I Put the Insta360 X4 to the Test: Here's What I Found Works Best

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As a massive fan of the Insta360 X3, I was thrilled when a brand-new X4 arrived at my doorstep for testing earlier this season.

The X3 had everything I wanted in an action camera, but the marketing around the X4 had me excited. Faster processing times, better lenses (up to 8k resolution!), longer battery life, smoother stabilization...all of these claims sounded like music to my ears.

After about nine weeks of testing the X4 in varying conditions across California, Idaho, Wyoming, and British Columbia, I can confirm that Insta360 isn't blowing smoke. The X4 essentially does everything better than the X3 in a surprisingly noticeable way.

For one, I found an immediate bump in the quality of the footage. The colors are brighter, darks are crisper, and the stabilization is so good one might assume that a gimbal is being used. The battery of the X3 seemed better than anything on the market, but the X4 lasts longer. The only con of the X4 is that it's slightly heavier and larger than the X3, but not to the point where it detracts from the overall experience of using the product.

Insta360 X4 Specs

• Video Resolution (360 Mode):

  • 8K: 7680x3840 @ 30/25/24fps

  • 5.7K+: 5760x2880 @ 30/25/24fps

  • 5.7K: 5760x2880 @ 60/50/30/25/24fps

  • 4K: 3840x1920 @ 100/60/50/30/25/24fps

• Photo Resolution:Approx. 72MP (11904x5952)

• Weight:203g

• Battery Capacity:2290mAh

• Charge Time: 

  • Charge to 80% in 38 minutes (9V 2A)

  • Charge to 100% in 55 minutes (9V 2A)

• Stated Run Time:135 mins tested in a lab environment in Video Mode at 5.7K30fps. Run time at 8K30fps is 75 minutes.

• Operating Temperature:-4°F to 104°F (-20℃ to 40℃)

Insta360 X4 Fit

It might seem odd to have a section about the Insta360 X4's fit, but as skiers, the weight, size, and feel of an action camera is essential to making us comfortable on the slopes. I tested the Insta360 X4 primarily by securing it to my helmet using an adhesive mount. This is the same mount as used by a GoPro and other action cameras. While the X4 is noticeably larger and heavier than the X3, (203g vs. 180g, respectively) I found it wasn't too bulky as it protruded from my forehead like a unicorn.

It takes a few laps to get used to, and you may have to crank the BOA dial on the back of your helmet for a tighter fit, but the X4 works as a fantastic helmet camera. I've received plenty of comments about the odd appearance of it, but the quality of the video is more than worth it.

Check out a test video I took using the Insta360 X4 at Alpine Meadows, California in February of 2025 below. 

Insta360 x4 Test Video (1:02)

Insta360 X4 Features

To put it bluntly, the Insta360 X4 is a one-stop shop action camera for skiers and snowboarders. It has everything an amateur and professional content creator needs. The 360 mode is perhaps the easiest function to use, and is what I opt for nearly 100 percent of the time I use the camera. It's incredibly easy.

Simply set up the X4 where you want it, press record, and let it ride. With the X4's incredible 360-degree capture abilities, buttery-smooth stabilization, and impressive wind/noise reduction, there's hardly anything a skier has to do to make sure they get the shot.

Insta360 X4 Battery

The battery life of the Insta 360 X4 is top-notch. Compared to my friends who are forced to pack multiple batteries for their action camera for a day on the hill, I simply charge the camera the night before and it's good to go for the entire day, no matter how cold it is.

Using the camera for a prolonged time in the cold will certainly drain its battery, but I found that removing the camera from my helmet and stashing it in my bibs or jacket pocket helped to extend its duration.

I typically shoot in 4k, 30fps to optimize footage for social media. This helps extend the battery life compared to 5k and 8k shooting modes.

Insta 360 X4 Stabilization

Long gone are the days of shaky helmet camera footage, and the Insta360 X4 might just have the best stabilization tech in the game.

I am consistently blown away by how smooth my footage looks no matter the terrain I'm skiing. I've skied everything from cold smoke powder to heinous ice crust moguls while filming with the Insta360 X4. Without fail, every clip is buttery-smooth, almost to a laughable degree.

It's absolutely incredible how far action cameras have come since the first products launched over a decade ago, and the X4's stabilization is the cream of the crop. Just set up the camera and hit record. No gimbal required.

Insta360 X4 App

I enjoy slapping the camera on my helmet, letting it run, and then sifting through the footage later on the Insta360 App to find the exact angle I want to use for my clip.

The app is fairly user-friendly, but requires some good old-fashioned trial and error to get the hang of. I personally prefer to use the 'View Finder' function to get that perfect angle, but the app has a full suite of tracking, framing, and AI-assisted software to help even the most green content creators get the clip that they want.

To clarify, I export most of my footage in the 9:16 format at 1080p, 30fps to share on social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, and X. YouTube and film creators have the option of exporting in 16:9 with a variety of resolutions and frame rates for landscape-framed clips and videos. The export quality, color trueness and HDR range is markedly better than older versions of the camera.

The single-lens function is great for saving on file sizes, but there are less editing capabilities in the app compared to a 360 file. Keep this trade-off in mind when selecting which is best for you.

Who Is the Insta360 X4 Best For?

If you're a skier or snowboarder who wants to capture high quality footage for social media or YouTube, the Insta360 X4 is an easy choice.

While the app and shooting modes take a few tries to get used to, the smooth footage and excellent audio quality make the camera a no-brainer.

Related: We Tested the Updated OnX Backcountry App In The Field: Here's What We Found

I Put the Insta360 X4 to the Test: Here's What I Found Works Best first appeared on Powder on Mar 5, 2025