6 Best Windows Hello Webcams for Face Recognition on Your PC

Entering a long password to log in to your PC can be cumbersome. The same holds particularly true if you have an alphanumeric passkey instead of a 6-digit PIN. If you lock and unlock your computer or laptop multiple times a day, the struggles only get worse. Well, a great way to make the unlocking process seamless is by getting a Windows Hello webcam.

best Windows Hello Webcams

Windows Hello allows you to unlock your computer using face recognition. Think of it as a technology similar to Face ID on an iPhone. When you install a Windows Hello-compatible camera on your PC, the computer will look for your face every time you wake it up. Once your face is detected, your computer is unlocked and ready to use. Sounds convenient, right?

If you too want to automate the unlocking process, here are some of the best webcams with Windows Hello support. But before that –

1. Elecom Facial Recognition Webcam

  • Resolution: 1080p
  • Field of view: 80°
elecom webcam

You don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket to get a Windows Hello webcam. And the Elecom camera is the best example of it. Despite being affordable, the sensor captures 1080p videos and the device even comes with a built-in mic.

For most people, 1080p clips should suffice for online meetings. Additionally, the lens is 80° wide and can cover a wide field of view. This is beneficial if you often take calls with your team or a lot of people in the background. As per reviews, the picture quality is decent in good lighting. But it does get slightly grainy if you are in a dark environment.

As for the Windows Hello performance — users say the camera’s facial recognition tech works flawlessly 80 percent of the time. On a few occasions, the camera fails to trigger facial recognition so it doesn’t look for your face at all. While this is a minor inconvenience for some, for others, it can be a deal-breaker. If you’re willing to spend more — you should take a look at more premium options with better reliability.

2. Lenovo 510

  • Resolution: 1080p
  • Field of view: 95°
lenovo 510

If you thought the Elecom camera offered a wide FoV, wait till you hear about the Lenovo 510’s specifications. To wit, the webcam’s 1080p sensor offers a 95-degree lens to fit as many people as you want in your meeting.

The Lenovo 510’s FoV is on par with an ultra-wide camera on most smartphones. As such, if you don’t want to splurge on dedicated webcams, then you can get one that can accommodate your entire team for seamless video conferencing. Do note that a large FoV may not be ideal for personal use or if you work from home.

Don’t worry though, as Lenovo offers 4X digital zoom via its own software. You can zoom in to crop out the background and have the camera focus on your face. However, users have said that this results in degraded quality (naturally) so it’s not the best option.

As for facial recognition — it works well according to several users and they haven’t faced any major issues. And for what it’s worth, the Lenovo 510 looks quite appealing so it would also add an aesthetic touch to your setup.

3. NexiGo HelloCam

  • Resolution: 1080p
  • Field of view: 90°
nexigo hellocam

At first glance, the NexiGo HelloCam looks like any other run-of-the-mill 1080p webcam. But if you look closely, you’ll realize the HelloCam has an automatic electronic shutter that hides the camera lens when you’re not using the webcam.

For all of you who are worried about privacy — the NexiGo HelloCam’s shutter is the best solution. While several webcams have a manual shutter, you may forget to close them every time. This is where the automatic shutter on the HelloCam comes in handy.

The excellent shutter feature and quick Windows Hello face recognition have impressed most users if we go by the reviews. The camera offers good picture quality too. Unsurprisingly, the output takes a hit in less-than-ideal lighting. As such, you might notice the feed to be a bit grainy without ample light.

All things considered, the NexiGo HelloCam offers great value and brings enticing features to the mix, thereby cementing it as one of the best Windows Hello webcams on the market.

4. Yealink UVC30

  • Resolution: 4K
  • Field of view: 70°, 90°, and 120°
Yealink 4k camera

Is a 1080p webcam insufficient for your usage? Consider upgrading to a 4K webcam like this one from Yealink. The UVC30 is a reliable 4K webcam with Windows Hello support that you can use for streaming or professional video calls.

If you stream games or conduct live sessions online, it’s always nice to upgrade your video output so your viewers have a pleasant experience. The Yealink UVC30 lets you do exactly that along with providing Windows Hello facial recognition features. Reviews indicate face recognition via the camera works as expected and is also quick.

Apart from that, another exciting highlight of the UVC30 is its FoV options. To wit, you can variate the FoV from 70-degree to 90-degree and even 120-degree if you have too many people in the frame. Needless to say, the UVC30 offers the broadest coverage on any webcam out there.

Thanks to the 4K resolution, you won’t lose out on a lot of detail even when you’re using the webcam’s digital crop feature. If there’s one slight downside to the Yealink camera, it’s the size. The webcam is rather large so you may be unable to mount it on a laptop. It may also look odd if you have a small monitor.

5. Logitech Brio Webcam

  • Resolution: 4K
  • Field of view: 65°,78°, and 90°
logitech brio 4k

Logitech is one of the most renowned accessory manufacturers for computers. The Brio 4K webcam offers premium features like auto light correction, syncing multiple webcams, and up to 90fps frame rate for smooth streaming. Of course, Windows Hello support is still the marquee feature.

Like Yealink’s offering, you get multiple FoV options with the Logitech Brio. There’s also a manual privacy shutter that you can use which is handy, but not as convenient as the automatic one on the NexiGO HelloCam. What is convenient though is Logitech’s software suite which allows you to sync multiple Brio webcams to your account.

This way, you can connect and monitor the status of several webcams. The webcam’s built-in HDR capabilities ensure the exposure levels are correctly handled. To no one’s surprise, then, reviews cite that the Logitech Brio 4K offers the best video output on a webcam. So much so, the footage doesn’t suffer much even if you don’t have a lot of ambient light.

Facial recognition also works as expected with little to no failures. If you want a reliable webcam that offers a no-frills experience, the Logitech Brio is the way to go. Logitech’s software experience is also superior compared to other brands.

6. Dell UltraSharp HDR Webcam

  • Resolution: 4K
  • Field of view: 65°, 78°, and 90°
dell ultrasharp 4k

The major highlight of the Dell UltraSharp webcam — as the name suggests — is its video quality. The picture appears sharp and vivid making it an excellent option for streamers. Thanks to the 4K resolution, you also get multiple FoV options.

Apart from superior video quality thanks to a custom Sony sensor, there’s yet another USP of the Dell UltraSharp webcam. The facial recognition algorithms built-in constantly scan for your face. When the IR camera detects that you’re not in front of your computer anymore, it automatically locks it.

When you walk back into the frame, the camera scans your face and unlocks your PC. This safety feature is extremely convenient and can be a big selling point for a lot of users. Dell also uses AI to automatically adjust the frame based on the position of your face.

The UltraSharp webcam is relatively large and expensive. But if the features impress you, these points can be overlooked.

FAQs for Windows Hello Webcams

1. Can I use my existing webcam with Windows Hello?

You need a Windows Hello-compatible camera to use facial recognition on your PC. Check your existing webcam’s product page or user manual to see if Windows Hello is supported.

2. Is facial recognition via Windows Hello safe?

Yes, Windows Hello is a safe way to unlock your computer since it uses a webcam and an IR camera to scan your face.

3. Is a fingerprint reader safer than face recognition?

Both biometric unlock methods are safe and can be used at your convenience. Some users may find a fingerprint reader more convenient while others may just want to look at their PC to unlock it.

Unlock With Convenience

If you use an iPhone, you know how convenient it is to just look at your phone and have it unlocked. Using Windows Hello Webcams, you can replicate the same convenience even on your PC. So the next time you want to unlock your computer, you no longer have to enter your passcode. A quick glance at your monitor and you will be logged in seamlessly.

Last updated on 28 June, 2023

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