Which is the best GoPro? Top action cameras reviewed and ranked

T3's guide to the best GoPros currently available

best GoPro: GoPro Hero 12 Black mounted on a bike handle bar
(Image credit: GoPro)

The best GoPro model isn't necessarily the newest in the range. That said, our current top choice for the title of best GoPro is the Hero 12 Black, thanks to its increased battery life and user-friendly shooting modes. Below, you'll find T3's best GoPro ranking with all available models tested, reviewed, and ranked.

If you're considering investing, this guide is here to help you figure out where to splash your cash for the most satisfying results. Choosing the best GoPro cam is about deciding which features matter most to you and which you can live without or will never use. Read on for our complete guide to the best GoPro models right now.

Older and newer GoPros regularly pop up in our best action camera guide, although you're more likely to snag a cheap GoPro deal on a previous model than one that's new out. To learn more about the GoPro subscription, read our explainer here: Is the GoPro subscription worth it?

The best GoPro to buy right now

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GoPro HERO 12 Black

GoPro Hero 12 Black review

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Best GoPro overall

Specifications

Video: 5.3K (16:9) @ 60fps, 4K (16:9) @ 120fps, 2.7K (16:9) @ 240fps
Stills: 27.13MP (5568x4872)
Screen: 2.27" Touch LCD (rear), 1.4" Color LCD (front)
Waterproof: up to 10ATM
Voice control: Yes plus Bluetooth headset compatible
Image stabilisation: HyperSmooth 6.0 and Horizon Lock

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

If you want the best GoPro, you need the GoPro Hero 12 Black – easy as that. The latest iteration adds HDR video and the ability to record vertical videos on the camera, allowing you to create attention-grabbing footage for social media without post-processing in the Quik app.

Battery life has increased, thanks to GoPro disabling the GPS in the camera. According to the brand, only a fraction of the users used it, and it compromised battery life big time. Now, you get to shoot your favourite extreme sports for longer using the same Enduro battery as before.

GoPro also added a bunch of professional features, enabling videographers to sync multiple GoPros better. Plus, the latest GoPro allows for more control and colour grading in post-production.

Best of all, the GoPro Hero 12 Black has the same asking price as the Hero 11 Black's Membership Price. However, now, you don't need the membership to unlock the lower price. Essentially, you get a more competent action camera for no extra money.

Read our full GoPro Hero 12 Black review.

How does GoPro's top action cam compares to Insta360's top-of-the-line Ace Pro? We pitted them against each other to find out: GoPro Hero 12 Black vs Insta360 Ace Pro.

GoPro HERO 11 Black Mini

GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini review

(Image credit: Jamie Carter)
Best value for money GoPro

Specifications

Video: 2.7K at 240fps (8x slo-mo), 4K at 120fps, 5.3K at 60fps (10-bit HEVC/120Mbps max. bit rate)
Stills: 24.69MP photo frame-grabs from (8:7) 5.3K video
Screen: LCD to shopw stats at the top of camera
Waterproof: 10m
Voice control: N/A
Image stabilisation: HyperSmooth 5.0 and Horizon Lock

Reasons to buy

+
More affordable and versatile than the flagship
+
Smaller size and weight
+
Fuss-free operation
+
No extra batteries to lose

Reasons to avoid

-
No dedicated photo mode
-
Gets a little hot when in use for longer
-
Very tiny LCD screen

The GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini puts the action back into action cameras. Thanks to its compact design, it's the perfect set-and-forget model in GoPro's lineup of action cameras; plonk in on the handlebar or the GoPro Chesty, hit record, and off you go on your shenanigans.

It's not the best GoPro for vlogging due to the lack of dual display, and the fixed (i.e. non-removable) battery might also feel like a hindrance to some. As an affordable alternative, though, it's hard to fault the Hero 11 Mini. It's like saying the Apple Watch SE isn't as good as mainline Apple Watches – it's just stating the obvious.

That said, the video quality on the GoPro Hero 11 Mini is excellent, and the price is right. If you're toying with the idea of getting an action camera and don't want to settle for anything less than a GoPro, the Hero 11 Black Mini is your best option.

Read our full GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini review.

GoPro HERO 11 Black

GOPro Hero 11

(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
Best GoPro for vloggers and TikTok stars

Specifications

Video: 5.3K60 / 4K120
Stills: 27MP
Screen: Front preview, rear 2.27" touchscreen
Waterproof: 10m
Voice control: Yes
Image stabilisation: Hypersmooth 5.0

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

We called the GoPro HERO 11 Black the ultimate incremental upgrade in our review, which perfectly describes what this action camera has to offer.

