There’s a lot that goes into making the perfect vlog, so if you want the right tech to get you there then we have you covered with our round-up of the best vlogging tech and accessories.
With ever improving cameras on smartphones, not to mention the increasing amount of bells and whistles on action cameras and compact shooters, it’s never been easier to create your own following with eye-catching, fly-on-the-wall content.
Unlike our usual round-ups, like the best smartphone and the best laptops, this will include devices from a range of markets, but all of them play an important role in building the essential kit for any budding vlogger. However, you can be assured we have thoroughly reviewed and tested each of the products we have listed below.
Best vlogging tech at a glance
- Best phone for vlogging: Apple iPhone 13 – check price
- Best phone gimbal: DJI OM 5 – check price
- Best action camera: GoPro Hero 10 Black – check price
- Best 360 camera: Insta360 X3 – check price
- Best compact camera for vlogging: Sony ZV-1 – check price
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How we test
Find out how we test vlogging tech
Every product featured in our best vlogging tech round-up has been tested over a period of at least one week.
Our testing also involves comparing the performance of these products against their predecessors and any immediate competitors. This way you can be sure that each product is truly the best in its category before you buy.
Apple iPhone 13
Pros
- Much improved battery life
- Bright, vivid OLED display
- Excellent main camera
Cons
- No ProMotion
- No optical zoom
DJI OM 5
Pros
- Simple controls and set-up
- Excellent companion app
- Lighter than older OM models
Cons
- Not a huge upgrade over OM 4
GoPro Hero 10 Black
Pros
- UI is speedier than ever thanks to the GP2 processor
- Higher fps rates across the board
- HyperSmooth 4.0 stabilisation is a technological marvel
- Eye-catching footage
Cons
- Struggles in low light
- Very steep price tag
Insta360 X3
Pros
- New, larger touchscreen is a game changer
- Me Mode can obtain some really impressive shots
- Fast UI with easy to read menus and icons
- 360-degree and single lens footage looks incredible
Cons
- Single lens shooting still bested by GoPro, but only just
- Professionals will still want to use an external mic
Sony ZV-1
Pros
- Unbelievable mic quality
- Top-tier autofocus
- Instant bokeh mode
Cons
- Can overheat indoors
- Convoluted menus that are a pain to use
- Micro-USB rather than USB-C
Apple iPhone 13
Best phone for vloggingPros
- Much improved battery life
- Bright, vivid OLED display
- Excellent main camera
Cons
- No ProMotion
- No optical zoom
In the current age of flagship smartphones, having just two cameras might seem like a setback on paper but the iPhone 13 still manages to sit head and shoulders above the competition when it comes to video quality.
The rear-facing dual-cameras can capture 4K Dolby Vision footage up to 60fps, and not only does the footage in question boast outstanding colour vibrancy, but it also remains stable for any walking shots.
There’s even Cinematic Mode which manages to seamlessly move the focus from one subject to another as they come in and out of the frame. While the mode is unfortunately capped at 1080p 30fps, it’s still an impressive bit of software and one that makes the filming process even easier for total beginners.
DJI OM 5
Best phone gimbalPros
- Simple controls and set-up
- Excellent companion app
- Lighter than older OM models
Cons
- Not a huge upgrade over OM 4
With drones, pocket cameras, wireless mics and more in its wares, DJI has been catering to all aspects of the vlogging experience for quite some time, and the company has used that expertise to develop its latest smartphone gimbal: the DJI OM 5.
Using the same magnetic design as its predecessor, the clasp of the OM 5 can be removed and packed away so that it doesn’t catch on anything during transit, and there’s even an adhesive magnet that can be placed on the back of your phone so that you can quickly attach your handset and get to filming right away.
While the accompanying DJI app is as good as it’s ever been, the big new feature of the OM 5 is its extendable arm which allows you to get more height on your viewpoint and achieve those all-important landscape shots that make for a great thumbnail.
GoPro Hero 10 Black
Best action cameraPros
- UI is speedier than ever thanks to the GP2 processor
- Higher fps rates across the board
- HyperSmooth 4.0 stabilisation is a technological marvel
- Eye-catching footage
Cons
- Struggles in low light
- Very steep price tag
It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that GoPro’s latest action camera sits at the top of this category. Even with some fierce competition from Insta360, GoPro still remains as the go-to brand for adventurers and thrill-seekers.
Thanks to the all-new GP2 processor, the GoPro Hero 10 packs an impressive performance boost over its predecessor as you can jump between modes and various menus with ease.
On top of the performance boost, 5.3K footage taken on the Hero 10 looks nothing short of incredible, and the bright front-facing screen makes it a Godsend for any vloggers who have trouble lining up their shot when filming to-camera segments.
Insta360 X3
Best 360 cameraPros
- New, larger touchscreen is a game changer
- Me Mode can obtain some really impressive shots
- Fast UI with easy to read menus and icons
- 360-degree and single lens footage looks incredible
Cons
- Single lens shooting still bested by GoPro, but only just
- Professionals will still want to use an external mic
The GoPro Max long held this crown but the Insta360 X3 has swooped in and snatched it up with several features that vloggers will love. For starters, the new Me Mode setting allows you to catch drone-style/camera crew shots simply by holding the camera away from you on a selfie stick, which it also erases from the picture using AI.
