Top 5 Action Cameras In 2023 Based On Price, Video Quality, Handling And Durability
46+ Portable Action Cameras Test By Our Local 🇬🇧 Tech Expert. The Winner May Surprise You.
 Updated December 22, 2024
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear “action camera”? If you answered “go pro” you wouldn’t be alone.
For several years one brand has heavily dominated the action camera market due to their large advertising budget and popularity. However in recent years many great new options have appeared on the market that not everyone is aware of.
Of course when making our list of the top action cameras we still had to include the GoPro camera, but you may be shocked to see that they were not our #1 choice!
We tested 46 action cameras and the results revealed that paying extra for big brand names was often a waste of money. To our surprise, our test winner was actually created by a smaller start up company that managed to beat the competition in video quality, features, design, battery life and pricing.
Here’s the list of our top 5 best action cameras picks for 2023, with a full review of our #1 choice at the bottom of the page.
#1 
BEST CHOICE 2023
9.8
“Outstanding”
User Ratings (6,354+)
RealAction PRO
Price: £79 £158Â
Capture Crystal Clear 4K Footage
Incredible High Definition 20MP Photos
Built-in WiFi & HDMI To Easily Save, Edit & Share Videos
Long Battery Life (Rechargeable) up to 120 Mins
Waterproof Up To 30M
Travel Friendly Compact & Lightweight Design
Strong Video Stabilization
Best Value For Price In 2023
Wrist Remote Control
Fits Most Accessories
Sells Out Frequently
Only Available Online
CURRENT SALE: 50% OFF
12,487 VISITORS BOUGHT DURING SALE
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Money Back Guarantee: Try Risk Free For 30 Days.
 #2 Â
9.2
“Excellent”
GOPRO HERO8
Easy To Use Touch Screen
GPS Tracking
Video Stabilization
Voice Control Commands
4k Recording/Streaming
Very Expensive
 #3 Â
8.9
“Great”
AKASO Brave 7
Waterproof Up To 40M
4K Video Recording
Decent Battery Life
Dual Screen Design
Solid Image Stabilization
Expensive
#1 OVERALL ACTION CAMERA
9.8
“Outstanding”
User Ratings (6,354+)
RealAction PRO
Price: £79 £158Â
Capture Crystal Clear 4K Footage
Incredible High Definition 20MP Photos
Built-in WiFi & HDMI To Easily Save, Edit & Share Videos
Waterproof Up To 30M
Long Battery Life (Rechargeable) up to 120 Mins
Travel Friendly Compact & Lightweight Design
Strong Video Stabilization
Best Value For Price In 2023
Wrist Remote Control
Fits Most Accessories
Sells Out Frequently
Only Available Online
CURRENT SALE: 50% OFF
12,487 VISITORS BOUGHT DURING SALE
â–¼
Money Back Guarantee: Try Risk Free For 30 Days.
ULTRA HD 4K VIDEOS/PHOTOS
The footage quality from the RealAction Pro camera is sharp, vibrant and beautiful. The External Microphone also ensures amazing microphone quality.
Built In Wi-FI
Edit & share your videos easily with the built in Wi-Fi feature. Upload directly to Facebook, Flickr, Youtube and others directly from your RealAction Pro Camera.
BEST BATTERY LIFE
You don't need to stress about your camera running out of battery with up to 120 mins of run time. The battery also recharges very quickly and efficiently.
We Bought and Tested the Most Popular Action Cameras, Here's Why RealAction Pro Is Our #1 Pick.
Summary: Taking amazing videos and picture is no longer reserved for those with high budgets.
The RealAction Pro camera can capture videos in 4K with it’s ultra-wide 170° lens and store up to 32 GB of footage. With the inbuilt Wi-Fi feature you can easily manage and upload your favourite clips from your phone or computer.
UPDATE December 22, 2024: Due to frequent media coverage and high consumer demand, RealAction Pro is currently sold out in retail stores nationwide. However, it may still be available on their online website HERE.
Filming and photography has been a huge passion of mine since I was a kid, and it has been amazing to see the evolution of the camera.
Technological innovations have gone so far that even blockbusters like The Hobbit have some scenes shot with an action camera.
Hard to imagine isn’t it? A £180 Million film used a camera smaller than a can of lemonade. And that was in 2012!
We all know how fast technology changes these days, and sure enough action cameras have improved even more over the last 10 years.
So many new models have flooded the market that it can be quite overwhelming to decide which to buy.