You get the 1/1.9” sensor, boosting a rich colour palette (up to 10-bit) and further enhancing the photos and videos you shoot on the GoPro. This improvement will justify making the upgrade for some users, especially those who take advantage of the ‘Pro’ setting, which allows you to unlock presets such as Standard, Activity, Cinematic, Slo-Mo and more, and gives you the ability to fine-tune all modes, settings and features.

Read our full GoPro HERO 11 Black review.

GoPro HERO 10 Black

GoPro HERO 10 Black, lying on a rockT3 Best Buy badge

(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
The GoPro HERO 10 remains a highly capable action cam

Specifications

Video: 5.3K/60FPS, 4K/120FPS, 2.7K/240p
Stills: 23MP
Screen: 2.27" LCD rear + 1.4" front Color LCD
Waterproof: 10m
Voice control: Yes
Image stabilisation: HyperSmooth 4.0
GPS: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
GP2 processor adds speed and slickness
+
Big bump up in resolution and framerate
+
Hydrophobic lens cover
+
Horizon levelling up to 45-degree tilt

Reasons to avoid

-
Most expensive option
-
Battery can struggle to keep up

The GoPro HERO 10 Black is slick and speedy, with a quicker boot and faster transfers (GoPro has also added the option of wired uploads and auto-uploading to the cloud during charging – but the latter only if you're a GoPro subscriber). There's a significant bump in image quality, with frame rates doubled over the HERO 9 Black at higher resolutions.

Video tops out at a massive 5.3K, 60FPS, 4K at a blistering 120FPS, and 2.7K/240p; stills are up to 23MP. The excellent HyperSmooth and TimeWarp have slightly improved, and the horizon levelling is more noticeable. Finally, one almost invisible improvement to the hardware is the hydrophobic, more scratch-resistant lens cover that works an absolute treat.

All this, combined with GoPro's famously intuitive interface, means this is an extremely easy-to-use camera for the beginner, as well as an astonishingly capable tool for the pro – an impressive combination.

Read our full GoPro HERO 10 Black review.

GoPro HERO 9 Black

GoPro HERO 9 Black, lying on some grassT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
Best cheap GoPro

Specifications

Video: 5K/30fps, 4K/60fps, 2.7K/120fps, 1080p/240fps
Stills: 20MP
Screen: 2.27" LCD rear + 1.4" front colour LCD
Waterproof: 10m
Voice control: Yes
Image stabilisation: HyperSmooth 3.0
GPS: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Front preview screen 
+
Native horizon levelling 
+
Still super-usable 

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as smooth and speedy as H10

The GoPro HERO 9 Black extends many of the now-familiar tools from the HERO 8 Black and adds a big dollop of hardware improvement.. although it's not powered by the latest GP2 chip, which means it's not quite as smooth, slick and powerful as the newest flagship above. It scooped up a T3 Award in 2021 in the Best Action Cam category.

In style terms, the HERO 9 Black is visually identical to the HERO 8, just slightly larger on each axis, and – significantly – is the first in the range to add that all-important front-facing screen for vlogging action. The slick 'bunny-ears' mount is carried across, as is the 10m caseless waterproofing, while a removable lens cover adds potential for upgrade. 

Under the hood, the big news is a hefty boost in the sensor (23.6MP) compared to the H8, which in turn opens the door to 5K/30 video and 20MP stills, while a 30% beefier battery means there's enough juice to use some of this power. This is also the first HERO to offer horizon levelling baked in (as opposed to the app in previous models), and while this version won't accept as much tilting as the H10, it's still pretty impressive.

Read our full GoPro HERO 9 Black review.

GoPro HERO 8 Black

GoPro Hero 8 BlackT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: GoPro)
Still availble and sells for a good price

Specifications

Video: 4K/60fps, 2.7K/4K, 1080p/240fps
Stills: 12MP
Screen: Touchscreen
Waterproof: 10m
Voice control: Yes
Image stabilisation: HyperSmooth 2.0 with High and Boost options
GPS: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
First to feature frameless design
+
Excellent image stabilisation
+
Smaller and lighter than the HERO 9

Reasons to avoid

-
No front preview screen
-
No in-cam horizon levelling

The GoPro HERO 8 Black was a big upgrade on the H7, introducing a dramatically improved body and a host of other innovations. Even though it's now practically an OAP in HERO terms, having been usurped twice in the lineup, the HERO 8 Black remains an excellent camera. It arguably delivers the best bang for your buck and is probably the best GoPro for most people's uses.

