A GoPro camera is a fantastic way to capture your exploits – but to get the best footage, you need a way to mount your action camera in the optimum position. All GoPros come with a handy adhesive mount, which you can use to attach the camera to all manner of surfaces. However, there are plenty of add-on accessories that can greatly extend your creative possibilities.
Some of these come from GoPro itself – the official head and chest mounts are popular, for example. But there are also plenty of third parties producing accessories that are compatible with the latest GoPro cameras – as well as other brands of action camera, and older GoPro models.
The most useful accessories divide up into four categories: power banks, lights, grips and mounts. Here’s our guide to the best of each.
The best GoPro power banks to buy
It’s the worst feeling when your GoPro battery dies half-way through an expedition. A high-capacity USB power bank can keep your camera rolling: you can top it up during moments of downtime, or even charge it while it’s recording.
Anker PowerCore 20100: Best overall GoPro power bank
Price: £28 | Buy now from Amazon
The highly respected PowerCore series from Anker holds a huge 20,100mAh of charge – enough to fully recharge your GoPro ten times over, with power to spare. Since it has multiple USB connectors, you can simultaneously charge your smartphone or other devices, too.
EasyAcc power bank with IP67: Best waterproof GoPro power bank
Price:£34 | Buy now from Amazon
If you’re using your GoPro underwater, or in adverse weather conditions, it makes sense to invest in a weatherproof power bank. Step forward the EasyAcc 20,000mAh power bank, which boasts IP67 certification against water and dust. Of course, you can’t actually charge your GoPro underwater, but it’s good to know that this power pack won’t be damaged if you accidentally drop it in a pool, or forget it’s in your pocket as you jump into the sea.
The best GoPro light to buy
An external light source can be extremely useful if you’re shooting in low-light conditions. It also helps when you’re filming underwater, allowing you to capture more detail, or even spot animals you’d otherwise not have been able to make out.
Suptig diving light: Best GoPro light
Price: £17 | Buy now from Amazon
The Suptig diving light is a cheap and cheerful illuminator that works up to 45m underwater. Its three LEDs are rated at 300 lumens – which is jolly bright – and coverage is nice and wide too. For under £20, it’s a must-have add-on.
The best GoPro grip to buy
If you’re hoping to shoot professional-looking footage, a grip or gimbal is well worth the investment. No matter what you’re shooting, it’ll make your camerawork much more smooth and steady. Some use electronic stabilisation technology, while others are battery-free for the ultimate simplicity and convenience.
MyArmor floating hand grip: Best GoPro grip for the swimming pool
Price: £7 | Buy now from Amazon
The MyArmor is a cheap but effective GoPro grip. It’s particularly good for underwater shooting, as it floats – and if you unscrew the bottom it’ll reveal a cylindrical compartment inside which you can store small objects.
Opteka X-GRIP: Best GoPro grip for filming
Price: £15 | Buy now from Amazon
The X-GRIP might not be much to look at, but it’s a serious accessory. For a very cheap price, it can stabilise your shots, reduce vibrations and give your videos a much more cinematic appearance. It’s also handy if you tend to film things that are below the waist; such as skateboarding and rollerblading.
GoPro Shorty: Best multi-purpose GoPro grip
Price: £31 | Buy now from Amazon
The GoPro Shorty is a handy little grip that doubles up as a tripod. It’s a little on the expensive side, but if you’re looking to stabilise both your handheld and static shots, it’s a very convenient way to achieve both with a single accessory.
GoPro 3-Way: Best GoPro grip with arm
Price: £48 | Buy now from Amazon
This odd-looking mount can be used (as the name suggests) in three different ways. It can serve as a clever selfie-stick that keeps the arm out of view; you can detach the arm and use it as a simple camera grip; or you can fold out the discreetly tucked-away legs to turn it into a tripod for some fixed-spot filming.
Zhiyun Z1-Evolution Evo 3: Best mid-range GoPro grip
Price: £190 | Buy now from Amazon
If you’re serious about stabilisation, this three-axis gimbal could be just the thing. Its simple design doesn’t offer the same degree of control as the Karma, but it provides an ultra-stable image, is compact and lightweight and boasts a good long battery life too.