One of the latest products in this niche is called the RealAction Pro, and it has won the hearts of consumers all over the world with thousands of 5 star reviews.
First Impressions
When I first picked up the RealAction camera I immediately saw what I was looking for -an ergonomically engraved grip.
Why is this important? Because most action cameras actually break because of accidents when we are messing around with the SD card or checking our footage, not when people are recording themselves doing parkour on rooftops.
Action cameras are designed to be used in extreme situations, that’s why they don’t break when they have the clear shockproof case on.Â
However, it’s when people take the camera out of the box that these accidents happen, and ironically action cameras are often very slippery and easy to drop.
Luckily, the people at RealAction Pro have obviously done their homework and designed the camera with this in mind.Â
The camera comes with a high friction pattern etched in on all sides, ensuring you have a good grip in any conditions e.g. if it’s raining or snowing.
The RealAction Pro had an expensive feel to it, like that of a £250+ camera. The materials, sturdiness and build quality all reminded me of some high end action cam models I had tested before.
We’ve all experienced the difference of a cheap or brittle product and a high quality one, whether its sunglasses, clothes or shoes… well cameras are no different and this one felt and looked amazing.
Upon further examination of the camera I saw another example of how RealAction Pro focused on solving common problems that plague other cameras.
The lens at the front was highly protected by a thick outer ring to prevent any risk of scratching it.
After reading the manual, I also learned that it has in built Wi-Fi capabilities.
What does that mean for you? Well it’s simple, instead of having to manually take out the SD card and plug it into your computer, you can simply manage, edit and upload your footage straight from your phone!Â
While all these features are great, let’s be honest; they don’t really mean anything if the video and picture quality isn’t good. It was finally time for me to get into the real testing.
Testing
The camera conveniently came half charged so I had no problem getting right into it.
The touch screen menu was very intuitive and responsive. I selected the 4k recording option and walked around the office to capture some footage.Â
I went from dark to bright lit rooms to see how well the camera would adjust. I ride my bike to work sometimes, so I attached the cam to my bike with the included accessories and did a quick 15 min ride around the block to test the stabilization features.
After almost an hour of testing I checked the battery (which came half charged) and it was still at 20% left! Most cameras don’t last that long on a full charge! I was already impressed, and now it was time to review the footage.
Exporting The Footage
To export the footage I decided to test out the Wi-Fi option with the phone app. The setup was extremely simple; my device showed up as soon as I opened the RealAction Pro phone app and I was connected.
The content uploaded to my phone at a very fast speed, unlike some other action cams I’ve tested. I noticed that I could also record videos on the camera and use my phone as an external monitor.Â
Additionally, I also tested the direct connection feature via the HDMI cable , which worked like a charm to upload the files to my laptop.
How Was The Video Quality?
I started reviewing the videos I had just made and I was instantly amazed. The RealAction Pro had no problem with adjusting from dark to light rooms, something that most cameras struggle with. Usually a sudden change in brightness results in the picture looking too dark or too bright for a few seconds, but the RealAction Pro adjusted instantly.
The stabilization feature worked just as promised, with the video staying clear and watchable even as I was riding around on bumpy roads.
Both of these factors are extremely important when it comes to choosing an action camera. You wouldn’t want a problem with bad exposure or focus to ruin some amazing moment that you are recording.
After watching these recordings back, I was starting to fall in love with the RealAction Pro and it’s performance.
What About The Audio?
Have you ever watched a video taken by an action camera which looks great, but sounds muffled and unclear?
This actually happens more often than you think, even with the expensive big brand models and is another important feature you have to consider when buying an action cam.
So just like with the video, I went back through the footage I took earlier and examined the audio quality, and it sounded GREAT.
The audio was clear when I was speaking to my co-worker and was very comparable to that of high end action camera models. Not bad!
Is It Really Waterproof?
Some people who use action cameras do so in more extreme environments. That is why I wanted to see how RealAction Pro handles itself in a more stressful situation.
Now since I wasn’t planning to jump into water from a high cliff, I decided to go for the next best thing and tested it in the shower.
I got the waterproof case on and started recording. I messed around with the different settings and took photos, all while being blasted with water.
The ergonomics of the camera were great. It was very easy and comfortable to work with. It didn’t slip out of my hand and I could still use the menu just fine.
I reviewed the content afterwards and just like expected it turned out pretty good. The camera worked great under water, which was a big plus for anyone who wants to make content such as swimming or diving.Â
What Else Makes The RealAction Pro The #1 Choice?
