March 2023
Action Video Cameras: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of Action Camera rankings posted by key online experts, as of March 2023.
Summary
Between 4 Mar 2023 and 7 Mar 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 89 Action Camera endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
29 Action Video Cameras were endorsed in total, only 17 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).
As of 7 Mar 2023, GoPro Hero11 Black takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed action camera with 9 expert endorsements. 7 experts out of 9 recommended it as the '#1 action camera' this month. It is followed by GoPro Hero10 Black and GoPro Hero 9 Black , with 9 and 9 expert endorsements respectively.
Brand breakdown
-
GoPro:
7 Action Cameras
(#1 is GoPro Hero11 Black Mini )
-
insta360:
6 Action Cameras
(#1 is Insta360 ONE X2 )
-
DJI:
4 Action Cameras
(#1 is Dji OSMO Action )
-
Akaso:
3 Action Cameras
(#1 is Akaso V50X )
-
Olympus:
2 Action Cameras
(#1 is Olympus Tough TG-Tracker )
Price breakdown
At a glance - March 2023 Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | Action Camera |
Wirecutter
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Tom's Guide
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TechRadar
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WIRED
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Rtings.com
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Camera Jabber
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PCMag
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T3
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Pocket-lint
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Digital Camera World
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
- | $449 |
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3
|
1
|
4
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
- | $389 |
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1
|
3
|
1
|
4
|
1
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
5
|
2
|
3
|
- | $300 |
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2
|
6
|
6
|
8
|
2
|
6
|
5
|
5
|
-
|
7
|
4
|
- | $329 |
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-
|
5
|
5
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
4
|
-
|
2
|
8
|
5
|
- | $415 |
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-
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
3
|
4
|
3
|
6
|
- | $289 |
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-
|
4
|
12
|
-
|
5
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
5
|
7
|
- | $260 |
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-
|
-
|
8
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
8
|
-
|
4
|
8
|
- | $430 |
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4
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
- | $112 |
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-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
10
|
- | $480 |
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-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
- | $339 |
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-
|
-
|
13
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
12
|
- | $500 |
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-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
12
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
+1 | $210 |
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-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
14
|
+1 | $399 |
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-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
15
|
+1 | $460 |
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-
|
-
|
14
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
16
|
+1 | Check price |
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-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
17
|
+1 | Check price |
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-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
14
|
-
|
-
|
Sorted by price:
Position in ranking | Price | Action Camera |
---|---|---|
#9 | $111.99 | Akaso Brave 7 LE [buy] [more info] |
#13 | $210 | GoPro Hero8 [buy] [more info] |
#7 | $259.95 | DJI Action 2 [buy] [more info] |
#6 | $289 | Insta360 Go 2 [buy] [more info] |
#3 | $299.99 | GoPro Hero 9 Black [buy] [more info] |
#4 | $328.99 | DJI Osmo Action 3 [buy] [more info] |
#11 | $339 | DJI Pocket 2 [buy] [more info] |
#2 | $389 | GoPro Hero10 Black [buy] [more info] |
#14 | $399 | GoPro Hero7 Black [buy] [more info] |
#5 | $415 | Insta360 One RS [buy] [more info] |
#8 | $430 | Insta360 X3 [buy] [more info] |
#1 | $449 | GoPro Hero11 Black [buy] [more info] |
#15 | $460 | Olympus Tough TG-6 [buy] [more info] |
#10 | $479.99 | Insta360 One R [buy] [more info] |
#12 | $499.99 | GoPro Max [buy] [more info] |
We ranked GoPro Hero11 Black #1 in March 2023 because:
- 9 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.
- Out of those, 7 experts ranked GoPro Hero11 Black as #1.

Tom's Guide
The best action camera overall
Pros
Innovative editing features
Larger image sensor
Amazing motion stabilization
|
Cons
Bulky
|
TechRadar
The best flagship action cam for social cropping
Pros
Versatile aspect ratio for cropping
10-bit mode useful for color grading
|
Cons
Still not great in low lighting
Budget rivals offer better value
|
PCMag
Best Action Cam Overall / Editors' Choice
Pros
Great-looking 5.3K60 video
4K120 and 2.7K240 slow-motion
10-bit color sampling
Numerous time-lapse modes
Waterproof to 33 feet
Solid touch interface and voice command support
Subscription service with useful features
|
Cons
Not ideal for long-form recording or macro work
One battery won't get you through the day
|
T3
The current flagship GoPro is the best action camera you can buy
Pros
New sensor amps up the quality everywhere
Better battery life
Same physical dimensions as the Hero 10
|
Cons
Only incremental improvements over older model
|
Pocket-lint
Best Action Camera
Pros
Best in class stabilisation
10-bit colour video capture with high bitrate
Extremely wide HyperView digital lens
|
Cons
Fairly bulky
Quite expensive
|
Digital Camera World
The TikTok-ready action cam adds simplicity, and a new 8:7 sensor / Editor's Choice
Pros
Captures versatile 8:7 content
Excellent image stabilization
Horizon locking at up to 5.3K
Simplified interface for beginners
|
Cons
Lowlight video isn't great
Front display is not touch sensitive
GoPro membership required to unlock features
|
We ranked GoPro Hero10 Black #2 in March 2023 because:
- 9 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.
- Out of those, 3 experts ranked GoPro Hero10 Black as #1.

