The Best 360 Cameras to See the World Around You
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What if you could capture everything around you all the time? That's the promise of the 360 camera, which (typically) uses two lenses to simultaneously record everything in a scene, stitching it together in software. The big advantage of 360 cameras over traditional action cameras is that you don't miss anything. Remember that time you were carving the fresh powder with a GoPro on your head and you missed the grizzly bear that lunged at you from the side? You would have had the shot if you'd been using a 360 camera.
Unedited 360 footage can be used in a VR headset, but for most of us, 360 footage will end up edited down to a traditional “flat” video. This is the primary scenario we've considered in testing and selecting these cameras.
Updated May 2025: We've added the Insta360 X5, removed the X3 and One RS from our top picks, and updated prices and links throughout.
Be sure to check out our other camera buying guides, including the Best Action Cameras, Best Compact Cameras, Best GoPro, Best Mirrorless Cameras, and Best Camera Bags.
Why Buy a 360 Camera
There are two reasons you'd want a 360-degree camera. The first is to shoot virtual reality content, where the final viewing is done on a 360 screen, e.g., VR headsets and the like. So far this is mostly the province of professionals who are shooting on very expensive 360 rigs not covered in this guide, though there is a growing body of amateur creators as well. If this is what you want to do, go for the highest-resolution camera you can get. Either of our top two picks will work.
For most of us though, the main appeal of a 360 camera is to shoot everything around you and then edit or reframe to the part of the scene we want to focus on, or panning and tracking objects within the 360 footage, but with the result being a typical, rectangular video that then gets exported to the web. The video resolution and image quality will never match what you get from a high-end DSLR, but the DSLR might not be pointed at the right place, at the right time. The 360 camera doesn't have to be pointed anywhere, it just has to be on.
This is the best use case for the cameras on this page, which primarily produce HD (1080p) or better video—but not 4K—when reframed. I expect to see 12K-capable consumer-level 360 cameras in the next year or two (which is what you need to reframe to 4K), but for now, these are the best cameras you can buy.
Whether you're shooting virtual tours or your kid's birthday, the basic premise of a 360 camera is the same. The fisheye lens (usually two very wide-angle lenses combined) captures the entire scene around you, ideally editing out the selfie stick if you're using one. Once you've captured your 360-degree view, you can then edit or reframe that content down to something ready to upload to YouTube, TikTok, and other video-sharing sites.
How We Tested
To figure out which 360 cameras are best for various uses, I've tested them on various scenes in different lighting conditions, to see how each performs. No camera is perfect, so which one is right for you depends on what you're shooting. I've paid special attention to the ease of use of each camera (360 cameras can be confusing at first), along with what kind of helpful extras each offers, HDR modes, support for accessories, and the editing workflow on mobile, Windows and macOS, since 360 footage has to be edited before you post it anywhere.
Best Overall
Insta360's X5 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best 360 camera for most people, especially those new to the category. The twin 1/1.28" sensors captures 8K video, which is as hi-res as you can get in a 360-degree camera. The 8K resolution means you can reframe your footage to fit rectangular video formats and still have high-quality 4K clips sharp enough to mix with other sources. The dynamic range is impressive, and the color science here is the best I've seen in an action camera. Skin tones are also very good, making it excellent for point-of-view shots. Insta360 added PureVideo mode here, which delivers very usable video in low-light situations. The image stabilization is good enough to use it on a drone (custom mounts required). While it's probably not the main use case for most people, the still image quality isn't too bad. I have printed 5 x 7 outtakes that look fine on the wall.
The X5 has great battery life and the ability to replace the lenses should you damage them (this is an action camera, to some extent). Insta360 has a replacement lens kit for $30, which will get you back up and running without needing a new camera. The gesture controls mean you don't need the screen much, but when you do, it's big and bright and reasonably responsive as a touchscreen. As a bonus, you can use the Insta360 X5 in single-lens mode, which turns it into a traditional, 4K-capable action cam. The video quality isn’t GoPro-level, but it’s decent enough that casual users won’t need two cameras.
If all that's not enough, the biggest reason to get the X5, if you're new to 360 cameras, is Insta360's excellent editing software, which is free and available for desktop, iOS, and Android devices.
Video Resolution 8K 30 fps 360, 4K 60 fps in single lens mode Still Image Resolution 72 MP (11,904 x 5,952), 18 MP (5,888 x 2,944). RAW (DNG) supported Battery Life 80 minutes at 8K, more at lower resolutions. Weight 7.05 ounces (200 grams) Storage MicroSD up to 1 terabyte Best Value
Insta360's X4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) has been superceded by the X5, but it's still a great camera, and we often see it on sale for as low as $450. At that price, it's well worth it. The video quality isn't as good as the X5, but it'll be fine for the casual user. The smaller, 1/2-inch sensors capture 8K video, and the dynamic range is very good compared to everything but the X5, which is definitely better. The other major thing you give up compared to the X5 is PureVideo mode; the low-light capabilities of the X4 are, frankly, dreadful. Still, for $100 less these are not huge sacrifices.
