A webcam that's not built-in: I tried one to see if it makes sense in 2025

I tested this webcam, and it made me nostalgic.

I remember those days when most of us used desktop computers, and an accessory such as a webcam was considered a necessity, especially if you used to spend time talking to your friends on various video conferencing platforms.

A lot has changed since then, with Skype shutting down and many of us having video calls on Messenger, WhatsApp, and Teams instead. What changed, too, is how simple it is to make a video call via laptop or phone with a built-in camera.

When I first heard about iContact Camera, a webcam, one of my first thoughts was whether someone would still use it in this day and age, when laptop cameras are quite high in resolution and audio quality.

iContact Camera's main selling point

One of the iContact Camera's most distinct features is that it was designed to align so that users could maintain eye-level contact.

As someone who often gets distracted by my own image on the screen, I noticed that even when I’m looking at the people during a conference call, I might seem like I’m wandering somewhere else, so it was interesting to see if this webcam could solve the problem.

It took me a while to figure out how the device was supposed to work, as its design was different from the camera I used back in the day, which looked like an eye.

iContact Camera design and specifications

When I unboxed the iContact Camera Pro, I liked its sleek design and its light weight. It includes a retractable arm that helps to position the device and the camera easily. The camera can also be pulled to keep it aligned at eye level.

One thing to consider for laptop users like me is that it's better to place the camera on a desktop computer or a second desktop, as it takes up some space.

While I enjoyed the design and it was pretty easy to set it up, where I felt like I was struggling was with the camera settings.

The camera app includes settings that you can easily adjust while using the camera and seeing the changes being applied instantly. For example, you can zoom in yourself, blur your background, add contrast, or sharpness while being on the call.

The settings also allow you to change white balance, brightness, saturation, and similar settings. I used all these settings on my first camera try, as I wasn’t quite happy with the image quality, which looked overexposed. I didn’t manage to fix it.

I even contacted the company to ask whether it was something from my end, or if this is how this 4K HD webcam was supposed to show me.

I was given a number of tips that could help me enhance the experience, from changing the in-app settings to a higher resolution to changing my position for better lighting. So, while I was quite surprised at why this camera made me look like I was painted on Microsoft Paint, I was also glad that there was someone to help me navigate through this problem.

On my second try, I noticed some improvement. I also focused on the fact that the main point of this camera is to make it easier for me to maintain somewhat real eye contact with my companions on the other side of the screen.

Is keeping eye contact worth $200?

While at first, I struggled with the camera’s settings, I found it quite useful to have so many adjustments that I could easily reach, and I liked the idea behind the product.

It didn’t make me feel like I was talking to someone the same way I would if the meeting were held in person, but having the camera placed at the same level as the person on the other end helped me stay more focused.

In my case, the device brought me back to good old times when having a webcam was standard, but now it isn’t something I would necessarily need. Nevertheless, for users who struggle with built-in laptop cameras that are placed too low to their liking, the iContact Camera could be a game-changer.