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.

best travel tripods

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

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

Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

Best Overall

Peak design carbon fiber travel tripod.

Tripod, Camera Tripod for DSLR AT24EVO

Geekoto Tripod, Camera Tripod for DSLR AT24EVO

Osmo Mobile SE Intelligent Gimbal

Best Travel Tripod for Professionals

Dji osmo mobile se intelligent gimbal.

Selfie Stick Tripod

Best for Smartphones

Atumtek selfie stick tripod.

AM124 Carbon Fiber Tripod

Best Travel Tripod for Heavy Cameras

Sirui am124 carbon fiber tripod.

Element Traveller 5-Section Tripod Kit

Best Ball Head

Manfrotto element traveller 5-section tripod kit.

Max Grip + Tripod

Best for Action Cameras

Gopro max grip + tripod.

Flexible Camera Tripod

Best Flexible

Fotopro flexible camera tripod.

Selfie Stick

Most Compact

Bze selfie stick.

Travel Video Tripod

Best for Video

Manfrotto travel video tripod.

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

multiple 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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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!

peak design travel tripod

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 . 

preview for Popular Mechanics All Sections

.css-cuqpxl:before{padding-right:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;} Adventure .css-xtujxj:before{padding-left:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;}

mclaren 720s vs road

The 8 Best Snow Tubes for Speed, Safety, and Fun

nomadix puffer blanket, big agnes pluton 40, sleeping bags

The 7 Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags

commuter backpacks

The 7 Best Backpacks for Commuting to Work

best travel backpacks

The 9 Best Travel Backpacks for Life On the Go

a collage of different types of clothing

REI Presidents’ Day Sale

best electric skateboards

The 6 Best Electric Skateboards

a man holding a sword

Huckberry's Annual Winter Sale is Too Good to Miss

a green jacket on a white surface

The Best Fleece Jackets for Layering

a person lying on a hammock with an underquilt in the snow

10 Best Hammock Underquilts

winter gloves

The 8 Best Winter Gloves for Work and Play

blue thermal long underwear

The Best Thermal Underwear for Men

shotkitlogo

The leading authority in photography and camera gear.

Become a better photographer.

12.9 Million

Annual Readers

Newsletter Subscribers

Featured Photographers

Photography Guides & Gear Reviews

The New York Times

7 Best Travel Tripods in 2024 (Lightweight, Compact & Strong)

The best travel tripod needs to be strong, compact, stable and light enough to carry with you around the world. Here are the top tripods of the year so far.

Camera Gear Guides | Tripod & Monopod Guides | By Mark Condon | Last Updated: February 6, 2024

To find the best travel tripods of the year, I tested over 50 different models from various brands at different price points

From the latest lightweight carbon fiber tripod to budget aluminium models, this guide will help you choose the best way to stabilise your camera while not sacrificing weight and space.

travel tripod by peak design being held in hand

Great stability, useful features and compact design takes up less space in your travel bag. Available in carbon fiber or aluminium and includes life-time warranty.

A good camera tripod will let you blur flowing water or star trails for beautiful long-exposure photography, create an engaging time-lapse video, capture panoramic landscapes, or even take a self-portrait.

Tripods allow you to get sharper and clearer photos than shooting handheld, especially in low-light environments.

A tripod for travel needs to be strong, compact, and lightweight to carry mirrorless and DSLR cameras with long lenses attached, with minimal vibrations.

The top models should also offer unique features to make your shooting experience more efficient and enjoyable.

Based on my testing and independent research, here are the best travel tripods of the year.

(I’ll update this list as new models are released, so keep checking back.)

Table of Contents

What is the Best Travel Tripod in 2024?

1. peak design | best travel tripod for mirrorless or dslr cameras.

best travel tripod 2022

Material:  Carbon fiber or aluminum alloy | Maximum height: 153cm / 60.2″ | Minimum height: 14cm / 5.5″| Folded length: 39cm / 15.3″ | Weight: (Alu) 1.56kg / 3.4 lb (CF) 1.27kg / 2.79lb | Feet: Pads (spikes optional extra) | Number of leg sections:  5 |  Max load: 9kg / 19.8lb | Peak Design Travel Tripod Review

  • Ultra-compact storage
  • Well-built and durable
  • Quick to deploy
  • Unique & innovative features
  • Feels great to use
  • Good maximum extended height
  • Often out of stock
  • Carrying case is tight

The standout feature of this highly portable tripod is its unique ability to collapse into a tubular unit, similar in diameter to a can of beans.

When folded, there’s none of the ‘dead space’ which is typical of other tripods – it’s svelte enough to slide into the water bottle holder of the Peak Design travel backpack , with no protruding ball head and ultra-compact quick-release plate. Folded height is impressive, at only 39cm.

Users of travel tripods are sensitive to the packed volume of the tripod – this is where the Peak Design tripod excels.

At full extension (153cm), it’s among the taller tripods for cameras tested – tall enough for comfortable usage while still retaining good rigidity. It’s best to avoid extending center columns if possible, particularly on windy days, but this is the case with all lightweight tripods.

Both the aluminum and carbon fiber travel tripods are relatively lightweight – there are certainly lighter products, but they often sacrifice strength and rigidity. The 29g weight saving for the carbon fiber tripod for camera use may not be worth the extra price.

As with all Peak Design products, the Travel Tripod is very well-designed and built. There’s also a lifetime guarantee – perfect peace of mind for backpackers and frequent travelers. Also great as a tripod for spotting scope use.

Despite having 5 leg sections, the stiffness and damping of the Peak Design Travel Tripod is impressive.

With a maximum load capacity of 9kg, you can safely support any camera + zoom lens. In high winds, there’s a hook beneath the center column to hang a weight, like your backpack.

It’s the best tripod for mirrorless camera users based on average mirrorless body sizes and lenses. Some flagship DSLR cameras combined with heavy telephoto lenses may unbalance it, but these are minority cases.

carbon fibre section legs minimised tripod weight

Innovative features that don’t exist on other travel tripods. (Bottom left: smartphone holder concealed in centre column.)

In testing, I found that the Peak Design tripod still has the most unique and useful features of any other lightweight tripod.

It’s without a doubt the best camera tripod for anyone who places a value on original design quirks, despite the fact that it’s been frequently mimicked by other DSLR tripod brands over the years since its release.

The stem of the ball head nestles between the tops of the tripod legs when collapsed, ensuring no protrusions and compact storage.

Lever locks can be controlled with one hand while you adjust the camera angle with the other, making adjustment of locking angles fast and efficient.

Legs slide in and out smoothly, and leg locks are strong yet easy to open – full deployment of all 5 sections is very fast.

The Center column hook conceals a mobile phone holder  neatly tucked away.

Rubber feet are replaceable for spikes, and the column can be inverted for macro photography camera setups. Even the protective case is well-designed, with all-over padding and not an inch of superfluous material.

The unique rounded design with legs that tuck away neatly makes this my pick of the best backpacking tripod.

Sliding it in and out of a side pocket is so much easier than even the most compact travel tripod – since nothing is ‘sticking out’, it’s almost like you’re stowing a smooth waterbottle.

warranty

Reddit users agree that despite the high price, the Peak Design Tripod is worth it.

This is by no means a budget tripod – you’re paying for a unique design and innovative features that don’t exist on other models.

A lifetime warranty is a huge benefit, making the price tag more justifiable.

The aluminium model is the best bang for your buck, although carbon fiber feels/looks better and has a slight weight advantage (I own the carbon fiber tripod).

Final Score: 64/70

Truly one of a kind, beating all other travel tripods with a unique space-saving body / ball-head design, fast leg deployment, impressive strength-to-weight ratio, and overall good looks, giving it that desirable x-factor. Lifetime warranty is a huge benefit. Highly recommended as the best lightweight tripod for backpacking.

Click here to check the latest price >>

2. HEIPI 3-in-1 | Best Travel Tripod for Stability

heipi travel tripod extended

Material: Carbon fiber (aluminium sub tripod) | Maximum height: 149cm / 59″ | Minimum height: 14.5cm / 5.7″| Folded length: 44.5cm / 17.5″ | Weight: 1.35kg / 2.97lb | Feet: Pads and spikes | Number of leg sections:  5 |  Max load: 25g / 55lb | HEIPI tripod review

  • Stable and solid construction
  • Useful and unique sub tripod
  • Efficient locking ring
  • Impressive maximum load
  • Hidden mobile mount
  • 2 tripods for price of one
  • Currently available on Indiegogo only
  • Slightly larger/heavier than Peak Design’s

With a similar tubular design to the Peak Design travel tripod, the HEIPI saves space in your backpack by eliminating any gaps between folded legs and retracted ball head.

Everything tucks in perfectly, allowing it to slide into its carrying case easily (much better than Peak’s overly tight one).

150cm is decent as a maximum height, but as with the other best travel tripod options, it still means tall photographers will need to stoop a little.

With a carbon fiber body and aluminium subtripod, the HEIPI is light at 1.35kgs (1.2kgs without the sub tripod).

This is a sweet spot for lightweight travel without sacrificing on stability in higher winds or grassy/unlevel ground.

However, for truly lightweight travel, there are lighter options.

The HEIPI feels very well built, with the legs sliding in and out smoothly and leg locks securing everything in place with confidence.

The ball head is robust and durable and looks like it can stand consistent outdoor use and the rigours of travel.

2 tripods in 1

All 3 component pieces work with 3rd party accessories (3/8″) – slider, ball heads, tripods, etc.

Here’s where the HEIPI excels and is truly unique among the other best travel tripod products I tested.

Set inside the main tripod is a separate aluminium ‘subtripod’, which adds to the rigidity of the entire tripod while retracted.

When extended, since there are 3 legs in place of a regular singular centre column, it’s 3x as stable as other travel tripods.

Due to the increased stability, I consider it to be the best tripod for astrophotography at this price.

heipi-features-list

The subtripod is extended and deployed by a centre column lock ring which is easily rotatable with a couple of hand twists.

Opening it completely releases the subtripod, which can be used for low-angle, macro photography, or even as a mini tripod to be used on a table.

When used in conjunction with the main tripod, the subtripod adds rigidity far superior to using a single centre column. This is currently the only travel tripod in existence that has this feature.

Rubber feet can be screwed open to reveal spiked feet for use on sand, ice, grass or snow. You also get 3x hex keys, a water repellent soft case, and a quick release plate.

The detachable ball head is like having an extra accessory that can be used on either tripod – the main one or the sub one.

There’s a handy bubble level and even a counterweight hook which allows you to add some extra stability by hanging your bag under the tripod.

By no means a budget tripod, the HEIPI is a high-quality product and is priced accordingly. It’s great value for a carbon fiber tripod with this many features.

Remember that you’re essentially getting two tripods for the price of one (the mini tripod is useful and unique, fitting snugly into the main one).

It’s currently only available on the HEIPI site, but it’s still a good deal cheaper than the equivalent carbon fiber Peak Design Travel Tripod.

Final Score: 65/70

Innovative one-of-a-kind concealed subtripod design provides stability when extended and retracted and offers two-for-one functionality. Excellent maximum payload means you can attach heavier cameras and telephoto lenses with no issues. Compact, space-saving design is perfect for backpacking.

3. 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey | Best Tripod for Backpacking

best travel tripod 2022

Material: Magnesium alloy | Maximum height: 147.5cm / 58″ | Minimum height: 18.5cm7.2″  Folded length: 35cm / 13.67″ | Weight: 1.5kg / 3.4 lb | Feet: Pads (spikes optional extra) | Number of leg sections: 5 (+ 2 section column) | Max load: 14kg / 30lb | 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey Review

  • Multiple attachment points
  • Stylish design
  • Strong legs
  • 14kg maximum load capacity
  • Bubble level
  • Colours not for every taste

Designed specifically for travel and lightweight backpacking, the Punks Corey packs down to an impressive 35cm / 13.67″, with the legs folding back 180 degrees over the center column, helping to create a slim overall packed diameter for your camera bag .

At (147.5cm / 58″) extended height, the 3 Legged Thing is tall enough for comfortable usage while still having good rigidity.

Legs can be positioned at multiple locking angles or splayed close to the ground for low-angle or close-up travel photography .

At 1.5kg / 3.4 lb, the Punks Corey is a lightweight travel tripod for photographers who prefer to travel carry-on only. Its size/weight make it ideal as a backpacking tripod.

Aircraft-grade magnesium alloy construction is unique for travel tripods, offering excellent durability and one of the best strength:weight ratios. Excellent ball head design.

With 5 leg sections and a unique 2 section center column, the 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey maintains great rigidity. A unique detachable d-ring under the column allows you to hang extra weight for increased stability. Impressive maximum load capacity of 14 kg / 30 lb.

3LT good for landscape photography

Unique design and useful details make for a fun and functional tripod for backpacking.

Twist locks offer fast leg deployment. Double center column increases rigidity and allows efficient fine-tuning of overall height. Fast-adjusting AirHed Neo ball head with grippy knobs.

Precision-engineered leg lock system offers excellent stability and rigidity. 2 spirit levels (head/leg) for precise leveling. Ergonomic ‘bubble’ grip leg locks for all-weather use. Detachable monopod .

Invertible column for macro camera setups. 1/4″ screw foot with multiple accessory options. Tri-mount plate with hollowed spurs for clipping on accessories. Durable drawstring bag. ‘Toolz’ multi-tool, including hex key, coin key, key ring, carabiner, and bottle opener! Available in multiple attractive colours.

Good value to suit most budgets. 5-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects.

Final Score: 63/70

Detachable monopod leg, the ability to splay the legs completely for low-angle work, unique detailing, friction control knob design, excellent strength:weight ratio and overall efficiency in use. Highly recommended lightweight travel tripod for backpacking.

4. Leofoto LS224C | Best Lightweight Travel Tripod for DSLR or Mirrorless Cameras

best travel tripod 2022

Material: Carbon Fiber |  Maximum height: 127cm / 50″ | Minimum height: 119cm / 47″ | Folded length: 47.5cm / 18.7″ | Weight: 1.42 kg (3.14 lbs) | Feet: Pads & Spikes | Number of leg sections: 4 | Max load: 6kg / 13.2 lb

  • Lightweight & compact
  • Sturdier than competitors
  • Great ball head
  • Unique removable centre-column
  • Spiked feet included
  • Lighter max load

At a folded length of only 47.5cm / 18.7″, the Leofoto folds down nice and compact with everything fitting snugly into its included carry bag.

Since the centre column is removable and optional, there’s no negative space between all 3 legs, meaning that the folded tripod occupies much less volume when folded up.

The height of the Lefoto is around 127cm / 50″, which is average among the tripods we tested. As with all travel tripods with a focus on weight-saving and compactness, it’s not advisable to use the centre column for optimal stability unless the ground is completely even/stable and there’s zero wind.

The Leofoto LS224C is the lightest travel tripod I tested and much lighter than most others at its price point. Available only in carbon fiber, it weighs in at an impressive 1.42 kg (3.14 lbs) with the ball head installed, making it perfect for all-day backpacking or tight airline carry-on luggage allowances while traveling.

If you need an ultralight tripod for backpacking or solo travel, this is the model to get – it’s the best lightweight tripod for traveling I’ve come across.

You may not have heard of Leofoto, but it’s a brand of Laitu Photographic, a manufacturer that has been making tripods and accessories since 2014. The LS224C is very well built and feels great when extending the legs. The leg hinge joints are nice and stiff, inspiring confidence when setting the Leofoto up.

build quality

Everything feels very stable on the Leofoto when the legs are fully deployed, and the centre column is unattached.

Obviously, this will reduce the overall height of the tripod, but it’s a small sacrifice for the greatly improved stability.

testing-sturdiness

Source: The Center Column

As can be seen in the screenshot above, David from the Center Column rated the LeoFoto’s stiffness alongside much more expensive travel tripods.

The LS224C is one of the few travel tripods we’ve seen that haven’t been designed around a centre column.

This is a great space-saver when packing light since the tripod can have its legs folded closer together, reducing the overall volume it occupies.

The twist locks on the leg joints don’t need to be twisted more than 1/4 of a turn before the legs release, which makes deployment of the tripod fast and simple.

Leg locks can be pulled out to unlock the legs for them to be splayed to 55, then 85 degrees for close-up photography.

The rubber feet can be replaced with the included steel spikes for use on grass or soft ground – a nice feature not commonly seen on travel tripods at this price point.

Overall, this lightweight camera tripod ticks a lot of boxes making it a great buy no matter what genre of photography you’re involved in.

With this kind of performance and features from such a light tripod for travel, it’s surprising to hear that the LS284C is available for under $200.

For such a compact tripod that weighs less and performs better than others twice its price, it’s incredible value for money.

Great build quality, impressively lightweight and stiffer than its competition. If you can get past the relatively unknown brand name, it’s an absolute bargain.

5. ZOMEI Z699C | Best Budget Travel Tripod for Beginners

best travel tripod 2022

Material: Carbon fiber |  Maximum height: 152cm / 60″ | Minimum height: 35cm / 3.7″ | Folded length: 35cm / 15″ | Weight: 1.3kg / 3.3lb | Feet: Pads and spikes | Number of leg sections:  5 | Max load: 15kg / 33lb | Zomei Z699C Review 

  • Great value for money
  • Great for beginners
  • Folds up nice and small
  • Super light weight
  • Converts to monopod
  • Low quality protective bag
  • Not ideal for cold weather/gloved operation

Folded up, the Zomei Z699C is compact enough to suit any small camera backpack . Folded height (35cm / 15″) makes it the smallest travel tripod I tested. Having a small tripod is great for traveling carry-on only, which is my preferred way to fly.

At full extension (152cm / 60″), the Zomei tripod is tall enough for comfortable usage while still retaining good rigidity.

Legs can be locked at multiple angles, or splayed close to the ground for low-angle or close-up travel photography.

At just 1.3kg / 3.3 lb, the plastic tripod head helps keep weight down. Carbon fiber construction offers the best weight savings.

Carbon fiber tripods are stiffer, lighter, more weather/corrosion/scratch-resistant, and in general, stronger than aluminium. They also look and feel nicer.

Legs slide smoothly, and locks on each leg can be deployed all at once with one hand.

Grips could be larger/grippier for cold-weather / gloved operation. Leg grips are a nice addition and provides padding when in transit.

The plastic ball head is basic but includes bubble level. The protective bag feels low-quality but does its job.

Good rigidity and center column hook for additional stability.

Surprisingly sturdy considering its lightness – max load of 15kg / 33lb can support any camera/lens combination.

leg section, 4 grippy locks minimise tripod weight

The Zomei features everything most traveling photographers need.

Reverse folding design. Monopod conversion. Multiple leg angles, including inverted macro. Contoured rubber feet for flat and metal ‘spikes’ for outdoor/uneven surfaces.

Twist locks are great for fast deployment.

The Zomei Z699C is a great-value compact carbon fiber tripod . You won’t find carbon fiber at this build quality for less. It’s the best cheap travel tripod when you still need high quality and the best budget tripod for travel I’ve come across so far this year.

Final Score: 61/70

If you’re looking for great bang your buck this is the best affordable travel tripod. Details aren’t as impressive as higher priced rivals, but operation is decent and size/weight/strength are competitive. Easy and enjoyable to use for beginners.

6. Manfrotto Befree Live | Best Travel Tripod for Video

best travel tripod 2022

Material: Aluminum / Carbon Fiber |  Maximum height: 150cm / 59.06″ | Minimum height: 40cm / 15.75″ | Folded length: 40cm / 15.75″ | Weight: (Alu) 1.76kg / 3.9lb (CF) 1.36kg / 3lb | Feet: Pads | Number of leg sections:  5 | Max load: 3.9kg / 8.8lb

  • M-Lock twist-lock system quick and convenient
  • Fluid head tripod for smooth video panning
  • Included carry bag
  • Levelling ball joint for accurate alignment
  • Hook for attaching accessories
  • Fluid arm position can be adjusted
  • No convertible feet
  • No friction adjustment for panning

When folded down, the BeFree Live is a relatively compact tripod, especially considering it has that all-important fluid head and lever for smooth video panning movements.

However, the legs and head do not rest snuggly against the central core, making the entire volume of the unit larger than the other travel tripods we tested,

You could remove the tripod head completely to allow the legs to sit closer together if you want to pack it even tighter.

At 150cm / 59.06″, the maximum height is comparable to other travel tripods at this price point.

With its compact folded length of only 40cm / 15.75″, the height should be good enough for most travel photography.

The head itself weighs only 380g (0.84 lbs) which is really light for a fluid head and can hold up to 3.9kg / 8.8lb. As for the total weight of (Alu) 1.76kg / 3.9lb (CF) 1.36kg / 3lb, these are respectable for travel tripods for video.

There’s no need to opt for the carbon fiber model unless owning the most lightweight tripod is a top priority to you.

Being a Manfrotto tripod, the BeFree Live is well-made and feels good in the hand when deploying the twist-lock leg sections.

The inverse foldable leg design is easy to operate, and everything sits nicely in the included carry bag.

We tested the Manfrotto BeFree Live with a Sony a7IV and 24-70mm f/2.8 lens in average winds, and it performed well.

Unless you’re using a camera/lens setup that exceeds the max load, you shouldn’t have any issues with how sturdy it is.

The arm of the fluid head can be fully adjusted, so it’s in the right position when you’re positioning the tripod.

When using the tilt control, there’s a tightening knob to open it up fully for a nice and smooth tilting movement.

The fluid head fits onto other travel tripods, so if you need to swap it for whatever reason, it’s simple to do so. There’s also a bubble level for precise setups.

It also features a feature called ‘Easy Link’ (standard 3/8” attachment) for optional accessories and a hook to attach a weight for stabilization.

At around $270, the BeFree Video is excellent value for money if you’re looking for travel tripods with fluid heads for shooting video.

Sure, you may be able to find cheaper, but it won’t be from such a reputable brand as Manfrotto. It’s the best video tripod at this price, and highly recommended.

Final Score: 57/70

The BeFree line of travel tripods is enormously popular, and this is the version intended for video shooters. Manfrotto is synonymous with making high-quality tripods, and the BeFree Live is no exception, available for a great price for backpackers who need a decent travel tripod for video.

7. Joby GripTight One GorillaPod | Best Phone Tripod for Hiking

best travel tripod 2022

Material: Plastic/Aluminum | Dimension: 1.34 x 1.57 x 6.50 in  Weight: 71 g (0.16 lbs) |  Max load: 325 g (0.72 lbs)

  • Flexible legs
  • Fits all smartphones
  • Durable build
  • Works as hand grip for vlogging
  • Only 1-year warranty

As a mini (aka tabletop) tripod kit, the Gorillapod GripTight One is a lot smaller than other travel tripods and takes up little room in your travel bag – it’s so small, in fact, that it can fit easily into your pocket. This makes it my top pick as best hiking tripod, when you don’t want to burden your backpack with a full sized light weight tripod.

A small camera tripod such as a Gorillapod doesn’t have a fully extended height since it’s intended to be used with the legs partially splayed or bent to wrap around thin objects. It’s also an ‘attached’ ball head tripod, meaning that you can’t change the ball head for another.

Either way, you’ll usually be either crouching down or trying to find something higher to secure it to or balance it on.

It’s the best compact tripod if you’re really limited in space in your backpack or just need something to carry in a jacket pocket.

Weighing in at a tiny 71 g (0.16 lbs), this flexible tripod can be taken on every travel adventure without a second thought. It’s the best hiking tripod so long as you don’t mind the lack of extension.

Made from ABS Plastic, Stainless Steel and TPE, the Gorillapod is the best tripod for travel when camera bag space is at a minimum. Obviously, it’s not as robustly built as some of the heavy-duty tripods , but it doesn’t need to be.

The GripTight is designed for any smartphone, with or without a case (56mm – 91mm), such as all the modern iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices. Leg joints are stable and strong, but you’ll need to find thin tubular objects to wrap them around or flat surfaces for optimum stability (since all leg lengths are identical).

The base of the mount features a 1/4″-20 standard tripod mount meaning that you can attach it to other travel tripods if you need some extra height.

Other than that, the key feature is the ability to wrap the legs around thin objects or use them all together as a handy grip while filming.

If you’re after the most portable camera tripod, there’s nothing that beats a Gorillapod which can fit in a jacket pocket.

At less than $25, the GripTight One is amazing value for money, and the 1-year warranty is adequate for regular travel.

Final Score: 59/70

Gorillapods allow you to secure your camera to objects for a variety of shooting angles and added convenience when traveling alone. Rubberized ball joints provide grippy finger placement for one-handed selfies and vlogging.

What To Look For When Choosing a Tripod for Travel

Stick to the best travel tripods on this list to narrow your choices to the top options for the average traveling photographer/film maker, and remember the following factors when choosing:

  • Size (when folded) – smaller the better for packability.
  • Height – closest to user’s eye level is best if sturdiness/strength is maintained. Min height allows macro/close-up work.
  • Weight – lighter the better, if sturdiness/strength is preserved. Between 1-1.5kgs offers good strength:weight.
  • Build – a carbon fiber travel tripod is better for strength:weight, but more expensive.
  • Sturdiness – rigidity under load vs maximum weight capacity; the number of leg sections (less is better).
  • Value for money – justifiable price based on overall quality. Within the budget of the average travel photographer/backpacker.
  • Additional Tripod Features – anything unique that adds value.

The best portable tripod will be different for each person reading this article – only you will know which of the factors above are most important to your needs.

FAQs about Travel Tripods

Do I need a tripod for travel photography?

Yes, a tripod will help you take better photos in low light when traveling by stabilizing your camera and reducing movement. This will allow you to use a slower shutter speed to capture more light without having to rely on a higher ISO which can introduce noise into your images.

A tripod can also be useful when taking timed shots or self-portraits, allowing you to include yourself in your travel photos.

That said, you can use any nearby object as a camera stand – rocks, walls, even the ground – as long as you don’t need adjustable elevation or optimal stability, you can use pretty much anything as a make-shift tripod.

How heavy should a travel tripod be?

It’s important to have a lightweight tripod for travel, so the usual trade-off between having a stiffer/more stable tripod that is heavier isn’t so relevant. As long as the tripod is strong enough to hold your camera and lens without swaying, try and find the lightest tripod you can – this will make your traveling experience more enjoyable.

How do you stabilize a tripod?

You should set up the tripod on stable ground and only extend the number of leg sections that are absolutely required – try and avoid the centre column at all costs. If your tripod has a hook, hang something relatively heavy from it, such as your camera bag – just don’t exceed the maximum weight capacity.

Also, you obviously already know how many legs a tripod has , but do you know why they have 3 legs? It’s for optimum stability.

Final Words

Shopping for a travel tripod can be a confusing experience due to the number of products on the market.

This is compounded by the large number of unknown brands producing similar spec models on Amazon.

Remember to take a tripod on your next trip – you’ll come home with a wider variety of photos, and even if you travel alone, there’ll be more pictures featuring you!

You'll Also Like These:

best travel tripod 2022

Mark Condon is a British wedding photographer and editor of Shotkit. When he’s not taking photos or reviewing the latest camera gear and software, Mark can be found cycling around the northern rivers.

50 Comments

Hi, Thanks for this amazing piece of product. Last morning I was trying to find out which tripod is the best lightweight tripod that I should go for. Your article was very useful in this regard.

I started to learn about photography recently, but mostly by myself with the help of the internet. And I’m looking to buy a tripod for it. But until now I have no idea which type I should take on. Because everything looks good nowadays. I might buy the small and the big one, as I wanted to try vlogging and even take photography more seriously. I really want to think before investing money on them, because I have a problem with budgeting sometimes especially when everything seems like a good item to invest in.

Ah yes, paralysis of decision! I know it well, Lala… Why not just go for my number one recommendation, or the second option on the list (which is slightly cheaper)?

Sirui T025X. Only 752grams and folds to 30.5cm. Max height 1.3m. Great for mirrorless. I’ve been using it for couple years now and its always with me everyday.

Ah yep, some Sirui reviews coming here soon actually Izham. They’re great value for money.

A great comprehensive review thanks for sharing

Glad you liked it, David :-)

What would be your thoughts on this tripod? My friend told me to give it a try but I’m not sure if it would be good from my small camera (the camera is pretty light).

Thanks in advance

Hey Roland! What is your camera/lens? It looks like an ok tripod, but depends on what weight you attach to it.

After reading the travel tripod reviews I purchased a ZOMEI Z699C tripod for my travels. On the first trip the bottom section of one leg dropped off. It rolled off a jetty and was lost in the sea so I couldn’t recover it. Zomei is not responding to my emails concerning either a warranty claim or the supply of a replacement leg for a repair.

Hey Robert – when you say it dropped off, did you loosen the leg to the point where it came off? All tripods listed here will behave in the same way if you keep twisting and twisting a leg. I can reach out to Zomei on your behalf, but it depends on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Hi mark, you have put great effort but please also guide me that which is best shooting tripod among these with good quality and affordable price.

What are your criteria Rachel?

Thanks for the write up! I just purchased the Manfrotto MTPIXI-B PIXI Mini which was actually surprisingly cheap for a Manfrotto product. I plan on using it for Vlogs and my upcoming trip to NZ

Sure thing Lewis. I have that Pixi too – it’s a great alternative to the Gorillapod when you need something a little simpler.

I suppose there is a mistake in data about Gorilla weight.

Great spot Gienio! Thank you – I’ve fixed it now.

Here is my issue. I want a more compact version of the alta pro, something that is more between 3 and 4 lbs. Just not gonna happen. LOL.

Season’s Greetings! While the Oben CT3535 Carbon Fiber Tripod is good for a mirrorless or small DSLR with a smaller lens than the typical 70-200mm zoom, a much more robust Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod than CAN handle any 70-200 f/2.8 zoom on any DSLR or mirrorless camera, is the FLM CP26. It is absolutely Awesome, and the ball head has numerous features, some of which are unique to the brand, such as a Pan function that can ratchet 360 degrees in 15-degree increments…great for precise panoramas! It is superbly well made, a marvel of engineering and design! Highly recommended. FLM-Canada supplies the US. Happy Holidays!

If i’m not mistaken, the vanguard pro isn’t a travel tripod. This review is a bit misleading.

Actually, I stand corrected – maybe I should of read the start of the review!

Great review btw.

Is the Zomei review of the 669 or the 699? Obviously you mention the 699 a lot but the link and specs seem to be for the 669.

Hey Irvin, it’s the 699. I’ll double check those links – thanks for pointing that out!

Where are the tripods from 3 Legged Thing? I’ve got three different of them for different purposes. :)

Hey Peter, I intend to update this list in 2018 with a couple from 3LT – great tripods, I agree.

I spent ages assessing tripods before buying one a couple of years ago, so I was pleased my decision of a MeFoto Roadtrip was validated by your review which I just read now.

I’m completely happy with it, but I have to say, I bought a third party swiss arca plate. The one that comes with the tripod is virtually useless. Not only do you need a tool to tighten it, as you point out, but the rubber grip doesn’t protrude enough from the base to actually provide any traction. Which is a fancy way of saying it kept falling off. The plate I bought was this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008S6G09S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It has served me very well.

I also want to add that the two fixed positions of the legs hasn’t restricted me one bit, especially as you can take out the central column of the tripod and put it back in upside down, so the camera actually hangs underneath the tripod to get really close to the ground.

Thanks for sharing that Paul – good to know there’s a better plate out there for the Roadtrip.

The Velbon Ultra Voxi L is the best travel tripod that I have used. It’s folded length is only 36cm and I can set up and put away faster than any other tripod on the market.

I’ll add it to my list to review – thanks Dennis!

Very helpful thank you, I’ll be using it while I’m out in the field conducting research so really need to save space, the Pedco looks perfect for what I need.

What about 3 legged thing tripods? These are awesome, very well made, and I think outstrip a few of these recommendations… from a pro and amateur perspective. They also have the best customer support…

I’m due to review their new ‘Leo’ soon for this list actually Robin :-)

Good article Am going to try the OMEI-Z669C-PROFESSIONAL-CARBON-FIBER-TRIPOD Monopod important for me Thx

Mark, a good article, though I realize that selecting a tripod, like cameras or camera bags, is a subjective thing indeed! John, check out the Oben CT3535…it’s a sturdy little carbon fiber travel tripod that converts to a monopod. See specs online, but I can say that it’s great for a mirrorless kit, or even a small DSLR with a wide or mid-range zoom. The quality is quite high. IMHO, I’d avoid the cheaper tripods with a fixed center column or leg spread. They won’t work at all on uneven terrain!!

