Best 360 degree camera of 2025

What is 360 camera?

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

What can you do with 360-degree videos and photos?

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

The other option is to use 360 ​​degree content as 360 degree content. This is more limited in where you can post and share it. Facebook and YouTube are two of the biggest platforms that support 360 content. Panoramas and spherical videos can be viewed on any phone, often by moving the phone like a camera lens “inside” the image. Or it can be viewed using a virtual reality headset where you can “look around” as if you were there. Google Street View uses an advanced 360-degree camera mounted on the car, but anyone can upload a 360-degree photo to add to the coverage.

Are 360 ​​cameras difficult to use?

In some ways, 360-degree cameras are easier to use than traditional cameras. There is no “goal”. You don’t “point and shoot” so to speak. You hold the camera and record everything. That’s not to say there isn’t a learning curve to get the best results, but anyone can start taking 360-degree 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 4K only

Since the camera records everything, the extra resolution is vital for the result to look good. Look at it this way: Your TV offers 4K resolution to reproduce a window-sized image. The 360-degree camera records that as well as everything above and below the TV and everything else around it, so it needs more pixels. Typically, this recording is edited in the camera app into something that can be viewed on any phone or TV. The 16:9 portion of an 8K 360 video may be at 4K resolution, or it may be less than that, depending on how you choose to edit the video.

Is a 360 degree camera required for virtual tours?

The 360 ​​camera is an option for Matterport-style virtual tours of real estate. Since it’s able to capture everything around the camera, it’s usually faster than using a motorized holder for your phone.

Are the lenses easy to damage?

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

Some models, like the Insta360 X4, offer removable lens protectors. These are worth it if you want to protect your investment or if you’re just a little clumsy sometimes. Most come with soft cases, but it’s helpful to find a hard case if you want to put your camera in a backpack.

What is the best time to buy a 360 camera?

Like many products, cameras are usually discounted on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Days (even if you shop at other stores like Walmart and Best Buy). Typically, cameras get cheaper later in their life as well, so six to eight months after launch, you’ll start seeing bigger discounts. Insta360 also has a history of keeping its older cameras in its lineup at lower prices. For example, our current budget pick, the X3, was released in 2023 and is still a great camera at a lower price than when it first launched.

What are the best 360 camera companies?

The market for 360 cameras is very small. There are actually three main companies: Insta360, Kandao, and Ricoh. Ricoh essentially invented the category but has fallen behind Insta360 and Kandao in recent years. Kandao has made some interesting cameras in the past few years, but it wasn’t until the QooCam 3 Ultra was recommended above that all the pieces fell into place. Insta360 is by far the leader in its category and has been for many years.

Other companies have gotten into the act, including Nikon, Kodak and action camera heavyweight GoPro with the Hero Max.

What about 360 cameras with more lenses and sensors?

The cameras we recommend are all consumer cameras. There are professional models with additional lenses and sensors that provide high-resolution photos and videos. These are all much more expensive and are beyond the scope of this guide.