Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

BUYER'S GUIDE

Best bike cameras 2024 — enhance your cycling experience and record the good and bad bits of your ride with a quality cam

Whether you want to record your ride to deter bad drivers and/or report them or just relive epic Alpine descents, our pick of the best cameras for cycling plus lots of handy advice will help you decide

This article contains links to retailers. Purchases made after clicking on those links may help support road.cc by earning us a commission but all of our reviews are fully independent. Find out more about road.cc buyer's guides.

There are a couple of good reasons for cycling with a video camera. Often a specific incident may have led you to consider buying a camera to record your rides, as a deterrent or at least to report bad driving and near misses to be used as potential evidence like a car dashcam. You might also want to record interesting rides, especially if you take on a bucket list ride like the Alpe d'Heuz or Sa Calobra. With these two main use cases in mind, this buyer's guide rounds up our favourite bike cameras that can do one or both of these things very well, and hopefully at least one of them is perfect for you. 


Our Near Miss of the Day series, as unpleasant as viewing the clips might be for a cyclist, shows the potential value of riding with a camera. Many incidents would be a matter of one person's word against another but for the video evidence, and you want that evidence to be as high quality as possible. You'll also want the camera to fit nicely on your bike without being too heavy or bulky, and ideally it will be super easy to use. 

Before we get into our selections, here are some of the key factors to consider when deciding what bike camera to buy. There's also a more detailed Q+A section with even more info underneath the products. 

Recording quality

Start looking into picture quality and you'll suddenly meet a lot of jargon relating to pixels and resolution.

• 720p consists of 1280 x 720 pixels (so over 900,000 pixels)
• 1080p consists of 1920 x 1080 pixels (just over 2 million pixels)
• 4K consists of 3840 x 2160 pixels (over 8 million pixels)

1080p is able to give finer detail than 720p, and 4K offers greater detail again. On the flip side, higher resolution tends to cost more and it takes up more memory for the same amount of time.

You'll also come up against fps, or frames per second, which is exactly what it sounds like.

One other aspect to consider that may enhance recording quality is the sound recording capability. Many cycling cameras are equipped with built-in microphones that can capture audio alongside the video footage. This audio recording can be valuable in providing context or evidence of an encounter during your ride. 

Looping video

Looping video allows a camera to record continuously. When it runs out of memory space it starts to overwrite your existing footage. This is a really valuable feature, meaning that you don't have to delete unneeded footage manually and you'll never find that the camera has stopped recording because the memory card is full.

If anything notable happens while you're riding — anything you want to keep as recorded evidence, for example — you can save it before it's overwritten.

Size and weight

Chances are that you want a camera that's small and unobtrusive, especially if you're planning to mount it on a helmet as opposed to the bike, but you might want to balance that against battery life; a very lightweight camera can sometimes have quite a short runtime.

Battery life

Battery life varies considerably between different cameras and, as mentioned above, there's often a balancing act between size/weight and runtime, so make sure you choose something that suits your needs.

Mounts 

Chances are that you'll want to mount your camera to either the handlebar or a helmet, or facing backwards on your seatpost, with some of the best bike lights now featuring integrated cameras. You can get chest mounts too, which are great for mountain bike videos, but we've found them a bit cumbersome and not particularly comfortable for long rides.

It's worth checking what's in the box before handing over your cash and if the mounts you want aren't included in the package you'll need to budget for them separately.

The best bike cameras: our top picks

DJI Osmo Action 4 Adventure Combo

DJI Osmo Action 4 Adventure Combo

9
Best action camera
Buy now for £467 from Amazon UK
Best in class image
Second best in stabilisation
Intuitive controls
Best in class mounting system
Excellent range of accessories
A really fun camera
Editing videos on mobile devices is not ideal
Separate GPS unit
All the fun accessories really add up in price

The DJI Osmo Action 4 Adventure Combo is one of the best action cameras currently available recording up to 4K/120 for buttery smooth slow motion at the 16:9 aspect ratio. This is in HDR, 10 bit, at up to 130Mbps data rate. They shoot up to a max aperture of 2.8, with a Field of View (FOV) of 155 degrees. 

The Osmo Action 4 has three stabilisation modes and the Horizon Balancing setting is particularly good for cyclists. It keeps the horizon flat and locked in your field of view, and will keep things level with up to 45 degrees of swing/tilt each way. 

 The magnetic mount to the camera is also terrific and DJI's Mimo app is full of clever tricks making it intuitive, responsive and powerful.

The camera itself is £379 but the fun stuff/accessories can be pretty steep. The Adventure Combo retails at £469 and includes a selfie stick, spare batteries and a battery 'pack', which are all practically obligatory.

