Rev Up Your Recording: Our Favorite Action Cameras for Your Car

In today's fast-paced world, capturing every thrilling moment on the go has become a must for adventure seekers and road trip enthusiasts alike. Thanks to their rugged design, compact size, and exceptional video quality, action cameras have emerged as the perfect companion to document your automotive adventures.

If you're looking for the perfect action camera to mount on your car, you're in the right place. In this article, we'll dive into the world of action cameras, exploring the best models available, from entry-level options to top-tier models capable of cinema-grade video capture.

Our Top Picks

What to Consider When Buying an Action Camera

The action camera market is crowded, so picking the right one can be a daunting task. Here are a few things you need to consider before purchasing one:

Image quality

Every camera on this list can record at least 4K video at 30 frames per second (fps). If you want more resolution or higher frame rates (for slow-mo capture), get a camera with the appropriate specifications.

You’ll also need to consider the resolution for still images. All cameras capable of recording at least 4K need an 8-megapixel sensor, but most feature a 12-megapixel sensor to allow for digital cropping when stabilizing the footage.

Durability

Unlike conventional cameras, one of the selling points of action cameras is their ability to take on extreme environments. The best action cameras for cars will be ruggedized, capable of taking dirt, water, and whatever else you throw its way. For some, you’ll need a separate protective case to achieve that ruggedness. Make sure you get the protective accessories you’ll need based on how you plan to use the camera.

Battery life

Action cameras use a lot of battery power, so look for a camera with long battery life, add-on battery attachments, or the ability to swap out batteries quickly.

Mounting options

Most every action camera you’ll come across will have a 1/4-inch threaded hole on the bottom for mounts, tripods, etc. If that hole isn’t integrated into the device itself, it’ll certainly be included on an optional case you can put the camera within.

The quarter-inch hole can be used with any standard tripod and most photo accessories, such as grips and suction mounts. GoPro has standardized a different bolt/nut attachment, which it and other manufacturers use to connect action cameras to various first- and third-party mounting accessories.

Image stabilization

This might get overlooked amongst other specifications, but it’s just as critical as resolution and battery life in automotive action cameras. The last thing you want is shaky footage, so get a camera with proper electronic image stabilization. GoPro leads the pack here, but DJI is quickly catching up and both Insta360 and Sony have their own capable technologies. As they say, you get what you pay for.

Connectivity

Consider whether the camera has Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, so you can easily transfer footage to your smartphone or other devices. You’ll also want to ensure any accompanying mobile application will work on your smartphone or tablet and is user-friendly, so you can focus on capturing and sharing the footage, not troubleshooting a barely-supported application.

Price

Finally, consider your budget and look for a camera that offers the features you need at a price you can afford. Here are some of our favorite action cameras for cars.