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Best action cameras 2026: GoPro, DJI and budget options tested
Jonny blends rigour with the ridiculous to find what works, from chasing Bluetooth trackers nationwide to piercing bin bags with a force gauge.
We pitted GoPro's latest models, including the Hero 13, against top-rated cameras from DJI and Insta360 to find out which truly capture the action, and which are just along for the ride.
We tested 4K, 5K and 8K action cameras, models with GPS and budget options to see which produce sharp images, smooth footage and crisp audio.
Our testers shoot underwater, during the night and at high speeds. We also freeze, submerge and drop each camera onto concrete, to make sure you get a model that can withstand action as well as capture it.
Three action cameras were good enough to receive our Best Buy recommendation, but some pricey models left us unimpressed. We've also named a Great Value pick that punches well above its weight and price.
How our tests find you the best
We've tested 12 action cameras
We put the latest releases from GoPro, DJI and Insta360 as well as household names Kodak and OM System through their paces.
Image quality
We test for pro-level definition and accurate colour, so your adventures will look just like you remember them. No more oversaturated skies or fuzzy faces.
Durability
We submerge the cameras, freeze them for four hours and drop them multiple times onto concrete. If it can’t survive a tumble, it won’t survive your trip.
We also test...
...audio quality, display and playback quality, and if physical and touchscreen controls are easy to use.
The action cameras we tested
Only logged-in Which? members can view the action camera test results.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.
| Action camera | Price | Score | Image stabilisation* | Image detail | Ease of use | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableGet Digital access £8.99 per month, cancel at any time. Already a member? | 87% | |||||
| 83% | ||||||
| 83% | ||||||
| 82% | ||||||
| 80% | ||||||
| 79% | ||||||
| 76% | ||||||
| 74% | ||||||
| 59% | ||||||
| 52% | ||||||
| 48% | ||||||
| 46% |
Sign up to reveal
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Unlock tableGet Digital access £8.99 per month, cancel at any time.
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Date tested: March 2026. Page last checked: April 2026. We are not able to show every retailer, and cheaper prices may be available.
*How well the camera neutralises shakes and jolts to give footage a smooth sense of motion.
All the action cameras we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best action cameras from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Akaso EK7000
Max resolution/frame rate 4K/30fps, 2.7K/30fps, 1,080p/60fps
Sensor size CMOS (unspecified exact size)
Size and weight 4.1 x 5.8 x 2.8cm (HxWxD); 74g
Stated battery life 90 mins (likely to be less when running more advanced specs)
Need to know Waterproof to 30 metres (only when using included housing), slow-motion, loop recording, time-lapse and burst photo modes, built-in electronic image stabilisation (EIS), 20Mp stills, wi-fi enabled, 170° max field of view.
DJI Osmo 360
Max resolution/frame rate 8K/30fps, 6K/60fps, 4K/120fps
Sensor size Dual 1/1.1" Size and weight 8.1 x 6.1 x 3.6cm (HxWxD); 183g
Stated battery life 100 mins (likely to be less when running more advanced specs)
Need to know Waterproof to 10 metres, 360° and single-lens shooting modes, slow-motion, time-lapse, built-in image stabilisation (RockSteady 3.0 and HorizonSteady), 120Mp stills, Bluetooth and wi-fi enabled, 170° max field of view (single-lens mode), DJI Mimo app required.
DJI Osmo Action 6
Max resolution/frame rate 8K/30fps, 4K/120fps, 1080p/240fps
Sensor size 1/1.1" Size and weight 4.7 x 7.3 x 3.3cm (HxWxD); 149g
Stated battery life 240 mins (likely to be less when running more advanced specs)
Need to know Waterproof to 20 metres, variable aperture, slow-motion, loop recording, HDR, time-lapse and hyperlapse modes, built-in image stabilisation (RockSteady 3.0+ and HorizonSteady), 38Mp stills, RAW support, Bluetooth and wi-fi enabled, 155° max field of view, front-facing preview screen, voice control, digital zoom, DJI Mimo app required.
DJI Osmo Nano
Max resolution/frame rate 4K/60fps, 4K/120fps, 1080p/240fps
Sensor size 1/1.3"
Size and weight Standalone camera: 2.8 x 5.7 x 3.0cm (HxWxD); 52g. Camera in dock: 5.9 x 4.2 x 2.2cm (HxWxD); 72g.
Stated battery life Standalone camera: 90 mins; camera in dock: 200 mins (likely to be less when running more advanced specs)
Need to know Waterproof to 10 metres (camera only - not dock), slow-motion, time-lapse and hyperlapse modes, built-in image stabilisation (RockSteady 3.0 and HorizonBalancing), 35Mp stills, RAW support, Bluetooth and wi-fi enabled, 143° max field of view, voice control, DJI Mimo app required.
