Best 1080p Webcams: Expert Buying Tips

The offerings that made webcams a great storage add-on in 2020 have continued through 2021. Webcams were nearly impossible to find last year as millions of people preparing to work or study from home tried to improve on the models. 720p that most laptops have. Now 1080p models are plentiful again, so it’s the perfect time to buy some for yourself or your loved ones.

There are literally so many 1080p webcams available that Amazon offers you deals – coupons, daily discounts, everything you need! Do you need it soon? Amazon should be able to ship something to you almost overnight. There are even premium models with high refresh rates and built-in ring lights for a few dollars more. With Black Friday upon us, there are even more deals – Razer’s excellent Kiyo Pro, for example, is $ 100 off (50 percent off!) For Black Friday.

We haven’t tested these webcams, but we’ve thoroughly analyzed the stacks of models available to pick the best deals based on specs and included extras. You can also check our separate story on Windows Hello webcams to buy a webcam for video conferencing and log into your PC.

To help you choose, check out our buying tips below our recommendations.

Great Cheap Webcams – What to Buy

• Wansview 1080p webcam: $ 23.99. There is no privacy shutter, but there is a noise-canceling microphone.
• Hrayazan 1080p webcam with tripod: $ 24.99. This is a fixed focus 1080p webcam with tripod and privacy shutter, which means you will need to adjust the distance to get a good picture.

• EMeet C960 Webcam: $ 28.89. This 90-degree webcam adds dual microphones and noise cancellation, which can come in handy if you have a running heater or some other white noise. Unfortunately, it probably won’t filter out arguing kids or barking dogs. There are also some low-light settings.
• NexiGo 1080p webcam: $ 33.99. I bought this for my kids during the pandemic and they loved it. It may look a bit clunky, but it holds up perfectly well. This is a fixed focus webcam, but there is one auto focus option, too, for $ 54.99.

Great Premium Webcams – What to Buy

We did not include any 4K webcams on this list as the models we reviewed did not convince us that 4K quality (or even 2K quality) video was being broadcast. The best option here is still the original. Logitech brio, which is available through a variety of Amazon shippers, at prices above $ 213.

• Razer Kiyo Pro: $ 99.99 ($ ​​100 off for Black Friday) Why recommend a $ 200 webcam in favor of cheaper models? Our excellent review (with streaming video) shows why: excellent daylight performance, excellent artificial light performance, 60fps and more.
• Logitech C920: $ 71 ($ 8.99 discount). Amazon is not discounting this popular model and we don’t expect it to go on sale. (Amazon actually raised the price on Black Friday.) You’re paying for the brand name here, as the C920e / C920 doesn’t offer a privacy shutter and the 1080p resolution has been matched by other webcams on this list.
• NexiGo 1080p 60fps webcam: $ 54.99 ($ ​​5 discount). If smoother, TV-like recording at 60fps is important to you, you might want to pay a bit more for a webcam like this.
• NexiGo N680p 60fps webcam: $ 99.99: A slightly more expensive premium version of the other NexiGo camera above, this webcam adds autofocus, noise correction, and a built-in privacy shutter. The autofocus will definitely help when paired with the included webcam tripod. In reality, this price has increased by around $ 10.

• Unzano webcam with light ring : $ 49.99 ($ ​​16 off): This 1080p webcam gets a lot of positive reviews from users. It includes autofocus, dual microphones, and a built-in ring of light, which can help you look your best even in unsatisfactory conditions. There is no privacy shutter.
• Vitade 1080p webcam with ring light: $ 49.99. Another well-reviewed webcam with an integrated light ring. A newer model with light correction and autofocus retails for $ 75. Note that ring light webcams have a narrower field of view – 80 degrees.

1080p Webcam Buying Guide

A standalone 1080p webcam can’t add Windows Hello to your system, but it can greatly enhance your appearance on your next Zoom call. This is what to look for:

Fixed or adjustable focus: Most of these cameras are fixed focus 30fps webcams, pretty much the same as in most laptops. Don’t worry about fixed focus as it has been preset to a focal length that is roughly the distance between your face and your laptop or monitor. However, you’ll need to take this into account with tripods or pay a bit more for an autofocus webcam. Autofocus webcams are useful for situations where you may be moving around the room, but beware of frequently distracting and refocusing webcams.

Field of View (FOV): The camera’s field of view may vary. A 90-degree field of view helps people focus on you (and perhaps not the clutter you’ve hidden to the side). A field of view of 110 degrees or more works best for group shots, although distortion can become a problem the wider the field of view becomes.

Privacy shutter: These devices are not a threat to privacy, for the simple reason that they can be easily unplugged. Most have a hinged privacy shutter, but you can always tape over the camera or cover it with a dark cloth.

Ring lights: Yes, the integrated ring lights are now a feature of premium webcams and well worth the money if lighting is a challenge for you.

Tripod Package: With so many webcams on the market, manufacturers are struggling to differentiate their products. The new trend is a small tripod, which gives you more options for mounting the camera.

Updated at 11:00 am PT on November 24 with additional recommendations, updated pricing, and a link to the Razer Kiyo Pro review.