Streaming has taken off majorly in recent years, giving names like Ninja and Shroud worldwide acclaim and popularity. Today, there are gamers who stream as full-time jobs and make decent livings.
Pro players have been streaming for a reasonable amount of time to know exactly what kind of set up they need, but it is only understandable if someone new, thinking to take a shot at Twitch, Mixer or YouTube streaming, may have no idea about what they need to get started.
While there are a variety of different camera options and accessories (GoPros, iPhones and gimbals, etc) available today, nothing beats a webcam for streaming due to its ease of use and native integration with streaming setups. Hence, a decent webcam should be very high on the priority list, probably more than your audio setup, since a webcam is the main connection between you and your viewers, making the whole experience much more engaging.
Whether you want to stream Fortnite or any other major title, there are a lot of options from different companies in the market when you look for streaming webcams but the following list is going to narrow it down for you with webcams you can’t go wrong with.
#1. Logitech C920 HD Pro
This is as good as it gets when you talk about an entry-level streaming webcam which is light on the pocket but gets the job done without any compromise on quality. Unless you’re looking for more advanced features, the Logitech C920 HD Pro offers the best value for money in my opinion.
Its sharp 1080p video, combined with a wide 90-degree field of view and incredible self-focus, makes it a no-brainer choice. Most importantly you won’t need to spend extra money on a better lighting setup because C920 HD Pro performs decently under low light conditions.
Overall it is one of the best entry-level webcams and comes with Logitech’s own camera app. However, it also synchronizes well with other apps such as ChromaCam etc.
Check Logitech C920 Price
#2. Logitech C922x Pro Stream
Following its predecessor, the C922 Pro is a bit of a step up in terms of low light performance and supports background removal. It still streams at 1080p and 30 frames per second but has an option that supports streaming at 720p but with 60 frames per second, which may offer a smoother streaming experience with a little sacrifice on the quality.
These upgrades cost $20 over the C920, so the choice really comes down to whether the extra money is worth the additional features for your streaming needs.
Check Logitech C922x Pro Price
#3. Razer Kiyo
Not everyone has streaming experience, but nearly everyone has taken photos in poor lighting to realize the difference good lighting can make. Keeping this in mind, the Razer Kiyo was designed to be a streamer’s webcam with a ring light pre-installed in the webcam with over 12 different levels of brightness, making it suitable in different lighting conditions. You can use the Razer Kiyo for streaming even if its pitch black in your room.
As far as price goes, the Kiyo is a little over C920 and on par with C922, so the choice comes down to the camera’s pre-installed ring light. That being said, if you’re planning to use the webcam’s mic for audio, the Kiyo is known to have issues with loudness.
Check Razer Kiyo Price
#4. Logitech Brio 4K
This is the world’s first 4K webcam, with a starting price point of around $195. There is no comparison for its picture quality, but you won’t notice a big difference in video conferencing or Skype calls due to compression. However, if you want the best high-resolution webcam for streaming, the Brio 4K is what you get.
A few notable features at this price point are amazing 4K video quality at 30 frames per second, along with the option to do 1080p at 60 frames per second. Logitech Brio is also compatible with windows facial recognition feature ‘Hello Windows’. Moreover, it is the only webcam in the market with HDR, allowing it to capture videos with better color grading.
Check Logitech Brio Price
Final thoughts
Out of all the streaming webcams we’ve covered, the choice really depends on your needs and budget. All the cameras here are great performers at various price points. If you’ve got decent lighting in your room, the Logitech C9xx offerings will do well. Alternatively, the Razer Kiyo will make up for poor lighting, with a slight price bump, and the Logitech Brio 4K will cost more, but you’ll get a cutting-edge webcam.
