Best 360° Action Cameras

TL;DR: The Insta360 X4 Endurance packs 8K30fps video, 48 MP per lens and a 2.5‑inch bright touchscreen into a rugged, IPX8‑rated body, but its larger size and lack of built‑in GPS keep it aimed at serious creators.

The headline feature offers 8K30fps 360° video, recording up to 70 minutes on a single charge thanks to a 2290 mAh battery. Each of the dual 1/2" CMOS sensors captures 48 MP per lens, delivering a total 72 MP still‑photo resolution, and the 2.5‑inch Gorilla‑Glass touchscreen lets you frame shots without a phone.

At 3.196702799 lb the bundle is heavier than the Insta360 X5 (2.4471311082 lb) and the X4 Standard (1.58953290902 lb), and noticeably bulkier than the X3 (1.10231131 lb). Its battery capacity matches the X4 GPS and X4 Standard at 2290 mAh, beating the X3’s 1800 mAh and the AKASO 360’s 1350 mAh. Battery life at 8K (70 min) ties with the X4 GPS but falls short of the X4 Standard’s 75 min, while the fast‑charge hub tops up to 80 % in just 36 minutes—faster than the X4 GPS’s 60‑minute full charge.

Reviewers love the FlowState 6‑axis gyroscopic stabilization and Horizon Lock (±45°) for buttery‑smooth footage, and the AI‑driven Shot Lab editing suite makes one‑tap reframes a reality. The invisible 85 cm selfie stick repeatedly earns praise for giving vloggers a professional look without a visible pole. On the downside, users note that 8K files balloon quickly, demanding high‑capacity microSD cards, and extended 8K sessions can cause the camera to overheat. The lack of built‑in GPS also means you’ll need the separate GPS bundle for location tagging, and some have reported lens fogging when diving.

Best for: Content creators, action‑sports enthusiasts, vloggers and travel filmmakers who need professional‑grade 360° video and robust accessories.

Avoid if: You require built‑in GPS, have limited storage or processing power, or prefer a lightweight, casual‑shooting solution.

TL;DR: The Insta360 X4 shoots 8K 360° video, offers 135 minutes of battery life at 5.7K, and packs strong stabilization, but its 1.59 lb body feels bulky for ultra‑light setups.

The headline feature is its 8K 360° video capability, delivering 7680×3840 pixels at up to 30 fps. Coupled with a 72 MP photo mode (11904×5952) and FlowState stabilization with a 360° horizon lock, the X4 lets creators re‑frame shots after the fact without sacrificing smoothness.

Compared with its siblings, the X4 is heavier than the X3 (which tips the scales at 1.10 lb) but lighter than the X5 (2.45 lb) and the Endurance variant (over 3 lb). Its 2290 mAh battery outpaces the X3’s 1800 mAh and charges in 55 minutes, a noticeable win over the X3’s roughly 90‑minute charge time. The GPS‑enabled X4 model is considerably lighter at 0.45 lb, while the X4’s weight sits between the ultra‑light GPS version and the bulkier Endurance edition.

User feedback praises the “invisible selfie‑stick” effect and the AI‑driven editing workflow, but several reviewers note the camera’s bulk makes helmet‑only mounts feel unwieldy. Professional reviewers highlight the unmatched 8K resolution for creative flexibility, yet they also point out grainy results when shooting in low‑light. The 2.51‑inch screen, four built‑in microphones, and 16‑bit/48 kHz audio processing help mitigate wind noise, aligning with the positive audio comments from everyday users.

Best for: Content creators who need ultra‑high‑resolution 360° video and strong stabilization, and don’t mind a slightly larger form factor.

Avoid if: You prioritize ultra‑light weight, compact mounts, or frequently shoot in low‑light conditions.

TL;DR: The AKASO 360 delivers 5.7K video, 72 MP stitched photos and AI‑powered stabilization at a $220.99 price point, but its 60‑minute battery and lack of waterproofing limit extended outdoor shoots.

