While it may look remarkably similar to aging GoPro models, Akaso’s V50 X camera is bang up to date. It's waterproof to 10m without the case, it has a 2" rear touchscreen for relatively easy controls, and it also comes with a remote as well as supporting voice controls. Not only is this process much faster, but it also helps protect the camera because it doesn’t force you to open any ports for charging or data transfer. However, if you’re a part-time adrenaline junkie needing a reliable, easy to operate HD camera to shoot YouTube-ready footage of your adventures, the GoPro HERO 7 White is the big-name cheap action camera to beat.

If you have a newer Windows PC (4 to 5 years old), it will have built-in Bluetooth software that can pair the computer with any device. Other than that, consider photo resolution (especially if you’re looking to take the occasional selfie) and battery life as the essentials. Next up in our best cheap action camera ranking is the Akaso Brave 7, a budget cam that boasts a stack of attractive features we think it's well worth splashing the RRP on. This nifty cam was originally released in October 2018 as a budget companion to the then-flagship HERO 7 Black.If your deskttop or laptop is running slow, or keeps crashing or hanging, there is a good chance that updating your drivers will fix the problem. The quality of the film in this camera makes it one to avoid of you are trying to make a decent video. Each has also been tested against a set of criteria, including design, functionality, features, material quality and robustness. If your camera supports a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection, those are the most convenient ways to upload. At 5cm in length, the Go makes an ideal wearable camera and comes with a back clip and pendant as well as a selection of conventional base attachments.

The 7-glass lens and Sony IMX317 sensor work in perfect harmony, whether you’re shooting under blue skies or grey clouds. While it may look more like a desktop webcam, the Insta360 Go is a fully functioning action camera that punches well above its gossamer 18. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average.

Next up in our best budget action camera ranking is something a bit different: the Akaso Keychain is a tiny, 36g, 4K camera that can go everywhere with you. While it can't compete with GoPro on shooting modes and features, this action camera is well-made and easy to operate, and the ability to get rid of unwanted footage on the fly is a useful feature.

If size is the key consideration for you, you should also check out the (smaller) Insta360 GO, further down this list, and the Insta360 GO 2 (an excellent, but not particularly cheap, option). If most of your adventures take place in water, the EK7000 is definitely aimed at you; add the supplied waterproof case to enable shooting to a depth of 40 metres, while a dedicated Diving Mode compensates for the lack of red light underwater, ensuring that your sub-aquatic shots are just as good as those taken on dry land. If you are out filming on location, dust, dirt, and debris can get inside these ports and cause permanent damage.

On the other end, it will have a smaller micro-USB connector that plugs into the micro-B socket on your camera. The camera would not switch on when unplugged from the USB terminal on my PC but there was a red light constantly illuminated on the top of the camera. If you live for cliff diving or base jumping and need to make banging edits to appease your sponsors, you’ll probably find the Hero’s lack of 4K resolution a tad limiting.

While GoPro might love wide-angle footage, the Keychain has a narrow field of view, which is actually much more helpful if you want to film something specific. On top of that, keep in mind whether you would rather view raw footage via your camera's companion app (if it has one), or whether you’d like to view it on an LCD screen for instant feedback. Market leader GoPro exceeds its own extremely high bar with each new release, but older GoPros are still massively capable, and more likely to attract a GoPro deal too. If you are looking to display your content on a larger screen but not necessarily transfer data, you can use a micro-HDMI cable.While you don't get the front-facing camera included in the slightly pricier Akasko Brave 7 LE, the V50 X can take 12MP stills, has in-built image stabilisation software and comes with an adjustable wide-angle lens that has a maximum field of view of 170 degrees. By managing your data, you can guarantee the next time inspiration strikes, you will be able to grab your camera and start filming! Not only is this cheap action cam dinky, it's also magnetic, which means you can attach it to anything from your bike to your gym weights (and you can stash it on your fridge door when not in use). The six-axis image stabilisation system helps produce smooth-looking video, and features such as time-lapse, loop record and 20-megapixel photo options open the door to new possibilities. Connecting your action camera to your computer regularly allows you to get the most of your high-definition content.