Just because you're in the office doesn't mean you might not still need to be on camera — so I guess it's not too surprising that some of the best webcams are made specifically for the office. Or that Dell is the one to make them.

Dell's new office-oriented 2K webcam, the Dell Pro 5 (WB526), is a small, lightweight webcam that records video at 2K QHD / 30fps, 1080p / 30fps, and 720p / 60 and 30fps. It sports a Sony sensor and has a 78-degree field of view, 2x digital zoom, and an autofocus lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.0. As for its "office-friendly" features, it's compatible with Windows Hello, and it has an "anti-theft interface" and comes with a lockable cable that you can attach to a loop on the non-detachable USB-C cable. It also has some intelligent features, such as smart auto-exposure, AI auto-framing, and face tracking, as well as a built-in omnidirectional microphone that doesn't sound quite as terrible as most built-in webcam mics. It's available now for $119.99, though it's currently on sale for $114.99.

Design

The Dell Pro 5 webcam is a small oval-shaped webcam with a non-detachable USB-C cable (which comes with a built-in USB-A adapter. It has a lightweight black plastic body, measuring about 2.28 inches (57.9mm) wide by 1.7 inches (43.18mm) deep, and is 1.4 inches (35.56mm) high. It's a fairly small webcam — not quite as small as the YoloLiv YoloCam S3, but close. It also has a physical lens shutter, which you can open and close via a small switch on top of the device. It's not the most elegantly implemented lens shutter we've ever seen, but it does the job perfectly well.

Like many lower-cost webcams, its cable is not detachable — it's a 5-foot (1.5m) rubber USB-C cable with a built-in USB-C to USB-A converter attached to one end. It's not a particularly thick cable, but it's stiff enough (and the webcam is lightweight enough) that it does influence the webcam's position, and bumping it can cause the webcam to accidentally move and mess up your framing.

The Dell Pro 5 comes with a sturdy detachable monitor mount that attaches to the bottom of the webcam via a strong magnet. (The webcam also has a standard tripod mounting point, should you want to use it with a different camera mount.) The mount is surprisingly hefty — it weighs about 4.7 ounces (133g), which is nearly twice the weight of the webcam itself, which weighs around 2.57 ounces (73g). It's a pretty standard monitor clip mount, with a lip that goes over the edge of your monitor and an adjustable, rubber-coated "foot" that sits on the back of your monitor to hold the webcam in place.

The mount allows you to tilt the webcam forward up to 90 degrees, which will probably be useful for the webcam's document-reading feature. It also allows you to swivel the webcam almost 90 degrees in either direction, so it's actually pretty flexible for a mount included with a more budget-friendly webcam. It does not have a tripod mounting point on the bottom, however, so you won't be able to take advantage of this flexibility away from your PC.

In the box, the Dell Pro 5 comes with its detachable monitor mount and a locking mechanism for those of you who work in insecure office environments (or, I suppose, for those who might travel and work from co-working spaces, I guess). The locking mechanism is designed to slide through a loop on the cable.

Specs

Well-lit Performance

The Dell Pro 5 is a 2K webcam that outputs video in 2K UHD at 30fps — it's not 4K, but it should give you more detail and better image quality than a standard full HD 1080p webcam, even if most streaming and video conferencing services limit your outgoing stream to 1080p or lower.

For our well-lit performance test, I tested the Dell Pro 5 webcam in a fully-lit setting. From the front, I have two professional lights (a ring light on the right side and a key light on the left side), as well as four monitors (three 27-inch monitors and one 34-inch widescreen monitor), plus ambient lighting from various peripherals, including my desk. Behind me, there are two desk lamps, and overhead I have an arching floor lamp. There is no uncontrolled light in my home office, and it's a pretty bright scenario. (All of my test photos are taken with Windows' native camera app for consistency, but please note that test photos are mainly for illustrative purposes and the conclusions drawn are based on extensive testing.)

The Dell Pro 5 performed pretty well in our well-lit scenario, though the color balancing seemed to wash me out slightly and the picture wasn't quite as crisp as I would have liked. That said, this is exactly the kind of picture I look for in an office-oriented webcam — bright and evenly-lit, if a little flat, for a more "professional" appearance (and so it can do things like read text and scan documents). It's not the most cinematic, dramatic, or flattering image from a webcam, but it should work very well in a professional setting.

