Best webcam in 2024 for streaming and Microsoft Teams or Zoom meetings

Webcams are essential for those working from home or even in the modern office to join video meetings and online conferences. 

Plus, the ever-growing livestreaming category comes in many forms, far more than the gaming-centric audiences that pushed it into the spotlight.

However, not all webcams are as fantastic as they claim, and choosing the best webcam for your needs can be tricky with misleading specifications.

That’s why we’ve tested and compared dozens of webcams to find the best for streamers, for Zoom meetings, and more.

Features like resolution, face tracking,
suitability for travel, and color accuracy are all taken into account. Whether you need a webcam with 4K or HDR support, Windows Hello for faster logins, or a compact design, you’ll find it here with first-person insights.

Ben Wilson

I've been agonizing over the best webcams for years, desperate to maximize the return on my investment for a camera that'll last for years. Between daily video meetings, livestreaming video games, and general content creation, my team has tested its fair share of models claiming to be the best.

The quick list

The best webcams in 2024

Below, you'll find more detailed write-ups for each webcam chosen as the best in their categories as reviewed by members of the Windows Central staff. Only one, the HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam, lacks a 'formal' review but is the camera of choice by our Editor-in-Chief.

Best overall webcam

Since our Logitech BRIO 4K webcam review, it remains a premium option that offers 4K resolution, HDR support, Windows Hello facial recognition, and background replacement features. It's a future-proof webcam that works well with any video meeting service, livestreaming platforms, and Windows 11 apps. However, it's still relatively expensive, moderately bulky for some laptops, and somewhat overkill for casual users who may not need 4K or HDR support.

Still, we'll always praise the BRIO for its excellent image and video quality, fast and straightforward Windows Hello setup, customizable field of view, and brightness settings. There is a mild issue of mediocre audio quality, inconsistent background replacement, and limited 4K support on some web services, but that's likely to change as the resolution becomes more common. The BRIO is a beast of a webcam from Logitech, recommended for anyone looking for a future-proof option with Windows Hello support.

Best tracking webcam

Our OBSBOT Tiny 2 review shows it's a premium webcam that offers excellent image quality, AI-powered features, and a compact, portable design. It has a 50MP sensor, a 2-axis gimbal, and a range of accessories. It's ideal for professionals and creators who need a high-quality webcam for video conferencing, streaming, or content creation. Still, it's costly and does not support Windows Hello facial recognition.

We praised the Tiny 2 for its design, build quality, software, accessory support, and unique features such as human and hand tracking, background blur, gesture and voice controls, and NVIDIA Broadcast integration. Some drawbacks include lackluster microphone quality, occasional autofocus issues, and the previously mentioned high price tag. Still, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 is a fantastic webcam for those who can afford it and benefit from its features.

Best webcam for working from home

The HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam, as the name suggests, is a high-quality webcam designed for streaming. However, it's also one of the best webcams for Zoom thanks to its official certification, so video on any UVC-compliant conferencing app like Microsoft Teams performs just as well with a plug-and-play setup. Though we don't have a formal review yet, our Editor-in-Chief, Daniel Rubino, regularly uses it for video calls and interviews, making good use of the AI-powered automatic face framing to stay centered.

You get 4K resolution support with auto HDR and color correction, all driven by a Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor within a larger-than-average lens for overall better image quality and improved performance in low light. Built-in noise-reducing mics hold up with excellent audio quality if you don't have space for a dedicated external microphone, and a magnetic privacy screen clicks into place when you want to protect the lens. The screen mount also features 360-degree swivel and 90-degree tilt options, so you can position it and let the AI face framing take over from there.

Best all-in-one webcam

Proving in our AnkerWork B600 Video Bar review to be an all-in-one webcam solution, this chunky option features a 2K camera sensor, flip-up light bar, built-in 2W speakers, and a quad microphone array. It's designed for at-home or in-office professionals, streamers, and video creators to look their best in virtual meetings, video calls, and recorded content. The B600 delivers solid image quality with great lighting controls, a respectable audio pairing with noise-canceling microphones, and good speaker quality.

It comes with smart software that can track your movements, adjust the exposure, and tune the color, but it's undeniably bulky, expensive, and requires two cables for power and data. It also lacks 4K resolution and optical zoom from similarly priced alternatives. The B600 is a good option for those needing a compact and integrated video conferencing system, but it may not be the best choice for everyone.

Best webcam for travel

The previously reviewed EPOS S6 is another option for a 4K webcam that offers excellent picture quality, a physical privacy shutter, and a convenient carrying case. It works brilliantly for virtual meetings and streaming, as it can adjust the image's focus, lighting, and color. Still, its primary appeal is the compact chassis and its included hard carrying case for traveling workers. You still get dual noise-canceling microphones like other picks, but they're not the most effective in practice.

However, the EPOS S6 has become relatively affordable since its release compared to other 4K webcams, even if its built-in mount clip does not fit well on thicker monitors. It doesn't have HDR support or 60 FPS video, but it's still a reliable and professional-looking webcam perfect for packing and traveling if your built-in options aren't good enough.

Best webcam for streaming

Our Elgato Facecam Pro review details this premium USB webcam that delivers stunning 4K60 video quality, rich color depth, and extensive camera control settings. It features a large Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor, a solid auto-focus lens, and a USB-C connection. It's designed for livestreaming content creators and video producers who want to achieve DSLR-like results without breaking the bank.

However, the Elgato Facecam Pro also has some drawbacks, such as the lack of a microphone, poor automated tuning, and a steep price tag. It faces competition from other 4K webcams, which offer similar features at lower prices. The Elgato Facecam Pro is an excellent choice for gamers who value image excellence and user control, but it might not be worth it for casual users.

How to choose the best webcam

Choosing a webcam, thankfully, isn't as complex as it used to be, as the technology has reached a point where image quality doesn't vary as wildly as it did a few years ago. There are plenty of 4K cameras to choose from, but it's worth noting that not everyone needs ultra-HD resolution. You'll likely never hit that fidelity if you primarily use a webcam to join video conferences or work-from-home meetings. However, webcams double up as a replacement for any built-in laptop option that doesn't make the grade for creating video content.

Budget is undoubtedly a critical factor, and it's tempting to search for the cheapest webcam you can find with '4K' in its name, but that doesn't guarantee a high-quality lens and sensor. High resolutions don't go hand-in-hand with accurate color representation and reliable performance in low-light scenarios. So, my picks bring something more to the table than a gimmick of UHD images. For a no-nonsense pick, go with the Logitech BRIO, as I did. It has everything you need in a webcam for Windows PCs, including faster face-recognition logins with Windows Hello.