Our top picks for Zoom, streaming and more

The Anker PowerConf C300, for our money, is the best value webcam money can buy today.

During testing, we found its image to be sharp, with excellent colour balance and solid exposure, especially with HDR on. The fact this is a 1080p video lends itself to offering a noticeable difference compared to more standard 720p webcams, such as those typically found in laptops.

There’s also a handy Solo-Frame function which automatically tracks the movements of a user, keeping you front and centre – we found this feature to work well, and wasn’t at all distracting. We also found the built-in microphone to sound good too, with it cutting out background noise to offer a clear pickup.

Connectivity is taken care of via USB-C , which is remarkably simple to set up. This webcam is also simple to position given that you get both a flexible stand for placing it on a desk, and a built-in screw mount if you want to attach it to a tripod. Attachment with the hinged foot proved to be secure, especially compared to similarly priced rivals.

There is additional software with the PowerConf C300 that unlocks its potential for customisation and allows you to adjust the resolution and set things such as brightness, sharpness, and contrast. There’s a lot to unpack with its respective settings, but it’s definitely handy to have.

Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: Anker PowerConf C300 review

What do you expect of a 4K streaming webcam? Well, the HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam does exactly what it says on the tin. Stunning video quality, that’s here. Crisp and clear microphones, absolutely present. These are the two key factors that make this high-quality webcam our favourite for streaming.

The 4K resolution is paired with 30fps capabilities and offers boosted colour through HDR (high-dynamic range). If you’re after a smoother frame rate then you can drop down to 1080p for 60fps too.

The wide FOV and Auto Frame functions are ideal for setting up your frame perfectly, ideal for streamers who like to move around or want their whole set-up shown. Additional features like the HP Accessory Center offer a bunch of handy configuration options as well.

The compact webcam doesn’t look half bad either, with an understated modern design. It’ll sit neatly on top of your monitor and can be easily linked up using USB-C.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam review

It might not be the cheapest option on this list (by a country mile) with an RRP of £318.99, but if you can spare the expense then you’ll easily find the most premium webcam experience on the Insta360 Link.

With the ability to record in 4K resolution, the Insta360 Link stands well above the competition when it comes to offering superior clarity and detail in your video capture. It also works tremendously well in low-light, although it is worth pointing out that the device can run rather hot in operation.

Its design looks as if it’s a DJI Pocket 2 chopped in half, which is clever given the Insta360 Link can move freely on its base to track the movements of its user. As for assembly, there’s certainly convenient with a tripod thread adapter for connecting to a stand, as well as a sturdy clip for placing it atop a monitor or laptop screen. When it comes to connectivity, that’s dealt with via a sole USB-C port.

This webcam is also laden with features, with several different modes to offer a few different viewing angles. For instance, Whiteboard Mode allows the webcam to zoom in on the contents of a whiteboard for use with online learning, while DeskView mode provides a birds-eye view of a desk so others will be able to see any documents you’re working on your desk. In practice, we found this more to point at our lap as opposed to the desk, but nonetheless, the feature is a handy option. Most strikingly however is the True Focus function that can quickly shift the autofocus away from your face to any object that’s plonked in front of it.

The software is split into three clear sections – Gimbal Control, Image Settings and More Settings – and should be easy for practically anyone to use. In Gimbal Control you can use a virtual joystick to move the Link around, while Image Settings allows you to fine tune settings such as brightness, saturation and more. The non-descript ‘More Settings’ is where the best options lie though, with toggles for HDR, gesture controls and the webcam’s Streamer Mode.

Reviewer: Thomas Deehan
Full review: Insta360 Link review

The Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p is our top pick as the best budget webcam out there today, especially given you’re getting oodles of features for the small fee you’re spending.

For the price, the video quality proved to be very good, with a sharper image from the Live! Cam Sync’s 1080p sensor than those found in laptops, which are only 720p implements. This is noticeable when comparing the two side by side, as we did during testing, where Creative’s affordable candidate offers a much better colour balance than the built-in webcam on a MacBook Pro. Furthermore, the 77-degree FOV means you’ll be able to just fit a pair of people into frame, or more if you want to push the camera back. The built-in microphone also proved more than clear enough for usage over video chat.

Its design is rather plain and simple, with a wide plastic body that has the lens protruding out, and handily, Creative has bundled a few mounting options with the Live! Cam Sync, too. There’s a clip you can use on the back to hang this webcam off the top of the monitor, although it isn’t the most stable option. There’s also a tripod mount base, which proves especially useful if you want to fit more than two people into frame.

Connectivity is easy with it being a simple job of plugging it in. Unfortunately, there isn’t any additional software present for this model though, so the only way of making sure it’s all working is to plug it in and give it a test – you may need to make sure any of the bits of calling software you use are configured correctly.

Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p review