Boblov W4 review – Great design, but there's a catch

The Boblov W4 is a wearable camera that looks to compete for a place amongst the best action cameras, or, more specifically, the best POV cameras. With the ability to mount the camera using either a 360-degree rotatable clip or an innovative magnetic clip, the W4 is designed to be worn on any type of clothing.

The lack of a display will be a problem for some, but if you're looking for a very simple and compact wearable camera without too many bells and whistles, then this is it. And, with prices starting at just $59.99, it doesn't get any more affordable than this, especially for 4K recording.

Serious security professionals (recognising the Boblov brand's heritage), who require superior durability and better video recording quality, will want one of the best body cameras instead. Or if it's a vehicle that you need to keep an eye on, then one of the best dash cams will offer a more targeted set of features.

Boblov W4: Specifications

Boblov W4: Price & Availability

The Boblov W4 features external TF card (MicroSD) storage, but it can be purchased with three different capacities of card. The smallest is 32GB, which costs $59.99; the second is 64GB, which costs $69.99 / £57.99; and finally, 128GB costs $79.99 / £79.99.

At these prices, this is an affordable solution for capturing memories either as you go about your day or while on vacation. The lack of a display is a little limiting, but its absence is required to keep the size of the device so small.

If you'd like a similar-sized POV action camera but with a display, the solution is a premium verison like the Insta360 Go 3S which comes with case that it connects to wirelessly and features a display. The downside is that it's around five times the price.

From a security perspective, a similar offering to the W4, is the Transcend DrivePro Body 30, which costs around $180 / £180 for the 64GB model.

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Boblov W4: Build and handling

The BOBLOV W4 is a compact action camera with a simple design that focuses on getting the basics right. Constructed from sturdy plastic composite, the case is strong enough to withstand inevitable knocks and drops, which I can confirm firsthand, after accidentally dropping it several times onto a wooden floor.

The lens is, of course, located at the front, protruding from the case with a simple housing which causes it to sit proud by a few millimeters. Also on the front is the action power/record button and a status light. The button sits flush with the front face and cannot be pressed accidentally.

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The TF card slot and USB port (for charging and data transfer) are located on the side, with a rubber cover providing the necessary protection from dust and water splashes. That said, the W4 doesn't boast a waterproof rating, so don't go subjecting it to too much water. Inserting and removing the TF card is a little fiddly, although not enough to make the process overly frustrating.

The W4 ships with two clothing attachments, namely a traditional 360-degree rotatable back clip and an adjustable-length magnetic lanyard. Both attachments are well made and solid enough to withstand regular use. I'm a big fan of the lanyard which attaches to the camera through clothing via a super-strong magnet, and I didn't experience any issues with it losing connection, even when exercising.

Boblov W4: Performance

After being so impressed with the design of the W4, I was excited to see if Boblov had managed to deliver equally impressive results in the area of video quality. The answer was yes and no, and considering the small sensor size, this was no surprise.

When filming outdoors or in a well-lit room, the W4 was able to deliver a reasonably exposed image. Mid-range levels were represented with vibrant color and a good amount of clarity. Unfortunately, it struggled with very bright white objects, which the camera overexposed and subjected to a hazing artefact.

Issues continued when filming in low light, with the sensor simply unable to capture sufficient detail in the dark areas of a shot. The result was a significant amount of noise and blotchiness which, at times, made the output almost unusable.

More positively, the 4K resolution ensured clarity across the entire image, even at the edges of the wide 120-degree field of view. As for the wide-angle, it's not as wide as the Boblov KJ23PRO, for example, but it's wide enough to deliver that classic action-cam picture.

Boblov's specs state that there is a JPG photo format, but I wasn't able to find out how to enter into this mode. The user manual only details how to use video mode, and so I wonder if this is, in fact, the only mode. If this is the case, that's a little disappointing.

Battery life is respectable for an action camera, but if you're looking to use it to capture body cam footage over an extended shift, then you'll run into problems. In reality, the 800mAh battery provides little more than 90 minutes when recording 4K or 180 minutes when you drop the resolution to 1080p.

Boblov W4: Overall Verdict

The Boblov W4 excels in the area of design. In fact, I was so impressed with the engineering and implementation that I had to double-check the price. The magnetic clip implementation in particular was a strength, providing a viable mounting option even through the thickest of shirts.

The compact form factor of the device means the sensor is very small. This didn't prove to be a problem in optimal lighting conditions, but as soon as I recorded in low-light settings, the technology just couldn't cope, resulting in an uncomfortable level of image noise.

The device features an 800 mAh battery which gives around 90 minutes of use when recording 4K or 180 minutes when the resolution is reduced to 1080p. This is reasonable for an action camera, but if you're needing to record footage throughout a work shift, then it's seriously lacking.

The W4 won't blow anyone away with its output, but for an affordable action camera, it exceeds expectations. If it's a first action camera that you're after or a device to capture memories without worrying too much about top-level quality, then the W4 won't let you down.

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The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is a much more premium alternative to the Boblov W4. With 8K video recording, a rotatable display, and Leica smarts, the Ace Pro 2 is one of the best action cameras on the market at the moment.

The BoblovW4 is restricted to shooting what's in front of you. If you'd prefer a rotating lens for more versatile filming, then the Boblov A22 is a great option. It's also featured in our best body cam guide.

It's well worth checking our guide to the best body cameras, though if your needs tend more toward video quality than long battery life, perhaps check the best action cameras. Don't forget you might even save on your car insurance with one of the best dash cams.