Best action cameras

The best action cameras capture clear images and crisp sound, are durable whether you're using them while riding a bike or swimming, and are easy to use. 

We tested the UK's bestselling action cameras from GoPro, Crosstour, Akaso and more, to find out which action cameras provide the sharpest footage, the clearest audio, the smoothest image stabilisation and the toughest design and we've found two action cameras worthy of being named Which? Best Buys.

Want to find out about the latest DSLRs, mirrorless cameras and more? Read our digital camera reviews.

The best action cameras from our tests

Only logged-in Which? members can view the action camera test results below. 

Join Which? now to get instant access to our recommendations below.

The action cameras we tested

Only logged-in Which? members can view the action camera test results below. 

Join Which? now to get instant access to our recommendations below.

Akaso EK7000

Only available at Amazon: £57.99

Pros: Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results.

Cons: Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results.

Max resolution/frame rate: 4K/25fps, 2.7K/30fps, 1080p/60fps

Sensor size: 2-inch

Size and weight: 4.2 x 6 x 3.1cm (HxWxD); 41g

Stated waterproofing: 30 metres wearing waterproof housing, n/a without

Other key features: Loop recording and time-lapse modes, burst stills mode, 12Mp stills, wi-fi-enabled, scheduled capture

Crosstour Action CT9000

Only available at Crosstour: £49.99

Pros: Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results.

Cons: Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results.

Max resolution/frame rate: 4K/30fps, 2.7k/30fps, 1080p/60fps

Sensor size: 2-inch

Size and weight: 4.1 x 5.9 x 2.5cm (HxWxD); 64g

Stated waterproofing: 30 metres wearing waterproof housing, n/a without

Other key features: Slow-motion, loop recording and time-lapse modes, burst stills mode, 20Mp stills, wi-fi-enabled, scheduled capture

GoPro Hero 8

Cheapest price: £279.99 available at GoPro also available at Amazon (out of stock)

Pros: Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results.

Cons: Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results.

Max resolution/frame rate: 4K/60fps, 2.7k/120fps, 1080p/240fps

Sensor size: 2.3-inch

Size and weight: 4.9 x 6.6 x 2.8cm (HxWxD); 126g

Stated waterproofing: 10 metres

Other key features: Slow-motion, loop recording and time-lapse modes, built-in image stabilisation and HDR, burst, night, RAW and HDR stills modes, 12Mp stills, Bluetooth, wi-fi and GPS-enabled, front-facing preview screen, voice control, scheduled capture, 1080p live streaming, GoPro app required

GoPro Hero 9

Cheapest price: £349 at Amazon also available at GoPro Very 

Pros: Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results.

Cons: Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results.

Max resolution/frame rate: 5K/30fps, 4K/60fps, 2.7k/120fps

Sensor size: 2.3-inch

Size and weight: 5.5 x 7.1 x 3.36cm (HxWxD); 158g

Stated waterproofing: 10 metres

Other key features: Slow-motion, loop recording, Hindsight and time-lapse modes, built-in image stabilisation and HDR, burst, night, RAW and HDR stills modes, 20Mp stills, Bluetooth, wi-fi and GPS-enabled, front-facing preview screen, voice control, scheduled capture, 1080p live streaming, GoPro app required

GoPro Hero 10

Cheapest price: £399 available at Amazon also available at Argos GoPro

Pros: Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results.

Cons: Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results.

Max resolution/frame rate: 5.3K/60fps, 4K/120fps, 2.7k/240fps

Sensor size: 2.3-inch

Size and weight: 5.5 x 7.1 x 3.36cm (HxWxD); 153g

Stated waterproofing: 10 metres

Other key features: Slow-motion, loop recording, Hindsight and time-lapse modes, built-in image stabilisation and HDR, burst, night, RAW and HDR stills modes, 23Mp stills, Bluetooth, wi-fi and GPS-enabled, front-facing preview screen, voice control, scheduled capture, 1080p live streaming, GoPro app required

Kitvision 4K Action Camera KVACTLAP4K

Cheapest price: £58.99 available at Amazon (out of stock), also available at Kitvision (out of stock)

Pros: Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results.

Cons: Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results.

Max resolution/frame rate: 4K/30fps, 1080p/60fps, 720p/120fps

Sensor size: 2-inch

Size and weight: 4.6 x 6.1 x 2.8cm (HxWxD); 70g

Stated waterproofing: 30 metres wearing waterproof housing, n/a without

Other key features: Slow-motion, loop recording and time-lapse modes, burst stills mode, 16MP stills, wi-fi enabled, scheduled capture

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How we tested action cameras

We selected the UK's most popular action cameras and used them to shoot a broad selection of videos so one of our video producers could compare the quality of their video, audio, stills, and image stabilisation.

We bought every action camera we tested and don't take freebies, so you can be confident that our reviews are independent and neutral.

Video, audio and stills quality

We recorded a set selection of videos with each camera in using the same video settings and under the same conditions, including:

• Being mounted on a runner's head while they jogged during the day and at night
• Being mounted on a crash helmet while riding an electric scooter
• Moving between indoor and outdoor settings
• Self-shooting and talking to the camera using a selfie stick
• Recording underwater.