The HERO 8 Black's body is sleeker, and it has cleaner lines and a lens that’s not quite as proud. The main difference, though, is that unlike its predecessor, the HERO 8 Black doesn't need to be seated in a frame attached to be connected to a mount. Instead, two 'fingers’ fold out from its base, allowing you to fit it directly to a mount or any other compatible accessory. 

While the HERO 8 Black has very similar shooting modes and features as the HERO 7 Black, the newer camera comes with improved software and additional extras. For example, the HERO 7 has GoPro’s highly impressive Hypersmooth stabilisation, but the HERO 8 comes with Hypersmooth 2.0 along with additional High and Boost settings to smooth out even the most rattly footage. Similarly, while both cameras can shoot in 4K at 60FPS, the H8 Black's higher bit rate results in better quality footage and gives it the edge over its stablemate. 

Read our full GoPro HERO 8 Black review.

GoPro Max

GoPro Max action cameraT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: GoPro)
Best GoPro for capturing 360-degree footage

Specifications

Video: 6K source/5.6K stitched
Stills: 18MP, Hero: 5.5MP, PowerPano: 6.2MP
Screen: Touchscreen
Waterproof: 5m
Voice control: Yes
Image stabilisation: HyperSmooth
GPS: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Mind blowing 360 video
+
360 degree photos
+
Sturdy construction
+
Fantastic app support

Reasons to avoid

-
More specialised use

Released not long after the HERO8 Black, the 360-degree GoPro Max shares the same intuitive operating system and many design cues with its more conventional stablemate. It also uses the same frameless mounting system, consisting of two metal fingers that fold out from the base, in order to attach the camera to mounts and other accessories.

The new camera vastly improves on its predecessor (Fusion) in every respect and comes with many popular facilities found in the Hero range, such as Hypersmooth image stabilisation and TimeWarp moving time-lapsed video. While the Max’s 360-degree capabilities give you the ability to create some truly amazing content, the stitching together of the images taken by the front and rear-mounted lenses can be noticeable at times.

Vloggers will appreciate the ability to flip between front and rear views on the Max’s touchscreen, but the only way to see what you are shooting in 360-degree mode is via the feature-packed smartphone app – which handily also gives you access to the camera’s controls. The Max is a hugely versatile piece of kit that makes it easy to create stunning content. A combination of GoPro’s unmatched functionality and an excellent smartphone app makes Max stand head and shoulders above its 360-degree rivals.

Read our full GoPro Max review.

How to choose the best GoPro for you

The main things to consider before purchasing a GoPro are: 1. What will you be mainly using your footage for? and 2. How big is your budget? The good news is that there is a GoPro camera for all kinds of different applications and for a wide range of budgets.

The T3 5-star rated GoPro HERO 10 Black sits at the very top of our best GoPro guide. The flagship model is followed by the HERO 9 Black, then the HERO 8 Black in third place. They all look broadly similar; you'll usually find a significant change in every one or two models. For example, the H8 was the first to use the frameless 'bunny ears' design, the H9 added a front-facing screen, and the H10 has a new chipset that makes it run smoother and quicker. 

As you move your way up the range, you'll also find the software and features get gradually better, with improvements in things like video resolution, image stabilisation, and horizon levelling. The bomb-proof build and caseless waterproofing to 10m are consistent across the current range, and the reality of the matter is that even first-gen Hypersmooth is pretty darn impressive, so for many people, one of the older generation cameras will be plenty good enough. 

When making buying decisions on GoPro cameras, it's worth considering whether a GoPro subscription works for you, as it means fairly hefty discounts on your camera, as well as bonus extras like cloud storage and easy replacement if the camera is lost.

If 360-degree video is your thing, the fourth camera in the GoPro line-up is the twin-lensed Max, which can shoot mind-blowing 360-degree footage up to 5.6k (at 30fps) resolution and features many facilities found on conventional cameras. 

FAQ

What can you do with a GoPro?

Whether it's Kai Lenny surfing house-sized waves at Jaws, or Felix Baumgartner's epic skydive from space, if you're watching an action sports video, the likelihood is that at least some of the footage will have been filmed using a GoPro. All the action cams in the current GoPro range deliver top-level optics, image stabilisation, waterproofing and industry-leading usability.

GoPros are the ultimate accessory for mountain biking, surfing, white water rafting, skateboarding, or just about any action sport. However, their bombproof nature, excellent image quality and small size make them extremely versatile and helpful devices for situations in which you wouldn't want to risk using a regular camera. Their small size and range of mounts available (helmet mounts, handlebar mounts, even dog mounts) also allow you to record from a huge range of POVs.

In-depth: What can you do with a GoPro?

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.

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