Hey Steve – thanks for the tip re. the Oben CT3535 – will check it out!

I’m a fan of the Rangers 55″ tripod/monopod; it’s simple, inexpensive, and gets the job done.

Ah yes, I need to add this one to the list Matthew – only came across it last month, but have been hearing lots of great reviews about it. Here it is for anyone interested.

Not sure how you could have possibly missed the most popular in terms of coverage (YouTube, forums, reviews, etc) the Sirui T-005X (or the carbon version Sirui T-025X.

What about the Sirui T-025X Carbon with C-10S Ball Head??? I heard is no less than the MeFOTO Aluminum Roadtrip, maybe even better.

I’ll have to check that one out, Omri – thanks for the tip.

Has anyone tried K & F Concept tripods?

manfrotto 190 290 vanguard veo

I have no access to camera shops locally, so this is very useful. The reviewer with Tiger were amazing. Thanks for sharing. ( Annice)

Bradley, yes, I agree that Gitzo is the best in terms of build quality and reputation, however, for about 1/3 the price, I find that the Oben CT3535 Travel Tripod is great for a mirrorless or small DSLR system. It is carbon fiber, with all metal control knobs, and quite well built.

The Vanguard Alta Pro is seriously the best tripod out there. I freaking love mine. To be able to shoot from directly above is great for product photography and stop motion.

Daniel/Mark, While I have no experience with the Vanguard tripod, and have no doubt it serves your purpose, I recently came across a unique and extremely high-quality travel tripod…the FLM “CP26 Travel Tripod”. It has super-strong 10x Carbon Fiber legs (26 lb load capacity!) with well-made twist locks, and a ball head that has several unique features that I’ve not seen in my 35 years of photography using tripods…For example, the “Pan” function permits butter-smooth normal panning, but in addition, adds a 15-degree ratchet function that is fantastic for us landscape/panorama photographers! There is also a “Tilt” knob that locks the ball head so that only one vertical/up/down plane is available. And finally, there is a “lock” function that locks the ball head from panning/turning, so that it can easily be unscrewed and/or mounted solidly. The kit comes with very well-made screw-on metal spikes, and folds up to a compact 15.5″ for travel. Quite ingenious and precision design overall, and highly recommended for travel!!  Bottom line: This FLM tripod simply exudes Quality. Here’s the link to that awesome tripod: https://www.flmcanada.com. Please tell Ari that Steve sent you. Thanks, and I think you’ll find the FLM CP26 Travel Tripod stunningly robust, and a work of art!

Hey Steve, thanks for that – very interesting indeed. I’ll see if I can get my hands on the FLM tripod you mentioned to review later this year.

I’m also a big fan of the CP-26 Travel. I have this and a CB43-FTR ball head and it’s excellent. I’ve taken it hiking in the Scottish Highlands, and regularly use it for my Sinar Norma large format camera. For me it’s perfect because of the load capacity and the exceptional ballhead. The friction control is very smooth, and when you have a heavy camera it’s also very important.

Hi, I think you are making a mistake of one order of magnitude in your weight difference calculation. For example, the weight difference of the two peak design tripod is 290 g, not 29 g. If it was only 29g, the carbon would not be worth it at all. 😊

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

WELCOME TO SHOTKIT

Enter your email to be sent today's Welcome Gift: 19 Photography Tools

Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.

A black and white advertisement with a couple of black and white objects.

ABOUT YOUR EXPERT

Mark Condon has been a professional photographer for 10+ years and has used and reviewed hundreds of tripods for backpacking around Australia and overseas travel. He prefers to fly without checked luggage (carry-on only), so a lightweight tripod is essential.

MY TOP PICKS

  • Peak Design Tripod
  • HEIPI 3-in-1
  • 3LT Punks Corey
  • Leofoto LS224C

🔥 Popular NOW:

ipa-cover

Unlock the EXACT blueprint to capture breathtaking iPhone photos!

Shotkit may earn a commission on affiliate links. Learn more.

  • Student Successes
  • My Learning

9 Best Travel Tripods in 2024 (Updated)

' src=

You can also select your interests for free access to our premium training:

Designing the best travel tripod involves compromises. A sturdy tripod tends to be big and heavy. But a travel tripod needs to be small and light. We’ve selected 9 tripods that are an excellent compromise between those competing demands.

You’ll find tripods that are heavier and sturdier. And you’ll find lighter, less robust travel tripods. Our top pick is the K&F Concept Lightweight Travel Tripod . It’s light, compact, and easy to carry. Yet it’s also strong and versatile. And the affordable price tag is the cherry on top.

K&F Concept Lightweight Travel Tripod

If you buy a product through one of our referral links we will earn a commission (without costing you anything). Prices last updated on .

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Peak Design Travel Carbon Fiber

What is the Best Travel Tripod?

Before we look at our choices in detail, here is a summary of all our recommended travel tripods.

  • Lightweight and versatile travel tripod with carry case
  • Weighs only 2.4 lb / 1.1 kg
  • Supports any weight up to 17.6 lb / 8 kg
  • Excellent mounting flexibility with aluminum ball head
  • Built-in bubble level for precision mounting
  • Sturdy and lightweight carbon fiber construction
  • Folds down to 38 cm and extends up to 1.5 m
  • Supports up to 9.1 kg of gear
  • 3-axis gimbal head for smooth panning and tilting
  • Quick-release plate for easy mounting and dismounting
  • Lightweight aluminum construction
  • Compact and foldable for easy transport
  • Can extend to a maximum height of 1.47 m
  • Supports up to 4 kg of weight
  • 360-degree ball head with two independent control knobs

Manfrotto Element Traveler Tripod Kit With Ball Head

  • Lightweight and compact for easy travel
  • High-quality build, reliable stability
  • 360-degree panoramic head for versatile shots
  • Quick-release plate for fast setup
  • Maximum height of 1.47 m for tall subjects

Product

  • Ultra lightweight yet strong carbon fiber
  • 4-section legs adjustable to 25, 50, and 80 degreeangles
  • Twist locks for fast, secure setup
  • Removable center column
  • Supports up to 15 kg of weight

Product

  • Lightweight and compact design
  • Smooth fluid video head
  • Quick-release plate for fast transitions
  • Fully adjustable tripod legs
  • Includes carrying case and shoulder strap

Product

  • Ultra-lightweight and sturdy carbon fiber construction
  • Ball head design for easy, fast adjustments
  • 4-section legs with quick-release leg locks
  • Maximum height of 1.61 m
  • Maximum load capacity of 10 kg

Product

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Fully adjustable for desired angle
  • Universal phone clip for mobile phones
  • Durable and solid construction
  • Non-slip rubber feet for stability

Product

  • Lightweight and compact
  • Stable and durable
  • Quick-release leg locks
  • Multi-angle center column
  • Adjustable height range

Product

Now let’s look in more detail at our recommendations for the best travel tripod in 2023.

1. K&F Concept Lightweight Travel Tripod

The K&F Concept Lightweight Travel Tripod has to be our top recommendation. It’s a lightweight tripod that’s durable and reliable. You can take it with you on trip after trip and it will last the distance. 

Weighing just 2.4 lb / 1.1 kg, it won’t add too much heft to your travel pack. And even though it’s a lightweight tripod, it can still support cameras weighing up to 17.6 lb / 8 kg. That’s enough for full frame cameras or even medium format cameras. 

Travel photographers will also appreciate the wide working height range. You can set it up at any point between 64.1 inch / 1.6 m and 20.4 inch / 52 cm. And it folds down to 15.3 inch / 39 cm when you need to pack it away. 

Flip locks make adjusting the height quick and easy. And you get a carry case included, making it even easier to travel with this tripod. And a quick-release plate helps you mount and dismount your camera.

It comes with a ball head as standard. The wide range of tilting motion gives you excellent mounting flexibility. And the head has a panning base, which is helpful when shooting landscapes or panoramas. It also has a built-in bubble level to help keep your camera level. 

It’s hard to find fault with the K&F Concept Lightweight Travel Tripod . We’re confident about putting it in the No.1 spot on the list. And it’s an absolute bargain for the price. 

2. Peak Design Travel Tripod

The revolutionary Travel Tripod is the newest addition to Peak Design ’s lineup. We know Peak Design from its camera bags , carrier straps, and belt holster systems.

Now, they’ve added a travel tripod that’s turning everyone’s heads. What makes it so unique? Quite a few things, actually.

First of all, it’s a real travel tripod. It folds down to under 15.5 inches. This is amazing because it extends to 60 inches when in use. That is more than enough for most travel photography .

There are also two options you can get this tripod in. The one listed above is carbon fiber, which weighs only 2.81 lbs. But they have an aluminum version that weighs 3.44 lbs.

The aluminum version is manageable and it weighs similar to other travel tripods. The carbon fiber version is stiffer and lighter but is more expensive.

As a travel tripod, it has a few advantages. It’s Arca-Swiss compatible. It has a single ring to adjust the head, which is also an intuitive and compact ball head. And it has four leg extenders. This offers you more versatility when choosing the height of the Peak Design Travel Tripod .

3. Benro TSL08AN00: Lightweight Aluminum Travel Tripod

The Benro Slim is a reliable option for photographers on a budget. It is the best affordable travel tripod that still comes from a reputable brand,

At 2.6 pounds, this tripod fits into the travel category. And a weight hook will help negate some of the negatives of using such a light tripod.

The tripod has four leg sections with twist locks. Each leg can be set to one of three angles for more height options. This allows the tripod to extend from 15.7 inches to about 57 inches. You can also reverse the center column for the most height flexibility.

The tripod also includes a ball head with a bubble level .

So what is the reason for the low price? The Benro Slim doesn’t fold down as small as the others on the list without reverse folding legs. This means a faster setup while taking up about four more inches of space in your bag.

The Benro Slim , like the BeFree, also has one of the lower capacities on the list with an 8.8-pound limit. And the under 3-pound weight could mean the tripod isn’t as sturdy as some of the pricier options.

4. Manfrotto Element Traveller Tripod Kit w/Ball Head

The Element Traveler from is made especially for travel photographers . Manfrotto is known for great tripods, and this is no exception. It’s a versatile tripod that allows you to move around without feeling weighed down.

Even though the tripod’s weight is barely 2.5 pounds, the load capacity is a lot higher. It will allow you to hold up to 8.8 pounds. That’s enough for a large professional DSLR and a super-telephoto lens .

The folded length of 13 inches is relatively small. You can shoot from a height of 14 inches up to 53 inches. This is excellent for landscape photography .

The other feature that photographers will enjoy with the Element Traveler is the aluminum ball head with an independent lock. This makes up-down shoots for food photography or product photography very simple.

5. Sirui W-1204 Carbon Fiber Tripod

The  Sirui W-1204 is one of the few brands offering waterproof tripods. This makes it one of the best options for a hardcore outdoor photographer .

The tripod has a sealing system. If you shoot in the rain or place the legs in shallow water, the twist locks will still work.

The feet complete the outdoor design. You just unscrew the interchangeable feet to switch from rubber to spiked. The leg sections are held in place using twist locks to reach a maximum height of 65 inches.

This Sirui also has the highest weight capacity of any of the tripods on this list. It supports up to 33 pounds of gear while only weighing 3.1 pounds.

A counterweight hook adds even more stability to the tripod. The legs fold around the center column for a more compact folded measurement.

It stands at 19.3 inches when folded, with only four leg sections. With a height of only 5.7 inches and a removable leg that you can use as a monopod , the Sirui W-1204 gets points for versatility.

6. Manfrotto Befree: Professional Video Tripod for Travel

This Manfrotto Befree tripod is one of the few that use level locks instead of the twist type. Weighing a little over 3 pounds, this tripod folds down to a little over 16 inches.

You can adjust the legs on the Befree to three different angles. This allows the tripod to reach as low as 13.4 inches and as high as 56.7 inches.

The Befree’s compact design, versatile height, and flip locks make this one of the best tripods for travel photographers. And that’s all at a very reasonable price.

Like other 3-pound travel tripods, this tripod can be a bit susceptible to wind. Unfortunately, there is no counterweight hook to support it.

The capacity is 8.8 pounds, so it’s not designed for the biggest telephoto lenses . The 56.7-inch height limit will also be a sticking point for tall photographers.

But for the price, the Manfrotto Befree offers quality and portability.

7. Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod with Ball Head

This Gitzo tripod is the juggernaut of travel tripods. It will hold up to 22 pounds, making it one of the sturdiest tripods on our list.

This allows you to use heavy camera equipment . That’s perfect for destination weddings or sports photography . The extra weight-bearing design will help with added accessories like microphones , lights, or flash units .

It comes with a high-quality ball head. As far as tripods go, this one is lightweight, weighing only 3.2 pounds. The most significant benefit I found is the small center column. This lets you get close to the ground for low-angle shots.

For these reasons, this Gitzo is expensive compared to the others on our list. But it’s worth the money. It has a simple design and construction that makes it easy to extend and shrink.

8. Manfrotto PIXI Evo

The Manfrotto PIXI Evo is unique in this selection of tripods. We all know Manfrotto for making excellent tripods. Whether large and sturdy or small and portable, it’s the go-to company. Their other best travel tripod options on our list are for photographers shooting up high.

Eye-level vantage points aren’t the only way photographers want to capture scenes. Sometimes they want to get low for a different perspective. The Manfrotto PIXI Evo offers just that.

This tabletop tripod is small. And it will fit in the small accessory pouches of your backpack or your coat pocket.

You might not expect it to handle DSLR camera systems . But it will hold a weight of 5.5 pounds. This is more than enough to support a full frame DSLR body with a telephoto lens.

Using it couldn’t be easier. Flip out the legs and you’re good to go. The PIXI Evo doesn’t offer you much versatility. But it is the most compact and lightest of our travel tripod picks.

It’s perfect for selfies and vlogging , as it offers two different leg angles along with adjustable two-section legs.

9. Vanguard VEO3T265HABP Aluminum Travel Tripod

The Vanguard VEO ’s reversing center column allows you to shoot as low as 16 inches from the ground or as tall as 57 inches. This is perfect if you need to get down low for macro shots ? You can also adjust each of the twist-lock legs at three different angles.

Despite the versatility, this Vanguard tripod weighs only 4 pounds. It can handle three times its own weight with a 13.2-pound capacity. When folded, the tripod fits in a space of less than 16 inches.

A counterweight hook helps add more stability to the lightweight tripod. With a tripod ball head included, the camera’s position is easy to adjust.

The VEO is designed for quick setup with the central column system. The four legs are also easy to adjust because of twist-lock legs.

There are some downsides, though. It doesn’t include spiked feet, which you can get for a higher price. It also doesn’t have the versatility of using one leg as a monopod. But for the price, the Vanguard VEO ‘s feature list is rather tough to beat.

Buyer’s Guide for the Best Travel Tripods

Tripods can have a varying list of features. And some features are more important when you want to travel with your tripod. Read on to learn what makes a tripod perfect for travel.

What to Look for When Buying the Best Travel Tripod

Tripods are necessary for low-light and long-exposure shots . This is why a travel photographer must carry them around. But there’s a problem with lightweight tripods. The lighter a tripod is, the less stable it tends to be.

That doesn’t mean your travel tripod is going to dump your camera in the dirt. But there are a few features that you should look for when choosing the best travel tripod for you.

A Travel Tripod with Counterweight Hooks

Adding a simple hook to the bottom of the tripod’s center column may not seem like a big deal. But this tiny feature allows travel tripods to be sturdier, no matter the travel conditions.

If you can add weight to the tripod, such as your camera bag , you add more stability without sacrificing portability. These counterweights will help your travel tripod stay put in windy conditions.

A Travel Tripod with Adjustable-Leg Flip Locks

You can adjust tripod legs through either twist locks or lever locks.

Twist locks are slimmer. But if you don’t twist them tight enough, they could unlock. Flip locks will add more bulk and tend to take longer to set up. On the other hand, you can trust them to stay locked.

After using a monopod with twist locks that kept sliding mid shoot, flip locks are my preference.

A Versatile Travel Tripod

Travel tripods are even more portable when they do double duty, so you don’t have to bring multiple ones with you.

If you want to use both a tripod and a monopod , look for a two-in-one that converts to a monopod.

If you shoot macro or low to the ground, check the tripod’s minimum and maximum height. And look one with a versatile height range. You’ll save yourself from bringing a tabletop tripod for low-angle photos.

A Portable Travel Tripod

Whenever you buy a tripod, pay attention to the weight specifications. This is especially true for travel tripods.

One is how much weight the travel tripod can hold. Ensure that your heaviest camera body, lens, and accessories fit within those parameters. The tripod with a higher weight capacity will be sturdier even if you only need half the listed weight limit.

The second detail to consider is the weight of the tripod itself. That’s how much you’ll be adding to your bag’s weight on a hike or in your luggage.

A carbon fiber tripod is lightweight and can hold a lot of gear. But it’s also more pricey than an aluminum one.

A Travel Tripod with a Sturdy Build

Plan on hiking with a tripod? Look for other outdoor-friendly features besides the lightweight feature.

Retractable feet spikes can help make the tripod a bit sturdier on grass and dirt.

Waterproof tripods are a bit harder to find. But they can survive taking pictures in the rain or standing in the surf .

A Travel Tripod with a Quick-Release Plate

Don’t miss capturing a moment because you have to fiddle with getting your camera off your tripod. Look for a travel tripod that includes a quick-release plate.

Also, watch for small design changes that help you set up your gear faster. Unfolding each of the three leg sections takes longer than just unfolding one center column, for example.

Conclusion: The Best Travel Tripod

The K&F Concept Lightweight Travel Tripod  is our choice for the best travel Tripod. It is lightweight, durable, and has a wide range of features that make it the perfect travel companion.

It is also highly adjustable and has a unique design that allows for easy setup and breakdown. With its adjustable legs and quick-release plate, it is the perfect tripod for capturing any moment on the go.

  • Electronics
  • Camera accessories

The Best Tripod

Four tripods that we tested to find the best tripod, each with a camera attached to the top.

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

best travel tripod 2022

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

best travel tripod 2022

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.

best travel tripod 2022

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.

best travel tripod 2022

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.

best travel tripod 2022

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.

Four of our favorite tripods, each in their most folded and compact position.

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.

Three tripods that we tested to find the best tripod set up side by side on a grassy hillside overlooking a neighborhood.

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, our pick for the best tripod, with a camera affixed to the top.

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.

Close view of the levels and dials on the ball head of the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100.

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.

A Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ on a sidewalk, setup with its legs set wide and its mounted camera pointed at the ground.

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.

Close view of the rubber feet a the end of each leg of the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100 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.

The Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234AB, our tripod pick for use with multiple cameras, with a camera affixed to the top.

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 Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234AB and the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100 tripods set up next to each other to compare their heights.

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.

The Sirui W-1004K10 River Runner, our tripod pick for use in wet conditions, with a camera affixed to the top.

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.

The Sirui W-1004K10 River Runner laying on a surface in its most folded and compact position.

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.

Close view of the bubble levels and dial controls on the Sirui W-1004K10 River Runner's ball head.

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.

The Manfrotto Element MII, our tripod pick for use in travel situations, with a camera affixed to the top.

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.

The Manfrotto Element MII Runner laying on a surface in its most folded and compact position.

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.

The Sirui P-204SR, our pick for the best monopod, with a camera affixed to the top.

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.

A camera mounted close to the ground on the mini-tripod that serves as a base for the Sirui P-204SR monopod.

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.

An arm pulling back on the the Sirui P-204SR monopod in order to point the attached camera upwards.

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

best travel tripod 2022

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.

best travel tripod 2022

Arriana Vasquez

Arriana Vasquez is a senior updates writer for powering, home office, cameras, and hobbies at Wirecutter. Her hobbies include reading and photography. Her photos have won several awards in various online competitions, and she is the producer and co-host of Old Books Podcast .

best travel tripod 2022

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

Three cameras we recommend for vlogging, from GoPro and Sony.

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.

Our three picks for best Android and iPhone gimbal, displayed in a row in tripod position, with a smartphone mounted on each one.

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 Yoozon Selfie Stick with a smartphone attached.

Why We Love the Yoozon Selfie Stick

by Signe Brewster

The Yoozon Selfie Stick, which doubles as a tripod, is cheap, tough, and small enough to pack for daily adventures.

2 smartphones mounted on tripods; the tripod on the left standing rigidly and the one on the right showing more flexibility.

The Best Tripod for iPhones and Other Smartphones

by Arriana Vasquez, Erin Roberts, and Signe Brewster

Joby’s GorillaPod 1K Kit and the Square Jellyfish Metal Spring Tripod Mount are the best choices to steady your smartphone when shooting photos and video.

Best tripods 2022: 10 great bases to help you get sharper shots

Find your perfect three-legged friend with this handy guide

best travel tripod 2022

Are you wondering what's the best tripod you can buy right now? While there's no straightforward answer to that question,  all tripods are a compromise of size, weight, and budget. We've rounded up all of the best options based on our extensive experience with a wide range of different types to suit those just starting off in the photographic journey, to the seasoned professional looking for a stable tripod to capture their next masterpiece. 

Choosing the best tripod depends a little on your experience and how much you have to spend, but the basics are similar for most photographers. Ideally, you want something that’s small and lightweight enough for you to carry around easily. But you also want it to be tall enough for full-height shooting, and sturdy enough to give solid, wobble-free support for your camera.

We have some more detailed advice on what to look for at the end of this guide, but here are the three main things to bear in mind when choosing a tripod.

How to choose a tripod

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Aluminum or carbon fibre?

Beginners will largely be fine with an aluminum tripod, which will give you solid support without weighing you down too much. But, trade up to carbon fibre, and you can expect a reduction in carrying the weight of around 20-25 percent. 

Carbon fibre also tends to be slightly better at absorbing unwanted vibrations and isn’t so cold to the touch when the temperature drops. The only drawbacks are that if your tripod takes a hefty knock, carbon fibre is prone to shattering, and it’s relatively expensive to manufacture., so if it shatters or cracks, I'm afraid it's kaput.

Indeed, make-for-make and size-for-size, carbon tripods can be as much as twice the price of aluminum models.

Talking heads 

Up on top, the main choice for stills photography is between a ball head and a three-way head. Ball heads are quicker and far easier to set up, and are more streamlined for stowing away while hiking.

Many recent designs are very sophisticated, with an adjustable friction damper to suit a wide range of camera and lens weights, along with an independent pan-only release. Three-way heads are relatively cumbersome, but enable more precise, individual adjustments in each of the three planes of movement independently.

A leg up 

To help them stand tall, but fold down small, some tripods have four or five telescopic sections in each leg, rather than the more traditional three. Another crafty trick adopted by some modern tripods is that the legs swing completely upwards for stowage, with the feet encircling the head. This typically cuts about 20cm off the folded height. 

Low-level shooting might also be required, so most modern tripods feature legs that can be locked at multiple angles. The center column can often be removed and inverted for ultra-low level shooting, while some tripods come with a low-angle adapter that replaces the center column.

To add yet more versatility, an increasing number of tripods feature a removable leg. This can be unscrewed from the spider and attached to the removable center column, to serve as a monopod.

Best tripods 2022:

The type of tripod you pick will depend on your specific needs, from a simple table-top option you can sling in your bag to large, heavy-duty supports. We've picked out the 8 best options to suit a range of budgets and needs.

1. Gitzo GK1542 Mountaineer Series 1 (4 sections)

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

No, it's not the cheapest tripod in this round-up by far, but buy Gitzo's Series 1 model and you'll likely never need to buy a tripod again. Owned by the Vinten Group (who also own Manfrotto), Gitzo is synonymous with ultimate performance and durability when it comes to tripods, and the Mountaineer Series 1 is no exception. An insane payload for its size (14kg max) and huge 171cm maximum height seems almost unreal when compared with its 1.78kg weight and 26cm folded height.

The beautiful, classic design makes this tripod look like it should be part of a photo shoot for the next James Bond film. The dappled metal is excellently finished and users will find it hard to tarnish in all but the most extreme scenarios.

The Carbon eXact tubing is lightweight but stiffer and bigger than most to ensure maximum sturdiness. Its ball head is slimmed down compared to previous generations and that makes it much easier to pack away in a camera bag or when traveling in planes. The ball head itself is incredibly smooth, making panning shots a breeze. It also locks in firmly with no budge when tightened sufficiently which is reassuring when loading up expensive telephoto lenses.

2. Benro TMA38CL Mach3 + B3 ball head

Sold separately as TMA38CL carbon fiber legs and a B3 ball head, this tripod isn’t available as a complete kit, but at least you can mix and match the components of your choice rather than compromise. An entirely traditional tripod, the Benro doesn’t have fancy features like a center column that can act as a horizontal boom or a removable leg for monopod duty. On the plus side, it’s very quick and easy to set up and pack away. Indeed, it’s supplied complete with a high-quality padded carrying case, a low-angle adapter, and swappable rubber pads and metal spikes for the feet.

Four-section legs enable a fairly modest folded height of 69cm, complete with the B3 ball head. The head is a perfect match for the legs and includes an adjustable friction damper and pan-only release. At full stretch, the maximum operating height is a towering 187cm, despite the carbon fibre centre column being fairly short. Even at its maximum extension, the tripod remains incredibly rigid and resistant to vibration, the 9-layer carbon fibre, and magnesium alloy castings really earning their keep. It's this build quality and solidity that makes it our current favorite tripod, and the B3 ball head is its ideal partner.  

3. Benro GoPlus Travel FGP18A + B0 ball head

Beautifully crafted from aluminum and magnesium, the Benro GoPlus Travel FGP18A is a seriously good set of legs. A carbon fiber version is also available, but it’s more than twice the price and doesn’t add to the performance. The metal edition is the better buy, and it’s not particularly heavy at 1.95kg, including the B0 ball head (sold separately).

Despite being billed as a travel tripod, the Benro has a respectable if not overly generous maximum operating height. It also has a hefty load capacity and is extremely rigid. Following the latest trend, the legs swing upwards around the head to enable a small carrying height of just 46cm.

Clever tricks include a pivoting center column that can be locked at angles in small increments through a full 180-degree arc and three lockable leg angles. Bubble levels are featured on both the legs and the head, while the head itself has independent locking, panning, and friction knobs.

The kit includes interchangeable screw-in spikes and rubber feet, and everything’s wrapped up in a smart padded soft case. And to save traveling with the extra kit, one of the legs can be unscrewed and used as a monopod.

4. Gitzo GT2542 Mountaineer Series 2 + GH3382QD ball head

Gitzo has been one of the most highly regarded tripod manufacturers for around 80 years, teaming up in more recent times with Manfrotto (another tripod legend) as part of the Vitec group. Typical of Gitzo carbon fibre tripods, the current range is eye-wateringly expensive compared with most other makes. It’s split into Traveler, Mountaineer, and Systematic product lines. 

The Mountaineer is the best fit for general use, with Series 0, 1, 2, and 3 legs having progressively greater load ratings. The Series 2 edition has an 18kg rating which should be more than enough for pretty much any stills camera outfit, and it’s also highly resistant to flexing and vibrations.

The 4-section legs and GH3382QD ball head are available separately and also as a complete kit. In some regions, the complete kit comes with a welcome discount, considering the high price of the separate components. Simple yet stylish, the ball head has an adjustable friction damper built into the main locking knob, plus a pan-only release.

One particularly useful feature of the Gitzo Mountaineer is that you can quickly and easily remove the centre column entirely and plug its short stub directly into the spider. This makes for speedy conversion for ultra-low-level shooting.

5. Benro MeFOTO RoadTrip PRO Carbon Fiber Series 1

This 6-in-1 carbon fiber tripod is designed for multimedia content creatives who need maximum versatility in their equipment. Aimed to lighten the load, the MeFoto RoadTrip PRO Series 1 can be used not only as a tripod but also as a monopod, boom pole, selfie stick, high hat, and tabletop tripod.

The two-section center column can be extended alongside five-leg sections to reach up to 152.5cm in height, making it almost four times taller than its folded height. It’s limited to just an 8kg payload which makes sense as too much weight when combined with all those leg and column joints could make things a little unsteady if going any heavier. Fortunately, there’s an additional center column hook that fits underneath to hold a camera bag or similar for some additional weight and grounding.

The true magic of this tripod is its hidden features. The feet unscrew to reveal a 3/8 inch to 1/4 inch adapter stud, plus a screwdriver to remove said stud. You can use it on the removable tripod leg to hold the footplate when it doubles as a phone holder. There’s also a hidden allen key in the third foot to help tighten the bolts on the tripod itself. A small leg set unscrews from the center column to be used as a foot stand for its monopod ability, or as a table-top tripod for the ball head.

6. Kenro Karoo Travel Tripod Kit 104C

With carbon fibre legs, the option of rubber and spiked feet, the possibility to use one of its legs as a monopod, and a carry bag thrown in too, this compact travel tripod kit certainly ticks many boxes – particularly at this price.

Sure, its 8kg payload isn’t as generous as some of the other options here, although this is still more than sufficient for the majority of camera and lens setups. Similarly, other options fold down smaller, but not to the extent to make that a deal-breaker.

Look a little deeper and you see it’s full of useful touches. For example, you get two centre columns, the smaller of which means it can be adapted easily for low-level shooting, with three separate leg angles available for you to position it precisely. It’s also been designed with a hook on the underside to allow you to hang a bag for greater stability.

This would also be a fitting option for anyone needing to shoot over crowds, thanks to the monopod’s lofty 173.5cm maximum height. Its lengthy six-year warranty should give you extra peace of mind, however, you plan on using it.

7. Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 + XPRO ball head

Sold separately as a set of carbon fiber legs and a magnesium alloy ball head with a quick-release plate, the MT055CXPRO3 + XPRO ball head really is a winning combination from Manfrotto.

Upgrades in this latest edition of the longstanding and highly popular 055 series include easy-action ‘Quick Power Lock’ levers for the leg sections, which operate with speedy simplicity. However, in the aluminum version of the 055XPRO3 legs, which costs about half the price, the leg sections drop out a little too freely for our liking, when the clamps are released.

The mechanism for locking each leg at any of four available angles is quick and intuitive, as is the 90-degree pivot system for the center column, which enables you to use it as a horizontal boom.

The ball head is an absolute joy (sold separately), complementing the rock-solid performance of the legs and combining equally high-end build quality with smart features that include an independent friction adjuster, pan-only release, and bubble levels.

8. Novo Explora T20 Tripod Kit

Thanks to a design feature that’s common in travel tripods, the T20 kit stands tall with a maximum operating height of 188cm, yet folds down to just 53cm. That’s thanks to the legs swinging up and the feet closing around the ball head with the centre column extended. The flip side is that it takes a little longer than usual to set up the tripod and fold it down again.

The Novo is available as a complete kit, as well as separate legs and ball head. The two components are perfectly matched, however, with similarly excellent build quality and a real flourish to the design. Twist clamps on the four-section legs only require a minimum of rotation for loosening and tightening. A low-angle adapter is supplied for use instead of the centre column for ultra-low-level shooting. The tripod leg that features comfort padding is also removable and connects with the detached centre column to act as a monopod. 

Down below, the feet are sturdy metal spikes with rubber pads that push over the top. Getting back to the head, there’s a neat adjustable friction damper built into the main locking knob, and two separate pan-only release mechanisms, one for the entire ball head and the other that releases only the camera platform. The platform also includes a bubble level, though this is obscured when fitting the Arca-Swiss type quick-release plate. That's a small downside on an otherwise great carbon fiber tripod.

9. Manfrotto MK190XPRO3-BHQ

The latest in a long line of much-loved Manfrotto 190 tripods has been revamped for greater ease of use and compactness. There’s a wide range of three-section and four-section 190-series models to choose from, in both aluminum and carbon fiber, with and without supplied heads. 

This complete three-section aluminum kit with an XPRO ball head can’t compete with most ‘travel tripods’ for folding down to a small size, as the legs don’t swing upwards for stowage. However, the set-up is quicker and the folded height is 7cm shorter than that of its predecessor, mostly thanks to a redesigned pivot joint. This enables the center column to be rotated vertically through 90 degrees for use as a horizontal boom.

