12 Best Zoom Meeting Accessories | Look Good on Video Calls (Webcams, Microphone and Lights)
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The Best Zoom Meeting Accessories For Every Budget (Webcams, Microphone, Lights, and More)
Are you looking for the best equipment to help you look better and sound better in Zoom meetings? Or Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Skype, etc. You know the score!
Whether you have video conferencing calls with customers and clients, for school classes, or maybe even just with family and friends - in this blog post, I'm going to share with you some of the best tech solutions for every budget, covering webcams, microphones, lights, and other Zoom accessories.
These accessories will help improve the video and audio quality of your Zoom calls, and your overall comfort if you find yourself using video conferencing software daily.
The Best Webcams for Zoom Meetings and Calls
Despite the advancement in technology over the years, many in-built webcams on laptops leave a lot to be desired. A lot of the time, they are cheap and cheerful cameras added to do an adequate job, no more or less. But we want to look our best on Zoom, so there's still very much a place for standalone webcams.
Best Budget Webcam for Zoom (Under $50): Logitech C270 Webcam
Logitech C270 Webcam
Logitech C270 Webcam
The Logitech C270 comes equipped with a 720p camera that can run at 30 frames per second, giving a smooth, high definition image. The camera also has the ability to adjust itself to lighting conditions automatically, and a noise-reducing mic that will help to filter out any background noise. Cheap and cheerful!
One thing to keep in mind with the Logitech C270 webcam is that there is no clip to attach it to your monitor as such; it is simply shaped in a way to rest easily on top, weighted down by the 3ft-long cord. Not a big problem as such, but something to be aware of.
What customers say:
"The picture is very clear and the microphone works great."
"This is an excellent budget webcam. Easy to use and install. Works great with zoom meetings."
“The C270 has the narrowest angle of view that I've found, which is great if you are one person doing video calls and just want to show yourself and not all the stuff in the room around you.”
Best Mid-Range Webcam for Zoom (Under $100): Logitech HD Pro C920
Logitech HD Pro C920 Webcam
Logitech HD Pro C920 Webcam
Now we're moving up in spec, with improved video and sound thanks to the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920's 1080p full HD camera. The C920 captures sharp, well-exposed video with lifelike colours even in conditions when the light is gloomy.
The two-microphone system - one on each side of the camera - captures natural stereo audio while filtering out background noise. Meanwhile, the C920's versatile stand works great both as a monitor clip and a desktop stand. It even comes with a proper metal tripod mount, if that's the setup you prefer.
For under $100 and for everyday Zoom meetings where you want to look and sound great, you can't really go wrong.
What customers say:
" I've had several participants remark on how crisp and clear my audio and video are which is exactly the types of comments I wanted to elicit."
"Truly a noteworthy webcam. The image is spectacular. It is very plug and play, but advance users can get a very detailed manual control. Highly recommended!"
"I've been working from home most of the time since March, and this camera has made all of my meetings much better. It occasionally gets locked out of focus, but if you move very close to the camera and slowly back away, the problem is usually fixed."
Best Top of the Range Webcam for Zoom (Under $200): Logitech Brio Gaming Webcam 4K
Logitech Brio Gaming Webcam 4K
Logitech Brio Gaming Webcam 4K
For the very best video quality on Zoom meetings for the best price, you can't beat the Logitech Brio, whose 4K camera gives a truly natural and well-balanced image; improving on both of the examples above - whether in bright or low-level lighting (it’s right light 3 automatically adjusts exposure and contrast to compensate for glare and backlighting).
Auto-focus and HD 5X zoom (zoom, pan, and choose from three fields of view options while maintaining HD resolution) make the Brio a standout webcam in the field.
What customers say:
“The quality of the video is AMAZING. The 4k is legitimately fantastic. If you're using OBS for screencasting/streaming, it looks crystal clear. Even in low light settings image quality looks amazing and crisp. I'm very impressed.”
“The image quality is absolutely stunning. Let me repeat that, the image quality is absolutely stunning. The first day I had it I did a screenshot of my image and it turned out clearer than some photos I've taken. Wow!”
“I highly recommend this webcam if you're doing lots of Zoom calls or creating live/pre-recorded video presentations from your office and laptop.”
Bonus Webcam Accessory: Swivel Arm Stand
If the height or angle of your monitor just doesn't work with the webcam you choose, a suspension scissor arm like this one from SIGSET lets you easily position the camera right where it needs to be.
The Best Lighting for Zoom Meetings and Calls
Unless you’re lucky enough to have an office basked in natural light all day, a good light can do wonders for your complexion on a Zoom call. And there’s just something much nicer about conversing with someone who appears to be sitting somewhere bright and airy, rather than inside a dimly lit cupboard!
Best Budget Zoom Lighting (Under $50): Cyezcor Video Conference Lighting Kit
Cyezcor Video Conference Lighting Kit
Cyezcor Video Conference Lighting Kit
The Cyezcor Video Conference Lighting Kit is a mini ring light that is perfect for Zoom calls. It has 3 colour temperatures (white light, warm light, natural light) and 5 levels of brightness adjustment.
