1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best value
4. Best cheap
5. Best Hero 12 Black alternative
6. Best 360-degree
7. How to choose
8. How we test
GoPro has become a byword for the best action cameras, but not all GoPros are the same. In our list below, you’ll find flagship GoPros that record high-res video for social; GoPros that capture 360-degree video; and affordable GoPros for shooting adventures on a budget. We’ve tested each option extensively to help you decide which is best for your needs and budget.
Based on our in-depth reviews, we think the best GoPro for most people is the Hero 12 Black. It’s the latest flagship to lead the line-up and has all the features to match, including fast 5.3K frame rates, smooth 4K slow-mo and the most effective stabilization on the market. Together with a useful sensor ratio, easy interface and raft of shootings modes, we think it’s the best action camera you can buy. But our list isn’t one-dimensional: we know it won’t be the right choice for everyone, which is why our guide covers a range of GoPros – including several cheaper options.
We test GoPros the same way we test every action camera: out in the real world, where most people will use them. Our experienced team puts each camera through a series of assessments, to check everything from usability and connectivity to stabilization and low-light image quality. The results help us to form a verdict on which GoPro cameras are worth your consideration. And to help you decide, we’ve also shared our top buying tips at the end of this guide.
Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor, with over 15 years in the photo video industry and most of those in the world of tech journalism. Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with all things camera related. Tim notes, "GoPro action cameras continue to set the standard for recording sharp, smooth video in a range of conditions. Their flagship Hero models have long been the benchmark. Because of this, if you don't need the very latest features, you can save money by choosing a GoPro from a few generations ago."
The quick list
If you don’t have time to read our full list of the best GoPro cameras, you can use the quick round-up below for a shortcut to the top options. When you find one that fits your needs and budget, the links beneath each entry will take you to our full write-up.
The best GoPro overall
With incredible image stabilization, versatile mounts and Bluetooth audio support, the Hero 12 Black gets closer to perfection than any GoPro before.
The best value GoPro
No longer the flagship, the Hero 10 Black remains a cracking buy, with a powerful GP2 processor, 4K at 120fps and class-leading stabilization.
The cheapest GoPro
A few years old, the most affordable GoPro model offers great value, with excellent 4K video quality and HyperSmooth stabilization.
The best GoPro Hero 12 Black alternative
The first GoPro with an 8:7 sensor that's better for cropping vertical videos, the Hero 11 Black remains an excellent choice for social content creators.
The best 360-degree GoPro
The GoPro Max makes 360 action cam footage easy to turn around. Amazing 5.6K 360 degree video, on-camera stitching and it fits on existing mounts.
The best GoPro's 2024
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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best GoPro's in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
Best GoPro overall
✅ You're a daytime adventurer: A high-resolution sensor and genius stabilization that works best in bright environments at up to 240fps at 2.7K resolution.
✅ You want to share your videos on social: With its 8:7 sensor, the Hero 12 Black can natively shoot video at 5.3K with an almost square frame.
❌ You want magnetic mounting: The DJI Osmo Action 3 and 4 and Insta360 Go 3 offer magnetic mounting, while the Hero 12 Black has fiddlier flip-out feet and a tripod thread.
❌ You need a low-light champ: The Hero 12 Black doesn't have a big sensor, and the quality of its low-light footage reflects that.
The GoPro Hero 12 Black is a hardy, handy, ultra-wide action camera with incredible stabilization and an abundance of features. Its 27MP sensor can record 8:7 footage, which can easily be chopped up for various social media channels to get multiple high-resolution posts from just one clip. It shoots at 5.3K 60fps and 4K 120fps, or 240fps if you drop the resolution to 2K – something the DJI Osmo Action 4 can't do. It captures great results in well-lit scenes, complemented by a streamlined interface. External and dual-channel audio tools are useful, too, and filmmakers will appreciate support for 10-bit log capture and timecoded footage.
In our review, we found that it's still not perfect. While it's incredible what GoPro has managed to achieve with its relatively pared-back hardware, the Hero 12 Black still hasn't mastered noise-handling in dark scenes. Low-light video remains an Achilles heel, and the DJI Osmo Action 4 is a better choice on that front. If you already own the Hero 11 Black, you also won't find enough new features to warrant an upgrade. But if you're buying a new GoPro, this is the best you can get.
Read our in-depth GoPro Hero 12 Black review
Best value GoPro
✅ You want a versatile, value action cam: A sensible step up from the Hero 9 Black and not far off the Hero 11 Black, the Hero 10 Black strikes a very happy medium.