The multi-angle leg mechanism is similarly streamlined and straightforward, enabling four lockable angles rather than the usual three. Up on top, the kit includes the latest XPRO ball head, which is simply superb and, unlike in most previous Manfrotto designs, includes an independent panning release. The level of build quality is up to Manfrotto’s usual high standards, and the Manfrotto MK190XPRO3-BHQ is a good compromise between rigidity and lightweight compactness, at a competitive price.

10. Vanguard ALTA PRO 2+ 263CB 100 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Ball Head

Setting up a tripod for a landscape shoot is one thing, but then using that same tripod for macro photography can be a bit of a pain. The legs often get in the way of foliage and it’s hard to get the camera to reach in towards the subject – especially when on location.

Fortunately, the ALTA PRO 2+ 263CB has a multi-angled center column that can be adjusted and used horizontally to allow the camera to reach directly into the scene. Perfect for bug photographers especially, when getting in close on a subject in a bush or amongst foliage is a tall order. However, this unique feature isn’t to everyone’s taste (or requirements) and it does mean there’s a 7kg payload limit, so larger camera/lens combinations are ruled out straight away.

Each touch-point (such as the pan-locking lever and leg-angle levers) has texturized rubber grips for easy use in cold or wet conditions. As is expected with tripods of this caliber it has a rubberized leg for holding in extreme temperatures and the ball head, while slight, holds rock-solid when fastened. Another feature we really like about this tripod is that the leg locks only take a quarter turn to lock into place, making it fast to set up and break down.

What type of head?

Every tripod needs a head, and the smart money is on ball heads. Many tripods are sold as kits, comprising legs and a head, although sometimes you’ll need to buy the legs and heads separately; you don’t have to stick with the same manufacturer for both items, but there are a couple of things to bear in mind if you want to mix and match.

The attachment screw on the tripod platform can be 1/4-inch or a larger 3/8-inch in size. You can fit a head with a larger thread to a tripod with a smaller screw, using an adaptor, but you can’t couple a head with a 1/4-inch thread to a tripod with a 3/8-inch screw.

It’s also good to check that the diameter of the ball head’s mounting plate is roughly the same size as the mounting platform on the tripod – the diameters tend to range from around 45mm to 60mm. And finally, it makes sense to get legs and a head that have a similar maximum load rating.

The main plus point of a ball head, compared with a traditional three-way photographic head, is that they’re much quicker and easier to set up. A single locking screw is all that’s needed to enable a full range of movement, and there are no locking arms sticking out that need to be removed for stowing the tripod away.

Drawbacks of conventional ball heads have also been addressed in many of the latest designs. For example, it’s common to find an adjustable friction damper as well as the main locking screw, so that you can tailor operation to suit your camera when fitted with lenses of wide-ranging weights. An additional pan-only release is also often fitted, so you can keep a ball head locked in position but still pan the camera to track action or to take a sequence of shots for stitching into a panoramic image.

Low-level shooting

Moving on down, the joints at which the three legs are joined to the main chassis typically feature mechanisms with which you can lock the legs at three or more different angles. This enables low-level shooting without the need to remove and invert the center column, saving time and effort, and avoiding the need to shoot with the camera upside down. Splaying the legs further apart also adds stability in low-level shooting, and it can also be useful to use different legs at different angles on uneven terrain.

Another innovative feature often used in recent designs is a pivoting center column. With many tripods, you can pivot the center column through 90 degrees and use it as a horizontal boom. It’s great for shooting extreme close-ups with a macro lens and helps to avoid the tripod feet sneaking into the picture if you're shooting with an ultra-wide-angle lens. 

Three leg sections gives a good compromise between maximum operating height and minimum folded height

It’s also useful in conjunction with multi-angle leg locks for very low-level shooting. The pivot design in some tripods goes further still, enabling the center column to be locked at many angles in small increments through a complete 180-degree arc, instead of just in vertical or horizontal orientation.

The leg sections themselves are usually three in number. This gives a good compromise between maximum operating height and minimum folded height, as well as ensuring that the bottom sections aren’t too thin and spindly. However, ‘travel tripods’ often feature four or even five sections, so that they can fold down smaller – this can impair rigidity when you need to use the thinnest, lower leg sections, and set-up can take longer if you need to release and re-lock up to 12 separate clamps, for example, for tripods with five-section legs.

The section clamps themselves tend to be either twist-action or locking levers. Some people find twist clamps quicker and easier to operate when the legs are folded down, while others find locking levers more convenient. Locking levers became all the rage a few years ago, but twist-locks have been making a comeback.

Another space-saving idea that’s featured in an increasing number of travel-friendly tripods is that the legs swing upwards for stowage, with the head nestling between the feet. Set-up can take a little longer, but it typically knocks about 20cm off the folded height.

Down at the bottom, there are two types of feet generally on offer. Rubber pads work best on smooth, hard surfaces, whereas metal spikes are better on the carpet and loose ground. Some tripods come with interchangeable feet to suit every occasion, while others might feature rubber pads with retractable spikes.

Aluminum or carbon?

A material consideration is whether to go for aluminum or carbon fiber. Both are capable of providing very sturdy support but carbon fiber tripod kits (with the same heads attached) are typically about 15% lighter in weight than aluminum versions of the same kit. Naturally, the bigger the tripod, the greater the weight-saving, but it generally works out to around 500g.

Carbon legs look smart and have more of a feel-good factor, but are more susceptible to shattering if they suffer a sharp knock. And where carbon and aluminum versions of the same legs are available, the carbon edition can sometimes be as much as twice the price.

  • 21 landscape photography tips you'll never want to forget
  • Why every photographer needs three tripods
  • Best camera accessories: essential bits of kit for your camera
  • 10 must-have accessories for every Canon DSLR owner
  • 10 must-have accessories for every Nikon DSLR owner
  • Best travel tripod: 5 carbon fiber stands for your camera
  • Best camera bag: 10 options to protect your camera kit
  • Best flashgun: dedicated strobes for Canon and Nikon DSLRs
  • Best ND filters: 6 top models tested
  • Best ND grad filters: 6 top models tested

Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team.

Manfrotto Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod review

Saramonic’s new wireless mic kit is a low-cost Rode and DJI alternative with advanced features

How to watch AEW Revolution 2024: live stream Sting's final match online – card, preview, start time

Most Popular

By Barclay Ballard February 26, 2024

By Barclay Ballard February 24, 2024

By Barclay Ballard February 23, 2024

By Barclay Ballard February 22, 2024

By Barclay Ballard February 21, 2024

By Jess Weatherbed, Dom Reseigh-Lincoln February 21, 2024

By Krishi Chowdhary February 19, 2024

By Barclay Ballard February 19, 2024

By Barclay Ballard February 16, 2024

  • 2 'Feels like magic!': Groq's ultrafast LPU could well be the first LLM-native processor — and its latest demo may well convince Nvidia and AMD to get out their checkbooks
  • 3 'A single optical fiber': Scientists build a silicon-less computer that use light waves and surpasses existing systems for classification — could this be the ultimate AI CPU?
  • 4 World’s largest laptop vendor wants you to buy fewer notebooks by allowing users to change batteries and other parts — but a tiny tweak could be a deal breaker
  • 5 Nvidia just released a new code generator that can run on most modern CPUs
  • 2 Nvidia CEO predicts the death of coding — Jensen Huang says AI will do the work, so kids don't need to learn
  • 3 AI is going to change your phone – and your face. Here's how
  • 4 Android switchers are choosing these iPhones when making the big move to iOS
  • 5 Researcher discovers novel way to double computer speeds for free — but there is an obvious catch and it may only work with Nvidia GPU and Arm CPU for now

Best travel tripods 2024: the top lightweight tripods to buy

These are the best travel tripods – compact and lightweight enough to squeeze into a backpack, suitcase or even a pocket

Jamie Carter

As any travel photographer will tell you, stability is everything. It may seem to be mostly about location, composition, and what kind of camera you take on the road with you, but once you’ve found your perfect shot, you need to keep steady. 

If you’re planning creative shots or any kind of long exposure or repeated photography – such as landscape photography around sunset, time-lapses, or astrophotography – then a tripod is absolutely essential. Cue the best travel tripod.

You're not off the hook even if you're just planning to go on holiday with a smartphone. Though increasingly capable, smartphones’ cameras are still rather limited if you handhold them. You’ll be seriously surprised how much extra quality and creativity you can achieve by using a small tripod and a phone clamp. 

So in our buying guide, we've included options for keeping smartphones steady as well as custom-made travel tripods for the best travel cameras , DSLR , mirrorless , and compact cameras .

The best travel tripods you can buy today:

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

1. Vanguard VEO 235AB Tripod

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

If you're after a reasonably heavy duty tripod for a DSLR or mirrorless camera using large lenses, look no further than this relatively lightweight tripod from Vanguard. This is a brand that tends to use aluminium, or for even more money, carbon fibre, but it usually stops short of providing full-length tripods. This design, weighing about 1.5 kg, is just 38 cm when folded, but reaches only 147 cm when it’s fully extended. So it's probably not the best choice if you’re a six-footer, though for most photographers it will provide more than enough height. The twist-and-lock legs are easy to extend and pack-up while moving, and the ball-head offers plenty of movement.

2. Manfrotto MKBFRTA4BK-BH Befree Advanced Tripod

This Italian-made tripod is clearly aimed at semi-pro landscape and astrophotographers who need to travel. With ‘M-lock’ lever legs rather than twist-legs and a ball head, this aluminium-crafted travel tripod has three four-section legs and a tough central column. Those legs unfurl easily enough, and lock into place, and each leg can pan through 180°. In fact, the legs actually go backwards on themselves, reducing the footprint for packing it in a suitcase. It weighs 1.5kg, and has a quick-release ball-head, though it takes some time getting to know it, so practice before you head outside in the dark. It’s a bit of a specialist tripod, but it’s worth its weight.

3. Manfrotto PIXI Evo Tripod

There are few travel tripods around that can support absolutely any kind of camera. The core tripod is small, pocket-sized, and weighs just 260g. It has a standard quarter-inch thread adapter, so can be used natively with any DSLR, mirrorless or compact camera. It also comes in two separately available configurations; one with a smartphone clamp fitted on the top, and one with a GoPro /action camera-compatible module. However you decide to use it, rest assured that it’s easily strong enough to cope with anything. It's also very easy to position. Pressing one button loosens the ball head, so you can find your exact position, while releasing the button locks it in place. Clever stuff, but although the camera can tilt to a full 90°, the angle of elevation is limited; you can’t shoot anything above you, for example.

4. Benro Rhino FRHN05CVX20 travel tripod

The Benro Rhino FRHN05CVX20 travel tripod is strong and sturdy, yet at the same time lightweight due to a carbon fibre leg construction. This premium-feel travel tripod has a further trick up its sleeve – one of its legs can be removed to transform it into a portable monopod. A carbon fibre construction, as opposed to the more affordable aluminium, inevitably means this premium look and feel tripod also comes with premium-ish price tag. It also needs a short period of familiarisation with its myriad features before becoming operationally competent.

  • Benro Rhino FRHN05CVX20 travel tripod review

5. Peak Design Travel Tripod

The Peak Design Travel Tripod is really expensive, but it's also the neatest travel tripod around, no doubt about that, and it’s also one of the lightest. The aluminium version has a high-end build, a very neat and compact design, and some excellent unexpected features – chief of which is that smartphone adapter – but it’s not immeasurably better, performance-wise, than a much more affordable travel tripod.  Still, though, if money is no object and you want the most premium travel tripod experience, then this is the travel tripod for you.

6. MeFoto RoadTrip Air Tripod

Reasonably large tripods are all about design, specifically how long the leg sections are when completely unfurled, and how small they are when packed up and ready to be put in a suitcase. The MeFoto RoadTrip Air is clever on all counts, reaching loftier heights than most travel tripods manage while being exceptionally small when packed away. It does all this by having an extra section in each leg, five parts rather than the standard four parts, though that doesn't add any instability. Weighing just over a kilo, the MeFoto RoadTrip Air attempts to go for another market altogether by suggesting that the central column and the included smartphone clamp (and Bluetooth remote) can be used as a selfie stick. Clever stuff, but that’s probably a different market.

7. MeFoto BackPacker Air Tripod

Known for its brightly coloured travel tripods, MeFoto has here produced an excellent product for owners of action cameras, mirrorless cameras and smartphones who want a ‘proper’ tripod capable of significant height. At its core is HyperLock, three five-section legs and a central column (which also detaches to act as a separate selfie stick) that extend – by just a twist – from a compact 26.5cm to a whopping 151cm. However, it’s at its most stable at 110cm before its central column is extended, so photographers should look at this as an emergency tripod for travel rather than as a ‘main’ tripod. Also in the box is a adjusting ball head, a screw-on mount for a smartphone, and even a wireless Bluetooth remote for taking selfies and super-stable shots. 

8. Joby HandyPod

Sometimes you just want a small, pocket-friendly, but steady and capable tripod for occasional shots. Cue the HandyPod, a simple aluminium tripod that will perform almost any task well. Any camera or smartphone mount can be attached thanks to a standard tripod thread, and once attached that device can swing through 360° on the HandyPod’s ball head. That ball head can be locked in position using a simple push-button mechanism, and while the legs’ rubber pads add stability, the HandyPod has a dedicated handgrip so can be used off the ground for panning video shots. Also available is the HandyPod Mobile package, which adds Joby’s GripTight One GorillaPod universal mount for smartphones. 

9. XSories Deluxe Tripod

Here’s a great example of the kind of commodity tripod that dominates the market, and yet this particular one is exceptionally good at what he does. Firstly, it weighs almost nothing, clocking in at just 65g. It's also very slim, so can easily fit into a trouser pocket or jacket pocket. On top is a small ball head for flexibility, and a standard quarter-inch tripod thread that attaches to any compact camera, or any cheap smartphone clamp that can be had for a few quid. In practice, it's halfway between a bendy, Joby-style tripod and a rigid design. Although it can be used as a standard straight-legged tripod, there is easily enough give in the legs to wrap round something, such as a fence post or a tree branch. Don't bet on putting too much weight on the XSories Deluxe, but if you have a small camera, or phone ( and a separate screw-on clamp ), it does the job very nicely.

How to choose the best travel tripod

The travel tripod market is split to serve the kind of device you’re using, of course. For phones, it's largely a commodity market, because the tripod and the clamp that keeps your phone in place don't have to bear much weight. Consequently, these types of tripods can cost just a few quid and are easy to travel with.

Lightweight designs are what the rest of the market aims for, with tripods designed for DSLR and mirrorless cameras much larger, but often manufactured from very lightweight materials. Consequently, they can be expensive. In fact, at the top end of the market, just shaving a few grams of the weight usually explains the high price. 

Happily, in-between cheap smartphone designs and expensive top-end configurations for expensive cameras, there are a fleet of smaller, tougher travel tripods that are good for all kinds of equipment and scenarios. Amazon is usually the best place to head for travel tripods, as you can get hold of highly-rated products for sometimes a fraction of the high street price. 

Get the T3 newsletter!

All the best features, news, tips and great deals to help you live a better life through technology

Jamie is a freelance journalist, copywriter and author with 20 years' experience. He's written journalism for over 50 publications and websites and, when he's not writing, spending most of his time travelling – putting the latest travel tech through its paces.

Here's how to livestream the Tokyo Marathon 2024

By Matt Kollat Published 2 March 24

Start your engines

By Andy Sansom Published 2 March 24

The best travel backpacks for everything from weekends away and business trips to backpacking and hiking

By Jamie Carter Last updated 20 December 23

This heavyweight USB-C power bank with a MagSafe wireless charging pad is ideal for home, office and travel with electronics

By Jamie Carter Published 9 March 22

Whether you’re travelling, commuting or in the office, the best power banks keep your smartphone, laptop and everything recharged and ready to use

By Jamie Carter Last updated 3 January 24

Travel-friendly and fuss-free USB-C power bank for recharging laptops, smartphones and more

By Jamie Carter Last updated 9 March 22

We showcase a selection of the best gifts and presents for photographers, for every budget

By Gavin Stoker Last updated 7 December 23

Want to print your photos but don't know where to start? We're here to help you decide…

By Gavin Stoker Published 6 January 22

Want to print high-quality photos at home? Here's how!

The best photo printing services will make preserving your memories a cinch

By Sarah Griffiths Last updated 4 January 23

Useful links

  • When is the next Prime Day?
  • Best 5G phones
  • Best VPN services
  • Best laptops
  • Best smartphones
  • Best mattresses
  • Best phone deals
  • Best mattress deals
  • Best TV deals
  • Discount codes

Digital Camera HQ

  • Bags & Backpacks
  • Cell Phones
  • Vlogging & Streaming
  • Photography
  • Videography
  • Architecture
  • Astrophotography

Select Page

The Ultimate Managed Hosting Platform

Best Travel Tripods [2022]

Aug 12, 2022 | Travel , Tripods

Best Travel Tripods [2022]

The Best Travel Tripods in 2022

The criteria for the best airline tripods are slightly different from those for the best tripods. When folded, they must be compact enough to fit easily into a bag or at the very least latch onto one. They must also be portable enough to be carried about all day without putting too much strain on the user, whether hiking up hills or touring city streets.

They should ideally do all of this while also meeting the criteria for the ideal tripods(opens in new tab): solid, simple to assemble, adaptable, and robust enough to hold the weight of your cameras and lenses.

As a result, concessions must be made, as one would anticipate. While a decent portable tripod will be capable of almost all those above, it may not be as tall as a more traditional tripod. Carbon fiber is often used in the construction of travel tripods since it is more durable and lightweight than aluminum but also more expensive. A tripod will collapse more quickly with more leg pieces, which will increase the cost.

It’s a compromise, of course. Nothing is. The key to choosing the finest travel photobooth is to determine which characteristics are crucial for you and which you can live without, then make your plans accordingly. Because of this, we’ve included a wide selection of goods in our article on the leading travel tripods, including tripods at various pricing ranges. There will be a backpack tripod here for you, no matter your needs or budget.

The Top Portable Tripods for 2022

1. manfrotto befree 3-way live advanced tripod.

It makes sense to get a portable tripod that works for photography and filmmaking as more and more producers combine the two mediums. With a lightweight travel tripod and a three-way video head, the Sling strap Befree 3-Way Live Sophisticated tripod is made with this objective.

The fluid head employs a hydraulic dampening mechanism to enable the operator to move the camera smoothly and easily. The tripod, on the other hand, offers a decent compromise between capacity, weight, and cost. Despite just weighing 2kg, it will need 6kg of equipment. We’ve tried stronger, lighter tripods than this one, but they were often more expensive.

It’s not as tall as some other tripods on our list, and testing revealed that the design might sometimes obstruct common tasks like replacing a camera battery. But for the great majority of uses, this is a strong all-around package that any traveling photographer or cameraman should seriously consider.

2. Benro GoPlus Travel FGP18A

The Benro GoPlus checks almost all of the boxes on our wish list and offers a sizable maximum load capacity. It has a compact folded length and a big operational height. It is one of only a few tripods with a pivoting center column, allowing for various fastening angles in tiny increments over a full 180-degree arc. For simple leveling, bubble levels have been installed on the tripod platform. Indistinguishable rubber shoes and spikes, along with a protective soft bag, are also included. You may use one leg as an independent monopod by unscrewing it. It used to be available as a kit with a head, but if you don’t already have one, you’ll need to get a puck head(opens in a new tab) to go with it. A suitable match would be the Benro B0 or IB0.

3. Peak Design Travel Tripod

Peak Design has just released its first tripod, so it better be excellent given that the carbon fiber one we saw cost more than almost all of its competitors except for a Gitzo. However, an aluminum variant is significantly 40% less expensive but has slightly lower vibration resistance. Several other tripods available will reach higher, but the Peak Design, which packs down to only 39cm in length, will still reach an average-height person’s eye level. You may place this IN your travel bag or bedroom bag in addition to strapping it to the outside since it is meant to eliminate the “dead volume” between the leg and thus the columns when packed. The phone holder is tucked away into the central column, the low introductory tip is simple but fantastic, and this tripod feels quite sturdy.

4 . Benro Rhino FRHN05CVX20

This is the lightest of Benro’s four new Zebra travel tripods, but it is surprisingly stiff even though it is tiny. Benro’s new VX ball heads, including a secondary pan axis directly below the camera plate, are also successful. Since they come with the territory, we can’t fault the Benro for its restrictions, which include a lower socio-economic height and a lengthier “unfolding” time. The Benro doesn’t reach very high, and using both center column sections makes it quickly shaky, but using just one center column extension or not using one at all makes it as sturdy as much larger tripods.

5. 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 + AirHead Pro Lever kit

The Leo tripod is not your typical one. Even though it unfolds to a total elevation of 146 cm and a massive cargo capacity of 30 kg, it only folds to a length of 35 cm. It boasts an unusual two-section center column, a detached monopod leg that doubles as a mike or camera boom, and a Tri-Mount system for mounting attachments. Although the legs are available separately, we advise purchasing the set with 3-Legged Thing’s upgraded AirHed Super Lever ball head. We like the additional Vanz kit, which includes a set of three new feet/legs. The strongest, gnarliest tabletop micro tripod you’ve ever seen is created by unscrewing the standard legs and screwing in these. Although the Leo 2 is neither the smallest nor the cheapest travel tripod available, its ratio of folded length to maximum height and its overall adaptability make it one of the finest.

6. Manfrotto Befree Advanced Twist

The Befree High Travel Tripod Twist focuses only on travel yet provides more support than most comparable items. In our testing, it was able to carry a tonne of gear—we’re talking entire cameras with hefty lenses—even though its safety payload limit is 9 kg. However, its main selling point is that it is just 1.49 kg and 40 cm long when packed (though its ball-head adds another 14cm). That can fit in the majority of suitcases. Manfrotto’s Advanced 494 aluminum center ball head, which has three separate ergonomic settings, is included with the Befree Advanced Touring Tripod Twist. When you consider the durable middle column, which has a locking mechanism, this portable tripod nevertheless retains a superb capacity to stay firm and stable.

7. Joby Smart RangePod

Choosing the best tripod for vloggers and video producers may be a genuine minefield. The sheer number of reflectors and heads might be confusing if you aren’t familiar with photography gear (but if you are!). Joby, the company behind the GorillaPod line, steps in to offer developers a simple solution that checks all the appropriate boxes. The Joby RangePod Smart, the company’s first full-size tripod, is a respectable travel option. It has a phone clamp with two quarter-inch abutments to place your phone horizontally or vertically, allowing you to rapidly switch between standard recording and upright filming for Instagram or TikTok. However, this metal model is perfect for individuals who shoot on their phones. With a faster Arca-Swiss plate, it works as well with DSLR and mirrorless cameras, and with an 8kg payload, it can easily accommodate large lenses. It is ideal for presenting to the camera at close to head height since it can reach a maximum height of 160 cm, which is also higher than many portable tripods.

8. Vanguard VEO 3T 235CBP

In addition to offering “all you’d expect in a high-quality travel tripod,” Vanguard claims its VEO 3T line also contains “added features that enable anybody obtain the greatest outcome for their videos with a camcorder or smartphone.” Stronger variants in the lineup have an amazing 12kg weight capacity, but we believe the 235CBP version, with its 8kg load capacity, is more than capable of handling the task. The reduced capacity, therefore, results in a shorter closed length of 41 cm, and the carbon construction reduces the overall weight to a manageable 1.6 kg. A new Arca-compatible quick-release plate can accommodate a camera or smartphone up to 85mm wide, and there is even a Bluetooth remote control for IOS or Android. The supplied head features a detachable pan handle to give you more control when recording.

9. Gitzo GT1545T Series 1 Traveler with ball head

The Rolls Royces of camera supports, Gitzo tripods combine low weight with exceptional construction and design and deceptively easy operation in their Traveler line. If you want a quick setup (fewer pieces) over a shorter folded length, you should choose the GT1555 version with 5-section legs instead of the GT1545 Series 1 model with 4-section legs (more sections). The costs don’t seem TOO awful when you don’t include the price of the Gitzo 82TQD center ball head. Although the Gitzo is a fantastic travel tripod, its high price prevents it from being at the top of our list. This is particularly true given that many other similarly outstanding tripods are available for far less money than don’t bear the Gitzo name. However, we all secretly want a Gitzo, right?

10. 3 Legged Thing Jay with AirHed Cine

Travel tripods are necessary for more than just still-image shooters. The Jay and AirHed Film are a very specialized pair. Still, they serve the needs of an increasing number of series vloggers or filmmakers who may not have a huge professional video tripod but want suitable, portable support. The 3 Chibi Thing Legends Jay doesn’t have a center column (because this is the video and not eye-level still photography). However, it has a leveling base, which may save a tonne of effort when setting up panning views and maintaining the camera’s level. The AirHed Cine seems like the ideal mate and is just as little as the Jay. It features a set drag action that is forceful yet manageable, and the handle is screwed on for fine control. The Jay may not be too expensive, but the price increases significantly when the AirHed Cine is included. However, the combination is very small and exudes luxury.

11. Manfrotto PIXI Evo

Welcome towards the 21st century if your only experience with traditional table-top tripods was the discomfort of shaft legs and shaky camera mounts. The PIXI EVO is an improved version of Manfrotto’s original Screening- model and is just as quick to use. You can fold the legs to use them as a tripod or bring them back together to create a camera grip. It also has a tripod adapter that can be ejected and locked with the touch of a button. The EVO adds two-foot directions for low-level shooting and two-section legs (really, really). Although a smartphone clamp is optional, its ball head is compatible with compact cameras, tiny DSLRs, mirrorless models, and standard camera tripod connections may support it. The maximum altitude is limited, but it sets up quite quickly and fits in a jacket pocket! The finest portable tripod for those who may not want to carry a full-sized one is this or a similar mini-tripod.

12. Adonit Photogrip

This device is necessary if you use a smartphone for your vacation photos. A spring-loaded grip extends wide enough to accommodate even a large smartphone and grips tightly around it. And with legs folded in, you can use this as a firm grip. The base has a tripod connector for a standard tripod or the compact pocket tripod that comes with the set. The Bluetooth shutter button on the top is a little remote you can pull out to operate the shutter from a distance. This is pure brilliance, albeit larger phones must be carefully positioned in the clamp to prevent the little tripod from toppling.

About The Author

Cameron

Cameron has been a photographer for over 10 years and has extensive experience with different types of cameras. He loves to travel and has been to many different parts of the world, photographing everything he sees along the way. Cameron is a natural teacher and loves to share his knowledge with others, helping them to capture stunning images of their own.This experience has meant that Cameron has had extensive hands-on experience with many different types and brands of cameras, lenses, and other gear, and he is now here to share this information with you.

Related Posts

Best Camera Sling Bags

Best Camera Sling Bags

August 20, 2022

9 Best Tripods for Landscape Photography in 2022

9 Best Tripods for Landscape Photography in 2022

September 27, 2022

Best Rolling Camera Bags [2022]

Best Rolling Camera Bags [2022]

August 13, 2022

Best Tripods for Binoculars

Best Tripods for Binoculars

September 10, 2022

The Ultimate Managed Hosting Platform

Best travel tripods 2024: Lightweight and compact tripods

The best travel tripods let you set your equipment up more easily when you're on the go. We've reviewed the best ones the market has to offer.

The quick list

Best travel tripod overall, best for height, best for serious travel photographers, best lightweight option, best for videographers, best for content creators, best stylish option, best budget travel tripod, best value for money.

  • Travel tripods: FAQ
  • How we test

1. The list in brief ↴ 2. Best travel tripod overall 3. Best for height 4. Best for serious travel 5. Best lightweight option 6. Best for videographers 7. Best for content creators 8. Best stylish option 9. Best budget travel tripod 10. Best value for money 11. Best travel tripods FAQ 12. How we test

Take one of the best travel tripods on your next big adventure and see how easy it is to take breathtaking photos. These space-saving tripods are great for astrophotographers hiking out to remote locations, or travel photographers trying to keep their backpacks light. When combined with the best cameras and best lenses you'll be surprised at just how great your photography can look.

Our expert reviewers have tested these tripods out in the field, making note of their weight and size so you can work out whether they'll fit in your bag. Often constructed from carbon fiber (over heavier materials like aluminum) these tripods tend to have telescopic capabilities, folding down to a size that allows them to slide snuggly into carry-on luggage or one of the best camera backpacks .

We've made sure to highlight any trade-offs you may have to make for the lighter tripod, as some tend to have a more restricted payload than one of the full-sized best tripods . But overall, they can cut your overall kit weight right down and take up far less space than a traditional tripod.

Best overall

The Peak Design Travel Tripod is a novel travel tripod that is so narrow it can fit into cabin luggage. It is night-friendly and can support full-frame DSLRs and even smartphones.

Read more below

One of the best tripods we've seen, it comes with a detachable monopod and built-in phone mount. The carbon fiber tubes keep it relatively light.

This Benro tripod will last for years to come. It's also the tallest tripod on our list — when fully extended, its maximum height is 66.92-inches (170 cm).

A very light and compact tripod which can fold down to 13.6 inches, small enough to put in your cabin bag. We like the smooth operating ball head too.

The Manfrotto Befree Advanced Travel Tripod's aluminum rig is as light and as solid a travel tripod as you’re likely to find, making it great for full-frame astrophotography gear.

The Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit is a unique take on a tripod that can wrap around almost anything to hold 6.6 lbs (3 kg) worth of photography gear.

Load next 3 products ↴

An excellent quality premium tripod that looks stunning and performs just as well, but it does come with a premium price tag.

Best budget option

A 6-in-1 option, the Benro MeFoto Road Trip Pro converts into a variety of styles to suit different styles of shooting. The legs utilize a twist and lock function.

The Punks Corey 2.0 is lightweight but it can support over 8x its own weight, and you can remove the legs to make it a monopod.

  • Back to the top ⤴

Best travel tripods we recommend in 2024

Why you can trust Space.com Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test and review products.

Peak Design Travel Tripod

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

✅ If only the best will do: This is an exceptional, thoughtfully designed tripod for photographers on the move. We found it hard to fault.

❌ You need more height: You'll only be able to reach a height of 60-inches with this travel tripod.

🔎  Peak Design Travel Tripod  An exceptionally narrow and compact design makes the Peak Design Travel Tripod a key piece of kit for traveling astrophotographers after something highly mobile and with a fast set-up and takedown. ★★★★½

The Peak Design Travel Tripod tops our list thanks to its sleek, narrow and compact design that maintains impressive stability even with full-frame DSLR cameras. The three legs and ball head fold down to meet with no gaps, measuring just 3.125 inches in diameter and 15.4 inches in height when packed up. This means it fits easily away in luggage or camera bags, but it comes with its own soft padded case with a waterproof zip and carry handles as well.

We loved this tripod's speedy setup and takedown, although we were slightly less fond of the camera attachment. The ball head (one of the most compact we've seen) comes with a tripod plate that attaches to your camera using a hex tool. While this was incredibly stable for long hours when shooting star trails, we can't help but feel that a tool-free D-ring plate would have been easier.

A hook at the bottom of the center column twists to reveal a folded-up smartphone clamp, which we thought was a neat additional feature. The five leg sections allow it to reach 60 inches/152.4cm when fully unfurled, which might be a bit of a stoop for taller people but helps to save on weight.

You can buy this tripod in either an aluminum or carbon fiber version, but there's a steep jump in price to carbon fiber when the aluminum model is already a very light 3.44lbs/1.56kg. We'd be happy enough with the aluminum version.

  • Read our full Peak Design Travel Tripod review

Benro Rhino FRHN24C+VX25 Head

✅  You want one of the tallest travel tripods: This one reaches a maximum height of 66.3-inches. ✅ You want a detachable monopod: Monopods are better in certain situations, like sporting events where you have limited space. This model comes with a detachable one.

❌ You're sticking to a budget: This is another premium tripod, though it's a great long-term investment.

🔎  Benro Rhino FRHN24C+VX25 Head  Although it's not cheap, for passionate photographers who need a lightweight, portable tripod capable of providing more height than most, this is a fantastic option. ★★★★½

The premium end of Benro's travel lineup is represented by the Rhino series, and with a detachable monopod, an included phone mount and carbon fiber tubes, the Benro Rhino FRHN24C tripod is one of the best tripods we've given a closer look at. Its sleek design, reliability and portability make it a fantastic choice for studio work or travel.