Low-Light Performance

For our low-light test, I turned off all of the lights in my home office except for one 27-inch monitor, on which I had a window open with Google's homepage (mostly white) filling half the screen and the Windows 11 Camera app filling the other half. This is basically a completely dark scenario with only my (admittedly, relatively large) monitor for lighting.

The Dell Pro 5 performed about as well as I expected in this scenario — it was able to pick up more detail in the dark than most 1080p webcams, though its low-light performance is far from what I'd call "good." This was more noticeable in moving video, however, as the video was extremely grainy with large artifacts (this photo actually makes it look much better than it was). The Dell Pro 5 does have HDR, but this didn't seem to make a significant difference in the low-light picture quality.

By comparison, the Dell Pro (WB5023) webcam did a better job with balancing light in the low-light scenario, though it picked up the same amount of detail. The Elgato Neo, which is a budget 1080p webcam, did a much better job of balancing light in this scenario, but its picture was also extremely grainy.

Overexposed Performance

For our overexposed performance test, I turned off most of the lights in front of me (save for one 27-inch monitor) and left the lights behind and above me turned on. This is actually one of the most likely scenarios for webcam users, as offices tend to be generally well-lit environments, but without dedicated camera-focused lighting aimed at the user.

The Dell Pro 5 performed adequately in our overexposed performance test: it managed to balance light fairly well (every webcam struggles with this), but its auto color balancing was definitely off. Both the Dell Pro (WB5023) and the Elgato Neo did a much better job with color balancing in the overexposed scenario, especially with the default settings.

Features and Software

The Dell Pro 5 is configurable via Dell Display and Peripheral Manager, which lets you adjust the webcam's image settings and toggle on various features such as face tracking, HDR, and auto exposure. You can also set up features such as gesture control and Windows Hello from this app, as well as Document View, which can be configured to automatically turn on when you tilt the camera down at least 60 degrees and show a rectangular document.

While the Dell Display and Peripheral Manager does have a lot of settings you can adjust, including brightness, sharpness, contrast, saturation, and vibrance, I found that adjusting the settings didn't actually seem to do much for the picture. Turning the saturation down to 0%, for example, gave me a slightly desaturated image — not a completely black-and-white one. I also found it frustrating that there was no way (at least as far as I could see) to minimize the app to your system tray.

The Dell Pro 5 has a built-in omni-directional microphone for when you have absolutely no choice other than to use your webcam's built-in mic. The mic wasn't the worst I've heard on a webcam — it managed to pick up my voice pretty clearly, and didn't make me sound like I was yelling through an underwater tunnel — but it wasn't great, either. It should work fine if you've got nothing else on hand to speak into, but it's not a microphone I'd recommend.

Bottom Line

The Dell Pro 5 webcam is definitely designed for office use — and for an office-oriented webcam, it's not bad. But if you're looking for something easy to use and cheap enough that your coworkers aren't going to try to steal it, I'd probably recommend the Elgato Neo over the Dell Pro 5 — after all, the Elgato Neo retails for $60 and can currently be found for about half that, which means the Dell Pro 5 is more than four times as expensive.

The Dell Pro 5's 2K resolution might come in handy if you're the type of person who's constantly showing documents over video calls, but Razer's Kiyo X also has a 2K resolution and retails for $100 (and can currently be found on sale for around $75). The Dell Pro 5 isn't a bad webcam, but you don't need to pay $120 for similar quality.

The past few years have been an exciting time for flight simulation hardware. Established brands and newcomers alike have introduced a wide range of new products, making it easier and more affordable than ever to build a capable home cockpit.

Thrustmaster has long been one of the leading names in flight simulation hardware. Its HOTAS Warthog has been a staple in home cockpits since its release, earning a reputation for its robust construction. In 2024, Thrustmaster introduced the AVA Joystick Base, bringing several notable improvements over the Warthog base. Until recently, however, there wasn't a dedicated Airbus grip compatible with the AVA base.

In this review, we'll be taking a look at the recently released Thrustmaster Airbus Add-On Grip paired with the AVA Joystick Base. We will put both the grip and the base to the test using the Fenix A320 in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

Inside the Box

The Airbus Add-on Grip contains the grip itself, the A400M module, and a button cover.

