Best Action Cameras | 2025

Looking for the best action camera? We’ve compiled the best of the best in our up-to-date roundup. Whether you’re shooting extreme sports, capturing POV videos of snorkelling off the coast, or you just want a portable camera that captures great footage and stills, these are the top-tier action cameras that’ll help you do it.

A good action camera should be small but mighty. Diminutive enough to fit in the palm of a hand, but capable of capturing high-quality footage in resolutions of 4K and greater. It should be at least somewhat waterproof, potentially with the ability to extend the waterproofing via compatible housings, and hardy enough to survive being dropped, squashed or hit with a sudden impact.

There are also some more recent features that have become essential on modern action cameras. A big one is stabilisation – since the footage captured using action cameras tends to involve a lot of motion, an optical stabilisation system that makes it smooth and pleasant to view is a must. Here are our picks of the best action cameras right now.

Best overall action camera

These are the action cameras that offer the best all-around experience. While we’ve divided the rest of this guide up into categories, featuring cameras with different strengths and specialities, we’re starting off with the cameras that are simply good for everything.

A good action camera should be small but mighty. Diminutive enough to fit in the palm of a hand, but capable of capturing high-quality footage in resolutions of 4K and greater. It should be at least somewhat waterproof, potentially with the ability to extend the waterproofing via compatible housings, and hardy enough to survive being dropped, squashed or hit with a sudden impact.

There are also some more recent features that have become essential on modern action cameras. A big one is stabilisation – since the footage captured using action cameras tends to involve a lot of motion, an optical stabilisation system that makes it smooth and pleasant to view is a must. Here are our picks of the best action cameras right now.

The latest and greatest in the famous GoPro Hero line, the GoPro Hero 13 Black is, for our money, the best action camera you can buy overall. One thing that GoPro has really got right as it has honed its action camera formula is broad accessibility — GoPro cameras are simple enough that even a complete novice can pick one up and start recording, while experts have the option to dive in and pick different video formats and profiles, including Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) and GP-Log.

Like previous entries in the Hero series, the Hero 13 Black uses an 8:7 format sensor, producing near-square footage that is easy to crop into to output in different aspect ratios — so you’re covered for both TikTok-friendly vertical and standard widescreen. The stabilisation is also first-class, meaning that even when the camera is mounted to a helmet, chest harness or whatever else, you can still get silky-smooth footage.

Best for low-light

DJI has been nipping at GoPro’s heels in the action camera space for a good few years now, and the Osmo Action 5 Pro is a compelling alternative that may well be the better buy for you, depending on your priorities. For a start, its larger 1/1.3” CMOS sensor means it does better than the GoPro Hero in low light, producing imagery with a greater dynamic range — though let’s not get carried away, night-time photography is no action camera’s forte. Furthermore, the Osmo Action 5 Pro is also natively waterproof to greater depths than GoPro, able to dive to 20m rather than GoPro’s 10m. Both cameras have the option to extend this depth with cases.

So why isn’t the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro our top pick? For one, its video tops out at 4K, and GoPro’s higher video resolution of 5.3K gives you much more versatility in terms of cropping your footage. The GoPro system of accessories is also much more developed and extended; as well as those attachable lenses, there are also tons of mounts and stands. The good news is that ultimately you can’t go far wrong — these are two brilliant action cameras.

Best 8K action camera

The resolution wars are well and truly on in the action camera world, with Insta360 having thrown down the gauntlet and brought out an 8K action cam. The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is an impressive piece of kit, clearly aiming to go toe-to-toe with GoPro and DJI. The 8K is an immediately tempting prospect, offering plenty of latitude for cropping losslessly into your footage to focus on details — and in the Ace Pro 2, it’s available at a maximum frame rate of 30p, rather than 24p as was the case on the previous Ace Pro.

It’s worth mentioning however that this mode comes with some caveats — if you want to use the useful Log recording mode for a flat picture profile, or the most advanced level of stabilisation, you’ll need to drop the resolution down. Indeed, shooting in 4K is probably going to be your best option in most situations.

Elsewhere though, there’s plenty to like about this camera. A flip-up screen is hugely welcome, making it much easier to shoot with the camera in different configurations and positions.

Best gimbal camera

For filmmakers and videographers who like to keep things light, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is an ideal solution. It may not look much like an action camera, or for that matter like most cameras in general, but its unusual form factor is due to the fact that it’s a gimbal camera. This means it has a sophisticated 3-axis stabilisation system built in, meaning you can capture smooth hand-held video even while moving. For run-and-gun vlogging, this is perfect.

Bear in mind that this camera doesn’t have a lot of the action camera trappings that others on this list have — it’s not waterproof at all without a case, and it doesn’t have that hardy shockproof build. It’s brilliant in a lot of the same ways, as it travels light and records fantastic stabilised footage, but you’re not going to be attaching it to the front of a bike helmet the way you would a GoPro or an Osmo Action.

Best action camera for high quality

This is the flagship camera in the Ricoh Theta series of 360-degree action cameras, with serious 4K capabilities. Equipped with the latest in image stabilisation technology, the Ricoh Theta Z1 51GB 360 4K Camera is able to produce super-slick 360-degree videos in pristine 4K. The results from this camera look absolutely incredible, thanks in part to its 1-inch back-illuminated sensor, which is notably larger than the 1/2.3-inch sensors you often find in action cameras.

