(checked 2026-10-10)1,597 ratings.
Tom's Guide's best webcam for game streaming: a sharp 1080p60 picture, deep manual controls saved on the camera, and a built-in shutter for $149. But it has no built-in microphone and a fixed-focus lens, Tom's Hardware found its HDR underwhelming, and Amazon owners report units that randomly stop working.
Top complaints
- No built-in microphone
Tom's Guide lists the missing mic as a con, which limits plug-and-play use for meetings. PCMag notes Elgato skips the mic on the assumption you'll use a USB mic or headset.
Source: Tom's Guide review, PCMag best webcams - Auto mode and processing are hit-and-miss
Tom's Guide says the auto mode doesn't match a tuned setup and that AI effects such as Eye Contact and background blur can produce odd artifacts. Tom's Hardware found HDR underwhelming and says the Brio 500 looks better out of the box. Amazon owners complain about auto-adjust and drained colors.
- Some units stop working
Amazon's summary says some owners report it randomly stops working, and some find it overpriced. Tom's Guide also notes there's no USB-C-to-C cable in the box.
What owners love
- Crisp, smooth 1080p60
Tom's Guide praises the gorgeous, crisp picture at a full 60 fps, plus a 720p120 slow-motion mode. Amazon owners call the picture impressive.
- Strong low-light results
Tom's Guide credits its noise reduction with 'stellar' low-light performance. Tom's Hardware saw good exposure and white balance in low light.
- Camera-style controls saved on the device
Tom's Guide highlights DSLR-level settings in Camera Hub that are stored in the camera's flash memory, so they carry over to any computer. The slim design adds a built-in shutter and a 1/4-inch thread.
Source: Tom's Guide review
- You need a built-in mic for calls
- You want great results without tweaking settings
- You show objects close to the lens (fixed focus)
- Streamers who already use a separate mic
- Fine-tuning the image like a camera
- Moving between PCs (settings saved on the camera)
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Tom's Guide: Best webcam for game streaming (updated 2026-08-28). The cons are no USB-C cable, odd AI processing and no mic.
- Tom's Hardware: Tested but not picked. A good webcam, but the Brio 500 has better out-of-the-box image quality, a better shutter design and a lower price.