You just can’t describe what a scenic view looks like when you’re zooming past 150mph. The only way for someone to share in the experience is to show them.
If you ask me, my favorite part about owning a helmet camera is getting to rewatch the best bits. Sometimes sunsets look even better than I remember them being, and I get to analyze my riding skills from a second person’s perspective.
And while I’ve been lucky so far — having a helmet camera recording all your rides is better than insurance. You always have footage of what exactly happened (and who’s at fault) in the unlucky chance you get into an accident.
Helmet cameras are available across a broad range of prices, with different features in focus. I’ve tested out and included the top 6 helmet cameras in the market, according to your riding style and specific requirements (not everyone needs night vision in their cameras!)
If you’re looking for a quick recommendation: a GoPro is the obvious choice. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Best Helmet Cameras 2022
1. Blueskysea DV688
Our Top Pick
This is one of the best options for helmet cameras in the market. I’ve been using the Blueskysea DV688 for over a year, and it hits the sweet spot of picture quality, size, and ease of assembly, as well as protection in rain or sun.
This helmet camera has the image quality that a much more expensive camera would — with 1080p video stabilization and infrared lens that reduces glare. Technically, this isn’t just a helmet camera. It’s also a dashcam, which means you can install it between the handlebars on your dashboard. Some motorcycle riders even fit this on the seat for a wider angle and more discreet placement.
Apart from having incredible video quality and smooth footage: my absolute favorite part about this camera is that it syncs with the GPS. This means that you don’t have to scroll through hours of footage when you’re looking for something specific — you can enter the location and skip right to it. I love the 130° angle camera — it’s wide enough to see everything that’s happening on the road.
This camera can record from both the back and the front, which is great, but guess what? You can actually switch cameras while recording. This is a small feature that I’ve struggled to find in other helmet cameras. It’s one of the reasons why I like the Blueskysea DV688 so much. Another reason would be great storage: I opted for the 128GB card and it’s more storage than anyone requires. Transferring to your laptop takes a few seconds as well.
This helmet camera is IP67 waterproof and is protected from rain and stormy weather. In case you get into an accident and the camera is severely damaged: the footage always remains safe (surprisingly).
Is there’s one thing I wish was better about this motorcycle camera? Better low-light videos. The camera does have a night mode, but the videos aren’t as bright as they could be. There’s also not the best audio recording with this one.
Pros:
- Great video quality
- Helmet mounted camera or dashcam
- Image stabilization
- 1080p video resolution
- IP67 waterproof camera
- Footage files are protected
- GPS enabled
- Plenty of storage
- 130° wide lens
- Loop recording
Cons:
- Low light footage could be better
- Poor audio recording
Suitable for:
If you’re looking for a helmet camera that does it all and is a great overall choice, the Bluekskysea DV688 is a great choice. It’s quite affordable, especially considering the high-quality helmet camera experience that you get while recording video.
2. GoPro Hero9
Best Premium Helmet Camera – Best High-End Helmet Camera
There’s no need to introduce the GoPro Hero series. GoPro cameras are the gold standard when it comes to sports cameras, and they’re so much more than a regular helmet camera.
The GoPro Hero9 has higher quality video footage than other GoPro cameras — this is 5k video footage, which is really as good as it gets. You don’t get better video resolution than 5k. GoPro has an inbuilt image stabilization feature and it automatically chooses the best images for you from the video footage itself. Electronic image stabilization is some of the leading tech in the industry, and you’ll never see a single blurry aspect in these videos.
Of course, the GoPro comes with a Front Display, with a super easy-to-use interface. The touch screen is a big plus, and you can live stream in 1080p. The HyperSmooth stabilization during the broadcast is a dream, makes all your videos look super cinematic.
Of course, the GoPro is waterproof. This thing is designed to work 33ft underwater, so I doubt a bit of rain can do anything to it! It’s also extremely sturdy and rugged: it can definitely take a beating.
If I had to choose a feature I love the most? The slow motion. I’d go out on a limb to say the slow-motion on the GoPro looks even better than on my iPhone. At 240frames per second, this is ridiculously smooth and movie-like. On the other side of the spectrum, you get a great TimeWarp effect as well. I’m guilty of posting more than one Timelapse video of my rides to the socials.
GoPro accessories in this pack include a Dual USB charger, with LED lights and spare lithium batteries.
There are not many downsides — c’mon, it’s a GoPro! But if we had to really nitpick, the connectivity apps to your phone could use an upgrade. I’m not super happy with the iOS app. And for the price you’re paying for the GoPro, some noise cancellation on the audio front would be nice. You can forget hearing the birds chirp amongst 100mph wind noise.
Pros:
- 5k video quality
- Action camera
- GoPro hero 9 (latest version)
- Electronic image stabilization
- Hyper smooth video
- Completely waterproof
- Great slow-motion recording
- Great TimeLapse feature
- Super durable and rugged
Cons:
- No noise cancellation
- Phone apps can glitch
- High-end camera, not affordable for everyone
Suitable for:
If you’re thinking of getting a GoPro, you are undoubtedly getting the best in the market. GoPros are a whole league of their own, and you don’t just have to use this on your motorcycle helmet. You can use this for virtually any sport, and this is the most premium investment in your riding experience possible. It definitely pays off in the long run, GoPros last forever!
