Top 5 Best GoPro Cameras in 2025

Do you want a top-notch GoPro camera? You are making a wise decision. Since GoPro invented the original successful formula for action cameras, it should come as no surprise that their cameras are among the best.

That’s probably why a lot of people use “GoPro” and “action camera” interchangeably, even though I would chastise them for it! However, which GoPro is the best for you? They’re everywhere, aren’t they? The newest GoPro Hero13 Black is undoubtedly the best GoPro.

Well, both yes and no. It’s more complicated than that. A number of factors are involved, including, of course, your budget and the features you truly require.

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Last update on 2025-03-01 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best GoPro Cameras in 2025

1.GoPro Hero 13 Black

Last update on 2025-03-01 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Despite being merely an improvement over its predecessor, the Hero12 Black, the GoPro Hero13 Black is the best action GoPro. The Hero13 Black has the same internal components as its predecessor, including three microphones, 33-foot waterproofing, 5.3K/60p, and Hypersmooth 6.0 stabilization.

Despite being relatively minor, the Hero13 Black’s updates have the potential to significantly impact how much you can get out of the camera. The most notable new feature of the Hero13 Black is the wider variety of lens modifications that are incompatible with previous models.

These provide you with ND filters, a macro lens, a new ultra-wide lens, and an anamorphic lens for cinematic widescreen video right out of the camera, though it wasn’t released at the time of writing. A new magnetic lens mount and an upgraded 1,900mAh battery are also included for easy accessory swapping.

We praised the Hero13 Black’s stunning video quality and stabilization during testing, particularly its useful timewarp modes. The Hero13 Black has a RAW audio recording mode that creates a separate high-resolution audio file for post-production editing, and the audio performance is respectable. Speaking of editing, the Hero13 Black boasts additional professional features like 10-bit color for a wider gamut and HLG and Log profiles for wide dynamic range capture.

Despite having essentially the same camera as the Hero12 Black, the Hero13 Black is unquestionably superior due to its additional features, which make it well worth the money. This is particularly true if you plan to use a rugged b-cam for work-related tasks or your GoPro for serious content creation.

To maintain its position as the best action camera, the defending champion GoPro returns to the market with the Hero13 Black. The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 and the amazing DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro (OA5 Pro) are the competitors.

GoPro has rarely had to work hard to maintain its Hero Black line ahead of DJI and Insta360, even if only slightly. The first is the weight of GoPro’s brand: “GoPro” and “action camera” are frequently used interchangeably, though I always chastise blasphemers for doing so in my presence. Additionally, the Hero Black line is the original winning formula; why alter what is successful? Therefore, the Hero13 Black is another example of evolution rather than revolution, much like its predecessor, the GoPro Hero12 Black, was only a slight modification of the Hero11 Black.

The problem is that the title belt has never been so fiercely contested thanks to the most recent generation of action cameras. Given DJI’s unrivaled waterproofing and professional features, as well as Insta360’s 8K recording, is it really sufficient for a GoPro to simply add a Lens Mod, attach a magnetic mount, adjust the battery, and be done? Is GoPro still capable of keeping up its record? Find out in this GoPro Hero13 Black review.

2.GoPro Hero 11 Black

Last update on 2025-03-01 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The GoPro Hero12 Black is the best older GoPro available now that the Hero13 Black has been released. However, it seems strange to call it old because it was only released in 2023 and, until recently, it was still at the top of our list of the best action cameras. Despite being essentially the same as its predecessor, it costs less than the Hero11 did when it was first released, which we were pleased to see considering the modest increase in specs.

Even though the Hero12 and Hero11 have the same resolution sensor, the Hero12’s video performance is improved for smoother, higher-resolution footage, shooting 5.3K/60p instead of 5K/30p. Now that Bluetooth headphones are supported, you can record clear audio with your wireless earbuds without a separate microphone.

The design, screens, and dimensions are all identical, as is the water resistance. Horizon and image stabilization remain unaltered, but that’s not a bad thing because they were excellent in the Hero11 anyhow. Unfortunately, a paid subscription is required to access premium editing features once more.

In the action camera market, GoPro remains the industry leader. Since I’ve never used a real GoPro before and have been spoiled by competing models like the Insta360 One RS and DJI Osmo Action 3, I was a little doubtful that the GoPro Hero12 Black would offer me anything of value, especially after reading reviews about the GoPro Hero11 Black from the previous year.

