Razer Kiyo V2 X review: Auto-focus for life

At a glance:

• The Razer Kiyo V2 X is a 2K webcam priced at $99.99, featuring auto-focus, an 80-degree field of view, and a physical privacy shutter.
• It performs decently in well-lit conditions but struggles with low-light and overexposed scenarios due to aggressive auto-focus behavior.
• Competitors like the Logitech Brio 500 and Elgato Facecam offer better value or performance at similar or lower prices.

Design and build quality

The Kiyo V2 X is Razer's budget offering in its webcam lineup, evident from its non-detachable USB-A cable and lighter construction. Measuring 4.3 x 2.64 x 2.7 inches (109 x 67 x 67.8mm), it's slightly smaller than the Kiyo V2 but significantly lighter at 5.64 ounces (160g). The integrated L-shaped monitor mount and 5-foot USB-A cable are permanently attached, with the mount allowing 360-degree swivel and 90-degree tilt. A standout feature is the physical privacy shutter, operated by twisting a ring around the lens, which elegantly covers the camera without disturbing positioning.

Well-lit performance

In controlled lighting tests with multiple monitors, ring lights, and ambient illumination, the Kiyo V2 X delivered acceptable image quality at 1440p/60fps. While not impressive in detail, it balanced exposure and white balance effectively out of the box. Disabling 2D/3D noise reduction and auto-focus in Razer's Synapse 4 software improved sharpness, though results were confined to the app. The default settings proved most reliable for plug-and-play video calls, offering adequate clarity for casual use.

Low-light and overexposed challenges

Performance deteriorated significantly in dim lighting and backlighting scenarios. During low-light testing with only a primary monitor illuminating the face, the webcam oscillated between over- and under-exposure, settling on underexposed images. Auto-focus became excessively trigger-happy, refocusing constantly regardless of movement, leaving subjects perpetually out of focus. Overexposed conditions, simulating backlighting against windows, produced blown-out backgrounds and failed to maintain focus, requiring manual adjustments that only functioned within Synapse 4.

Specifications and software

The Kiyo V2 X supports 1440p/60fps, 1080p/60/30/24fps, and 720p/60/30fps resolutions with an 80-degree wide-angle lens, 4x digital zoom, and omni-directional microphones. It lacks HDR support, unlike the Kiyo V2. Razer's Synapse 4 software enables firmware updates, manual focus, and settings like exposure control and noise reduction, though many adjustments degraded image quality. Settings failed to persist outside the app, reverting to aggressive auto-focus in third-party applications.

Market positioning and competition

At $99.99, the Kiyo V2 X competes with the Logitech Brio 500 ($129.99, 1080p/30fps) and Elgato Facecam MK.2 ($100, 1080p/60fps). While the Brio 500 offers superior image quality and availability, the Facecam MK.2 provides better performance without a privacy shutter. For budget-conscious buyers, Elgato's Facecam Neo ($60) delivers comparable performance. The Kiyo V2 X's value proposition hinges on its 2K resolution and privacy shutter, but persistent auto-focus issues and poor low-light handling limit its appeal.

Bottom line

The Kiyo V2 X is a mixed bag: its sleek design, privacy shutter, and 2K capability justify its price for some users, but aggressive auto-focus and subpar low-light performance hinder usability. While it excels in ideal lighting, real-world conditions often expose its limitations. Potential buyers should weigh these trade-offs against more reliable alternatives like the Logitech Brio 500 or Elgato Facecam series, depending on their specific needs and budget.