GoPro's product line is all about action cams: small video cameras, typically built around a wide-angle lens and toughened up to withstand water and roughshod handling. It's no surprise that many of GoPro's action cameras are PCMag award winners—the company invented the concept, after all, and with each generation, it incorporates new features that push performance even further. And we should know; we've been testing GoPro's camera line since the Hero2 and have seen its cameras mature to be creative powerhouses. We believe the Hero12 Black is the best GoPro for the price, but we've also compiled a list of our top picks below.
Overview
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![GoPro Hero12 Black]()
Best Features for the PriceGoPro Hero12 Black
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![GoPro Hero13 Black]()
Best GoPro for Add-On LensesGoPro Hero13 Black
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![GoPro Max2]()
Best for 360-Degree CaptureGoPro Max2
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![GoPro Hero (2024)]()
Best Affordable GoProGoPro Hero (2024)
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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![GoPro Hero12 Black]()
Best Features for the PriceGoPro Hero12 Black
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Hero12 Black is nearly as good as the latest Hero13 and is now available at a decent discount from its $399.99 debut price. It's tough, waterproof down to 33 feet, and comes with an exceptionally wide lens that captures footage at up to 5.3K60, 4K120, or 2.7K240, allowing you to add slow-motion and speed-ramp effects to your video to your heart's content. Its nearly square (8:7 aspect) sensor is handy too, as it lets you crop out widescreen or tall footage for different platforms.
Who It's For
Adventurers: If you're looking for a camera for rock climbing, surfing, skateboarding, snorkeling, or any similarly epic adventure, the Hero12 Black is for you. It's tough, captures sharp, stable video, and is small enough to mount anywhere.
Content creators: A front-facing screen and fantastic stabilization make the Hero12 a good option for self-recorded vlogs, and its frame rate options give you plenty of creative opportunities to add slow-motion to your b-roll.
Specs & Configurations
Battery Type GoPro Enduro Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity USB-C Connectivity Wi-Fi Dimensions 2.0 by 2.8 by 1.3 inches Display Size 2.3 inches Flat Profile HDMI Output None Maximum ISO 6400 Maximum Waterproof Depth 33 Memory Card Format microSDXC Memory Card Slots 1 Minimum ISO 100 Sensor Resolution 27 Sensor Size Type 1/1.9 Sensor Type CMOS Touch Screen Type Action Camera Video Resolution 5.3K Weight 4.5 Learn More GoPro Hero12 Black Review -
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![GoPro Hero13 Black]()
Best GoPro for Add-On LensesGoPro Hero13 Black
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The GoPro Hero13 Black is the company's latest flagship action cam, and its most capable. It matches the earlier Hero12 Black in terms of video quality, stabilization, and build, but offers some improvements to justify its higher price. It features a built-in GPS and supports a new set of conversion lenses for ultra-wide, macro, and anamorphic widescreen, offering more creative options than earlier cameras.
Who It's For
Adventurers: The Hero13 Black is small, tough, and stabilized, so you can mount it on a helmet or skateboard. It records at a fast frame rate at its three top resolutions (5.3K60, 4K120, and 2.7K240), allowing you to add slow-motion and speed-ramping effects to your video clips.
Content creators: Vloggers will appreciate the Hero13 Black's wide lens and front-facing color screen, both of which make it a good choice for self-recorded clips. And with ultra-wide, macro, and widescreen add-on lenses available, you've got room to get creative, too.
Specs & Configurations
Battery Type GoPro Enduro (1,900mAh) Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity USB-C Connectivity Wi-Fi Dimensions 2.0 by 2.8 by 1.3 inches Display Size 2.3 inches Flat Profile HDMI Output None Maximum ISO 6400 Maximum Waterproof Depth 33 Memory Card Format microSDXC Memory Card Slots 1 Minimum ISO 100 Sensor Resolution 27 Sensor Size Type 1/1.9 Sensor Type CMOS Stabilization Digital Touch Screen Type Action Camera Video Resolution 5.3K Weight 5.6 Learn More GoPro Hero13 Black Review -
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Credit: Craig Wilson
![GoPro Max2]()
Best for 360-Degree CaptureGoPro Max2
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Max2 uses two lenses to capture a 360-degree view of the world at crisp 8K resolution. This gives you enough room to pull out footage that looks good on screens, with creative effects like pans, zooms, and little planet projections to help liven up video. It takes some editing savvy to get the most out of the spherical footage, but the Max2 also works in a single-lens widescreen recording mode for those times when you don't want to record at 360.
