A Traveler’s Guide to GoPro Accessories
My Guide to help you discover which GoPro Accessories are actually useful
The ultra wide field of view is one of the best features of GoPro cameras. You can get the entire scene in one photo.
Did you know that there are more stars in the observable stars in the universe than there are grains of sand on all of the earth’s beaches? As hard as that is to believe, most astronomers believe the number of stars is not only greater, but significantly so. Some estimate that for each grain of sand on earth, there are likely thousands or even tens of thousands of stars. Well here’s another fun fact for you - there are more GoPro accessories out there than stars in the observable universe. And you know what? Most of them are a waste of money.
I’ve owned GoPros ever since they hit the market. I’ve owned practically every generation along the way, and I’ve bought pretty much every accessory known to man in that time. And, truth be told, there are only about 10 that I reach for over and over again. Here are the GoPro accessories that are actually worth your time.
Find out what’s in my camera bag!
I travel with a lot more than just my GoPro! If you’re interested to see everything in my camera bag when I travel, take a look at my “What’s in my Camera Bag?” blog post!
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GoPro Accessories
Official GoPro Accessories
GoPro Hero 12 Black
Ok, let’s start with the actual GoPro itself. As I said, I’m a huge GoPro guy. I’ve owned GoPros for well over a decade, and I still have at least four sitting my camera cabinet. My current go-to is the Hero 12 Black. I use this camera for all kinds of shots. First of all, this camera is totally waterproof, so if you want some fun shots snorkeling in the ocean, swimming in the pool, kayaking, etc, then this is going to be your camera. The other big thing I use it for is time-lapse video. Specifically, I use it (most often) for sunrise or sunset time-lapse videos. For many, many years, I would set up my shot the night before, then go to bed. I would set an alarm for 5:00AM or so, go out to our hotel balcony, start the time-lapse, and then go back to bed. No longer! Now, you can schedule a time-lapse! So I can set up my shot, set it to start recording at any specific time, and I get to sleep in. Life is good! I will also use that feature if I know we’re going to be out all day. I’ll set up my camera in the morning for an afternoon shot, so while we’re out at dinner, my camera is happily working away and I don’t even have to think about it.
This, again, is the tip of the iceberg with the GoPro. This is a rugged little bugger, and it can go anywhere and do just about anything. I’ve attached my GoPro to my car, to my bike, and even to my helmet on a bobsled.
There is a Hero 13 out now, but honestly, my suggestion would be to save the money and go with the 12. I actually like the 12 better than the 13. The big “upgrade” on the 13 was the ability to interchange with all these new lenses, most of which you’ll never need, and all of the effects of which you can get in editing later on. Not to mention that the lenses are expensive and essentially double the cost of the camera if you buy all of them. Otherwise, all of the specs that really matter stayed virtually unchanged. What I really wanted them to do was upgrade the sensor and get us some 8K footage, but I dream. Maybe the Hero 14? We’ll see. But for now, I love the 12 and it would be my suggestion if you’re in the market. (Note - the price of the 13 has recently gone down in anticipation of the new models coming out, so if it’s relatively the same price, then it may be worth now going with the GoPro Hero13. I don’t think it’s worth upgrading if you already have the 12, but if you’re buying one for the first time, you may as well get the newest model.)
GoPro: The Handler
I use my GoPro in the water all the time. Whether I’m in a pool, in the ocean, in a lake, or on a boat, I’ve got this handle attached. It’s sturdy enough that even if I jump off of a boat into the water, this thing holds tight to the GoPro. And if I accidentally let go of the camera for any reason, it floats to the surface and the handle is bright orange, making it easy to locate and scoop up.
GoPro: Volta Handle
This handle is great for a lot of reasons, but I think the number one reason to buy it is the built in battery. When combined with your GoPro’s battery, your GoPro will last all day. It essentially will give you 2.5 batteries worth of power if you start with a full battery on both the handle and the GoPro. So if you’re wanting to set up a super long time-lapse, or walk around with the GoPro all day, this allows you to do that. That alone I think would make this handle worth it, but it also has a lot of other great functions. You can use it has a handle or as a small tripod, and you can even use it as a remote start for your GoPro up to 100 feet away. It also has a little pop-out on the side, which would allow you to attach this to a backpack, or attach a number of other GoPro accessories to this handle. You could, in theory, attach yet another GoPro, or you could attach a light (like the GoPro Light Mod), or even an Insta360 Go (with the handy-dandy Quick Release Mount). Now, why would you want to do that, I’m not sure. But I’m sure you have your reasons. Last but not least, on the bottom it includes a standard tripod mount, allowing you to attach this to a taller tripod if you wanted to.
GoPro: Media Mod
I don’t often use the GoPro as a vlogging camera, but when I do, this is the only way that footage comes out even remotely usable. The audio straight out of the GoPro is fine, but not great. But there’s a reason I hardly ever use the audio from this camera. It’s almost exclusively used for the footage I can get. But, when I do use it for a vlogging camera, if I throw this Media Mod on, the sound quality becomes much better. It also helps reduce ambient noise, and it comes with a foam cover that helps reduce wind noise if you need it. There are two cold shoe mounts if you want to attach any additional accessories (like the GoPro Light Mod), and you can change the direction of the mic whether you are filming yourself “vlog” style or you’re shooting POV.
