BestWebcams for MaciMore2020

You can easily test your Skype video quality in your 'Audio & Video' settings on your PC or Mac computer. Part of Skype's popularity is the flexibility to video chat using virtually any kind of webcam, from webcam hardware built directly into your computer. Select 'Audio & Video' from the left sidebar.

If you're looking for an external webcam to enhance your streaming, chatting, or conference call, we have the solution. Whether you want the best webcam that money can buy or prefer a low-cost option, we've rounded up some of the best webcams you can find for your Mac.

Note: While our picks for best webcam remain the same, you can expect widespread shortages due to COVID-19. If you need a webcam right now, here's where you can check the latest in-stock items

Best for Most: Logitech BRIO

Staff Favorite

The Logitech BRIO is a plug-and-play external webcam that films in 4K, meaning you're going to look as crisp as possible while you're using it. It can display two different viewing angles — 65 or 78 degrees — so you can include as much or as little of your surroundings as you want.

$160 at Amazon

Best for Skype: Logitech C920

Logitech partnered with Skype to create the ideal video-conferencing webcam. Get full HD 1080p video calls with Logitech's Fluid Crystal Technology. The H.264 encoded compression that makes video calling so fast and smooth also makes for excellent video capture.

$220 at Amazon

Universal compatibility: TedGem 1080P Full HD Webcam

Just plug and play this universal 1080P full HD webcam suitable for your PC or Mac. No special drivers or software are needed. The 90-degree wide-angle lens means fewer dead angles. The .264 video compression technology, fast transmission, autofocus and light correction combine to give you clear, high-quality video.

$146 at Amazon

Versatile: Tandberg PrecisionHD

While the Tanberg PrecisionHD only films in 720p, it does so at 30FPS, giving you a smooth-looking video at all times. It doesn't need any drivers to work, so it's truly plug-and-play. It really shines when it comes to the internal optics – the light correction is almost unparalleled. It even has an optical zoom, meaning the resolution is maintained no matter how close you get.

$79 at Amazon

For Gamers: Logitech C922x

The Logitech C922x records video in 1080p at 30FPS and is optimized for social gaming and entertainment sites like Twitch and YouTube. It has a pretty wide 78-degree viewing angle, autofocus, auto light correction, and no-drop audio.

$211 at Walmart

Rugged: Logitech C615

Recording in 1080p, this little webcam has a 360-degree swivel mount, making it easy to find the perfect spot that works best for your desktop set up. With a built-in microphone and easy access to all of Logitech's supportive software, the C615 is easy on the bank account and doesn't leave you wanting more.

$36 at Amazon

Affordable: Logitech C270

Best for people who don't need anything fancy, the Logitech C270 has a built-in stereo microphone. It features noise cancellation to help deal with background noise, ensuring you always sound as clear as possible. It still records in HD, although it is only 720p.

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$94 at Walmart

High Speed: Spedal Full HD Webcam

The Spedal Full HD Webcam is a super reliable and sharp webcam that's designed with a 7-layer lens coating and 100-degree wide-angle for versatile views. It has built-in dual digital noise-canceling microphones and records in 1536p HD.

$36 at Amazon

Well Priced: Stopmotion Explosion USB 2.0 HD Pro Webcam

The Stopmotion Explosion USB 2.0 HD Pro Webcam is a Mac accessory with a full 1080p HD and a 1920 x 1080 high-resolution image for all of your video call and streaming needs. It's designed with an internal noise-canceling microphone and works by simply being plugged into a USB port.

$30 at Amazon

Sleek Design: Allinko 610 Webcam

The Allinko 610 Webcam is a sleek and stylish HD 1080p webcam that's perfect for streaming, recording, Skyping, and more. It's universal mounting clips also come with a tripod thread, while a noise-canceling microphone captures clear audio while erasing the noise commotion around you.

From $60 at Amazon

Great for Streaming: Logitech StreamCam

Capture full HD 1080P at 60fps in portrait or landscape mode. The USB-C connection is fast and reliable. Smart auto-focus and exposure utilize AI-enabled facial tracking for smooth and precise video.

From $265 at Amazon

Professional: Supertemblor Pro Stream Webcam

The Supertemblor Pro Stream Webcam is a rugged and professional webcam designed with an HDR sensor and facial enhancement technology for the clearest and sharpest images possible. It allows you to stream in 1080p HD and has a max resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

$46 at Amazon

Finding the perfect webcam for your Mac can make all the difference

The Logitech C920 is the best for most people, in our opinion. Its 78-degree angle means you can fit more than one person into the frame, and it records at 1080p resolution, which is as high as most people need.

All external webcams offer some great benefits over the built-in webcams that come with your Mac. They are more versatile in terms of placement. Depending on which one you get, it will do a much better job of exposing its video, so you don't end up as some dark blob. Webcams like the Supertemblor Pro Stream Webcam focus on delivering the clearest, brightest image possible, even in dim or backlit settings.

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One the of Mac's hallmarks is its reputation for hardware reliability, so when you're trying to make Skype calls and your webcam doesn't want to take part, you might be taken off guard. The problem could be as simple as another program refusing to relinquish control of the webcam or as severe as an operating system incompatibility. Many third-party webcams are designed for Windows systems with Mac OS X as an afterthought.

Another Program Is Using the Camera

Programs do not like to cooperate with each other when more than one is trying to use the webcam at a given time. If the webcam was working in another program earlier and now won't run in Skype, it may be because the other program is still using the webcam. You can troubleshoot cross-program use by closing all other programs that could be using the webcam and restarting Skype; restart the Mac if that doesn't work.

Update the Skype Program

Updating the Skype program to the latest version for all callers may resolve compatibility problems with the webcam. If you or the person you are trying to call is using Skype version 2.8 or earlier and the other person is using version 6.2 or later, you will not be able to use video. Microsoft office 2011 for mac update 14.5.9. Skype version 6.2 discontinues compatibility with version 2.8 and earlier. While Skype may work with older versions, Skype lists using the latest version as a requirement for video calling. Additionally, updating Skype can also resolve rarely occurring issues with a bad or corrupted program installation.

Test the Webcam

Testing the webcam can rule out incompatibility and configuration issues. You can test the webcam within Skype's menu bar by selecting 'Skype,' 'Preferences' and 'Audio/Video.' If you have more than one webcam connected to the Mac, select the one you want to use from the 'Camera' drop-down menu. The webcam works if you can see the preview feed. You can isolate the problem to Skype specifically by testing the webcam in another program like FaceTime, Photo Booth or iMovie.

Incorrectly Installed Camera

The webcam will not work with Skype on a Mac if it is not correctly installed. Try reconnecting the physical connector and rebooting the system with external webcams to rule out connection issues. Install the most recent drivers or software for your specific webcam if the manufacturer makes them. If the manufacturer doesn't support the Mac platform, try installing a third-party driver like Macam or USB WebCam Driver.

Camera Incompatibility Issues

According to Skype, most Mac-compatible webcams work with Skype, but some older models may have problems. Skype recommends using a Skype certified webcam to guarantee compatibility. Unless the webcam is Universal Video Class compliant, it is not guaranteed to work on Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later systems with Apple's generic webcam software. Additionally, the webcam may have limited functionality when running on UVC instead of a proprietary driver.

About the Author

Dan Stone started writing professionally in 2006, specializing in education, technology and music. He is a web developer for a communications company and previously worked in television. Stone received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and a Master of Arts in communication studies from Northern Illinois University.

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