MCN’s guide to the best action cameras for capturing your motorcycle adventures in stunning detail

Action cameras are an essential piece of kit on most motorcycle adventures these days. We invest so much time and money in our tours and travels and saving the best parts for posterity pays us back with some of our most treasured memories.

These cameras capture top quality footage and are by far the most suitable for filming from your motorcycle as you ride. I’ve seen some riders filming with their phones with only one hand controlling their machine as they focus on the screen, which is both illegal and dangerous. Larger cameras are impractical, being too cumbersome or fragile for extreme situations.

Jump to:

• Key features of action cameras
• Why invest in an action camera?
• How do I choose the best action camera?
• Where are the best places to mount a camera on my bike? 
• The most popular motorcycle action cameras
• Other action cameras to consider
• Budget-friendly action cameras
• A buying guide
• FAQs
• How we test action cameras at MCN

Key features of action cameras:

Action cameras are small, durable and weatherproof pieces of kit. They are designed to capture high-quality video and photos on the move and sometimes in extreme situations. 

They are tough enough to handle even the worst weather and can deal with the constant vibrations from your bike. The video quality of these cameras is superb, with most of them filming in at least 4K resolution so that the highlights of your ride are captured in stunning detail. They also offer a variety of mounting options, letting you easily attach the camera to your helmet, handlebars, or other spots on your bike to get just the right angle.

Wide-angle lenses in these cameras are standard, helping you capture more of the road and scenery around you. And with strong battery life, they are designed to last through long rides without missing a moment.

Their built-in stabilisation technology keeps your footage smooth even on rough roads. Some are better than others at doing this and it is worth spending a bit more for this feature since nobody is going to watch shaky footage. If good audio is important then get a camera that offers wind noise reduction or lets you add an external microphone you can place inside your helmet for clearer sound. 

Finally, most cameras offer app connectivity, making it easy to control the camera and view footage from your phone.

These features combine to make the motorcycle helmet/action camera a great tool for capturing your rides.

What should you consider?

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Why invest in an action camera?

Riding a motorcycle is not just about getting from point A to point B – it’s about the journey and what that journey means to you. Whether you’re riding through a bustling city or exploring a remote backroad, having those experiences captured for posterity adds another layer of enjoyment to your passion for motorcycling.

In essence, an action camera becomes a silent passenger on your bike, always ready to record the highlights of your ride. It’s a tool for storytelling, and for keeping the memories of your best rides alive.

Sharing these moments with friends, family, or on social media not only lets others experience a piece of the adventure, but it also helps you connect with fellow riders who understand the joy of the open road.

Every ride has its own story. With an action camera, you can relive the ride long after it’s is over.

How do I choose the best action camera?

Choosing the best action camera for you depends on your needs and how you plan to use it. Clear, high-quality footage is important so you’ll want a camera that can shoot in HD or 4K as a minimum. Definitely get one with good stabilisation so your videos don’t turn out shaky. If you ride in all kinds of weather, like rain or dusty conditions, make sure the camera is tough and weatherproof. It should also be easy to operate on the move.

Don’t forget about battery life — you want a camera that’ll last through your rides, or one where you can easily swap out the battery or charge it on the go. And if sharing your videos is important to you, look for a camera that connects to your phone easily.

Ultimately, the best action camera for you is the one that suits your needs – whether you’re capturing amazing views, documenting your rides, or just looking for something easy to use while you’re out and about. Keep it simple, and focus on the features that matter most to you.

Where are the best places to mount a camera on my bike? 

The best spots to mount your action camera depend on the kind of footage you want and the angles that work best for the video you’re making. Here are some popular places:

1. Helmet Mount

Mounting the camera on your helmet gives a first-person perspective, filming exactly what you see as you ride. You get great views of the road ahead and the scenery around you. 

On a full-face helmet you can either mount it on the top or on the chin. Lots of riders use chin mounts since the camera is evenly weighted. There’s also more control of the camera and less wind noise.

On open face helmets you can mount the camera on the forehead (instead of the chin) with specially designed straps or sticky pads.

2. Handlebar Mount

A handlebar mount gives you a stable, forward-facing shot of the road. It’s easy to adjust the angle but it may pick up some vibration from the bike. This may not work if you have a screen, but many riders use the handlebar to point the camera backwards at themselves, especially if they’re talking as they ride.

3. Chest Mount

Wearing a chest mount captures the handlebars and instrument panel, along with the road ahead. It’s a great way to include some of the bike in the shot without it dominating the frame.

4. Tank Mount

Mounting the camera on the fuel tank can give a similar perspective to the chest mount but focuses more on the bike’s performance or speed since it’s slightly lower and picks up the instrument panel.

5. Rear-view Mirror Mount

You can face a camera forwards or backwards when attached to the rear-view mirror. Popular shots with this attachment are the road ahead, your hands on the controls, or a view of the road behind that includes some of yourself or the bike.

6. Pillion foot peg

This is a nice low angle shot that captures your feet in action, the road behind, or the passing scenery when facing outwards.

7. Tail Mount

Mounting the camera on the rear of the bike, like on the tail or near the number plate, shows the bikes following you if you’re in a group ride, or just panoramic views of the road you’ve just conquered if you’re riding solo.

8. Side Mount

Attaching the camera to the side of your bike, such as on the fairing or crash bars, can either show more of your bike or a higher-up view of the passing scenery when pointing outwards. This can be a good option for capturing the lean angle as you corner, giving your footage a dynamic look.

Each of these mounting options offers a different perspective, so it’s worth experimenting with a few to see what kind of footage you like best. Just make sure whatever mount you use is secure so your camera doesn’t fall off.

