Logitech C920 vs C925e (2021): Which Webcam Should You Buy?

As convenient as built-in laptop webcams are, the grainy picture quality you get doesn’t quite cut it for business meetings or family calls. Logitech understands this problem, and offers a range of external webcams that work great for both desktop and laptop.

The Logitech C920 and C925e, for instance, are two of the company’s most popular devices. Both webcams offer HD video calling and come with built-in noise cancelling microphones. The C925e, however, adds a couple of extra features and enjoys professional-grade certifications. But do these add ons give it a landslide victory over the C920? Read our comparison below to see the final verdict.

Logitech C920 vs C925e Comparison Chart

Design

The Logitech C925e looks sleeker and more discreet compared to the Logitech C920.

Both the Logitech C920 and C925e sport a rectangular form factor typical of the brand’s external webcams. Although the C925e has the same height as the C920, it looks slimmer because of its longer frame. And while these webcams are lightweight, they’re also sturdy enough to mount on any monitor.

The C920, for instance, comes with a rubber-lined clamp to securely attach it on any display. On the other hand, the C925e boasts a robust clamp that’s easy to clip on your LCD screen or laptop. Both webcams include a tripod mount that can be used with tripods that are purchased separately. Only the C925e, however, comes with a built-in privacy cover.

At the center of these devices, you’ll find their camera lens. On the C920, the camera is flanked with dual stereo microphones. Meanwhile, the C925e’s mic grilles extend throughout the body’s front. Combined with its matte black finish, the camera actually looks tucked in compared to the prominence it is accorded on the C920.

This also lends the C925e a sleeker and more sophisticated appeal, whereas the C920’s more in-your-face camera comes across as a bit outdated design-wise. If you want a discreet webcam that looks great on your monitor, go for the C925e.

Video Quality

The Logitech C920 and C925e both offer excellent picture quality for their price.

Perhaps the biggest draw of these webcams is their excellent video and picture quality. The Logitech C920 and C925e both offer high definition video calling at 1080p and 30 frames per second. In addition, they also boast a 78º field of view that’s wide enough to fit a second person into the frame without losing the clarity and focus if you’re going solo.

When taking pictures, the Logitech C920 offers color-accurate images with surprising detail. For HD video recording and calling, you also get clear recordings but with an understandable drop in color accuracy. There is still a lot of detail that should make video calling more enjoyable; however, don’t expect this webcam to be a streamer’s dream come true.

The Logitech C925e delivers identical performance, although with image and video quality that’s a tad bit sharper and brighter. The device also comes with the upgraded RightLight 2 technology, a light and color optimization feature that intelligently adjusts video quality based on lighting conditions. As a result, video noise in low-light environments is less noticeable on the C925e compared to the C920.

Check out our best webcams for low light conditions.

Sound Quality

The Logitech C925e does a better job reducing background noise compared to the C920.

Both webcams come with a dual stereo mic setup. Logitech even advertises the C925e as omnidirectional. However, the mics are not actually set apart far enough to offer an impressive stereo performance. But that doesn’t take away from the webcam’s overall ability. The Logitech C925e, just like the C920, offers a pretty decent sound quality given its price range. It’s loud and clear, and should be intelligible enough for most video calls.

Logitech also shares that the built-in microphones on both devices are noise-cancelling. In this area, the C925e does have a slight advantage especially when it comes to minimizing ambient sound. This should make it a great webcam for use in the office. The C920, on the other hand, doesn’t fare as well in dampening background noise. If you’re working in a particularly noisy environment, you’ll be better off with the C925e, unless you’re using a noise cancelling headset.

Compatibility and Other Features

These Logitech webcams enjoy broad compatibility; however, the Logitech C925e comes with professional certifications for enterprise programs.

The Logitech C920 and C925e are compatible with Windows 7 and higher. These devices are also fully supported on Mac, although its functionality will depend on the macOS version you are running. Both webcams also support H.264 video compression. Although the feature is not built-in, it shouldn’t be a problem. Most computers already include onboard hardware acceleration for video, reducing the need for in-camera encoding.

The Logitech C925e, however, comes with a number of professional certifications. This simply means the device is better suited for business-grade video conferencing platforms like Skype Business, Cisco Jabber, or Microsoft Teams. With the C920, on the other hand, you’ll get compatibility for Skype, Google Hangouts, and FaceTime.

Verdict

The Logitech C920 is great for home use while the Logitech C925e is better suited for the office.

If you’re looking for a webcam that won’t embarrass you in your next Zoom meeting, consider the Logitech C925e. The camera offers full HD video calling and a fairly dependable video optimization feature. Moreover, it offers respectable audio quality, thanks to its noise-canceling microphones. The result is a webcam that does pretty well in minimizing ambient noise — great for toning down office chatter.

The Logitech C920, on the other hand, is a solid HD webcam that is arguably an upgrade to any built-in laptop webcam. You get excellent picture quality, respectable audio performance, and an easy-to-use companion software. However, its noise cancelling feature doesn’t fare as well as the C925e’s. If you’re looking for something to use for work, we’d recommend the C925e—unless you want dogs barking in the background during a teleconference. But if you only need a webcam for home use or Skype calls with the family, then the Logitech C920 is great value for your money.

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