gimbal travel tripod

The best travel tripod in 2024: from full-size sticks to bag-sized mini-tripods

The best travel tripods have to be small enough to pack, light enough to carry, and sturdy enough for shake-free photos!

The Quick List

Best tripod overall, best for sturdiness, best lightweight tripod, best with 3-way head, best for versatility, best alloy tripod, best budget carbon.

• How to choose
• How we test

I like to travel light, whether I’m walking city streets, trekking across the countryside or jetting off to the other side of the world. Conventional full-sized tripods tend to be big, heavy, and unwieldy – so I often leave mine at home, making it completely useless. By contrast, the best travel tripods literally take a load off. They’re made to be compact and lightweight but, in the past, they’ve often been notorious for being flimsy, relatively unstable, and too small to offer a useful operating height. The new breed of travel tripods tempt me with the promise of giving me the best of both worlds.

Most modern travel tripods have legs that swing upwards for storage, so that the head is encircled by the feet. This typically reduces the folded height by as much as 4" / 10cm. Some also include as many as five sections in each leg, and a two-section extending center column, reducing the folded height even further, while still enabling reasonably lofty shooting. I find they take longer to set up and fold away but it’s a trade I’m willing to make for smaller stowage.

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is an encyclopedia when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers, and inks, and just about anything imaging-related.

Here's a quick rundown of all the lenses in this guide. Scroll down for a more in-depth look at the individual products.

It's the first tripod Peak Design has ever made, but it's the best travel tripod I've ever seen! There is an aluminum version that's a massive 40% cheaper, however, which has all the same design features but just a little less vibration resistance. Read more below

This is no ordinary tripod; it folds down to just 35cm, opens to a height of 146cm, and has a huge 30kg payload. I like that its detachable monopod leg can be used as a mic or camera boom, and it has a Tri-Mount system for adding accessories. Read more below

I like that this is one of the outright lightest travel tripods on the market but still packs plenty of useful features. It’s equally adept for taking selfies as much as for shooting landscapes and the like, making it right up my street. Read more below

Ball heads are all the rage but there are times when I prefer a 3-way head for making precision adjustments. This Manfrotto kit obliges by bucking the trend, and I find it’s well suited to shooting video as well as stills. Read more below

This Benro carbon tripod's 6-in-1 billing could fool me into thinking that it's all about versatility, but it's a very good travel tripod. Even at full height, it's impressively stable, and it packs extra features that could come in handy whether shooting with a camera or a phone. Read more below

I often love the creative potential of shooting at really low level and the Corey 2.0 gives me all the flexibility I need to make dramatic shots without the fuss. It’s not a carbon fiber tripod but made from top-notch magnesium alloy. Read more below

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I generally prefer carbon fiber tripods to metal ones, for a saving in weight and enhanced resistance to vibration. I’m not so keen that I often have to pay a whole lot more for the privilege but the Rhino is great value for money. Read more below

The best travel tripods we recommend in 2024

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

1. Peak Design Travel Tripod

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

✅  You like innovative design and photographic kit that makes a real statement.

✅  You want a travel tripod that has the slimmest possible profile, thanks to specially shaped legs.

✅ You don’t mind paying top-dollar for a travel tripod, and can make use of all the features.

❌  You don’t want to pay over the odds for an aluminum or carbon fiber travel tripod – there’s no denying it’s pricey.

❌  You don’t need a mobile phone mount, which is a bit fiddly to get at.

❌ You’d rather have a different type of head, although an adapter is available separately.

The Peak Design Travel Tripod may be the first tripod that Peak Design has made, but it's hands-down one of the best travel tripods that I've ever used! There is an aluminum version that's a massive 40% cheaper, however, which has all the same design features, just a little more weight and less vibration resistance. A couple of the other tripods here will go higher, but the Peak Design will still go to eye level for an average-height person, and it packs down to just 39cm in length.

I like that it's designed to cut out the dead space between the legs and the column when packed, which means it's not just short when folded but very slim too – I can put this inside my camera bag or cabin bag instead of just strapping it to the outside. The low-profile ball head is simple but brilliant, there's a phone holder hidden inside the center column, and best of all for me, the tripod feels seriously rigid.

Read more:   Peak Design Travel Tripod review

• Back to the top ⤴

2. 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0

✅  You want to choose your own head, although you can buy the legs on their own.

✅  You don’t like fiddling with lots of leg clamps and dual center column clamps.

✅ You’re keeping an eye on the bottom line – it’s a pricey travel tripod.

❌  You want to choose your own head, although you can buy the legs on their own.

❌  You don’t like fiddling with lots of leg clamps and dual center column clamps.

❌ You’re keeping an eye on the bottom line – it’s a pricey travel tripod.

The 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 is no ordinary tripod. It folds down to just 35cm in length but opens out to offer a maximum height of 146cm and a huge payload capacity of 30kg. That far exceeds the weight of any of my camera and lens combinations but the net result is great rigidity.

I like that it has a detachable monopod leg which can also be used as a microphone or camera boom, a Tri-Mount system for adding accessories, and an innovative two-section center column. That helps it to fold down really small yet reach a decent maximum operating height. You can buy the legs on their own but I’d get the complete kit with 3 Legged Thing’s new and improved AirHed Pro Lever ball head.

The Leo 2 is not the smallest travel tripod you can get, and not the cheapest, but its ratio of folded length to maximum height, combined with its all-around versatility, make it one of the best.

Read more: 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 + AirHead Pro Review

3. Vanguard VEO 3GO 235CB

✅  You want a tripod that includes a smartphone adapter and even a Bluetooth controller.

✅  You’d like a tripod that works as a monopod and selfie stick as well.

✅ You want one of the absolute lightest travel tripods on the market.

❌  You want a heftier maximum load rating than 4kg.

❌  You’d rather have a taller maximum operating height than 136cm.

❌ You don’t feel the need for a low level adapter or dual rubber pad and spiked feet.

With five sections in each swing-up leg and a two-section center column, this Vanguard folds down to just over a foot long yet gives a reasonable maximum operating height. I find it can easily fit into my daily bag or backpack. It’s also very lightweight although, as expected, the alternative aluminum version is a little heavier. The bottom leg sections are quite spindly, with a diameter of just 11mm, but stability is pretty good even at full stretch.

As well as giving a typically quick and easy change to monopod configuration, the Vanguard is more unusual in coming complete with a smartphone adapter. I like that it works well as a monopod and even a selfie stick, so I only need to take one support for the journey rather than two or three.

Read more: Vanguard VEO 3GO 235CB review

4. Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced

✅  You like the idea of a hybrid travel tripod, with a head that works well for video as well as stills.

✅  You feel reassured by buying a tripod from one of the biggest names in the business.

✅ You like flip locks rather than the more usual twist locks for leg clamps.

❌  You’d rather have a tripod kit that has a more usual ball head.

❌  You don’t shoot video, but stick to stills.

❌ You’d prefer a carbon fiber travel tripod rather than an aluminum one.

The Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced is a lightweight photographer’s travel tripod paired with a three-way head. Although ball heads have become hugely popular, I actually prefer a 3-way head for the likes of architectural and close-up shooting, where precise adjustments can be critical. The 3-way fluid head in this case uses a hydraulic damping system to make it easy for smooth, fluid camera movements, so I find it also works well for shooting video.

The tripod, meanwhile, provides a good balance between capacity, weight, and price. It’ll take 6kg of kit and only weighs 2kg itself. I’ve tested lighter and stronger tripods, but they tended to be more pricey than this one.

It’s not as tall as some of the other tripods in this guide, and doesn’t fold down particularly small, the latter not helped by having a 3-way rather than ball head. But, for the vast majority of purposes, this is an impressive all-around package and merits serious consideration for any traveling photographer or videographer.

Read more: Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced tripod review

5. Benro MeFoto RoadTrip Pro

✅  You like different color options for the finish, instead of just black.

✅  You’d like a tripod that can adapt for tabletop and other uses.

✅ You want a tripod that comes complete with a smartphone mount.

❌  You don’t need a tripod with the extra versatility, which can be fiddly.

❌  You’d rather save money and buy the aluminum version of the tripod.

❌ You don’t like having so many leg and column clamps to deal with.

I thought the headline attraction of the so-called ‘6-in-1’ Benro MeFoto RoadTrip Pro would be its versatility. That’s obviously a headline feature but I’ve found that it's also a very good travel tripod, pure a simple. Even at full height it's impressively stable for its build, and it packs a few extra features that come in handy when I’m shooting with a camera or a phone.

I’ve found that it's an excellent travel tripod and, again, thanks to its versatility, it works well as a monopod and also as a mini table tripod, which are genuinely valuable additions. It's great that things like the hex key, small tripod legs, and smartphone clamp are contained within or attached to the tripod, making it much less likely that I’ll leave them behind or lose them along the way. The flip side is that the extra bits and pieces make the tripod a little heavier than it needs to be.

Read more:  Benro MeFoto RoadTrip Pro Carbon Fiber review

6. 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey 2.0

✅  You’re happy with a magnesium alloy rather than carbon fiber travel tripod.

✅  You want great performance and versatility at a bargain price.

✅ You like the ability to shoot creatively from really low levels.

❌  You’d rather spend more on a carbon fiber tripod that’s not cold to the touch.

❌  You’d rather have something simpler, with less leg and column clamps to operate.

❌ You don’t need the 14kg payload because you’re using lightweight kit.

I find that all of the Punks tripods from 3 Legged Thing are very travel-friendly, but the Corey 2.0 is the smallest and easiest to pack for the journey. It has the usual swing-up legs to save stowage space, this time with five sections in each, plus a two-section head, enabling a decent maximum operating height but a very small stowage size.

Don’t be put off that this one’s not a carbon fiber tripod. It’s actually made from aerospace grade magnesium alloy and the upshot is that it’s still lightweight yet very strong, with a hefty 14kg maximum load rating.

It ticks another two boxes on my  wish list by easily converting to a monopod, and enabling ultra-low-level shooting with the option of attaching the ball head directly to the canopy (leaving the center column out of the equation). All three legs are removable, and Vanz footwear (sold separately) transforms the Corey 2.0 into a stylish tabletop tripod.

Read more: 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey 2.0 review

7. Benro Rhino 05C (Zero Series) VX20

✅  You want a really small, lightweight tripod that still has a hefty 10kg load rating.

✅  You’re after a carbon fiber tripod that’s reasonably priced.

✅ You can make use of the secondary pan axis for shooting panoramas and video.

❌  The monopod configuration is nice to have but only stretches to a maximum height of 141cm.

❌  You’d like a travel tripod with a quick setup time.

❌ You’d prefer a tripod with feet that have metal spikes as well as rubber pads.

A plus point for me when space is at a premium is that the Benro Rhino 05C VX20 (also called the Rhino Zero Series VX20) is the smallest in a group of four recently launched Rhino travel tripods. Compactness doesn’t equate to flimsiness though and I’ve found that it’s remarkably rigid and robust for such a compact tripod. Another nice touch is that Benro’s companion VX ball heads have a secondary pan axis just under the camera plate. It’s great for taking sequences of panned shots to stitch into a panorama, and shooting video, as the panning axis remains on the level without the need to meticulously level the legs as well as the head.

I find that travel tripods have limitations, including a lower maximum working height and longer ‘unfolding’ time, but this goes with the territory and I can’t criticize the Rhino for that. Sure enough, this Benro doesn't extend to a particularly tall height, and outright rigidity can feel a little compromised if I fully extend all of the leg sections and both of the center column sections. When it’s not at full stretch though, I find this Benro is as rigid as much bigger and heavier tripods.

Read more: Benro Rhino 05C VX20 review

How to choose the best travel tripod

It’s good to be choosy when picking your perfect travel tripod for your needs and budget. Here are a few things to bear in mind…

Carbon fiber is pricier than aluminum, but is it worth the extra?

Up-market tripods are usually made from carbon fiber instead of aluminum. They have a more luxurious feel, a smarter looking finish, and can be slightly more resistant to vibrations. Carbon fiber can also feel less cold to the touch. But the main advantage of carbon fiber is that it’s more lightweight than aluminum, giving it a clear advantage when you’re trying to shed weight. However, there can be diminishing returns. Although the weight-saving can be substantial in full-sized tripods, it’s much less noticeable in relatively small tripods. For many travel tripods that are available in both aluminum and carbon fiber options, the latter typically only saves around 200g in weight, little more than 10 per cent. Considering that the carbon fiber editions are often about 50 per cent more expensive to buy, aluminum travel tripods can be more cost effective.

How small is the tripod when folded?

A decade ago, the Giotto’s company launched a series of Vitruvian tripods, named after Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing, ‘The Vitruvian Man’. As in the drawing, the legs swing upwards but, in the case of the Giotto’s tripods they swung up completely, adopting a vertically upright orientation for stowing away. The trick was that, by fully extending the center column before swinging the legs up, the tripod head no longer extended beyond the length of the legs, making the carrying size much smaller. Many recent travel tripods fold down small enough to fit inside a bag or backpack, rather than needing to be tethered to the outside.

Can I save space by using a tripod as a monopod as well?

A neat trick of many recent travel tripods is that you can unscrew one of the tripod legs, detach the center column, and join the two together for use as a monopod, complete with ball head. That can be a real space saver if you like using a monopod as well as a tripod, as you only have to carry one bit of kit.

What’s so good about multi-angle legs?

Pretty much all travel tripods these days have legs that can be locked at multiple angles to the center column. Typically either two or three alternative angles are available, in addition to the legs being able to swing up vertically. This can help when you’re shooting on uneven terrain, or when there are obstacles in the way. For example, you might need to use one or two legs in a near-horizontal orientation and place the feet on a wall or table to get into your desired shooting position. Another bonus is that, by splaying the legs to a wider angle when shooting at low operating heights, you can increase stability and reduce the risk of the tripod toppling over if knocked.

How low can you go when shooting with a tripod?

Multi-angle legs help to reduce the minimum shooting height but the limiting factor is generally the point at which the center column touches the ground. The minimum height is therefore the height of the center column plus the ball head. A two-section extending center column can help to further reduce the minimum operating height, as well as the carrying height.  Some tripods are supplied with a short, stubby ‘low angle adaptor’. You can attach this to the tripod head and use it instead of the center column. The center column is also removable in most tripods, so you can invert it and shoot from between two of the legs with the camera upside down, right down at ground level.

What’s best for feet, pads or spikes?

Rubber pads are the normal footwear for tripods these days. They work well on solid ground as well as on grass and sandy areas. For soft surfaces like carpet, spikes can offer a more assured footing. Some tripods are supplied with both rubber pads and metal spikes, so you can swap between them as needed. Another option that used to be more common in the past is rubber pads on a threaded mount, so you can screw them in to reveal metal spikes beneath.

How we test travel tripods

We measure the maximum operating height of each tripod and its folded height for carrying, complete with head attached. We also measure the combined weight of each set of tripod legs and head, using electronic scales, and measure the diameter of all leg sections, from the widest to the thinnest, using digital calipers. We check the ease of use, smoothness and precision of all available adjustments in each set of tripod legs and heads. This ranges from adjusting leg sections and pivot facilities (where available), to the locking mechanisms of the head, as well as independent pan and friction damping adjustments, where fitted. To check overall stability, we shoot with a range of camera bodies fitted with wide-angle, standard, telephoto and macro lenses. We look for good resistance to flexing and vibrations throughout the whole range of operating heights, including the tallest available settings with the legs and center column fully extended.

Find out more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World

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Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.

• James Artaius Editor

Related articles

The Best Gimbal Tripod Heads in 2024 – My Top Picks

A gimbal tripod head allows you to perfectly balance the weight of your camera and a super-telephoto lens so that it can be effortlessly moved vertically and horizontally while photographing wildlife. With a perfectly balanced gimbal, even the heaviest setups, such as a 600mm lens and pro-sized camera body, can be moved with only your pinky finger.

A camera mounted to a gimbal tripod head is always ready to go because you can take your hands off it without locking any of the controls. When the action starts, you need only grab the camera and spin it quickly toward your subject, saving precious seconds that might make the difference between getting or missing the shot.

Gimbal tripod heads come in a variety of shapes and sizes. In this gear guide, we’ll examine the top options on the market today at various price points, and I’ll make recommendations for the one that will best suit your photography.

Table of Contents

In a hurry.

If you’re in a hurry and need a quick solution, you can’t go wrong with the exceptional GKJr Katana Pro gimbal from ProMediaGear . This incredibly lightweight gimbal will easily hold any super-telephoto lens and maintain perfectly smooth motion. This gimbal’s weight-to-performance ratio is unmatched, making it an easy recommendation that will suit most people’s needs. I’d recommend buying directly from ProMediaGear to get free US shipping or very reasonable international shipping rates.

GKJr. Katana Pro Price Check:

Photography Gimbal Vs. Video Gimbal – NOT the same!

Googling the word ‘gimbal’ can be confusing because you’ll get mixed results talking about photo and video gimbals. If this is your first gimbal purchase, you don’t want to get the two confused. Even if you search ‘gimbal’ on B&H Photo, you will see many video gimbals in the search results. To help you, the better search term is ‘ tripod gimbal ‘ because video gimbals are not designed to go on a tripod. In contrast, photography gimbals are exclusively intended to go on tripods.

A photography gimbal – what we are discussing in this guide – doesn’t have any electronic parts. It’s designed to be put onto a tripod, where you can manually balance it to hold your camera and a telephoto lens without needing to lock the tilt or pan axis.

A video gimbal is a stabilizer to hold your camera level while you move it around. It contains motors, rotating gyros and a ton of electronic wizardry designed to resist the inertia of your camera while you move. Video gimbals are designed to work hand-held or sometimes attached to a moving vehicle.

TLDR; if you are shooting photos, do not buy a video gimbal from DJI, Zhiyun-Tech or any other similar product. If you are shooting video, only buy a video gimbal if you want to move around with the camera. If you’re going to shoot a video of wildlife with a long lens from a static tripod position, use a photo gimbal with a fluid cartridge or a video fluid head.

Gimbal Heads: Side Mount Vs. Cradle Mount

There are two different styles commonly available on gimbal tripod heads. The first is a side mount, and the second is a cradle mount. To choose the best mount style for your photography, it’s essential to understand the pros and cons of each. Some manufacturers offer their gimbals with both mounts so that you can get precisely what you want; for example, the ProMediaGear GKJr Katana Pro is available with either a side mount or a cradle mount , as are the Wimberley WH-200 and the RRS PG-02 Mk2. Some gimbals, such as the Sirui PH-20 and the Fotopro Eagle E-6H, include everything you need in the box to switch between the two mount styles.