The AVA Base contains the joystick base, two sets of two cams (Aero and Jet), three sets of two springs (Soft, Medium, and Strong), three masks (Small, Medium, and XL), two Allen keys, and one detachable USB-C cable.

• Airbus Add-on Grip Dimensions: 3.1 inches / 78 mm wide, 3.3 inches / 83 mm deep, 7.7 inches / 195 mm tall. Weight: 0.4 lb / 203 g.
• AVA Base Dimensions: 4.3 inches / 108 mm wide, 6.7 inches / 170 mm deep, 2.8 inches / 72 mm tall. Weight: 2.4 lb / 1,069 g.

Thrustmaster also sent us an AVA Base Plate for easier desktop mounting, along with AVA Dual Pitch Cam. The Dual Pitch Cam contains two FBW (fly-by-wire) cams which are meant to simulate the sensation of a fly-by-wire aircraft.

All of these products are sold separately.

Customization

One of the primary goals of the AVA Base is to provide a high degree of customization, allowing users to tailor the joystick to their preferred flying experience. The interchangeable cams let you adjust the axis curve, different springs allow you to fine-tune resistance, and the various deflection masks can be used to limit the range of travel.

The user manual includes recommended configurations for different types of aircraft. Since we’re testing the Airbus Add-On Grip, we’ll configure the AVA Base for an airliner-style feel. According to the manual, this involves using the Jet Cam with the Medium spring. However, as mentioned earlier, Thrustmaster also provided us with a pair of FBW cams that are designed to deliver an even more authentic experience by simulating the control feel of a fly-by-wire aircraft, such as those in the Airbus A3XX family.

The AVA Base also comes with T.A.R.G.E.T (Thrustmaster Advanced pRogramming Graphical EdiTor), which is an application that allows you to further tune the feel of the axes and access advanced profiles created by the Thrustmaster community.

Like the AVA Base, the Airbus Add-On Grip also offers several customization options. For example, it includes a module and button cover that transform the grip from an A3XX sidestick into an A400M sidestick. Additionally, the Z-axis can be locked out using an integrated mechanical lock, preventing unintended twist inputs.

Overall, customizing the base and the grip was very straightforward.

Build Quality

The AVA Base has a premium feel, with a high-quality plastic outer shell complemented by a metal top plate. The are only two drawbacks. On its own, the base is not stable enough to handle larger stick inputs. We therefore recommend pairing it with the optional AVA Base Plate, which significantly improves stability. Additionally, the base does not include enough damping out of the box, causing the stick to wobble if you move it with a finger. This is not noticeable during normal flight, but stronger damping would have been a welcome inclusion. Thrustmaster offers additional dampers, which are sold separately, that address this issue.

The Airbus Add-On Grip is designed as a 1:1 replica of the Airbus A3XX sidestick, closely matching the shape and ergonomics of its real-world counterpart. In its standard airliner configuration, it features the signature red autopilot disconnect button. It also includes an interchangeable module and removable button cover, allowing it to be converted into an A400M-style sidestick.

Both the AVA Base and Airbus Add-On Grip use Hall effect sensors with 16-bit precision. The base employs them on the X and Y axes, while the grip uses them for the twist (Z) axis and integrated mini-stick.

How Does it Feel?

The first thing that stood out was how much more authentic the AVA Base felt compared to the Thrustmaster Warthog. Unlike the Warthog, there is no noticeable center detent as you pass through the neutral position. Resistance increases progressively as the stick moves farther from center, resulting in smoother and more natural control inputs.

Compared to the Thrustmaster TCA Airbus Sidestick, the AVA Base also has less overall travel on both the X and Y axes, with a progressively increasing resistance rather than the TCA's more linear feel. Based on previous experience with an A320 simulator, this behavior closely matches the feel of the real Airbus sidestick, making the controls feel more authentic.

The Hall effect technology and 16-bit precision of the AVA Base also allow the user to make very fine and precise inputs. In normal conditions, that is exactly how one would fly an Airbus - using small, deliberate sidestick movements.

