If you can't visit relatives as often as you'd like, or you've got a kid away at school, you might want to get a Web cam for your computer.

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute just tested dozens of Web cams.

The institute's technical director John Kupsch says the new breed of computer Web cams deliver video images that are clearer than ever.

"Web cams, which really enable you to talk over the Internet and see who you are talking with and allow them to see you, have really come down dramatically in recent years in price, where now you can get some really good units for substantially under a hundred dollars," he said.

At the end of the institute's tests, there were three standouts.

Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 -- $100
The institute's engineers tested 22 web cams and found that installation has become very easy. The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 was the institute's top pick overall.

"The Logitech's model was really great because in our tests, it had excellent sound quality and no real time lag when it came to audio exchange," Kupsch said.

The institute also liked the camera's lighting features.

"It has a new feature called right light technology, which allows images to come through in a clear and crisp way, even in poor lighting conditions," said Kupsch.

The institute says kids will love Logitech's "avatar function" which allows the user to superimpose a cartoon face over your own.

Ezonics EZ Video ChatKit -- $60

The Ezonics model won great reviews at the institute because it was a great value. You can get two Web cams, which allows you to give one to your friend or family member across the country. Hook it up and you're ready to go.

Unibrain Fire-I Digital Camera -- $119

And if you have an Apple McIntosh without a built-in Web cam, Good Housekeeping recommends this model.

The institute says installing a Web cam is easier than you might think. For most, you just pop the instructional CD into your computer and follow the prompts.