Webcams don't often advertise their aperture sizes, but they generally range from f/2.0 to f/2.8. The lower the number, the wider the aperture and the more light that comes through. This is known as the aperture size, and most cameras express this value as f/(number). It determines how much light reaches the camera sensor, which affects how you look in less-than-ideal lighting scenarios. The lens on a webcam is just as important as the sensor, and generally bigger is better. A 60fps webcam presents you in a much more realistic and natural way than a 30fps webcam, so be sure to pay close attention to that spec before buying. The frame rate affects how smooth your video looks. Stay away from 720p models if you can they offer the softest image quality and are likely no better than your laptop's built-in webcam. Quad HD 2K (2,560 by 1,440) is a rare but flexible middle ground between those two. Full HD (1080p) resolution is a good starting point for a decent webcam, but if you really want to up your picture quality (or be able to crop your frame and keep it sharp), a 4K webcam is what we recommend. What Webcam Frame Rate and Resolution Do You Need?Ī webcam can only get as sharp as its sensor can resolve pixels. Here are our top picks for webcams, followed by what you should know when shopping for them. It's a worthwhile investment if you're planning to spend a lot of time on calls, recording vlogs, or doing anything else with video. A dedicated webcam can solve these problems and give you the flexibility to aim it wherever you want.

Small lenses, skewed colors, awkward exposure, and grainy indoor video are just some of the problems you might experience with cheap, built-in webcams. If you have a laptop, you most likely already have a webcam.

You'll want to look your best in a video meeting, and that goes beyond showering and actually getting dressed. More people than ever before are working from home and many of them are hopping on video conference calls. Read our editorial mission (Opens in a new window) & see how we test (Opens in a new window). Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.

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