The best 4K webcam in 2023

The best 4K webcams are no longer out of reach in regards to price for normal people. And that means that you can benefit from Ultra HD video quality, whether you're streaming, video conferencing, or just on a video call with friends. 

But what's the best pick for your money? Below, we reveal the best webcams that offer 4K quality, highlighting their key features and capabilities, and explaining which one's likely to suit you best.

Be aware, though, you are going to be limited by the service you're using. Many don't actually support 4K yet, including Zoom. However, that's only really a matter of time, as services like Lifesize already support 4K. Plus the best 4K webcams also come with other pro features, such as HDR or omnidirectional mics, which will make a big difference in the here and now.

If you're a streamer, meanwhile, having one of the best 4K webcams is a must, as 4K is already supported by both Twitch and YouTube. And with streaming being so competitive right now, this will certainly help you stand out from rivals.

The best 4K webcams in 2023

We'll keep it simple for you: the Logitech Brio Stream is the best 4K webcam on the market today for most people. Because while the 4K resolution is the show-stealer, the reason it gets our top spot is its superb HDR footage.

Balancing out the shadows and the highlights, this camera can handle all sorts of tricky lighting situations. So if your video calls are continually disturbed by the harsh light from a nearby window, this webcam will go a long way toward rectifying the situation. 

You've also got options for three field-of-view settings: 90, 78, and 65 degrees, which allows you to experiment with different perspectives to find the one you prefer. Add to that dual omnidirectional microphones for improving audio quality, and you have a highly capable, do-it-all 4K webcam.

This isn't the cheapest on our list. And some other Logitech webcams do have more frame-rate options (this one doesn't have the 90fps options at 1080p, which you get on the standard Logitech Brio). But as long as those aren't deal-breakers, you've got a seriously capable 4K webcam that will suit practically any user. 

For more details, see our full Logitech Brio Stream review (opens in new tab)

The Insta360 Link webcam is expensive, but it's very much the Rolls Royce option here. Its gimbal design and AI tracking tech means the lens rotates to follow you wherever you go, with automatic zooming and framing. You can control the camera with three simple hand gestures: one to enable AI tracking, one to zoom in/out, and one to enable Whiteboard Mode. 

You get two noise-canceling mics. And the desktop software allows you to manually adjust brightness, exposure, gimbal position, and more. For many people, these pro-level features will merely be overkill, but if they prove useful to you, the Insta360 Link webcam may well be worth its premium price.

For more details, see our full Insta360 Link review (opens in new tab) 

The world has more than its share of dubious quality webcams built into computers, some very small, so there will always be a need for alternatives. The Obsbot Meet 4K is a really rational and balanced choice for those less likely to prowl around than Obsbot’s other customers but still looking for a good quality camera and the option of 4K.

Content creators will struggle to find a better device for streaming, especially at this price. The settings afford the ability to work with different kinds of lighting, including pretty gloomy rooms. Our test was created using the ‘Record’ function of OBS – a popular streaming platform – and the fact Obsbot’s control software cause no issues is not to be sniffed at.

The microphone was a little quiet, but most apps allow this to be adjusted or streamers may well be using another anyway. Our only real issue was the slight sluggishness of some settings adjustments, but these are rarely an issue in day-to-day use. It’s also a shame it doesn’t include a nice case like its sibling, but it is a good bit cheaper. That said with no exposed moving parts it can travel safely, and we’d definitely want it in our kit bag.

For more details, see our full Obsbot Meet 4K webcam review

Looking for the ultimate in image quality? Then the Dell UltraSharp HDR 4K Webcam is tough to beat. Equipped with a large 4K Sony Starvis CMOS sensor, it's capable of drinking in more light than an average webcam, making for a better-quality picture. And, like our number one choice above, it has HDR capabilities, making for a balanced image even in challenging light conditions, aided by internal software.

There's also AI-powered auto framing, a clever feature that automatically keeps you at the centre of the screen. Once again you have the choice between a 65, 78, or 90-degree field of view. And the Dell UltraSharp HDR 4K Webcam also lets you delve into settings to fiddle with brightness, sharpness, contrast, saturation, and more. This is also where you can control digital zoom or make adjustments to the autofocus. 

The reason it's not our number-one choice is that there's no built-in microphone. Dell clearly thinks anyone who spends this kind of money on a 4K webcam will probably want to sort out an external one; if that's you, then check out our guide to the best microphone for vlogging. 

