Akaso 360 Review: The Budget 360 Camera That Punches Above Its Price
360-degree cameras have been around for a while, but they've often been pricey gadgets reserved for GoPro gurus or Insta360 enthusiasts. Akaso, a brand known for affordable action cams, is shaking things up with its first 360 camera, simply called the Akaso 360. This camera aims to give casual users an easy and budget-friendly way to jump into immersive 360° photos and videos – and it costs far less than big-name rivals like the Insta360 X series or GoPro Max
In this review, we'll take a look at what the Akaso 360 can do, where it shines, and where you might feel its budget roots. If you're curious about getting into 360° video without breaking the bank, read on for our pros and cons, feature breakdowns, and how it compares to the competition.
Akaso 360: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent value for money – one of the most affordable 360 cams available.
- Impressive auto‑stitching of 360 footage and effective video stabilization.
- Decent companion apps on mobile & desktop make editing and reframing easy.
Cons:
- Image quality suffers in low light or cloudy conditions.
- Not waterproof or ruggedized – only “splash-resistant,” so no safe underwater use.
- Touchscreen can be finicky, sometimes not responding to swipes and tap.
Visible Design Changes
For a budget 360 camera, the Akaso 360 holds its own in the image department – at least when the sun is shining. It captures 5.7K resolution 360° video at 30fps, or 4K at 60fps, using its dual-lens setup. In terms of photos, you get up to 72MP still images (or 18MP in a lower-res mode), with the option to save in JPEG or even DNG RAW for those who want to do extra editing. In bright daylight, our test shots came out pretty sharp and vibrant, comparable to what you'd expect from far pricier 360 cams. Casual users shooting outdoors on a sunny vacation will be pleased with the results.
However, once the light dims, the Akaso 360’s small 1/2-inch image sensors start to show their limits. In anything but bright ambient light, image quality takes a hit – noise creeps in, details get mushy, and the overall clarity drops. During testing, even a slightly cloudy day introduced noticeable grain in the footage. When viewing videos on a phone screen they still looked decent, but on a larger computer screen the noise became obvious.
This is where higher-end models like the Insta360 X5 clearly outperform the Akaso in image quality, especially in low-light situation. That said, for a camera in this price range, the performance is definitely acceptable.
As long as you stick to daylight or well-lit environments, the Akaso 360 produces good-looking 360 videos and photos with minimal effort – perfect for casual sharing on social media or viewing on your phone.
Akaso 360 Stabilization and Features
One of the most pleasant surprises with the Akaso 360 is how well it handles stabilization and the unique tricks of 360 capture. The camera uses internal gyros and software to automatically stabilize your footage, resulting in smooth videos even when you're moving. Walk-and-talk vlog clips and even bicycle ride footage came out stable and watchable, without the nausea-inducing shake.
Additionally, the Akaso does the heavy lifting of auto-stitching your 360-degree videos from its two fish-eye lenses. In our experience, the stitching was seamless – you don’t see the join where the two images meet. It also cleverly hides the selfie stick from your shots, so you get that “floating camera” look just like the high-end 360 cam. These quality-of-life features (which used to require manual editing wizardry) all work very well out of the box, meaning a beginner can capture immersive clips without worrying about technical hassles.
Beyond standard shooting, the Akaso 360 offers a handful of fun shooting modes to get creative. There’s a time-lapse video mode (with intervals from 1s up to 60s), a loop-recording mode for continuous recording, and even an HDR bracketed photo mode for better dynamic range in stills.
One particularly nifty feature is called TimeFusion, which lets you take a photo of the scene with one lens, then a photo with the other lens, and merge them so it looks like you’re in two places at once. In testing, we were able to easily create a quirky shot where the same person appeared twice in the same 360 photo – a fun party trick for casual users without needing Photoshop. While these modes aren’t totally unique to Akaso, it’s nice to see them included in such an inexpensive device.
Overall, the Akaso 360’s feature set covers all the basics a casual 360 shooter would want. It may lack some of the ultra-advanced options of pricier cameras (for example, the Insta360 X3/X5 offer advanced Active HDR video and more AI editing effects), but for core 360 filming and creativity, the Akaso has you covered.
