Razer Kiyo V2

Design and features

• Much larger than its predecessor
• Sturdy build quality
• Extensive software customisation with Camo Studio integration

Against the original Kiyo, the Kiyo V2’s chassis has been redesigned, being much longer and larger. The general form factor here is remarkably similar to Logitech’s MX Brio, with a near-identical rectangular frame and a large lens in the middle.

The webcam is available in black, white, and even pink, as is customary with lots of other Razer hardware, making it easy to integrate into your setup if you’ve got a more serious or a cutesier aesthetic.

The Kiyo V2 features an integrated mount on the bottom that folds out to clip to the back of monitors, where it’s most at home. Affixing it to my 16-inch MacBook Pro proved to be a bit of a challenge, so you’re best to stick to desktop use – my Philips Evnia 32M2N8900 worked absolutely fine. There is also a standard tripod thread on the bottom of the stand if you’d prefer to use the webcam that way.

This Razer webcam also comes with some other thoughtful touches, including an integrated privacy shutter, which can be closed with a twist of the lens. Some options, even at this higher end, don’t come with this, so it’s very handy to have.

The Kiyo V2 works plug-and-play with its hefty USB-C cable, although you have a couple of options in terms of software to get the most out of it. Razer Synapse is the default choice which allows for more basic customisation such as enabling auto focus and auto exposure modes, a low light mode and more besides. For the bare minimum configuration, it’s okay.

However, Razer has partnered with one of the more popular third-party software solutions in Camo Studio with a lifetime key that’s accessible when you open Synapse. This unlocks a lot more in the way of functionality, adding things such as proper 4K/30fps output, AI auto-framing, automatic face tracking, backgrounds and privacy filters and even more. It’s easy to use and takes the Kiyo V2 above more expensive rivals in terms of the feature set.

Performance and video quality

• Decent detail and resolution 
• Low light performance a little disappointing
• Surprisingly capable microphones

Razer has opted to use a large 8.3MP Sony Starvis sensor for the Kiyo V2, continuing the comparisons to Logitech’s MX Brio, which provides a similar sensor for 4K/30fps and 1080p/60fps output. Weirdly, the more affordable Kiyo V2 X can also do 1400p/60fps, while this top-end model is limited to 30fps at the same mid-range resolution.

In terms of general image quality, I was quite impressed with this Razer webcam, with it able to portray the decently-lit scene I was in with good accuracy and detail. There are strong colours and contrast to boot, although I felt the auto exposure tended to blow out my lighter skin tone.

The autofocus is a little slow, but still works fine for general webcam use, and I found the auto-framing and tracking enabled in Camo Studio to track me pretty smoothly – if that’s very important to you, you may want to consider a webcam with an integrated gimbal such as the Insta360 Link 2.

The super-wide 93 degrees FOV makes this an ideal webcam for presentations or reviewing content where you’re likely to be holding things up to the camera, or if you simply want to show off the background around you. It also allows more flexibility for the auto-framing to get in as tight as you want it to.

Where I found the Kiyo V2 to be quite underwhelming is with its low-light performance. Images can be quite grainy, even when we’re at the full 4K/30fps output, and it tends to redden my face a smidgen too much against other webcams I’ve tested.

The microphones here are surprisingly capable, too, with stronger depth and clarity in my voice than other webcams out there. Nonetheless, I still think that given the high cost of these webcams, you may be better off diverting some of your budget towards a standalone mic for much stronger vocals at the potential expense of slightly worse visual quality.

Should you buy it?