You bought a GoPro for adventure, not for spending hours debating gear in forums. But now you’re stuck wondering: does GoPro need a gimbal… or is Hyper Smooth good enough?

Well, no, you don’t need a gimbal for a GoPro if you’re using a Hero 8 or newer, thanks to built-in HyperSmooth stabilization. But if you shoot in poor light, use ND filters, or want creative moves like smooth pans or motion time-lapses, you should use a gimbal to get better control.

Inside, I’ll walk you through —

Key Findings

Does GoPro Need a Gimbal?

No, if you’re using a GoPro Hero 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 for most outdoor, well-lit shooting. HyperSmooth (especially versions 4.0 and up) does a great job at stabilizing everyday footage. But if you’re filming in low light or doing motion time-lapses, then yes, a gimbal can absolutely help.

To clear up the confusion, just answer the following questions —

QuestionIf You Say YesIf You Say No
Are you filming in low light or indoors?Get a gimbalYou’re probably fine
Do you want cinematic motion (panning, time-lapse, crane-style)?Get a gimbalYou can skip it
Are you using ND filters or slow shutter settings?Get a gimbalKeep using HyperSmooth

When You Don’t Need a Gimbal for GoPro?

Let me walk you through when you can confidently skip a gimbal for GoPro and still get great-looking footage.

1. For Hero 8 and Up

I’ve used nearly every GoPro since the Hero 4, and starting with the Hero 8, things really changed. GoPro added HyperSmooth, their in-camera stabilization tech is honestly impressive.

By the time you get to the Hero 11 or Hero 12, you’re working with HyperSmooth 5.0 or 6.0. That’s pro-level stabilization, right out of the box. Unless you’re shooting really specialized scenes, like long cinematic pans or low-light shots, you probably won’t see a huge benefit from adding a gimbal.

In fact, Reddit user u/project-go pointed out that —

For general users who shoot outdoors, GoPro’s stabilization is already “good enough.” 

2. For Biking, Hiking, and Travel Vlogs

If your style is run-and-gun filming, whether it’s biking trails, hiking through the woods, or just vlogging around the city, you’re already in GoPro territory. These cameras are built for motion, and when you combine that with HyperSmooth, your footage holds up surprisingly well.

That’s why u/Potential_Neat_8905 shared 

3. Portability

Gimbals are great, but they’re also bulky, battery-powered, and not the best for quick shooting on the go. And if you’re just getting started, that can be more of a distraction than a help.

If you care about moving fast and staying light, trust me, skipping the gimbal is a win.

When a Gimbal Is Worth It for a GoPro And Why?

After years of filming in all kinds of conditions, I’ve learned there are times when a gimbal is just useful. So, here’s when I’d recommend you use one and exactly why.

1. Low-Light Shooting

I’ll say it plainly: GoPro’s HyperSmooth works well in daylight. But the moment you’re filming in low light, like indoors, at dusk, or during golden hour, it starts to fall apart.

That’s because your camera needs to lower the shutter speed to let in more light. That slows down frame processing, and the electronic stabilization can’t keep up. Instead of smooth footage, you get the dreaded jello effect motion that looks unprofessional. Understanding how to attach camera to gimbal properly can help minimize these issues and deliver more stable, professional-looking shots.

In this case, a gimbal helps! It physically stabilizes the camera, removing the need for software support. One user on Reddit, u/toadfury, put it best —

“Hypersmooth performs poorly in low light… I prefer having a gimbal and using gyro stabilization on top.”

2. Motion Time-Lapses and Cinematic Panning

If you’ve ever tried doing a motion time-lapse by hand, you probably ended up with shaky, unusable footage. I’ve been there too.

What a gimbal does here is give you smooth, programmable motion, like pan, tilt, or rotate throughout your timelapse. On top of that, the Hohem iSteady or INKEE Falcon even connects to an app so you can plot your camera path before hitting record.

You’ll go from beginner-looking clips to polished, cinematic transitions. 

3. Pro-Level Footage with Filters, Interviews & Controlled Settings

Let’s talk about ND filters and interviews. If you’re trying to follow the 180-degree shutter rule for natural-looking motion blur, you’ll need to lower your shutter speed.

That’s exactly when HyperSmooth begins to struggle. You can’t have stabilization and natural motion unless you’re using a gimbal.

For me, the gimbal is critical when I’m —

4. Vertical or Creative Content

When shooting content for TikTok, Instagram Reels, or Shorts, you’ll want to rotate your camera to portrait mode. GoPro doesn’t always make this easy with standard mounts.

