Why a 1080p webcam is a great buy for 2021: buying guide

The offers that made webcams a fantastic Christmas stocking in 2020 continued into 2021. Last year webcams were almost impossible to find as millions of people preparing to work or study from home tried to ‘improve the 720p models of most laptops. Now 1080p models are plentiful again, making it a great time to grab a few for yourself or your loved ones.

There are literally so many 1080p webcams available that Amazon has deals for you: coupons, daily discounts, jobs! Need this soon? Amazon should be able to ship something to you almost overnight. There are even high-end models with high refresh rates and built-in light rings for a few bucks more. With Black Friday upon us, there are even more deals: Razer’s excellent Kiyo Pro, for example, is $ 100 off (a 50% discount!) For Black Friday.

We haven’t tested these webcams, but looked at the model stacks available to select the best deals based on specifications and bundled extras. You can also refer to our separate Windows Hello webcams article to purchase a webcam for video conferencing and connect to your PC.

To help you choose, see our buying tips below our recommendations.

Cheap webcams: what to buy

• Wansview 1080p webcam: $ 23.99. There’s no privacy shutter, but there is a noise-canceling mic.
• Hrayazan 1080p webcam with tripod: $ 24.99. It’s a 1080p fixed-focus webcam with a tripod and a privacy shutter, which means you’ll have to adjust the distance for a good picture.

• EMeet C960 Web Camera: $ 28.89. This 90-degree webcam adds two microphones and noise cancellation, which can be useful if you have a radiator on or other white noise. Unfortunately, this probably won’t filter out arguing kids or barking dogs. There are also some low light settings.
• NexiGo 1080p Web Camera: $ 33.99. I bought it for my kids during the pandemic and they loved it. It might sound a little awkward, but it holds up perfectly well. This is a fixed focus webcam, but there is also an autofocus option for $ 54.99.

Stunning premium webcams: what to buy

We didn’t include any 4K webcams in this list because the models we reviewed didn’t convince us that 4K quality (or even 2K quality video) was streaming. The best option here remains the original Logitech Brio, which is available through a variety of Amazon shippers, at prices above $ 213.

• Razer Kiyo Pro: $ 99.99 ($ ​​100 off Black Friday) Why recommend a $ 200 webcam in favor of cheaper models? Our great review (with streaming video) shows why: great daylighting performance, great artificial lighting performance, 60 fps, and more.
• Logitech C920: $ 71 ($ 8.99 off). Amazon is not discounting this very popular model and we don’t expect it to go on sale. (Amazon actually hiked the price on Black Friday.) You’re paying for the brand name here because the C920e / C920 doesn’t offer a privacy shutter and the 1080p resolution has been matched by other webcams from this list.
• NexiGo 1080p 60fps webcam: $ 54.99 ($ ​​5 off). If smoother 60fps recording that’s closer to the TV 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. Autofocus will definitely come in handy when paired with the included webcam tripod. That price actually went up by about $ 10.

• Unzano Webcam with Ring Light: $ 49.99 ($ ​​16 off): This 1080p webcam is receiving a lot of positive reviews from users. It includes autofocus, dual microphones and a built-in ring light, which can help you look better even in poor conditions. There is no privacy shutter.
• Vitade 1080p webcam with ring light: $ 49.99. Another well-reviewed webcam with an integrated ring light. A newer model with light correction and autofocus sells for $ 75. Note that webcams with ring light 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 improve your appearance on your next Zoom call. Here’s what to look for:

Adjustable or fixed focus: Most of these cameras are fixed focal length, 30 fps webcams, roughly the same as in most laptops. Don’t worry about the fixed focus, as it has been preconfigured at a focal length to match the distance between your face and your laptop or monitor. However, you will have to take this into account with tripods or pay a little more for an autofocus webcam. Autofocus webcams are handy for situations where you can move around the room, but beware of distracting webcams that refocus frequently.

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

Confidentiality section: These devices do not pose a threat to privacy, for the simple reason that they can be easily unplugged. Most have a hinged privacy shutter, but you can still tape the camera or drape it with a dark cloth.

Light rings: Yes, built-in ring lights are now a thing on high-end webcams and well worth it if lighting is a challenge for you.

Set of tripods: With so many webcams on the market, manufacturers strive to differentiate their products. The new trend is a small tripod, which gives you more options for mounting the camera.

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