GoPro Hero 13 Black
Max resolution/frame rate 5.3K/60fps, 4K/120fps, 2.7K/240fps
Sensor size 1/1.9"
Size and weight 5.5 x 7.1 x 3.4cm (HxWxD); 157g
Stated battery life 150 mins (likely to be less when running more advanced specs)
Need to know Waterproof to 10.1 metres, Burst Slo-Mo, loop recording, HLG HDR video, time-lapse and TimeWarp modes, built-in image stabilisation (HyperSmooth 6.0) and horizon lock, 27Mp stills, RAW support, Bluetooth, wi-fi and GPS enabled, 156° max field of view, front-facing preview screen, voice control.
GoPro LIT HERO
Max resolution/frame rate 4K/60fps, 1080p/60fps
Sensor size 1/2.8"
Size and weight 4.8 x 5.6 x 3.0cm (HxWxD); 93g
Stated battery life 100 mins (likely to be less when running more advanced specs)
Need to know Waterproof to 5 metres, slow-motion, loop recording, built-in image stabilisation (HyperSmooth), 12Mp stills, Bluetooth and wi-fi enabled, 165° max field of view, built-in LED light, rear touch screen, voice control.
Read our reviews of the best compact cameras
GoPro MAX 2
Max resolution/frame rate 8K/30fps, 5.6K/60fps, 4K/100fps
Sensor size Dual 1/2.3"
Size and weight 6.4 x 6.9 x 2.5cm (HxWxD); 195g
Stated battery life 88 mins (likely to be less when running more advanced specs)
Need to know Waterproof to 5 metres, slow-motion, TimeWarp, Time-lapse and NightLapse modes, built-in image stabilisation (Max HyperSmooth) and 360° horizon lock, 29.5Mp stills, Bluetooth, wi-fi and GPS enabled, 180° max field of view (single lens mode), voice control.
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
Max resolution/frame rate 8K/30fps, 4K/60fps, 1080p/240fps
Sensor size 1/1.3"
Size and weight 5.2 x 7.2 x 3.8cm (HxWxD); 177g
Stated battery life 112 mins (likely to be less when running more advanced specs)
Need to know Waterproof to 12 metres, slow-motion, loop recording, time-lapse and TimeShift modes, Active HDR, built-in image stabilisation (FlowState) and horizon lock, 50Mp stills, RAW support, Bluetooth and wi-fi enabled, voice control, digital zoom, 157° max field of view, 2.5-inch flip touchscreen, Insta360 app required.
Insta360 GO Ultra
Max resolution/frame rate 4K/60fps, 1080p/240fps
Sensor size 1/1.28"
Size and weight Standalone camera: 4.6 x 4.6 x 2.2cm (HxWxD); 53g. Camera in dock: 7 x 4.9 x 3.3 cm (HxWxD); 109g.
Stated battery life Standalone camera: 70 mins. Camera in dock: 200 mins. (Likely to be less when running more advanced specs)
Need to know Waterproof to 10 metres (camera only - not dock), slow-motion, Active HDR, time-lapse and TimeShift modes, built-in image stabilisation (FlowState) and 360 horizon lock, 50Mp stills, Bluetooth and wi-fi enabled, voice control, 156° max field of view, digital zoom, Insta360 app required.
Insta360 X5
Max resolution/frame rate 8K/30fps, 5.7K/60fps, 4K/120fps (360 shooting mode) 4K/60fps (single lens shooting mode)
Sensor size Dual 1/1.28"
Size and weight 12.5 x 4.6 x 3.8cm (HxWxD); 200g
Stated battery life 208 mins (likely to be less when running more advanced specs)
Need to know Waterproof to 15 metres, 360° and single-lens shooting modes, slow-motion, Active HDR, PureVideo low-light mode, time-lapse and Starlapse modes, built-in image stabilisation (FlowState) and 360° horizon lock, 72Mp stills, RAW support, Bluetooth and wi-fi enabled, voice control, 170° max field of view (single-lens mode), Insta360 app required.
Kodak PIXPRO WPZ2
Max resolution/frame rate 1080p/30fps, 720p/60fps
Sensor size 1/2.3"
Size and weight 6.3 x 9.5 x 2.5cm (HxWxD); 176g
Stated battery life 70 mins (likely to be less when running more advanced specs)
Need to know Waterproof to 15 metres, 4x optical zoom, continuous burst shooting, HDR and panoramic capture modes, built-in digital image stabilisation, 16.35Mp stills, wi-fi enabled, 27-108mm equivalent field of view.
OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7
Max resolution/frame rate 4K/30fps, 1080p/120fps, 720p/240fps
Sensor size 1/2.3"
Size and weight 6.6 x 11.4 x 3.3cm (HxWxD); 249g
Stated battery life 110 mins (likely to be less when running more advanced specs)
Need to know Waterproof to 15 metres, 4x optical zoom, slow-motion, time-lapse, Live Composite, Pro Capture, microscope macro modes, built-in sensor-shift image stabilisation, 12Mp stills, RAW support, Bluetooth, wi-fi and GPS enabled, 25-100mm equivalent field of view.
How we test action cameras
We buy the bestselling action cameras and put them through our tough tests. We don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers.
Our video producers compare the quality of their video, audio and more, before we put each model through its paces in real-world durability tests.
We regularly revisit the action cameras on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them, we do.
Video and audio quality
We record a set selection of videos and images with each camera using the same settings and under the same conditions, then compare the quality of each.
These include shooting underwater, vlogging, recording high-speed activities and shooting at night. We're on the look out for:
- Smooth image stabilisation and sharp images
- Natural colours and good dynamic range (the ability to capture high-contrast scenes)
- Footage that's free of distortion and copes with changes in focus and light
- Richness and depth of audio - if voices are clear and wind noise is muffled
Ease of use and durability
While recording, we assess how straightforward they are to shoot with and how tough they are by:
- Noting how easy we find it to use each camera
- Freezing the cameras in a freezer for four hours and leaving them underwater for 30 minutes
- Dropping each one onto concrete from head height several times
Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent
What is a GoPro or action camera?
People often say 'GoPro' when they mean 'action camera'. But while it might be the most famous name, an action camera is any small, rugged and waterproof camera designed to go where your smartphone shouldn't.
They’re built for the stuff that’s too fast, too wet or too high-stakes for an expensive iPhone: mountain biking, surfing, or just capturing a toddler’s-eye view of a birthday party. Action cameras are designed to be set and forgotten about - you strap them to your chest or handlebars, hit record, and let the camera handle the bumps while you focus on the adventure ahead.
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How do budget action cameras compare to the bigger names?
Our tests found that, more often than not, the budget route is a dead end when it comes to action cameras.
The biggest gap between the cheapest and most expensive cameras isn't just the logo on the front; it’s how the camera handles action. While a premium model uses clever software and hardware to smooth out jitters, a budget one often produces footage so shaky you’ll need a sea sickness tablet just to watch it back.
You also lose out on clarity as soon as conditions get even slightly challenging. Where a top-rated camera keeps things crisp, a cheap model often turns a sunset dinner into a grainy, dark mess. Then there's the faff factor: while the big names offer snappy touchscreens that feel just like your phone, many budget models rely on clunky physical buttons and confusing menus that are a pain to navigate when you’re on the move.
That said, you don’t necessarily need to spend £500. We’ve found a Great Value action camera for less than £250 that punches well above its weight and offers the kind of polish we typically only find in expensive models. Log in or join Which? to find out which camera it is, and why it’s the only budget option we’d actually recommend for your next holiday.
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What makes a good action camera?
When you're looking for a camera that can survive a mountain bike trail or a dip in the ocean, a few tech specs matter far more than others.
- Image stabilisation: The holy grail of action tech. This is the digital magic that smooths out jitters, turning a bone-shaking descent into a video that doesn’t cause motion sickness. If the stabilisation is poor, any high-speed footage will be essentially useless.
- Resolution and frame rates: 4K is the baseline for crisp detail, while 5.3K or 8K gives you room to crop in later without losing clarity. Frame rates (fps) determine smoothness: standard video is 30 or 60fps, but you’ll need 120fps or higher if you want buttery-smooth slow-motion playback.
- Waterproofing and durability: Check if the camera is waterproof (usually to 10m) or if it requires plastic housing. Be wary of models that are water-resistant, rather than waterproof; they might survive a splash, but a dunk in the pool will be a one-way trip to the bin.
- Mounting system: Most action cameras use a standard two-prong mount that works with thousands of third-party accessories, but some newer models use clever magnets to make swapping from a chest strap to a selfie stick much faster. Remember that while a couple of basic mounts usually come in the box, specialised ones for things like bike handlebars or helmets will cost you extra.
- Battery life: Even the top-tier models usually only manage an hour or two of continuous 4K recording. If you’re planning a full day out, spares will probably be necessary.
- Wireless and GPS: Wi-fi and Bluetooth allow you to use your phone as a remote screen, while GPS can overlay your speed and altitude onto the video. They’re handy extras, but bear in mind they’ll drain your battery much more quickly.
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