Insta360 X4 Air Review: Light & Affordable 8K 360 Action Camera

The action‑camera landscape has evolved rapidly over the past decade, but few brands have pushed the boundaries quite like Insta360.

Their cameras have become favourites among travellers, creators, athletes and families who want cinematic footage without the hefty price tag.

The Insta360 X4 Air continues that momentum, offering a lightweight, affordable 360 camera capable of shooting 8K video, capturing every angle, and delivering creative freedom in a compact, travel‑friendly design.

With its replaceable lenses, waterproof build, long battery life and the brand’s iconic invisible selfie stick effect, the X4 Air positions itself as an all‑in‑one device for anyone who wants to film more than a single perspective.

It’s a camera built for adventure, storytelling and everyday life, and crucially, it brings 8K 360 video to a far more accessible price point.

Insta360 X4 Air Starter Bundle

The model I will be reviewing is the Insta360 X4 Air Starter Bundle in Graphite Black. The RRP for the Starter bundle was £389, with the standard bundle RRP at £359.

In addition to the Insta360 X4 Air, you get an extra £30 for: 1x Additional Battery, 1x 114cm Invisible Selfie Stick, and 1x Lens Cap.

Well worth the value in my opinion to go for the Starter Bundle.

And if you would like to sign up to the Insta360 Newsletter, you can find out when special sales and deals come along, where even better value could be offered.

Lightweight, Portable and Built for Travel

One of the standout features for me of the Insta360 X4 Air is its portability.

Weighing just 165 grams, it’s lighter than most smartphones and significantly lighter than many traditional action cameras.

I’ve owned the X3, and it is a great quality, well-built 360 camera, but you do notice the weight when you hold the X4 Air; it’s a joy to hold, even for long periods of time.

This makes it ideal for travellers who want to pack light, hikers who need minimal gear, cyclists who prefer compact setups, and families who simply want a camera that’s easy to carry.

The compact form factor means you can slip it into a pocket or small bag without thinking twice.

It’s rugged enough for outdoor use, yet small enough to be unobtrusive, a balance that makes it perfect for spontaneous filming.

If you was thinking about adding a 360 action camera to your gear list, then this could be the one for you!

8K 360 Video at an Accessible Price Point

The headline feature of the X4 Air is its ability to shoot 8K 30fps 360 video, a resolution that was once reserved for high‑end professional rigs.

I do remember the model that shot in 4k and needed its own suitcase! How times have changed.

Insta360 has managed to deliver this level of clarity in a consumer‑friendly device that doesn’t break the bank.

The footage is sharp, detailed and immersive, capturing landscapes, city scenes, action sports and family moments with impressive clarity.

The camera’s Active HDR mode enhances footage further by balancing highlights and shadows, ensuring skies remain detailed and darker areas retain texture.

Even in challenging lighting, the X4 Air produces natural‑looking video with accurate exposure.

For creators who want future‑proof footage, 8K is a major advantage.

Even if you export in 4K or 1080p, the extra resolution gives you more flexibility when reframing shots later.

Dual Lenses That Capture Every Angle

Now this is the smart part of the Insta360 X4 Air that interests me the most.

The X4 Air uses dual lenses to capture a full 360‑degree field of view, eliminating blind spots and ensuring you never miss a moment.

This is particularly useful for group activities, travel adventures, family outings and action sports, where traditional cameras often fail to capture the full scene.

Because the camera records everything around you, no one is stuck behind the lens. You can simply hit record, enjoy the moment, and choose the best angles later.

This makes the X4 Air ideal for users who want to be present without worrying about composition.

This is especially useful when it comes to post editing, which brings me to my next point.

Shoot First, Frame Later: Creative Freedom in the App

One of Insta360’s biggest strengths is its reframing workflow. With the X4 Air, you don’t need to aim the camera or think about composition while filming.

You can record freely and decide on your framing afterwards using the Insta360 app.

The app offers intuitive tools that allow you to track subjects, create smooth pans, add transitions, highlight key moments and export in multiple aspect ratios.

This gives beginners and professionals alike the freedom to experiment with angles and storytelling without needing complex editing software.

Invisible Selfie Stick: Drone‑Like Shots Without a Drone

The invisible selfie stick effect remains one of Insta360’s most iconic features.

When used with a compatible selfie stick, like the one included in the basic bundle, the stick disappears from your footage, creating the illusion of floating, drone‑like shots.

