TechCamerasGoPro & Action CamerasGoPro Hero 11 Black Mini review: Ready, set, forget!The smallest GoPro loses all displays and slims down to create the ultimate action camera for skateboarding, skiing, and moreWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Jamie Carter)T3 VerdictThe GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini is the ideal action camera option for anyone who wants to create a video while skiing, cycling, or in any scenario where rear and front displays are not required. The built-in battery is restrictive, but with exceptional video quality it’s hard to argue with this streamlined sensation.Reasons to buy+More affordable and versatile than the flagship+Smaller size and weight+Fuss-free operation+No extra batteries to loseReasons to avoid-Requires GoPro’s Quik app-No dedicated photo mode-Built-in battery-Gets a little hot when in use-Very tiny LCD screenWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TechCamerasGoPro & Action CamerasGoPro Hero 11 Black Mini review: Ready, set, forget!The smallest GoPro loses all displays and slims down to create the ultimate action camera for skateboarding, skiing, and moreWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Jamie Carter)T3 VerdictThe GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini is the ideal action camera option for anyone who wants to create a video while skiing, cycling, or in any scenario where rear and front displays are not required. The built-in battery is restrictive, but with exceptional video quality it’s hard to argue with this streamlined sensation.Reasons to buy+More affordable and versatile than the flagship+Smaller size and weight+Fuss-free operation+No extra batteries to loseReasons to avoid-Requires GoPro’s Quik app-No dedicated photo mode-Built-in battery-Gets a little hot when in use-Very tiny LCD screenWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The smallest GoPro loses all displays and slims down to create the ultimate action camera for skateboarding, skiing, and more
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Jamie Carter)T3 VerdictThe GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini is the ideal action camera option for anyone who wants to create a video while skiing, cycling, or in any scenario where rear and front displays are not required. The built-in battery is restrictive, but with exceptional video quality it’s hard to argue with this streamlined sensation.Reasons to buy+More affordable and versatile than the flagship+Smaller size and weight+Fuss-free operation+No extra batteries to loseReasons to avoid-Requires GoPro’s Quik app-No dedicated photo mode-Built-in battery-Gets a little hot when in use-Very tiny LCD screen
(Image credit: Jamie Carter)
(Image credit: Jamie Carter)
T3 VerdictThe GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini is the ideal action camera option for anyone who wants to create a video while skiing, cycling, or in any scenario where rear and front displays are not required. The built-in battery is restrictive, but with exceptional video quality it’s hard to argue with this streamlined sensation.Reasons to buy+More affordable and versatile than the flagship+Smaller size and weight+Fuss-free operation+No extra batteries to loseReasons to avoid-Requires GoPro’s Quik app-No dedicated photo mode-Built-in battery-Gets a little hot when in use-Very tiny LCD screen
T3 VerdictThe GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini is the ideal action camera option for anyone who wants to create a video while skiing, cycling, or in any scenario where rear and front displays are not required. The built-in battery is restrictive, but with exceptional video quality it’s hard to argue with this streamlined sensation.
T3 Verdict
The GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini is the ideal action camera option for anyone who wants to create a video while skiing, cycling, or in any scenario where rear and front displays are not required. The built-in battery is restrictive, but with exceptional video quality it’s hard to argue with this streamlined sensation.
Reasons to buy+More affordable and versatile than the flagship+Smaller size and weight+Fuss-free operation+No extra batteries to loseReasons to avoid-Requires GoPro’s Quik app-No dedicated photo mode-Built-in battery-Gets a little hot when in use-Very tiny LCD screen
Reasons to buy+More affordable and versatile than the flagship+Smaller size and weight+Fuss-free operation+No extra batteries to lose
More affordable and versatile than the flagship
Smaller size and weight
Fuss-free operation
No extra batteries to lose
Reasons to avoid-Requires GoPro’s Quik app-No dedicated photo mode-Built-in battery-Gets a little hot when in use-Very tiny LCD screen
Requires GoPro’s Quik app
No dedicated photo mode
Built-in battery
Gets a little hot when in use
Very tiny LCD screen
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini deals
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In thisGoProHero 11 Black Mini review, we’ll discover that there’s more to action cameras than front and rear displays. A trend in the last few years has been to add a front display to action cameras to capitalize on the vlogging/TikTok craze, but it’s added weight and complexity that some don’t want.
Cue the streamlined GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini, which takes away most of the displays usually found on thebest action camerasbut preserves the excellent video quality found on the flagshipGoPro Hero 11 Black.