The braided material used to construct the carbon tubes increases stiffness, and at standard operating heights, the FRHN24C performs as well as some other non-travel-oriented tripods. When the four leg sections are completely extended, it measures 169cm (66.3-inches). It folds down to 19.3-inches, so it's also TSA-friendly and easy to carry around in a backpack or suitcase. You can also configure it into a monopod by removing one of the legs and attaching it to the removable center column, providing versatility for different photographic styles.

Although this tripod is more expensive than some of the others on the list, many professional travel photographers would find it to be a wise investment.

If this tripod piques your interest, keep your eyes peeled for our review of this model coming soon.

  • Read more: Best camera backpacks

Benro Travel Angel 9X CF Series 2 Tripod

✅  You want one of the tallest travel tripods: This one reaches a maximum height of 66.92-inches and is the tallest in this guide.

❌ You want something especially lightweight : At 1.81kg, this is one of the heavier tripods in this guide, though it's still not outrageous.

🔎  Benro Travel Angel 9X CF Series 2 Tripod  While it's not the lightest tripod on this list, it's more suited to serious photographers with lots of heavy kit as it can hold up to 22 lbs (10kg).  ★★★★½

While the name 'Travel Angel' might feel gimmicky, in this case we think it's entirely warranted. The Benro Travel Angel 9X CF Series tripod is a godsend for all travel photographers. 

It's on the expensive end of the tripods included in this guide, but it's a premium product from a reliable, well-known brand, so if your budget stretches that far, we think it's worth it. Granted, it's not the lightest of travel tripods, coming in at 3.99 lbs (1.81kg), but it can handle an impressive 22 lbs (10kg) of weight. The tripod legs are made of nine layers of carbon fiber, which means it's sturdy enough to provide stability for heavier kit while remaining lightweight and portable.

This tripod is also the tallest of all the options we've listed, extending up to 66.92 inches (170 cm). However, as with other models on this list, the Benro Travel Angel can fold up to measure 17.3 inches (43 cm), so it can be packed away into most larger bags. 

  • Check out the Best cameras for low light photography

Vanguard VEO 3 GO 204CB Carbon Fiber Tripod

✅  Being lightweight is important: This tripod weighs less than 2 lbs but still has a maximum payload of 6.6 lbs. It folds down to 13.6-inches too. ✅   You want an affordable carbon fiber tripod: This tripod is excellent value for money and a great price for a carbon fiber model.

❌ You're looking for a lot of height: This one can extend to a height of 51.6-inches which may be a bit small for some.

🔎  Vanguard VEO 3 GO 204CB Carbon Fiber Tripod You won't find a travel tripod much lighter than this compact option from Vanguard. It would be ideal for those dark nights when you have to hike to get to your chosen location. ★★★★½

The Vanguard VEO 3 GO 204CB tripod is one of the lightest full-size tripods we've ever come across, and it's the lightest on this list by a long shot, weighing in at just 1.8 lbs. It can extend to a height of 51.6 inches, which is not the tallest of the tripods in this guide, and hold a load capacity of 6.6 lbs (just about 3 kg). 

We think this tripod is an excellent choice for travel or hiking, especially when you're heading to remote places for those stunning dark sky shots you've always wanted. It can fold down to a length of 13.6 inches, which is impressive. While it may not be the tallest tripod available, its weight and compact folded size make it a compelling option. The ball-head is also really smooth to operate, which photographers on the move will appreciate, and the build quality is commendable.

Another thing to note is the Vanguard VEO 3 GO 204CB tripod is also really affordable, especially for a carbon fiber tripod. There is an aluminum version available, but it's actually not that much cheaper and you'll be bumping the weight up by a few ounces to 2.1 lbs. It can also be converted into a monopod or selfie stick, making it a solid choice for vloggers and social media content creators who use smartphones. 

  • Read more: Best mirrorless cameras

Manfrotto Befree 3 Way Advanced Tripod

✅  You're a videographer: The three-way ball head employs a hydraulic dampening mechanism to ensure the camera moves smoothly.

❌ You will get frustrated having to take the camera off your tripod: We found that we sometimes had to remove the camera from the plate to access the battery and memory card doors.

🔎  Manfrotto Befree 3 Way Advanced Tripod  At 3.28 lbs, the Italian-made Manfrotto Befree Advanced Travel Tripod isn’t ultra-lightweight, yet this aluminum travel tripod is not much heavier than its far pricier carbon fiber rivals. As travel tripods go, it’s not as compact when collapsed as others, yet it’s as advanced as any we’ve come across. ★★★★½

The Manfrotto Befree 3 Way Advanced Tripod is a lightweight aluminum tripod that makes a cost-effective alternative to more expensive carbon fiber travel tripods. It has fantastic build quality, with a very strong center column that proves sturdy and reliable in the field, and it comes with a handy red and black carry case.

This tripod has a maximum height of 59 inches and measures 15.7 inches when packed up. It has an unusual configuration whereby you pull the tripod legs back through 180 degrees to meet the ball head on the extended center column to fold it down. This works well for transporting it, although it's not as compact as some of the tripods on our list and it does leave significant gaps between the legs when you're packing it in a suitcase.

It comes with a new and improved ball head that features 360-degree flexibility and the 200PL PRO base plate attaches easily to your camera using a D-ring, which can be done anywhere and requires no extra tools. The four-section legs are versatile, with three angled positions that click neatly into place and sturdy rubber feet to provide grip. Whilst it's not the smallest or lightest travel tripod out there, we think it's great value for the quality you get.

  • Read our full Manfrotto Befree Advanced Tripod review

JOBY GorillaPod 3K Pro Tripod

✅ You'll be shooting from uneven surfaces: The unique flexible legs can bend around almost anything — a branch, handrail, fence post and so on. It can also be manipulated to be steady on rocks and uneven land.

❌ You have a lot of heavy kit: The payload is a pretty small 6.6 lbs (3kg). This is still enough for most casual shooters, but it's more suited to lightweight gear.

🔎  JOBY GorillaPod 3K Pro Tripod  The Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit is a lightweight yet surprisingly sturdy travel tripod that enables you to shoot anything, anywhere. The ideal tripod for traveling and vlogging. ★★★★½

The JOBY GorillaPod 3K Pro is an unusual looking tripod that is very lightweight and surprisingly sturdy. The design of the legs means that you can attach it to almost anything, allowing you to shoot from any position or vantage point and opening up a world of creative possibilities.

Although it's extremely portable, weighing only 8.7 oz/463g and measuring 12 inches/30cm, it can carry a pay load of 6.6 lbs/3kg, which is enough for a mirrorless camera and lens set up. This means that it's likely to appeal to travel photographers and vloggers, as well as to content creators, who can buy a separate mount to attach their smartphone.

As well as the unique legs, it comes with an Arca-Swiss compatible ball head that offers precise panning of 360 degrees and 90 degrees of tilt, allowing you to capture shots from any angle you like. It lacks a spirit level for ensuring straight shots, but many newer cameras come with this built into the screen anyway.

You'll need to be careful to distribute the weight evenly when you set it up to avoid any equipment tumbles, but once everything was in place, we found it very secure and stable and had no worries about our camera even with a telephoto lens attached. All in all, it's an intriguing alternative to more traditional tripods and is eminently portable for taking out and about with you.

  • Read our full JOBY GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit review

Gitzo Legende Traveller Tripod Kit

✅  You want a stylish aesthetic: This tripod has been designed with a beautiful aesthetic in mind, and it performs just as nicely as it looks.

❌ You don't have a big budget: Though it is beautiful to look at, most of the tripods on this list do the same job but for a fraction of the cost.

🔎  Gitzo Legende Traveller Tripod Kit  If you have the money, we believe this is a pretty nice tripod to use, but we do have one criticism: there are many tripods on the market, including several that are included in this list, that can do the same tasks for a lot less money. ★★★★

Gitzo has taken a premium, aesthetically conscious approach to travel tripods and other camera accessories with the Legende series. The Legende Traveller Tripod Kit has a great design and performs just as nicely as it looks thanks to its well-designed, ultra-smooth knobs, dials and adjustments. 

The attention to detail is excellent, with nice little features such as the specially designed matte silver aluminum Center Ball Head and the leather strap adding to the discerning feel. It reaches a maximum height of 65-inches with the central column and folds down to a compact collapsed length of 16.9-inches. It has four leg sections and can carry loads of up to 17.6 lbs.

If you're willing to spend, we think this tripod is good. However, we do have one criticism: there are many other tripods available, including some mentioned in this list, that can perform the same functions at a much lower cost.

  • Read more: Best camera accessories for astrophotography

Benro MeFoto Road Trip Pro

✅  You want versatility: This is really a six-in-one model — it works as a tripod, monopod, selfie stick, high hat (that allows for unique camera placement) and a table tripod.

❌ You want a super speedy setup: The twist and lock function works well, but setup time might take longer (as you have to twist and lock each section).

🔎  Benro MeFoto Road Trip Pro  This 6-in-1 tripod from Benro really can do it all — it can be a tripod, monopod, boom pole, selfie stick, high hat and tabletop tripod. ★★★½

With a carrying capacity of 8 kg, this option from Benro holds less weight and is a more compact and less pro-style setup, but that doesn't mean it can't compete with some of the other travel tripods on the market. It features five leg sections extending up to 60-inches (155cm), which is impressive — the central column also has two sections. It weighs just 3.6 lbs and collapses down to 15.4-inches. It can also be configured in six ways: a tripod, monopod, boom pole, selfie stick, high hat and tabletop tripod.

We find the tripod's graduated panning scale quite handy because it helps you maintain a level position for smooth panning in video or capturing panoramic shots of the scenery. The twist locks work effectively, but it might take more time to set up if you have to twist or unscrew each one individually. Nevertheless, it's a hassle-free choice that won't strain your budget, making it an excellent option for amateur travelers looking to take photos.

  • Read more: Best cameras for beginners

3 Legged Thing Punks Corey 2.0

✅  You have heavy kit: The 3 Legged Punks Corey 2.0 can hold a whopping 30 lb (14kg) payload, that's 8x it's own weight.

❌ You don't like the look of it: We mean aesthetically — though we quite like that it stands out, it isn't for everyone. ❌ You need more height: The maximum height is 54.3 inches, which is on the shorter side of the scale of tripods in this guide.

🔎  3 Legged Thing Punks Corey 2.0  The Punks range is ultralight and ultra-compact and, amazingly, they can still support 30 lbs of weight, which is over 8 times their own weight of 3.95 lbs ★★★½

3-Legged Thing started as a grassroots business in the UK. Danny Lenihan, the company's creator, used his knowledge in lighting and photography to create extremely versatile, lightweight tripods and other equipment.

The Punks range of tripods from 3 Legged Thing is ideal for travel due to their compact and lightweight design, made from magnesium alloy. Surprisingly, they can support up to 30 lbs of weight, which is more than 8 times their own weight of 3.95 lbs. The 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey 2.0 Tripod can reach a height of 54.3 inches when fully extended and folds down to just 14.2 inches, making it easy to fit into your carry-on luggage when you're flying. You can substitute the feet to make low-level or tabletop tripods, or you can remove the legs entirely to make a monopod or selfie stick.

Despite the fact that we liked the tripods' vivid colors, strong designs, and general performance, some seasoned amateurs or professionals might be looking for more bells and whistles, such as more complex head systems.

  • Read more: 3 Legged PUNKS Brian tripod review

Travel tripods: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lightest travel tripod.

The lightest travel tripod we have tested is the Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Tripod ; it weighs just 1.02 lbs (463g). However, it's worth noting that it is a unique model that is designed to wrap around objects such as branches and fences. 

The lightest 'standard' tripod in our guide (which has extendable legs and can be used on the ground) is the Vanguard VEO 3 GO 204CB Carbon Fiber Tripod, which weighs 1.6 lbs (725g). 

Can I use a travel tripod with my smartphone?

The answer is yes, you can. Some travel tripods come with a phone adapter, such as the Peak Design Travel Tripod , Benro Rhino FRHN24C+VX25 Head and Benro MeFoto Road Trip Pro, but if they don't, you can also purchase a tripod smartphone mount separately. This is especially useful for content creators who mostly shoot using smartphone cameras. 

Should I buy a Carbon fiber or aluminum tripod?

Carbon fiber tripods generally weigh less than their aluminum counterparts but cost more. Some models will cost significantly more, so if you want to save money on a tripod look to purchase an aluminum model. However, if traveling light is your priority then opt for a carbon fiber model.

For example, the Peak Design aluminum travel tripod costs around $380 at time of writing, whereas the carbon fiber version costs $650 which is $270 or 1.7x more expensive. However, the Vanguard VEO 3 GO 204 aluminum tripod costs $130, and its carbon fiber version costs $150, just $20 or 1.25x more.  

What is the best travel tripod for astrophotography?

This depends on the overall payload (weight) of your camera, lens and camera accessories. We'd recommend the Peak Design Travel Tripod as the best travel tripod overall if your budget stretches. But a more budget-friendly option which we still rate highly would be the Vanguard VEO 3 GO 204CB.

It's important to add up the weight of all the gear you will be place on any given tripod because all tripods have a maximum payload; see below.

What is a tripod maximum payload?

A tripod's maximum payload is the maximum weight a tripod is designed to hold rock steady when taking photographs or video footage. To calculate this, add up the weight of everything you will place on the tripod, which may include: The camera , a lens and camera accessories like an intervalometer /remote shutter release, flash, filter, or a star tracker mount .

If it is just slightly over the manufacturer's stated maximum payload for the tripod there's a chance things will be fine. But bear in mind that there are no guarantees for its stability, especially in high winds. If in doubt, go for a tripod that is designed to hold the maximum payload of your camera gear, even if it means investing a little more money.

Travel tripods are designed to be lightweight and compact, so it may be that none on this list will support your maximum payload. If this is the case, we'd recommend a bigger, more generalist tripod from our best tripods guide.

How many leg sections should my tripod have?

Between three and five leg sections is typically the most common. The leg sections are designed to extend to increase or decrease the tripod's height to aid composition. The Benro Rhino FRHN24C+VX25 Head has four leg sections and reaches a maximum height of 66.3-inches. However, the Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Tripod which has a maximum height of 11.8-inches with just one leg section, but this is intentional because it's designed to wrap around and onto tall objects so 

If you're trekking or want to set up your camera on uneven ground, it's worth testing out tripods with multiple leg angles and the ability to adjust quickly. Usually, a small pin or lever at the top of the legs can be pulled out to increase the leg angle and therefore change the height and stability of the travel tripod.

How we test the best travel tripods

To guarantee you're getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best travel tripods to buy here at Space.com we make sure to put every travel tripod through a rigorous review to fully test each product. Each travel tripod is reviewed based on a multitude of aspects, from its construction and design, to how well it functions and its performance in the field.

Each travel tripod is carefully tested by our expert staff or knowledgeable freelance contributors who know their subject areas in depth. This ensures fair reviewing is backed by personal, hands-on experience with each travel tripod and is judged based on its price point, class and destined use.

We look at how easy each travel tripod is to operate, whether it contains the latest up-to-date material, and also make suggestions if a particular travel tripod would benefit from any additional equipment to give you the best user experience possible.

With complete editorial independence, Space.com are here to ensure you get the best buying advice on travel tripods, whether you should purchase a travel tripod or not, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Get the Space.com Newsletter

Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

Jacob Little

Jacob Little is a photographer, writer and communications professional based in Bristol and Cornwall. His main inspirations come from outdoor adventure, travel, rural living and wild ways and crafts. Passionate about weaving the core principles of storytelling into his images, he approaches brand and copywriting work in much the same way. Conveying a compelling narrative is one of the main drivers behind much of his work.

  • Kimberley Lane Contributing writer
  • Tantse Walter Contributing Writer

Total solar eclipse 2024: Live updates

Bwine F7GB2 drone review

Watch SpaceX's Crew-8 astronaut mission arrive at the ISS early March 5 (free livestream)

Most Popular

By Keith Cooper December 22, 2023

By Fran Ruiz December 20, 2023

By Fran Ruiz December 19, 2023

By Fran Ruiz December 18, 2023

By Tantse Walter December 18, 2023

By Robert Lea December 05, 2023

By Robert Lea December 04, 2023

By Robert Lea December 01, 2023

By Rebecca Sohn November 27, 2023

By Fran Ruiz November 21, 2023

By Daisy Dobrijevic November 15, 2023

  • 2 How do astronauts use the bathroom in space?
  • 3 Help name the asteroid that Japan's Hayabusa2 probe will fly by in 2026
  • 4 Rippling sand dunes, icy cliffs spied near Mars' north pole (photos)
  • 5 The James Webb Space Telescope's targets over the next year include black holes, exomoons, dark energy — and more

Best Travel Tripods (Take Epic Pics On The Go)

Traveling with camera gear can be a complete nightmare. Every extra thing you take with you adds up to extra weight, and, extra space. Things you often don’t have enough of.

I was recently faced with exactly this dilemma, while also trying to upgrade my 10-year-old, super small, but mostly useless, old tripod.

At A Glance: Our Top 3 Travel Tripods

  • Best Overall Tripod Three Legged Thing - Brian Carbon Fiber Jump To Review
  • Best High-End Tripod Gitzo Traveler Series 1 GT1555T Tripod Jump To Review
  • Best Budget Tripod Benro SLIM Carbon Fiber (FSL09CN00) Jump To Review

So in this post, I am going to share the fruits of my long, arduous quest for the best travel tripod. From the top of the line to the super affordable, I have found the best options out there to help you take amazing pictures on the road!

Top Product Overview

Top travel tripods in 2021, three legged thing - brian carbon fiber.

When I was looking for a new lightweight travel tripod, I thought I would end up with one of the more popular brands. However, don’t close your mind to new players, there are some amazing travel tripods out there like this one – Brian from Three Legged Thing .

Three-Legged Thing is a “relatively” new brand in the tripod world. They are based in the UK and produce super-high-quality tripods that are focused on travel.

I came across them in my recent quest for a new travel tripod. I read all the reviews and blog posts around, and always saw the same companies – Manfrotto, BeFree, Gitzo, etc. But I wanted to find the optimal tripod in terms of weight, useable height, and collapsed size. All without giving up any functionality.

Three-Legged Thing also produces a huge range of tripods , so if you want something smaller, longer, lighter, etc. they are sure to have it.

I ended up with the Brian tripod from Three Legged Thing because it fits all those criteria. It fits easily in a normal backpack, is close to the best lightweight tripod around, and when it is fully extended it is 74 inches (188 cm) – so eye level or above for almost anyone. Rare in such a lightweight travel tripod.

They have also thought about almost everything including

  • the ability to get super low by removing the center column (and make a Monopod with one of the tripod legs too!)
  • super fast extension of the legs with their patented rubber grips on the twist locks
  • reverse collapsed so it is super-compact (the legs fold 180 degrees to envelope the tripod head)
  • a super slim, easy to use a tripod ball head
  • removable and changeable feet (buy separately – spikes etc)
  • And it looks stunning too with the blue/orange anodized Aluminium they used!

My only beef with this tripod apart from the fact I would have liked it to be even lighter (you can get those, but they are always smaller and don’t expand as high) is that it does not have a quick-release plate – a minor detail, given you can get alternative heads for it. It is Arca compatible though. And of course, it sits on a lovely ball head, so all in all you can’t really complain.

But for me, this is the best travel tripod you can get right now.

  • Super compact & lightweight tripod
  • Extends up to 74 inches (188 cm)
  • Easy to open up and exten
  • Moderate price compared to similar models from other brands
  • Tripod ball head does not have quick release
  • Not the cheapest option - but mid-range and worth it in my opinion

Product Information

  • Materials: Carbon fiber
  • Weight: 3lb / 1.36kg
  • Max Height: 74" / 188 cm
  • Folded Length: 16.1"/ 41 cm
  • Max capacity: 30.9lb / 14 kg

Gitzo Traveler Series 1 GT1555T Tripod

Gitzo Lightweight Series 1 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Ball Head, Silver & Black (GK1555T-82TQDUS)

Gitzo makes the absolute cream of the crop when it comes to tripods, and many would claim they are the absolute best tripod around. Quite a few travel photographers will be seen on Youtube toting a Gitzo and for good reason. The quality and craftsmanship of their gear are almost second to none.

It just comes with a price tag to match. And, I actually found the specs a little lacking compared to Brian above when I seriously compared them. And for more than double the price, Three Legged had me sold.

Anyway, back to the Gitzo . It is a carbon fiber tripod at 3.1 pounds and extends all the way to 58.5″ (158.6 cm) so not quite as high as the Brian, but most people will be ok with it.

Note: If you want a taller one, you will have to compromise on the weight and folded height quite a bit. One model you can check out is the Gitzo GK2545T  (max height 65.2″)

Where this carbon fiber tripod excels in the specs is the folded length is one of the smallest around at 14 inches (35.6 cm) so will easily fit in any backpack or case.

The Traveler has all the other features you would expect from a lightweight travel tripod including:

  • Reverse collapsible twist-lock legs with 3 angles
  • Top-notch tripod ball head with quick release (arca compatible)
  • Short center column to help get lower to the ground
  • Easy to use ball head for image alignment
  • Exceptional quality
  • Super-lightweight at 3.1lb
  • Compact folded size: 14 inches
  • Quick release plate
  • Very expensive
  • Extended height a little lacking, but there are bigger models
  • No Monopod ability
  • Weight: 3.1 lb / 1.4kg
  • Max Height: 58.5" / 158.6 cm
  • Folded Length: 14"/ 35.6 cm
  • Max load: 22 lb / 10 kg

Benro SLIM Carbon Fiber (FSL09CN00)

Benro Slim Travel Kit - Carbon Fiber (FSL09CN00)

The Benro Slim is probably the cheapest, smallest, and simplest of all the lightweight travel tripods in this review. That doesn’t mean that it’s not worth your time, it just lacks a few features and a little bit of full height, as well as weight capacity.

But it makes for a great travel companion for those wanting to save weight, space and don’t need pro camera features.

Weighing in at 2.64lb, it’s certainly the lightest I have seen in a while. And I was surprised it was able to extend to 57.1 inches (147cm). Not a towering tripod, but given it collapses to 12.9 inches (32.7cm) it’s probably the smallest too.

Otherwise, it is quite a simple travel tripod, with an extending and reversible center column, simple lockable 4 part carbon fiber legs that have multiple angles (as all of them do).

The one small touch it does have is a hook on the end of the column to hang your bag or weight for windy conditions.

The ball head is decent enough, although not quick release. It has a bubble level that gets hidden by the camera when attached, which is a small downside. But the lever release is an easy-to-use feature. And this lightweight travel tripod has a separate panoramic knob for rotating.

All in all, this would be the best option in terms of size, weight, and price, if you want to save on all three! (and don’t mind the reduced max height or capacity).

Note:  there is an even smaller and cheaper option too, the  Benro TSL08CN00 .

  • One of the lightest
  • One of the most compact
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Very affordable
  • Reduced maximum height (57.1")
  • Hard to get low to the ground (have to reverse column)
  • No monopod options
  • Weight: 2.64 lb / 1.2 kg
  • Maximum Height: 58.5" / 158.6 cm
  • Max load: 8.8 lb / 4 kg

Manfrotto Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Tripod

Manfrotto Befree Advanced 4-Section Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with 494 Center Ball Head, Black

Manfrotto is one of the absolute go-to brands when it comes to travel tripods and their BeFree series of tripods has definitely made a name for them.

In researching the best travel tripod to buy, I, unfortunately, read a few too many complaints about them to consider them in my final selection. However, they are still loved by many, and for good reason.

Their lightweight carbon fiber BeFree is almost ideal in most of the ways you want a tripod to be. It’s relatively light (but not as light as the Gitzo or 3 Legged above) at 3.59 lb (1.63kg), and can extend to a decent height: 59 inches (159cm), but still short of my final choice Brian.

It almost beats the Gitzo in terms of folded length, at 16.1 inches (40.9cm), which is impressive. It uses the same backward folding, twist-lock leg sections that have become quite the standard in tripods, and makes the most sense as it hides the ball head that way, as you can see below.

However, the Manfrotto is missing some of the features that the more intelligently designed tripods seem to have. This includes the ability to remove the center column to get down low – you have to reverse it and hang the camera under the tripod to do that instead.

It also lacks a place to hang your bag or weight in windy conditions and does not convert to a monopod.

However, the 3 part twist lock, quick release leg sections mean it is marginally faster to extend than others. And of course, it has easy to open legs and the usual ball head that can be used at any angle. All things you would expect from a modern tripod.

However, given the price of this travel tripod, some people will be ok with these compromises

  • Super lightweight
  • Decent max extension
  • 3 part leg sections easy to extend
  • Hard to get low to the ground (can't remove center column)
  • No monopod capability (they have another model for that)
  • Nowhere to hang a weight for windy conditions
  • Weight: 3.59 lb / 1.63kg
  • Maximum Height: 59 inches / 159cm
  • Folded Length: 16.1"/ 40.9 cm
  • Max load: 17.6 lb / 8 kg

Benro Travel Angel 2 Series Carbon Fiber (FTA28CV1)

Benro Travel Angel 2 Series Carbon Fiber Tripod w/ V1E Ball Head (FTA28CV1)

Benro’s Slim above is one of the simplest and lightest, but if you want some more height or weight capacity, then you can upgrade to their Travel Angel series. It is not the best in the class of some of the others, but it has solid specifications in all areas, so is a reasonable travel tripod.

Its maximum height is 66.9 inches / 170 cm, which is still not towering, but more than decent for a travel tripod. This also means it weighs a little more at 4 lb / 1.8kg, a compromise for the height and weight capacity of 22lb.

Again, if this is the kind of feature you need, then Brian beats them all and is lighter and more compact. But Benro makes a competitive travel tripod for sure.

This model also has all the features you will love such as the ability to turn it into a monopod, and a place to add weight via the underside of the center column.

Like many of the other travel tripods above, it also features a twist lock, quick-release legs, an easy-to-use ball head, and the standard plate mounting system to help attach your camera with ease.

However, it is just a little shorter than I personally would have liked. That does not mean it’s not a good travel tripod for you though.

  • Fairly light, compact and extendable for a travel tripod
  • Converts to a monopod
  • Can hang weight from the center column
  • Not as high as the Brian
  • A little bit on the heavy side
  • Weight: 4 lb / 1.8kg
  • Maximum Height: 66.9 inches / 170 cm
  • Folded Length: 18.7"/ 47.5 cm

Vanguard VEO 235AB Aluminium

Vanguard VEO 235AB Aluminum Travel Tripod with Ball Head for Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm Mirrorless, Compact System Camera (CSC), DSLR

Generally, I don’t include Aluminium tripods in this review because they are heavier than the carbon fiber tripod version and that defeats the travel tripod purpose in my humble opinion. However, in this case, the Vanguard is a great low-priced alternative that is also quite light.

Weighing in at 3.3 lb (1.49 kg) it’s still respectable and also extends to a decent enough 58.6 inches (148cm) and collapses to a small enough 15 inches (38cm ).

Where this travel tripod excels is the foldable center column which can be very handy for weird angles and overtop shots of things on the ground. Not something most of us need a lot, but it can be handy to have the option.

It also has retractable spikes in the feet in case you get yourself in some slippery situations, and an adapter if you want to get down low (no need to reverse the center column). There is also the standard ball head that you can use at almost any angle.

In summary, for the weight and size, as well as the low price, this makes a great entry-level option for any traveler with a camera!

  • Very affordable, compact and light
  • Low height adapter instead of center column (for low shots)
  • Max Height is reasonable
  • Folding center column for various angles
  • Retracting spiked feet
  • Max height is a little lacking
  • No monopod option
  • Weight: 3.3 lb / 1.5kg
  • Maximum Height: 57.1 inches / 145 cm
  • Folded Length: 14.9"/ 37.8 cm
  • Max load: 13.2 lb / 6 kg

Sirui W-1204 Carbon Fiber Tripod

Sirui W-1204 4-Section Waterproof Carbon Fiber Tripod, 33.1lbs Capacity, 65' Maximum Height, Gray (6913)

If you plan on taking your travel tripod to some wet places, then the  Sirui waterproof tripod  is perhaps the one for you. It is the only truly waterproof model in this review.

Like most of the tripods in the travel category, it comes with full carbon fiber legs, with easy-to-use twist locks for fast deployment. These locks are also fully waterproof preventing both water and dust from entering the mechanism and the legs themselves. And the leg angle is automatically locked and easy to change.

It is not the lightest tripod around (at 3.7 lb), but it does make up for that with the amount of extension, reaching a height of 70.9 inches, which is certainly impressive.

It is also a reasonably priced travel tripod for what you get, which is always a plus. However, not being as popular or well-known a brand, there might be better options above, that is for sure. I for one love my Three-legged thing!

  • Waterproof and easy to extend legs
  • Very high when fully extended
  • Not as compact as most
  • A little heavy and long for my liking
  • Weight: 3.7 lb / 1.67 kg
  • Maximum Height: 70.9 inches / 180 cm
  • Folded Length: 20. 5 in.
  • Max load: 39 lb / kg18

Peak Design Travel Tripod

The Peak Design Travel Tripod is one of the smallest and lightest on the market. After all, Peak Design has been relentlessly focusing on improving camera gear for years.

One of the biggest selling points of this travel tripod is how small it packs down. The leg sections collapse down and fold together in such a way that it resembles a water bottle. So, you can easily slide the Peak Design travel tripod into the bottle holder of any pack.

This travel tripod also comes in two flavors, Aluminum, and Carbon fiber, so you can choose how light you want it, and how much you want to spend to get that weight saving.

Overall, this is an impressively compact travel tripod that is very well designed and comes with premium materials. Just remember to add a ball head to your shopping list.

The biggest downside for some may be the fact that the Peak design travel tripod does not have panning. But, if you can live without that, you are good to go!

SEE THE CARBON VERSION HERE .

  • Insanely compact
  • Two material/weight options
  • All the features you need
  • Panning not an option
  • Minimum height: 14 cm / 5.5 inches
  • Max height: 152.4 cm / 60 inches
  • Weight: Aluminium: 1.56 kg / 3.44 lbs / Carbon fibre: 1.27 kg / 2.81 lbs
  • Max load: 9.1 kg / 20 lbs

Compact Travel Tripods To Consider

I did not want to go into detail on absolutely every tripod on the market. However, there are a few other tripods you might want to consider for various reasons.

The first is the Joby GorillaPod which is super popular because of its extremely lightweight and compactness. However, be careful when considering this tripod as I had a small one and they just cannot realistically handle a large camera at all. So, if you have anything other than a light compact camera, I would not use one.

Another option in this very compact category that is far more capable of handling a larger camera is the Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod . As you probably know, Manfrotto is the king when it comes to tripods, however, they have just been facing more competition of late. This mini tripod is worth having in your bag as a backup or for when you just can’t carry a larger tripod around.

What To Look For In A Travel Tripod

The following are what I consider to be the most important things to look for:

Travel Tripod Weight

One of the biggest things you have to deal with when traveling is weight. So, when looking for a travel tripod I usually look at weight as one of the biggest deciders.

Depending on how big (high) the tripod can go and the material it is made from (carbon fiber is lighter in general) the tripod will vary in weight in the 2.5-4 lb range. It’s all a compromise though, as lighter often means more expensive or shorter overall.

Travel Tripod Height

Depending on how you shoot, this can be a deal-breaker or not a big deal at all. Photographers that rely on the viewfinder will want a tripod that comes up to eye level. So, look for a tripod with a maximum height that matches your eye height (which is a little lower than your actual height, so be careful to remember that).

If you have a live-view or mirrorless camera, then this may be less of a problem. Because you can always tilt the screen to see what is going on. However, it does limit you in terms of maneuverability and overall height in terms of seeing over objects and so forth.

However, it is a travel tripod and you have to compromise on something!

Collapsed Length Of A Tripod

A travel tripod will usually have to fit into your backpack, or your suitcase, so just be sure that it can. This means figuring out what the maximum overall size/length can be for your situation. For me, it was important that it was as small as possible, without compromising too much on max. height. That is why I settled on Brian. However, you can get taller, and shorter ones that compromise on other things too.

