Maxhub UC S10 review: Affordable, versatile videoconferencing for SMBs

The Maxhub UC S10 is one of the most flexible videconferencing (VC) bars around. It can be connected to a host computer over USB, or function as a fully independent Android-based conferencing system. It also offers wireless screen-sharing services for up to four simultaneous users, and can even serve as a meeting-room wireless hotspot.

Its lightweight design brings together a 4K camera, a single internal speaker, a six-microphone beamforming array and an HDMI port for connecting a display. Automatic framing and audio tracking are also used to zero in on the current speaker using digital PTZ functions.

In appliance mode, the UC S10 is powered by an Android 8-based embedded OS, with a selection of built-in system apps and 16GB of storage for additional packages and downloads. Both 100Mbits/sec Ethernet and 802.11ac Wi-Fi are on hand, along with USB Type-A and Type-C ports for computer connections, input devices and external storage.

We didn’t find the UC S10 the easiest bar to set up, as the package was short on helpful documentation, but you can’t go far wrong. After connecting the power, network and monitor cables, we simply had to wait for a minute for Android to boot up.

We were then presented with Maxhub’s smart user interface on our main display. This offers nice clear icons for loading the Chrome browser, browsing local storage, modifying system settings, upgrading the firmware and, of course, launching various conferencing apps. Maxhub only allows certified packages to run on the appliance, but a good selection of conferencing platforms is supported. Cisco WebEx Meet, Microsoft Teams, RingCentral MVP, Skype, Skype for Business and Zoom can all be installed on demand, so most businesses will find their needs covered.

For getting around the interface a remote handset is included in the box, but we found it easier to plug in a USB keyboard and mouse. Bear in mind that, since there’s only one USB Type-A input port available, you’ll need to use a desktop set with a unified receiver, or plug in a USB hub. The same applies if you want to attach external storage. These aren’t expensive extras, though, especially considering the reasonable cost of the unit itself.

In everyday use the UC S10 is as simple as you could ask for: you just need to choose an app, enter your account details and start your meeting. We tested the Teams, Skype and Zoom apps, and in all cases we found it effortless to set up meetings and invite participants. The camera’s wide 120° field of view allows it to cover a large meeting room, and our remote attendees praised its sharp image and clear sound quality from the mic array.

Auto-tracking is fast, too: it took only around two seconds for the UC S10 to zoom in on the speaker, after which it easily kept up with them as they walked around the meeting room. The single 8W speaker was equally satisfactory – we found 50% volume was quite enough for our 24-square-metre meeting room.

To use the screen-sharing feature you just need to install the companion app on the relevant Windows, macOS, Android or iOS devices, and connect by entering a five-character security code. We had no problem getting Windows and iPad screens to appear side by side on our room monitor, and using the local VC app’s screen-sharing service to present them to all meeting participants.

The Maxhub UC S10 might be a little fiddly out of the box, but once you’ve set it up and connected a keyboard and mouse you’ll have no complaints. It works as either a connected solution or a standalone one, with great video and audio quality, flawless speaker tracking and support for a wide range of popular cloud videoconferencing apps.

Maxhub UC S10 specifications