If the GoPro is too expensive for you, check out the DJI Osmo: it’s a great alternative.
3. Akaso Brave 4
Best Budget Helmet Camera
The Akaso Brave 4 is one of the best helmet camera options for motorcyclists with a tight budget. I think this is one of the most affordable options in terms of the value provided and would be a great helmet camera even if it were 1.5 times the price.
Let us start with the first and foremost feature, which is video quality. You actually get 4K video quality, which is a steal for a budget camera.
Other than that, the field of view is also quite interesting. There are many options to use, and you can switch between 170°, 140°, 110°, and 70°. This means that pretty much all kinds of shots can be taken from this camera. Along with image stabilization, “anti-shaking” all these features make a killer combo when it comes to taking impressive videos.
For transferring and sharing you get WiFi enabling (online transfer) or HDMI (port transfer). I actually found the HDMI transfer faster and easier to use. The Akaso Brave 4 is also an underwater camera, which means it’s completely waterproof, another great feature for the price point.
Of course, this camera cannot deliver the same quality you’d get from a GoPro. I’d say the video and image resolution looks about 75% as good as an iPhone or high-end Samsung phone. And while this camera is waterproof, it’s not as rugged as higher-end ones. It has been known to get damaged with too much vibration from a motorcycle: so I’d recommend mounting it to your helmet rather than your bike’s dash. Too much direct sunlight could fry this camera as well — not to mention that the lens doesn’t come with the protective cover from the manufacturers.
Pros:
- 4K action camera
- Anti-shaking feature
- Completely waterproof
- Easy transfer and sharing
- Different video angles are available
- Can switch between video quality modes
Cons:
- Not as rugged as other cameras
- No anti-vibration absorber
- No lens protective cover
- No slow-motion
- No time-lapse
- No rear camera
Suitable for:
If you’re on a budget, the AKASO Brave 4 is your camera. You get plenty of camera features for an affordable price point, and while it may not be as durable as higher-end helmet cameras, it’s still a great buy that delivers incredible value for money.
4. DJI OSMO
Best GoPro Alternative
Not everyone is ready to invest in a GoPro. The DJI OSMO is a great GoPro dupe at a fraction of the price and delivers some competitive features. This camera actually has dual screens to help you see what you’re recording for the front and back cameras.
The quality is quantized as 4K with an FPS of 60, which is incredible. That means you get high video quality that runs smooth as well. Motorbike helmet cameras are prone to shaking since there’s plenty of vibration when riding. The DJI OSMO has the ‘RockSteady formula’, which basically clears up your videos so there’s no blur or shakiness.
This is also one of the only cameras on our list that has voice control capabilities, which make it easier for you to do simple tasks without using your hands. I absolutely love being able to give voice commands to the camera, it makes riding that much safer (I need my two hands!), plus feels pretty cool.
It’s also waterproof and can be used underwater up to about 11 meters, which is more than enough for me since I’m not a deep-sea diver. For comparison: the GoPro can handle 33 meters underwater.
I love the 8x slow-motion feature: it looks pretty darn cool even though you do need to edit it and take out all the non-slow-mo parts. But that’s not much different from my iPhone, so I’m not complaining. It also comes in a waterproof case, with extra batteries and a floating case for those of you using it underwater.
Pros:
- Works with audio commands
- Waterproof and comes with a waterproof case
- 8x slo-mo feature
- Dual screens for easy vision
- 4k smooth video quality
- ‘Rock-steady’ technology that prevents shaking
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Live streaming capability
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- De-warp feature to remove fish-eye lens look
Cons:
- Not as rugged
- Cannot withstand harsh sunlight
- The screen has a lag
- Smartphone app can malfunction
Suitable for:
If you’re looking for an alternative to GoPro cameras, the DJI Osmo is a solid choice. This is a premium camera experience that’s more affordable for most people, without any compromise on performance.
5. Vsysto Action Camera
Best Helmet Camera for Night Vision
This Vsysto Action Camera has great night vision. The dual camera has 1080p night vision and turns out really bright for low-light situations, without a grainy/cloudy look.
The Vsysto also has decent battery life and internal memory. It comes with extra two batteries and live streaming capabilities as well.
This isn’t just a helmet camera — it also functions as a dashcam. However, there aren’t any special anti-vibration or shock-absorbing capabilities so it might be better to stick to a helmet camera when riding this one.
I like that the camera is small and delivers decent quality. Its star feature is really the night vision. The camera is not entirely waterproof, and only water-resistant: so it would be better to hide it under the seat or in a place where it can stay dry.
Pros:
- Built-in wifi
- Live streaming capability
- Smartphone app
- Smooth videos
- Great night vision
- HD in low light
Cons:
- Not entirely waterproof
- Not vibration proof
- Not operable through voice commands
Suitable for:
If you love your night rides, you’ll need a camera that can see as well as you can. The VSYSTO Action Camera is great for night vision and an affordable buy as well.
