The best GoPro accessories

The new GoPro Hero8 Black is great for filming almost anything, but you’ll need some additional gear to get the most out of the pocket-sized video camera. Thanks to GoPro’s popularity, there is no shortage of accessories from numerous manufacturers — but that can also make it difficult to know which to get.

From lights, to gimbals, to a harness for your four-legged best friend, here are the best accessories to take your GoPro to the next level.

Mounts, gimbals, and more

GoPro Media Mod

The Media Modis a new accessory specifically for the GoPro Hero8 Black that turns the action camera into a professional vlogging tool. It adds a mini shotgun microphone for capturing clearer, slightly more directional audio; a 3.5mm microphone input for attaching external mics; an HDMI output; and two cold shoe mounts. Those cold shoes are of standard size, meaning you can connect any manner of third-party light, microphone, or monitor. Their main role, however, is as attachment points for GoPro’s two other Mods, the LED Light Mod (shown above) and LCD Display Mod.

Note: The Media Mod has yet to begin shipping as of the most recent update to this article and is only available for preorder.

Read our GoPro Media Mod review

Fotodiox Pro GoTough Tripod Adapter II

If you own a GoPro, it’s likely that you own other cameras. Nearly every camera uses the same, 1/4-inch thread for attaching a tripod plate, but not GoPro. To mount your GoPro to a standard tripod, you’ll need an adapter like the Fotodiox Pro GoThrough. Even if a GoPro is the only camera you own, having a tripod adapter makes it compatible with a broad range of additional accessories.

While these little gems are available for as little a dollar, we like the Fotodiox Pro GoThrough adapter because the all-metal mount is as durable as it is lightweight. It’s also “soft-treated,” meaning you can hand tighten the screw without needing a fancy screwdriver. The five different colors are a nice touch, too.

GoPro Pro 3.5-millimeter Microphone Adapter

It’s not news that GoPro’s onboard microphones leave much to be desired. In fact, GoPro itself has an accessory to help enhance audio capture. GoPro’s Pro 3.5-millimeter Microphone Adapter plugs into the USB-C port on a Hero6 Black or Hero7 camera and adds a standard microphone jack for plugging in external microphones (note that the adapters are not supported by the old Session models). As for what microphone you use with it, that’s up to you and your needs. If you own a Hero4 or older, GoPro has a different (and less expensive) adapter for those cameras.

Suptig 360

Because of its wide-angle lens and built-in intervalometer, a GoPro camera is perfect for time-lapse photography. But it can only do so much. However, with the addition of the Suptig Tripod Mount you can take your time-lapse creations to the next level. It’s capable of rotating a full 360 degrees, and you can configure how long and how much distance you want it the camera to pan. The time lapse can be set for up to 120 minutes. Be sure to have a full battery if you want to go this long, however, as the Suptig 360 has a life span of two hours until you need to charge.

iSteady Pro 2 3-Axis Gimbal

The iSteady Pro 2 is an IP64 splash-proof 3-axis gimbal. If you’re someone who loves to capture action – in or out of water – then this handheld wonder is exactly what you need. Its excellent build quality gives you the stabilization required for your recording. And the sports mode feature can keep up with fast-moving vehicles, ensuring you never miss a frame. You control the Pro 2 electronically with the easy function buttons, and you can get up 12 hours usage time because of its 4000mAh battery.

Shoot Diving Dome for GoPro

You know those cool photos and videos where you see half above water and half below? You can get those too now with the help of a diving dome. The dome effectively adds a larger front optical element that pushes the water away from the GoPro’s own lens, making it easier to get split shots, especially when the water is choppy. There are lots of these domes out there, but we like the built in red and close-up filters that come with the Shoot Diving Dome. It also has a shutter trigger integrated into the grip for quickly snapping pictures.

Joby GorillaPod

Effortlessly wrap your GoPro around any tree or post you want with Joby’s handy GorillaPod. Although it’s not as tall as a standard tripod — it measures a paltry 10-inches, after all — don’t knock it as useless. The device’s flexible legs can hold a camera to anything they can wrap around, turning trees into tripods. The GorillaPod is also equipped with a ball head, which allows for 90 degrees of tilt and 360 degrees of pan. As an added bonus, it also features a standard 1/4-inch 20 clip, and the bottom of the mount is threaded to fit on any tripod.

GoPro 3-Way

There are a ton of GoPro sticks (we recently rounded up some of our favorites) but GoPro’s official 3-Way — an oldie but a goodie — is particularly handy due to its multi-functionality. You can use it as a basic handle for your GoPro, an extendable arm, or simply as a tripod. Though it doesn’t extend as far as some telescoping sticks — it moves between 7.5 and 20 inches — that actually makes it less cumbersome and lighter. The grip is also comfortable and can be detached to become an even smaller handle to your camera.

PanaVise ActionGrip 3-N-1 Suction Cup Camera Mount Kit

This kit lets you quickly set up the exact mount you need for whatever situation you find yourself in. Not only is it the most versatile suction cup mount available, but it’s also incredibly secure and easy to use, thanks to the embedded ball head. It’s perfect for attaching a GoPro in or outside of a car, or even to rocks, boats, small watercraft, or anything with a relatively smooth surface. Suction cup mounts like the ActionGrip 3-N-1 really shine in high-speed situations, too, where a typical clamp just won’t hold the camera steady enough. The last thing you want is for your expensive Hero7 Black to go flying.

