The Insta360 X5 Is The Best 360 Camera You Can Buy Wired

Leo Migdal

-Dec 8, 2025, 3:34 AM

the insta360 x5 is the best 360 camera you can buy wired

Insta360's X-series 360-degree cameras have long dominated the market. They have great video quality, an easy-to-use interface, and simple editing software, which makes these the most beginner-friendly 360 cameras around. The latest version, the Insta360 X5, continues that tradition while bringing larger sensors with even better-looking video. The X5 is a worthy upgrade; video quality is better, battery life is improved, and new features like the PureVideo lowlight mode and replaceable lenses make the X5 the most compelling 360 camera on... The big news in the X5, and the reason to consider upgrading even if you already have the X4, are the new twin 1/1.28-inch sensors. They're a considerable step up from the 1/2-inch sensors in the X4.

At the same time, the video specs have not changed much at all, with 8K 30 fps and 5.7K 60 fps at the high end. A larger sensor with the same resolution means more detail in that footage, which is exactly what you get here. This is without a doubt the best-looking footage I've seen from a 360 camera. Keep in mind that the 8K refers to the overall 360-degree shot. When you actually frame that footage in the app, the highest resolution you'll be able to export is 4K. But the 4K footage you'll get is markedly better than what the X4 delivers.

The footage coming out of the X5 is great for a 360 camera. Bear in mind, though, that almost any other newer action camera is going to have somewhat better video quality. The appeal of the 360 camera is that it can capture what's behind you, whereas Insta360's traditional action cam, the Ace Pro 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends), cannot. This makes 360 cameras perfect for filming when you don't know exactly how you want to frame your shot, for example while riding a bike, skiing, skateboarding, and so on. In the past, to get this kind of shoot-everything, frame-later flexibility, you had to give up some video quality. While that's still true to an extent, with the X5 you're giving up very little in terms of video quality.

The top two 360-degree cameras right now are the GoPro Max 2 and the Insta360 X5. Their headline specs and features are similar, but extensive hands-on testing reveals cameras that are good at different things and are ideal for different people. Don't get me wrong, they're both great cameras and there's no "wrong" choice between them. I've been reviewing 360 cameras since they first hit the market. I've also used them in my own photography just as long. These versatile cameras allow you to capture everything around you at the same time, letting you focus on the moment and edit the video or photo later to highlight the most interesting parts.

Here's which you should buy in 2025. The Insta360 is capable of 72-megapixel (11,904x5,952) images. These don't have the dynamic range (i.e., a main aspect of overall image quality) of the camera's 18-megapixel (5,888x2,944) setting, but if detail is paramount in what you're capturing, this mode is handy. For what it's worth, I rarely use the 72-megapixel setting when I'm using the X5, not least because the Insta360 app can't convert the images into little video clips like it can with 18-megapixel... GoPro has a single setting: 29 megapixels (7,680x3,840). This is indicative of the Max 2 versus the X5.

There's more you can do with the latter, but if you don't want to mess with settings or features, the Max 2 is simpler and therefore easier. There's also more to image quality than just resolution, which I'll get to in a moment. This is a close crop from 8K 360 videos. This is typically closer than you'd normally crop for posting and sharing as it's quite soft. It does show the X5's tendency to overexpose as well as the similar levels of sharpness between the cameras. Zoomed out slightly, both cameras look as sharp as you'll get with consumer 360 cameras.

All of the videos embedded in this review are 1080p or 4K, so if they look low-resolution, try adjusting the quality using the cog icon. The Insta360 X5 ($549.99) is the latest in the company's ever-expanding range of 360-degree and action cameras. While the core shooting specifications remain largely unchanged from its predecessor, the Insta360 X4 ($499.99), the X5 has larger image sensors, user-replaceable lenses, improved waterproofing, a new wind guard, and longer battery life. Its mobile and desktop apps have received facelifts and added a number of AI-powered templates for swiftly editing and exporting stills and video. The X5 is a staggeringly versatile creative tool that can produce remarkable outputs with little effort, or breathtaking ones if you're willing to learn how to get the most from it, earning it our... The standard version of the Insta360 X5 costs $549.99 and includes the camera, a USB-C cable, a soft case, and a lens cloth.

The Essentials Bundle ($659.99) adds an additional battery, a fast charge case, a hard carry case, a lens cap, lens guards, and a 44.9-inch version of the Invisible Selfie Stick that Insta360 is famous... The camera's software recognizes the selfie stick and erases it (although shadows often betray its presence), which makes for the top-down, over-the-shoulder, and birds-eye view footage Insta360 products are known for. Insta360 offers a range of accessory bundles for the X5, as it does for its other cameras. These include mounts for bicycles and motorcycles, body and head straps, and diving cases and floatation devices. Visually, the X5 is little changed from the X4. It has the same pair of lenses on the front and rear for 360-degree image and video capture, and largely the same button layout.

