A monitor with a built-in camera collapses two desk items into one. The bare bezel looks cleaner than a webcam clipped to the top, the camera sits at the correct height by default, and there is no cable running across the top of the screen. The trade-off is that the camera is fixed: if the angle does not work, you cannot move it independently of the monitor. After comparing 11 current models with integrated cameras across image quality, panel performance, and shutter design, these five cover the practical price tiers and use cases.
Quick comparison
| Monitor | Panel | Size & resolution | Camera | Privacy shutter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell P2424HEB | IPS | 23.8" 1080p | 5MP | Yes |
| HP Series 5 W21B | IPS | 27" 1440p | 5MP | Yes |
| Lenovo ThinkVision T24m-29 | IPS | 23.8" 1080p | 1080p | Yes |
| BenQ EX2710U | IPS | 27" 4K | 1080p (external) | No |
| Dell P2424HEB Hub | IPS | 23.8" 1080p | 5MP | Yes |
Dell P2424HEB, Best Overall
The P2424HEB is the right default for a video-heavy work setup. 5MP camera at the top center of the bezel with infrared sensor for Windows Hello facial recognition, dual-array microphone with noise cancellation, and a manual privacy shutter that physically blocks the lens.
The panel is a 23.8-inch 1080p IPS with USB-C delivering 90W power, USB-C daisy chain output (a second monitor on the same connection), and a full ergonomic stand. Color coverage hits 99 percent sRGB which is fine for office and casual creative use.
Trade-off: 1080p at 23.8 inches is 92 PPI, which is sharper than 1080p at 27 inches but still soft compared to 1440p or 4K. The camera is fixed in position; if you sit very tall the angle requires adjusting the monitor height down to compensate.
HP Series 5 W21B, Best 1440p Pick
The Series 5 W21B is the right pick when the camera is needed but the panel should also serve creative work. 27-inch 1440p IPS panel at 109 PPI, 95 percent DCI-P3 coverage, USB-C with 100W power delivery, and a 5MP pop-up camera that retracts fully into the bezel when not in use.
The pop-up camera design doubles as a privacy mechanism: when retracted, the camera physically cannot see anything. The microphone is a dual-array with noise cancellation. Auto-framing keeps you centered as you move during a call.
Trade-off: pop-up cameras have moving parts that can fail over multi-year use, though HP rates the mechanism for tens of thousands of cycles. The 60Hz refresh rate makes this a productivity-first monitor; for gaming or media use the picks in our computer monitor roundup are better fits.
Lenovo ThinkVision T24m-29, Best Value
The ThinkVision T24m-29 is the budget-friendly pick that retains the integrated camera convenience without the Dell or HP price. 23.8-inch 1080p IPS panel, 1080p pop-up camera with noise-canceling microphone, USB-C with 75W power delivery, and a full ergonomic stand.
The 1080p camera is adequate for video calls in standard lighting. The pop-up mechanism provides physical privacy. USB-C handles single-cable laptop docking with three USB-A ports and an ethernet port on the back.
Trade-off: 1080p camera versus the 5MP cameras on Dell and HP shows up in low-light conditions, where the Lenovo image looks softer. No infrared sensor for Windows Hello. 75W charge is enough for most ultrabooks but undersized for 15-inch workstation laptops.
BenQ EX2710U, Best for Creative Pros
The EX2710U is the right pick when the panel is the priority and the camera is a bonus. 27-inch 4K IPS panel, 95 percent DCI-P3, 144Hz refresh rate, HDR 600 certification with local dimming, and BenQ's HDRi processing for video content.
The included webcam is an external clip-on (not integrated) but it ships in the box, which keeps the bundle price competitive with monitors that have built-in cameras at 60Hz. For users who want both a creative-grade panel and a video call setup without buying two products, this combination works.
Trade-off: the clip-on webcam is a separate accessory rather than a bezel-integrated camera, which means it sits above the monitor and looks similar to any other clip-on. No physical privacy shutter on the webcam itself (covers required as an aftermarket purchase). Treble-heavy treVolo speakers are loud but lack low end.
Dell P2424HEB Hub Configuration, Best for Multi-Monitor
The P2424HEB also works as the primary monitor in a dual-display setup, where the integrated USB-C hub and daisy chain output let you run a second monitor on a single laptop cable. The camera, microphone, and Windows Hello sensor are still available.
