The Best Action Cameras in 2025

When it comes to thrill-seeking and adventure, most of us fall into two camps; those who enjoy taking in the sights from the sidelines and those who live to get amongst it. No matter which of these categories you fall into, there is a range of portable and powerful action cams for those keen to get front-row seats and help you relive the action for years to come.

To help you sort through this range and identify which action cam is right for you, here is our roundup of the best action cameras in 2025.

• Front & Rear-Facing LCD Displays
• HyperSmooth 6.0 Stabilisation
• 27MP Image Sensor
• 5.3K 60FPS Video & 2.7K 240FPS Slow-Mo Videos
• 10M Waterproof

The latest top-of-the-line offering from GoPro, a name most of us think of when it comes to adventure, is this GoPro Hero 13 Black. As well as the class-leading 5.3K video quality and advanced HyperSmooth stabilisation that users have come to rely on, the Hero 13 Black includes a host of new updates that provide content creators of all levels the best user experience yet.

Keen eyes may have noticed a design change in the GoPro Hero 13 black; this has been done to accommodate a longer-life battery, which provides extended shooting times in all climates. As well as the tried-and-true mounting fingers, this model offers quick and simple magnetic latch mounting for versatility, while if there is a specific look you want to achieve in your adventure shots, consider one of the new compatible HB-Series lenses. There are ultra-wide, macro and anamorphic lens options available, as well as ND filters, and to keep things simple, the GoPro Hero 13 automatically detects when one of these accessories is attached and adjusts its settings accordingly. There has never been a better time to go on an adventure.

• Adjustable Aperture
• 4K/120fps Video Recording
• 38MP 1.1" Image Sensor
• Lightweight Build: Weighs Under 150 Grams
• 20M Waterproof

The latest flagship release from DJI, is the exciting Osmo Action 6. This model puts a premium on image quality, with an updated 1.1" image sensor at the helm, delivering 4K video, brilliant 38MP stills, and brilliant results in all lighting conditions, thanks to the ability to capture up to 13.5 stops of dynamic range. In a first for a model in this series, users can expertly tweak the depth of field of their action shots, thanks to the adjustable aperture.

The DJI Osmo Action 6 is a powerhouse built for maximum creative versatility, excelling at dramatic slow motion with native 4K/120fps and up to 32x Super Slow Motion for incredibly detailed visuals. Its innovative 4K Custom Mode lets you "shoot first and crop later," offering superior post-production flexibility for any platform. Backed by the expansive Osmo ecosystem, the Action 6 seamlessly integrates specialised accessories like the Macro and FOV Boost lenses, and its groundbreaking DJI OsmoAudio system captures high-quality sound directly from two transmitters, ensuring this camera is ready for everything from extreme sports to everyday life with professional ease.

• 29MP
• 8K 360-Degree Footage
• Versatile Mounting Options
• 5m waterproof
• Live Streaming
• Replaceable Glass Lenses

Want to take your action shots one step further and capture them in all their glory? We are talking, of course, about 360-degree video, which is what the GoPro Max 2 has to offer. This stunning 360-degree footage is offered in brilliant 8K resolution, no less, and the GoPro Max 2 can also deliver 29MP 360-degree still images, if that's what you have the need for. To capture audio that matches the 360-degree footage of the Max 2, GoPro includes 6 microphones, making it ideal for live-streaming thanks to its built-in WiFi connectivity.

The GoPro Max 2 is rugged and reliable, being waterproof to 5m, while the glass lenses are suitably tough but if something were to go wrong, they are easy to twist off and replace - this means you don't have to replace your whole camera. Your results will always be smooth and stable with the Max 2 and its HorizonLock and Adjustable Video Stabilisation, and you can enjoy other highlights, such as 5.6K slow-motion video, and 4K 180-degree footage, if you think your scene calls for it.

• Dual screens
• RockSteady 3.0 Stabilisation
• 4K/60fps Video
• Extended Battery Life
• 20m Waterproof

The leading contender, coming for the GoPro throne is DJI, a brand most will recognise from their excellent range of drones.One of the most popular action cams we have seen from this brand is the DJI Action 5 Pro, a portable and full-featured waterproof action camera (up to 20m), with a host of features that will appeal to all content creators. Using their experience from creating drones and gimbals, DJI provides a premium level of Image Stabilisation in their action camera range, with this new model offering RockSteady 3.0 stabilisation. 360-degree HorizonSteady is also available, correcting for any bumps and tilts caused by your adventures, and keeping your footage smooth and enjoyable to view.

The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro can record 4K resolution video and massive 40MP still images, and it features dual screens to help you frame your footage with accuracy. Users can live stream straight from the camera and utilise ultra-fast WiFi and USB-3 connectivity, so they don't need to wait till they are at a computer to share their adventures. Ready to be pushed to the limits, this action camera offers 47GB of built-in memory, as well as a Micro SD Card slot for storing plenty of 4K footage, while battery life has been extended to allow up to 240 minutes of recording before pausing to recharge, or of course install a spare lithium battery.

• Unique Mutifunctional Vision Dock Included
• 64GB & 128GB Memory Options Available
• 10m Waterproof (Camera Only)
• 4K Video Recording
• RockSteady 3.0 Stabilisation

A very recent release on our list of the best action cameras, is this DJI Osmo Nano action cam, which is available with either 64GB or 128GB of internal memory. This action cam, uniquely comes with a multifunctional vision dock included, which can be attached to the camera for extended battery life, a large touch screen for viewing your work, and a micro SD card slot for extending your storage capacity. 

