GamesRadar+ VerdictThe OBSBOT Tail Air will elevate your live streams to a new level with low latency, remote streaming, and impressive 4K multicam A.I. tracking. It’s a powerhouse that checks all the boxes - if you can afford it.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$59at Amazon$499at WalmartPros+Fantastic picture quality+Remote live streaming capabilities+Set up for use in a variety of scenariosCons-Very pricey-Can be complicated to set up-Micro SD Card slot is fiddly
GamesRadar+ Verdict
GamesRadar+ Verdict
The OBSBOT Tail Air will elevate your live streams to a new level with low latency, remote streaming, and impressive 4K multicam A.I. tracking. It’s a powerhouse that checks all the boxes - if you can afford it.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$59at Amazon$499at Walmart
The OBSBOT Tail Air will elevate your live streams to a new level with low latency, remote streaming, and impressive 4K multicam A.I. tracking. It’s a powerhouse that checks all the boxes - if you can afford it.
TODAY’S BEST DEALS$59at Amazon$499at Walmart
TODAY’S BEST DEALS$59at Amazon$499at Walmart
TODAY’S BEST DEALS$59at Amazon$499at Walmart
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
$59at Amazon$499at Walmart
$59at Amazon
$59at Amazon
$499at Walmart
$499at Walmart
Pros+Fantastic picture quality+Remote live streaming capabilities+Set up for use in a variety of scenarios
Fantastic picture quality
Remote live streaming capabilities
Set up for use in a variety of scenarios
Cons-Very pricey-Can be complicated to set up-Micro SD Card slot is fiddly
Very pricey
Can be complicated to set up
Micro SD Card slot is fiddly
Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy.
Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy.
I can only assume that for making the Tail Air, OBSBOT found the biggest camera nerds they could find, asked them to make a streaming camera, and then set them loose in a camera parts superstore with an unlimited budget.
I make this assumption because every feature you could possibly want from one of thebest webcamshas been put into the OBSBOT Tail Air. It truly is a camera nerd’s dream spec sheet and I was incredibly excited when I got my hands on it. If you’re a very specific consumer who needs an equally specific set of features, the OBSBOT Tail Air will provide amazing value.
However, it’s arguably overkill, and one look at the $499 / £499 (minimum) price tag will tell you just that. If you only need a good 4K Webcam this will probably fly over your head and look incredibly overpriced. On the other hand, if you’re feeling the urge to grab a full PTZ (pan tilt zoom camera) or DSLR, this may be the simplest option.
Design
(Image credit: Future / Tom Farthing)
In order to control the Tail Air you’ll need to connect it to your phone or computer instead of using physical buttons on the device. Some people might bemoan having to use their phone all the time and want most of the controls directly on the device itself. However, I rarely find myself without one of those two devices, and I’m definitely not without one during a shoot or a live stream. The ability of being able to use the Tail Air on the go is worth it, I think.
According to OBSBOT, the Tail Air utilizes a sophisticated AI algorithm to monitor individuals' movements. The camera goes beyond mere tracking, identifying subjects even when they disappear from the frame and then reappear. This capability extends to movements behind objects or someone leaving the room, thanks to its impressive tracking speed of up to 120° of rotation per second.
Connectivity options are diverse, including USB-C, Micro HDMI, WiFi, and wired Ethernet via an adapter, ensuring a strong and smooth signal. This flexibility accommodates users' preferences for seamless connectivity in various scenarios.
Features
(Image credit: Future / Tom Farthing)
AI is the driving force behind the camera’s notable features, including the AI Director Grids found on the OBSBOT mobile app. These grids offer different frames of focus, allowing users to effortlessly switch from a close-up facial shot to a full-body panorama with a single tap. Notably, the Obsbot Tail Air records video in 4K and dynamically crops it to a 1080p frame in real time. Despite this, considering that most live streams are conducted in 1080p, users aren’t sacrificing much in terms of quality for the sake of impressive framing.
For those not interested in plugging into one of thebest gaming PCs and streaming from home, the camera provides a built-in microSD slot for recording footage directly to a memory card. Its internal battery offers approximately two hours of use, slightly less when operating in 4K, and takes an hour and a half to recharge. The possibility of indefinite use with USB power during operation is an added convenience.
