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Mobile phone and smartphone accessories, Wearable devices and smart watchesTraveling solo but don't know who will take beautiful pictures of you? Or, maybe you just want to capture stunning sunsets, take long exposure shots, or shoot videos? Whatever the case may be, a must-have item to take on trips is a trusty travel tripod! With one, you can capture landscape scenery, thrilling time-lapse videos, starry nights, and of course, shots of you with different backgrounds.
After thoroughly researching the topic, we picked Amazon Basics Store's Lightweight Camera Mount Tripod as our favorite for its durable build and ease of use. Browse through our 10 best list to find the best travel tripods for DSLRs, iPhones, and Go Pros that will meet your needs as a photographer. You'll also find a buying guide below talking about important points to consider when buying a tripod.
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Table of Contents
There are multiple aspects to consider when buying a travel tripod. These tools that help stabilize your camera and lens are designed to be as small and light as possible compared to traditional stationary tripods used in more stationary photography. A travel tripod should be easy to carry, stable, tall enough, and durable.
First, you should decide what height you're looking for. For traveling, you'll want a tripod that folds in to be pretty short, so mostly this depends on how tall you want your tripod to be. Aim for a tripod that extends at least 15 inches below your own height, reaching your eye level.
Typically, travel tripods can reach as tall as 72 inches and pack up to as low as three, although most common is around 15 inches. The height of your tripod can determine the quality of your photos, as you have more framing options with a taller tripod. A tall tripod might come in handy when taking shots in nature.
If you’re planning to take pictures of your food during your trip and want to use a tripod, you probably won’t need one that extends that high. Since these shots will mostly be done overhead, you can look for a tripod that reaches about 12 inches.
On the other hand, portrait, still-life, and architectural photography might pair better with a tripod that extends to 70 inches or more.
You'll want to check that the tripod fits in your travel bag before you buy it. Whether that's your suitcase, backpack, or handbag, make sure you measure the length of the inside to get an idea of what you need to look for. Keep in mind that, while easy to pack, smaller tripods won't be able to extend very much.
Stability is a crucial factor to consider when purchasing a travel tripod. A tripod’s sturdiness will determine if you can take nice long-exposure shots, untainted by any small vibrations and movement that may ruin the photo. Generally, a tripod’s stability is linked to its weight capacity, materials, and the number of legs.
The main components of a travel tripod are the head, the part that holds the camera, and the center column, a separate leg running through the middle that provides additional height, legs, and feet.
A travel tripod usually comes with four or more leg sections that fold inward towards the tripod’s center column. A tripod with fewer leg sections is usually sturdier and will be faster to set up.
Furthermore, think about how the camera attaches to the tripod. Usually, cameras are screwed directly onto the tripod or screwed onto a plate which is then attached to the tripod. If screwing and unscrewing is too time-consuming, you can get camera plates with a quick-release feature. These camera plates detach from the tripod with a push of a button.
You can also find travel tripods with leg locks that help keep the legs secure and more stable. Two common types are low-profile twist locks and lever locks.
Another essential aspect to keep in mind when shopping for a travel tripod is its load capacity and materials. These significantly affect each other. It's recommended that you get a tripod with a weight capacity of 20 to 30 percent more than the weight of the camera you're planning to use with it.
Double-check the total weight of your camera plus lenses to make sure that the tripod can fully support them. A tripod’s load capacity depends on the materials its made of. Since this tool will be used while traveling, it’s best to go for lightweight tripods that are easy to carry and store. Tripods are typically made of aluminum or carbon fiber.
Carbon fiber is sturdy and durable. It's very light as well as resistant to rust. Just keep in mind that carbon fiber tripods tend to be more expensive. Aluminum tripods are also light. They tend to be more flexible and resistant to scratches. They're cheap, too, making them both beginner-friendly and safe to take traveling.
Lastly, consider the head type. The tripod’s head is the portion of the tripod responsible for securely holding your device and controlling camera movement. Photographers use a wide range of tripod heads depending on their equipment and type of photography. We will discuss the two most popular head types: the ball and pan-tilt head.
Ball heads are the most common type of tripod head. It's a rotating ball that allows you to position your camera at any angle. It's great for taking still shots, not so much for recording video. You get complete freedom over angles but at the cost of stability.
On the other hand, pan-tilt heads feature two axes that let you pan or tilt a camera independently. A great feature of this type of head is its dual handles that let you adjust your camera horizontally and vertically. You’ll find that many cheap tripods usually come with a pan-tilt head. Go for a tilt head if you're planning on recording footage while traveling.
Amazon Basic's aluminum lightweight tripod weighs just over a pound and extends up to 50 inches. It has a pan-tilt three-way head that lets you take photos in portrait and landscape mode. Thanks to its quick-release plate, removing your camera from the tripod is easy and you can quickly switch over to taking handheld shots.
