Logitech MX Brio webcam review: Great video, with some flaws

Price When Reviewed

$199.99

Best Prices Today: Logitech MX Brio

$199.99

$199.99

Logitech’s MX Brio webcam produces some startlingly good photos, though you’d anticipate this semi-premium 4K webcam — from business icon Logitech, no much less — to ship. I’m much less impressed with a few of its different parts, nevertheless — specifically the accompanying software program and its noise filtering.

Logitech’s MX Brio is actually the Logitech Brio 4K webcam with out Windows Hello, however with an enlarged sensor that guarantees improved low-light sensitivity. It’s somewhat puzzling that Logitech excluded Windows Hello, however that alternative could have been made with value in thoughts.

Further studying: See our roundup of the best webcams to find out about competing merchandise.

Logitech MX Brio design and options

The Logitech MX Brio is a 4K webcam, although it may solely report as much as 30fps at 4K decision. If you’d like a extra video-like 60fps, you’ll be able to report in both 1080p or 1440p decision.

Out of the field, Logitech’s MX Brio feels surprisingly compact, in comparison with the enlarged lenses utilized by some rival 4K cameras. The webcam measures 3.75 inches back and forth, and, when mounted, is 2 inches excessive. The noise-cancelling mics sit on both aspect of the lens, which measures 4cm (1.57 inches) in diameter. Logitech makes use of a comfortably lengthy 58-inch wire to attach the digicam to your laptop computer, with USB-C connections at both finish.

Is the MX Brio an important webcam? Yes. Is it a cultured product? Not as a lot as I’d like. But with somewhat care, the MX Brio 2 might be really very good.

To shut the lens, all it is advisable to do is twist the ring on the surface of the lens. You’ll see two halves of the lens shutter shut, prime to backside, making it instantly obvious that the lens can’t bodily see you. Logitech’s MX Brio webcam doesn’t embrace a hoop mild, although a small LED to the best of the lens indicators when the digicam is on and in use.

However, that received’t forestall a hypothetical hacker from recording the audio from the digicam’s mics. That mic stays energetic, as I confirmed by recording a quick little bit of audio by way of Windows Sound Recorder. The MX Brio’s LED mild will mild yellow to point that the mic is recording, nevertheless, which is completely different than the white LED that lights whereas recording video.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Mark Hachman / IDG

Mark Hachman / IDG

Though compact, the MX Brio sat securely on each a desktop monitor in addition to a laptop computer. I believe Logitech over-engineered it a bit, actually. As with most webcams, there’s a “tooth,” or lip, that hooks onto the entrance of the show. Some webcams simply mount the webcam on prime of it, including a 90-degree hinge to carry the webcam in place.

Logitech added a swiveling chin that traces up with the again of your monitor and coated the chin with a sticky substance that helps maintain it quick. The sticky bit comes coated with a sticker, and I believe you’ll be able to go away it alone — it’s sturdy sufficient as it’s, no less than on a desktop monitor. Don’t fear concerning the webcam falling off in both course, both. On a laptop computer, think about using the sticky tape, although! Everything tends to slip round.

The MX Brio additionally flips down into what Logitech calls “Show Mode,” a top-down perspective that flips the picture to point out it as you’d see it from the entrance. Nothing does this in addition to the CA Webcam Flex, which has a telescopic arm that works very properly. Show Mode feels somewhat claustrophobic so near the monitor, but it surely works.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Mark Hachman / IDG

Mark Hachman / IDG

There’s one factor, nevertheless, that the mount excludes: the threaded 1/4-inch screw gap that almost all webcams embrace to permit mounting them on tripods. There’s no threaded gap in any respect.

We’ll speak extra about how properly the {hardware} performs a bit later, however let’s point out one thing that I considerably dislike concerning the Logitech Brio 4K: the software program. Logitech manufactures a galaxy of peripherals, from webcams to keyboards, mice, and extra. It’s unsurprising that you just’d must obtain an app to make the most of the total capabilities of the MX Brio, however Logitech presents two: Logi Options+ and G Hub. Some Logitech government thought it will be a good suggestion to try to promote you a Logitech mouse and keyboard alongside your new webcam.