While the original Z1 only had 19GB of internal storage, this beefed-up version boasts 51GB, which is much more useful for the high data demands of 4K and 360-degree content. With a 1.0-inch back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, and dual wide-angle lenses with 14 elements in 10 groups apiece, the emphasis here is very much on quality. Use the THETA+ app and you can edit your content directly, for easy and immediate sharing.

Best action camera for motorbikes and bikes

Action cameras and 360-degree cameras are categories with a lot of overlap — the Insta360 X4, for instance, looks a lot like an action camera at first glance. Plus, with a decent level of waterproofing, it can be used for much the same things. A 360-degree camera is essentially two cameras in one, using dual ultra-wide lenses to capture an enormous wrap-around field of view, which is then combined to create navigable, 360-degree images and videos. However, if you prefer, you can also use just one of the cameras at a time, and capture 170-degree stills and videos in a more conventional perspective. 

The Insta360 X4 is a powerful, capable camera, with long-lasting battery life and impressive video quality. Thanks to its optional bicycle bundle, it’s our pick for capturing POV shots of bicycle and motorcycle rides — the bundle includes a multifunctional clamp and handlebar mount, giving you flexible mounting options.

Best wearable action camera

It seems scarcely credible that a fully functional 4K camera could weigh as little as 32g — about the same as a bag of crisps — but somehow Insta360 has done it. The Insta360 GO 3S comprises two parts, with a small main camera module that can be magnetically attached however you please, and then the optional rear “Action Pod”, so called because it gives the GO 3S a square body and flip-up screen that makes it more closely resemble a conventional action camera. 

It’s a simpler proposition than the likes of the Osmo Action 5 Pro or GoPro Hero 13 Black. You don’t get advanced recording options like a Log profile, for instance, and there also isn’t the option to connect an external mic to improve sound quality (both GoPro and DJI manufacture their own). While more serious vloggers and videomakers will want to look at one of the other options on our list, the Insta360 GO 3S is a great, simple action camera for POV footage and holiday videos.

Best affordable action camera

Released in 2024, the reductively named GoPro HERO is designed to be a highly affordable alternative to the flagship cameras, and it certainly accomplishes that goal. For less than half the price of pretty much any other camera on this list, you get a fully functional and 4K-capable action camera that’s waterproof, lightweight and comes with Hypersmooth stabilisation. So, does it measure up?

Short answer: yes. Providing great value for the asking price, the 2024 GoPro HERO is a plug-and-play action camera that’s simple to operate. If you’re a beginner just getting to grips with how GoPro cameras function, it’s an ideal first step, with the shooting options considerably simplified compared to the more sophisticated Hero13 Black. 

Very tiny, even by action camera standards, the HERO is easy to take on your travels with you, and it’s natively waterproof down to 5m depths, which is good enough for surfing, snorkelling and other watersports (just don’t drop it).

Best action camera accessories

When it comes to action cameras, the camera itself is only a small part of the experience! Every brand has a healthy range of accessories that allow you to customise your action camera according to your needs. From mounts to underwater housings, there’s plenty out there – so much so that we don’t have space to list everything. Instead, we’ve picked a few favourites for the major brands to give you an idea of what’s on offer. However, we strongly encourage browsing for yourself and seeing the kinds of action camera accessories that are out there. 

One thing to remember with action camera accessories is that compatibility is key. Things like housings tend to be quite specifically compatible with different makes and models of action cameras, so it’s worth checking and double-checking that an accessory you have your eye on will work with your specific camera.

This clever standalone storage module makes quick work of transferring files from your Insta360 X4 to a mobile device. It connects directly, without needing Wi-Fi, and also supports USB-C and Lightning connectivity. The camera doesn’t even need to be on for you to be able to view and edit your files using the Insta360 mobile app! It’s a brilliant way to simplify your workflow, especially when you’re on the go and don’t have easy access to a computer.

FAQs

What is an action camera used for?

An action camera is designed for capturing high-quality video and photos in extreme conditions, making it ideal for activities like cycling, skiing, diving, and more. These cameras are compact, durable, and often waterproof, allowing for versatile use in outdoor adventures.

Are action cameras waterproof?

Many action cameras are waterproof to a certain depth without the need for additional housing. However, it’s important to check the specific depth rating for each model, as they can vary. Waterproof capabilities make them perfect for water-based activities like swimming, surfing, or snorkelling.

How long do action cameras last?

The battery life of an action camera typically lasts between 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on usage and settings like video resolution and frame rate. Many models offer replaceable or extended batteries for longer recording sessions.

Can I use an action camera for vlogging?

Yes, action cameras are great for vlogging due to their compact size, stabilisation features, and high-quality video recording. With built-in microphones and the option to connect external ones, they provide excellent audio and video for content creation on the go.

What features should I look for in an action camera?

You'll want to consider cameras that include video resolution (preferably 4K or even 8K), image stabilisation (like HyperSmooth or FlowState), battery life, waterproofing, and ease of mounting for different activities. Additional features like voice control, Wi-Fi connectivity, and slow-motion capture can also enhance your experience