In the past, webcams were a neat novelty.
However, they didn’t play that big of a role in many of our lives, especially since most of us simply used smartphones for video calls.
Given the situation these days, they are becoming quite a necessity in every household.
If you are looking for the best webcam under 40 dollars, there are many options at your disposal.
The problem is, not all of them are made equally; some will serve your particular needs better than others.
To help you upgrade your setup, let’s take a look at the top five webcams within this price range.
Comparison Chart
Best Webcam Under 40 Reviews
1. Nexigo N60 1080p FHD Webcam
The NexiGo N60 is an affordable webcam that packs in many useful features.
It boasts a wide-angle, 1080p resolution, 30fps, and 3.6mm glass lens to ensure your photos always look sharp.
The best part is that you will get all of these premium features (some you would find in a more expensive webcam) at an affordable price.
Review
If you need a camera for work-related or even school-related situations, this is a great option to go for and definitely one of the best for those on a budget.
The NexiGo N60 shines in just about every aspect.
Despite having an affordable price tag, it punches above its weight class with its sharp image quality, superb lens, and premium features.
This webcam is also very intuitive to use, and it is plug-and-play for most devices.
Like any other device, it also has a few negatives, the most significant being the built-in microphone.
Most webcams have bad mics, to begin with, and this model is no exception.
Still, it is an aspect you should consider before you purchase the NexiGo N60.
The wide-angle lens also causes a bit of warping on the sides of the image due to the fisheye-style lens.
You will also find that it does not have an autofocus feature.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Good video quality
- Wide-angle lens
- Plug and play
- Impressive compatibility
Cons:
- Not from a name brand
- Microphone isn’t that great
- Adjustment can be a bit stiff
2. Logitech C270 HD Webcam
The Logitech C270 is an HD 720p webcam that features 3MP still photos, USB 2.0, and a built-in microphone.
This is a budget webcam, but despite being more affordable, you’ll find that it offers excellent value for your money.
The image quality produced is similar to more expensive options, making it a good choice for connecting with friends and family, school, and work.
Review
The Logitech C270 webcam is fairly spartan in terms of features.
However, with its very low price tag, you can’t really ask for more than what it brings to the table.
Just think that you are getting a reputable name brand known for having some of the best webcams on the market for a fraction of the cost.
Despite having a lower resolution of 1280×720, it is still an exceptional webcam that offers clear image quality compared to the competition.
It is important to remember that you are buying a budget device, so do not expect the fancy features you’ll find in more expensive options.
The built-in mic is nothing to write home about, but it does have a noise-canceling feature, which is great if you’re constantly on a video call.
Basically, you get what you see with this webcam, and for the average person, that is more than enough.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Irrefutable name brand
- Noise-canceling microphone
- Lightweight at 0.3 pounds
- Comes with a two-year limited warranty
Cons:
- Resolution isn’t 1080p
- Doesn’t have many features
- Microphone sound quality leaves much to be desired
3. Wansview 106 Web Camera
The Wansview HD 1080p Webcam comes with premium features, including autofocus, 1080p resolution, and a built-in microphone.
This is a good option for when you are tired of dealing with cameras that have fixed focus.
The autofocus feature on this camera will track your face to make sure you always look clear and in focus.
Review
The Wansview makes the list because it offers sharp image quality, superior autofocusing, and a wide array of great features at a relatively low price point.
To find cameras with similar features, you would need to look at webcams that are almost twice the price.
The Wansview features a 1080p resolution, which is always a good thing where image quality is concerned.
However, the main selling point of this camera is the autofocus, and it does a pretty good job.
It can recognize faces quite easily and make sure they are always in focus, even when moving around the frame.
At its price point, it is hard to go wrong with this particular camera.
It serves well in many functions, such as Zoom meetings, video conferences, or your typical video call.
The video quality even rivals much more expensive options.
Note that the lens is not wide-angle and is limited to 60 degrees, something to definitely consider.
Lastly, you’ll find that it is plug-and-play, so you do not have to fiddle with complicated instructions to get this webcam up and running.
Just plug it into the PC or Mac, and it’ll begin working as it should automatically.
Pros:
- Great autofocus feature
- High resolution
- Easy to use and operate
- Rotates 360 degrees
- Tripod-ready
- Wide compatibility
Con:
- Not a name brand
4. GESMA 1080P Prostream Webcam
This GESMA is a high-def 1920×1080 resolution webcam that features a 3.6mm lens.
The camera is also 3D denoising and has a built-in microphone that features 8m omnidirectional sound absorption for superior noise-canceling.
This is an excellent webcam for someone who needs a simple device capable of providing good sound and image quality.
You can use it for work, video conferences, and other video call purposes.
Review
This GESMA webcam is a great choice if you are on the market for something affordable but has a decent built-in microphone.
For under 40 dollars, you are getting a well-rounded webcam that offers crisp 1080p 30fps video, a decent mic, and high build quality.
The camera head can also swivel and rotate 90 degrees, making adjustments a breeze, regardless of what system you are using it on.
It is relatively simple to use, as it is a plug-and-play device.
What sets this webcam apart from the others is the mic quality.
Usually, you want to opt for an external mic or headset and pair it with your webcam due to poor microphone quality.
However, this is something you won’t need to do with the GESMA.
Pros:
- Good noise-canceling microphone
- Impressive resolution
- Affordable price point
- Wide compatibility
Cons:
- Not a name brand
- Not 60 FPS
- Does not feature a wide-angle lens
5. DEPSTECH Full HD 1080P Webcam
The DEPSTECH 1080p Webcam is one of the more affordable options on this list.
Even so, you can expect to enjoy its several premium features right out of the box.
For its price, you are getting 1080p resolution, 30fps, a six-layer glass lens, noise-canceling built-in microphone, and more.
You’ll find features in this webcam that are typically reserved for products twice the price.
If you are okay not going with a well-known brand, this is an excellent option for anyone needing a webcam.
Review
The DEPSTECH 1080p webcam features a six-layer glass lens with a 1/2.9-inch CMOS image sensor.
This ensures that the video is crisp and clear while being delivered at a silky smooth 30 frames per second.
Compared to this unit, you’ll find that many webcams at the same price range offer basic features at 720p resolution.
There’s also a fairly decent stereo microphone that comes with noise-canceling technology to reduce background noise and produce clearer audio for those listening to you.
However, if you want the best audio quality, you will still want to opt for an external mic.
The DEPSTECH is easy to set up and does not require additional software.
It is plug-and-play with many devices, including those that run on Windows and Mac OS.
This means you won’t need any technical know-how to have it up and running.
Finding the right position for this webcam is easy, too, thanks to the extra-long cable.
You are getting a lot at this price, making it a no-brainer if you are looking for an easy-to-use camera that offers clear image quality.
Use this webcam for Zoom, Skype, Yahoo!, YouTube, and more.
Pros:
- Low price but premium features
- Noise-canceling microphone
- 1080p resolution with a reliable lens
- No software required
- Compatible with many devices
Cons:
- Doesn’t work with PS4
- Microphone quality could be better
- Audio may lag
Final Verdict
So, which is the best webcam under 40 bucks?
Among the five webcams we tested, we find the NexiGo N60 to offer the best value for money.
At below 40 bucks, this work and play webcam can compete with units over twice its price.
This camera offers crisp 1080p resolution video, making it perfect for streaming or video conferences.
If that doesn’t meet your requirements, you might also want to check out the Logitech C270.
Despite being the cheapest option on the list, you can still expect exceptional video quality from this webcam.
Plus, you are purchasing a webcam from a brand known to produce only the best quality possible.