The Best GoPro for 2024
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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 not surprising that many of GoPro's action cameras are PCMag award winners—the company invented the concept, after all, and with each generation, it mixes in some new features that push performance 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 think the year-old Hero12 Black is the best GoPro for the price, but check out all of our top picks below.
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.
The Hero is basic and just $200. It records 4K30 in its normal video mode and 2.7K60 slow-motion, plus 12MP stills. 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. Because of these drawbacks and strong competition, the Hero didn't score well enough to make the grade for this roundup, even though it's quite simple to operate and comes with a 16-foot waterproof rating.
The Hero Black series is generally more capable. Because GoPro keeps older models in circulation at a discount and is on a yearly update schedule, you're better off getting a Hero10 Black (now selling for $249) as an entry-level option. It has a far more configurable video engine with in-camera stabilization, supports faster frame rates for slower slow motion, and can go as deep as 33 feet underwater.
Each fresher entry in the Hero Black iterates and builds on the previous. The Hero11 Black comes with an 8:7 aspect ratio option so you can more easily pull out widescreen and vertical video from the same clip, and it upgrades video to 10-bit color. The Hero12 Black adds a tripod socket as an addition to GoPro's long-running clip mount system, and the Hero13 has all that, plus works with magnetic mounts. All of these models support wide-angle add-on lenses, and the Hero13 also supports macro and anamorphic add-ons, though you'll need to buy extra lenses separately in every instance.
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.
There are differences, too. You miss out on some of the latest features if you opt for a Hero10 (now a few years old), but you may not need to spend for the Hero13 if its upgrades aren't compelling.
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. 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 use GoPro.com to livestream with your account, too.
The subscription bundles other discounts. Our cynical side says it's a good way to get you to spend more money, but 50% off retail for mounts and accessories is nothing to sneeze at. 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 get a new GoPro, you can get a one-time $100 discount, assuming you are in your second year of membership.
We're understandably skeptical about subscription services but find the cloud upload and storage features a real benefit, especially for editors who like to work on an iPad Pro or even a smartphone. If your workflow involves a desktop or laptop, you might find it less of a draw. Mull the cost of the service, $24.99 for the first year and $49.99 each year thereafter, 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 more cloud storage space for content you shoot 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 looking for cameras and accessories and creators shopping for a gimbal .
