Action cameras have always been designed to take a beating with rugged, weather-resistant (and often waterproof) builds that protect your camera from damage. However, as many find out, that protection only goes so far. If you really want to protect your action camera and allow it to go farther, deeper, and capture footage that truly fascinates, you need an action camera protector.
From lens protectors and underwater housing to storage and travel cases, there are several action camera protectors that provide even greater protection for your camera gear.
For those interested in that increased protection, this article breaks down everything involved. This includes some of the top options for the most popular action camera brands on the market.
Why You Need an Action Camera Protector
Action cameras are typically very durable and well-built. Although, they can have their limitations and coverage issues. Whether you’re wanting to expand the underwater capabilities and purchase an underwater housing, or protect your camera in transit or travel, action camera protectors are a great accessory to ensure your action camera stays protected and create beyond its limits.
Here are some perks of using an action camera protector:
- Waterproof protection up to depths of 60 meters
- Built with an internal clamp that keeps the gimbal in place
- Housing design does not limit camera mounting abilities
Action Camera Protector Options
Now that we’ve established why action camera protectors are so important, let’s break down some of the different types on the market:
- Lens Protectors: While action cameras build protect most of the camera’s exterior, their lenses are still susceptible to drops and falls. Adding a lens protector with tempered glass can add even more protection to your action camera’s most important feature — its front lens elements.
- Floatation Devices: These action camera protectors are great for water sports. If your camera accidentally drops off your board, boat, or mount, these devices keep the camera afloat and easy to spot with bright orange coloring.
- Underwater Housing: Underwater housing allows your action camera to be used under the water and typically improves a camera’s waterproofing and diving limit.
- Body Cases: Typically made of silicon rubber, body cases add even more all-body protection and coverage for your action camera.
- Travel Cases: Action camera cases are typically hard cases with waterproof and weatherproof protection. They are built to carry and protect not just your action camera, but its batteries and several mounts and accessories too. Soft-touch, padded travel cases are another popular option.
Best Action Camera Protector Options
Travel Cases
PGYTECH Silicone Rubber Case for Osmo Action 3
The PGYTECH Silicone Rubber Case for Osmo Action 3 is a great body case that offers tailed, additional all-around for this popular action camera. This body case is built out of a high-quality black silicone gel that is shock-resistant. Its finish is soft to the touch and is dust-resistant, making it a perfect body case for when your Osmo Action 3 travels with you.
Features:
- Seamless design
- Made of Black silicon gel for shock and dust-resistant protection
- Metallic buckle and adjustable lanyard for increased portability
Nanuk 909 Waterproof Hard Case
If you’re looking for a serious travel case for your GoPro action camera, the Nanuk 909 Waterproof Hard Case is one of the most lightweight, durable options on the market. It has the Powerclaw Superior Latching System and IP67 Waterproof and Dustproof rating. Its also industrestructible and has a lightweight NK-7 nylon construction, stainless steel hardware, and automatic pressure release valve. This automatically adjusts and adapts to the climate, pressure, and altitude you’re in. The Nanuk 909 Waterproof Hardcase is designed for ultimate protection of your GoPro gear.
Features:
- Powerclaw Superior Latching System
- IP67 Waterproof and Dustproof rating
- Industrestructible and lightweight NK-7 nylon construction
- Automatic Pressure Release Valve
- Multiple color options
Nanuk 910 Waterproof Hard Case
If you love the Nanuk 909 but need a little more room for your GoPro gear or want to protect multiple cameras and accessories, the Nanuk 910 Waterproof Hard Case is perfect choice. It’s pre-cut, closed-cell, high quality foam interior fits up to 4 GoPro cameras, batteries, and accessories, with all the durable case features you expect from Nanuk.
Features:
- Powerclaw Superior Latching System
- IP67 Waterproof and Dustproof rating
- Industrestructible and lightweight NK-7 nylon construction
- Automatic Pressure Release Valve
- Multiple color options
Insta360 ONE RS Carry Case for 1-Inch 360 Edition
The Insta360 ONE RS Carry Case is a portable travel case for the Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch Edition. It’s compression-molded design is lightweight, rugged, and attractive, with space the Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch Edition, a spare battery, and a charging cable.
