May 18, 2023 10:00 AM

The Best Action Cameras

Gearing up to shred the slopes or dive into the seas? These photography tools are made for danger.

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4 / 11

Choosing the right action camera used to be simple: Go with GoPro. That's still good advice, in that the GoPro ranks high on our list and is our top pick for most adventure-seeking photographers, but we've finally found a few worthy competitors.

To figure out which cameras are the best, we dove with them, climbed with them, surfed with them, and handed them to reckless 10-year-olds on bikes. We found a number of great options that will record, and survive, your adventures on the ski slope, beach, or skate park.

If an action cam isn't your speed, be sure to check out our other guides, including the Best Compact Cameras, Best Mirrorless Cameras, and Best Instant Cameras.

Updated May 2023: We've added some accessories to help you do more with your camera.

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Photograph: GoPro
Best Overall
GoPro Hero 11 Black
The Hero 11 Black (9/10, WIRED Recommends) builds on the foundation of its predecessors with a new sensor that's nearly square. That means you can shoot and then quickly edit to either horizontal or vertical formats. That alone will be a huge selling point for many, but there's more to love, like the ability to pull higher-resolution still images from video, an "easy" mode that means less fiddling with settings, and an option to shoot RAW images in burst mode.
The Hero series has always stood above its competitors when it comes to image stabilization, arguably the most important feature in an action camera. The Hero 11 Black brings HyperSmooth 5 (GoPro's name for its image stabilization software), which offers better stabilization with less cropping.
Another thing worth noting is that GoPro has a new GoPro Mini ($300), which offers just about everything the Hero 11 does, but without the screens. If all you ever do is strap your GoPro to yourself or your gear and push record, this might be a good way to go. We'll update this guide with more details after we've had a chance to test the new Mini.
The price is lower if you buy directly from GoPro, and you also get a free 1-year subscription—although it renews at $100 a year so if you don't want that, be sure to set yourself a reminder to cancel.
$400 at GoPro (With 1-Year GoPro Subscription)
$500 at Amazon
Photograph: Insta360
Best for Those Who Want It All
Insta360 One RS
Do you want an action cam? How about a 360-degree cam? The answer is, you want both, and now you can get both in one package. Insta360's One RS (8/10, WIRED Recommends) eliminates the debate by bringing interchangeable lenses to the action camera.
There are three lenses, or "mods": a 4K mod that mirrors what you'll get from the other cameras on this page, a dual-lens 360-degree camera, and a wide-angle Leica lens paired with a 1-inch sensor that's capable of capturing 5K video. The best value lies in pairing the 4K mod with the 360 mod, but if you can afford it, the Leica 1-inch mod delivers some of the best video quality I've seen from an action camera.
The updated Insta360 One RS differs from its predecessor in both the 4K mod, which can now shoot 5.2K video, and the processor, which brings the company's motion-smoothing algorithm to the camera, rather than requiring the app. I also like that Insta360 regularly adds new features and improvements via firmware updates, rather than releasing a whole new camera body every year.
$550 at Amazon (Twin Edition)
$300 at Insta360 (4K Edition)
Photograph: DJI
Best Budget Camera
DJI Osmo Action 3
DJI's third stab at an action camera returns to the form of its original but also uses the magnetic clip system from its second. The result is the Osmo Action 3 (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which features a GoPro-like design that offers a few things you won't find in a GoPro—like an awesome magnetic quick-clip system and dual touch screens. Throw in the amazing battery life, very good video stabilization, and the fact that it's cheaper than a GoPro and you have a compelling alternative.
The GoPro Hero 10 and 11 still win on video resolution. The Osmo Action 3 tops out at 4K video resolution and only shoots 12-megapixel still images. That's disappointing next to the Hero 11's 5.3K stabilized video and 26-megapixel stills. But the Osmo Action 3 is only $300, making it a great value for the money.
$329 at DJI
$329 at Amazon
Photograph: GoPro
Best Value
GoPro Hero 10 Black
The Hero 10 Black (8/10, WIRED Recommends) added a faster processor, which speeds up capture times, ekes more resolution out of the 23.6-megapixel sensor, and adds much-improved image stabilization. The main place that the new Hero 11 trumps this camera is the newer, more squared processor, image stabilization, and higher resolution stills. Still, for most of us, the quality of results you get from the Hero 10 is going to be plenty. If you have to cut videos to vertical format then grab the Hero 11. If you don't, this is probably good enough and easier on the pocketbook.
The price is lower if you buy directly from GoPro, and you also get a free 1-year subscription to GoPro's cloud storage and editing platform, though it renews at $100 a year.
$400 at Amazon
$350 at GoPro
$400 at Adorama

