Every Major Webcam Brand Ranked Worst To Best

If you're in the market for a webcam, you might already have a budget-friendly solution tucked away in a sock drawer at home. Your old smartphones are equipped with excellent digital cameras that, for the most part, aren't being used to their full potential, often sitting idle as an emergency backup.

Thanks to third-party apps, turning your Android phone into a webcam or a home security camera is easy. These apps usually come pre-installed or are available through a quick app download. Apple even faced some criticism for suggesting iPhone users use their phones as webcams for MacBooks, due to the laptops' underwhelming built-in cameras.

If you have an old smartphone, it's a quick and effective fix to use it as your webcam. Chances are, it's already a far superior camera than some of the budget options or questionable brands out there.

OBSBOT made waves a few years ago when it hit TIME Magazine's Best Innovations of 2019 list with the OBSBOT Tail. This camera introduced pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ) capabilities powered by AI, a first for PTZ cameras according to the website, though not the first camera to integrate AI technology.

Since then, OBSBOT has continued to refine its technology, launching the Tiny 2 and the Tail Air. The specs and functionality packed into these cameras are quite impressive. The camera quality is outstanding, and the auto-tracking and focus features of the AI paired with the PTZ, make it an extremely versatile product.

The reason OBSBOT scores a little lower on this list is that although its cameras are great, they're extremely expensive, and many of the features offered lend themselves more toward content creation than strictly web streaming. Its products range from $400 to more than $800, pricing out all but the most serious users.

HP is one of the top-selling PC brands in the world, and it's been in business since long before the PC era. Founded in 1939, HP began by creating sound testing equipment and played a significant role in transforming Palo Alto into the tech hub it is today.

As one of the leading PC manufacturers around, HP offers a diverse and ever-growing product range, including webcams. Its product pricing begins at around $30 for entry-level options. Mid-range webcams fall between $60 and $80, while its high-end 4K models range from $100 to $200. HP also caters to larger enterprise needs with options up to $800.

Buying a webcam from a large company like HP means it's been well-tested and developed, but there are downsides too. Sometimes, the focus on selling more can overshadow customer support — if you run into a problem, you might find yourself stuck dealing with automated support systems. 

Elgato hit the electronics scene in 1999 and might be a newer name to some, but its parent company, Corsair, also has a stellar reputation in the PC community. Chances are, if you've built your own PC, you have some of Elgato's parts in your build.

Elgato made a name for itself in the gaming and streaming arenas. The brand offers a range of products designed specifically for streamers — there are Elgato capture cards, microphones, stream decks, and, of course, webcams. Given this focus, you can bet a webcam from the company is going to be top-of-the-line.

The Elgato Facecam is an impressive combination of hardware and software. The camera lens is high quality and on par with some standalone digital cameras. Unique to the Facecam is its internal flash memory drive, which stores all your settings, allowing for seamless setup transfers between different computers and setups without losing your custom adjustments.

Many streamers put their trust in Elgato products, including their webcams, and there are plenty of testimonials to prove it. While some reviews might be sponsored, the comparison videos often highlight the Facecam's superior color quality.

Elgato's webcam comes at a premium price, with its only model retailing for about $130. However, if you're thinking of taking your stream to the next level, it's a solid webcam that's hard to beat.

If you're a fan of products like Windows or  Skype, it just makes sense to go directly to the source and look at Microsoft's much-loved lineup of PC accessories.

One of the perks of buying Microsoft hardware is that it's all specifically designed to work with the brand's software environment, with products like Skype, Teams, and Windows. While virtually all webcams are plug-and-play with virtually all software, going with Microsoft ensures compatibility — a hedge against the bugs or problems that crop up with third-party products.

Microsoft's web cameras are designed for personal and office use. The premium models can record and display in 1080p resolution and come with autofocusing, 360 mounts, and ultra-wideband microphones. Entry-level models all come standard with 720p resolution and noise-cancelling microphones.

Typically, Microsoft webcams range from $40 to $100, making them more expensive than some budget models, but you know you're getting a quality product that is going to work with all Microsoft products.

You may be familiar with Anker products or even have one of its portable power banks in a bag somewhere. Founded in 2011, Anker is the industry leader in portable charging solutions, but the brand has expanded its horizon beyond just chargers, delving into a wide array of tech gadgets including top-notch webcams.

Although Anker's webcams are marketed more toward the business and corporate world, they work equally well with any application. The webcams are essentially divided into three major categories: single-use, conference, and ultra-HD. Single-use is your standard webcam to go for, while the conference offers a wider angle perfect for group calls. The ultra-HD camera is the AnkerWork C310 which offers video quality with up to 4K resolution with a 12MP camera lens. 

The AI and tracking features are very handy, and they work well. If you've ever used an auto-adjusting webcam, you'll know it can easily lead to motion sickness if it's not done well. During testing of cheaper and off-brand webcams with auto-tracking, the camera can sometimes auto-pan every time someone's head moves slightly, leading to the feeling that you're hosting a web conference from the Bermuda Triangle. However, Anker's webcams are smooth and the auto-adjustment enhances the video, rather than detracts from it.

Insta360 was founded in 2014 and has since produced some of the most advanced cameras on the market. As you might have guessed, the brand is primarily known for its 360-degree HD cameras that can create VR-like videos for online viewing and an impressive lineup of action cameras and webcams with top-of-the-line features.

The brand's webcams, such as the Insta360 Link, are simply amazing. Not only does it produce clear 4k resolution, but you also get a swivel mount tech for all your presenting angles, plus hand gesture commands.

However, the best part is the exceptional AI, part of all-in-one software bundle that makes it the best all-around option for any streamer or online presenter. The 360 Link AI auto-tracks your movements, which is especially useful if you have to move or like to fidget on camera. It'll also auto-crop and pan if you have a whiteboard or a project you want the audience to see.

Insta360 also adds some extra little touches, like an automated power-off button that powers the camera down and covers the lens for privacy, and noise-cancelling microphones to help keep your audio as perfect as your visuals. Insta360 uses AI to up its webcam game, and it works really well. It's one of the most outstanding brands out there today when it comes to webcams, action cameras, or 360s.

When choosing brands for this article we considered a few important criteria: price, resolution, ease of use, advanced features, and whether they offered multiple-use functionality. We compared prices from budget to premium, looking at options for every wallet. High resolution and clear picture quality were essential. We chose webcams that delivered sharp images in various settings, and could adapt to changes in lighting conditions.

Advanced features like AI enhancements, hand gesture commands, and autofocus also factored in. These are the game-changers that can take your video from good to great. But it wasn't just about the bells and whistles. These features needed to also integrate into daily use without overwhelming the user. 

Ease of use was crucial. We preferred straightforward webcams that allowed anyone to use advanced features without hassle. This was determined through hands-on testing and consulting reviews to understand the user experience.

Our goal wasn't just to find the "best" webcam in a vacuum. We considered how each brand stacks up in terms of providing real value to users. And a final reminder: tech prices are always changing. It's smart to shop around before making a purchase to be sure you're getting the best deal. Checking different retailers can make a big difference in price, making your purchase not just about getting a good webcam, but also about getting great value for your money.