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Prakhar Khanna
Contributor
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
Jon Martindale
Contributor
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
Action cameras like a GoPro can come in handy at places where you want to snag video footage or pictures but can’t safely use your phone. The best GoPros use a sturdy build for use across different environments—whether you’re mountain biking, snorkeling, skiing down a new peak or casually hiking closer to home. Our pick for the best GoPro, the GoPro Hero 12 Black, can capture underwater 5.3K footage and features a strong battery life and HDR support to get detailed, smooth footage on all your adventures.
We named the GoPro Hero 12 Black as the best GoPro you can get today.
GoPros can survive extreme weather conditions and can be mounted on the head, chest or even your surfboard to get unreal shots, thanks to a comprehensive array of mounts and accessories. They come in ultra-compact designs, like the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini. Some, like the GoPro Hero 12 Black Creator Edition, are specifically designed for the most adventurous of content creators. Here are the best GoPros you can get right now. And if you’re not quite sure about a GoPro, there are other options, from the best action cameras to the best vlogging cameras.
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Best GoPro Overall: GoPro Hero 12 Black
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Best Ultra-Compact GoPro: GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini
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Best GoPro For Filming 360-Degree Videos: GoPro Max 360
Amazon
GoPro Hero 12 Black
Video resolution: Up to 5.3K at 60 fps | Still image resolution: 27 megapixels | Waterproof rating: Up to 33 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Display size: 2.3 inches (rear touchscreen), 1.4 inches (front) | Size: 2.8 x 2 x 1.3 inches | Weight: 5.4 ounces
Best for: Capturing smooth, high-resolution video in any environment, with HDR.
Pros:
- Better battery life with no change to size and weight
- Added HDR support
- New Bluetooth pairing options
Cons:
- Not a significant upgrade over the Hero11
GoPro hasn’t reinvented the wheel in a while with it’s number series but doubled down on improving what they already have. The GoPro Hero 12 Black is no different. It our testing, it features the same processor, sensor and even weighs the same as its predecessor. It also uses the same 8:7 aspect ratio, GP-Log and ability to add up to four Bluetooth headphones. However, it’s enhanced in two important ways.
First, the Hero 12 Black offers an improved battery life so you can go longer between battery swaps. While I still recommend carrying extra batteries for long hours of shooting, you can record over three and half hours of continuous footage at 1080p 30 FPS, or up to 95 minutes at 5.3K 30 FPS. Second, it lets you capture HDR videos now, which puts it on par with the HDR on your mobile device. Plus, based on our testing, its software features for post-editing give more room for creative freedom.
It also has some new features targeting professionals, like timecode synchronization. It’s simple to connect to Bluetooth devices like microphones and earbuds, too. If you already have a Hero 11 Black, you need not upgrade but for everyone else, the GoPro Hero 12 Black is the best GoPro available today.
Good Value
Video resolution: Up to 5.3K at 60 fps | Still image resolution: 23.6 megapixels | Waterproof: Down to 33 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Display size: 2.3 inches touchscreen (back), 2.3 inches (front) | Size: 2.8 x 2 x 1.3 inches | Weight: 5.6 ounces
Best for: Shooting video with less advanced features.
Pros:
- Excellent video and still image shooting
- Waterproof and durable
- Less expensive than the GoPro Hero 11 Black
Cons:
- Less capable image stabilization
- Fewer video modes
- Not as many FOV or aspect ratio options
For someone who does not need all the GoPro features, save a few dollars with the GoPro Hero 10 Black, which still captures quality imagery and offers impressive features. You still get the flagship-level GoPro hardware and the ability to capture videos at up to 5.3K (60 fps) or 4K (120 fps), and still images at 23 megapixels (less than with the Hero 11 Black)—thanks to in-house GP2 processor.
However, you miss out on the latest tech like HyperSmooth 4.0 and Horizon lock, and some video modes like Star Trails, Vehicle Light Trails and Light Painting. Image quality and detail is slightly less than on the Hero 11 Black, since that model has a larger image sensor. It’s also compatible with over 30 genuine GoPro mounts and accessories, as well as the free Quik app or premium Quik app (with purchase of a GoPro subscription). Like all GoPros, the Hero 10 Black can film underwater, down to 33 feet and withstand extreme temperatures.
GoPro
GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini
Video resolution: Up to 5.3K at 60 fps | Still image resolution: Only captures video | Waterproof: Down to 33 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Display Size: 0.6 inches | Size: 2.1 x 2 x 1.5 inches | Weight: 4.7 ounces
Best for: Unobtrusively shooting immersive video.
Pros:
- Very small and lightweight
- Excellent for shooting up to 5.3K (60 fps) video
- Special shooting modes
Cons:
- Shorter battery life than other GoPros
- No front-facing viewfinder display
- Can’t take still images
The GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini is a scaled-down version of the GoPro Hero 11 Black. It doesn’t feature a front display and lacks the ability to shoot still images in real time (though you can capture 24.6-megapixel stills from video content). However, it’s smaller, lighter and just as durable as other GoPros. You get to choose from several aspect ratios, video resolutions and frames per second settings, plus take advantage of a HyperView, SuperView, Wide, Linear or Linear+Horizontal Lock field of view.
For those that need to record solid audio, it has three built-in microphones and a small speaker. The viewfinder display on the back is also rather small. You also get video stabilization, slow motion capture, time lapse video and 720p live streaming capabilities. Notably, the rechargeable battery life is shorter than with other GoPros.
Video resolution: Up to 6K at 30 fps (360-degrees) | Still image resolution: 18 megapixels | Waterproof: Down to 16 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Display size: 1.7 inches touchscreen (front) | Size: 2.5 x 2.7 x 1 inches | Weight: 5.8 ounces
Best for: Capturing 360-degree video or wide-angle video, as well as vlogging.
