GoPro continues to face strong competition, with rivals offering more editing features upfront. The MAX2’s reliance on subscription software may frustrate some, but the hardware itself remains a benchmark for reliability, flexibility and confidence in demanding conditions. There’s a reason this category is still called “GoPro”.
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Design
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Features
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Performance
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Battery
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Value
Taking the GoPro MAX2 on holiday made one thing very clear very quickly: this is a proper camera, not a pocket gadget.
I’m used to much smaller 360 and action cams — devices you barely notice in a bag. The MAX2 isn’t that. It’s bulkier, heavier, and unmistakably more ‘pro’. But once I started swimming, snorkelling and shooting outdoors in Thailand, that trade-off made sense.
This is the kind of camera you bring when you want confidence — in the water, on the beach, moving fast, or when conditions aren’t predictable.
Design and build
There’s no getting around it: the MAX2 is chunky. If you’re coming from something ultra-compact, you’ll feel the difference immediately. It also doesn’t ship with a mount, so a selfie stick or grip is essential — and once I added one, the camera became far more practical to use.
That said, it feels like a GoPro should: solid, well-sealed, and made for abuse. Having a premium camera in the water — diving, snorkelling, swimming — felt reassuring rather than stressful. The replaceable lenses are a big psychological win, too. You’re far more relaxed using it when a scratch doesn’t feel like a death sentence.
Shooting experience
I shot a lot of beach footage, outdoor scenes, underwater clips and general travel moments — mostly in short bursts. That’s where the MAX2 works best.
The 360 footage gives you huge creative freedom, but the novelty does wear off. Eventually, you realise most people are still watching on flat screens, and you end up reframing down to traditional-looking shots anyway. The difference is that you didn’t have to think about framing at the time.
You shoot first. You decide later.
That flexibility is the real strength here. Whether I was snorkelling, jumping into the water, or just grabbing quick B-roll, I never felt rushed or constrained by angles. It’s a very forgiving way to shoot.
Usability and software
This is where the MAX2 reminds you it’s a premium, slightly demanding tool.
The interface takes time to get comfortable with, especially if you’re not already deep inside the GoPro ecosystem. Editing on the go is possible — but realistically, you’re pushed toward a premium software subscription if you want the smoothest experience and the best tools.
That friction is noticeable. Production is still work, especially if you’re shooting a ton of clips. I ended up pulling together multiple small shots in the app rather than creating longer, cinematic edits — which suited travel use, but won’t appeal to everyone.
Performance and battery
The camera runs warm — sometimes very warm — and battery life won’t get you through a full day if you’re shooting heavily. That matches what most long-term reviews have found. Carrying spare batteries isn’t optional; it’s part of the deal.
Still, nothing about the experience felt unreliable. It never let me down in the moments that mattered, and that counts for a lot.
GoPro MAX2 Verdict
The GoPro MAX2 isn’t trying to be the simplest camera you can buy — and that’s fine.
It’s a premium, flexible, pro-grade action camera that rewards those willing to spend more time learning it. It gives you incredible freedom, especially when you’re travelling, swimming, or moving constantly and don’t want to think about framing in the moment.
Yes, it’s bulky. Yes, it runs hot. Yes, the software nudges you toward subscriptions. But it also delivers something genuinely valuable: the ability to live the experience first, and shape the footage later. That makes it a great companion — not just a clever gadget.
Writer/reviewer: Craig Leppan
