Best Webcam for Youtube and Twitch
If you’re looking for a quick and affordable way to start streaming on Twitch or making videos on Youtube, then a webcam might just be your best bet. And today we’re counting down our top picks for the best webcam for YouTube and Twitch.
Webcams are video recording devices which allow you to broadcast on the internet with minimal setup required, which is ideal for vlogs and gaming streams.
It can also be nice to have a webcam you can use to check in on the house when you’re away on holiday or working while your pets are at home.
Here’s what to expect in this article:
- Reviews of the best webcam for Youtube and Twitch
- A brief buyer’s guide
- Your burning questions answered in a FAQ
Without further ado, here are our top picks…
👑 Our Pick for Best Overall
⭐ Our Other Top Webcam Picks for Youtube and Twitch
- Best of the Best: Logitech c922x
- Runner Up: Logitech BRIO
- Best on a Budget: Ausdom AW615
Best Webcam for YouTube and Twitch: Our Reviews
Logitech c922x (⭐ Best of the Best)
The best webcam for youtube in our view is the c922x from titan of the technology industry, Logitech.
Logitech is best known for its excellent computer hardware and accessories, which range from ergonomic mice to gaming keyboards, and includes everything in between. It makes sense, then, that it would try its hand at webcams too, given that they can play a significant role for streamers, vloggers, and many others. While this isn’t the only Logitech webcam on this list, the c922x is in our opinion the best overall, and we’ll get into why that is now.
The Logitech c922x is an outstanding computer accessory, which boasts excellent video and audio quality at a reasonable price. Webcams like this show that you don’t need a top quality video recording camera or camcorder in order to shoot great footage for vlogs, streams, or general use. The c922x offers everything you could want from a premium video recording device in a conveniently compact package.
To start with the most important feature of this webcam, you can expect 1080p resolution video at a frame rate of 30fps, or 720p at the smoother frame rate of 60fps. This makes the webcam ideal for taking both high quality and ultra smooth video, depending on what exactly you’re looking for in your videos or streams. If you love to move around a lot and react to games you’re playing on stream, then 60fps will capture the motion best, but if you want to make a serious vlog where you talk to your viewing audience then 1080p HD high quality video is the way to go.
The other noteworthy quality of the video recording capabilities of the c922x is the wide 78 degree lens, which gives you a broad view for your videos or streams. If you ever have people over for video recording purposes, then this wide view lens is just what you need, as it will pick up multiple people in the frame without need for adjustment. This is ideal for party-style gaming sessions or LAN party situations. You can also expect autofocus with this webcam, so if you do have multiple people vying for the attention of the camera, you don’t have to worry about faces blurring as the camera will keep you all in focus. It also adjusts to the light conditions in the room you’re in, so even those who enjoy gaming in a dimly lit space will appreciate this webcam.
Aside from the excellent video quality and options, the c922x also has two microphones on either side of it which allow for crisp stereo sound. As a result, you don’t have to worry about the low level of audio quality you might have come to expect from most webcams. The webcam also has a convenient design which can be mounted easily to a monitor or set up with a tripod on a table.
Features:
- Records in 1080p HD at 30fps, and 720p at 60fps
- Stereo sound
- Wide 78 degree field of view
- Premium autofocus
- Light correction
- Can be mounted on monitor or table
Logitech BRIO (🥈 Runner Up)
Our runner up pick is another webcam from popular tech brand Logitech, no surprises there. This model is the BRIO, which is a more premium option that offers sophisticated software and the best in video recording quality.
If you’re looking to push the boat out and invest in a webcam that’s built for recording high quality video and streams, then the Logitech BRIO should be your first port of call. The number one reason you’d want to have a look at this webcam over others is that it can record in stunning 4K resolution, which blows most webcams out of the water. While you might think it’s too early to invest in 4K video recording devices, the quality shows, so if you really want to upgrade your setup to please the most discerning of viewers in your audience, then the BRIO is the way to do so. You can record 4K at 30fps, but also 1080p and 720p at either 30fps or 60fps. This means that even if 4K isn’t necessary all of the time, you can still put out stunning 1080p footage in the smoothest of frame rates.
Another feature related to the video quality with this webcam is the inclusion of HDR, which stands for High Dynamic Range. If you’re not already aware of this term, it basically means that the webcam is capable of picking up a much wider range of colors than a normal webcam. This is another feature that while not essential, will earn you plenty of points among your viewers for video quality. There’s also a very wide field of view with the BRIO, which is even wider than that of the c922x. The BRIO has a field of view that can extend to 90 degrees, but is also adjustable, so you can find the perfect framing of you, your friends, and your streaming room.
