The Best Webcams In Test 2020: Which USB Camera Should You Buy?

placement	model	price	offer
Price-performance tip:	Logitech C920 HD Pro	about 90 euros	To Amazon *
Full HD camera:	Logitech C922 Pro	approx. 120 euros	To Amazon *
4K webcam:	Logitech Brio	approx. 240 euros	To Amazon *
With lighting:	Razer Kiyo	about 90 euros	To Amazon *

Note: Despite the removal of many contact restrictions, webcams are still mostly only available at higher prices. We have adjusted the prices accordingly. (As of: July 15th, 2020).

The best webcam with full HD resolution: Logitech C922 Pro

Facts:

• Price: currently around 115–120 euros
• Maximum resolution: 1,920 x 1080 pixels (1080p)
• Frame rate: 30 FPS (1080p), 60 FPS (720p)
• Exposure compensation: yes
• Field of view: 78 degrees
• Auto focus: Yes
• HDR: No.
• Connection: USB-A

Particularities:

• 3 months premium license for XSplit included with purchase
• Table tripod included

Logitech has long offered the leading webcam on the market with the "C920" model. With the C922 Pro, a slightly revised successor has been developed that supports not only the Full HD resolution with 30 frames per second but also HD resolution with 60 FPS. With Logitech's camera software, you can also create an artificial green screen. However, this also requires more PC power than is usually required for a webcam. If you are looking for the best 1080p webcam currently available, you should take a look at the Logitech C922 Pro. Streamers in particular benefit from the option of being able to transmit at 60 FPS. In addition, you will receive a three-month premium license for the streaming software "XSplit" when you buy.

Logitech C922 Pro, Full HD (1080p), black

Now from € 119.00 at Mediamarkt Similar offer at Amazon price comparison price can now be higher. Price from 26.07.2020 10:25 p.m.

The best 4K webcam: Logitech Brio

Facts:

• Price: currently around 195–240 euros
• Maximum resolution: UHD (4K)
• Frame rate: 30 FPS (4K), 60 FPS (1080p), 90 FPS (720p)
• Field of view: 90, 78, 65 degrees
• Auto focus: Yes
• HDR: yes
• Connection: USB-A (3.0 for 4K, 2.0 for 1080p)

Particularities:

• HDR mode
• Better exposure with "RightLight 3"
• "Windows Hello" compatible (from Windows 10)
• Cover panel included
• Transport case included
• 12 months premium license for XSplit included with purchase

The “Logitech Brio” currently offers the best equipment among the webcams. If you want to transfer your videos in 4K resolution, you will find the right camera here. It is more suitable for business-level conference calls, but is also aimed at streamers. Even with a Full HD resolution, the Brio manages up to 60 frames per second. If you want to use the full resolution, you need at least one USB 3.0 port. A unique selling point of the Brio is the variable field of vision. Here you can choose between 90, 78 or 65 degrees. Thanks to the built-in sensors, the "Windows Hello" function can also be used to verify and log on to your own PC. In low light conditions, HDR and the automatic exposure control "RightLight 3" help. Streamers also enjoy the free,12-month premium license for the streaming tool "XSplit".

Logitech Brio, 4K UHD, black

Now from € 249.00 at Mediamarkt Similar offer at Amazon price comparison Price can now be higher. Price from 26.07.2020 10:31 p.m.

The best webcam for value for money: Logitech C920 HD Pro

Facts:

• Price: currently around 67–97 euros
• Maximum resolution: 30 FPS (1080p, 720p)
• Frame rate: 30 FPS
• Field of view: 78 degrees
• Auto focus: Yes
• HDR: No.
• Connection: USB-A

Particularities:

If you are looking for the best performance for less money, you can access the Logitech C920 HD Pro package, which is now old but still powerful. In terms of image quality, the webcam practically does not differ from the successor “C922” mentioned above. If you are streaming at 30 frames per second or if you mainly want to make video calls with good quality, you can save around 20 to 30 euros with the former leader "C920 HD Pro". However, you have to do without 60 FPS in this model. Computer Bild's webcam test also placed the popular camera in second place and awarded it a grade of 1.9 (good). If you want to take a larger section of your own space, the "Logitech C930e" model offers an alternative with a 90-degree field of view that is technically and economically in the same league.

Logitech C920 HD Pro, Full-HD (1080p), black

Now from € 106.25 at Mediamarkt Similar offer at Amazon price comparison price can now be higher. Price from 26.07.2020 23:57

The best webcam with lighting: Razer Kiyo

Facts:

• Price: currently around 88-117 euros
• Maximum resolution: 1080p
• Frame rate: 30 FPS (1080p, 480p, 360p), 60 FPS (720p)
• Field of view: 81.6 degrees
• Auto focus: Yes
• HDR: No.
• Connection: USB-A

Particularities:

Ring light adjustable in stages

The Razer Kiyo is clearly aimed at streamers and gamers who benefit from better illumination of the face. With the adjustable ring light around the camera lens, a light source can be switched on step by step in order to be able to take good pictures even in dark rooms. It's a great option for aspiring streamers who don't yet want to invest money in a softbox setup. The image of the webcam can also be adjusted using Razer's "Synapse 3" software. If you want to transmit at 60 FPS, you have to switch down to HD resolution. When it comes to autofocus, the Kiyo occasionally shows weaknesses. In the Computer Bild test, the Razer Kiyo was able to convince with a school grade of 1.7 (good) and 1st place.

Razer Kiyo Full-HD (1080p), ring light, 60 FPS (720p), black

Now from € 158.46 at Amazon price comparison price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 1:14 a.m.

Webcams: Interesting facts before buying

Below we answer some questions that might arise when buying a webcam depending on the purpose.

How important is the resolution?

In general, a Full HD resolution (1080p) is completely sufficient for most application scenarios. If you want to use your webcam for a streaming channel on Twitch or YouTube, for example, you don't have to rely on higher-resolution cameras. As a rule, the image is shown reduced in size at the edge of the stream. Here Full HD is enough for a sharp picture. The image optimization options and the exposure control of the camera are more important in order to generate an ideal image for its purposes.

If you want to use the webcam primarily for more professional video conferences, you can rely on a higher resolution for the best possible picture quality. Since your own image is shown here in full screen mode, the advantages of a 4K webcam come into play.

How important is the frame rate?

Most webcams record videos by default at 30 frames per second (FPS) at maximum resolution. A higher frame rate is not required for normal video telephony. As a small comparison: cinema films are recorded with 24 FPS.

This standard frame rate (30 FPS) is also suitable for streaming. If you reduce the maximum resolution of the camera, some webcams can also transmit videos with 60 FPS. However, this is only really worthwhile if your own stream is also sent at 60 frames per second on the respective platform. Usually this affects gamers because games have higher frame rates. In general, the recorded movements are displayed more smoothly or “softer” with a higher frame rate.

Further information: You want to know more about different webcam types? Then also read "Buy a webcam: Tips from the GIGA editorial team".

Do I need autofocus?

Not every webcam has an autofocus that automatically focuses on objects when they are held very close to the lens, for example. How important this function can be for you depends on the type of video. For example, if you film yourself while playing, so you hardly move and stay at the same distance from the camera, you can turn off the autofocus. This can even be an advantage if the camera keeps refocusing the image due to the lighting conditions. The autofocus is therefore not always a reliable or necessary help.