Top Motorcycle Cameras: Action, 360 and Dash Cam Picks
The most recommended motorcycle camera in our sources is the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 for helmet or handlebar footage. For front and rear coverage, a dual-lens dash cam such as the Thinkware Sports M1 or HaloCam M1 fits better. Your pick depends on whether you want video to share, a record in case of a crash, or a camera that doubles as an intercom. Prices change often, so none are quoted here.
Eleven cameras side by side
Figures below come from the makers’ listings as summarized in our sources. “n/a” means no source gave a number.
| Camera | Type | Video | Field of view (degrees) | Water rating | Also listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insta360 Ace Pro 2 | Action | 8K | 157 (widest setting) | n/a | Wind guard, Bluetooth mic sync, dash cam mode |
| GoPro Hero 12 | Action | 5.3K at 60 fps; 4K at 120 fps | n/a | 10 m (33 ft) | HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization |
| Insta360 X3 | 360 | 5.7K 360° at 30 fps; 4K flat at 120 fps | 360 | 10 m (33 ft), no case | 72 MP photos; about 81 min at 5.7K |
| DJI Osmo Action | Action | 4K at 60 fps, HDR | n/a | n/a | RockSteady; up to 4 hours battery; 47 GB built-in storage |
| Sena 50C | Intercom plus camera | 4K at 30 fps | n/a | n/a | Mesh and Bluetooth intercom; Harman Kardon audio |
| Thinkware Sports M1 | Dual dash cam | Two 1080p lenses | n/a | IP67 | Sony STARVIS sensor, EIS, GPS logging, Wi-Fi |
| HaloCam M1 | Dual dash cam | Two 1080p lenses | n/a | n/a | Hardwired to battery; internal battery; optional GPS module |
| AKASO V50 | Budget action | 4K at 30 fps | 170 | 100 ft, with case | 2-inch touchscreen; external mic input |
| Crosstour CT9000 | Single dash cam | 1080p | n/a | n/a | Loop recording; G-sensor lock |
| Crosstour CT7000 | Budget action | 1080p | 170 | Waterproof casing (rating n/a) | Wi-Fi; accessories included |
| Ride Vision 1 | Safety system | n/a | n/a | n/a | LED mirror alerts; predictive hazard algorithm |
Action cameras for the helmet or handlebars
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
Canyon Chasers called it possibly the best motorcycle action camera. It is an 8K action camera with a Leica-developed lens, not a 360 camera. The reviewer disclosed two things: Insta360 sent the unit, and they have a partnership with Insta360 for its 360 cameras, not its action cameras.
Their main argument is about sound. Platforms such as YouTube re-encode uploads, so raw image specs matter less than people think. The reviewer’s rule is that “good video is good audio.” They said every action camera they had owned recorded poor audio at motorway speed, and that the Ace Pro 2 is the first to fix it. A wind guard snaps over the microphone. The camera can also pair with a Bluetooth microphone, such as the one in a Cardo headset. A slider in the Insta360 app shifts the mix toward voice, engine sound or a balance of both.
- 157-degree lens at its widest, which the reviewer said adds a sense of speed.
- Two chips, one for imaging and one for AI, adjust footage before it reaches the SD card. The reviewer rated the low-light results highly.
- Flip screen for framing yourself, a loop-recording dash cam mode and AI editing tools in the app.
- Magnetic ND filters that attach and detach easily.
The drawbacks they listed: 8K seems gimmicky, the battery is slightly smaller than some rivals (two come in the box), and the camera can overheat with every setting maxed. Their advice is to shoot at 24 or 30 frames per second, use the widest angle and fit an ND filter.
GoPro Hero 12
GoPro’s Hero 12 shoots 5.3K at 60 fps or 4K at 120 fps, and uses HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization to calm rough road vibration. It is rated waterproof to 10 m (33 ft). Screens are 2.27 inches on the back and 1.4 inches on the front, and connectivity is Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth. Flow Mountain Bike has a GoPro Hero review if you want an outside view of the camera. GoPro may have released newer models since, so check its current range before buying.
DJI Osmo Action
The Osmo Action line has dual screens, RockSteady stabilization, 4K at 60 fps and HDR. It is listed at up to four hours of battery in good conditions and 47 GB of built-in storage, with a microSD slot for more. That suits long days when you don’t want to swap cards. Motorcycle.com’s In Gear review of the Osmo Action 5 Pro covers the newer model.
AKASO V50 and Crosstour CT7000
The AKASO V50 records 4K at 30 fps with a 170-degree view and a 2-inch touchscreen. It has an external microphone input and is rated to 100 ft in its case. The Crosstour CT7000 is a 1080p camera with a 170-degree lens, a waterproof casing, Wi-Fi for phone transfers and mounting accessories in the box. Both are the cheaper end of this list.