Beginners will appreciate that the fancy stuff (like stabilization, stitching, horizon leveling, and stick removal) all happen automatically and reliably.
Design and Build
The Akaso’s design closely follows the “candy bar” style of other 360 cams – slim and vertical, with a lens on each side and a small touchscreen on the front. Despite being Akaso’s first try at a 360 camera, the build quality is pretty solid. The device is lightweight (about 180g) and perfectly pocketable, yet it doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy in the hand.
In fact, it looks and feels a lot like a slightly smaller version of the Insta360 X5, which is a compliment for a camera at this price. The screen is reasonably bright and clear, and there are a couple of physical buttons for power and shutter, which is helpful when the touchscreen acts up.
Touchscreen
Speaking of that touchscreen: it’s one of our few gripes with the design. While it’s great that you have a built-in screen to change settings and frame shots, the touch controls can be annoyingly unresponsive at times. Swiping through menus or tapping to change modes occasionally took a few tries. It’s not a constant problem, but when it happens, it can test your patience. Thankfully, the menu system is simple enough and you can always use the companion app to control the camera if needed. Aside from the touch sensitivity issue, the Akaso 360’s controls and form factor are very user-friendly for newcomers.
Durability
Where the Akaso’s budget nature shows most is in its durability. This camera is not built for hardcore action or adverse environments. Akaso rates it as only “splash-resistant,” meaning it can handle a light drizzle or the odd splash, but it’s not waterproof or dustproof like a GoPro or the Insta360 X3. We did use it briefly in a gentle rain and it survived just fine (only some water droplets on the lenses in the footage), but dunking it underwater is definitely off the table. Likewise, there’s no rugged shockproof housing – dropping this camera on a hard surface would be risky. If your adventures involve water sports, beach sand, or rough tumbles, a more rugged 360 cam would be a better bet.
Dual-Lens Design
Another thing to note is the exposed dual-lens design common to 360 cameras. The lenses protrude a bit from the body, giving you that all-seeing 360 view, but it also means they’re vulnerable to scratches. Unlike the Insta360 X5, which has user-replaceable lens covers for quick swaps if you crack a lens, the Akaso 360 has no easy way to replace or repair a damaged lens. In other words, treat it with care: use the included soft protective pouch when you toss it in a bag, and maybe avoid activities where it could smack into something at high speed. Given the low price, it’s understandable that heavy-duty protection isn’t part of the package, but it’s a consideration for users deciding how and where to use it.
Akaso 360 Accessories Bundle
On a positive note, the Akaso 360 does come with some useful accessories. In the standard bundle, you get a protective pouch, a lens cleaning cloth, and even two batteries included – a pleasant surprise since many cameras only include one. (The pricier Creator Combo adds even more goodies like a charging case and a long selfie stick, but more on batteries later.)
There’s also a standard tripod screw mount on the bottom, so it’s easy to attach the camera to tripods, grips, or the ubiquitous invisible selfie stick for 360 shots. Overall, the design is compact and user-friendly, if not adventure-proof. For casual everyday use, the Akaso 360’s build is more than adequate, just handle it with a bit of TLC.
Usability and Controls
One of the Akaso 360’s strongest suits is its simplicity. This is a camera designed for beginners, and it shows in how straightforward it is to get started. Basic operation is plug-and-play: pop in a microSD card (up to 512GB is supported, make sure it’s a fast V30/U3 card for that high-res video), power on the camera, and you’re ready to record 360° video or snap photos. There’s not an overwhelming maze of settings – the menu is fairly minimal, covering resolution, frame rate, and toggling some modes. This will be a relief for users who aren’t tech experts; you can basically leave it on the default 5.7K mode and just hit record.
The camera’s small touchscreen lets you preview your shot (though with a 360 camera you’re capturing everything around you, so framing isn’t as critical as with a normal camera) and adjust settings on the fly. When the touchscreen behaves, navigating the menus is intuitive and the interface is clean. And if you prefer a bigger screen or more precise control, the Akaso 360 companion app (available for mobile, plus a desktop app for PC/Mac) is your friend. We found the mobile app simple and easy to use – connecting the camera via Wi-Fi is straightforward, and the app interface is newbie-friendly. You can change modes, start/stop recording remotely, and instantly playback your 360 clips on your phone, dragging around to view any angle.
