Webcams

Why add a webcam to a laptop

A laptop's camera has to fit in a thin strip above the screen, so it is small and often looks soft. Its angle is also fixed by the lid: with the laptop on a stand or beside a monitor, the camera ends up looking up your nose or off to one side. A webcam clips on top of whichever screen you look at, gives a sharper picture, and brings its own microphone. Every webcam here plugs into USB, and most are listed as plug and play.

What is in this range

• 1080p webcams (1920 x 1080) are the everyday choice for calls and online classes.
• 1440p and 2K webcams give a little more detail. "2K" is used loosely by makers, so read the actual resolution.
• 4K webcams (3840 x 2160) suit streaming and recording, and leave room to crop in on a wide shot.
• A camera with a zoom lens takes interchangeable screw-in lenses and is focused and zoomed by hand, for close-up work.

Several have autofocus, which keeps you sharp as you move; others are focused by turning the lens. Fields of view run from about 70 degrees, which frames one person, to over 100 degrees, which takes in a group round a table. Two have a privacy shutter built in, and one lists Windows Hello face sign-in.

How much resolution you need for calls

Less than you might think. Microsoft says Teams sends video up to 1080p at up to 30 frames a second where the connection allows. Zoom sends HD video only when it is switched on in its settings, and full 1080p only on some plans. So for calls, a good 1080p webcam with decent light usually looks as good as a 4K one. Light matters more than pixels: see video call lights. Our guide to webcams for video calls explains framing and settings.

Questions people ask about webcams

Does it need a driver?

Windows has a built-in driver for cameras made to the USB Video Class standard, which is why most webcams work as soon as they are plugged in. If an app cannot see the camera, check its permission under Privacy & security on Windows, or Privacy & Security in System Settings on a Mac.

Is the built-in microphone good enough?

For a quiet room, often yes. In a busy room, a headset keeps your voice clearer.

My laptop only has USB-C ports.

Use a USB-C to USB-A adapter or a USB-C hub.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when that webcam usually arrives, so check it before ordering for a set date.

More to look at

• Video call lights
• Webcam covers
• USB microphones
• Headsets with a microphone
• Adjustable laptop stands
• Guide: Webcams for video calls: picture, light and sound
• Guide: Microphones and headsets for calls and recording