Travel tripods are compact enough to fit in your backpack or suitcase, making them easy to take on your journeys. Many people like them just for their compact size, so several companies produce them as a staple of their tripod line-up. However, various products are made from different materials and come at different price points, so deciding which one to buy can be tricky.
We've compared nine bestselling travel tripods available online and tested them to recommend the best tripod for you.
We tested each product for the following:
Which product ended up being the best of the best? In our buying guide, we'll also tell you how to pick the best travel tripods on your own, so read on for more shopping tips.
Former camera sales representative at a major electronics retailer. Sales experience with digital SLR cameras, compact cameras, binoculars, photography gear, and so on. Conducted camera seminars at one of the largest camera retailers in Japan. Also has extensive experience assisting customers with gimbals and other video shooting equipment. Has appeared in both photography magazines and on TV. 16 years of experience operating cameras. Licensed Pre-Level 1 Photomaster. Currently in charge of camera-related media at mybest. Product comparison motto: look at every point and share only correct information.
When it comes to tripods, nothing is more important than stability. We tested how stable each tripod was by attaching a camera with a super-telephoto lens and applying force to the setup while taking a picture. We analyzed the picture to see how well the tripod prevented blur and how well it mitigated shaking. The following conditions were consistent for all products.Legs extended to 55 inchesSony Alpha 9 with a SEL100400GM lens200mm focal length, ISO100, one-second shutter speed, aperture set to F9The camera image stabilization was turned off and only the electronic shutter was used. The timer was set to two seconds and the shutter was tripped via cable release.To test for impact on the camera, we snapped a rubber band against the bottom of the camera from the same distance each time.To test for impact on the tripod, we set up a rubber band to hit the first section of the legs when we snapped it.
If your tripod makes it easy to take pictures the way you want to, you can enjoy stress-free photography sessions and just focus on getting your shots. To test this, we attached a camera to the tripods and performed the following actions multiple times, evaluating how easy it was to extend and adjust the legs, how smoothly the head moved, and how easy the head was to lock in place. This is the procedure we followed.Extended the legs as far as possible and attached a mirrorless cameraPointed the camera directly at a subject on a table, made it level, and secured it in placePanned and titled the head gently with the camera attached, returned it to the position of facing the subject, and secured it in place
Travel tripods are designed to be portable, but sometimes that’s not the case when you actually try to take them somewhere. We compared the size, weight, and how easy each tripod was to store in a camera bag to evaluate how portable they truly were. We believe tripods within the following ranges are comfortable, and those that are even smaller and lighter than this can be considered very portable.Less than three pounds five ounces, the weight of an average tripod for DSLR camerasSmall enough to fit into a typical backpack-style camera bag, or under 18 inches
All product tests
were conducted in-house at mybest
Table of Contents
While there isn’t an official size or weight limit, a travel tripod can usually be folded into a small shape that easily fits in a backpack or carry-on bag. As cameras have gotten progressively smaller, the popularity of small, portable travel tripods has grown too. But what should you look for in a travel tripod?
A tripod’s main job is to hold the camera steady and prevent blurring. The bigger and heavier a tripod is, the more stable it is, but this comes at the cost of portability.
While stability and portability might seem opposite sides of the same coin, they’re both critical factors regarding travel tripods. The ideal product is both highly stable and highly portable.
Here are the points to remember when choosing the best travel tripod.
First, you want to ensure it can stabilize your camera, especially if you use a telephoto lens or a heavy DSLR.
The biggest benefit of using a tripod is that it prevents your camera from moving while taking a shot. If a picture is blurry, you won't be able to see the details of the subject, and the whole picture looks terrible.
A tripod isn't just necessary for those with shaky hands. It allows you to adjust your shutter speed and ISO freely, giving you more control over image quality without leading to blur. Tripods are handy for people who want to take pictures of landscapes.
Generally, thicker legs mean a more stable tripod; companies claim these can support heavier cameras. However, we found that the diameter of the legs doesn’t tell the whole story. While load capacity is typically included in the tripod specifications, every company calculates it differently, so these numbers can’t be used to compare different products.
The only way to compare the stability of different tripods is to test them under the same conditions. In our tests for this article, we applied a uniform amount of force to the camera and tripod for each product to test stability.
We found that well-known companies' tripods costing $200 or more were very stable. Not only were the legs themselves stable, but the overall structure was, too, making them capable of holding a DSLR camera. Generally, the material the legs are constructed of makes a big difference, and carbon fiber is the best at preventing shaking. In our test, carbon fiber legs stopped vibrations, and these tripods stabilized themselves more quickly than other products.
