Look and Sound Better on Video Calls

By Tony Ngo · Published October 13, 2026 · 6 min read

For remote workers, video calls are the new first impression. The good news: the biggest improvements are cheap, and some are free.

How this guide was made. Research-based: this guide draws on official documentation, pricing pages and published independent guidance. I have not lab-tested the products in this category, and nothing here is presented as hands-on testing. Our research process.

Fix the free things first

• Camera at eye level. Raise your laptop on a stand or a stack of books so you're not looking down at the lens.
• Face the light. Sit facing a window, not with your back to it. Backlighting turns you into a silhouette.
• Tidy the background. A plain wall or a neat shelf looks more professional than a blurred virtual background.
• Close noisy apps and turn off notification sounds before the call.

Audio matters more than video

People tolerate a slightly soft image, but they quickly tire of echoing or muffled sound. If you upgrade only one thing, make it your microphone.

Headset

A headset with a boom microphone keeps the mic close to your mouth and blocks echo. It's the most reliable option in noisy homes.

USB desk microphone

Gives a richer, more natural sound and frees your head from a headset. It works best in a quiet room; soft furnishings help reduce echo.

When a webcam upgrade is worth it

Built-in laptop cameras have improved, but many still struggle in low light. An external webcam helps if you present often, record videos, or your laptop camera is positioned awkwardly. Look for:

• 1080p resolution – higher is rarely needed for calls;
• good low-light performance and automatic exposure;
• a mount that clips onto a monitor;
• a privacy shutter.

Lighting

A small desk light or ring light placed behind your screen and slightly above eye level gives soft, even light on your face. Warm-to-neutral colour temperature looks most natural.

A budget upgrade path