TechRadar Verdict
The Insta360 Wave Speakerphone presents a novel solution for office communication. Its potential becomes evident quickly, despite an initially confusing setup process. Once configured, its capabilities for recording and transcribing meetings, alongside capturing audio for online content, demonstrate the device’s versatility.
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Exceptional voice clarity
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Flexible connectivity options
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Built-in smart features
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Some AI features require a subscription.
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Not great for musical instruments
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No voice assistant
Insta360 Wave: 30-second review
Initiating use of the Insta360 Wave requires more than a simple plug-and-play approach, as specific device options must be selected. The instructions suggest plugging the USB cable into a laptop or PC for the device to appear as a drive, allowing software installation. However, users must first activate USB mode via the touchscreen menu (Settings > USB Mode > File Transfer) for the unit to be recognized. An alternative is to download the software directly from the Insta360 website, bypassing this initial hurdle.
Once the Insta360 Wave Controller software is downloaded and updated, the speakerphone is ready for use. For many situations, simply tapping the large record button on the small, circular interface initiates and stops recording, making it very user-friendly for calls or in-person meetings. The device also integrates with popular conferencing applications like Teams and Zoom.
Adjusting settings is straightforward, either by swiping up on the device’s touchscreen menu and tapping “settings,” or by using the Insta360 Wave Controller software when connected to a computer.
To fully utilize the Insta360 Wave’s features, particularly its AI capabilities, an online account registration is necessary. The device includes 300 minutes of free AI transcription per month, with additional usage requiring a subscription.
For users requiring over 1,200 minutes monthly, additional AI transcription packages are available. While 300 minutes may suffice for individual use, business environments could quickly exhaust this limit. The audio clarity during recording is notably high. The device offers flexible microphone pickup patterns, including Omni, cardioid, supercardioid, figure-of-eight, and stereo, selectable via audio settings by switching from standard noise reduction to original sound.
The Insta360 Wave significantly boosts audio clarity compared to a typical laptop microphone. When used in conjunction with the Insta360 Link 2 webcam, the combination provides a superior audiovisual experience, enhancing video streaming and audio quality even when moving away from the desk.
The Insta360 Wave proves to be an unexpectedly essential device, primarily due to its highly useful AI transcription. Although the 300-minute free transcription limit might be a constraint for some, it generally meets the needs of many users. A standout feature is the excellent audio pickup quality, even at a distance, ensuring clear sound during web meetings, even when presenting from a whiteboard. The availability of various microphone pickup patterns further optimizes audio quality for diverse scenarios, including in-person meetings, online calls, and lectures.
While the initial setup, particularly for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, was not as intuitive as with other Insta360 products, the device operates seamlessly once configured. It becomes a reliable tool for recording important details and generating transcriptions.
Insta360 Wave: Price and availability
- How much does it cost? £279 / $299
- When is it out? Now
- Where can you get it? Widely available
The Insta360 Wave is available for $299 / £279 directly from Insta360. It can also be purchased in bundles, such as one that includes the Link 2 webcam, offering a comprehensive audio and visual solution.
It is also available through Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, and other online retailers.
Insta360 Wave: Specs
CPU: AI DSP
Storage: 32GB internal
Ports: USB-C
Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0, optional wireless dongle
Audio: 8 MEMS microphones, beamforming, 5 pickup modes
Camera: Link 2 (Optional Extra)
Size: Ø64.3mm Raised: 248mm, Collapsed: 198mm
Weight: 580g
Accessories: USB-C cable, optional dongle, carry pouch (varies by bundle)
Insta360 Wave: Design
The Insta360 Wave features a distinctive and futuristic cylindrical black design. When powered on, its main column levitates, exposing a compact touchscreen interface at the base.
Measuring 64.3mm in diameter and 198mm (collapsed) to 248mm (activated) in height, the device weighs 490g, which is slightly heavier than anticipated for its size, suggesting a premium build quality.
The 1.82-inch touchscreen interface offers responsive and clear access to recording and audio settings.
Targeted at the professional market for conferencing and meetings, both online and in-person, the Insta360 Wave incorporates several AI features. Its cylindrical form factor houses an advanced AI chip, eight MEMS microphones providing 48kHz hi-fi audio, and voice-optimized speakers designed for human speech rather than music.
The cylindrical design facilitates easy positioning for various meeting setups, from boardroom tables to online presentations. With Automatic Gain Control (AIGC) enabled, the speakerphone can capture audio effectively from distances up to 16 feet, demonstrating excellent pickup even at 2-3 meters.
Its sleek, compact design and included carry bag emphasize its portability beyond the office. In addition to USB power, an internal battery allows for Bluetooth connectivity with compatible devices.
A key feature is its audio pickup versatility. While noise cancellation is the default, switching to “original sound” unlocks five distinct microphone pickup patterns: Omni, cardioid, supercardioid, figure-of-eight, and stereo, allowing adaptation to different recording environments.
The Insta360 Wave is designed for full compatibility with the Insta360 Link 2, providing a significantly enhanced audiovisual experience compared to a standard laptop webcam when used together.
With 32GB of onboard storage, meetings can be recorded directly to the device for later playback. The AI features can then transcribe this audio into text, intelligently separating different speakers for easy identification and naming.
Beyond transcription, the AI generates smart notes and a meeting summary. An AI chat feature allows users to query specific points from the recorded discussion.
Insta360 Wave: Features
While appearing as a uniquely designed desktop speakerphone, the Insta360 Wave is an AI-enhanced device that surpasses traditional speakerphone functionalities.