The cradle mount is a more traditional style, where the foot of the lens is mounted onto an L-shape arm that comes down from the vertical pivot point and clamps to the lens foot underneath the lens. The side mount gimbal head style has the clamp directly on the pivot point, with the lens foot 90 degrees off where it lies with the cradle mount.

What’s the difference between the cradle and the side mount?

Gimbals with a cradle mount are heavier, bulkier, and usually more expensive than a side mount version of the same head. Still, a cradle mount is easier when mounting a heavy lens to a gimbal because gravity is on your side. The cradle can support the weight of the lens while you tighten the quick-release clamp. With a side mount gimbal, you must support the camera and lens with one hand while tightening the clamp with your other hand. When mounting a camera to a side-mount gimbal, there is slightly more potential for an expensive accident.

From a functional point of view, there is also a slight difference that many people are unaware of. When a side mount gimbal is perfectly balanced, letting go of your camera will return it to a horizontal position. When a cradle mount gimbal is perfectly balanced, both in the fore/aft position and in the up/down part of the cradle, letting go of your camera will do nothing. The camera will perfectly maintain its position at whatever angle you leave it.

In the latter case, with the full cradle, there may be some situations where it is beneficial to leave your gimbal unlocked but pointing upwards or downwards. Perhaps towards an animal’s nest or den. Maybe this tiny time saver, not having to reposition your camera a few degrees, might make the difference between getting a shot or not when the subject finally appears.

I take the lighter-weight option nine times out of ten, but your opinion might be different. As I get older, my confidence in one-handing a 600mm lens into a side-mount gimbal without dropping it will likely lessen, too. And, should I develop arthritis in my hand or fingers, the easier mounting of the cradle gimbal will suddenly seem more appealing on a cold morning.

The Best Gimbal Tripod Heads

This table shows you the list of products I will review further in this guide. I didn’t choose these products blindly, so if it made it as far as being included in this gear guide at all then it has already shown some merit. If you don’t have time to read the in-depth guide, then these links might save you some time.

ProMediaGear GKJr. Katana Pro Gimbal

At only 2.4 lbs (1.08kg), the GKJr. Katana Pro gimbal from ProMediaGear is one of the lightest gimbals on the market. This impressive feat is achieved by machining a skeleton-like structure out of a solid block of aluminum. Despite the weight-saving design, the Katana Pro gives up nothing as far as stability is concerned. This head easily holds the biggest lenses on the market, such as a 600mm f/4. Equally, it’s at home when paired with much lighter options such as a 100-400mm, 200-600mm, or the Canon 100-500mm, where some other heavy, larger gimbals feel overkill.

Not only is the GKJr Katana Pro light, but it’s also relatively compact compared to heads like the Wimberley WH-200 or the Gitzo Fluid Gimbal. If you opt for the cradle mount version, the cradle is easily removed from the head to help pack it into your bag. For ultimate portability, the head’s side mount version drops the weight even further to just 1.8 lbs. If you’re someone that travels with your gear, weight and packability are always a concern. Check out my detailed review of the GKJr Katana Pro gimbal for more details on why this is one of my favorites.

The Katana Pro Jr. is available in black and red from PMG with free shipping in the US and very reasonable shipping rates to anywhere else in the world. For the best service, I would always recommend buying direct if you can (also nice to support the little guys), but if you can’t, you can also get it from other retailers using the buttons below.

ProMediaGear GT2 Tomahawk

The ProMediaGear GT2 Tomahawk is best described as half a gimbal. Comparing the Tomahawk to the GKJr. Katana Pro, you can see it closely resembles the vertical part of that gimbal, using the same clamp and bearings. The dovetails on the bottom of the Tomahawk allow you to clamp it onto a ball head, thus using the ball head’s panning base for the gimbal rotation.

Wimberley first developed the half-gimbal concept with their Sidekick model. ProMediaGear has taken this concept further by adding 1/4″ 20 and 3/8″ 16 female threads that allow the Tomahawk to be used on top of a monopod. This ingenious design can negate the need to carry a separate monopod head or a full-sized gimbal head if you are already traveling with a ball head.

The downside of the Tomahawk is the nearly-$400 price point. It won’t be the best option for everyone when many full gimbals can be purchased for the same price or less. However, suppose you often travel with a high-quality ball head that can support a telephoto lens in this configuration. In that case, it does save considerable weight over carrying that ball head and a full-sized gimbal. The GT2 Tomahawk weighs just 15.3 oz / 434g.

The GT2 Tomahawk is available from PMG with free shipping in the US and very reasonable shipping rates to anywhere else in the world. For the best service, I would always recommend buying direct if you can (also nice to support the little guys), but if you can’t, you can also get it from other retailers using the buttons below.

GT2 Tomahawk Price Check:

Really Right Stuff PG-02 Mk2

The Really Right Stuff PG-02 Mk2 is a modular gimbal head that can be configured as either a side-mount or cradle-mount gimbal. RRS calls these models the PG-02 Mk2 Side-Mount and the PG-02 Mk2 Full-Gimbal. One model can be converted to the other using a hex tool, so you’re not committed to your choice if you change your mind after purchase.

Related: Really Right Stuff Ball Head and Gimbal Guide

Unique to the RRS gimbal is the option to use it as a multi-row panoramic head. This is made possible by the modular design that allows the vertical arm to be moved along the horizontal arm to place the lens’ optical center directly over the point of rotation. As well as a great gimbal and panoramic head, the Side-Mount model is an excellent alternative to a ball head for any other non-telephoto shooting, such as landscapes or macro.

The new Mk2 version of the PG-02 is lighter and a little less bulky than the original version while maintaining the same stiffness and 50lb load capacity. It also features an innovative design that allows you to simultaneously lock and unlock the pan and tilt mechanisms with one hand. The design and machining are beautiful, and the gimbal’s movement is buttery smooth with even the heaviest setups.

The PG-02 Mk2 is the gold standard for gimbal heads, but its clever features and modular design come with a hefty price tag. At around $750 for the Side-Mount model and $950 for the Full-Gimbal model, you’re spending $200-$300 more than equivalent models from ProMediaGear and Wimberley. I recommend reading my in-depth RRS PG-02 Mk2 review to decide whether that would be worth it for your photography. Or, if money is no object, just hit the buy button. You won’t regret it.

RRS PG-02 Mk2 Price Check:

Fotopro Eagle E-6H

Fotopro is a Chinese manufacturer that has a broad portfolio of support products. Unlike most companies, they haven’t chosen a pricing sector of the market to concentrate on. Instead, they manufacture everything from sub-$200 tripods up to $1400 tripods. This is a very different way of doing things. Imagine if Gitzo or Really Right Stuff made sub-$200 tripods and their top-of-the-line offerings, or if Ferrari made a cheap 4-door sedan?

I don’t think this approach helps people’s perception of the brand’s products, but I’m here to tell you that their high-end Eagle Series products are the real deal, and any qualms should be put aside. The Fotopro E-6H is an excellent gimbal head and deserves your consideration, with some weight capacity caveats.

The E-6H gimbal is tiny. It’s roughly half the size of any of the other gimbals in this guide, and it’s easily the lightest at 911g with the cradle or a mere 700g in side mount mode. Despite its small size, it has some of the smoothest pan and tilt motions of any gimbal in this guide. It’s so smooth that I had to ask Fotopro if it used fluid cartridges because it’s smoother than the Gitzo Fluid Gimbal. As it turns out, it does not. But you certainly wouldn’t know it by using it.

This gimbal is full of features that don’t exist on other gimbals. Firstly it has click stops that can be engaged on the panning base for panoramic photographers to get perfectly repeatable results. Secondly, the vertical arm can be swivelled forwards or backwards up to 180 degrees. This means you can shoot straight up to the night sky or down to the ground for macro work. Alternatively, fold it down for more compact travel.

Other unique features include toolless swapping between cradle mount and side mount and locking screw-lock knobs on the Arca-Swiss clamps. It even comes with a panning handle so you can use the head for filmmaking. And yes, this head is smoother than many cheap video heads, so that’s an entirely plausible scenario.

This is the Swiss Army Knife of tripod heads, and it does it in the smallest and lightest package on the market. But there is a slight downside. The load rating for this gimbal is 10KG (22lbs), much less than some of the other gimbals, making it unsuitable for huge super-telephoto lenses and better suited to a 100-400mm type lens. For more details, read my detailed Fotopro Eagle Gimbal review.

Fotopro Eagle E-6H Price Check:

Gitzo GHFG1 Fluid Gimbal

The Gitzo Fluid Gimbal is surprising in a few ways. Firstly this is a fluid head, so fluid cartridges dampen rotational resistance of the horizontal and vertical panning joints. Fluid heads deliver a much smoother panning motion, as discussed in the RRS FG-02 fluid gimbal section. A panning bar is included in the package to aid with smooth motion when shooting video.

The relatively low price point is the second most surprising thing about the Gitzo gimbal head. Gitzo products are known to be of the highest quality, and many photographers aspire to own them, but the price point can sometimes be prohibitive. In the case of their GHFG1 Fluid Gimbal, the price is a bargain when you compare it to other models in this gear guide. It’s much less than half the price of Really Right Stuff’s fluid gimbal, and it’s cheaper than some of the most popular gimbals, such as the Wimberley WH-200.

The main downside of this gimbal is that they do not offer a side mount version, which would have saved a little weight and size. The overall design is also significantly bulkier than many other options, such as the ProMediaGear Katana Jr or the Fotopro Eagle. It’s also lacking a bubble level. Something that is offered by the PMG Katana Jr, the RRS gimbals, the Fotopro E-6H and more.

This gimbal has a few quirks, and its large size is a definite downside for travel. Still, for fans of the Gitzo brand, it does a decent job for its middle-of-the-road price point and is the best gimbal on this list for those that also want to shoot some video alongside their stills images. You can get more info on this gimbal by reading my Gitzo Fluid Gimbal review.

Gitzo Fluid Gimbal Price Check:

Wimberley WH-200

The Wimberley WH-200 design has been around for decades and is popular with many photographers. The design is bland, but they are among the smoothest gimbals on the market, and their durability and general robustness have been proven over time. If you tend to beat up your camera equipment in harsh environments and don’t mind the sterile, industrial look, the WH-200 is one of the best options.

The downside to the Wimberley head is its 3.1lb weight. For many photographers, I suggest a 0.7lb weight saving of the PMG GKJr. Katana Pro is worth the additional $50. Still, many choose the Wimberley out of loyalty to what is essentially the original long lens gimbal tripod head. A side mount version is also available.

Wimberley WH-200 Price Check:

Wimberley MH-100 MonoGimbal

This product is an outlier in the gimbal guide, but I don’t think the guide would be complete without it. The WH-100 MonoGimbal is designed primarily to act as a small gimbal for your monopod. However, the base of the head is an Arca-compatible dovetail, which means you could attach it to a regular ball head to give it some gimbal characteristics (see photo below).

While I would never pitch this product as an alternative to a regular tripod gimbal on a tripod, it is an excellent addition to your kit if you want that weightless gimbal feeling while using a monopod. At under $200, it is well priced and has to be one of the most unique photography gadgets I have seen in the last couple of decades. Check out my Wimberley Monogimbal review for more details.

Wimberley Monogimbal Price Check:

Wimberley Sidekick

The Wimberley Sidekick is an interesting design for someone who must carry both a ball head and a gimbal head. Instead of switching heads entirely, this handy gadget converts your existing ball head into a gimbal. To do this, your ball head must have a separate panning base lock knob and an Arca-Swiss compatible clamp.

To install the Wimberley Sidekick, release the ball lock and flop the clamp into your drop notch, positioning it vertically, then tighten the ball as much as possible. Now clamp the Sidekick into the now vertical ball head clamp and loosen the ball head’s panning base lock knob to rotate the gimbal.

Choosing the sidekick instead of a proper gimbal will give you some weight savings, but, as with the ProMediaGear GT2 Tomahawk discussed earlier on this page, the head’s effectiveness depends on the smoothness of your ball head’s panning base. Ball heads are not designed to have heavy weights levered on one side while rotating. They are designed to be locked down tightly. Even some of the best ball heads on the market struggle to deliver a smooth horizontal pan when used in this out-of-scope manner.

In my testing, the RRS BH-40 and BH-55 ball heads produced the smoothest pans with a telephoto lens and the Sidekick. Many other heads can hold the off-centre weight, but the pan fluidity is slightly compromised. Still, this might be a worthwhile tradeoff for the overall weight savings if you otherwise need to carry both a ball head and a full-sized gimbal.

At about $250 , you save a significant chunk of change with the Sidekick compared to the full Wimberley gimbal ( $550 ), but it’s only really a saving if you already own a high-end ball head to pair it with. If you need to buy a new ball head, your total bill will undoubtedly be larger than the cost of the Wimberley Gimbal or the better ProMediaGear gimbal.

Finally, you must consider the Sidekick against the similar ProMediaGear GT2 Tomahawk . The Tomahawk is roughly $150 more expensive than the Sidekick, but its double dovetail design and integrated 3/8″ female thread means you can use it as a monopod head . If a monopod head was also on your shopping list, buying the PMG GT2 Tomahawk will represent overall cost savings. The Tomahawk is lighter than the Sidekick (434g vs 589g), and that weight saving increases if it means you don’t need to carry a separate monopod head.

Wimberley Sidekick Price Check:

The Oben GH-30 deserves a spot on this list because it brings gimbals down to a price point that makes them accessible to many more people. At just $250 , this is an excellent beginner option for people who don’t do much wildlife photography but want something that will make life considerably easier for them on the odd weekend excursion. It’s also a good budget option if you have booked a costly wildlife photography vacation and suddenly realize that you should take a gimbal with you but don’t want to break the bank.

One thing I will say about this gimbal is that I do not recommend that you take the 44lb load rating at face value. I’m not saying that it’s not true, I don’t doubt that it could hold 44lbs, but a maximum load rating is not the same as a recommended usable rating. The Oben GH-30 loses some of its smoothness with very heavy camera setups. It’s OK with something light such as a 70-200mm, 100-400mm, 200-600mm or Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5, but if you have anything more significant, I recommend you spend a little more and look up the pricing spectrum towards the Sirui PH-20.

Oben GH-30 Price Check:

Induro GHB1

The Induro GHB1 is a moderately sized side mount gimbal with a 22lb capacity and a relatively low weight of 1.7lbs. It is suitable for smaller and lighter telephoto lenses, such as a Sony or Nikon 200-600mm, a Canon RF 100-500mm , Nikon Z 100-400mm or a Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 .

Induro’s typical no-frills design gives this head an understated look. While it lacks features such as laser-etched degree markings for panoramic photography or a bubble level to ensure perfectly horizontal panning, Induro didn’t skimp on the bearings used in the pan and tilt mechanisms. This gimbal head is smooth to operate and easy to carry. At its recommended retail price of around $350, it is perhaps a little close to the better Sirui PH-20; however, the Induro GHB1 can sometimes be found on sale for closer to $300, and at this price, it’s a good buy for people using smaller telephoto lenses.

Induro GHB1 Price Check:

Sirui PH-20

The Sirui PH-20 is a carbon fibre gimbal that comes equipped with an Arca-compatible cradle and an included option to remove the cradle and convert it to a side mount gimbal. Sirui strangely does not mention the included side mount option on its website, despite being one of its best features. In full cradle mode, the PH-20 weighs 1163g or 2.56lbs. When the cradle is removed and the smaller side mount clamp is installed, the gimbal weighs 899g or 1.98lbs. These are the measured weights on my digital scapes. Ignore the lower weights suggested by Sirui.

Overall, I found the Sirui PH-20 an excellent gimbal tripod head with silky smooth pan and tilt mechanisms. The middle-of-the-pack price point seems fair for the quality of the carbon construction and the included option to switch back and forth between a side mount gimbal and a full cradle gimbal. Spending more money on something from RRS or ProMediaGear will get you a higher level of machining precision, but the Sirui PH-20 won’t break the bank or impact the sharpness of your images. This is a solid mid-tier gimbal option. Check out my Sirui PH-20 gimbal review for more details.

Sirui PH-20 Price Check:

Protecting Your Gimbal

If you’re planning on buying a gimbal for wildlife photography, you might also want to pick up a camouflage gimbal cover from LensCoat . They have recently started making covers for a much more extensive range of gimbal heads, including my top pick, the PMG Katana Jr., and the Gitzo Fluid Gimbal, Oben GH-30, Induro GHB1, Wimberley WH-200 and several others . For about $40, I think they are a great idea.

PRODUCT NAME Price Check:

Use Your Gimbal With a Skimmer

Most will use a gimbal head on a tripod, but there are many times when a lower point of view is beneficial. While it’s possible to spread your tripod’s legs to attain that low angle, it’s cumbersome to repeatedly lift a tripod and adjust its position while lying flat on your belly. The heavier your lens, the harder this becomes.

This is where the Naturescapes Skimmer II comes in handy. This plastic base with a metal 3/8″ tripod head mount is designed to slide effortlessly across the dirt or sand, making it much easier to creep closer to your subject. This is an essential piece of kit for shorebird photography, and using the Skimmer will also save you hours spent cleaning sand out of your tripod leg locks.

Skimmer Price Check:

Which Gimbals Do I Use?

On my tripod.

For many years, I was using an original RRS PG-02. It’s built like a tank but also has the exquisite finishing we expect from RRS. I love that it can be broken down into two pieces for travel, but a significant downside was its considerable weight. When this PG-02 gimbal head went out of production for a few years so they could redesign it, I started my search for a replacement since I could not very well recommend a head that was not in production.

My search led me to the ProMediaGear GKJr. Katana Pro . This head has now become my gimbal of choice and number one recommendation. The buttery smooth bearings, combined with its fantastic capacity-to-weight ratio, make this an excellent gimbal tripod head for any size of super-telephoto lens. If it falls within your budget, you won’t be disappointed.

After using the Katana Pro for a while, RRS relaunched the PG-02 as the new PG-02 MK2. I own this updated gimbal, and while it is a little lighter than the original PG-02, it is still nowhere near as light as the Katana Pro. For that reason, it’s a gimbal that generally stays on the tripod in my car. I always choose the Katana Pro for travel and hiking.

