Recording your ride with a helmet-mounted camera is a great way to archive the trip. Here are the best motorcycle helmet cameras, organized by function, feature, and size. You’ll also learn the top 10 factors to consider when making your choice.
Using a helmet-mounted camera will capture footage of your beautiful rides or the intensity of a track day. And it can also save your bacon in case of an accident or other traffic issues.
There are many features that make any ordinary camera great, but when you are choosing one for your motorcycle rides, there are a few key things to consider.
Top Pick: GoPro Hero11 (Best Helmet Cam)
If you just want our top pick and don’t want to read the full post, here it is: Get the GoPro Hero11.
It shoots 5.3K video at 60fps, 27MP stills, has voice control, live streaming, and is waterproof without additional housing.
Plus it has HyperSmooth 5.0 – for professional (watchable) ride videos. And there are tons of mounts and accessories for this camera.
Get your GoPro Hero11 Black on Amazon, B&H Photo, or Best Buy.
Okay, now on to the rest of the post.
10 Helmet Cam Features for Motorcyclists
Motorcycle helmet cameras can come with tons of different features and cater to your needs.
Whether you need lots of data storage, long battery life, high resolution, or several other key features, you can find the best camera for your needs on our list below.
Here are some of the features you need to consider when buying your helmet camera.
- Resolution (Video and Photo): The resolution of your camera affects the quality of your picture. Whether you want to record funny road signs, picturesque scenes, or for accidents that may occur, the resolution of the camera you get could help you out tremendously.
- Voice Control: Some helmet cameras come with voice control that allows you to operate them without having to stop or take your hands off the handlebars.
- Stabilization: For watchable video or picture for your ride, then you will want good image stabilization. Without it, it will be hard to watch or make out anything in pictures due to the bumps and shaking from riding on your motorcycle.
- Audio Recording: This feature could be important for a few different reasons. If you are wanting to live stream it on social media or have had bad experiences with accidents and people in the past, then you should consider finding a camera with audio recording capabilities. There are many cameras that have this feature and many that do not.
- Power (Battery): You really want to make sure that the battery life of your camera will meet your needs. For some cameras, you may need extra batteries, and for other cameras, you may only need a USB charger to get your batteries juiced back up.
- Data Storage: Almost all of these cameras record to a removable SD card. But some have internal memory. It’s best to buy the largest memory card that your camera will accept. You’ll never regret having too much space. Here’s how many photos and hours fit in every GB of storage.
- Wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth): Some cameras are wireless, which would be useful if you are into live streaming or need to share/access your footage anywhere at any time. If this sounds like you, then you should check out the cameras that have this capability.
- Waterproof: Having a waterproof motorcycle helmet camera is absolutely essential since your camera will be completely exposed to the elements. You never know when a storm may pop up. Still, some cameras have a higher level of waterproofing than others, so keep your climate and average riding weather in mind.
- Live Streaming Capability: There are several cameras on the market that allow you to livestream to a feed directly from the camera. This can be great fun for family members or friends to check in on your ride, or, it can be a very useful tool if you are in the social media game.
- Mounting Location: When searching for the right camera, be sure to check out where the mounting location would typically be for that camera. Some cameras may not be able to mount in the location that you want. This can also depend on your helmet, although most good helmet manufacturers will leave spots for mounting in their designs.
You can find many cameras with a lot of these features. It is important to keep in mind everything that you need out of your motorcycle helmet camera to make sure you are getting the best option for you.
If you are never on social media, then you might be able to save a few dollars by choosing a camera without the live stream feature.
If you plan on recording every drive out in its entirety, then you’ll want a memory card with lots of storage space and camera with a long-lasting battery. All of these things should be thought out before purchasing your camera.
Action Motorcycle Helmet Cams
Actions cameras will provide you with great quality footage because they have awesome image stabilization.
Whether you hit bumpy roads, tight curves, or even get some air on a supermoto, action cameras are your best friend for high-quality sport shots.
1. GoPro Hero11
Video Resolution: Video resolution is 5.3K60.- Photo resolution: 27MP.
- Voice Control: Yes
- Stabilization: HyperSmooth 5.0 provides amazing video stabilization.
- Waterproof: Yes, up to 33 feet.
- Live Streaming Capability: Yes
Video Resolution: Video resolution is 5.3K60.Price: See current price on Amazon, B&H Photo, or Best Buy.
The GoPro Hero11 is one of the best cameras you can buy for your motorcycle helmet. With HyperSmooth 5.0, the quality of your video and photos will turn out perfectly.
