Best Webcam for Streaming
Find the best webcam for streaming on Twitch, Mixer & Facebook Gaming
- Last Updated Apr 17, 2020
A high-quality, feature-rich webcam for streaming whether it’s use is for accompanying gameplay, or if you just like to show off your face, is a necessity. Similarly, securing one that has those high resolutions to make your steam look as crispy as possible is essential. With this list of best webcams for streaming, you should be able to find one to suit your needs. We have selections boasting 4k resolutions or ones that give you an automatic green screen, as well as a budget pick for you looking to get into streaming without breaking the bank.
Products at a Glance
How We Picked
Selecting the best webcam for streaming can be troublesome with a multitude of different resolution settings and features out there. However, when scouring the market we’ve encountered one brand over and over; Logitech. For good reason, they have incorporated impressive features into really great devices, catering to streamers both big and small while coming in at respectable price points. When narrowing our choices down we focussed on three main points – streaming resolution, webcam features, and accompanying software, creating a list of webcams for streaming that should have more than enough to get you by on the streaming platform of your choice no matter if its Twitch, Mixer, or even Facebook Gaming.
Best Webcam for Streaming
As previously alluded to, we’ve got a bunch of Logitech webcams on this list but they all offer up slightly different plusses. Take this Logitech Brio for example, it’s the only one to be featured that details a 4k streaming resolution, blowing both 1080p and 720p resolutions out of the water. Granted, you’ll only be able to achieve 30FPS at that resolution but if you’re not to bothered about that, it’s definitely worth the extra cash. There are other top tier features too with a 5x digital full HD digital zoom as well as autofocus and Rightlight 3 technology making your camera quality crystal clear no matter what your lighting setup is. The adjustable field of view function is also fantastic, creating a video feed that has the professional quality of a much more expensive DSLR camera setup. Additionally, the inclusion of background replacement, you’ll be able to have that green screen effect while streaming, adding that little something extra to your broadcast. Finally, it’s also certified to work with a plethora of software so while streaming will be its primary use, its fully capable of being a video conferencing tool too.
Moving to the bundled software, we can see that Logitech hasn’t skimped on the features and settings. You’ll be able to pan, zoom, and control the image output as well as add things like text overlays and filters. All in all, this is a high-resolution webcam for streaming that provides an incredibly crisp image coupled with handy features like background replacement and Rightlight 3, enabling you to have a professional setup without having to spend the professional price.
The second Logitech webcam to make the cut is the Logitech C922 Pro Stream. This maxes out at 1080p resolution in 30FPS while also offering 720p in 60FPS if you’d rather go for a smoother look and feel. The viewing angle of this webcam is also pretty great coming in at 78 degrees, more than ample space to fit in two people if your stream consists of some couch co-op madness. While it doesn’t give you the Rightlight 3 technology that the Brio does, it’s still well equipped with HD autofocus and light correction, providing a stellar image in even the darkest of rooms. You’ll also be getting dual microphones built into the webcam itself, almost eliminating the need for an external microphone, picking up your voice from wide angles and producing quality that is clear and natural. With this variant, you’ll be receiving a little something extra. A tripod to be exact. While most people just hang their webcam on top of their monitor, having the different angles a tripod can offer could differentiate you in the streaming world.
Unfortunately, this webcam doesn’t have that background replacement that’s desired by many which is a downside. But, with a bunch of streamers opting to ditch the green screen and show off their setup instead with a full camera view, you might not want that background replacement anyway. While it doesn’t come with that tech, what you’ll still get is Logitech’s top software, enabling you to adjust your webcam on the fly and without having to touch the device itself. This webcam is a 1080p beast and really provides top video quality. You’re also getting the Logitech stamp of approval, which you know is worth its weight in gold.
The first non-Logitech webcam to make an appearance and it’s made by who other than gaming peripheral specialists Razer. The Razer Kiyo is a webcam that differentiates itself from the rest with one clear feature – lighting. The 5600K ring light that Razer has built into the Kiyo is fantastic and gives off enough light for you to lose those extra box lights that would’ve previously been required. You also don’t need to worry about balancing the light either as it can be adjusted to the light levels of your room extremely easy through the rotating bezel, providing the optimal settings required at any given time. Looking at the resolution we can see that you’ll be getting those identical to that of the Logitech C922 Pro Stream making for some really crispy video while streaming.
