Having the best video conferencing equipment is essential for seamless collaboration and communication. Tools like webcams, speakers, digital displays, and microphones ensure clear audio and video. Integrating AI and noise-canceling technology can enhance the overall user experience. Our guide recommends the top tools to help small businesses boost productivity and engagement.
Room Devices
Room devices are a bundle of video conferencing devices optimized for conference rooms. These integrated systems include cameras, microphones, and room-filling speakers, eliminating the need for messy table wires and tedious video conferencing configuration for multiple software. Instead of buying separate video conference room solutions, you have everything you need to set up a virtual meeting room in one convenient package.
1. Logitech MeetUp
Price: $899.99
Where to buy: Logitech, Amazon
The Logitech MeetUp is the perfect video conference hardware for teams that frequently hold hybrid meetings in small rooms and tight spaces. The camera boasts a super-wide 120-degree field of view and a motorized pan/tilt lens, ensuring everyone, including those at the room’s edges, is visible. Three beamforming mics and a custom-tuned speaker provide an exceptional audio and listening experience.
2. Logitech BCC950
Price: $249.99
Where to buy: Logitech, Amazon
The Logitech BCC950 features an all-in-one design combining HD video and crystal-clear audio. Its omnidirectional mic pickup and duplex speakerphone allow all meeting attendees to hear and be heard from six to eight feet away. The spherical HD webcam can be positioned at eye level using its extender stem for optimal visibility. It is compatible with nearly any video conferencing software, including Zoom, Fuze, and Skype for Business.
3. OBSBOT Tiny 2
Price: $329
The OBSBOT Tiny 2 is a smart webcam with excellent tracking and automatic performance, making it an ideal video conferencing solution for small to medium meeting rooms. Its hands-free options include gesture control, allowing the camera to respond to specific hand commands. It also has voice control, enabling users to operate the camera with vocal instructions, a robust microphone, and all-pixel auto-focus technology with 4× faster focusing.
Integrating your conferencing room device with a solution like Microsoft Teams can help you get the most out of your tools. Microsoft Teams provides a rich meeting experience that’s easy to deploy and manage. It offers a free and low-cost unified communications solution for businesses looking to integrate video meetings, team chat, and whiteboards in one workspace. Find out more in our Microsoft Teams review.
Video Cameras
Conference cameras surpass traditional webcams used for laptops and personal computers. Here are some camera products that can elevate video conferencing systems for businesses of all sizes. These tools have various features, such as wide angles, adjustable viewpoints, facial recognition, and image quality from 1080p to 4K.
1. Microsoft LifeCam Studio
Price: $63 to $100
Where to buy: Microsoft, Amazon
The Microsoft LifeCam Studio is the best video conference equipment for the home because of its sharp image quality and natural, detailed audio—perfect for one-on-one meetings. TrueColor technology automatically adjusts to any lighting condition, whether the light is coming from the window or computer screen. It pivots 360 degrees, allowing you to position the camera anywhere.
2. Logitech C920
Price: $60 to $75
Where to buy: Logitech, Amazon
Create a strong impression on your video meetings with the Logitech C920, featuring 1080p video quality and dual mics for clear stereo sound. Running less than $100, the C920 is one of the most affordable entry-level streaming cameras that guarantees crisp, detailed videos. With the automatic HD light correction, you get bright, contrasted images even in slightly dark settings.
3. Logitech C310
Price: $26 to $60
Where to buy: Logitech, Amazon
With a budget-friendly price under $30, we chose Logitech C310 as the best video conference equipment for solopreneurs and startups running their businesses at home. The C310 webcam delivers 720p in widescreen format with automatic light correction, giving you clearer and more natural images. The noise-reducing microphone ensures your voice is heard up to five feet away, even in a noisy room.
Many video conference system providers like Zoom work closely with industry-leading hardware partners like Logitech to help users get up and running with their virtual meetings. Zoom’s digital conference room system integrates video meetings, audio conferencing, and wireless screen sharing.