Materials & Durability

Most of the tripods in this review are carbon fiber. Some are Aluminium. There is little difference in terms of durability, it is just that carbon fiber is more expensive and lighter.

Where you want to pay attention is in the details like the sleeves to open and close the leg sections, the ball head mechanism, and so forth. it is not always easy to know, but if you read the reviews on Amazon, people who have owned them will give you lots of clues about quality and materials.

Special Features

Most of the travel tripods have the same features like a ball head, collapsable legs with twist locks, and so on. However, there are a few things extra you might want to have.

The first is a monopod which is made using the center column, that is fully removable. Another is to consider how the plate is mounted and where the bubble levels are. This can have a huge effect on usability.

Travel Tripod Price

The cheapest travel tripods in this review are around the $100 mark. However, they are not the best in terms of build quality, materials, and features. Similarly, the most expensive, the Gitzo Traveler is nearly $1000, and for most people not worth the money.

  • Carbon exact tubes; reverse-folding legs
  • Traveler G-Lock leg lock system

However, if you are just starting out, then something like the Benro Slim is a great option in terms of size, weight, and features. Then if you really want to upgrade, you can in the future.

  • Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod - 494 Center Ball Head (MH494-BH) - Quick Release Plate (200PL-PRO) - Padded Tripod Bag - Manfrotto 10 Year Limited Warranty (6 Month + 9 Year & 6 Month Extension with Online Registration)
  • Advanced Travel Tripod kit Carbon

If you want something a little better, the Brian or the Manfrotto or BeFree are better bets.

3 Legged Thing Punks Corey Magnesium Alloy Ultra-Compact Travel Tripod - Adjustable, Multi-use Camera Tripod with Detachable Monopod Leg

  • Meet Corey, our most compact entry-level Punks tripod brought to you by 3 Legged Thing. This lightweight, ultra-compact system is made with durable, aircraft grade magnesium alloy and features a wealth of practical elements to make your shoot smooth and simple - the perfect travel companion!
  • Extending from 10cm up to 1.5m, Corey offers a wide range of working heights, folding down to just 34cm and weighing only 1.5kg, making it the ultimate companion for photographers on the go. Despite its compact size, it can support up to 14kg - 9 times its own weight!
  • Overview Guide
  • 1 Week Itinerary
  • Train Journeys
  • Epic Drives
  • Stunning Lakes
  • Historic Castles
  • Lauterbrunnen
  • Grindelwald
  • Chocolate Tours
  • Swiss National Park
  • Majestic Mountains
  • Spectacular Waterfalls
  • Famous Things
  • Tasty Fondue
  • 10 Day Itinerary
  • Cherry Blossoms
  • Tokyo Shrines
  • Dos and Don’ts
  • Osaka Guide
  • Osaka Itinerary
  • Osaka or Kyoto
  • Kyoto Day Trips
  • Matsumoto Castle
  • Tokyo Luxury Hotels
  • Island Hopping
  • Best Campsites
  • Driving Tips
  • Beaune, France
  • Barcelona Itinerary
  • Spain Itinerary
  • Greece Itinerary
  • Italy Road Trips
  • Berlin Day Trips
  • Norway Northern Lights
  • Netherlands National Parks
  • Mostar, Bosnia
  • Best Airlines
  • Midwest Ski Resorts
  • Florida RV Parks
  • Washington RV Parks
  • Oregon RV Parks
  • Utah Camping
  • Texas Camping
  • Chicago National Parks
  • East Coast National Parks
  • Colorado National Parks
  • Joshua Tree
  • Yellowstone
  • Alberta Hikes
  • Flashlights
  • Water Filters
  • Sleeping Pads
  • Solar Lanterns
  • Tent Brands
  • 4-Person Tents
  • 4 Seasons Tents
  • Backpacking Tents
  • Beach Tents
  • Cabin Tents
  • Multi-room Tents
  • Pop-up Tents
  • Truck Bed Tents
  • Underwear (Men)
  • Backpacks Under $100
  • Microspikes
  • Boonie Hats
  • In The World
  • New Zealand
  • Hardisde Luggage
  • Lightweight Luggage
  • Luggage Sets
  • Spinner Luggage
  • Durable Suitcases
  • Duffel Bags
  • Kids Luggage
  • Teen Luggage
  • Space Saving Luggage
  • Business Carry-Ons
  • Garment Carry-Ons
  • Suitcases Under $50
  • Travel Briefcase
  • Zipperless Suitcases
  • Rolling Briefcase
  • Luggage Straps
  • Luxury Brands
  • American Tourister
  • AmazonBasics
  • Delsey Chatelet
  • Anti-Theft Backpacks
  • Backpacks Under $50
  • Baby Carrier Backpacks
  • Cooler Backpacks
  • Backpacking Backpacks
  • Climbing Backpacks
  • Backpacks for Back Pain
  • Beach Backpacks
  • Hiking Backpacks
  • Business Travel Backpacks
  • Laptop Backpacks
  • Backpacks for Tablets
  • Commuter Backpacks
  • Travel Backpacks (Men)
  • Travel Backpacks (Women)
  • Waterproof Backpacks
  • Wheeled Backpacks
  • Down Jackets
  • Down Parkas
  • Fleece Jackets
  • Hardshell Jackets
  • Rain Jackets
  • Softshell Jackets
  • Eco Friendly Jackets
  • Gore Tex Alternatives
  • Heated Jackets
  • Lightweight Jackets
  • 3-in-1 Waterproof Jackets
  • Parajumper Jackets
  • Rain Poncho
  • Ski Jackets
  • Travel Hoodies
  • Travel Jackets
  • Winter Coats
  • Helly Hansen
  • Mammut Jackets
  • Patagonia Nanopuff
  • Survival Jackets
  • Flower Captions
  • Waterfall Captions
  • Tree Captions
  • Sunset Captions
  • Sunflower Captions
  • Rainbow Captions
  • Paddle Boarding Captions
  • Hot Air Balloon Captions
  • Kayaking Captions
  • Airplane Captions For Instagram
  • Forest Captions

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

The 12 Best Travel Tripods – Lightweight and Compact Options [2024]

Amar Hussain's image

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury's image

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

Countries Visited: 44 U.S. States Visited: 28

The 12 Best Travel Tripods – Lightweight and Compact Options [2024]

Why Buy a Tripod for Travel

Things to consider with travel tripods, 1. enjoy 3-legged flexibility or use as a monopod, 2. a firm favorite with professionals and a mateurs alike, 3. extremely versatile, lightweight, and foldable tripod, 4. the tabletop tripod that packs a punch, 5. a tremendous lightweight tripod at an affordable price, 6. a carbon fiber wallet-buster, 7. superfast carbon fiber travel tripod, 8. strong and sturdy saves the day, 9. an affordable option for those looking to shoot from innovative angles, 10. the basic budget tripod by amazon, 11. great value tripod for both low and high shots, 12. not as compact but worth a mention due to price, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Travel tripods carry out the same basic tasks as a standard tripod. The difference is, these tripods are strong enough to carry most standard DSLR cameras and lenses, yet compact enough to fold up and throw into your camera travel bag or luggage.

If you want to get serious about taking better pictures, it’s time to invest in a travel tripod and take your travel photography to the next level.

Travel tripod size and weight

Perhaps the question here should really be why wouldn’t you buy a travel tripod for your next adventure? If you’re already the proud owner of a quality camera and all the accessories that go with it, then your travel tripod will be the icing on the cake in your photographic armory.

Your tripod will let you capture images where the human hand just can’t cope. Take long exposures in dim lighting and selfies the like of which will never have been seen before, all with the help of a handy travel tripod.

A tripod will offer you rigidity where there otherwise would be none, helping you to create and capture stunning, seamless, shake-free pictures that benefit from maximum image stabilization and improved lighting conditions.

You may only use your travel tripod for a small number of the images you capture while traveling, but they’ll be some of the best you’ve ever created!

Size and Weight

Travel tripod portability

As you’ll be taking this tripod with you while you travel, the size and weight are 2 of the most important aspects you need to consider. Your tripod will need to be lightweight and compact enough to fit in your luggage, but also strong and sturdy enough to do its job.

As a general rule, larger tripods are heavier and harder to squeeze into your backpack or suitcase , but they’ll be more stable. Smaller, lightweight tripods will be easy to stow with your clothes, but you might be compromising the durability of the tripod.

If you want the best of both worlds, be prepared to pay for it. Professional level tripods offer tip-top stability but are made from state-of-the-art materials that are light and easy to carry.

Material and Durability

Travel tripod material

The material your travel tripod is made from will directly affect how well it performs, how long it will last, and how heavy it is (or isn’t) to carry. More expensive materials tend to weigh less and be more durable, while cheaper tripods are conversely heavier yet not always as reliable or long-lasting.

Most travel tripods are made from aluminum — a cheap material that handles the elements well. Durable and long-lasting, most of your standard travel tripods made from aluminum offer a cost-effective alternative to those with a higher-spec construction.

Carbon fiber, on the other hand, is the preferred material for high-end tripods and is designed to weigh next to nothing and last for years to come.

Bottom Line: For the majority of travelers, an aluminum tripod will be just fine and help you to capture impressive pictures all around the world.

Load Capacity

Some travel tripods are better at holding heavy loads than others are. The load capacity of the tripod you choose to invest in will need to be enough to safely hold your beloved camera. Excellent images can’t be achieved with a tripod that’s struggling under the weight of top-heavy equipment, as shakes and falls will make a mockery of your finished picture.

Most modern-day tripods can comfortably handle the weight of a standard DSLR, meaning that unless you have some cumbersome lenses or other extras, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about load capacity.

Tripod Head Design

Travel tripod head design

The tripod head design can affect what types of photos you’re able to take. With the right tripod head, you can take 360-degree images that will be superb. Don’t limit your creativity by getting the wrong tripod head.

Look for free-floating ball-heads, quick-release plates, panoramic markings, and bubble levelers to help you capture excellent images using your travel tripod.

Ease of Use

State-of-the-art technology is all well and good, but if you have a tripod that’s too tricky to use, you may as well not bother with it. The perfect travel tripod should be easy to erect, quick to set up, and allow for interchangeable accessories to be added, quick as a flash.

The legs should fold out, and back up again in one smooth motion, and you should never have to miss a shot because you’re too busy trying to open your tripod and attach your camera.

Travel tripod legs

Not much mystery here when we say that the legs of your tripod are essential to its overall effectiveness. The majority of tripods have 3 or 4 legs, which is plenty to reduce minor wobbles. For an even more stable set-up, invest in a stone bag to weigh down the tripod and prevent unwanted shaking.

Most tripods will allow you to adjust the length of the legs using a series of locking mechanisms, and screws or flip locks to keep them held firmly in place.

Over time, the locks will loosen, and you may find your tripod takes on a lean more often than it used to. If this is the case, you can repair it or replace it, depending on how much your initial investment was.

The 12 Best Travel Tripods

Zomei z818 light weight aluminium travel tripod.

Weight:  3.7 pounds Maximum Height: 85 inches Folded Length: 18 inches

This handy, multi-function tripod converts from a full-size tripod into a very useful monopod . The tripod legs can be inverted and folded back 180 degrees, meaning that the ZoMei Z818 can fold up small enough to fit in your luggage.

Made from anti-corrosion magnesium and aluminum alloy tubing, this tripod is extremely lightweight and portable. Take excellent images with the separate head and pan lock functions, and make use of the smooth quick-release mounting plate for superfast tripod mobility.

With 3 different leg angle positions, you should easily be able to find the right configuration for shooting in cramped quarters or on irregular surfaces.

The rotating leg locks control 4 adjustable leg sections offering a height range of between 18 and 65 inches. This is a small tripod with a large capacity to help you capture your best travel images ever.

What We Like

  • Has a detachable monopod

What We Don’t Like

  • Twist lock legs take longer to adjust than clip locks

Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 Aluminum Tripod

Weight:  5.38 pounds Maximum Height: 56.8 inches Folded Length: 28.8 inches

Since its introduction to the market 7 years ago, the Vanguard Alta Pro has been and is arguably still one of the best tripods that money can buy. Made from aluminum, the clever construction of the legs means this tripod can practically lay flat, allowing you to capture gorgeous images from very low angles.

A little on the heavy side, the flip-lock legs are designed to hold up to 15.4 pounds of camera and gear, while the SBH-100 ball head remains sturdy and smooth. You can even add a bubble leveler.

The Alta Pro is renowned for its use of the innovative MACC (Multi-Angle Central Column) system that allows the center column to be rotated up to 180-degrees. A real favorite with photographers the world over, this is an affordable option for savvy travelers.

  • Has a multi-angle central column
  • Not the lightest tripod
  • JOBY GorillaPod 5K Kit

Weight:  0.8 pounds Maximum Height: 14.5 inches Folded Length: 14 inches

A great little addition for photographers looking to get into those hard-to-reach places, the GorillaPod 5K from JOBY is a sturdy yet lightweight alternative to traditional tripods; it’s so compact it can be carried anywhere.

Loved by some, yet hated by others, the GorillaPod format has been around for some years now. The novel, bendy design is fun to play with, but in some cases, it can’t withstand harsh conditions or heavier loads, rendering it useless in certain circumstances.

Built from high-end plastics, rubber, aluminum, and stainless steel, the GorillaPod 5K can hold up to 11 pounds of camera, which is pretty impressive given its diminutive stature .

Wrap around an object or adjust the legs to suit your requirements, and get ready to capture impressive images with this fun, funky tripod that comes complete with its very own ball head.

  • Wraps and grips to many objects
  • Only holds lightweight cameras
  • Sirui 3T-35K Tripod with 3T-35 Ball Head & Case

Weight: 8.8 pounds Maximum Height: 7 inches Folded Length: 6.2 inches

This unique and innovative little table-top tripod comes directly to you from the geniuses at Sirui — an under-the-radar Japanese firm that’s a big hit with the super-hip.

With 3 possible configurations, this tiny tripod has a fixed-length center column that can reach as high as 13 inches tall, while the head itself can be attached directly to the legs for impressive, low-level shooting . It can also be used as a camera handle for shooting video.

Complete with a matched ball head, this sturdy tripod can support up to 5.3 pounds of weight, and the Arca Swiss-type release clamp has a sprung safety catch to prevent your camera from falling off. The foldable, rubberized feet are also useful to help the tripod itself stay stable on uneven surfaces.

  • Rubber feet prevent the tripod from slipping
  • No isolated panning with the ball head
  • Manfrotto MKCOMPACTADV-BK Compact Advanced Tripod

Weight: 3.1 pounds Maximum Height: 64.96 inches Folded Length: 17.3 inches

Manfrotto is famous for its ability to create excellent, innovative camera accessories at affordable prices. With this particular model, the 3-way head has an innovative, foldable mechanism that offers superb stability while still allowing you to twist and turn to perfectly frame your subject.

Made from 5 sections of reinforced aluminum, this is light enough to carry with you but strong enough to support an entry-level DSLR with a standard zoom lens up to 200mm that weighs up to around 6 pounds . The 3-way head is a fun feature that offers 2 independent levers, allowing you to pan and tilt while maintaining levelness.

From 30 degree dips to 360 panoramic rotation, there’s never a reason to miss a great shot with this little number.

When not in use, the head has a unique mechanism that allows the levers to be folded, making the tripod easier and more convenient to carry than many more expensive models on the market.

  • 3-way tilt head
  • No bubble leveler on the tripod head
  • Gitzo Lightweight Traveler Series 1 Carbon Fiber Tripod

Weight: 2.3 pounds Maximum Height: 60.2 inches Folded Length: 16.7 inches

This superb carbon fiber tripod is the stuff of a photographer’s dreams. Not because it’s full of fancy features, but because it’s so well made it’s undoubtedly one of the best in the business.

Good looking, stylish, and incredibly lightweight, this tripod can extend to just over 60 inches high, while still holding up to 22 pounds of camera and lens. This little beauty can get down low to capture shots from unique angles, while the added strength from the carbon 6X tubes make it feel rock-solid, regardless of the surface it’s sitting on.

Gitzo’s patented G-lock system is also included to help reduce the overall size of the tripod; making it easy to stow wherever you’re traveling to.

There’s also a rather lovely shoulder strap attached to sling across your arm for easy carrying on location. This is a serious tripod that more than does the job but comes with a hefty price tag.

  • Lightweight yet super sturdy
  • Quite pricey
  • Vanguard VEO 2 265CB Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

Weight: 2.9 pounds Maximum Height: 59 inches Folded Length: 16.25 inches

Quick to set up and easy to take with you, this carbon fiber travel tripod is lightweight and well-made. The multi-action ball head is super sturdy and offers 3 independent options for locking, panning, and friction control to ensure perfect pictures every time.

The Arca plate gives you a quick attach and release option, while the 5 section carbon fiber legs can twist and lock to reach the right height. Even on tricky terrain, this tripod offers superior levels of stability and is on hand to help you capture images from a variety of unusual angles.

With the ability to support cameras and lenses weighing up to 17.6 pounds, but able to fold up to a compact size, this is an excellent tripod for keeping with you while you travel. The included tripod bag and shoulder strap make for comfortable carrying, and you’ll love the 15 seconds set up for capturing those fleeting moments.

  • Legs can be adjusted to 3 angles
  • 5 leg sections reduce the stability

MeFOTO Classic Aluminum Globetrotter Travel Tripod

Weight: 4.5 pounds Maximum Height: 64.2 inches Folded Length: 16.5 inches

Globetrotter by name and designed for the globetrotter by nature, this robust and stable tripod can carry all but the heaviest of camera setups with ease. With a 26-pound capacity , you’ll have no problem keeping your beloved camera steady and shake-free as you capture gorgeous images from every angle.

With a ball head that offers adjustable friction as well as an Arca-Swiss-style compatible quick-release plate and integral bubble level, you can pan and prevent uneven movements. The 360-degree panning scale will also help you to capture excellent panoramic images.

Lightweight and easy to use, the tripod legs can be also be inverted and folded back 180 degrees, making it small enough to carry just about anywhere, and the MeFOTO’s innovative rubberized locking grips enable a fast setup in any condition.

  • Has a recessed hook to hang extra weight
  • Rubber feet come off easily

Rangers 55” Ultra-Compact and Lightweight Aluminum Tripod

Weight: 4.5 pounds Maximum Height: 55.5 inches Folded Length: 14 inches

Designed to be incredibly stable, the precision-engineered tripod legs on the Ranger 55 are made from high-density aluminum alloy. With a load capacity of 26 pounds, you can safely secure your DSLR and lens to this very affordable tripod and capture incredible images on the go.

The 4-section column legs come with quick-release flip-locks that allow you to find the correct working height in just seconds. When attached to the ball adapter, this tripod can even be used as a monopod by removing a leg. The ball head can rotate 360-degrees, helping you to take seamless panoramic pictures and shake-free shots every time.

For those looking to create something entirely new, the center axis can invert in on itself to give you the ability to shoot unusual angles from ultra-low down.

  • Has a 2-year warranty
  • Heavier than other travel tripods

Amazon Basics 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag

Weight: 3 pounds Maximum Height: 60 inches Folded Length: 15 inches

The Amazon Basics range offers pretty good travel accessories at budget prices, and this lightweight little tripod is no exception. It won’t provide the built quality of a carbon fiber model or the flexibility of a GorillaPod, but it does offer a cheap solution for those looking to expand their gear on a budget .

With adjustable height legs and rubber feet, this little tripod will hold cameras and GoPros up to 6.6 pounds with ease. It also offers 2 built-in bubble view levels and an impressive 3-way head that allows for tilt and swivel motions as well as both portrait and landscape options.

The quick-release mounting plate will ensure fast transitions between shots, and weighing in at just 3 pounds, this is one piece of equipment that you’ll be able to take everywhere with you to ensure you never miss a moment.

  • Has built-in bubble levelers on the tripod head
  • Not the most durable

Dolica GX600B200 Proline GX Series 60-Inch Aluminum Tripod

Weight: 2.5 pounds Maximum Height: 60 inches Folded Length: 23 inches

This aluminum alloy tripod and B200 ball head offer a sturdy and robust support system for your camera and lens setup. Lightweight and extremely portable, you can capture epic images with this inexpensive aluminum tripod.

The ball head includes a quick-release plate with a safety lock to prevent the camera from slipping or falling. It can also pan 360-degrees and tilt up to 90-degrees to help you capture amazing images.

With 4-level positioning, interchangeable spike and rubber feet, and a dual-purpose mount, uneven surfaces aren’t a problem as you have the freedom to move each leg individually to find the most stable shooting position.

You can shoot images from a high position, or adjust the legs to ground level to shoot extremely low macro-shots. However you intend to use it, this is a nice-looking, easy-to-use, and affordable tripod that’s compact enough to take away with you.

  • Quick adjusting leg clips
  • Only suitable for light usage

Mactrem PT55 Travel Camera Tripod 

Weight: 2.54 pounds Maximum Height: 55.12 inches Folded Length: 19.7 inches

This affordable travel tripod is made from durable and robust aluminum, yet remains lightweight and easy to fold and carry with you on your travels. Measuring less than 20 inches when folded down , you can slip this in with your luggage or other camera equipment; in fact, it even comes with its very own carrying case for extra safe storage!

The 3-way pan head is perfect for precise framing, while the 360-degree swivel functions mean that you can quickly capture excellent panoramic images or change from portrait to landscape in the blink of an eye.

The quick-release plate means you can move your camera in seconds, and the 4-section, lever-locked legs provide stable and secure support even on the roughest of terrain. Not the most compact when folded, this is still an affordable tripod that’s perfect for taking away with you.

  • 3-way pan tripod head
  • Not the smoothest movements using the tripod head

If you want to take your travel photography to the next level, or are looking for a new way to capture unique and innovative images on the go, a travel tripod will help you in ways you never imagined possible.

Lightweight, compact, and easy to stow away with you, these camera supports will help you take shake-free pictures from a wide range of angles, breathing new life into both the way you use your camera and your photography portfolio.

If you liked this article, you may be interested in some other related reviews:

  • The Best Travel Cameras – Compact, DSLR, and Mirrorless Camera Guide
  • The Best Camera Bags for Travel
  • What Are the Best GoPro Alternatives? [We Found Several Options]
  • All Our Best Travel Product Reviews – In One Place

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a tripod for travel photography.

While some photographers prefer the “run and gun” approach to travel photography, there are some situations where a tripod is essential to taking shake-free images. As there are budget options available and tripods these days are becoming smaller, lighter, and more compact, there isn’t a reason not to have one of these in your travel arsenal.

Do tripods fit all cameras?

The majority of cameras will have a 1/4-inch female thread on the underside of camera and conversely, tripods will have a detachable plate with a 1/4-inch male screw. Tripods will usually fit all cameras. However, a select few tripods will have a 3/8-inch screw, so it is best to always check the attachment just in case.

What is the best lightweight travel tripod?

These are some of our favorite travel tripods:

What is the strongest yet lightest tripod material?

More expensive materials tend to weigh less and be more durable, while cheaper tripods are conversely heavier yet not always as reliable or long-lasting. Carbon fiber is the preferred material for high-end tripods that are designed to weigh next to nothing and last for years to come.

What should I look for with a travel tripod?

Before you invest in a travel tripod, you should consider the following:

  • Size and weight
  • Material and durability
  • Load capacity
  • Tripod head design

Was this page helpful?

About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

All Our Best Travel Product Reviews – In One Place

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

  • Meet the Team
  • Work with Us
  • Czech Republic
  • Netherlands
  • Switzerland
  • Scandinavia
  • Philippines
  • South Korea
  • New Zealand
  • South Africa
  • Budget Travel
  • Work & Travel
  • The Broke Backpacker Manifesto
  • Travel Resources
  • How to Travel on $10/day

Home » Gear » best travel tripods

The 10 BEST Travel Tripods (Up Your PhotographGame in 2024)

So you just bought your new pride and joy: a travel camera worthy of capturing your epic adventures. But now you’re out shooting and the moment comes when you can’t seem to get a good image. Perhaps there isn’t enough light or maybe it’s too windy; regardless, all of your pictures just look blurry, dark and just don’t seem to capture the epic scene laid out before you.

Other times, you may see some photographers’ work and think: “Wow! How did they get the milky way in their pictures” or wonder “how did they make those waterfalls look so smooth and dreamy?” Well, my friends, the secret is out: A good travel tripod is the reason. 

Admit it, you’ve seen photographers carrying around a tripod or pitching up at a viewpoint and wondered what on earth they need them for. Well, now you know and now you’re taking your travel photography seriously you’re ready to join the pros. When it comes to taking high-quality images, a lightweight travel tripod can be just as important as the camera itself. A great travel tripod might just be the thing that takes your photos to the next level.

Now you’ve decided to take the leap, get ready for a sea of confusing terms, endless options and various different price ranges. When it comes to the best travel tripods, it’s easier said than done to pick the right one for your trip and photography style. Which is why we’ve put together this guide so you can find the perfect travel tripod that fits your style.

Let’s jump into it!

Quick Answers: Best Travel Tripods of 2024

The best travel tripods of 2024, #1 vanguard alta pro, best overall travel tripod, #2 mefoto roadtrip, best travel tripod runner-up, #3 manfrotto befree, best travel tripod for backpacking, #4 zomei z818, best budget travel tripod, #5 gitzo traveler series 1, professional travel tripod, #6 mefoto globetrotter, best professional tripod runner-up, #7 joby gorillapod 5k, best tripod for under $100, #8 benro aero 4 travel angel, best travel tripod for video, #9 3 legged thing punks corey, best budget travel tripod for dslrs, #10 manfrotto 290 carbon fiber monopod, best travel monopod, what to consider when buying the best travel tripod, how we tested the best travel tripods, faq about the best travel tripods, final thoughts.

  • Overall Best Tripod –  Vanguard Alta Pro
  • Best Budget Travel Tripod –  Zomei Z818
  • Best Professional Travel Tripod –  Gitzo Traveler Series 1
  • Best Tripod for Under $100  –  Joby Gorillapod 5k
  • Best Tripod for Video –  Benro Aero 4 Travel Angel
  • Jump to ->   The List of 10 Best Tripods of 2024

vanguard alta pro

Vanguard Alta Pro

  • > 15.4 lbs capacity

zomei-z818

Gitzo Traveler Series 1

  • > 22 lbs capacity

gorillapod-5k

Joby Gorillapod 5K

  • > 11 lbs capacity

benro-aero-4

Benro Aero 4 Travel Angel

  • > 8.8 lbs capacity

best travel tripod 2022

REI is one of America’s biggest and most-loved outdoor gear retailers.

Now, for just $30, get a lifetime membership that entitles you to 10% OFF on most items, access to their trade-in scheme and discount rentals .

vanguard alta pro

  • Load Capacity:15.4 lb
  • Maximum Height: 68.1?
  • Minimum Height: 56? but this is a misleading number
  • Folded Length: 28.1?
  • Weight: 5.4 lbs
  • Leg Sections: 3 – Flip Locks

Though the Vanguard Alta Pro is almost 6 years old by now, it’s still one of the best tripods on the market today! Since the release of an updated version – the less than stellar Alta Pro 2 – the price of the Alta Pro has dropped even further as well, making this already budget-friendly travel tripod even more affordable.

The Vanguard Alta Pro uses an innovative system – referred to as MACC (Multi-Angle Central Column) – where the center column can be rotated on its axis up to 180 degrees, allowing for a horizontal and upside down compositions.

With such flexibility, you can position your camera in ways that would normally be awkward, like near to the ground and poking out to the side. The system is fairly intuitive and setting-up should take no longer than any other tripod.

  • Innovative design that is still useful today
  • Excellent price these days
  • Well equipped to handle most cameras
  • 15.4 lb load capacity may be a liberal number
  • Will need maintenance
  • Fidgety quick release plate

The legs of the Alta Pro are constructed of 3 sections and can be laid out nearly flat. Combined with the MACC, this ensures that you’ll be able to achieve some pretty crazy and unique angles. The legs use flips locks, which are convenient but will require periodic tightening as they are used.

The Vanguard Alta Pro is a little heavy because it’s made from aluminum. It’s rated to a hold up to 15.4 lbs but many users have commented that this number may be skewed as wobble can still be a problem with oversized DSLRs. Avoid using this tripod at its full extension.

The Vanguard Alta comes equipped with an SBH-100 ball head that is fairly sturdy. The quick release plate is not as smooth as other tripods – like the Manfrotto – but this is a minor gripe. Below the ball head, there is a bubble leveler as well.

Is the Vanguard Alta Pro For You?

Do you want one of the most innovative and praised tripods in recent memory? Want to take advantage of its recent price cuts? Then there is no better time to invest in the Vanguard Alta Pro! This tripod is very capable and has become well-loved over the years; in many people’s minds, it still one of the best tripods for backpacking.

The team are massive fans of this tripod and just love its versatility when it comes to positioning, in particular, the ability to adjust the centre column is priceless when you need to get down low. They also felt it was pretty light and its weight was a good compromise between being light and also being stable in windy conditions.

mefoto-globetrotter

  • Load Capacity: 17.6 lbs
  • Maximum Height: 61.6”
  • Minimum Height: 15.4”
  • Folded Length: 15.4”
  • Weight: 3.6 lbs
  • Leg Sections: 5 – Screw Lock

For those who want a slightly lighter tripod than the Vanguard Alta Pro, the MeFOTO Roadtrip is an excellent alternative. This lightweight travel tripod is very adept and can still handle most photographic situations. It may not be as nifty as the Vanguard but the MeFOTO Roadtrip still has the cuts to get the job done.

Like most tripods, the MeFOTO Roadtrip’s legs can be set to three different positions: wide, standard, and free, the third of which is usually used for folding the legs up for packing.

I find that the second option is usually the most useful as it creates a base that most photographers will find optimal. The first is mostly used for getting the tripod low – though not so low as the Vanguard Alta Pro – to the ground. Changing the position of the legs is simply a matter of pushing and retracting a button.

  • Quite light and packable.
  • Can still hold larger DSLRs
  • Can be converted into a monopod
  • Can still suffer from wobble at times
  • Legs are not as durable as others

Of note is the MeFOTO’s ability to be converted into a monopod, which is an increasingly popular feature in modern tripods.

By removing one of the legs, detaching the central column, and then connecting the two together (BOOM!) you have a monopod. This arrangement is great when you want to run and gun and don’t want to worry about carrying around a cumbersome three legged monster.

At 3.6 lbs, the MeFOTO is quite light. It’s rated to hold over 17 lbs of equipment though many photographers do complain that the MeFOTO still suffers from wobble especially when fully extended.

This is most likely a consequence of the tripod’s light weight in addition to the fact that the legs are broken into five sections, which is not ideal.

Is the MeFOTO Roadtrip For You?

Do you want a lightweight tripod that can handle a heavier DSLR a bit better? Do you like the idea of using a monopod? Then the MeFOTO Roadtrip may be the travel tripod for you! This sturdy tripod will give you that extra rigidity for your camera that, even though it’s not quite professional yet, should handle most situations.

The team loved how quick and easy this tripod was to deploy and adjust with the screw-able leg locks rather than clips, these are also a lot more durable too. The weight of this tripod though was the real selling point for the team and it made them feel like they were much more likely to want to take it with them on their trips.

manfrotto-befree

  • Load Capacity: 8.8 lb
  • Maximum Height: 56.7?
  • Minimum Height: 13.4?
  • Folded Length: 15.75?
  • Weight: 3 lbs
  • Leg Sections: 4 – Flip Lock

If you’re looking for a conventional tripod that is very light and doesn’t sacrifice too much durability, then I suggest the Manfrotto BeFree. This reliable and lightweight tripod is great for wilderness backpacking in addition to demanding professional shoots. It has the usual bells and whistles that a good travel tripod should have and all at a great price.

The Manfrotto BeFree is very straightforward travel tripod that is not overly complex to use.

The legs can be arranged into the usual positions (wide, normal, and free) though the Manfrotto uses a slightly novel latching system to achieve this; it’s unique though in no way inhibitive.