On My Monopod

When using a monopod for wildlife photography , I prefer to have a gimbal head on it, just as I do on a tripod. It gives me an Arca quick-release and makes it much easier to aim my lens at subjects above and below my eyeline. However, gimbals designed for a tripod are too big for a monopod and create an unwieldy top-heavy setup. The solution for most people will be the Wimberley MH-100 Monogimbal. I rate this as the overall best monopod head and find the sub-$200 price very reasonable.

The second monopod gimbal I use is the ProMediaGear GT2 Tomahawk . Essentially, the GT2 Tomahawk is the top half of their top-rated GKJr. Katana Pro Gimbal. It can be used on its own as a monopod head or combined with a ball head to create a gimbal tripod head. I love this head, but the near-$400 price point makes it more than twice the price of the Wimberley Monogimbal and, therefore, much harder to recommend to people who simply need a monopod head. Instead, the GT2 Tomahawk is best chosen when you also want to use its ability to convert a ball head into a gimbal head.

If you usually travel with a tripod, a monopod, a ball head, a gimbal, and a monopod head, now, with the GT2, you can simply carry the tripod and monopod, along with a ball head and the GT2. You are saving yourself the weight of the monopod head and much of the weight of a full-sized gimbal. Brilliant for travel, if you don’t mind the rather steep price!

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100 thoughts on “The Best Gimbal Tripod Heads in 2024 – My Top Picks”

I have a Wimberley WH-200 gimbal head that I use with a Really Right Stuff tripod. I primarily use it with my Sigma 500mm F4 Sport lens. It is an older design, but it works well and is dependable. The weight and size make it cumbersome for air travel. I’m surprised you didn’t include a Jobu design gimbal in your review which are made in Canada and I’ve heard good things about.

Yes Wimberley is certainly dependable. I would like to get my hands on some Jobu gimbals at some point to see how they are, yes.

I use a Jobu Design HD4 gimbal head (for my Canon 200-400mm). It’s great. Prior to buying, I had narrowed it down to that or the Wimberley. Specs were basically the same for mine and not a lot of difference in price but the Jobu was (is) much, much lighter (about 1kg vs 1.4kg). Easy decision in the end. I ruled out the RRS gimbal mainly on cost but also because it was even heavier again (about 1.6kg?) and I couldn’t quite get my head around the side-mount design.

Thanks Mal. Yes, a lot of people struggle with the side mount idea. Hopefully the section about that will help people…

I’ve had both the Wimberley, and the RRS previously but I agree I like the Jobu Design HD Mk.IV gimbal better, especially combined with their Algonquin carbon fiber tripod in Arctic cold weather.

You should also get your hands on the ProMediaGear GKJr. Katana Junior Telephoto Lens Gimbal Head. At 2.4 pounds, it can handle up to a 600mm as per their website. I used my Canon EOS EF 500mm on it prior to selling it in favor of the new Canon EOS EF 500mm f/4 DO IS II. I have found both work excellently on it and my Wimberly flash brackets are easily compatible and attachable to it as well.

Thanks for the tip Ron, I’ll put that on my to-do list. I haven’t heard of that one before.

I was very enthusiastic when i first heard about the Gitzo fluid head and ordered it right away (since the price of the RRS fluid is quite a steep).

I was very disappointed. Either something was wrong with my copy, or i would not call it very fluid. Not any significant difference to my “normal” gimbal head.

And the cradle being off axis is maybe not a dealbreaker, but certainty annoying. Especially sitting in a hide with already limited lens movement.

And the cradle does not have “slots” for stopping screws on your arca swiss. So you either need to have a really long plate on your lens, or remove the stopping screws.

Other than that i like the build, and the knobs.

Currently using a Promediagear Katana Jr, which is really nice, buy still thinking about the RRS fluid one 😁

I’m testing the Katana Jr right now. I’m going to be adding it to this guide. I’m impressed with it so far, it’s a nice size.

I currently use a LensMaster RH-2 which I really like but it doesn’t allow for changing the vertical height to balance my 600 F/4. I see that you show a picture of the new Benro PL100LW in your link but no review. Did you get a chance to test the Benro?

Good spot, John. I actually created the header graphic a long time ago and at that time I thought I was chatting to Benro about borrowing some gear to test out. For some reason they have since gone quiet and I haven’t yet been able to get it in my hands. I guess that’s on the to-do list maybe for a 2019 update to this article…

By the way, you don’t need vertical adjustment to balance a lens… Vertical adjustment is only useful because it allows you to make small changes to the viewfinder height without adjusting the whole tripod. Personally I use a side mount gimbal which by design has no vertical adjustment, and I don’t miss it one bit.

The vertical adjustment on gimbals like the Wimberley WH-200 is definitely functional. If you leave it low and remove all tension, the lens will (if properly balanced front-to-back) tend to go horizontal, even if you point it significantly above or below the horizon. If you raise the camera so its center of gravity is at the pivot point, the camera has no natural tendency to return to horizontal. You can as readily leave it include 45 degrees up or down, to the limits of travel. Thanks, John

Hi Dan. Thanks for this article, very interesting comments about the side mount, my only observation is that apart from the RRS style of construction (multiple sliding joints) there is no adjustment to bring the axis of the lens over the rotational axis of the gimbal which would add a side load to that bearing which could cause the gimbal to be less smooth. The cradle type solves this by having the centre line of the clamp over the rotational axis. I have the Benro GH2 aluminium (magnesium?) gimbal. I was at a show where Canon had a Wimberley gimbal to display their 600 f4 lens and lent another lens (possibly only a 500 f4) to the Benro stand directly across the isle, I went back and forth between the two gimbals and with my toolmakers head on I was not able to find enough difference in the quality of the movement of the two units for my photography heart to justify spending the extra for the Wimberley gimbal. Several years of amateur use and I’m still very happy with my choice,

Cheers, Graham.

“would cause the gimbal to be less smooth” If you have a good gimbal with good bearings, that’s a non issue. I guess it could be a problem with a very cheap one, but it’s not one I have ever heard of. I never ever adjust the side position of my RRS even though I could if I wanted to. I see no discernible difference in smoothness however long the leverage is.

Glad to hear the Benro GH-2 is working out great for you. Hoping to test some Benros soon! Thanks for your input.

No gimbal for photography, but really pleased to read the side-mount comments as I’ve been oscillating back and forth between the comfort of the familiar design and the weight/size benefit of side-mount.

Have a powered Pan and Tilt system on the way soon (hopefully – Kickstarter project) – so gimbal has to wait for now but good input for that selection process. Thanks for the article.

You’re very welcome Nigel.

Thanks for the thorough comparison! I’m researching gimbal heads right now, still in the learning phase and not yet sure what to buy. Jobu has a nice article describing the pros and cons of side mount vs. top (cradle) mount gimbals at http://www.jobu-design.com/Whats-the-deal-Side-mount-vs-Top-Mount_b_3.html

Thanks for sharing that!

Some of the side mount gimbals look as though it might be a bit more awkward to attach the lens. And I’m not a fan of quick release – I feel more secure taking the time to screw a conventional ARCA clamp – I’ve seen articles that described the unfortunate result of attaching gear or removing it, with a quick release clamp. I guess this is all in the mind – “quick release” doesn’t mean being careless, and my only rationale for my preference IS just being more careful, so it’s probably no more than “personal preference”. Living on the opposite side of the planet from B&H, the range available in my camera store is more iimited – and I had been looking at the Benro/Induro GH2. (For some funny reason the company calls their stuff Benro in some countries and Induro in others!) Now I’ll have to do some more thinking!

Benro and Induro are two separate companies! Some of their products look similar, but they are not the same.

I wouldn’t recommend a screw-knob clamp on a side mount gimbal because it would require you to hold the lens with one hand while repeatedly screwing the knob around.

Also, it might be worth checking shipping options from B&H. I don’t live in the US either, but it’s often still the cheapest and easiest way to get gear. They ship basically anywhere.

Quick release vs screw mount – good point,Dan – obviously it WOULD be awkward on a side mount. I did go ahead with the Benro – bought their GH2C carbon fibre gimbal (from B&H) – it’s fine, for my purposes. You may well be right about side mounts – it’s a bit tricky shopping for gear like this on line, instead of being able to see the different choices “in the flesh”. I was looking for two things – stability (obviously), which is available with either side or crade mount (just a question of tightening the screw) – and flexibility/movement, which – I think I can now see (having had the opportunity to actually use my own gimbal) – is actually available with both. With moving subjects though, I suspect that flexibility/movement of the camera in the gimbal to track the subject is easier with a cradle mount. But you would know far better than I do – I haven’t even seen a side mount, let alone tried one out.

Yeah it’s tough shopping like that, I agree! A good side mount still has all the same angles of movement as a cradle so it really shouldn’t be any different. I can’t say I have ever been left wanting with my side mounts 🙂

So $500.00 for the Gitzo gimbal head is well priced? I guess we come from different economic structures.

It’s not about economic structures. It’s about relative pricing vs. quality. For what you get, yes, $500 is well priced. If you were able to find a Ferrari for sale for half price, that would be a well priced Ferrari, right? It would still be expensive, but it would be a good price for product you are buying. The Gitzo is several hundred dollars cheaper than the similar RRS gimbal.

Thanks Dan great detailed review. The Gitzo is fantastic and is a real bargain, Induro and Benro are from the same one Chinese company I was told, they infringe on so many patented tech snd also produce One Legged Freak and about 50 other brands, no morals no research and development, everything is stolen design. Although I do have a mini Induro Gitzo systematic ripoff tripod that is wonderful, flawed and faulty which I managed to fix as their support is non-existent unlike the great RRS and Gitzo, I support and love my gitzo bits but they dont make this mini systematic version but Gitzo did manage to make sure Induro cannot be sold in Europe/UK, it’s a start I guess in blocking these hacks from selling their theft, I bought from B&H had shipped here to the UK . Great site Dan thanks.

Interesting information. Thanks for taking the time to comment and thanks for the kind words. I have wondered if Benro and Induro are the same company… but never found a real answer to that.

“One Legged Freak” do you mean 3 Legged Thing? If you do, that is definitely incorrect as they are a British company and I have direct contact with them. I am not aware of a company called One Legged Freak.

Excellent article. Several years ago and after much research, I opted for a Wimberley Sidekick. I had tried using my Canon 500 mm lens on just a ballhead, RRS BH-55, but there were some limitations and issues.

Now I mount the Sidekick on the BH-55 when using the 500 mm lens on a tripod and have been well pleased…….until last night!

I was photographing the lunar eclipse and found myself acting like a contortionist trying to aim the lens almost 90 degrees up. The camera was blocked by the ballhead.

So, please cure my ignorance and tell me there is a solution that I was not ingenious enough to figure out. Is there a way to configure the BH-55 and Sidekick mounted on a tripod so that a 500mm lens on a 5d mark iii can shoot almost vertically?

Thank you for your time and best regards,

Hey Rodger. Thanks for the kind words, and sorry to hear of your troubles! Unfortunately I can’t think of a solution. By design, and for stability, a camera should be directly above the tripod legs. If you want to point the camera up, or at least close to 90 degrees, then the tripod will always get in the way unless you have a tiny camera. Likely the best solution is to shorten one leg to get some angle from the tripod, but you’d certainly not want to let go of the rig!

Normally the Sidekick is mounted to be vertical. To provide more clearance between the camera and the ball head, try tilting the top of the Sidekick slightly back towards you. A small amount provides a bid increase in available vertical angle.

Hi Dan; Have you had any experience with gimbals in salty sandy environments (shore birds). Was wonder if carbon fiber (the SIRUI or benro) would be a good consideration for that kind of exposure.

Hey Jim. No need to choose carbon for that reason. Firstly, your biggest issue is going to be sand in the bearings and joints and not any corrosive problems, which I guess is what you’re getting at? The metal heads are aluminum so they won’t rust, but if you do get them salty you should wash them off in clean water. If you are really concerned you could use a rain cover to prevent blowing sand getting into the cracks https://shuttermuse.com/best-camera-rain-covers/

I have used my RRS gimbal on many beaches and never encountered issues.

Thanks for the excellent review, Dan.

Question: When I’m out and about I often mount my lens (Canon 500mm) directly on a sideways facing ballhead (one that pans), so the ballhead itself functions as a Sidekick – is this considered a safe and proper way to use a ballhead or is it a set up no one would contemplate?

I picked up a Nest NT-530H gimbal on Ebay a couple of years ago. It’s well made, very strong, controls are smooth and I love it. I think Nest have produced 2 versions, mine is the MK1, which is not arca compatible so I have an arca clamp permanently mounted on the Nest bespoke plate, it’s a bit cumbersome but it works and I’m used to it. The MK2 is, I believe, fully arca compatible.

Have not heard of the Nest but I’ll check it out when I update this guide in 2020.

As for your question about the ballhead… I actually meant to do a post about this. If you only want to travel with a ballhead then it is a somewhat viable way to use a lens in a pinch. The two main downsides are that the (heavy) weight is not centred over the middle of the tripod so it makes the setup a bit unsteady if you take your hands off it. Secondly, there will be much more stiction in panning, and particularly tilting, with this setup compared to a very good gimbal. I would say that it is a reasonable solution if you are trying to save weight and not have to travel with both a ballhead AND a gimbal.

Another solution is to buy the vertical arm of the RRS gimbal only, and mount this on top of a ballhead. Then you use the panning base of the ballhead for panning, and the tilt of the RRS vertical arm to get your tilt. This is my own weight saving technique that I use when I know I need to travel with both gimbal and ballhead and have tight weight constrictions.

Hi, great review. Happy to note that side mount ones are gaining ground. I’m from India and here availability is an issue. I use the Wimberley WH 200′ one of the brands which are easily available, and very happy so far. Hope it lasts a lifetime ?

It should last! They are very sturdy 🙂 . Yes, I’m glad side mount ones are gaining ground, too.

Thanks for a good article, Dan. It’s one of several I have read in the course of researching my next big photo purchase. I will be needing a gimbal for my old Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 manual focus, a real beast of a lens coming it at nearly 12lbs. I believe an advantage of a cradle mount is that it adds another dimension of balance adjustment. The forward-backward positioning of the rig on the plate, as is what you do with both the cradle and side mount, is for horizontal balance such that the camera-lens rig tends to return to a horizontal position when it is tilted up or down. This is where the vertical adjustment offered by the cradle comes in. When proper up-down position of the gear rig is achieved, it will stay right in position when hands are removed, instead of tipping upward or downward to return to the static horizontal position achieved with the first adjustment. I can see how this is not important for some, but I have decided it will make it easier for me to move, point, and keep the lens exactly where I want it. Thanks again!

Glad you found it helpful Ken. I must admit that I still don’t follow your logic on vertical position. I can’t see how vertical position effects the balance at all, but as long as you’re happy with your chosen solution that’s all that matters 🙂

Here’s a thought experiment for you. Mount a 1/4″ bearing on a wall so its axis is horizontal. Like a coat peg, but nearly frictionless. Now take a wooden ruler and drill 1/4″ holes in it down its center, every 1″. When you mount the ruler on the bearing using the center hole, you can rotate the ruler to any orientation and it’ll stay there. But if you put the bearing in any other hole, there is a tendency to hang in one specific orientation that grows as you approach the ruler’s ends. If your camera was mounted to that ruler in the same manner as a camera on a cradle-style gimbal — like on a shelf attached to the face of the ruler at 6″, so the camera faces left when the 1″ mark is up and the 12″ mark is down — you will find the same thing happens as before you added the camera. If you attach the ruler to the bushing exactly at the center of gravity, you can easily point the camera in any direction up or down and it’ll just stay. But if you lower the camera and put the bushing into the hole at the 1″ mark… the camera will swing down and point horizontal always. I hope this helps!

This is great. Thanks for sharing, John.

I’ve bitten the bullet and ordered a Nikon 200-500mm after my test trip to BC and now am looking at a gimbal head. The RRS PG-02 and Gitzo Fluid Gimbal both fit my budget and look like winners.

Quick question — I do a small amount of video and fair number of panoramas that I stitch together in Photoshop, For this use case which one would you lean towards if it was for yourself?

The Gitzo is available in Toronto for a great price right now, and I was wondering if both of these gimbals are competent for both tasks.

Appreciate the help — very informative post.

Additional accessories?

Bit of a neophyte question — are there any additional accessories I need to purchase to attach the Nikon 200-500mm to either the RRH pG-02 or the Gitzo Fluid Gimbal, such as a mounting plate? Or are they both ready to go out of the box?

The Gitzo gimbal comes with the mounting plate, the RRS gimbal does not. You could ask RRS which of their plates bests suits that lens and they will tell you. That said, the RRS gimbal, and most others, use the Arca Swiss standard so any brand of plate would work if you don’t want the RRS plate for some reason.

I did check with the companies directly. In the end, with the Gitzo product, would you feel comfortable shooting video?

It’s on sale in Toronto and significantly cheaper than the RRS at the moment (<$600 CDN) — but that might be false economy if I end up buying a separate gimbal for video.

(This is completely new territory for me, as you can probably tell.)

Hope you're getting lots of great shots up in the big wild!

I guess it depends how important the video is to you. If it’s your business, then I think you would end up with a different head at some point. The Gitzo head is ok for video, but the biggest issue is that it uses slightly different fluid cartridges for the pan and the tilt. This gives it a slightly different feel and resistance when panning or tilting and I suspect that would have an effect on the fluidity of a camera movement that includes a certain amount of each one. That said, it’s far from terrible and the price you have found is good. If it’s video for personal use, on occasion, then it would probably be sufficient. If the store has a good return policy you could always give it a try?

Perfect. Thanks!

The advantage of the cradle over the side mount is additional options for fine tuning the balance of your camera in the gimble.

Here’s a great video showing how to properly balance so the rig does not move when you let go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWAzwWOaXwc

I guess that’s true. But in all my gimbal use I can’t say this has been an issue. Note that when he begins to set the vertical he suggests starting off with the point of rotation lined up with the centre of the lens. This is exactly where it is on a side mount gimbal at all times. With a tiny bit of friction from the locking knob, my lens stays in place when I let go just as it does with a cradle. I still don’t think the potential benefits outweigh the weight difference.