But that’s not all. You can also expect autofocus with the BRIO, so you should stay in clear focus the whole time you are recording or streaming. Plus, there’s Right Light 3 technology which will automatically adjust the exposure and contrast to compensate for poor lighting or glare. This means that, much like the c922x, you can record in a dimly lit room and still get fantastic results with this webcam. HD 5x digital zoom is also available, which allows you to zoom in, but also pan the webcam around if necessary.
The BRIO also features a convenient setup like the c922x, as it can be either mounted on top of a monitor or on a tripod. Then there’s the Windows Hello compatibility, which is a neat extra piece of software that will let you log in to your computer with facial recognition.
Features:
- Records in 4k, 1080p, and 720p at 30fps or 60fps
- Features HDR (High Dynamic Range)
- Autofocus
- Right Light 3
- Compatible with Windows Hello
- HD 5X digital zoom
- 90 degree adjustable field of view
Ausdom AW615 (💸 Best on a Budget)
We believe the best webcam for Youtube and Twitch that you can get your hands on even if you’re on a tight budget is the Ausdom AW615.
It might surprise you to see that we went for a lesser well-known brand over another webcam from Logitech, but hear us out. The Ausdom AW615 is a perfectly capable microphone that’s available for around half the price of a lot of the Logitech webcams out there, including the 2 we reviewed in this guide. If it’s half the price and still offers a high quality video recording experience, then surely it’s worth at least considering, right?
The first thing you need to know about this budget webcam is that it offers full HD 1080p video at 30fps. While this isn’t the absolute best video quality you can get with a webcam, it should be good enough for most purposes. It’s great for video calls, vlogs, and even streaming on a video sharing platform like Youtube or Twitch. You’ll get the quality that most viewers on those platforms demand, while still getting a respectable frame rate. The 5-layer film-coated glass lens helps with the video quality too, and ensures that this doesn’t feel like a second-rate video recording device.
There’s an impressive wide viewing angle of 90 degrees with this webcam too, which rivals the premium devices like the BRIO from Logitech. This makes it very easy to stream or record video with multiple people in the shot at one time. There’s an omni-directional mic too, which is great for picking up audio coming from various directions and sources. If you need to customise the framing any more, you can make the most of the 360 degree rotation design, which lets you rotate the webcam up and down as well as left and right.
Finally, this webcam features autofocus which reduces the need for you to constantly tinker with the settings and manually correct the focus. The convenient design features a foldable metal memory clip which will fit on to any monitor, TV, or desk with ease.
Features:
- Records in HD 1080p at 30fps
- Wide 90 degree viewing angle
- Clip-on design
- Autofocus
- Rotation design
- Omni-directional microphone
Ultimate Guide
There are a number of factors you should pay attention to if you want to end up with the best webcam for you and your viewers.
As a piece of hardware, a webcam will have a variety of specifications and features, which will vary from one model to the next.
Some of the key factors we want to bring to your attention include the video recording quality and options, the audio quality, and the features that add real value to the webcam.
Video Recording Quality
The first thing you’ll probably be concerned with is the video recording quality of the webcam.
The video recording quality isn’t a black and white issue, and there are a number of things to pay attention to if you want the best video recording quality for your content or stream.
The main 2 ways you would typically determine the video recording quality of a webcam, and a camera in general, is by assessing the video resolution it can shoot in, alongside the frame rate, but there’s also a third way to ensure you get great quality video.
Resolution
If your main concern is having the highest picture quality, then you need to ensure you get a webcam that’s capable of recording in the best resolutions.
There are 3 resolutions that you will find with webcams, and we’ll list them here in ascending order from the lowest to highest quality.
- 720p
The first, lowest quality resolution that you’ll find in most webcams is 720p, which is 1280×720 pixels.
This is regarded as an HD (High Definition) resolution, and is suitable for most purposes.
If you aren’t overly concerned with having top quality video for your streams or vlogs, then 720p is a perfectly fine resolution to record in.
- 1080p
The next resolution is 1080p, which is often labelled as ‘full HD’, and is the optimal video resolution to shoot in for most video content.
This is the gold standard for many, and is the highest resolution supported by some video sharing platforms.
It’s perfect for streaming yourself playing games, since the quality is good enough to have a crisp picture.
- 4k
4k is often given the name ‘ultra HD’ and is indisputably the highest quality video resolution you can record in.
However, there is a caveat with 4k.
First of all, it will cost you a lot more to get a webcam with 4k. But also, it still isn’t the main resolution most people record in, so you could argue that 1080p is the better option for most people.