The legs are composed of 4 sections and are locked via flip mechanisms. Like the Alta Pro, you’ll have to periodically tighten these locks. The feet of the tripod are made of rubber, which is good for gripping most surfaces. In my personal experiences, I find the feet like to fall off quite often, which easily fixed via replaced parts though still a little irritating.

  • One of the lightest (aluminum) tripods available
  • Very quick and easy to use
  • Probably not suitable for larger DSLRs
  • Can be unstable when fully extended – lack of a hook doesn’t help
  • Feet like to fall off

The BeFree is remarkably light given that’s made of aluminum – ultralight photographers can upgrade to a carbon fiber version , which cuts about a half pound as well. The BeFree is rated to hold nearly 9 lbs, which makes it most ideal for mirrorless shooters.

Full frame DSLR shooters who use this travel tripod notice some wobbling in the frame especially and complain further that the lack of a hook on the central column, which is used to weight the tripod, leaves much to be desired.

For videographers, the Manfrotto BeFree can also be converted into a great travel video tripod via special video head sold separately. This accessory, the Manfrotto 502 Video Head , is very effective and does a great job panning.

Is the Manfrotto BeFree For You?

Do you want a lightweight travel tripod without sacrificing too much stability? Are you still looking for something affordable? Then check out the Manfrotto BeFree Travel Tripod! This tripod is easy-to-use, very packable, and won’t break your back or the bank at all. It has been my go-to for many years and I have no problem saying that it’s one of the best backpacking tripods out there!

Personally, this has been my go-to tripod of choice for the past few years and I’ve been super happy with its versatility, durability and weight. It easily fits inside my big backpack and honestly still keeps the weight down to a reasonable level for backpacking or short trips. I use this with my Sony A7III and 24-105 f4 lens and I have always found it super stable even in windy conditions.

zomei-z818

  • Load Capacity: ?
  • Maximum Height: 65?
  • Minimum Height: 22?
  • Folded Length: 18?
  • Weight: 3.7 lbs
  • Leg Sections: 4 – Twist Locks

At around $100, the Zomei Z818 is a screaming deal. With a solid build quality, useful features, and the ability to convert into a monopod, this baby can compete with every comparable tripod out there.

I’m going to cut to chase here and say that the Zomei Z818 is very similar to the MeFOTO Roadtrip – shockingly so actually.

Many of the features found in the MeFOTO are also found in the Zomei like the screws locks, the hook in the center column, and the ability to be converted into a monopod. Even the locking mechanism for the Zomei’s legs is eerily similar in mechanics to the MeFOTO.

The Zomei Z818 is a slightly larger travel tripod than the MeFOTO Roadtrip. The Zomei’s maximum height is about 4 inches greater than the MeFOTO and the minimum height is about 7 inches difference. The Zomei is consequently heavier than the MeFOTO but only just barely.

The team felt this was their best backpacking tripod for a DSLR on a budget. They loved that for the price it was all made from high-quality aluminium rather than cheap plastic which made it feel much more durable. The fact that it can be turned into a monopod too really impressed them for such a well priced tripod.

  • Cheaper than the competition
  • Very similar to the MeFOTO Roadtrip
  • No official load capacity?
  • Suffers from some wobble with heavier loads
  • Can’t be commended for being very original (I guess)

Oddly enough, I couldn’t find any official numbers for the Zomei’s load capacity anywhere on the web. Since it is so similar to the Roadtrip though, I imagine that the load capacity for the Zomei would be around 17 lbs.

I would also guess that it suffers from the same wobble as the MeFOTO does when using a heavier camera but this part I’ve yet to actually test.

Long story short, the Zomei Z818 is a great travel tripod, one that is comparable to the already impressive MeFOTO Roadtrip. The fact that it is $50 cheaper than the MeFOTO is the most alurring factor though. Those in the market for the best budget travel tripod will have to consider the Zomei Z818.

Is the Zomei Z818 For You?

Do you want a great tripod for an amazing price? Did you like what you saw with MeFOTO Roadtrip? Then give the Zomei Z818 a chance! Considering its functionality and low price, this guy takes the award for best budget travel tripod currently on the market.

gitzo-traveler-1

  • Load Capacity: 22 lb
  • Maximum Height: 60.2?
  • Minimum Height: 8.6?
  • Folded Length: 16.7?
  • Weight: 2.3 lbs
  • Leg Sections: 4 – G Lock System

If money isn’t an issue for you, then the Gitzo Traveler Series 1 is the best tripod, period. It’s one of the lightest, sturdiest, most intuitive, and most attractive photographic accessories that you can own.

There is no special, groundbreaking technology involved with the Gitzo Traveler Series 1 – it will not blow you away with new or futuristic features. No, the Gitzo does so well because of the quality of its parts and manufacturing. Like the best Italian food that you ever had, it’s all about the ingredients.

The Gitzo Traveler Series 1 is made from high-grade carbon fiber materials, the quality of which the company insists is cut above the competition. Unlike many other tripods in this guide, the Gitzo Traveler is actually quite good-looking, fashionable even, thanks to the stylish finish on the carbon fiber.

  • The best that money can buy
  • Very light and very sturdy
  • Just all around easy-to-use
  • Very, very expensive

The legs are made from 4 sections and are locked in place by the company’s own patented “G Lock System.” This system is very efficient and quite inconspicuous, which only adds to the tripod’s already gorgeous appearance.

The Gitzo weighs a paltry 2.3 lbs and is rated to hold 22 lbs. It’s minimum height of 8.6” is one of the lowest on this list not including the GorillaPod.

I’d go further into the Gitzo’s construction but it’d be futile. I can only say that this is simply one the best tripods that one can buy. You will pay (a lot) for it but, in time, you’ll probably forget about the price. Note that the standard version of this Gitzo doesn’t include a ballhead – if you’re willing to spend the extra cash, you can buy a full set here .

Is the Gitzo Traveler Series 1 For You?

Do you want the absolute best possible travel tripod? Is money no issue? Then go buy the Gitzo Traveler Series 1. With near-perfect engineering and materials, this tripod is, in many photographer’s eyes, not just great for travelling, but everything.

I mean, the team were of course, very impressed by this tripod. But did they feel it was worth almost 500 quid, well, some of them did! The members of the crew who were photography aficionados felt that if your budget stretches this far, then you won’t be disappointed. The carbon fibre construction, twist lock extendable legs, and versatile positioning just make it feel like a real premium product and on top of that, it’s light AF and super compact… what’s not to like. Oohh, yeah, the price!

best travel tripod 2022

Do You Want to Travel FOREVER??

Pop your email in below to get a FREE copy of ‘How to Travel the World on $10 a Day!’.

  • Load Capacity: 26.4 lb
  • Maximum Height: 64.2?
  • Minimum Height: 16.1?
  • Folded Length: 16.5?
  • Weight: 3.7 lb
  • Leg Sections: 5 – Twist Locks

The MeFOTO Globetrotter is the larger, more capable version of the MeFOTO Roadtrip and is meant for professional photographers with heavier equipment. Made of carbon fiber and rated to hold a staggering 26.4 lbs, the MeFOTO Globetrotter can handle just about anything you or mother nature can throw at it.

When considering the MeFOTO Roadtrip vs the Globetrotter, the two function in many similar ways. Both have twist locks on the legs, three different orientations, and use the same button-like mechanism to set the legs.

Due to its carbon fiber construction, the MeFOTO Globetrotter suffers less from the wobble that the Roadtrip reportedly does while still remaining light. The MeFOTO Globetrotter retains the ability to turn into a monopod and, thanks to sturdier build, may even be used as trekking pole if you’re so inclined.

  • Light for how sturdy it is
  • Very cheap compared to the competition
  • Can handle heavier loads and more adverse conditions
  • Still $300+
  • Little heavy for a carbon fiber tripod

The MeFOTO Globetrotter still uses the twist lock system as the Roadtrip. Again, whether or not you like twist locks or not – as opposed to flip – is a matter of preference. Granted, the Globetrotter’s weather sealing seems to be very effective and its joints do not appear to loosen as quickly as the Roadtrip. This travel tripod is built to last.

The most impressive part about the Globetrotter is the price though – at nearly half the cost of several of its competitors, the Globetrotter performs near equally as well.

At 3.7 lbs too it’s still reasonably light but this is where it falls short compared to the competition. Many carbon fiber tripods will come in at less than 3 lbs, which is why you buy the premium material in the first place and, thus, kinda defeats the purpose.

Is the MeFOTO Globetrotter For You?

Do you want a professional-grade tripod for a good price? Mind if it’s a little heavier than other carbon fiber ones? Then head come on down and get yourself a MeFOTO Globetrotter! This upgraded version of the Roadtrip will stand up to whatever you throw at it and won’t cost too much.

The team were pretty happy with this tripod for the price, it had that feel of a premium product without the extortionate costs in all honesty. The price vs weight vs stability made this tripod feel like it has really hit the sweet spot. The team also felt the red accents the tripod is available in was also a nice touch that made it stand out against the rest.

gorillapod-5k

  • Load Capacity: 11 lb
  • Maximum Height: 15.2?
  • Minimum Height: N/A
  • Folded Length: N/A
  • Weight: 17 oz
  • Leg Sections: N/A

The Gorillapod 5K is Joby’s newest addition to its lineup and maybe its best yet! The 5K is a streamlined version of their previous Focus edition and expands upon its predecessor’s prowess.

With a very sturdy build, unbeatable lightness, the ability to get into otherwise hard-to-reach places, and great price, the Joby GorillaPod 5k is not only the best tripod for under $100 but also the best ultralight tripod.

Gorillapods have been around for a while. I’m sure that you’ve seen them wrapped around a railing or clinging to some tree at least once in your travels. Over the years, they’ve had a bit of a mixed reputation – though novel in their design, they just couldn’t hold up under harsh conditions or heavier loads; neither could they excel in composition because of their short stature.

  • Remarkably sturdy
  • Eminently light
  • Very flexible
  • Maximum sturdiness requires just the right leg setup, which can be tedious
  • Limited to low angle shots
  • Expensive if you’re buying the Joby ballhead too

The Gorillapod Focus and its current iteration, the Gorillapod 5K, have changed that. Built with high end plastics, rubber, machined aluminum, and stainless steel, the Gorillapod 5K is not the cute little tripod that you saw before. This thing can hold a serious amount of weight for its size – 11 lbs – and can support many high-end travel cameras.

The legs of the Gorillapod 5K are their usual flexible selves – being able to wrap many objects for stabilization – though these feel very rigid, perhaps too rigid much for some. You may find it a little tedious to adjust the legs, a process that was already frustrating enough in past models. Tediousness aside, this rigidity is a good thing though as that’s how the Gorillapod is able to hold more weight.

I’ve used the Gorillapod 5K several times while backpacking and feel very happy with it. I was still able to get good shots with my Fujifilm XT2 and certainly didn’t mind the lack of weightiness.

Is the Joby Gorillapod 5k For You?

Do you want the lightest possible tripod that can still handle your heavy equipment? Are you okay with using a tripod that’s only a little over a foot tall? Well then maybe it’s time to give Gorillapods a chance. The Gorillapod 5K is one of the best models ever produced by Joby and is devoid of many of the inherent flaws that has plagued its precursors.

Despite being Scottish slang for poop, the Joby was a roaring success across the team. The tiny, light and compact design meant it was suitable across the board for those using their phone to others using mirrorless cameras. What is also a massive selling point is of course how it can grip on pretty much anything, which the team felt in practice actually worked well, especially on lighter cameras.

benro-aero-4

  • Maximum Height: 65.2?
  • Minimum Height: 21.9?
  • Folded Length: 21.7?
  • Weight: 5.8 lbs
  • Leg Sections: 3 – Flip Lock

Dedicated travel vloggers will need a specialized tripod to create the highest quality videos. One of the most useful tripods specifically for video right now is the Benro Aero 4. With a well designed video head and a sturdy set of legs underneath it, the Benro Aero 4 is more than capable of helping to create gorgeous videos.

The body of the Benro Aero 4 is designed very similarly to many other tripods in this guide. The legs and central column are made of tough aluminum.

The tripod is quite steady and doesn’t have much jitter too so long as your camera is no more than 9lbs. At almost 6 lbs, the Benro Aero 4 is a bit on the heavy side though not as heavy as some other professional grade cinematography tripods.

  • Well-performing tripod head
  • Still has the functions of a normal tripod
  • Easy to set up and pack away
  • Videographers are probably limited to shooting Micro Four Thirds and APS-C
  • Some users report that the screws of the quick release plate are a little wonky
  • Quite heavy

The legs are made from 3 sections and can be locked into fixed positions via a flipping mechanism. The legs can be arranged into the usual angular distances. Note that the widest angle that the Benro Aero 4’s legs can be set-up to is not as wide as other tripods though, thus the relatively high minimum height.

Like many other tripods these days, the Benro can be converted into a monopod as well. Simply remove one of the legs and attach it to the central shaft; easy as that!

The most important part of a good travel video tripod is the head though. The Aero 4’s flat video head is excellently designed and very efficient. Using the built-in handle, which is essential to capturing good video, the head pans very smoothly. There are several other knobs to control resistance further. There’s a quick release plate as well so you can mount your camera and start shooting in a single quick motion.

Is the Benro Aero 4 Travel Angel For You?

Are you a videographer who needs a specialized tripod? Do you use a smaller camera for video? If these sound right to you, then check out the Benro Aero 4! This is one of the best travel video tripods right now thanks to its compact design and superb flat video head.

The team felt this camera was a little niche but for those wanting to produce good-quality videos on their trip, this is the perfect solution. Often video tripods can be pretty heavy and sure, this one is compared to others on our list, but at the same time, compared to other video tripods, it’s not! The larger than normal ball head also neatly tucks away which the team were pretty impressed by.

3-legged-thing-punks-corey

  • Load Capacity: 30 lbs
  • Maximum Height: 58?
  • Minimum Height: 4?
  • Folded Length:13.7?
  • Weight: 3.4 lb

The 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey is a brawler of a tripod that swings way above its weight class. At 3.4 lbs this travel tripod is rated to hold up to 30 lbs, which is a huge number. With a robust design and atypical central column that can be converted into a monopod, the 3 Legged Punks Corey is a real contender.

The Punks Corey is made from rubber, aluminum, and titanium materials. The legs are composed of 5 sections and are locked via a twisting mechanism. The rubber grip for the twists feel good in your hands and looks pretty cool too with a gator-skin like pattern. The legs can be locked into three positions: 23 degrees, 55 degrees, and 80 degrees.

  • Very strong
  • Unique central column design
  • Some may really like cosmetics of this tripod
  • Tripod must still be set up properly to hold 30 lbs
  • Removing central column can take some time
  • Some may really not like cosmetics of this tripod

At its greatest extension, the Punks Corey is 58” high. Note that a tripod will always be more subject to shake as maximum extension is reached.

The Punks Corey’s central column can be removed, which can then be converted into a monopod – in conjunction with one of the legs – or to allow the tripod itself to get as low to the ground as possible. Without the central column, the ball head is rescrewed directly onto the tripod and the minimum height becomes 4”.

To be able to hold such a great weight, the ball head must be strong. The Punks Corey is AirHed Neo ballhead is just that.

Is the 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey For You?

Do you want a beast of a tripod that can handle heavy loads? Want something that is functional as well as convertible? Then look no further than the 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey! It’s better equipped to handle heavy DSLRs and is still able to perform all the usual duties that befit a great travel tripod.

The team felt this was a winner for their best budget travel tripod award (DSLR category of course!). The rubberised twist lock system was particularly appreciated especially when it came to shooting in inclement weather. The ability also to switch the central column to shoot underneath the tripod without any real fuss was also a huge selling point.

manfrotto-290-monopod

  • Maximum Height: 59.4?
  • Minimum Height: 19.3?
  • Weight:1.1 lb

To be honest, this one kinda feels like cheating because this isn’t a tripod at all; it’s purely a monopod – a tool that only uses one leg instead of three. Don’t think that it’s inferior though; in the right hands, the Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber Monopod can compete with any tripod. Trekkers can pack it away easily or even use it as a trekking pole, making it one of the best tools for wilderness photographers.

A few tripods already mentioned in this guide have had the ability to convert into monopods – let’s look at now why monopods are just as convenient as their three-legged compatriots.

With three legs, tripods offer near complete stabilization across two planes – a monopod only covers one. For many photographers, that single plane of stabilization is all that is required for getting good pictures. For those who are more active shooters, like hikers, sports photographers, and wedding photographer, a monopod is perfect.

  • The lightest tripod/monopod in this guide
  • Very, very sturdy
  • Very packable
  • Not as much stabilization as a conventional tripod
  • May or may not save your hide
  • Long exposures will be very difficult

The Manfrotto 290 is an exceptional monopod. Built from high-end carbon fiber, it would take a lot to break this thing. Its 4 sections are locked by flipping latches that are equally as reliable.

So strong is the Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber Tripod that some photographers may even use it as a trekking pole – there’s even a loop for your wrist.

Note that while the frame is secure, there’s always a chance that it may break should you take a nasty fall. It is, at the end of the day, meant to steady your camera and not save your life. Whether or not you choose to use it as a walking stick or hide it in your bag, the Manfrotto 290 Monopod will integrate seamlessly into your backpacking and camera kit.

Is the Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber Monopod For You?

Do you hate the idea of lugging around a tripod? Think you have the steady hand to manage with just one leg? Then give the Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber Monopod a shot. It’s a very well-made piece of equipment that monopod enthusiasts will approve of and it’s a great deal.

The team acknowledged how a monopod is maybe a little more niche and of course, has different uses, but they felt this was an awesome option for those wanting to go super light. They did however feel that it was light, stable and quick to adjust on the fly.

best travel tripod 2022

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

Why Invest in a Travel Tripod?

To me it’s a no-brainer: why buy an expensive travel camera if you can’t get the most out of it? With a tripod, you can do just this – unlock the full potential of your camera and get the best pictures possible.

With a tripod, you can shoot photos in conditions that would be near impossible if you were simply holding the camera in your hand. Selfies, light trails, long exposures; all of these and more are possible while using a tripod.

A good tripod will create maximum stability for your camera. Granted, some photographers get away with using features like image stabilization and lens stabilization – but these will only get you so far. At a minimum, you should at least have a small, lightweight travel tripod that will allow some sort of rigidity in certain circumstances.

With maximum stabilization comes maximum image quality. Where some novices may struggle in the wind, the dark or when trying to get that artistic composition, you will succeed. With the best possible travel tripod, you will take some of the best photos of your life.

As you dive further into the photographic world, you may even discover whole new ways of taking photos thanks to your travel tripod. Advanced techniques like HDR, focus stacking, and nightscapes will all be available to you thanks to your new travel tripod.

With this guide, you’ll receive lots of tips on what to look for in a great tripod and what constitutes a good investment. This guide has a ton of options, but I’ve made it easy to navigate so you’ll easily be able to identify a tripod that best fits your style.

So, first thing is first… what is your style?

What are you looking for in a travel tripod?

Are you looking for something small and easy? Maybe you are in need of something a little taller and sturdy?

Let’s dive deeper…

best travel tripods photographer in field

There are many factors to take into consideration when looking for the right tripod.

But the good news? It doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

A good tripod will be sturdy, reliable, flexible, and not weigh too much or be too big at the same time.

Sounds easy, right?

Ha, not always.

Most tripods will only be able to do a few of these things well; to have the perfect tripod would mean spending a lot of money, which many of us broke backpackers don’t have.

You obviously can’t have everything when choosing a tripod so you’ll have to be picky. Maybe you need something light or maybe you need something rock solid. Perhaps you’ll want a tripod that can bend in unheard of ways or perhaps you just want something simple.

Take into consideration the following points when looking for a tripod. Pick and choose which features are most important for you and then go for it!

wadi rum stars best travel tripod

Size and Weight

These are perhaps the most important aspects to consider when choosing a tripod for traveling as both have far-reaching repercussions. How you pack your tripod and how much of a burden it is are dependent on its size and weight.

Generally speaking, a larger tripod will be more able to handle heavier loads and adverse conditions. With size comes weight though and carrying around those extras pounds will fatigue you after a while.

If you want to cut weight, a smaller tripod will have the benefit of being lighter in addition to being less expensive. With a smaller tripod comes other compromises though: you will not have as much freedom when it comes to composing your shot and stability can sometimes be an issue.

You can have your cake and eat it too but it’ll cost quite a bit of cash. There are several professional-grade travel tripods that are physically large enough to be effective yet still weigh very little at the same time. These will be much more expensive though as they are almost always made of premium materials.

I personally think about these issues all the time and it’s a constant battle between preparedness and minimal weight. I have actually invested in two tripods – a Manfrotto BeFree and Gorillapod 4K – and alternate between the two depending on the shoot.

camera-on-tripod

Material and Durability

As previously mentioned, material will play an important part in weight and price as well as overall durability. To put it simply: more expensive materials will be lighter, stronger, and more expensive while cheaper ones will be heavier, weaker, and less expensive. So unfortunately a cheap travel tripod might just weigh you down significantly!

Aluminum is the most common alloy used in the construction of tripods. It is a cheap, ubiquitous material that handles the elements well. Even though it’s technically weaker than carbon fiber, it’s still very durable. Most of the best budget travel tripods will be made of aluminum.

Carbon fiber is a stronger composite that is lighter and stronger than aluminum. It is a very reliable material that is used to manufacture all sorts of products that require the utmost durability like cars, safety vests, and even spaceships. Because it is hard to produce though, carbon fiber is markedly more expensive than aluminum.

Unless you are very adamant about cutting weight and are willing to pay the price, aluminum is a perfectly fine material . When used properly – as is the case with all of the tripods on this list – it’s very reliable. I’ve personally taken aluminum tripods into some very hairy situations and they’ve never failed me.

best travel tripod photographer in storm

Load Capacity

Certain travel tripods can hold certain amounts of weight depending on their size, build, and overall quality. Lighter tripods may be less able to hold heavier weights but, then again, heavier tripods will be a burden on your back.

It is important to have a travel tripod that can properly hold your camera as it will ensure maximum image quality. A tripod that is struggling under the weight of a heavy camera will start to shake and sharpness will be affected. The tripod may even fall over, in which case you have a serious problem – fallen tripods can mean broken cameras.

Most travel tripods can handle a standard DSLR. Only in extreme situations do you need to worry about load capacity i.e. if you’re using a really bulky DSLR with a hefty lens or if you know you’ll be shooting in very windy conditions. In these cases, it would be wise to a travel tripod that is rated to carry more.

But especially if you’re looking for the best budget tripod for a DSLR, the weight of your equipment has to be a consideration.

photographers with huge lenses

Ergonomics and Ease of Use

Tripod technology really has come a long way. I remember using my parent’s old video camera tripod and thinking how rudimentary it was – the range of the leg’s motion was barely 45 degrees, the ball head was fitted with quark, and the metal construction felt like a bleacher seat.

How shocked was I when I bought a modern travel tripod and found out that it could do things like fold up and even be turned upside for extremely low perspective shots!

A good modern tripod will be malleable and have the ability to be set up in numerous configurations. Thanks to a system of adjustable legs and flexible hinges, travel tripod can do just this.

A tripod must be easy to use as well. All of those tricky motions and creative setups will mean nothing if it takes too long to get ready. Thankfully, most travel tripods do not suffer from such shortcomings. Only in special circumstances can a tripod be forgiven for being unwieldy.

Another important point: a tripod needs to be able to packed down to fit in your bag. If it’s too large or too cumbersome, you’re going to have problems traveling with. Thankfully most camera bags have special loop that can accommodate most tripods. Check out our guide on the best camera bags for good examples!

photographer-in-city

Tripod Head

Finding the best tripod head is just as important as finding a great travel tripod. A tripod head will enable even more customizable compositions and contribute to aspects such as weight, ergonomics, and load capacity.

A good tripod head will have a full 360-degree range of motion. Most modern-day ball heads allow for this. Ball heads will be free floating until locked into place by several clamps. Clamps come in the form of nobs or larger winged screws. Some photographers will prefer one of the other but I find this distinction to be negligible.

Other signs of a good travel tripod head will be features like a quick release plate, panoramic markings, and bubble leveler. Quick release places allow for optimal mounting of a camera and I always prefer having one. Panoramic marking will help guide you and maintain even composition while making panoramas. Finally, a bubble leveler will help make sure that an image is level to the ground.

manfrotto tripod head

Legs play an important part in tripod stability. Generally speaking, the more sections that a tripod leg has, the lesser the sturdiness. Try to find a tripod with as few leg sections as possible – around 3-4. Should you find that the legs are often shaking – for whatever reason – try investing in a stone bag , which will weigh down the tripod and limit shakiness.

The length of a tripod leg can be adjusted via a series of locking mechanisms. Most of these mechanisms come in two styles: screw and flip locks. Screws locks require a twisting motion to adjust while flip locks require, as the name implies, a flipping action.

In terms of usability, the difference between screw locks and flip locks is a matter of preference; some photographers find twisting to be a natural motion while others prefer flipping. Really, it’s up to you.

There a couple of disadvantages to take into consideration when choosing between locks. Flip locks will loosen over time and so will require periodic tightening. Twist locks will need to be used appropriately; if you twist the leg too loose, it may fall apart.

tripod-G226 low angle

In the end, cash rules everything around us. How much are you willing to spend on a tripod? You get what you pay for, as they say, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get what you need and for a good price. Weigh all of the aspects highlighting in this section and then figure out what it’ll take to get the best possible travel tripod for you.

best travel tripods

There is no perfect or exact science when it comes to testing out the best travel gear. But when it comes to finding a good travel tripod for your next trip, you’ve come to the right place. Here we’ve got a team of folks with various different experiences that have tested these 3 legged beasts out all over the world!

So each member of the team took each tripod out for a proper test drive over the course of a few weeks and on various trips across the entire bloody globe yo! They paid attention to things like how heavy each one was, durability, packability, size (both when fully extended and also when packed away).

We also looked at how it fulfilled its primary purpose, which is, of course, holding your camera! So that includes stability, manoeuvrability, ease of deployments and things like how many positions it can put your camera in … get your mind out of the gutter guys!

Finally, we also take into account how an item is priced – It’s alright wanting to find the best cheap travel tripod, but we’ve got to still way up whether it offers good value for money! The more expensive gear was scrutinised to a higher level given its price tag.

Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

What is the best packable travel tripod?

While you can simply strap all travel tripods to the side of your backpack, the MeFOTO Roadtrip is the lightest and easiest to pack.

What makes a good travel tripod?

That depends on your personal need. These are the key features you need to think about: 1. Size and weight 2. Material and durability 3. Load capacity, ergonomics and easy use 4. Cost

What is the overall best travel tripod?

We’re very impressed with the quality and value of the Vanguard Alta Pro . It’s one of the most affordable tripods and ticks off all of the important key features.

Which travel tripod should professionals buy?

A professional tripod needs to be a bit higher in quality and offer great value. That’s why the Gitzo Traveler Series 1 is the ideal tripod for pros.

best travel tripod 2022

Our GREATEST Travel Secrets…

Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE.

A tripod should be the first piece of equipment that you buy after purchasing a camera (then a camera backpack – check out the WANDRD PRVKE 31 ). They are perhaps the most useful tool in a photographer’s arsenal. As such, you must think wisely about what kind of tripod you buy for your travels.

Each travel tripod will appeal to a certain type of photographer. Mirrorless shooters who want something portable and inexpensive may want to invest in a Manfrotto BeFree. Perhaps you want something a little more suitable for a DSLR? In that case, maybe the MeFOTO Globetrotter is best. There really is a travel tripod for everyone out there.

Hopefully, we’ve covered all aspects so you can make an informed decision, whether that’s to pick one of the best cheap travel tripods or one of the more expensive numbers.

Figure out your needs and choose a travel tripod accordingly. With this guide, you’ll gain the necessary info to understanding what is best for you. Study it well and then waste no time in finding the best tripod for your travel needs! This is the beginning of your illustrious photographic adventures.

photographer-and-spectators-at-afrika-burn

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Ralph Cope

Share or save this post

best travel tripod 2022

If you have one of these cameras or have decided you’re you get one, there’s not really a need for a tripod. Pipe clamps for fitting and aligning stainless-steel pipe and fittings are just about every one of the same. Camera bags appear in lot of different size and shapes, so finding one ideal for you guessed it-your camera isn’t a struggle to accomplish, and receiving a good video tripod can be a breeze to perform, so anybody who desires to shoot professional videos just like the professionals do, they’re able to get a tripod that will assist them do it.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.

A camera set up on the best travel tripod in front of a lake with a bridge spanning it surrounded by greenery.

The best travel tripods in 2023

It’s easy to bring the best travel tripod anywhere you go.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

Tripod makers have it rough. The bigger and heavier you make a tripod, the more stable it’ll be—and stability is the whole point. But if you want photographers to actually take your tripod with them on location, you have to make it lightweight and compact enough to carry around. This contradiction is most pronounced when you’re trying to find the best travel tripod. These tripods have to be even smaller, lighter, and more versatile than your standard set of sticks and ball-head. They have to be small enough that you can easily strap one to the side of a backpack, rugged enough to withstand being banged around in luggage, fast enough to be set up in seconds, versatile enough to let you shoot from multiple angles, and sturdy enough to keep a full-frame camera and lens stable on a busy street or windy cliff face.

Fortunately, there are plenty of great options for every skill level and budget. You just have to know what to look for. 

Best overall: Peak Design Travel Tripod

Best aluminum: manfrotto befree advanced, best carbon fiber: gitzo traveler series 1, best heavy-duty: 3 legged thing leo 2.0, best budget: mefoto roadtrip s, how we picked the best travel tripods.

The editors and writers at Popular Photography have decades of photography experience in nearly every genre and have covered just about every major camera and tripod brand on the market. When looking at travel tripods, we looked at the essential components of a tripod that get brought along on trips. Weight and folded length were critical factors, as travel tripods must be easily packed and carried. The weight capacity was also significant, as the tripod should be sturdy enough to hold most major cameras. Lastly, we factored in the extended height, minimum height, and other miscellaneous features.

Best travel tripods: Reviews & Recommendations

Peak Design Travel Tripod

Peak Design

Why it made the cut: The Peak Design Travel Tripod has a novel design that allows it to be compact enough to fit in a water bottle pocket on a backpack yet still expand to 5 feet in height. Available as either aluminum or carbon fiber, this lightweight option is sturdy and travel-ready.

Key features

  • Material:  Aluminum or carbon fiber
  • Tripod weight: 3.4 pounds
  • Weight capacity: 20 pounds
  • Extended height : 60 inches
  • Folded height: 15.2 inches
  • Very compact
  • Available as aluminum or carbon fiber
  • Built-in mobile phone mount
  • Comes with a padded, weatherproof case

The Peak Design Travel Tripod boasts a fresh design that reimagines just how small a travel tripod can be. Thanks to its one-of-a-kind leg design, this camera stand folds down to the diameter of a water bottle, allowing you to pack it in a standard water bottle pocket on a backpack. In addition, the unique, low-profile ball-head mechanism lets you adjust your camera angle with a single hand. It may take some getting used to, but it is a nice feature.

The Peak Design Travel Tripod is available in carbon fiber or aluminum. You should pick the carbon fiber version if you want to save weight and the aluminum version if you want to save money.

A black compact travel tripod for cameras.

Why it made the cut: Manfrotto’s Befree Advanced travel tripod is a 3.5 pound aluminum option that is sturdy enough to hold heavy gear. And at only 15.2 inches when folded, it can fit in most luggage.

  • Material:  Aluminum
  • Tripod weight: 3.5 pounds
  • Weight capacity: 19.8 pounds
  • Extended height : 59.45 inches
  • Folded height: 15.75 inches
  • Lightweight aluminum build
  • Can handle full-frame gear with heavy lenses
  • Quality ball-head
  • A bit wide when folded

Manfrotto’s Befree tripods are popular among travel photographers, and it’s easy to see why. The aluminum version weighs in at just 3.4 pounds, with a folded length of 15.2 inches. In addition, it has a weight capacity of 19.8 pounds, making it capable of holding full-frame cameras with heavy lenses. As a result, it has a great balance of price to performance for an aluminum travel tripod. 

But it’s not just about size and weight. The Befree Advanced has twist-style M-lock leg locks that make setting up the tripod a breeze. The included ball head is surprisingly solid, and the leg angle selector offers more options than some competitors at and above this price point.