Video Editing
The real fun comes when editing and reframing your 360 footage in the app. Akaso provides tools to easily turn that big 360 video into a normal 2D video clip focusing on the best parts. You can let the app auto-track subjects (it has some AI-assisted tracking to follow a person or object in the scene), or manually set keyframes to pan around the scene yourself. We were happy to see that trimming and reframing clips was fast and user-friendly, even for a novice.
The desktop app similarly offers a straightforward way to export your 360 videos into shareable formats, and you can do basic image adjustments if needed (exposure, color, etc.). For the purposes of our testing, we mostly left the footage as-is to see what the camera could do on its own – and the untouched results were pretty good.
File Sizes
One thing to keep in mind is that 360 videos have large file sizes. Transferring footage from the camera to your phone or computer can take a while. The Akaso 360 uses a standard Wi-Fi connection to wirelessly transfer files, and in our experience we got around 12 MB/s transfer speeds.
That means a big 5.7K video clip might take several minutes to copy over. It’s not a deal-breaker (and you can always pop out the microSD card to transfer via a card reader for speed), but patience is required if you shoot a lot of footage at once. This is fairly normal for 360 cameras, but top-tier models with newer wireless tech (or direct USB transfers) might move files faster.
Audio
As for audio and other usability points: the Akaso 360 has a built-in stereo microphone, which does an okay job in quiet indoor settings. It will capture your voice for a vlog or some ambient sound, but like most action cams, wind noise is a problem in outdoor clips. Don’t expect high-fidelity audio from the internal mic, especially on a breezy day or when biking at speed – you’ll hear a lot of wind whoosh. Casual users likely won't mind too much, as the visuals are the star with 360 videos, but serious users might want to dub over with music or use an external recorder for important audio.
Overall, using the Akaso 360 is refreshingly uncomplicated. It’s designed for the casual user in mind, where you can get fun results without needing to master any pro techniques. From shooting to editing, the learning curve is gentle. Aside from a few moments of frustration with the touchscreen responsiveness, everything about this camera’s operation felt geared towards ease-of-use – a big win for those new to 360 content creation.
Battery Life
Battery life on 360 cameras is often a sore spot, but the Akaso 360 performs decently for its class. The camera comes with a removable 1800mAh battery (and remember, you get two of them in the box, which is awesome). In our stress-test, one fully charged battery managed around 50 minutes of continuous 5.7K/30fps recording.
That’s a bit shy of Akaso’s official claim of ~60 minutes, but it’s on par with what many 360 cams achieve in real-world use. If you drop to lower resolution or record shorter clips intermittently, you might get closer to an hour per battery. Having the second battery included is a huge plus for casual shooters – you can swap in the spare to get roughly 1.5–2 hours total shooting time without needing to find a charger. By comparison, premium models like the Insta360 X3 or GoPro Max often only include one battery that lasts about an hour (and extras cost more), so Akaso wins points here for generosity.
Charging the batteries can be done via the camera’s USB-C port (just plug it into a charger or power bank). If you opt for the Creator Combo, you’d get a dedicated charging case that juices up multiple batteries at once – convenient, but not a necessity for casual use. We mostly charged batteries in-camera; from empty to full took roughly 90 minutes, which is standard.
In terms of thermal performance, the Akaso 360 did get noticeably warm during heavy use, but we never encountered an overheating shutdown. Even when recording ~30 minutes straight on a warm summer day, the camera got toasty but kept on running without throttling or stopping. This is good news, because some 360 cams (and action cams in general) will auto-shutoff if they overheat. Akaso seems to have balanced performance and heat well enough for typical usage scenarios.
For most casual users, the battery life here is sufficient. If you plan to take the Akaso 360 on a day trip, bringing along the second battery (and maybe a portable USB charger) will comfortably get you through a day of on-and-off shooting. Just remember that using power-hungry modes like Wi-Fi transfers or previewing a lot on the screen can drain it faster. All told, battery life is not a major worry with this camera – it’s about what we expect, and the included spare cell is a welcome bonus.