Lume Cube Lighting Kit for GoPro

Action camera lights can illuminate those after-sunset adventures or even give a little more punch and drama to your daytime shots. The Lume Cube Lighting Kit is a mini LED light that shares many of the same characteristics you love about your GoPro — it’s small, waterproof, easy to use, and you can even control it from a smartphone. The mighty little light is pretty powerful at up to 1400 lumens (with options to dim for less drama) and the GoPro kit includes two with a mount, one on each side of the camera. Or, you can pick up a single light without the mount for cheaper. Read our full review for more features (the review is based on the smartphone mount and accessories, but the light is identical).

GoPro Chest Mount

When you want to take POV shots from a lower angle without using your hands, the GoPro Chest Mount is your best bet. Helmet mounts (included with GoPro cameras) are great, but not all activities require one, and sometimes you don’t want footage that swivels and turns along with your head. This adjustable chest contraption is ideal for highlighting your hands, whether you’re playing piano or biking. We’ve even seen these at food and wine fests, which is a testament to their versatility and comfort (plus, if you spill wine on a GoPro, no harm done). The Chesty is available for kids, and there’s an alternative body strap that goes over your head.

GoPro Fetch

GoPro’s Fetch is the equivalent of the Chest Mount, but for your best friend. The Fetch is one of the coolest mounts for dog owners, as it gives you a look at the world from your dog’s point of view. The contraption allows you to place your camera either on your dog’s back or just below its chest, depending on how you want to arrange things. The harness is also washable, so Fido can roll in the mud all he likes.

Clamps, battery packs, etc.

GoPro Dual Battery Charger

If you’re a serious shooter then you’re going to need a lot of power. That means ensuring you always have charged batteries to hand. The GoPro Dual Battery Charger allows you to charge two batteries from your HERO 2018 to HERO7 Black. There’s nothing complicated about using the charger, just plug it in with the USB cable that comes out of the box. When the built-in LEDs shows Amber this means you’re charging. Once it turns green that charger is telling to get and shoot!

GoPro Jaws Flex Clamp

This flexible clamp can quickly latch on to almost anything, so long as it’s no thinner than a pencil and no thicker than two inches. You can either attach the camera directly to the clamp or use the flexible gooseneck to pivot your camera where you want it. The GoPro Jaws Flex Clamp is also as secure as a snapping turtle’s jaw – once it clamps on, it’s not letting go. Its simplicity makes it incredibly versatile.

GoPro Floaty

Your GoPro might be waterproof, but that doesn’t mean it’s capable of floating on its own in the event it gets lost at sea. Thankfully, GoPro makes Floaty, an apt-titled accessory that’s designed to make sure your GoPro acts more like a bobber than an anchor. It’s perhaps a bit expensive when you consider that it’s basically a glorified piece of foam, but it’s still cheaper than a new action cam.

Pico Flex Skater Dolly

Imagine a roller skate, except with a tripod mount in place of the shoe. What you have is Pico Flex Dolly, a clever gadget that outfits your GoPro (or other camera) with its own set of wheels. You can even lock the wheels at different angles to capture perfectly curved shots when filming those epic, Michael Bay-style circular action pans. Note that some customers have reported needing to sand down the rubber seam on the wheels, left over from the mold process, before getting perfectly smooth shots. A small tripod ball head would be a good idea, too.

Kupton Screen/Lens Glass Screen Protectors

Newer GoPro cameras are stronger than ever thanks to the ruggedized and waterproof body. But there are two areas that still remain vulnerable to drops: the front lens element and the touchscreen display on the back of the camera. The easiest way to prevent unwanted scratches and cracks is to add a glass screen protectors. There’s no shortage of options out there, including GoPro’s own set, but accessory manufacturer Kupton makes an inexpensive dual-pack of tempered-glass screen protectors that should be more than enough to get the job done. And the best part is, if your first set of Kupton Screen/Lens Glass Screen Protectors gets cracked or scratched up, you can simply peel it off and adhere the second set — much better than shelling out the dough for a brand new camera.

GoPro Plus

GoPro Plus was originally launched as a means of providing expedited support for GoPro owners, as well as offering an automated cloud backup system. More recently, GoPro has included a camera protection component to the plan which dramatically reduces the cost to replace a camera if it breaks. The plan starts with a 30-day free trial so you can see if it’s right for you, and if anything happens to your GoPro while subscribed (even during the trial period) GoPro will replace it with the same model, “no questions asked.” There is a catch: You still have to pay a replacement fee, but GoPro says it is about 20 percent of the cost of a new camera. Also, you can only replace two cameras per year. Still, it’s some nice insurance in addition to the other features that come with Plus.

GoPro Smart Remote

The GoPro Smart Remote allows you to fully control your device from a distance. This includes the shutter, turning your GoPro on/off, and going into the settings. In perfect weather conditions, you can expect to use the remote from up to 180 metres away from your GoPro. A smart remote is ideal for those recording themselves whilst their GoPro is attached to a tripod — making it easy to record without having to go back and forth to your device. We should also note that muti-device users can control up to 50 GoPro’s with this remote.

AmazonBasics Carrying Case for GoPro

As the supreme leader when it comes to all things shopping-related, it only makes sense that Amazon started making its own products and selling them on its site. Granted, not every product it produces is a home run, but there are some worth considering. Amazon’s selection of GoPro carrying cases, for example, is commendable. At 13-inches long and 9-inches wide, the largest case allows you to carry around two GoPros, a miniature tripod, extra batteries, lenses, SD cards, and a plethora of other GoPro accessories. The AmazonBasics Carrying Case’s foam padding also keeps any GoPro from the Hero series secure. It’s not waterproof, however, and since the foam comes pre-cut, you won’t be able to customize the case to fit your specific gear. Still, you won’t find a better carrying case for the price. If you need more capacity, check out our guide to the best action camera backpacks.