The camera’s headline spec is a 5.7K @ 30/25/24 fps video mode paired with 72 MP stitched photos, thanks to dual 1/2‑inch 48 MP CMOS sensors and an f/2.25 aperture. A 2.29‑inch LCD touchscreen lets you frame shots, while the 180 g body stays light enough for a head‑mount. The battery holds 1350 mAh and provides roughly 60 minutes of recording at the top resolution, and the unit supports up to 512 GB microSD cards.

When you line it up against the five other cameras in this roundup, the AKASO 360 is noticeably lighter than the Insta360 X3 (≈1.10 lb) and the X4 Standard (≈1.59 lb), yet heavier than the X4 GPS (≈0.45 lb). Its 1350 mAh battery capacity is smaller than the 1800 mAh found in the X3 and the 2290 mAh cells in the X4 series and X5, which translates to shorter run‑time. While the competitors list explicit charging times (90 min for the X3, 55 min to full for the X4 Standard, 60 min for the X4 GPS, and 36 min fast‑charge for the X4 Endurance), AKASO only notes a USB‑C port without a charging‑time figure.

Everyday users praise the “invisible selfie‑stick” effect that automatically disappears in post, and they love the two‑button layout combined with the touchscreen for quick operation. Professional reviewers echo the sentiment, describing the stabilization as “gimbal‑like” and noting that the resolution stands out for the price. The downsides that surface repeatedly are low‑light noise, the 60‑minute battery ceiling at 5.7K, and the fact that the camera is weather‑proof but not waterproof, so you’ll need an external housing for underwater work.

Best for: Budget‑conscious creators, vloggers and outdoor hobbyists who want high‑resolution 360° capture with strong stabilization.

Avoid if: You need professional low‑light performance, waterproof operation, or extended recording sessions without swapping batteries.

TL;DR: The Insta360 X4 GPS captures 8K 360° video and 72 MP photos, offers FlowState stabilization, AI editing, and a waterproof design, but its proprietary format and GPS remote add complexity.

The X4 GPS records 8K (7680×3840) 360° video at 30 fps and shoots 72 MP (11904 × 5952) stills, backed by a 1/2" CMOS sensor and f/1.9 aperture. FlowState stabilization with 360° Horizon Lock and four AI‑driven editing tools let you reframe and add effects without a separate gimbal.

At 203 g (0.4475 lb) the camera is lighter than the X4 Endurance, X5, X4 Standard, and X3 models, so it's the most portable option in the lineup. Its 2290 mAh battery matches the Endurance and Standard variants, delivering 135 minutes at 5.7K 30 fps and 70 minutes at 8K 30 fps—comparable to peers, though the X5 lists a longer 185‑minute runtime. The 2.51‑inch touchscreen is on par with the other Insta360 cameras, while the IPX8 rating and 50 m waterproof depth (with the Invisible Dive Case) exceed the AKASO 360’s specifications.

Reviewers consistently praise the camera’s ease of use, AI‑powered editing, and reliable battery life even in cold weather. Professional outlets highlight the large Gorilla Glass screen and the smoothness of FlowState stabilization. Common user complaints focus on the need to convert INSV files with Insta360 software, occasional GPS remote latency, and stitching artifacts in fast‑moving or low‑light scenes.

Best for: Content creators, vloggers, and adventure athletes who want high‑resolution 360° capture with AI‑driven workflows.

Avoid if: You need built‑in GPS, native video formats, or top‑tier low‑light performance.

TL;DR: The Insta360 X3 packs dual 48 MP 1/2‑inch sensors, 5.7K 360° video and FlowState stabilization into a 1.1‑lb, IPX8‑rated camera that streams and edits via AI tools.

