The best action camera on a budget for 2025
Pick the best budget action camera for 2024 with our guide. Finding the best value for money can be difficult especially when comparing lesser known brands. Here we compile the best cheap action cameras of the year.
Featured budget action cameras
Best under $300
Insta360 Ace ProJump to chapterBest under $200
GoPro Hero 10 BlackJump to chapterBest under $150
Akaso Brave 7 LEJump to chapterBest under $100
Akaso Brave 4 ProJump to chapterBest under $75
Akaso EK7000 ProJump to chapterCheapest wearable camera
Sixmou i3Jump to chapter






The best action camera below $300

8K video at a decent price
The Ace Pro is Insta360's 2023 action camera model and features 8K video in a rugged package that is waterproof and freeze-proof (-4°F / -20°C. It's successor, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2, mostly an incremental improvement, so the Ace Pro is an amazing pick now that the price has dropped.
Specifications
- Weight: 6.34oz / 179.8g
- Waterproof: 33ft / 10m
- 4K video: 120fps
- 2.7K video: 120fps
- Pixels: 48MP
- Battery life: 100min at 4K30fps HDR
- Approximate price: $300
- Pros
- 8K video
- Flip screen
- Great image stabilization
- Weather proof
- Cons
- Heavy
- Average audio
Alternatives to the Insta360 Ace Pro
Best GoPro under $300
GoPro Hero 12 BlackGoPro's 2023 camera: 5.3K video, HDR video, great stabilizationDJI's competitor under $300
DJI Osmo Action 4DJI's 2023 premium action camera: 4K120fps videoA 360° camera under $300
Insta360 One X2Insta360's 2020 360 camera: 5.7K video at an affordable costAkaso's most premium camera
Akaso Brave 8Akaso's most capable action camera





The best action camera under $200

A few years old, but still a great camera
The Hero 10 is now several generations old, but still holds up as an incredibly capable action camera. It features older sensor technology than the Hero 11 and above, but the overall quality means it is amazing value for money.
Specifications
- Weight: 5.43oz / 154g
- Waterproof: 33ft / 10m
- 4K video: 60fps
- 2.7K video: 120fps
- Pixels: 23MP
- Battery life: 150min at 1080p
- Approximate price: $200
- Pros
- A premium product at a budget price
- Integrated GPS
- Good battery life
- Cons
- Ageing sensor technology
- Older generation stabilization
Alternatives to the GoPro Hero 10 Black
Insta's camera under $200
Insta360 AceInsta360's budget action camera: 6K video and a flipscreenDJI's camera under $200
DJI Osmo Action 3DJI's 2022 premium action camera: 4K120fps videoA wearable camera under $200
DJI Osmo Action 2DJI's wearable action camera: 4K video in a modular formatGoPro's entry level camera
GoPro Hero 4K (2024)GoPro's 2024 budget action camera: 4K video, slomo & photos





The best action camera under $150

Great performance for a low price
The Brave 7 LE is a versatile budget action camera with a front facing screen and one of the only ones to be dust and splash proof without a case. It also offers very decent performance with 4K video and image stabilization.
Specifications
- Weight: 4.48oz / 127g
- Waterproof: 3ft / 1m
- 4K video: 30fps
- 2.7K video: 60fps
- Pixels: 20MP
- Battery life: 90min for 4k 30fps
- Approximate price: $110
- Pros
- Front screen
- Splash proof (IPX7)
- Many accessories included
- Cons
- Not waterproof without case
- Average performance
The best action camera for less than $100

A basic action camera for a tight budget
The Brave 4 is Akaso's most recent extra cheap action camera. It is a successor to the Akaso EK7000 Pro and it's main new feature is the front facing screen. Although performance is average, it is a great pick for beginners or a tight budget.
Specifications
- Weight: -
- Waterproof: -
- 4K video: 30fps
- 2.7K video: 30fps
- Pixels: 20MP
- Battery life: 90min for 4k 30fps
- Approximate price: $85
- Pros
- Dual screen
- Great value for money
- Lots of accessories included
- Cons
- Poor low light footage
- Short battery life
- Average audio
- Not waterproof without case
The best action camera around $50

Extra cheap action camera with decent functionality
The EK7000 Pro is one of the cheapest action cameras you can buy. It is just as capable as the newer Akaso Brave 4 Pro but without a front facing screen, so if you don't need one and are looking for an extra cheap action camera, this is the one for you.
Specifications
- Weight: 2.12oz / 60g
- Waterproof: -
- 4K video: 30fps
- 2.7K video: -
- Pixels: 20MP
- Battery life: 140min for 4K30fps
- Approximate price: $65
- Pros
- Great value for money
- Lots of accessories included
- Cons
- Poor low light footage
- Short battery life
- Not waterproof without case
Cheapest wearable action camera

A pocket camera at the lowest price
The i3 is a thumb sized action camera that features 4K video recording. It's an all-in-one package with many accessories for people looking for a cheap wearable camera. It's lightweight and very simple to use and makes it an affordable alternative to the more expensive but also more capable Insta360 Go 3S.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.27oz / 36g
- Waterproof: -
- 4K video: 30fps
- 2.7K video: -
- Pixels: -
- Battery life: 90min for 4k, 150min for 1080p
- Approximate price: $70
- Pros
- Light & small
- Lots of accessories
- SD card included
- Cons
- Average performance
- Average quality build
- No screen
Alternatives to the Sixmou i3
Most wearable cameras aren't as cheap but you can read our guide on the best wearable cameras if you are looking for more options.