategist from England and makes streams on Twitch and YouTube. He's big into self-improvement and loves fitness! He excels at data analysis and experimenting with new ideas.

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