Best GoPro Camera (2026): Compact, Budget, Accessories
AI News Desk
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Wired
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14 min read
It used to be easy to buy a GoPro camera.
It used to be easy to buy a GoPro camera. Grab the latest one and you’re good to go. But as GoPro has diversified its lineup, adding features and cameras, the answer is not so simple anymore. To help you out, we’ve put together this guide to all the currently available GoPro cameras, as well as a few notes on some of the older models.
I started using GoPro cameras with the launch of the Hero 5 in 2016 and have used every model since, most side by side with their replacements. In the end, the best GoPro for you depends on how you plan to use it and what you want to do with the results. Read on to find our top picks for every type of action-camera user.
If you’re not set on a GoPro, be sure to check out our Guide to Action Cameras for our take on cameras from DJI, Insta360, and other competitors. We also have a guide to The Best 360 Cameras , which offer an all-seeing alternative to action cameras.
Updated July 2026: We’ve updated this guide to add GoPro’s new Mission 1 cameras and a few more useful accessories, with updated prices and links throughout.
The Mission 1 Pro isn’t just the best GoPro you can buy, it’s the best action camera you can buy . It has the largest sensor found in an action camera, paired with GoPro’s new GP3 processor to churn out up to 8K 60 fps video that’s sharp with great natural color, and looks more cinematic than any other camera in its class. It is more expensive than its competitors, including the Hero 13, which I still think is plenty for most people. But if you want the best quality video and photos you can get from an action camera, the Mission 1 Pro is the camera to get.
There are actually three Mission 1 cameras, the entry level Mission 1, the slightly better Mission 1 Pro, and the forthcoming Mission 1 Pro ILS, which uses interchangeable lenses based on the Micro Four Thirds mount. The main difference between the Mission 1 and the Pro model is the higher framerates available in the Pro. I have not tested the non-Pro camera, but if you don’t need super slow motion footage, you can save $100 can get the Mission 1.
Despite the significant upgrade in specs, physically, the Mission 1 Pro is nearly the same size as the Hero 13. It’s wider due to the enlarged lens housing, and weighs more, but otherwise, it’s close to the Hero 13 and still very much feels like a GoPro. The larger, raised buttons are easier to use and part of the reason that the waterproof rating is now 20 meters (66 feet) without a case.
The Mission 1 Pro can record video in 8K, 4K, 1080p, and 1440p if you shoot in 4:3. There is no 5.3K video option as you would find in the Hero 13 Black—the 8K fills that gap (and then some). Even if you have no plans to ever export anything as 8K, the ability to crop when you’re editing makes the Mission 1 Pro a more powerful camera than most. Along with the higher resolution, you get improved slow motion video in the Mission 1 Pro, which can shoot 4K at 240 fps and 1080p up to a staggering 960 fps. Shooting at 960 fps allows for some remarkable footage that still looks very good and plenty sharp enough for YouTube and web video. The catch, because you knew there was one, is that you can only shoot 10 second bursts at this framerate. Perpetual GoPro haters will be disappointed to learn that Mission 1 Pro has excellent low light performance, on par with and sometimes exceeding the competition.
But more than any single feature, the Mission 1 Pro has a look and feel that other action cameras lack. Some combination of the bigger sensor, higher quality lens, color science, higher bit rate, waves hands combines to produce a more cinematic look to the footage from this camera. Mission 1 Pro footage looks like to came from a cinema camera, not a GoPro.
The Mission 1 series has stolen some of the Hero 13 Black’s thunder, but it’s still a great camera and the interchangeable lens system gives you some shooting options you won’t find yet in the Mission 1 Pro. The Hero 13 Black is also $200 cheaper and will be plenty of camera for most of us. In addition to the standard wide angle action camera lens you can also invest in an Ultra Wide ($120) , Macro ($110) , and Anamorphic ($150) lens. All of these are automatically detected by the Hero 13 the minute you attach them. The camera will automatically adjust settings accordingly, which is a very slick feature that makes switching lenses on the fly a much smoother experience. Read my full GoPro Hero 13 review for more details on how the lens system works.
Even if you never buy any of the additional lenses, the Hero 13 is a great action camera with improved battery life, a 3-way mounting system, great Log video support, and a good bit more. Video specs top out 5.3K 30 (8:7 ratio) or 5.3K 60 (16:9 ratio). Slo mo options include 2x at 5.3K, 4x when shooting 4K, and 8x for both 2.7K and 1080p. Those of you who missed GPS support in the Hero 12, will be happy to know that GPS support is back in the Hero 13 Black.
