Choosing between the Jabra PanaCast 50 and the Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180? Here's how they differ on room size, platforms, camera, audio and price, and which one fits your room.
Short answer: pick the Jabra PanaCast 50 if you want the one that costs $445 less. Pick the Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180 if you want a USB 180° 3-camera bar for small and mid-size rooms.
Both are Teams and Zoom certified USB video bars for small to medium rooms; the difference is camera and audio.
Side by side
| Jabra PanaCast 50 | Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,164 | $1,609 |
| Camera | — | 3 cameras, UHD 3840 x 1080 (32:9) |
| Field of view | Horizontal 180°, vertical 54° | 180° horizontal, 54° vertical |
| Zoom | Up to 6x lossless digital zoom | Up to 6x lossless digital, Intelligent Zoom |
| Resolution | Panoramic-4K: 3840 x 1080 @ 30fps | — |
| Microphones | 8 microphone beamforming array | 8 beamforming mics, 100 Hz–8 kHz |
| Speakers | 2 x 2" (50mm) woofers, 2 x 3/4" (20mm) tweeters | 2 stereo speakers + 2 tweeters, 80 Hz–20 kHz |
| Dimensions | — | 650 x 80 x 125 mm (25.6 x 3.1 x 4.9 in) |
| Weight | 2200g | 2.2 kg |
| Warranty | 2 years | — |
| Connections | USB-A, USB-C, Ethernet (RJ45); USB: USB 2.0, USB 3.0; 2m cable | Ports: USB-C, audio jack, Ethernet (RJ-45), AC power; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.0 |
Specs are Jabra and Lenovo's published figures. Prices can change.
The key differences
- Camera: the Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180 has 3 cameras, UHD 3840 x 1080 (32:9); the Jabra PanaCast 50 doesn't list a camera spec.
- Microphones: Jabra PanaCast 50: 8 microphone beamforming array. Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180: 8 beamforming mics, 100 Hz–8 kHz.
- Speakers: Jabra PanaCast 50: 2 x 2" (50mm) woofers, 2 x 3/4" (20mm) tweeters. Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180: 2 stereo speakers + 2 tweeters, 80 Hz–20 kHz.
- Zoom: Jabra PanaCast 50: Up to 6x lossless digital zoom. Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180: Up to 6x lossless digital, Intelligent Zoom.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Jabra PanaCast 50 if you want the one that costs $445 less. Best for small and medium rooms, with Teams, Zoom and BYOD/USB. See the Jabra PanaCast 50
- Choose the Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180 if you want a USB 180° 3-camera bar for small and mid-size rooms. Best for small and medium rooms, with Teams, Zoom and BYOD/USB. See the Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180
Also compared
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- Logitech MeetUp vs Jabra PanaCast 50
- Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180 vs AVer VB342 Pro
- Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180 vs Logitech Rally Bar
Still deciding? Read the Jabra PanaCast 50 guide and the Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180 guide, see PanaCast 50 alternatives and ThinkSmart Bar 180 alternatives, compare them interactively, or send us your room details for a recommendation.
Related guides
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- Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180 vs Logitech Rally Bar
- Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180 vs Yealink MeetingBar A30
- Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180 vs Yealink MeetingBar A40
- Lenovo ThinkSmart Bar 180: price, specs, room size
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