Normal action cameras are… well, normal. But if you’re looking for something a little different, there are models that record video in 360 degrees at once using multiple lenses. Here are the best among them.
There are a couple of ways you can use this 360-degree video trick: edit your video later and choose where to point a conventional video frame, upload the whole thing to a special video gallery (or just YouTube) and let the user control where the view is pointed, or watch them with a VR headset and look around freely. All the cameras below support these modes to a greater or lesser degree, but some include the editing tools you’ll need to do it yourself. We’ve made selections for the best standard, budget, and upgraded models, as well as a dark horse pick for users that are already invested in the action camera segment.
All of the cameras below use MicroSD cards for storage. You can find the best cards to use in this article.
Best Overall 360-Degree Camera: Rylo 360 ($450)
The Rylo 360 looks pretty unassuming: a little rounded pill of a camera, with a screen that only barely shows the battery level and recording mode. But that’s because it’s packed to the gills with tech. Two 208-degree lenses, one on either side, sport a f/2.8 aperture for drinking in light and details. Together they combine for a 360-degree image with a resolution of 5.8K in the standard 24fps recording mode, or a little smoother in 4K. 180-degree stills or full circular panoramas can be captured in “6K” detail.
But it’s the ease of use that makes the Rylo particularly notable. Connect it directly to your phone with the included cable—Android and iPhone variations cost the same—and it will automatically load the video files into the editor app. From there you can frame clips in a standard 16:9 aspect ratio, post the full 360-degree video to an online gallery or have the footage dynamically cropped for software stabilization, all without touching a desktop PC. Accessories, like mounts for bikes and helmets and a waterproof case, can extend its functionality.
Best Upgraded 360-Degree Camera: Garmin VIRB 360
GPS specialist Garmin probably isn’t the first name that pops into your head when you think of action cameras, but the company’s VIRB 360 is worth a second look. Though it’s roughly twice as expensive as the mobile-focused Rylo, it’s much more capable, with a similar resolution that can do full 5.7K, 360-degree recording at 30 frames per second. If you bump it down to 3K it will give you super-smooth 60fps video, as well. The double lenses and quadruple microphones are surprisingly capable, with a 15-megapixel stitched resolution and automatic HDR support. The little camera doesn’t need a case, since it’s waterproof and the toughened glass lenses can be replaced by the end user. It’s mountable to a standard tripod to boot.
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