The Airbus Add-On Grip captures the look and feel of the real Airbus sidestick, with ergonomics that make it feel instantly familiar to anyone who has flown or used an Airbus simulator.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Testing

We tested the AVA Base and Airbus Add-On Grip in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 using the Fenix A320. While there are several Airbus aircraft available for MSFS 2024, we chose the Fenix because it offers one of the most accurate flight models and flight dynamics for an Airbus plane in the sim, making it the best platform for evaluating Airbus flight controls.

We also tested with a pair of FBW cams designed to replicate the feel of an Airbus fly-by-wire sidestick. However, based on our experience with an A320 simulator, we found that the standard Jet cams included with the AVA Base felt more authentic. The FBW cams introduced a more noticeable center detent, whereas the Jet cams provided a smoother transition through center, more closely matching the feel of a real Airbus sidestick.

We tested the base and stick in three difference scenarios:

1. Basic maneuvering. Flying at 5,000 feet, we performed gentle turns and pitch changes to evaluate the precision of the base during small, accurate control inputs.
2. Turbulent approach. We performed an approach into Las Vegas under hot, windy conditions with strong updrafts and downdrafts. This scenario required larger, more frequent control inputs to assess the resistance and how the base handles turbulence and rapid corrections.
3. Curved approach. Finally, we flew the RNAV Visual approach to Runway 1R at San Francisco International Airport. This approach is available in MSFS 2024 if you use the Navigraph database, but it is missing the RF leg between the waypoints KLAUS and SQIRL, so we added it to the navigation database of the Fenix A320 ourselves. The procedure features a sweeping right-hand arc that continues until roughly one mile from the runway threshold, requiring the aircraft to remain in a turn at very low altitude. The approach demands precise tracking of the flight path while also requiring a smooth, accurate transition to the runway centerline after the final waypoint. This scenario tested both the precision and responsiveness of the AVA Base.

Basic Maneuvering

While flying at 5,000 feet, we were impressed by the AVA Base’s precision when making small adjustments to both pitch and roll. Compared to the Warthog and TCA Airbus Sidestick, the AVA Base allowed for significantly finer roll inputs, making it easier to make small corrections and maintain a precise flight path.

When controlling vertical speed through pitch adjustments, we were able to consistently achieve the desired climb or descent rate within approximately 100 feet per minute, demonstrating the level of control possible with the high-resolution sensors.

Turbulent Approach

Landing in Las Vegas during the summer can be a challenging experience. The combination of extreme heat, strong winds, and thermals along the approach path can create significant turbulence, resulting in a much less stable approach. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is able to replicate these conditions through its Live Weather system. While it is important to avoid overcorrecting and creating pilot-induced oscillations, these conditions require more frequent and sometimes larger control inputs than a typical approach.

The AVA Base handled this turbulent approach very well. The conditions forced us to make slightly larger inputs, so we felt the progressive resistance of the base as we moved further from center, which felt authentic. We were also able to make very quick corrections to counter the turbulence and keep the aircraft on the published approach path.

Curved Approach

During the RNAV Visual approach to Runway 1R at San Francisco International Airport, we were able to precisely track the sweeping right-hand arc all the way to the final waypoint, SQIRL. Once established at SQIRL, the AVA Base’s responsiveness allowed us to smoothly align with the runway centerline.

Other products, including the Warthog and TCA Airbus Sidestick, produced more noticeable jerky movements during this approach, which is likely due to lower precision around the neutral position.

Overall Thoughts

After putting the AVA Base and Airbus Add-On Grip through extensive testing, we came away extremely impressed with the experience. As competitors have continued to close the gap with Thrustmaster Warthog — and even surpass it — the AVA Base represents a return to the level of quality and refinement we have come to expect from the brand.

The AVA Base delivered exceptional precision, smooth control, and an authentic Airbus-like feel across a variety of challenging flight scenarios. The addition of the recently released Airbus Add-On Grip finally allows users to pair this high-end base with a dedicated airline-style sidestick, making it a compelling option for anyone who regularly flies Airbus aircraft.

The biggest obstacle is the price. The level of engineering and build quality comes at a premium, which may put the AVA Base and Airbus Add-On Grip out of reach for many users. However, for those looking for a high-quality Airbus stick and willing to invest in a premium setup, the Thrustmaster AVA Base paired with the Airbus Add-On Grip is a compelling option.