7 Best Webcams for YouTube Streaming

1. Hrayzan 1080P Streaming Cam w/ Mic | Best Budget

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

The Editor’s Best Budget pick is for the Hrayzan Webcam, an affordable plug-n-play product. It’s ready to capture impressive 1080p video at 30fps the moment you plug it into a USB port.

Webcam compatibility: Windows (all), Mac OS, Chrome OS, Android 5, and above.

Hrayzan HD Streaming Webcam Highlights

This webcam takes only moments to set up and is super-easy to use. You can fix it onto any LCD monitor or laptop lid using the attached universal clip. There’s even a tripod thread if you prefer that arrangement. Hrayzan’s HD webcam is equipped with a 110° wide-angle lens and a built-in noise-reduction mic. The microphone has a pickup range of over 16ft (4m), which is ideal for most situations.

The privacy cover is handy and not something that all budget-end webcams have. It prevents hackers from taking over the lens and spying on you, so it’s more than just a gimmick.

The Not So Good

The built-in noise-canceling microphone is ok for general video chat. It’s not so impressive to record YouTube videos or livestream to an audience. My advice would be to get a separate, quality mic.

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2. INMISS 1080p HD Webcam for YouTube | Best Value

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

The Best Value plug-n-play webcam is the INMISS 1080p HD Computer Cam for YouTube. It’s a portable, fold-n-go product, with a 180° tripod-ready, 360° rotatable clip.

Webcam compatibility: Windows 2000, XP, 7, 8, 10 and above, Mac OS, Google Chrome OS, Smart TVs, Google Android smart devices 5.0 or higher

Svcouok 1080p HD Webcam Highlights

This flexible webcam is suitable for all popular video and chat platforms. Some of those include YouTube, WhatsApp, Skype, OBS, Facebook live, Twitch, and many others. The 1080p cam records and live streams at a smooth 30fps (frames per second). You get a 120° ultra-wide-angle lens that shows more of you and your surroundings in 16:9 widescreen format.

The INMISS 1080p HD Webcam also comes with a convenient built-in noise-canceling microphone. Another feature that keeps your videos professional is the auto low-light correction. And the high dynamic range (HDR) technology enhances contrast and the video’s range of colors.

The Not So Good

This webcam has a fixed focus wide-angle lens, so make sure you’re okay with that before you buy it. Or, consider a different product if you need a narrower FOV or zoom feature.

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3. Logitech C920S Pro 1080p HD Webcam | Top Pick

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

Logitech gets the top pick with its popular C920S HD Pro Webcam. Add this product to your shortlist if you need a widescreen cam for video calling, recording, and 1080p streaming.

Webcam compatibility: Windows 7, 8, 10, or later, and most of the video calling applications.

Logitech C920S Pro Highlights

The Logitech C920S Pro is a widely-used webcam for YouTube streamers. It’s quick to set up and super-easy to use at any level. The camera has a 78° field of view and uses superior glass elements for sharper pictures. Logitech’s C920S also has smooth autofocus (AF) and automatic low-light correction. And the two built-in omnidirectional mics capture natural-sounding stereo audio.

Other features are the included universal clip and snug-fitting privacy shutter. Lastly, the Logitech Capture App makes light work of creating and customizing your videos.

The Not So Good

Some users are sure to find the fixed 5ft USB cable a little on the short side. YouTubers who need more flexible placement—especially with a tripod—will need an extension cord.

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4. Microsoft LifeCam Cinema Webcam

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

Meet the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema Plug-n-Play Webcam. It’s an excellent tool to record video and stream to YouTube and Twitch, etc. The reputable brand recognition is also significant.

Webcam compatibility: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, and Vista, Macintosh OSX v10.7-10.10 and above.

Microsoft LifeCam Cinema Highlights

The build quality of this webcam is evident with its aluminum body. Microsoft’s LifeCam Cinema has a precision glass lens and captures 720p HD video with a 73° widescreen. The built-in unidirectional noise-cancellation microphone provides crystal-clear audio. This autofocus webcam also comes with a pan-tilt function and a 4x digital zoom.

Another neat feature is the auto-image TrueColor and sharpness adjustment with full manual override. The included clamp is not the most intuitive (see next), but the camera does rotate 360°.

