Since Logitech’s Brio Ultra HD 4K Webcam made waves when it first hit the shelves in 2017, the launch of an updated Brio line for personal and professional use is a move that made sense. The Brio 500 webcam combines flexible camera angles with 1080p HDR, but at $130, it doesn’t feel like a device that’s too pricey for a hobbyist or early professional who wants to chat in clear detail, especially compared to the price of the original Brio ($200).
With the Brio brand legacy, you might have high expectations for the new 500 webcam. While I found the device to be a pro at handling every video call I made, it isn’t without its downsides.
The Brio 500’s Look Is Great, but It Feels a Little Flimsy
The Logitech Brio 500 webcam has a simple, streamlined design. Its plastic body features rounded edges, two built-in microphones on the front, and an LED indicator light (to let you know when your webcam is on). Also on the front is the recessed camera housing, which includes a handy privacy shutter you can open and shut with a quick slide of the camera body’s right end.
The back of the webcam includes a five-foot-long USB-C cable, while the bottom of the webcam hosts a magnetic button that clicks into the base of the included mounting clip. You’ll also find a useful tripod input if you unscrew the magnetic button. As soon as I got it unboxed, I set up the mounting clip for my laptop by attaching the adhesive back. This inclusion makes it easy to slide the camera off your computer at any point.
I found the Brio 500’s design successful, with a slight caveat. While this webcam is a breeze to tote around when traveling thanks to its lightweight frame, it also feels a bit flimsy. The privacy shutter, for instance, closes and opens with no issue but feels fragile. Although I’m uncertain the shutter or any other component of the webcam would break, the Brio 500 doesn’t feel like it would stand up to a lot of abuse.
The plug-and-play USB-C cable on the Brio 500 is excellent, and I had no problem getting the camera up and running in a flash (even without downloading the recommended Logi Tune app. More on this later). However, to plug the webcam into my HP laptop, I had to hunt down a USB-C to USB-A adaptor, and that’s a downside for many who don’t have a newer device with USB-C ports. It would be nice if Logitech included both options for connection.
Incredible Video Quality on Various Platforms
The Brio 500 is certified for software like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet, and I had zero issues with those platforms when video calling for business or pleasure. The clarity of the picture, however, does take a hit, depending on the platform. On Zoom, the video quality was top-notch, but on Google Meet and Microsoft Teams, there were moments when the video looked a bit fuzzy. I blame this on the platforms themselves (or my Wi-Fi connection), as when I tested the camera in other settings, the Brio 500 was a heavy hitter—the video quality was nearly perfect every time.
One of my favorite features was the Brio 500’s auto light correction. Whether I was seated in a dark living room or by the bright window in my office, the webcam adjusted the lighting for me. The auto light correction was a game changer compared to my built-in laptop webcam. I’m used to looking grainy or like an over-exposed ghost, but the Brio 500 exceeded my expectations. Not once did I look pixellated, too white, or obscured. In fact, there were times when the HDR gave me too much color, thanks to my skin’s pink undertones and too much fun in the sun.
As for the auto-framing feature, Logitech also got this right. No matter how much I fidgeted or moved my chair, I was always in frame, with no distortion or pause of the stream. For a person who often can’t sit still without moving some part of my body, this was another checked box. The camera mount also offers plenty of webcam angles, which I appreciated.
If you use your webcam for work, you’ll be satisfied with the Brio 500’s video quality and its flexibility in reading your environment.
For work presentations (or virtual game nights), the Brio 500’s “Show Mode” makes it easy to share what you see in real-time. You can turn on Show Mode in the Logi Tune app (available on Windows and Mac, but not on ChromeOS).
Using Logi Tune, you can also zoom in or out, apply a filter to your video, and toggle HDR on and off. Show Mode is what it sounds like—a presentation feature that makes it easy for you to show the other video participants something on your desk. To use it, tilt the Brio 500 webcam down to capture your workspace, and Show Mode will automatically flip the camera view to display the same perspective you have.
Although nothing beats an external microphone, the Brio 500’s dual noise-canceling mics are above average. On video calls, I told people I was using my webcam’s integrated mics, and they were surprised they did such a good job! There’s still a bit of that signature muffle that built-in mics give, though, so if you’re a streamer or video call junkie, I’d invest in an external mic option.
Brio 500 Microphone Sample With Background Noise
Brio 500 Microphone Sample Without Background Noise
The Performance Is on Point, but the Mount Needs Help
As nice as the Brio 500’s performance is, there’s a big downside depending on your setup. For me, who used the webcam on my laptop more than a desktop computer, the five-foot USB-C cable frequently got in the way. Let me explain. The USB-C cable wouldn’t be a problem if it weren’t for the looseness of the Brio 500 when inside the mount.
The button snaps into the mount clip via a strong magnet, and it’s fairly secure. However, there’s a lot of room for movement inside the mounting clip where the camera sits. Often, I was on a call and unintentionally moved the USB-C cable or tapped the edge of my laptop, and the Brio 500 moved to the right.
Because the webcam wouldn’t sit tight in the clip, I had to manually adjust the camera countless times (and yes, people on my calls noticed). Some movement is understandable, as you need to adjust your camera to capture different angles, but this felt excessive.
Though it’s nitpicky, it was a frustration that made me hesitant to use to clip. To prevent this, I would recommend using a tripod or finding a way to secure the extra cable length to prevent movement. On a desktop setup, there was less room for error, though hitting or bumping the desk still made the webcam turn in the clip.
The mounting clip’s flexibility is a plus—you can move it quite a bit to find the perfect angle, but I found it difficult to adjust without pulling the webcam out—another slight inconvenience if you’re trying to adjust your video capture during a call.
Should You Buy the Logitech Brio 500 Webcam?
If you’re searching for a webcam that ticks all your boxes and then some, the Brio 500 isn’t a bad deal. However, if you prefer a solid-bodied webcam, 4K image quality, and a more predictable mount, you might want to increase your budget and check out the Logitech Brio Stream or the Dell UltraSharp HDR 4K webcam instead.
Overall, I was more than satisfied with the Logitech Brio 500’s performance, and if you’re someone in the market for an HD webcam that doesn’t run you $200 or more, you’ll want to consider grabbing one to enhance your home office. Its auto light correction, noise-canceling mics, auto framing, and HDR modes make it more than worth the price of admission. You can pick up the Brio 500 today in off-white, rose, or graphite for $129.99.
