Webcams are experiencing a second golden age with the rise of telecommuting and virtual meetings . And, although most desktops and laptops already have a built-in one, in this article we ask ourselves what are the cheapest webcams you can find.
Whether to improve the quality of your video calls or streaming , these models offer you all the possibilities you can imagine.
Basic video calls at 720p
We start with the cheapest webcam models on the market, with some options that do not exceed 50 euros. Honestly, you can find much cheaper webcams on the internet, but we do not recommend it because the image quality could be much worse.
Creative Live Cam Sync HD: you have to start somewhere
Creative has some of the best computer audio systems out there and they also make some pretty decent webcams. But since we are here to show you the cheapest on the market, we are left with its Cam Sync HD that only goes up to 720 p. of resolution.
In its favor, it is one of the easiest to use thanks to its instant connection with Facebook and YouTube, thanks to the Live! Center 3 Lite . In addition, it has a noise-canceling microphone for better sound on your video calls.
LifeCam HD-3000: the cheapest from Microsoft
Yes, believe it or not Microsoft also manufactures and sells webcams and the LifeCam HD-3000 is one of the cheapest on the list. It has HD 720p resolution of up to 30 fps and a unidirectional microphone with noise cancellation, which will help you capture only your voice.
Its support is quite basic and is more designed to rest on a table or flat surface, although you can also place it on your screen thanks to a small hook that allows it.
Trust Trino HD Video: basic and functional
Another of the most basic options is the Trust Trino HD with which you can obtain recordings or transmissions in HD resolution of 720p at 30 frames per second (FPS). It has a precise adjustable grip and an automatic white balance system and backlight compensation for the best image quality.
In addition, it comes with two built-in microphones to pick up your voice clearly, as well as a quick access button to activate its photo function. Honestly, it’s not the one that offers the most features, but if you just want something basic, it may be more than enough for you.
Logitech C270: the cheapest
If you want a webcam and care about nothing but price, Logitech has one of the best entry-level models around. The only reaches a resolution of 720p at 30 fps with a 16: 9 widescreen format, although it has an automatic lighting correction system that captures more realistic and natural colors.
In terms of sound, it comes with a built-in microphone with noise reduction that makes it clearly heard up to 1.5 meters away, even in noisy environments, and thanks to its universal clip you can easily place it on any screen.
The best 1080p options
Finally, we end with some alternatives that offer you great features at the best price. They are not the best on the market, but they are not worth it as such. The idea is that by investing a little more you can get similar features and all for less than 100 euros.
Genius ECAM 8000: the cheapest 1080
We are now moving on to devices with 1080p resolution which, as we have mentioned before, is already a standard in video communications. And the cheapest model within this area is the amazing ECAM 8000 from Genius.
Surprising because it offers decent video tech , dual microphones for stereo streaming, and a pretty handy clip, all for half the price of other 1080p options. Ok, it doesn’t have the best video quality, but it can be a good choice to start with.
Ozone LiveX50: unbeatable value for money
The well-known gamer peripheral brand Ozone has launched its LiveX50 to make life easier for all YouTubers who are just starting out in streaming and want a webcam with Full HD 30 FPS resolution without spending more than necessary.
Its optics are capable of offering sharp and realistic images and, although it is very much designed for the gamer world, it can also be used for video calls in a more work environment, thanks to its double integrated microphone, one on each side of the lens, which captures the voice in a natural way, guaranteeing always optimal video calls.
Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080: cheaper impossible
If in the previous Creative model we had already told you about the virtues of this brand, the immediately superior alternative offers more or less the same functionalities, but with an important difference: the 1080p resolution with which it improves the video quality a lot.
And the best thing is that the price is more or less the same, so you can enjoy an economical and functional device for any situation. In addition, as a great attraction, this webcam has a wide-angle lens that allows you to film a wider field of view, up to 77 degrees, without optical distortion. A safe bet.
Microsoft LifeCam Studio: Near Perfect
With the LifeCam Studio we find one of the most complete alternatives on the entire list. This webcam has a Full HD 1080p sensor that offers sharpness and image quality far superior to the previous Microsoft model, thanks to its high-precision wide-angle lens.