✅ You enjoy shooting slo-mo videos: The 4K/120p mode is ideal for shooting cut-scenes or family frolics. This is a key advantage for this model.
❌ You want truly cinematic video: While you can squeeze excellent video from the Hero 10 Black, footage still tends to have that wide-angle look, without any pleasing bokeh.
❌ You're looking for an action cam bargain: If you're looking for a cheap 4K action cam, there are more affordable options in our best cheap action camera guide.
Although the GoPro Hero 10 Black isn’t a total overhaul of the GoPro Hero 9, the result is a much more user-friendly and refined version of its predecessor. It's built around the same 23MP 1/2.3-inch sensor as before, and features the same 10-meter waterproofing. There are some new shooting modes, which includes new 5K/60p, 4K/120p and 2.7K/240p shooting capabilities. In our tests, we found its new slow-motion options were ideal for creating cut-scenes and b-roll footage, especially when using the Quick app to edit the results.
The touchscreen interface also proved more responsive in our review, while image quality overall looked better. The headline improvements may be relatively small, but that’s to be expected when building on an already excellent model. Overall, the GoPro Hero 10 Black isn't be the cheapest action camera on the market, but it hits the sweet spot in the current GoPro line-up, offering arguably the best combination of price and features.
Read our in-depth GoPro Hero 10 Black review.
Best cheap GoPro
✅ You want a GoPro bargain: The Hero 7 Black has some excellent features and can be snapped up for a lower price than any other GoPro in this list.
✅ You want some fun: The benefit of buying a cheap action camera is that you can throw it around as much as you like without worrying if it's going to break.
❌ You want the latest specs: The Hro Black 7 lacks almost all of the features that the flagship GoPro Hero 12 Black offers.
❌ You want something that will last: As you'll probably be buying a used version of this action camera, there is no telling how long it'll actually last.
It might now be a number of generations old, but the Hero 7 Black still remains a great action camera at a really affordable price. In fact, if you can do without all the latest features then it might not only be the cheaper buy but also the better option for you. Its 4K footage is still very good and the HyperSmooth video image stabilization tech still impresses, serving up buttery smooth footage.
Throw in 10-meter waterproofing, a 2-inch touchscreen, voice control and raw output and you’ve got a GoPro that, even with its superior successors on the scene, is still well worth considering. You can't buy the Hero 7 Black from the GoPro site anymore, but it's available new on sites like Amazon and, given its age, you could well find a second-hand bargain.
Read our in-depth GoPro Hero 7 Black review
Best Hero 12 Black alternative
✅ You want 10-bit video: 10-bit video offers more color gradations than the standard 8-bit support offered by previous GoPro versions.
✅ You want a bigger sensor: Thanks to an almost-square 8:7 aspect ratio, the sensor inside the Hero 11 Black makes it more versatile when exporting video for social media.
❌ You want external and dual-channel audio tools: This enhanced audio connectivity is only available with the flagship GoPro Hero 12 Black.
❌ You're on a budget: If you don't need the 8:7 sensor, you're better off buying one of the older GoPro Hero models to make your budget go further.
Like the Hero 12 Black, the Hero 11 black has a sensor with an 8:7 aspect ratio, which makes it easier to export videos in different formats – such as 9:16 for TikTok and Instagram – without losing any quality or resolution. The other headline feature is support 10-bit video, something usually found only in the best video cameras. This makes it easier for video editors to fine-tune footage and avoid issues like color banding in skies, particularly when shooting in GoPro's 'flat' color profile.
In testing, we found that the Hero 11 Black isn't a dramatic leap up from it predecessor. It also lacks the additional audio connectivity options of the current flagship, the Hero 12 Black. That said, it remains a feature-packed, user-friendly action camera with all of the GoPro hallmarks, including excellent image stabilization. If you shoot a lot for different platforms and want to save on a GoPro with that 8:7 sensor, this is the more affordable way to get it.
Read our Hero 11 Black hands-on review.
Best 360-degree GoPro
✅ You need 360 degree video: The GoPro Max is a boss at capturing and creating immersive 360-degree video with an easy editing workflow.
✅ You want in-camera stitching: The GoPro Max handles all the stitching on-board, so there's no manual alignment to manage afterwards.
❌ You want a great action camera: GoPro's standard Hero cameras are much better suited to a shooting traditional, flat-frame footage.
❌ You want high res video footage: This action camera is specifically designed for 360 degree video so the resolution of standard video is not so good.
