With the number of remote workers steadily growing, video conferences have become the norm for employees and organizations around the world.
Technological advancements have made it easier than ever to connect, collaborate and brainstorm with colleagues — no matter where you’re located. A reliable, high-quality webcam is one of the most important pieces of tech equipment you need to get the most out of virtual meetings.
Most laptops and some all-in-one desktop computers include a built-in webcam. But these cameras often produce blurry or pixelated images, and the limited video angle adjustments and lack of controls can make your video quality look less-than-professional.
External video conference cameras offer features that can level up your virtual meeting experience: higher resolution, better color balance, improved speed and more adjustable controls.
With so many video conference cameras to choose from, it can be difficult to know which is the best fit for your needs. To save you time, we’ve put together a list of the 9 best video conference cameras in 2022. Read on to find a high-quality external webcam that will help you look professional and polished while you work remotely.
Best Video Conferencing Cameras
Logitech C922 Pro Stream
Resolution: 1080p | Framerate: 30fps | Field of view: 78 degrees
The Logitech C922 Pro Stream boasts a 1080p camera, HD autofocus, remarkable audio quality and low-light correction that produces razor-sharp images, even if you’re in a dimly lit room. Additional features include dual-microphone stereo audio and a universal monitor mount so you can attach it to any computer or sit it at your desktop.
Don’t want your colleagues to see the background where you’re joining from? You’ll love the additional feature that allows you to remove and replace your background. Bonus: it comes with a tripod.
Pros:
- Crystal clear picture quality
- Dual stereo microphones
- HD lens with autofocus and brightness correction
Cons:
- No privacy cover for lens
Price: $79.99 USD
Razer Kiyo Pro
Resolution: 1080p | Framerate: 60fps | Field of view: 103 degrees
The Razer Kiyo Pro is packed with all the features you need to have a seamless virtual conference experience: 1080p resolution at 60FPS, a built-in 5600K daylight-balanced ring light, and a wide-angle lens with three different viewing angles.
Additional features include the adaptive light sensor for picture-perfect quality even in low-light conditions, good quality microphone and the ability to record video and audio with no background noise.
Pros:
- Outstanding image quality
- HDR capabilities
- Compact design: foldable for easy storage when not using
Cons:
- Only compatible with Windows
Price: $99.99 USD
Anker PowerConf C300
Resolution: 1080p | Framerate: 60fps | Field of view: Up to 115 degrees
Designed for work-from-home professionals, the Anker PowerConf C300 is full of innovative features. This device includes a 1080p camera that can record up to 60 frames/second, an adjustable field of view from 78 degrees to 115 degrees (helpful if you move around a lot!), AI-powdered autofocus, and super-sensitive dual stereo microphones to ensure you are both seen and heard in your virtual meetings. Comes with a physical shutter for the lens to ensure privacy when not in use.
Pros:
- Fantastic image clarity
- Vivid colors and low-light correction
- Noise reduction dual stereo microphones
Cons:
- Some users report occasional LED flickers
Price: $126.99 USD
Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p V2
Resolution: 1080p | Framerate: 30 fps | Field of view: 77 degrees
If you want an upgrade for your video quality without spending a lot of money, the Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p V2 is an excellent video conference camera option. This HD device offers a sharp, vibrant image quality and a 77-degree field of view to help you look your best with minimal background distractions.
Easily mounted on a laptop or desktop, allowing users to tilt the camera as needed. Built-in speakers provide clear audio, but this low-priced model doesn’t reduce background noise, so you’ll want to dial in from a quiet room for important meetings.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Built-in privacy feature
- Bright, clear image quality
Cons:
- Picture quality can be fuzzy if in a low-lit room
Price: $39.99 USD
Logitech HD Webcam C615
Resolution: 1080p | Framerate: 30 fps | Field of view: 60 degrees
If you travel a lot for work or pleasure, the fold-and-go design of the C615 from Logitech is an excellent external webcam option. Record in 1080p and video conference at 720p for a smooth experience. The device’s 360-degree full rotational camera and auto-focus features ensure your image stays crystal-clear, even as you move around.
The built-in microphone filters out background noise and automatic light correction produces clear videos even when you’re in a poorly lit room.
Pros:
- Small and portable
- Crisp picture quality
- Autofocus and light correction
Cons:
- Short USB cable (5 ft.)
Price: $69.99 USD
Poly Studio P5
Resolution: 1080p | Framerate: 60 fps | Field of view: 80 degrees
The Poly Studio P5 has superior low-light performance and offers some of the best sound quality for a mid-range priced external webcam.
This device has a 4x zoom option so you can focus the camera on you rather than the background, and a directional microphone helps ensure you are heard clearly. Additional features include a privacy lens, 80-degree field of view and autofocus capabilities.
Pros:
- 4x zoom
- Excellent picture quality even in dimly lit rooms
- USB port for headset
Cons:
- Only one speaker
Price: $89.99 USD
Nexigo N93AF
Resolution: 1080p | Framerate: 30 fps | Field of view: 65 degrees
The NexiGo N930AF boasts a lot of features for an affordable price. Autofocus, a privacy shutter, and a built-in noise reduction microphone make this an excellent option for video conferences from home. Users who don’t want to download software for external webcams will love the plug-and-play capability.
The field of view is limited at 65 degrees and is not adjustable, but the high-quality video in both bright and dim lighting makes this an excellent choice.
Pros:
- Autofocus
- Easy, user-friendly install
- Privacy shutter
Cons:
- Non-adjustable field of view; no tilt or zoom
Price: $54.99 USD
Elgato Facecam
Resolution: 1080p | Framerate: 60 fps | Field of view: Fixed
The Elgato Facecam webcam has 1080p resolution at 60fps with an uncompressed video to ensure your images are crisp and detailed. Elgato’s software allows you to manually adjust options to improve lighting in dimly lit rooms. Screw-mount the device to a tripod or use the included monitor clip to place it on your laptop or desktop. The clip allows you to tilt the camera until you get the perfect view, which is important with a fixed focus camera. This device doesn’t have a microphone, so you’ll need another audio option for video conferences.
Pros:
- Sharp and smooth picture quality
- Privacy shutter
- On-board memory to save preferred settings
Cons:
- Fixed focus
Price: $169.99 USD
Meeting Owl Pro
Resolution: 1080p | Framerate: 30 fps | Field of view: 360 degrees
If you hold virtual meetings in a conference room and need the best conference room webcam, look no further than the Meeting Owl Pro. The 1080p resolution offers sharp images and the 360-degree camera comes with autofocus to track and zoom in on the speaker.
Eight built-in smart microphones automatically equalize the volume to ensure even those sitting far from the device can be heard. Works without downloads or software installs, so you can easily use it after connecting the USB and plugging it into a power outlet.
Pros:
- 360-degree high-quality video
- Superior audio quality with intelligent speaker tracking
- Quick plug & play setup
Cons:
- Cost may be prohibitive for organizations on a small budget
Price: $999.99 USD
