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The Best Action Cameras for All Your Craziest Adventures (2026)

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The Best Action Cameras for All Your Craziest Adventures (2026)
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Choosing the best action camera used to be simple: Go with GoPro. That's still good advice, as the GoPro ranks high on our list, but there are also some worthy competitors that trump the GoPro in some areas. To figure out what exactly makes the best action camera, we dove with them, climbed with them, surfed with them, and handed them to reckless 13-year-olds on bikes. We found several great options that will record, and survive, your adventures on the ski slope, at the beach, or at the skate park.

If an action cam isn't your speed, check out our other guides, including the Best 360 Cameras, Best Compact Cameras, Best Mirrorless Cameras, and Best Instant Cameras.

Updated January 2026: We've changed our top pick to the new DJI Osmo Action 6, which replaces the Action 5 Pro. We've also updated prices and links throughout.

Compare Our Top Pick Action Cameras

Max Video SpecsBattery LifeMax Bit RateFOVScreenWeight (including battery)DJI Osmo Action 68K (16:9): 7680×4320@24/25/30fps (FOV options to Standard, Natural Wide, and Wide), 4K Custom: 3840×3840@24/25/30/48/50/60fps, 4K (4:3): 3840×2880@100/120fps122 minutes 4k/60 fps120155 degrees, expandable to 182 with the BoosBoost t Boost FOV lens. Aperture: f/2.0-f/4.0 Focus Range (at aperture f/4.0): 0.2 m to ∞Rear: 2.5-inch rear OLED touchscreen Front: 1.46-inch OLED touchscreen149gGoPro Hero 13 Black5.3K/60 fps (with 10-bit log), 4K/120 fps, 2.7K/240 fps, & 720p/400 fps with Burst Slo-Mo75 minutes 5K/ 60fps, 91 minutes 5K/ 30fps, 4k/ 60fps 88 minutes120 (200 with GoPro Labs firmware)156 degrees, expandable to 177 with Ultra Wide Lens ModRear: 2.27-inch Touch Front: 1.4-inch Color Display159gInsta360 Ace Pro 28K/30 fps, 4K/120 fps (with 8-bit color, no log)105 minutes at 4k/30 fps180 (but only 8-bit color)157 degreesRear: 2.5-inch flip touch LCD177gDJI Osmo Action 5 Pro4K/120fps (with 10-bit D-Log), 1080p/240 fps with Slo-Mo mode118 minutes 4k/60 fps100155 degrees, expandable to 182 with Wide Angle lensRear: 2.5-inch rear OLED touchscreen Front: 1.46-inch OLED touchscreen145gDJI Osmo Nano4K/60 fps53 minutes at 4K/ 60 fps120 (10-bit color)143 degrees1.96-inch touchscreen LCD124gInsta360 Go Ultra8K/60 fps65 minutes 4K/ 30fps (pod only)/195 minutes 4K/ 30fps (using base station)180 (but only 8-bit color)156 degreesRear:2.5-inch flip touch LCD53g (pod)/160g (with base)GoPro Hero 12 Black5.3K/60 fps (with 10-bit log), 4K/120 fps49 minutes 4K/ 30fps120156 degrees, expandable to 177 with Max Lens ModRear: 2.27-inch Touchscreen Front: 1.4-inch color154gOlympus TG-74K/30fps330 shots/~50 4K/ 30fps1004x optical zoom (35mm equivalent: 25mm to 100mm)3-inch 1080p LCD249g

The B-Roll

All those cheap cameras on Amazon: Readers often ask, why spend $400 on a GoPro when they can get a camera with 4K video for $100? It's a fair question, and the answer comes down to software, primarily image stabilization. Action cameras are designed to be strapped to helmets or clipped to your chest while you skydive, rock climb, and race through the city on a scooter. Without stabilization, the results are something even your closest friends won't sit through. So yes, you'll get 4K footage with the cheaper cams, but it'll be footage no one wants to see. In our view, you're better off spending another $100 for an older GoPro (Hero 11 or 12) on sale.

Best Accessories to Trick Out Your Camera

The Best Action Cameras for All Your Craziest AdventuresPhotograph: Scott Gilbertson

Once you have an action camera, you're good to go for most use cases. GoPro, Insta360, and DJI all provide helmet mounts and other ways to stick your camera where you want it. But there are some nice extras that can make getting that shot you're dreaming of even easier. Here are a few:

A good microSD card: You may get an SD card with your camera. Insta360's SD cards are pretty good actually, but I tend to use SanDisk's Extreme cards because they're fast and, as a bonus, waterproof. You can pick up a 512-GB card for around $70. I also like Samsung's Pro Plus microSD cards, which are a little faster in my tests. You can grab a 256-GB for around $96. DJI has some specific recommendations for microSD cards to use with the Action 6. Of their list the one I recommend is the Lexar Professional Silver Plus ($24).