The Not So Good

The mounting bracket is not the most intuitive or flexible compared to some products. It doesn’t have a firm hold on slim monitors or ultra-thin laptop lids. Another con is that the LifeCam cinema doesn’t include a privacy cover for the lens. A lot of rival and cheaper products nowadays do.

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5. eMeet C980 Desktop Full-HD Video Webcam

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Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

This review is for the eMeet C980, a plug-n-play Full HD 1080p webcam. It’s a competitive model for YouTube recording, streaming, video chat, and web conferencing.

Webcam compatibility: Windows 7,8, and 10, Mac OS 10.10 and later, Android V5.0 and newer, Google Chrome OS, and all popular video streaming and conferencing platforms.

eMeet C980 Full HD Webcam Highlights

eMeet’s C980 webcam has an autofocus lens with a wide 80° field of view (FOV). It’s capable of streaming smooth video in 1080p at 30 frames per second or fps. Image quality is consistent most of the time. The auto-image correction kicks in with an exposure, color, and low-light boost when needed. This cam comes with a practical privacy-security cover to protect the lens and keep hackers out.

The C980’s high-quality audio complements its HD video. It uses 4 equally spaced built-in microphones with noise-reduction and echo-cancellation technology.

The Not So Good

The auto-image correction feature usually works well. However, it can be hit-and-miss with drastic changes in the light. The C980 doesn’t have manual override controls like the MS LifeCam above. Thus, this webcam works better indoors under more controlled lighting than it does outside.

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6. MELCAM Video Camera Camcorder for YouTube

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

Some YouTubers prefer Digital-SLR cameras or camcorders over webcams. I’ve reserved this slot for reviewing the multifunctional MELCAM Video Camera Camcorder. Let’s check it out.

Camcorder OS compatibility: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10, Mac 10.2 and above.

MELCAM Video Camera Camcorder Highlights

There are lots of buttons and added features to a camcorder compared to a webcam. Despite that, everything is pretty straightforward. The camera has a smart, modern design and is comfortable to hold for extended periods. It captures FHD 1080P video at 30fps. You can handhold this beauty or mount it on a sturdy tripod. It has built-in Anti Shake, Beauty Face, and Face Detection technologies.

A hot shoe on the top holds an external fill light if you need one. The 3.0” IPS color flip screen makes framing and filming a cinch with the Melcam. This device acts as a webcam when connected to a computer via its USB port. It’s then ready to live stream directly to YouTube, Facebook, or video call software. Users can easily watch their recorded video on a large TV screen via the HDMI cable.

More useful features

Another welcome feature is the built-in mic. You can also attach an external rechargeable stereo mic (included). This versatile camcorder comes equipped with IR night vision and 16x digital zoom. Users appreciate the fact that it’s possible to use this camera while charging. Not all cameras can. Creative YouTubers get to show off with slow-motion and time-lapse video if it fits in with their style.

The Not So Good

This camcorder is a tad power-hungry. That’s especially noticeable among novice users who are less economical with their shooting. The charging-while-using function is a godsend for indoor use, though.

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7. Logitech C930e 1080P HD Webcam for YouTube

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

The last webcam review is for the popular Logitech C930e. It’s a quality product that captures video in FHD at a smooth 30 frames per second. The C930e works seamlessly with both Mac and PC.

Webcam compatibility: Windows 7, 8, and Windows 10, macOS X (10.7 or higher), and Google Chrome OS Version (29.0.1547.70 and higher).

Logitech C930e HD PTZ Webcam Highlights

Logitech’s C930e 1080P HD has an autofocus lens with a wide 90° field of view (FOV). It also has pan-n-tilt control and 4x digital zoom. PTZ control is especially useful for How-to and Unboxing YouTube presentations. The built-in dual Omni-directional microphones produce ultra-clear stereo audio. This cam includes a universal tripod-ready clip that attaches quickly to lids, screens, and monitors.

It’s an incredibly user-friendly camera and compatible with most video apps and online platforms. Camera functions and video quality are consistent under everyday conditions. That’s thanks to the H264 Compression and auto-light correction. The only potential letdown is the autofocus (see next).

The Not So Good

The autofocus works well most of the time if your setting is uncluttered. It can be a bit hit-and-miss, though, when the surroundings are busy or if you film close up. My advice is to use the manual focus in these situations to avoid frustration.

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