Top 10 Helmet Cameras in 2022

Ever since the first GoPros appeared, the action camera market has exploded, and there are some seriously good cameras on the market. The best thing is that while prices have risen for the top-of-the-range GoPros and Sonys, there are some great cameras available for less than $100. Here is our list of the 10 best cameras available in 2022.

Things To Consider

For motorcycle rides, you want to go for a camera with at least 3K video quality. Many cameras are now 4K which is (obviously) higher quality but will take a lot more processing power from your laptop should you wish to edit. Also, you will need a very large memory card if the video clips are long, such as when you are on a long ride through spectacular scenery.

The Frames Per Second (FPS) rate is also important. Basically, the higher the frame rate, the smoother the video image will be. Also, the higher the frame rate, the better for slow-motion video.

Image stabilization is a must, if you want to actually be able to see what you have filmed. The level of sophistication of modern image stabilizing software is incredible these days: the camera can be jiggling around like crazy but, when you watch the footage back, it’s as if you were riding on a billiard table.

Depending on where you ride or even what type of riding, you might need to consider whether the camera is waterproof. Some aren’t but can be put in a waterproof casing.

So, enough of the practicalities; here’s our list of the top 10 helmet cameras in 2022.

GoPro Hero 10 - $499

The standard-bearer since they first appeared, GoPro Hero models just get better and better.

The new Hero 10 is more camera than you will ever need. Up to 5.3K records super smooth video quality, helped by a new, more powerful processor. You’ll get 60fps at 5.3K, 120fps at 4K, and an amazing 240fps at a still excellent 2.7K, which allows you to slow the action down eight times.

The image stabilization, called HyperSmooth, gives incredible stability, even if you are riding a dirt bike along rough trails. Watching it, you would swear the rider is being led by a drone, so smooth is it.

If you are mounting a microphone inside your helmet, the noise cancellation is also first-class, leaving bright, clear voice recording.

Brilliant low-light performance and a 23MP stills camera complete the package.

Full app connectivity and a live stream function are great and the GoPro range of mounts and accessories is second-to-none.

Insta360 One RS Twin - $549

Don’t let the novelty of the design let you think that this camera is all mouth and no trousers. The Insta360 comprises the camera itself, the RS core, and the mount. The good thing about this is that you can swap out the camera for a wide-angle or a 360° lens, giving you plenty of scope for imaginative camera work. A novel, yes, but it does mean you don’t have to buy a whole different camera for each lens, or mess around changing the camera mounts all the time.

The Twin Edition package comes with a 360° lens which will record at 5.7K and a Boost lens which will record at 200fps (1080p quality) or 100fps (2.7K). You can also take 48MP stills images.

Fully waterproof, even without a case, rugged construction, and a good range of accessories and mounting solutions.

Pricey, but versatile.

Insta360 One X2 - $505.00

360° camera technology is advancing at a dizzying rate and the Insta360 One X2 is evidence of this.

Shooting at 5.7K in 360° gives incredible quality, good enough to choose the angle you want to watch and isolate that angle in editing. The image stabilization is great and you can also digitally correct the horizon without having to resort to hinged mounts or a gimbal. Four microphones positioned around the camera will give clear sound recording.

Naturally, you can film using just one wide-angle lens but the quality drops significantly so you are better off filming at 360° and editing later.

Up to 120 minutes of filming time and a built-in screen that allows you to view a live preview. The phone app features powerful editing options and you can live stream direct from the camera. If you use the included selfie stick, it will be invisible on the image.

You can buy the Insta360 One X2 in various kits, including a Motorcycle Kit which comprises 1x ONE X2, 1x 120cm Invisible Selfie Stick, 1x 64GB MicroSD Card, 1x Motorcycle Mount Bundle, and 1x Lens Cap for $505.00

Sena 10C EVO - $399.00

Motorcycle communications systems have, like action cameras, improved enormously over the years and now some of them, like the Sena 10CEVO incorporate a camera as well.

Normally, you might think that combining two technologies in one device is to compromise both of them. Not so! Well, nearly not so!

It is an irony of riding, which is a largely solo pursuit, that it can be the most fun when riding with others. Being able to talk to them at the same time is the icing on the cake. However, buying a communications system and an action camera can be expensive, not to mention overloading your helmet with too many add-ons!

Step up to the plate, Sena. Experts in bike-to-bike communication, the new 10C EVO incorporates a camera as well as the comms. The intercom allows you to link up to four other riders in a radius of one mile and you’ll get twenty hours of talk time. Advanced noise-cancellation technology makes things as clear as it is possible to be.

