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The Best Camcorder

Last updated on June 23, 2023

We looked at the top 15 Camcorders and dug through the reviews from 24 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Camcorders.

Best Camcorder

Our Review Process

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Sure, you can shoot video with your smartphone, but if you want high-quality footage that you can watch on a larger screen, you need a camcorder. Today’s video cameras pack in plenty of features that make it easy to get your videos to your other devices, while also being portable and easy to use.

But the problem is, there are so many camcorders on the market, it can be tough to narrow it down to one. What you need will likely be different from what another customer needs, so you have to narrow it down to the one that best checks off all the boxes on your “must-have” list.

The first thing to look at is how you’ll be using your camcorder. If your goal is to capture your family vacations and your children’s best moments, the camcorder you choose may be different from one chosen by someone who is shooting independent features to post online or building a successful YouTube channel. But there are some basic features that can help no matter what you’ll be using your camera to do.

Audio varies in quality from one camera to another. You may not need the highest-quality audio, at which point the quality of the built-in mic won’t be as big a deal. However, if you’re showcasing your singing talents on YouTube or shooting a great indie feature you hope will get you discovered, the microphone is essential. Look for a camera that has a high-quality microphone, typically found in the form of a large microphone you can see mounted on the camera itself.

But perhaps the most important feature in a camcorder is the quality of the video it records. This is particularly important if you’ll be hooking your camera up to a big-screen TV or a computer to display on a large monitor. A camera that provides 1080P high-definition video recording will ensure you have the quality you expect.

Our Picks For The Top Camcorders

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

VideoSky Webcam USB Cable Camcorder

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

VideoSky

Webcam USB Cable Camcorder

There isn't anything you can't do with this camcorder. Creating home movies for the family, going live on social media or making your own music videos are all possible with this handy device. Attractive features for this model include an upgraded image sensor, a built-in LED fill light and anti-shake technology.

Overall Take

Playback is a BreezeThanks to the remote, you can use this camcorder to create your own YouTube videos.

 Runner Up

Aasonida Selfie Multifunctional Camcorder

Aasonida

Selfie Multifunctional Camcorder

With this camcorder, you'll enjoy noise cancellation, 24MP photos and a built-in webcam. There's even a self-timer function so you can capture the perfect selfie. The camera itself is lightweight and easily portable, so you can work on a project just about anywhere.

Overall Take

High-Quality ImagesWith a 16X digital zoom, you'll be able to use this camcorder to capture detailed images from far away.

 We Also Like

kicteck Lightweight Anti-Shake Camcorder

kicteck

Lightweight Anti-Shake Camcorder

Whether you're shooting video or capturing still photos, this camcorder has you covered. It features anti-shake technology so that you can use it without a tripod. It's both easy to operate and features a 60- to 90-minute runtime on a full charge.

Overall Take

Anti-Shake TechnologyYou don't have to worry about carrying a tripod along with you with this camcorder, which features anti-shake technology.

Pros
" Offers longer runtime. Simple to operate."
Cons
"Zooming function is below par. Photos don’t come out good in low light. Needs SD card to store pictures and videos."
 Strong Contender

Kimire Multifunctional USB Cable Camcorder

Kimire

Multifunctional USB Cable Camcorder

Not only can you use this camcorder to make attractive videos for YouTube, but you can also plug it into your computer and use it as a webcam. The large 3-inch LCD screen has a 270-degree rotation, which allows you to view your video from a variety of angles. Additional features include a 16x digital zoom, self timer and a pause function.

Overall Take

Useful ModelWith this camcorder, you can actually record while the unit is charging.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
22

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the camcorders available to purchase.
15

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

24

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Easy Get Product, Gadget Pursuit, Filmora, Lifewire, Epfilms TV.