Techalogic CR-1 Rear Light with HD Wide Angle Camera

Techalogic CR-1 Rear Light with HD Wide Angle Camera

8
Best rear light cycling camera
Buy now for £104.95 from Techalogic
Good value
Simple to operate
Includes various mounting options
Weatherproof
Has a rear view mirror mode
Chunky looks
Buttons flat and hard to find

A rear light featuring an integrated cycling camera is a good option for keeping yourself a bit safer, and the Techalogic CR-1 Rear Light with HD Wide Angle Camera does this at a very reasonable price. 

The camera records in 1920x1080 at 30 frames per second, with the 120 degree field of view taking in the full width of the road. Reviewer Neil said, "I thought the pictures were remarkably stable given that bike-mounted cameras are prone to vibration". The CR-1 records sound as well and doesn't suffer much from wind noise. 

Battery life is good too, lasting around 7 hours 20 minutes when running only the camera, and around 5.5 hours when using both the flashing light and camera simultaneously. 

Cycliq Fly12 Sport front bike light

Cycliq Fly12 Sport

8
Best front light cycling camera
Buy now for £299 from Cycliq
Quality footage
Easy to use
Decent daytime light
Not too bulky
Run-times not outstanding, particularly in cold weather
Non-replaceable battery

The Cycliq Fly12 HD Camera and Front Light shoots in a maximum resolution of 1080p and 60fps and also has electronic 6-axis stabilisation, meaning that the footage doesn't bounce around when you're trying to read the number plate of a car that cut you up.

"The footage is very good," said Dave Atkinson in his review. "The 135° angle lens gives a nice wide view and the picture is sharp and clear, making it easy to read car number plates, for example.

The Cycliq Fly12 chops the video into 5-, 10- or 15-minute segments (depending on your preference) and when the card is full, it deletes the oldest footage. It also has an incident detection system built in. If the camera detects that it is tilted more than 60° from the horizontal, it triggers an automatic process that locks the current footage, and the segment either side. You can also press a button on the Fly12 to do the same thing.

Innovv K6 Dual Lens Camera

Innovv K6 Dual Lens Camera

7
Best front and rear cycling camera
Buy now for £229.95 from Innovv
Front and rear view
Decent footage
Prodigious run-times
Well made
Battery pouch is poor
Difficult to swap between bikes
Accident detection is too sensitive for bikes

The Innovv K6 Dual Lens Camera system offers a good solution for capturing both front and rear views, providing decent footage and run times of around 11 hours. 

This camera is for filming your rides, not making films of your rides and so it doesn't rival something like the new DJI Osmo Action 4 or the latest GoPro but you do get a 2K (2560x1440) picture from the front camera and an FHD (1920x1080) rear image, both recording at 30 frames per second.

It's not the kind of camera system you're going to move between bikes too often but it's a great fit-and-forget front and rear dashcam for your bike. 

GoPro Hero9 Black

GoPro Hero9 Black

8
Best cycling camera for projects with higher production value
Buy now for £199 from Amazon UK
Brilliant image quality
Brilliant stabilisation
Rapid touchscreen navigation
Millions of accessories
Getting files off means removing the battery and SD card...
...unless you pay a subscription for cloud uploads
Quite big and heavy
High-res clips need serious processing power for editing

The GoPro Hero9 Black is a high-quality camera – for both video and stills – with some truly impressive software stabilisation and effects. It's very rugged and does just about everything you could want. 

It can record 5K video at 30fps and 4K at 60fps, and do lovely slow-motion at 120fps and even 240fps. It's so powerful and versatile that it could be considered overkill for cycling applications but as reviewer Steve found, it's nevertheless rather marvellous. The Hero9 lasts around 1.5 hours when filming at max resolution from a full charge.

We haven't yet tested the recently-released GoPro Hero10 Black, but on paper it does everything the Hero9 does, only a bit more so, with increased resolution and a reportedly far better hydrophobic lens coating.

Insta360 X3

Insta360 X3 Action Camera

9
Best money-no-object cycling camera
Buy now for £459.99 from Insta360
Takes 5.7k video
You can choose multiple frames
AI selfie stick removal
Good battery life
Expensive
The lens is exposed so easier to scratch

The Insta360 X3 action camera is one of our favourite cameras, having been used for countless hours to capture footage for many of our videos. 

It can shoot a 360-degree image meaning you can choose multiple frames, take 62MP photos and 5.7k video, and has a claimed run time of 81 minutes. You can also loop recordings to save space on your memory card. 