I found this information very helpful. I do not have a gimbal and need one. I currently have a 150-600mm but will be upgrading to a 500mm within the upcoming weeks. I know I will need to use a tripod a lot more with this beast of a lens. Since I am dumping a ton of $ into the upgraded lens, I don’t have too much extra to spend on other particulars. This is probably a stupid general question, but do you need certain gimbal heads for certain tripods? I have a decent Manfrotto tripod. I am entrusting a very expensive investment on top of 3 legs. So I want to be sure I get the right thing.

Dan, try to get your hands on the Flexshooter Pro (or the Mini) to test, I think you’ll love it. It is a ballhead / gimbal all in one with a double ball design which also allows you to forget about needing a leveling base. There is absolutely no lens creep whatsoever. So much easier to travel with too given form factor and the fact that you no longer need to also carry a ballhead for landscapes. I have given up using my 4th Generation Mongoose and my Wimberley 2H-200 gimbals completely.

I have read a lot about this. I’m definitely curious! I’ll ty and get one for review. Thanks for sharing your experience with it. What size of lens are you using with your one?

I have tested the flex shooter pro, and although a great middle ground between a dedicated gimbal and ball head, I found it less smooth than most gimbals … in particular tension increases and is uneven with pans as vertical movements are made. Range feels limited.. in the end I went with a promedia Katana Jr pro gimbal and very pleased with its performance. Good day

I’m quite surprised that you didn’t include the well made but relatively inexpensive lightweight (2.125 lbs) Canadian made Jobu Design Heavy Duty Mk IV gimbal in your list. I own a prior version of this model and I’m quite pleased with it and at the current price of $549 CAD its a steal.

Dan, Lately I’ve been using a Sidekick, for the reasons you suggest, and I’ve been pretty happy. But just the other day I noticed that my K-40W Sirui ball head now has a little (very little) rotational play when the ball is locked down. It appears the connection between the mounting plate and the ball (small cylindrical neck w/ allen head bolt) has been slightly compromised. My set-up is heavy (Tamron 150-600mm G2 – Sony A99ii – Sidekick – Sirui K-40W on a Benro Mach3 carbon), but I expected the ball head to handle the load. Considering this situation I’m wondering if the Sidekick’s lateral connection produced a rotational load, a torque, that the K-40W couldn’t accommodate. NOTE: Sirui is being great and honoring their 6-year warranty. Thanks, Scott

Have you heard about anything like this before ?

Hey Scott, I haven’t heard of anything like this before. I’m glad Sirui are sorting it out for you. I also wouldn’t really consider your setup to be that heavy compared to some other long lens rigs so that’s a bit disappointing to hear the Sirui could not handle it.

Super informative article! Can you please tell me what tripod is in the pics? It has no centre column, and the legs fold out to 90 degrees allowing the camera to get almost to ground level.

This is the RRS TVC-24L II. You can read my guide to RRS tripods here: https://shuttermuse.com/really-right-stuff-tripod-guide/

I may be a little late to the party but i was wondering if you could tell me why the RRS PG-02 Pano-Gimbal Head is no longer available?

I actually wasn’t aware of this, but after you pointed it out I went and looked around. I see that it’s no longer listed on the B&H site. But on the RRS website I found a clue… they are “Currently re-designing the part.”

I have no idea what they might be redesigning about it. It was/is already a most excellent gimbal so I wouldn’t expect to see much of a change. Should you still wish to purchase one, shoot me an email! I have a brand new one still in the box. I have been meaning to put it on eBay but would be happy to sell to you if you’re interested.

RRS tend to be quite slow at making new products so I doubt we will see the 02 back on the open market anytime soon.

Dan, I’m really late to this party. Assume you sold your PG-02 a long time ago, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask. Thanks, Dave

I did. They are working on a new version. When it comes out, I’ll purchase it so that I can update this guide with thoughts on the latest. However, I have no idea at all when the new one will come out. It could be years from now. RRS is not known for their speed. I would not bother waiting if I were you. Get a PMG Katana in the meantime and when the new RRS comes out, you could easily sell that if you really wanted to move to the RRS.

Have you tried or looked at the Fotopro Eagle Series E-6H or E-9H gimbals? Just wondering to see what you thought of them. Thanks

I have not. I have tried to contact them to see if they can provide a gimbal for testing, but so far have not had a response. Your comment is a good reminder for me to follow up on this again… thanks!

John, good news! I just spoke to the CEO of Fotopro and they will be sending a gimbal and a set of matching legs for me to test. I’ll publish a dedicated review, and then they will also (most likely) be added to this guide. At first glance it appears that they will do more than enough to be added to this “best of” list. So, thanks again for the reminder, and stay tuned…

Leofoto PG-1 Professional Gimbal Head – their tripods are a great value. Fairly new company that makes quality products for less. I love my carbon tripod. Anyone familiar with the Gimbal head? I think it would stack up agaainst 80% of those mentioned.

Leofoto do most of their business by making copies of other existing products from other manufacturers. They do so from a country that has less laws about doing such things. It appears that the PG-1 is a carbon copy of the PMG Katana Jr head. I struggle with this way of doing business. Should brands like that be supported? What do you think?

As a side note, I have in the past contacted them about reviewing some of their products that are not carbon copy clones of other people’s hard work. If you dig into their catalog they have some interesting items hidden amongst the clones. In some ways this infuriates me even more because it proves they have the expertise to create, from scratch, some interesting products. Yet for their ball heads and gimbals they just copy other existing heads and undercut the price of home-grown brands. I actually wish that people like B&H would stop selling the clone products.

When I asked Leofoto, they declined to send any products for review on this site. Possibly the only brand that has ever declined. I suspect they generally don’t send products to review sites because people always point out that they just copy other people’s products and they don’t come across well from that.

Thanks for this big effort reviewing all these gimbals 🙂

Leofoto make sound products with 10 year warranty. There distribution and support is better in UK and South Africa. Their LS Ranger self-levelling tripods ad other accessories are not highly original but break new ground. As far as I know no other manufacturer who has invented a process to coat an entire carbon fibre tripod in tough camouflage. They also sell this is a kit with the GP-1.

The Leofoto GP-1 weighs 1kg ie 0.2kg lighter than anything above including PMG Katana Jnr! Those chasing after lighter gear for hiking etc can go lighter and for less. The only lighter gimbal I’ve found is the Zenelli ZX carbon fibre, which carries a breathtaking price!

The other Gimbal you should check out is the S African Gimpro. It’s very solid with superb bearings but heavy. Available in the UK

Bob Rigby is also the UK dealer for Acratech https://www.bobrigby.com/gimpro/item/gimpro_gimbal_head_mkii

Hi, to save weight, you’ve suggested a side mount gimbal. 1. Could you lighten further using a Wimberly sidekick or monogimbal on an existing pan head or ball head? I’ve tried using it on a panning base plate and it does not appear to swivel or pan well due to weight being offsite to the side.

2. Do you have any recommendation on what ball head to couple the sidekick or monogimbal with?

This would only really save weight if you were also needing to bring a ball head with you. Otherwise I think the sidekick and a good enough ball head to pan well, would actually weigh more than the lightest gimbals such as the PMG one.

You are correct that panning with the weight off centre does cause more friction and you therefore need to have a really exceptionally smooth and robust ball head to make this work. I have done it with success using the RRS BH-55, but even then it’s not as good as a gimbal.

Another product recently recommended for those (like myself and you) who use mirrorless Sony is this Jobu Design Junior BWG gimbal

This is very light weight and I wonder if you have any experience about this company.

I don’t. But I’ll look into it! Thanks for the sugestion.

Excellent site. Lots of helpful info here. I am sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks on your effort!

Thanks Dan,

I just read your review on the Fotopro Gimbals. You are spot on as far as I am concerned. I purchased the E6-H just after asking you about it in August and really like it for the same reasons you pointed out. It is extremely versatile. I coupled it with an Innorel RT90C tripod. The tripod is a little heavier, for carbon fiber, than most but the top legs are 40mm. It is a very sturdy tripod. It came with a solid cnc mounting pan and an adjustable bowl for leveling( similar to the Foto Pro Eagle Series tripod leveling), both 75mm. The tripod was less than $350.00. I think it is well worth the money and could probably hang with the high dollar tripods. No center pole but they make one for it as an option.

Aha! You must be the person that brought this to my attention then. I could not remember exactly who it was… thank you! I will have to investigate that tripod, too. Cheers!

I was searching for a comparison/review for the Benro GH-5C carbon fiber gimbal. Also wondering if the threaded mounting (to the tripod)was not sufficient. I had heard that there was only 1 thread of engagement-very unacceptable to my toolmaker’s mind. Also, does it come with a side mount?

Hi Dan, Thanks for this great comparison. Which gimbal head would have the least amount of static friction for tilt rotation? So far I have been using the Wimberley Sidekick and it has very low static friction. Thanks for your insight. Best regards, Ted

Good question. The RRS gimbals have extremely low tilt friction. I would say that this is the lowest. The Katan Jr is also very good.

Hey Dan, thanks a lot for this article. You’ve made a great job. I also engaged in the same topic and it would be great if you share your thoughts about it.

I’m not seeing anything on your site apart from a bunch of reviews about mobile phone gimbals which are VERY different products for a different purpose.

Nice review, thorough and comprehensive. I shoot a lot of wildlife with a 600 and also use the RRS gimbal which is a fine piece of engineering but have recently been using a friend’s GimPro head and have to say that I would have bought it instead given the choice. Take a look and maybe give Ralph, the owner a call and see if you can get a review sample. Why is it so good? Engineering grade bearings make it indescribably smooth, it is billet aluminum so incredibly rigid, has options on fixing vertically or horizontally, optional extension arms for serious panning and tracking movement in a safari vehicle and can be finished in black or silver, packing down even smaller than RRS’s. Here’s the link, check out both the Gimbal and pano heads, especially the double pano heads!!: http://www.gimprogear.com/ Regards, Ian Mackenzie.

Thanks for sending the link, Ian. I have not heard of this company before, but I’m always on the lookout to keep this article up to date. I will certainly reach out to them and see if I can get my hands on one for some testing time.

Thank you you taking the time to leave a comment. Your participation in the community is appreciated!

Hi there! How would you rate the Sunwayfoto GH-02 Gimbal tripod head?

Sorry, I have not tested that one.

Hi was wondering if you or anyone else have tested the Gitzo GH3382QD Series 3 together with a sidekick would it hold up a canon 500mm F4?

what is your thoughs.

The 500mm is a big lens. I wouldn’t recommend this as a permanent solution. You will have much better luck with a dedicated gimbal.

ok thanks for input 🙂

Hi guys. I’ve been wondering if it was possible to find some video stabilizer that supports a 400mm lens. I’m a Brazilian biologist and I’ve worked up some nature video productions at my work. But using a monopod or even a tripod, I can’t move easily and therefore I lack enough mobility when I want to put mobility and stabilized images together.

There are no hand-holdable products that fit this need. Only huge multi-million dollar things that you hang under a helicopter to shoot movies…

Dan, Thank you for a very informative article. I’m new to these types of gimbals so your info is very helpful. I have a Nikon Z 100 – 400 zoom on order and therefore I’m looking to purchase one of your listedunits (probably the Wimberley or the ProGear). Can I assume that even if the lens is a zoom lens that has a barrel that moves in and out , that the gimbal is still effective and can be balanced?

Love the review. I ordered the Fotopro and gave it a go. I just couldn’t love it. I am using the ProMediaGear Tomahawk until I can order the Katana Jr.

Great article and Review. I purchased the Promediagear Katana Jr with my TR424L Tripod and added my RRS BH-55 for support duties. I have to say the Katana Jr is really easy to adjust on the fly and is really smooth with my Nikon D850 and 200-500 lens shooting birds and Airshows.

Great article,

Do you use the Katana Jr cradle mount or side mount? I am looking at the side mount as an option and it looks just as great, just lighter. Just wanted your input.

Thank you so much!

I almost always use the side mount version. I like the lighter weight!

Hey Dan, thank you for your extensive comparison! Your review was the one that finally triggered me to buy the Fotopro E-6H. I absolutely love the innovative design, the flexibility really stands out.

Sadly, two issues mar this gimbal for me:

1.) The height of the cradle is just too low for any use. Even with my smallish hobby zoom Tamron 100-400 / F4,5-6,3 , the center of gravity is noticably above the tilt axis in the lowest cradle position. As soon as I tilt the camera more than 30°, it starts falling forwards / backwards on its own. I can use sidemount configuration to mitigate this. Same happens if I attach the camera to the cradle. Better attach an L-bracket and again use side mount. I really don’t see any use in the cradle at all, so they could have left it out if they asked me. Still, side mount seems to be a viable option and I could probably live with that.

2.) I noticed considerable drop of the camera when I unlock the tilt axis. On further investigation, the tilt axis has a lot of play. I can wiggle the know almost 1mm which translates to more than 3mm at the camera. I was so keen to open the screws at the tilt axis clamp to have a glimpse at the bearing. I was really underwhelmed to find out that there is no bearing. It is just a drilled hole with a cylinder going through. At that price I really expect some ball bearings or even better needle bearings. It seems like they focussed more on apparent build quality but cheaped out on one of the core components of every gimbal.

Does anyone observe the same amount of play as I do? Maybe production has some tolerances and I could get a better fitting replacement. At the same time, I’m looking at a Jobu Jr. 3 as an alternative, which seems like a very reduced design but at a much higher quality at a similar affordable price. Still, the design of the E-6H really appeals to me and I’m hesitating to return it.

Best regards, Alex

Really nice article! What IS the deal with Really Right Stuff? I have called them too about the PG-02. I should’ve gotten one when I had the chance but I didn’t have a big lens yet. I recently got a ZIgmonster but it has no stabilization. I really need some friction control or dampening. The Gitzo looks good but my rig is 18lbs. That’s just over the Gitzo limit but you really ought to have some leeway at about two thirds max or less. Seems to be enough interest in the PG-02 but maybe some of their best engineers didn’t want to make the trip from California to Utah? I wouldn’t either!

Yeah, Gary, I wonder whether the move to Utah caused issues. It seems there have been stock issues ever since. I also think that they committed a lot of production to the firearms market and potentially to military contracts, which might have impacted photo gear production. Pure speculation, but again, stock issues seemed to start once they got into that market, and for some reason, they haven’t been able to expand to keep up. It’s a real shame. I always field questions from people asking me what they should get instead of an RSS tripod or head because they can’t get the one they wanted. I can’t begin to imagine the sales they are missing out on!

Hey Dan! Guess what I just found? https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/PG-02-MK2-Pano-Gimbal-Head It just went live for pre-order yesterday! I called and got a few answers. It doesn’t have fluid dampening but it does have a bit of adjustable tension or friction control. More so in the horizontal than the vertical direction. Weight limit is 50lbs centered and about 15 at the extremes. It has some extra 1/4″-20 holes for mounting additional accessories. Delivery time estimated in about a month so far. They said there were some issues with the previous model with things like the fluid control. I’m not wholly convinced but I really don’t see anything else out there accept a fluid video head but those aren’t gimbal and a good one is really expensive. Did you ever get to try the first version of the PG-02?

I owned the first version of the PG-02 for many years. It was fantastic. The new MK2 is on its way to me in a few weeks. A full review will be published. I’ll be testing the full gimbal version and the side mount version. It looks like there are some nice improvements on the MK2, although probably not enough difference for existing PG-02 users to need to upgrade. Keep an eye out for the review in the new year!

So I think I got a bit confused with the PG02 and the FG-02. The PG02 was never a fluid gimbal but they are releasing a new version, the MK2. The FG-02 (fluid gimbal) is still discontinued. I called again and they said they were only announcing the PG02-MK2. So maybe another FG-02 is in the works???

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The 12 Best Travel Tripods for Your Next Adventure

No matter where your wanderlust takes you, you’ll capture the moment better with this essential piece of gear.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

Given how high-tech cell phone cameras have become, you can take great vacation photos with no more than a smartphone— usually.

However, that premise goes out the window as soon as the shooting conditions change. If you want to shoot with a long exposure time, shoot in low-light or nighttime conditions, shoot video , or just want to take nice solo photos when you're traveling alone, you'll want a travel tripod.

While tripods are useful, they also tend to be bulky and heavy, so having a specific tripod for travel makes a big difference. Compared to standard tripods, travel tripods are usually smaller when collapsed, weigh less, and have smaller secondary parts like hinges, feet, and handles.

Not all travel tripods are created equal, though. Some are better suited to large DSLR cameras , while others may only work with smartphones. Here are the best travel tripods to consider for your upcoming vacation to suit all budgets, camera types, and experience levels.

Best Travel Tripods

Best Overall

Peak design carbon fiber travel tripod.

Geekoto Tripod, Camera Tripod for DSLR AT24EVO

Best Travel Tripod for Professionals

Dji osmo mobile se intelligent gimbal.

The Expert: I'm a freelance travel writer and editor who focuses primarily on adventure travel, which means I often take photos for stories in challenging conditions. While landscape photos may seem easy, I often shoot scenes with moving water, night sky, and time-lapse shots, which all require a tripod. I've used many tripods while traveling and am very conscious of weight and size as I often come close to airline weight limits with my bags, especially if I'm already carrying a heavy camera and lenses.

What to Look for in a Travel Tripod

Not every travel tripod will be marketed as a travel tripod, so when selecting one to use during travel, there are a few specific factors to consider.

One of the two most important considerations is weight. Every pound counts when you're working against airline baggage weight limitations, especially on smaller planes or airlines with lower-than-normal weight limits. Sturdy studio tripods can easily weigh into the 15-plus-pound range, but for a travel tripod, you'll likely want to keep it somewhere around 4 pounds or less—roughly the weight of a pair of boots. Plastic travel tripods will probably be the lightest but potentially the least durable. Carbon fiber is extremely strong and lightweight, but much pricier.

Our Pack-and-Go Picks: Best Travel Accessories | Best Travel Bags | Best Travel Gifts

The second most important factor is size. Traditionally, tripods have (as the name belies) three telescoping legs. Travel tripods still have that feature, though many have uniquely shaped legs or modified center columns and handles to make them thinner and shorter when compressed, at least compared to a tripod not designed for travel.

