There's no need to splash the cash on a serious sharpshooter if you're working from home, as the best cheap webcams prove. In 2024, there is a wealth of options catering to all conventional resolutions ready for content creators and professional use which can greatly improve your user experience.
It's especially pertinent if you're someone relying on the (usually) less-than-desirable webcams built into even the best laptops that money can buy. That's due to their much smaller sensors and limited megapixels as they are built into the chassis of the machine themselves. In this instance, a common one, these wallet-friendly webcams are a sweeping improvement, and for those with a more conventional PC setup, they can transform your meetings instantly.
In terms of our shortlisted picks, the Logitech C920 reigns supreme as the best cheap webcam for most people. Although limited to 30fps, it packs in a full 1080p resolution, complete with auto-light correction. There are several different versions of this tried-and-true all-star, including the C920x and C920e, at a competitive price few of its competitors can match.
For those wanting a higher resolution for their video conferences and content creation endeavors, there's also the Depstech DW49 4K webcam to consider as well. It may lack as big of a name brand, but it makes up for it with aggressive pricing and a suite of premium features; namely, its noise-cancelling microphones, 8MP sensor, and a snappy autofocus, all for around the $70 / £70 (around AU$130).
While these budget cameras are unlikely to rival the best webcams on the market in terms of performance, features, and versatility, they offer a price-to-performance ratio that's hard to argue against. If you aren't fussed about anything too high resolution, you'll be able to save even more money with a 720p model as well, which can typically be found for as little as $30 / £30 / AU$50 should you need something no-frills.
The best cheap webcam in 2024
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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best cheap webcam picks on our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best cheap webcam overall
The Logitech C920s Pro may not be the cheapest option on this list, but it's still inexpensive, especially for a webcam that has the "pro" label on its name. Unlike other "cheap" webcams that are more stripped down, it comes loaded with useful features like a privacy shutter and Logitech’s RightLight 2 technology that allows you to adjust lighting conditions, brightness and contrast.
This is a 1080p camera, and while it is limited to 30fps, we found its visuals to be sharp and smooth, so you know you'll look good when you're on a business video call with clients and colleagues. You'll come out loud and clear as well, thanks to its dual-mic setup for stereo audio.
Overall, the Logitech C920s Pro is the best webcam that manages to balance great performance, nice features, and a fairly inexpensive price. If you're happy to spend a little more, you should get it.
Read our full Logitech C920s Pro review
The best cheap webcam for tight budgets
The JLab JBuds USB webcam is a nice upgrade from just about any stock webcam that came with your laptop. It provides a solid 1080p image at 30 Hz – most laptops’ webcams max out at 720p still – and a nice wide 93 degree field of view, wider than some pricier models out there.
While we’re in the middle of testing it, we do notice a few corners that have been cut. There’s no privacy shutter. The audio quality is not very impressive. And, the autofocus is a bit on the slow side. That said, the autofocus works well if you’re not moving around too much.
Beyond those limitations, there’s plenty to like such as its universal, adjustable clip that’s threaded on the bottom for a tripod mount and the 360 degree turning radius of the camera. It also comes with two different colored faceplates for a small amount of personalization. We also appreciate the long, braided cable. And, it’s compatible with PC, Mac, and ChromeOS.
The best cheap webcam for professionals
While the Logitech Brio 300 may lack some of the more sophisticated features found in its siblings, this cheap webcam excels thanks to its small form factor, USB-C connectivity, and sharp autofocus. If you're after something powerful and affordable for business use then you can't go wrong with this camera's feature set all for a respectable $60 / £70 / AU$100 price tag.
The auto-light correction and 70-degree field of view are what elevate this budget model beyond its older rivals, it can ensure you're well-lit and presented in the frame. The included noise-canceling microphone is a solid edition, but you'll likely be using one of the best USB microphones for superior audio quality anyway. The Logitech Brio 300 measures in at a truly tiny 2.58 x 2.09 x 1.78 inches (HxWxD) and a mere 2.72 oz which means it's ideal to take on commutes to the office, too.
The best cheap 720p webcam
Logitech makes brilliant webcams, and the Logitech HD Webcam C310 is a fantastic budget offering. It may be stripped down and its resolution is limited to just 720p at 30fps, but most people need all the fancy frills anyway. In fact, most users just need a reliable, good quality webcam to see through their daily video calling needs. And, for those folks, this is the best cheap webcam.
It offers very good image quality for the price, which is the most important thing. In fact, if you have an internet connection that struggles with high definition videos, then this is actually an advantage. While it may be light on features, it comes with its share of them including the automatic light correction or RightLight 2, which we found to be effective at delivering cleaner, better-looking visuals.
Those who prefer tighter frames will appreciate its 60° diagonal field of view. Meanwhile, those who live in loud, busy households will love that the mic comes with noise-reduction capabilities.