A 360 camera for reframing later
Insta360 X3
The X3 has lenses on both sides, so you pick the angle in the app after the ride. It records 5.7K 360° video at 30 fps, 4K flat video at 120 fps and 72 MP photos. It is waterproof to 10 m (33 ft) without a case, with FlowState stabilization and roughly 81 minutes of 5.7K 360° recording. Editing 360 footage takes more effort than flat video. Riders commonly mount it on the tank or handlebars so both the road and the bike appear in frame.
Front and rear dash cams and safety systems
Thinkware Sports M1
Two 1080p cameras record front and rear. A Sony STARVIS sensor helps at dawn and dusk, EIS smooths vibration, and the IP67 rating covers weather. It adds GPS logging of route and speed, and Wi-Fi for moving clips to a phone.
HaloCam M1
This one wires to the bike’s battery and starts with the ignition. An internal battery saves the clip in progress when you switch off. It records two 1080p lenses, front and rear, and offers an optional GPS module. It is built for rain, wind and dust.
Crosstour CT9000
A single 1080p lens records only what is ahead. Loop recording overwrites old clips, and a G-sensor locks footage after an impact so it isn’t overwritten. Cable routing is the fiddly part of fitting it.
Ride Vision 1
Ride Vision 1 is a warning system first and a recorder second. Its predictive algorithm looks for hazards such as a car creeping into your blind spot. It alerts you with LEDs on the mirrors, so your eyes stay on the road. Its video specs trail the other cameras here, so treat it as an add-on to a dash cam.
Sena 50C
Sena pairs a 4K, 30 fps camera with its Mesh and Bluetooth intercom, so you can talk to riding partners while recording. Speakers and microphone are tuned by Harman Kardon. It is not the strongest pure camera on this list, but it fits group riders already in the Sena system. If you mostly want music or calls in the helmet, see our look at AirPods in a motorcycle helmet.
Two videos for comparing footage
TripleShift’s video, titled around every popular action camera on a motorcycle, is the better one to start with.
Video: I Tested Every Popular Action Camera on a Motorcycle (TripleShift)
Everything Under Control’s 2026 list of five motorbike cameras gives a second opinion on which models are worth a look.
Video: 5 Best Camera for Motorbikes 2026! Tested & Tried (Everything Under Control)
What RevZilla’s camera page shows
RevZilla’s motorcycle riding cameras page lists Insta360 as its largest brand with 43 products, ahead of INNOVV with 8. Garmin has 3, Ciro 2, and Armor Vision, Kenwood and Sena one each. RAM Mounts (5), RickRak (6), Cycle Mount (4), Quad Lock (2) and GB Racing (2) point to mounting hardware sitting in the same category, so the counts are not all cameras. The page has filters for customer rating, closeouts and open-box items, and 22 listings carry video. It is a handy place to compare mounts before you commit to a camera.
Camera questions, answered
What is the best camera for bikers?
No source names one winner for every rider. Canyon Chasers rates the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 for sound and wide-angle footage. The GoPro Hero 12 and DJI Osmo Action are established all-rounders. Choose a dual-lens dash cam if recording traffic matters more than recording scenery.
What are the best security cameras for motorcycles?
Front and rear cover is the closest match among our sources: the Thinkware Sports M1 and HaloCam M1 both record two 1080p lenses. The Crosstour CT9000 adds a G-sensor lock and loop recording for a single lens. None of our sources says whether any model records while parked, so check the spec sheet. Ride Vision 1 warns of hazards but is not a security recorder.
Is it a violation to have a GoPro on your motorcycle helmet?
It depends on where you ride. Some places have rules about items projecting from a helmet, and enforcement varies. Our sources cite no specific US or UK statute, so check local law and your helmet maker’s guidance before drilling or gluing anything on.
What 360 camera do bikers use?
The Insta360 X3 is the 360 model in our sources. Insta360 also dominates RevZilla’s category listings.
Which camera is best for a tight budget?
The AKASO V50 and the Crosstour CT9000 and CT7000 are the lower-cost options here. Aim for at least 1080p. 4K is better, and battery life and mounting options matter too.
Which camera suits insurance evidence or touring?
For evidence, a dual-lens dash cam with impact-locked clips gives front and rear context. We found no source on what insurers accept, so ask yours. For touring, look at battery and storage: the Osmo Action lists up to four hours and 47 GB built-in. The Sena 50C adds an intercom. Our list of things motorcycling didn’t have ten years ago covers other recent rider tech.
What is the four-second rule for motorcycles?
It concerns following distance, and our camera sources don’t cover it. Our guide to riding a motorcycle in the rain covers grip, space and timing.
