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Below, we highlight our favorite action cams across a wide range of budgets.
And if you're not sure where to begin, check out our buying advice after the list.
Action cams also have a place in professional work.
You should use a camera with a big sensor and interchangeable lenses when you can, but modern action cams capture video that's good enough to intercut.
Think about shots that show the interior of an exploding car, for instance-a GoPro likely recorded the event.
They have all but replaced traditional camcorders in the marketplace.
Family historians and budding cinematographers now use a GoPro or similar camera for wide shots and vlogs, while smartphones and newer mirrorless cameras are the tools of choice for home movies.
Action cameras are small, lightweight, and sometimes even waterproof.
They're useful because you can mount them to pretty much anything-from skateboards, surfboards, and bicycles, to helmets, body parts, and even your pets.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
GoPro Hero11 Black Best Action Cam Overall 4.
5 Outstanding Why We Picked It The GoPro Hero11 Black is, bar none, the best action cam you can buy today.
It's the latest version of the camera that defined the concept and the most technically advanced.It supports 5.3K60, 4K120, and 2.
7K240 frame rates and matches them up with best-in-class stabilizaton and horizon-leveling.
A nearly square image sensor boosts picture quality for creators pulling vertical 9:16 frames for TikTok, while its rugged and waterproof build means you don't need an add-on case.
Who It's For The Hero11 Black is as versatile an action cam as you can find.
Surfers, skateboarders, and other X Games participants can strap the camera to their person or board to get first-person views of stunts.
Vloggers should appreciate its front-facing color display and Media Mod accessory system.
And 10-bit video, new to this model, is a plus for use in cinema projects.
PROS Great-looking 5.3K60 videoGreat-looking 5.
3K60 video 4K120 and 2.7K240 slow-motion4K120 and 2.
7K240 slow-motion 10-bit color sampling
10-bit color sampling Numerous time-lapse modes
Numerous time-lapse modes Waterproof to 33 feet
Waterproof to 33 feet Solid touch interface and voice command support
Solid touch interface and voice command support Subscription service with useful features CONS Not ideal for long-form recording or macro work
Not ideal for long-form recording or macro work One battery won't get you through the day GET IT NOW $349.00 Amazon $349.99 Best Buy $349.
00 Walmart Learn More GoPro Hero11 Black Review
Insta360 X3 Best 360 Camera for Creators 4.
0 Excellent Why We Picked It The Insta360 X3 is the camera to get for dual-lens, 360-degree video.
It captures an all-around view of the world and gives you the software tools to do interesting and creative things with the video.
The camera is waterproof and can survive rough handling too, so it's suitable for mounting and capturing action.
Who It's For Creators who want to try their hand at 360-degree capture and the editing techniques that go with it should find a lot to like about the X3.
Its HDR video profile handles mixed lighting well and you can use the camera for special effects shots like Matrix-style bullet time and time lapse with motion.PROS 5.7K30 HDR video5.
7K30 HDR video Slim, waterproof build
Slim, waterproof build Big touch screen with straightforward interface
Big touch screen with straightforward interface Robust desktop and mobile editing tools
Robust desktop and mobile editing tools Loads of capture modes CONS Video must be processed before editing
Video must be processed before editing A bit of a learning curve to grasp 360-degree editing
A bit of a learning curve to grasp 360-degree editing Mobile editing app limits resolution GET IT NOW $449.
99 Amazon Learn More Insta360 X3 Review
DJI Action 2 Most Innovative Design 4.
0 Excellent Why We Picked It The DJI Action 2 rethinks the action cam design.
It's modular and has magnetic mounting points that let you place the camera in tight spots that can't quite hold a GoPro.
You can even use the camera as a wearable body cam with the included pendant necklace mount.
Video quality is strong too, with 4K120 recording available for action and slow motion.
Who It's For If you're looking for a small, wearable camera for travel logs and adventures, the Action 2 is a good choice.
The camera's video features are competitive with GoPros and the industrial design is a winner for style-conscious influencers.
PROS Tiny, go-anywhere form factor
Tiny, go-anywhere form factor Magnetic mount and snap-on accessories
Magnetic mount and snap-on accessories Effective digital stabilization
Effective digital stabilization Up to 4K120 video
Up to 4K120 video 12MP photos
12MP photos Waterproof to 33 feet
Waterproof to 33 feet Works as a webcam CONS Front screen option pushes price high
Front screen option pushes price high Overheating is a concern
Overheating is a concern No card slot or charging port on main camera module
No card slot or charging port on main camera module Front screen and battery aren't waterproof GET IT NOW $239.00 Amazon $519.
00 B&H Photo Video $399.
00 DJI Learn More DJI Action 2 Review
DJI Osmo Action 4 Best Low-Light Action Cam 4.
0 Excellent Why We Picked It The DJI Osmo Action 4 uses a big Type 1/1.
3 format image sensor to produce crisp video in dim light, better than what you get from the GoPro Hero11.