This effect adds a cinematic quality to travel videos, walking tours, sports footage and family adventures, without requiring expensive equipment or flight permissions.

It’s one of the features that consistently surprises viewers and elevates simple clips into dynamic, engaging content.

Replaceable Lenses for Stress‑Free Filming

Action cameras often suffer from scratched lenses, especially when used outdoors or during sports.

Speaking from first-hand experience, I had one of the first Insta360 cameras, and I did indeed scratch the lens when I dropped it by mistake onto the road from my bike.

Totally my fault, and I hold my hands up and admit to my mistake.

However, that was it for the camera, as I could see a blotchy image in the footage where the scratch was, meaning I had to get a whole new unit as I couldn’t replace the lens.

With many cameras, a scratched lens means replacing the entire unit, an expensive and frustrating experience.

The X4 Air solves this problem by allowing users to replace the lens covers.

If a lens gets scratched, you can simply swap it out and continue filming, rather than replacing the whole camera.

This dramatically increases the device’s lifespan and makes it far more cost‑effective for long‑term use.

I’m a big fan of this change and a lovely addition to the Insta360 X4 Air.

AdaptiveTone and HDR for Perfect Exposure

The X4 Air features AdaptiveTone, a system that automatically balances light, colour and contrast from each lens.

This ensures natural‑looking footage with accurate exposure, even in tricky lighting conditions.

The Active HDR mode boosts colours in highlights and shadows, capturing details that many action cameras miss.

Whether you’re filming at sunrise, sunset or in bright midday sun, the camera handles exposure impressively well.

Single Lens Mode for 4K POV Filming

Although the X4 Air is primarily a 360 camera, it also offers a single‑lens mode that transforms it into a traditional action camera.

You can shoot 4K 60fps POV footage with an ultra‑wide 170° field of view, making it ideal for first‑person adventure shots such as cycling, skiing, running or motorcycling.

This dual functionality means you don’t need to carry multiple cameras. The X4 Air can handle both immersive 360 footage and classic action‑camera perspectives.

Instaframe Mode for Ready‑to‑Share Video

For users who want quick, social‑ready footage, Instaframe mode allows you to record perfectly framed flat video without editing.

You can choose between Selfie View and Fixed View, and the camera will automatically frame your shot while still capturing a full 360 video in the background.

This is ideal for creators who want both convenience and flexibility.

How’s that for speeding up the whole process?

I like that you can film first, focus on capturing the content in the moment.

Then, when you’re editing later in post, you have loads of content to go through and choose from, and you can cut perfect clips from what you have already created.

Improved Audio with Built‑In Wind Guard

The X4 Air includes a built‑in wind guard that significantly reduces wind noise. Combined with improved voice enhancement, the audio quality is noticeably clearer than previous models.

This is particularly useful for outdoor filming, travel vlogs and sports, where wind noise can easily ruin footage.

Perfect for recording audio in windy Wales.

Long Battery Life for All‑Day Filming

The included 2010mAh battery delivers up to 88 minutes of continuous 8K recording, which is impressive for such a lightweight device.

This is more than enough for a sports match, a hike, a concert or a city walk. The battery is removable, allowing users to carry spares for longer shoots.

Waterproof and Adventure‑Ready

The X4 Air is waterproof to 49ft (15m) without housing, making it ideal for beach days, pool parties, snorkelling and rainy conditions.

For deeper dives, the Invisible Dive Case (sold separately or as part of a bundle package) allows filming down to 197ft (60m) with crystal‑clear 360 underwater footage.

Fast Mounting with Magnetic Click‑and‑Go

The camera works with Insta360’s magnetic click‑and‑go system, allowing users to attach and swap more than 50 mounts and accessories from the Insta360 range instantly.

It also includes a universal 1/4″ thread, making it compatible with tripods and selfie sticks.

Final Verdict: A Lightweight, Affordable 8K 360 Camera for Everyone

The Insta360 X4 Air is one of the most versatile, user‑friendly and affordable 360 cameras available today.

Its combination of 8K video, replaceable lenses, waterproof design, invisible selfie stick, HDR, long battery life and dual‑mode shooting makes it a powerful all‑in‑one device for creators of all levels.

It’s light enough for travel, durable enough for adventure and affordable enough to make 360 filming accessible to more people.

Whether you’re a traveller, vlogger, athlete or simply someone who wants to capture life from every angle, the Insta360 X4 Air delivers creativity without complexity.