It also has a new and larger touch front display and rear touch screen.
This camera even has TimeWarp 3.0, which allows you to record time-lapse scenes as you move!
Live Streaming will be a breeze and your viewers will enjoy the wonderful quality of the video without any jarring thanks to HyperSmooth 3.0.
And if you happen to get a little clumsy and drop your helmet into the water, the GoPro Hero9 will be able to survive a depth of 33 feet of water! With this level of durability and extra goodies, it’s hard to go wrong.
We wrote a GoPro motorcycle guide and a guide to the best GoPro helmet mounts. Many of these mounts will also work for the other cameras on the list.
2. Insta360 X3 (or One X2)
Resolution: Video resolution is 5.7K 360 degree- Photo resolution: 6080 x 3040 (360 degree), 4320 x 1440 (panorama)
- Voice Control: Yes
- Stabilization: FlowState Stabilization
- Waterproof: Yes, up to 32.8 feet (10 meters)
- Live Streaming Capability: Yes
See the current price of the One X2 or the new Insta360 X3
The X3 and the ONE X2 camera is a completely different motorcycle camera. It can shoot forward like every other camera on the list. And it can also shoot behind you, beside you, and up and down. All at the same time.
This camera has a lens on both sides – so you will capture details that you didn’t even see on your ride.
It has FlowState stabilization for smooth ride videos. I tested this feature on my snowblower last week – and it stabilized the video footage on my bumpy snow thrower.
It is waterproof and has 4 mics. It can also make hyper-lapse video clips to accelerate any of the slower parts of your trip.
The motorcycle kit comes with an intense handlebar mount, and a helmet and tail mount as well.
Here’s a taste of what you can capture with the One X2 360-degree camera.
Check out the Insta360 X3 or the older Insta360 One X2 camera.
3. DJI Action 2
Resolution: Video resolution is 4K/60- Photo resolution: 12MP.
- Voice Control: No.
- Stabilization: RockSteady 2.0+HorizonSteady
- Waterproof: Yes, up to 33 feet (10 m) without case. 197 feet (60 m) with waterproof housing
- Live Streaming Capability: No
Resolution: Video resolution is 4K/60See current price on DJI or Amazon
The DJI Action 2 is the next version of the Osmo Action camera. DJI is the leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology.
You’ll get stable video with their proprietary RockSteady 2.0 Technology that is built into the camera.
Operating temperature ranges from 32° to 104° F (0° to 40° C).
This tiny camera comes in at just 56 grams. If you add the touch screen module, it will weigh a combined 120 grams. The small size and light weight make this a great option for a motorcycle helmet camera.
How does the Action 2 compare to the GoPro Hero10 in size?
Here’s how these two cameras compare. The DJI Action 1 is less than half the size of the Hero10.
4. DJI Osmo Action 3
Resolution: Video resolution is 4K- Photo resolution: is 12MP.
- Stabilization: Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) RockSteady 3.0
- Waterproof: Yes, up to 52 feet (16 meters) as shipped. Or 197 feet (60 m) with a waterproof case.
Get your DJI Action 3 on DJI, Amazon, or Best Buy.
The DJI Action 3 has 1/1.7-inch CMOS with FOV: 155° (field of view). And it has an aperture of f/2.8.
I’ve been really impressed with its image stabilization. The Rock Steady 3.0 of the Action 3 rivals the Hypersmooth feature of the Hero11 Black.
Plus, it’s lighter and less expensive than many feature-equivalent helmet cameras.
Motorcycle Camera with Communicator
Sometimes you just need to hit the road with your buddies, but everyone who has ridden in a group knows that communication is key.
A motorcycle camera with a communicator will also make it easier for you to narrate your video without having to edit a voice-over into it if you’re producing online content.
Just remember to continue wearing ear plugs, even if you are using a communicator. Hearing loss from wind noise is a serious danger, and you’re going to be tempted to crank up the volume on these communicators which will only lead to further potential damage. Safety first, and ATGATT!
5. Sena 10C EVO
- Resolution: Video resolution is 4K/30FPS.
- Has photo mode, but the resolution isn’t specified
- Voice Control: Yes. (with Sena Headset App)
- Intercom Distance: 1 mile / 1 km (in open terrain)
- Wireless: Yes. (Bluetooth)
- Live Streaming Capability: Yes.
- Price: See current price
The Sena 10C Evo is a great camera for those who are more interested in taking videos rather than photos. With the Smart Audio Mix, you can narrate footage as you capture it without having to edit it in later.
