Overview

The Meeting Owl 4+ is the most proven 360-degree conference camera available. While competitors mount on walls and look at meeting tables from one direction, the Owl sits in the center of the table and captures everyone around it — a fundamentally different approach that creates a more natural hybrid meeting experience. Remote participants see a panoramic view of the entire table alongside an AI-tracked close-up of whoever is speaking.

The hardware backs up the concept. A 64MP sensor delivers 4K UHD video across the full 360-degree field, while an 8-microphone omnidirectional array picks up voices at 18 feet — significantly further than the 10-foot video radius, ensuring audio clarity even when participants sit beyond the camera's optimal visual range. The Owl Intelligence System handles speaker detection and framing automatically, with voice equalization, echo cancellation, and background noise reduction processing the audio in real time.

With the Owl 5 Pro now announced at $2,599, the Owl 4+ at $1,999 may see price reductions that make it an even more compelling value. The 4+ has years of real-world deployment behind it, proving the 360-degree concept works in practice — not just in demos. For organizations that want the 360-degree approach without paying for the newest hardware, the Owl 4+ remains the smart buy.

Features Deep-Dive

Owl Intelligence System

The Owl Intelligence System is the AI engine that makes the 360-degree camera useful rather than gimmicky. It continuously analyzes the 360-degree video feed to detect who is speaking, then generates a focused close-up view that's displayed alongside the full panoramic shot. When the speaker changes, the focus shifts smoothly — not with a jarring jump cut, but with a deliberate transition that maintains the natural flow of conversation. The split-view presentation gives remote participants something no wall-mounted camera provides: simultaneous awareness of the entire room plus detail of the active speaker. The system handles multiple speakers gracefully, adjusting the framing to include overlapping conversations rather than jumping erratically between participants.

Universal Platform Compatibility

The Owl 4+ works with everything. Certified for Microsoft Teams and compatible with Zoom, Google Meet, Webex, GoToMeeting, Slack, and any browser-based video platform — the Owl's USB-C plug-and-play approach means it functions as a standard webcam with any application. There's no room OS to configure, no platform licensing to purchase, no compute module to maintain. This universal compatibility makes the Owl ideal for shared spaces where different teams use different platforms: a marketing team's Zoom call at 10 AM and a sales team's Teams meeting at 11 AM both work without touching a setting. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8250 processor handles all the AI processing internally, so the host laptop's performance doesn't affect framing quality.

Zero-Installation Tabletop Design

The Owl 4+ requires literally zero installation. Remove it from the box, place it on the table, plug in USB-C, and the device is active. There's no mounting hardware, no drilling, no cable management, no AV integrator visit. At 4.6" x 4.6" x 10.8" and 3.3 pounds, it's portable enough to move between rooms or carry to off-site meetings. This portability is a unique advantage: one Owl can serve multiple rooms throughout the day, making it cost-effective for organizations that don't need permanent installations in every space. The Owl Nest management platform adds fleet monitoring and analytics for IT teams deploying multiple units, but the device works perfectly without it.

Pricing Analysis

At $1,999, the Meeting Owl 4+ is one of the most affordable options in this roundup — and with the Owl 5 Pro announced at $2,599, the 4+ may see further price reductions. The comparison with traditional video bars is nuanced: the Owl doesn't replace a wall-mounted bar in a dedicated conference room, but it's far more cost-effective for organizations that need flexible, portable conference camera solutions. Equipping 10 shared meeting rooms with Owl 4+ devices costs $19,990 — less than the price of three Logitech Rally Bars. The trade-off is capability: the Owl's 10-foot video radius and 18-foot audio radius limit it to small-to-medium rooms, and the USB-only connectivity means it can't function as a standalone room system. For organizations that need wall-to-wall coverage in large rooms, traditional bars are still necessary.

Who Is This For?

Meeting Owl 4+ works best for:

• Hybrid teams with round-table or open seating layouts where the 360-degree view captures every participant regardless of where they sit — something no wall-mounted camera can achieve
• Organizations needing flexible, portable conference cameras that can move between rooms, serve as temporary setups for off-site meetings, or be deployed in spaces where permanent installation isn't practical
• Multi-platform environments where different teams use Zoom, Teams, Meet, or other platforms — the USB plug-and-play approach works with every application without reconfiguration

Who Should NOT Use This

Meeting Owl 4+ might not be the right choice if:

• You need dedicated room systems with one-touch join — the Owl is a USB peripheral that requires a connected laptop to function. It doesn't run a room OS or integrate with room calendars. For permanently provisioned rooms that should be ready to join a meeting from a wall controller, traditional video bars in appliance mode are more appropriate.
• Your rooms are large or seat more than 9 people — the 10-foot video radius means participants beyond that distance will appear small and less detailed. Large conference rooms need the reach of a wall-mounted bar with optical zoom.
• You should consider the Owl 5 Pro — if HDMI passthrough for content sharing and built-in Ethernet are important for your deployment, the $600 upgrade to the 5 Pro addresses the 4+'s two biggest connectivity gaps. If you can wait 10-12 weeks for shipping, the 5 Pro is the better investment for new purchases.

Bottom Line

The Meeting Owl 4+ proves that the 360-degree tabletop concept isn't just a novelty — it's a genuinely better approach for certain room layouts and meeting styles. The combination of universal platform compatibility, zero installation, and portability makes it uniquely versatile among conference cameras. With the Owl 5 Pro incoming, the 4+ may become an even better value. For round-table hybrid meetings and organizations that need flexibility over fixed installations, the Owl 4+ remains the reference device.

FAQ

Is the Meeting Owl 4+ being discontinued now that the 5 Pro is announced?

Owl Labs has not announced end-of-life for the Owl 4+. The device continues to receive firmware updates and remains available for purchase. The 5 Pro adds HDMI passthrough and Ethernet but isn't positioned as a direct replacement — both models are expected to coexist in the product lineup for the foreseeable future.

Can the 360-degree view feel disorienting for remote participants?

Some users report a brief adjustment period with the panoramic view, particularly in larger rooms where the circular perspective can feel unusual. However, the split-screen format — panorama plus speaker close-up — anchors the experience effectively. Most teams adapt within one or two meetings.

Can I pair two Owl 4+ devices for a larger room?

Yes, Owl Labs supports pairing two Owl devices to extend coverage for larger spaces. The devices sync audio and video to create a unified experience. This can make the Owl viable for rooms seating up to approximately 15-18 people, though large boardrooms will still benefit from dedicated wall-mounted systems with optical zoom.

What happens if the table has a centerpiece or obstruction?

The Owl needs an unobstructed 360-degree view from its position. Large centerpieces, monitors, or other obstacles directly next to the device will block portions of the camera's view. For best results, place the Owl in a clear area with line-of-sight to all participants. The device doesn't need to be at the exact center of the table — it can be offset and still capture the full room.