how to charge GoPro HERO 7

How To Charge GoPro HERO 7

If you are someone who have been using GoPro HERO 7 for quite some time now, then you know how to charge GOPRO HERO 7 and other models it pretty obvious for you. But if you have recently pick up a new GoPro, it might not be so evident.


Different camera models have different charging modes, and there are different types of chargers available to facilitate this. And with some cameras, different options work better in some situations as compared to the others. This article has everything you will need to know about charging a GoPros and refer the GoPro battery span article to follow the do and don't while using a GoPro to save your GoPro battery life.

how to charge GoPro HERO 7

How To Charge GOPRO HERO 7 Using Different Chargers

You can charge your GOPRO HERO 7 using the different chargers listed below.

  • The USB wall charger. The standard charger for most GoPros is 5V/1A. However, the HERO7, HERO6, HERO5, HERO (2018), and the Fusion models take up to 5V/3A for fast charging.
  • Connecting through the USB to a computer.
  • External USB battery or a power bank.
  • A Multi-port AC USB hub.
  • A car charger.
  • A solar charger.
  • A separate battery charger.

Power sources to charge

All the GoPros must be charged with the standard charger. It suggests that in practice there is a lot of flexibility when it comes to a power source. 5V/1A is apt for most GoPros, which is standard for most AC adapters. The HERO7, HERO6, and HERO5 models can consume up to 5V/2A.

USB wall charger

If you don’t have the USB charger that came with your camera at hand the one you use for your phone or tablet is not likely to work. If you decide to get a new one, you can go for iPad chargers

USB port on the computer

It is best to use one of the ports on the main computer itself rather than using a peripheral USB hub because at times these hubs don’t provide the same level of charge. Also, if you are plugging it into a laptop, make sure you have your laptop powered by AC. Many laptops tend to throttle down the USB output charge when they’re running off battery power as a means of saving power.

Power banks

Most external USB power banks or power bricks can output a minimum of 5V and 1A. Some of the newer ones are able to output 2A, which charges the HERO7 models even more quickly.

Multi-port USB AC hub

The type-C USB output built-in alongside the regular USB output makes it easy for charging the newer GoPros that use USB-C. You can also use a car charger. They will take longer to charge most of the time unless in direct sunlight so you can also use a solar charger for true off-the-grid charging experience.

Which Type of GoPro Charging Cable has to be used

There are a few different cables that have been used by various GoPros over the years. Here is a quick guide of which GoPro models use which type of USB plug:

USB-C

  • HERO8 Black.
  • Max.
  • HERO7 Black.
  • HERO7 Silver.
  • HERO7 White.
  • HERO6 Black.
  • HERO (2018)
  • Fusion
  • HERO5 Black.
  • HERO5 Session.

Micro-USB B

  • HERO Session.
  • HERO4 Session.

Mini-USB (USB Mini-B (5 pins))

  • HERO4 Black.
  • HERO4 Silver.
  • HERO3+.
  • HERO3.
  • HERO+ LCD.
  • HERO+.
  • HERO(2014).
  • HD HERO2.
  • HD HERO Original.

All the cables are not created equally. Mainly if you’re using the newer models with USB-C, the ideal one to use is the 3A cable that came with the Camera. But if you have misplaced that or don’t have access to it, there are other options. It is worth being aware that it is possible to come across substandard aftermarket cables.

Regardless of the model you are using, if you go with an aftermarket cable it is always a good idea to test it before heading away on a trip or work to make sure it works as expected. It is advisable to take a spare just in case.

How long does it take for the GoPro to charge?

The GoPro battery gets charged fully depending on how much the battery is depleted, the battery’s overall health or how old it is, and what method is used to charge. The charging tends to be fastest in the beginning and then slow down for the last 20 percent or so.


If you are using a power source with low current, say a computer’s USB port, it can take up to 4 hours to fully charge your GoPro’s battery. But if you are using a standard AC wall charger, it would not take more than 2 hours.

charge GoPro HERO 7

The new USB-C SuperCharger for the HERO7, HERO6, HERO5 models is even faster, but exactly how much improvement you see in practice varies by specific camera models or the accessory.