Choose from various hardware options, like the Logitech camera or room device, and transform your huddle room into a video conferencing session. Learn more in our Zoom review.
Microphones
Clear communication is essential for more productive video meetings. Although laptops come with a built-in mic, their basic setup needs to fit the requirements of modern video conferencing. Upgrading to a dedicated mic is an excellent investment to ensure better sound quality. If you prefer a wireless video conference system, consider portable microphones, which allow for greater mobility and flexibility when conferencing.
1. Blue Yeti USB Mic
Price: $90 to $130
Where to buy: Logitech, Amazon
Blue Yeti USB microphone is our recommended portable audio conference equipment for its versatility, whether for conference calls, interviews, streaming, or podcasting. Switch between four pickup patterns—cardioid, omni, figure eight, and stereo—to set the perfect sound. Studio controls are available right on the mic, so you can easily control the mic sensitivity and headphone output.
2. Rode smartLav+
Price: $79 to $99
The Rode smartLav+ is a convenient lavalier microphone ideal for on-the-go professionals who rely on mobile devices for meetings, speech recordings, and interviews. Specifically designed for smartphones, the smartLav+ features an omnidirectional condenser capsule that captures sound from all directions. Its foam pop filter reduces vocal plosives, ensuring the delivery of clear, high-quality audio.
3. Samson Go Mic
Price: $33 to $70
Take your conference calls anywhere with the Samson Go Mic, a portable USB microphone with switchable pickup patterns. Its compact design includes a cable clip, so you can attach it to your laptop or place it on the desk. While keeping portability in mind, the Go Mic includes a professional condenser element for creating studio-quality sounds.
Headphones & Speakers
Enterprise-quality headphones are essential for working in busy environments where background noise is unavoidable. They feature noise-reduction technology that automatically detects and eliminates unwanted sounds, enhancing audio quality. Even earbuds can work well for calls, offering a portable alternative for users who prefer them over headphones.
1. Poly Voyager Focus 2
Price: $160 to $249
Stay comfortable and focused during hour-long meetings with Poly Voyager Focus 2. It has three levels of hybrid active noise canceling, so the focus stays on you while eliminating the loud and distracting background. The ultra-comfortable headband is easy on the ears, thanks to its plush ear cushions and super-cushioned sling. It’s our best video conferencing equipment for home use because of its 25 hours of talk time and multiple device connections.
2. Logitech H390
Price: $24.99
Where to buy: Logitech, Amazon
The Logitech H390 is our choice for a versatile and affordable USB headset, ideal for video conferencing and online meetings. Its plug-and-play USB-A connector lets users quickly connect to computers, and the headset cable’s in-line controls allow for quick volume adjustments when needed. Its padded headband and ear pads improve comfort, especially during extended use, and the rotating noise-canceling mic minimizes background noise.
3. Sony WF-1000XM4 (Earbuds)
Price: $225 to $280
If you’re not a fan of bulky headphones but want the same noise-cancelation features, try the Sony WF-1000XM4. Despite its tiny size, these earbuds produce dynamic sound and a rich bass range. Digital noise-canceling capabilities minimize wind noise and let you hear clearly, even in noisy situations. Equipped with Voice Pickup Technology, it uses a bone-conduction sensor and beamforming microphones only to pick up sounds from your mouth.
4. EMEET OfficeCore Luna
Price: $69.99
The EMEET Luna is a simple, hockey puck-shaped Bluetooth speaker that’s portable enough to carry around everywhere. It’s designed to connect to Bluetooth-capable devices but offers an aux cable option when you’re conserving battery. This small but powerful speaker picks up sound from 360 degrees, making device placement a nonissue. EMEET says two speakerphones allow up to 12 people to use the phone, which is often enough for small teams.