6. Drift Ghost X
Best Battery Life
The Drift Ghost X is another great performing helmet camera that I had to include on this list. This tiny camera actually has a really long battery life (more than 5 hours, which is definitely more than other cameras). It’s also got a unique feature that other cameras don’t — external microphone connectivity. While the microphone has to be purchased separately, it’s great that the option is available.
Although built to sustain long hours outdoors, it still looks quite sleek and simple. You get a 300° rotational lens, which helps with catching wide angles.
Coming to the more important parts of the camera, which are the display quality and the FPS. This camera provides a video quality of 1080p with an FPS of 30. That’s decent — not the greatest FPS on the market, but it’s great for the price point.
I can see how useful this would be for people going on long rides. All considered, the camera truly belongs to our list of the best motorbike helmet cameras.
Pros:
- Helmet mounts
- Microphone connectivity
- Long battery
- Decent video quality
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Not the best night vision/low light footage
Suitable for:
If you’re not a sucker for ultra HD videos, you’d probably be content with a regular helmet camera that simply works, and can last for a couple of hours when you’re on long rides. The Drift Ghost X is exactly that kind of helmet camera.
What features to consider when choosing the best motorcycle helmet camera?
1. Video/Picture Quality
Arguably the most important aspect of any camera is the quality it provides, in terms of the videos and pictures. Usually, when someone uses a helmet camera, it’s because they want to record their journey in the form of videos. It can’t hurt to have your memories stored in the best possible video quality.
Usually, the quality offered by helmet cameras ranges from 720p resolution all the way to 4K video quality. 720p isn’t bad, but it’s nowhere close to ultra HD.
With 4K, the way the videos can be edited also changes and becomes better. It is easier to make changes and ensure that the videos are as per your requirements.
2. Frames Per Second (FPS)
This is a factor that is often overlooked by people when choosing a device to record and play videos. Frames per second is a way of calculating how clearly and smoothly the video will flow from one scene to the next. Essentially, a video is a series of pictures that together form a moving picture. These pictures are called frames.
The higher the rate of frames per second, the better the video will look. Lower rates make the video choppy to watch. The range of the FPS is from 25 FPS all the way to 100 FPS. it can go higher, but then the cost will also shoot up proportionately.
3. Field Of View
The field of view of the camera is the scope or range it can capture of the scenery in front of it. The field of view can be changed in the settings of the camera. What you must look for is the maximum field of view of the camera is. The field of view is important as it helps you cover more ground in terms of the elements that can be a part of your shot.
The better the range of the field of view, the higher the chances of you taking interesting shots. The range that is most common is 170 degrees. The best motorbike helmets sometimes offer a maximum field of range of 180 degrees.
4. Connectivity
Here, it means the connectivity of the camera with other devices. Mobile phones and laptops need to be connected to the helmet cameras for easy transfers and accessibility.
WiFi and Bluetooth are used to make sure that the transfer is done at the speed of light and with extreme ease. Wired connections are more rare and available in the budget category, either USB or HDMI ports.
5. Battery Life
This is an important aspect as people expect cameras to at least function for the duration of their road journey. The unit that is usually specified in mAH. If this is the case, then look for a camera whose battery power is a minimum of 1000n mAH.
Other than that, some products specify the time duration that the device would last on a single charge. They mention the recording time. This can vary anywhere from 90 minutes to 3 hours. This may seem like a small number, but recording videos is very CPU intensive.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions About Helmet Cameras
Q1. Are Motorcycle Helmet Cameras Legal?
Motorcycle helmet cameras are definitely legal, as long as they do not obstruct your vision or hamper your safety in any way. There is no federal law that prevents a helmet camera or GoPro from being installed. There are certain local laws and DOT standards that prevent an object from protruding on the helmet more than 5 millimeters. The reason behind this is that a camera could get in the way of the structural integrity of the helmet, and also make the weight distribution uneven.
That being said, it’s definitely rare to see this law enforced. It’s a good idea to check out the state laws and local laws when you’ll be riding with a helmet camera, and also the destination states if you’re going to be doing a cross-country long road trip.
Q2. Why Should I Install A Camera On My Helmet?
Apart from being able to capture and relive the amazing visuals, you come across on your rides, having footage of an accident is incredibly useful in case of any disputes or court cases. It’s like carrying a CCTV around with you at all times and can help depict who was really at fault.
Q3. Which Is The Best Place To Install A Motorcycle Camera?
Most motorcyclists either install a camera on their dashboard, between handlebars, or on their helmets. Having a camera on your helmet gives you a better range of vision, as well as reduces the overall shock and vibration on the camera. Cameras are generally not built for the heavy vibration from motorcycles especially when riding long distances on bigger bikes.
Best Motorcycle Helmet Cameras – Your choice?
The best motorcycle helmet cameras have stunning visuals, an easy-to-use interface, and last as long as your rides do. I’ve only included the top 6 helmet cameras in the market, but if you want a quick recommendation: there’s a reason why a GoPro is considered the gold standard.
