In the past, webcams have typically been viewed as recreational devices. When they were first marketed to us, they were presented as a way to connect with family and friends in different time zones.

Owning a webcam meant you were a WiFi signal away from seeing a friendly face. Now they're also a staple of the modern workplace – they've become as commonplace as a stack of sticky notes or reusable water bottles.

Webcams in the workplace are a necessity for connecting with distant clients, debriefing off-site executives, and checking in with remote employees. For remote employees, a reliable webcam with fluid streaming and clear sound is a requirement of the job.

Choosing a webcam can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Below, we've compiled some of the best webcams to take your professional interactions to the next level.

Webcams are video cameras that stream video and images in real-time. They're often placed on the conference room table, or attach to an in-room screen or computer monitor. Here are some of the best webcams for remote work available.

1. Meeting Owl Pro

The Meeting Owl Pro is our premium 360-degree camera, mic, and speaker combined into one easy-to-use device.

Powered by Wise OS™, the Meeting Owl Pro is an intelligent conference camera that automatically shifts to focus on whoever is speaking. It creates the experience of in-person participation for hybrid teams and integrates seamlessly with the conferencing platforms you already use.

The Meeting Owl Pro’s panoramic lens provides a 360° field of view of the room for group meetings where all attendees and whiteboards need to be seen. The Meeting Owl Pro can also be used as a personal conference webcam, and the 360° pano can be toggled off for calls where a panoramic view isn’t necessary.

2. Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920

Source: Logitech

This webcam has been around since 2012, and although it doesn't include extensive, fancy features such as 4K videos or 60fps recording, it offers all the basics you'd typically look for in a conference room webcam. Whether you're video chatting with colleagues or clients, you'll appear in clear details and vibrant colors with fluid video thanks to the Full HD 1030p at 30fps.

3. Logitech C615 Fold-and-Go HD Webcam

Source: Logitech

Traveling for work? The Logitech C615 is a good option if you're looking for a webcam that can easily be attached to a laptop when you're on-the-go. It's portable, provides 1080p resolution, and boasts the best quality of any webcam under $100. To accompany the lifestyle of the webcam owner on the go, the fast autofocus means your video will stay sharp when you're moving around. Its built-in noise-reducing mic makes sure your voice comes across clearly, no matter your surroundings.

4. Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000

Source: Microsoft

The Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 is ideal if you're looking for a webcam under $50. It offers a widescreen video format in 720p HD. With a noise-canceling microphone and Microsoft's TrueColor framework, your sound will be clear and your video will be bright and colorful.

5. Microsoft LifeCam Studio

Source: Microsoft

The LifeCam Studio is made with business conferencing and active presentations in mind. With 1080p chronicle, 720p live video calling, and a wideband mic to transfer clear sound. It also features 360° pivoting abilities and Microsoft's TrueColor framework.

6. Razer Kiyo

Source: Razer

The Razer Kiyo may look odd, but it remains a standout amongst the best webcams out there for streaming. It strips away the extravagant accessories that increasingly premium webcams offer, focusing instead on what is the most important aspects of streaming: great picture quality and lighting. A desktop streaming camera with a powerful, multi-step ring light that you can dim or brighten on command, with the ability to stream at 60fps the Razer Kiyo is a good choice for streaming.

Remote work is here to stay. Home offices and conference rooms now need to include video conferencing solutions that simulate in-person meetings, and not all room solutions are created equal. The Meeting Owl Pro offers a frictionless, all-in-one room solution, so all team members can join equalized, hybrid meetings within seconds.