AnkerWork B600 Video Bar Review: Your New All-In-One Video Conference Solution

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The AnkerWork B600 Video Bar packs a 2K video camera, a microphone array, stereo speakers, and a light into a small package for under $220. After trying more video cameras for Zoom calls than I would like to admit, I can honestly say that Anker is about to have a hit on its hands.

AnkerWork B600 Video Bar retail packaging

The B600 Video Bar is significantly larger than most normal video cameras, but that’s because it packs far more technology than any camera I’ve seen. Let’s take a brief look at it, and then I’ll let you judge for yourself whether or not this is something you’ll want to pick up. Spoiler alert: You’ll want to pick one up.

Inside the box, you get the AnkerWork B600 Video Bar, a USB-C cable, an AC power adapter with three different plugs so it is usable anywhere in the world, and some literature.

On one side of the device, you’ll find a button to turn the built-in video light on and off; the brightness control is a capacitive touch bar to the right side of the camera itself. You can also adjust the light’s brightness and warmth using the free AnkerWork software; we’ll come back to that in a bit.

On the other side is a similar button to turn the microphone array on and off. This is great for people who prefer to use a boom or desktop microphone when recording.

There is a standard 3/8″ mount for a tripod on the bottom, but the Video Bar ships with a laptop/monitor stand already attached. I’ve already used it on my Samsung monitor, and it holds the Video Bar in place quite nicely.

Along the top of the Video Bar is a fabric grill that hides dual 2W speakers. Anker notes that the speakers are made from a “specialized silk membrane,” so you get the best sound possible from such small speakers. While they can’t compare with the AudioEngine speakers on my desk, they deliver far better sound than what I would otherwise get from my MacBook speakers.

 

On the back, there is a USB-C input for power (yes, unlike most video cameras the B600 requires its own power source), a second USB-C port for connecting the B600 to your computer, and a legacy USB-A port. I’m honestly unclear when they included this last port since the B600 has all the functionality you’ll need for video calls and recordings.

The front of the B600 has a clean look with the 5MP 2K camera with a 1/2.8 sensor in the center. The 2K camera records at 30 frames per second and provides clean, crisp video.

It features Smart Auto Exposure, Smart Color Enhancement, and, of course, Smart Auto Focus. It also has a “solo frame” functionality to keep you in the frame when speaking. It works but seems to suffer the same fate as Apple’s “Center Stage” tracking functionality and has a bit of lag if you move quickly.

With the free AnkerWork software, you can select a resolution of 360P, 720P, 1080P, or 2K. You can also control the Frame Offset, zoom in or out and adjust the image settings. The software also lets you control the field of view, providing yet one more way to control the image.

AnkerWork B600 Video Bar

The four-mic array is hidden in various places on the AnkerWork B600 Video Bar, and it does a good job capturing audio thanks to auto echo cancellation, smart noise cancellation, and a special functionality that automatically adjusts the microphones so voices maintain the same level up to 2 meters away. All of this comes together to create what Anker refers to as VoiceRadar. As they explain,

Our special noise-canceling technology simultaneously amplifies your voice with a 4-mic array while quieting background noises.

In my testing, the array does a decent job cutting out ambient noises so you can be heard clearly when speaking to others or recording a video.

The truly unique aspect of the AnkerWork B600 Video Bar is the inclusion of a built-in light bar. It isn’t the most powerful video light I’ve tried, but the fact that it is actually integrated into the device makes it a convenient way to get the best image possible.

AnkerWork B600 Video Bar light

As previously noted, the light can be turned on and off manually using the button on the side, and the brightness can be adjusted using a capacitive slider on the front. “MagicSight,” as Anker calls it, automatically balances the color temperature and brightness in dimly lit rooms. You can manually control the settings using the AnkerWork application if you need even more control.

The AnkerWork B600 Video Bar is an all-in-one solution for video calls, and, as such, it is Zoom certified. It works well and is convenient, thanks to its all-in-one design. With the B600, rather than needing to plug a camera, a microphone, and speakers into your computer with have a separate light for illumination, all you need to do is plug one cable into your computer.

So while the B600 lets you up your video call game, it also keeps your desk neat and clean. As Anker puts it, with the B600, you can go from this …

… to this.

All of that is good and well, but describing the AnkerWork B600 Video Bar isn’t nearly as impactful as comparing it and other video capture systems. So, in this video, I begin using the camera and microphones built into my 14″ MacBook Pro, switch over to the Logi StreamCam, and then finish the recording using the B600. You can judge for yourselves.

 

I like the AnkerWork B600 Video Bar a great deal. Usually, all-in-one devices are convenient, but each element can be a compromise compared to what you might get from individual components; that’s not the case here. Better still, in an era when computers seem to include fewer and fewer ports, the B600 requires a single connection instead of the three or four you would need if using individual dedicated elements.

I like it so much that, once the AnkerWork B600 Video Bar starts shipping, I’ll probably be picking up a second one so I can use one at both my home and work offices.

The AnkerWork B600 Video Bar retails for $219.99; it is available directly from the manufacturer.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: All-in-one solution with video, microphones, speakers, and a video light; Easy to set up and use; Works with a range of video chat programs; Microphones have noise cancellation; Speakers fairly powerful for something this size; Video light doubles as lens cover; Light and video can be adjusted using the free software download; Requires a single cable to your computer to get all the functionality

What Needs Improvement: Requires an independent power source; Has a bit more of a learning curve than most video cameras

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About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.

7 Comments on "AnkerWork B600 Video Bar Review: Your New All-In-One Video Conference Solution"

  1. This looks really nice, I like that it has a cover when it’s not in use

  2. This is the home office solution I have been waiting for.

  3. Having this for conference calls would be so convenient

  4. Could have used this a year ago, but it looks like a efficient way to get a quality experience in a small footprint.

  5. Seems beneficial.

  6. This seems like a very convenient all-in-one solution. The size looks a little disconcerting on top of a monitor, compared to a typical webcam, but I’m sure the weight isn’t actually a problem.

  7. Jacqueline McLean | February 11, 2022 at 7:11 am |

    This appears to be very nice. I’m not so thrilled about the size though. It looks off to me. But I’d definitely use it if I had one.

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