Insta360 continues its two-pronged attack with its cameras. On one hand, you have the action cameras targeting outdoor adventurers; on the other, the webcams focus on indoor capture. Impressively, the company has managed to make waves in both segments: I was impressed by the 360-degree X4 and now I’ve been impressed by the Link 2 and Link 2C.
To gimbal or not to gimbal
Drawing our focus to the two latest webcams, the Insta360 Link 2 and Link 2C, there’s one big difference that sets them apart: the gimbal system. The Link 2 can swivel to look at the subject, while the 2C remains stationary. If you can do without the gimbal, you can save yourself $50, so it’s worth thinking about before purchase.
Whether you opt for the Link 2 or the 2C, they both boast a 1/2-inch sensor, allowing for high-quality capture at 4K 30 FPS, even in low-light environments. Judged alone, the Link 2 and 2C hardware impress with their specs, but the added software functionality enhances the products further. Functions like AI Tracking, Auto Framing, and Gesture Control all come together to help set the Insta360 webcams apart from the vast majority of competitors.
High-quality mic included
I’ve often recommended users combine a dedicated desktop microphone with their high-quality webcam, to achieve both great audio and video quality. While it would be nice if the webcam itself could capture good audio, this has simply not been the case — until now, that is. Insta360 has made a big push in the audio department, with an “AI noise-canceling” microphone working well to capture clear audio that I’d be happy to use for meetings or presentations.
While the Insta360 Link 2 and 2C have been very impressive, especially for their prices of $199 and $149, respectively, there is a shortcoming that I should mention.
Gestures are hit-and-miss
My main issue is with the gesture controls. While these can work well, I’m not fully confident in them and wouldn’t rely on them during important meetings or presentations. Although they fail only 20% of the time, that is still too often for my liking.
Gestures are fine for convenient adjustments, but I’d personally opt for keyboard shortcuts instead. Thankfully, this functionality is available in the app, which ultimately solves the problem for me and anyone else with a keyboard or Stream Deck at hand.
Final Verdict
At $199 for the Link 2 and $149 for the Link 2C, Insta360 has positioned its latest webcams competitively. The lower-priced, non-gimbal 2C is a great option for those who want high-quality video without the extra swivel functionality. Both models offer sharp 4K video, good low-light performance, and useful AI features like Auto Framing and Tracking. The built-in noise-canceling microphone is a standout addition for clear audio in calls. While gesture controls can be inconsistent, keyboard shortcuts offer a reliable alternative. Overall, both webcams offer excellent value for their price and are solid choices for anyone needing a video upgrade.
Positives and Negatives
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High-quality 4K video
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Excellent low-light performance
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AI Tracking and Auto Framing
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Noise-canceling microphone
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Competitive pricing
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Gimbal tracking (Link 2)
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Affordable non-gimbal option (Link 2C)
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Inconsistent gesture controls
Disclosure: Review sample provided by Insta360.
