Key Takeaways
- Razer offers a range of high-quality webcams to suit different needs and budgets, but the Ultra model features DSLR-quality video capture.
- The video quality of the Kiyo Pro, Kiyo X, and Kiyo webcams is comparable, but the Ultra model offers a significant improvement in 4K capture.
- When choosing a Razer webcam, consider your budget, need for customizable settings, and desire for the best image quality, and make the Ultra model your top choice.
As work culture shifts to remote work, webcams have become a necessity in every corner of the home office. Since the webcam craze, various brands have been showcasing their products as remote working consumers seek the best products for on-camera meetings and conferences. Gaming peripheral manufacturer Razer is one of them, and its Kiyo series of webcams promise to be suitable for employees, streamers, and players alike.
I went hands-on with Razer’s entire range of Kiyo webcams to find out more about the different models on offer and to help you understand which webcam will best suit your needs.
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What is the image quality of the Razer webcam?
Three are pretty good, but one is outstanding.
In my testing, the video quality of the Razer Kiyo Pro, Razer Kiyo X, and Razer Kiyo were all pretty similar. They all capture images at up to 1080p, but the original Kiyo captures larger still images than the X and Pro. There is also some variation in maximum frame rates, with the Kiyo Pro capturing 1080p at up to 60fps, while the Kiyo X and original Kiyo max out at 30fps. The real improvement in clarity and image quality is the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra, which boosts to 4K capture with a much larger sensor, delivering over 8MP capture. Below are some images captured with each of these webcams.
When choosing a webcam, you should consider not only image quality but also performance aspects depending on your use. For example, the Razer Kiyo and Kiyo X feature a fixed FOV, while the Kiyo Pro and Kiyo Pro Ultra allow you to adjust the FOV settings for a wider or narrower field of view. Additionally, both the original Kiyo and Kiyo X feature autofocus, while the Kiyo Pro and Pro Ultra have more advanced autofocus features that can be fine-tuned through Razer Synapse.
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The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra is the best premium webcam I’ve ever used
This DSLR-quality webcam is perfect for streaming and Zoom meetings.
How do I choose the right Razer webcam?
Work, play or both?
Picking the right Razer Kiyo webcam for you depends on how serious you are about investing in a webcam. If you’re not willing to spend $100 or more, you don’t need two to begin with. For those who have a lot of work meetings where you’re looking at a monitor and interacting with colleagues or superiors, the ring light on the original Kiyo is a great tool to have at your disposal. It can be easily turned off when you don’t need it, and you can brighten or dim it as needed to give your image just a little extra boost during important calls. With the ring light off, it performs just as well or better than the Kiyo X, depending on whether you’re using it for video or stills. This makes the Kiyo X completely unnecessary in the current lineup.
If you want more versatility, viewing angle, FOV, and other customization options, consider the Pro series. The Razer Kiyo Pro offers the same image and video quality as lower-tier options, but adds 60fps video capture at 1080p (not available on the Kiyo and Kiyo X), and lets you choose from three different FOV settings.
Finally, if your goal is simply to have the best webcam image quality among your peers, fellow gamers, and coworkers, buy the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra. It’s still the best product in the lineup and the one I was most impressed with, but it’s significantly more expensive than the other three combined.
