Webcam Review

Comparing reviews of webcams

Webcams (short for web cameras) have become more popular since video chat and video blogging (also known as vlogging) exploded into mainstream culture. As more people acquire broadband connections and adopt Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services such as Skype, webcam manufacturers are designing products of increasing quality. Standalone webcams have improved dramatically, with newer models sporting high-definition video, exceptional audio and a variety of interactive features.

We discovered many reviews of webcams -- but none of them are very current. That might be because there just aren't many new webcams on the market. One reason might be the fact that many new laptops now include an integrated webcam, reducing the need for a separate gadget. The most up-to-date and comprehensive can be found at webcam-enthusiast site CowboyFrank.net, where reviews cover setup, ease of use, image quality, features and overall performance. Another strength is Cowboy Frank's matching sets of sample photos from each webcam in a variety of lighting conditions. U.S. sites like PCMag.com and CNET, Britain's WebUser and Which? magazines, and the Australian edition of PC World also provide good, relatively up-to-date coverage.

Many notebook computers now feature built-in webcams. This, coupled with decreased sales for desktop computers, has caused the market for stand-alone webcams to shrink, and they don't always get attention from reviewers who are otherwise prolific. Sources such as TrustedReviews.com, EverythingUSB.com, Pocket-lint.co.uk and Laptop magazine have webcam reviews that are rather cursory. Often, webcams aren't even listed in a separate category on review sites, and can be difficult to track down. Consumer Reports doesn't cover webcams at all.

The good news is that since most webcams have been on the market for at least six months, they've had a chance to rack up some robust user feedback, giving a good idea of user satisfaction months or even years down the road. For this reason, we compared professional and enthusiast reviews with those of hundreds of users.