However, the difference between carbon fiber and aluminum alloy legs is so small that you probably won't notice unless you're a professional or advanced user. Also, there's no guarantee that carbon fiber legs will outperform aluminum alloy legs every time.
If you don't want blurry pictures, a tripod with carbon fiber legs by Gitzo, Manfrotto, or another manufacturer is ideal, but quality aluminum legs are sufficient for new photographers. Cheap aluminum tripods, however, can't stabilize a heavier DSLR camera, so if you own one of those, you should look for a sturdy aluminum tripod over the $ 200 range.
Choose one with carbon fiber legs if you’re looking for the lightest product possible.
We recommend one with carbon fiber legs if you’re looking for your dream travel tripod. Carbon fiber is about 20 to 30 percent lighter than the aluminum alloy used in most tripods. This makes tripods with carbon fiber legs very attractive for photographers who are often on the move.
Additionally, carbon fiber is resistant to cold, so these tripods are comfortable to use in cold areas. The downside is that they are more expensive than aluminum ones, but if you want the best, go with carbon.
After careful testing, we found that the Gitzo Traveler Series 1 and the Manfrotto Befree Advanced Carbon Twist, both with their respective ball head kits, were exceptional tripods. They both provide excellent stabilization in a compact package.
Comparing the two, the Gitzo provides superior stabilization and is very comfortable to operate. The legs are easy to extend and contract and can be easily locked into the perfect position without much force. This tripod has everything you'd want, and the specs are top-class.
On the other hand, the Manfrotto is lighter and comes at a lower price. The panning of the head and movement of the legs aren't as smooth as the Gitzo's, but this is an excellent option if you're looking for stability and portability at a lower price.
Gitzo and Manfrotto both belong to Videndum, formerly known as Vitec Group. Gitzo strives to create the best products without setting a maximum budget, while Manfrotto focuses on balanced products at a reasonable price.
The folded length and maximum height both influence how portable the tripod is. It’s essential to check these dimensions to find the right tripod for your style.
The folded length is a major factor in determining how portable a travel tripod is. This is especially important when putting it in a camera bag or suitcase. If you’re looking for a tripod that can fit into a typical mid to large-size camera bag, you want one with a folded length of 18 inches or less. This would make it smaller than the bag, making it easy to carry. If you plan to travel with a backpack often, check the size accordingly.
If the tripod is a lot shorter than you are, it will be harder to peek into the viewfinder and operate the camera. You can save yourself a lot of trouble by getting a tripod that can set your camera at eye level. A maximum height of 80 percent of your height is a good guideline. Considering the height added by the camera and the viewfinder, this is a suitable height to make things easy for yourself.
A tripod can be easier or harder to use based on the locks used when extending and contracting the legs.
The two types of locks for tripod legs are twist locks and flip locks. To operate a flip lock, you manipulate a part that looks like a small lever. You can easily see whether it’s locked, so you can prevent accidents caused by forgetting to lock them, making these locks suitable for beginners. However, they are bulky and can get caught on things, and they loosen after extended use.
Twist locks are simply twisted to lock and unlock them. While you can’t tell whether they are secure by looking at them, they are easy to twist. You can secure the locks further by twisting them harder, making them popular with pros and experienced amateurs.
We suggest going with twist locks over flip locks. Twist locks allow you to quickly lock or unlock all the sections simultaneously, making setup a breeze. This makes them very convenient for photographers who move locations or frequently adjust the legs.
In addition, they aren’t bulky and uneven, so they don’t get caught on anything when putting the tripod in a bag. These locks are better from both a performance and portability perspective.
Since twist locks have simple construction, they are easy to disassemble and clean. You can clean them on the road without tools, which is ideal if you’re shooting where sand, seawater, or other contaminants can get on your tripod.
The head and stabilizer weight hook affect the ease of use as well. If you’re looking for the smoothest experience, look at these parts.
The head is the part that connects the camera to the tripod. Most travel tripods use a ball head because they're compact and provide firm support. Most ball heads have a quick-release plate that allows you to attach your camera to the tripod and remove it quickly. Since you don't need to tediously screw your camera on every time, it makes getting ready to shoot much quicker.
While most travel tripods feature a ball head with a quick-release plate, there are some exceptions, so it's best to check just to be safe. A tripod head can be switched, so you can change it for another later if you're unsatisfied.