In addition, it has ClearFrame technology, which allows for more fluid and detailed videos, and TrueColor technology, which offers better contrast. To this we must add a high-fidelity microphone and a support that allows it to rotate 360 degrees, so you can easily point anywhere. Few give so much for so little.
Logitech HD Pro C920S: with shutter cover
Despite what you may have seen in Black Mirror, having your camera hacked should be one of your last concerns (there is more valuable information on your mobile), but it never hurts to have a cover to ‘protect’ you or, at the same time, less, stay calmer.
And that’s exactly what Logitech’s C920s webcam has to offer. A curious addition to its excellent camera with Full HD resolution (1080p at 30 fps), 78-degree field of view and automatic lighting correction. In addition, it includes two microphones for clear stereo sound.
Razer Kiyo: worth the effort
Exceeding, by very little, the line of 100 euros, we arrive at the most economical Razer model . The popular brand of gamer peripherals offers a webcam with Full HD resolution (720p at 60 fps or 1080 at 30 FPS) so you can broadcast with the best image quality.
But its great virtue, and what is worth paying a little more if you are going to dedicate yourself to streaming , is its lighting ring. A spotlight that will greatly improve the lighting of your face in low-light environments, without saturating or creating undesirable reflections in your eyes.
Which to choose? Opinions and recommendations
Once the main cheap webcams have been analyzed, our advice is that you do not stay with the cheapest on the market. The difference between the 720p or 1080p models is very little money, but we can assure you that the quality of your video calls will improve decisively.
For this reason, if you want to go for an economical model but one that allows you to have the functionalities of more powerful (and expensive) ones, we recommend the Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080 , which has an unbeatable price and very interesting options.
But if you dedicate yourself to streaming from your computer or you are an intensive user of video calls, our advice is that you bet on the Razen alternative. The extra price will be offset by better image quality and top-notch lighting.
How to improve your video calls?
But before getting into the matter, we are going to give you a series of tips to improve the quality of your video calls quickly and easily. With a couple of accessories you will achieve a better quality in your digital interventions.
Light up your ‘set’
If there is something that all the webcams on the market have in common, it is that they have a small and not very bright lens . Therefore, they do not perform well in dark or poorly lit environments and will show the uncomfortable grain in your video calls .
The solution is very simple: add more light. If it is daytime, all you have to do is stand next to a window or in a place where the sun illuminates your face (but always from behind the camera, so as not to generate a backlight ).
If it’s nighttime, being in a well-lit room with lights pointed at the ceiling will probably be more than enough to make your video call look good. Although you can also find very cheap spotlights on the internet that offer you the extra lumens you need.
improve your background
The best thing for a video call, whether for work or leisure, is that nothing distracts from your presence. Therefore, it is highly recommended to have a flat bottom . If this is impossible to achieve in your home, you can opt for one of the many green backgrounds that are sold on the internet.
The color is no coincidence, that range of green is very easy to detect by the main video call applications, such as Zoom, FaceTime or Skype, and by having a flat background you can do the chromakey effect , and replace it with any image you want.
Don’t forget the sound
Although we are here to talk about cameras, we cannot forget that half of the video is the sound . In general, a decent headset with a microphone will be enough for your voice to be heard clearly, but if you don’t have them (or if you need extra quality to stream ) you always have the option of getting a good USB microphone that It will ostensibly improve the quality of your sound in your video calls or transmissions.
What to consider when buying a webcam
Finally, we are going with the key aspects that every webcam should have, no matter how cheap, so that it can fulfill its function in an acceptable way:
- Resolution. HD has become the standard for webcam resolution, but beware, because the cheapest webcams do not go up to 1080p. and they stay at 720. It’s not a drama, but as long as you can go for Full HD, you’re guaranteed to always look good.
- grab . Most of the webcams on the list have a clip or grip accessory to be able to place it on the screen of your computer or laptop. Depending on where you want to place the camera, you must take this detail into account.
- microphone . Another basic of webcams is the microphone. If it has ambient noise cancellation, better than better, since it offers you better audio quality even if there is ambient noise in the room.
- Light . It is not very common to find webcams with light, but in this list we show you an example that does have it incorporated. As we have mentioned, this can be key if you have very poor lighting in your room.
- optics . This is where budget webcams save the most, as the rest of the components are pretty cheap to come by. Even so, if you can opt for a model with autofocus, you will have more possibilities when transmitting video.