Key takeaways
- Google TV and Android TV. Recent versions generally work with UVC webcams, and Sony lists support for several Logitech models on its Google TV sets.
- Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Omni. Zoom works with a USB webcam, and a Micro USB to USB adapter may be needed on the Cube.
- Samsung (Tizen). Samsung’s SlimFit Cam is made for 2022 and later models, and some sources report that other webcams also work, so check your model’s support page.
- LG webOS. Support depends on the model and app, so check the owner’s manual.
- Streaming sticks. Most do not accept a webcam, so use a box or the TV’s own USB port instead.
The best webcam for a TV is a standard 1080p USB webcam that uses the UVC standard, such as the Logitech C920 or Brio 500, as long as your TV or streaming box supports USB cameras. If you own a recent Samsung TV, Samsung’s SlimFit Cam is the designed-for-purpose option. For a Fire TV Cube, Amazon says to use a UVC webcam with at least 720p at 30fps and recommends 1080p rather than 4K. The first thing to check is not the webcam but your TV: not every TV with a USB port accepts a camera.
Our top picks
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Check compatibility first
Webcams work on TVs only when the operating system recognises them as UVC (USB Video Class) devices and the video-calling app supports them. Typical rules:
- Google TV and Android TV. Recent versions generally work with UVC webcams, and Sony lists support for several Logitech models on its Google TV sets.
- Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Omni. Zoom works with a USB webcam, and a Micro USB to USB adapter may be needed on the Cube.
- Samsung (Tizen). Samsung’s SlimFit Cam is made for 2022 and later models, and some sources report that other webcams also work, so check your model’s support page.
- LG webOS. Support depends on the model and app, so check the owner’s manual.
- Streaming sticks. Most do not accept a webcam, so use a box or the TV’s own USB port instead.
Quick comparison of webcams for TVs
| Pick | Best for | Key specs | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logitech C920 / C920S | Best overall | 1080p at 30fps, 78 degree field of view, autofocus, stereo mics | Mid |
| Logitech Brio 500 | Best upgrade, low light | 1080p at 30fps, 90, 78 or 65 degree views, USB-C, lens cover | Mid to upper-mid |
| Logitech C270 | Cheapest option | 720p, fixed focus, built-in mic | Budget |
| Samsung SlimFit Cam | Samsung TVs 2022 and later | Made for Samsung Tizen TVs | Mid |
| Razer Kiyo Pro | Dim living rooms | 1080p at 60fps, large STARVIS sensor, up to 103 degree view | Upper-mid |
Best overall: Logitech C920 or C920S
The C920 is a 1080p webcam at 30fps with a glass lens, an f/2.0 aperture, a 78 degree field of view, autofocus and dual microphones, per Logitech. Amazon’s own Fire TV Cube guidance names the C920 among supported models. Its USB-A connector suits most TVs. It is a good TV choice because it is plug and play, widely tested with Android TV, and cheap compared with 4K models. The weakness is a dated sensor in dim rooms.
Best upgrade: Logitech Brio 500
The Brio 500 records 1080p at 30fps or 720p at 60fps with selectable 90, 78 and 65 degree views, autofocus, light correction and a built-in privacy shutter. It connects over USB-C, so you may need an adapter for a USB-A TV port. The wide 90 degree view helps when a whole sofa needs to be on camera. It is the best fit for a family living room.
Best budget: Logitech C270
The C270 is a 720p, fixed-focus camera with a built-in mic. It meets the 720p minimum Amazon states for Fire TV calling and costs little. It is fine for daytime chats with grandparents, but it struggles in low light and gives a flat image.
Best for Samsung TVs: SlimFit Cam
Samsung designed the SlimFit Cam to clip to the top of its TVs and work with the TV’s calling and conferencing apps. If you own a supported Samsung model, it is the lowest-risk purchase, since compatibility is guaranteed. The trade-off is that it only suits Samsung sets.
Best for dim rooms: Razer Kiyo Pro
The Kiyo Pro offers 1080p at 60fps with a large Sony STARVIS sensor and an adjustable view of up to 103 degrees, according to Razer. It is a good fit for evening calls in a dim living room, but it costs more, and USB-C may need an adapter. Keep in mind that more advanced features, such as HDR modes and software tuning, require a PC and will not be available through the TV.
How to choose: placement and distance math
- Field of view. A 78 degree lens covers a width of about 1.6 times the distance. Sitting 3 metres from the TV, it frames about 4.9 metres across, so a 90 degree view frames roughly 6 metres (width = 2 x distance x tan(half angle)).
- Resolution. 1080p is enough, because TV apps compress calls to 720p or 1080p, and 4K adds cost without benefit.
- Cable length. USB 2.0 cables work up to about 5 metres. Beyond that, use an active extension cable.
- Microphone. Webcam mics pick up the room well at 2 to 3 metres but pick up TV audio too, so mute the TV during calls.
Decision matrix
| Your TV | Pick |
|---|---|
| Recent Samsung | SlimFit Cam |
| Sony or other Google TV | Logitech C920 or Brio 500 |
| Fire TV Cube or Omni | Logitech C920 (named by Amazon) |
| Older TV or box with USB | C270 as a low-cost test |
| No webcam support at all | Use a phone or tablet with a stand, or a streaming box that supports cameras |
Setup guide: from box to first call
- Confirm the app. Install Zoom or Google Meet from your TV’s app store and check the app’s help page for camera support on your TV.
- Plug in the webcam. Use a USB port that supplies power. Some TVs only supply power on a specific port, which is usually labelled. If your webcam is USB-C, use a good-quality USB-C to USB-A adapter.
- Grant permission. Open the app and allow camera and microphone access when prompted.
- Frame the shot. Place the camera on top of the TV, centred, tilted down slightly, and check the preview from the seats you will use.
- Test the sound. Make a test call with a friend, then adjust the TV volume down to avoid echo.
When a webcam is the wrong answer
If your TV does not support USB cameras, there are cleaner options. A Google TV or Fire TV Cube that does support webcams costs less than a new TV and keeps your current screen. A laptop or tablet with a stand, casting its screen to the TV, avoids compatibility problems altogether, though the camera is then not on the TV itself. Mounting a webcam on a small tripod beside the TV also works well.
Keep privacy in mind too. A webcam sitting in the living room is a camera in a shared space, so choose a model with a physical shutter, such as the Brio 500, or unplug it when not in use. Check your TV’s privacy settings, which on some platforms let you disable the camera and microphone globally. Cable length matters as well. Most webcam cables are around 1.5 metres, which is fine for a camera on top of the TV, but a camera on a stand across the room needs a certified extension cable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any webcam with my smart TV?
Not always. The TV needs UVC support and a calling app that accepts a USB camera. Check your TV’s manual or support page before buying.
Does the webcam need drivers on a TV?
No. UVC webcams use built-in system drivers, so no installation is required. Logitech software does not run on TVs.
Which video apps work with a webcam on a TV?
Zoom and Google Meet are the most common. Availability varies by TV platform.
Is 4K worth it for a TV webcam?
Rarely. Amazon recommends 1080p for Fire TV, and calling apps limit the resolution anyway.
Where should I mount the webcam?
Place it at the top centre of the TV, level with eye height when seated. Tilt it slightly down toward the seats.
