9 Best Action Cameras under $100 in 2023: Quick Comparison

By Tati Taylor 13 days ago, Cameras & Lenses

The action cameras under $100 to produce the best-looking photos and videos in motion.

top 3 action cameras under $100

When it comes to buying an action camera under $100, there are a few things you need to consider. Look for the GoPro alternative with native 4k resolution, good battery life, Bluetooth capabilities, and waterproofing. With these features, you'll be able to capture stunning footage without breaking the bank.

Top 9 Action Cameras under $100

  1. AKASO Brave 4 - Our choice
  2. SJCAM SJ4000 - Support 4K
  3. AKASO V50X - Impressive stabilization
  4. COOAU 4K - Time-lapse shooting
  5. AKASO EK7000 - 98 feet waterproof
  6. WOLFANG GA200 - Selfie screen
  7. Kodak PIXPRO SP360 - 360-degree lens
  8. EKEN H9R - Live Streaming function
  9. VEMONT Action Camera - Budget-friendly

You want a budget action camera that can shoot at a high resolution and frame rate. I also recommend to check the SD card capacity, write speed, and the lens type.

Other important factors are size and weight. You want a camera that is compact and lightweight, but also durable and waterproof to handle any situation.

1. AKASO Brave 4

Our choice
akaso brave 4 action camera under $100

Video: Up to 4K/30fps | Stills: 20MP | Waterproof: Yes, 100ft | Battery: Up to 90 min | Weight: 0.35 lbs

  • ✚ Great photo ad video quality
  • ✚ Wi-Fi and remote control
  • ✚ Built-in smart gyroscope
  • Poor sound quality
Rating

The manufacturer combined good photo and video features while creating this camera. The device is effective enough to work in various conditions. You can shoot while rafting thanks to its waterproof case, and record high-quality videos with its 4K video mode.

You can also take great 20-megapixel pictures. Users also have the opportunity to choose the desired viewing angle depending on their goals.

akaso brave 4 affordable action cam under $100

The built-in gyroscope provides maximum image stabilization and guarantees high quality of your shots and videos.

Its long battery life is a very important aspect if you tend to shoot while traveling or have no time to recharge the battery. This is probably the best 4K video camera in this price range on the modern digital market.

2. SJCAM SJ4000

Support 4K
sjcam sj4000 action camera under $100

Video: Up to 4K/30fps | Stills: 40MP | Waterproof: Yes, 98ft | Battery: 3 h | Weight: 1.1 lbs

  • ✚ Affordable price
  • ✚ Comes with a waterproof case
  • ✚ Motion detection mode
  • Not so durable build quality
  • Limited battery life
Rating

The SJCAM SJ4000 is a great option for those looking to capture great moments on the go. The action camera under $100 comes with a waterproof case, which makes it safe to use in water sports. It also has WiFi technology, which makes it easy to transfer photos and videos.

This vlogging camera has a 170 deg super wide-angle 6G fisheye lens which can capture fantastic moving images and videos. It also comes with features like loop recording, slow motion, driving mode and image flipping.

sjcam sj4000 affordable action cam under $100

Another interesting feature of the SJCAM SJ4000 is the motion detection. This allows to detect any movement in front of the camera and then begin recording, saving you time if you need to get video evidence after a car accident or fight.

It has a remote control that can be worn on your wrist so you can take photos and videos without touching the device itself. 

3. AKASO V50X

Impressive stabilization
akaso v50x action camera under $100

Video: Up to 4K/30fps | Stills: 16MP | Waterproof: Yes, 131ft | Battery: Up to 180 min | Weight: 1.19 lbs

  • ✚ Wide range of features
  • ✚ Comes with a lot of accessories
  • ✚ Can be controlled remotely via app
  • Prone to errors when switching field of view
  • Quality is limited in low light environments
Rating

The AKASO V50X is an ultra-budget action cam that can shoot in 4K, which is pretty impressive for its price point. This waterproof camera also has useful slow-motion options at lower resolution settings.

The adjustable view angle is another great feature that allows you to shoot at 170 degrees or even a narrower 115 degrees to get the right angles for your shot.

akaso v50x affordable action cam under $100

The AKASO V50X has a 2-inch IPS touchscreen that's great for video recording and capturing photos. This affordable action camera under $100 also has functions like time-lapse and image rotation.