Next, consider the weight capacity/limit: If you find an inexpensive tripod with small measurements, look at the weight rating before you buy it, especially if you have an SLR camera with heavy lenses. Every travel tripod should say the maximum weight it can hold. Keep in mind there are risks to exceeding the weight rating. Either the tripod will break or, more likely, the weight of your camera and lenses will cause it to tip forward, potentially damaging your camera.

Finally, look at the device that attaches your camera to the tripod (called a mount, or mounting plate) and make sure the mount will work with your camera. If you're buying a smartphone travel tripod, get one with a smartphone mount (usually a spring-loaded hook that grips across the back of your phone). If you're looking for a travel tripod for a DSLR, make sure your camera has a threaded hole on the bottom.

Look for a tripod with a quick-release plate to make mounting and removing your camera much. Quick release plates stay screwed into the bottom of your camera and snap onto your tripod, so you don't have to thread your camera in each time.

Note: You can buy tripod mount adapters, but you'll still have to deal with weight limitations—so you can usually mount lighter cameras to smaller tripods, not the other way around.

How We Selected These Travel Tripods

To choose the best travel tripods, I relied on my personal experience using travel tripods and talking with other photographers on their preferred brands and tripod features. From there, I narrowed down my potential picks, then researched user reviews, materials, and features for each.

Once I had a roundup of the top travel tripod options, I finalized my selections based on the best for each superlative below, intentionally choosing from a variety of brands, price points, and photography experience levels.

Peak Design doesn't make dozens of products within each category, but the ones it does make are incredibly well designed and engineered, and very intentional—there’s a reason behind every material and feature selection.

That seems true of the brand’s highly awarded travel tripod, which packs features like a hidden phone mount, a ball head with a twistable lock, extra clips for straps and attachments, and legs that can lower into an almost-flat position into a very lightweight package.

It may look like a standard tripod from the outside, but what makes Peak Design Travel Tripod so great for travel is its compact circumference. When packed, the tripod’s legs, ballhead, and adjustable central column fit together like puzzle pieces, allowing it to be much thinner than most travel tripods. Peak Design is also a B-Corp, is a member of 1% for the Planet, is climate neutral, and has a gear resale program to keep used gear out of landfills.

Aluminum Travel Tripod

If you’re not hung up on name brands or particularly care about having a tripod that’ll be able to handle extremely tough conditions, consider the Geekoto AT24Evo. It may not be made with ultralight, ultra-durable materials like higher-end travel tripods, but you get features of much more expensive options in a relatively inexpensive package. That includes a ballhead for a full range of angles, a tall maximum height, a detachable monopod (akin to a selfie stick), and a quick-release plate.

This is an ideal budget tripod for tall shooters as it has an impressive maximum height of 77 inches, though that does come with a relatively long (19 inch) packed length.

Tripods with gimbals—weight-balanced devices that allow cameras to smoothly pan and rotate even while moving—were once solely the provenance of big-time Hollywood videographers. But now, with so many travelers making their living as professional content creators, travel tripods with gimbals have become much more common—and much more affordable.

This unit moves on three axes and the DJI app has built-in templates for easy shooting and editing. Features include motion stabilizing, single-finger controls, snap-on phone connectivity, and gesture control so you can stay in charge even when you’re in front of the camera.

The only downside is that the actual tripod part is fairly short, but that’s a fair trade-off considering it’s a travel tripod, camera gimbal, and selfie stick in one package small enough to fit in a jacket pocket.

Atumtek Selfie Stick Tripod

For those who mostly take pictures on their smartphone, this unit has a convenient 2-in-1 design that’s ideal for traveling. It weighs less than 1 pound and folds down into a compact 12 inches, yet as a tripod, it reaches 51 inches tall. It can also be held as a selfie stick for those times you want a group photo.

This tripod is compatible with most popular smartphones, including iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and more. It comes with a rechargeable Bluetooth remote—a big bonus—that you can use for self-portraits while traveling solo.

Sirui AM124 Carbon Fiber Tripod

It’s possible to find travel tripods that hold more than 26 pounds—but unless you’re a Hollywood cinematographer shooting on a massive video camera, they’re likely going to be overkill. The weight rating on the SIRUI AM124 Carbon Fiber Tripod is more than enough for heavy cameras with massive lenses, and I love that it has extra stability-focused features like retractable spikes on the feet and a central hook to add extra weight for counterbalancing the camera.

Aside from the price, the biggest downside is that photographers will have to make due with just a til-and-pan mount, or pay nearly $100 extra for the ball-head version .

Manfrotto Element Traveller 5-Section Tripod Kit

The aluminum ball head on this travel tripod allows you to easily adjust your camera’s angle to capture any shot, with an independent 360-degree pan. It weighs less than 1 pound and extends to more than 56 inches, thanks to its five-section telescopic legs, which can also be positioned independently to accommodate any terrain.

The travel tripod has a maximum weight capacity of 8.8 pounds, making it best suited for small DSLR cameras, and a spring-loaded hook at the bottom of the center column to add weight for extra stability. It also comes with a carrying case for easy transport.

GoPro Max Grip + Tripod

One of the reasons action cameras are great for travel is they can be mounted on almost anything—helmets, chest straps, underwater handles, and even the tips of skis and snowboards. But having multiple mounting options is useless if what you really need is a way to hold it still for time lapses or on-camera video recording.

Fortunately, the GoPro Max Grip + Tripod is both an extendable selfie stick and a tripod in one, and its compact size is one of the smallest I’ve seen. I keep my action cam mounted to it throughout my travels as the twist-locks are easy to deploy and the magnetic legs keep the tripod secure when I’m using it as a selfie stick.

The slim design is ideal for keeping the tripod mostly out of the frame on 360-degree action cameras, but it’ll work with any type of action camera that uses a similar mount.

Fotopro Flexible Camera Tripod

This tripod doesn’t offer the height of a standard model, but its unique flexible (and waterproof!) legs can be wrapped around any surface—including trees, fences, poles, and more—allowing you to capture unique angles. The tripod comes with attachments for a standard camera, smartphone, and GoPro, and it has a ball head that easily rotates 360 degrees.

This travel tripod weighs just a few ounces, plus there's a Bluetooth remote control included for selfies. With a reasonable price point, the package is great value for all you get.

Bze Selfie Stick

This selfie stick is as lightweight and compact as they come, allowing you to easily take photographs of yourself and your travel companions. It’s designed to hold smartphones, including popular iPhone, Android, and Samsung models, and it extends to 40 inches for good wide-angle shots. It also comes with a small tripod base and Bluetooth remote.

Keep in mind that this selfie stick is designed for smartphones only, not a heavy DSLR camera.

Manfrotto Travel Video Tripod

Capture stunning video footage while traveling with this tripod, which extends to nearly 5 feet and offers 360-degree panning for incredibly smooth images, thanks to its fluid video head. It also supports cameras up to 8.8 pounds.

Other top features include lever-style leg locks for fast setup, as well as a leveling ball joint to ensure perfect horizontal alignment on uneven ground. It has a removable pan bar and two camera adapters, and there's a carrying case included.

K&F Concept Concept Camera Tripod

Most tripods have a maximum height around 60 inches (5 feet), but this one extends to 69 inches, allowing you to capture those high-angle shots. The tripod weighs just over 3 pounds, and it has a high, 22-pound maximum weight capacity.

The aluminum-alloy tripod features a 360-degree ball head for panoramic shooting, and one of its legs can be removed to convert it to a monopod. Its inverted central axis allows for low-angle shooting, as well.

National Geographic Travel Tripod Kit

This travel tripod is your best bet for backroad adventures. Constructed of lightweight carbon fiber, it weights less than 3 pounds and easily converts to a monopod for nature photography. Plus, it comes with a durable carrying case.

Other highlights include five-section legs with twist locks, a 360-degree ball head, and three leg-angle stops for better stability on uneven terrain. Its 90-degree column mechanism allows you to shoot from ground level or directly overhead, and there's a spring-loaded hook on the tripod's bottom to hang it.

Travel Tripods that Go the Distance. Expert Suzie Dundas Offers These Buying Tips!

PM : What is the biggest difference between a budget travel tripod and an expensive one?

SD: The difference can vary quite a bit. Think of travel tripods as having three main points to evaluate: weight, size, and strength. You can generally have two of those without paying a lot. If you want it to be lightweight and small, it may not be very sturdy. If you want it to be sturdy and lightweight, it may not be that small.

If you want it to be small, sturdy, and lightweight, you’ll probably have to buy a more expensive one. So the biggest difference between an inexpensive travel tripod and a pricey one generally comes down to which of those qualities you’re going to sacrifice (or not).

PM : How important is thickness of a tripod?

SD : Thickness doesn't matter at all—what matters is the sturdiness. In general, it’s fair to say that thicker tripods will be more stable, but that’s not to say that there can’t be thin, stable tripods, especially if they’re made with strong materials like carbon alloys. The actual thickness of the materials is secondary.

The only exception to this may be if you choose a travel tripod with plastic legs (which will likely be an inexpensive option). You may want to go with something a bit thicker to reduce the chances of it breaking or getting bent if it accidentally gets sat on or smashed in your suitcase.

PM: Twist or flip?

SD : With telescoping legs, you’ll find two methods of locking the legs when extended: twist locks or flip locks. Twist locks are easy to use: twist the locks in one direction to lock them, twist them in the other direction to unlock (and collapse) them; It’s essentially a wringing motion.

Tripods with twist locks are generally less bulky, setup is quick, and the lack of extra levers means they’re less likely to get snagged or caught on straps and bags. However, it can be easier to think they’re locked when they’re not, and they can trap abrasive materials like dirt and sand in the mechanisms if not cleaned occasionally.

Flip-style locks have some kind of lever or tab you’ll flip to switch between locked and unlocked. These levers may add a bit of extra width or bulk to your tripod, and they’re a bit slower to set up as most tripods will have at least six of these levels on the legs.

However, buyers who are new to using travel tripods will likely benefit more from flip-style locks, as it’s much easier to tell with a glance if they’re locked or not, eliminating accidental falls. Twist locks also tend to be a feature of higher-end (i.e. more expensive) travel tripods.

PM : How much is too much to pay for one of these?

SD : How much is too much to pay for a travel tripod is an impossible question to answer, except in very broad strokes: plan to pay somewhere between $30 and $1,000.

Travel tripods designed for phones and action cameras will generally be cheaper than travel tripods for professional-level cameras. You can get a high-end, durable travel tripod for a phone for less than $100, and likely less than that.

However, if you’re shooting on a more expensive camera, you don’t want the device holding that camera to be too inexpensive or poorly made. You also want to ensure your travel tripod for a DSLR can maintain its integrity and strength even when knocked over on rough ground or airplane storage bins, banged around in your luggage, or handled roughly in transit. Cameras are expensive and you want to be able to trust your tripod to protect them.

That’s not to say you need to go much beyond the $300 range, but it does mean DSLR shooters won’t want to consider price as the most important factor. And if you’re shooting professional-level content with extremely long or heavy lenses, you’re probably looking more at the $500 range, especially if you add a DSLR gimbal attachment.

PM : What are some extra features to be on the lookout for?

SD : Travel tripods are certainly not as complicated as the cameras themselves, but there are a few features you need to consider. If you plan on shooting video, you’ll likely want a pan handle. It’s just what it sounds like—a grippy handle you can use to smoothly pan the camera.

Another feature on many, but not all, travel tripods is an adjustable center column. They allow you to adjust the camera height without adjusting the legs. They’re especially useful on travel tripods with flip-style locks that take longer to adjust or for taller photographers.

You’ll also want to look at the tripod head: the apparatus that allows you to move and swing the camera while still attached to the tripod. Many higher-end and professional travel tripods will have ballheads, which can rotate your camera at virtually any angle between 0 and 180 degrees.

The other most frequent travel tripod head is referred to as a “tilt-and-pan.” These generally allow you to move the camera to the left and right, plus forward and backward, but only at 90-degree angles. Travel tripods with ball heads offer a much wider range of flexibility for shooting and are quicker to adjust.

Originally from the East Coast, Suzie Dundas is a Lake Tahoe-based freelance writer and editor who now splits her time between enjoying the outdoors and writing about them—she's the senior outdoor editor at Matador Network and a regular adventure and travel contributor at TripSavvy.com . She has written feature stories for publications like Outside Magazine , SkyLife Magazine , Playboy , Frommers, INSIDER, and more, and contributes couples travel and honeymoon content for TheKnot.com . Suzie co-authored Lonely Planet Sustainable Travel Guide and is the author of 2021's "Hiking Lake Tahoe." She has undergraduate degrees from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in media and political communication from George Washington University. Follow her on Instagram at @HikeUpYourSkirt or find more of her work at suziedundas.com . 

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5 Tips for Choosing the Right Gimbal Tripod Head

A gimbal tripod head allows you to balance weight perfectly so that you can move your camera effortlessly, both vertically and horizontally. With a perfectly balanced gimbal, heavy setups like a 600mm lens and professional camera body can be effortlessly moved with just a fingertip.

Your camera is always ready to shoot with a gimbal since you never need to lock any pan or tilt knobs as you do with a ball head. When the action starts, all you need to do is grab the camera and spin it towards your subject. However, finding the right gimbal tripod head can be tricky. There are a wealth of options out there from a wide range of manufacturers. Here we’ll go over five key tips to understanding gimbals and choosing the right gimbal tripod head for you.

Know The Difference Between a Videography and Photography Gimbal

You’re likely to get a confusing mix of results when you search for the word ‘gimbal’ on the internet. This is because it can refer to both photo and video gimbals. When buying your first gimbal, you don’t want to confuse the two.

In this article, we are discussing non-electronic photography gimbals. This type of gimbal is designed to be mounted on a tripod. Once the tripod is in place, the camera and lens are balanced on it. It might be necessary to rebalance your gimbal if you are making a significant shift in your tripod’s orientation or you switch to a much heavier lens.

A video gimbal, on the other hand, keeps your camera level while it is in motion. It consists of rotating gyros, motors, and other electronic machinery that resist the inertia of your camera as you move it and keep things straight. These can be used hand-held or attached to a moving vehicle, but a tripod would not be necessary. In addition, these also require power to keep the camera level. They have a much smaller weight capacity than a tripod gimbal.

To make your search easier, use the search term ‘tripod gimbal.’ Video gimbals are not designed to be used on a tripod. Meanwhile, photography gimbals are exclusively designed to be used on tripods.

Do You Even Need A Gimbal Tripod Head?

A key question to ask yourself before purchasing a gimbal tripod head is why you want to buy one. Gimbal tripod heads for photography are a specialist purchase and only really necessary for certain types of shooting. They are mostly used by sports and wildlife photographers who have heavy setups but need to be able to move their cameras quickly. If this is something you are looking into or already have some experience with, a gimbal tripod head might be a great option for you. However, if you’re just starting in photography or prefer more static forms, a gimbal probably isn’t necessary for you. Instead, you might want to look for a high-quality ball head for your tripod.

With all the gear options available for photographers, it can get confusing trying to figure out what’s best for you. Although, there are plenty of other tripod head options that might suit your needs better.

Side vs. Cradle Mount

Gimbal heads are available in two different mount styles — cradle mount and side mount. Several manufacturers offer both mount styles for the same gimbal. The classic mounting style is the cradle mount. This is where the foot of the lens is mounted on an L-shaped arm below the vertical pivot point that encloses the foot of the lens.  Cradle mount gimbals  are a popular choice, and most manufacturers will make a range of cradle mount gimbals. However, they are generally heavier, more expensive, and take up more space than their side-mount counterparts.

With the  side mount style of a gimbal , you do away with the L-shaped cradle and clamp directly to the vertical pivot. As a result, the lens foot is 90 degrees off from where it is on the cradle mount. Although side mount gimbals are less popular, they can be cheaper, smaller, and just as effective.

Choose the Right Gimbal Tripod Head for Your Setup

What camera and lens combination you have will determine what tripod gimbal works best for you. All gimbals are designed to balance the weight of the camera and lens on your tripod. The best gimbal for you will depend on how heavy your equipment is, and if it is designed to be attached to the gimbal.

If you don’t have a particularly large camera and lens setup, you may be able to opt for a more lightweight gimbal that can hold up to 10 lbs.

However, if you’ve got a large, heavy telephoto lens, cheaper gimbals may not be able to provide the stability and safety you need, so a more heavy-duty gimbal is best. Many heavy-duty gimbals support up to 20 lbs.

Most gimbals are designed to be used with a lens foot that attaches to your lens to give it extra stability. However, there are additional accessories if you don’t have a lens foot for your lens.

Convertible Gimbals

There are some gimbal tripod heads designed to convert a standard ball tripod head to a gimbal head— for example, the Wimberley sidekick. The ball head must be equipped with a separate panning base lock knob and an Arca-Swiss compatible clamp. If you have that, then it’s just a matter of releasing the ball lock and putting the clamp vertically into your drop notch, following with tightening the ball as tight as possible. Then rotate the sidekick by clamping it into the ball head clamp and releasing the panning base lock knob on the ball head. These types of gimbals can be very handy if you need to carry a regular ball head but want the option of a gimbal top. They tend to be much more lightweight than other gimbals.

Another option for keeping the weight down is to look for a carbon fiber gimbal tripod head. This can easily save you from carrying one additional pound all the time.

Consider Your Budget

Gimbals can range from cheap to very expensive, with some going above $1000. It may be tempting to lean toward the cheaper option. Although, keep in mind that a lower price may mean a lower quality build, less durability, and less stability. Considering that a gimbal is key to keeping your expensive camera gear in place and safe, it’s worthwhile investing in something trustworthy. Although, it doesn’t have to be top of the line.

It’s also worth considering the tripod you intend to mount your gimbal tripod on. Mounting a gimbal head to a flimsy travel tripod could result in your gear setup becoming top-heavy and falling over. Look for a tripod with sturdy and adjustable legs that’s able to hold all of your equipment.

Final Thoughts

Gimbal tripod heads are a great investment piece for sports and wildlife photographers in particular. With a gimbal tripod head, you can quickly capture epic shots of fast-moving subjects with effortless ease and crystal-clear stability. If you’re considering investing in a gimbal tripod head, hopefully these five tips have helped you in making your decision.

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Best gimbal head for your tripod

The best gimbal head gives support and stability to your telephoto lenses when shooting sport or wildlife. these are our top picks.