Photograph: Insta360
Best 360 Cam for the Action Enthusiast
Insta360 X3 Camera
Insta360's X series 360-degree cameras have never been in this guide before because previous versions were not really “action” cameras. The new X3 (8/10 WIRED Recommends) is different. It shoots 5.7K 360 video out of its dual lenses, but you can also switch to a new single lens mode and use it like a 4K action cam. The X3 is slim, relatively lightweight, and can shoot very high resolution (and fun! don't forget fun!) 72-megapixel spherical images.
The result is a camera that's great for people who primarily shoot 360 footage but want to occasionally shoot something more action-oriented.
$450 at Insta360
$450 at Amazon
Photograph: Olympus
Best for Underwater Action
Olympus Tough TG-6
The Olympus TG-6 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) isn't a strap-it-to-your-head-and-shred camera, but if you're shooting underwater—a common use case for these cameras—this is your best bet. The sensor in the TG-6 is the largest of the bunch, though it is now about four years old and beginning to show it's age. Olympus has abandoned its camera business, so there will probably never be a TG-7. I still think the TG-6 is the camera to get if you're shooting a lot of underwater footage, but the results vs the Hero 8 in 2019 were more impressive than the results vs the Hero 11 in 2022.
That said, this is a seriously tough camera: freeze-proof, crush-proof, dustproof, and shockproof (you can drop it from 7 feet). It also has "real" camera features you won't find elsewhere, like focus stacking for close-ups, an extensive set of add-ons, extra lenses, and even an underwater case that extends its depth rating.
$429 at Walmart
$500 at Amazon
$500 at B&H
Photograph: Oclu
Best for Tight Spots
Oclu Action Camera
Oclu has a very different take on the action camera, eschewing the usual design for a flat body with the primary screen on top. The result is a camera that can fit places others won't—like the bottom of a skateboard or under a helmet visor. The Oclu shoots 4K at 30 frames per second or, if you want slo-mo footage, 1080p at 120 fps. The video and image quality is on par with what you get from the GoPro Hero 8.
The one place the bigger names pull ahead of the Oclu is image stabilization. It does have stabilization, but it doesn't help nearly as much as what you get with the Hero 9 and up or Insta360 One RS. Sound, on the other hand, is excellent, and I got far less wind noise than with other cameras. All things considered, it's hard to beat the Oclu's performance for the price.
$200 at Oclu