Ring lights are circular lamps that are designed to point directly at your face and light you from all angle. The ring light design gives even lighting when you're face-to-virtual-face in meetings, with a soft light that reduces glare and shadowing.
Powered by USB, the Cyezcor comes with a clamp to clip the light to the edge of your computer, and the angle of the light can be adjusted for the perfect setup.
What customers say:
Perfect tool for video conferencing. Gives the right amount of lighting and the best part is that you can adjust the brightness. I also like the feature of using a yellow or white light.
Perfect size on my iMac. Flexible angles, brightness, and warmth. I used the lowest brightness and the medium warmth. It was perfect for my Zoom meeting.
Nice and affordable way to soften the lighting on our Zoom and FaceTime calls. Really makes a difference. Just a few seconds to set up and it works well to get rid of the harsh lighting.
Best Mid-Range Zoom Lighting (Under $100): Lume Cube Video Conference Lighting Kit
Lume Cube Video Conference Lighting Kit
Lume Cube Video Conference Lighting Kit
Amongst Zoom meeting veterans, the Lume Cube is often touted as a favourite, thanks to its bright and highly adjustable LED light.
It has a physical toggle to adjust the brightness (from 1% - 100%) and colour temperature (from a warm orange to a cool white), and a small display that shows all the levels and how much battery is left in the rechargeable USB-C battery. The battery offers many hours of light, or alternatively, you can plug it directly into a USB port.
The light is mounted with a suction cup, which a portion of Amazon reviewers have griped about - but the majority don't seem to have any problem, relaying that it sticks fast and firm to all kinds of laptops and monitors. And if it does slip, cleaning your surface and moistening the suction cup seems to do the trick.
What customers say:
I have had more than 500 video conference meetings from home since the COVID pandemic began in mid-March, 2020. I am delighted with how it performed. It is well-made, provided excellent illumination, and has easy-to-use, intuitively simple controls.
I really like this light for Zoom meetings. It is very bright but can be adjusted to very low. A variety of color warmth makes sure I can adjust to most flattering setting easily.
It is extremely well made and the silicone/latex diffuser is really good and protects the light whilst still allowing free access to the control button and scroll wheel. For the build quality, functionality and ease of use generally I think it’s well worth the money.
Best Top of the Range Zoom Lighting (over $100): TaoTronics 14-inch Selfie Ring Light
TaoTronics 14-inch Selfie Ring Light
TaoTronics 14-inch Selfie Ring Light
Unlike the lighting examples above, the TaoTronics 14-inch Selfie Ring Light is not your average unit. It comes with a solid tripod that is extendable, power extension and a Bluetooth remote. The remote can power on, change brightness and temperature.
In honesty, it's way more than most Zoom users will ever need, and can easily double up for use in photoshoots and YouTube video recording, for example.
If you tend to Zoom on a mobile device, the ring light has not one, but two mounts for you to fix in your smartphone, which can then be angled at you as you wish.
What customers say:
“The stand for the ring light is SO STURDY. I really wanted a ring light that didn't scream "CHEAP AS HELL" and little details like the weight of the stand and the different heights that you can adjust to really make it stand out.”
“It was easy to setup, only six steps to do. The light is super bright, and it’s easy to change the brightness and the color of the light with the remote.”
“Where our previous ring light was difficult to use because of its short cable, this light's cable is longer and actually brings an extension. I love that they thought of other features - the remote, flexible phone mounting arm, and an additional clip-on mount for different angles. So far we really love this light.”
The Best Microphones for Zoom Meetings and Calls
Like built-in laptop webcams, the microphones that get stuffed into the bezels of many modern computers just won’t cut it when it comes to getting crisp and clear audio for Zoom meetings and calls. Nothing’s worse than audio that is choppy and keeps cutting in and out. A dedicated microphone, then, is the answer! Let’s look at three of the best.
Best Budget Zoom Microphone (Under $30): MAONO AU-UL10 USB Lavalier Microphone
MAONO AU-UL10 USB Lavalier Microphone
MAONO AU-UL10 USB Lavalier Microphone
For a cheap, cheerful, and unobtrusive microphone option for Zoom meetings, a lavalier mic like this from MAONO is a useful solution.
Simply plug in the USB, clip the mic to your shirt with the 6ft cord, and away you go. Do note that it's a USB 2.0 connection, so you'll need a dongle if your laptop only has USB 3.0 connections.
What customers say:
“I just finished my first session with this mic and it was terrific. Definitely a great value for the price.”
“I bought this to record training videos using MS TEAMS. It is small and has a long cord which allows one to hide it under a shirt. It immediately was recognized by my Windows 10 Pro computer when I plugged it in. I ran an MS TEAMS recording test in my home office, and the sound quality was excellent.“
“I got the mic to use to record myself in Microsoft Teams so I did not need to be directly behind the computer. It does not magnify my voice, but it allows me to have a good voice quality on the recording in Teams. I was very pleased with the sound quality.”