The most popular action cameras

Other action cameras to consider

Budget-friendly action cameras

Choosing the right camera isn’t just about specs – it’s about how well it fits into your riding experience and how easy it is for you to use. Whether you’re looking to document the roads you ride in stunning detail or simply want a reliable companion that can handle the elements, the choices here offer something for every type of rider.

And remember, the best action camera should integrate seamlessly into your journey like any other piece of bike kit. It should allow you to focus on the ride while it takes care of capturing the memories.

Things to consider:

Here is a helpful summary of things to consider when buying a motorcycle action camera:

Build

• Fit and finish: Consider the overall quality of construction – this may be trickier when buying online but you can always return a camera you’re not happy with.
• Size: The dimensions and weight of the camera are crucial, especially if you’re mounting it in a tight spot on the bike or on your helmet.
• Screen: More basic or older-generation cameras may not even have one, but if you do, is it bright enough to see?

Battery

• Battery life: You need to know how long the camera can operate on a single charge and whether this is enough for the kind of riding you do.
• Charging speed: How quickly the battery recharges. This is crucial if you need to top up during a ride. You should also consider whether the battery is removable as this means you can carry spares and charge them all later.
• Lifetime: The longevity of the battery before it starts to degrade – replacements can be expensive. We tend to replace our equipment before this becomes an issue so owner reviews are a good place to find out.

Usability

• UI (user interface): Most cameras have a single-button operation of some kind but others also include voice control or several button placements for added ease of use.
• Responsiveness: If you’re trying to capture unexpected events in realtime, this is hugely important. If you tend to hit record at the start of a ride and then hit stop at the end, it doesn’t really matter.
• Mounting options: The variety and flexibility of ways you can mount the camera on your motorcycle or helmet.
• Phone and desktop apps: Despite many action cameras now including a screen or even two and in-menu editing and video management, the real test comes when you start using the associated apps. If (like us) you use a third party video editor and import the files from memory card then this doesn’t matter.

Cost

• Value: Not to be confused with cheapness… The value of a camera includes things like the quality of the components for the price, comparisons to other cameras on the market, what you get included in the box and even warranty periods.
• Accessories: Some cameras come with a range of mounts, carry cases and more in the box. Manufacturers like GoPro also offer several different packages from just a camera to a full kit.
• Cloud storage: Access to cloud storage if that’s where you want to back up your footage, including any associated costs should be built into the price in your mind before you make a decision. The other option would be an external hard drive.

Photos

• Quality: The resolution, clarity, and overall quality of still photos taken by the camera – if that’s something you need it to do.

Extra features (nice to have, but not essential)

• Hyperlapse: You’ll have seen those videos of a motorcycle journey condensed into a matter of minutes or seconds, this is how that is done.
• Timelapse: Like hyperlapse but with a fixed camera. If you’ve ever seen a sped up bike build or similar, this is how it was done.
• Slow motion: A setting where you record a video then play it back up to 8 times slower than normal.
• Selfie stick removal (360° cameras): If you’ve ever seen a motorbike video shot from behind where it looks like the camera is floating – as if it’s a video game – this is probably how it was done.
• Reframing in 360° cameras: The ability to adjust the framing of a shot in post-production, so you can start with the forward view and then move around as if you are turning the camera.

Audio

• Internal mics: Most action cameras come with an internal mic of some description but high-quality audio may require an external option.
• Wind Factors: How well the camera handles wind noise, which is crucial when riding at high speeds. There are several Plug-Ins that can help with this in post-production, too.
• External mic options: This is most-likely essential if you need really clear audio in outdoor environments.
• Bluetooth capabilities: The ability to connect wirelessly to Bluetooth devices, such as external microphones or headphones varies by make and model so check the specs.

Video

• Field of view: The width of the area the camera can capture, which influences how much of the scene is in the shot. 360° cameras use a pair of 180° lenses to capture all-round footage. Other cameras use a variety of wide-angle lens options.
• HDR: High Dynamic Range capability is great for capturing more detail in both bright and dark areas of a scene. Handy for recording a twisty alpine pass on a summer’s day where you move between light and shade.
• Low light performance: If you regularly film in low-light conditions such as a garage, the camera’s ability to cope with this is important. Maybe consider buying a cheap ring light from Amazon, it might be an easier fix.
• Log 10 Bit: This is an advanced video feature for capturing greater colour depth and detail, useful for professional editing.
• Vertical Video: The ability to shoot in vertical format, which is increasingly popular for social media platforms like Tik-Tok, YouTube Shorts or Instagram Reels.

The camera you choose doesn’t have to have all of these features, it just has to be the one that best suits your needs.

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How MCN tests motorcycle action cameras

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t test our kit to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on. Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one. Our mission is to help you stay informed, make great buying decisions and most important of all, to enjoy your motorcycling to the fullest.

When we test action cameras we ride with them for at least 1000 miles and a minimum of three months before beginning to write a review. We use them on our own rides and get to know the camera we’re testing inside and out. We use all the functionality, and learn what’s good about them and what’s not from what we’ve experienced. In testing all of its features in every scenario possible – including rain, night time, poor visibility and more – we are able to pass this information on to our fellow riders. 

We’ll share our feedback on everything from the menu options and setting up process to what the camera is capable of and all our experiences on the road with it. We’ll also cover how useful their dedicated phone apps turn out to be.

There are quite a few action cameras on the market and we only want to test products that we believe will be useful for our readers. Not only the market leaders, but some alternatives as well.

If you can’t see a review against an item on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet or we’re still working on the review. These items will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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