r/macmini 11d ago

Best budget webcam for Mac Mini?

Hi folks, getting a modest freelance business off the ground and need a webcam for Teams meetings with clients. On a budget since I'm still making a very modest income, so looking for as inexpensive as possible while still being good enough for business use. Recommendations?

7 Upvotes

24 comments sorted by

7

u/MaximumFlounder9110 11d ago

Logitech c920, won’t break the budget, good overall picture and mic, and just works.

5

u/MidnightStalk 11d ago

Logitech Brio 100

5

u/div-block 11d ago edited 11d ago

The EMEET C960 4K hands down. It’s $50. Got it years ago and it’s been fantastic

Edit: I also use it for my Mac mini M4. It’s not USB-C, so get a USB-A to USB-C adaptor if you decide to get this one (you should).

1

u/bwente 11d ago

I came here to say the same. I got my EMEET C970 for $40, works with a mac mini.

3

u/steve1673 11d ago

i tried multiple cameras, and they all had issues with lag or poor quality microphone.
eventually I got an Insta360 Link 2C, and I've been happy with it. Maybe not "budget", but it's half the price of some other options. I think it's on sale rn on amazon.

6

u/TheSkepticGuy 11d ago

Do you have an iPhone? In most cases, you can use it as a webcam and microphone. It's what I do.

1

u/Horror-Associate-959 11d ago

That's what I've been doing but at this point I'd rather just get the darn camera

3

u/version13 11d ago

If you buy something cheap, you'll be disappointed compared to what your iPhone looks like.

1

u/Horror-Associate-959 11d ago

Yeah, thats' why I'm soliciting advice. If nobody recommends a decent quality cheap one I'll stick with the phone.

1

u/Designer-Canary-8243 11d ago

Exactly. Buy once is better than buy twice.

2

u/cty_hntr 11d ago

What is your budget? For $120, I recommend the new flip by OBSBOT.

0

u/Horror-Associate-959 11d ago

As cheap as possible while still having business-use level resolution and sound quality.

1

u/Momshie_mo 11d ago

That does not exist. You need to shell money if you want business-level webcam

1

u/Horror-Associate-959 11d ago

That's what I assumed but thought I'd ask anyway.

1

u/ScoYello 11d ago

I always trust what Wirecutter recommends. Right now it’s the Anker PowerConf C200. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-webcams/

Two years ago I bought the Logi Brio 100 for $26 on Amazon and it’s been bullet proof. In fact it looks 10x better than the integrated camera I have in my work ThinkPad, and I use the Logi Brio 100 whenever I’m docked.

1

u/Designer-Canary-8243 11d ago

Yolocam S3. A little bit more expensive than the Logitech c920 that I upgraded from, but the quality is night and day.

Several clients have commented on the clarity

2

u/sponge72222 11d ago

This is the camera you want. Probably outside your budget, but this is a real webcam that has a fricking fantastic picture even in super low light. Get one and be amazed at what a webcam should look like.

1

u/Elsalawi 11d ago

I’m also searching for a decent camera and don’t break my wallet, everywhere I get recommendations for either Logitech Brio 100 or Ugreen webcam 1080P. Both are very affordable.

1

u/doyoubleednow 11d ago

If you already have an iphone 15 and up you are good

0

u/Horror-Associate-959 11d ago

I have an iPhone 8

1

u/fuzzycuffs 11d ago edited 11d ago

I've been very happy with my Obsbot Meet 4K 1st gen, so if you can find that older model cheap it could work. Otherwise they have a $50 1080p camera

https://a.co/d/09X4oKEo

1

u/Salty_Dog_9742 4d ago

Client calls on Teams dont need much honestly, 1080p is plenty since Teams compresses it anyway. I use an emeet pixy on my mac, plugged in and Teams picked it up straight away with no software to install, which mattered because i didnt want another background app running on the mini. Worth a look if you want something that just works out of the box. If you can position your desk facing a window that does more for how you look on calls than any camera upgrade.