As evidenced by the shoot-now, worry-later experience with Insta360’s lineup, action cameras have advanced significantly since GoPro first entered the market to carve out a niche market. GoPro has made the decision to continue concentrating on what it does best, which is to deliver outstanding quality and performance that fans demand.

You can see what the company does to remain relevant in the current market in my review of the GoPro Hero12 Black. Even though the new camera follows tradition, I was most impressed by how all the small improvements work together to support content creators like me today.

In terms of GoPro’s camera design, not much has changed. The Hero12 Black actually has the same overall measurements, weight, dual screens, and rugged construction as the Hero11 Black. It also has the same 33-foot (10-meter) water resistance rating. Although recycled designs are nothing new, the Hero12 Black at least showed that it was well-made because it held up well after being jostled around in my backpack.

The fact that the two prong mounts on GoPros are integrated into the body rather than needing a case, as is the case with other action cameras I’ve tested, is something I truly enjoy about them in general. But GoPro adds a new element to the design that increases its adaptability. I’m talking about the tripod mount that’s hidden on the Hero12 Black’s bottom.

The 1/4-20 mounting threads let me use all of my current camera equipment, while the two prong mounts enable the Hero12 Black to connect to other GoPro accessories. For me, this is fantastic because it makes attaching it to a tripod, selfie stick, and other accessories that I already have for my professional camera equipment much simpler.

3.GoPro Hero (2024)

Last update on 2025-03-01 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

A cheap, small, and durable action camera, the GoPro Hero makes it easy to record beautiful 4K video. However, it is devoid of a number of features found in the company’s more expensive models, including the ability to narrow the view of its extremely wide-angle lens and in-body stabilization. Additionally, we don’t like that GoPro restricts its useful features to a subscription. We suggest looking for discounted older models, like the DJI Osmo Action 4 and the GoPro Hero11 Black, if you need something more versatile for content creation. The Hero is good for adventures where you need a small camera for on-body mounting.

At just 1.9 by 2.2 by 1.2 inches (HWD) and 3.0 ounces, the Hero is incredibly small. I consider it a plus if you intend to mount the camera on a helmet or chest harness because it is lighter and smaller than the Hero13 Black (2.0 by 2.8 by 1.3 inches, 5.6 ounces). However, the Hero’s smaller frame won’t really make a difference in most situations because action cameras are generally quite small.

The Hero is no exception to the rule that GoPro cameras are designed to withstand rough treatment and abuse. Although other action cameras can go deeper, its metal frame allows it to withstand drops, and its 16-foot waterproof rating without a housing makes it suitable for poolside activities and snorkeling. The Osmo Action 5 Pro can withstand up to 65.6 feet, the Hero5 Black and its more recent models can withstand up to 33 feet, and the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 can withstand up to 39 feet. You’re stuck at 16 feet since GoPro doesn’t have a dive case for the Hero. Hero Black, DJI Osmo, and Insta360 Ace cameras can function at depths of up to 197 feet thanks to cases.

Similar to the Hero10 and Hero11 Black models, the Hero comes with a single set of mounting clips to attach to common GoPro mounts. The Hero13 Black and the DJI Osmo Action 4 and 5 Pro are two examples of more recent cameras that use magnetic mount attachments instead. Although you have to buy several magnet mounts, these are a huge help for artists who wish to swiftly switch the camera between mounts. GoPro’s belief that a magnetic mount would be an unnecessary and costly complication for the Hero is not surprising.

The metal body of the camera features a touch screen on the back and an integrated heat sink on the front. This is different from the Hero11 Black Mini, GoPro’s latest small action camera (2.0 by 2.1 by 1.5 inches, 4.7 ounces). The Mini’s lack of a screen and tendency to overheat during lengthy recordings make it difficult to use. The Hero confronts these shortcomings.

The Hero does a good job of dealing with heat. In my battery rundown and overheating test, the Hero recorded for 100 minutes in 4K30 before it ran out of juice. It didn’t encounter any heat issues during that period. The internal battery charges via USB-C, which means you can top it off with a power bank if you’re on the go. However, creators who want to record for longer during a day should budget more for an action cam with swappable batteries, such as any of the current Hero Black models and the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro.