Even though it does include that built-in ring light, it’s also surprisingly compact, enabling you to attach it to your laptop or even take it with you to gaming conventions if you’re looking to stream portably. Razer’s webcam software isn’t too bad either, allowing you to change some camera settings as well as save profiles for when you’re streaming different games for example. It is, however, not as good as Logitech’s software, so something to consider when comparing the two brands. The Razer Kiyo certainly doesn’t disappoint both in terms of camera quality and that really impressive inbuilt ring light, you’ll be able to ditch that professional lighting setup and the cost that goes along with it, making this webcam a top overall package.
The third and final Logitech webcam to make the best webcams for streaming is the StreamCam and makes it as our best overall pick for a number of reasons. It allows you to stream in full 1080p while also supporting 60FPS, making it on par with the Brio but without the hefty price tag. You’ll also have the ability to flip it on its side and film in 9:16, a welcomed addition for those looking to stream as well as record videos for platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Looking at how it’s powered, we can see that it utilizes USB-C which enables a stable and strong connection as well as high video transfer speeds. Moving to the specific features, you’ll be receiving AI-enabled facial tracking allowing for precise focus and exposure. Speaking of exposure, the auto-exposure is expertly-tuned so no matter the lighting conditions, you can still get a top tier video feed. The dual built-in microphones are also handy, allowing both stereo and dual mono recording, convenient for you audiophiles out there.
As with all the Logitech picks, you’ll receive that top tier software enabling you to apply a plethora of settings, effects, and more to enable your Twitch stream look that even more premium. Ending this best overall webcam for streaming, the StreamCam really delivers both video quality, that improved FPS that others lack, and enhanced functionality with the 9:16 aspect ratio option. We think this is the perfect pick for the masses and one that will work well now, and into the future.
We’ve featured many AUKEY products in an array of different articles due to their budget nature yet still offering pretty great specs. The AUKEY FHD Webcam is another of those products. It provides full 1080p streaming capabilities through a 1/2.7” CMOS image sensor detailing some super sharp quality, seemingly unheard of in this price bracket. Unfortunately, it doesn’t reach that 60FPS being locked to a max of 30FPS but that’s certainly expected when spending so little. You’ll also receive a built-in microphone but its sadly placed on the back of the device making it a little lackluster for streaming purposes and just not as good as all of the other webcams we’ve detailed here. Similarly, there’s no software on offer here so you’re going to have to manually adjust your settings in your streaming software, whether that be OBS or Xsplit for example. A bit of a downside but that’s what happens when going for a more budget option. Moving back to some positives, we can see that you’ll get a 75-degree lens, close to those previously mentioned and more than enough for two people to fit into the frame. Additionally, this lens also allows some crispy focus up to 3m away so if you have a multi-scene streaming setup, you’ll be able to get that sharp image no matter what.
Overall, the AUKEY FHD Webcam is more than capable as a webcam for Twitch, Mixer and Facebook Gaming streaming. You’re getting that all-important 1080p resolution albeit locked to 30FPS, but it should be more than enough for most of you budding broadcasters. The lens is also quite impressive and better than expected when looking at a budget webcam for streaming. A brilliant all-round pick without hurting your wallet too much.
Things To Consider
Our Verdict
So, as Logitech has dominated the board for the best webcam for streaming due to their top tier video quality and software that is far better than the others out there. However, if we were to pick one that satisfies the most needs while also being wary of price, the StreamCam is certainly the way to go. It has that 1080p 60FPS quality that others can’t compete with coupled with handy additional features. On the other hand, if we weren’t to pick a Logitech webcam, the Razer Kiyo is hard to pass up. The ring light is such a good addition and really bumps up that professional aspect of your streaming setup. However, for those on a budget, the AUKEY is no slouch and certainly one to consider for those introducing themselves into the world of streaming.