The camera alone retails at £459.99 and the complete bike kit costs £549 and includes one Insta360 X3 camera, an invisible selfie stick, a bike bundle and a lens cap. You can watch the Insta360 X3 review video here, with a full written review coming soon. 

Techalogic DC-1 Dual Lens Helmet Camera

Techalogic DC-1 Dual Lens Helmet Camera

7
Best helmet camera for cycling
Buy now for £189.95 from Ebay
One camera does two jobs
Price is good
Can be used with an auxiliary battery for longer running
Excellent customer service
The audio is prone to wind noise
Some fiddling required to get helmet mount set up
Not the sleekest looks

The Techalogic DC-1 is a helmet-mounted camera that films in front and behind in quality plenty good enough to spot those numpty drivers.

Techalogic originally brought this camera to market with motorcyclists in mind, where maintaining the streamlined look of the road cyclist is not relevant. However, it's obviously spotted the potential market in cycling and the banana bend might not be pretty, but it works.

It has a claimed battery life of two and a half hours and reviewer Neil found that it surpassed this, lasting 2 hours 42 minutes. Another useful feature is that you can plug a battery into the USB socket, at which point the recording time becomes whatever size battery you care to carry around with you.

Mounting a device like this on the helmet is always a bit of a compromise so Techalogic throws in a handful of different-sized 3M sticky pads and standard helmet mount clips, as well as a strap mount. 

How to choose from the best cycling cameras

faq-icon
Are bike cameras worth it?

Whether a bike camera is worth it will depend on your individual preferences but there are many reasons as to why they might be a valuable tool. Accidents can be unpredictable so bike cameras serve as a valuable safety tool by recording incidents that may occur during rides. This footage can then be useful in providing evidence in the case of accidents involving other road users. 

For some cyclists, a bike camera is a source of personal enjoyment, allowing you to capture scenic routes or showcase your skills, to document or share with others.

faq-icon
Are there specific cameras designed for cycling or can any action camera be used?

There are specific cameras designed for cycling as well as general-purpose action cameras that can also be used for cycling. Cycling-specific cameras often come with features tailored to the needs of cyclists, such as bike mounts and incident detection modes where footage is automatically saved without being overwritten. 

On the other hand, general action cameras, such as a GoPro camera, are a popular choice for cyclists. They're versatile, offer high-quality video, and come with a variety of mounts for attaching them to your handlebars, helmets, or various positions on the bike. 

When choosing a camera for cycling, it's important to consider factors such as mounting options, battery life, durability and features relevant to cycling needs, such as wide-angle lenses. 

faq-icon
Do bike cameras come with a warranty?

Many bike cameras, such as Cycliq and GoPro, typically offer a 12-month warranty, ensuring that their cameras are free from defects in workmanship and materials under normal use for that specified period. Garmin goes a step further with a 2-year warranty.

faq-icon
What is the best resolution for capturing cycling footage?

The best resolution for capturing cycling footage will depend on what you intend to do with the footage.

It's recommended to look for a camera with at least 1080p resolution as this provides good video quality while being efficient in terms of storage.  For most cyclists, 1080p or 2.7K resolutions are optimal, especially for recording while riding to capture potential incidents. 

If you want the highest level of detail and clarity, particularly for editing or sharing videos, 4K resolution is more suitable. Keep in mind that 4K files, being larger, require more storage space. 

faq-icon
Should I get a front or rear camera for cycling?

A front camera captures incidents in front of you while a rear-facing camera captures incidents happening behind you. If you can, for the most comprehensive protection, use both a front and rear camera but if you're choosing just one, a rear-facing camera is often preferred as it can show how close a passing car may get to you and it is important particularly in hit-and-run scenarios, to identify vehicles that you can't see. 

faq-icon
Are there any legal considerations or regulations regarding the use of cycling cameras?

It's legal to film in a public place no matter how busy the area is, and you have the right to capture any image that is in plain view. Legal regulations can vary based on location so you should avoid recording in areas where photography or recording is prohibited, such as government facilities or private properties. 

When using a camera it's crucial that it shouldn't obstruct your view of the road ahead. It's unlikely you'll get pulled up by law enforcement, but just make sure of this for your own safety more than anything! 

faq-icon
Do I need a bike camera app?

These days, cycling cameras often come equipped with apps that significantly improve the user experience. For instance, connecting your Cycliq Fly12 to your smartphone allows you to access and customise camera settings effortlessly. You can control various features, such as turning off the tilt function and emergency alarm for off-road rides to avoid unnecessary sounds during manoeuvres. Additionally, settings can be adjusted through a computer desktop app, and another desktop app enables video editing.