Audio quality is paramount, achieved through an 8-MEMS microphone array with beamforming technology. Users can select from five mic pickup patterns: omnidirectional (360° coverage), cardioid (front-focused for online meetings/podcasts), supercardioid (ambient noise suppression), figure-of-eight (interviews), and stereo (for broader sound, suitable for music projects).
A notable feature is the AI noise suppression, combined with Automatic Gain Control (AGC) and echo cancellation. When active, this allows users to move away from the microphone while the device maintains balanced audio quality, minimizing echo and ensuring consistent volume and clarity for listeners.
Settings can be managed directly through the touchscreen or via the Insta360 Wave Controller software/app. Connectivity options include USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0, or an optional wireless dongle.
The speakerphone features 32GB of onboard storage for recording and archiving conversations, offering exceptional ease of use.
While USB connection is common, the device also includes a 9,800mAh battery, providing up to 12 hours of wireless operation.
The Insta360 Wave functions as a standalone unit or integrates with platforms such as Zoom, Teams, Meet, and OBS.
Insta360 Wave: Performance
Insta360 devices are typically known for their ease of setup. However, the initial experience with the Insta360 Wave proved less straightforward than expected.
The instructions indicated that plugging the USB cable into a MacBook Pro should result in instant recognition and usability, with the device appearing as a drive for installing the Insta360 Wave Connect application. This was not the immediate outcome; the Wave activated, played its startup sound, and displayed touchscreen options, but failed to connect to the Mac.
The touchscreen interface is well-designed and prompts for USB connection and software installation. After some troubleshooting, it was discovered that activating USB mode via the device’s settings (Settings > USB Mode) was necessary for it to connect to the laptop, allowing software download and initial setup.
Following software installation, either via the device or directly from the Insta360 website, the process became seamless. Once connected, the device was ready for use. Recording a voice call on Teams was simple, and the audio quality for participants was reported as excellent.
Post-meeting, recordings can be processed using the AI features. Activating AI capabilities reveals a subscription-based model, though 300 minutes of transcription are provided free. This initial allowance proved sufficient for the review period, assuming shorter meeting durations.
Testing connectivity options showed that USB-C, once the USB mode was identified, was straightforward. Bluetooth pairing was also simple. A wireless dongle is included for a faster connection to desktops or boardroom machines than Bluetooth. While some initial effort was required to understand connectivity, USB-C proved the easiest method.
Subsequently, all features were easy to use. The AI integration, while the speakerphone is the primary function, is particularly impressive. After a meeting, accessing the Insta360 Wave Connect application on a MacBook Pro and selecting ‘AI View Recordings’ directs users to an online Insta360 page listing all recorded files. Selecting a file provides an instant meeting summary and a full transcript. The AI assistant can then be queried, for instance, to pinpoint when a specific phrase was uttered, highlighting the exact moment and context.
A significant benefit is the AI system’s ability to format meeting content as desired. For example, after an online discussion where action points were established, the AI assistant could generate a list of a colleague’s action points, which could then be easily copied and emailed, streamlining the process. A direct sharing option is also available.
The ability to switch to USB mode allows for easy transfer of recorded files to an archive for future reference, effectively documenting business practices.
The option to change microphone pickup patterns using the five presets via the touchscreen is another notable feature. While the differences were subtle, the overall audio pickup quality remained excellent. Although echo and noise reduction are present, the audio is optimized for speech, not music. Recording instruments yielded acceptable but not professional-grade results compared to a dedicated music microphone.
Although manual mic adjustment is an option, the automatic AI beamforming mode generally performs very well. It adapts effectively to audio needs in various settings, from individual use to small boardroom meetings. The device’s small and compact size enhances its portability. It can be used as a dictaphone for impromptu meetings, with the AI assistant providing clear transcriptions and the ability to filter out irrelevant content.
The core strength of this unit lies in its AI transcription capabilities. It converts spoken words into searchable text, identifies different speakers (enhanced by voiceprint training), generates smart summaries and action points, and allows for easy export of transcription text for meeting attendees.
It is important to note the device’s limitations. While it plays back audio recordings, it lacks text-to-voice functionality and does not operate as a voice assistant like Alexa or Siri. Its primary function is an AI-enhanced speakerphone. Real-time transcription is not supported; recordings must first be captured and uploaded to the cloud for processing.
Insta360 Wave: Final verdict
Initially, the utility of the Insta360 Wave might not be immediately apparent. However, its ability to record meetings and provide instant, AI-interrogated transcriptions proves exceptionally useful in practice.
Although primarily targeting businesses, the device is highly beneficial for freelancers and small business owners. Potential deterrents include its price and the initial setup, which, while potentially confusing, is not overly complex.
Key considerations include the setup process, which is not complicated but lacks clear manual documentation, and the subscription model. While a substantial amount of free transcription and AI features are provided, exceeding 300 minutes per month necessitates an upgrade. For many small businesses, this free allowance may be quickly consumed, making a paid upgrade likely for anyone beyond solo or self-employed users.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the Insta360 Wave remains an exceptional device. Its price point, around £300 / $300, is a significant factor, becoming even more substantial when combined with the Link 2 for a full audiovisual solution.
The Insta360 Wave excels in voice-centric applications such as meetings, content creation, and professional audio recording. Its AI enhancements, noise cancellation, and selectable microphone patterns deliver superior audio quality compared to laptop microphones. When paired with the Link 2, it forms a comprehensive, albeit costly, audiovisual solution for both online and in-person interactions or content production.