The disappointing part of the Hero 13 Black is that it uses the same 27-megapixel sensor and the same processor as the Hero 12, and, for that matter, the Hero 11. While the Hero 13 has plenty of other features that make it worth upgrading, the video quality isn’t going to be dramatically different than in those older models.
If you’re into having something a little different, GoPro recently released a limited-edition white GoPro Hero 13 Black (yes, that is confusing), along with a Green model .
The Hero 13 is like a mini version of the Hero 13 Black. It’s a smaller, lighter, cheaper, slightly less capable camera. With video resolution maxing out at 4K30 (compared with 5.3K60p in the Hero Black) and still photos dropping to 12 MP (compared with 27 MP in the Hero Black), it’s less powerful, but it’s also $130 cheaper and smaller, which is a big plus in some cases. For example, this would be my pick if you plan to mount your Hero on a helmet.
In my testing, the Hero has proved dead simple to use and the size makes it appealing. The deal break for me is that stabilization is performed in the app, not on the camera. That means you have to edit the video on your phone, apply stabilization, then save it to your phone and transfer it over to your computer before you can edit together with other footage. This workflow is cumbersome to say the least. But if you don’t plan to edit on your PC anyway, then it’s not a big deal and Hero might be a good, cheap way to start shooting with an action camera.
If you’re going to use your GoPro primarily to record yourself talking to the camera, the Lit Hero is the camera to get. It’s an entry level model, new in 2025, that adds a light to the body of the Hero 13 above. The cluster of four LEDs next to the lens make this the best way to ensure you’re well lit every time you’re onscreen. The Lit Hero is also plenty small and light if you do want to strap it to your body and use it as an action camera. It’s 93 grams, just 7 grams heavier than the basic Hero above. The other good news is that the specs get a slight bump. The Lit Hero can shoot 4K at 60 fps, while the plain Hero only manages 4K at 30 fps.
If you prize small above all else, and don’t mind being capped at 4K 30 fps, this is a great little camera. It really is tiny and mounted on a helmet—you’ll never even know it’s there.
OK, so there’s only one 360 GoPro, but it is the best, not just from GoPro but the best 360 camera you can buy. Its modestly larger sensor edges out the (still pretty dang good) Insta360 X5 by offering a slightly sharper image and more realistic color rendition, especially in the sky. GoPro is calling the Max 2’s video “True” 8K footage, touting the fact that its image has more pixels than its competitors, which count the black, unused portion of the sensor. The Max 2 also has support for 10-bit color, something Insta360's X5 lacks. Throw in the replaceable lenses (like, really, easily replaceable, you can do it with your fingers) and you have a winning combination of features. The icing on the cake for GoPro fans is that single lens mode on the Max 2 essentially turns it into a 4K GoPro Hero with almost exactly the same capabilities.
The weak points of the GoPro Max 2 are low-light performance (essentially, there isn’t any) and the editing software. Editing on mobile in the Quik app is excellent, with automated tracking features that work extremely well. Unfortunately those features are only available on mobile. I hope GoPro will update its desktop software with the automatic tracking features soon.
GoPro still sells the Hero 12, and there are plenty of Hero 11s and even Hero 10s out there for sale on the internet (typically from shady, nonsense-named Amazon retailers). We suggest avoiding all of them. They may work fine, but they’re usually not much cheaper than the Hero 13.
The Hero 12 is a fine camera , but when you can get the Hero 13 for $20 more, well, you should.
GoPro no longer sells the Hero 11 , but it’s still regularly available. Unfortunately, it’s usually the same price as the Hero 13 (around $350) and therefore also not worth buying.
The Hero 10 is really showing its age at this point. It can sometimes be found on sale for $200, but even then it’s a questionable purchase.
Should you buy a bundle? Generally, I say no. Get the camera, figure it out, and see how you end up using it. When you find yourself trying to solve a problem, start looking for an accessory. Here are some of my favorite things that I’ve tested and used, but if you have favorites you think I should try, drop a comment below. Note that most of these mounts will work just fine with the new Mission 1 series camera, where there are differences I’ve added a note about it.
A Good MicroSD card for $50 : According to GoPro's recommendations , you want a microSD card with a V30 or UHS-3 rating. That said, GoPros can be finicky about SD cards. I’ve had good luck with, and recommend this Samsung Pro Plus model. Another card I’ve used extensively is the SanDisk Extreme Pro .