Akaso 360 vs Insta360 X3 vs GoPro Max – How Does It Compare?
No review would be complete without seeing how the Akaso 360 stacks up against its bigger-name rivals. The 360 camera space is dominated by Insta360 and GoPro, so how close can a $200 upstart get to those heavyweights?
Price and Value
Let’s start with the obvious: price. The Akaso 360’s biggest advantage is that it’s way cheaper than any other current 360 camera in 2025. At around $199 (or £199/AU$329), it undercuts the latest Insta360 and GoPro models by a wide margin. The GoPro Max (2025 refreshed edition) usually runs about $300+, and the flagship Insta360 X5 is well over double Akaso’s price at about $550. Even the older Insta360 X3, originally $449, is on sale for roughly $250–$300 these days. So purely in dollars, nothing beats Akaso for value – you’re getting a fully capable 360 camera for a fraction of the cost of the others. This is a huge factor for casual users or beginners who aren’t ready to invest big money in what might just be a fun hobby.
Image Quality Comparison
Of course, the old saying "you get what you pay for" does apply to some extent. The Insta360 X3 and X5 produce superior image quality, especially in challenging conditions. For instance, Insta360’s cameras have more advanced image processing and larger sensors (the new X5 even shoots in 8K resolution) that deliver sharper footage with less noise in low light. The Akaso 360 maxes out at 5.7K and struggles when light is limited, whereas the Insta360 X5’s dual 1-inch sensors (in a special edition) or even the X3’s tuned software will retain more detail and reduce grain at dusk or indoors.
The X3 and X5 also offer an HDR video mode for high-contrast scenes, something the Akaso 360 lacks. That HDR can make a noticeable difference when you have bright skies and dark shadows in the same shot – the Insta360 will handle those extremes better, where the Akaso might blow out highlights or lose shadow detail. For a casual user sharing on social media, these differences aren't deal-breakers, but if you’re picky about video quality or plan to shoot in varied lighting, the higher-end cams have the edge.
Stabilization and Features Comparison
In terms of stabilization, all three – Akaso 360, Insta360 X3, and GoPro Max – do a great job. 360 cameras inherently stabilize well (since they capture all angles and can algorithmically level the horizon), and we found the Akaso’s stabilization on par with the GoPro Max and not too far off Insta360’s FlowState stabilization. The differences are minor unless you’re doing really fast-paced action.
When it comes to special features, Insta360’s ecosystem is the king of creative tricks. The X3 and X5 come with a polished app that offers lots of shooting modes (like Bullet Time slow-mo, Me Mode for selfie video without reframing, and tons of AI editing templates).
The Akaso 360 sticks to the basics – it has time-lapse and some fun modes like TimeFusion as discussed, but it’s not as feature-packed or gimmicky (depending on what you want) as Insta360’s offerings. GoPro Max is a bit more barebones on software tricks too (GoPro focuses more on being an action cam with 360 capability). For a casual user, the Akaso has everything you need to enjoy 360 footage, but the Insta360 might offer more "wow, that’s cool!" moments with its extra modes and editing effects if you dive into them.
Ease of Use
Here, the Akaso 360 actually holds its ground. Its straightforward approach can be easier for a newbie than Insta360’s app, which, while powerful, might feel overwhelming with options. The Insta360 X3 does have a much larger touchscreen on the device itself, which is very handy for reviewing footage and changing settings (and it’s quite responsive). In contrast, the Akaso’s smaller, less responsive screen is a usability niggle.
But if you primarily use the smartphone app, the experience is comparable – both apps are user-friendly, though Insta360’s is more feature-rich. One area where the rivals clearly win is voice control – GoPro Max and Insta360 cameras offer voice commands (e.g., “start recording”) which Akaso lacks. Again, not a huge deal for casual users, but worth noting.
