Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Why the GoPro HERO6 Black is Totally Worth the Price Tag

GoPro Hero6
Image used with permission by copyright holder
With product recalls and significant layoffs, the past year has been less than stellar for the GoPro company. Since many of the new smartphones  (more about those at our brother site, Digital Trends) provide impressive waterproofing and high-quality cameras, an action cam isn’t necessary to get amazing footage even in inclement conditions.

With that said, the new GoPro HERO6 Black does offer advantages over other devices. Its primary strengths lie in its compact design and ability to go anywhere, making this GoPro’s most capable camera yet.

Recommended Videos

At first glance, the HERO6 Black looks just like its predecessor, the HERO5 Black. It’s the same small size, its also waterproof up to 33 feet, contains identical ports, external controls, and touchscreen.

So, if it looks and feels similar, what does it have that justifies it costing $100 more than the previous generation?

We’re glad you asked. It’s what’s on the inside that counts. Just check out my ziplining footage above.

In the past, GoPro utilized existing processors for its action cams. For the latest generation, the company custom-designed its own GP1 Processor, which for twice the video frame rates. That means HERO6 Black boasts the improved image quality, low-light performance, and video stabilization over previous generations of HERO. The custom designed processor allows GoPro to add all of these enhancements while maintaining the same size body at the HERO5. Most importantly, GP1 takes the guess work out of which settings to use by automating all of these features.

One of our favorite things is the QuikStories function that converts your footage into a short videos and shares them to social media. The HERO6 is optimized with faster Wi-Fi to rapidly transfer footage from you GoPro to your phone, where the GoPro app can automatically create these videos.

The only downside we found with the performance of the HERO6 is the a shorter battery life (70 to 120 minutes, depending on the quality of video). Perhaps all of the new extra features comes at a price. However, replacement batteries cost approximately $20 each and are well-worth the expense to ensure you never miss that great video opportunity. Because, if you weren’t rolling, it didn’t happen.

gopro hero6 black quikstories
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Having used GoPro cameras in inclement conditions since the company’s early generations, I often had to place the waterproof case around the camera. Aside from the muffled audio, it was difficult to ascertain whether the camera was on or not. Thanks to the HERO6 Black’s waterproofing, you don’t need a case and the audio is just amazing. Additionally, we love the voice commands (which works in 10 languages) which I utilized while rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and zip-lining, all hands free-without ever questioning if I was getting the shot.

The company has kept the same mounting hardware, so I was able to use accessories from previous generations of GoPro cameras. Our final thoughts? If you have $500, go with the HERO6 Black.

See it

Featured image courtesy of Daven Mathies/Digital Trends.

Topics
Clay Abney
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Clay Abney is a PR guru and freelance writer living in the wild and wonderful state of West Virginia, where he spends his…
Planning a visit? These national parks will require reservations in 2025
Don't lose your chance at a bucket list national park visit this year
Reflections of mountains at Yosemite National Park

It's one of my biggest nightmares that I'll plan an amazing adventure but accidentally miss a permit or reservation for a bucket list activity. These days, permits and reservations are becoming commonplace at some of our most favorite national parks due to the influx of visitors, so it can sometimes be difficult to keep track of everything. As outdoor enthusiasts gear up for the 2025 season, it's always a good idea to check out which national parks require reservations this year. Here's our top list.
Rocky Mountain National Park resumes timed entry reservations

Starting May 23, 2025, Rocky Mountain National Park is resuming its timed entry reservation system. Last year, there were two types of reservations available: the timed entry and the timed entry plus Bear Lake Road, which offered visitors access to all the destinations along the Bear Lake Road Corridor, including Moraine Park, Sprague Lake, the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, and more. Rocky Mountain National Park will continue these reservation packages into 2025.
Yosemite National Park's 2025 timed entry reservations

Read more
Visit Yosemite’s Firefall in 2025 — without a reservation
No reservation? No problem. Here's how to see the Yosemite's Firefall in 2025
Yosemite Firefall at Yosemite National Park in Winter

Every February, Yosemite National Park experiences a Firefall, a natural phenomenon that appears at Horsetail Fall (and one of the reasons winter is a great time to visit). When conditions align, the waterfall glows in vivid orange and red hues at sunset, making it look like the water is on fire. Yosemite needs clear skies, sufficient water flow, and the proper sun angle for this to happen. With this extraordinary event taking place next month, Yosemite National Park is once again implementing a reservation system during the weeks ahead to manage the influx of visitors and protect the park's resources.

50% of these reservations were released back in November, with the rest set to trickle through in the days leading up to the event. However, if you're unfortunate enough not to snag a reservation, here's how you can experience the Firefall in 2025 without one.

Read more
The world’s first curved-screen golf simulator designed for DIY installation is here
First-ever DIY curved-screen golf enclosure kit
Carl's Place Curved Kit

Today, Carl's Place, a custom indoor golf simulator company, has launched the world's first curved-screen golf simulator designed for DIY installation. The exciting new launch of the Curved Golf Enclosure Kit with Impact Screen makes installation of custom-built, professional-grade curved simulators more attainable for golfers, homeowners, and business owners. This all-new indoor golf system provides an immersive, luxury simulator experience explicitly designed for do-it-yourself installation.

Inspired by customer feedback, Carl's Place built the kit to place golfers right in the action for a true "on-course" feel without needing professional installation. The golf simulator expands the visual range of the impact screen into a panoramic view, enhancing depth and realism to provide an improved experience compared to flat-screen simulators. Most importantly, the kit has step-by-step instructions in a written manual and an easy-to-follow video for a straightforward installation process. The DIY nature of the Curved Golf Enclosure Kit installation allows golfers to use the simulator as soon as possible.

Read more