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Yes, the GoPro HERO10 Black is waterproof without the need for a separate waterproof housing or case.
The GoPro HERO10 Black is Waterproof Without a Case
This is something that comes up often, because older GoPros needed a separate clear plastic housing to add waterproof protection.
But since the HERO5 (or, more accurately, the Session), GoPro cameras have switched to having the camera body itself being waterproof. So for many situations in and around water, you no longer need to have a separate waterproof housing, as you did for the HERO4 models and earlier. The GoPro HERO10 continues that approach.
The GoPro HERO10 Black is waterproof right out of the box. By itself, it’s rated for full submersion underwater to a depth of 33 feet / 10 meters.
If you need to take the camera deeper than that, or just want extra protection, you can add a protective housing (more on that below).
NB: There is now an exception. The new GoPro HERO10 Black Bones, which is designed specifically for FPV drones, is not waterproof or water-resistant and should not be used in the rain or submerged underwater.
How to Increase the Waterproof Protection of a GoPro HERO10 Black
The HERO10 Black is rated to a depth of 10 meters, or 33 feet. That’s good for many uses: swimming, snorkeling, rain, waterfalls, paddleboarding, and so on.
But what if you want to take it deeper than that? In most cases, that means SCUBA diving. That’s where a Protective Housing comes in useful.
The Protective Housing is rated down to 60 meters, or 196 feet. That’s well below the depth of standard recreational SCUBA diving.
- Protects your GoPro from mud, dirt and debris during extreme activities
- Front LCD screen remains accessible for viewing
It’s also a useful accessory above the water. It adds quite a lot of protection to your GoPro from dust, mud, and grime, and if it gets cracked from a knock, it’s much cheaper and easier to replace just the housing rather than the whole camera.
Be sure to get the Protective Housing specifically for the HERO10/9 cameras. GoPro has used the “Protective Housing” name for other models too, but the HERO8 Protective Housing, for instance, won’t work with the HERO10–the camera body dimensions and shapes are slightly different.
Things Worth Knowing
Waterproof protection is only as good as the weakest seal. So be sure that the camera’s side door is properly locked in place and that its rubber seals are intact and don’t have any grit or sand that could create a gap for water to get in. And make sure that the lens cover is locked in place.
For the camera to be waterproof, the side door needs to be fully attached and closed. The HERO10 is only waterproof when using its internal battery and without the Media Mod. Anything that requires access to the USB-C port–such as an external battery, an external monitor, an external microphone, or the Media Mod–means opening the side door to access the USB-C port and therefore leaving it exposed. GoPro does sell a USB Pass-Through Door that allows external access to the USB port, but it’s weather-resistant rather than fully waterproof. The same goes for most third-party external power kits (some are rated as water-resistant or weather-resistant).
I have some more detailed recommendations on using GoPros around water here.
Touchscreens don’t work underwater, but you can still use it as a viewing screen.
GoPro cameras don’t float. There are several ways to tackle this problem–I cover some of the best options in a separate post: How to Make a GoPro Float.
Neither GPS nor Wifi work underwater. Those are not shortcomings of the HERO10–they’re limitations on the GPS and Wifi signals.
Waterproof Depth Ratings for GoPro Cameras
Newer GoPro models have a waterproof body. Older models required an external waterproof housing. Here are the depth ratings for the cameras themselves.
| GoPro Model | Waterproof Depth Rating (without external housing) |
|---|---|
| HERO12 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO11 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO11 Black Mini | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO10 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO10 Black Bones Edition | Not waterproof or water-resistant. |
| HERO9 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO8 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| MAX | 16 feet / 5 meters |
| HERO7 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO7 Silver | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO7 White | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| Fusion | 16 feet / 5 meters |
| HERO6 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO (2018) | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO5 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO5 Session | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO4 Session / HERO Session | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO+ LCD | 131 feet / 40 meters |
| HERO+ | 131 feet / 40 meters |
| HERO (2014) | 131 feet / 40 meters |
| HERO4 Black | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| HERO4 Silver | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| HERO3+ Black | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| HERO3 Black | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| HERO3 Silver | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| HERO3 White | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| HD HERO 2 | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| HD HERO Original | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| SD HERO | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
Protective Housings / Dive Housings for GoPro Cameras
To go deeper, you can put the camera inside a protective dive housing. These are the compatible protective housings for recent cameras.
| GoPro Camera | Compatible Protective Housing | Depth Rating of Protective Housing |
|---|---|---|
| HERO12 Black | Protective Housing (for HERO12/11/10/9) | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO11 Black | Protective Housing (for HERO12/11/10/9) | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO10 Black | Protective Housing (for HERO12/11/10/9) | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO10 Black Bare Bones | Not compatible with protective housing. | |
| HERO9 Black | Protective Housing (for HERO12/11/10/9) | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO8 Black | Protective Housing (for HERO8) (AJDIV-001)* | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO7 Black | Super Suit | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO7 Silver | Protective Housing (for HERO7 Silver/White) | 131 feet / 40 meters |
| HERO7 White | Protective Housing (for HERO7 Silver/White) | 131 feet / 40 meters |
| HERO6 Black | Super Suit | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO (2018) | Super Suit | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO5 Black | Super Suit | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO5 Session | Aftermarket Dive Housing | |
| HERO Session | Aftermarket Dive Housing | |
| HERO4 Session | Aftermarket Dive Housing | |
| HERO4 Black | Aftermarket Dive Housing | |
| HERO4 Silver | Aftermarket Dive Housing |
FAQs
Is the GoPro HERO10 waterproof?
Yes, the GoPro HERO10 Black is waterproof without the need for a separate waterproof case or housing. By itself, the camera is rated for 33 feet / 10 meters. So you can comfortably take it swimming, surfing, snorkeling, or paddleboarding.
If you’re SCUBA diving deeper than that, you can buy a Protective Housing to make it even more waterproof (down to a depth of 60 meters / 196 feet).
The GoPro HERO10 Black Bones, a special version designed exclusively for FPV drones, is not waterproof or water-resistant and should not be submerged underwater or used in the rain.
Does the GoPro HERO10 need a waterproof case?
The GoPro HERO10 Black is waterproof without needing a waterproof case or housing. By itself, the camera is rated for 33 feet / 10 meters. You can add a Protective Housing to make it even more waterproof.
How deep can the GoPro HERO10 go?
The GoPro HERO10 Black is rated for full submersion to a depth of 33 feet / 10 meters without an external waterproof housing.
By adding an external waterproof housing, you can take your GoPro deeper. The official housing for the GoPro HERO10 Black, the GoPro Protective Housing (model number ADDIV-001), is rated to a depth of 196 feet / 60 meters. Aftermarket housings might be rated for different depths and be subjected to different quality control protocols.
Is the GoPro HERO10 Black Bones waterproof?
No. The GoPro HERO10 Black Bones is a version designed specifically for FPV drones. It is not waterproof or water-resistant and should not be used in the rain or submerged underwater.
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Images and product information from Amazon PA-API were last updated on 2023-12-01 at 13:51. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