4. COOAU 4K

Time-lapse shooting
cooau action camera under $100

Video: Up to 4K/30fps | Stills: 20MP | Waterproof: Yes, up to 131ft | Battery: 2x1050mAh | Weight: 1.1 lbs

  • ✚ Shutter delay feature
  • ✚ Battery life is impressive
  • ✚ In-built electronic image stabilization
  • Small screen size
  • May not be as durable as more expensive action cameras
Rating

The COOAU is one of the cheapest action camera for under $100 on the market. It shoots stunning 4K/30fps videos and takes 20MP still images, making it a great choice for YouTubers, vloggers, and casual users looking to capture their adventures.

This YouTube video camera also offers some cool features like time-lapse shooting and shutter delay. It has an ultra wide angle lens with six layers and F2.5 fish-eye optical glass, which lets you get a great perspective from any angle.

cooau affordable action cam under $100

It also has a burst mode which allows you to snap the action at a moment's notice. It can also record audio if you need it, making it an excellent choice for any sporting event or adrenaline-pumping activity.

5. AKASO EK7000

98 feet waterproof
akaso ek7000 action camera under $100

Video: Up to 4K/30fps | Stills: 20MP | Waterproof: Yes, 98ft | Battery: Up to 180 min | Weight: 0.125 lbs

  • ✚ Has a wide field of view
  • ✚ Improved image stabilization
  • ✚ Adjustable gimbal
  • Lack of advanced features
  • LED light may cause lens flares
Rating

The AKASO EK7000 is a great option if you're looking for an affordable action camera under $100. It has a wide field of view and improved image stabilization for clear videos in motion.

This camera features a 2-inch touch screen display and intuitive menu system that makes it easy to set, preview, and shoot video. It also supports a variety of different frame rates including 4K, 2.7K, 2K, and 1080p resolutions. It can also record slow-motion footage up to 120 frames per second, which is ideal for sports.

akaso ek7000 affordable action cam under $100

It also has a waterproof case for shooting in various conditions. The device is also compatible with various mounting accessories so you can attach your camera in many ways, for example, to fix it to your helmet, bike, or scooter. It's perfect for many different activities, including scuba diving and surfing.

6. WOLFANG GA200

Selfie screen
wolfang ga200 action camera under $100

Video: Up to 4K/30fps | Stills: 24MP | Waterproof: Yes, 131ft | Battery: Up to 180 min | Weight: 0.08 lbs

  • ✚ Waterproof case for shooting underwater
  • ✚ Native 4K video recording
  • ✚ Burst mode for capturing action moments
  • EIS doesn't work on time-lapse or slow motion
  • Limited low-light performance
Rating

You can get the WOLFANG GA200 action camera for under $100. One of the main benefits is that it comes with a waterproof case, which allows you to take it with you on all kinds of outdoor adventures, including rafting or diving. It also produces high-quality videos and has a range of mounting accessories.

wolfang ga200 affordable action cam under $100

Another great feature of the WOLFANG GA200 is its built-in EIS stabilization, which helps to make your shots look sharp and steady, even if you're moving around a lot.

This camera for cycling also has a large number of different shooting modes, including time-lapse video and loop recording, which can be controlled remotely using the app on your phone.

7. Kodak PIXPRO SP360

360-degree lens
kodak pixpro sp360 action camera under $100

Video: 1080p full-HD | Stills: 10MP | Waterproof: Splash resistant | Battery: 1 Lithium Polymer battery | Weight: 0.23 lbs

  • ✚ Unique lens for panoramic images and videos
  • ✚ Remote control and easy sharing
  • ✚ Hands-free recording
  • Limited battery life
  • No image stabilization in 360-degree video mode
Rating

The Kodak PIXPRO SP360 is a perfect action camera for under $100 for sports enthusiasts and travelers alike. It can shoot 360-degree video with its unique dome-shaped lens. The built-in gyroscope provides image stabilization, ensuring high-quality video and pictures.

kodak pixpro sp360 affordable action cam under $100

Another great feature of this travel camera is its Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows you to connect to it via a smartphone or computer using the free app.