GoPro Media Mod for $79: GoPro's sound is OK out of the box, but if you want higher-quality audio, this is where you start. Not because the Media Mod produces great sound—it's better than the camera, but still not great. What it offers is a microphone jack. Plug in a high-quality microphone and you'll finally have awesome sound. (Not recommended while skydiving.)

Handlebar/seatpost/pole mount for $40: This is my favorite mount for mountain biking, but it'll also work on ski poles and any other round object you want to clamp it to.

Motorcycle accessory bundle for $50: If you ride, this mount for Insta360 cameras (Ace Pro, X5, etc.) is a must-have. It's one of the most secure clamps I've ever used, almost as good as a bench vice.

Yallsame tripod mount for $10: Action cameras offer many ways to mount them, but one that's curiously missing is the traditional quarter-inch tripod screw mount. The GoPro Hero 13 has one, but this three-pack of adapters solves the problem for the others.

Polarizer and ND filters: If you shoot around water, through glass, or in any other high-glare situation, a polarizing filter will help cut that glare. Neutral density (ND) filters hold back light to let you shoot at a wider aperture in bright light, helping to increase the amount of motion blur. Both are great additions to your action camera kit. If you have the Hero 13 Black you can get the new GoPro ND filter Four-Pack ($90), which automatically adjusts the camera settings when attached. This is huge since getting the shutter speed right with ND filters can take some trial and error. The GoPro ND filters handle all that for you. If you don't have a HEro 13, I've tested and like DJI's ND filter set for the Action 6 ($79). For older GoPros, I like Freewell's polarizing and ND filters ($20). I suggest starting with an 8-stop ND or combo ND and polarizing filter.

Floaty for $35: Another one for the water shooters, but well worth the money since it'll keep your GoPro from ending up at the bottom of the sea. I haven't tried it, but here's one for the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 ($20), and at the time of updating the Action 6 is so new there doesn't see to be a case. I can confirm that the older case will work, but the buttons don't quite line up and it's a pain to use. Hopefully DJI will get out an updated version soon.

Selfie stick for $25: I've tested a lot of selfie sticks and they're almost all fine, but I keep grabbing this Insta360 version when I head out the door. It's lightweight, small enough to fit at the bottom of my bag, and it's affordable. If you want to go big, this Insta360 Extended Edition Selfie Stick ($100) can imitate a low-flying drone, perfect for use in national parks and other places where drones are forbidden.

Comments

Back to topTriangleScott Gilbertson is Operations Manager for the WIRED Reviews Team. He was previously a writer and editor for WIRED’s Webmonkey.com, covering the independent web and early internet culture. You can reach him at luxagraf.net. ... Read MoreSenior Writer and ReviewerTopicsShoppingbuying guidescameraaction camerascamerasPhotographyThe Best Webcams for Looking Bushy-Tailed on ZoomI tested all the major webcams across the price spectrum in attempts to find the very best. Here's what I learned.Luke LarsenThe Best Smart Glasses to Augment Your RealityThis burgeoning wearable tech category lets you talk to an AI assistant, listen to music, or check out a display screen right from the comfort of your very own face.Adrienne SoThe Best Mobile Gaming Controllers for Turning Your Phone Into a Mini ConsoleYour iPhone or Android phone can work overtime as a full-on gaming console with the help of these mobile controllers. Backbone makes my favorite.Louryn StrampeCanon Promo Codes: 30% Off for May 2026Save an extra 10% or 30% with Canon coupon codes, plus up to $1,600 on cameras, printers, and more this May.Scott GilbertsonI Tried the Best Captioning Smart Glasses, and Only One Leads the PackCan’t hear what they’re saying? Now you can turn on the subtitles for real-life conversations.Christopher NullThe Portable Soundcore Nebula P1 Projector Lets You Stream Whatever, Whenever, and WhereverThis all-in-one indoor-outdoor projector from Anker is compact, affordable, and water-resistant—but not cinema quality.John BrandonThe Best Gaming Laptops I’ve Found After Hundreds of Hours of TestingYou don’t want any old gaming laptop. Here’s my take on which to get based on hundreds of hours of testing.Luke LarsenThe Best Security Cameras for Inside Your HomeCameras can offer peace of mind, but choose carefully before inviting one into your home.Simon HillMotorola's Moto G Stylus Is a Tough Sell at $500The Moto G Stylus doesn't quite match its peers, but it has niche features you won't find on most phones.Julian ChokkattuSet Up Your Phone’s Always-On Display So You’re Unlocking It Less OftenBreak the pattern of unlocking your phone for one thing and then getting sucked into something else. Set up your lock screen to show all the information you need at a glance.David NieldTop OnePlus Promo Codes: 30% Off This MonthSave 30% with a OnePlus coupon this 2026, plus save up to 10% on earbuds, phones, and more.Molly HigginsTAG Heuer Has Dropped New Polylight-Powered F1sThe five new Formula 1 watches are driven by light—and we have a definite favorite.Jeremy White

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