However, the ribbed front of the X4 has been replaced by a geometric pattern, and instead of a pinhole microphone, the X5 has a new, hexagonal wind guard covering the front-facing microphone. On the rear, the touch screen has increased in size from 2.5 inches on the X4 to 2.7 inches on the X5. Insta360 doesn't supply resolution or brightness metrics for the display, but it's more than bright enough for outdoor use even in bright sunlight. The Insta360 X5 is a sizeable improvement over its predecessor, the Insta360 X4, which was already the finest 360 camera on the market. 8K/30p 360 recording allows for 2.7K reframed footage — still the best res you can get in 360 degrees. Thanks to larger sensors, low light performance is much better than ever before, while a new microphone wind guard allows clean audio free from wind buffeting.

360 -degree battery life has been boosted over the previous model, and Insta360 has introduced a replaceable lens system to remove the need for lens guards. The best just got even better. Decreased single-lens battery life versus X4 Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate. The Insta360 X5 is the latest and supposedly greatest flagship 360-degree camera from Chinese action camera manufacturer Insta360.

And it's a camera the brand didn't need to make. See, the X5's predecessor, the Insta360 X4, was already better than every other 360 camera out there. And it wasn't even a close contest. Just like the new model, the X4 offered 8K 360-degree capture. Its closest competitor, the GoPro Max, could only shoot at 5.6K. Insta360 already started in pole position with the brilliant X4, but has made some significant improvements to stay ahead of the game.

These are a combination of subtle improvements that all mount up – battery life, 5.7K 60fps mode, new image sensors, more rugged glass, and better sound systems. It might not tempt me to upgrade from my X4, but were I coming to 360-degree new, this would make me very happy indeed! Impressive performance even in low light 8K 360-degree video beats the competition Resolution hasn't increased from X4 (but is 8K) Removable lens guards are extra cost (were included in X4 standard bundle)

Thinking about picking up a 360 camera? With so many models and features, it's easy to get lost in the details. Insta360 makes it simple by offering three standout options designed for different creators: X5, X4, and X3. Whether you're a professional chasing cinematic shots, a casual creator capturing everyday adventures, or a first-time user exploring what 360 can do, there's an Insta360 that fits your needs. In this guide, we'll break down each camera, compare specs, and explore bundles so you can make the right choice. Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's break down your options:

Insta360 X5: The flagship. Built for creators who want the ultimate 360 experience. Its 8K video, replaceable lenses, and AI-powered editing tools let you capture anything, anywhere, in professional-quality detail. Adventurers, travel vloggers, and filmmakers will appreciate the versatility and power X5 brings to every shoot. Insta360 X4: The all-rounder. It's reliable, versatile, and proven in everyday shooting.

It strikes a balance between performance and simplicity, making it perfect for casual creators who want solid results without chasing the latest tech. In this Insta360 X5 review, we dive deep into whether this new 360 camera truly lives up to the expectations set by its predecessors. With extensive side-by-side testing against the X4, Qoocam 3 Ultra, and even the iPhone 16 Pro, we explore image quality, stabilization, low-light performance, and more to determine if the upgrade is worth your investment. The Insta360 X5 has generated considerable buzz in the 360 camera community. But does it truly live up to the hype? In this detailed review, we will explore the X5’s performance in various real-world scenarios, comparing it against its predecessors—the X4 and Qoocam 3 Ultra—as well as the iPhone 16 Pro.

From image quality to low-light performance, we’ll dissect every aspect to help you determine if this camera is worth your investment. When it comes to image quality, the Insta360 X5 stands out, especially in fully automatic mode. Right off the bat, it delivers superior highlight retention, clean shadows, and minimal noise compared to its competitors. The X4 and Qoocam 3 Ultra, both capable of 8K, show similar sharpness, but the X5 edges ahead in overall quality. Interestingly, while the X5 performs admirably, the Qoocam 3 Ultra slightly outperforms it in sharpness, evident when zooming into text or intricate details. However, the X5’s advantages become clear when considering chromatic aberration and highlight handling.

The Qoocam 3 Ultra exhibits some noticeable aberration, particularly in high-contrast areas, which compromises its realism. One of the major selling points of the X5 is its HDR capability at 5.7K and 60fps. However, this “HDR” feature is misleading. Upon closer inspection of the raw files, it becomes clear that the X5 still operates within 8-bit color and is not true HDR as defined by industry standards. The Insta360 X4 was a fantastic product when it came out only a year ago, and its successor is even better. The X5 may look virtually identical, but a number of meaningful improvements make it an all-round superior camera to the X4.

The Insta360 X5 Is The Best 360 Camera You Can Buy Wired

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