5. Microsoft Modern USB-C Speaker
Price: $59.95
Where to buy: Microsoft, Amazon
This speaker stands out for its no-frills interface and compact design. It provides an all-in-one speakerphone solution for remote work, conferencing, and collaboration calls without breaking the bank. As a certified Microsoft Teams device, it has dual noise-reducing and omnidirectional microphones for optimal audio. Even though it was designed with MS Teams in mind, the speakers work with other platforms like Zoom and Skype.
Smartboards & Displays
Smartboards, also known as interactive whiteboards, are large touchscreen displays on which users can present large amounts of information (e.g., slides and drawings) to a group of people. Some models double as computer screens or televisions, while others have advanced features like built-in cameras, interactive displays, and annotation. These are some of the best equipment for video conferencing because they provide clear, high-resolution visuals.
1. Sharp 70-inch Class Interactive Display System
Price: $4,844.78
Where to buy: Amazon
Use this interactive display system as the focal point of your meetings, training, and presentations. It’s the ideal tool for real-time collaboration and supports lively exchanges. The 70-inch display recognizes up to 10 points of contact, allowing up to four people to write on the screen simultaneously. Take full advantage of this video conferencing tool, as Sharp reports it can be used continuously for up to 16 hours daily.
2. Vibe Board S1
Price: $3,199
The Vibe Board S1 is the best video conferencing equipment for small businesses because of its multipurpose functionalities. It works as a projector, computer, whiteboard, TV, display, and monitor. The AI-powered smart camera with a 4K sensor runs on Zoom Rooms, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. The smart text tool uses handwriting recognition to facilitate faster and more accurate notes.
Use user-friendly displays like the Vibe Board S1 for real-time collaboration and dynamic content sharing. This smartboard works with Google Meet, which is not only easy to use but also has high-quality video and audio. Read our Google Meet review to know how it can boost collaboration.
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3. UPERFECT Portable Monitor
Price: $569.99
Where to buy: Amazon
The UPERFECT 18-inch monitor is a portable desktop screen that weighs only 2.95 pounds and is 0.3 inches thick. It has an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels. Its integrated 180-degree adjustable kickstand allows users to view documents horizontally or vertically, as needed, making it a useful tool to add to your team’s conferencing systems.
4. ViewSonic TD2230
Price: $269.99
Where to buy: ViewSonic, Amazon
ViewSonic’s 22-inch interactive display has a 10-point projected capacitive touch technology, delivering front-of-screen performance with a responsive and accurate touch experience. Its full HD 1920×1080 resolution is great for work, gaming, or multimedia entertainment. Its ergonomic book stand allows for a full range of motion on the desktop. Connectivity options include HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB 3. 0, while VGA is available for legacy systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When purchasing audiovisual equipment for meeting rooms, the factors to consider vary by device and your specific needs. Generally, it’s important to consider performance, product specifications, audio/video quality, technical support, and third-party video conferencing software interoperability. Small businesses must also consider product prices, especially if they need to purchase multiple devices.
A webcam is designed for close-ups, making it ideal for joining meetings as a single participant. It is often built into laptops or personal computers along with a microphone. A conference camera, on the other hand, is suitable for group shots where every person in the room is visible on a video conference call. It usually has advanced features like higher resolution, better audio integration, and zoom, pan, and tilt capabilities.
Setting up conferencing equipment varies depending on the solution, but generally, you connect the webcam, microphone, or headset to your computer via USB or Bluetooth. Install any necessary software or drivers, and ensure a stable internet connection. Position the camera at eye level, adjust the lighting to avoid shadows, and test your audio and video settings before starting your meeting to ensure everything works properly.
Bottom Line
Teams with hybrid, remote, and mobile workers need the best video conferencing equipment to ensure optimal collaboration and communication. Tools like high-quality AI webcams, noise-canceling microphones, and HD interactive display screens ensure clear communication and productive collaboration. Consider performance, compatibility, and specific features to make informed choices that streamline interactions and support your conferencing needs.