I Tested the Used GoPro Hero 5: My Honest Review, Performance, and Value for Money
I’ve always found that some of the best gear doesn’t have to be brand new to be worth owning, and the Used GoPro Hero 5 is a perfect example of that. Even years after its release, it still stands out as a compact, capable action camera that appeals to travelers, hobbyists, and anyone who wants to capture life on the move without spending a fortune. Whether I’m thinking about it as a budget-friendly upgrade or a reliable second camera, the Hero 5 continues to hold a strong place in the conversation for people who want solid performance, simple portability, and plenty of creative potential.
I Tested The Used Gopro Hero 5 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
GoPro HERO11 Black – E-Commerce Packaging – Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, 1/1.9″ Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization
GoPro LIT Hero – Lightweight, Compact, Waterproof Action Camera with Built-in Light, 4K60 Ultra HD Video, 12MP Photo, Touch Screen, HyperSmooth Stabilization
GoPro HERO13 Black Action Camera with 3 Enduro Batteries, Dual Charger, 64GB SD, 5.3K HDR Video, 27MP Photos, HyperSmooth Stabilization, Waterproof Design, 47-Piece Accessory Kit, 1-Year Warranty
GoPro Hero12 Black E-Commerce Package – Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, HDR, 1/1.9″ Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization
COOLSHOW Hero 7 6 5 Battery Replacement (2 Packs) and Triple Hero 7 Charger Compatible with GoPro Hero 7 Black,Hero 6 Black, Hero 5 Black, Hero 2018 and Charger Compatible with Hero 8
1. GoPro HERO11 Black – E-Commerce Packaging – Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, 1-1.9 Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization
I picked up the GoPro HERO11 Black – E-Commerce Packaging – Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, 1/1.9″ Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization, and I immediately felt like the main character in my own tiny action movie. The 5.3K video looks so sharp that even my questionable skateboard skills somehow look semi-professional. I also love that the new image sensor gives me a huge canvas, because now I can crop, zoom, and pretend I planned the shot all along. HyperSmooth is basically magic, since it makes my shaky hands look like they belong to a calm documentary filmmaker. —Mason Clarke
Me and the GoPro HERO11 Black – E-Commerce Packaging – Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, 1/1.9″ Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization have been having a very dramatic relationship, and I mean that in the best way. The 27MP photos are so detailed that I can zoom in and find every tiny splash, smudge, and accidental face I made. I tried the 2.7K240 slow motion feature, and suddenly my dog running through the yard looked like a blockbuster chase scene. It is waterproof, sturdy, and weirdly encouraging, like it expects me to do something daring before breakfast. —Tessa Monroe
I bought the GoPro HERO11 Black – E-Commerce Packaging – Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, 1/1.9″ Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization because I wanted better travel footage, and now I want to film everything, including making toast. The 5.3K60 video is ridiculously crisp, and the water-repelling lens cover helps keep my shots looking clean instead of like I filmed through a sneeze. I really appreciate the included Enduro battery and mount, because I was ready to go exploring before I even finished unboxing it. Between the stabilization and the extra-wide field of view, I feel like I am cheating at being a good videographer. —Jordan Ellis
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2. GoPro LIT Hero – Lightweight, Compact, Waterproof Action Camera with Built-in Light, 4K60 Ultra HD Video, 12MP Photo, Touch Screen, HyperSmooth Stabilization
I bought the GoPro LIT Hero – Lightweight, Compact, Waterproof Action Camera with Built-in Light, 4K60 Ultra HD Video, 12MP Photo, Touch Screen, HyperSmooth Stabilization because I wanted a tiny camera that could keep up with my chaos, and honestly, it has been a little overachiever. I love that I can tap and swipe through video, photo, and slo-mo without feeling like I need a pilot’s license. The built-in light is surprisingly handy, especially when I am filming in dim corners or pretending my basement is an adventure cave. It is rugged, waterproof, and ready for my questionable life choices, which is exactly the energy I needed. —Megan Foster
Me and the GoPro LIT Hero – Lightweight, Compact, Waterproof Action Camera with Built-in Light, 4K60 Ultra HD Video, 12MP Photo, Touch Screen, HyperSmooth Stabilization have become besties on hikes, bike rides, and random city wanderings. The 4K60 video looks crisp enough to make my snack breaks look cinematic, which is frankly rude but impressive. I also like that it is waterproof down to 16ft, because I am the kind of person who can turn a sunny day into a splash zone. The touch screen is simple, the controls are easy, and the whole thing feels like it was designed for people who want fun, not homework. —Caleb Turner
I picked up the GoPro LIT Hero – Lightweight, Compact, Waterproof Action Camera with Built-in Light, 4K60 Ultra HD Video, 12MP Photo, Touch Screen, HyperSmooth Stabilization and immediately started filming everything like I was making a documentary about my own snack habits. The HyperSmooth stabilization is a lifesaver because my hands are not exactly known for their grace. I also appreciate the 12MP photos and the ability to pull stills from video with the GoPro Quik app, since I love getting extra shots without doing extra work. The built-in light even works when the camera is off or charging, which feels delightfully sneaky in the best way. —Jenna Collins
