Best Vlogging Tripod



Vlogging is one of the most interesting new careers that the internet has brought us.
More or less anyone can start a vlog for fun or earn an income posting clips to social media.
However, getting started as a vlogger does require the use of some equipment โ you canโt get to shooting until you have the right gear. Specifically, youโll need to take a look at vlogging cameras, tripods, and software.
In other words, you could start with nothingโ but the quality would likely be subpar.
There are items that you can do without in the beginning, however, a tripod is not one of those. If you want to earn money through vlogging, your content needs to be competitive. And in order to create something at a high enough level of quality, you will have to get a tripod first.
It doesnโt matter if youโre going to be shooting in a professional studio or making footage on the go; you still want to have one of the best tripods for vlogging.
๐ Our Pick for Best Overall
โญ Our Other Top Picks for Vlogging Tripods
- Best of the Best: Jolly GorillaPod
- Best Experimental Tripod: SwitchPod
- Best on a Budget: Manfrotto Compact Tripod
Vlogging Tripod Reviews
Jolly GorillaPod Tripod (โญ Best of the Best)
If youโve ever seen the actual equipment that your favorite vloggers use, chances are youโve come across the Joby GorillaPod model. This is a tripod that looks more like an octopus than anything else.
While this may sound weird, itโs true. The GorillaPod model does not rest on three straight legs, as a regular tripod might. Its three legs represent the pinnacle of tripod design โ you can mold them into whatever you like, but once you set them up theyโre utterly firm. Thereโs no better combination between flexibility and usability among tripods today, which is why itโs the best of the best.
Apart from giving you the option of setting up your camera just the way you want to, this vlogging tripod has other distinctive features as well. For one, it provides additional reach if you use it for selfie shots. The subject and creator of the video can achieve a much wider frame, as well as various options for improvisation and later corrections.
Most importantly, this tripod can easily be adjusted on basically any surface you can think of. This makes it another excellent option for action vlogs, as you can take it wherever you want and it will still be useful. Thereโs absolutely no piece of equipment better suited for a newbie action vlogger.
SwitchPod (๐ Best Experimental Tripod)
SwitchPod is an interesting tripod design because it doesnโt come from major hardware brands for recording equipment โ its production is actually the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign. Once it was backed and the first models were delivered to the vlogging community, it quickly became a favorite in the content creation circles.
Its design stems from a combination of the traditional rigid three-pronged tripod, and the GorillaPod model described above. It has legs that easily close and open with a single brisk motion; you can use it as both an action tripod for outdoor scenes seeing as it’s adaptable enough, but you can also use it as a traditional table tripod.
The reason why weโve chosen it as the best experimental tripod is that it boasts an insanely versatile design. For instance, you can remove two of the three legs and use it as a one-legged selfie stick of sorts. Itโs quite portable and easily collapsible โ every alteration to its usability can be done with a couple of motions, no fuss, and no hassle involved.
It can be stored in particularly deep jacket pockets because you can collapse it, and it doesnโt take up too much space in your recording equipment bag either. The motion of extending it is easy and sleek โ truly a testament to excellent design.
All of us whoโve ever dabbled in video content creation, have gone through the hell of buying bendy tripods who turn out to have flimsy legs, or getting the swivel head to align perfectly โ none of that is an issue with the Switchpod. All camera setups work with this baby like a breeze, which is why we recommend it if youโre into trying something a bit different.
Manfrotto Compact Tripod (๐ฐ Best on a Budget)
So far, the models that weโve chosen to showcase are some of the newer and more experimental forms of tripods around. However, you may want to opt for a more traditional model; many of these are insanely dependable and durable, while also being fit for both travel vlogs and studio conditions.
The Manfrotto Compact model is one such tripod. And not only is it quite functional, light, and extremely compact โ but itโs also quite affordable. If youโre a novice vlogger, there arenโt many models that weโd recommend more; particularly if you donโt have an insane budget to work with. Did we mention how light it was? This model barely weighs over three pounds, dispelling any notions of heaviness. You can take it everywhere you want to go and potentially film something without difficulties.
While it is light, thatโs not to say that it isnโt durable. This Manfrotto tripod doesnโt have a problem dealing with larger camera models. For instance, youโll have no issues using this tripod with mirrorless cameras, or a decently sized DSLR such as the Canon 80D.
It has another excellent feature โ its joystick head has a locking mechanism thatโs extremely easy to use – and with incredible durability. The mechanism gives you the option of creating beautiful 360 panoramic shots without worrying if your camera is going to fall off.
Manfrotto Fluid Head Tripod Kit
If you want to come up with an extremely enticing video, one thing is certain โ a fluid-head tripod is going to be a necessity. Such a tripod gives your footage an interesting buttery quality, making it seem like a professional movie.
