The GoPro HERO 9 Black is extremely easy to use, but finding a deal on GoPro’s flagship action camera in stores this holiday season might be a bit harder thanks to GoPro’s new pricing structure.

To bundle or not?

First off, GoPro sells two versions of its HERO 9 Black camera: the standalone GoPro and the HERO 9 Bundle.

Opting to go with the bundle will cost you $50 more regardless of where you purchase it.

For the extra $50 though, GoPro includes $75 worth of additional accessories (beyond the case and microSD included with the standalone camera) as the GoPro HERO 9 Bundle includes:

• The Floating Hand Grip ($30)
• Extra Battery ($20)
• The Magnetic Swivel Mount ($25)

If you think you are interested in getting 2 or more of these accessories than the bundle is a good deal for you.

Otherwise the standard HERO 9 version will probably be the better option and save you a bit of money.

Subscribe and save with a GoPro subscription

With the current subscription mania we are seeing from brands, it’s no wonder GoPro also offers a subscription.

And even though GoPro Plus has been around a few years, it wasn’t until the HERO 9 that GoPro started offering discounts on camera as a way of incentivizing customers to signup for the service.

For $4.99 a month of $49.99 a year, GoPro Plus offers:

• Unlimited full resolution cloud backups directly from the GoPro device
• Two free replacements cameras should you break your HERO 9
• Up to 50% off GoPro accessories (with a max of 10 items per subscription year)

The “You break it, we fix it” total camera replacement almost single-handedly makes GoPro Plus worth it — but with the GoPro 9, GoPro is offering customers $150 off the camera if they signup for a year of GoPro Plus.

This means that you can essentially get the new GoPro 9 with GoPro Plus for one year for $349 and $399 for the standalone camera and bundle respectively if you purchase through GoPro.com

Compared to retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo (which are all stuck offering the GP9 for $449), you can save $150 by buying directly through GoPro and getting GoPro Plus.

Best GoPro 9 deals for the Holiday season?

While right now there is a huge difference between buying a GP9 from your local Best Buy and through GoPro.com, we might see GoPro begin to allow retailers to offer better deals as we get closer to holidays.

Already Amazon is offering 25% cashback for any Prime user that purchases the GoPro 9 with an Amazon-branded credit card.

Come Black Friday we could see the substantial difference in pricing disappear or at least lessen.

Until then, it’s definitely best to pick up the GoPro 9 directly from GoPro to make sure you get the best deal.