Top 3 Best Budget Action Cameras In 2025

Since we’ve analyzed every action camera—more than 50 models—we should be aware that the selection in this competitive industry has never been greater. All of the options listed below may be used to record crisp videos in situations where you wouldn’t think to risk your phone, including underwater and adventure sports. We’ve broken down each option’s specific use case in this guide to help you choose the best choice.

Every suggestion we make is based on input from our knowledgeable group of action camera reviewers. Below is a summary of our research that includes links to the greatest action camera offers as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each choice, catering to all price ranges.

Table of Contents

• No 1 Akaso Brave 8 Lite
• No 2 Akaso Brave 7 LE
• No 3 DJI Osmo Action 3

Top 3 Best Budget Action Cameras In 2025

No 1 Akaso Brave 8 Lite

The Akaso Brave 8 LE is a budget-friendly camera that’s perfect for those looking to capture action footage but who don’t want to spend the big bucks on a flagship model.

The compact and modern design looks great, and feels really lightweight in the hand, although the downside of this is that the plastic construction, I love the rubber casing on the body, something that not only makes the camera easy to grip but is also pleasant to handle.

This finish is let down, though, by the cheap plastic port hatches, which feel like they’re going to break every time you open them. You’ll also have to be especially dexterous to figure out a way to open the microSD card hatch with only one hand. The Brave 8 Lite is one of the smallest action cameras available, and will fit neatly into any bag or pocket. The abundance of additional cases means you can mount the camera on any surface, including a tripod, bike, or helmet.

The metal case is particularly handy when you know you’re going to struggle to keep the camera free from knocks, although you can’t replace the battery when using this case. There’s no shortage of creative shooting modes, such as timelapse, hyperlapse, slow motion, and HDR video.

Not all of these are available at 4K, though, and the resolution must be dropped to get extreme editing capabilities with regards to slowing down and speeding up the footage.

No 2 Akaso Brave 7 LE

The AKASO Brave 7 LE is a compact action camera that represents an alternative to models in the GoPro lineup. Like most action cams, its compact body is incredibly portable, and you can mount it on many action camera mounts, rigs, or helmets.

It has dual screens, so you can monitor yourself on the front-facing screen when self-recording. It can shoot at up to 120 fps in FHD to capture fast action or generate slow-motion footage, although it can’t record at 24 fps for those who prefer to shoot more cinematic-looking video. Unfortunately, it can also only shoot at 30 fps in 4k. It has decent image stabilization, but it’s not available when shooting at 120 fps. Finally, its overall video quality is poor, with video that looks noisy and lacks sharpness.

Materials feel robust, with a rubber finish around the sides for grip Inputs and outputs are covered by sturdy hinged doors, although some of them can be hard to open Buttons feel stiff Tripod mount is built-in, so you don’t need an extra accessory Plastic cover on lens feels somewhat flimsy and may scratch easily

It’s intended to be mounted and used as an action camera, but it can also be used handheld to take photos/videos if desired Menu is easy to navigate and settings can be changed using either the touchscreen or companion app ISO can be adjusted but the aperture is fixed and shutter speed adjusts automatically Shutter can also be activated using the included remote control Buttons are hard to press Output and battery door are hard to open

No 3 DJI Osmo Action 3

The DJI Osmo Action 3 marries the guts of the Action 2 with the styling of the original Action – but it has a few unique updates of its own thrown in for good measure. On first glance, the body is an action-camera-by-numbers.

There’s a removable lens on the front as well as a front touchscreen, around the back is a larger touchscreen, and to the left and right are sliding doors, which cover the USB-C port on one side, and the battery and SD card slot on the other.

At the base of the Action 3 is a magnetic mounting connector for landscape mounting, and in the box, you also get a Horizontal-Vertical Protective Frame, which wraps around the camera to enable tall, TikTok-ready mounting in portrait orientation. Generally speaking, DJI has done a great job of making the Osmo Action 3 feel robust, though the lens frame does protrude slightly around the sides of the camera. This could catch in the heat of the action, making it a potential weak point versus the GoPro Hero line, whose lenses are flush with the top and sides of the camera.

The protruding lens could also be a high-impact point if the camera falls, possibly damaging the glass. DJI includes a rubber element around the lens, likely to reduce the risk of damage. It’s easy to remove and easy to lose, though, so that’s something to be mindful of. On the plus, unlike the Action 2, the Action 3’s lens is removable, so if it does get damaged, it can be replaced.

How To Choose The Best Action Camera

There are several essential qualities that any decent action camera should include, even if many of the top models have distinctive characteristics that make them stand out from the competition.

An action camera should be waterproof for at least a few meters and durable enough to withstand your activities. Additionally, even in harsh environments, it need to be simple to use and run. Although touchscreens might make controlling an action camera simpler, choosing a model with physical buttons can make more sense if you want to film while wearing gloves.

You’ll probably use an action cam on the move, so image stabilization is an important feature. By doing this, camera shaking should be reduced and better viewable film should result. It’s important to consider how smooth your video has to be (or whether you can tolerate a few wobbles) since image stabilization quality might vary greatly. A sensor with a greater resolution might be beneficial since digital image stabilization often crops the picture to remove movement. Videos that are cropped from 4K will seem better than those that are downsized from 1080p.

You can rapidly edit and share your most recent movies with others thanks to the smartphone connection that many of the best action cameras provide. Additionally, certain devices allow live broadcasting directly to websites like YouTube. If you want to vlog straight to social media, this will be helpful, but it might be taxing on battery life.

Most action cameras can shoot slow-motion footage at upwards of 120fps, while some of the top models also offer more creative shooting modes, such as hyperlapses. Some in-camera effects can be replicated with editing software, but it’s worth considering a camera with creative presets if you’re looking to add variety to your videos with minimal effort.

Most versions come with a variety of mounting choices. Make sure there is an appropriate attachment available to meet your requirements if you want to utilize one for a more specialized activity. Some action cameras go one step further by providing a modular design that lets you enhance your photography with add-ons like lights, mics, or even a 360-degree lens.

What is an action camera used for?

The finest action cameras are small, durable, and simple to use. Action cameras’ durable construction allows them to record in situations that most regular cameras just cannot handle. Additionally, action cameras are perfect for capturing fluid video while you’re on the go since the best models include exceptional image stabilization.

Many people use action cameras to capture footage of their adventurous pursuits, such as mountain biking, skydiving or snowboarding. The best action cams are also waterproof, so some outdoor enthusiasts employ them to shoot watersports or record underwater video while swimming or diving. Most action cams come with a range of mounts, which make it easy to attach them to your helmet, handlebars or even a strap which wraps around your chest. So you should always be able to find an attachment that suits.

Action cameras can also be fitted inside vehicles, either to record the road like a substitute dash cam, or to capture what the driver is doing. Several motorsport series fit in-car action cameras to record racing drivers.

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