A 1.3Mp or 3Mp camera will capture more detail than a 0.3Mp VGA-resolution device - usually resulting in a clearer, crisper image. The number of megapixels doesn't always equate to superior image quality, however, as we found when testing these webcams.

Note, too, that if one person has a VGA-resolution webcam and the other a 2Mp-plus 'HD' one, the image quality will only be as good as the inferior device is able to support. Similarly, HD video capture is as dependent on a smooth network connection - in which packets of data are sent and encoded at a sustained rate - as it is on expensive video hardware.

It's worth considering your existing PC setup and where the webcam will be positioned. If it needs to be placed on top of your monitor, it'll require a clip to secure it in place. Check, too, whether the cable will be long enough to reach the computer's USB port.

If you don't have a microphone, don't worry: all modern webcams have them built in. Noise-cancelling technology will be useful if you'll be making calls in a noisy office.