Find The Right WebCams

Blue Microphones Eyeball Webcam

The Eyeball Webcam is a cool-looking piece of gear for people who use VoIP or video chat services on-the-go, but there are better choices for the home.

Microsoft LifeCam Show

The Microsoft LifeCam Show offers improvement over Microsoft's previous laptop Webcam, but Logitech still has the laptop Webcam to beat.

Specs: Drivers & Utilities, Black

Microsoft LifeCam VX-5500

The Microsoft LifeCam VX-5500 is a well designed, affordable Webcam with excellent image quality.

Specs: Drivers & Utilities, Silver

Ipevo PoV Web Camera

Middling performance and oddly lacking software overshadow the Ipevo PoV Web Camera's excellent macro mode. Don't buy it unless you need a Webcam for the express purpose of recording close-up still shots or up-close-and-personal video chats.

Specs: Drivers & Utilities, Black

Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 (red)

Despite its uninspired software, the Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 proves its worth with outstanding image quality, a funky and useful design, and low price.

Specs: Drivers & Utilities, 1 x USB cable - 6 ft, Fire red

Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 (blue)

Despite its uninspired software, the Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 proves its worth with outstanding image quality, a funky and useful design, and low price.

Specs: Drivers & Utilities, 1 x USB cable - 6 ft, Cool blue

Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 (green)

Despite its uninspired software, the Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 proves its worth with outstanding image quality, a funky and useful design, and low price.

Specs: Drivers & Utilities, 1 x USB cable - 6 ft, Lucky green

Philips SPC-900NC Webcam

Aside from its ability to follow a face, the Philips SPC 900NC Webcam disappoints.

Specs: Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, Drivers & Utilities, AOL Instant Messenger, Philips VLounge Advanced, 1 x USB cable - 7 ft

Creative Live Cam Optia AF

If remote video surveillance or time-lapse photography is something you want to do with a Webcam, the Creative Live Cam Optia AF is a good pick. For all others, Logitech has a better (and slightly cheaper) Webcam.

Specs: Skype, SightSpeed, Yahoo! Messenger, Muvee autoProducer, Drivers & Utilities, Creative Photo Manager, Creative Photo Calendar, Creative Live! Cam Center, Creative Live! Cam Console, Creative Live! Cam Manager, 1 x USB cable

Microsoft LifeCam VX-7000

There are better Webcams that you can buy with your $100 than the Microsoft LifeCam VX-7000.

Specs: 2,000,000 pixels, Black

Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000

The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 offers a winning combination of stellar image quality, easy-to-use software, and a sturdy, stable stand. It's our Webcam pick for desktop and laptop users alike.

Specs: 2,000,000 pixels, Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, Logitech QuickCam, Drivers & Utilities, Logitech Video Effects, Windows Live Messenger, HP Photosmart Essential, 1 x USB cable - 6 ft

Microsoft LifeCam NX-3000

It's cheap and compact and delivers acceptable video quality, but the bundled software plagues Microsoft's LifeCam NX-3000 Webcam. Creative has a model for nearly the same price that we like better.

Specs: 300,000 pixels, Black

Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks

The Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks provides unmatched image quality, but its design could be improved. While the clear, bright video output will amaze, the constant readjusting of the camera atop your laptop will annoy.

Specs: 2,000,000 pixels, Logitech QuickCam, Drivers & Utilities, 1 x USB cable - 3 ft

Microsoft Xbox Live Vision Camera (Xbox 360)

Microsoft's answer to Sony's EyeToy camera, the affordable Xbox Live Vision Camera for Xbox 360 may not yet be a must-have Xbox 360 accessory, but we suspect that as Microsoft upgrades Xbox Live to include more Vision features, it will be.

Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000

The Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000 offers unique features such as the ability to post photos directly to a blog, but its video effects and image quality don't stand up to that of competing Webcams from veteran manufacturers.

Specs: Drivers & Utilities, 1 x USB, 1 x USB cable - 6 ft

Creative Live Cam Voice

With beefed-up audio features, the Creative Live Cam Voice is one of the best overall cameras for IM and Internet-based voiceconferencing.

Specs: 1,300,000 pixels, SightSpeed, Yahoo! Messenger, Muvee autoProducer, Orb with OrbSecure, Creative Photo Manager, Creative WebCam Center, Creative Photo Calendar, Creative Advanced Video FX, 1 x USB cable, Gray

Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000

The Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 is a well-rounded Webcam with ample adjustability and a solid software package, making it a good option for users at all levels of expertise.

Specs: Logitech QuickCam, Drivers & Utilities, 1 x USB cable - 6 ft

Creative WebCam Live! Motion Webcam (titanium)

The Creative Live Motion offers an innovative set of Webcam features and an extensive software package, but it falls short where it counts: photo and video performance.

Specs: SightSpeed, Yahoo! Messenger, Orb with OrbSecure, Drivers & Utilities, Creative Photo Manager, Creative WebCam Center, ArcSoft VideoImpression, 1 x USB cable, Titanium silver

Logitech QuickCam Fusion

The Logitech QuickCam Fusion's sleek design and impressive software bundle make it one of the best Webcams we've seen.

Specs: 1,300,000 pixels, QuickCapture, Drivers & Utilities, Logitech Video Effects, 1 x USB cable - 6 ft

Apple iSight

With great image quality and integration, the Apple iSight is the best choice for Mac owners who use iChat, but it isn't ideal for users of other messaging clients.

Specs: 1 x IEEE 1394 adapter, 1 x IEEE 1394 cable