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Tuesday October 12, 2021

By Jeff Meyer

If you photograph wildlife, sport or simply use heavy telephoto lenses a lot in your work, you’ll know what a strain they can put on your tripod and how hard it is to keep them stable. A gimbal head for your tripod is designed specifically for this type of work. It provides support to your heavy kit, while enabling easier pan and tilt motions. There are a number of specifications to consider when deciding which gimbal head is best. But first, lets answer a few of the common questions people have about these niche products.

What is a gimbal head for tripods?

A gimbal head is a tripod head that balances your camera and lens along the side of tripod head, rather than on top. And the best gimbal heads allow for fluid movements whether shooting in landscape or portrait format.

A tripod gimbal head is great for using with heavy camera and lens combinations, and thus is popular with sports and wildlife photographers. The gimbal’s fluid movements allow users to follow the action quickly and easily. They’re the ideal tool for panning with your subject when using a very long lens.

If you don’t want the gimbal head to move too easily, you can also get them with a fluid cartridge, which adds a bit of resistance to the head’s movements. This makes panning a lot easier.

• The best cameras for wildlife photography
• The best camera accessories you can buy today

Is a gimbal head the same as a gimbal stabilizer?

No! A gimbal head for your tripod is generally used for stills photography – typically by photographers shooting action. A gimbal stabilizer, such as the DJI Ronin-S, Gudsen Moza Air or Zhiyun Crane 2S , is used for video – and even then it is typically used for those shots when the videographer wants to move around with the camera.

The gimbal element – effectively the cradle on which the camera sits – is largely the same in both, but a gimbal stabilizer has electric motors and is designed primarily for shooting handheld video. If that’s what you’re after, you’ll find our list of the best gimbal stabilizers here!

If you shoot stills photography and want a tripod head that allows you to pan and follow the action easily, read on to find our picks for the best gimbal head for your tripod.

Gimbal head vs ball head

Should you use a gimbal head or ball head for your photography? It’s a question many photographers ask themselves. The answer really comes down to whether you shoot wildlife photography or sport.

A gimbal head can pan and tilt while keeping your camera level. This makes it incredibly easy to follow movement through the frame. But a gimbal head is large and heavy. It’s not great for landscapes, macro or most other types of photography. But if birds in flight are your thing, it’s an absolute dream!

A ball head is incredibly versatile. You can use it to make quick adjustments to landscapes, portraits, travel shots on the go. But if you try to pan with it as a race car speeds across your frame, it will be a challenge, if not impossible, to keep your camera level as you pan.

A ball head tripod mount is also going to struggle to support lenses above a certain weight, whereas a gimbal head can shoulder a hefty payload. Your 300mm or 400mm lens will move effortlessly on a gimbal head.

A ball head also doesn’t switch between landscape and portrait formats quite as easily as a gimbal head does.

• When to use APS-C lenses instead of full-frame

The best gimbal head for tripods you can buy today

Benro gh2 gimbal head.

Price: £269 / $238

The Benro GH2 gimbal head is one of the premium options on our list of best gimbal heads, and for good reason. The GH2 can accommodate lenses up to 600mm and effortlessly rotates them around its centre of gravity. If you shoot sport or wildlife, its maneuverability is a real asset.

The GH2 is compatible with the international-style QR plates such as the Arca Swiss and the Benro PL Series special lens plates, and it comes with its own QR plate and safety lock feature.

Its pricey, but the Benro GH2 gimbal head is built to last, and Benro offers a three-year warranty to back this up. This is the aluminium version. For about £100 / $100 more you can get a carbon fibre version that’s lighter.

Benro GH5C Carbon Fibre Gimbal Head

Price: £349 ; $434.95

The Benro GH5C Carbon Fibre Gimbal Head can support a payload of up to 30kg worth of kit and yet weighs only 1.1kg itself. With that level of support, it’s perfect for sports and wildlife photographers using ultra-long telephotos.

An Arca-compatible quick release plate lets you quickly swap cameras, and the gimbal head boasts a vertical scale and a 360-degree panoramic scale for panning. There’s also a large pivot tension knob for tilt motion.

Gitzo GHFG1 Fluid Gimbal Head

Price: £491 / $399

Ideal for wildlife photographers, Gitzo employs a fluid cartridge technology in its GHFG1 gimbal head which is designed to absorb vibrations and ensure smooth movements, even with larger lenses.

Gitzo’s gimbal head also uses what it calls the Whip-Pan, or a fluidity control system for high-speed movements. Typically found in video heads, the Whip-Pan excludes fluidity, allowing free movement. It then restores fluid rotation when your speed slows down.

Other features include a built-in Arca-Swiss compatible quick release base and plate with rubber grips, as well as a detachable pan bar. It’s also made of lightweight, yet robust magnesium alloy.

Wimberley WH-200 Version II gimbal head

Price: $595 / £665

Why would you want to pay nearly $600 for the Wimberley WH-200 when there are other options on this list that are far, far cheaper?

Well, ask yourself this: if you’ve invested nearly $10,000 in a lens and camera why wouldn’t you mount it on the best gimbal head money can buy? Why scrimp and save now?

Wimberley, frankly, makes premium quality gimbal heads that are a joy to use. The WH-200 uses an Arca-Swiss style clamp that can support just about any telephoto lens and camera combination. Its easy to manipulate thanks to its compact, lightweight, less-is-more design, which offers stiffness, capacity and fluid pan and tilt movement.

Made of aluminium and stainless steel, the WH-200 is built to last, installs easily and allows for effortlessly smooth panning up, down and sideways all while keeping your camera level.

Manfrotto gimbal head

Price: £179 / $172

The Manfrotto 393 gimbal head is designed for use with heavy telephoto lenses on monopods or tripods. Being a Manfrotto gimbal head, it’s solidly built with premium materials that don’t weigh too much.

Tracking wildlife, athletes, even the moon is very easy with the Manfrotto 393, thanks to its friction base that enables the bracket to pan.

There are nice design touches as well, such as two rubber hand grips that prevent your lens from getting damaged when it’s tilted to the maximum. There’s also a variable centre height adjustment in three steps.

Neewer gimbal head – carbon fibre version

Price: £100 / $170

The panning base and vertical arm of the Neewer gimbal head are capable of 360-degree movements thanks to its rotatable ball head. Made of carbon fibre, the Neewer gimbal head can support a payload of 13/6kg, or 30lbs, meaning you can use it with heavy telephoto lenses.

The Neewer gimbal head’s quick-shoe base is compatible with any Arca-Swiss type base plate, and it also features a built-in spirit level. If you want to shoot with different lenses, the Neewer gimbal head’s lens platform can be adjusted up and down to accommodate different setups.

Best budget gimbal head

Neewer gimbal head – aluminium version

Price: $90 / £100

You’ll find a few gimbal heads a little cheaper than the aluminium Neewer gimbal head, but they won’t come close to its quality at this price point. For a sub-$100/£100 price point, you will be surprised by its high level of manufacturing and sturdiness.

Like the carbon version, this Neewer gimbal head can support a 13.6kg/30lbs payload on its 360-degree panning base. Its specs, in fact, are exactly the same as the carbon fibre version higher up on our best gimbal heads list, only it’s made out of aluminium. But it’s still fairly lightweight.

There’s no wobbling here. And it’s easy to set up. This is by far the best budget gimbal head you can buy today.

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The Best Tripod

By Erin Roberts , Arriana Vasquez and Phil Ryan

Many of today’s cameras and lenses come with truly impressive image stabilization built right in, but there are always occasions—such as time-lapse or macro photography—when it makes sense to put your camera on a tripod. After spending 60 hours researching tripods and 30 hours testing 16 of the most promising models, we found the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100 kit to be the sturdiest platform for challenging shooting situations. It has the tallest maximum height among the tripods we tested, and it’s very stable. It’s also easy to set up and break down, and built to withstand years of use.

Everything we recommend

Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100

The best tripod.

This stable, easy-to-use, and versatile tripod has an angling center column. It gets taller and has more leg-angle positions than the other models we tested.

Buying Options

Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234AB

A tripod that can handle two cameras.

Smaller and lighter than our top pick, this tripod can also support two devices at once. But it’s a little less stable and slightly more expensive.

Sirui W-1004K10 Tripod Kit River Runner

A solid waterproof tripod.

This tripod doesn’t have an angled center column, but it’s quite sturdy, designed with a greater load capacity than any of our other picks, and (most important) waterproof.

Manfrotto Element MII

Best travel tripod.

The Element MII goes from backpack-sized to tall smoothly and quickly, and it provides sturdy support at a price lower than that of our other picks.

Sirui P-204SR

The best monopod.

This monopod is strong and stable, perfect if you like shooting subjects that require you to stay on the move.

If you need a more specific kind of support for certain shooting situations, we also have picks for people who dual-wield cameras , those who frequently shoot sports or wildlife , photographers who work in wet conditions , and frequent travelers . But all of the picks in this guide are geared toward full-size cameras. If you’re looking for a tripod for a smartphone, try our guide to the best tripod for iPhones and other smartphones .

The Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100 offers the best balance of size and stability of all the tripods we tested. It gets taller than any of our other picks (68.2 inches at maximum height), its legs can splay outward at four angles, and its angling center column lets you position your camera as low to the ground as you want. This combination means you can find a stable shooting position on all kinds of surfaces, whether the camera is up high or down low. The included ball head (the part that connects the camera to the tripod legs and allows adjustments to the camera’s position) is better than what you usually find bundled with tripods in this price range; it adjusts smoothly, locks down solidly, and has a quick-release plate for you to easily attach and detach the camera. With a 15.5-pound weight limit, this tripod is more than strong enough for any of the camera-and-lens combinations we recommend .

If you’re more of an on-the-go type of shooter, or if you like to shoot with two stabilized cameras at the same time, the Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234AB is the tripod for you. It’s smaller and lighter than our pick and has all the same features, including a multi-angle center column. In addition, it comes with an adapter that lets you mount a second camera to the center column when it’s in the horizontal position, so you can shoot with two devices at once.

If you plan to submerge your tripod in water on a regular basis, Sirui’s W-1004K10 Tripod Kit River Runner is worth paying more for, since it’s designed to keep dirt or sand from mucking up any sliding parts. Solidly built and easy to set up, the W-1004K10 has a ball head that adjusts smoothly, and its impressive 33.1-pound load capacity means that even if you rent a huge lens for a once-in-a-lifetime nature vacation, the W-1004K10 can handle it. It doesn’t have a tilting center column like our other picks, but you probably won’t miss that feature when you’re waist deep in a lake.

Manfrotto’s Element MII is an ideal travel tripod because it offers ample height and support in a highly portable package. Capable of collapsing to just 16.7 inches long and weighing a mere 3.4 pounds, it can nevertheless extend to a maximum height of just over 62.9 inches and support up to 17.6 pounds of gear. It was one of the most stable travel tripods we tested, yet it also costs less than much of the competition. The Element MII has other key features we seek in a travel tripod, such as easy-to-use twist leg locks and smooth and simple control of the ball head. It even has some nifty extras, including two bubble levels to help keep perspectives straight.

If you’re into shooting birds and other wildlife, or if you like to capture fast-moving sports, a tripod might just get in your way. What you need in that situation is a monopod, and the Sirui P-204SR is our favorite monopod because it’s tall, strong, and adaptable. The removable base features three sturdy feet that provide great stability when equipment is mounted, and this monopod can even become a tabletop tripod with an included accessory. With the base attached, the P-204SR stands 63.5 inches tall, and without the base it’s still a respectable 57.9 inches.

The research

Why you should trust us, who should get a tripod, how we picked, how we tested, our pick: vanguard alta pro 2+ 263ab100, flaws but not dealbreakers, best for use with multiple cameras: vanguard veo 3t+ 234ab, a great waterproof tripod: sirui w-1004k10 tripod kit river runner, best for travel: manfrotto element mii, the best monopod: sirui p-204sr, sustainability and the environmental impact of tripods, other good tripods, the competition.

Arriana Vasquez has been doing both professional and hobbyist photography for over 10 years and worked for three years as a camera specialist at several camera stores in New York City. Her work ranges from fashion to nature and street photography. She has also contributed to Wirecutter’s guides to instant cameras , tripods for smartphones , and portable document scanners .

Erin Lodi is a photojournalist, writer, and professional photographer , and has a wide range of experience researching, testing, and writing about photography trends, techniques, and tools—including in her role as mobile-imaging editor at DPReview, the most popular camera review site on the web. She has been reporting on travel tripods for this guide since 2014, testing dozens of models and measuring performance in a variety of climates and situations.

Even with the image-stabilization systems built into many modern cameras and lenses, when you’re using slower shutter speeds, the slightest movement of the camera can result in blurry pictures. If you shoot a lot in the following situations, using a tripod will let you get shots that would otherwise be very difficult or even impossible to capture:

• Low light and longer exposures: When low light requires you to use a slower shutter speed, it’s best to keep the camera stabilized. (Experienced photographers tend to use the reciprocal rule to figure out whether they need to use a tripod.) Similarly, if you’re using a longer exposure to create a special effect—such as blurring the movement of a waterfall while keeping the background sharply focused, or capturing bursts of color from a fireworks show—you’ll get a much better result with a tripod.
• Remote triggers: You can take much better selfies and group photos with the camera on a tripod. You can either set the timer and run over to pose with the group or connect your camera to your smartphone and trigger the camera with the camera manufacturer’s app. Remote triggers are also useful when you don’t want to be near the camera—say, while you’re waiting for a hummingbird to show up at a bird feeder or for other wildlife to wander in front of your lens.
• Landscapes, panoramas, and HDR: Even if you’re shooting a landscape with plenty of light, placing the camera on a tripod lets you ensure that the camera is level for a straight horizon and that all the elements in the shot are properly positioned. Similarly, if you want to turn multiple shots into a panorama (stitched together in software), you need a tripod to keep everything evenly placed in the frame. And high dynamic range (HDR) images, which consist of two or more photos combined, require that those pictures be perfectly aligned. A tripod lets you take different exposures to get a better range of highlights and shadows while preserving alignment—the resulting pictures will more accurately reflect the scene you wanted to capture.
• Close-ups and telephoto shots: Whether you’re using a macro or telephoto lens, the closer you get to a subject, the more sensitive the camera is to even the slightest movement. Telephoto lenses also tend to be bigger and heavier than other lenses, so you might not want to shoot handheld for a long period of time.
• Images on the go: When you’re shooting under the above conditions while on the go, you’re likely to want a travel tripod, a model that collapses enough to be easily carried when attached to a hiking bag or placed inside a carry-on suitcase. Travel tripods are smaller and lighter than their full-size brethren, and though they might not be quite as stable or have as many extra features as bigger models, they make up for that in portability.

We’ve seen plenty of cheap tripods, but in general we’ve found that sub-$100 models are made with poor-quality materials, have less height adjustability, and are more difficult to set up properly. They might seem like a good value if you’re on a tight budget, but in reality your cheap tripod is more likely to break after a year of use (or sooner), meaning you’ll have to spend another $100 for a replacement. Our experience tells us that to get a truly solid, versatile, reliable, and full-featured tripod, you probably should spend around $150 or more.

But there’s also an upper limit to how much most people should spend on a tripod. While carbon-fiber models are slightly lighter than their metal counterparts, they are also far more expensive. Case in point: You’d have to spend an extra $70 to get the carbon-fiber version of our top pick , and doing so would save you only about 9 ounces.

With that in mind, we focused on quality aluminum models. To narrow things further, we looked at the following factors:

• Load capacity: This represents how much weight a tripod is designed to support. We sought models that could hold a camera-and-lens combination of at least 15 pounds, which is enough to handle even the heaviest camera bodies and lenses we recommend.
• Maximum height: We scouted for tripods that could reach at least 50 inches without the center column extended and at least 60 inches with the column extended, so even if you’re 6-foot-2 you won’t be too uncomfortably hunched over when trying to get that shot.
• Leg and center-column angling: We favored tripods that allow you to angle the legs outward for setting the tripod low to the ground, as well as to angle the center column for shooting directly downward or getting the camera closer to subjects for macro photography.
• The head: A good tripod head lets you position the camera at nearly any angle, and most have a quick-release plate that attaches to the bottom of a camera, allowing you to easily mount it on the tripod or remove it. Tripod legs and heads are often sold separately so you can upgrade them independently, although you can also find kits (such as our top pick) that include both. We recommend a ball head, which allows you to tilt and rotate the camera simultaneously. Ball heads tend to be more compact and easier to use than three-way heads, which let you adjust the amount of left/right tilt, up/down tilt, and rotation independently. (All of our picks include a ball head.)
• Length when collapsed: Although size is much more important for travel tripods , it’s always more convenient to carry something smaller.
• Leg grips: Tripod legs can get cold when you’re shooting on chilly days. Foam or rubber grips can keep your fingers happy—and give you a better grip than bare metal.
• Spikes: When you’re setting up on a soft surface such as grass, spiked feet can help set a tripod more firmly in place. That said, a lot of photographers don’t bother to use them. We looked for tripods that either include them or offer them as an optional accessory.
• Weight: If a tripod is really heavy, you won’t want to take it with you; if it’s too light, it won’t be sturdy enough. We looked for tripods weighing less than 6 pounds—light enough to bring along even if you’re also carrying a camera and a few lenses. If weight is important to you, our travel tripod pick keeps it to a minimum while still providing solid support for your camera.
• Longevity: A quality tripod should last way longer than a year or two, so we singled out tripods packaged with tools that let you retighten the legs as they come loose with time and usage, as well as a long warranty so you’re covered if something happens.

Between previous versions of this guide and the most recent 2024 update, we’ve considered approximately 65 tripods and tested 16. The list includes:

• 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey
• Benro MeFoto GlobeTrotter
• Benro SystemGo Plus FGP18A
• Manfrotto Element MII Video Monopod
• MeFoto RoadTrip Air
• MeFoto RoadTrip S
• Oben CT-3565
• Slik Lite AL-420M
• Slik Lite AL-420S
• Slik Pro 700DX
• Vanguard VEO 2 GO 265HAB

We also considered 5 monopods and tested 4. Those include:

• iFootage Cobra 2 A180-II
• Manfrotto Xpro Monopod+ Aluminum Four-Section with Fluid Video Head

Stability is the main objective when you’re using a tripod, so we mounted different camera-and-lens combinations to each tripod model to make sure it stayed steady with various setups and on different surfaces, including hardwood and carpeted floors indoors, as well as cement pavement, grass, and other uneven terrain outdoors. We purposefully used gear that was bulkier and heavier than the cameras and lenses we recommend in our guides, including the Nikon D5 and Z5 and Sony α6600 cameras with various lenses. The longest and heaviest lenses we used were the Nikkor 24–70mm f/4 lens and the Sigma 150–600mm f/5–6.3 lens.

