The 5 Best Webcams for Streaming

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Austin Carroll is a writer and web designer from Eugene, Oregon. He's been at HGG for five years and maintains an active role designing and develop... Read more

Reviewed by Nathan Hart

The rise of streaming services like Twitch and YouTube Live has ushered in a new era of gaming, where not only skill but the right equipment can set you apart. Among this equipment, a quality webcam, with top-notch image clarity, lighting performance, and features such as auto-focus and image adjustment, can be pivotal to your streaming success. As you prepare to showcase your talents to the world, it’s essential to understand that an exceptional webcam is integral to a stellar streaming experience.

With the surge in streaming as a popular form of content creation, the demand for innovative, high-performing webcams has never been higher. In response to this demand, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide featuring the top five webcams for streaming available today. These recommendations are meticulously sourced from a myriad of options, based on performance, image quality, versatility, and user-friendly experience. Perfect for various streaming scenarios — be it gaming, live shows, or casual fan interactions — these best webcams for streaming picks promise to enhance your online presence like never before.

5 Best Webcams for Streaming

We’ve curated a list of the best webcams for streaming. Check out the summary and major features of each model below.

1. Insta360 Link Webcam

The best webcam for streaming overall

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Resolution: 4K | FPS: 30 | Manufacturer: Insta360 | Extra Features: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 | Price: 💰💰💰💰

If you’re ready to break the bank a little, the Insta360 Link is our bid for the best streamer webcam on the market. It’s built to operate like you have your own little film crew when you activate the AI tracking mode, which pairs powerful new software with the 3-axis gimbal built into this camera to provide you with unparalleled dynamic movement in your shots.

Any streamer that likes to move around and still make sure all their best gestures get captured should invest in an Insta360 Link. The automatic contrast and brightness settings on this camera are top-notch and best of all, it shoots everything in incredibly crisp 4K ultra HD video.

Don’t miss out on losing fans to the competition just because they brought better equipment! Gearing up with the best of the best can help transform your streams into incredible entertainment productions.

2. Elgato Facecam

The best webcam for streaming around $150

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Resolution: 1080p | FPS: 60 | Manufacturer: Elgato | Extra Features: 🔥 | Price: 💰💰

Elgato is well-known in the streaming industry for its accessories, and they’ve finally released a mainstream webcam. The Facecam is built to do exactly what it sounds like, it records videos of your face while you talk to your fans and stream whatever it is you do.

The built-in software makes it easy to transfer your settings from one device to another while you use this webcam, and the peculiar way this camera delivers video uncompressed to your viewers means it can get a better picture than the competition with higher resolutions, so long as your computer can keep up.

It’s dedicated to one great purpose and assumes you already have a bit of a setup for streaming, exemplified by the lack of a microphone.

3. Logitech Streamcam

The best professional-looking webcam

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Resolution: 1080p | FPS: 60 | Manufacturer: Logitech | Extra Features: 🔥🔥 | Price: 💰💰

You can think of the Streamcam as an updated, streamer-specific version of the older C920x. It has a higher FPS and is built for keeping you in the frame even during lots of action. You can set up the picture in a variety of ways, and the Logitech software to support the device is relatively unobtrusive.

A common complaint about this camera that keeps it from making it higher up on the list is the connected USB-C cable isn’t very long, and thus might not work very well without adapters for a lot of gaming PC setups.

4. Razer Kiyo Pro

The best webcam for streaming from a gamer brand

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Resolution: 1080p | FPS: 60 | Manufacturer: Razer | Extra Features: 🔥🔥 | Price: 💰💰

Razer makes some of the best gaming accessories on the market, and their bid for streamers’ webcam of choice is no exception. It’s a good modern camera from a technical standpoint, giving you 1080p at 60fps, and providing a clear and clean shot with no stuttering or problematic stoppages.

One of its best extra features is the ability to turn down the FPS to 30 in exchange for the vibrancy of HDR settings. This raises your video’s dynamic range, correcting over and underexposed areas and unlocking a beautiful spectrum of color, especially great for your stream if you’ve got a room full of Razer RGB products glowing in the background.

