Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall cheap webcam is the Logitech C920S.
- When looking at cheap webcams, you should ideally look for a camera that offers 1080p video quality or above.
- Choosing the right field of view is a big factor in deciding which cheap webcam is right for you.
No matter what your reason is for adding a third-party webcam to your computer, you should rest assured you do not need to spend a fortune to do so. Whether it’s working from home, video chatting with family, or filming your daily vlogs, any cheap webcam can be a huge improvement over the one built into your laptop or all-in-one desktop. For anyone using a standalone monitor, adding a webcam is a necessity, and being able to do so with minimal setup is just one more reason to make a budget-friendly investment.
Let’s take a look at the best cheap webcams you can purchase today.
- Best Overall: Logitech C920S HD Pro Webcam
- Best Microphone: Microsoft LifeCam Studio
- Best for Streaming: Razer Kiyo
- Best for Portability: Logitech C310
- Best for 4K: DEPSTECH DW49
- Best Field of View: Anker PowerConf C200
#1 Best Overall: Logitech C920S HD Pro Webcam
- Full 1080p video calls
- Video recording at 1080p with the glass lens
- HD autofocus and light correction
- Stereo audio with dual mics
Widely regarded as the best cheap webcam available on the market today, the Logitech C920S HD Pro Webcam is a great choice for anyone looking for their first webcam.
Delivering vivid Full HD video (1080p at 30 FPS) with an HD glass lens, you can find upward of a 78-degree field of view with the C920S. In addition, the C920S takes the opportunity to automatically correct lighting to help portray you in the best way possible. The built-in autofocus feature also works automatically to make quick adjustments to maintain a fluid video stream. When you add the built-in dual mics for a clear stereo sound, you start to understand why the Logitech C920S is so popular.
As is the case with many webcams these days, the included privacy shutter comes in handy when the camera is not in use and is easy to flip off when it’s time to get on video.
When you want to make some additional camera changes, you can utilize the Logi Tune webcam software to adjust the field of view or make sure the C920S has the latest software updates. You can also make quick adjustments to the zoom to add or remove as much background as possible.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent video quality at 1080p | Average field-of-view sizing |
| Dual mics help block out background noise |
Check out the Logitech C920S HD Pro Webcam on Amazon.
Best Microphone: Microsoft LifeCam Studio
- 1080p HD video recording
- 720p HD video chat
- TrueColor technology with face tracking
- 360-degree rotation
Offering Full HD 1080p video quality and a wideband microphone, the Microsoft LifeCam Studio is a great choice for anyone who values clear audio.
The high-fidelity microphone on the LifeCam is the best in the budget-friendly space thanks to its ability to create a natural sound that doesn’t sound like it’s going through any special filters. Instead, you sound as natural over video as you would if you were standing right next to the person on the other side of your video chat. Of course, microphone quality isn’t the only reason to consider the LifeCam Studio. The inclusion of a wide-angle glass lens that pivots a full 360 degrees makes for a budget-friendly choice.
If the LifeCam has any downside, it’s that video chat is in 720p while the 1080p Full HD feature only comes out for video recording. Beyond this one negative, the LifeCam offers direct compatibility with Microsoft Teams and Zoom and is compatible with macOS as well.
Extra features include a superb autofocus feature for the price point as well as light correction and TrueColor technology. The latter feature helps to make sure you are showing up in lifelike colors with whomever you are video chatting.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Direct compatibility with Microsoft video chat services | Video chat is only 720p quality |
| TrueColor technology helps you look your best | The best features only work with Microsoft services |
Check out the Microsoft LifeCam Studio on Amazon.
Best for Streaming: Razer Kiyo
- Up to 1080p video and audio recording/calling at 30 FPS
- Built-in lighting with a 5600K ring light
- Compact folding design
- Compatible with OBS, XSplit, Twitch, YouTube, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams
Whether it’s for streaming on Twitch, YouTube, or TikTok, you need a great webcam that doesn’t cost a fortune, and the Razer Kiyo is undoubtedly the best of the bunch.
As is typical Razer quality, you can find two great video settings between 720p at 60 FPS or 1080p at 30 FPS. No matter which direction you go, you should expect great quality with the Razer because of one addition to the camera that helps you look your very best.
Around the camera lens is a built-in 5600K daylight-balanced ring light that ensures you have even lighting no matter what type of ambient lighting is available. Making adjustments to the lighting is super easy as all adjustments are done right there on the hardware and no downloadable software is required.
The inclusion of the ring light helps you say goodbye to grainy video and brings out the very best look you can offer. Best of all, the Razer Kiyo is incredibly compact so it’s easy to take on the go and set up anywhere you want to stream from that day. As soon as you plug the camera in it’s immediately compatible with Twitch, XSplit, OBS, YouTube, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Skype.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ring light helps you look your best | No downloadable software to tweak settings |
| Ready to go out of the box for streaming with Twitch and other services | Ring light still requires solid ambient lighting to work well |
Take a look at the Razer Kiyo on Amazon today.
Best for Portability: Logitech C310
- Perfectly portable at 2.8 x 1.2 inches in size
- Delivers up to 720p video quality
- 60-degree field of view
- Compatible with Microsoft Teams and Zoom
There are small cheap webcams on the market today and then there is the Logitech C310 HD webcam, which is definitely the smallest of the bunch.
Perfectly sized for portability at a height of 2.8 inches and a width of 1.2 inches, you can easily stick the Logitech C310 in your pocket when not in use. Before you pack it away, the under $30 C310 can deliver 720p video quality at 30 FPS with a full 60-degree field of view. Right out of the box, the Logitech C310 is already compatible with Skype, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom, and can integrate with other video calling services with ease.
