Key takeaways
- Cheapest pick worth buying: DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro ($300 – $400).
- Mid-range action cameras suit most adventures.
- Stabilization keeps footage smooth.
In this article
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You do not need to spend a lot to get good action cameras. These are the cheapest action cameras we would still buy in the US, sorted by typical price.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price.
Budget picks at a glance
| Product | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro | Buy | 8.8/10 | $300 – $400 |
| GoPro HERO13 Black | Buy | 8.9/10 | $350 – $400 |
Budget picks in detail
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.8/10 · Typical price: $300 – $400
A safe choice: DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro earns a buy verdict with a score of 8.8/10, at a typical price of $300 – $400.
GoPro HERO13 Black
Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.9/10 · Typical price: $350 – $400
A safe choice: GoPro HERO13 Black earns a buy verdict with a score of 8.9/10, at a typical price of $350 – $400.
How to save money
Mid-range action cameras suit most adventures.
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.
Where not to cut corners
Stabilization keeps footage smooth.
Common mistake: Buying without mounts for your activity.
Compare more options
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Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What are the best cheap action cameras in the US?
The cheapest model we would still buy is DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, typically $300 – $400.
Are cheap action cameras worth it?
Mid-range action cameras suit most adventures. Do not compromise on the basics, though. Stabilization keeps footage smooth.
When are action cameras cheapest in the US?
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.