The larger 2.29-inch screen is also a marked improvement over the man-hole display of the Insta360 One X2. It’s easy to read when shooting outdoors, and its vertical design makes it ideal for any 9:16 content that’s posted to Instagram or TikTok.
If you don’t have much experience in editing 360-content then you’ll get on well with the accompanying Insta360 app. The app simplifies the process and can offer up social media-ready content in just a few minutes.
Sony ZV-1
Best compact camera for vloggingPros
- Unbelievable mic quality
- Top-tier autofocus
- Instant bokeh mode
Cons
- Can overheat indoors
- Convoluted menus that are a pain to use
- Micro-USB rather than USB-C
If you’re not tied down to a budget and you’re looking to turn your vlogging into a profession then the Sony ZV-1 is easily one of the best dedicated cameras out there. Its compact design makes it easy to carry around, and the swivel screen is always a must-have, but there’s so much more under the hood that vloggers will love.
For starters, the autofocus is impeccable. If you’ve ever shot some footage and realised afterwards that you were out of focus the entire time then the ZV-1 is the antidote to those nightmares.
The three-capsule mic does a tremendous job of honing in on your voice, even in busy areas, but the Product Showcase feature is perfect for any vloggers who incorporate a review segment into their videos. Just hold a product up to the camera and the focus will immediately shift to it without any fuss – it’s as simple as that.
Test Data
| Apple iPhone 13 | DJI OM 5 | GoPro Hero 10 Black | Insta360 X3 | Sony ZV-1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 5 single core | 1734 | – | – | – | – |
| Geekbench 5 multi core | 4388 | – | – | – | – |
| sRGB | 92.4 % | – | – | – | – |
| Adobe RGB | 66.3 % | – | – | – | – |
| DCI-P3 | 68.2 % | – | – | – | – |
| Max brightness | 530 nits | – | – | – | – |
| 1 hour video playback (Netflix, HDR) | 9 % | – | – | – | – |
| 30 minute gaming (intensive) | 7 % | – | – | – | – |
| 30 minute gaming (light) | 6 % | – | – | – | – |
| 1 hour music streaming (online) | 1 % | – | – | – | – |
| 1 hour music streaming (offline) | 1 % | – | – | – | – |
| Time from 0-50% charge | 30 Min | – | – | – | – |
Full Specs
| Apple iPhone 13 Review | DJI OM 5 Review | GoPro Hero 10 Black Review | Insta360 X3 Review | Sony ZV-1 Review | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK RRP | £749 | – | £479.99 | – | £699 |
| USA RRP | $699 | – | $499.99 | $449.99 | – |
| EU RRP | €909 | – | €539.99 | – | – |
| CA RRP | CA$999 | – | CA$649.99 | – | – |
| AUD RRP | AU$1229 | – | – | – | – |
| Manufacturer | Apple | – | GoPro | Insta360 | Sony |
| Quiet Mark Accredited | – | – | – | – | – |
| Screen Size | 6.1 inches | – | – | – | – |
| Storage Capacity | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | – | – | – | – |
| Rear Camera | 12MP + 12MP | – | – | – | – |
| Front Camera | 12MP | – | – | – | – |
| Video Recording | No | – | No | – | No |
| IP rating | IP68 | – | Not Disclosed | IP57 | No |
| Wireless charging | No | – | – | – | – |
| Fast Charging | No | – | – | – | – |
| Size (Dimensions) | 71.5 x 7.65 x 146.7 MM | x x INCHES | x x INCHES | x x INCHES | 105.5 x 43.5 x 60 MM |
| Weight | 173 G | 290 G | – | 180 G | 294 G |
| ASIN | B09G9HQHRH | – | B09D15SFMQ | B0BBL8WC72 | B088S2CNFC |
| Operating System | iOS 15 | – | – | – | – |
| Release Date | 2021 | – | 2021 | 2022 | 2020 |
| First Reviewed Date | 30/09/2021 | – | 12/04/2022 | 08/09/2022 | – |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | – | – | – | – |
| HDR | No | – | – | – | – |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | – | – | – | – |
| Ports | Lightning | – | – | – | – |
| Chipset | A15 Bionic | – | – | – | – |
| Colours | Black, Red, Pink, Blu, Starlight | – | – | – | – |
| Zoom | – | – | – | – | No |
| Autofocus | – | – | – | – | No |
| Burst shooting (electronic shutter) | – | – | – | – | No |
| Screen | – | – | No | – | No |
| Image stabilisation | – | – | No | – | No |
| Wi-Fi | – | – | No | – | No |
| Bluetooth | – | – | No | – | No |
| USB charging | – | – | – | – | No |
| Microphone port | – | – | – | – | No |
Video logs (more commonly known as vlogs) typically follow around a filmmaker or content creator as they go about their day, offering personal insights into their processes and experiences.
This all depends on what budget you have to work with. Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro are ideal for professionals, but beginners can get on just fine with the likes of CyberLink PowerDirector and LumaFusion.
YouTube Studio has a collection of license-free tracks that can be used in your videos, but there are paid-for services out there if you want more variety.