Some gimbals, like the Hohem M6 or INKEE Falcon Plus, allow vertical shooting with the right cage or adapter. One Redditor, u/Crafty_Equipment1857, specifically asked about this, and yes — it works.

Also, if you’re into creative shots or content that involves face-tracking, AI motion, or dramatic pushes and pulls, you’ll want the framing control a gimbal gives you. For those experimenting with unique angles or immersive footage, it’s worth exploring what is FPV mode in gimbal setups.

Pros and Cons of Using a Gimbal with GoPro

Let’s see the advantages and downsides of using a gimbal with your GoPro clearly, so you decide confidently.

Pros

Cons

Read Also: How to Fix DJI Drone Gimbal?

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Your Gimbal with a GoPro

A gimbal can absolutely upgrade your shots. But to make it worth the effort, you’ve got to avoid the rookie mistakes that can wreck your results before you even hit record. 

Let me walk you through what to watch out for.

1. Mixing HyperSmooth with Gimbal Stabilization

If you’re using a gimbal, turn off HyperSmooth. It may feel like doubling up on stability. However, when you combine GoPro’s digital stabilization with your gimbal can actually ruin your footage. 

Instead of smoother video, you get odd jitter, warping, or motion drag, especially visible around edges. 

Fix

Before filming, go into your GoPro settings and turn HyperSmooth off. Let the gimbal handle the movement. It’ll make your editing phase much easier.

2. Not Leveling the Camera Properly

This one’s easy to miss and hard to fix in post.

If your GoPro isn’t sitting perfectly straight when you mount it on the gimbal, the footage may tilt or drift unnaturally. You might not notice while filming, but the shaky horizon line will trouble your edit timeline.

Fix

Align your GoPro carefully in the gimbal mount. Make sure it’s sitting flush, straight, and secure. It only takes a few seconds, and it’s way better than trying to fix crooked footage in editing. If you’re unsure how to balance a gimbal, start by adjusting the tilt and roll axes before powering it on. 

3. Forgetting About Gimbal Power Settings

A lot of first-timers think gimbals are plug-and-play. They’re not. Most decent gimbals like the Hohem iSteady Pro 3 or the newer iSteady M6 come with multiple speed modes or follow settings. These actually control how fast or slow the gimbal responds to movement.

If you’re filming fast action, like cycling or running, a slow follow mode may lag and look off. On the flip side, filming a calm scene with a fast follow mode can make your footage feel twitchy and unnatural.

Fix

If you’re using something like the Hohem iSteady Pro 3 or M6, take time to test each mode. You don’t need to memorize them, just feel them out in different settings. I treat gimbal modes like shutter speeds or ISO. They matter, especially when your camera movement is key to the story.

4. Trusting Stabilization Too Much in Low Light

Low light exposes a GoPro’s weak side, no matter how new your model is. 

Low-light conditions force the camera to use slower shutter speeds, which leads to motion blur and ghosting. You may think your gimbal has it under control, but when you play it back, faces blur, lights streak, and footage falls apart.

Fix

Use manual exposure settings when shooting indoors or at night. Set a shutter limit via GoPro Labs if needed. Know that even with a gimbal, low light equals high risk. 

Final Thoughts

So, does GoPro need a gimbal? It’s a no, if you’re filming outdoor adventures in bright daylight, GoPro’s built-in HyperSmooth stabilization might be all you need. 

I’ve shot plenty of sunny hikes and quick travel vlogs without a gimbal, and the footage turned out great.

However, things change in low light or indoor settings. HyperSmooth struggles here, causing jittery or blurry footage. In my experience, that’s when a gimbal makes all the difference. It provides smooth and professional-quality videos.

FAQs

Which GoPro models don’t need a gimbal?

GoPro models Hero 8 and up, including Hero 9 through 13, don’t need a gimbal for most everyday use thanks to HyperSmooth stabilization. But for low-light, cinematic shots, or ND filter use, a gimbal still delivers smoother, pro-level footage.

Can I use a phone gimbal with a GoPro?

Yes, you can mount a GoPro on a phone gimbal using adapters like a SmallRig cage, but it’s a workaround. For better balance, ease, and long-term use, action-camera gimbals like the Hohem iSteady or INKEE Falcon are built for the job

Do GoPros have built-in stabilization?

Yes, GoPros from the Hero 7 onward feature HyperSmooth, a powerful digital stabilization that crops and corrects motion in real time. It’s great in daylight, but for low light or pro-level smoothness, a gimbal still delivers the cleanest, most stable shots.