GoPro HERO13 Black
The all-rounder most people picture when they say action camera.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewThe 10 Best Action Cameras of 2026, Ranked
Our verdict: The best action camera in 2026 is the GoPro HERO13 Black. It tops our ranking with 9.0 out of 10.
Our action camera picks
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
A rival to GoPro in a single-lens body, with a 1/1.3-inch sensor, a Leica-co-engineered lens and a big flip screen that suits vlogging.
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GoPro HERO (2024) CHDHF-131
GoPro's small, simple entry camera.
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AKASO Brave 7 LE
A long-running budget favourite with native 4K, two screens and two batteries in the box.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewAll 10 action cameras, compared
We compared 11 action cameras sold in the UK, then ranked ten of them by how happy owners are. These ten cover single-lens action cameras, 360 cameras and tiny wearables, from a budget 4K model to flagship large-sensor and 8K cameras. Every product links to its full review below.
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1
GoPro HERO13 BlackBest Choice
9.0 out of 10
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2
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
8.8 out of 10
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- 3 Insta360 Ace Pro 2Best Premium 8.7 out of 10 Check Price
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4
DJI Osmo Nano Standard Combo
8.6 out of 10
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5
GoPro HERO (2024) CHDHF-131Value for Money
8.5 out of 10
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6
AKASO Brave 7 LEBest Budget
8.5 out of 10
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7
Insta360 GO Ultra
8.5 out of 10
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8
DJI Osmo Action 6
8.4 out of 10
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- 9 Insta360 X4 Air 8.4 out of 10 Check Price
- 10 AKASO 360 8.1 out of 10 Check Price
Why No. 1 beats No. 2
The GoPro HERO13 Black (9.0) beats the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro (8.8) because it leaves owners a little happier.
The full action camera reviews
1.GoPro HERO13 Black
The all-rounder most people picture when they say action camera. It shoots 5.3K, takes swappable lenses and works with GoPro's very large range of mounts.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are1st of 10
- How many rated it2nd of 10
- How new it is7th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 5.3K video with HyperSmooth stabilisation and horizon levelling for biking and running
- Removable 1900mAh battery, so a spare gets you through a full day
- Takes HB-Series lens mods and the largest range of GoPro mounts and accessories
- Waterproof to 10m with no case
Keep in mind
- Smaller sensor than the DJI cameras, so low light is noisier
- Runs warm in 5.3K and can stop recording in hot weather
- Spare batteries, lens mods and a decent card add noticeably to the cost
2.DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
The previous DJI flagship, now the value pick in the range. Large sensor, two screens and 4K at 120fps, at a lower price than the newer model.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are2nd of 10
- How many rated it3rd of 10
- How new it is7th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 1/1.3-inch sensor handles dusk and indoor shots well
- Front and rear OLED touchscreens suit vlogging and framing selfies
- 4K at up to 120fps for slow motion
- Waterproof to 20m with no case and around 47GB built-in storage
Keep in mind
- Superseded by the Action 6, so it will not get the newest features
- Heavier and chunkier than GoPro's smaller models
- Gets warm during long high-resolution recordings
3.Insta360 Ace Pro 2
A rival to GoPro in a single-lens body, with a 1/1.3-inch sensor, a Leica-co-engineered lens and a big flip screen that suits vlogging.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are3rd of 10
- How many rated it4th of 10
- How new it is6th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 1/1.3-inch sensor and 8K30 video, with strong low-light results
- 2.5-inch flip screen works for selfies and awkward angles
- Waterproof to 12m with no case
- Insta360's app has strong AI editing tools
Keep in mind
- Larger and heavier than the GoPro options
- Getting the best from it means using the Insta360 app, which has a lot of menus to learn
- Fewer third-party mounts than GoPro
4.DJI Osmo Nano Standard Combo
A small magnetic wearable with a 1/1.3-inch sensor and 4K60. It suits chest, hat and POV filming where a full camera is awkward.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are6th of 10
- How many rated it6th of 10
- How new it is3rd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 1/1.3-inch sensor with 4K at 60fps and 143-degree field of view
- Magnetic mounting, front or rear, with a dock for charging
- Dock charges the camera and extends recording, up to about 200 minutes at lower resolutions
- Waterproof to 10m
Keep in mind
- Small battery means short recording times without the dock
- Magnetic mounts only hold on suitable surfaces
- Fewer mount options than GoPro
5.GoPro HERO (2024) CHDHF-131
GoPro's small, simple entry camera. It has a touchscreen, built-in mounting fingers and the usual GoPro mount ecosystem, with few settings to get wrong.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are5th of 10
- How many rated it4th of 10
- How new it is7th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Very light and small, with mounting fingers built into the body
- 4K30 video with automatic stabilisation
- Works with GoPro's wide range of mounts
- Simple menus suit first-time buyers
Keep in mind
- Waterproof only to 5m, shallower than the premium cameras
- Built-in battery cannot be swapped, so long days need a power bank
- No 60fps at 4K and no front screen
- Lower detail and weaker low light than the larger-sensor cameras
6.AKASO Brave 7 LE
A long-running budget favourite with native 4K, two screens and two batteries in the box. A sensible first action camera for casual use.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are4th of 10
- How many rated it1st of 10
- How new it is10th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Native 4K video with two batteries included
- Front and rear screens, and a touchscreen on the back
