7 Best Webcams for Zoom in 2023

Are you constantly annoyed by the poor visual quality of your laptop’s built-in webcam? Perhaps it hasn’t got any, or you have a desktop, and once in a while, you need to hop in on Zoom meetings and webinars? Either way, it’s time to set yourself up with a good dedicated webcam.

However, finding the best webcam for Zoom has its challenges. Reliability is one thing, but there are many other factors to consider before choosing the right one for you.

In this article, we’ll break down the key factors you should keep in mind when buying a new webcam for Zoom. Moreover, we’ll reveal some of the best models available on the market.

So, let’s begin.

Top 7 Webcams for Zoom

Let the show begin. Here are our favorite webcams for Zoom.

1. Best with Ring Light: Razer Kiyo

Razer Kiyo

• Resolution: FHD
• Zoom: 3X Optical Zoom
• Connectivity: USB
• Microphone: Built-in
• Focus: Autofocus
• Privacy Shutter: N/A
• Special Features: PC / Mac, Webcam, Face Tracking

$84.40

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If you’d like to feel a dash of IG influencers’ vibe in your Zoom calls — and look good in the process — then Razer Kiyo is the one webcam to consider.

Equipped with a ring light, Kiyo keeps you looking good in both light and dark environments.

Furthermore, unlike some other more expensive webcams for Zoom, Razer included both autofocus and very good face tracking in this affordable model. This means that your face remains sharp throughout the conference call or webinar.

I also like that you get an optical zoom. This is rare among webcams, and the benefit is that the webcam can zoom in without losing the resolution.

As for the resolution, FHD is pretty clear and crisp and will work for most use cases. However, if you really care about the high resolution — be it for a webinar or a presentation — I’d look into some of the 4K webcams.

The main issue I noticed concerns the mic. Typically, the sound is very clear, but sometimes it gets muffled. This usually doesn’t last long and could be a Zoom bug, but it’s worth noting.

Still, for the price, Kiyo is one of the best budget webcams for Zoom — aside from the ring light, all the extra features make it a very practical choice.

2. Zoom Certified: NexiGo N990

NexiGo N990

• Resolution: 4K
• Zoom: 5X Digital Zoom
• Connectivity: USB
• Microphone: Dual Stereo Mics, 2×3.5mm Audio Jacks for External Mics
• Focus: N/A
• Privacy Shutter: N/A
• Special Features: Low Light

$249.99

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NexiGo is a well-known webcam manufacturer. Their N990 is one of the best webcams for Zoom specifically — with awesome resolution, great software and a remote.

This Zoom-certified webcam flies in with a 4K resolution, so you can expect crystal-clear calls, great detail, and good color calibration. If you’re giving a presentation or hosting a webinar during the call, this webcam kills it.

The camera also comes with low-light adjustment features; this is super handy when you’re having calls in dim light or at night.

I really like both the software and the remote control that come with NexiGo. They’re easy to install and operate. Plus, it’s fun to adjust your camera, especially if you’re 5 feet away from it. You can adjust the volume, zoom in gradually, and even flip the image.

Oh, and the build is amazing. You can rotate the camera both horizontally and vertically.

The bummer is that the webcam comes with a fixed focus. It’s excellent for Zoom and conference calls, but I would have liked autofocus on this otherwise great cam.

If you don’t care about that and are willing to spend a little more on a professional Zoom webcam, NexiGo N990 is one of the top picks.

3. Best 4K Webcam with Privacy Shutter: Logitech BRIO

Logitech BRIO

• Resolution: 4K
• Zoom: 5x Digital Zoom
• Connectivity: USB
• Microphone: Noise-Canceling Mic
• Focus: N/A
• Privacy Shutter: N/A
• Special Features: Infrared

$128.75

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BRIO has to be one of the most popular Zoom webcams on the market and for a good reason. Easy to install, with great picture quality and audio, this cam just does the job well.

This is the only webcam on the market capable of streaming AND recording the video in 4K resolution. So, whether you’re using it to catch up with friends, have a business meeting — or record a webinar — the image quality is awesome.

The audio doesn’t lag behind, either. A noise-canceling mic does a great job of keeping your audio smooth, professional, and clear.

I also like the wide field of view. It’s great if there’s more of you in the picture, say for a family gathering or business calls.

As for the build, BRIO feels sleek and sturdy. It’s super easy to mount on the laptop and even outranks some of the more expensive webcams in terms of build quality.

That being said, this webcam is not really a budget model. It could be an overkill if you need a webcam only for an occasional Zoom call or informal meetings.

However, if you often hop on calls and work with webinars or classes, this webcam for Zoom is so worth investing in.

