The Best Webcams for Gaming and Streaming of 2020

Are you a content creator? Maybe, you are just tired of being a faceless black box every time you speak in Discord or in your favorite chat application? Wouldn't it be nice to know that your calls are being clean and clear? Hell, maybe you only work from home and you need a decent camera when you call a morning meeting because your laptop has a horrible camera. Whatever your need, a high quality webcam is always at your fingertips.

The best webcams are crucial if you are planning to stream and record games. You want a webcam that corresponds to the quality of your transmission or recording. (If you are installing a streaming studio, check our buying guides to see the essential streaming elements, such as the best capture card or the best streaming microphone).

Below I bring you a list of the best webcams for gaming and streaming currently.

1 - Logitech C920

Image resolution: 1080p | Recording resolution: 1080p 30fps | FOV: 90 degrees | Special features: Dual microphones

Most of the settings can be adjusted through the Logitech Camera App, an independent driver download. Streamers should also appreciate the excellent compatibility of the C920 with the background replacement application, ChromaCam. In general, Logitech C920 fulfills its main functions exceptionally. At a price not too expensive, and can often be found discounted.

If you want to capture and stream at 720p and 60fps, you need to spend a little more on the Logitech C922 Pro, which offers this function. Unfortunately, you also pay more for this. The starting price is higher, although some retailers offer it at a lower price.

2 - Logitech BRIO

Image resolution: 4K 30fps | Recording resolution: 4K 30fps, 1080p 60fps | FOV: 90 degrees | Special features: Compatible with Windows Hello, support HDR, 5x digital zoom

The BRIO is the only webcam that supports 4K capture. As expected, its high resolution raises the level of detail to a much higher level than any standard 1080p webcam. In addition, its 90-degree field of vision can easily capture the entire room and all your guests. The white balance and saturation are very good, as in low light output. The only drawback in image quality is its dubious automatic contrast setting. Next to the main color sensor is an infrared sensor, which makes the BRIO fully compatible with Windows Hello, Microsoft's facial login feature.

In addition to its amazing capture resolution, the BRIO is also the only webcam that supports HDR capture. This means that viewers who have an HDR compatible display can enjoy richer and more vivid colors.

The BRIO has three main weaknesses: autofocus, high price and a small niche. My test unit always had trouble refocusing objects that were further away after focusing attention on things closer. This was very annoying since I had to adjust it manually or dance in the hope that it would eventually follow me again. Considering that 4K is its only advantage, the high price is difficult to accept. Finally, the widespread support for 4K streaming has not yet arrived. Therefore, although you can still upload your 4K recordings to YouTube, it is not practical for conferences or streaming since streaming quality would be compressed automatically.

3 - Razer Kiyo

Image resolution: 1080p 30fps | Recording resolution: 1080p 30fps, 720p 60fps | FOV: 90 degrees | Special features: Built-in ring lighting

The most dominant factor in image quality is lighting. Having good lighting can reduce the need to compensate for exposure and reduce noise. The Razer Kiyo has a ring of light integrated into its frame, which makes it suitable for any light condition, even in total darkness. The intensity of the light can be adjusted by turning the dial in its outer circumference, which gives you more control over the brightness you want your face to have. If you like horror games in the dark, then Kiyo is the webcam for you.

The 1080p sensor of the Kiyo has excellent sharpness and captures many details. Auto focus is fast and its white balance is also well calibrated. Of all the webcams I've tried, the Razer Kiyo has the best color saturation. When the lighting is good, it can help to add a lot of liveliness to your images. In darker scenes, however, increasing saturation can make images appear pastel. The lack of specific software means that you will have to readjust the color profile for each application individually, and it is something we recommend you do.

With all this in mind, the Razer Kiyo still has excellent image quality. The attached light ring adds a little more flexibility, earning the position as the most versatile webcam.