TechRadar Verdict
The 960 is HP’s top-end webcam, delivering film-quality video and audio. The aesthetically pleasing design packs a top-notch sensor and lens that wouldn’t be out of place in most mobile phones. HP’s Poly Lens software provides an additional set of features, including background effects and AI auto-framing. This webcam really is the complete package.
Incredible image and audio quality
Beautiful design
Amazing software features
Big for a webcam
Quite expensive
Too heavy for small laptop displays
Why you can trust TechRadarWe spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best.Find out more about how we test.
HP 960 4K Streaming webcam: Two-minute review
Most of my experience with theHP9604KStreaming Webcam was overwhelmingly positive. It began as soon as I took the device out of the box and the theme continued right through all of my testing.
The first thing I noticed was that this doesn’t look like your standard webcam. Rather than the longest side being its width, this webcam is actually much longer in depth. This provides the necessary room for the lens and sensor that are required to deliver a superior image quality.
The camera itself boasts a very capable f/2.0 18mm lens that really is the star of the show. The pill-shaped metal case guarantees not just aesthetic appeal but also the required strength to withstand any knocks that come its way. The rest of the unit is made of plastic, but it’s strong enough to ensure nothing is going to easily break.
Everything about the design oozes class, with beautiful trims and details added to the front and back of the head of the webcam itself. I also love the simple color palette featuring a mix of grey, black, and white - it really looks the part.
The webcam tilts a full 90 degrees, making it possible to focus on the subject no matter what the angle of your laptop screen or monitor. The hinge has just the right level of friction to move smoothly but also stay in a fixed position. The hinge quality continues across the main leg, ensuring it can clamp securely onto any display. It is also able to rotate 360 degrees for extra flexibility in terms of pointing toward the subject, wherever it may be.
And now I come to pretty much the only negative thing about this webcam. Because of its depth and overall weight, the center of gravity is actually a lot further back than most webcams. This means you’ll want to make sure you have a substantial enough display to avoid it getting pulled down by the weight. You’ll be absolutely fine with a standard monitor and most laptops, but unfortunately, I had problems with it on my MacBook Pro 14-inch. My notebook’s display just wasn’t beefy enough to hold it in place.
The USB-C port for the cable is located at the back of the webcam, and the lead is detachable. This is perfect for travel purposes and for mitigating the impact of a broken cable (you can just replace the cord, rather than the device being as good as done for with an integrated cable). The cable goes from the USB-C port at the webcam end to a USB-A port at the computer. If you only have USB-C ports on your PC, then you’ll need an adapter.
The webcam also has a nice detachable privacy cover that fits over the entire front panel. This connects magnetically, making snapping it into place an oddly satisfying experience. It’s good that the cover is removable, because otherwise it would ruin the appearance rather, but on the downside, this also means there’s a risk of the cover getting lost.
Other than a standard mount on top of a monitor, the webcam can also be mounted on a tripod using the 1/4-inch 20 thread that is located underneath. Considering this is a webcam for live streaming and video clip recording, the presence of this tripod thread is indeed very welcome.
Regarding this HP webcam’s image quality, suffice it to say that I was very impressed. The camera is able to handle almost all lighting conditions incredibly well. My main test was to compare natural lighting conditions versus low light, and the camera was able to deliver an impressive image in both situations. This demonstrates the quality of both the lens and the sensor.
The webcam is also able to deliver fantastic results when the shot includes a wide dynamic range between highlights and lowlights. With theHDRsetting activated in the software, AI is able to bring back detail where it would otherwise be blown out or lost.
The camera supports three fields of view, including 78, 90, and 100 degrees. This level of flexibility enables users to focus or zoom out where needed. Framing can also be controlled automatically using the impressive AI-powered auto-framing feature. This is one of the best abilities provided by the webcam, as it’s able to track between head, head and shoulder, or upper body, with the software deciding where to crop.
This framing feature is both smooth and reliable, although it does take a couple of seconds to react to you moving in the shot. In future versions, I would love to see it be able to instantly respond and smoothly track the subject without this delay.
