Should you buy a webcam with Windows Hello facial recognition?

Best answer: If you want to increase login speeds and convenience on your Windows 10 desktop or PC that doesn't have Windows Hello built-in, then you should get a webcam with Windows Hello. If you need a camera for filming or streaming as well as unlocking your PC, Logitech's Brio 4K is an excellent camera with high resolution. If you just need a camera to unlock your PC, the Kaysuda Face Recognition IR Camera works well and is cheaper, though the picture quality is worse.

• For streaming and security: Logitech Brio 4K ($229 at Amazon)
• Budget-friendly security: Kaysuda Face Recognition IR Camera ($70 at Amazon)

Windows Hello is fast and secure

Windows Hello is a Windows 10 feature that allows you to log in to your device with your face or fingerprint. Apps can also work with Windows Hello so that you can log in to apps with your biometric data. It's becoming more useful as more apps and services, like password managers, support it. You not only save time logging into your devices but also jumping in and out of apps.

In addition to being more convenient, Windows Hello helps secure your device. Many people either use the same password across multiple devices or use straightforward passwords. With Windows Hello, you can create a complicated password once and then use your fingerprint or face to sign-in in the future. You may still have to enter your password occasionally, but you'll still save time overall and make your tech tougher to access.

Many of the best Windows laptops and other new devices ship with fingerprint scanners or biometric cameras. However, if you're happy with the rest of your PC's hardware but just want to add Windows Hello support, an external webcam with Windows Hello support could be perfect for you.

Do you need a webcam for filming or security?

The type of PC that will benefit most from an external webcam that supports Windows Hello is a desktop. Webcams aren't massive, but they're bulky enough to be cumbersome on laptops or tablets. A desktop or all-in-one will generally have a monitor large enough to house an external webcam.

Both the Brio 4K and Kaysuda webcams use infrared to scan your face and are more secure than simple face readers or iris scanners. They also work very quickly, allowing you to sit on your desk and have your device unlocked. You can also use Windows 10 to automatically log you off a device when you stand up and walk away from your desk. These features are perfect for an office setting where you regularly leave and return to your PC but don't want to enter a password multiple times throughout the day.

Because both of these cameras work well with Windows Hello, the main difference is picture quality. The Logitech Brio 4K is the best webcam in this category. It has an excellent 4K camera along with the IR components needed to scan your face for Windows Hello. The Kaysuda webcam only shoots in 720p but is a friendlier option when it comes to price and still works well with Windows Hello. The webcam that's best for you depends on if your primary use for it is Windows Hello or a combination of Windows Hello and filming and streaming yourself.

If you just want a camera that can unlock your PC quickly without requiring you to touch a fingerprint scanner or to type in a password, the Kaysuda webcam is a relatively affordable option that will work well. If you need a webcam that can unlock your PC and be used for streaming or recording things, you should purchase the Logitech Brio 4K. It films in 4K and also works well as a Windows Hello webcam.

High-end option

Logitech Brio 4K

$200 at Microsoft $219 at Amazon $200 at Best Buy

A high resolution and secure webcam

The Logitech Brio 4K is the best all-around webcam that supports Windows Hello. It records high-quality video, which is great for streaming and screencasts, and its infrared camera works quickly with Windows Hello.

Budget friendly

Kaysuda Face Recognition IR Camera

$70 at Amazon

A budget-friendly webcam

This is a fast and secure webcam that comes with a friendlier price than the competition. It only supports 720p recording, but the infrared camera works well with Windows Hello. It's one of the best ways to add Windows Hello to your desktop PC on a budget.