We were on the look out for: 

• Smooth image stabilisation
• Sharp images
• Natural colours
• Footage that was free of distortion
• Footage that dealt quickly with changes in focus and light. 
• Richness and depth of the audio was also scrutinised

We also took a photograph of the same wide shot at the same time of day with each camera so the stills could be judged and compared alongside each other by our expert.

Ease of use and durability

While recording our selection of shots and stills, we:

• Noted how easy we found it to use and understand each camera and praised those that were easiest to pick up and use.
• Froze the cameras in a freezer for four hours.
• Left them underwater for 30 minutes
• Dropped each camera on hard concrete five times to see what they could stand up to.

Fancy taking your action camera out for a spin? See our reviews of e-bikes and read: Electric scooters, everything you need to know. 

What makes a good action camera?

Action cameras can vary in price and features, so it's important to identify which camera will suit you. Whether you’re after a cheap action camera or a more advanced model, our expert advice can help you choose from the available cameras.

• Resolution This is the number of pixels in each frame captured by the camera, and the amount of detail. 1,080p video format is Full HD (1,920 pixels wide by 1,080 pixels tall), and 720p (1,280 x 720 pixels) is considered as standard HD resolution. 4K resolution (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) is four times as many pixels as Full HD. Even if you haven’t got a 4K TV or monitor, if you’re buying a new action cam, it’s worth looking at 4K and 5K models first for top-quality video and stills.
• Frames per second The frame rate is measured in frames per second (fps). It’s a measurement for how many consecutive images a camera can handle each second. A typical camcorder shoots in 30fps and most TVs are at 30 or 60fps. Higher-end action cameras can shoot 60fps, which makes motion appear smoother and less blurry. Some cameras can support even higher frames per second, such as 120fps, which can be used to create crisp slow-motion footage.
• Image stabilisation Even the best action cameras suffer from shaky video footage, so the footage resembles the Blair Witch Project. If you want to ensure steady videos that are easy to watch, look for an action camera with built-in image stabilisation. You can also buy a gimbal, an accessory which stabilises the camera.
• Field of view A wide field of view is important for action cameras as it allows you to record video or stills in a more immersive perspective than a traditional camera or camcorder. In simple terms, the field of view is a measurement of the total viewable area at any given moment. Measured as an angle (eg 170 degrees), the larger the value, the wider angle of view.
• Still photos Action cameras specialise in recording video, but they can also capture still photos. They don’t produce high-resolution images as you would expect from a mirrorless or DSLR camera, but generally, cameras with a larger megapixel rating will produce sharper and clearer photos.
• Water resistant and waterproof It’s important to select a camera that is waterproof if you plan to use the camera underwater. Some models are water resistant, meaning they can only be submerged in water to a limited depth. Other cameras require a special waterproof case, called a housing, to be fully waterproof. Check the camera specifications for details on acceptable water depths.
• Weather proofing Recording high-quality video in tough weather conditions is no longer limited to extreme sports enthusiasts or adventurers. With an action camera by your side, you can instantly record video and still images without fear of breaking it. Typically offering waterproofing, shockproofing and dustproofing, these cameras are ideal for extreme activities.

What other action camera features should I consider?

It’s worth bearing in mind that, once you choose a camera, you’ll also have to think about other features and may want to buy some additional accessories to get everything that you want out of your new camera. Here are some important ones to look out for and remember.

Battery life 

Even the best action camera with a sizeable battery will only last a few hours, so it’s worth investing in multiple batteries, or a portable charger, to ensure your camera doesn’t run out of juice when you need it most.

Mounting system 

Almost all of the action cameras are designed to be mounted or attached to different surfaces or objects, which is essential for shooting videos of your adventures from a first-person perspective. 

Most cameras come with one or two mounts in the box, but additional mounts cost extra. If you’re looking to attach your camera to a specific area, such as bike handlebars, you’ll need to source a specific bike mount. 

A good action camera will have a universal mounting system, which means you can clip your camera on to anything without the need to buy additional accessories.

Memory 

Buying the right type of memory card is essential for making sure that you get the most out of your camera. When filming HD movies, video files occupy a lot of storage space, so it’s worth choosing a large-capacity memory card to ensure you can save as much footage as possible.

Most action cameras use micro-SD cards, and we recommend picking up a Class-10 card to ensure the best video quality. The higher the class of card, the faster it can save the video. 

If you use a slower class of card than recommended, recorded video will be jerky and there will be noticeable camera slowdown.

Wireless connectivity 

Some of the high-end action cameras include wi-fi, Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC) or all three, so you can use your smartphone or tablet as a screen. 

This means you can easily control the camera via an app or adjust camera settings on the fly.

GPS 

With a built-in GPS (global positioning system), your action camera will automatically geo-tag all your videos and stills. 

This means that when you get home you can link your photos and videos to an online map, pinpointing the exact locations of your travels.