The accessories that we’ll be discussing in this article are things that I use very frequently with my GoPro. I’m currently using the GoPro Hero 9, but most of these accessories will work with any version of the GoPro. I also have a brand new GoPro video course coming soon. If you’re interested in being notified when that releases, you can sign up here:
https://jerad.link/goprocourse
If you’d prefer, you can watch the video on the Gear and Light channel on YouTube:
Let’s get started with the top 7 accessories that I use all the time with my GoPro.
ND Filters
The first accessory we’ll discuss, and one of the most important, is an ND filter.
An ND filter acts like sunglasses for your GoPro to limit the amount of light that hits the sensor. This matters because your GoPro needs to be set to specific settings in order to look great. Unfortunately, in bright sunny environments those settings often cause footage to be over exposed and too bright. In these situations, ND filters are vital because they allow you to keep the best possible settings while still maintaining a good exposure. The ND filter attached to my GoPro in the screenshot below is a filter from Polar Pro. You can check out their filters here: https://jerad.link/polarprondsethero9
GoPro Door
The next accessory is a replacement door for the GoPro.
One of the things that irritates me about this GoPro design is that you have to keep the door open in order to reach the USB charging port. Now, it’s very easy for the battery to fall out of the GoPro with the door open, so trying to charge the camera while you’re still using it to film can become a very difficult task. Fortunately, I found a replacement for the standard door from a company called Ulanzi.
This door has a hole in the top that gives you access to the charging port while still holding the battery securely inside. The downside of this setup is that it takes away the waterproof capabilities of the GoPro, so don’t use this door unless you know it won’t be going in the water.
The door also comes with a cold shoe mount and a 1/4 20 mount, but I don’t recommend using these because the door will pop off easily with too much added weight. If you’re interested in the Ulanzi door replacement, you can check it out here: https://jerad.link/ulanzihero9door
1/4 20 Mount
Another GoPro accessory I use all the time is a mount with a 1/4 20 adaptor on it. The one I have pictured in the screenshot below is no longer in production, but I’ll link to a similar option here: https://jerad.link/gopromountmetal
Mounting this to the base of your GoPro allows you to attach the GoPro to a tripod or even a mini tripod. This mount massively increases the versatility of your GoPro. Another great thing about the mount I’ve linked to is that it also has three pilot holes you can utilize to more securely attach your GoPro to something using screws. Screwing your mount onto something is definitely a more permanent form of mounting, but it will ensure that your GoPro is as secure as possible.
Audio
If you’re looking to capture great audio with the GoPro Hero 9, then you’re going to need a few things. The first thing you’ll need is a way to mount a microphone to your GoPro. I use a triple cold shoe mount from Ulanzi that has worked very well for me. Using the 1/4 20 tripod mount we discuss early, you can easily screw this cold shoe mount onto the base of your GoPro and then you’ll have an arm that extends to the side of your GoPro with three cold shoe mounts to attach a mic. With two other cold shoe mounts on the arm, you can also add other things like a small light to really make use of this mount. Check out the mount here: https://jerad.link/ulanzicoldshoemount
The next thing you’ll need to get good audio is an adaptor that changes the USB port from USB to an audio jack with another USB port. This is the adaptor that I use: https://jerad.link/goproaudioadapter
The final component of good GoPro audio is the most obvious. You need a good mic. Now, I use the Deity D3 Video Mic and have been very impressed with the quality it provides considering its compact size. It’s a shotgun mic, which means it’s very directional and will block out any sound that isn’t directly in front of it. This makes it a good option for shooting in public, noisy environments, where you need to cut through all the background noise. You can find that mic here: https://jerad.link/deityd3
This audio setup will be great for vlogging, YouTubing, or even recording podcasts with video as well.
Lume Cube
GoPros are notoriously bad in low light situations. This is a fact that most videographers have come to grudgingly accept. One way to get around this problem is with a small but powerful light that can mount to your GoPro. The Lume Cube is a great option. It’s about half the size of the GoPro itself, but it puts out impressive amounts of light.
You can also mount it to the triple cold shoe mount we discussed early. Check out this little powerhouse here: https://jerad.link/lumecubeair
Tripods
I use a few different tripods with my GoPro. Mini tripods are great with a GoPro because they can also double as handles for even more versatility.
The first tripod I have is the Manfrotto Pixi Tripod. You can find it here: https://jerad.link/pixi
This tripod is incredibly simple. It’s small, lightweight, and has a swivel top so you can rotate and angle your GoPro in any way you’d like.
A more involved, but more powerful, tripod that I use is the Sirui Mini Tripod found here: https://jerad.link/siruiminitripod. This tripod looks more like a light saber when it’s folded, and is a little more complicated to set up, but it can do a bit more than the Pixi Tripod.
It has a telescoping arm that doubles its height and the feet are sturdier than the feet on the Pixi. Overall, this is another great little tripod.
Camera Bag
Once you start collecting and using multiple accessories like I have, a camera bag quickly becomes a necessity. Keeping all of my GoPro stuff in one single place means that it’s always there and ready to go. I don’t need to spend 20 minutes digging around for all of my GoPro things. I can just pick up the bag and head out. The Bag I use is called the Think Tank Photo Speed Changer 3.0 found here: jerad.link/thinktankspeedchanger3. It comes with 3 different pouches you can use to organize all of your different mounts, tripods, lights, filters and anything else you may need.
Final Thoughts
I hope you find this article helpful. I’ve owned a lot of different GoPro accessories over the years, but these are the ones that I have found to be the most useful, and the most versatile.
If you’re interested in learning more about getting great GoPro footage, then check out these videos below on the Gear and Light YouTube Channel:
I also have a brand new GoPro Video course coming soon, so if you’d like to be notified when that comes out, feel free to sign up here: https://jerad.link/goprocourse
