You need one for meetings and personal video calls: This is a pro-level tool whose prowess and features will only be maximized by pro users. If you’re just a casual user, this is overkill. Most of a webcam's features are only available via software. Almost any camera will work when you plug it into your USB-C or USB-A port (though 4K webcams frequently need a high-speed USB-C connection to get full resolution). And many of them work well this way. But I find some features essential, which are provided only by software: the ability to override exposure settings when they need correction; some small white balance control (auto usually delivers the best results, but I like to be able to make it slightly warmer or cooler); manual focus; and the ability to save the changes as presets. Presets are doubly important for cameras modeled off commercial PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) webcams like the Obsbot and Insta360 models. Nexigo's software isn't pretty, but some of it's a lot more functional than much of what I've used. For instance, the manual white balance actually works well along a continuum rather than just giving you a choice between too pink or too green. It also allows you to save presets for all the adjustable settings. It doesn't currently work with MacOS Monterey, so I couldn't test that, but the company promises an update to support the latest version of the OS within the next couple of months. The Logitech C920 has been one of the best webcams on the market since its release in January 2012, consistently beating out rival products that promise more affordability or better performance – and for good reason. This is a beloved favorite across the entire spectrum of streamers, content creators, and office professionals alike. We found its picture quality to be incredibly high for a webcam. Its light detection is especially good while its dynamic range wide and noise handling to be excellent, which makes this particularly great if you are streaming in low light. You can choose between three different fields of view for different scenes in your Livestream as well, and select either a smooth 1080p 60FPS option for gameplay or a high-res 'HDR' mode for improved video quality during Zoom sessions.

You’re really strapped for cash: If you don’t have to have the best and are on a tight budget, give this one a skip. You need a wide field of view: The Logitech C920 is set to a 78-degree FOV, so you can't get any wide room shotsYou want insanely high-quality video: There are certainly more powerful products on the market if you're willing to empty your wallet. On test, we found the AI controls to be truly impressive, with the lens head in particular moving with an impressive level of precision. Even its mode switching using hand gestures feature works pretty well.Combined with 4k and 1080p resolutions, 60FPS and 30FPS options, and the clearest sound quality you'll find on any webcam, and you have a near-perfect webcam for any situation and need. The price might just be worth it for some people. All in all, it’s a tremendously good little webcam; a little more expensive than the usual, perhaps, but you do get a lot for your money. You need a wide field of view: The StreamCam is set to a 78-degree FOV, so you can't get any wide room shots. If you’re working on a desktop PC or a laptop with a low-quality built-in microphone, look for a webcam with a built-in stereo or array microphone. This will improve the quality of the audio being captured no end, giving you better chats and calls and clearer broadcasts, if that’s your thing. Are all webcams suitable for both laptop and desktop use?

Key specs – Resolution: 1080p at 30fps, 720p at 60fps; Focus: Autofocus; Audio: Omnidirectional microphones; Mount type: Clip stand; Cable length: 1.5m

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Its quality proved to be decent during testing, above average for a webcam. But, it's the mic customizations that really impressed us, allowing you to alter the recording volume, or switch between different optimization modes such as 'Wind’ and 'Music’, as well as a manual Audio Gain Control. For some people, the Logitech Mevo Start will be overkill, offering features that just aren't needed. But for people live streaming events, for example, the Logitech Mevo Start is a brilliant investment. But don't assume a camera with a high-resolution sensor can output video as, say, 4K. While all software supports 1080p (1,920x1,080 pixels, equivalent to 2 megapixels), other resolutions frequently require specific support -- notably by videoconferencing software. Zoom, for instance, maxes out at 1080p. Plus, keep in mind that software can take a good image and make it look... less good... by compressing the hell out of it for transmitting across the software's low-bandwidth pipeline. The one odd thing about the UltraSharp is that it doesn’t come with a built-in microphone, although that shouldn’t be a problem if you already use a headset or USB microphone on video calls. These come in a billion different sizes and shapes, but the mounts -- the physical clip that lets you perch it on your screen -- are all very similar and tend to be stable but cumbersome. There's no "best" design, but if you want to use it on a laptop, you may want to avoid the big, clunky models. Images are a little soft and noisy and the field of view is on the narrow side at 60 degrees, but it comes with a decent clip that makes mounting it on top of a monitor, TV or laptop screen fairly easy, while the mono microphone produces clean audio.