4.GoPro Max

Last update on 2025-03-01 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The GoPro Max’s ability to record 360-degree video sets it apart from the competition, even though it isn’t the best GoPro camera overall. The GoPro Hero Max, in contrast to most 360-degree cameras, has a tiny display on the back that allows you to see what the cameras are focusing on. Although the large display makes it simple to navigate and adjust the Max’s settings without using a smartphone, we didn’t find it to be as useful as we had hoped.

Additionally, the GoPro Hero Max boasts a HyperSmooth stabilization feature that ensures your shaky video will appear smooth, and the camera’s image quality, which reaches a maximum resolution of 5.6K/30 fps, meets GoPro’s usual high standards. Additionally, GoPro’s app is loaded with features, including the ability to livestream video from the Max.

The GoPro Hero 8 appears to have been stretched into a square shape and a second camera was added to the back side of the 2.5 x 2.7 x 1.6-inch GoPro MAX. It stands in sharp contrast to the majority of other 360-degree cameras, like the stick-like Insta360 One X.

Because of its shape, the GoPro MAX requires a selfie stick to operate. The Max can now be connected to GoPro accessories without requiring a separate case for the camera itself thanks to the company’s addition of folding “fingers” to the bottom.

Three distinct camera modes are available on the GoPro MAX: front-facing, immersive 360-degree, and single lens (like any GoPro Hero). While switching between them is not possible while shooting, it is simple to change settings between shots to get a range of clips.

There are four different digital lens options when using the front and rear-facing cameras in HERO mode. The Max Superview lens is new with the GoPro MAX, but the narrow, linear, and wide lenses were first seen on previous GoPro models. Compared to earlier GoPros’ superview lenses, it is 26 degrees wider. You can see amazing clarity and coverage in a video I shot from a pier overlooking Boston Harbor.

Additionally, you may notice how stable the clip appears. The Max HyperSmooth setting stabilized my shot fairly well, despite my hands feeling cold in the chilly late-October air.

Horizon Leveling is another new “Max” feature that keeps the horizon steady while filming. I witnessed the effect being strapped to a cheetah during a demonstration. The distant edge of the grassland stayed motionless when Horizon Leveling was turned on, but the camera wobbled dizzily when it wasn’t. We’re curious to see how the two compare because Insta360’s One X has a similar feature.

5.Hero 11 Black Mini

Last update on 2025-03-01 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Although the GoPro Hero11 Black Mini isn’t much smaller than the standard Hero11 Black, it can go farther and capture angles that the standard model can’t thanks to its dual mounting points. Though we don’t believe most people should forgo the Hero11’s dual color displays, photo mode, and swappable battery for that additional flexibility, helmet fan cams might find something to love. Because of this, the more costly Hero11 Black continues to be our Editors’ Choice for action cameras.

I instantly recalled the like-minded Hero5 Session from 2016 when I learned that GoPro was releasing a screen-free version of the Hero11. However, the Mini isn’t as incredibly small as the cubic session. It is actually slightly taller than the full-size Hero11 Black (2.00 by 2.83 by 1.32 inches) at 2.02 by 2.06 by 1.50 inches (HWD).

Both versions use the same lens, sensor, and processing engine, which contributes to the similar build. In contrast, the Session cameras sacrificed some specifications in order to create a smaller design. If you’re looking for a smaller camera with a full-on screen, the Hero8 Black is your best option because GoPro started sizing up its cameras with the Hero9.

At 4.7 ounces, the Mini weighs slightly less than the standard model (5.4 ounces). Although it may seem like a small weight reduction, it can have a significant impact on a number of applications, such as FPV drones and helmet mounting. Although the 1.9-ounce Hero10 Bones are still available for do-it-yourself drones, the dual rear mounting point is an additional benefit for those circumstances. Naturally, the Mini is a more robust, feature-rich, and adaptable camera. According to GoPro, it is 33 feet (10 meters) waterproof.

Buying Guide: The Best GoPro for 2025

What to Expect From a GoPro

GoPro cameras are, as a rule, tough, waterproof, and ready for adventure. The GoPro lineup includes one entry-level model, the Hero, a trio of more fully featured Black line cams—the Hero11, Hero12, and Hero13 Black—and an older dual-lens 360-degree entry, the Max.

Should You Get a GoPro Premium Subscription?

GoPro cameras are capable by themselves, but a GoPro Premium subscription unlocks some worthwhile perks. One benefit is unlimited cloud storage for video captured with a GoPro. Another is that the camera can upload all of your footage as soon as you plug it in at home, as well as automatically clear your memory card once the upload finishes.