Our Verdict
The TourBox NEO editing console is almost identical to the Elite Plus and Elite consoles but without any Bluetooth connection or haptic feedback. If these features are not important to you, then the NEO offers everything a photographer or video editor could ever need to streamline their editing workflow. It's built well, has a fantastic mix of buttons, dials, knobs, and wheels, and is compatible with all major software, including Photoshop, Premiere, and DaVinci Resolve.
For
- Extensive set of controls
- Intuitive and easy setup
- Tactile rubber finish
- Non-slip feet
Against
- Wired only connection
- No haptic feedback
- Larger than ideal
- No tablet compatibility
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The TourBox NEO is the ultimate value option when it comes to the best TourBox editing consoles. It's not the cheapest option; that crown goes to the TourBox Lite, but for the money it offers an incredible set of controls for just £169 / $169. As a result, this is also the best option for most photographers, videographers, and creatives, assuming you don't care about wireless connectivity or haptic feedback.
The NEO goes well beyond the functionality offered by the best PC mouse and provides over 150 button combinations and over 400 assignable functions per preset. That's the same number as all of the more expensive TourBox alternatives. It doesn't yet feature amongst our best creative editing consoles, but it's certainly worthy of consideration.
There are plenty of alternatives on the market, including the Logitech MX Creative Console, XPPen Pilot Pro, and Contour Shuttle PRO v2. Considering all of these lack the level of functionality that the NEO does, TourBox really has produced an impressive console for the price.
Form & Function
The TourBox NEO is very similar in size and weight to the more feature-rich TourBox Elite and Elite Plus. It sits confidently on the desk and is just about compact enough to fit within the palm of an average-sized hand. I would personally prefer the console to be a little smaller so I could almost wrap my palm around it but for that I would have to settle for the TourBox Elite or an alternative brand like Logitech.
The design feature that sets the NEO apart from its counterparts is the rubber finish that has been applied to the entirety of the case. Some more argue that this is less premium than a solid plastic case, but I actually prefer the grip and tactile finish that the rubber provides.
The buttons, dials, and scroller are well made and beautifully engineered; it's just a shame that TourBox couldn't squeeze haptic touch feedback into the spec because that would have elevated the user experience of the controls. There are over 150 button combos and over 400 assignable functions for presets, which offers more than enough customisation for almost every type of editing workflow.
The NEO lacks Bluetooth and is therefore a wired-only console. This seriously limits its portability and restricts it largely to a single workstation environment. The Elite and Elite Plus are Bluetooth enabled and better for editors requiring portability. The NEO also lacks tablet compatibility and is therefore only for use with laptops and workstations.
Price, value, competition
The TourBox NEO retails at £169 / $169, which makes it comparable, in price, to the 4.5-star Logitech MX Creative Console, which costs £189.99 / $189.99, and the four-star XPPen Pilot Pro for £169.99 / $169.99.
These are both highly rated and highly capable editing consoles that I have tested recently. I love their design ethos and overall aesthetics, but they can't compete with the NEO when it comes to functionality.
The NEO therefore offers fantastic value for money, and the fact that it provides a more comprehensive overall experience compared to the TourBox Lite makes it absolutely worth the extra £75 / $75.
One of the biggest limiting factors about the NEO is that it can only be connected to one computer at a time. That's the result of relying on a wired connection. If you want multiple device connectivity, then an upgrade to the TourBox Elite is required.
Should I buy the TourBox NEO?
The TourBox NEO is a force of nature that is guaranteed to speed up and supercharge the editing workflow of photographers and videographers alike. With over 150 button combos and over 400 assignable functions for presets, users are provided an extensive plethora of controls for every type of editing software and workflow. It offers, quite simply, the most comprehensive set of controls of any consumer editing console at this price.
But it is not without its limitations. It's wired so it can only be connected to one computer at a time. It also lacks haptic feedback, which leaves a certain disconnect between operating the controls and seeing those operations reflected in your editing software. It's also not compatible with any type of tablet and is therefore only for laptop or workstation users.
The console is built to last, and the inclusion of a skin-friendly rubber material only goes to further strengthen its design credentials. The unit itself is a little larger and heavier than I would have ideally liked, but this doesn't detract from the fact that it delivers all the necessary function that most editors will ever require. If you can forgo a wireless connection and haptic feedback, then the NEO will not disappoint.
out of 10
The TourBox NEO editing console is almost identical to the Elite Plus and Elite consoles but without any Bluetooth connection or haptic feedback. If these features are not important to you, then the NEO offers everything a photographer or video editor could ever need to streamline their editing workflow. It's built well, has a fantastic mix of buttons, dials, knobs, and wheels, and is compatible with all major software, including Photoshop, Premiere, and DaVinci Resolve.
