The best GoPro gimbal in 2023: get smooth footage on your action camera

The best GoPro gimbals will help you to shoot smooth and shake-free videos on your GoPro camera. The best GoPro cameras (opens in new tab) are built for filming dynamic movement, sports and on-the-go content, and if you’re planning on walking, running, or just generally moving about while the camera is rolling, you’ll need a gimbal to ensure that your footage is as steady as it can be.

Gimbals are mechanical stabilizers that use several axes of rotation to keep a camera steady and compensate for unwanted movements. Gimbals have become much more sophisticated in the last few years, with options from Zhiyun, FeiyuTech, and Moza enabling amateurs to achieve smooth, clean camera movements. 

• Also see our best smartphone gimbal (opens in new tab) & best gimbal for DSLRs (opens in new tab) guides.

While the best GoPro camera (opens in new tab)s have their own stabilization systems, the best GoPro gimbals will smooth out erratic camera movements to give your videos a more professional look, especially when used with older models.

When choosing the best GoPro gimbals, you can choose between wearable gimbals and handheld gimbals. You can walk around with your GoPro in your hand using a handheld option, but obviously for extreme sports when you need your hands, a wearable gimbal is the right choice and can be mounted to a helmet or handlebars.

The best GoPro gimbals in 2023

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1. GoPro Karma Grip Stabilizer

The gimbal that does it all

Average Amazon review:

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Specifications

Compatible with:

Hero 7 Black, Hero 6 Black, Hero 5 Black, Hero 4 Black (Hero 4 Harness required), Hero 4 Silver (Hero 4 Harness required)

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Reasons to buy

+

Built-in camera controls

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Impressively smooth video 

Reasons to avoid

Somewhat redundant with later GoPro models with built-in stabilization

Cheaper options available 

The Karma Grip Stabilizer is still a very useful addition to any GoPro setup, if using an older GoPro model. It creates smooth footage with a 3-axis stabilization system that works well even in extreme situations, and the integrated buttons on the grip make it easy to control your camera with a push of a button. It’s worth noting that a lot of the technology in the Karma Grip made it into the Hero7 Black (opens in new tab) and models beyond it, so while it’s compatible with that camera, you very likely don’t need to shell out for it if you’re already springing for the latest models.

(Image credit: Removu)

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2. Removu S1

Designed specifically for GoPro, it features remote control functionality and a removable battery pack

Average Amazon review:

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Specifications

Compatibility:

GoPro Session, Hero 3, Hero 3+, Hero 4, Hero 5 and Hero 6

Stabilization:

3-axis

Weight:

380g

Dimensions:

32.8 x 32.0 x 160.4mm

Battery life (approx):

5 hours

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Reasons to buy

+

Comprehensive rain-proofing 

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Removable grip with remote controls 

Reasons to avoid

Quite pricey 

Limited battery life 

With strong, rugged weatherproofing, the Removu S1 makes a great pairing with a GoPro camera, and is compatible with the majority of contemporary models. Like the Karma Grip its handle is detachable, meaning you can easily also use it as a wearable stabilizer, and there’s also remote control functionality built into the grip to allow you to operate the camera with it even when the two are separated. While the Li-Ion battery doesn’t last especially long compared to competitors, the fact that it’s removable means it’s easy to simply pack a spare if you know you’re in for a long shoot. 

(Image credit: FeiyuTech)

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3. FeiyuTech G6

A splashproof, 3-axis gimbal with up to 12 hour battery life

Average Amazon review:

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Specifications

Compatibility:

GoPro Hero8 Black, Hero7 Black, Hero6 Black, Hero5 Black, Sony RX0 and other action cameras of similar dimensions (note that cameras other than those named above may not offer full app compatibility)

Stabilization:

3-axis

Weight:

336g

Dimensions:

271 x 119 x 38mm

Battery life (approx):

12 hours

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Reasons to buy

+

Useful status screen

+

Extensive camera control

+

Compatible with GoPro Hero8 Black

Reasons to avoid

Loss of app functionality with some cameras

Some noticeable motor noise

The FeiyuTech G6 is the best gimbal for action cameras for several reasons; it has 12 hours of battery life, it’s splashproof, you can control it via an app, it has an OLED screen so you can quickly check settings and it can be used with anything from the GoPro Hero 10 to the Sony RX0 or even the DJI Osmo. It’s designed so that no matter how you angle the gimbal, it will never obscure the camera screen so you can always see exactly what you’re shooting. If you’re planning on shooting a video using the sound from the onboard mic, you’ll need to be careful as the gimbal motor sits rather close to the mic and sometimes picks up on the sound of it moving. 

Best GoPro gimbals: Zhiyun Crane M3

(Image credit: Future)

4. Zhiyun Crane M3

A compact GoPro compatible gimbal with a lot of handy features

Our expert review:

Specifications

Compatibility:

GoPro Hero10/9/8/7/6

Stabilization:

3-axis

Weight:

710g

Dimensions:

253 x 130 x 65 cm

Battery life (approx):

8 hours

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Reasons to buy

+

Small and lightweight

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Looks stylish

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Suits a variety of devices (other than GoPro)

Reasons to avoid

Hard to balance

Fiddly to adjust

The standout feature of the Zhiyun Crane M3 is its compact design. When you first take it out of the matching carry case it comes in, the size of the gimbal is quite exciting. You’ll be able to hold it for much longer without getting an aching wrist – a massive plus if you’ve ever had to use a gimbal for an extended period. 

It’s also able to take a mirrorless camera or camera phone, or an action camera, which makes it the perfect all-rounder if you only want to buy one gimbal for all your cameras. The display is a bright, 1.2-inch color touchscreen which makes it easy to navigate around the menu systems. Just make sure you get the Zhiyun Crane M3 Combo, which comes with a GoPro accessory mount.

Zhiyun Crane M2S

(Image credit: George Cairns)

The Zhiyun Crane M2S (opens in new tab) enables you to perform a combination of tilts, pans, and even rolls with your GoPro action camera. It has an adjustable light with five levels of power, and four color filters to give you plenty of creative possibilities when it comes to content creation. Its quick-release plate enables you to detach a camera and remount a different one with a minimum of fuss and effort. Operated by a joystick, it features several different modes, depending on the subjects you’re filming.