A carbon fiber tripod with three-section legs opened but not extended.

Why it made the cut: The Gitzo Traveler Series 1 is an excellent carbon fiber tripod. At 3.3 pounds, it isn’t the lightest one on the list. But it can handle the heaviest load, making it a great option for those wanting something sturdy.

  • Material:  carbon fiber
  • Tripod weight: Tripod: 2.34 pounds, Head: 0.9 pounds
  • Weight capacity: 22 pounds
  • Extended height : 60.24 inches
  • Folded height: 16.73 inches
  • Excellent build quality
  • Compatible with lenses up to 200mm
  • Quality ball head
  • Very pricey

The Gitzo Traveler Series 1 is the go-to professional tripod for photographers who demand uncompromising build quality. At 3.3lbs and a folded length of 16.73 inches, it’s not the smallest or lightest carbon fiber travel tripod you can buy. But it offers a weight capacity of 22lbs, making it a sturdy choice. In addition, it has a max height of 60.24 inches and can go as low as 8.66 inches, making it useful for low-angle or macro shots and high-angle ones. 

This kit comes with the Gitzo Series 1 Traveler Center Ball Head, which is the slimmest Gitzo head. It has an independent pan lock and an incredibly smooth rotating ball head. This head is also compatible with plates from other brands as long as the dimensions are similar, which could be helpful when traveling. 

A carbon fiber travel tripod with a unique orange tripod mount make and high weight capacity make this one of the best tripod for dslr.

3 Legged Thing

Why it made the cut: The 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 has the highest weight capacity you can find at 66 pounds. And yet, it still packs down to around the same size as other compact travel tripods.

  • Material:  Carbon fiber
  • Tripod weight: 3.35 pounds, 4.08 pounds with head
  • Weight capacity: 66 pounds
  • Extended height : 57.7 inches
  • Folded height: 14.7 inches
  • Excellent weight capacity
  • Folds down small
  • Legs detach to become monopods or booms
  • Lots of leg locks

With a maximum weight capacity of 66lbs, the 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 is about the sturdiest travel tripod you can buy, and yet it still folds down to under 15-inches and tips the scales at just 4.1lbs. The large weight capacity means you can use it with larger mirrorless or DSLR cameras or even medium format setups.

The Leo is also unique in its versatility. Each leg is detachable, allowing you to use them as monopods or booms. They also feature a 3-position angle lock and boast twist locks for quick and easy setup. And, if you buy separate footwear, it can be used as a tabletop tripod with the legs removed as well. These features make it one of the most versatile, heavy-duty travel tripods money can buy.

MeFOTO BackPacker S Tripod

Why it made the cut: The MeFOTO Roadtrip S is a very affordable travel tripod for beginner photographers while still having plenty of good features. It weighs only 2.5 pounds, packs down to 13.2 inches, and can even convert to a monopod.

  • Tripod weight: 3.65 pounds
  • Weight capacity: 17.6 pounds
  • Extended height : 59.4 inches
  • Folded height: 13.98 inches
  • Budget-friendly
  • Swappable head
  • Converts into a monopod
  • Weight capacity is fairly low

MeFOTO’s BackPacker,  RoadTripper , and  GlobeTrotter  tripods are travel-friendly favorites that regularly make roundups like this. The aluminum version of the Roadtripper S weighs in at just 3.65 pounds and still boasts a respectable weight capacity of 17.6 pounds. 

The Roadtripper S also has some nice features for a tripod at this price. For example, it has a scale on the center column for lining up panoramic shots right, a separate lock for its pan axis, and can convert into a monopod. It’s not the most capable on the list, but it’s a great entry-level travel tripod for beginners.

Features to consider when shopping for the best travel tripods

The main difference between a regular tripod and a travel tripod is size and weight. While regular tripods—especially high-end video tripods—are often large and heavy in order to offer as much stability and weight capacity as possible, travel tripods have to balance these core features with the need for portability. The best travel tripod is the one that offers the most rigid and stable construction in a package that folds up small and weighs no more than a large DSLR. 

To do this, lightweight tripod makers rely heavily on materials like aluminum (good) and carbon fiber (better), creative designs with thinner legs that fold 180° over the ball head, telescoping legs with as many as 5 sections, and smart extras like sandbag hooks for adding weight while you shoot, reversible center columns, and built-in bubble levels. 

The goal is to create a tripod that delivers the best of all worlds: something compact enough that it will fit comfortably in a carry-on bag, light enough that it won’t bog you down on a long hike, and yet stable enough that it’s actually worth bringing along. Here are the key features you should consider when shopping for the best travel tripod, and a few of our top picks.

Size and weight of a travel tripod

As we’ve already mentioned several times at this point, the first and most important features to consider when shopping for a travel tripod are size and weight. The best travel tripod overall will be lightweight, with a respectable weight capacity, an ingenious design that allows it to fold up really small, and a carbon fiber construction for the best possible strength-to-weight ratio.

In terms of raw numbers: a compact travel tripod should weigh no more than 4lbs, it should be able to hold at least 15lbs, and it should fold up to less than 16-inches long for easy packing. Once these boxes are checked, everything else is a bonus. Smaller folded diameter, vari-angle legs, reversible center column, a well-designed ball-head, and easy-to-deploy legs are the secondary features that separate the “good” travel tripods from the “great” ones.

Skill level and budget

Another important consideration is your own skill and interest level. While it’s always tempting to purchase the best-of-the-best camera gear right away, there’s no need for a beginner travel photographer to drop $500+ on a high-end carbon fiber tripod with all the bells and whistles—no matter what the ads try to tell (or sell) you. 

If you’re just starting out, look for important core features (lightweight construction, compact foldable design, reasonable weight capacity, and solid build quality) in an affordable aluminum model that will offer you everything you need and won’t cost you a bundle. If you can afford to spend a little more than the budget options, but don’t want to get carried away with Gear Acquisition Syndrome (also known as G.A.S.), a great entry-level tripod is the way to go.

Aluminum vs. carbon fiber tripod

One of the most important decisions you’ll need to make when looking for the best travel tripod is whether to go with aluminum or carbon fiber . 

A carbon fiber tripod is the premium choice. Weight for weight it’s both stronger and more rigid than aluminum, which translates into tripods that are both lighter and sturdier. As a result, it’s also a lot more expensive. Aluminum may be heavier and a little more flexible, but it’s a lot cheaper and plenty of photographers rely on it day-in and day-out. Plus, the added weight helps keep your shots stable when you don’t have any way to weigh the tripod down.

Fortunately, many of the most popular travel tripods from the most recognizable brands are available in both aluminum and carbon fiber variants. You get to decide what’s more important: a lighter tripod, or a heavier wallet?

Weight capacity

Most travel tripods can handle a maximum load of about 22lbs, with many of the lightest options cutting that number down even further in order to save weight. Fortunately, that’s plenty for most mirrorless cameras or DSLRs with a regular lens attached. However, if you plan to tote around a huge DSLR and lens combo, or maybe even shoot medium format, you’ll want to find a tripod that can handle a lot more weight without flinching. 

Keep in mind that there will be a trade-off here, usually in terms of tripod weight. The higher the weight capacity, the thicker and sturdier the lens and ball head will need to be, and the heavier the tripod itself is likely to become. Only you can decide if that’s a worthwhile compromise.

Q: Does it matter what tripod you use?

Absolutely it does! Extremely cheap tripods don’t deliver the same stability or features that you get from higher-quality options like the ones listed above.  At the very least, a good-quality travel tripod will ensure you can keep your ISO down and capture longer exposures without camera shake, even in windy or otherwise challenging conditions. But beyond this, most high-quality tripods offer multiple leg angles, reversible columns, bubble levels, a huge range of height settings, and much much more. Features like this open up a world of photographic possibilities.

Q: What is the strongest yet lightest tripod material?

Carbon fiber is the strongest and lightest material used in tripods. Weight for weight, carbon fiber is anywhere from 2x to 5x more rigid and up to 10x stronger depending on the type and orientation of the fiber used. This is obviously a huge plus for photographers who want to travel light without sacrificing tensile strength, but remember: the lighter the tripod, the less stable it will be. So keep an eye out for a carbon fiber travel tripod with weight hooks so that you can hang your bag on your tripod while you shoot and add back any lost stability.

Q: How much does a good tripod cost?

Materials, size, weight, and weight capacity are all going to factor into the final price of a good travel tripod, which makes an “average” hard to pin down. Generally speaking, aluminum travel tripods will be cheaper, starting at around $100 for a good-quality tripod, although you can find them for less. Carbon fiber models will be more expensive, starting around $150, with most options coming in above the $200 mark. If you want a high-quality, lightweight, carbon fiber tripod that folds up small and features great weight capacity at the same time, expect to spend $200 or more.

Final thoughts on the best travel tripod s

The list above is not a comprehensive overview of all the best travel tripods on the market. With so many great brands like Gitzo, Benro, Manfrotto, 3 Legged Thing, MeFOTO, and Peak Design putting out solid products, there’s no shortage of great options. That said, we’ve found the Peak Design Travel Tripod to be the best overall option. It has a unique design that allows it to fold down smaller than any other option in the same class. However, it can still hold a good amount of weight, making it sturdy enough to use with heavier cameras or on windy days. The added touch of a built-in phone mount and the included padded carrying case are nice additions as well.

Want more photography techniques, camera reviews, and inspiration?

Sign up for Popular Photography's newsletter and join the club.

The 10 BEST Travel Tripods – Ultimate Photo Guide [2024]

If you’re in the market to buy the best travel tripod then we’ve got you covered! Working as professional travel photographers we have personally tried and tested countless products on the market, and now are ready to share our expert guide to the best tripods for travel in 2024!

Having spent almost a decade travelling the world on various photography assignments, from Antarctica to the Arctic and everywhere in between, it’s safe to say when it comes to gear, we know what works and what doesn’t.

While some accessories are a bit more generic than others, what we’ve found over the years is that selecting something as important as tripods is not so straightforward as one would think.

We’ve bought, tested, and eventually ditched, dozens of travel tripods since we first got into photography, and are always on the hunt for the best deals.

Peak Design Travel Tripod

Editors Choice: Peak Design Travel Tripod

We’ve tested everything and officially declared this Peak Design product as our top selection for best travel tripods. It’s lightweight, reaches eye level, durable and packs down to the size of a water bottle. You can save a few bucks with the aluminium version or choose carbon fiber for the best in travel photography technology.

Table of Contents

Peak Design Travel Tripod

Punks travis system  , manfrotto befree, vanguard veo 2 go, joby gorillapod 3k pro, zomei iphone tripod, benro systemgo, gitzo traveler series 1, sirui t-005x, mefoto backpacker s , portability , best professional tripod: gitzo traveler series 1, most portable tripod: joby gorillapod 3k.

These days we have finally narrowed it down to our favourite few products, based on features, durability, portability and price, and after thousands of questions from friends and readers we have finally sat down to share our top recommendations from our experience.

But do you really need a tripod for travel photography?

You might think it’s a bit unnecessary, but truth is the travel photography you can create is going to be so much higher quality thanks to one of these essential tools.

Even the steadiest hands give off some shake, and the second you start diving into the world of long exposures, you’re going to need to keep your camera perfectly still.

Speaking of cameras, make sure you check out legendary guide to travel cameras here !

A lightweight travel tripod will provide crystal clear shots, time-lapse video, panoramas, and long-exposure looks at the night sky.

Besides helping create beautiful images, a tripod also comes in handy if you want to setup the camera to take a photo of yourself when no one else is around.

So why talk about the best travel tripods specifically, rather than just camera tripods in general?

Before you can set up your tripod and start shooting, you’ll have to haul your gear to the location.

Any traditional camera tripod may be capable of capturing the shot, but might be too heavy to carry with you.

Remember, you’ll have to carry every piece of gear you take on your hike and back every step of the way.

Photography equipment built for travel has one primary objective: be light weight.

Great travel tripods are small enough to slip into a daypack and strong enough to withstand a grouchy luggage handler to bring a quick and easy setup on the move. 

Even a professional travel tripod will compromise some operating features to be more portable.

Jarryd Sunrise Best Travel Tripod

Whether it’s a lower peak height or wobbly legs, a tripod built for travel won’t have the same comfort levels as a traditional tripod, but packability is priceless. 

The good news is, there are plenty of travel tripods that provide enough creature comforts and extra features that allow them to serve your needs beautifully, and we’re here to show you what the best options have to offer. 

This epic buying guide will cover everything you need to know to feel confident in your purchase.

READ MORE: Keen to become a better creator? Check out our expert guide to our best travel photography tips !

Whether your valuable equipment needs a strong max load, your far-reaching panorama requires great maximum height or your extreme adventures require durable carbon fiber construction, we’ve got the sturdy travel tripod for your next adventure.

There are loads of different components that make up a tripod kit, and no one secret formula to success. Tripod manufacturers and models all have different strengths and weaknesses that allow them to function in different scenarios.

In addition to showcasing the best-in-class tripods, we’ll examine some key points to consider when choosing the best travel tripods for you. So take a look, get your batteries charged, and start shooting with the best tripod for your needs.

The Best Travel Tripods 

We’re on our way to the mountaintop just before sunrise to grab an epic shot. And we’re not going to take just any old tripod with us.

To qualify for this buying guide, the tripods on our list offer the best overall value and utility.

Starting at the pinkies of the interchangeable rubber feet up to maximum height with a ball head attached, we expanded and compacted the leading lightweight travel tripods.

Whether you’re looking for something petite for a compact camera or a full-sized unit, read on to find the best travel tripod for your trip.

Long Exposure Sunrise Pool Photo

Peak Design isn’t just a company name – it’s a brand legacy. After revolutionising the industry with their Capture Clips and backpacks, their award-winning travel tripod was crowdfunded thanks to its smattering of unique design features that make it fit uniquely in every camera bag.

Peak Design spent four years working on this aluminium and carbon fiber travel tripod. An included ball head design that works with unique leg locks to reduce the mini tripod to the diameter of a can of tomato sauce and extend out to a maximum height at eye level. 

The ball-head of such a compact tripod may look funky, but the potential is there, and the ARCA -compatible camera plate works with most DSLRs.

You may feel a bit awkward swinging your camera around the first few shots, but this center ball-head is also one of the biggest reasons this tripod is so packable. Once you get the hang of operation, you may never switch back.  

It’s not the most affordable tripod out there, but any passionate photographer will tell you not to skimp on key camera accessories .

Don’t trust a cheap plastic base to protect your DSLR camera; trust in this sturdy aluminium version (or pay extra for the carbon fiber tripod, which we did ) backed up by a lifetime guarantee. 

  • Packs down to the size of a water bottle
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Light, durable and versatile

Peak Design Travel Tripod

If it wasn’t for the incredible product design at Peak Design, this Travis system would be the clear-cut champ of the travel tripod market – despite not even being created for travel first. 

At $100 less than their rival and with loads of valuable features, this three-legged thing is an excellent addition to any camera kit. 

While it doesn’t pack down to the same compact folded length as our editor’s choice tripod above, Travis has its own strengths. It’s not just trying to be the best travel tripod, it wants to be the only tripod you own. Whether you’re into standard travel photos, astrophotography or waterfall photography , this unit has you covered.

It’s tough to argue with some of its specs. With a great maximum heigh, durability, and strong tripod legs, there aren’t many shots you can’t capture with this tool. 

What we love most about this tripod is the number of professional features the photography-focused 3 Legged Thing brand brought to the little guy.

This system features extra foot options, a quick-release plate, and extension accessories normally reserved for professional tripods that cost hundreds more than this affordable option. You can build out your tripod any way you see fit.  

  • Loads of customization options
  • 11:1 load to weight ratio
  • Ships with its own carrying bag
  • Not a travel tripod first

Q? Encoding=Utf8&Amp;Asin=B07Jmhw1Ps&Amp;Format= Sl160 &Amp;Id=Asinimage&Amp;Marketplace=Us&Amp;Serviceversion=20070822&Amp;Ws=1&Amp;Tag=No0C4D 20&Amp;Language=En Us

Manfrotto’s BeFree line of travel tripods can be hard to navigate. The Befree tripods come at a variety of costs supporting loads of different features. 

While any model will give you a sturdy camera stand, our favourite BeFree tripod is the 2N1 model , which comes with monopod options.

Detach the center leg, and you’ve got the perfect selfie stick!

You won’t have to lug the entire tripod around when a monopod will do the trick. Put it all back together and you’ll have 4 different leg sections that help you get the shot at all levels.

That’s a great feature, and this robust travel tripod is way more than a one-trick pony. Twist locks clamp across the ball head and each leg allows plenty of height adjustment up to eye level. We love the simple brilliance of a good twist and lock tripod. 

No need to reinvent the wheel; Manfrotto instead took quality features and built them into a lightweight travel tripod affordable to photographers of all levels. 

They also have other models that are worth a look, such as the Manfrotto Befree Advanced.

  • Can also be used as a monopod
  • Wide selection of tripod models for various features
  • Click or twist-lock options
  • Doesn’t pack down as low as other models
  • No carbon fibre models

Elinjaa Falls Carbon Fibre Tripod

Right away, we couldn’t believe that this affordably priced travel tripod comes with carbon fibre construction.

The ultralight and durable material carbon fiber is usually reserved for the most expensive travel tripod options, but Vanguard has made carbon fiber available at a fraction of the cost. 

If materials are the number one concern on your list, but price is a close second, this tripod makes the decision easy.

Set up requires five flip locks that allow the tool to reduce to a tiny size and expand up to eye level, all at less than three pounds. 

Shop around to find a VEO 2 Go package that includes a bubble level, cell phone mount and Bluetooth remote or whatever customisation options you want to bring along with you. One thing for sure, this bad boy is all about traveling light. 

  • Packs down very small
  • Carbon fibre at an affordable price
  • Reversible centre column
  • No carbon fibre option

Q? Encoding=Utf8&Amp;Asin=B07Qpw6Ldz&Amp;Format= Sl160 &Amp;Id=Asinimage&Amp;Marketplace=Us&Amp;Serviceversion=20070822&Amp;Ws=1&Amp;Tag=No0C4D 20&Amp;Language=En Us

There’s light, and then there’s this. A vlogger and amateur camera-man special, the slingy arms of the Joby GorillaPod 3k is always a go-to for travel photographers where space and flexibility are of the utmost importance.

This is not a full size tripod, as it won’t extend much higher than one foot, but it can be used just about anywhere and the 3k version is perfect for point-and-shoot or mid-sized mirrorless camera setup.

They’re so good, we have two!

The GorillaPod travel tripod can be wrapped around trees, poles or mounted easily to ledges, walls, and car hoods for quick and beautiful shots.

The larger 5K tripod has a larger max load that can support DSLR cameras, but this slim 3K tool supports smartphones and go pros and fits into any daypack. 

The legs of this Joby tripod are flexible, allowing you to find stability and center the horizon on all sorts of uneven surfaces. Above all else, this aluminum tripod is one of the more affordable options on our list. 

If you’re not shopping for a full size best travel tripod, look towards this GorillaPod to fit into every luggage and balance on every surface. 

  • Super flexible legs
  • Works in places where full-size tripods are banned
  • Only extends 16 inches
  • Won’t support a larger camera

Waterfall Photography Tasmania

For the travel photographer that prefers to leave their big DSLR or mirrorless cameras at home and stick to their favourite smartphone, the ZOMEi iPhone Tripod is the one for you.

For less than 20 bucks, you can secure your phone for stable action shots and easy selfies.

If you just want a few memories to send to the folks at home, you can casually throw this ZOMEi lighter tripod in your day pack and start exploring. 

It’s so light you won’t even notice it in your luggage, and once it’s time to shoot, you can take advantage of the three-legged tripod and remote control to capture yourself in motion just as easily as others. 

You can easily sling this tripod to whatever angle you need, making it a perfect option for capturing backyard skateparks and backflips. It’s also a great choice for budding vloggers who haven’t started raking in the ad revenue.

Remote shutter features allow you to stop and start live streams without walking up to the camera.

The affordability, remote start, and iPhone functionality make this a great first tripod, so you can see what a great set of three legs can do for your photography. 

  • Most affordable tripod on our list
  • Comes with a remote shutter
  • Built to work with iPhones
  • Can’t support a dSLR
  • Five leg sections to clip through

Q? Encoding=Utf8&Amp;Asin=B01Hmvnv7I&Amp;Format= Sl160 &Amp;Id=Asinimage&Amp;Marketplace=Us&Amp;Serviceversion=20070822&Amp;Ws=1&Amp;Tag=No0C4D 20&Amp;Language=En Us

The SystemGo gets a huge boost by Benro’s additional range of accessories.

It’s a tabletop tripod that can double as a mobile work or photo editing station with the GoPlatform that allows you to mount your laptop with the same protection and versatility as your camera.

Even without this fancy feature, this tripod would be worth a second look .

Benro’s center column helps expand your field of view, although unfortunately, you’ll have to supply your own ball head. 

Its affordability takes a hit because of all these additional purchases, but camera operators who want more choice will love this system.

The built-in monopod attachment grants you further control over your kit. You can detach the center leg and use the travel tripod as an arm-extending monopod if you don’t feel like lugging the entire arsenal. 

Look past all these extra features, and you’ll see a great, folding, sturdy tripod with a heavy operating capacity at a modest weight. 

  • Doubles as a mobile workstation
  • Can be used as a monopo d
  • Includes a padded soft case
  • Ball head sold separately
  • Larger than other options on our list

Q? Encoding=Utf8&Amp;Asin=B072Ksw57W&Amp;Format= Sl160 &Amp;Id=Asinimage&Amp;Marketplace=Us&Amp;Serviceversion=20070822&Amp;Ws=1&Amp;Tag=No0C4D 20&Amp;Language=En Us

Trust this piece of gear to be ready to roll before sunrise. Carbon fibre can sometimes sacrifice durability in the name of lightweight, but not this Gitzo .

Gitzo tripods are no less than three pounds of the best tripod functionality whittled down to travel size. 

This series is the closest thing to a professional-grade carbon fiber travel tripod on our list, and it still fits in overhead flight storage.

A Swiss Arca quick release ball head and reverse folding leg design allow you to stow this carbon fiber tripod and quickly expand the leg sections when it’s time to shoot. 

Five twist-lock sections are user-friendly and easy to activate to make getting the perfect height even easier. I feel further responsibility to nitpick ultra-expensive options, and we do wish the legs would extend to a bit higher than 58 inches, but overall this series is well worth the high price. 

Gitzo is arguably the number one name in tripods, and with their Traveler series, you can expect nothing less but the best stability and user-friendly features from this model. 

However, for most amateur and even professional photographers, we feel that other tripods can perform the same functions at a fraction of the cost.

The major exception to this is any travel photographers planning to shoot in extreme weather. You won’t find anything more storm-ready than this Gitzo.  

  • Respected tripod brand
  • Very durable
  • High max load weight
  • Quite expensive

Milky Way Gitzo Tripod

Sirui’s aluminum travel tripod cemented its place on our list thanks to its incredibly low price point and high quality build.

If you’re not shopping for a cheap plastic iPhone only tripod, this is the most affordable travel tripod you can find that still offers the stability and performance to be worth bringing along. 

Don’t expect this tripod to rock a heavy load capacity; it’s simply a cheaper aluminum version of the best models on the market.

We love how lightweight it is, and the number of leg sections fold up nicely to stow the tripod in about a foot of space. 

We didn’t love the fact that twist locks split into five different leg sections even though the tripod head won’t reach near 5 feet high.

Oh well, they are what they are, the best budget travel tripods on our list. If you’re looking for no more than three legs and a high build quality ball head, look no further. 

  • Very affordable
  • Really lightweight
  • Carbon fibre and aluminium hybrid
  • Centre column doesn’t compact

Q? Encoding=Utf8&Amp;Asin=B07H7P52Ct&Amp;Format= Sl160 &Amp;Id=Asinimage&Amp;Marketplace=Us&Amp;Serviceversion=20070822&Amp;Ws=1&Amp;Tag=No0C4D 20&Amp;Language=En Us

To round out our best travel tripod list, we present another sturdy option that saves you a bit of money.

The Backpacker S doesn’t pump out eye-popping specs, but it does stay incredibly affordable and lightweight.

And most of us won’t need anything more than this sturdy tripod with Swiss Arca ball plates – no need for a hex key!

The ball-head allows complete 180-degree rotations of your camera, perfect for panoramas. You can have your choice of several bright colors, all with great functionality at an affordable price. 

It’s another high-quality aluminum tripod that isn’t trying to reinvent the industry.

Instead, Mefoto has presented affordable and lightweight travel tripods that prove you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to shoot with stability. 

  • Can be converted into a monopod
  • Additional mount available for phones and cameras
  • Affordable and customisable
  • Not built for all-weather
  • Decent across the board but doesn’t have any exceptional features

How to Choose the Best Tripods for Travel

As you can see, there’s a lot of great options when it comes to selecting the best travel tripod!

By definition, tripods often look pretty similar – Three legs with varying degrees of leg locks come together at a ball-head camera mount, maybe with a quick release plate.

With so much standardisation in construction, how can one tripod be considered better than the rest?

While loads of budget tripods can provide a capable camera stand, there are only a few products that seriously consider each of the following factors.

To choose the best travel tripod for your next adventures, take a look at these factors and decide which ones are most important for your needs. 

Ask yourself how you’ll be travelling to your photoshoots. If you’re travelling with an entire car full of room, you won’t have to worry as much about tripod weight as you will if you’re looking for a compact travel tripod that is also a hiking companion. 

Long-term travellers living out of a backpack may not feel the difference in a pound or two, but should emphasise buying a tripod that compacts to a small size.

And, of course, we have to be able to afford the dang thing! 

READ MORE: Make sure you have a good way to carry your tripod by diving deep into our ultimate guide to the best camera backpacks !

Without portability, your travel tripod is just a tripod. Your tripod’s portability will be a combination of its weight and folding size. 

Weight is a straightforward factor to consider – less is more! However, a lightweight tripod may sacrifice a bit of durability to weigh next to nothing, and lightweight tripods are generally more expensive, such. asthe

Ask yourself how many miles you plan on walking with your entire load capacity on your back, and let that answer define how lightweight your travel tripod will be. The lightest options on our list weigh between 2-4 pounds.

The folded length is just as important as weight. The Peak Design Travel Tripod ’s ability to condense down to the size of a water bottle is what earned its title of the best travel tripod.  

We want the number of leg sections to fold down and fit inside our travel bag, but some ultra-folding travel tripods may sacrifice maximum load capacity and durability to bend further.

Visualise how you will be transporting your tripod weight and decide how important folded length is to keep everything inside your backpack.

Portable Travel Tripod

Aha! The reason why tripods aren’t more portable across the board. I like my tripods to reach as close to eye level as possible, about 5 feet at maximum height. Anything more is a bonus, but anything less will start to lose value. 

Don’t forget to check out minimum folded height as well! You might want a tripod that can function with a leg angle selector at only a few inches off the ground for close-up shots, which can be handy for some types of landscape photography .

Not all 6-foot tripods are built the same, a lot depends on the number of leg sections it takes to get there.

Look at how the tallest travel tripod reaches its height and make sure it doesn’t sacrifice too much max load – we still need a sturdy tripod!

The more sections your tripod has, the smaller its folded height may be, but the more leg locks you’ll have to turn loose before your tripod is ready to shoot. 

I find that tripods with more than four leg sections start to be less sturdy and more annoying to lock up. 

Some of the tripods on our list are not cheap, especially if it’s a carbon fiber tripod. If you’re making a significant investment in your travel tripod though, you should expect it to last.

We’ve already touched on a few factors that impact durability; lightweight status, tripod weight, and leg sections. But the biggest indicator of your tripod’s durability is the build materials. 

Most of the tripods on our list use aluminum and carbon fiber. We do not recommend investing in a travel tripod made of plastic if you plan on taking it through the wringer.

Even if you don’t plan on bumps and bruises, the cheapest travel tripod won’t last more than a year or two, it will be flimsy and you wouldn’t even want to trust compact cameras on it.

Aluminum is a great middle ground. It’s not so expensive, and it’s not very fragile.

Travellers taking photos in normal weather conditions and exposing their gear to an average amount of wear and tear will be OK with the lightweight metal, and it still supports great maximum height.

Going near the ocean though, or want the best travel tripod on the market? You’ll need to look at carbon fiber tripods.

Carbon fiber is the strongest, lightest, and most weather-resistant material used in tripod construction, but also the most expensive. Invest in a carbon fiber tripod if you plan on shooting rain or shine. 

Some other tripods are made up of a combination of the two materials to strike up a middle ground. 

There’s a large amount of range in tripod pricing, and you can expect to get what you pay for. As you can see, you can find a good tripod for anywhere from $100- $400. Even higher if you’re looking at the Peak Design Travel Tripod (it’s worth the price tag though).

I strongly believe in investing in your gear, but you shouldn’t buy a travel tripod that costs more than your camera!

Some gearheads will swear by the most expensive options, but the truth is, casual travellers won’t need the features included on a $400 tripod. 

That’s a Wrap!

We broke out the zoom lens and examined the landscape of the best travel tripods on the market with everything we got. Hopefully, the image is starting to get a bit more clear.

While best travel tripod won’t affect your picture quality as much as your camera will, a sturdy, steady, and lightweight tripod will go a long way towards sharp images and safe camera use. 

Whether you’re trying to play with long exposures, vlogging, or working in low-light, our editor’s choice Peak Design Travel Tripod will help you perform to your fullest no matter where you’re shooting. 

Looking for other ideas? Here is our runner up in 2 different categories:

This special carbon fiber tripod won’t come cheap, but it’s the best we’ve tested, and you can always write it off as a business expense if you’re a pro.

The three-pound unit offers excellent stability, durability, and portability that will pay for itself during your first long hike or voyage.

Get the best deal for it here .

Incredibly small, flexible, and portable, this tripod can go anywhere you can. Add in the surprisingly sturdy ball heads at a reasonable price, and you’ve got a simple option focused on portability.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

' src=

About the Author - Alesha and Jarryd

Hey! We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. As one of the world's leading travel journalists, our content and adventures have been featured by National Geographic, Lonely Planet, CNN, BBC, Forbes, Business Insider, Washington Post, Yahoo!, BuzzFeed, Channel 7, Channel 10, ABC, The Guardian, and plenty other publications. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook , YouTube and Instagram .

Related Posts

Peak Design Everyday Messenger Review – My Honest Experience

Peak Design Everyday Messenger Review – My Honest Experience

Portrait Photography Tips – 15 Secrets to Stunning Images

Portrait Photography Tips – 15 Secrets to Stunning Images

21 TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS (Easy Ways to Improve Today)

21 TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS (Easy Ways to Improve Today)

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The best tripod for photographers in 2024: give your camera a rock-steady support

The best tripods combine performance, build quality and value for money, but which will win the three-legged race?

best tripod: man using tripod in sunny field

It'd be easy to think even the best tripod is now redundant, thanks to all the recent advancements with cameras’ in-body and lens-based optical image stabilization. But we beg to differ. 

For long exposures capturing anything from landscapes using 10-stop neutral density filters, to twilight cityscapes and the night sky, a tripod is still an essential bit of kit. They’re also very much needed for keeping your camera still and steady through a sequence of shots, for example when taking exposure-bracketed stills to merge into an HDR (High Dynamic Range) image. And then there’s architectural photography, when you want to set up your camera with supreme precision, or maybe take a series of shots with incremental panning to create panoramas. We could go on, the list is long.

So what do you need to look for when choosing a tripod? Size and weight are key considerations. For versatility, there’s no beating a full-sized tripod with a lofty maximum operating height. Some go further still with a pivoting center column, ideal for macro photography and shooting with really wide-angle lenses. Full-sized carbon fiber tripods tend to be around 25 percent lighter in weight than their aluminum counterparts, making them easier to carry around, and they’re often more resistant to vibration. The flip side is that they’re more expensive to buy.

The maximum load rating is important to bear in mind if you have a relatively hefty camera and big telephoto lenses. Even if you don’t, tripods with a beefier load rating tend to be more sturdy, solid, and stable, and less prone to flexing. A greater number of sections in each leg enables the tripod to fold down smaller but each joint is a potential weak point when it comes to stability, they take longer to set up and fold down, and the bottom legs often tend to be relatively thin and spindly.