Additionally, the SP360 can shoot video in several resolutions and frame rates, including 1080p HD at 30 fps, 4:3 video at 120 fps, and 1:1 square video at 30 fps.

8. EKEN H9R

Live Streaming function
eken h9r action camera under $100

Video: 4K 30fps | Stills: 20MP | Waterproof: Yes, 100ft | Battery: Up to 1.5 h | Weight: 0.14 lbs

  • ✚ App to control the device via Wi-Fi
  • ✚ An additional battery and a separate charger in the kit
  • ✚ Rich and accurate reproduction of colors
  • The app may lag
  • The battery life is relatively short
Rating

This device allows recording of 4K and 1080p videos at 30fps, and 720p at 120fps. The resolution of images is also pretty good. This cheapest 4K camera has a perfect waterproof case, so you can easily use it almost anywhere. The Wi-Fi connection or an HDMI cable provides quick and simple access to videos and photos.

eken h9r affordable action cam under $100

The opportunity to use various mounts, tripods, and other types of additional equipment helps to get the best results. The remote-control feature is another important advantage of this model.

Despite its low price, Eken H9R provides nice results. As for the drawbacks, many users complain about the short life of the rechargeable battery.

9. VEMONT Camera

Budget-friendly
vemont action camera under $100

Video: Full HD 1080p | Stills: 12MP | Waterproof: Yes, 98ft | Battery: Up to 1.5 h | Weight: 0.13 lbs

  • ✚ Cheap
  • ✚ Compatible with a broad range of mounts
  • ✚ Real-time display
  • Bad audio quality
  • Recoded footage looks like 480p
Rating

Vemont is one of the best action cameras under $100 that comes with different mounting accessories. The included mounts can be attached to a motorcycle or skating helmet, a tripod, etc.

The action camera housing excels at protecting the camera but it does cover the microphone and severely spoils the audio quality. However, underwater shoots typically don’t require sound so that shouldn’t be an issue.

It’s compatible with SD cards in the 8-32GB storage space range. You can’t really compare this camera to the best GoPro cameras because of the considerable difference in price and video quality, as they are meant for completely different user categories.

IMAGE NAME FEATURES
action camera under $100 akaso brave 4
AKASO Brave 4
OUR CHOICE
  • Video: Up to 4K/30fps
  • Stills: 20MP
  • Waterproof: Yes, 100ft
  • Battery: Up to 90 min
CHECK PRICE
action camera under $100 sjcam sj4000
SJCAM SJ4000
4K
  • Video: Up to 4K/30fps
  • Stills: 40MP
  • Waterproof: Yes, 98ft
  • Battery: 3 h
CHECK PRICE
akaso v50x action camera under $100
AKASO V50X
GREAT EIS
  • Video: Up to 4K/30fps
  • Stills: 16MP
  • Waterproof: Yes, 131ft
  • Battery: Up to 180 min
CHECK PRICE

How to Choose the Best Action Cameras under $100?

You want to look for an affordable action camera under $100 that has high-quality video and photo capabilities. You don't want to sacrifice image quality just because you're on a budget. And when it comes to image quality, look for a camera for beginners with a good-sized sensor that can handle light and image noise.

how to choose the action cameras under $100

Video quality. Make sure you find an action cam that shoots high-quality 4K or 1080p footage and don't forget to check the photo quality too.

Connection. Most action cameras come with built-in WiFi, so you can connect them to your smartphone for remote monitoring and control. Some even have apps that let you edit your video on the go or have other cool features.

affordable action camera under $100 how to choose

Shooting modes. The best action cameras under $100 should have a variety of options, including time lapse, loop recording, and slow motion. Some vlogging camera under $300 even have voice control, so you can control your camera hands-free without having to lift it.

Built-in stabilization. If you plan to shoot a lot of sports footage, it's a good idea to look for an action camera that has built-in stabilization so that your videos look smooth even with camera shake.

Waterproofing. All cheap cameras in our list come with a waterproof case, which will allow you to take it underwater and shoot stunning videos while rafting or diving.

GET 60% OFF GET 60% OFF