You’ll have to spend extra effort than it is best to analyzing the Logitech MX Brio product web page and eventually concluding that Options+ is for connecting varied Logitech gadgets, and G Hub is the utility software program that the MX Brio requires — which can be an internet app, and which instantly kicked off a firmware replace. Oh, and did I point out that Logitech desires a username and password, too? Ugh. At least you need to use an current authenticator, like Google.

What aggravated me essentially the most, although, was that G Hub doesn’t truly management the fundamentals. What if you wish to swap the digicam between resolutions? G Hub doesn’t supply that choice. That’s left to a different app, like Windows Camera, to make that adjustment. What G Hub does do is to supply every little thing else: field-of-view changes (65, 78, or 90 levels), some handbook panning or centering of the video, plus automated or handbook changes to publicity, HDR, white stability/coloration temperature, and autofocusing. These choices are properly organized and intuitive! It’s simply odd that essentially the most fundamental characteristic isn’t accessible through the G Hub menu.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Mark Hachman / IDG

Mark Hachman / IDG

(Logitech did provide a mouse and keyboard as a part of its evaluate bundle, which included the MX Brio. Logitech’s MX, or “Master,” collection is designed to work collectively. Although I’ve reviewed ecosystems like the Samsung Galaxy apps earlier than, I didn’t check the Options+ app and the way it interacts with different Logitech gadgets for brevity’s sake.)

Logitech’s MX Brio contains as much as 82 % post-consumer recycled plastic, and the aluminum within the digicam was made with renewable vitality. That received’t affect the digicam’s efficiency, simply the setting.

Logitech MX Brio webcam efficiency

Remember, many of the top-tier videoconferencing companies don’t assist 4K streaming but. However, you’ll be able to nonetheless stream to a service like YouTube in 4K, and report archival video in 4K as properly. A 4K sensor may let in additional mild and supply higher coloration stability — that’s a part of the worth the MX Brio presents.

And photos captured by the MX Brio look nice, virtually surprisingly so.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Mark Hachman / IDG

Mark Hachman / IDG

I’m actually impressed with how properly the MX Brio captured me in first rate afternoon aspect lighting — warts and all. That is a downside of a 4K digicam — a blemish on my face was captured fairly clearly, and I’m unsure how properly our publishing software program captured that. The webcam even captured a number of stray hairs from a razer. The coloration of the MX Brio’s photos seems to be very good, and flesh tones had been captured precisely.

Downstairs, the place I exploit a extra dimly lit house with a mixture of synthetic and pure lighting, my face was a bit too ruddy and the colours a bit off. Here I’m utilizing the tightest subject of view, or 65 levels.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Mark Hachman / IDG

Mark Hachman / IDG

I’m not terrifically impressed with the noise-filtering capabilities of the Logitech MX Brio’s mics, both. While I don’t suppose it’s fairly lifelike to ask for the form of nearly perfect noise filtering AI PC are beginning to deliver, I don’t suppose will probably be too lengthy earlier than one thing like that will likely be desk stakes. I check by taking part in audio again from Spotify on a telephone close by, and see how the mics filter it out. The background audio was clearly audible, and louder than I would love.

Should you purchase the Logitech MX Brio?

I’ve seen some glorious, glorious webcams recently. At press time, the Logitech MX Brio is similar worth because the BenQ IdeaCam S1 Pro, which delivers extra for the cash at an an identical worth. I believe that the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra produces higher photos, although at a $100 premium.

At $199, the Logitech MX Brio suits properly into that candy spot between the ultra-premium cameras and the extra normal choices. I’d prefer to see it somewhat cheaper: $149, possibly. At that worth, it will be a killer upsell choice. As it’s, there a few issues I’d repair earlier than I may wholeheartedly suggest it…but it surely received’t take a lot. Logitech has nonetheless bought it.