In this configuration the P2424HEB serves as the dock: laptop charges over its USB-C, second monitor connects via the DisplayPort out, and the four USB-A ports plus 2.5GbE handle peripherals. The total cable count from the laptop is one.
Trade-off: the second monitor must be a non-camera display, so the camera feature is tied to one screen in the setup. The daisy chain caps both monitors at 1080p 60Hz; for 1440p or 4K on the second screen, use the laptop's secondary output directly.
How to choose
Camera resolution matters past 1080p in mixed light
In bright, even office lighting any 1080p camera looks fine. In low-light, mixed-light, or strong-backlit conditions (typical for home offices with windows), a 5MP sensor with a larger lens and dedicated ISP produces a visibly cleaner image. The Dell P2424HEB and HP Series 5 hold up where 1080p cameras get noisy.
Privacy shutter is worth the premium
Physical lens covers (mechanical shutter or pop-up retraction) deliver a hardware-level disconnect that software cannot bypass. For any monitor that lives in a primary work or home space, a privacy shutter is worth $30 to $50 of the price difference.
USB-C charge wattage matters
A monitor with a built-in camera typically also serves as a laptop dock. Confirm the charge wattage matches your laptop draw under load: 65W to 75W for ultrabooks, 90W to 100W for most workstation laptops. Underpowered docking causes the laptop to drain the battery during heavy work even while plugged in.
Eye-line matters for natural framing
The monitor's height adjustment range needs to land the camera at or just below your seated eye level. Mounting the monitor too low (a common issue on tilt-only stands) produces an upward camera angle that flatters nobody. A VESA arm fixes this if the stock stand cannot.
Microphone quality is the underrated half of the setup
Camera image is the visible spec, but call quality lives and dies on the microphone. The Dell P2424HEB and HP Series 5 both ship with dual-array microphones with active noise cancellation that hold up against keyboard noise, HVAC hum, and typical home office background. Lenovo and BenQ microphones are functional but benefit from a dedicated USB or boom microphone for any recorded content. Test the microphone within the return window because mic specs are often vague on product pages.
Windows Hello and biometric login
The Dell P2424HEB includes an infrared sensor that pairs with Windows Hello for facial recognition login, which adds a real quality-of-life benefit beyond video calls. No more password typing at the start of every session, and the IR sensor works in low light where the regular camera struggles. Mac users do not have an equivalent integration; Touch ID on an attached Magic Keyboard remains the path for MacBook desktop setups.
For related buyer guides, see our computer monitor roundup and our monitor arms breakdown. For our scoring approach, see the methodology.
A built-in camera monitor is the right call when video calls are a recurring part of the day. The desk looks cleaner, the camera angle is correct by default, and the privacy shutter removes the duct-tape solution. Match the panel to your primary use, confirm the camera resolution holds up in your typical lighting, and the rest is one less item on the desk.
Frequently asked questions
Is a built-in monitor camera as good as a standalone webcam?+
Current built-in cameras at the premium tier (5MP+ sensors with dedicated ISP) match or beat $100 standalone webcams in image quality. Below that tier, a built-in camera is comparable to a basic webcam but more convenient. For top-end video quality, a dedicated camera plus a capture device still wins, but the gap is much smaller than it was three years ago.
Do monitor cameras work with all video conferencing apps?+
Yes, because they appear to the OS as a standard USB camera. Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, and FaceTime detect the monitor camera the same way they detect any other webcam. The only consideration is selecting the right camera in the app settings if you have multiple cameras attached.
Can I disable the camera when not in use?+
Most premium monitor cameras (Dell, HP, Lenovo) include a physical privacy shutter that retracts into the bezel when not active. This is a hardware-level disconnect, not a software toggle, which means even compromised software cannot enable the camera. For models without a physical shutter, disabling the camera in the OS settings is the alternative.
Do monitor cameras include a microphone?+
Yes for all picks in this list. Microphone quality varies; the Dell P2424HEB and HP Series 5 include noise-canceling arrays that perform close to a dedicated headset for typical room conditions. The Lenovo and BenQ microphones are adequate for calls but benefit from a separate microphone for any recording work.
Does the camera limit how I can mount the monitor?+
Built-in cameras sit at the top center of the bezel, which means the monitor needs to be at standard eye level (top of the screen at or just below eye level) for the camera angle to feel natural. Mounting the monitor too low produces an unflattering upward angle. A VESA arm works fine; just match the typical seated eye height.
Alex Patel
Alex Patel writes for The Tested Hub.