The best video conferencing equipment enables remote and hybrid teams to host conference calls and virtual meetings, whether from a board room, home office, or any remote location. Tools like webcams, headsets, microphones, room devices, and digital whiteboards are integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) and noise-canceling features to further enhance the video meeting experience. Our guide recommends the best video conference equipment to help small businesses boost collaboration and engagement.
Best video conferencing equipment compared
Room devices
Room devices refer to a bundle of video conferencing tools optimized for conference rooms. They function as an integrated video system, consisting of cameras, microphones, and room-filling speakers without the clutter of bulky wires. Instead of buying separate video conferencing equipment, you have everything in one convenient package.
1. Logitech MeetUp: Best for hybrid meetings
2. Logitech BCC950: Best for small group meetings
3. Poly Studio X50: Best for medium to large rooms
Microsoft Teams features immersive screen sharing. (Source: Microsoft Teams)
Video Camera
Conference cameras work beyond traditional webcams for laptops and personal computers. These standalone units feature wide angles, adjustable viewpoints, facial recognition, and an image quality between 1,080 to 4,000 pixels (4K).
4. Microsoft LifeCam Studio: Best for wide-angle viewing
5. Logitech C920: Best for low light conditions
6. Logitech C310: Best budget-friendly webcam
Video conferencing providers like Zoom work closely with industry-leading hardware vendors like Logitech to help users get up and running with their virtual meetings. Zoom has a digital conference room system that integrates video meetings, audio conferencing, and wireless screen sharing. Choose from a variety of hardware options like the Logitech camera or room device and transform your huddle room into a video conferencing session.
Host and join Zoom meetings from your desktop computer. (Source: Zoom)
Microphones
Clear communication is essential for productive video meetings. Although laptops come with a built-in mic, their basic setup does not fit the requirements of modern video conferencing. Upgrading to a dedicated mic is a valuable investment to ensure better sound quality in your meetings.
7. Blue Yeti USB Mic: Best audio customization
8. Rode smartLav+: Best for hands-free presentations
9. Samson Go Mic: Best for traveling professionals
Headphones
Enterprise-quality headphones are a must-have if you’re having a meeting in busy areas where noise distractions are unavoidable. They include noise-reduction technology to automatically detect unwanted sounds and enhance audio quality. Even earbuds work reasonably well for calls, specifically for users who want a portable alternative to headphones.
10. Voyager Focus 2: Best all-day wearability
11. Cisco Headset 730: Best for security features
12. Sony WF-1000XM4: Best noise-canceling earbuds
Smartboards
Smartboards, also known as interactive whiteboards, are large touchscreen displays where users can present large amounts of information (i.e., slides and drawings) to a large group. They double as computer screens or televisions, while other models have advanced features like built-in cameras, interactive displays, and annotation.
13. Neat Board: Best for collaborative workspaces
14. Cisco Desk Pro: Best high-end AI features
Cisco Webex is a popular video meeting solution and a leading provider of conferencing equipment, including room devices, headsets, and digital whiteboards. Built for hybrid work, Cisco devices enable teams to create inclusive, video-first experiences using intelligent features like voice commands and speech enhancements.
The people focus feature optimizes meeting participants’ webcam view for better viewing. (Source: Webex)
15. Vibe Board S1: Best multifunctional board
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The factors may vary depending on the type of equipment you will purchase and what you’re looking for in a video conferencing device. However, it is important to consider the performance, product specifications, audio/video quality, technical support, and interoperability with your third-party video conferencing software.
A webcam is designed for close-ups, making it ideal for joining meetings as a single participant. 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.
Yes. Most earbuds are a great option for conference calls, especially if you don’t want to use big, clunky headphones when joining meetings remotely. When selecting earbuds, make sure to check the audio quality, noise-canceling features, battery life, and comfort fit.
Bottom Line
As more companies adopt remote and hybrid working policies, video conferencing equipment is a worthwhile investment. Opting for dedicated video conference equipment has significant benefits, particularly in creating immersive meeting experiences and enhancing real-time collaboration. But before making a purchase, make sure your software is compatible with your chosen hardware and that the included features can support all your conferencing needs.