The only thing that beats a ride through a fall countryside of changing colors is being able to look back on it and share it with your friends and family.
To do that, you need a helmet camera. Since the technology is constantly improving, I like to review the market and see what cool new gadgets are out there for recording your rides.
These are five on the cutting edge.
Insta360 ONE X2
Crystal clear industry-leading video quality
This camera’s 5.7K resolution is hard to beat, giving you beautiful video that preserves your memories.
Sena 10C Pro Bluetooth Headset
An all-in-one package that’s great for touring
Communicate among up to four riders and record HD video without having to clutter your helmet with devices.
Best Motorcycle Helmet Cameras Reviewed
Insta360 ONE X2
These days, I think Insta360 gives GoPro a run for its money, with the X2 being one of the all-around best helmet cameras on the market.
In fact, it can shoot video with better quality than the HERO10 with an unbelievable 5.7K resolution, albeit only at 30fps.
This means it’s a better choice for off-roaders, especially if you plan on getting some detailed landscapes in view.
Another reason it’s suitable for off-roaders and motocross riders is the IPX8 waterproof rating, which means it can be submerged 10 meters underwater. In other words, rain, splashes, and mud aren’t a problem at all.
The only real issue is mounting it. Since the ONE X2 has an unusually long design, it doesn’t work with every mounting kit out there, and sometimes you have to get creative.
One last thing, I like how many exposure modes this camera has, letting you get detailed with your photography.
If you’re an amateur or professional motorcycle blogger or photographer, this, along with the included AI editing, can really up your game.
Pros:
- 5.7K resolution
- IPX8 waterproof rating
- Different exposure modes
- AI editing
- FlowState stabilization
Cons:
- Top-shelf price
- Difficult mounting
Sena 10C Pro Bluetooth Headset & Camera
The main draw of the Sena 10C is that it’s also a communication headset without adding much to the price.
In this case, you might expect the camera to be lower quality, but far from it, it records up to 1440p video, which makes it great for capturing detailed landscapes while touring.
Thanks to the battery life, it’s also a good choice for touring. It’s hard to pin down since you’ll probably be switching between functions, but you get two straight hours of video recording or 17 of talking. This should get you through even day-long stretches of a multi-day tour.
The headset-camera combo also has the convenient side effect of letting you operate the camera by voice. You’ll never miss a good shot because you’re fumbling with a button, and it’s also a lot safer.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning the intercom system itself, which connects four riders at distances up to a mile. You can go on long tours with your buddies and share your videos afterward.
Related: Best Bluetooth communication for motorcycle
Pros:
- 1440p video
- Long battery life
- Voice control
- Water-resistant
- Headset-camera combo
Cons:
- SD card not included
GoPro HERO10
GoPro is probably the best-known action camera on the market, and the HERO10 is their newest model.
You have to pay to get features like the cutting-edge G2 processor, but you get the quality and reliability that’s become associated with the GoPro brand.
Personally, the feature that makes GoPros stand out to me is the HyperSmooth stabilization.
While it’s possible to find other cameras that record as clearly as the HERO10, it certainly leads the market for stable video.
If you want a camera for off-roading or other adventures where you know there will be a lot of shaking and movement, a GoPro is your best bet.
Of course, the resolution is pretty great too. With 5.3K60 video quality, you’ll be seeing every colored leaf on your fall rides or every pine needle on your mountain treks.
Other cool features include live streaming, slow-mo recording, and live-burst photography.
Related: Best GoPro for motorcyclists
Pros:
- Stabile recording
- Crystal-clear resolution
- HyperSmooth stabilization
- Live-streaming capabilities
- Slowmo recording
- LiveBurst photography
Cons:
- Name-brand price
- Short battery life
GoPro HERO9
If you don’t need the absolute latest tech but want good picture quality for a better value, it’s worth checking out the older GoPro models.
Specifically, I’d recommend going back just one generation to the HERO9 because it even has a significant leg up on the 10: better battery life.
With over 90 minutes at the highest video quality, it can be an even better option than the 10 for tourers and cruisers.
The resolution is a little lower than the 10, of course, but still cutting edge for cameras: 4K60. That’s probably better than your TV can even display anyway.
Otherwise, you mostly get the same great GoPro features you would with the 10, just at a lower price. That means video stabilization, live streaming, and slo-mo, along with the LiveBurst setting that’s great for getting natural, candid photos.