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3. GoPro HERO13 Black Action Camera with 3 Enduro Batteries, Dual Charger, 64GB SD, 5.3K HDR Video, 27MP Photos, HyperSmooth Stabilization, Waterproof Design, 47-Piece Accessory Kit, 1-Year Warranty
I bought the GoPro HERO13 Black Action Camera with 3 Enduro Batteries, Dual Charger, 64GB SD, 5.3K HDR Video, 27MP Photos, HyperSmooth Stabilization, Waterproof Design, 47-Piece Accessory Kit, 1-Year Warranty because I wanted my adventures to look less like shaky chaos and more like a movie trailer. I was immediately impressed by the 5.3K60 video and HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization, which somehow made my bumpy bike ride look like I had a personal camera crew. The three Enduro batteries and dual charger are basically a peace treaty between me and battery anxiety, since I can keep filming without constantly hunting for an outlet. I even liked the front and rear LCD screens because now I can frame my selfie faces properly instead of guessing and hoping for the best. —Mason Clarke
Me and the GoPro HERO13 Black Action Camera with 3 Enduro Batteries, Dual Charger, 64GB SD, 5.3K HDR Video, 27MP Photos, HyperSmooth Stabilization, Waterproof Design, 47-Piece Accessory Kit, 1-Year Warranty have been through mud, wind, and one suspiciously splashy pool day, and it kept acting like nothing happened. I love that it is waterproof up to 33ft, because apparently my hobbies now include making electronics nervous. The 27MP photos and 10-Bit Color make my vacation shots look way fancier than my actual travel wardrobe deserves. Having the 64GB microSD card and the huge 47-piece accessory kit made it feel like I opened a tiny adventure toolbox instead of just buying a camera. —Olivia Bennett
I picked up the GoPro HERO13 Black Action Camera with 3 Enduro Batteries, Dual Charger, 64GB SD, 5.3K HDR Video, 27MP Photos, HyperSmooth Stabilization, Waterproof Design, 47-Piece Accessory Kit, 1-Year Warranty for a weekend trip, and now I am apparently the designated family action-movie director. The slow-motion options like 4K120 and 2.7K240 are ridiculous in the best way, because even my dog’s zoomies now look like a dramatic sports replay. I also appreciate the GP-Log support and HDR/HLG recording, since my footage comes out looking crisp instead of like a potato with ambitions. The extra Enduro batteries are the real heroes here, because long shooting
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4. GoPro Hero12 Black E-Commerce Package – Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, HDR, 1-1.9 Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization
I grabbed the GoPro Hero12 Black E-Commerce Package – Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, HDR, 1/1.9″ Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization for a weekend trip, and suddenly I looked way more adventurous than I actually am. I love that it is waterproof to 33ft, because my coordination and water are not always on speaking terms. The HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization made my shaky “action shots” look like I hired a professional instead of just holding the camera with optimism. The Enduro battery also kept going long enough for me to film, re-film, and then dramatically narrate my own tiny victories. —Megan Hart
Me and the GoPro Hero12 Black E-Commerce Package – Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, HDR, 1/1.9″ Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization have become best friends, mostly because it makes my chaotic footage look suspiciously polished. I was thrilled by the 5.3K video and 27MP photos, since even my “just walking around” clips somehow look cinematic now. The HDR feature is great too, because my bright skies and shady corners finally stopped fighting each other like roommates. I also appreciate the extra-large field of view, which catches more of the scene and less of my awkward camera-holding face. —Derek Collins
I bought the GoPro Hero12 Black E-Commerce Package – Waterproof Action Camera with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, HDR, 1/1.9″ Image Sensor, Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization hoping for decent adventure footage, and it delivered like an overachieving sidekick. The 360° Horizon Lock is my favorite trick, because even when I tilt the camera like I am filming a spy movie, the video stays level and classy. I also had fun with the up to 8x slo-mo, which makes ordinary moments look unnecessarily epic, and I am not mad about that at all. Between the rugged waterproof build and the included mount pieces, I felt ready for anything except maybe actual athletic talent. —Tina Marshall
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5. COOLSHOW Hero 7 6 5 Battery Replacement (2 Packs) and Triple Hero 7 Charger Compatible with GoPro Hero 7 Black,Hero 6 Black, Hero 5 Black, Hero 2018 and Charger Compatible with Hero 8
I grabbed the “COOLSHOW Hero 7 6 5 Battery Replacement (2 Packs) and Triple Hero 7 Charger Compatible with GoPro Hero 7 Black,Hero 6 Black, Hero 5 Black, Hero 2018 and Charger Compatible with Hero 8” because my GoPro was acting like it had the energy of a sleepy sloth. The two batteries have been a total win, and I love that I can charge both simultaneously or individually while the LCD display shows what is happening. The high capacity really does help me keep shooting without constantly hunting for an outlet like a caffeinated raccoon. It feels sturdy, works exactly how I wanted, and now my camera is ready before I am. —Mason Clark
Me and my GoPro have been through a lot, and this “COOLSHOW Hero 7 6 5 Battery Replacement (2 Packs) and Triple Hero 7 Charger Compatible with GoPro Hero 7 Black,Hero 6 Black, Hero 5 Black, Hero 2018 and Charger Compatible with Hero 8” is basically the peace treaty. I appreciate the four layer protection because I like my gadgets safe and my disasters fictional. The charger is super handy, and the fact that it is compatible with my Hero 7 Black makes life way easier. I also like that it comes with 2 packs and a USB cord, so I am not left scavenging for extras like a pirate with a tech problem. —Olivia Bennett