Durability and Build Comparison
If you’re planning on adventures, Insta360 X3 and GoPro Max have a clear advantage. The Insta360 X3 is waterproof down to 33ft (10m) without a case, and the GoPro Max is water-resistant to 16ft (5m) – you can literally take them snorkeling or out in heavy rain with no extra housing. The Akaso 360, as mentioned, is only splash-proof at best. Also, the GoPro Max is built with GoPro’s typical rugged feel and comes with lens protectors you can replace. Insta360’s X series have optional lens guard accessories and, in the X5, even swappable lenses.
With Akaso, if you crack a lens, you’re in trouble (likely needing a full repair or replacement). For casual everyday use, this might not matter much – the Akaso is fine walking around the city, at family gatherings, or casual hikes – but for extreme sports or underwater shots, the others are the safer bet.
Battery and Accessories
We noted Akaso includes two batteries in the kit, which is fantastic. Insta360 and GoPro typically include one battery; extra ones will cost you (though bundles sometimes offer them). The updated GoPro Max (2025) improved its battery life slightly over the originaltechradar.com, but you’ll still want spares for a long day. All three cameras allow battery swapping, so none has a clear advantage there except Akaso giving you an extra off the bat. As for accessories: Insta360 and GoPro have a vast ecosystem of mounts, selfie sticks (including invisible sticks), and even third-party mods. Akaso, being new, has fewer proprietary accessories, but thankfully it uses standard mounts, so you can use it with most generic tripod/selfie stick accessories anyway. If you want things like a motorcycle mount, chest harness, etc., GoPro’s ecosystem is unmatched (but those can often be adapted to any camera).
Bottom line on comparisons
If you’re a casual user on a budget, the Akaso 360 offers 90% of the fun at a fraction of the cost. You’ll get immersive 360 videos that will wow your friends, with an easy workflow, as long as you operate within its comfort zone (good lighting, non-rugged use). The Insta360 X3 (especially now that it’s often on sale) is a tempting step-up – for about $50 more, you’d get waterproofing and slightly better overall image quality plus features like HDR. Meanwhile, the GoPro Max caters to the action-sports crowd with GoPro’s signature durability and a familiar interface, but it’s aging tech and unless you specifically need that GoPro build, the Akaso 360 can achieve very similar results for casual purposes. And of course, the Insta360 X5 is in a different league – it’s the best 360 camera on the market, with 8K video and superior low-light, but it’s also over double the price of Akaso and probably overkill for a newbie.
In summary, Akaso 360 vs the big guys comes down to budget and needs. For tight budgets and simple use, Akaso wins hands down on value. For more demanding use (like underwater, night shots, or pro-level editing), spending more on an Insta360 or GoPro might be worth it.
Final Thoughts
The Akaso 360 proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy 360-degree photography and video. It’s a friendly, no-frills gateway into the 360 world, ideal for casual users who want to experiment and have fun with a new perspective. Is it the absolute best 360 camera out there? No – cameras like the Insta360 X5 beat it in almost every spec and featuree, and the lack of waterproofing and low-light prowess means the Akaso isn’t for every situation.
But at this price point, those high-end models aren't really fair comparisons. The Akaso 360 shines where it matters for beginners: it’s easy to use, creates good-looking content in the right conditions, and won’t scare you off with complexity or cost. We’d recommend it to anyone who’s 360-curious and on a budget, with the caveat that if you later find yourself wanting more (better image quality, or to take your camera on wild adventures), you might eventually outgrow it.
For now, though, Akaso has delivered something pretty special – a budget 360 camera that genuinely delivers on its promises. It brings the joy of 360 photography to the masses without a hefty price tag, and that alone earns it a thumbs up. Grab it for your next trip or creative project and you’ll likely be delighted by what this little device can do, just keep its limitations in mind. In the world of 360 cameras, the Akaso 360 is like a friendly starter Pokémon – not the most evolved, but loyal and fun, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need to begin your adventure.
The Verdict
A wallet-friendly 360 camera that’s perfect for newcomers. The Akaso 360 makes immersive video easy and accessible, provided you don’t push it beyond its comfort zone. For casual 360 shooting in everyday conditions, it’s hard to beat the bang-for-buck here.
Featured image by Akaso.