Top 5 Best GoPro Cameras in 2025
How to choose your perfect GoPro action camera
Since the release of the HD Hero2 in 2012, our professionals have evaluated every GoPro. Since then, a lot has changed: the top GoPro action cameras for 2025 shoot more steadily, intelligently, and sharply than before. We’ve reviewed all of the GoPros, so we know exactly what makes the best ones unique. Here, we’ve condensed that expertise to assist you in selecting the perfect GoPro.
The Hero 13 Black demonstrates the full potential of the most recent GoPro cameras. The flagship model shoots crisp 5.3K video, building on a tried-and-true methodology. We embraced the inclusion of auto-detected Lens Mods and ND filters, as well as improved GPS and battery life, throughout testing. We believe it to be the most comprehensive GoPro available.
Nevertheless, the GoPro lineup offers something for every customer and price range. All of them have been tested, and the results are summarized below. To give you a realistic idea of the video quality that each GoPro camera can produce, we have provided sample footage that was taken by our staff. We personally examine every camera, so you can be sure that our suggestions are reliable.
Table of Contents
Best overall
1. GoPro Hero 13 Black
Best stabilized
2. GoPro Hero (2024)
Best-value
3. GoPro Hero 10 Black
Best all-round
4. GoPro Hero 7 Black
Best binoculars for optical quality
5. GoPro Hero 11 Black
1. GoPro Hero 13 Black
Once more, the Hero 13 Black, GoPro’s most recent flagship, is only a slight improvement over the Hero 12 Black, which was its predecessor. It has the same 1/1.9-inch sensor with an 8:7 aspect ratio, 5.3K video resolution, excellent HyperSmooth stabilization to smooth out your recordings, and essentially the same construction, including the same waterproofing specifications of 33 feet and 10 meters. All of this is actually present in the Hero 11 Black as well. According to the specifications, it’s probably not worth upgrading to the Hero 13 Black if you already have one of those great action cameras. But maybe you shouldn’t discount the Hero 13 Black because some changes have actually made a big difference.
Improved Slo-Mo video modes with settings ranging from 5.3K at 120 frames per second to 720p at 400 frames per second are among the minor upgrades. Our extensive testing revealed that these modes are somewhat specialized; the processing duration of such sequences is constrained by the record times. Next are the much-needed longer record times due to better heat dissipation and battery life, the return of GPS with performance sticker overlays, which is a great feature that works with devices like Garmin, and the last addition of magnetic installation. But what truly sticks out are the new auto-detected HB-series of Lens Mods and ND filters.
The camera, which is exclusive to the Hero 13 Black, has a convenient Macro Lens Mod and an Anamorphic Lens Mod planned for 2025. It also optimizes camera settings when it detects a new mod is inserted. Although these are pricey add-ons, they give the Hero 13 Black access to a wide range of new users. The Hero 13 Black is a well-made flagship that is still our number one choice at the moment, even though DJI and Insta360 may be gaining ground on GoPro in the action camera market.
2. GoPro Hero (2024)
A cheery and affordable entry-level model, the all-new Hero (2024) was introduced alongside the Hero 13 Black. With a weight of only 86g, it is GoPro’s smallest and lightest action camera. With only three shooting modes—photo, video, and slow-motion—the small GoPro is also trimmed down to the essentials for novices. Although it’s somewhat the point, you don’t receive nearly as many functionality and features as the flagship Hero Black series, which also limits its practical application. For starters, you just get electronic stabilization instead of GoPro’s amazing Hypersmooth Stabilization.
While the little 1,225mAh battery offers unexpectedly long record periods (we were able to acquire about 80 minutes of video recording during our in-depth assessment), the basic stabilization does a respectable job of smoothing out your footage.
The older Hero 10 Black is more affordable if you’re looking for the greatest deal. However, a lot of users won’t utilize the full range of functions offered by the flagship series, thus the Hero (2024) should be a good fit for these novices.
While slow motion video is only available in 2.7K up to 60 frames per second, we would expect its 4K image quality to be slightly better. There isn’t a front screen for taking selfies, and the waterproofing is only 5 meters, which is half as long as the Hero Black series models. Nevertheless, the Hero satisfies its purpose as a compact and basic action camera.
3. GoPro Hero 10 Black
The Hero 10 Black, which has been on the market for three years, has witnessed significant price reductions and just fell below $200/£200 for the first time. This is half the price of GoPro’s most recent flagship, the Hero 13 Black. When the GoPro Hero 10 Black was first released, it was a far more sophisticated and user-friendly model than the Hero 9 Black.
It has the same 33-foot (10-meter) waterproofing and is based on the same 23MP 1/2.3-inch sensor. The new shooting modes include the ability to shoot in 5K/60p, 4K/120p, and 2.7K/240p. Our experiments revealed that its new slow-motion features were perfect for producing cut-scenes and b-roll, particularly when editing the results with the Quick app.
In our review, we also found that the touchscreen interface was more snappy, and the overall image quality appeared to be superior. As expected when expanding upon an already outstanding model, the headline improvements were quite minor. Although it isn’t the most affordable action camera available, the GoPro Hero 10 Black strikes a balance in the company’s current lineup, providing what is likely the best value in terms of both price and features.
4. GoPro Hero 7 Black
Despite being many generations old, the Hero 7 Black is still a fantastic action camera at a very reasonable cost. In fact, it might be a better alternative for you and a cheaper purchase if you can live without all the newest features. Its 4K video remains excellent, and its HyperSmooth image stabilization technology continues to deliver buttery smooth video.
Even with its better descendants on the market, the GoPro is still worth taking into consideration if you add features like voice control, a 2-inch touchscreen, raw output, and 10m waterproofing. Although the Hero 7 Black is no longer available on the GoPro website, it is still available brand new on websites like Amazon, where you may be able to locate a good deal on a used one.
The Hero 7 Black is one of the versions that GoPro has produced that have marked significant advancements throughout the years. HyperSmooth image stabilization, which is now regarded as one of the greatest EIS systems available on action cameras, was first introduced by this GoPro.
Even while later flagships have expanded the range of filming modes possible in this mode (for instance, the Hero 7 Black’s 2.7k/120p option does not support it), the original HyperSmooth mode is still a powerful selling feature, especially when contrasted to less expensive action cameras or previous GoPros.
5. GoPro Hero 11 Black
There is a case to be made for the Hero 11 Black as a better option rather than the Hero 12 Black as the finest Hero 13 Black substitute. It is easy to export movies in multiple formats, including 9:16 for TikTok and Instagram, without sacrificing quality or resolution because all three models include sensors with an 8:7 aspect ratio and 5.3K resolution. Support for 10-bit video, which is typically reserved for the greatest video cameras, is the other noteworthy feature. Especially when filming in GoPro’s ‘flat’ color profile, this helps video editors smooth out footage and prevent problems like color banding in skies.
The Hero 12 Black was an unsatisfactory update to the Hero 11 Black, with the majority of its changes intended for professional users and audio files. Additionally, GoPro mysteriously stopped the GPS feature from the latter model. Together with being the same user-friendly action camera with all of the GoPro hallmarks, such as great image stabilization, and being significantly less expensive than the Hero 12 Black, the Hero 11 Black is our choice for the best alternative to the Hero 13 Black and the most cost-effective way to get some of GoPro’s greatest action cam features.