Are you using your computer or tablet’s built-in webcam for your video calls? That’s great for convenience, but it won’t give you the best image quality possible. If you’re looking to up your video calls, consider investing in an external webcam.
The webcams that are built into our machines are usually not the best. After all, a computer or tablet has a lot of other components going for it — the display, the processor, the design, the keyboard, etc., all needing focus (and money) from the manufacturer. A webcam, while almost always included, isn’t always given the same level of energy.
Most people aren’t buying a computer for the best webcam, anyway — they want a fast and sleek machine that is capable of video conferencing. Some computers, especially ones built after COVID-19, have some improved cameras, but for the best quality, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
External webcams can offer excellent quality over your built-in options because that’s all they have to be — manufacturers can focus solely on providing a solid video experience with their webcams, so they do!
These webcams range in price and quality — you can go all out, and spend $250 on a 4K camera like the Logitech Brio Stream, save some money and spend $30 on the AuKey 1080p Webcam, or choose a nice middle ground like the $68 Logitech C920e.
Many webcams you pick are going to provide a good upgrade over your current setup. Just make sure to compare the specs to your built-in webcam — the new iMacs, for example, come with a smart 1080p built-in camera, which might not be greatly improved with a 1080p external option!
