Insta360 Link Review: Price & Availability, Design & Setup, and Features & Performance

REASONS TO BUY

 + Excellent video and audio quality

 + Lots of useful features included

 + Compact and premium design

REASONS TO AVOID

 - Advanced features aren't for everyone

 - It'll cost you quite a lot

 - Software could be a bit better

Video calling is much more common than it used to be, which means that more of us are looking for the best webcams than ever before - and the 4K-capable Insta360 Link webcam has enough to merit a mention in that discussion.

This is a webcam that can follow you around a room and keep you in focus at all times, as well as capture everything in 4K resolution, thanks to its 3-axis gimbal. It will work with almost any video calling app and will appear as a webcam option in Windows or macOS as needed.

Whether you're looking for one of the best video conference cameras on the market or just something for one-on-one calls, the Insta360 Link has a lot to offer - and a price that matches the high quality of the video and the number of features that are included.

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INSTA360 LINK REVIEW: PRICE & AVAILABILITY

The widgets on this page should provide you with the most recent and best deals for the Insta360 Link on the web: At the time of writing, the webcam will set you back around £320 / $300. In the UK, you can purchase one from retailers such as Amazon and Very, as well as directly from Insta360.

INSTA360 LINK REVIEW: DESIGN & SETUP

When we first unboxed the Insta360 Link, we were surprised by how small it was: with its base and clip closed, the webcam measures just 63 x 35 x 45mm and weighs 106g, making it small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. A neat little light strip runs around the base of the webcam, glowing a comforting green colour when you're live on the video and everything is working properly. It's mostly made of black plastic.

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There is plug-and-play support for both Windows and macOS, but you'll want to download the free controller app to get the most out of this webcam - it's how you access all of the device's key features, update the firmware, and so on. The software is occasionally clunky, but it's simple to use, and it's compatible with both Microsoft and Apple's desktop operating systems, which isn't always the case.

A USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A adapter is included with the webcam (a welcome inclusion, with most devices, either going for USB-A or USB-C and leaving you to find an adapter for yourself). There's also a quick-start guide that walks you through the webcam's functions in tiny print. As an optional extra, a small tripod is also available.

Overall, we're impressed with the design and aesthetics of the Insta360 Link - as you can see from the images in this article, it's a well-made and attractive-looking little gadget that'll add a touch of sophistication to your desk setup.

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INSTA360 LINK REVIEW: FEATURES & PERFORMANCE

It might be easier to list the features that the Insta360 Link lacks. But we'll do the opposite: this webcam has a 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution for video and images, as well as automatic tracking for your head, torso, or entire body (great for those yoga videos you're thinking of uploading to YouTube), and it can also be controlled with hand gestures - for example, make an 'L' shape with your hand to zoom.

We tested the Insta360 Link with a variety of calls, and the picture and quality were consistently excellent - particularly the crispness and smoothness of the video. The automatic tracking feature operates quickly, as does the automatic focus. We had no trouble using the hand gestures, and the webcam performs admirably in low-light conditions and in maintaining colour balance. The camera's ability to pick up audio was not quite as good, but it was still adequate.

We're also impressed by the software's extras, which include a plethora of image-tweaking options (such as brightness and contrast), the ability to save preset positions so you can return to them later, and an overhead mode for presenting materials from your desk. There's also a mode that detects a whiteboard in the frame and squares it off so your audience can see it better. If you need a webcam to do something, chances are the Insta360 Link can do it.

There were a few hiccups, such as the Windows software not recognizing the webcam when it restarted (we had to unplug the device and plug it back in again), but these were few and far between. In general, the Insta360 Link was a pleasure to use and will be a significant webcam upgrade from whatever built-in option you have with your desktop or laptop computer.

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INSTA360 LINK REVIEW: VERDICT

Sure, you might be thinking that your current webcam is adequate and that you don't need to spend money on anything else - but once you've tried a premium model like the Insta360 Link, it's difficult to go back. What appears to be unnecessary extras, such as automatic tracking and the ability to deal with a wide range of lighting conditions, quickly become necessities that you can't live without.

This webcam will be especially appealing to anyone who needs to make presentations for a living, whether you're running a dance class from home, tutoring kids, or leading a team of employees. It's a significant upgrade, and it's one of several webcams on the market right now that offer high-end features at a high price.

And there's no denying that the Insta360 Link is pricey - you might be thinking of all the other things you could get for the same money. If this is within your budget, it does more than enough to justify the price, and it's a sophisticated piece of technology that will serve you well for years to come... just make sure you actually need all of the features it offers.

VERDICT

Set up the Insta360 Link with your computer and you've got yourself a webcam that can keep you in the shot and in focus throughout - plus a slew of other useful features. If you can afford it, this is an excellent 4K webcam worth considering.