The best cheap 1080p webcam
The Logitech G922 Pro Stream features the same classy design as its predecessor, the C920. It also inherits the same excellent 1080p video quality, great for hosting video calls, and Logitech’s RightLight 2 automatic low-light correction that proves to be a major advantage whether you’re streaming on YouTube or doing business calls, especially in low light. Of course, that 1080p resolution should also keep things futureproof.
But wait, there’s more. This inexpensive webcam also supports background removal, making it ideal for budding YouTubers and game streamers. Its 720p at 60fps comes in handy as well, especially when streaming fast-paced games. And, it includes a free 3-month premium XSplit license.
In other words, we found this to be a versatile webcam that’s ideal for different users, from professionals doing daily business calls to gamers who love streaming their games. It’s the most expensive one on this list, but considering its capabilities and the fact that you can use it for different purposes, you’re getting a lot of value.
Take a look at our Logitech discount codes for the best Logitech offers and savings.
The best cheap 4K webcam
The Depstech DW49 might not come from a well-known peripheral brand, but it's certainly one of those alternatives that have surfaced during the pandemic that are completely worth your while. That's especially if you're looking for a 4K webcam but don't have the budget for a brand-name option and are not super picky about its dynamic range.
Being much cheaper than other 4K webcam options, there are compromises here. The visuals you're getting aren't going to be the cleanest or the most vibrant. In fact, its low light performance isn't anything to write home about, so it's best to use this in better lighting situations.
However, it remains to be a great option for most people, including business professionals hoping to impress clients new and old. The autofocus is snappy, as is its auto-exposure. It also comes with a few extras, including a privacy cover, a metal tripod, and a clip mount with 360-degree rotation.
The best cheap webcam in 2024: FAQs
Which budget webcam is the best?
There’s no hard and fast answer here, as everybody’s idea of what constitutes a ‘budget’ webcam is likely to be different. However, our recommendation would be to look for a 1080p webcam with 30fps, such as the Logitech C920s Pro which topped our list here.
With a 1080p webcam, you’ll be future-proofing your setup to some extent, and it will yield better results than a more lowly 720p alternative.
What is a high-quality webcam?
What constitutes a high-quality webcam is going to vary, depending on what you’re using it for. If you’re looking for something for general use, or remote meetings, chances are you’ll be more than satisfied with one that provides 1080p quality, or maybe even a more modest 720p one. For this kind of use, it wouldn’t make sense to spend any more on something higher spec.
However, if you’re looking for one to support serious content creation, you’ll want your footage to look as pristine as possible. In which case, a 4K webcam is your only option. If you’re pitching your content against that of your competitors, you’ll want the sharpest image quality you can get, so anything less than 4K won’t be up to scratch.
What is the best cheap camera for live streaming?
If you’re new to live streaming or simply working with a restricted budget, you’re going to be looking for the best you can get for the least amount of money.
If you’re looking for the best possible resolution, you can find several ‘cheap’ 4K webcams on offer, such as the Depstech DW49, featured in our list above, which also features dual noise-canceling mics.
What is the best webcam for $60?
There are plenty of great sub-$60 webcams out there if you’re prepared to do your homework. But knowing what each cam does is essential, as keeping the cost below 60 bucks invariably means some features and functions will need to be dispatched.
From our list above, the JLab JBuds USB webcam is one of the best you can get for a shade under $60. Compatible with Mac, PC, and Chromebook, this is a 1080p cam that delivers 30 frames per second and has auto-focus, as well as dual onmi-directional microphones built in.
Do I need a 1080p webcam?
While a 720p webcam will get the job done, you'll have a much better experience with a 1080p (Full HD) webcam. This is because this resolution of shooters packs in a bigger sensor and increased megapixel count, which can represent you more accurately, especially in darker environments. Those wanting the best picture quality possible should spring for a 4K model.
How to choose the best cheap webcam for you
You have to consider more than just price when choosing a cheap webcam. Otherwise, you’ll end up spending more replacing that lemon of a webcam you got off Amazon.
In fact, it’s important to dig deeper as plenty of cheap webcams are promoted as having features that imply a quality resolution or frame rate. But, instead of being misled and end up with a webcam with bad software or low quality sensors, let us help you separate the good from the bad.
When shopping around for a cheap webcam, don't just pay attention to the price. Same rules apply as when choosing a non-budget webcam: you must pay attention to the true resolution, frame rate, field of view, and the built-in microphone.
These days, 720p webcams are still good, but if you want to future-proof your rig, get a 1080p one with 30fps at the very least. Depending on what you'll be using it for, you should also decide whether you want a wide field of you or a narrower one, which is better if it's just you that's going to be in front of the camera.
You likely won't know this until you've tested it, but see what is being said about how well it handles different lighting conditions, especially dark ones. Being cheap, these webcams are probably not going to handle low light as well, but some are better at it than others.