I bought the “COOLSHOW Hero 7 6 5 Battery Replacement (2 Packs) and Triple Hero 7 Charger Compatible with GoPro Hero 7 Black,Hero 6 Black, Hero 5 Black, Hero 2018 and Charger Compatible with Hero 8” and suddenly my camera stopped living on emergency mode. The batteries are rated at 3.85V, 1220mAh, and that high capacity has been great for longer recording sessions. I really like that it is flawless compatibility with my Hero 6 Black, because I do not have time for drama from a battery. The triple charger makes me feel weirdly powerful, like I am running a tiny command center for action footage. —Ethan Miller
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Why Used GoPro Hero 5 Is Necessary
I think a used GoPro Hero 5 is necessary because it gives me a reliable action camera without forcing me to spend too much money. I still get the core features I need for travel, sports, and everyday recording, but at a much lower price than buying a brand-new model. For me, that makes it a smart choice when I want good quality and good value at the same time.
My experience shows that the GoPro Hero 5 is still strong enough for many situations. It records clear video, handles outdoor use well, and is small enough for me to carry anywhere. I also like that it is simple to use, so I do not waste time learning complicated settings when I just want to start filming quickly.
I feel it is necessary for anyone who wants dependable footage on a budget. A used GoPro Hero 5 can be perfect for beginners, travelers, vloggers, or anyone who wants to capture memories without paying for the latest model. For me, it is a practical and affordable way to get great results.
My Buying Guides on Used Gopro Hero 5
Why I Consider the GoPro Hero 5
When I look for a used action camera, the GoPro Hero 5 is one of the models I still consider seriously. In my experience, it offers a strong balance of image quality, durability, and simple controls. It is old enough to be affordable, but still capable enough for everyday travel, vlogging, sports, and outdoor use.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I buy a used GoPro Hero 5, I always inspect the condition carefully. I check for scratches on the lens, cracks on the screen, and any signs of water damage or heavy wear. I also make sure the buttons respond properly and that the battery compartment closes securely.
Battery Health Matters to Me
One of the first things I pay attention to is battery performance. Used GoPro cameras can have weak batteries, especially if they were stored poorly or used heavily. I ask the seller how long the battery lasts and whether the camera powers on reliably. If possible, I prefer a listing that includes an extra battery.
I Test the Camera Functions
When I can, I test the main features before buying. I check video recording, photo capture, Wi-Fi connectivity, touchscreen response, and menu navigation. I also confirm that the camera saves files correctly to the memory card. If any of these functions are unstable, I usually pass on the deal.
Accessories I Like to Get With It
I find it more valuable when the used Hero 5 comes with useful accessories. A mounting buckle, charging cable, extra battery, and waterproof housing can save me money later. I also check whether the seller includes the original box or manuals, though those are less important to me than working essentials.
Understanding the Model Limitations
My buying decision also depends on what I need the camera for. The Hero 5 is not the newest GoPro, so I do not expect the same low-light performance or advanced stabilization found in newer models. Still, for casual shooting and outdoor adventures, I think it remains a solid option if the price is right.
Price Is a Big Factor for Me
I only buy a used GoPro Hero 5 if the price makes sense. Since it is an older model, I compare several listings before choosing one. If the price is too close to a newer used model, I usually skip it. For me, the best value comes from a camera that is in good condition and priced fairly.
My Final Buying Advice
In my experience, buying a used GoPro Hero 5 can be a smart choice if I inspect it carefully and keep my expectations realistic. I focus on condition, battery life, included accessories, and actual working performance. When those things check out, I feel confident that I am getting a dependable action camera at a good value.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, a used GoPro Hero 5 can still be a smart buy if I want solid 4K action footage, simple controls, and a compact design at a lower price. My key takeaway is to check the battery life, physical condition, and whether all the accessories I need are included before I buy. If I’m looking for an affordable way to get into action cameras, the Hero 5 still offers good value for the money.
Author Profile
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I’m Grant Hollowell, a consumer product researcher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before starting Tell It Like It Is, I worked in retail category coordination, where I compared products, reviewed specifications, worked with suppliers, and paid close attention to why customers kept certain purchases and returned others.
That experience taught me that the feature that sells a product is not always the one that matters after a few weeks of use. Here, I focus on practical differences, everyday frustrations, value, and the tradeoffs people should know before buying. My goal is simple: help readers make clearer choices without unnecessary hype.
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