15,628

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 15 Camcorders and also dug through the reviews from 24 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Camcorders.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

kicteck Lightweight Anti-Shake Camcorder

Our Expert Score

0.0
3 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.6
2,337 user reviews

Our Take

Whether you're shooting video or capturing still photos, this camcorder has you covered. It features anti-shake technology so that you can use it without a tripod. It's both easy to operate and features a 60- to 90-minute runtime on a full charge.

What other experts liked

Offers longer runtime. Simple to operate.
- Easy Get Product
Very good for taking still pictures. Is extremely lightweight. Comes with an extra battery.
- UNES Co-Ci

What other experts didn't like

The microphone isn’t very clear.
- Easy Get Product
Zooming function is below par. Photos don’t come out good in low light. Needs SD card to store pictures and videos.
- UNES Co-Ci

What to Look For

  • How will you get your video from your camcorder to your computer or TV? Make sure you have HDMI and USB cables on hand before you’re ready to view the video you’ve shot.
  • The length of the zoom is an often overlooked, but very important, feature on a webcam. Having a longer zoom will give you the ability to capture a faraway object without sacrificing quality.
  • Camcorders typically run on batteries, but those batteries will have a limited runtime. Check to see how much video you’ll be able to record on a fully-charged battery to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
  • Some webcams allow you to expand your battery’s lifespan by purchasing a higher-capacity battery and swapping it for the one that came with the camera. Pay attention to this option and make sure there are batteries available that will give you the runtime you think you’ll need.
    Some cameras also come with a backup battery that you can take along with you. Just switch out the battery when the first one runs out and keep going.
  • Anti-shake technology keeps your footage steady even when you don’t have your camera on a steady surface. This can keep you from hauling a tripod around, as well as supporting you when you’re shooting while in motion.
    If you feel like you might use your camera to capture still photos, make sure the camera you choose supports that feature.
  • The weight of the camcorder also comes into play. Whether you’re taking it along on vacation or you’re shooting a movie with your friends, a weightier camera can cause fatigue after a while.
  • Camcorders usually don’t come with flashes, which means if you’re shooting in low light, you may find that video quality suffers. A camera with night vision can free you up to shoot at night or in dimly-lit rooms.

Camcorder Rankings

1. VideoSky Webcam USB Cable Camcorder

Overall Score: 9.5
Reviews Included: 1

2. Aasonida Selfie Multifunctional Camcorder

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 1

3. kicteck Lightweight Anti-Shake Camcorder

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 4

4. Kimire Multifunctional USB Cable Camcorder

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

5. Alsuoda Long-Lasting Power Rechargeable Camcorder

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

6. SEREE Time Lapse Low Light Camcorder

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 1

7. Sony HDRCX405 HD Handycam Face Detection Camcorder

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 6

8. ACTITOP Multi-Angle Stereo Microphone Camcorder

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 2

9. YEEHAO Professional Lens Tripod Camcorder

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 5

10. Canon VIXIA Touchscreen High-Resolution Camcorder

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 4

12. AiTechny Ultra HD HDMI TV Output Video Camcorder

Overall Score: 8.0
Reviews Included: 5

13. Lincom Tech 1080p Handheld Camcorder

Overall Score: 8.0
Reviews Included: 1

14. Aabeloy External Microphone Digital Video Camcorder

Overall Score: 7.8
Reviews Included: 3

15. SAULEOO 4K 30MP Digital Video Camera Camcorder

Overall Score: 7.5
Reviews Included: 2

More to Explore

Before video cameras made their way to the consumer market, they were found primarily on the shoulders of television news videographers. These were large and heavy and required a nearby truck filled with equipment to get the necessary footage. Things began to change in 1963 when the Ampex VR-1500 debuted. At a price of $30,000 and weighing around 100 pounds, though, it didn’t exactly take off. Sony debuted the first portable video camera in 1967, using a reel-to-reel system to capture black-and-white video. The market changed again in 1980 when Jerome Lemelson patented the first camcorder, a truly portable device, and soon big brands were coming up with their own portable video recorders.

More to explore