Pros:
- Captures 360-degree video at up to 6K
- Multiple field-of-view options
- Uses six microphones to record 360-degree audio
Cons:
- Larger and pricier than typical action cameras
- Only good in water 16 feet deep
While not as compact as the latest Hero 12 Black, the GoPro Max 360 exists primarily to capture immersive video using its wide “Max SuperView” cameras to capture a spherical 360-degree field of view. Video captured on this device look surreal, despite the camera being a few years old now. It can also capture panoramic photos or time lapse footage both on land and underwater (to a depth of 16 feet, as opposed to the Hero 12 Black’s reach of 33 feet). Three cameras and six microphones do an amazing job capturing 360-degree video and 360-degree premium audio all around you. You can still capture 270-degree panoramic video that delivers immersive vistas—especially when content is viewed on a large TV or monitor.
This camera stands out for its 360-degree video at up to 6K (featuring stability and horizon leveling). Beyond that, the GoPro Max works well as a vlogging camera or 1080p camera for live streaming thanks to its small, front-facing display (the only display on the device). Like other GoPro cameras, this model supports voice controls and has over 30 optional mounts and accessories available. The Max features GoPro’s excellent HyperSmooth image stabilization and a variety of video shooting modes for virtually any situation or lighting condition.
GoPro
GoPro Hero 12 Black Creator Edition
Video resolution: Up to 5.3K at 60 fps | Still image resolution: 27 megapixels | Waterproof: Down to 33 feet | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Display size: 2.3 inches (rear touchscreen), 1.4 inches (front) | Size: 2.8 x 2 x 1.3 inches | Weight: 5.4 ounces
Best for: Vloggers and content creators.
Pros:
- Complete vlogging kit
- Captures stunning video
- Includes directional audio mic
Cons:
- Expensive
The GoPro Hero 12 Black Creator Edition bundles the camera with must-have GoPro accessories for content creators. This all-in-one kit includes everything you need to get started with vlogging, with components that all seamlessly work together so you can capture exactly what you want to.
The Media Mod provides high-quality directional audio capture with wind reduction. The Light Mod provides LED lighting in challenging environments. Everything mounts easily onto the Volta Hand Grip, so you can face the camera toward you or away from you while capturing video one-handed. Between the camera and Volta’s batteries, you get up to 5 hours of continuous 4K (30 fps) video shooting per charge—this is one extra hour over the last-generation Hero 11 design. The only thing this kit lacks to get you started is a microSD card, and that’s easy enough to purchase separately.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we’ve published a library of consumer tech buying advice. These include many camera roundups for different needs.
- This story was overseen by consumer tech and electronics editor Rebecca Isaacs, who has been covering all-things consumer tech for over five years now.
- In particular, this story was written by Prakhar Khanna, a consumer technology expert with over seven years’ experience covering the latest devices. In addition to recommending the best vlogging cameras, Prakhar also focuses on mobile devices, including the top pick for the best smartphone you can buy right now, the Oneplus Open. His bylines include Digital Trends, CNET and more.
- The co-author of this story, Jon Martindale, is a regular Forbes Vetted tech contributor with bylines in digital publications including Digital Trends and US News & World Report and formerly ran his own PC hardware review website.
- We know tech tends to become quickly outdated. To keep this piece fresh and accurate, it’s regularly updated. It was most recently published in July 2024 to add frequently asked questions to help you make an informed buying decision.
How We Chose The Best GoPros
The Forbes Vetted tech team strives to offer accurate, trustworthy product assessments that are the result of intensive research and hands-on testing.
- We first combed through each GoPro on the market to narrow down our choices. Our writers and editors have years of experience writing about a broad range of cameras, and where applicable, expert Prakhar Khanna provided his hands-on testing for our picks. Some of his insight includes testing the GoPro Hero 12 Black and the GoPro Hero 10 Black.
- We consulted with industry experts and consumer tech analysts to help us determine what to look for in a GoPro. We also reviewed each GoPro’s specs and features to determine which products stood out from the pack.
- Because everyone’s needs are different, we made sure to include a variety of options, from 360-degree cameras like the GoPro Max 360 to the best overall pick, the GoPro Hero 12 Black. All of our top choices received at least a 4-star rating across various sites to make sure you’re getting a top-quality GoPro.
Which Is The Best GoPro?
The GoPro Hero 12 Black is currently the best GoPro on the market. The action camera features a slew of under-the-hood upgrades over its predecessor, the GoPro Hero 11 Black, in the same form factor. For the first time ever, GoPro has added the ability to shoot HDR videos on its action camera. It adds a more vibrant and dramatic look to your shots.
Which GoPro Has The Best Image Quality?
Both the GoPro Hero 12 Black features a strong processor, camera sensor, lens and resolution for photos and videos. You’ll get the best GoPro image quality from this particular camera. If you’re seeking a smaller form factor, the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini also can produce a similar high-quality image. The Hero 12 Black will give you a more vivid look in videos because of the added HDR feature, which is something the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini doesn’t offer at this time.
Which GoPro Is Best For Beginners?
The GoPro Hero 12 Black might be the best GoPro but it is filled to the brim with features that might not be required by beginners. If you are new to action cameras, we recommend you opt for the GoPro Hero 10 Black. It’s more affordably priced, and still comes with strong video capturing features that make it both a value pick and great for those just starting their vlogging journey.
How Does The GoPro Hero Compare To The GoPro Max?
The GoPro Hero series shoots content in both vertical and horizontal aspect ratios, while the GoPro Max 360 adds the ability to shoot 360-degree spherical videos. However, the GoPro Hero 12 Black shoots sharper videos, thanks to a more powerful processor and a better camera sensor. The Max also misses out on several video modes and 10-bit colors.