The Osmo's pixel count isn't as high as the Hero 11's, but it still supports up to 4K120 or 1080p240 video and takes 10MP snapshots.
We also like its 75-minute battery life, dual touch screens, and 59-foot waterproof rating.
Who It's For The Osmo Action 4 is worth a look if you like to explore the world after the sun goes down.
The front touch screen is handy for self-recording, and the camera's tough build quality means you don't have to worry about it breaking during rough-and-tumble use.
PROS Wide-angle lens with excellent digital stabilization
Wide-angle lens with excellent digital stabilization Front and rear touch screens
Front and rear touch screens Up to 4K120 slow motion
Up to 4K120 slow motion 10-bit D-Log color
10-bit D-Log color Waterproof to 59 feet
Waterproof to 59 feet Works as a webcam CONS Smartphone-based product activation
Smartphone-based product activation Quick-release mount is easy to lose
Quick-release mount is easy to lose Rear display isn't visible through polarized sunglasses GET IT NOW $399.
00 B&H Photo Video Learn More DJI Osmo Action 4 Review
GoPro Hero9 Black Best GoPro for Budget Shoppers 4.
0 Excellent Why We Picked It Now two generations old, the GoPro Hero9 Black remains in the lineup as the budget-friendly option.
Its 5K30 and 4K60 video modes aren't as good for slow motion, but the camera captures sharp video with effective stabilization at those frame rates.
It also works with the same Media Mod accessories as its pricier Hero10 and Hero11 siblings.
Who It's For This is a good pick for action cam fans who don't want to break the bank.
At around $300, it undercuts the price of other GoPro and DJI models and gives you access to some GoPro-exclusive features, such as automated video editing and direct upload from camera to cloud.
PROS Up to 5K quality at 30fps
Up to 5K quality at 30fps Front-facing color LCD
Front-facing color LCD Exceptional video stabilization
Exceptional video stabilization Up to 240fps HD slow motion
Up to 240fps HD slow motion Time-lapse, buffering, and HDR imaging
Time-lapse, buffering, and HDR imaging USB-C charging
USB-C charging Strong app support
Strong app support Compact and waterproof CONS You'll likely want to carry extra batteries
You'll likely want to carry extra batteries Subscription service adds recurring costs GET IT NOW $249.00 Amazon $249.
99 Best Buy Learn More GoPro Hero9 Black Review
GoPro Max Best Audio in a 360 Cam 3.
5 Good Why We Picked It GoPro's dual-lens action camera uses two lenses to record the entire world around it, but can also function as a single-lens action cam.
The Max's strengths as a 360-degree camera are its sharp video quality and software reframing tools.
That's not to mention the six internal microphones that grab the best in-camera audio of any action cam we've tested.
As you might expect from a GoPro, the Max is also tough and waterproof (though only to 16 feet).
Who It's For The GoPro Max is a top pick for creators who want a dual-lens 360 camera and care a lot about audio quality.
Travel vloggers and others who present to the camera won't have to fiddle with an external mic with this one, and the Max is waterproof to boot.
GoPro offers reframing tools for creative edits too, though they're not quite as polished as what you get with the Insta360 X3.
PROS 360-degree capture
360-degree capture Also works as a single-lens camera
Also works as a single-lens camera Intuitive software tools
Intuitive software tools Strong stabilization
Strong stabilization Good in-camera audio
Good in-camera audio Waterproof without a case
Waterproof without a case Integrated mounting clips CONS Effective resolution is really 1080p
Effective resolution is really 1080p Single-lens capture tops out at 60fps
Single-lens capture tops out at 60fps Requires more editing time to get the best results from spherical footage GET IT NOW $399.00 Amazon $399.
98 GoPro Learn More GoPro Max Review
Insta360 Go 3 Best Wearable Action Cam 3.
5 Good Why We Picked It Cameras don't get much smaller than the Insta360 Go 3.
The capsule-sized model records 2.
7K30 video, is waterproof, and works well for point-of-view captures, an aspect that video creators are sure to like.
The included Action Pod housing turns the Go into a standard action cam with a flip-forward touch screen, so it's not a one-trick pony.
Who It's For The Go 3 should appeal to creators who want a wearable camera or adventurers who want something they can mount in interesting places to capture unique perspectives.
Make sure you are comfortable with video editing tools, however, since the Go 3 requires you to run footage through its app to create time lapses or apply digital stabilization.PROS Stabilized 2.7K30 videoStabilized 2.
7K30 video Versatile, ultra-compact design
Versatile, ultra-compact design Waterproof to 16 feet
Waterproof to 16 feet Action Pod attachment has flip-forward touch LCD CONS Action Pod housing isn't submersible
Action Pod housing isn't submersible Non-removable battery and no storage expansion slot
Non-removable battery and no storage expansion slot Some video modes require post-processing
Some video modes require post-processing Wearable footage looks unsteady GET IT NOW $399.
99 Amazon Learn More Insta360 Go 3 Review
Insta360 One RS Best for Mixing 360 and 4K Footage 3.
