Best action camera 2024: rugged, feature-rich cams for adventurers

The best action cameras from GoPro, DJI, Insta360 and others to capture your adventures

Best action camera 2024: Quick links

Insta360 launches new Midnight Black Go 3 colourway

(Image credit: Insta360)

01. Best overall: GoPro Hero 12 Black
02. Best 360°: Insta360 X3
03. Best for vlogging: GoPro Hero 11 Black
04. Best modular: Insta360 One RS
05. Best POV: Insta360 GO 3
06. Best for watersports: DJI OSMO Action 3
07. Best budget GoPro: GoPro Hero 9 Black
08. Best mid-range: DJI OSMO Action 4
09. Best budget 360°: Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4

Finding the best action camera for your purposes in a quickly changing market can be challenging. A swathe of manufacturers, including Garmin, Sony, Drift, Yi and iON, have stopped selling new action cams, leaving the action camera market in the hands of brands including GoPro, DJI, Insta360, and a handful of others, plus a host of unbranded clones (some of which aren't too bad).

The good news is that the best action camera tech has become refined to an impressive point – the GoPro, Insta360, and DJI platforms, in particular, are challenging to shoot poor video on, no matter your skill level. Image stabilisation is quite astonishingly good at times, and quality is right up there with the pros.   

You might be getting the picture that GoPro dominates the action camera market, and to be honest, you'd be right. Our best GoPro guide runs through the differences between all the available models. Beyond GoPro, we have a separate guide dedicated to the best GoPro alternatives. If price is the deciding factor, you might want also to check out today's best cheap GoPro deals.

Best action cameras to buy right now

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Best overall

GoPro Hero 12 Black review

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Best action camera overall

Specifications

Weight: 154g
Dimensions (mm): 71.8 W x 50.8 H x 33.6 D
Video: 5.3K (16:9) @ 60fps, 4K (16:9) @ 120fps, 2.7K (16:9) @ 240fps
Photo: 27.13MP (5568x4872)
Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi
Battery life (continuous recording at 5.3K @ 60 fps): 70 minutes
Stabilisation: Electronic
Storage: Micro SD card
Live streaming: Yes (via app)

Reasons to buy

+
Serious feature upgrades for pros and beginners
+
Improved battery life
+
Bluetooth audio support for headphones
+
Stabilisation enhancements

Reasons to avoid

-
1/4-20 mounting has its limitations
-
Max photo/video resolution hasn't changed

The GoPro Hero 12 Black delivers the exact experience we expected from the brand. This new iteration builds on the two decades of innovation that made GoPro the premier action camera manufacturer and adds some exciting new features that will delight amateurs and pros alike.

Better still, the Hero 12 Black is sold for the same price the Hero 11 Black was sold for GoPro Members, but this time around, you don't need the membership to unlock the lower price. Essentially, you get a more competent action camera for no extra money. That's a pretty good deal, people!

Of the new features, the HDR video is probably the one that'll make most people happy. It helps those action shots pop a little bit more, making #shotonGoPro videos even more exciting to look at. Plus, you can record vertical videos on the camera, allowing you to create attention-grabbing footage for social media without post-processing in the Quik app.

If you want the best action camera, you need the GoPro Hero 12 Black. Simple as that.

Read our full GoPro Hero 12 Black review.

Best 360°

Insta360 X3 action cam in handT3 Awards 2023 Logo

(Image credit: Future)
Best 360° action camera

Specifications

Weight: 180g
Dimensions: 114 x 46 x 33.1mm
Video: 5.7K/30fps, 4K/60fps
Photo: 72MP/11968 x 5984
ISO range: 100–3200
FOV: 360°
Aperture: f/1.9
Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi
Battery and operating time: 1800mAh, 81 minutes
Stabilisation: Electronic
Storage: Micro SD card (up to 1TB)
Live streaming: Yes (via app)

Reasons to buy

+
AI-powered in-app image editing
+
Solid image performance
+
Waterproof and rugged design
+
Allows you to create horizontal and vertical videos of the same footage
+
Can be used as a webcam

Reasons to avoid

-
Stitching is still not perfect

The Insta360 X3 retained the superb auto-levelling and image stabilisation technology of its predecessor and offers a multitude of shooting and editing modes, hence why we think it's the best action camera you can buy right now. The huge range of shooting modes remains, too, giving you the ability to capture bullet-time sequences; time-, star- and hyper-lapses; HDR photos and videos; looped recordings (aka dashcam mode); and videos in vivid, standard and log picture profiles. And with the new Insta360 X3 Invisible Dive Case, you can now also shoot unobstructed 360° footage underwater.

