Working from home has become commonplace in recent years, as have webcam meetings. To work effectively from home, most people need a webcam to conduct meetings and brainstorm with colleagues. But first, you need the right webcam to do the job.
But investing in a webcam doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. We bring you the best cheap webcams for your home or office, offering the best performance at the best price. So what are the best cheap webcams, and is 720p enough?
A webcam doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. We’ve found the best cheap webcams with fantastic performance so you can look your best on your video calls. But investing in a webcam doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. We bring you the best cheap webcams for your home or office, offering the best performance at the best price.
Logitech C920s, the best cheap webcam on the market
Advantages and disadvantages of the Logitech C920s
Advantages of the Logitech C920s
- Full HD 1080p
- Auto focus
- Built-in privacy shutter
Disadvantages of the Logitech C920s
- Limited frame rate
- Field of view not adjustable
Technical specifications of the Logitech C920s
- Resolution: 1080p
- Screen size: 2.7 inches
- Connectivity: USB
- Photo sensor: CCD
The Logitech C920s wins the prize for best budget webcam, thanks to its generous design. This budget model has a dual microphone to deliver fantastic sound. The generous 78 degree field of view is paired with 1080p or 720p resolution. RightLight 2 technology lets you get the right light, even if you’re in a darker environment. When you’re not using the camera, flip down the privacy cover to cover your lens. Additionally, you can download the Logitech Capture app for additional features.
Logitech C310 HD, the best cheap portable webcam
Advantages and disadvantages of the Logitech C310 HD
Advantages of the Logitech C310 HD
- Super affordable
- Easy to use
- Automatic light correction
Disadvantages of the Logitech C310 HD
- Non-adjustable field of vision
- Low resolution
Technical specifications of the Logitech C310 HD
- Resolution: 720p
- Screen size: 2.7 inches
- Connectivity: USB
- Effective image resolution: 5 MP
The Logitech C310 HD webcam offers easy compatibility with your favorite video apps like Skype and Zoom, all in a compact package. Enjoy widescreen 720p in HD with a 60 degree field of view. It features RightLight 2 technology, as well as RightSound technology to neutralize ambient sounds, so your audience can hear you better. And thanks to its universal clip, you can take it wherever your travels take you.
Microsoft LifeCam Studio, the best cheap webcam for business
Advantages and disadvantages of the Microsoft LifeCam Studio
Benefits of the Microsoft LifeCam Studio
- Fantastic video
- full rotation
- Additional functions
Disadvantages of the Microsoft LifeCam Studio
- Requires a powerful operating system
- Some third-party software is required
Microsoft LifeCam Studio Technical Specifications
- Resolution: 1080p
- Screen size: 4 inches
- Connectivity: USB
- Effective image resolution: 5 MP
The Microsoft LifeCam Studio gives you HD quality with 1080p resolution, along with a 75-degree diagonal field of view for wide-angle viewing. ClearFrame and TrueColor technologies give you the best picture possible, and a high-fidelity wideband microphone is included for superior sound. With USB 2.0 connectivity, this is a fantastic option already optimized for Microsoft Lync, making it perfect for all your business needs.
Razer Kiyo, the best cheap webcam for streaming
Advantages and disadvantages of the Razer Kiyo
Advantages of the Razer Kiyo
- Ring light adjustable
- High frame rate
- Fantastic image quality
Disadvantages of the Razer Kiyo
- Inferior mic
- Light may be too strong for some users
Technical specifications of the Razer Kiyo
- Resolution: 1080p
- Screen size: 2 inches
- Connectivity: USB
The Razer Kiyo offers USB connectivity with a 720p or 1080p display, all in a compact package. The two-inch screen makes for easy viewing, and even better, the 5600K ring light provides adjustable brightness to keep your image perfectly balanced, day or night. With a Streamlabs certification, you have easy connectivity to multiple platforms, like OBS and XSplit, as well as Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, YouTube, and Twitch.
Vitade 960AF, best cheap webcam with light ring
Advantages and disadvantages of the Vitade 960AF
Benefits of the Vitade 960AF
- Three brightness levels
- 1080p resolution
- Dual mic
Disadvantages of the Vitade 960AF
- Poor image quality
- No accompanying software
Technical specifications of the Vitade 960AF
- Resolution: 1080p
- Screen size: 5.8 inches
- Connectivity: USB
The Vitade 960AF offers a 1080p display with three different brightness levels, so you can get your best light. Face enhancement technology is also incorporated in order to achieve a perfect image, as well as a wide-angle display with an 80-degree lens and 1080p resolution. Compression by H.264 encoding allows you to receive perfectly sized videos that won’t take up space on your computer.
What is the best cheap webcam?
The Logitech C920s may be the most expensive on our list, but it packs the best resolution and small, easy-to-handle size.
Logitech C920s
- Cost: €83
- Resolution: 1080p
Logitech C310 HD Camera
- Cost: €65
- Resolution: 720p
Microsoft LifeCam Studio
- Cost: €91
- Resolution: 1080p
Razer Kiyo
- Price: €64
- Resolution: 1080p
Vitade 960AF
- Cost: €50
- Resolution: 1080p
Which cheap webcam is right for you?
Here we offer our research-based expert recommendations to help you find the best cheap webcam for your budget and needs.
- Choose the Logitech C920s if you want benefit from the best performance at an affordable price.
- Choose the Logitech C310 HD if you want take your webcam on the go.
- Choose the Microsoft LifeCam Studio If you want a good office webcam.
- Choose the Razer Kiyo If you want a webcam that can keep up with your streaming.
- Choose Vitade 960AF If you want good lighting for your webcam.
How did we choose these cheap webcams?
To find the best cheap webcams, we considered several different factors.
-
The resolution : It determines the number of pixels in the image, which affects the sharpness and overall quality of the image. Standard cameras have a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, but you can get 1920 x 1080 pixel (1080p) quality by paying a little more. - Field of view : The field of view determines the width of your image, which can be very important if you plan to film several people in a single image.
- Screen size : It also determines what screen size you can expect, depending on your comfort level.
- Cost : Budget is often a concern for many buyers, so we’re looking for the best affordable webcams you can buy without sacrificing quality.
Is 720p resolution sufficient?
Many webcams offer 720p resolution, which is usually sufficient for your everyday needs, such as video calls. However, if you are looking for a higher quality image, a 1080p resolution may be more appropriate. Is an external webcam better than a built-in webcam?
Built-in webcams are generally of average quality and have basic functions. External webcams, on the other hand, often offer superior image quality, with special features and specs to boost performance, and add-on apps to control it all.
How much does a cheap webcam cost?
Cheap webcams come in different forms and with different types of features, which affects their overall cost. The best cheap webcams cost between $50 and $100, depending on the model you choose.
Are there other cheap webcams worth considering?
During our research, we also found these other options for the best cheap webcams.
AVerMedia Live Streamer 313
A good plan B if you are looking for the best cheap gaming webcam, 59 €.
eMeet c960
The good plan for the best very inexpensive webcam, 32 €.
Logitech C922
Best cheap 1080p webcam, $130.
Source: “ZDNet.com”