• Built-In LED Light
• HyperSmooth Stabilisation (Added in Quik App)
• 12MP Image Sensor
• 4K60p Video
• 5M Waterproof

The GoPro Lit Hero is ultra-portable and lightweight, making it the perfect option for carrying with you everyday, just in case you find yourself in the middle of unexpected adventure. When called upon, this lightweight action cam can unleash brilliant 4K resolution video and 12MP stills. Footage from the Lit Hero comes to life when processed through the GoPro Quik App, with options such as adjusting ratio and orientation to suit your platform, adding HyperSmooth stabilisation, and direct sharing.

• 4K30p Video Recording
  
• 12MP Stills
  
• 5m waterproof
• Ultra-Lightweight Build
  
• Rear Touch-Screen & Voice Commands
  

Capturing high-quality video that is smooth and steady is simple thanks to this camera's HyperSmooth Image Stabilisation. The GoPro Hero can be controlled with ease, even when your hands are full thanks to voice control, while a rear touchscreen is also available for navigating the menu to find the right setting.

• 4K120p Video Recording
  
• RockSteady 3.0 Image Stabilisation
  
• 18m waterproof
• Live Streaming & Webcam Functionality
  
• High-Quality 1/1.3" Image Sensor
  

Designed for the intrepid adventurer, the DJI Osmo Action 4 boasts a larger image sensor, capturing stunningly clear and noise-free visuals, even in the depths of the ocean; great news, seeing as this action cam is up to 18 meters waterproof! Whether braving icy conditions or diving into tropical reefs, the camera's deep-freeze-resistant lithium battery ensures unfaltering performance, letting you focus on capturing your experiences without worrying about power limitations. This rugged action camera delivers superior image quality and reliable operation, allowing you to push boundaries and document your adventures with confidence, and style.

Capturing crystal-clear audio on the go is easy, using either wired microphones or the wireless DJI Mic, which offers an impressive 250-meter wireless audio transmission. Advanced features like voice commands, custom dials, and a QuickSwitch button make operation intuitive and efficient, empowering you to focus on the action. This is the camera built to keep up with your adventures, no matter where they take you.

• 5.3K Video
• 24.7MP Image Sensor
• Built-In Lithium Rechargeable Battery
• Built-in mounting fingers (Both at the bottom & Rear)
  
• 10m waterproof with no housing

As its name suggests, the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini offers the exceptional quality expected from a GoPro, in a tiny package. Being small enough for any pocket and weighing just 133 grams, this GoPro is ideal for the space conscious, and an excellent choice for travellers and content creators on the go. The GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini can produce stunning 5.3K video, which is smooth and enjoyable to view, thanks to its HyperSmooth 5.0 Image Stabilisation. This camera is only designed to record video, but high-quality stills can be captured from the video footage.

To help cut down on the size, this GoPro camera has been designed without an LCD screen, so users should expect to use their WiFi-enabled smartphone to help with framing and other functions. For simplicity, the Hero 11 Black Mini offers one-button control, while users can also rely on voice commands to launch the key functions of this stylish, and incredibly slim action camera.

• 5K Video
• 23.6MP Image Sensor
• New front display & Rear touch-sensitive LCD screen
• Built-in mounting fingers
• 10m waterproof with no housing

The GoPro Hero 9 Black took the adventure world by storm with its 26.3MP image sensor and exhilarating 5K video recording capabilities. Couple that with a touch-sensitive rear display and a front-facing display for accurately framing your action camera exploits, and you've got one of the best action cameras for beginners.

The GoPro Hero 9 is capable of smooth video recording, no matter how fast-paced the activity is, thanks to its improved HyperSmooth 3.0 stabilisation system. Plus, with the in-camera horizon levelling feature, it's now even easier to produce professional and cinematic videos. Alongside a host of separately available modifications and accessories, the Hero 9 is a great action camera for vlogging and a real contender amongst the best vlogging cameras on the market.

• 8x Slo-Mo
• Touch-sensitive 2-inch LCD screen
• Hyper Smooth 2.0
• 10m waterproof
• 4K 60FPS

Upon release, the GoPro Hero 8 Black broke new ground with its 4K resolution video, ease-of-use, and, most importantly, its advanced stabilisation called Hyper Smooth 2.0. Featuring 3 different stabilisation modes, the GoPro Hero 8 offers smooth and steady video results in various situations.

The GoPro Hero 8 features various advanced built-in features such as 8x Slo-Mo recording, which comes alive when paired with its range of optional accessories, including the GoPro LED Light Mod and GoPro Media Mod, which help users obtain a higher quality of lighting and audio recording in their movies. Great news for those looking for an action camera for livestreams or vlogs. Of course, it is still a GoPro and is waterproof up to 10 metres, making it a fantastic action camera for diving. If you want to dive deeper than 10 metres, you'll need to pick up a dedicated housing.

• RockSteady 2.0 Image Stabilisation & Horizon Levelling
• 4K/120fps Video
• 12MP RAW stills
• 155 wide-angle FOV
• 10M Waterproof

Available in 2 kits, the DJI Osmo Action 2 is an excellent little action camera that makes every adventure look effortless. The DJI Osmo Action 2 Power Combo includes a power module for increased shooting times, and the DJI Action 2 Dual Screen Combo features dual screens for better POV performance. Both versions are 10m waterproof, feature a unique magnetic mounting system for quick and easy mounting of accessories, and have 155 wide-angle FOV to ensure things aren't slipping out of frame.

Both versions of the DJI Osmo Action 2 feature DJI’s improved RockSteady 2.0 Image Stabilisation and horizon levelling features to ensure you can capture the most incredible footage of your adventures. This impressive action camera is packed with features to encourage your creativity, including built-in Slow-Motion and Time-Lapse creation. Last but not least, the compatibility with the DJI Mimo App makes it easy to edit and share your films.

With your action camera chosen, it's time to pack your bags for your next action-packed holiday. If you need help rounding out your kit of mounts and accessories, you can browse our blog or talk to the experts at your local Ted's store.