GoPro Hand + Wrist Strap Mount
This little guy is a no brainer. There’s no end to the uses here. The only limit is your imagination. I bought this wrist strap specifically to wear on water slides and roller coasters, but it could just as easily be used for diving, horseback riding, hang gliding or anything else you can imagine!
GoPro 9ft Carbon Fiber Extension Pole
This extra long extension pole is fantastic! It extends up to 9 feet tall, which means I can hold my GoPro about 16 feet in the air just by holding my arm up. So many places nowadays don’t allow me to fly my drone, so this is a great option to get a similar effect. But of course, you don’t have to extend it all the way. You can simply extend it slightly and use it as a regular selfie stick. Insta360 also sells a super long selfie stick I like as well for a similar price.
Other Accessories
SNAP Mounts Magnetic Mount
This little mount is super nifty, and I don’t use that term lightly! It’s an extremely strong two part magnet, and you can attach your GoPro to practically anything. You can attach it to your shirt, a backpack, even a window. Also, being a magnet, you can also obviously attach it to anything metal, and since it’s so sturdy, you can also simply set it on a flat surface and it will sit level, essentially making it act as a mini tripod.
Suptig 360 Electric Rotating Mount
My mantra is ABTL. Always Be Time Lapsing! I love a good time lapse. I don’t know that I’ve ever made a travel video without one. But if you’re looking for a way to spice up your time lapses, this is a handy little tool. Rather than a stagnant time lapse facing one direction, you can mount your GoPro to this rotating timer and get a “Right to Left” or “Left to Right” time lapse. It adds a lot more visual interest to your time lapse footage. The DJI Omso Pocket has this feature built in now, which is very nice, but if you don’t own that camera, this is a great way to get that effect in real time rather than adding in panning or some sort of Ken Burns effect in later. You can mount this to any tripod, or you can simply set it on any flat surface. It offers several different time options, and several degrees of turns, from 90 to 360 degrees, so you can decide how fast and how wide you want your view to be.
HSU Aluminum Bike Mount
This one is pretty self-explanatory. If you’re wanting to film yourself on a bike, whether it’s a mountain bike, road bike, Surrey bike or motor bike, this is a great, sturdy little mount. It’s nothing too fancy, but it’s strong, and it will hold your GoPro in place. The top rotates so that you can face the GoPro the right direction once it’s mounted to your handlebars. You might consider getting two - one for a GoPro facing away from you and one for a GoPro facing you.
FiTSTILL Screen Protectors
While the GoPro is nearly indestructible, I still highly recommend getting a set of screen protectors. I one time had the back screen crack just a hair on my Hero 12, but it was just enough that it was rendered unusable. Now, luckily, I had a GoPro Premium Subscription, so I was able to get a new one. But if I didn’t have that, I would have been out all the money for a new camera. Now, all my GoPros have a screen protector on the back and front screens as an added insurance.
Fotopro Flexible Tripod
This flexible little tripod has been hanging off balconies all over the world for the last 6 years. I use this primarily to hold my GoPro when I set up time-lapses of sunrises, sunsets, city streets, cruise ship movements, etc. Its flexible rubberized legs hold on tightly to all kinds of different surfaces. Aside from the aforementioned balconies, I’ve wrapped it around metal poles, and I’ve even wrapped it around tree limbs. It is a great little tripod that has come in handy more times than I can count.
Smatree GoPro Carrying Case
I love this little carrying case. It’s perfect to bring my GoPro along with a few extra batteries, the double battery charger, and a couple other accessories that change depending on the trip. It’s drop, water & scratch resistant and it has a spot at the top for extra cables. I have a few of these for different generations of GoPro. They also sell a double one, which is nice because these days I actually do typically travel with two GoPros. It’s great because I can have one doing a time-lapse while I bring the other to the beach, or if I only have one chance to get a shot, I can get it from multiple angles.
Bonus Accessory: Insta360 Go 3S Adapter
If you own an Insta360 Go 3S, you’re likely to notice that there are just as many accessories out there for this camera as there are for the GoPro. But what to do if you already own all of the GoPro accessories you could ever need? Rather than buy all the Insta360 versions of all the accessories you already own, all you need is this little device. This quick release mount allows you to attach your Insta 360 Go to all of your GoPro accessories. It’s a little on the expensive side, given that it’s just a little adapter, but I would rather buy one adapter and use all of the accessories I already own than start over and own two versions of every kind of mount and accessory out there.
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Do you have other GoPro Accessories you love?
I’m always on the hunt for the best travel camera products to recommend, so if you have a GoPro essential you love that you think I should try, please let me know in the comments below!
Here are the GoPro accessories that are actually worth your time.