Manfrotto has options for this sort of design as well; which is why plenty of professional YouTube vloggers opt for this tripod when creating content for their channels. At the end of the day, thereโs nothing better for panning shots, if you want them to be as smooth as possible. The Manfrotto designers knew this, which is why smooth movement with minimal but necessary drag is one of the key selling points of their Fluid Head tripod.
Additionally, this tripod is insanely sturdy. You wonโt believe the kind of duress under which this thing remains intact. If you want to use a bigger camera at some point, youโll need something like this. Making sure that your shots are made with enough stability is obviously a crucial requirement for any kind of vlogging tripod youโll buy.
The shots made with this aluminum-body tripod are level, firm, and steady. This is what lands it squarely on our list of the best vlogging tripods.
JOBY GorillaPod Mobile Rig
So far, weโve spent all of our time reviewing tripods for professional cameras โ after all, this is what most vloggers use as their recording devices. But in the past decade, the world of video recording has experienced something of a revolution due to the advent of smartphones with insanely good cameras.
In the last couple of years, weโve even witnessed cinema-distributed motion pictures being created with an iPhone. And while this trend doesnโt go beyond a few experimental releases, itโs still an important milestone.
Plus, itโs no wonder that vloggers have decided to go on a similar route. Why invest thousands of dollars into HD cameras when you can achieve the same level of quality with a $1,000 phone? Sure, many vloggers that want to be professional-grade video creators use traditional dedicated cameras โ but if you want your content to have a gritty, worldly quality, you can always use your phone to record it.
And the GorillaPod brand has taken this into account, creating a vlogging tripod thatโs solely designed for mobile phones.
It has plenty of accessories, itโs versatile, durable, and easy to carry around; it would seem that the Mobile Rig tripod model definitely has a lot going for it โ and thatโs absolutely true!
The JOBY tripod weโve described in the beginning is equally high-quality and revolutionary, but itโs primarily designed for external cameras. However, their ball and socket patented design has been utilized in the creation of this vlogging tripod as well. Youโve got rubberized and flexible legs that allow you to use it as a selfie stick for your phone as well. It doesnโt matter what you want to shoot and what kind of content you want to create โ the Mobile Rig will prove to be useful.
Body Versatility
The sturdier camera tripods out there are known to weigh a couple of pounds, and these are the ones that are considered lightweight. This Mobile Rig model blows them all out of the water, with its weight thatโs smaller than a single pound. Obviously, the fact that this only needs to bear the weight of a single smartphone helps โ but itโs still quite a neat thing to hear.
Plus, it has varying mounts, and multiple legs โ and it still wonโt be a chore to carry around. Thereโs no telling the amount of space youโll save in your equipment bag or luggage. Heck, a small backpack will be enough if youโre using this model.
Once you want to use this tripod, its legs immediately snap into place and allow you to position its arms just the way you want to. It almost goes without saying that this design gives you the ability to record with absolutely any phone, even the ones with the biggest screen sizes. There are multiple attachments for your arm mount, and thereโs no worrying about stability or practical errors like tipping the tripod over in the middle of a shot.
If you donโt want to use it as a traditional model of a tripod, thereโs always the option of bending its arms towards one another; that way you can transform it into the highest-quality selfie stick that youโve seen. The fact that the tripod itself is so light means that thereโs no issue with holding both the tripod and the phone with a single hand and not becoming tired and sore.
Another feature that makes it worth your while is an easy automatic switch between portrait and landscape mode, depending on how you intend to position your shots. Plenty of tripods require you to decide on your orientation before you start recording; conversely, the Mobile Rig allows you to make the switch instantaneously, without stopping the video.
Thereโs a simple lock button that allows you to twist your phone in the desired position, easily alternating between the two-shot orientations. This is a revolutionary aspect of the brandโs GripTight technology, providing you with enough versatility while also making your phone as safe as it can be on an external piece of equipment.
Arm Mounts
This Mobile Rig tripod has another excellent feature โ its two adjustable arms found on the side of the tripod. Each of them has mount slots on their end, allowing you to install addons on your tripod for added functionality. You may want to add an external light for nightly recording sessions, or put on an action cam for additional angles; perhaps an external mic as well, for added audio quality? All of that is a possibility with this Mobile Rig vlogging tripod. You can customize it to your heartโs content.
Best of all, these mount slots can be easily unscrewed if you want to reduce the bulk and weight of your tripod even more. At the end of the day, youโve got dozens of combinations for your mobile recording setup โ making this Mobile Rig the most versatile type of tripod that you can find for a mobile device.
This is an amazing product that definitely stands up to rigorous field testing. Many users have reported mounting it on all kinds of surfaces; from perfectly flat to something crazy like the side of a tree. Sure, sideways mounting on this model doesnโt allow it to bear too much weight โ but thatโs not something youโd need with a phone recording setup anyways. The important thing is that it can be manipulated and twisted into the biggest variety of angles weโve ever seen. Itโs far from your stiff, cheap tripod.