Best Mid-Range Zoom Microphone (Under $100): Blue Yeti Nano Microphone
Blue Yeti Nano Microphone
Blue Yeti is the go-to manufacturer for many podcasters and streamers. And if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for Zoom!
The Blue Yeti Nano offers real ease of use, as you can simply plug in this microphone and start using it straight away without needing to mess with any settings - although some tweaking is required to get the very best audio quality when video conferencing. And its small form factor makes it perfect for small and narrow desks.
What customers say:
“This mic is extremely incredible! The sound clarity makes zoom so much easier because others can understand me. The cable that is included is very long and could be used if you want to mount this mic on a boom arm.”
“I'm using this Blue Yeti Nano on my Macbook Pro for calls on Zoom, Discord, and Microsoft Teams. Activate the noise suppression, noise gate, and lower the gain so you don't blow out people's eardrums.”
“I got Yeti Nano to improve my voice quality on conference calls (e.g. Zoom, Google Meet, MS Teams, Webex, etc.) … The Yeti is a great mic option and I have stopped searching.”
Best Top of the Range Zoom Microphone (Under $150): Blue Yeti USB Microphone
Blue Yeti USB Microphone
The main difference between the Blue Yeti Nano and this one (aside from the size and price) is that the Nano model doesn’t support stereo or bidirectional modes, so if you’re Zooming with other contributors in the room, this might be the better option.
This Blue Yeti USB mic model is perfect for video chat, helping your audio to come across full, clear, and rich. The technology behind all this is a custom three-capsule array and four pickup patterns. But all you really need to know is that it makes you sound great.
To optimise the sound quality, the Blue Yeti can be pivoted and adjusted to just the right position.
What customers say:
“I absolutely LOVE this microphone. The mic is substantial and solidly built. If you choose to use this on a desktop surface you will appreciate the solidness and height of the included mic stand.“
“If you are looking for a great USB microphone this is my favorite one. Feels solid, sounds great, and has been working for quite a while now.”
“The quality of the sound that is captured by this device is beyond any microphone I have ever owned...so far. I love every feature of this microphone.”
More Zoom Accessories Worth Considering
Once you’ve got a decent webcam, lights, and microphone for beefing up the performance of your Zoom meetings, you’re pretty much set - already a part of the Zoom elite compared to the majority of users!
But if you’re still not satisfied and really want to take your Zoom meetings setup up another notch, here are some accessories worth considering. No budget tiers here, just some solid recommendations:
Best Zoom Meeting Laptop Riser Stand: Rain Design iLevel 2
Best Zoom Meeting Laptop Riser Stand: Rain Design iLevel 2
Lifting your laptop or monitor up to a more comfortable position not only puts your webcam at a better, higher angle but also improves the ergonomics of your desk.
The sturdy Rain Design iLevel 2 is compatible with all laptops, has a handy adjustment knob, and is made from anodised aluminium for a sleep Apple-like look.
What customers say:
“I've recently tried dozens of laptop stands - portable / foldable ones, premium ones like the TwelveSouth Hi-Rise, and many more. The Rain Design iLevel2 Adjustable Height Laptop Stand is hands-down THE BEST laptop stand that money can buy.”
Best Zoom Meeting Wireless Headset: Jabra Evolve 75
Best Zoom Meeting Wireless Headset: Jabra Evolve 75
If you’re on a lot of Zoom calls every day, a comfortable and reliable headset will give you a clear connection and better sound when you're chatting with colleagues and clients. And you won’t need to buy a standalone microphone either, so you may choose to invest a little more.
There are a ton of viable options out there, but for a decent wireless set that works great for Zoom conversations and listening to music, you can't go far wrong with the Jabra Evolve 75.
As well as crystal clear audio, it offers up to 15 hours talk time and active noise cancelling.
Best Zoom Smartphone Stand: Joby GripTight Smartphone Stand
Best Zoom Smartphone Stand: Joby GripTight Smartphone Stand
Multi-tasking, when you’re on a Zoom conference call, can get a little bit chaotic - especially if your job involves juggling multiple apps and browser windows when you’re on a call, especially on a laptop screen.
If that’s the case, you may want to consider moving all of your Zoom activity onto your smartphone, then use an adjustable tripod to provide the correct viewpoint and to keep your smartphone steady.
The Joby GripTight Stand offers universal smartphone compatibility, rubber foot grips for stability on any surface, and wide jaws for a stable grip.
The Best Zoom Meeting Accessories Conclusion
So there you have it! A selection of some of the best Zoom meeting accessories on the market today; guaranteed to take your Zoom meetings to the next level, and make you the envy of colleagues and clients the world over!
Which Zoom accessory can’t you live without? Let me know in the comments below!
Andrew Macarthy is a social media consultant and the author of the #1 Amazon Web Marketing Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips.
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