We evaluated how easy it was to operate each tripod by setting up and closing down the legs and checking the leg-lock mechanisms. We checked the stability of the ball head, whether it moved when it was supposed to be locked, and how smoothly and evenly it moved when unlocked. We also examined each tripod’s build quality and made sure that the different parts didn’t get in the way of one another when in use.

Finally, we tested any special features; if a model had a movable center column, for example, we angled it into different positions.

The Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100 offers the best combination of stability and height of the tripods we tested. It has the tallest maximum height (68.2 inches), its legs can angle outward at four angles (most models offer only three) to bring the camera closer to the ground, and its angling center column lets you position the camera in a multitude of ways when you’ve set the tripod at any one of those leg angles. Although it’s a little heavier and longer than some other models when collapsed, its added weight and height increase its stability and versatility, and it’s still small and light enough to carry around for a day’s shooting.

The Alta Pro 2+ is rated to support up to 15.4 pounds. In our testing, it was very stable, even when we mounted pro-level gear that was heavier than any of the cameras and lenses we recommend in our guides. Each leg has three extendable segments, and although we experienced some wobbliness in the lowest segment when the legs were fully extended, it wasn’t enough to negatively affect our picture taking and was typical of all the tripods we tested when they were at full height. When the center column is fully extended, the Alta Pro 2+’s height (not including the head) is about 68.2 inches, the tallest of the tripods we tested, so it’s easier for taller photographers (anyone above the average height of 5 feet 6 inches ) to use without having to stoop much. (With the center column collapsed, the maximum height is about 57 inches.) Although the center column is relatively stable when extended, keep in mind that all tripods are most stable when you have the center column lowered flush against the top of the legs.

Setting up the Alta Pro 2+ is quick and easy: Just turn the two twist locks on each leg—they unlock with a simple quarter-turn—and then tilt the legs down so that they slide to full extension. You lock the legs with a similar turn in the opposite direction. We like the nice feel of the textured grips on the locks.

Those three-section legs offer four angles relative to the center column: 20, 40, 60, and 80 degrees (most tripods offer only three angles). That gives you more versatility in terms of both lower height and the ability to adapt to uneven surfaces. The angles are marked at the top of the legs, and the legs ratchet into place so you can hear and feel when they’re in position. With the legs at the 80-degree position, the tripod is almost level to the ground; this position is perfect for low-angle and macro shots, especially in combination with the tripod’s multi-angle center column. A bubble level helps you ensure that the tripod is level even if the legs are extended to different angles.

It’s easy to put the Alta Pro 2+’s center column into multiple positions: You just turn a couple of knobs, lift the center column (it automatically stops when fully extended, so it won’t come all the way out in your hand), and angle it to whatever position you want. The hexagonal column won’t twist when extending or retracting, making angled work easier. However, although this column is generally stable in its angled position, even when horizontal, be sure to check the balance: If the center column is positioned too far to one side, the weight of the camera and lens can cause the entire tripod to tilt over and fall—a law of physics that applies to any tripod with a multi-angle center column.

The included ball head and quick-release plate also work well. The ball head moved smoothly when we adjusted it, and it locked solidly into place. It has its own bubble level (to supplement the one on the legs), as well as a rotation gauge at the base of the head to help you duplicate panning positions when you’re shooting multiple images to stitch into a panorama later.

We also like the overall build quality of the tripod—none of the pieces seemed to be straining substantially even when we subjected them to heavy camera-and-lens combinations. The smoothness of the sliding parts was impressive, too. The Alta Pro 2+ feels like it will last a long time, and it comes with a two-year warranty.

In addition to the ball head and the quick-release plate, the Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100 kit comes with Allen wrenches in case you need to swap out the head or replace a broken leg, as well as a carry bag with a shoulder strap. The bag isn’t as well made as those that accompany some other tripods we’ve tested, but it’s good enough for moving your tripod from one place to another.

Of the tripods we tested, the Alta Pro 2+ is one of the heaviest, at 5.3 pounds, and one of the longest, at 29 inches, when fully collapsed. If you’re hiking in the woods or traveling on a plane or train, you have smaller and lighter options (including our pick for travel tripods , or even our also-great pick ). But this Vanguard model’s weight helps provide stability, and its added height makes it more versatile—we think these are reasonable trade-offs for a full-size tripod.

Unlike the previous Alta Pro model, our former top pick, the Alta Pro 2+ has angled rubber feet instead of round rubber feet with retractable spikes; spiked feet are now an optional purchase . The rubber feet of the Alta Pro 2+ work well on uneven terrain, but we felt them slide a few times when we were shooting indoors on wooden floors.

Unlike some tripods, the Alta Pro 2+ has no hook at the bottom of the center column to hang a camera bag or other weight to stabilize the tripod. Instead it has a small canopy-suspension loop on the bubble level. The loop is very small, and we wouldn’t trust it to hold anything of measurable weight, but Vanguard makes a stone bag accessory that you can attach to the legs to add weight.

Some reviews on Amazon refer to issues with the Alta Pro 2+’s center column either coming off entirely when the owner is trying to angle it or not being able to tighten in place completely, but we didn’t encounter this problem in our testing. When we reached out to Vanguard, representatives explained that this happened because some units that were meant as photo samples accidentally ended up distributed for sale; the reps said it shouldn’t be a problem going forward, and we will be keeping an eye on this issue in long-term testing.

Whereas the Alta Pro 2+ is a great all-around tripod for most photographers in most situations, we think the Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234AB is a good alternative for people who like to shoot with multiple cameras or are frequently on the move. That’s because while the VEO 3T+ 234AB shares all the features we enjoy about the Alta Pro 2+, it's also lighter, smaller, designed with more flexible legs, and packaged with an additional accessory (the VEO+ MA1 adapter ) that lets you mount an extra device, such as a second camera or a smartphone, to the center column. If you can live with its sole con—a shorter maximum height—those are some compelling pros.

At its maximum height, the VEO 3T+ 234AB stands 57.48 inches tall, about 10 inches shorter than our top pick but still tall enough to keep most people from hunching over when shooting. Each leg has three sections that extend easily yet feel solid once you tighten the twist locks. The legs have three easy-set angles, but they can also invert up to 108 degrees. This represents a notable advantage over the Alta Pro 2+, whose legs can adjust only up to 80 degrees. And when fully collapsed, the VEO 3T+ 234AB measures 18 inches long, some 11 inches less than the Alta Pro 2+; in other words, what you lose in maximum height you gain in portability.

The VEO 3T+ 234AB offers a multi-angle center column that allows you to position the column (and the ball head) at various horizontal and tilted angles. Again, this design is great for otherwise challenging overhead and low-angle shots, and it’s especially helpful for capturing macro images. In addition to offering the multi-angle column, the VEO 3T+ 234AB can convert to a monopod—you simply remove one of the legs and mount the center column on top of it. The tripod includes spiked feet, though you have to switch them out with the default rubber feet whenever you want to use them.

This tripod can handle loads of up to 22 pounds, or about 6.5 pounds more than our top pick. As with all the other tripods we tested, we saw a slight bit of movement when we mounted a Sony α6600 with a Sigma 100–400mm zoom lens and fully extended the center column. There is an optional hook you can screw into the bottom of the center column that lets you hang a camera bag or other weight to help stabilize the unit (though you’ll need to remove this piece if you want to use the VEO 3T+ 234AB as a monopod).

The VEO 3T+ 234AB comes with the Arca-Swiss –compatible VEO BH-110S dual-axis ball head , which we found to be stable and secure during testing. The BH-110S also worked great with our Peak Design plate , locking in just as solidly as it did with the plate that comes with the ball head. Additionally, the VEO 3T+ 234AB includes a second mounting adapter, the VEO+ MA1 , that you can use when you’ve set the center column to a horizontal position. It easily slides onto the other end of the center column and locks into place with a quick-release lever. The VEO+ MA1 offers a standard ¼-inch tripod screw to mount a second camera, a smartphone (using a smartphone tripod mount ), or an action camera such as a GoPro.

If you plan to shoot with your tripod partially submerged in water or mud, the Sirui W-1004K10 Tripod Kit River Runner is worth spending more on for the peace of mind it can provide. Although all our tripod picks can stand up to the rain, waterproof tripods do a better job of keeping the dirt and sand from rivers and lakes out of the joints, which can destroy any sliding or moving parts. This waterproof tripod from Sirui (pronounced “sue-ray”) has comfortable controls and is well built and stable. It can’t match the height of the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+, and it doesn’t have the angling center column of either of our Vanguard picks, but it is the best tripod for fans of aquatic subjects.

The W-1004K10 provides very good stability, with a load capacity up to 33.1 pounds. The tripod weighs just 4.2 pounds and folds up to a compact 19.3 inches for travel. With the center column fully extended (which, as we noted above, sacrifices some stability), it reaches a height of 65 inches; with the column lowered, 53.5 inches.

From its four-section legs to the bundled ball head, the W-1004K10 looks and feels solidly constructed. Whether you’re extending the legs after releasing the twist locks or adjusting the angle of the ball head, the movements are smooth. This is especially true of the excellent ball head, which has separate controls for panning and locking, as well as a friction knob to adjust the tension on the control movement. It also has three bubble levels—in addition to the bubble level on the tripod itself—for photographers who need extremely accurate placement.

The tripod is waterproof up to the top of its foam grips, so you can step right into a river, lake, or ocean to get a shot. Those waterproof seals also mean that the W-1004K10 is protected from the dirt and sand you might encounter on your outdoor adventure. You can easily swap the stock rubber feet with the bundled spiked feet, and you can remove one of the tripod’s legs to convert it into a waterproof monopod. As with the VEO 3T+ 234AB, a hook on the center column lets you hang a camera bag or other weights to help stabilize the tripod. The bundled carry bag is well constructed, just like the rest of the kit.

Unlike our other picks from Vanguard, this Sirui tripod does not offer a multi-angle center column. This omission can make macro work more difficult, but it’s an acceptable trade-off if you need the W-1004K10’s waterproof design.

Because the W-1004K10 has four-segment legs, the last section of each leg is a little thin, so you give up a bit of stability when you fully extend all the legs. This drawback is common for four-segment legs, but it’s still something to be aware of.

If you plan to bring a tripod with you when you go hiking or on a vacation, you should consider a travel tripod that packs down small and won’t weigh you down too much. The moderately priced Manfrotto Element MII is both small and tall—able to unfold from a collapsed height of 16.7 inches to a maximum height of just over 62.9 inches. The Element MII was one of the most stable travel models we tested; although its three leg sections end in a narrow circumference, overall it felt just as stable as the Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234AB.

At 3.4 pounds, the Element MII weighs almost 2 pounds less than the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100 , but it can handle even more load with a rating of 17.6 pounds—equivalent to far more gear than most people would ever need to support at once while traveling.

The Element MII features smooth twist leg locks with plenty of grip, as well as three leg-angle locks that snap into place and release with a simple push. Two knobs control panning and ball head rotation, and they work smoothly with secure tension. Two bubble levels help keep both your horizon level and your vertical alignment correct. You can also remove one leg and attach it to the ball head for use as a monopod.

The Arca-Swiss–style mount looks small, but in our tests it easily accommodated a Nikon Z5 camera with a 24–70mm f/4 lens. The mount includes a tiny handle that works great in a pinch if you don’t have an Allen wrench or a coin handy to tighten the plate to the camera.

The Element MII’s slightly spiked small rubber feet offer plenty of grip, as well. Optional rubber spikes are included in the bag with the tripod. Thankfully, the entire package is small enough to tuck into most backpacks or large bags.

Like many tripods, the Element MII uses twist leg locks. Although we prefer these to the flip kind for travel tripods—because they help keep the overall aesthetic sleek and are less likely to snag—they come with potential problems, too. Resist the temptation to over-loosen twist locks. It takes only a slight turn to loosen them; much more than that, and you may unintentionally discover that the legs are a bit tricky to put back together. Once they’re extended, also be sure to firmly tighten the twist leg locks. Unlike with flip leg locks, with twist leg locks it’s harder to tell whether they’re completely secured; use your hand to double-check.

Like most tripods in this category, the Element MII comes with a drawstring bag that you’ll likely end up discarding. There’s not much advantage to using a dedicated bag, as opposed to just tucking the tripod into a backpack or attaching it to a bag you’re already using in your travels.

If you often shoot subjects that keep you on the move—such as wildlife or sports that require a lot of panning—you may prefer the lightweight freedom of a monopod over a tripod. The Sirui P-204SR is tall, strong, and adaptable to almost any situation, which makes it our favorite general-purpose monopod. It has large, comfortable, rubberized twist locks for extending and retracting its three sections. It weighs just 3.3 pounds but can hold up to 17.6 pounds of equipment—more than our top tripod pick. In testing, it handled everything we mounted on it with ease, including a 4.5-pound Sony α6600 camera with a Sigma 100–400mm zoom lens.

The P-204SR features a removable base that can tilt up to 20 degrees. With the base, the monopod stands 63.5 inches tall; without the base, it reaches 57.9 inches. The base of the P-204SR had the largest feet of any of the monopods we tested, which gave it extra stability. Even when fully extended, it stood solidly with a Nikon Z5 camera and 24–70mm f/4 lens attached. Both rubber and spiked feet are included. One additional feature we love about this monopod is that the base, once you remove it from the body, can double as a small tripod (similar to the Manfrotto Pixi ) with the help of an included accessory.

This monopod doesn't come with a ball head, but the screw mount is reversible, meaning it has two thread sizes—one for cameras and one for tripod heads, so you can mount one if you want. In our testing we found that the tilting base gave us enough leeway to get most shots but not all. We definitely recommend a ball head if you’re into bird photography, since it’s much easier to angle only the camera upward instead of leaning the whole monopod backward. We tried the Benro BH00 ball head (which we discuss below ) with the P-204SR, and it worked great.

The best way to live a sustainable lifestyle is to create less waste, and a great way to create less waste is to invest in equipment that is made to last, repairable, and covered by a dependable warranty. As we state in How we picked , a solid warranty was one thing we looked for when deciding which tripods to test. All of the picks in this guide also come with an Allen key so you can retighten the legs as they come loose from use.

Although it might be tempting to pick up a cheaper tripod, such models are often made from low-grade plastic that you cannot tighten over time, and that you cannot repair if a part should break or crack. If you need a tripod and don’t have the budget to invest in one that’ll last, try searching sites such as Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace to see if other photographers are selling used but high-quality tripods at a discount.

If you currently own a tripod but are looking to upgrade, selling or giving away your old equipment is a great way to help others and keep excess materials out of landfills. If you have a tripod that’s not in good-enough condition to pass along, consider upcycling it.

If you need a cheaper tripod and don’t mind giving up a little stability and usability: The Benro SystemGo Plus FGP18A is simple to set up, solidly built, and only 3.9 pounds. It’s significantly lighter than our 5.3-pound top pick, and in its most compact configuration, it’s also noticeably smaller—18 inches versus the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+’s 29 inches. Despite its lightweight design, this tripod is well made and sturdy-feeling. And like the Alta Pro 2+, the FGP18A offers a multi-angle center column that you can position at various horizontal and tilted angles.

However, Benro doesn’t offer a package with a ball head, so you have to pick one up separately if you don’t already own one. We tested and recommend the company’s BH00 single-action ball head as a solid, inexpensive option. It has a snap-in quick-release plate that’s comparable to what you get with other tripods at this price.

The combination of the Benro SystemGo Plus FGP18A and BH00 ball head isn’t quite as stable as our top pick, especially when extended to maximum height, and this tripod’s adjustment knobs aren’t as easy to use. We found that the FGP18A’s center-column angle-adjustment knob was tight and difficult to move into position. And the knobs—including the center column’s height and pan-control locking knobs—could end up blocking each other depending on how we positioned them. But if you can live with those quirks, it’s a fine all-around choice.

If you want a monopod with its own quick-release plate : The iFootage Cobra 2 A180-II monopod uses a spring-loaded sliding collar to hold a quick-release plate on top. A similar mechanism lets you detach the feet at the bottom so you can turn them into a table-top style tripod like you can with the bottom of our monopod pick. You can also stack a second A180-II on top if you want to approximately double the height of the monopod.

While we found that the A180-II was comparable to our pick in terms of stability, maximum height (71 inches), minimum length (27.8 inches) and weight (3.1 pounds), we feel that the sliding collar may pose a problem to people with hand strength issues. It takes considerable force to move the collar. This helps hold it very securely in place, but might make it a bad choice for some people. We also liked the feet on our pick better, which are each about 1.5 inches longer than those on the A180-II.

Standard tripods

The Benro MeFoto GlobeTrotter is a simple but solid tripod with four-section legs. When fully extended, it was the most solid feeling of all the tripods we tested, and it’s rated to handle up to 26 pounds, more than any of our picks. It’s more expensive, though, and the center column can’t angle out like those of our top picks can. We also found that the twist locks required more turns to loosen and tighten than on our picks, which meant that this model took more time to open and close. Lastly, at 4.5 pounds, it’s almost as heavy as our pick but without the benefit of a multi-angle center column.

The 3Pod Orbit is a four-section aluminum tripod with a bundled three-way head. This relatively stable tripod has a multi-angle center column and feet with retractable spikes. However, during testing we found that the retractable spikes sometimes stuck out of the rubber feet—not far, but enough that they could damage a wooden floor. Also, the flip locks that controlled the legs were so tight that we had difficulty unlocking and locking them. When we used the supplied Allen key to loosen the tension a little so that we could more easily operate the locks, we found that the legs wouldn’t lock tightly enough.

The low-priced Slik Pro 700DX doesn’t do anything fancy: The center column doesn’t swivel or tilt, the tripod has no extras, and it doesn’t come with a head. However, Slik has a reputation for quality models on a budget, and for the price the 700DX is an impressively good, simple, stable tripod. It has a great maximum height of 70 inches, and it will probably survive the apocalypse.

