Riding with the AKASO 360: Affordable 360 Cam Tested

Affordable 360° action cam tested on Malaysian roads! AKASO 360 promises motovlog-ready features, easy editing, and rider-friendly value .

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Back in July, AKASO arrived in Malaysia with a bang, introducing the AKASO 360 as a cheaper alternative to the Insta360 and GoPro Max family. As someone who rides and films often, I was curious to see if it could keep up. I tested the 360 camera during our Merdeka Ride 2025 and on daily runs around Klang Valley, and came away impressed with how usable it is for motovlogs, group rides, and quick social clips.

Pocketable, friendly to use, and far more affordable than the premium names, the AKASO 360 makes sense for anyone wanting eye-catching 360 content without spending big. In bright daylight it produces polished results, and its small size means you won’t think twice about carrying it on a long ride.

What is the AKASO 360?

Think of the AKASO 360 as a no-fuss 360 camera built for people who actually shoot on the road. Its twin wide lenses stitch into a full spherical view, while the small touchscreen lets you preview and adjust settings on the fly. Features like horizon lock and invisible selfie stick removal give you that third-person “drone-like” look without extra gear.

For Malaysian riders, that means handlebar, mirror, or short stick mounts instantly deliver smooth, cinematic perspectives. AKASO kept the interface simple and included essential accessories, so you can start filming with minimal setup.

What’s in the Box

The Creator Combo feels like it was designed with riders in mind. Inside you’ll find:

• Camera body
• Three batteries + charging case
• 120 cm invisible selfie stick
• Soft pouch
• USB-C cable

The extra batteries and charging case are lifesavers on a full-day ride, since 360 recording drains power fast. With a powerbank, you can recharge between stops and keep rolling.

The included long selfie stick is perfect for those clean third-person riding shots once the stick is “erased” in post. Meanwhile, the Standard Combo gives you two batteries and a pouch, fine for casual clips, but if you plan full-day shoots the Creator package is the smarter buy.

Build and Handling

Weighing just 180 grams, the AKASO 360 is pocketable and solid for its price. Its slim rectangular body makes it easy to slip into a jacket or tank bag. The front is clean and straightforward, featuring a large touchscreen for control and a prominent, unlabeled record button directly beneath it. The button’s minimalist design is initially ambiguous but soon feels like a natural and stylish part of the interface. 

Clear feedback is provided through a multi-color LED (green for standby, blue for recording) and distinct audio beeps that confirm when recording starts, stops, or when the battery is nearly depleted (indicated by a red blinking light). The battery and microSD slot hide behind a flap, with a USB-C port tucked neatly under rubber cover. There’s also a quarter-inch thread for standard mounts.

The camera is splash-resistant so light rain will not stop you from filming, but it is not meant for submersion. For everyday riding and casual vlogging it handles well, but if you plan heavy rain or water sports, you will need housing. Overall, the design is practical and travel-friendly, making it a strong budget choice for riders.

Key Features and Specs

• 5.7K video at 30fps, 4K at 60fps
• Dual 1/2-inch 48MP sensors
• JPEG + DNG RAW photo capture
• Horizon lock + stabilization
• AI subject tracking
• 2.29-inch touchscreen
• 1,350 mAh battery (~60 mins at 5.7K30)

On paper the AKASO 360 looks surprisingly strong for its price. For Malaysian roads, stabilization and horizon lock are standout features, keeping footage smooth even on bumpy city streets or winding trunk roads. 

The camera also packs some smart software: AI subject tracking keeps the rider or another moving subject centred, so you spend less time keyframing in the editor. 

Just note: Long sticks are good but on the highway, it could catch wind and vibrate at higher speeds here, especially on the North-South PLUS Highway, so a compact mount on the bars gives cleaner results. For helmet shots, never tested it but AKASO Malaysia had its mounted accessories coming in soon. 

Daytime Performance

Daytime is where the AKASO 360 really shines. In bright Malaysian sun the footage comes out sharp and the colours pop, so clips from rides around KL or blasting up the Karak Highway look lively and punchy. If you want the most flexibility in editing, shoot at 5.7K at 30 fps and then reframe a 4K export for uploads.

High-contrast transitions (like tunnels or shaded roads) can confuse the exposure, sometimes blowing highlights or crushing shadows. Manual tweaks to ISO or shutter can help, but for most riders, auto mode delivers pleasing results.