For more details, see our full Dell UltraSharp (opens in new tab) review.

The first thing you notice about the Poly Studio P15 is that it's huge, measuring 425 x 65 x 78mm. But what you get in return are three beamforming mics that provide great audio for the people listening to you, as well as large speakers that provide great sound performance at your end too. 

The picture is great, too, with a high-performance image sensor offering a consistent, low noise image across the entire field of view. We also like the inclusion of USB ports, which you can use to charge other devices. Other benefits include a privacy shutter, and a 90 degree field of view. 

A good choice for streaming large groups and rooms, this webcam may be bulkier than the average, but it offers the kind of features and capabilities normally only found in more extensive web conferencing setups. This includes automatic camera framing to ensure you’re never out of shot.

Because of its size and weight, this is not the best 4K webcam for anyone who's on the move a lot, or who has a small laptop. And for most people, it's going to be overkill. But if you're working with big teams in an office environment, and sound quality is important to you, it has a lot to offer.

No, you haven't accidentally clicked on another article. The Canon PowerShot G7 Mark III isn't a traditional webcam but a compact camera. 

Yet it's hugely popular among YouTubers such as Joe Sugg, Alfie Deyes, and Jo Vlogs for its 4K resolution, all-in-one shooting capabilities, and smart streaming optimization. And all that makes a perfect choice for anyone wishing to stream over YouTube, Twitch, or similar platforms. 

It comes with a 24-100mm equivalent lens, giving you a broad zoom range to work with. It has a 3.5mm mic port, so you can attach an inexpensive hotshoe mic and dramatically improve the quality of your audio. Plus Canon has released a firmware update that adds automatic movie mode, which is ideal for vlogging as it gives you optimized autofocus and auto exposure. 

Able to connect wirelessly, the PowerShot G7 X Mark III functions extremely well as a 4K webcam and has plenty of other applications too. Note that there's no viewfinder, but if you're using it as a webcam, you're not going to need one. We find that the camera’s face detection AF usually gets your face sharp, although you may need to tap on your face on the screen occasionally to get it going. 

For more details, see our Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III review.

Want a full view of a room, such as when you’re streaming a physical meeting around a conference table? Then the Jabra Panacast 20 is our recommendation. 

Its AI-powered zooming and panning means it automatically includes everyone on the call, without the physical camera needing to move and distracting you. Plus, while most videoconferencing services don't yet support 4K, the high resolution on offer here means the camera can zoom in on someone (lossless up to 6x) and still produce a Full HD image.

The camera also uses AI to cleverly adjust the lighting in dim and dark rooms. A triple-mic array means you get impressive sound quality, too. And overall this 4K webcam delivers some of the best video call quality we’ve ever seen.

While this is an expensive purchase, the build quality is excellent, and you get USB-C connectivity too. 

For more details, see our Jabra Panacast 20 webcam review.

If you want to stream a room with more than eight people – a classroom for example – let us point you toward the Logitech Rally. Its proprietary RightSight technology automatically moves and adjusts the lens to frame meeting participants in rooms of all shapes and sizes. 

In terms of image quality, it’s at the top end of Logitech webcams and optimizes light balance to emphasize faces and render natural-looking skin tones, even in dim or backlit conditions. This webcam can be positioned on a table, mounted on a tripod, or secured to a wall with the included hardware. 

It might sport the looks of a classic camera, but the Mokose 4K USB Camera is very much geared for use with a computer or laptop. Its main target audience is broadcasters, and with so much live TV coming from people’s kitchens and bedrooms in these post-Pandemic days, we’re guessing they’ve sold quite a few.

While it offers auto white balance, you’ll generally need to do a lot of manual adjustments to get the perfect picture, so it’s a good choice for someone with experience with ‘proper’ cameras, and who likes a fine degree of control. It comes with a 3m-long USB cable, and you can also connect multiple webcams to the same computer. Note, though, it doesn’t include a mic.

The Depstech 4K webcam, which comes with noise-canceling dual mics, will pick up your voice and filter out background noise automatically. Its picture quality is pretty darned good, too, thanks to an 8MP Sony CMOS sensor and intelligent autofocus, making this webcam a great choice for streaming.

 It comes with a tripod and a flexible clip supporting 360 degrees of horizontal adjustment. Alternatively, if you'd prefer a cheaper model, and don't mind a small drop in video resolution,

For more details, see our full Depstech 2K QHD webcam review.

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