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If your webcam looks grainy or dark, lighting matters more than the webcam. This guide shows the best cheap lighting that instantly improves Zoom/Teams and OBS.
Top picks (quick)
- Best overall: Small desk ring light — check price
- Best soft look: Mini softbox kit — check price
- Best background glow: LED light bar — see picks
How to set it up (5 minutes)
- Put your main light slightly above eye level, 1–2 feet away.
- Aim it at your face, not the camera lens.
- Match color temp (use “daylight” for most setups).
Fix flicker/banding
If you see lines moving through the image, follow: Webcam Flicker Fix.
If lighting doesn’t fix it
Then it’s time to upgrade the webcam. Start here: Best Webcams Under $80 (2026).