The Best GoPros and Action Cameras of 2026

GoPro’s flagship action camera, the GoPro Hero 12 Black, offers a rugged casing that’s fully waterproof up to 33 feet down, including with snow or mud. It delivers lifelike HDR color across 4K and 5.3K video modes as well as for still photography, and it comes equipped with a 27-megapixel sensor.

The company’s Emmy Award-winning HyperSmooth 6.0 image stabilization gives you the choice of a few different shooting modes, including Horizon Lock and AutoBoost, to account for the speed and movement of your favorite outdoor activities. Other useful features include scheduled and duration-based capture, optional lenses for greater flexibility, and shooting modes for full frame, vertical (TikTok-style), or widescreen. The camera is powered by a single Enduro rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

If something like the flagship Hero 12 seems like too much camera for your next adventure, the smaller GoPro Hero 11 Mini may be just what you need. It offers many of the key features and performance metrics you’d find on GoPro’s full-sized Hero action cam: 5.3K video capture at 60 fps, heavy-duty waterproofing at depths of up to 33 feet, slow-mo and Horizon Lock shooting modes, HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization, and more. This model delivers four standard aspect ratios, including TikTok-friendly vertical shooting and cinematic 16:9 widescreen. And it has a 24.7-megapixel sensor for high-res still photography. Reviewers say its point-and-shoot operation is intuitive and delivers outstanding images, though you may have to look elsewhere for things like HDR color reproduction or 1080p live-streaming.

Weighing just 12 ounces, the Akaso EK7000 is a cheap GoPro alternative that still has plenty of fun features. This model includes various modes such as loop recording, burst photo, and timelapse video—all with a 170-degree wide-angle lens in either 4K video at 30 frames per second or 2.7K at 30 fps, plus 16-megapixel stills. Waterproof up to 98 feet, the EK7000 can be used remotely with a splash-proof wireless wrist remote, making it easier to frame shots and offer great video quality. What’s even better is that video can be edited and shared instantly when connected to a smartphone or tablet over Wi-Fi or HDMI.

In 1080p resolution, battery life in the EK7000 lasts about 90 minutes, while 4K will last about 60 minutes; you can also use it while it’s charging. When accessing the app, some users have noted that the uploads appear out of order, making it hard to distinguish old versus new. Other issues with the app include connectivity problems.

The Dragon Touch Vision 3 Pro is just as cool as its name. Dragon Touch’s camera is 15.7-ounces and comes with a two-inch touchscreen, 4K ultra HD, 4x zoom features for high-intensity shooting, and waterproof case. Slow-motion features and 16-megapixel photos are just the tip of the iceberg with this action camera. It has a 100-foot-waterproof maximum depth, and its lens can be adjusted between 70, 110, 140, and 170 degrees for a range of visibility—with or without diving mode—making your videos even more dynamic. At 720p, the Vision 3’s battery lasts a whopping 180 minutes, while its 1080p mode offers 90 minutes of continuous use, and 4K will last about 60 minutes.

Users enjoy the ease of use with this camera, and the touchscreen option, but some complain about its lack of compatibility with Apple products.

With a built-in gyroscope for image stabilization, Akaso’s Brave 4 weighs in at 5.6 ounces. An upgrade from the EK7000, it features modes for 4K at 24 fps, 2K at 30 fps, and 1080p at 60 fps; it also produces 20-megapixel stills. With adjustable view angles at 70, 110, 140, and 170 degrees as well as a 100-foot depth range, this waterproof camera is an adventurer’s dream. A Wi-Fi range up to 32 feet makes sharing and editing videos via the app easy, while a two-inch IPS screen allows for previewing. An HDMI port also allows you to connect to your television.

Complete with diving mode, the Brave 4 also has a 5x zoom function, and users have reported pleasing results from a multitude of depths. While recording in 1080p resolution, batteries in the Brave 4 should last about 90 minutes—or 60 in the 4K and 2K modes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a lens protector outside of the waterproof cover. Another downside of this model is the process of swapping batteries; the cover’s hard to remove and isn’t attached when opened, so it’s easy to lose.

If you’re looking to spend a little more on a camera, look no further than the widely known GoPro. The GoPro Hero 10 Black boasts HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization, TimeWarp 3.0 time-lapse modes, and slow-mo settings at 2.7K. While the Hero 10 is a pretty large camera, at 1.01 pounds, it does offer front and rear preview touchscreens to showcase its 2880p video capture, high resolution. Offering 1080p livestreaming as well as webcam capabilities, the Hero 10 can auto-upload to the cloud with a GoPro subscription. The Hero 10 includes a 1x optical zoom, meaning it won’t compromise the integrity of your image quality, and has a waterproof depth limit of 33 feet.

The LiveBurst feature ensures you’ll never miss a moment, as it records 45 frames in 1.5 seconds before and after your shot, and you can specify the exact amount of time you want to record. GoPro is easily the most recognizable brand among action cameras, and with a higher price point comes higher expectations. While some Hero 10 users report having some GoPro overheating issues, it leads the pack as the best GoPro yet in overall consensus.

Looking for stable, shake-free footage? What about voice control? Look no further than the tiny-but-mighty DJI Osmo Action. At a mere 4.4 ounces, this action camera packs a punch with 8x slow-mo, 1080p resolution, and 240 fps, all held in under three inches of camera. The lens features three aspherical layers that effectively reduce glare and distortion, and a 145-degree visibility angle. With a waterproof depth of 36 feet and extreme-cold resistance, the Osmo Action will easily become your favorite travel companion. Maybe the coolest feature of the Osmo is its “custom” mode, which allows you to store, list, and select frequently used shooting modes and exposure settings; a quick-switch button also lets you toggle quickly between them.

While some users dislike the initial setup time for the Osmo Action, others praise the convenience of the QR-code activation. Adjustable temperature-threshold settings make it easy for this camera to endure higher temperatures and avoid shutdowns, unlike similar models.

The Akaso Brave 7 LE is similar to a GoPro camera, yet has a more attractive price. With this camera, you can film in 4K video and 20 MP photo, experience smooth recording with its gimbal-like stabilization feature, and film in several modes, such as burst photo and time lapse.

This camera holds up in various weather conditions, such as rain and snow. Its waterproof housing even allows it to operate as deep as 131 feet in water. What’s more, it includes some handy accessories, such as two rechargeable batteries and versatile mounting kits.

If you’re okay with spending a bit more money, the DJI Pocket 2 is worth looking into. As someone who owns and loves using the DJI Osmo Mobile 6, I can attest to the quality of DJI’s products. Just like the Osmo Mobile 6, the Pocket 2 captures 64MP photo and 4K video and includes a 3-axis gimbal for capturing various shots.

What’s great about this GoPro alternative is its pocket-friendly size, meaning it’s easy to place in your hiking backpack or travel bag. What’s more, it allows for steady, long-exposure shots in low-light areas, includes four mics for clear audio, different glamor effects, and an AI editor that syncs music to your videos for a fun, share-friendly clip.