Perhaps the most significant new feature is the 4K single-lens mode, which turns off one of the two camera modules to provide a more traditional action cam field of view. There’s also a new vlogging-centric ‘Me Mode’ shooting setting, which keeps the user automatically centred (and selfie stick hidden) in a 180-degree video – it makes things a bit simpler than on previous X cameras, where you’d have to shoot in 360-degree and reframe these videos to keep yourself centred.

Read our full Insta360 X3 review.

Best for vlogging

GoPro HERO 11

(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
Best action camera for vlogging

Specifications

Video: 5.3K60 / 4K120
Stills: 27MP
Waterproof: 10m
Voice control: Yes
Image stabilisation: Hypersmooth 5.0
GPS: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
New sensor amps up the quality everywhere
+
Better battery life
+
Same physical dimensions as the Hero 10

Reasons to avoid

-
Only incremental improvements over older model

The GoPro HERO 11 Black has an improved sensor and enhanced battery life compared to the HERO 10 Black. It's also been upgraded with a 1/1.9” sensor, which means the colour palette is now considerably boosted. There’s also a new iteration of HyperSmooth stabilisation in the GoPro HERO 11 Black (now up to HyperSmooth 5.0).

In use, HyperSmooth 5.0 does offer an improvement over HyperSmooth 4.0, but it’s another incremental win - better, but not mind-blowing. Battery life has improved significantly, especially at higher resolutions. Read more about the difference between the HERO 11 Black and its predecessor here: GoPro Hero 11 Black vs GoPro Hero 10 Black.

Read our full GoPro HERO 11 Black review.

Best modular

Insta 360 One RS action camera on a rockT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
Best hybrid action camera (wide angle/360-degree)

Specifications

Video: 5.7K 30fps
Stills: 48MP
Screen: Reversible 1.5-inch square screen
Waterproof: 5m without a case
Voice control: Yes
Image stabilisation: Yes
GPS: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Compelling modular design
+
Outstanding image quality
+
Good battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Fiddly SD/Charge port cover

The Insta360 One RS takes a different tack to GoPro, with an ultra-flexible modular design that's super fun to play around with. For all configurations, you'll need the ONE RS Core (the control model), Battery module and mounting bracket, but you can swap out various lenses depending on the situation – 4K Boost Lens, 360 Lens or 1-inch Wide Angle Lens (pleasingly, there's also backwards compatibility with the earlier One R model, if you already have one of those).

This premium action camera packs an impressive raft of features, both in terms of hardware and software. We were incredibly impressed with the build and image quality and found the swap-and-switch setup compelling, practical and fun to fiddle with.

Read our full Insta360 ONE RS review.

Best POV

Insta360 GO 3 review

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Best action camera for POV shooting

Specifications

Video: 2.7K @ 30fps
Stills: 2560x1440 (16:9)
Screen: 2.2” Flip Touch Screen
Waterproof: yes, GO 3: 5m, Action Pod: IPX4 water resistant
Voice control: Yes
Image stabilisation: FlowState Stabilization
GPS: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Versatile shooting modes
+
New magnetic mount system works with or without Action Pod
+
Action Pod allows for smoother on-the-go operation than GO 2's clamshell pod

Reasons to avoid

-
Resolution doesn't match full-size action cameras
-
It would be great if the action cam had a replaceable battery so you could record POV footage for longer

The Insta360 GO 3 is both a niche action camera aimed at content creators wanting to create POV videos and also one of the most versatile action cameras allowing you to spread your creative wings and capture videos and images in ways you never thought was possible.