In terms of the camera, you get 4K 30fps filming and a 12MP stills camera, which is still as good as any smartphone. Unfortunately, there is no image stabilization and you might see the side of the helmet in the frame.

Naturally, there is Bluetooth connectivity so you can take calls while riding and the Sena App allows you to adjust the camera’s settings and get a preview of what the camera is seeing in situ.

Not claimed to be waterproof but, seeing as it is designed to live on the outside of a helmet, there has to be a water resistance factor.

AKASO V50 Elite - $139.00

Up to this point, all the cameras have been pretty expensive: even if the features justify the price, it could well be outside your budget. Thankfully, it is still possible to find a camera to match your budget that still has all the features you might need.

For a truly affordable price, you get 4K, 60fps filming, which can go up to 240fps but at a rather low 720P. Image stabilization is present but not at the highest 4K rate. When it is available, it might not be as good as GoPro or Insta360 but it’s still acceptable: you get what you pay for.

It will take 20MP stills images which is more quality than you’ll ever need unless you are blowing up the prints to wall-size! One useful feature is the ability to change the field of view from wide, to medium and narrow.

Not waterproof, but it comes with a case that will keep out the worst storm or let you sink to a depth of 131 feet! The AKASO app allows you to operate the camera from your phone.

DJI Osmo Action - $395

A name more usually associated with drone technology, the entry into the action camera market sees DJI put GoPro front and center of its ambitions.

It can film in 4K at 60fps and has an HDR feature that enhances low-light filming and reduces the darkness in shadows on bright days. It will also film at 240fps at 1080P for great slow-mo footage. It will take still images at 12MP.

Image stabilization is on a par with GoPro and it has voice control which is handy if you have your gloves on. It’s water-resistant down to 35 feet and DJI makes use of the same mount as GoPro so you have access to a huge range of mounts to suit any application.

Campark X30 - $70.00

A 4K camera for less than $100? Not that long ago, you would have been laughed out of the shop for asking for such a thing but the rising popularity of action cameras has brought out a rash of GoPro imitators that might lack the finesse of the high-end cameras but will still record your journey in acceptable quality.

For the Campark X30, think of a GoPro of maybe ten years ago and you’ll get an idea of what it is capable of. Image stabilization is there, but it does affect the maximum resolution the camera will film in so your videos might lose that sharpness that characterizes 4K shooting.

As a simple and cheap camera to film in less challenging situations, it would be hard to justify spending any more.

Sony RX0 ll - $698.00

Price no object? Want ultimate image quality? Then the Sony RX0 ll is for you. The 1-inch sensor makes it perfect for low-light situations and while it will film at 4K, its real party-piece is filming at an incredible 1000fps, also at 4K, which will produce the most incredible slow-mo footage you’ve seen outside of a MotoGP race.

It might be the Rolls Royce of action cameras but that doesn’t stop it from being exceptionally rugged: Sony claims it is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and crushproof. So, even should you crash and write off your bike, at least you’ll have a record of it…!

GoPro Max - $499

Another 360° camera but the advantage the GoPro Max has is that it will film in huge 6K 30p quality. It will also record sound at 360° to give the most immersive experience possible. As good for any extreme sport as it is for motorcycling.

Typically brilliant image stabilization and different lens settings alter the look of the images captured. You can live stream in 1080p via the GoPro app and save footage to your SD card.

In Hero mode, horizon leveling gives you a silky-smooth cinematic look whether you're getting it sideways or through 360° vertically. There’s also a Panoramic feature that will automatically take panoramic shots without you having to move the camera. It has voice control and the usual array of mounts/accessories.

AKASO Brave 7 LE - $139.99

With so much choice in the market, you can really pick your camera based on the features you want, even if they might be there at the expense of filming quality.

The Brave 7 LE offers dual screens and case-free water resistance and great build quality but the downside is sub-par image stabilization and video quality, even if it is filming in 4K. It’s not great for low-light filming but, on the plus side, the audio quality is the best of any non-GoPro camera and the touchscreen interface is one of the best out there.

You pay your money and you take your choice!

FAQ

Q: What kind of camera do bikers use?

Many bikers use GoPro because of the huge amount of mounting options they produce, making it easy to attach to any helmet or any bike.

Q: Where do you put your camera on your motorcycle helmet?

Most cameras are mounted on top of the helmet, but they can also be mounted on the side. If it's a 360° camera, then on top would be best.

Q: Are GoPros allowed on motorcycle helmets?

At the moment, there is no legislation that says you can't mount an action camera on a helmet, although the F.I.M., the international motorsport governing body, has outlawed them in competition due to the increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.