Photograph: GoPro
Best On Sale
GoPro Hero 9 Black
The GoPro Hero 9 (9/10, WIRED Recommends), was a huge update for the Hero camera line. GoPro brought in a new 23.6-megapixel sensor, which is the same sensor that's in the Hero 10. It produces great video, and I still shoot with this camera on a near-daily basis. It's still got great stabilization, shoots 5.3K video (although without stabilization—this is one place the Hero 10 and Hero 11 clearly win), captures 20-MP still images, and can extract 14.7-MP images from the 5K video.
The Hero 9 can do 80 percent of what the Hero 10 can do, and it's usually $100 cheaper. That's great value for the money. We've seen this one dip below $300 quite a few times now so I would suggest not paying more than that. Ideally, you'll be able to score a deal down in the $250 range.
$380 at Amazon
$350 at GoPro
$400 at B&H
Photograph: Best Buy
Best Ultralight
DJI Action 2 Camera
DJI's Action 2 camera (6/10, WIRED Review) was a significant departure from the company's first action camera and it abandoned the design for its third, which leaves the Action 2 in an odd spot. The Action 2 takes a page from Insta360's playbook and is a modular camera system. The difference is that DJI's camera doesn't have to have any extra modules—you can shoot with just the tiny lens.
It's unclear what support for the Action 2 will be going forward, given that the Osmo Action 3 (see above) has replaced it with a totally different design. That is to say there is some risk you're buying a system DJI has no plans to support in the future. That said, if size is your deciding factor, the Action 2 is a great choice; even the new GoPro Hero 11 Mini is larger than this.
$339 at DJI
$340 at Best Buy
Photograph: Dragon Touch
The B Roll
Honorable Mention
You can buy cheaper action cameras, but they won't offer all the features of our top picks, and likely aren't as durable. Typically they have lower build quality, inferior lenses, no waterproof ratings, and crappy chipsets and specs. Still, depending on your needs, something like the Dragon Touch ($70) might be good enough. The results won't be GoPro-caliber, but if you're just getting into action cams, this is a good way to test the waters.
Readers often ask, why spend $400 on a GoPro when they can get a camera with 4K video for $100? It's a fair question, and the answer comes down to software, primarily image stabilization. Action cameras are intended to be strapped to helmets or clipped to your chest while you skydive, rock climb, and race through the city on a scooter. Without stabilization, the results are something even your closest friends won't sit through. So yes, you'll get 4K footage with the cheaper cams, but it'll be footage no one wants to see. In our view, you're better off spending another $100 for GoPro Hero 9.

Photograph: GoPro
Best Accessories to Trick Out Your Action Cam
Once you have an action camera, you're really good to go for most use cases. GoPro, Insta360, and DJI all provide helmet mounts and other ways to stick your camera where you want it. That said, there are some nice extras that can make getting that shot you're dreaming of even easier. Here are a few of our favorites.
A Good microSD Card: You may get an SD card with your camera. Insta360's SD cards are pretty good actually, but I tend to use SanDisk's Extreme Pro cards because they're fast and, as an added bonus, waterproof. You can pick up a 256-GB card for around $35.
GoPro Media Mod ($80): GoPro's sound is okay out of the box, but if you want higher quality audio, this is where you start. Not because the media mod produces great sound—it's better than the camera, but still not great. What if offers is a microphone jack. Plug in a high-quality microphone and you'll finally have awesome sound. Not recommended while skydiving. Also available at GoPro ($80).
Joby GorillaPod 3K ($50): This flexible tripod extends your action camera's mounting possibilities to include just about anything. My GoPro almost never leaves this tripod. It coils around SUP guys, tree branches, even my dashboard. Be sure to grab some tripod adapters below.
Motorcycle Accessory Bundle ($45): If you ride, this mount for the Insta360 X3 (and One R) is a must-have. We're still testing, but so far so good.
Tripod mount ($14): Action cameras offer many ways to mount them, but one that's curiously missing is the traditional quarter-inch tripod screwmount. This 4-pack of adapters solves that problem.
Polarizer and ND Filters: If you shoot around water, through glass, or in any other high-glare situation, a polarizing filter will help cut that glare. Neutral Density (ND) filters hold back light to let you shoot at wider aperture in bright light. Both are great additions to your action camera kit. I've tested and like Freewell's polarizing and ND filters for GoPro ($20) and Insta360 ($30). I suggest starting with an 8 stop ND or combo ND and polarizing filter.
Floaty: Another one for the water shooters, but well worth the $30 money since it'll keep your GoPro from ending up at the bottom of the sea or lake.

Scott Gilbertson is a senior writer for WIRED. He was previously a writer and editor for WIRED’s Webmonkey.com, covering the independent web and early internet culture. He studied at the University of Georgia. You can reach him at luxagraf.net.

Senior Writer and Reviewer

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