There’s more to this action camera than what it lacks. For starters, it’s got extra fixings to allow it to be mounted in new ways. The GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini also differs from the GoPro Hero 11 Black in its battery choice. Here, the battery is built-in and must be recharged using a USB-C cable. That makes this diminutive product an action camera for making relatively short recordings of activities where the composition isn’t important – and that primarily means extreme sports.
(First reviewed May 2023)
GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini review: price and availability
The GoPro HERO11 Black Mini was announced in November 2022 and is available to buy now directly fromGoPro UK,GoPro USandGoPro AUfor $299.99/£299.99/AUS$499.95 for GoPro subscribers and $399.99. For the latest prices, check out the price widgets at the top and bottom of this review.
GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini: specs
(Image credit: Jamie Carter)
(Image credit: Jamie Carter)
GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini review: design and build quality
(Image credit: Jamie Carter)
(Image credit: Jamie Carter)
GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini review: set-up and use
There’s the usual paucity of hard buttons on the outside of this GoPro, though the power switch and the record buttons can be used to navigate the only screen on the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini – a tiny 0.55”/ 13mm status-only display that’s almost impossible to read. At least it gives an extra way of controlling the device if you don’t want to use GoPro’s Quik app. However, it is the best way to operate the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini. If, for example, you want to use it to record a bike ride it makes sense to refine its position on a handlebar mount after checking a preview of its field of view via the app. In my test, I found the device easy and reliable to connect to via aniPhone, first via Bluetooth to establish a connection and then via the device’s own WiFi network for live previews. After the video has been recorded a low-resolution preview is immediately available in the app. Grabs from videos are instant and it’s also very simple to edit and upload videos straight to social media, including YouTube.
My GoPro Video - YouTubeWatch On
My GoPro Video - YouTube
My GoPro Video - YouTube
GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini review: performance
During my tests the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini behaved really well, producing first-class video across all settings. It did get rather hot after about 30 minutes of use, though the performance didn’t appear to be affected. It was a little cumbersome to keep checking back on the Quik app to alter the video settings, but in real-world use, it’s mostly going to be a case of set-and-forget – you choose the resolution, or the mode, and start recording. You then check the footage later. That’s what the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini is designed for, and it works so well. It may not have a front and rear screen for making composition super-easy, but I didn’t much miss them on the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini.
Perhaps the biggest design change to consider is its lack of a removable battery. If you’re used to using a GoPro for a few hours and then swapping out a fresh battery you’re going to struggle with this unit. The built-in battery lasts about two hours but can be topped up at any point – even while you shoot – using a portable battery cabled up via USB-C. It’s a messy workaround, but it might do the job depending on the shooting scenario. Either way it’s worth investing in one of thebest power banks.
(Image credit: Jamie Carter)
(Image credit: Jamie Carter)
GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini review: verdict
The GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini puts the action back into action cameras. It’s built all and only for use in tight situations where a set-and-forget approach can be taken, be it the handlebars of a bike, a body strap while skiing, or the edge of a surfboard. While vloggers, Tik-Tokers and filmmakers can choose the pricier GoPro Hero 11 Black for its multiple displays, this slimmed-down action camera is one for extreme sports – arguably the main target market for action cameras. Despite the inconvenience of not having a removable battery and its relatively short battery life, all-around excellent video quality makes the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini hard to fault.
GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini review: also consider
Most people choosing to buy the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini will have first considered the flagshipGoPro Hero 11 Black, with the former’s lack of display and more affordable price tag the main considerations. However, while the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini might be unique in the GoPro arsenal, it goes head-to-head with other extreme sports-centric action cameras.
The dinkyDJI Action 2has a similar form factor and tendency to overheat, and equally excellent image stabilization, adding a clever magnetic mounting and mod system.
The Insta360 GO 3 is a niche action camera aimed at content creators wanting to create POV videos and one of the most versatile action cameras allowing you to spread your creative wings and capture videos and images in ways you never thought possible. Read Matt’s fullInsta360 GO 3 review.
GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini: Price Comparison
72 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
72 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$249View$249View$249.99View$249.99ViewLow Stock$319.95$299.95View
$249View
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$249View
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$249
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$249View
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$249.99View
$249.99View
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$249.99
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$249.99View
$249.99View
$249.99
$249.99
Low Stock$319.95$299.95View
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$319.95$299.95View
$319.95$299.95View
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