If your primary goal is to record road traffic incidents without extensive video editing, basic app capabilities may suffice. Apps also play a crucial role in performing firmware updates. However, it's important to ensure that any app you choose is compatible with your phone and/or computer.

Emily is our track and road racing specialist, having represented Great Britain at the World and European Track Championships. With a National Title up her sleeve, Emily has just completed her Master’s in Sports Psychology at Loughborough University where she raced for Elite Development Team, Loughborough Lightning.

Emily is our go-to for all things training and when not riding or racing bikes, you can find her online shopping or booking flights…the rest of the office is now considering painting their nails to see if that’s the secret to going fast…

Add new comment

20 comments

Avatar
Kapelmuur | 2 months ago
0 likes

I have a GoPro that I use for filming rides for submission to FulGaz, but the battery doesn't last much more than an hour.

Recommendations for an auxiliary battery that can extend recording time by an hour or so would be appreciated.

 

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to Kapelmuur | 2 months ago
1 like

I find just an ordinary power bank is fine when I need to extend the running time, if you don't want to stop to allow for charging (if you charge at coffee stops just keep it your jersey) just put it in a frame bag or bar bag and run the cable out to it. Also has the advantage of being able to charge phone, lights, head unit or anything else that may need it. Hundreds available in a wide range of sizes, prices and capacities, many so small you could just tape or otherwise attach them to the camera or the mount.

Avatar
wtjs replied to Kapelmuur | 2 months ago
0 likes

I have a GoPro that I use for filming rides for submission to FulGaz, but the battery doesn't last much more than an hour

That seems about right. I have GPS on all the time and the OEM batteries never last more than about an hour. I still use the original one for most of my back and forward trips (<10 mins each way) to Garstang and (great credit to the quality of the battery) it will still hold almost 30 mintes worth of charge after 4 years of heavy use (less lockdowns). I have 3 new ones which I use on rotation very infrequently, which I hope will last the life of the camera. GoPro hardware is still spot on (Hero 7 Black)- it's just the software that's the problem, and even that has been working faultlessly recently

Avatar
Secret_squirrel | 2 months ago
2 likes

It would be nicer if Road.cc checked these group reviews for consistency.

The Cycliq gets knocked for its battery life even though it has the 2nd best here whilst things with <2hr run time which are useless for any serious road cyclist get praised for it.

The Go Pro gets knocked for its weight even though its one of the lightest in the group.

The comments make sense when the reviews are taken in isolation & context but look dumb collectively.

Avatar
Flintshire Boy | 2 months ago
5 likes

.

No mention of Chilli-tech? Would have thought they merited an evaluation in an article such as this.

.

Avatar
Secret_squirrel replied to Flintshire Boy | 2 months ago
0 likes

Have Road.cc reviewed Chilitech at all?

Avatar
stonojnr replied to Secret_squirrel | 2 months ago
1 like

Nothing recently just this https://road.cc/content/review/28390-chilli-tech-action-cam-2

For their Mk2 bullet cam, I'd say battery is replaceable, but has no levels indicating its low until literally the last moments, the indicator light turns reddish from blue. It takes longer to recharge than it lasts in use.

Picture quality is useless in low light, lots of grain, plus has some weird colour offset going sometimes on daylight, but could just be mine is faulty. Also glitches on recording sometimes, don't know if that's just the still lousy holder allows the camera to rattle so much the memory card disconnects momentarily.

Setting up timestamp and editing files is a pain.

For its budget though its probably usable just as cheaper dash cam alternative.

Avatar
Flintshire Boy replied to stonojnr | 2 months ago
1 like

.

Thanks for that, Stono. Useful evaluation. Ta.

.

Avatar
Tom_77 replied to Flintshire Boy | 2 months ago
2 likes

I've got a couple of Chilli Tech Pro II camera. Some footage:

Daytime 1200p30

Night 1080p60 (rear)

Night 1080p60 (front)

You can get 2 cameras for £97, or one for £107. I think they're good value for the quality of footage. With 2 cameras running at 60fps I can read car numberplates almost every time at night (my previous cameras were about 50:50).

The only thing I don't like is that there doesn't seem to be any way to turn off the burnt in time and date.

 

Avatar
Clem Fandango replied to Tom_77 | 2 months ago
0 likes

That and the time stamp resets to factory default if the battery runs out so ypou've got to remember to update it.

I've had good success with the footage when reporting close passes etc though.  For the money it's a really good option.

 

 

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to Clem Fandango | 2 months ago
0 likes

Just had a quick search because I'm thinking of getting one of those at some point for a rear camera and that would annoy me, looks like you can stop it putting on the timestamp by adjusting the settings on the SD card, page 7/8 of this document?

https://chilli-tech.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/MKII-Manual-B...