Features:
- Lightweight and rugged compression-molded design
- Attractive light gray exterior finish
- Interior space for ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition, a spare battery, and charging cable
GoPro Casey Case for all GoPro Hero Cameras
The GoPro Casey Case is GoPro’s padded travel case for all GoPro cameras and a great option for those who trust GoPro-branded products and accessories. The GoPro Casey Case is small enough to fit inside a backpack but large enough to carry your GoPro camera — plus essential mounts and accessories. It’s weather-resistant exterior protects from the elements, while its padded interior with removable dividers and pull-out pouch for smaller accesories allows you to organize your gear to your specific setup.
Features:
- Weather-resistant semi-rigid exterior shell
- Fully-customizable padded interior with removable dividers
- Enough room for your GoPro HERO camera, mounts, accessories, cables, and more
Mevo Start Case
The Mevo Start Case is a simple, high-quality softshell case designed to house the Mevo Start camera for live streaming events and long form video content. It allows you to securely travel with the camera while heading to events, with a low profile for easy storage.
Features:
- Snug fit keeps your Mevo Start secure in one place
- High-quality softshell exterior
- Designed exclusively for the Mevo Start camera
Lens Protectors
GoPro Tempered Glass Lens and Screen Protector Kit
The GoPro Tempered Glass Lens and Screen Protector Kit covers all the bases and provides both GoPro lens protectors and screen protectors made with anti-fingerprint and anti-reflective tempered glass. This way, you know your GoPro will be protected but the GoPro lens protector won’t hinder the image quality or performance.
Features:
- Protects from scratches with two tempered glass lens protectors and two screen protectors
- Do not affect quality or sharpness
- Anti-fingerprint and anti-reflective
- Includes a microfiber cleaning cloth
Floatation Devices
The GoPro Floaty
The GoPro Floaty is one of the most popular GoPro camera accessories and action camera protectors. It keeps your camera afloat during water activities and provides better peace of mind, with an easy-to-spot orange color. It’s wrap-around design also makes GoPro operation easy with access to all buttons and touch-screen display.
Features:
- Compatible with the HERO9, HERO10, HERO11
- Easy-to spot orange color
- Wrap-around design gives you access to the buttons, touch screen, and folding fingers for easy mounting
Underwater Housing
DJI Waterproof Case for Osmo Action 3 Camera
The DJI Waterproof Case for Osmo Action 3 Camera improves on the Osmo Action 3’s rugged build and provides waterproof protection up to depths of 60 meters and an IP68 waterproof rating. If you own a DJI Osmo Action 3 camera and love to free-dive, snorkel, or scuba dive, this is the waterproof case you need.
Features:
- Provides waterproof protection up to depths of 60 meters
- IP68 waterproof rating
- Housing design does not limit camera mounting abilities
DJI Waterproof Case for Action 2 Camera
The DJI Waterproof Case for Action 2 Camera takes the DJI Action 2 Camera’s waterproof, durable design to even greater depths, providing waterproof protection up to depths of 60 meters, but without limiting the user’s ability to operate the front touchscreen module or power module while the waterproof housing is on.
Features:
- Provides waterproof protection up to depths of 60 meters
- Fits both DJI Action 2 modules
- Housing design does not limit camera mounting abilities
DJI Pocket 2 Waterproof Case
The DJI Pocket 2 is not a waterproof camera, so if you want to take it underwater, the DJI Pocket 2 Waterproof Case makes that possible. Waterproof up to 60 meters, the DJI Pocket 2 Waterproof Case allows you to record incredible footage at great depths. Its design allows for easy access to the shutter/record buttons and mounting brackets, for easy shooting underwater.
Waterproof at up to 60 m, the DJI Pocket 2 Waterproof Case enables Pocket 2 to capture high-quality under-water images that are glare and distortion-free. The internal clamp keeps the gimbal in place. The shutter/record button and two mounting brackets on the outer surface further improve shooting experience.
Features:
- Waterproof at up to 60 meters
- Two mounting brackets for more scenarios
- Comes 3x Anti-fog insert
Conclusion
Your action camera is an important investment. Whether it’s protecting it in travel, in use, or adding protection that can help increase your cameras performance and abilities, an action camera protector is a necessary accessory to buy to protect your action camera gear.