GoPro Karma: Best integrated GoPro grip
Price: £280 | Buy now from Amazon
The GoPro Karma is an expensive piece of kit, but it makes shooting smooth footage a breeze: it pairs up instantly with your GoPro camera, and offers built-in camera controls so you can switch modes and start and stop recording on the move. It’s a beautiful bit of design, and the results are excellent.
Removu S1: Best weatherproof GoPro grip
Price: £290 | Buy now from Amazon
The Removu S1 is slightly more expensive than the GoPro Karma, but it has a longer battery life, a wireless remote control and – perhaps crucially – a rainproof design. It’s a real go-anywhere companion for your GoPro that puts you in full control and ensures your videos look beautifully smooth.
The best GoPro mount to buy
Fantaseal Octopus Mount: Best GoPro mount overall
Price: £10 | Buy now from Amazon
With its three bendable arms, the Fantaseal can be wrapped around anything you see fit – so it’s perfect when you want to get a fresh angle on a scene, or to position your GoPro somewhere where there’s no flat surfaces. An excellent choice for those who want to create a unique-looking time-lapse.
SP Gadgets Bottle Mount: Best portable GoPro mount
Price: £10 | Buy now from Amazon
The SP Gadgets bottle mount turns any bottle into a floating hand grip for your GoPro. Fill it with sand or liquid and you can also use it a stable base for your camera. Smartly, SP includes a keyring attachment so you can easily carry it with you everywhere, and simply clip it to any bottle you happen to come across.
Erligpowht accessories kit: Best GoPro mount kit for beginners
Price: £13 | Buy now from Amazon
If you’re just getting started with your GoPro, this accessory kit is a great way to try out different mountings and accessories, from a small screw bit for your various mounts to a chest strap. For only £13 it’s an excellent addition for anyone who owns a GoPro.
Best GoPro body mount: Jivo Perch shoulder mount GoPro
Price:£14 | Buy now from Amazon
Chest or head mounts not doing it for you? Well, Jivo’s Perch lets you mount your GoPro to your shoulder, using your chest to keep itself stable. This get the camera out of your way, so you can wear it over anything from a wetsuit to a jacket – and its padded strap means you won’t be uncomfortable. It rotates too, so you can change your viewing perspective to keep things interesting.
GoPro Head Strap and Quick Clip: Best GoPro head mount
Price: £15 | Buy now from Amazon
If you want to capture great footage while your hands are full, the head mount is the classic answer. The GoPro Head Strap and QuickClip offers a variety of head-mounting options to ensure whatever the event, you’ll be able to record your activities. The price may seem a tad high for what is basically a head-strap, but it’s the best in quality compared to third-party offerings.
GoPro The Strap: Best GoPro wrist mount
Price: £50 | Buy now from Amazon
GoPro’s official “The Strap” is a surprisingly comfortable strap that lets you wear your camera on your wrist – or anywhere else on your arm or leg. Its rotating mount is tremendously convenient for flipping back and forth between selfies and PoV footage. It’s undeniably expensive, but it’s tough enough to withstand extreme sports, and to survive the onslaught of grit and sand.
GoPro Fetch Dog Harness: Best GoPro animal mount
Price: £54 | Buy now from Amazon
If you’ve ever wanted to know what your dog gets up to when you’re not around, here’s your chance. Yes, the GoPro Fetch lets you strap your expensive camera onto the back – or front – of your pooch. It’s nicely padded to make sure that your dog isn’t uncomfortable wearing the harness, fully adjustable for both small and large dogs and completely washable to boot. You might question the wisdom of strapping an expensive camera to an animal, but the option’s there.
Birdie GoPro Flight System: Best GoPro aerial mount
Price: £35 | Buy now from Mobile Fun
Not content with strapping your GoPro onto an animal? How about throwing it up into the air to catch a bird’s-eye view of the world? Simply attach your GoPro, set it rolling, then toss the whole assembly up as high as you can: as it floats back down, your camera will record a unique top-down view of the scene. The bright orange finish makes it easy to find if your throw is a little wayward, and it will happily take a splash and act as a floatation device so you don’t lose your camera. The GoPro housing is also made from foam, to soften the impact if you don’t quite manage to catch it – but do try, as your camera’s safety can’t be entirely guaranteed.