Best 360° camera of 2025

What is a 360° camera?

A 360-degree camera is a device that uses two or more lenses and image sensors to record a 360-degree area around the camera.

What can you do with 360° videos and photos?

There are two main options for the content you can capture with 360 cameras. The first and most common method is to edit the videos and photos into “flat” versions that can be posted on any social media platform. For example, you record a 360-degree video of your hike and later edit that video into a 9:16 format for TikTok or Instagram that only shows the highlights of your hike. The video is highly stabilized (no shake) and can feature pans and zooms that look far smoother and more professional than is possible with a traditional camera. Since the camera captures everything, you don’t have to worry about where the camera is pointed.

The other option is to use the 360 degree content as 360 degree content. Posting and sharing options are more limited. Facebook and YouTube are the largest platforms supporting 360-degree content. The panoramic photos and spherical videos can be viewed on any phone, often by moving the phone “in” the image like a viewfinder. Or you can view them with a virtual reality headset that allows you to “look around” as if you were there. Google’s Street View uses an advanced 360-degree camera mounted on a vehicle, but anyone can upload 360-degree photos to expand coverage.

Are 360 degree cameras difficult to use?

In some ways, 360° cameras are easier to use than traditional cameras. There is no “aiming”. You don’t shoot, so to speak, “aim and shoot.” You hold up the camera and it records everything. That’s not to say there isn’t a learning curve to get the best results, but anyone can start taking 360° photos and videos right away. Insta360 and Kandao offer tutorials in their apps to help you get the most out of their cameras.

Why is the video resolution so high? My TV is only 4K

Since the camera records everything, the additional resolution is crucial for a good result. Think of it this way: your TV offers 4K to display a window-sized image. The 360 camera records that as well as everything above and below the TV and everything else around it, so it needs a lot more pixels. Typically, this shot is edited in the camera app so that it can be viewed on any phone or TV. The 16:9 portion of an 8K 360 video can be 4K or even less depending on how you edit the video.

Is a 360° camera required for virtual tours?

No. A 360° camera is an option for virtual tours of Matterport-style properties. Because they can capture everything around the camera, they are typically faster than using a motorized mount for your phone.

Can the lenses be easily damaged?

Yes! I’ve destroyed several 360 cameras from small falls that wouldn’t have affected a phone or action camera. Because of how they work, the lenses protrude from the camera body. So if it falls on a hard surface, there’s a good chance the lens will break or scratch, and that will then show up on all your photos and videos as a smudge or dark spot or worse, basically ruining everything you shoot .

Some models, like the Insta360 X4, offer removable lens protectors. These are worth it if you want to protect your investment or are occasionally clumsy. Most come with soft cases, but it’s worth finding a hard case if you want to store the camera in a backpack.

When is the best time to buy a 360° camera?

Like many products, cameras typically get a discount on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Days (even if you shop at other stores like Walmart and Best Buy). Cameras also typically become cheaper later in their lifespan, so you’ll see deeper discounts six to eight months after release. Insta360 also has a tradition of keeping its older cameras in stock at lower prices. For example, the X3, which is our current budget pick, was released in 2023 and is still a great camera at a lower price than when it first came out.

Which are the best 360 camera companies?

The market for 360° cameras is very small. There are practically three main companies: Insta360, Kandao and Ricoh. Ricoh essentially invented the category, but has lagged behind Insta360 and Kandao in recent years. Kandao has developed some interesting cameras in recent years, but it wasn’t until the QooCam 3 Ultra recommended above that all the pieces came together. Insta360 is by far the leader in the category and has been for many years.

Other companies have dabbled in this space, including Nikon, Kodak and action camera heavyweight GoPro with the Hero Max.

How about 360° cameras with more lenses and sensors?

The cameras we recommend are exclusively consumer cameras. There are professional models with additional lenses and sensors that offer higher resolution photos and videos. These are all significantly more expensive and are beyond the scope of this guide.