7 Best Action Cameras in 2025

Buyer’s Guide to Action Cameras:

Intended Use

There are a lot of factors to consider when buying an action camera, but the first thing you should consider is its intended use. Do you need one simply for vlogging or recording your travels? Or do you need one for outdoor activities such as skydiving, snorkeling, kayaking, rock climbing, or mountain biking?

While most action cameras are ruggedly built and compact, not all action cameras will have the same intuitive apps for easy recording or mounting systems suited for high-speed activities. Moreover, not all action cameras are built with the same waterproofing (and you might have to buy extra accessories just to make your action camera more waterproof).

If you want something for skiing or whitewater rafting, you might want to look into action cameras capable of recording fast frames,  2.7k or 4k video at 60 frames per second or more. Conversely, if you need something just for vlogging, 24 or 30 frames per second will usually be enough. In general, the more frames per second, the smoother the footage will look, but the difference is hardly noticeable if you’re not recording anything at high speeds.

Design

How the action camera is built is also something one needs to consider. Depending on how the camera is built, you might have to buy extra accessories if you want more out of it. For instance, the DJI Osmo Action 3 is more waterproof than the GoPro HERO10, but it’s still not suitable for scuba diving at depths of over 100 ft without a Waterproof Casing. It is, however, perfectly suitable for recording during rainy days or for shallow dives.

360-degree Capture Capabilities

360 action cameras are considered a niche within the action camera community. If you want to take 360-degree videos or take 360-degree panoramic photos, you might want to look into cameras such as the Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition or the GoPro MAX. How 360 cameras work is that they use two or more lenses to capture a 360-degree view. These lenses are usually fisheye lenses that capture around 180 degrees or more each. Combined, there’s usually some overlap which is then “stitched” by either a built-in feature (such as in the GoPro MAX) or by external software.

Video/Image Quality

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an action camera is video/photo quality. While GoPro is generally considered the king when it comes to video and image quality, depending on your needs/editing skills, you might want something that has decent video quality but is more affordable than a GoPro, such as the DJI Osmo Action 3.

That said, if you’re really keen on getting a GoPro, it’s best to consider what you’re getting at the price. As mentioned above, the HERO9 is basically the HERO10 without the GP2 processor, and it can still get great 5k footage at 30 fps, which, for most people, is more than enough. GoPro’s latest offering, the HERO11 Black, features an updated 1/1.9-inch sensor and is capable of taking 27 MP stills, as opposed to the HERO10’s 23 MP. With only a $50 difference, the HERO11 might be worth considering over the HERO10 (but then again, $50 is $50, and don’t forget the HERO9 is still a great performer at an even more affordable price).

User Experience

You might not consider this at first, but subpar user experience can break an otherwise great camera. For instance, the GoPro Fusion is known to offer incredible value for money, but it was rather difficult to use. It had no automatic 360-video stitching and only featured an LCD screen with manual controls. It also made use of its Shutter button not only for video recording and taking photos but also to select modes and preferences–which made it quite confusing for the average user. Conversely, the GoPro MAX is very easy to use thanks to its touchscreen interface and automatic 360-video stitching (which allows users to automatically preview their footage).

Moreover, something as simple as a front-facing display may prove to be a big plus for vloggers or content creators who need to constantly frame themselves in front of the camera.

Action Camera Accessories

Another thing to consider when buying an action camera is the accessories that come and don’t come with it. Most action cameras can only record at 5k or 4k resolution for a few minutes, and you might need more than a pair of extra batteries if you plan on using your action camera for a full day.

Moreover, if you’re into activities such as spelunking, or night photography, you might want to get a head mount or a tripod mount, respectively. Additionally, if you want extra insurance during your water sports escapades, you definitely have to get a waterproof casing for your action camera, even if they’re rated to be waterproof up to a certain depth. As mentioned above, if you’re using your action camera for your underwater escapades, it’s best to invest in a floating handle to make sure your camera doesn’t sink if it accidentally slips from your hand (these usually come with a strap to ensure that your camera is always safely tethered to you).

For activities such as biking and snowboarding, you’ll want to look into helmet mounts, protective lens covers (if your action camera does not already come with one), or chest mounts. If you’re not yet sure what you’ll use your action camera for but nevertheless want to save up on extra costs associated with buying extra and/or aftermarket accessories, most action cameras are sold in packages that already include a wide range of accessories.

Editing

While you can still edit your footage on a separate editing software (some of the more serious editors may prefer doing their color-grading on Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve), most action cameras do have their own editing software.

There are a lot of benefits to using an action camera’s recommended software.

Perhaps the most obvious benefit is convenience. These apps are designed to make editing as easy as possible. For instance, Insta360’s AI-assisted Short Lab app makes use of a range of templates that you can just insert your video into; and GoPro’s Quik app allows users to automatically create a highlight video, and with the subscription they can automatically upload their footage to the cloud while they’re charging their GoPro. Moreover, most of these editing apps already come with your purchase, which makes them a practical choice if you’re not already using dedicated video-editing software.