Who It's For
Content creators: The Max2 is an ideal camera for travel vloggers because it can capture a scene and your narration of it simultaneously. Savvy video editors and YouTube experts will be able to use the Max2's dual-lens capture to add creative camera moves and reshape video in fun and interesting ways.
Video editors: It takes a little effort and practice to understand all the things you can do to translate 360-degree video to a flat screen. But once you get the hang of setting key frames to start virtual camera moves and learn the ins and outs of little planet projections, you'll find that you can do more with the video in the editing room than with single lens cameras.
Specs & Configurations
Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity USB-C Connectivity Wi-Fi Dimensions 2.74 by 2.52 by 1.92 inches Display Size 1.82 inches Flat Profile Maximum Waterproof Depth 16 Memory Card Format microSD Memory Card Slots 1 Sensor Resolution 29 Sensor Size 1/2.3-inch Sensor Type CMOS Touch Screen Type 360-Degree Type Action Camera Video Resolution 8K Weight 6.88 Learn More GoPro Max2 Review -
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![GoPro Hero (2024)]()
Best Affordable GoProGoPro Hero (2024)
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Hero is the most basic camera in GoPro's lineup, but also the most affordable at just $200. If you want a waterproof video camera to take on vacation, whether it's to a tropical island or the ski slopes, the Hero's one-button operation and compact form factor are positives. There are some negatives to consider: The camera gets quite hot when recording longer clips, and you don't get as much creative control as with the pricier models in the line.
Who It's For
Budget shoppers: The Hero is a good pickup if you don't want to spend a lot on an action camera. The $199 cost of entry is the lowest among GoPro's current line.
Phone editors: The Hero relies on the GoPro Quik smartphone app for video stabilization. Therefore, you should be comfortable editing video with a mobile app and ensure you have sufficient free space on your phone for editing. A GoPro subscription enhances the experience by adding cloud storage and an automatic upload feature, but it costs $50 per year.
Specs & Configurations
35mm Equivalent (Wide) 15 Battery Type Internal Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity USB-C Connectivity Wi-Fi Dimensions 1.9 by 2.2 by 1.2 inches Display Size 1.76 inches HDMI Output None Maximum Waterproof Depth 16 Memory Card Format microSDXC Memory Card Slots 1 Sensor Resolution 12 Sensor Size Type 1/2.8 Sensor Type CMOS Stabilization Post Capture Only Touch Screen Type Action Camera Video Resolution 4K Weight 3 Learn More GoPro Hero (2024) Review -
Compare Specs
Our Pick | |||||||
Rating |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
4.5 Outstanding |
3.0 Average |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
4.5 Outstanding |
Best For | Best Features for the Price | Best GoPro for Add-On Lenses | Best for 360-Degree Capture | Best Affordable GoPro | Best Features for the Price | Best GoPro for Add-On Lenses | Best for 360-Degree Capture |
Weight | 4.5 | 5.6 | 6.88 | 3 | 4.5 | 5.6 | 6.88 |
Video Resolution | 5.3K | 5.3K | 8K | 4K | 5.3K | 5.3K | 8K |
Type | Action Camera | Action Camera | 360-Degree, Action Camera | Action Camera | Action Camera | Action Camera | 360-Degree, Action Camera |
Touch Screen | |||||||
Stabilization | Digital | Post Capture Only | Digital | ||||
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS | CMOS | CMOS | CMOS | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor Size | Type 1/1.9 | Type 1/1.9 | 1/2.3-inch | Type 1/2.8 | Type 1/1.9 | Type 1/1.9 | 1/2.3-inch |
Sensor Resolution | 27 | 27 | 29 | 12 | 27 | 27 | 29 |
Minimum ISO | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |||
Memory Card Slots | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Memory Card Format | microSDXC | microSDXC | microSD | microSDXC | microSDXC | microSDXC | microSD |
Maximum Waterproof Depth | 33 | 33 | 16 | 16 | 33 | 33 | 16 |
Maximum ISO | 6400 | 6400 | 6400 | 6400 | |||
HDMI Output | None | None | None | None | None | ||
Flat Profile | |||||||
Display Size | 2.3 inches | 2.3 inches | 1.82 inches | 1.76 inches | 2.3 inches | 2.3 inches | 1.82 inches |
Dimensions | 2.0 by 2.8 by 1.3 inches | 2.0 by 2.8 by 1.3 inches | 2.74 by 2.52 by 1.92 inches | 1.9 by 2.2 by 1.2 inches | 2.0 by 2.8 by 1.3 inches | 2.0 by 2.8 by 1.3 inches | 2.74 by 2.52 by 1.92 inches |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Bluetooth, USB-C, Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Bluetooth, USB-C, Wi-Fi |
Battery Type | GoPro Enduro | GoPro Enduro (1,900mAh) | Internal | GoPro Enduro | GoPro Enduro (1,900mAh) | ||
35mm Equivalent (Wide) | 15 |
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 two entry-level models, the Hero and Lit Hero, two fully featured Black line cameras, Hero12 and Hero13 Black, and one 360-degree model, the Max2.
