two minute review
GoPro makes some of the best action cameras you can buy. The GoPro Hero 10 Black is our top pick thanks to its unrivaled image quality and stabilization, and the Hero 9 Black still holds its own after more than a year on the market. What also helps GoPro cameras stand out is the brand's commitment to accessories, the latest being the hybrid tripod with battery grip - the GoPro Volta.
The Volta is a very practical addition to the GoPro Hero 9 or Hero 10 black, loaded with utility and perfect for anyone who doesn't need a waterproof grip. It's comfortable to use and adds a lot of features to the lineup, converting to a tripod, extending your camera's battery, and offering wired and wireless remote control on your Hero. For a really neat vlogging setup, you'll need to purchase Volta as part of the Hero 10 Black Creator's Edition, which also includes a few mods.
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The fixed USB-C cable spool on the back of the Volta is problematic when unplugged, and it can be difficult to get the USB-C connection into the port, whether you're using a standalone camera or under the Media Mod. system. . However, once everything is set up and connected, the Volta helps allay battery anxiety and provides a comfortable and stable shooting experience in tripod mode.
If you don't already own a Hero 10 Black, the Creator Edition is a smart choice for YouTubers or vloggers looking to create a compact movie rig with external audio. The Media Mod captures high-quality audio, and the excellent Light Mod is a brilliant tool for photographers and videographers, whether used as part of the GoPro rig or independently on remote shoots. Read our GoPro Hero 10 Black review and find out more about its performance.
GoPro Volta and Hero 10 Creator Edition prices
While Volta is a perfectly good accessory in its own right, when combined with the Hero 10 Black, Media Mod, and Light Mod, it's part of a mighty mini film crew also known as the Creator Edition pack.
You can buy the standalone Volta for $90.99 / $83.99 with a GoPro subscription, or $129.99 / $119.99 without a subscription, though pricing gets a bit more confusing when you consider getting the Creator Edition.
New GoPro subscribers get the best Creator's Edition deal at $531.95 / £508.45 / AU$820.33 – not bad considering how powerful the system is, especially when paired with a microphone like the DJI Mic or the Rode Wireless Go II.
If you're already a GoPro subscriber, expect to pay $581.96 / $558.46 / AU$890.33, and for anyone without a subscription, the Creator Edition plan costs upwards of $784.95 / $759.95 / AU$1204.75. Given that GoPro subscriptions cost $49.99 / £49.99 / AUS$69.99 per year, choosing one is a no-brainer.
Integrated
One quick look at the Volta and you probably know what you're doing. For starters, it's a handful. The dangling, coiled USB-C cable suggests charging your action camera, while side buttons clearly control shooting modes and content capture. There is also a tripod socket on the base which means it can be mounted too and of course you can mount your GoPro on it.
There are a few hidden highlights when you inspect the Volta up close: a USB-C port under a cover so you can charge the Volta's battery, and a hidden action camera mount, which must be released by pressing a spring-loaded button.
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This means you can mount the Volta to the handlebars or hood of your car without having to dismount your GoPro. Finally, the front of the handle wings open up, turning the Volta into a tripod.
It's also worth noting that the Volta's main mount swivels, so you can rotate your GoPro Hero, locking it in 90-degree increments, a saving grace when attaching the bulky coiled USB-C cable to your camera.
Configuration and usability
Connecting your action camera to your Volta is pretty simple as long as you're running the latest firmware. The Volta comes with a battery door that replaces the default door so you can connect the grip to your camera.
This reduces waterproofing to waterproofing, but it means that as well as powering your camera, you can control it without having to pair it with your Volta. For wireless control, it's a simple case of Bluetooth pairing in the camera menu, no need to mess with the GoPro app.
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As far as real-world use goes, the Volta's grip is comfortable, its features make sense, and for the most part, its design does a great job of getting even more out of your GoPro. It easily converts to a tripod, when the legs are locked in "grip mode" it's secure and having the ability to mount the Volta is incredibly convenient.
The main area where Volta dropped the ball for us was clumsiness. We have already mentioned the USB-C cable. It is something coiled that hangs from the body of the handle and cannot be removed. We would have preferred a detachable USB-C cable to a fixed cable, or another more elegant solution.
The Volta is also relatively slow to charge, powering up in around two hours with a fast charger. Considering some smartphones like the OnePlus Nord CE 2 with similar battery capacities power up in just over 30 minutes, fully charging the Volta can make waiting frustrating when you're in a hurry.
Should you buy the GoPro Volta?
