Insta360 Go 3
The Insta360 Go 3 improves on the Go 2’s winning formula. You get an awesome new Action Pod with a tilting touchscreen, better battery life and higher-resolution recording.
Insta360 Go 2
We’ve been big fans of the Insta360 Go 2 since its release. It’s tiny, affordable and robust, making it great for those times when a normal action camera is too big and bulky.
TheInsta360 Go 2has been one of our favourite action cameras since it launched in 2021. It’s absolutely tiny, probably the smallest full-featuredaction camerathat money can buy, and that means it can be used in situations where even things likeGoProsare too large and heavy.
The Go 2 is undoubtedly a niche camera, not everyone is going to want or need something so small, especially when using it to its fullest requires you to pair it with a smartphone app.
However, for many, it’s become an incredibly useful little filmmaking tool - and with the introduction of the Insta360 Go 3, it’s set to get even better along with being much easier to use. So, what’s new with the latest micro action camera? We’ve compared the two models in great detail, so you can find out which model is right for you.
Specs, pricing and availability
The Insta360 Go 2 was released in March 2021 at a price of $299 with 32GB of onboard storage. A 64GB version was released later in November 2021 at a price of $329. Both models have been widely available ever since.
The Insta360 Go 3 launched on July 21, 2025 and is available to purchase now. There are three storage options to choose from. The 32GB version costs $379, the 64GB model is $399 and the 128GB model is $429.
The design changes are where you’ll find the biggest difference between these two cameras, at least in terms of user experience. We were really impressed with the Insta360 Go 2’s charging case solution, which integrated a remote control and a mini tripod into its design, but the Insta360 Go 3 takes that idea to the next level.
With the Go 3, you get an Action Pod, which is essentially a charging case that turns the Go 3 into a traditional action camera, complete with a touchscreen LCD where you can frame your shots and change your settings. The best part is that the viewfinder works wirelessly, so you can check your framing and change settings remotely while the camera is mounted. The screen also flips vertically, so you can use it at low angles, or to film yourself vlog-style.
The Go 2’s case had little flip-out legs so it could be used like a tripod, but they weren’t the most sturdy thing around. However, it also included a 1/4-20 tripod thread, allowing you to use it any camera mount around. This is suspiciously absent on the Go 3’s Action Pod, but that’s because it’s been replaced by something that’s arguably better.
The Go 3 adopts a magnetic clamp mounting system, and it’s very similar to the system used byDJI’s Action 2andOsmo Action 3. In the box, you get a clamp-to-tripod-thread adapter, and it includes a rotating ball head for easy framing. The best part is that the magnetic clamp works with both the Action Pod and the Go 3 itself, meaning that you can securely attach either option very quickly. The Go 2 had accessories that would allow it to be mounted without the case, too, but they were either less secure or more finicky to set up.
When it comes to the cameras themselves, the Go 3 has put on a few pounds compared to the Go 2. It’s slightly larger in all dimensions and weighs about 9 grams more. This is no big deal for most people, but if you’re planning on sticking this camera on a micro drone, those 9 grams will be very noticeable.
On the plus side, that extra weight translates to much better battery life. There’s a 310 mAh pack in the Go 3, compared to 210 mAh on the Go 2, and Insta360 says this results in a 50 per cent increase in shooting time standalone. You should now be able to manage up to 45 minutes of recording without the pod, while the Go 2 tends to conk out around 30 minutes.
Software and features
The Insta360 Go 2 and 3 use the same Insta360 app as each other, and all of Insta360’s cameras, for that matter. This means that if you’ve used an Insta360 camera before, you’re in for a very familiar experience, and that’s a good thing.
Insta360’s software is very intuitive and feature-packed, we’d say it’s one of the brand’s strong points. The app experience is faster and more reliable than GoPro’s offerings, and there’s a very good desktop app, too, which is something GoPro sorely lacks.
There are some new recording modes this time around, too. The Go 3 supports pre-recording, which means that the Go 3 can capture either 10, 15 or 30 seconds of video before you press the record button. Though this feature does significantly lower the camera’s battery life.
You can do loop recording, if you want to use it like adash cam, and you can schedule record times, too. This is great if you want to record a timelapse of the sunrise, for example, you can schedule in the record time and not have to get up in the middle of the night to start your timelapse.
Video performance
The biggest difference in image quality between the Go 3 and the Go 2 is the fact that the Go 3 can record higher-resolution videos. It shoots at up to 2.7K, compared to just 1440p on the Go 2. It’s also had some software tweaks to refine the image processing, and we think it looks a little less grainy than the Go 2 in the majority of scenarios, with a slightly higher dynamic range.
In addition, you may tweak the image to your tastes more or this model. There are different levels of sharpening available via the menu in the Action Pod, and this is something we were really happy to see, as the default sharpening is quite aggressive on the Go 2. There are also lots more picture profiles, or filters, to choose from with the Go 3. The Go 2 offers just standard, vivid and LOG profiles, whereas the Go 3 has all manner of different profiles, including options for biking, snow, night scenes and urban environments.
There are also dual microphones for stereo recording on the Go 3, while there’s only a single mic on the Go 2. In all honesty, neither of these cameras are too impressive when it comes to audio capabilities, but there’s an audible improvement with the Go 3, even if it is minor.
Both cameras support 360-degree horizon levelling and benefit from Insta360’s excellent FlowState stabilisation. Our favourite way to shoot with these cameras is in the FreeFrame Mode (which is called Pro Video on the Go 2). This allows you to select your FOV and aspect ratio after shooting, so you can render vertical, horizontal and square format videos of the same clip. You can even change the stabilisation mode in post, it’s super flexible. We were, however, disappointed to learn that the Go 3 still maxes out at 1440p 50fps when shooting in this mode.
Conclusion
The Insta360 Go 3 takes everything we loved about the Go 2 and makes it better. It can shoot at higher resolutions, is much easier to use thanks to the new Action Pod, has longer standalone battery life and is quicker to mount with the new latching magnetic system.
There are, however, a few things that make the older Insta360 Go 2 a more appealing option. Firstly, it’s much cheaper, even at full price, and can often be found discounted now that it has been around for a while. Secondly, it’s lighter and smaller, which means that it’s ideal for attaching to micro drones and RC planes. Sure, that’s a fairly niche use case, but it was one of our favourite ways to use the Go 2, and we’ll likely continue to opt for the older model in that scenario.
The Go 2’s AirPods-style clamshell case is also easier to slip into your pocket and provides better protection for the lens. So if you plan on carrying your mini action camera in your pocket, you may want to take that into consideration.
On the whole, though, most people will have a much better time with the Go 3. It’s just so much easier to understand and operate compared to its predecessor, and that’s all thanks to the excellent Action Pod. Now, it’s just like using a GoPro, but with all the benefits of a tiny thumb-sized chassis and remote video monitoring. We love it.