Tom's Guide
GoPro's older, but still very capable action camera
Pros
Excellent image stabilization
Removable lens
Media “Mods” add functionality
|
Cons
Heavy
|
TechRadar
Best overall action camera
Pros
Powerful new processor
Handy 4K/120p mode
Class-leading stabilization
|
Cons
Same sensor as Hero 9 Black
Pricier than rivals
|
T3
The GoPro Hero 10 offers almost everything the new Hero 11 boasts, for a considerably cheaper price
Pros
Speedy and slick thanks to new processor
Higher resolution and framerate than H9
Water-repelling lens cover
Horizon leveling up to 45-degree tilt
|
Cons
Most expensive option
Battery can struggle to keep up
|
Pocket-lint
Still a great buy
Pros
The best image quality around
Incredible image stabilisation
Extreme high resolution and frame rate options
|
Cons
Relatively heavy
Can be prone to overheating
|
Digital Camera World
The best traditional action cam all round with 5.3K video and 23MP stills
Pros
Faster user interface
Increased frame rates
Hydrophobic lens coating
|
Cons
Incremental upgrade on Hero9 Black
Bigger than the Hero8 Black and Hero7 Black
Not compatible with older batteries
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Action Video Cameras.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Action Video Cameras, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for March 2023 ranking










We ranked GoPro Hero 9 Black #3 in March 2023 because:
- 9 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

Tom's Guide
An older GoPro
Pros
Front-facing screen
Removable lens
Media “Mods” add functionality
|
Cons
Heavy
|
TechRadar
An excellent GoPro action cam if don't need 4K slo-mo
Pros
5K video captures lots of detail
Front display for vlogging
Improved battery life
New software skills
|
Cons
Rear screen currently unresponsive
Little improvement to 4K video
|
Camera Jabber
Pros
No need for waterproof housing
Dual Screen
8X Slow-motion
|
Cons
Mods are expensive
Not great in low light
|
PCMag
Best GoPro for Budget Shoppers
Pros
Up to 5K quality at 30fps
Front-facing color LCD
Exceptional video stabilization
Up to 240fps HD slow motion
Time-lapse, buffering, and HDR imaging
USB-C charging
Strong app support
Compact and waterproof
|
Cons
You'll likely want to carry extra batteries
Subscription service adds recurring costs
Discounted pricing not available from all retailers
|
T3
Not quite the newest GoPro, but still an outstanding action camera
Pros
Integrated front-facing screen
Removable lens cover
Native horizon levelling
Very easy to use
|
Cons
Not quite as slick as the HERO 10
No hydrophobic lens cover
|
Digital Camera World
It might have been released in 2019 but specs wise, it's not fat off the GoPro Hero 10 and it's cheaper!
Pros
Front-facing screen
20MP photos
14.7 MP grabs from video
|
Cons
Larger physical size than other GoPros
5K video takes up a lot of memory
|
We ranked DJI Osmo Action 3 #4 in March 2023 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

Tom's Guide
A great budget GoPro alternative
Pros
Solid video quality
Innovative mounting options
More affordable than a GoPro
|
Cons
Photo quality is limited to 12 MP
Upload and edit process is entirely manual
|
TechRadar
The best value action camera for most people
Pros
Best-in-class diving specs
Convenient mounting setup
|
Cons
Poor low-light performance
Video quality can’t compete with GoPro
|
PCMag
Best for 4K120 on a Budget
Pros
Front and rear color touch displays
Easy to change lens filters
Continuous 4K60 recording without overheating
Up to 4K120 and 1080p240 slow motion
75-minute battery
Waterproof to 52 feet
|
Cons
Smartphone activation a strict requirement
Video limited to 4K, 8-bit quality
|
Pocket-lint
A super choice
Pros
Excellent magnetic mounting solution
Extremely wide FOV
Handy front touchscreen
|
Cons
Needs a bracket for vertical shooting
The rubber lens protector can easily be lost
|
Digital Camera World
Does DJI’s 3rd generation action camera have what it takes?
Pros
Dual touchscreen control
Good vlogging tool in vertical or horizontal
No module confusion (compared to Action 2)
Extreme batteries included as standard
Cheaper than GoPro
No subscription payments required
|
Cons
12-megapixel images and 4K maximum video resolution
No period of cloud backup included
We’d like to see a start and stop timer
Vertical format use requires frame
Voice control somewhat spotty
|
We ranked Insta360 One RS #5 in March 2023 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