This camera also has a group intercom which allows up to three other riders to join in on the conversation.
With Bluetooth connectivity, you can pair it with your smartphone and listen to your favorite music or, perhaps, favorite podcast and stream live on social media without causing a disruption to anyone that you will pass on the road or being drowned out by wind noise.
Tiny Helmet Camera
Tiny cameras are often more convenient to carry around and usually cost a little less than a bigger sized camera.
They may be small, but these cameras still have many enjoyable features for riders of every kind.
6. Fire Cam
- Resolution: Video resolution is 1080p.
- Voice Control: No.
- Stabilization: No.
- Waterproof: Yes, up to 33 feet of water.
- Wireless: No.
- Live Streaming Capability: No.
- Price: See current price
The Fire Cam was specifically designed for firefighters to take them along while fighting fires. It is heat and waterproof and can withstand the depths of 33 feet of water.
This camera also comes with a 32GB U1 micro SD card for a longer recording time. You can mount this camera on any brim style helmet. And because of its ruggedness, it will survive some rough treatment.
360 Degree Motorcycle Cameras
A 360 camera will put your mind at ease while recording your day out on the motorcycle. With the panoramic view, you will not have to be worried about catching something on camera because you have a high-quality 360-degree field of coverage.
Combined with the amazing stabilization that comes with these 360 cameras, they also guarantee perfect picture quality so that you can look back on the footage and feel as though you are still there.
The best 360 motorcycle camera? In my opinion, the best option for a 360 motorcycle camera is the Insta360 One X2 camera – and was already included in the list above. It has a similar appearance to the Ricoh Theta – but has a better sensor, and in-camera features.
Looking for another option? Here are a few to consider.
7. GoPro Max
- Resolution: Video resolution is 5.6K.
- Photo resolution: 16.6MP.
- Voice Control: No.
- Stabilization: Yes. (MAX HyperSmooth)
- Waterproof: Yes.
- Wireless: Yes. (Wi-Fi)
- Live Streaming Capability: Yes, in 1080p resolution.
- Price: See current price
The GoPro Max is one of the best 360 degree cameras you can purchase. The Max HyperSmooth features allows you to create vlogs or live streams, flawlessly, with perfect imaging so that your audience can take in the scenery as though they are there with you.
This camera comes with horizon leveling, which is a unique type of stabilization and makes the picture come out silky smooth no matter what manner of fun you are getting up to.
8. Ricoh Theta
- Resolution: Video resolution is 4K.
- Voice Control: No.
- Stabilization: Yes. (New Qualcomm SnapDragon)
- Waterproof: Yes. (with case can go up to 98 feet deep)
- Wireless: Yes. (Bluetooth)
- Live Streaming Capability: Yes
- Price: See current price
The Ricoh Theta camera is popular for its convenient size. It has a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor directly on board, which it uses to auto-balance exposure and white balance to fantastic effect.
With Bluetooth connectivity, you can enjoy the images and videos you captured on you ride on your smartphone, computer, TV.
This camera is great for taking video with the 4-channel microphone that supports recording in not just horizontal direction, but also vertical direction.
This allows the sound to be high quality and omnidirectional—something that can only truly be understood once you hear it.
More reading: How to Prevent Action Cam Wind Noise
Which Helmet Cam Will You Get?
Buying the right motorcycle helmet camera for you is important. Instead of just grabbing the most popular motorcycle helmet cam on the market, you should first start by assessing your needs.
Beyond basic waterproofing, these are probably the next top two features to look at:
- Stabilization: If you really want amazing quality video or picture for your ride, then you will want to make sure that your camera has good image stabilization. Without it, it will be hard to watch or make out anything in pictures due to the bumps and shaking from riding on your motorcycle.
- Power (Battery): You also really want to make sure that the battery power of your camera will meet your needs. Even if your rides are usually shorter, a longer battery life means you don’t have to worry about plugging it back in to charge every single time.
Also, think about why you wanted a camera for your motorcycle helmet in the first place. Was it because you want to show your friends how beautiful that one ride is? Did you want to brag about your skills on the track? Will you share the footage on YouTube or other social media?
No matter your goals, there’s a camera on this list to meet your needs. Happy shopping, and ride safe!
- About the Author
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Dena Haines is a co-founder and blogger on Storyteller Tech. We cover action cameras and outdoor photography with a focus on GoPro cameras.
She also blogs about travel at Storyteller.Travel and is a partner at Storyteller Media, a publishing company she started with her husband, Bryan.