The Max uses two 180-degree fisheye lenses to capture anything in its direct line of sight. These two hemispherical video files are then stitched together automatically, which is a massive timesaver, and the GoPro smartphone app lets you edit and publish spherical media from start to finish on your phone. In our review, we found that this shooting process expands the types of shots you can create, especially when recording action. It saves you from worrying about getting everything in-shot and lets you focus on what you’re actually doing.
The Max also benefits from decent 16ft (5m) water resistance, in-built retractable mounting fingers and is now compact enough to be compatible with GoPro’s entire range of mounting solutions. To round out the top-line features, the Max has a six-microphone audio array that captures a truly three-dimensional soundscape. The additional microphones also provide a surplus of audio information that can be used to cancel out background noise and hone in on voices or other desirable sounds.
Read our in-depth GoPro Max review
How to choose the best GoPro for you
How to choose the best GoPro for you
With such a long line of GoPro models to choose from, finding the right one can be tricky. The most recent GoPro action cameras are capable of shooting the sharpest footage (up to 5.3K) and feature GoPro’s most advanced HyperSmooth stabilization and horizon-leveling smarts for super steady footage in all conditions.
That said, GoPro cameras have been capable of recording 5K footage since 2021, while the GoPro Hero 7 Black (launched in 2017) was the first to offer HyperSmooth stabilization. So while older models don’t necessarily offer the latest cutting-edge features, you don’t need to shell out for the most recent model to get sharp, steady footage.
Eager to stream? Every GoPro model back to the GoPro Hero 7 back supports live streaming – and GoPro subscribers can even create private stream links to share directly with friends, family and fans. You’ll need a minimum of 1,000 subscribers to stream to YouTube.
More recent GoPro models have included a few genuinely useful upgrades. Built-in mounting fingers make it much easier to attach your action cam to different mounts – or fold them away for use as a tidy vlogging tool.
Equally, if you’d like the option to enhance your shooting package with modular accessories – such as an LED light or an improved mic for clearer audio quality – then look for a GoPro with support for Media Mods.
Keen to record 360-degree footage? The GoPro Max is the best option for capturing fully immersive 360 video.
What SD card do I need for a GoPro?
SD memory cards come in a handful of sizes. Most compact, DSLR and mirrorless cameras use standard SD cards, which are the size of a postage stamp. GoPro cameras use microSD cards. These memory cards are much smaller and they are the same format used by most smartphones with expandable storage.
So you’ll need a microSD card for your GoPro. You’ll often find one bundled in if you buy a new GoPro. Capacity is important, particularly if you’ll be shooting a lot of footage before transferring it to your smartphone or laptop. Every GoPro after the Hero7 Black (including the Max) can support memory cards with up to 512GB of storage space, which should be enough to record up to 15 hours of 4K footage at 60fps.
Just as important is a memory card’s transfer speed rating. This refers to how fast footage can be recorded to the card. It’s important if you’re planning to shoot at 4K or sharper: the card needs to be quick enough to save the footage as it’s created. For the GoPro Hero 10 Black, look for a memory card with at least the v30 or UHS-3 rating. For the Hero 9 Black, Hero 8 Black, Hero 7 Black and Max, the minimum requirement is a microSD card with a Class 10 or UHS-1 rating.
Not sure which microSD card is the best for your GoPro? Sandisk’s Extreme, Extreme Plus and Extreme Pro models are recommended by GoPro, as is Lexar’s Professional 1066x Silver Series. For a full list, check out GoPro's official SD cards that will work with GoPro cameras page.
How we test GoPro cameras
GoPros are among the toughest cameras around, so we properly put them through their paces to make sure they live up to their rugged billing – and can shoot excellent video and stills, too.
We take each one through a range of real-world tests including cycling, swimming and, if possible, an experience like an adventure course. These not only give us a good idea of each model's ability to withstand the elements, but how easy they are to operate in difficult conditions.
When it comes to footage, we record in a variety of resolutions and frame-rates to help gauge each action camera's strengths, and review these clips on a calibrated monitor. We look at default color reproduction and noise levels in shadows and highlights, and look out for any common image quality issues including clipping, softness, barrel distortion and over-zealous processing.
We go through a similar process to analyze each GoPro's image stabilization (called HyperSmooth in its most recent models), which is crucial to maintaining image quality during movement, and look at the quality of any special shooting modes too, including slo-mo and timelapses.
For battery life tests, we continuously record at different resolutions and frame-rates. We note down both how long the action cams lasts and when it has to shut down due to overheating. Lastly, we evaluate how user-friendly each GoPro is, by testing both their touchscreen interfaces and companion apps.