Best of all, itโs not too expensive either โ you can find it for less than a hundred bucks. If you want to create a high-quality vlogging kit with your phone, thereโs no tripod that would suit you better than the Mobile Rig.
Do You Really Need a Tripod?
In essence, absolutely yes. Tripods are an important part of your vlogging capabilities because they give you the ability to create extremely professional and high-quality videos. There is no need to balance your recording device clumsily on a desk or stack up magazines and books to hold it in place.
Instead, you need to pick one of the best tripods on this list to do it for you. If youโve got a tripod attached to the bottom part of your camera and it has a lens for wider angles, you will actually be able to record an even bigger part of the frame. Not to mention the stability it brings, as a sign of professionalism for your audience.
How To Select The Best Vlogging Tripods
Now that youโre aware of the need to find an excellent tripod, the question is โ how do you choose the best one? Weโll provide you with some of the factors that weโve taken into account as we selected the products for this list; though thatโs something we think about when we buy tripods ourselves as well.
First of all, thereโs functionality. This is obviously the most crucial aspect of any kind of tripod. Sure, some of them may have the right aesthetic and they may look cool; but you need them to do the job theyโre there to do. And thatโs helping you record better-looking videos more easily. Thatโs why you only want something which brings you enough value.
Next up, thereโs compatibility. The worst thing that can happen to you is realizing that your brand new tripod doesnโt actually work with your camera of choice. Thatโs why you need the piece of hardware that brings the most versatility. That way, even if you change the camera that youโre using, you wonโt have to get another tripod.
Weight is also an important factor. Many YouTubers are hard at work in an effort to create a dynamic narrative and compelling story; that may very well mean spontaneously filming content when youโve not extensively prepared yourself beforehand. A lot of vloggers carry their basic equipment wherever they go, and that includes a tripod. This is the sole reason why you may not want to opt for a heftier model that wonโt be easy to take with you.
While you want something thatโs not too heavy, you also need something thatโs durable; an important balance to strike while youโre in the market for a new tripod. As youโll soon see, selecting one model from the array of the best vlogging tripods can be a chore โ thatโs not something you want to do all over again in a few months or years. Thatโs why picking a model thatโs dependable will be a priority.
With all of the above in mind, you also need to consider the price tag โ that much is true for any kind of purchase, and vlogging tripods are no exception. While having the best-quality product is nice, you canโt go too much beyond your budget. Remember, vlogging requires buying additional equipment as well, besides the tripod.
Considering all of these factors, we will present you with the finest vlogging tripods available on the market today!
Related: Best Tripod for DSLR Video
Free Quiz: Find Your Ideal Gear Setup in 1 Minute or Less ๐ท
Frequently Asked Questions About Vlogging Tripods
Now that weโve explored all the different kinds of tripods you can use for vlogging, weโll answer some of the most frequently asked questions posed by people browsing for the best vlogging tripods:
Which Joby GorillaPod is best?
This isnโt an easy question to answer decisively. As you couldโve surmised from our product reviews above, the GorillaPod brand is probably the highest-quality manufacturer among vlogging tripods today. However, the precise model that youโll decide to go with depends on your own preferences. The single biggest deciding factor is your recording device โ if youโre going to use a smartphone, the Mobile Rig is the best option, for example.
Which selfie stick do YouTubers use?
Selfie sticks are definitely a handy piece of equipment โ they allow you to capture a much wider angle than you ever could otherwise with your smartphone alone, and they also give you the option of operating it more safely in the water and other potentially damaging conditions.
Obviously, professional YouTubers donโt utilize the cheap selfie sticks that you can find going for a dozen bucks. There are higher-grade aluminum models that suit studio conditions better, such as the Accmor AC-13TR.
What equipment does a vlogger need?
As weโve mentioned in the beginning, while vlogging is easy enough to get into โ doing it professionally means using a wide range of peripheral pieces of equipment. First of all, youโll need a recording device.
In the beginning, this can be your smartphone camera if youโve got a flagship model with good image quality โ or it can be your webcam mounted somewhere near your computer. Those with more money might want to invest in a dedicated camera model, however.
Besides that, depending on the type of content youโll create, you may need additional lighting. For beginnersโ purposes, a ring light will probably be good enough. And last but not least, obviously โ youโre going to need a quality tripod.
Related: Best YouTube Starter Kits
A Final Word From Run Gun Shoot
Picking out the perfect tripod for vlogging is a case of finding what works for your shooting setup.
If you need more versatility to get certain shots, you might be better off with a flexible tripod like the GorillaPod. If you prefer standing and speaking and need stability, then a standard tripod design might be best.
