The best webcams for 2026

Engadget

by Valentina Palladino

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

A good webcam can significantly enhance your video calls, streaming experience, or even casual family chats by delivering better image quality, reliability, and performance in various lighting conditions. While built-in laptop cameras are convenient, they often fall short in terms of consistency and features compared to dedicated external webcams. The article highlights that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, as different webcams cater to specific needs—whether it’s higher resolution, smoother video, better low-light performance, or superior audio capabilities. When choosing a webcam, key factors like resolution and field of view are crucial. Most built-in laptop cameras offer 720p resolution, but an external webcam with 1080p is ideal for clearer video quality. While some models support 4K, it’s often unnecessary since most conferencing platforms like Zoom or Skype don’t support this resolution, and streaming services like Twitch cap at 1080p. Field of view (FOV) matters too—wider angles allow more of your surroundings to be captured, which is great for group calls or adding context to your shots. However, narrower FOVs can still work well if space is limited. Additional features like autofocus, auto-framing, and light correction are worth considering. Autofocus ensures sharp images even as you move around, while auto-framing keeps you centered in the

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Originally published on Engadget on 2/24/2026