During my Merdeka Ride, I captured several 5.7K clips on the move and the results genuinely exceeded expectations. The electronic stabilization kept the horizon locked even through cornering and uneven road surfaces. The sample screenshot above was taken directly from AKASO 360 footage, mounted on a bar clip setup onboard a Kawasaki Z series, showing just how stable and sharp the output can be in real-world riding conditions.

Another advantage is how well the camera works for both forward-facing shots and self-view angles, especially in daylight. This makes it particularly effective for motovloggers who want dynamic angle variety, or for riders documenting the full scenic context of their journey.”

Photography Performance

The AKASO 360 is powered by two 1/2-inch 48-megapixel sensors, giving you the ability to capture 72MP still images alongside video. Using the 2.29-inch touchscreen makes it simple to frame your shots, review them on the spot, and make quick adjustments.

Once you’ve taken your 360 photos, the Akaso 360 app lets you dive in and edit. You can move around inside the 360 image to find your perfect frame, adjust exposure or tweak colors, then export in either 4K or Full HD. This makes it easy to create shareable content for Instagram, TikTok, or even YouTube thumbnails without needing extra software.

Low-Light and Heat

If there’s one area where the AKASO 360 struggles, it’s in low light or I could say nighttime. As soon as the sun dips or heavy clouds roll in, noise creeps into the footage pretty quickly. For evening rides or shaded jungle roads, you can switch to 4K60 for smoother results or play around with slower shutter speeds, but you’ll need to accept some grain in the final video. It’s not unusable, but this is very much a camera that shines brightest in the daytime.

Heat is another challenge, especially in Malaysian weather. Under the midday sun, the camera does get hot, and in some cases it will stop recording until it cools down. I had this happen during a ride, but it wasn’t the end of the world. The trick is simple: rotate batteries, keep it shaded during breaks, and limit 5.7K sessions to shorter bursts.

Battery Life and Workflow

In real-world use, you can expect between 45 to 55 minutes of recording at 5.7K30 from a single battery. That’s enough for shorter rides or a quick vlog session, but if you’re planning a full day out, the Creator Combo with three batteries and a charging case is definitely the safer bet. It saves you the stress of running out of juice halfway through a ride.

Charging is simple too. Just pull open the rubber flap on the side, plug in a USB-C cable, and you’re good to go. If you’re on the road, a USB-C power bank will keep you topped up between stops, which is a lifesaver on longer rides.

App and Editing

AKASO’s app is where this camera really proves its value for riders. The mobile workflow is fast and simple, you can reframe, trim, and post a clip to Instagram or TikTok within minutes of shooting. AI tracking keeps you or the bike centered, while horizon lock makes cornering shots look smooth and professional. 

On desktop, the software is available for both Mac and PC, giving more room for colour grading and longer edits. You can visit their official website to download. 

Nevertheless, there are still weak spots: a 5-minute video takes longer than you’d expect, and once connected to the app you can’t control the camera directly, something higher-end models like Insta360 handle better. The lack of external mic support also limits audio options, so most riders will add background music or voiceovers in editing.

How It Compares

Against Insta360 X4/X5 or GoPro Max, the AKASO loses in low-light, build toughness, and transfer speed. But it delivers the same creative tools such as horizon lock, stabilization and invisible stick at a fraction of the price. For daytime motovlogs and weekend rides, it’s more than enough.

Price and Value in Malaysia

• Standard Combo – RM899
• Creator Combo – RM1,099

That’s a killer deal compared to other 360 cameras on the market. For most Malaysian riders who just want to spice up their social clips or YouTube vlogs, the AKASO 360 is definitely the answer.

The Creator Combo is the smarter pick if you’re riding longer days since you get the extra batteries, charging case, and long selfie stick. Those extras save you from running out of juice mid-ride. For casual creators or beginners, this package feels like it was designed exactly for you. If you’re a pro aiming for flawless footage, especially in low light, you’ll probably still lean towards the pricier models.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the AKASO 360 is all about lowering the barrier to 360 content. It nails the basics, makes shooting fun, and keeps things affordable. Stick to 5.7K30 in daylight, carry spare batteries, and mount smartly to reduce vibration. On highways, avoid long selfie sticks, and during breaks, shade the unit to prevent overheating.

It won’t replace the premium models for night riders or commercial filmmakers, but for everyday motovloggers and riders, it delivers fun, cinematic content at a very accessible price.

I’d think AKASO would describe this as “Your first 360 action cam”, and I think they’re spot on. For many riders and motovloggers in Malaysia, this will be the camera that finally gets them into 360 content, without the pain of breaking the bank.