At the heart of the X3 are dual 1/2" 48 MP Quad Bayer sensors that deliver up to 72 MP stills and 5.7K (5760×2880) 360° video at 30 fps, plus a 3K bullet‑time mode at 180 fps. The camera also offers a 2.29‑inch full‑color touchscreen and a battery of 1800 mAh that charges in roughly 90 minutes.

Compared with the other five cameras in this roundup, the X3 is lighter than the Insta360 X4 Endurance and X5, but heavier than the X4 GPS. Its 1800 mAh battery is smaller than the 2290 mAh cells used in the X4 Standard, X4 GPS and X4 Endurance, and also smaller than the 2400 mAh pack in the X5, while the AKASO 360 lists a 1350 mAh capacity, making the X3’s power modest among its peers. Feature‑wise, the X3 includes AI Reframing, voice control and an invisible selfie‑stick, options that the AKASO 360 does not list and that are comparable to the X4 series.

Professional reviewers praise the X3’s “gimbal‑like” FlowState stabilization and the ease of AI‑driven editing, while everyday users love the invisible selfie‑stick for solo shooting. Common complaints focus on the roughly one‑hour continuous 360‑recording window, lens scratches that require protective caps, and a learning curve with the mobile app. Wind‑related audio issues also surface, despite the four external stereo microphones with direction focus and wind noise reduction.

In practice, the X3’s 170° field of view (via MaxView in 2.7K mode) and 8K timelapse capability give creators flexibility beyond standard action cams. The device has an IPX8 rating for up to 10 m underwater without a case and 50 m with the optional dive case, and it supports live 360° streaming, loop recording and pre‑recording, making it a solid all‑rounder for on‑the‑go content creation.

Best for: Adventure vloggers, solo travelers, and creators who want high‑quality 360 video with AI‑assisted editing.

Avoid if: You need long‑duration recording without external power, prioritize still‑photo excellence, or require higher 360‑frame‑rate options.

TL;DR: The Insta360 X5 captures true‑to‑life 8K 360° video (7680×3840) and 72MP photos with AI‑enhanced FlowState stabilization, but its premium $639 price tags it as a high‑end choice.

What really sets the X5 apart is its ability to record 8K 360° video at 7680×3840 resolution while still offering a bright f/2.0 aperture and a 72MP photo sensor. The camera’s FlowState 6‑axis gyroscope combined with Horizon Lock keeps footage steady even in chaotic motion, and you can replace the dual‑fisheye lenses – fixing the X4’s non‑swapable optics.

At 2.4471311082pounds, the X5 sits heavier than the X3 (1.10231131pounds) and the X4 Standard (1.58953290902pounds) but is lighter than the X4 Endurance (3.196702799Pounds). Its 2400mAh battery gives a reported 185‑minute run time and can charge to 80 % in ~20 minutes, beating the X4 Endurance’s 36‑minute 0‑80 % charge. The 2.5‑inch touchscreen matches the X4 Endurance’s screen size, while the X4 GPS and X4 Standard list no screen dimensions.

Reviewers love the “invisible” 114 cm selfie stick that makes the camera appear to float, and they praise the AI‑driven PureVideo low‑light mode for delivering cleaner night shots. The waterproof rating of IPX8 (15 m depth) earns high marks for surf and ski sessions, and the built‑in wind guard on the four microphones helps keep audio clear on windy days. Professional testers note that replaceable lenses finally solve the X4’s lens‑damage headache.

On the technical side, the X5 packs a 1/1.28″ dual‑sensor array, Bluetooth 5.2, and dual‑band Wi‑Fi (2.4 GHz/5 GHz) for fast transfers. The bundle includes an all‑purpose tripod and a 256 GB microSD card, giving you ready‑to‑shoot storage out of the box. However, the 8K files are massive, so you’ll need a fast, high‑capacity card to keep up, and some users report stitching quirks in very fast action.

Best for: Buyers willing to invest in a proven, high-quality option

Avoid if: You're shopping on a tight budget — it's priced at $639.00