- Waterproof to 40m inside the supplied case
- Remote control and a good range of cheap mounts
Keep in mind
- Footage looks soft and noisy in low light
- Stabilisation is weaker than GoPro or DJI, so rough rides look shaky
- App and Wi-Fi connection are slower than the premium brands
- Only splash-resistant without the case
7.Insta360 GO Ultra
A thumb-sized magnetic camera for hands-free filming. The pod gives it a screen and extra battery, and it shoots 4K60 from a 1/1.28-inch sensor.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are7th of 10
- How many rated it8th of 10
- How new it is4th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Weighs around 53g and clips to clothing, a cap or a helmet
- 4K60 video from a larger sensor than most tiny cameras
- Around 70 minutes standalone, up to about 200 with the pod
- Waterproof to about 10m
Keep in mind
- Standalone runtime is short
- The camera on its own has no screen, so you rely on the pod or phone
- Costs more than the cheaper wearables, and it is not built to be a rugged all-round camera
8.DJI Osmo Action 6
DJI's newest flagship, built around a large square sensor with a variable aperture. Reviewers single it out for low-light footage and a battery that copes with the cold.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are8th of 10
- How many rated it9th of 10
- How new it is1st of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 1/1.1-inch square sensor and f/2.0 to f/4.0 variable aperture for dim light
- RockSteady 3.0 stabilisation with horizon levelling
- Waterproof to 20m with no case
- Around 50GB of built-in storage and a cold-resistant battery
Keep in mind
- Newest and priciest of the DJI options here
- Smaller mount ecosystem than GoPro, though it uses a quick-release magnetic-style adapter
- The Standard Combo has one battery, so a spare is an extra purchase
9.Insta360 X4 Air
A light 8K 360 camera that films everything and lets you pick the framing afterwards. The invisible selfie stick effect gives drone-like shots for bikes and motorbikes.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are9th of 10
- How many rated it7th of 10
- How new it is2nd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 8K 360 capture, with the framing chosen after recording
- Weighs around 165g and has a built-in wind guard
- Invisible selfie stick effect for third-person shots
- Replaceable lenses help when a scratch would otherwise write it off
Keep in mind
- Editing in the app takes longer than with a single-lens camera
- Exported flat video is lower resolution than the headline 8K figure
- Battery life is shorter at the highest settings
10.AKASO 360
The cheapest way into 360 filming here. It records 5.7K 360 video with horizon lock and an invisible selfie stick effect.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are10th of 10
- How many rated it9th of 10
- How new it is5th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 5.7K 360 video and 72MP 360 photos
- Horizon lock and AI tracking for reframing
- Touchscreen and a light 180g body
- A far lower price than Insta360's 360 cameras
Keep in mind
- Not waterproof for swimming, so keep it away from water
- Battery lasts about an hour at the top setting
- App can lag, and editing and transfers are slow
- Image quality falls behind Insta360 in poor light
Before you buy an action camera
Is GoPro or DJI better?
It depends on what you value. GoPro has the biggest range of mounts and accessories, and a removable battery. DJI's Osmo Action cameras use larger sensors, so footage in dim light is cleaner, and they are waterproof to 20m with no case. If you already own GoPro mounts, stay with GoPro. If you film at dusk or in woods, a DJI is the better fit.
Is GoPro better or Insta360?
GoPro suits people who want a rugged single-lens camera with the widest set of mounts. Insta360 suits people who want to reframe footage afterwards, since its 360 cameras record everything around you, and its Ace Pro 2 is a direct GoPro rival with a large flip screen. Insta360's app has stronger AI editing, but 360 footage takes more time to edit than flat footage.
What is the best action camera alternative to GoPro in the UK?
The DJI Osmo Action 6 and Action 5 Pro are the nearest like-for-like alternatives, with bigger sensors and better low light. The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is the other close rival. For a budget option, AKASO's Brave 7 LE is much cheaper, though its footage and stabilisation are clearly weaker.
Do I need 4K or 5K for an action camera?
4K is enough for most people and gives smaller files that are easier to edit. 5.3K gives more room to crop or to pull stills from video. Frame rate matters as much as resolution: 60fps suits fast sport, and 120fps at 4K gives smooth slow motion. 8K is mainly a marketing figure and fills memory cards fast, so use a fast microSD card of at least 128GB if you shoot high resolution.
Are cheap action cameras any good?
They are good for casual clips in daylight, such as holidays, cycling and kids' sport. Budget cameras like the AKASO Brave 7 LE shoot decent 4K but are noisier in low light and have weaker stabilisation, which shows on bumpy rides or motorbikes. Premium cameras add better sensors, stabilisation such as HyperSmooth and RockSteady, and stronger apps. Budget models also depend on a case for deep water.
Do action cameras need a case to go underwater?
Most current premium cameras do not. The GoPro HERO13 Black is waterproof to 10m, the DJI Action cameras to 20m and the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 to 12m, all with no case. The cheaper GoPro HERO manages 5m, and budget cameras such as the AKASO Brave 7 LE need their supplied case for diving depths. Cold water drains batteries faster, so keep a spare and check seals and the lens cover before each swim.
How we ranked these ten action cameras
Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. We haven't read the review sites for this guide yet, so for now it is led by owners. It ranks products by how happy owners are, holding back any product few owners have rated until more agree. How many rated it and how new it is only settle close calls, and value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 11 models for this guide before settling on these ten.
Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in November 2026.
How we rank, in fullOur No. 1 action camera
GoPro HERO13 Black
The all-rounder most people picture when they say action camera. 9.0 out of 10.