If you’re after a tripod that folds down really small, take a look at our separate buying guide on the best travel tripods . And whereas the photography tripods covered in this buying guide aim to give fixed, solid support for stills, free-flowing video capture is another ball game altogether. For that, check out our guide to the best video tripods . 

Best tripod: Our top picks

3 Legged Thing Charles 2.0

Best overall Sturdy, tall, yet packs small and won't weigh you down. It's even well priced - what's not to like?! Read more below

Vanguard VEO 3+ 303CBS

Best for sturdiness Super-sturdy support that's ideal for heavy camera+lens set-ups, plus you can pivot the center column through a complete 180-degree arc, opening up loads of creative shooting possibilities. Read more below

Peak Design Travel Tripod

Best compact travel tripod Super-sturdy support that's ideal for heavy camera+lens set-ups, plus you can pivot the center column through a complete 180-degree arc, opening up loads of creative shooting possibilities. Read more below

The best tripods 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.

A 3 Legged Thing Charles 2.0 tripod pictured on pavement

1. 3 Legged Thing Charles 2.0

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

This is the newer, ‘aluminum’ version of one of our all-time favorite tripods – the carbon fiber 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0 . Although advertised as aluminum, the leg sections are crafted from aerospace-grade magnesium alloy. The net result is that it’s still pretty lightweight for a tripod with a towe ring maximum height of almost two meters. It folds down pretty small too, thanks to swing-up legs that are more usually associated with travel tripods. You can buy the legs on their own but the full kit with the AirHed Pro 2.0 ball head is the one to go for. They’re simply made for each other and a match made in tripod heaven. The head features an Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release plate, but there’s no D-ring so you have to fasten it to your camera or long lens with a coin or the supplied tool.

Read our full 3 Legged Thing Charles 2.0 review for more details.

A Vanguard VEO 3+ 303CBS tripod shot on grass

2. Vanguard VEO 3+ 303CBS

This relatively new tripod takes it to the Manfrotto 055 with a super-sturdy carbon fiber build using large-diameter three-section legs and a pivoting center column. The Vanguard actually goes one better, in that you can pivot the center column through a complete 180-degree arc instead of just using it in vertical or horizontal orientations. It also comes with an extra platform that attaches to the center column, so you can mount two cameras at the same time, or a camera and another accessory like an LED light. The ball head supplied with the kit is a great match for the legs, being very versatile and particularly sturdy and robust.

Read our full Vanguard VEO 3+ 303CBS review for more details.

A 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0, one of the best tripods

3. 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0

3 Legged Thing is a UK-based manufacturer with a deserved reputation among photographers for making attractive, ultra-sturdy tripods. The Winston 2.0, one of the most recent models, is particularly impressive, able to extend to almost 2m in height, but also fold down to 61cm. 

Smartly design with clever engineering, the Winston 2.0 is quick to deploy and has a solid build designed to resist flexing and vibration. Its leg and center-column sections are constructed from 8-layer carbon fibre, making them lightweight but solid, and the leg diameter is thick all the way down. Pair it with 3 Legged Thing's AirHed Pro and you've got a truly exemplary tripod support system on your hands. 

The 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0 is small and light enough to be useful as a travel tripod, while also being strong enough for even the heaviest of professional camera setups. 

Read our full 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0 review for more details

A Vanguard Veo 3+ 263AB tripod pictured in a garden

4. Vanguard Veo 3+ 263AB

The Vanguard Veo 3+ 263AB is a full-size tripod with three sections, so it doesn't fold down that small but it's quick to set up and reaches a good height. It doesn’t feel that heavy for an aluminum tripod, and if you want to shave off a little weight, there is a carbon fibre (CB) version that’s only a little more expensive. 

The design and build are first class, the angled column works brilliantly and all the controls and adjustments have a smoothness and precision that you would expect to cost a lot more than this. If you don't need portability but you do need height, adaptability, rigidity, and quality, this is ideal

Read our full Vanguard Veo 3+ 263AB review for more details

A Peak Design Travel Tripod against a garden backdrop

5. Peak Design Travel Tripod

It's the first tripod Peak Design has made, and the carbon fiber version we looked at costs more than practically any of its rivals except a Gitzo , so it had better be good. 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. 

The Peak Design Travel Tripod isn't just useful for travel. It packs down to just 39cm in length, so it's easy to carry on outings and when hiking across the country, but it also extends high enough to work as a regular everyday tripod, and it has all the rigidity of a regular tripod too. The low-profile ball head is simple but brilliant, there's a phone holder hidden inside the center column. 

It's certainly no bargain, even the aluminum version, but for its combination of design finesse, compactness, and rigidity, the Peak Design Travel Tripod is out on its own.

Read our full Peak Design Travel Tripod review for more details

Looking down on a Benro Rhino FRHN34CVX30 tripod

6. Benro Rhino FRHN34CVX30

The Benro Rhino FRHN34CVX30 is at the top of the size spectrum for a ‘travel’ tripod, but its simplicity, rigidity, and ease of use mark it out as a top choice for landscape shooters, hikers and any outdoor photographer who needs to travel light but still have the best support possible – and Benro’s VX ball head with its additional pan axis is just brilliant.

If you need to pack a small camera support for city breaks and street photography, take a look at the Peak Design travel tripod, or the smaller Benro Rhino FRHN05CVX20, but if you need a portable tripod that doesn't sacrifice height or rigidity, the Rhino FRHN34CVX30 is the bee's knees.

Read our full Benro Rhino FRHN34CVX30 review for more details

Close-up shot of a ProMediaGear TR344L, one of the best tripods

7. ProMediaGear TR344L Pro-Stix

The ProMediaGear TR344L is a really expensive and very impressive tripod that’s been made to suit the needs of dedicated landscape photographers. Sure, it’s way over most budgets and it’s over-specified for what it is for most photographers, but if you’re going to be spending the next decade outdoors in all kinds of weather and you don’t want to spend your time cursing an awkward or heavy tripod then the durable and quick to set-up and pack-up TR344L is worth the investment. 

Read our full ProMediaGear TR344L Pro-Stix review for more details

Outdoor shot of a Manfrotto 055 MT055CXPRO3, one of the best tripods

8. Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 + XPRO Ball Head

There’s an aluminum version of this tripod which is available as just a set of legs, or as a complete kit with either an XPRO Ball Head or XPRO 3-Way Head. The carbon fiber edition is naturally more expensive but feels much more of a luxury item, is nearly half a kilogram lighter and, in our tests, proved more resistant to vibration. As well as giving really solid support, it features a pivoting center column that you can use as a horizontal boom. It’s great for macro shooting and for stopping the tripod feet from creeping into the shot when you’re using ultra-wide-angle lenses.

Read our full Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 review for more details.

A Vanguard VEO 3T+ 264CB next to its carry bag, one of the best tripods

9. Vanguard VEO 3T+ 264CB

The Vanguard VEO 3T+ 264CB is pitched to those who want a travel-friendly tripod but don't want to compromise on features and functionality. Might seem like a pipedream, but this relatively small tripod does a good job, with loads of useful features like its multi-angle center column, and the bundled  VEO MA-1 multi-mount, which allows you to attach other accessories or even another body. 

All this is wrapped up in a tripod with seriously high-quality construction, as you'd expect from Vanguard, and it comes at a pretty competitive price. The only real downside is that despite its "travel" billing, the VEO 3T+ 264CB is still pretty hefty. It's 48cm long when folded and the whole ensemble is 2.275kg, so it's not exactly something you could carry around freely.

Read our full Vanguard VEO 3T+ 264CB Review for more details

Man using a 3 Legged Thing Nicky, one of the best tripods

10. 3 Legged Thing Nicky

Make no mistake, the 3 Legged Think Nicky is a professional-level tripod for a discerning audience. Made for photographers and videographers working with heavier kits, it’s strong, straightforward to use, tall, and adaptable. It’s a base, not a kit, however, so unless you have these things already (many photographers will), you’ll also need to budget for a head and, for video, perhaps a leveling bowl too

It's probably worth repeating this key thing about the Nicky. It is a tripod to which you add your own head, leveling bowl, or other accessories – it's not complete in itself. It’s ideal for photographers and videographers who already have these things and just want a better tripod, but if do need all these extras too, then you’re going to need to get your wallet out – and keep it out..

Read our full 3 Legged Think Nicky review for more details

A Vanguard Veo 3T 235CBP tripod pictured in a field

11. Vanguard VEO 3T 235CBP

Vanguard states its VEO 3T range "includes everything you’d expect in a high-quality travel tripod, with additional features that help anyone get the best result for their video with a camera or smartphone." Beefier models in the range can support an impressive 12kg, but we reckon this 235CBP version with its 8kg load rating is more than up to the job.

The lower capacity also results in a more compact 41cm closed length, while carbon construction keeps total weight down to a reasonable 1.6kg. The included head has a removable pan handle to allow greater control while filming, and a new Arca-compatible quick-release plate can hold a camera or smartphone up to 85mm wide, plus there's even a Bluetooth remote control for IOS or Android .

Read our full Vanguard VEO 3T 235CBP review for more details

Product shot of a Manfrotto 190XPro4, one of the best tripods

12. Manfrotto 190XPro4

This four-section Manfrotto 190XPro4 ball head kit is a full-sized tripod with an XPro ball head included. It's got everything you need and is going to be suitable for a huge majority of photographers.

Reaching a full operating height of 175cm while also shrinking down to a modest folded height of 57cm, the Manfrotto 190XPro4 is great for all situations. It's a relatively recent refresh of a popular Manfrotto model and has a 90-degree pivot facility which means it can be swapped to a horizontal boom mode within seconds. The leg sections also use a new innovative locking lever design that allows them to be released from either side.

Sturdy as a rock, even when at its maximum height, the Manfrotto 190XPro4 is the archetypal photographer's tripod; it's very difficult to imagine the kind of photographer for whom this would not be suitable. Its XPro ball head is also state-of-the-art, with an adjustable friction damper. There are cheaper tripods on this list, but if the Manfrotto 190XPro4 is within your budget, we can recommend it without hesitation. 

A Gitzo GT5563GS Systematic Series 5 Carbon Fiber Tripod (Giant), one of the best tripods

13. Gitzo GT5563GS Systematic Series 5 Carbon Fiber Tripod (Giant)

Sometimes, only the best will do. The Gitzo GT5563GS is not going to be for every photographer – or even, arguably, for that many photographers. But it is the best and biggest tripod you can get right now, and if you need the maximum in terms of height, this is your buy.

The Gitzo GT5563GS is nicknamed “Giant” for a reason. It extends to an absolutely whopping maximum height of 278cm, which is taller than anyone alive and can carry a humongous 40kg of camera gear. This is more capacity than anyone could conceivably need – really it’s more than double what anyone could conceivably need.

The tripod isn’t just a one-trick pony though; it’s also smartly designed, with a carbon fibre build and incredible flexibility. The lowest height it can work at is as small as 10cm! The carbon fibre build keeps it lighter than you’d expect for a tripod of this strength and complexity, and the quality throughout is just top-notch – as reflected by the price.

Read our full Gitzo GT5563GS Systematic Series 5 Carbon Fiber Tripod (Giant) review for more details

A Benro Mach3 tripod on a white background

14. Benro Mach3 TMA27C + B1 head

With so many recent tripods going out of their way to pack in fancy features that you’ll probably never need, it’s nice to see one that concentrates on simple, solid support. This Benro is an entirely conventional affair, based on three-section legs that don’t swing up to reduce the stowage size, and there’s no pivoting center column. The result is a traditional carbon fiber tripod that’s super-quick and easy to set up. It’s not without trickery though, as the Benro comes complete with a low-level adapter for shooting at really low heights without needing to invert the camera, and you can unscrew one of the legs to use it as a monopod with the center column and ball head. Speaking of which, the head is sold separately and we’d go for the Benro B1 Ball Head, which is a perfect match.

Product shot of a Vanguard ALTA PRO 2+ 263CB 100, one of the best tripods

15. Vanguard ALTA PRO 2+ 263CB 100

This complete carbon fiber tripod kit with a ball head plays the numbers game with great success. It has calibrated markings for the four-angle legs, 7-angle pivoting center column, and a 360-degree panning ball head with an independent pan-release lock. With legs that don’t swing upwards for stowage, and have three rather than four sections, the tripod is quick and easy to set up but the folded height is quite tall. The pivoting center column can be locked at various angles through a complete 180-degree arc and there’s a 3/8-inch threaded socket on the spider for attaching accessories like an LED light or microphone. All in all, it’s very versatile, solid, and easy to use.

A 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 tripod pictured on an outdoor table

16. 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 + AirHead Pro Lever kit

The Leo 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. 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.

You can buy the legs on their own but we’d recommend getting it as a kit with 3 Legged Thing’s new and improved AirHed Pro Lever ball head. We love (we LOVE) the optional Vanz kit, a set of three replacement feet/legs. 

You unscrew the regular legs and screw these in to get the toughest, gnarliest table-top mini tripod you've ever seen. 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-round versatility, make it one of the best. 

See our full 3 Legged Thing Leo review for more details

Product shot of a Sirui NT-1005X/E-10, one of the best tripods

17. Sirui NT-1005X/E-10

When it comes to folding down small for compact carriage, the Sirui NT-1005X reigns supreme. It’s definitely designed to be as small as possible, not only featuring five-section legs with a swing-up facility but also incorporating a two-section extending centre column. The result is a generally adequate maximum operating height of 150cm, and a particularly tiny folded height of 36cm. That’s only about half the folded height of the Manfrotto 290 kit. And despite its aluminium build, the Sirui is only 10g heavier than the Novo carbon kit.

Build quality is very good: the Sirui feels solid and robust, despite its lightweight construction. It remains rigid and steady even at the maximum operating height, with all five leg sections fully extended and both sections of the centre column at full reach. Three locking leg angles are available, and there’s the usual facility to remove one leg and the centre column for use as a monopod. And there are no retractable or interchangeable metal spikes for the feet, but the rubber pads are of good quality. 

Set-up on the NT-1005X/E-10 is quick and easy, from the non-slip feet to the ball head with its Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release plate. All adjustments are smooth but lock solidly – although the head lacks an independent friction damper – and the swing-up legs can be locked at three alternative angles. The maximum operating height is a little meagre, but the carrying size is incredibly small. If ultra-compact carriage is high on your priority list, the Sirui is a very desirable tripod indeed. 

How to choose the best tripod

Aluminum or carbon fiber.

These are the two most common materials used for tripod legs. Aluminum tripods are cheaper but weigh more. They’re ideal if you want the maximum stability for your money. Carbon-fiber tripods cost more but weigh less and absorb vibration better. They’re good if cost is less important than weight – but the price premium can be substantial.

How much height do I need?

Shots aren’t always improved by shooting them at eye level (lower often works best), but it’s also about getting a comfortable working height. Check the height without the column being extended, if you can.

Check the folded length

The weight of a tripod is important if you’re going to carry it any distance, but so is its folded length. If it’s too long to strap to your bag, and it’s unwieldy in trains or climbing over stiles, then it’s going to put you off taking it anywhere. Many so-called ‘travel’ tripods have legs that fold upwards for storage and completely enclose the head. This makes them smaller and neater when folded and easier to carry around.

How many leg sections?

Tripod legs may have three, four, or five sections. A larger number of sections means the tripod is shorter and more portable when it’s folded, but it will usually take a little longer to set up and may well not be quite as stable.

What type of leg locks?

These come in two main types: twist locks and flip locks. Twist locks take up less space and are generally a little quicker to use – you can often unlock all the leg sections in a single movement when you’re setting the tripod up. Flip locks are operated individually and may be a bit slower. Try both types to see which you prefer.

Most tripods have legs that can be angled independently – which is particularly useful when working on sloping sites or in cramped areas. The standard leg angle will be fine for regular use, but it’s often useful to splay one or more legs outwards on uneven surfaces or to rest them on walls, say. Splaying out all three legs will allow you to shoot from a much lower angle.

What type of head should I get?

Sometimes the tripod head is included with the legs, sometimes not. You can change one head for another depending on how you like to work, as the connection is standardized. Ball heads and three-way heads are the most common types. Ball heads are compact and quick to use, but not so good for small, controlled movements. Three-way heads are larger but allow precise adjustments for each axis independently. 

You can also find other, specialist heads. Geared heads allow you to make fine adjustments to camera angles. Gimbal heads are designed for use with long, heavy lenses – which can otherwise can unbalance a tripod. And then there are specialist heads for panoramas and video too.

Attaching your camera

Most tripods are sold with heads, and most heads have a quick-release plate so that you can detach the camera in moments for handheld shots. The Arca Swiss-compatible plate is by far the most common, meaning you can swap between different tripod heads, even if they're made by different manufacturers. However some makers, notably Manfrotto, make their own bespoke QR plates, which can be a nuisance if you have two or more tripods from different makers.

Extra features

Detachable monopod legs: These sound really useful – a detachable leg you can then screw into the center column to make a monopod. In practice, we find these often lack the rigidity of a 'real' monopod unless you're starting with a particularly substantial tripod.

Center column: Not all tripods come with a center column, but most do. You can extend this upwards to increase the height of the camera, although this introduces extra wobble. On some tripods, the center column can be rotated to produce an angled boom, which is perfect for overhead shots, macro work, and tabletop photography. Using the center column does reduce the stability of the tripod, however, so is best avoided with long exposures.

Bowl base: This is a video-specific feature that allows you to get the base level without having to make a whole series of tiny adjustments to the leg length. A level base is essential for a video where you want to make panning movements, and the best video tripods come with bowl or leveling bases as standard.

Types of feet: Rubber feet are fine on most surfaces but best on carpets and wooden floors, where you don’t want to cause damage. Metal spikes are good for soft and uneven ground. Some tripods have rubber feet, which can be screwed back to reveal spikes.

photographer by water's edge with low-level tripod

How we test 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.

Get the Digital Camera World Newsletter

The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!

Matthew Richards

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.

  • Rod Lawton Contributor
  • Sebastian Oakley Ecommerce Editor

Related articles

Gordon Parks' iconic American Gothic series of photos showcased with a new book and exhibition

  • Holiday Rentals
  • Restaurants
  • Things to do
  • Elektrostal Tourism
  • Elektrostal Hotels
  • Elektrostal Guest House
  • Elektrostal Holiday Homes
  • Elektrostal Flights
  • Elektrostal Restaurants
  • Elektrostal Attractions
  • Elektrostal Travel Forum
  • Elektrostal Photos
  • Elektrostal Map
  • All Elektrostal Hotels
  • Elektrostal Hotel Deals
  • Elektrostal Hostels
  • Business Hotels in Elektrostal
  • Family Hotels in Elektrostal
  • Spa Resorts in Elektrostal
  • 3-stars Hotels in Elektrostal
  • Elektrostal Hotels with Banquet Hall
  • Elektrostal Hotels with Game Room
  • Hotels near Papa Lounge Bar
  • Hotels near SmokyGrove
  • Hotels near Banya
  • Hotels near Statue of Lenin
  • Hotels near Park of Culture and Leisure
  • Hotels near Museum and Exhibition Center
  • Hotels near Electrostal History and Art Museum
  • Hotels near Museum of Labor Glory
  • Hotels near Viki Cinema
  • Hotels near Galereya Kino
  • Hotels near Elektrogorsk Station
  • Hotels near Kovrigino Station
  • Hotels near Pavlovskiy Posad Station
  • Hotels near Khrapunovo Station
  • Hotels near Metallurg Station
  • Hotels near Elektrostal Station
  • Hotels near Fryazevo Station
  • Hotels near Komissarovka Station
  • Hotels near Noginsk Station
  • Hotels near Zakharovo Station
  • Zhukovsky International Airport Hotels
  • Vnukovo Airport Hotels
  • Domodedovo Airport Hotels
  • The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, Delhi
  • Club Mahindra Jaipur
  • Neemrana Fort-palace
  • Anchaviyo Resort
  • Karma Royal Palms
  • Lalithambika Guest House
  • The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa
  • Noormahal Palace
  • Hotel Nilachal
  • Urbanpod Hotel
  • Silent Hills Resort
  • The Cape Goa
  • Sarai Booking
  • The Kikar Lodge
  • Popular All-Inclusive Resorts
  • Popular Beach Resorts
  • Popular Family Resorts
  • Popular All-Inclusive Hotels
  • Popular Hotels With Waterparks
  • Popular Honeymoon Resorts
  • Popular Luxury Resorts
  • Popular All-Inclusive Family Resorts
  • Popular Golf Resorts
  • Popular Spa Resorts
  • Popular Cheap Resorts
  • GreenLeaders
  • Elektrostal
  • Things to Do
  • Holiday homes
  • Travel Stories
  • Add a Place
  • Travel Forum
  • Travellers' Choice
  • Help Centre
  • Europe    
  • Russia    
  • Central Russia    
  • Moscow Oblast    
  • Elektrostal    
  • Elektrostal Hotels    
  • Hostels in Elektrostal

Philadelphia Hostel

best travel tripod 2022

View prices for your travel dates

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

PHILADELPHIA HOSTEL (Elektrostal) - Hostel Reviews & Photos - Tripadvisor

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Restaurants
  • Things to do
  • Elektrostal Tourism
  • Elektrostal Hotels
  • Elektrostal Bed and Breakfast
  • Elektrostal Vacation Rentals
  • Flights to Elektrostal
  • Elektrostal Restaurants
  • Things to Do in Elektrostal
  • Elektrostal Travel Forum
  • Elektrostal Photos
  • Elektrostal Map
  • All Elektrostal Hotels
  • Elektrostal Hotel Deals
  • Elektrostal Hostels
  • Elektrostal Business Hotels
  • Elektrostal Family Hotels
  • Elektrostal Spa Resorts
  • 3-stars Hotels in Elektrostal
  • Elektrostal Hotels with Game room
  • Elektrostal Hotels with Banquet hall
  • Hotels near Electrostal History and Art Museum
  • Hotels near Park of Culture and Leisure
  • Hotels near Statue of Lenin
  • Hotels near Museum and Exhibition Center
  • Hotels near Museum of Labor Glory
  • Hotels near (ZIA) Zhukovsky International Airport
  • Hotels near (VKO) Vnukovo Airport
  • Hotels near (DME) Domodedovo Airport
  • Secrets Moxche Playa del Carmen
  • Mohonk Mountain House
  • The LINQ Hotel + Experience
  • ARIA Resort & Casino
  • Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana
  • The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa
  • Resorts Hedonism (Hedonism II Resort)
  • Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana
  • Hotel Xcaret Mexico
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
  • Luxor Hotel & Casino
  • Barcelo Bavaro Palace All Inclusive Resort
  • Excellence Oyster Bay
  • Hotel Riu Republica
  • Popular All-Inclusive Resorts
  • Popular Beach Resorts
  • Popular Family Resorts
  • Popular All-Inclusive Hotels
  • Popular Hotels With Waterparks
  • Popular Honeymoon Resorts
  • Popular Luxury Resorts
  • Popular All-Inclusive Family Resorts
  • Popular Golf Resorts
  • Popular Spa Resorts
  • Popular Cheap Resorts
  • All Elektrostal Restaurants
  • Cafés in Elektrostal
  • Chinese Restaurants in Elektrostal
  • European Restaurants for Families in Elektrostal
  • European Restaurants for Large Groups in Elektrostal
  • European Restaurants for Lunch in Elektrostal
  • Fast Food Restaurants in Elektrostal
  • French Restaurants in Elektrostal
  • Italian Restaurants in Elektrostal
  • Japanese Restaurants in Elektrostal
  • Pizza in Elektrostal
  • Russian Restaurants in Elektrostal
  • Seafood Restaurants in Elektrostal
  • Vegetarian Restaurants in Elektrostal
  • GreenLeaders
  • Elektrostal
  • Things to Do
  • Travel Stories
  • Rental Cars
  • Add a Place
  • Travel Forum
  • Travelers' Choice
  • Help Center
  • Europe    
  • Russia    
  • Central Russia    
  • Moscow Oblast    
  • Elektrostal    
  • Elektrostal Restaurants    

Ratings and reviews

Location and contact.

best travel tripod 2022

PEKIN, Elektrostal - Lenina Ave. 40/8 - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

IMG_5767

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

IMG_5859

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Screen Shot 2015-04-01 at 5.17.53 PM

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

best travel tripod 2022

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

IMG_5826

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

Mayakovskaya station

Mayakovskaya metro station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

IMG_5893

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

' src=

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

' src=

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

IMAGES

  1. The best travel tripod in 2022

    best travel tripod 2022

  2. The best travel tripod in 2022

    best travel tripod 2022

  3. 10 Best Carbon Fiber Tripods Of 2022

    best travel tripod 2022

  4. The Best Budget Travel Tripod In 2022

    best travel tripod 2022

  5. 7 Best Travel Tripods in 2022 (Light Backpacking)

    best travel tripod 2022

  6. Best Carbon Fiber Tripod: Top 5 In 2022

    best travel tripod 2022

VIDEO

  1. Best Tripod for Vlogging Under 500

  2. Professional Tripod review and Unboxing 2023

  3. @SIRUIImaging ST-124 The Best Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod? #sirui #tripod #travel #carbonfiber

  4. The BEST Travel Tripod Yet?! WEILISI Metal A1 Aluminium Telescopic Phone Stand vlog AMAZON REVIEW

  5. Perfect Size Travel Tripod 📸✨ On The Go Content Creators 🖤 What I use to film small business 🫶

  6. The best travel tripods for video and stills and vlogging

COMMENTS

  1. The best travel tripod in 2024

    5-section legs - setup time. -. Small pan axis knob. The Benro Rhino FRHN05CVX20 is the smallest of Benro's four new Rhino travel tripods, but we found that it's remarkably stiff for such a compact tripod - and Benro's new VX ball heads and their secondary pan axis just under the camera plate are a triumph.

  2. The best travel tripod for 2024: finest lightweight tripods

    Veo 2 Go 235CB. View. 6. Manfrotto. Befree 3-Way Live Advanced. Check Price. (Image credit: Future) Compact size and lightweight build are the name of the best travel tripod game, persuading you ...

  3. 12 Best Tripods for Traveling in 2023

    Best Travel Tripods. Best Overall Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod. $600 at Amazon. $600 at Amazon. Read more. Best Value Geekoto Tripod, Camera Tripod for DSLR AT24EVO. $80 at Amazon.

  4. 7 Best Travel Tripods for Photographers in 2024

    4. Leofoto LS224C | Best Lightweight Travel Tripod for DSLR or Mirrorless Cameras. 5. ZOMEI Z699C | Best Budget Travel Tripod for Beginners. 6. Manfrotto Befree Live | Best Travel Tripod for Video. 7. Joby GripTight One GorillaPod | Best Phone Tripod for Hiking. What To Look For When Choosing a Tripod for Travel.

  5. Best Travel Tripods 2024

    Best Versatile Travel Tripod: 3-Legged Thing Leo 2.0 AirHead Pro Lever Kit. Best Travel Tripod For Full Frame: Manfrotto Befree Advanced Tripod. Best Travel Tripod For Selfies: BZE 40-Inch ...

  6. 9 Best Travel Tripods in 2024 (Updated)

    The Sirui W-1204 is one of the few brands offering waterproof tripods. This makes it one of the best options for a hardcore outdoor photographer. The tripod has a sealing system. If you shoot in the rain or place the legs in shallow water, the twist locks will still work. The feet complete the outdoor design.

  7. The 4 Best Tripod for 2024

    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. $160. Manfrotto's Element ...

  8. Best tripods 2022: 10 great bases to help you get sharper shots

    Manfrotto. MK190XPRO3-BHQ. Check Price. 10. Vanguard. Alta Pro 2+ 263CB 100. Check Price. Are you wondering what's the best tripod you can buy right now? While there's no straightforward answer to ...

  9. Best travel tripods 2024: the top lightweight tripods to buy

    It weighs 1.5kg, and has a quick-release ball-head, though it takes some time getting to know it, so practice before you head outside in the dark. It's a bit of a specialist tripod, but it's ...

  10. Best Travel Tripods [2022]

    The Best Travel Tripods in 2022. The criteria for the best airline tripods are slightly different from those for the best tripods. When folded, they must be compact enough to fit easily into a bag or at the very least latch onto one. They must also be portable enough to be carried about all day without putting too much strain on the user ...

  11. Best travel tripods 2024: Lightweight and compact tripods

    Best for serious travel photographers. This Benro tripod will last for years to come. It's also the tallest tripod on our list — when fully extended, its maximum height is 66.92-inches (170 cm ...

  12. Best Travel Tripods (Take Epic Pics On The Go)

    Best Overall Tripod. Three Legged Thing - Brian Carbon Fiber Jump To Review. Best High-End Tripod. Gitzo Traveler Series 1 GT1555T Tripod Jump To Review. Best Budget Tripod. Benro SLIM Carbon Fiber (FSL09CN00) Jump To Review. So in this post, I am going to share the fruits of my long, arduous quest for the best travel tripod.

  13. The 12 Best Travel Tripods

    The 12 Best Travel Tripods 1. Enjoy 3-Legged Flexibility or Use as a Monopod ZoMei Z818 Light Weight Aluminium Travel Tripod. Weight: 3.7 pounds Maximum Height: 85 inches Folded Length: 18 inches. This handy, multi-function tripod converts from a full-size tripod into a very useful monopod. The tripod legs can be inverted and folded back 180 ...

  14. 10 Best Travel Tripods (2024 BARGAIN Guide)

    The Best Travel Tripods of 2024. #1 Vanguard Alta Pro. Best Overall Travel Tripod. #2 MeFOTO Roadtrip. Best Travel Tripod Runner-Up. #3 Manfrotto BeFree. Best Travel Tripod for Backpacking. #4 Zomei Z818. Best Budget Travel Tripod.

  15. The best travel tripods in 2023

    Fortunately, there are plenty of great options for every skill level and budget. You just have to know what to look for. Best overall: Peak Design Travel Tripod. Best aluminum: Manfrotto Befree Advanced. Best carbon fiber: Gitzo Traveler Series 1. Best heavy-duty: 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0.

  16. Best Travel Tripods Of 2022

    Aluminum Version (Cheaper/Heavier): Befree Aluminum. The Manfrotto Befree Advanced is a favorite for many travel photographers. It's very lightweight, even with the included ball-head. However, it's not the most stable tripod in this group. Twist locks are easy to engage, and the whole system packs down very small.

  17. The 10 BEST Travel Tripods

    Table of Contents. Editors Choice: Peak Design Travel Tripod. The Best Travel Tripods. Peak Design Travel Tripod. Punks Travis System. Manfrotto BeFree. Vanguard VEO 2 Go. Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro. ZOMEi iPhone Tripod.

  18. The best tripod in 2024 for photography

    Super-sturdy support that's ideal for heavy camera+lens set-ups, plus you can pivot the center column through a complete 180-degree arc, opening up loads of creative shooting possibilities. Read more below. Best travel tripod. 2. Vanguard VEO 3+ 303CBS.

  19. The Best Tripods in 2024

    The Best Tripod for Travel: Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod; The Best Heavy-Duty Tripod: Really Right Stuff TVC-34L Series 3 Mk2 Versa Apex; The Best Tripod for Macro: Manfrotto MT055CXPro4 ...

  20. PHILADELPHIA HOSTEL (Elektrostal)

    Philadelphia Hostel, Elektrostal: See traveller reviews, user photos and best deals for Philadelphia Hostel at Tripadvisor.

  21. PEKIN, Elektrostal

    Pekin. Unclaimed. Review. Save. Share. 17 reviews #12 of 28 Restaurants in Elektrostal $$ - $$$ Asian. Lenina Ave., 40/8, Elektrostal 144005 Russia +7 495 120-35-45 Website + Add hours Improve this listing. See all (5) Enhance this page - Upload photos!

  22. Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

    Revolution Square Metro Station. 3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow. Arbatskaya Metro Station. 4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library.

  23. Elektrostal to Moscow

    Moscow, Russia. Moscow is the capital and largest city of the Russian Federation. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 million residents within the city limits, over 18.8 million residents in the urban area, and over 21.5 million residents in the metropolitan area.