The plus side of 4k is it offers an unparalleled level of quality for your videos which is sure to impress viewers, and it’s also going to be a popular resolution in years to come.
Frame Rate (FPS)
Frame rate is the other main factor to look out for, since it determines how smooth your video footage will be.
- 30
30 fps is the slower of the 2 main frame rates used for webcams, and provides a decent enough viewing experience albeit slightly less smooth than 60fps.
This fps is fine for most people, unless you plan on moving around a lot or having a lot of people in frame.
- 60
60 fps is the gold standard of frame rates, and provides ultra smooth video, which is perfect for having a group of people in shot or recording videos in which you move around a lot.
Lens
Investing in a webcam with a decent lens is the other main way to ensure you capture great video footage every time.
Generally-speaking, try to avoid webcams with plastic lenses if video quality is the priority, and instead opt for one with a glass lens.
You’ll definitely notice the difference if you have a glass lens on your webcam, and it shouldn’t dramatically increase the price either, so it’s an easy way to get better results.
Features
Once you’ve found a webcam or 2 with the exact video quality you’re looking for, it’s time to assess the features.
Set Up
The set up of the webcam is important since the last thing you want is to invest in a webcam that you can’t find space for, or set up how you want.
Many webcams will come with a convenient mounting rig which will allow it to sit atop a monitor, but it’s worth looking for one which is tripod compatible if you prefer to have your webcam sitting on the desk or table in front of you.
Maneuverability
The other physical aspect of the webcam you should think about is its maneuverability.
If the webcam is static and can’t be moved or rotated at all, you’ll have a hard time finding the perfect angle to record in.
On the other hand, if you have a webcam that can pan and tilt, then you can adjust it to your preferences.
Field of View
The maneuverability of the webcam perhaps isn’t as big an issue though if you have a wide field of view.
The field of view determines how much enters the frame of the video as you record.
If the lens of the webcam has a wide field of view, such as 90 degrees, then it will give you a very wide picture that’s suitable for when you want a lot of the background in the shot or you have a few people over.
It’s a good idea to aim for a webcam that has an adjustable field of view if you record different styles of videos and streams, since you can configure it exactly how you want it each time you use it.
AutoFocus
Autofocus is a feature that you’ve probably heard of if you have any kind of experiences with cameras.
Essentially what autofocus does is keep faces clear in the video, even if the subject or subjects are moving around.
If your webcam doesn’t have a good autofocus system, then you will have to manually adjust the focus each time you move around or reposition yourself.
For the majority of streamers, autofocus in a webcam is a must.
If you’re a vlogger though, and your preferred style of video is sitting and talking to the camera, then you might get away with not having autofocus.
Light Correction
Light correction is important in a webcam, since more often than not, unless you’re a professional streamer or vlogger, you’ll be recording in rooms with less-than-ideal lighting.
What light correction does is adjust to the lighting in the room in order to deliver the clearest picture.
The more sophisticated light correction systems, like the ones featured in many of Logitech’s webcams, will ensure you capture great footage even if you record in a dimly lit room.
This is always a nice feature to have, unless of course you’re willing to splash out on expensive lighting to address the issue yourself.
Free Quiz: Find Your Ideal Gear Setup in 1 Minute or Less 📷
Frequently Asked Questions About Webcams for Youtube and Twitch
What is a good webcam for Twitch?
We would recommend the Logitech c922x for streaming, since this is a top webcam with great video recording settings.
You can record either 1080p in 30fps, or 720p in 60fps, so whatever it is you’re looking to stream, you can optimise your settings for the best viewer experience.
The c922x also has a decent stereo microphone setup for picking up the audio, as well as a handful of other useful features for streaming.
What webcam should I use for streaming?
If you have a big budget, we’d recommend the Logitech BRIO.
The BRIO offers the most comprehensive video recording experience with every setting and feature you could imagine, including the ability to record video in 4k resolution.
If you’re on a tight budget, then the Ausdom AW615 does a great job with its 1080p video recording at 30fps.
Can you vlog with a webcam?
Yes, you can absolutely record vlog-style content with a webcam.
The benefit of recording with a webcam for vlogs is that you can easily upload the footage, take stills for the thumbnails, and set it up for recording in an instant.
You can also expect high video quality, much like you’d get with a camcorder or DSLR camera.
A Final Word From Run Gun Shoot
Choosing a webcam for Youtube or Twitch can be intimidating, unless you focus in on exactly what it is that you need.
Think about the optimal video recording quality and options for your viewers, since they are the ones who will benefit most from a better webcam and the features it offers.
