Top 5 BUDGET Action Cameras in 2025

The best action cameras for recording your escapades

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GoPro has always been associated with action cameras, but the market is a little different in 2025. Though DJI and Insta360, among others, have joined the market with attractive competitors that provide distinctive features, GoPro continues to produce some of the greatest action cameras, including its most recent flagship model, the GoPro Hero 13 Black.

Since we’ve analyzed every action camera—more than 50 models—we should be aware that the selection in this competitive market has never been greater. All of the options listed below can be used to record crisp videos in situations where you wouldn’t think to risk your phone, like underwater and adventure sports. We’ve broken down each option’s specific use case in this guide to help you choose the best choice.

DJI’s Osmo Action 5 Pro is a reliable camera and the best option for underwater action, while Insta360’s 8K Ace Pro 2 pushes the boundaries of resolution. The Hero 13 Black, with its Lens Mods and ND filters, takes action cameras in a new and fascinating direction. For those who are on a tight budget, the Akaso Brave 8 Lite is a wonderful place to start.

Every suggestion we make is based on input from our knowledgeable group of action camera reviewers. Below is a summary of our research that includes links to the greatest action camera offers as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each choice, catering to all price ranges.

Table of Contents

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1. GoPro Hero 13 Black

The Hero 13 Black isn’t a significant improvement over its predecessor, like the majority of recent GoPro flagships. The Hero 12 Black and its predecessor, the Hero 11 Black, share the same sensor, video resolution, and practical 8:7 aspect ratio, as well as the class-leading HyperSmooth stabilization and waterproofing specifications.

Therefore, upgrading isn’t always worthwhile if you already have one of those action cameras that are more than capable. However, our extensive testing revealed a few improvements that make the Hero 13 Black our number one choice.

The most important of these are a new line of ND filters and lens modifications. These connect to a newly redesigned 13 Black mount that recognizes the attachment and modifies the settings appropriately, opening up a world of creative shooting possibilities. In our evaluation, we also commended the enhanced heat dissipation, longer battery life, and the inclusion of magnetic mounting.

You can also film at 400 frames per second in 720p using Burst Slo-Mo mode, but the clips take a while to complete. The Hero 13 Black is the most comprehensive GoPro action camera to date, despite the fact that none of these enhancements are really groundbreaking.

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2. Akaso Brave 8 Lite

The Lite is an inexpensive action camera for consumers on a tight budget because it is a lighter and less expensive variant of the Akaso Brave 8. According to our review, the thin plastic construction is where the cost reductions are felt.

However, we also made complimentary remarks about its lightweight construction, small size, and contemporary style. Our research also revealed that the smartphone app was simpler to use than the camera’s built-in interface. Even if the contrast was a bit too strong, 4K video footage was clear and precise in the right lighting.

This isn’t the case in reduced lighting, when we discovered that the sensor has trouble and that a lot of noise degrades image quality. Additionally frustrating was the Brave 8 Lite’s inability to reduce camera shake whether riding or walking. Battery life was also unimpressive at 150 minutes of 1080p video. We still believe the Brave 8 Lite offers great value, with a strong combination of specifications that are difficult to beat for the price, even though its video quality won’t worry luxury flagships.

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3. Insta360 Ace Pro 2

The Ace Pro 2 is one of the few action cameras that can record at 8K quality, with frame rates up to 30 frames per second. Like the previous Ace Pro, it is 8K video that makes headlines. However, our experiments revealed that 8K recording isn’t always flawless. Overheating may be a problem, and you don’t get the best picture stabilization or support for the flat I-log color profile. In fact, the Ace Pro 2’s overall performance as an all-around action camera impressed us more than anything else in our review.

This tool is compact, lightweight, and durable. When filming solo, the 2.5-inch flip-up touchscreen provides a wider view, but it isn’t the best for rapidly switching between front and back recording. With helpful I-log support for color grading in post, the 4K video output were outstanding, and we were amazed by the quality of low-light footage for an action camera.

This was a really flexible option because of the outstanding image stabilization performance as well. The Ace Pro 2’s 8K video capabilities make headlines, but it’s also a compact, light, and powerful all-arounder with good low-light video quality.

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4. DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro

Our top recommendation is the feature-rich DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, an action camera that rivals GoPro’s Hero 13 Black in terms of features. It can endure at double the case-free depth of GoPro’s best and is waterproof to 20 meters. It’s the greatest option for photography in any kind of weather because it has a larger working temperature window. During testing, we particularly commended the Action 5 Pro’s interface: it is lightweight and compact, with crisp and sharp touchscreens on the front and back.

We were delighted by the dynamic range and sharpness seen in test footage, even if some devices on this list have a higher maximum 4K resolution. In our assessment, we also commended the Action 5 Pro’s dependable video stabilization, long battery life, and smooth pairing with the DJI Mic 2 for clear wireless audio recording while on location.

Even though image quality suffers in low light, DJI’s SuperNight mode outperforms other action cameras. This is the best option if you’re looking for something dependable, adaptable, and less expensive than the GoPro Hero 13 Black.The Action 5 Pro, a durable action camera with great functionality and a long battery life, is a strong competitor to GoPro and pairs nicely with the DJI Mic 2.

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5. Insta360 X4

The Insta360 X4 is, in our opinion, the greatest instrument for capturing 360-degree action. It is the finest 360-degree camera available, with resolution increased to 8K at 30 frames per second (compared to the 5.7K captured by the Insta360 X3). During testing, we discovered that it can capture high-quality detail, even when spherical footage is refracted and stitch lines remain visible. Additionally, we discovered that image stabilization and 360-degree horizon lock combine to smooth out video.

Compromises are inevitable with 360-degree cameras. While 8K file sizes demand a significant amount of processing power, low-light quality stays mediocre. If you are merely interested in 360, the price is excessive. However, the X4 is also a very adaptable piece of equipment. It features a variety of creative modes, a helpful 4K single-lens option, 100fps slow-motion compatibility, a long battery life, and 10m waterproofing.

Thus, the X4 is really a collection of action-ready cameras in a stylish compact. This is the most versatile 360-degree camera available, featuring 8K video, 360-degree horizon lock, an abundance of video settings, and excellent slow-motion.

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There are several essential qualities that every excellent action camera should include, even if many of the top models have distinctive characteristics that make them stand out from the competition.

An action camera should be waterproof for at least a few meters and durable enough to withstand your activities. Additionally, even in harsh environments, it need to be simple to use and run. Although touchscreens can make controlling an action camera easier, choosing a model with physical buttons might make more sense if you intend to film while wearing gloves.

Image stabilization is a crucial function because you’ll most likely utilize an action camera while on the go. By doing this, camera shake should be reduced and better viewable film should result. It’s important to consider how smooth your video has to be (or whether you can tolerate a few wobbles) because image stabilization quality might vary greatly. A sensor with a higher resolution can be beneficial because digital image stabilization frequently crops the frame to remove movement. Videos that are cropped from 4K will appear better than those that are downsized from 1080p.

You can rapidly edit and share your most recent movies with others thanks to the smartphone connectivity that many of the best action cameras offer. Additionally, certain models allow live broadcasting directly to websites like YouTube. If you intend to vlog straight to social media, this will be helpful, but it can be taxing on battery life.

Most versions come with a variety of mounting choices. Make sure there is an appropriate attachment available to meet your needs if you intend to utilize one for a more specialized activity. Some action cameras go one step further by providing a modular design that lets you enhance your photography with add-ons like lights, mics, or even a 360-degree lens.

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