5. Logitech C920x HD Pro

The best budget webcam for streaming

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Resolution: 1080p | FPS: 30 | Manufacturer: Logitech | Feature Power: 🔥 | Price: 💰

Easily the best pick on the market for a casual streamer or anyone who just needs to make a really high-quality Zoom call for their office job, the Logitech C920x HD Pro is a great, reliable piece of hardware. If you’re just breaking into the world of streaming, this affordable webcam is easy to set up and use and delivers a solid picture every time with good light correction.

The only thing holding it back from being higher on our list is the advancements that have come to cameras since its debut, such as 4k video and higher FPS scores. Still, if you want to start your show without breaking the bank, the C920x is an ideal place to start.

Streaming Webcam Guide Part I: What is a Webcam for Streaming Exactly?

So, what exactly is a webcam and how are they used for streaming? First, let’s define the main terms involved.

• Webcam: A video camera that captures images via a computer or network
• Streaming: Multimedia that is captured and presented to a viewer in real-time

A webcam is used by streamers to present video of themselves to viewers. In the gaming world, this video is usually accompanied by on-screen gameplay. This serves as entertainment and as a form of teaching, whereby the people watching the stream gain valuable insights and tips for enhancing their own gameplay performance.

Streaming Webcam Guide Part II: How Streaming Works

Streaming service like Twitch, YouTube Live, and similar products allow streamers to present themselves to viewers in real time. The service gains access to the streamer’s webcam and delivers it to viewers currently tuned in to the streamer’s channel.

Oftentimes, these videos are kept on the channel or uploaded to video hubs like YouTube or Vimeo for people to watch later. In that sense, it’s common to watch streams that have already occurred.

Regardless of how the video is viewed, presentation is a big factor in creating a quality stream. Since streamers present themselves for the world to see, there are numerous benefits to having a powerful webcam.

Streaming Webcam Guide Part III: Benefits

If you want to present yourself in a good light, the best webcam for streaming is a must. From vivid picture quality to enhanced image adjustments, there are several reasons why investing in the right webcam is essential.

• Great Picture Quality. No matter which webcam for streaming you get, you can be sure that they’re optimized for fantastic picture quality. Not only that, but some of the top models on our list even feature 1080p resolution for high-definition video that will blow your viewers away.
• Easy to Use. Webcam manufacturers know that your time is valuable, and the best webcams for streaming are designed with this in mind. Most of the models on our list feature clip-on assemblies and easy installations to help you start streaming immediately.
• Capture Crisp Audio. While not every webcam for streaming includes a built-in mic, many of the models on our list do! This means you don’t have to spend more money on separate microphone (unless you want even more features), and you still get crystal clear audio quality.
• Bonus Features. Not only can you capture quality videos for streaming, but you can expect a number of additional perks depending on the model you choose. Powerful software, image correction, background replacements and more are just a taste of what you can get from the right camera.
• Easy on the Wallet. The best webcams for streaming start at under $50, making it easy to start streaming no matter your budget. Our top 10 list boasts quality webcams for everyone, so shop around to find the perfect option.

There are clearly many benefits to streaming with a webcam built for streaming. But with so many great choices out there, how do you find the perfect webcam for your situation?

Streaming Webcam Guide Part IV: Questions to Ask Before Buying

So which webcam should you choose?

Honestly, it depends on what your individual needs are. Here are a few questions you’ll want to ask yourself when picking the best webcam for your stream:

• Is this a hobby or do you want to go pro?
• What picture quality are you looking for?
• Are there any additional features that look good?
• Do you want one with a powerful built-in microphone?
• How much do you have to spend?

The webcams on our list start at $20 and reach over $500. It may be best to start with a base model and see if you like to stream before moving ahead with a larger purchase.

However — if you like owning exceptional gear, consider a Logitech model or one with HD quality video for a great jumpstart in streaming. Each option on our list comes with an assortment of features and perks, and they’re all great for streamers.

Take the High Ground

We hope this list of the best webcams for streaming has helped you find the right webcam for you. One that elevates your production and brings you all the glory and success that a well-shot video can provide. For more tips to help you and your streaming squad take the high ground, make sure to follow High Ground Gaming on all social media, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more tips on hardware, gaming, and beyond.

Happy gaming!