Best GoPro Camera (2026): Compact, Budget, Accessories
GoPros to Avoid GoPro still sells the Hero 12, and there are plenty of Hero 11s and even Hero 10s out there for sale on
GoPros to Avoid GoPro still sells the Hero 12, and there are plenty of Hero 11s and even Hero 10s out there for sale on the internet (typically from shady, nonsense-named Amazon retailers). We suggest avoiding all of them. They may work fine, but they’re usually not much cheaper than the Hero 13. The Best GoPro Accessories Photograph: Scott Gilbertson Should you buy a bundle? Generally, I say no. Get the camera, figure it out, and see how you end up using it. When you find yourself trying to solve a problem, start looking for an accessory. Here are some of my favorite things that I’ve tested and used, but if you have favorites you think I should try, drop a comment below. Note that most of these mounts will work just fine with the new Mission 1 series camera, where there are differences I’ve added a note about it. A Good MicroSD card for $50: According to GoPro's recommendations, you want a microSD card with a V30 or UHS-3 rating. That said, GoPros can be finicky about SD cards. I’ve had good luck with, and recommend this Samsung Pro Plus model. Another card I’ve used extensively is the SanDisk Extreme Pro. GoPro Media Mod for $100: By far my most-used accessory, the media mod does add some bulk, but in most cases this is more than made up for by the fact that you can plug into a real microphone (I use mine with a Rode Wireless). Sound quality is radically improved with this one. This may be less necessary if you get the Hero 12 or later, since those models do have support for Bluetooth mics, but Bluetooth sound quality is rarely good. The Mission 1 Pro supports USB mics out of the box, no need for a Media Mod, although there is one available.
The Media Mod for the Mission 1 cameras ($150) adds an HDMI port for video monitoring in 4K. GoPro Handlebar Mount for $40: I’ve been doing a lot more riding lately, and this mount pretty much lives on my bike these days. It’s been rock solid in my testing, and beats any of the third-party mounts I’ve tested. GoPro Floaty for $35: If you’re getting anywhere near the water, grab one of these. Trust me, you will drop your GoPro, and when you do, you will be glad you have this (unless the water is clear and you’re a good free diver). GoPro originally listed this as compatible with the Mission 1 Pro. I could not get my test unit in the Floaty, and then the support listing disappeared off the GoPro website. For now it seems like you’ll have to settle for one of the Amazon knockoffs for the Mission 1. GoPro also makes a Floating Hand Grip ($23), which not only floats but has a leash for diving or surfing. GoPro Selfie Stick for $80: This 48-inch extension pole collapses into something surprisingly small and isn’t very heavy. It’s the best selfie stick I’ve used. I rarely use it for selfies, but it makes a great monopod on soft ground, like a sandy beach. DaVinci Resolve Studio for $300: This is my video editing software of choice. There is a free version, but I got tired of converting media to fit the restrictions of the free version. Best money I ever spent when it comes to making better videos. I have found that the latest LLM-powered sharpening tools in Resolve pair very well with GP-Log2 footage from the Mission 1 Pro. Do More With Your GoPro GoPro Hero 13 Black in color White with the Anamorphic Lens attached Photograph: Scott Gilbertson So you bought a GoPro, now what?
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