Tom's Guide
This 360 camera has a modular design
Pros
Innovative modular design
Multiple lens options including 360 lens
Reversible screen for front facing option
Impressive in-camera stabilization
|
Cons
Small screen size
Needs frame for mounting
|
PCMag
Best for Mixing 360 and 4K Footage
Pros
Compact design
Swappable lens modules
Waterproof to 16 feet
Stabilized 4K60 and 5.7K 360 video
HDR available at 4K30
2:35 wide-screen mode
Mobile and desktop app support
|
Cons
In-camera mics disappoint outdoors
Modular design can get in the way
Small touch LCD
Battery only good for 75 minutes of 4K
Heat can limit long-form recordings
|
T3
The most flexible action camera
Pros
Compelling modular design
Outstanding image quality
Good battery life
|
Cons
Fiddly SD/Charge port cover
|
Pocket-lint
Three-in-one transformer
Pros
The most configurable of the bunch
Robust and waterproof despite modularity
Up to three cameras in one
|
Cons
Small screen
Can't compete with GoPro on image quality
|
Digital Camera World
You might find the ONE RS's modular design more fiddly, but you get an action camera AND a 360 camera in one!
Pros
4K and 360º lens options
RAW photos and 100mbps video
Optional 1-inch action cam mod
|
Cons
Small-ish touchscreen
|
We ranked Insta360 Go 2 #6 in March 2023 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The best really small action camera
Pros
Very small
Takes good photos and videos for size
Charging case doubles as remote
|
Cons
Gets hot in use
Shorter battery life than other action cameras
|
TechRadar
A tiny action cam with a very clever case
Pros
Truly tiny form factor
Tripod charging case
|
Cons
No display for framing
Only waterproof to 4m
|
Camera Jabber
Pros
Miniscule size
Easy to use
Waterproof
Good video quality
|
Cons
No 4K video
No microSD card slot
|
Pocket-lint
Tiny but mighty
Pros
The tiniest action camera around
Versatile magnetic mounting options
Great stabilisation
|
Cons
Battery life can be limiting
Maxes out at 1440p 50fps
|
Digital Camera World
It's not 4K or waterproof, but this tiny magnetic camera can go where others can't!
Pros
Tiny when used 'naked'
High resolution for its size
Charge case and mounts included
|
Cons
Short run time
Can 'flick' out of mounts
|
We ranked DJI Action 2 #7 in March 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

TechRadar
A unique action cam that's very modular and expandable
Pros
Versatile, modular design
Handy horizon-leveling
|
Cons
Overheating limitations
Not great in low light
|
PCMag
Most Innovative Design
Pros
Tiny, go-anywhere form factor
Magnetic mount and snap-on accessories
Effective digital stabilization
Up to 4K120 video
12MP photos
Waterproof to 33 feet
Works as a webcam
|
Cons
Front screen option pushes price high
Overheating is a concern
No card slot or charging port on main camera module
Front screen and battery aren't waterproof
|
T3
An innovative, modular action cam
Pros
Compact and lightweight
Modular, magnetic system is inspired
Excellent image stabilisation
|
Cons
Overheating cuts off video clips
Not great in low light
|
Digital Camera World
DJI's groundbreaking modular design makes the Action 2 a very clever bit of kit
Pros
Use compact or with combo unit
Dual touchscreen interface
Live streaming
|
Cons
Internal storage in camera (microSD cards need secondary unit)
Secondary unit must be attached to charge or use memory cards
|
We ranked Insta360 X3 #8 in March 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

PCMag
Best 360 Camera for Creators / Editors' Choice
Pros
5.7K30 HDR video
Slim, waterproof build
Big touch screen with straightforward interface
Robust desktop and mobile editing tools
Loads of capture modes
|
Cons
Video must be processed before editing
A bit of a learning curve to grasp 360-degree editing
Mobile editing app limits resolution
|
T3
The best all-in-one 360 action cam you can buy
Pros
Easy to use
Solid image performance
Waterproof and rugged
|
Cons
Stitching still not perfect
Not a generational leap over the X2
|
We ranked Akaso Brave 7 LE #9 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