GoPro Media Mod for $100 : By far my most-used accessory, the media mod does add some bulk, but in most cases this is more than made up for by the fact that you can plug into a real microphone (I use mine with a Rode Wireless ). Sound quality is radically improved with this one. This may be less necessary if you get the Hero 12 or later, since those models do have support for Bluetooth mics, but Bluetooth sound quality is rarely good. The Mission 1 Pro supports USB mics out of the box, no need for a Media Mod, although there is one available. The Media Mod for the Mission 1 cameras ($150) adds an HDMI port for video monitoring in 4K.
GoPro Handlebar Mount for $40 : I’ve been doing a lot more riding lately, and this mount pretty much lives on my bike these days. It’s been rock solid in my testing, and beats any of the third-party mounts I’ve tested.
GoPro Floaty for $35 : If you’re getting anywhere near the water, grab one of these. Trust me, you will drop your GoPro, and when you do, you will be glad you have this (unless the water is clear and you’re a good free diver). GoPro originally listed this as compatible with the Mission 1 Pro. I could not get my test unit in the Floaty, and then the support listing disappeared off the GoPro website. For now it seems like you’ll have to settle for one of the Amazon knockoffs for the Mission 1. GoPro also makes a Floating Hand Grip ($23) , which not only floats but has a leash for diving or surfing.
GoPro Selfie Stick for $80 : This 48-inch extension pole collapses into something surprisingly small and isn’t very heavy. It’s the best selfie stick I’ve used. I rarely use it for selfies, but it makes a great monopod on soft ground, like a sandy beach.
DaVinci Resolve Studio for $300 : This is my video editing software of choice. There is a free version, but I got tired of converting media to fit the restrictions of the free version. Best money I ever spent when it comes to making better videos. I have found that the latest LLM-powered sharpening tools in Resolve pair very well with GP-Log2 footage from the Mission 1 Pro.
So you bought a GoPro, now what? Well aside from reading the manual and learning how to control it, the best thing to do is get out there and experiment. Here are a few suggestions and things I use my GoPro for regularly.
GoPro Labs : GoPro Labs is an alternative firmware for your GoPro Hero camera that enables all sorts of features and experiments that allow you to do things you can’t do with the stock firmware. There is some risk of instability and bugs, but I’ve been using the Labs firmware for five years now and never had an issue. It’s like adding 10 new features to your GoPro for free. I’ll reference several of my favorites in the sections below, but you can see the full list of things you can do with GoPro Labs on the GoPro Labs website.
Time-Lapse Videos : After mounting the GoPro on my bike, this is my most used feature. GoPro’s time lapse is incredibly easy to use (compared with most mirrorless cameras anyway), and with the Labs firmware you can do really long time-lapse shots , over 24 hours if you have a battery pack to help power it.
Raise the Bitrate : By default the Hero 13 Black does not record at the highest bitrate. This is likely the reason your video looks mushy and not as clear and sharp as it should. Change that by going to the ProTune settings and pick “high” for the bitrate. If you want to go crazy you can use Labs to raise your bitrate all the way the 200 (the “high”setting in the stock firmware is 100). The caveat is that depending on your SD card, you may not be able to record that high. But every bit helps. The trade off is that cranking up the bitrate does chew through battery and can also lead to overheating, so if you’re shooting in very warm conditions, you might want to dial this down. Some footage is better than no footage because you overheated and the camera shut off.
Learn Manual Exposure : The Hero 13 Black gives you full control over exposure, so take advantage of it. Play with the exposure compensation especially (called EV Comp in the settings). Try dialing it down to -1 for midday shots. Also play with max ISO. The lower you can keep this, the better your footage will look, though because the GoPro kinda sucks in low light, there are some limits here.
Improve Sound With the Media Mod : It bears repeating, but the Media Mod is the best way to get good sound out of the GoPro without investing in Bluetooth mics (which is impractical in many mounting scenarios anyway). The only time the media mod leaves my GoPro is when I’m in the water (sadly, the Hero with the media mod installed is not at all waterproof).
Probably. GoPro released its new Mission 1 cameras earlier this summer, but there’s no sign of a Hero 14 so far. Typically GoPro releases new Hero cameras in late September/early October, but with the Mission 1 series just hitting the market, it seems very possible that we will not see a new Hero camera this autumn.
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