Audio quality follows in much the same vein as video quality. There are two microphones, one located on each side of the webcam. The dual-mic setup allows for distortion- and noise-free output that is far superior to what you would expect from most webcams. It does a fantastic job of canceling out background noise and instead focusing on the voice of the subject. You won’t need a separate microphone when using the HP 960.
This is the webcam that has it all. There are a few improvements to be made, including the overall weight, and the response time of the auto-framing feature, but I’m being pretty picky on those points. The HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam is one of the best in its class - it’s well-designed and built, plus it delivers excellent video and audio quality. If you need a webcam that doubles up as a capable video camera, then this is well worth considering.
HP 960 4K Streaming webcam: Price & availability
The HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam is available worldwide for $219.99 / £180 / AU$295. The price puts it comfortably between theOpal Tadpole webcamand theElgato Facecam Pro. In other words, HP’s 960 is a premium offering towards the top end of the webcam market.
It is yet to be seen whether this device will knock the Osbot Tiny 2 off the ‘best premium’ spot in ourbest webcams buying guidebut it’s certainly in with a chance. For the money, you get a 4K resolution, high-quality noise-free audio, and a ton of software features for pushing the camera to its highest level.
If you’re hunting for something more budget-friendly then take a look at either theLogitech C920or theHP 325 FHD webcam.
HP 960 4K Streaming webcam: Specs
Should you buy the HP 960 4K Streaming webcam?
Buy it if…
You want a 4K webcamFor the price, this is one of the best 4K webcams around. The picture quality across 720p, 1080p, and 2160p is incredibly good.
You want auto-framingThis is definitely one of the strengths of this HP webcam. The AI-powered auto-framing is reliable and effective. If you want a webcam that does the framing for you, then this is a great option.
You need a webcam that does it allThe HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam is a perfect fit for live streaming, video conferencing, and video clip recording. It’s a fantastic all-rounder thanks to its capable camera and dual microphone.
Don’t buy it if…
You want an affordable webcamWhile you definitely get what you pay for, this webcam is far from cheap. If you’re happy with lower video and audio quality, then there are certainly much more affordable alternatives.
You need something that’s travel-friendlyNo webcam is going to be particularly cumbersome, but compared to others, the HP 960 is definitely on the larger and heavier side of things.
HP 960 4K Streaming webcam: Also consider
Razer Kiyo Pro UltraA slightly less pricey option that’s also still a premium purchase, this 4K webcam from Razer has the best dynamic range and auto-focusing system. It also delivers great noise handling and low-light performance.
Read our fullRazer Kiyo Pro Ultra review
Obsbot Meet 4KIf you want a powerful 4K webcam that’s ideal for travel, this offering from Obsbot is much cheaper. Also, it delivers excellent auto-framing and great noise handling. The Meet 4K has its share of cool features as well.
Read our fullObsbot Meet 4K review
How I tested the HP 960 4K Streaming webcam
From the moment of unboxing, I loved testing the HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam. It feels great in the hand, is a premium product, and is a joy to use.
I tested the webcam with popular video call apps FaceTime andGoogleMeet to put the device through its paces. I tried the HP 960 on both my small MacBook Pro 14-inch laptop as well as anMSIPrestige 16 alternative. This helped me determine how the weight of the device would affect different laptops.
I was also sure to test the webcam across different lighting conditions, including bright and low-lit rooms.
Read more about how we test
Paul is a digital expert. In the 20 years since he graduated with a first-class honours degree in Computer Science, Paul has been actively involved in a variety of different tech and creative industries that make him the go-to guy for reviews, opinion pieces, and featured articles. With a particular love of all things visual, including photography, videography, and 3D visualisation Paul is never far from a camera or other piece of tech that gets his creative juices going. You’ll also find his writing in other places, including Creative Bloq, Digital Camera World, and 3D World Magazine.
Belkin’s Travel Bag for Vision Pro has pockets and is way cheaper than Apple’s own case
Quordle today – hints and answers for Saturday, November 9 (game #1020)
NYT Strands today — hints, answers and spangram for Saturday, November 9 (game #251)