TechRadar
The best action camera on a budget
Pros
Dual screens
Case-free water resistance
Class-leading build quality
|
Cons
Poor 60fps footage
Jumpy electronic stabilization
Cheaper options have better 4K
|
Digital Camera World
You wouldn't put the Akaso Brave 7 LE in the same class as GoPro, but it's way, way cheaper
Pros
Front LCD screen
4K video capture
6-axis stabilization
Low price
|
Cons
Needs to be put in case to be fully waterproof
|
We ranked Insta360 One R #10 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

TechRadar
An impressive, if imperfect, modular option with great quality
Pros
Modular design offers unrivaled versatility
Solid 4K and 360-degree image quality
|
Cons
Very small screen
Significant bugs at launch
|
Camera Jabber
Pros
Modular design
Incredible image quality
Both standard and 360º video
|
Cons
Joins get filled with mud
App home screen cluttered
|
T3
A cheaper version of the RS
Pros
Clever modular system
360-degree live previews on device
Flippable screen for vlogging
Easy to upgrade or replace modules
|
Cons
Stitching errors on 360 content
|
We ranked DJI Pocket 2 #11 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

TechRadar
What it lacks in ruggedness it makes up for with great stabilization
Pros
Useful gimbal stabilization
Impressive tracking
|
Cons
Poor low light performance
Can get hot while filming 4K
|
Digital Camera World
Not your traditional action camera, but we think the Pocket 2 is amazing
Pros
Sensational stabilization
Fantastic pocketability
Simple operation
|
Cons
Relies heavily on extras and accessories
|
We ranked GoPro Max #12 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

TechRadar
The best waterproof, 360-degree action camera
Pros
Shoots 5.6K, 360-degree video
In-camera stitching
|
Cons
Low-resolution 2D footage
Not the best in low light
|
PCMag
Best Audio in a 360 Cam
Pros
360-degree capture
Also works as a single-lens camera
Intuitive software tools
Strong stabilization
Good in-camera audio
Waterproof without a case
Integrated mounting clips
|
Cons
Effective resolution is really 1080p
Single-lens capture tops out at 60fps
Requires more editing time to get the best results from spherical footage
|
T3
The best dedicated 360-degree camera on the market
Pros
Stunning 360-degree video
360 degree photos
Sturdy construction
|
Cons
Conventional video resolution is lower than rival
Image stitching can look glitchy
|
We ranked GoPro Hero8 #13 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

TechRadar
A good all-rounder if you don't need a front-facing screen
Pros
Best-in-class digital stabilization
Time-saving Capture Presets
Built-in mounting arms
Improved mic
|
Cons
Poor low-light performance
No front display
|
T3
There's no front-facing screen, but this camera delivers plenty of bang for your buck
Pros
Extremely capable and easy to use
Frameless design with folding mount fingers
Feature-packed and hugely robust
|
Cons
No front-facing preview screen
Not quite as good as the H10 or H9
|
We ranked GoPro Hero7 Black #14 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

TechRadar
An older GoPro flagship that's more now affordable
Pros
Great 4K video and image quality
HyperSmooth is very effective
|
Cons
Can struggle with voice commands
Screen unresponsive at times
|
T3
Not new,but still great
Pros
Great image quality and stabilisation
Waterproof without housing
|
Cons
No frameless design, so cases needed
|
We ranked Olympus Tough TG-6 #15 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

TechRadar
An action camera disguised as a hardcore compact
Pros
Internally stacked zoom lens
Up to 4K video resolution
|
Cons
Quality drops in bright conditions
Small sensor at its core
|
We ranked Akaso Brave 8 #16 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

Camera Jabber
Pros
Good range of specifications
High-quality video
Touch Screen
|
Cons
Not great in low light
SuperSmooth is limited
App good but limited
|
T3
A well-specced action cam that's worth a look
Pros
Strong spec list
Excellent package of mounts
Decent stabilisation
|
Cons
Buggy launch software
|
We ranked SJCam SJ8 Pro #17 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Action Video Cameras” rankings.

Camera Jabber
Pros
Excellent value
Large clear screen
Decent video quality
|
Cons
Waterproof housing
The app interface can be clunky when used with Gimbal
|
T3
Pro video quality on a tighter budget? This is the action cam for you
Pros
Excellent video quality
Large 2.33-inch IPS touchscreen
Includes dashcam ‘car mode’
USB-C charging
|