After testing over 46 different action camera models, RealAction Pro out performed the competition in many aspects. Here are some of the amazing features that stood out:
🗹 Ultra High Quality Camera– The all-glass lens with its powerful sensor ensures that all of your pictures and videos are in breath taking and lifelike 4K resolution.
🗹 Battery Life – Packed with the latest energy efficiency tech, RealAction Pro’s battery lasts twice as long as most competitors.
🗹 Photo Timer – You can set a countdown timer of when to take a photo or start a recording. Great for family/group shots!
🗹 Slow motion – Capture the smallest details of a movement that the human eye can’t normally perceive.Â
🗹 Time Lapse – Record the stars rotating in the sky or how a storm rolls in over the horizon while you enjoy your vacation..
🗹 Loop Recording – Continuous recording that overwrites the oldest part of the memory, meaning that you can keep recording and upload the footage, instead of manually changing SD card and exporting it on a computer, then having to format it and so on. This allows you to always be ready to shoot!
🗹 Inbuilt Wi-Fi – Perfect for Vloggers as it allows you to upload your photos and videos directly to any online platform in a matter of seconds!
🗹 Best Value For Price – While other cams may cost you an arm and a leg, the RealAction Pro is a high quality action cam that’s actually affordable.
🗹 Multiple Accessories Included –  Comes with: 1 Transparent shockproof Housing, 1 remote control,1 handlebar, 1 Clip, 4 Mounts, and 2 Adhesives. Also supports universal accessories, meaning you won’t need to throw away any of your old gear as you can use it on this device too.
But...Is It Really Worth All This Hype?
So far, RealAction Pro has sold multiple thousands of units directly to consumers. It’s has been selling out every time they re-stock, it’s become THAT popular.
All of the success can be attributed to word of mouth referrals. People like you and I are loving it so much they’re posting about it on social media.Â
Here are some Instagram posts I was able to find:
It’s clear that the RealAction Pro is developing a cult like following on social media!
Your Common Questions & Answers
With the rise in popularity, our readers have emailed us many questions about this action camera. We’ve picked some of the common questions and answered them using objective tests. Here are some of them:
No! It’s really easy to setup. Just unbox the camera, press the on button and record!
No, the RealAction Pro comes with a rechargeable battery and cord that you can connect to any outlet.
Yes of course. Just install the app and connect the camera (takes 10 seconds). From there you can control the camera, upload footage, change settings etc. all from your phone.
Yes, it comes with several accessories which you could use to mount it to anything you want.
The RealAction pro is designed to be compatible with MOST existing mounts out there so you most likely use any old ones you have.
How Much Does It Cost?
Normally, quality action cameras go for between £200-500+, so one would expect the RealAction Pro to be in this price range too…
In reality, RealAction Pro sells for only £159, since the founders are doing everything to keep the prices low. However the company has recently announced a 50% off sale bringing the price down to just £79 on their online site!
It’s certainly a small price to pay to make and record some unforgettable memories!
How Can It Be So Affordable?
The big name brands spend billions on fancy advertising (e.g. $6.5 Million for a 30 sec SuperBowl Ad). Guess who’s paying for that in the end? The customer!
Instead, RealAction Pro doesn’t run many ads and instead relies on word of mouth referral sales from their customers. That and selling mostly through their online store allowed them to keep costs lower than the competition.
So, What's The Verdict?
Everyone who has tested the RealActionPro unanimously agrees; this is a must have device for anyone who wants to take high quality videos and photos.
If you’re thinking of getting one, we suggest taking advantage of the 50% off summer discount before it runs out.
If you’re still on the fence, RealAction Pro has a 30 day money back guarantee (no questions asked) meaning that you could always buy one and return if if you don’t like it.
Where Can I Buy The RealAction Pro?
To take advantage of the current 50% discount and order simply follow these steps:
1. Visit the official website to check stock
2. Select the amount of devices you want to purchase
3. Fill your shipping information and payment method
4. Enjoy a creating breath taking content for a small price!
*Special Offer Now £79 vs £159 – Available Online Only -While Supplies Last
Meet Our Tech Review Expert, Max.
Max Dunn is a techie at heart who always dreamed of turning his fascination with computers and drones into a career. He finds working for Top Tech Report a perfect opportunity to express his views of all kinds of new and exciting products. Being an avid reader, particularly of fantasy and sci-fi, Max pursued a degree in Computer science and Literature. When not at his computer, he’s watching sports or playing table top games.
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