The Obsbot Tail Air supports streaming in either 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps with HDR and AI enhancement. Should the need arise for a multi-camera setup with minimal latency, the OBSBOT Tail Air steps up to the challenge. It seamlessly integrates with the latest NDI (Network Device Interface) technology, allowing you to link up to three cameras. However, this feature comes with an extra cost – a $98 NDI authorization code for each OBSBOT Tail Air device. These cameras can be centrally controlled from a single computer, essentially serving as the mission control for your recording session. While there’s an initial setup process that proves a bit of a faff, you gain complete command over a sophisticated yet user-friendly multi-camera system.
(Image credit: Future / Tom Farthing)
The camera’s hands-free control is a standout feature. Like with theInstaLink 360 Webcam, OBSBOT’s AI recognizes hand gestures for tasks such as locking onto or unlocking from a target, manual or dynamic zooming, and starting or stopping recording. Users who prefer not to have the camera react to random hand waves can easily disable this feature in the settings.
Audio features include two built-in MEMS microphones, arguably eliminating the need for one of thebest microphones for streaming and gaming. However, for those moving around extensively in front of the camera, especially at a distance, a 3.5mm microphone/line input socket is available. This allows the use of various wireless microphones or receivers, providing the freedom to move around without compromising sound quality.
Performance
(Image credit: Future / Tom Farthing)
With the OBSBOT Tail Air, you get a handy travel case that fits everything you need for a stream. The webcam itself is a versatile hybrid, melding the capabilities of a webcam, a DSLR camera with a generous sensor, and the flexibility of a PTZ camera. This gives a huge amount of versatility covering a range of functionalities. As I delved into its operation, the user-friendly interface and intuitive controls became apparent, making it accessible without sacrificing quality.
(Image credit: Future / Tom Farthing)
So while the picture quality may not be up there with some DSLR cameras, it more than makes up for that shortfall in features webcams usually have.
Above all of those extra features, I really liked the ability to change refresh rates and have some extra privacy. I have a TV in shot behind my work-from-home setup and I imagine many streamers have one of thebest ring lights for streaming. Being able to change from 50/60Hz to stop flickering showing up in recorded footage is a real plus. Moreover, a large light on the camera tells you if it’s on / recording, etc, so you’ll always know if you’re accidentally streaming for instance. You can also just swivel the camera head to face down if you’re extra paranoid.
One of the standout features of the OBSBOT Tail Air is its promise of mobility, transitioning effortlessly from a static setup to a mobile streaming device. Field-testing this claim in an outdoor livestream session revealed the camera’s adaptability, proving its potential for on-the-go content creation.
Should you buy the OBSBOT Tail Air?
(Image credit: Future / Tom Farthing)
Prepare to open your wallet for the OBSBOT Tail Air, as cutting-edge technology seldom comes cheap. The Super Early Bird offer presented a tempting $419 price tag for the standalone camera, a bit steeper at $479 if you desire the inclusion of a remote control. Now, if you’re eyeing the full package, the “Powerup Kit,” featuring the camera, remote, micro HDMI to HDMI cable, and USB to Ethernet adapter, be prepared to part with up to $599.
Even 4K webcams priced at the $300 mark can be difficult to justify, but The OBSBOT Tail Air positions itself as a hybrid between two camera worlds. Yes, this is an on-the-go option, and yes, its picture quality does rival the DSLR options out there, but it is still in a webcam’s body. This is something for the real enthusiast then, and not really the content creator who just needs some low-light imagery while streaming in an RGB-filled bedroom.
This is an outstanding choice for those seeking a PTZ camera that effortlessly balances simplicity, quality, and adaptability, but that price is a high barrier to entry.
How we tested the OBSBOT Tail Air
I used the OBSBOT Tail Air as my main webcam while working from home on my Macbook Pro for meetings on Zoom,MicrosoftTeams, andGoogleMeet. I also used it as a main camera to film pieces to camera for professional videos, I also used a Rode Wireless Go mic kit into the 3.5mm jack for a voice-over I also had to do.
I then took three of the OBSBOT Tail Airs to work for more testing. I conducted more meetings on my work Windows computer in a busy office area using a gaming headset with the 3.5 jack input. I gave two of the Tail Airs to colleagues to test how easy it was without direction to use the camera and set it up on their computers. I then took the OBSBOT Tail Airs down to our professional video studio. I set up a traditional three-camera shoot using the three OBSBOT Tail Airs for two people having a conversation as I would for our professional DSLR cameras, lighting, and microphones. I checked and tested switching between the three cameras using the Director Grid while recording to OBS.
For more on how we test the latest streaming gear, take a look at ourhardware policy.
Need buying advice for more content creation accessories? Take a look at thebest capture cards, thebest green screens, and thebest gaming chair.
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