GoPro Max 2
Exact average 82.7 · 8 printed, 7 estimated · printed scores only: 82
Image: GoPro15 professional reviewers tested the GoPro Max 2, and 13 recommend it. Most praised: ease of use and sound. Most common complaint: price.
Reviewed by The Independent, PCMag UK, CNET and 12 more
The catch: Low-light video is weak.
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What 15 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 90The Independent
Looks the same as the original but the new chip brings clearly better noise cancelling, richer sound and useful extras like live translation, albeit at a high price.
Read The Independent review - 90PCMag UK
An Editors' Choice 360 camera with 8K video, 4K exports and fast editing.
Read PCMag UK review - 88CNET
An Editors' Choice winner that looks better out of camera and is easier to use than the Insta360 X5.
Read CNET review - 86Engadget
A hands-on test that finds the Max 2 a credible rival to Insta360 and DJI, helped by its image quality and simple editing.
Read Engadget review - 80Trusted Reviews
Sound and ANC are clearly better thanks to the new chip and amp, but the old design annoyances remain.
Read Trusted Reviews review - 78soundguys.com
Excellent noise cancelling and decent sound make these a good buy for people deep in Apple's ecosystem.
Read soundguys.com review - 76TechGearLab
Gorgeous sound, top-class noise cancelling and good calls, undercut by high price and a heavy design that causes discomfort after about four hours.
Read TechGearLab review - 70WIRED
The best 360 camera for newcomers, with excellent true 8K video, 10-bit colour and easy lens replacement.
Read WIRED review - 89est.Tom's Guide
Earned an Editor's Choice as the best 360 camera for professionals, thanks to true 8K, log video and GoPro Labs.
Read Tom's Guide review - 83est.TechRadar
The Max 2 delivers the best daylight image quality among small 360 cameras with rugged, flexible mounting.
Read TechRadar review - 83est.T3
After a week of testing, the writer finds it a refined if not revolutionary 360 camera with crisp 8K video.
Read T3 review - 83est.ZDNET
After two weeks of travel use, the writer finds the Max 2 a convenient, easy 360 camera with sharp daylight footage and natural color.
Read ZDNET review - 83est.Expert Reviews
The reviewer calls the Max 2 a successful comeback, with sharp 8K video, top stabilization and swappable lenses at a fair price.
Read Expert Reviews review - 83est.SlashGear
The reviewer recommends the Max 2 for its true 8K quality, GoPro color and rugged, easily mounted design.
Read SlashGear review - 79est.DC Rainmaker
The GoPro Max 2 is a strong contender for those already in the GoPro ecosystem, offering excellent resolution and a user-friendly design.
Read DC Rainmaker review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
Watch a video review
- DC Rainmaker on YouTube ↗Counted in the score: 79
From YouTube channels we vetted by hand. Videos paid for by the brand are never listed.
How it compares
Direct comparisons by professional outlets, exact models only, in our words. Shown as evidence; they never change the critic score.
vs Insta360 X588
- CNET picks the Insta360 X5. Still choose this one if: you are a beginner or want good footage with minimal editing.
- RedShark News (2025): it depends. Choose this one if: you already use GoPro gear and want rugged mounts and a simpler workflow.
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
Other action cameras critics rate highly
Also reviewed, not yet scored
- DJI Osmo 360 II · 3 reviews so far
- GoPro Mission 1 Pro ILS · 3 reviews so far
Common questions
Is the GoPro Max 2 worth it?
Most critics think so: 13 of 15 recommend it. Low-light video is weak.
Do critics agree about the GoPro Max 2?
Broad agreement: scores range from 70 (WIRED) to 90 (The Independent), a spread of 20 points across 15 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.
What do critics dislike about the GoPro Max 2?
Price (5 of 15 reviews), Battery life (3 of 15 reviews), Software and app (3 of 15 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the GoPro Max 2?
The DJI Osmo Pocket 4 (critic score 90), top pick, narrowly.