Fans of extreme sports and those who prefer most of their footage in the water are better off using a GoPro HERO11 Mini or a similar waterproof action camera than the GO 3. Not just because the Action Pod is only IPX4 rated but also because they can shoot higher-resolution footage.

However, if you produce content for social media (i.e. vertically), often record videos in selfie mode, and like to find unique ways to capture footage, the Insta360 GO 3 is your best bet. Even if you have the GO 2, you might want to consider getting a GO 3; the addition of the Action Pod, the new shooting modes, and the better image quality make it a worthwhile upgrade.

Read our full Insta360 GO 3 review. (See also: Insta360 GO 3 vs Insta360 GO 2)

Best for watersports

DJI OSMO Action 3 review

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Best action camera for watersports

Specifications

Video: 3840×2160 @100/120fps (in 4K/16:9)
Stills: up to 12 MP
Screen: Front – 1.4-inch, 326 pp,i 320×320, Rear – 2.25-inch, 326 ppi, 360×640
Waterproof: 16 metres
Voice control: No
Image stabilisation: Yes (RockSteady 3.0, RockSteady+, HorizonBalancing, HorizonSteady)
GPS: No

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent value for money
+
Light and compact body with two LCDs
+
Can shoot photos in RAW
+
Excellent battery life
+
Magnetic mounting is very convenient

Reasons to avoid

-
Comparatively small sensor (poor low-light performance)
-
Lower maximum video resolution than GoPro HERO 11 Black
-
No global positioning (a.k.a. GNSS)

The DJI OSMO Action 3 is an excellent action camera that offers plenty of features and rugged build quality for less money than its main rival, which, admittedly, makes it more appealing in the eyes of many. Better still, most of the shortcomings are not significant and will only affect a small number of shooting modes/people.

Sure, the OSMO Action 3 isn't as good in low-light conditions as the GoPro HERO 11 Black, but how often will you use it in the dark? Not often, and it's not like you'll do cool tricks on your MTB/skateboard at night, risking injury. The main features this action camera has to offer will provide enough functionality for most users – again, at a much wallet-friendly price point. That's a win in our books.

Read our full DJI OSMO Action 3 review.

Best budget GoPro

GoPro HERO 9 Black on some grassT3 Award Winner sponsored by Wiggle

(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
Best budget GoPro action camera

Specifications

Video: 5K/30fps, 4K/60fps, 2.7K/120fps, 1080p/240fps
Stills: 20MP
Screen: 2.27-inch LCD rear, front Color LCD With Live Preview
Waterproof: 10m
Voice control: Yes
Image stabilisation: HyperSmooth 3.0
GPS: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Integrated front-facing screen 
+
Removable lens cover 
+
Native horizon levelling 
+
Very easy to use  

Reasons to avoid

-
Not quite as slick as the HERO 10
-
No hydrophobic lens cover

We loved this action cam for being both extremely easy to use for beginners and still astonishingly capable for the pro – an impressive balance. This was the first HERO to feature that long-awaited front-facing screen, previously only available with the addition of a Mod. That means for anyone who wants to be able to frame themselves in the shot, it's the oldest GoPro you'll want to go for. There's also a removable lens cover, which is handy... although it's not hydrophobic as in the HERO 10. 

Elsewhere, the GoPro HERO 9 Black appears similar to the HERO 8, with the bunny-ears mount present, along with caseless waterproofing to 10m. Look closer, though, and the improvements are many and varied. Under the hood, there's a bigger sensor (23.6MP), which means this cam can now shoot 5K/30 video and 20MP stills, and a very welcome 30% battery boost. Incredibly impressive horizon levelling now comes baked in, although you won't be able to tilt the camera quite as much as you can with the HERO 10 Black.

Read our full GoPro HERO 9 Black review.