4. Best Portable Video Conference Camera: NexiGo N3000

NexiGo N3000

• Resolution: 4K
• Zoom: 5X Digital Zoom
• Connectivity: USB
• Microphone: 4-Mic Array
• Focus: N/A
• Privacy Shutter: N/A
• Special Features: Low Light

$199.99

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If you often travel but still have to get on calls, NexiGo N3000 is one of the most portable, professional Zoom webcams.

Similarly to BRIO and NexiGo N990, this webcam also comes with a crisp, 4K resolution for outstanding image quality.

Add to that a ridiculously good 4-mic array with some of the best audio quality on this list, and all you gotta do is join the assigned Zoom room and enjoy.

Plus, the camera automatically frames the video for optimal image. So, for example, if you’re in a room, it will automatically crop the background and focus on your gorgeous face.

For all of you concerned with privacy, there’s also a magnetic cover on the side of the webcam. Simply detach it and place it over the cam for added security.

I love the overall design. N3000 kinda looks like chapstick, which you can easily put into any backpack, and you’re good to go.

However, the build quality could be a little better. So, I’d still carry it in a pouch or a casing.

For all you frequent travelers and commuters who need top-notch video/audio quality, NexiGo N3000 is one of the best portable video-conferencing webcams on the market.

5. With Gesture Control and AI Tracking: Insta360 Link

Insta360 Link

• Resolution: 4K
• Zoom: 5X Digital Zoom
• Connectivity: USB
• Microphone: Dual Noise-Canceling Microphones
• Focus: Auto-Focus
• Privacy Shutter: N/A
• Special Features: Gesture Control, Auto-Focus, Dual Noise-Canceling Microphones

$279.00

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Wrapping up the 4K Zoom webcams on this list, we’ve got a super-smart Insta360 Link. AI-powered, with gesture control and lots of other goodies, Link is the next-gen Zoom buddy.

So, let’s start with the video quality. With a 4K resolution and noise-canceling dual mics, Insta360 Link is an excellent webcam, if not one of the best on the market in terms of how good you’ll look and sound.

The autofocus and AI tracking on this thing mean that whenever you move, the webcam will automatically track you and re-focus. Pretty cool, right?

I’m also a huge fan of gesture control. With a simple show of hand, you can enable the AI tracking, zoom in or out, and switch to whiteboard mode. Super practical when you don’t wanna dabble with the keyboard mid-presentation.

The software can be a bit of a headache since there are still some bugs to work out. For example, the webcam occasionally won’t recognize the gestures. I hope that with firmware updates, this will be sorted out.

Overall, though, Insta360 Link is an awesome choice and surely a Zoom webcam you can use over and over for the great quality it provides.

6. The Smartest Video Conference Camera: Meeting Owl 3

Meeting Owl 3

• Resolution: FHD
• Zoom: 5X Digital Zoom
• Connectivity: USB
• Microphone: Microphone, and Speaker (Automatic Speaker Focus & Smart Zooming)
• Focus: N/A
• Privacy Shutter: N/A
• Special Features: 360 Degree

$1,049.00

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If you’re in the business of high-end conference calls (or simply like to try one), then Meeting Owl 3 is a must. This Zoom webcam has some of the best auto-focusing features and pairing capabilities for effortless and smooth business calls.

So imagine this: there are 4 of you in the boardroom, and one Meeting Owl 3 in front of you. As you log into the conference room, the webcam automatically focuses on whoever’s speaking, faster than you can say “zoom.” 

Not only that, the audio is crystal clear because of the 360° mic.

The 4 of you don’t have to sit on the same side of the table since the panoramic view covers all the sides.

More than one speaker? No problem. Meeting Owl 3 splits the screen and lets the dialogue develop.

But what if there are more people? Simply add another Owl 3 webcam and boost the existing capabilities for maximum performance.

Well, with this webcam, you get all of the above.

Granted, it is the priciest model on the list by far, but so worth it if you own a business and want to take your meetings to the next level.

I wouldn’t recommend Meeting Owl 3 for regular everyday users since it will be overkill. However, when it comes to sleek business calls — where impressions do matter — this is one Zoom webcam to seriously consider.

7. Best Webcam for College Students: Logitech C920x

Logitech C920x

• Resolution: FHD
• Zoom: 5X Digital Zoom
• Connectivity: USB
• Microphone: Dual Mic
• Focus: N/A
• Privacy Shutter: N/A
• Special Features: Low Light

$59.99

Check on Amazon

Another one of Logitech’s ultra-popular choices, the C920X, is a tried-and-tested Zoom webcam that is very affordable, high-quality and sturdy.

When it comes to students, the FHD resolution on this webcam works like a charm. It’s an excellent choice for lectures, courses, or just regular catching up, as it gives a crisp picture with enough details.

What I like about this camera is that it’s great in low light. The light correction is pretty good, so it doesn’t really matter if you’re accessing the lecture or a call at night.