The Hero is basic and just $200. It records 4K30 in its standard video mode and 2.7K60 slow-motion, along with 12MP still images. It cuts some corners to make price: Its lens is restricted to an ultra-wide angle and shows heavy fish-eye distortion, plus stabilization is done in software, not in-camera, as with other GoPros. Due to these drawbacks and strong competition, the Hero didn't score as well as other GoPros, despite being quite simple to operate and boasting a 16-foot waterproof rating. The Lit Hero ($229) adds an LED video light, but is otherwise similar.
The Hero Black series is generally more capable. The Hero12 Black and Hero13 Black are on par when it comes to construction and video—both record at 5.3K60, 4K120, and 2.7K240, and are waterproof down to 33 feet. Each has dual screens, a touch display on the back, and a color monitor on the front, as well as an 8:7 aspect sensor with 10-bit color. The Hero13 differentiates itself with a built-in GPS and compatibility with a set of optional ultra-wide, macro, and widescreen conversion lenses.
The Hero Black series shares a lot of features, including lenses with multi-angle support (ranging from ultra-wide to moderately wide angle), standard and flat color profiles, Hypersmooth digital stabilization, and Hyperlapse for moving time lapses. They also share the same big drawback—about one hour of capture time at the highest-quality recording settings. Extra batteries or a Volta battery grip come in handy for longer recording sessions.
Recommended by Our Editors
Should You Get a GoPro Premium Subscription?
GoPro cameras are capable on their own, but a GoPro Premium subscription unlocks some worthwhile perks. One benefit is unlimited cloud storage for video captured with a GoPro. Another feature is that the camera can upload all your footage as soon as you plug it in at home, and automatically clear your memory card once the upload is complete. AI-based editing tools can also put together a highlight reel of your day and send it to your phone, and you get extra features in the phone-based GoPro Quik editing app. You can also use GoPro.com to livestream with your account.
The subscription bundles other discounts. Our cynical side suggests it's a good way to get you to spend more money, but 50% off retail for mounts and accessories is certainly something to consider. You can also trade in a damaged camera and get a new one, though that incurs a fee ($99 for most GoPro models). Finally, if you want to purchase a new GoPro, you can receive a one-time $100 discount, provided you are in your second year of membership.
We're understandably skeptical about subscription services, but we find the cloud upload and storage features to be a real benefit, especially for editors who prefer to work on an iPad Pro or even a smartphone. If your workflow involves a desktop or laptop, you may find it less appealing. Consider the cost of the service, which is $24.99 for the first year and $49.99 for each subsequent year, to determine whether it would be of value to you. A Premium+ tier is available, too. It costs $99.99 annually, adds support for Hypersmooth+ post-processing stabilization, and provides additional cloud storage space for content shot with cameras from other brands.
The Best GoPro Alternatives
Are you looking for an action camera, but not set on GoPro? Check out options from other brands in our picks for the best action cam, including the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, which beat out the Hero13 Black this year for Editors' Choice. We also have recommendations for vloggers seeking cameras and accessories, as well as creators looking for a gimbal.