AUSDOM AW635 webcam
An affordable way to upgrade a lower resolution webcam
$59.99 From Ausdom, ausdom.com Features 1920x1080 pixels (30fps), auto light correction, noise reduction mic, manual focus
The AUSDOM AW635 webcam’s stand is versatile as it works as a traditional clip–on mount solution or on a flat surface. In either orientation, the top half of the camera rotates freely in a full 360°, and the camera tilts too. Set up is easy — just plug it in via USB and play.
It records and streams video in 1080p high–definition resolution at 30fps with a wide-angle lens and low-light correction, but lacks autofocus capabilities. In testing, the webcam produced good visuals in well-lit environments, and it was able to keep up with hand–waving and other fast motions with ease. Colors in images produced from the webcam were muted rather than highly saturated, but some may find them to be a little on the dull side.
With a manual focus lens, you need to dial this in before use — not a problem in a desktop scenario because you don’t tend to change position much. Adjusting on the fly could be easier, though, because the lens is tricky to grip and the rotating motion is not that smooth.
Surrounding the lens is a set of omnidirectional microphones that offers noise reduction. Rounding out the hardware highlights is a non–removable USB–A cable that’s 4.9ft long; plenty enough for most desktop setups.
The AW635 lacks a built–in lens cover, and it doesn’t have an in–use indicator light — two pretty significant omissions for something that stays plugged in at all times.
THE BOTTOM LINE. A worthy upgrade over built–in solutions on older, or even modern Macs with 720p resolution, but it doesn’t quite offer enough to make it a must–have. CHRIS CLOSE