The tripods in Slik’s Lite series feature a ball head, a detachable LED light, and a lever for easily locking and unlocking the tripod legs, but the Lite AL-420M and Lite AL-420S are too short to be contenders in this category. The Lite AL-420 can get tall enough to meet our requirements, but it has a maximum load capacity of only 4.4 pounds, a limitation that caused us to dismiss it for this guide.

Travel tripods

The 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey travel tripod has comfy textured grips on each rounded leg lock, but it also has the most spindly legs of any travel tripod we tested, and in our tests they exhibited a significant amount of flex. It was also hard to lock in a specific leg-angle lock, and the price is at the high end of our desired range.

Oben’s CT-3565 carbon-fiber tripod and BZ-217T ball head package makes for a solid travel tripod—it’s even lighter than our travel pick and can be found for about the same price. On the downside, it’s just a bit shorter, and we didn’t like the feet as much. The Oben tripod comes with rubber-and-spiked combo feet, which can be a bit annoying when the rubber spins up (during transport or use) to reveal the metal spikes just when you don’t need them. (We’d argue that you so very rarely need them that this feature often feels like more of a hindrance.) In contrast, the small, slightly spiked rubber feet on the Manfrotto Element MII are everything that most people will ever need, with a bit more grip to the rubbery material, too. And the Element MII comes with optional rubber spikes, should you need them.

MeFoto’s RoadTrip S felt unstable compared with other travel tripods we tested. The leg-angle locks were trickier to use, too, requiring a two-fingered grip to release. MeFoto also offers the RoadTrip Air , which converts into a selfie stick and includes a shutter remote, but its collapsible leg system was harder to control than five individual leg locks, and we worried that a tiny bump to any of the five skinny leg sections could send the whole tripod—along with our expensive camera gear or smartphone—cascading down.

The Vanguard VEO 2 GO 265HAB is a little smaller and lighter than the Manfrotto Element MII, but it’s also more expensive. We loved how easy it was to use, with small upgrades such as comma-shaped pan and ball lock knobs that offer a better grip for making adjustments. But it doesn’t have any bubble levels, and it can reach the same height as the Manfrotto Element MII (64.5 inches) only if you extend the center column, which in our testing felt a bit less steady.

The Manfrotto Element MII Video Monopod is significantly smaller and less stable than our monopod pick from Sirui. It barely stood up on its own, let alone with a camera mounted. The included fluid head panned and tilted smoothly, but the base isn’t removable, making this model less versatile than our pick.

The Manfrotto Xpro Monopod+ Aluminum Four-Section with Fluid Video Head is big, heavy, and slow. The fluid head is dampened, and no matter how loose we set it, we still found resistance when panning and tilting. This design could make it difficult to track fast-moving action or wildlife. Although the tilting base is removable, the legs don’t lock when they’re tucked up, and they opened on their own during our testing. And instead of twist locks, this monopod has flip locks, which we found loud enough to be distracting.

Theano Nikitas contributed to this guide.

Meet your guides

Erin Roberts

Erin Roberts is a freelance writer reporting on cameras and camera accessories at Wirecutter. She started her career as a photojournalist working in newspapers—shooting film—and was the mobile-imaging editor at DPReview. She is also a professional photographer who has made her living photographing everything from rock stars to humpback whales.

Arriana Vasquez

Arriana Vasquez is a senior updates writer for powering, home office, cameras, and hobbies at Wirecutter. When she's not taking photos, she's reading or running D&D games. She is the producer and dungeon master of After Work Adventurers , a live-play D&D campaign on YouTube.

Phil Ryan is Wirecutter’s senior staff writer for camera coverage. Previously, over 13 years he covered cameras and other photo-related items for CNET and Popular Photography. As the latter's tech editor and then senior tech editor, he was responsible for maintaining and refining the lab testing for cameras, and as the main camera tester,  he used and wrote reviews of many of the cameras released in that timeframe.

Further reading

The Best Vlogging Cameras and Gear

by Geoffrey Morrison, Arriana Vasquez, and James Austin

If you want to start vlogging, we have suggestions for gear that’ll help you capture the best video you can get, even from a smartphone.

The Best Android and iPhone Gimbal

by Geoffrey Morrison and Signe Brewster

If you want smoother, more professional-looking video from your smartphone, the Insta360 Flow is the best gimbal.

The Best Action Camera

by Geoffrey Morrison

If you want to take photos and videos in any situation, even extreme weather, the GoPro Hero12 Black is the best option for most people.

The Best Tripod for iPhones and Other Smartphones

by Arriana Vasquez, Erin Roberts, and Phil Ryan

Joby’s GorillaPod 1K Kit and the Ulanzi ST-27 tripod mount are the best choices to steady your smartphone when shooting photos and video.

The 12 Best Gimbal for Travel

Last updated on december 5th, 2023.

Some people have trouble deciding what kind of camera equipment they should bring when traveling, especially if it’s their first time doing so and are unsure about carrying a DSLR in flight or bringing a Gimbal while on a journey. Luckily we’re here to help! Get started now with these top picks from ShutterRelease.

We’ve rounded up our favorites, each with their own capabilities. You can weigh your options based on your needs for traveling.

Let’s get started with the best gimbals for travel on the market:

The Best Gimbals for DSLR/Mirrorless cameras

Zhiyun crane plus.

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The Zhiyun Crane Plus is a simple and easy DSLR gimbal. Reviewers love its quickness to balance the camera and its stability. Crane Plus can handle a load of weight, with a capacity of up to 5.51 Ibs, which makes mirrorless cameras work really well. The Crane Plus handles a wider range of camera and lens combinations than the others.

The Crane Plus is top on our list of best DSLR gimbal for travel for its MotionMemory feature. It allows you to set up advanced camera movements and then save them so it can remember them for the future.

Point of View (POV) mode allows for more camera movement. It provides up to 45 degrees of synchronized motion on its roll axis.

Crane Plus is the best DSLR gimbal for travel because of its intelligent object tracking as well. It goes above and beyond to object-track via its phone app control. What’s so cool about this best DSLR gimbal for travel is its NightLapse feature. It allows you to capture stunning star trails, moving nighttime traffic. And the passage of time over landscapes at night.

The Crane Plus features a camera control cable for the camera and the stabilizer. It’s great for taking a photo or zooming. It has dedicated APP-ZY Play .

This helps to realize advances zooming of variety like panoramas or time lapse. A bonus? You’ll get a full set of accessories such as anti-slip sweatband. And camera cables for controlling and charging.

Zhiyun Crane 2

The Zhiyun Crane 2 is a chart-topper DSLR gimbal for travel. Why? It’s lighter than its predecessors. It comes with a follow focus motor, which can be pricey with competitors. The Crane 2 supports DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and camcorders of up to 7 pounds.

You can connect your camera to the gimbal via a cable, and adjust the focus using its thumbwheel on the handgrip. With the Crane 2, you’ll find three levels of focus control.

These enable you to fine-tune focus for the lens you are using. It is convenient and quick to adjust your camera’s setting. The interface is comparable to that found on many cameras.

FlyCam HD-3000 24” Handheld Stabilizer

The FlyCam meets our list of being the best DSLR gimbal for travel for having Micro adjustments. And it’s built exceptionally well! That price? It is a bargain.

The FlyCam features an aluminum-made handheld stabilizer. It comes with a MicroBalancing technique, which allows you to balance set up with ease and precision.

This is great for saving you time. Its top place can be adjusted on both the X & Y axis. And the quick release plate accepts all DV HDV DSLR video cameras. Its foam cushioned handle grip is attached to the 3-axis gimbal.

It lets your hand move up and down, and side to side, isolating unwanted hand motions from the camera. Its vertical balance can adjust if you vary the amount of counterweight.

Or change the length of the tool-less telescopic central post. A bonus is its foam-padded bag it comes with. This makes your DSLR Gimbal best for traveling.

FeiyuTech a1000 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer

Everyone loves the FeiyuTech gimbal. What makes it the best DSLR gimbal for travel is its battery life. It lasts a long time. Reviewers also found the app that comes with it helpful. And it makes it easier to be able to fully unleash the potential of the gimbal.

This gimbal holds up to 6.17 pounds, making it on top as the best gimbal for travel. It features an LCD touch panel for the easiest adjustments of follow focus, zoom, sensitivity, and more. It features a high-precision magnetic induction knob, allowing control of the camera.

What’s even better? The gimbal can be connected over WiFi to compatible devices! You can control photo/video capture, focus, zoom, sensitivity, and more.

It’s iOS/Android apps connect to your camera via Bluetooth so you can set up parameters. These functions certainly make the FeiyuTech gimbal the best DSLR gimbal for travel.

FeiyuTech G6

Next on our list of best gimbals for travel is the FeiyuTech G6, which can hold a load up to 1.2KG and is compatible with the Sont a7 series and short lens as well as mirrorless cameras, action cameras, and smartphones.

The handle design is ergonomic, which makes it easy to hold the gimbal by the curve. This makes this best gimbal for fravel easier to hold and operate in one single hand.

DJI Ronin-S

The DJI Ronin-S is one of the best gimbals for travel because of everything you get with this amazing gimbal. Shoot on the move with the stabilizer for DSLR and mirrorless cameras , giving you freedom with a support payload of 8 Ibs (3.6 kg), for a smooth and cinematic shot.

The advanced capturing features help you create imaginative panoramas, motion lapses, timelapses, and track. Even spontaneous movements are captured with clarity using this best gimbal for travel.

Travel with your gimbal in your backpack or travel bag while on the go since its modular design fits perfectly. Mounting your camera is so easy thanks to the quick-release plate design. It’s perfect for stills on your tripod or tracking shots.

DJI Ronin-SC

Designed for mirrorless cameras, the DJI Ronin-SC makes our list for best gimbals for travel due to its three-axis motorized gimbal stabilizer, and its included extended grip mini tripod.

Customers like you love this best gimbal for travel because it’s a pure good quality of product. The professional-grade materials it’s built with and the superior stabilization sets this gimbal apart from the rest.

The cutting edge technology of Ronin gives you smooth footage, especially if you are using a smaller mirrorless camera like many Sony cameras. And larger cameras like the Canon EOS R and Sony A7III work perfectly with this gimbal as well.

Customers like you also love how convenient this gimbal really is. If you’re serious about videography and are looking for an entry-level gimbal or a secondary gimbal, this is the right one for you.

Best Gimbal for phone

Dji osmo mobile 3.

Our pick for the best gimbal for your phone as well as a best gimbal for travel is the DJI Osmo Mobile 3. A must-have for smartphone creators, this gimbal gives you a foldable design with lots of great functions.

This best gimbal for travel features a 3-axis stabilizer as well as brushless motors that give you smooth and real-time responses that eliminates shaky camera responses.

Some controls and features of this gimbal include the gesture control, panoramas, slow motion, timelapse, dolly zoom, hyperlapse, sport mode, story mode, and handy convenience.

Customers like you love all the features from this best gimbal for phones as well as everything that comes with it. You get the gimbal with the built-in battery, storage pouch, wrist strap, 4x anti-slip pads, and power cable.

Best Pocket Gimbal

Dji osmo pocket handheld.

This best gimbal for travel is also the best pocket gimbal. You get so much with this small gimbal including a SanDisk 128 GB Extreme Micro SD, along with the VanCityUAV cleaning cloth bundle.

The Osmo pocket handheld gives Vlog camera up to 4K video at 60 fps, up to 100 Mb/s, and a three-axis gimbal stabilizer. The gimbal camera has a ½.3 CMOS Sensor, and single handed Vlog design.

This is the best pocket gimbal because of it being so compact, at 4.1 ox and a 4.8 inch in height design. You get 12 MP JPEG or DNG Raw Still photos, FPV, ActiveTrack, 3×3 panorama, motion lapse, and Night Shot.

Best Gimbal for Gopro

Gopro karma grip.

The GoPro Karma Grip is the best gimbal for GoPro and best gimbal for travel because of its ability to capture such amazing and smooth shake-free videos.

Compatible with GoPro body mounts, this GoPro Karma Grip comes with a karma harness for Hero6 black/Hero5 black, and Hero7 black.

The gimbal comes with built-in camera controls and allows you to recharge up to 70 percent faster than competitor models.

Customers like you will love the Karma Grip with your GoPro because the videos are just the smoothest and best. Go out and about on vacation, film everything around you all day since its battery lasts all day.

Your GoPro will use the Grip’s battery while the Grip is in use, that way, you don’t have to use all those backup batteries, saving you time and juice.

Best Full size Gimbal

Dji ronin-m gimbal stabilizer v3.

This DJI Gimbal makes our list as the best DSLR gimbal for travel because of its stability. It enables the most professional results. Another big reason why we use this for travel is its incredibly compact and super light.

It weighs in at only 5 pounds! So, it can fit in your backpack and you can take it anywhere. What’s better? It holds the heaviest of weights at up to 8 pounds, exceeding others on our list. Set up on this gimbal is fast, and you can start shooting video in under five minutes.

Need to capture tight shots? The top handlebars quickly twist off, minimizing its size and achieving different configurations. You can pack or unpack in mere seconds!

The Ronin-M can stand up to rugged environments while you travel. This makes it the best DSLR gimbal for travel. But don’t take our word for it, try it!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you take a gimbal on a plane.

Airplanes and airlines do not ban tripods, which would lead us to assume that you can indeed take a gimbal on a plane since you won’t be bothering anybody on a flight with your camera gimbal.

The only tricky part of getting your gimbal on a plane will be getting through security. It might be beneficial to treat your gimbal just as you would your laptop, by taking it out separately just in case. Otherwise security may pull your bag aside to search it.

Always check with the airline first before deciding to bring any camera gear on the plane and bring it on your own discretion. Otherwise, you should have good luck getting your gimbal on a plane while traveling.

How Do You Pack a Gimbal for Travel?

Packing your gimbal for travel is going to be the most important step when traveling with your gimbal.

First, be sure to remove the batteries from your gimbal if you are going to bring your gimbal on a plane. Then keep your gimbal batteries with you as carry on luggage for when you get on the plane. If you’re bringing your rig on the plane, keep your batteries separate in your camera kit bag.

You should also house your gimbal batteries in your gimbal battery charger so it protects the connectors on the top and bottoms of your batteries.

Make sure you have suitable storage for your gimbal so that it does not get damaged in the travel process. Use just a TSA approved or simple padlock so security can search it if they must.

How Do You Transport a Gimbal?

Traveling with any of these best gimbals for travel should be no issue at all. Since there is nothing in writing regarding this type of photography gear on airline websites, it is safe to assume that it should be easy to travel with your gimbal.

Be sure to keep your gimbal in a place that will be safe. Always have a list of your photography gear you are traveling with to make sure everything is in order for your travels.

Don’t forget to be careful with the batteries and have them protected as well. Also, having a specific travel case for this very reason. You want to make sure your camera gear and accessories are kept safe so you can have peace of mind while you travel. Happy and safe travels!

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Matterport Axis Gimbal Stabilizer with Tripod and Pro2 Travel Bundle

About this item.

• 2-Axis Motorized Gimbal Mount & Foldable Tripod - Never worry about alignment errors again and capture multiple spaces faster using the Matterport Capture App, supports all capture motion types, including Lidar (3D), simple (360), and complete scans on your iphone or Android.
• 3D CAMERA - The perfect all-in-one 3D capture solution with professional photo resolution (134 megapixels), 360 view, infrared 3D sensor, 4K lens, 8 hours of scanning with one charge, 15 feet (4.5m) maximum range, WiFi to transfer data from camera to iOS device through the Capture app
• TRAVEL CASE, TRIPOD & CLAMP - 20” Portable Hard Case to carry, protect, and store the Pro2 Camera with ease and a convenient quick release clamp
• No experience required - Axis makes it easy for anyone with a smartphone to quickly capture a high-def 3D model with a touch of a button making it easier than ever to capture more spaces hands-free in less time with added precision, thanks to its remote controlled rotation and tripod stabilization
• Subscription - Sign up on the Matterport app or website to gain full access and begin creating 3D virtual tours, 4K print-ready photography, schematic floor plans, and more. Capture multiple photos with your smartphone camera, send your images to Matterport, and they are returned in the form of a 3D “dollhouse” tour, complete with floor plans, links to additional photos, and multiple floor levels if applicable

• Capture like a pro - Pair your phone with the Axis motorized mount and tripod that allows you to scan and record high-quality 3D model captures for large and small spaces at a low-cost and ensures consistent precision with every scan of every location
• Reduce time & expenses - Convenient for residential and commercial real estate, promoting rentals, retail, insurance claims and documentation, design, marketing, architecture, engineering, and more. Self-captured scans eliminate the need to hire and coordinate with photographers to produce a 3D model
• 2-Axis Motorized Gimbal Mount & Foldable Tripod - Never worry about alignment errors again and capture multiple spaces faster using the Matterport Capture App, supports all capture motion types, including Lidar (3D), simple (360), and complete scans on your iphone or Android.

• CREATE BEAUTIFUL, PROFESSIONAL 3D DIGITAL TWINS - Scan a variety of indoor spaces like houses, apartments, hotels, and commercial buildings to create high-resolution, photo-realistic 3D models with the Matterport Pro2 3D Camera. 1.5M depth-points in every scan for highly detailed 3D models.
• IMMERSIVE, HIGH RESOLUTION, PHOTO-REALISTIC DIGITAL TWINS - With the Matterport Pro2 3D Camera you can create beautiful digital twins that are highly immersive and life-like. Capture every detail in stunning 4K (134 megapixel resolution).
• FAST CAPTURE in under 30 SECONDS PER SCAN - Speed through your scans with the Matterport Pro2 3D Camera. Get a complete scan in under 3040 seconds per scan. That's fast enough to keep up with your busiest day.
• HIGHLY ACCURATE SCANS DOWN TO 50 MM - The Matterport Pro2 3D Camera is highly accurate, scanning down to +/-50 mm. The Pro2 travel kit is ideal ideal for photography professionals who fly frequently or require a rugged case to protect Pro2 from job site hazards, for example, an active construction site or an insurance claim location. This kit includes a 20” portable hard case, a tripod, and a quick-release clamp.
• UNLOCK PREMIUM FEATURES WITH A MATTERPORT SUBSCRIPTION - Pro2 works best with a Matterport professional or business subscription plan and is not compatible with a free or starter plan - download the Matterport Capture app for your iOS or Android device to learn more and start creating today.

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