The image without audio isn’t worth much, so it’s important to note that C920X also comes with a dual mic. There is no noise-canceling function, though, which can be a bummer if you’re connecting from a dorm room.

This is also one of the webcams with autofocus function, which means that when it’s your turn to speak, you’ll stay sharp and crisp. The autofocus can occasionally be slow and noisy, but that’s the price you pay with budget webcams.

Unlike more expensive webcams, Logitech seems to invest a lot in build quality, even in budget models. C920X is sturdy, which is important if you’re gonna carry it in your backpack.

Overall, though, for this price tag, the C920X is a great webcam for Zoom and lectures. It’s got everything it needs and won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

Buying Guide for Webcams for Zoom

Before I lift the curtain and show you some of the best webcams for Zoom, let’s discuss a few key aspects that will help you make a more informed decision.  

1. Choose Your Resolution

This is kind of obvious, but I have to mention it since it is usually the first thing people think about when looking for a webcam, including myself. 

When it comes to the pixel count, it’s pretty straightforward. Even the cheapest modern webcam will come with at least a 720p HD. But I personally find 1080p FHD webcams the best balance between price and picture quality. 

I don’t discourage going for a 4K resolution webcam, but those will cost much more, and I believe it’s an overkill for Zoom meetings. But who am I to judge? If you have the budget to spare and want to appear your personal best in meetings, by all means, go for it. 

But the resolution is not everything when it comes to the picture quality. There are plenty of other factors that contribute to the webcam’s performance.

2. Check for OS Compatibility 

These days, it’s rare to find a webcam specifically compatible with a single OS, but I have stumbled upon a few. Windows and macOS are not really a major concern since most modern webcams work well with these operating systems. 

But if you are using a Linux computer or a Chromebook, it’s best to double-check before making a purchase. 

Another thing to consider is that newer webcams may not be compatible with older versions of operating systems. So, if you’re using an older computer with a previous-gen OS, checking the compatibility is obviously the first thing you should do. 

3. A Wider Field of View Captures More Space 

The FoV specification helps you determine how much space the camera captures in a shot. 60 degrees is the standard for most webcams and should be enough for Zoom calls. 

However, if occasionally you have people joining on your end of the camera, or you would like more background to appear on the other end, going for something with a wider FoV would be smart. As a ballpark, a webcam with a wide Field of View should have between 78 and 90 degrees. 

Finally, if you’re looking for something that can cover large groups, there are phenomenal options with 360° video/audio features. 

Pro tip: If you’d like to kick things up a notch, large group Zoom meetings can benefit from casting them to a TV. 

4. Check for Connectivity Options and Mic Quality  

The connectivity options and mic quality are usually the things that could make or break my decision to buy a webcam, and it should be yours, too. Let’s break it down. 

Some higher-end models only come with a USB Type-C cable, which is great if your computer supports that, but in many cases, it would be a no-no. Or maybe you have a Type-C port but need it for other peripherals. So, it’s good to have the option of connecting it to the good old USB type-A port. 

Last but not least, most dedicated webcams come with built-in mics, but not all. So, if you are looking for something with a built-in mic, check if it has one in the first place. The audio quality is also worth considering, and the best way to do that is to check for user reviews.

5. Ask Yourself If You Really Need a Dedicated Webcam

At the risk of sounding controversial, this is a major point of consideration. Hear me out. 

My laptop’s built-in webcam has decent 720p resolution and solid audio quality, which I find good enough for the occasional Zoom call with colleagues and clients. 

If you have a laptop or are considering buying a new one, chances are that it would have a decent webcam for Zoom meetings. In this case, spending money on a dedicated webcam will be unnecessary. 

On that note, we can show you some great laptops for working from home that are also great for video conferencing. And if you need more information about choosing a good laptop for your specific needs and budget first, check out our comprehensive buying guide.

FAQs about Webcams for Zoom

Verdict

Each of the recommended webcams is a solid choice for Zoom video-conferencing. But which one is the best ultimately depends on your specific needs.

Consider all the key points discussed in the buying guide above, and the choice should be a bit simpler. 

As a final key point, you need to ask yourself if you really need a dedicated webcam specifically for Zoom. Perhaps picking a good laptop for Zoom is all you really need. 

If you’ve already decided that you need a webcam after all, here is a quick recap: 

• If you want a high-end webcam loaded with nifty features dedicated to large-group video conferencing, the Meeting Owl 3 is a great choice. 
• For college students looking for something affordable, portable, and easy to use, we recommend the Logitech C920x. 
• If you’re looking for 4K video quality, exceptional portability, noise canceling features, and many more, all in one well-packed webcam, the NexiGo N3000 is your ideal pick. 

Do you have any other concerns or questions about a specific model? Tell us in the comments below. 

Before signing out, if you are an MBA student or enrolled in a similar field of study, you may be interested in checking our latest piece on the best laptops for MBA students.