Pros:
- Best GoPro battery life
- Great value
- 4K60 video resolution
- HyperSmooth stabilization
- Live-streaming capabilities
- Slo-mo recording
- LiveBurst photography
Cons:
- Less resolution than HERO10
- Older processor
DJI Osmo Action
The DJI Osmo Action is my budget recommendation, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking when it comes to specs and features.
The resolution may not be as high as some of the latest models to hit the market, but it’s still 4K60, certainly enough for beautiful, clear video.
The Osmo Action wins out over some more expensive models because it has voice command.
That’s a game-changer for motorcycle riders since you don’t want to be reaching above your head and obscuring your vision to fiddle with a camera while you’re riding.
This feature makes it an excellent option for tourers specifically because you can turn the video on and off depending on what you want to record.
Other features worth mentioning are the slo-mo setting at 1080p, the waterproof design, and the RockSteady stabilization.
If you just want a helmet camera that will record your tours and let you share them with your friends and family, this model can save your bank account.
Pros:
- Great price
- Voice control
- Slo-mo recording
- Waterproof up to 11 meters
- RockSteady stabilization
Cons:
- Less video quality than more expensive models
- Fewer features
Buyer’s Considerations
Resolution
Any helmet camera will list the resolution at which it can record video, but these numbers can be confusing. They refer to the number of pixels along the longest—usually horizontal—edge of the frame.
Bottom line: More pixels mean a clearer, more life-like resolution.
One thing to point out is that some of the largest resolutions are listed in this format: 4K. This simply means 4,000. In other words, a 4K resolution is roughly four times that of 1080p. These days, resolutions reach upwards of 8K.
You might notice the photo resolution listed in a different format, but it’s essentially the same. For example, 30MP means 30 megapixels or 30 million pixels, but it refers to the entire area of pixels, not just the length of one side.
In general, a higher resolution is better. This is especially true if your main goal is to capture the natural beauty around you when going on an extended tour or cruise.
Frames Per Second
With higher resolutions, you’ll see frames per second, or FPS, listed beside the number.
For example, 4K60 means that the camera records video with 4,000 pixels along the horizontal side at 60 frames per second. In other words, in one second, the camera records 60 individual photos that it combines to make a video.
High FPS translates to smoother motion in the video. As a result, it’s vital for any application where the camera moves around a lot, like in motocross or off-roading.
Bottom line: Higher FPS makes for smoother video
Battery Life
Naturally, you want a longer battery life on your helmet cam. Otherwise, you’re going to be turning it on and off so often to save the battery that you’re never going to capture anything good.
I’d say that battery life over an hour is good while you may find some getting two hours or more.
Battery life becomes extra important if you want the camera for long highway trips, while those off-roading might not need as much time.
Waterproofing
You’re not going to ride your bike underwater, but the waterproof feature on many modern helmet cams is still important.
That’s because you never know when it’s going to rain, or you’re going to ride through a big puddle and splash yourself. Waterproof cameras are just all-around more durable and resilient, so I suggest looking for this feature.
Video Stabilization
This is an essential feature for the off-roader or motocross rider. Designed for adventure sports, a lot of helmet cams have video stabilization. This prevents the tragedy of getting home only to find that you recorded a video so shaky you can’t tell what’s going on.
Mounting
Of course, you have to attach the camera to your helmet somehow. While there are a ton of different kits out there, some cameras are more conducive to mounting than others.
You may find some that have their own mounting devices, which certainly makes things easier.
Related: Best GoPro Mount for motorcycles
Extra Features
Lastly, there is a long list of extra features you’ll find advertised by various cameras. These include slow-motion recording, the ability to connect to the cloud or live stream video, voice control, etc.
With such long lists of extra features, it can be hard to tell what you need and what you don’t.
In general, these additional features drive up the price, but you shouldn’t pay for them if you don’t need them. Instead, think about what you’ll be doing with the camera beforehand and then decide on the features you want.
Laws
There are no specific federal laws banning the use of helmet cameras in the US, however, there can be grey areas in some states.
See this post to learn more: Are motorcycle helmet cameras legal in the US?
Final Thoughts
For the best video quality in an all-around great camera, I recommend the Insta360 ONE X2.
However, if you’d like to combine your camera with a communication system, you can’t go wrong with the Sena 10C Pro Bluetooth Headset & Camera.