Akaso Brave 8 Review: A New Contender in the Action Camera Arena

In the fiercely competitive world of action cameras, brands like GoPro have long held the crown. However, challengers like Akaso are making significant strides, offering feature-rich alternatives that don't break the bank. The Akaso Brave 8 is their latest flagship, boasting a suite of advanced features and a price tag that aims to disrupt the market.

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But does the Brave 8 truly deliver, or does it fall short of the high expectations set by its competitors? Let’s delve into the details and see what this device brings to the table, where it shines, and where it stumbles.

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Design and Build Quality: Compact and Rugged

The Akaso Brave 8 presents a familiar design language, reminiscent of industry leaders. Its compact form factor includes a front-facing screen for selfies and a responsive rear touchscreen for easy navigation. Out of the box, the camera comes with a generous array of accessories, including two batteries, a dual charger, remote control, and various mounts—making it a value-packed offering for first-time users.

While the build quality feels solid, the protective case makes button navigation slightly inconvenient. On the plus side, the front screen is a game-changer for vloggers, offering convenience during on-the-go recordings.

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Performance: High Resolutions but Mixed Results

With a 48MP camera capable of recording 4K videos at 60fps, the Brave 8 promises sharp visuals. Under ideal lighting, it delivers decent clarity and color reproduction, but the performance falters in low-light environments, where noise and lack of detail become apparent.

One highlight is the 8K time-lapse mode, which, when used effectively, can produce visually stunning results. Additionally, the 16x slow-motion mode captures dynamic action with impressive detail. However, the absence of in-camera image stabilization for 4K footage may disappoint users who prioritize smooth video at higher resolutions.

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Stabilization: Not Quite There Yet

The camera features in-camera image stabilization, which works reasonably well for casual activities. For more intense action, Akaso offers a “SuperSmooth” stabilization feature that requires post-processing via their app. Unfortunately, this feature doesn't match the seamless stabilization offered by premium competitors like GoPro, making it less suitable for high-intensity use cases.

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Audio Quality: A Major Weak Point

Audio quality is one of the Brave 8’s glaring shortcomings. The built-in microphones capture sound but often lack clarity and pick up significant wind noise. For vloggers or users aiming to record high-quality audio alongside their visuals, an external microphone is almost a necessity.

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App Experience: Could Be Better

Akaso’s companion app is designed to extend the functionality of the camera, offering additional settings and stabilization tools. However, the app experience has been described as clunky, with frequent connectivity issues and slow transfer speeds. While it adds value on paper, these usability challenges can be frustrating for users seeking a seamless workflow.

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Accessories and Value: A Generous Package

One of the standout features of the Brave 8 is the comprehensive accessory bundle included in the box. From extra batteries to a remote control and various mounts, Akaso ensures users have everything they need to get started. This is a significant advantage over competitors, where accessories often come at an additional cost.

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Price Point: Affordable but Competitive

At approximately $289.99, the Akaso Brave 8 positions itself as an affordable alternative to high-end models. However, it's worth noting that older generation GoPro Hero cameras are available at similar price points, offering more refined features and performance. While the Brave 8 provides a solid set of features, its pricing might not be as competitive as it appears, given its limitations.

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Who Is It For?

The Brave 8 is best suited for casual users or beginners looking for a budget-friendly action camera with a decent feature set. For professionals or enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance, the Brave 8 might fall short in areas like stabilization and audio quality.

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Final Verdict: A Promising Effort with Room for Growth

The Akaso Brave 8 is a commendable attempt to disrupt the action camera market. It offers an impressive array of features, a robust design, and an unbeatable accessory bundle. However, it struggles to match the performance and polish of more established brands in critical areas like stabilization, audio quality, and app functionality.

For those willing to work around its limitations, the Brave 8 is a capable device that offers great value. With further refinements, Akaso has the potential to become a serious competitor in this space.

Whether you’re capturing your next outdoor adventure or starting your vlogging journey, the Akaso Brave 8 is a device worth considering—especially if you're on a budget and ready to explore the action camera world.