Even though it’s a small package, the Logitech C310 still has enough room for a few key features. These features include a noise-reducing microphone that can make sure you sound clear up to five feet away from the camera itself. Also available to Logitech C310 owners is an auto-light correction that helps the camera quickly adjust to various lighting conditions so you look your best.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Compact and portable size | Small field of view |
| Noise-reducing microphone | Only records in 720p video quality |
Check out the Logitech C310 on Amazon.
Best for 4K: DEPSTECH DW49
- Utilizes CMOS Sony sensor for 4K quality up to 30 FPS
- Face tracking features
- Removes unwanted objects in background
- Dual microphones
Finding a budget-friendly 4K webcam isn’t easy, but the DEPSTECH DW49 delivers and does so with a price tag well under $100.
With a built-in 8-megapixel camera that incorporates a one-third-inch CMOS Sony sensor, you have a camera that delivers up to a 3,840 x 2,160p resolution at 30 FPS. At such an attractive price point, you want to make sure the DEPSTECH delivers with other features and the good news is that it absolutely does.
In addition to the 4K quality, the DW49 adds dual microphones with noise-canceling technology to filter out background noise with ease. An autofocus feature also works incredibly fast to quickly find the right focus and can even utilize face tracking technology to keep you in the right field of view.
On top of the already deep feature set, the DW49 incorporates auto white balance and auto-exposure control for two additional ways to bring out the best possible video image. If you were not already convinced to pick up the DW49, it also adds wide-ranging compatibility with a host of video services including YouTube, Facebook Live, FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and more. One final bonus is that the DEPSTECH DW49 provides four stickers so you can decorate your webcam and a touch of personalization.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong 80-degree field of view | Unknown name might be a deterrent for some |
| 4K video quality at 30 FPS | Noise-canceling only works when close to the camera |
Take a look at the DEPSTECH DW49 on Amazon today.
Best Field of View: Anker PowerConf C200
- Up to 2K ultra-clear resolution
- 65, 78, or 95-degree field of view
- Larger aperture size captures more light
- AI noise cancelation technology
Finding a cheap webcam that offers a wide field of view isn’t easy, but the Anker PowerConf C200 delivers.
Available with three fields of view choices, you can opt for a 65, 78, or 95-degree field of view directly through the downloadable AnkerWork software. Depending on the FOV you choose, you can get up close and personal showing only your face, or with the 95-degree FOV, have complete flexibility to show off a whole room with multiple people appearing on camera.
Beyond the FOV, Anker has added some extra features like a larger aperture size to bring in more light to help with low-light or difficult ambient light settings. AI noise-cancelation makes use of Anker’s dual microphones to pick up only your voice while leaving out any background noise so anyone on the other end of a video call is only hearing you.
Best of all, the Anker PowerConf C200 delivers a 2K resolution so you have excellent video clarity and sharp colors so you (hopefully) look as good as you sound. When not in use, slide in the privacy protection cover for a little extra peace of mind and continue with your workday.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best-in-class field of view at 95 degrees | AI noise cancelation is hit or miss |
| 2K resolution |
Check out the Anker PowerConf C200 on Amazon.
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How to Pick the Best Cheap Webcam: Step-by-Step
When you are looking to pick up a cheap webcam, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind.
- Field of view
- Resolution
- Focus
- Microphone audio
Field of View
When choosing a cheap webcam, thinking about how large or small your desired field of view should be is a critical component before making a purchase. Do you want to be able to show as much of your background as possible or do you want to just see yourself on screen? Depending on the answer to this question, you might look at the Logitech C310 with its 60-degree field of view or the Anker PowerConf C200 with its 95-degree field of view.
Resolution
Finding a 4K or even a 2K resolution in the cheap webcam space is not easy but it’s definitely possible. However, you are more likely to have less expensive options if you settle on a 1080p solution. There is no question 4K will look better, and in the case of the DEPSTECH DW49, you can find 4K for cheap, but if you are okay with 1080p, your available options are plentiful.
Focus
No matter what resolution or field of view you choose, finding a cheap webcam with autofocus is paramount. The last thing you want is to find a high-quality 2K/4K camera that takes 10 seconds to autofocus. Finding a cheap webcam option that offers strong autofocus should be one of the first aspects of shopping around.
Microphone Audio
Just as important as focus, microphone audio can play a big role in how well you are heard by anyone you are video chatting or streaming live with. The last thing you want is to sound garbled or have too much background noise come through. Make sure you find a cheap webcam that highlights noise cancelation so that you know you will not have any problems with barking dogs in the background.
Using a Cheap Webcam: What It’s Like
No matter which cheap webcam you choose, you can expect good enough quality to have plentiful video chats without feeling self-conscious about how you appear on camera. There is no question that using a 2K or 4K quality lens is going to make you feel even better as there will be less of a grainy look against a 720p webcam.
Still, all of these webcams do the same thing at the end of the day, so finding one within your budget is still the most important part of the decision. Some cheap webcams, like the Logitech C920S, offer excellent downloadable software to really find the right balance of light and audio. If you can find an option that can tweak the webcam experience through software, that’s always an ideal solution to help create the best possible settings.
Summary Table
| Rank | Webcam |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Logitech C920S |
| Best Microphone | Microsoft LifeCam Studio |
| Best for Streaming | Razer Kiyo |
| Best for Portability | Logitech C310 |
| Best for 4K | DEPSTECH DW49 |
| Best Field of View | Anker PowerConf C200 |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Marcelo.mg.photos/Shutterstock.com.