5 Good Why We Picked It The Insta360 One RS is an action cam that supports swappable lenses, a unique capability for sure.
When we tested a basic kit with a 4K main lens for 16:9 footage and a dual-lens 360 module for all-around recording, we appreciated the versatility and creative features.
For higher-quality recording, Insta360 even offers Leica-branded modules for both single-lens and dual-lens recording, thus making the camera upgradeable.
Who It's For If you can't quite decide between a standard single-lens cam and a dual-lens 360 model, the Insta360 One RS might be the camera for you.
It records pleasing 4K60 video with stabilization and supports extra-wide 2.35:1 recording.
The dual-lens module does 5.
7K30 and works with Insta360's excellent editing tools.PROS Compact design
Compact design Swappable lens modules
Swappable lens modules Waterproof to 16 feet
Waterproof to 16 feet Stabilized 4K60 and 5.7K 360 video
Stabilized 4K60 and 5.
7K 360 video HDR available at 4K30
HDR available at 4K30 2:35 wide-screen mode
2:35 wide-screen mode Mobile and desktop app support CONS In-camera mics disappoint outdoors
In-camera mics disappoint outdoors Modular design can get in the way
Modular design can get in the way Small touch LCD
Small touch LCD Battery only good for 75 minutes of 4K
Battery only good for 75 minutes of 4K Heat can limit long-form recordings GET IT NOW $405.
00 Amazon Learn More Insta360 One RS Review
Buying Guide: The Best Action Cameras for 2023
Do Action Cameras Need 4K?
The first thing to consider is a camera's video resolution.
4K is a minimum requirement these days, and the best models offer more than double that resolution.
The GoPro Hero11 Black, for instance, supports 5.3K.
Next, take a look at the available frame rates, expressed as frames per second (fps).
Some action cameras offer up to 240fps recording, whereas ultra-budget options may only offer 30fps.
The latter is perfectly fine for standard playback, but the frame rate matters more when you want to slow footage down in editing to create dramatic scenes.
You can slow 240fps recordings down and play them back smoothly at one-quarter speed, for instance.
If you want a cinematic look, pick a camera that has a 24fps capture option; that's the same speed that most Hollywood productions use.
The best action cams put fast frame rates and high pixel counts together-the GoPro Hero11 Black pushes 240fps at 2.
7K, for example, better than the 1080p240 you get from the DJI Osmo Action 4.
Left to right: GoPro Hero11 Black, DJI Osmo Action 4 (Credit: Jim Fisher)
If you're more serious about video, look for a model that offers a flat video profile that grades easily.
We've not yet seen Raw video support in an action cam, but you can get that feature from larger models, including the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 6K.
Some sort of stabilization is important as well, as it can help you get smooth footage without a tripod or gimbal.
The Best Action Cameras With Wide Lenses and 360-Degree Video
Most action cams have a lens with a wide, wide view of the world.
You are thus likely to encounter some fish-eye distortion, especially if you mount it really close to what it's filming, but newer models remove that effect automatically.
A few cameras also let you select a narrower angle for recording to avoid distortion at the outset.
Some entries have two lenses for spherical video capture, though not as many as during the height of the 360-degree video fad.
The cameras that survived serve a dual purpose, leveraging software so you can use video for both VR headsets and flat screens.
Software tools allow you to manipulate video in interesting ways, as you can see in the GoPro Max clip above.
There are also outliers in the design department.
The DJI Pocket 2 has a gimbal-stabilized camera-it's not rugged, but vloggers should take a look.
How to Mount Your Action Cam
You should also consider your specific needs.
Not all cameras are suitable for every sport and certain designs lend themselves better to particular activities.
On top of that, different shapes allow for different mounting accessories and possibilities.
If you want to catch a unique perspective, like an under-skateboard shot, pay close attention to a camera's size.
If you're already invested in a system, like GoPro, which uses a proprietary mount, then sticking with what you've got can help you save money on accessories.
GoPro Hero10 Black (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Waterproofing is an important aspect to consider if you plan to record underwater or even around water.
Some waterproof cameras can go deeper than others or even have built-in waterproofing so you don't need to worry about an extra housing.
Longtime editors might be happy working with desktop editing software, but adventurers might want to cut footage on a smartphone or tablet.
Look for a model with built-in Wi-Fi at a minimum if mobile editing is important.
Mobile editing in the GoPro app (Credit: GoPro / Jim Fisher)
You get better software support from name-brand options.
GoPro and DJI include full-featured smartphone apps for on-the-go editing.
Both automatically create an edit from your shots, a plus when you just want to get a quick social post out.
If you go with a brand that doesn't supply an editing app, you have to bring your own.
It's easy enough to use iMovie or Adobe Premiere Rush to cut clips together on your phone, however.
If you need software for your desktop or laptop, check out our top video editing recommendations.
Which Action Camera Should You Get?
We've filmed hours of footage with many of the major contenders to determine where each device stands in the field.
Ultimately, your choice should come down to performance and ease of use.