How are GoPros charged with removable Batteries?

This consists of the HERO8 Black, HERO7 Black, HERO6 Black, HERO (2018), Fusion, HERO5 Black, HERO4 Black, HERO4 Silver, HERO3+ Black, and HERO3 Black. Something all these cameras have in common is that you can remove their battery. This adds an element of flexibility. There are certain options as mentioned below:

Charge the battery in the Camera

You can charge the battery in the Camera itself. For this:

  • Turn the camera power off.
  • Use the USB cable to connect the camera to the power source.
  • Wait until the red light is out. In case you don’t see the red light at the time of charging and only see charging bars on the screen, you have probably kept the Camera powered on, which slows down the process because it’s still drawing power to run the Camera.

Charge the battery in the Battery Charger

There are certain beneficial advantages of being able to remove the battery. You can either swap out a flat one for a freshly charged spare battery and film. Or you can charge multiple batteries simultaneously using a multi-slot battery charger.


It has to be noted that there are specific batteries for each generation of GoPro so it becomes important to get the right charger for the kind of batteries that your GoPro uses. If you’re using one of the recent Black models that are, the HERO7, HERO6, and HERO6 Black, you can also enjoy faster-charging capabilities.

Charging GoPros with non-removable batteries

With any of the session models, the battery is not removable because it is enclosed in the camera which means that you will have to charge the battery directly within the camera itself.


So this consists of the HERO7 Silver and White, HERO5 Session, HERO Session, and HERO4 Session.

Charging GoPros With Non-Removable Batteries

International Travel Adapters

If you are traveling overseas, it is strongly suggested that you use any of the usual international travel adapters. Some of the newer ones come with integrated USB charging.


Some of these adapters support up to 2.1A output, but it still varies from model to model.  You can still use an adapter that does not have a built-in USB. You can do it by just plugging the USB wall adapter into the travel adapter.

International Travel Adapters

Because GoPros use the USB standard there is no need to get yourself a new voltage converter. Just using a simpler adapter that works along with the local adapter will do the trick. Another good option is the supercharger.


It is an official GoPro accessory that includes a dual USB-C output as well as clip-on adapters for various international plug types that include the US, UK, Europe, and Australia. These chargers are expensive and they make the most sense with the newer models that can take advantage of the fast charging feature by using the higher output.

Tips To Save GoPro HERO 7 Battery

  • Turning The WiFi Off
    It is advisable to turn the WiFi off before charging GoPro HERO 7. Even with the camera powered off, the Wifi function will end up draining battery power.
  • Disconnecting The Power Accessories
    To make matters simple, it is always good to disconnect any external accessories related to power.
  • Charing At The Time Of Using
    Most times, you can continue filming with the Camera connected to external power. But the charging will not happen while you’re filming and will only resume once the recording process is stopped. An exception to this is when the Camera is connected to a computer, in that case you will not be able to record while it is still connected to the charger.

Conclusion

It is a matter of fact that different cameras use different modes of charging and different chargers as well. This article illuminates minute details concerning the charging of GoPro cameras. The standard charger recommended for most GoPro cameras are the 5V/1A ones. For models like Hero 5,6,7, Hero 2018 and Fusion, the charger 5V/3A helps give fast charging.


All the GoPro cameras charge using an USB port and plug. Different models use different USB plugs like USB-C, micro USB-B and mini-USB. All cables are not equally created. For the use of USB-C plug, the 3A cable is suitable. Hope this article helps you charge your trendy GoPro cameras effectively and efficiently.


Share your views about this article in the comment section 🙂

Enter your text here...

Author

I am Mark Evans, I really crave to keep my audience up-to-date about all the tech-related products. You can find all the tech-related information on my website. I also help you save time to buy products online by listing out the features of the product with pros and cons. I hope you have a good time reading my blog.

Write A Comment