First, what are your webcams doing when you don’t use them? It turns out that some modern webcams are almost certainly being used to spy on you and watch your actions, without you knowing.
In fact, an eye-watering 77% of smart webcams are owned by organisations that don’t trust their customers to use them correctly, a survey by reputed firm found. I’ll go one better and suggest that, perhaps, your webcam is spying on you. This is a frightening thought if you’re worried about privacy. What would a malicious party do with that information?
If you are looking for a good webcam for office or home, then here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Are there any important security features built-in?
- Are the webcam’s video and audio quality as good as it can be?
- Does it have the ability to recognise faces, such as those seen in the apps FaceTime and Skype?
- Does it have a good range of ports and cables?
To find the answer to all of the above, we’ve compiled a list of five of the best webcams available in the UK right now.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Budget Webcams UK
1. CilyCily 1080p Web Camera with Microphone USB for Laptop
Starting, we bring you a fantastic webcam most suitable for your laptop. Looking for an affordable yet quality webcam? Then the CilyCily 1080p Web Camera for laptop is a great choice. This Webcam makes use of an enhanced image sensor to provide you with excellent image quality. This feature makes gaming and streaming experiences on your laptop very worthwhile. It also comes with a universal clip for easy mounting on your laptop.
Features
- Dual Built-in microphone.
- Auto Low Light Correction (for the dim environment).
- Simple Plug and Play.
- Compatible with most streaming and multi-systems apps.
2. ONLYO Webcam with Microphone
The only Webcam with microphone is also another webcam that is suitable for your laptop. This Webcam is a great buy because of its numerous outstanding features. It provides you with sharp and clear images for your pictures. It also comes with an in-built microphone and a 110° wide view angle. The only Webcam is also driverless, which means that you do not need a plug-in driver installation which makes it very convenient for use.
Features
- Advanced smooth live-streaming.
- Privacy cover.
- Auto low light correction.
- High resolution.
3. Youlisn UK 1080P Full HD Computer Webcam
The Youlisn 1080P Full HD Computer Webcam is the ideal purchase for your desktop. It fits perfectly when mounted on your desktop and displays clear and good quality images. It comes highly recommended for video conferencing. One of its most outstanding features is its wide viewing angle which is more comprehensive when compared to other webcams. This makes sure everyone in a video conference is visible. This Webcam is sure to give you a quality performance. It is a customer favourite because of its efficiency.
Features
- Easy Installation.
- Compatible with numerous operating systems.
- Universal Clip for mounting.
- 90⁰ Wide Angle.
Read More: Best Spy Camera for Care Home UK
4. KKmoon USB 2.0 UK Webcam with Microphone
Another webcam suitable for your desktop, the KKmoon Webcam is the perfect choice for you if you want to improve your video conference experience. It comes with a driver CD to enable you to install it for practical use. The KKmoon Webcam has a 360⁰ rotating function which gives you the ability to rotate it on any angle on your desktop. It also offers you perfect picture quality.
Features
- 360-Degree swivel function.
- Manual Adjustable focal length.
- Auto exposure control.
- Auto colour correction.
- Plug and Play.
5. Logitech C310 UK HD Webcam
Are you looking for the best Webcam that is perfect for your video conferencing needs? Then the Logitech C310 HD Webcam is yours to get. The Logitech Webcam has a widescreen with an excellent HD quality which provides you with a quick and seamless video call/conferencing experience. It comes in a user-friendly design and also adjusts automatically to brighter conditions without needing any manual help.
Features
- Full HD Widescreen for Video calling.
- HD lighting adjustment.
- In-built noise-reducing microphone.
- Ideal for laptop or tablet.
6. BURFLY 1080P UK Full HD Webcam
If you are looking to get a good quality webcam for video conferencing, then the Barfly 1080P full HD Webcam is for you. This Webcam is very suitable for remote working, online conference meetings and all other professional video call needs. It is compatible with many video conferencing software applications making it the ideal Webcam for professionals and business owners. It also has a high definition quality camera to give you excellent quality pictures.
Features
- High sensitivity.
- Fast autofocus.
- Manual focus lens.
- Dual microphone.
- High precision.
7. Aoboco Webcam with Dual Microphone and Ring light
Do you need a ring light with your Webcam to give you that professional look for your online meetings? Or are you a blogger looking for a suitable webcam with a ring light to give your videos that great glow? Then the Aoboco Webcam is an excellent choice. The most outstanding feature of this Webcam is its ring light which helps to minimize shadows and make sure your environment is well lit. The Aoboco Webcam also gives crystal clear images and is very easy to use.
Features
- Dimmable ring light.
- Dual Stereo Mics.
- Background replacement function.
- Compatible with major operating systems.
8. KFF 2k UK Webcam with Microphone and Ring light
This is another webcam specially designed with a ring light. So, instead of getting a ring light and a webcam separately why not just get the KFF Webcam with ring light? It delivers different lighting requirements alongside a panoramic high definition resolution for quality images. It also comes with a metal body to make it look refined compared to other plastic webcams. This excellent Webcam is an ideal gift for family and friends during festive seasons.
