Do you really need a webcam in 2025?

With good reason, built-in webcams have become increasingly sophisticated in recent years. Webcams are used by more people than ever before for communication in professional, academic, and artistic contexts.

That made me wonder: is an external webcam really necessary anymore? Perhaps using your phone or laptop to get by is plenty. But the more I looked into it, the more I saw why some of us should get a webcam while others should continue using their current one.

Are laptop cameras good enough?

The best justification for doing away with the necessity for a webcam by 2025 is the existence of built-in laptop cameras. The resolution of almost all laptop webcams nowadays is either 720p or 1080p, which is comparable to the quality of most external webcams.

It may appear that your laptop webcam is sufficient to avoid purchasing a new camera if you combine that resolution with the suite of always improving software for sharpening the laptop image, blurring your background, and tracking your motions.

And it is for a lot of people.

You would be better off keeping your money and not needing the extra features of a new webcam if you mostly use it for fast daily standups at work or the occasional video chat with family and friends.

However, there are several reasons why you might require something a bit more powerful than what’s currently in your laptop, as I’ll go into more detail later.

Let’s start by discussing the external webcam that you currently carry in your pocket.

Using your phone as a webcam

As phone cameras advance and get many of the same software advantages as computers, I’ve noticed this tendency more and more. Connecting your iPhone or Android device to your laptop or PC and using it as an external webcam is a clever way to add quality to your photos.

In his excellent essay, TechRadar contributor Alex Blake explores the question of whether you should replace your laptop’s webcam with your phone. He finds that your phone’s camera will nearly always outperform your laptop’s.

It is as easy as utilizing the Continuity Camera if you have an iPhone and a macOS PC. One of the greatest webcam programs can be used in place of Android or iPhone users who wish to sync with a Windows computer.

But there are a number of difficulties associated with this solution.

Specifically, you will need to find a way to place your phone. The best method to accomplish this is using a phone gimbal or tripod, though some of them can be difficult to adjust and can be very costly.

A camera can be placed on top of a monitor and its position can be readily changed, but when you’re done with a call or stream, you’ll have to put your phone up again.

What happens if your phone runs out of charge or you need to use it during the video call? You’re not lucky.

Although it’s a good solution for a quality boost, not everyone should use their phone as a webcam.

If you see yourself here, you may still need a webcam

I would advise choosing an external webcam for a few key reasons.

Looking your best will make a good impression and enhance the quality and clarity of the call for others, especially if you frequently engage in lengthy meetings, meet with new clients, or deliver presentations at work.

Similarly, a new webcam can help your classmates and grade if your laptop camera isn’t up to par and you regularly collaborate on group projects or create content and video tasks for school.

Speaking of content creation, streaming has become incredibly popular in recent years. If you want to stand out from the crowd, a good camera can help you do just that.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to appear presentable and clear when approaching YouTubers. Although it’s not strictly required, selecting one of the top webcams within your price range will significantly raise the standard of your work if you’re serious about creating content.

A excellent webcam will have several functions that your phone and laptop just won’t have, like an adjustable mount and better low-light balancing and autofocus. Some even come with fantastic built-in microphones that will surpass the quality of your laptop’s microphone.

It is likely that you will benefit from purchasing a new webcam if any of these describe you. However, your laptop’s webcam is probably adequate if your video demands only involve you sometimes jumping on a call with a friend.