The X4 has good battery life and, like the X5, can be used in single-lens mode.
Video Resolution 8K 30 fps 360, 4K 60 fps in single lens mode Still Image Resolution 72 MP (11,904 x 5,952), 18 MP (5,888 x 2,944). RAW (DNG) supported Battery Life 68 minutes at 8K, more at lower resolutions. Weight 7.16 ounces (203 grams) Storage MicroSD up to 1 terabyte
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Great for Still Photos
Ricoh's Theta camera started the 360 camera craze over a decade ago, and the Theta X remains a groundbreaking camera. Normally 360 cameras take the view from both lenses and where they overlap, use software to “stitch” the video or photos together. The Theta X does this in real time so when you're done shooting, you export your video or image and you're done. That makes the Theta X the easiest camera to use. At least in theory.
The outstanding use case of the Theta X is still images. The twin 1/2-inch sensors allow you to capture 11K JPG images (roughly 60 MP), which is far and away better than the competition. My favorite feature of the Theta X is combining these huge, still image files with the Time Shift feature. Stick the Theta X on a tripod and have it take two images. Move yourself a little between shots and the software will use face recognition to edit you right out of the image, including your shadow. This is super handy for landscapes or interior architectural photos where you don't want yourself in the image. The Theta X also shoots well in low light, with very little noise. The one letdown is that still images are JPG only, not RAW, which is a real shame.
While I've picked it for the awesome stills feature, the Theta X is a capable video camera too. Resolution tops out at 5.7K video at 30 frames per second. The stabilization is good though not quite as good as what Insta360 offers. What I don't like about the Theta X is the software. The Ricoh mobile app isn't bad, but it's limited, and to get files off the camera you'll need to connect to a desktop machine.
Video Resolution 5.7K 30 fps 360, 4K at 30 fps in single lens mode Still Image Resolution 60 MP, 11,008 x 5,504 Battery Life Around 25 minutes at 5.7K, more at lower resolutions. Weight 6 ounces (170 grams) Storage Internal 64 GB (46 GB available) plus MicroSD up to 1 terabyte
Other Options
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Insta360 X3 for $270: You'll have to settle for 5.7K footage here, and that's on a 1/2-inch sensor, which is only 1080p when you crop to a rectangular video format. Still, you get nearly the same form factor as the X4, and you can use it as a 4K, single-lens action cam. At this price the X3 remains a viable option for those wanting to dabble in 360 video without spending a fortune.
Insta360 One RS for $300: The company's interchangeable-lens action-camera/360-camera hybrid is another option. The video footage isn't as good as the other cameras in this guide, but you can swap the lens and have an action camera in a moment, which is the major selling point. That said, now that the X3 and X4 can also be used as 4K action cameras, the One RS is less tempting than it used to be. Still, if you like the action-camera form factor but want to be able to shoot 360 footage as well, this One RS is a great camera. The real combo would be the the 360 lens paired with the Leica lens, but the price for that combo is considerably higher.
GoPro Max for $822: GoPro's entry into the 360 camera world, the Max is a capable action camera, featuring 6K video in a waterproof form factor with industry-leading stabilization. It's got all the shooting modes you know from your GoPro, like HyperSmooth, TimeWarp, PowerPano, and more. Like the X4, there's a single-lens mode (called Hero mode), and, my favorite part, the Max is compatible with most GoPro mounts and accessories. The main reason the Max is not one of our top picks is that the Max 2 is likely coming very soon. If you want a Max, you're better off waiting.
Qoocam 3 Ultra for $599: It's not widely available, and we have not had a chance to try one, but Kandao's Qoocam 3 Ultra is another 8K 360 camera that looks promising, at least on paper. The f/1.6 aperture is especially interesting, as most of the rest of these are in the f/2 and up range. We'll update this guide when we've had a chance to test a Qoocam.
Cameras to Avoid
Insta360 One X2 for $230: Insta360’s older X2 is different from the X3 that replaced it. The form factor is less convenient. (The screen is tiny; you pretty much have to use it with a phone). It still shoots 5.7K video, but it's not as well stabilized nor is it anywhere near as sharp as the X3 or X4. Unless you can get it for well under $200, the X2 is not worth buying.
Insta360 One RS 1 360 Edition: Although I still like and use this camera, it appears to have been discontinued, and there's no replacement in sight. The X5 delivers better video quality in a lighter, less fragile body, but I will miss those 1-inch sensors that managed to pull a lot of detail, even if the footage did top out at 6K. These are still available used, but at outrageous prices. You're better off with the X5.
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