Features
- The adjustable ring fills light and autofocus.
- Privacy cover.
- Adjustable tripod.
- No driver requirements.
9. BONLOE UK Webcam with Microphone
Looking for an excellent webcam that will be suitable for your Windows 7 operating system? Here it is. Finding the perfect Webcam for a Windows 7 can sometimes be difficult, but the Bone webcam is just what you need. Bone Webcam also performs all other necessary webcam functions such as providing you with a seamless online video experience excellently. It is suitable for video conferencing with your colleagues as well as leisure video calls with family and friends.
Features
- Long USB cable for easy connection (1.5 m)
- Super apparent stereo effect.
- Noise-cancelling microphone.
- Compatible with Windows XP, 7, 8, 10 and Mac OS 10.6
10. Lovebay UK HD 1080P Webcam
Lastly, the Lovebay HD Webcam is another brand of quality Webcam that is compatible for your Windows 10 OS. It is also harmonious with Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8. This Webcam is also very efficient and comes with a free angle adjustment. It captures clear images and provides you with hitch-free communication.
Features
- Built-in stereo microphone.
- Auto Light Correction Camera.
- Rotatable Clip.
- Compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, 7, 8, 10 or higher.
Budget Webcams UK Buying Guide
Over the years, having a webcam has become a necessity to ensure surveillance and enhance communication where necessary. Whether it is in our homes or offices, a webcam is handy and can even be a lifesaver sometimes. It is used in capturing pictures and live videos which can serve as security footage. This is also of the essence in online communication through video calls for educational, recreational and professional purposes. Hence, getting the best Webcam is highly essential for numerous reasons.
Now, when getting the best webcams in the market. There are various factors to consider. Usually, the prices vary (some can be quite expensive) and some webcams are more suitable for specific purposes than others. This is why we have developed this review on how to get the best webcams. So, as to help you make an informed decision before you buy one. The study outlines how to get the best webcams for the most affordable prices. Webcams best suited for your laptop, desktop, etc. and which will meet your required specifications and demands. Let’s dive in.
Having reviewed the ten best webcams in the market. It is vital to have a useful guide on factors to consider before buying one. This is to prevent you from buying the wrong Webcam or one which will not give you good value for your money.
Webcams for laptops and desktops
It is remarkable to note that there are different types of webcams. So, you must make sure you look out for one that will be compatible with either your laptop or desktop. Some webcams are only suitable for tablets and laptops but not desktops. Therefore, you must take note of this so that you get the right Webcam for your laptop or desktop.
Webcams for video conferencing
Some webcams are specifically designed and tailored to cater to your video conferencing needs. If you are a professional always involved in video conferencing then getting a webcam with good video conferencing features is essential. This is why you need to look out for a webcam with specific video conferencing features to give you a premium experience.
Webcams with ring light
If you are a video blogger or you want a beautiful portrait illumination, a ring light comes in handy. If you also want to maintain a professional image during virtual meetings, then the ring light is vital. So, if you are in this category, you should look out for a webcam which comes with a ring light. Ring lights are usually sold separately. However, a better option is a webcam which comes with a ring light. This helps to save you money and give you an excellent dual performance.
Webcams compatibility with operating systems
You must get a Webcam that will be compatible with your operating system to ensure that it can work effectively. This is because not all webcams are suitable for all operating systems. This review contains two webcams specifically ideal for Windows 7 and 10. However, they are also suitable for other versions. You must make sure you get one that will work correctly with whatever operating system you have on your computer.
Webcams with a good microphone
Webcams usually come with an in-built microphone. However, some do not always function as expected and will require users to connect an external microphone to enhance sound. This is why when you are getting a webcam, and you must look out for one which has excellent microphone qualities. This is all to ensure that you get the best value for your money.
FAQs
Are webcams better than a laptop camera?
Yes. Although it costs an additional fee, external webcams have higher quality components which give room for fine-tuning. Embedded webcams are always small, and this harms the camera quality and image performance.
Do webcams have microphones?
Most webcams have in-built microphones, but any microphone that can connect to your computer is also suitable. You can also use a phone to dial into the audio part of a conference. When doing this, be sure to use the disconnect from the audio option in the menu.
Do webcams need special software?
No. They, however, need drivers to enable your computer to use them, and when you buy a webcam, it comes with free drivers on a CD. Upon installation, no other special software is required.
Conclusion
We have come to the end of the best budget webcam UK review. We are confident that after this review, you will be able to get an excellent webcam with outstanding qualities. It will also contain the unique features to suit your particular needs all at a budget-friendly price. For the best budget webcam, we would recommend the Lovebay HD webcam. This is because it is very affordable, functional and compatible with many operating systems. For the best value Webcam, you should go for the KKmoon webcam for its outstanding video conferencing qualities and rotating function. Lastly, we would recommend the Logitech C310 webcam as the premium webcam because of its exceptional all-round rates and excellent performance.