Best mid-range

DJI Osmo Action 4 in handT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Jamie Carter/T3)
Best mid-range action camera

Specifications

Video: 4K at 60fps (4:3) or 4K at 120fps (16:9)
Stills: 10MP
Screen: 1.4" 320×320 @ 323 ppi (Front Screen), 2.25" 360×640 @ 326 ppi (Rear Screen)
Waterproof: 18m/59ft natively, 60m/197ft with waterproof case
Voice recognition: Yes
Image Stabilisation: HyperSmooth 5.0 and Horizon Lock
GPS: No

Reasons to buy

+
Improved low-light performance
+
Goes 18m/59ft underwater without a case
+
Front and rear LCD touchscreens
+
Accessory can collect GPS data
+
Easy to swap between horizontal and vertical

Reasons to avoid

-
No 5.7K video resolution
-
Small upgrade on predecessor

The DJI Osmo Action 4 is a fine all-round action camera with some excellent accessories and ease of use. Able to go deeper underwater than ever, its larger CMOS sensor addresses a problem with the DJI Osmo Action 3. However, it arguably achieves very little more than its predecessor, so it could be argued that unless you do plan to use the DJI Osmo Action 4 deep underwater and/or in the twilight, it’s probably not worth paying extra for.

That said, with excellent image stabilization, ease of use and a brilliant magnetic mounting system for accessories, the DJI Osmo Action 4 is an excellent rugged action camera that loses out to the likes of GoPro Hero 11 Black only in its lack of 5.7K video resolution. If that’s not important to you, then you’ll love the DJI Osmo Action 4.

Read our full DJI Osmo Action 4 review.

Best budget 360°

Kandao QooCam 3 review

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Best budget 360° action camera

Specifications

Video: up to 5.7K @ 30fps
Stills: up to 2MP (11,136 × 5,568 pixels)
Screen: 1.9'' rear touchscreen
Waterproof: IP68
Voice control: No
Image stabilisation: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Good value for money, even at full price
+
Large sensor enables better low-light videography
+
IP68 dust- and waterproof construction
+
Easy to operate

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavier than direct competitors
-
Could offer more shooting options
-
App could offer more features
-
Image sharpening is quite noticeable
-
Confusing shooting mode naming conventions

The Kandao QooCam 3 heavily relies on the fact that it costs less than big-ticket competitors, such as the Insta360 X3 and the GoPro Max. And for the price, it offers a decent level of functionality and shooting modes, albeit nothing mind-blowing. Build quality is excellent, and thanks to the large sensor, low-light performance is also pretty good. Plus, Kandao supports its products in the long run via software updates. If you come across a good Kandao QooCam 3 deal and are on a tight budget, we'd recommend at least considering getting one.

Read our full Kandao QooCam 3 review.

How to choose the best action camera for you

There's a huge amount of choice in this market, which can make finding the best action camera for your needs a little difficult. Image quality is one of the most important factors to consider, and it's always worth checking out frame rates rather than max resolution. This is because while a lot of cameras shoot in 4K resolution, some cheaper models use a frame rate of 15fps, which makes the video look jumpy. If you're shooting in 4K you want at least 30fps, or just shoot in 1080p HD at 60fps. 

The best action cameras also come bundled with accessories and a versatile system of mounts – or least have the option to buy the ones you want. Waterproofing without a case comes as standard with some models, but with others you'll probably want to invest in waterproof casing to safeguard your cam for everything from watersports to an unexpected downpour. 

Because things can get expensive at the top end of the market, it's key to consider which features are most important for how you're going to actually use your cam. Things like image stabilisation and GPS are mainstays, while newer additions such as voice control might be important to you depending upon your chosen sport and whether you need to be hands-free to do it.

Matt Kollat
Section Editor | Active

Matt Kollat is a journalist and content creator who works for T3.com and its magazine counterpart as an Active Editor. His areas of expertise include wearables, drones, fitness equipment, nutrition and outdoor gear. He joined T3 in 2019. His byline appears in several publications, including Techradar and Fit&Well, and more. Matt also collaborated with other content creators (e.g. Garage Gym Reviews) and judged many awards, such as the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance's ESSNawards. When he isn't working out, running or cycling, you'll find him roaming the countryside and trying out new podcasting and content creation equipment.

With contributions from