A few reviewers found that the tripod was a bit flimsy and unstable when extended to its maximum height. Aside from that, the majority of buyers loved how easy it was to use and carry around. Photographers also appreciated the quick-release plate. This is the best tripod that gets the job done.
This versatile tripod works with most DSLR cameras, mobile phones, webcams, camcorders, and more. It comes with a Bluetooth remote with a range of up to 30 feet, making it perfect for solo travelers. It also comes with a handy travel bag.
Some reviewers noted that the tripod's legs are not that stable, especially on certain types of terrain. Still, most reviewers praised the versatile use and easy storage of the tripod. People also commented that the tripod was very easy to carry around.
UBeesize's selfie stick and tripod stands are made for people who want versatility and options. This dual tripod extends up to 67 inches and stores at a mere 20 inches. You can use it with DSLR and mobile devices without trouble. The ball head has a 1/4 standard screw attached to it. The tripod comes with a wireless Bluetooth remote.
Some buyers reported that the Bluetooth remote was a little tricky to pair with their devices. Other than this, many photographers liked the tripod's easy setup, solid and sturdy build, and dual-mode. The tripod is also very light, which is great news for travelers!
This tripod is compatible with both DSLRs, other cameras, and smartphones. With it, you can take landscape, portrait, low-angle, and high-angle shots! It comes with a phone clamp, a wireless remote, and a tripod bag. At its full length, this tripod stands at 67 inches.
A small number of reviewers did not like how the tripod's head sometimes wobbled. On the bright side, satisfied customers liked the sturdy build, professional design, and multifunctional use of the tripod. Many also appreciated the wireless remote that came with the product.
This versatile tripod transforms into a monopod with a few simple steps. Its four extendable legs reach a maximum height of 77 inches. You can take beautiful 360 degrees panorama shots thanks to its ball head. The tripod's maximum load is up to 17 pounds, so it's pretty heavy-duty.
Sadly, a few reviewers encountered problems with wobbly head joints that needed extra tightening to take steady shots. Meanwhile, happy users loved the quick-release clamp on the tripod, which made alternating between different heights a breeze. Some also liked how easy it was to travel with the tripod.
This travel tripod weighs less than three pounds and won't weigh you down during your adventures! Its center pole can be inverted, allowing you to take macro shots! Conveniently, you can also remove its legs and use it as an alpenstock for hikes and long walks.
A couple of users wished the camera's legs were more stable, especially when extended. On the other hand, satisfied buyers loved how tiny the tripod was when folded, making it easy to store when traveling. Furthermore, there were a lot of positive reviews discussing the camera's multiple uses and easy setup.
This ball head tripod is optimized for DSLR and mirrorless cameras. It stands to a maximum height of 51 inches and folds to be compact and easy to pack. Its ball head features just one knob used to adjust, tighten, and lock all adjustments. The tripod comes in a handy, padded bag to keep it safe when packed!
A handful of reviewers were unhappy with the ball head, saying it was unstable and that the knob didn't tighten enough. Meanwhile, satisfied customers appreciated how lightweight and compact the tripod was, making it perfect for traveling with. The tripod is also easy to use and beginner-friendly.
Aoka's carbon fiber tripod is the ultimate space-saving photography tool. You can use it for mirrorless cameras, DSLRs, Go Pros, and mobile phones. It can stretch to a height of 15 inches and collapse to just under 10 inches. The tripod's ball head can rotate 360 degrees, allowing you to adjust your shots to many different angles.
Reviewers were impressed with how this small tripod was able to hold up their DSLRs with ease. They attested to it being very solid for its size. Keep in mind that very heavy cameras should not be used with this one, though!
If you're looking for a low-profile tripod, Benro's carbon fiber tripod is worth checking out. Made of carbon fiber, it folds up to take as little space as possible. The twist locks are made from aluminum, while the tripod shoulder is of magnesium. The ball head is removable and features a large knob for easy operation.
The main concern among buyers was that the ball head tended to get loose quite quickly. However, many reviewers loved how easy it was to set the tripod up. They said it fit in their backpacks without issues!
This tripod is made from aluminum, making it light and travel-friendly. It's compatible with DSLRs and iPhones. With it, you can take panorama shots, thanks to its recessed center-column hook that lets you adjust the head in little increments to prevent uneven shots.
A couple of buyers noted that the tripod's legs did not extend smoothly and tended to get stuck. Aside from this, many happy users said they appreciated the durable and sturdy build. According to them, the tripod was sturdy. They added that it was perfect to bring on hikes and outdoor adventures.
There are many other camera accessories you can get to keep your gadgets safe at all times. Check out the articles below for some nifty recommendations!
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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