Avatar
Flintshire Boy replied to Rendel Harris | 2 months ago
0 likes

.

This is their latest model. I imagine that it is (supposed to be) an improvment on the MK11.

.

https://www.chilli-tech.com/action-cameras?product_id=181

 

Avatar
Tom_77 replied to Rendel Harris | 2 months ago
1 like

The older models set the time and date by editing a file. With the more recent ones you connect the camera to an app on your phone and it sets it automatically. I can't see an option in the app to turn off the timestamp though.

So far my cameras haven't lost the time, but it does drift a little.

Avatar
Wheelywheelygood | 2 months ago
1 like

Does anyone out there have any knowledge of which of these cameras would fit wheelchairs or mobility scooters  I'm fed up with being hit by bikes and scooters  also having cars driven right at me whilst crossing the road at the designated spots at junctions  I'm starting to think some drivers had their brains removed as part of their driving test 

Avatar
Hirsute replied to Wheelywheelygood | 2 months ago
7 likes

So having been here just to say how awful cyclists are, never respond to replies,you expect some help.
You've never met a good cyclist; is this a million to one shot ?
If I'd allegedly been hit by so many bikes, then I'd be wearing a helmet, shin pads and elbow pads and then a helmet cam would do the trick.

Avatar
NOtotheEU replied to Wheelywheelygood | 2 months ago
4 likes

If there are designated spots at junctions for cars to drive at wheelchairs or mobility scooters I would find somewhere else to cross!

Taking your question seriously though, a 360 degree camera on a pole or a hat/cap would be the only way to get front, back and side shots without needing 4 seperate cameras or constantly having to change the viewing angle of a single camera. You could add a flag to the pole like some recumbent bikes or child trailers use for some added visibility. 

Avatar
BIRMINGHAMisaDUMP replied to Wheelywheelygood | 2 months ago
0 likes

LOL. 😝 nice dig there. 

Avatar
wtjs | 2 months ago
10 likes

Are there any legal considerations or regulations regarding the use of cycling cameras?

It's legal to film in a public place no matter how busy the area is, and you have the right to capture any image that is in plain view.

Not according to Lancashire Constabulary it isn't! According to the hopelessly inept and idle OpSnap Lancs: (more repetition, I'm afraid- but this is part of my Tribunal case against LC and the Information Commissioner)

I confirm that I understand that dashcam footage falls under the Category of CCTV and as the footage is taken in the public domain, the Domestic Purposes Exemption under the Data Protection Act/UKGDPR does not apply and therefore all users are Data Controllers in their own right. As such you should be informing the public that they are being filmed and should have some form of notification on your mode of transport as you have responsibilities under the Data Protection Act /UKGDPR

This is obvious LancsBollocks, and I never have any notifications on my legs when I'm walking or my bike when cycling. I have never seen any such notifications in Lancashire, although I did see a PassPixie near Bridlington. Clearly, all reports to OSL are fraudulent and illegal as far as Lancashire Constabulary is concerned. Nevertheless, you have to lie and agree to this for reports to OSL to be accepted

I should add that I put in the text of the report a statement that I'm not informing drivers that they are being filmed, and carry no notifications about filming on my legs or bike.

 

Avatar
Oldfatgit | 2 months ago
2 likes

Why do you keep mentioning "non-replacable battery" against the Fly12?

How many of the other cameras (that are not action cams) have a battery that can be removed without dismantling the case?

Replaceable battery means that there is a cover plate - especially designed to give access to the battery.

Road.cc is being very disingenuous with its choice of language.

Avatar
nivagh replied to Oldfatgit | 2 months ago
0 likes

You can find guides on ifixit.com for the replacement of the batteries in the Fly12; it requires some basic electronics DIY skills including soldering.

I have used the Fly 6 and Fly 12 (Fly6 is the rear facing camera); both are great devices, but sadly both separately have died following charging, in the same conditions - plugged in after use but then wouldn't turn on afterwards.

Unfortunately in both cases the battery wasn't at fault in my Cycliq devices; it was an onboard failure, I would guess at a power surge on unplugging. I offered to send my Fly12 back to them recently but they are based in Perth WA and I am not prepared to pay the postage just to help out their fault diagnostics!

So, for me, great devices, but prone to catastrophic and irreparable failure. I would recommend them for ease of use and quality of image (Fly12 very good but heavy and blocky, Fly6 less good image quality but a good streamlined shape for behind the seatpost) but if they fail out of waranty, Cyliq aren't much use.