Some tripods have a hook attached to the bottom of the center column. You can increase the tripod's weight by hanging something heavy from the hook, making it more stable. This is especially helpful when extending the legs or shooting in a windy place, so we recommend picking a tripod with one of these hooks.
If the object hanging from the hook doesn’t touch the ground, strong winds can cause it to sway, destabilizing the tripod. If it’s windy, tie a rope to the hook and the object, and make sure the bottom of the object touches the ground.
Gitzo is a world-renowned tripod manufacturer with over 100 years of experience in the industry. Its construction and warranty give the impression it's built to last, making it a popular choice even for professional photographers. Of all the products we tested, this one was the most stable, as we noticed almost no blurring in the photographs. It managed to absorb impacts and prevent the camera from shaking too much.
There is almost no resistance when extending the legs and the twist locks are easy to operate with little force. The head moves smoothly and we felt hardly any resistance using it, leading to a satisfying experience.
The size and weight of the unit make it easy to carry and highly portable. The total diameter when folded is relatively small, allowing it to fit into a bag easily. This product offers everything you could want in a travel tripod and is highly recommended for anyone who doesn’t want to settle for less than the best.
Load capacity | 22 lbs. |
---|---|
Maximum height | 60.24 in. |
Maximum height without center pole | 51.18 in. |
Minimum height | 8.7 in. |
Length when folded | 16.7 in. |
Weight | 2.33 lbs. |
Leg sections | 4 |
Tube diameter | 25.3mm |
Leg locking method | Twist lock |
Head type | Ball head |
Material | Carbon fiber |
Stabilizer weight hook | N/A |
Bubble level | ✓ |
Carrying case | Carrying strap |
Monopod capability | - |
Type of feet | Rubber |
Quick-release plate | ✓ |
The Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod by Manfrotto, an Italian photography brand, is a popular tripod with a beautiful design and is easy to operate. This tripod is very stable, as there wasn’t much blurring in our photos during our test. Thanks to its carbon fiber composition, it quickly suppresses motion and eliminates shaking. You shouldn’t have to worry about your pictures coming out blurry under normal circumstances.
The center column felt a little loose, but the legs and head moved smoothly, making setup and height adjustments effortless. Its length when folded is on the smaller side and of course, it’s made of lightweight carbon fiber. Its case has a wide opening, making it easy to insert and remove the tripod. It offers a nice balance of price and performance, making it a great travel tripod for anyone.
Load capacity | 19.84 lbs. |
---|---|
Maximum height | 59.1 in. |
Maximum height without center pole | 50 in. |
Minimum height | 16.14 in. |
Length when folded | 16.14 in. |
Weight | 2.76 lbs. |
Leg sections | 4 |
Tube diameter | 22mm |
Leg locking method | Twist lock |
Head type | Ball head |
Material | Carbon fiber |
Stabilizer weight hook | N/A |
Bubble level | N/A |
Carrying case | ✓ |
Monopod capability | N/A |
Type of feet | Rubber |
Quick-release plate | ✓ |
Another product by the Italian company Manfrotto, this tripod has a stylish design and high load capacity, making it a popular choice for many photographers. It performed well when the camera was hit, but not as well when the impact was applied to the tripod itself. It displayed an average ability to prevent blurring in photos, so it should get the job done most of the time.
It was very easy to extend and contract the legs and move the head. While the center column had a tendency to get stuck, everything else was seamless to operate. We didn’t notice any movement of the head after it was locked in place. Because it folds down to a small size, it’s easy to carry around. It’s made of aluminum, so it isn’t lighter than the average tripod, but it’s highly portable overall.
Load capacity | 19.84 lbs. |
---|---|
Maximum height | 59.1 in. |
Maximum height without center pole | 50 in. |
Minimum height | 15.75 in. |
Length when folded | 15.75 in. |
Weight | 3.28 lbs. |
Leg sections | 4 |
Tube diameter | - |
Leg locking method | Twist lock |
Head type | Ball head |
Material | Aluminum alloy |
Stabilizer weight hook | ✓ |
Bubble level | N/A |
Carrying case | ✓ |
Monopod capability | N/A |
Type of feet | Rubber |
Quick-release plate | ✓ |
The Rhino tripod is part of the animal-inspired “Zoo series” by Benro, a famous Chinese tripod maker, and is a basic travel tripod that focuses on portability and performance. This tripod is as stable as the best products on the market, allowing almost no blurring during the camera impact test. While it performed a little worse on the tripod impact test, it wasn’t enough to drastically alter the quality of the photo. It seemed to reduce swaying very quickly and we were satisfied with its sturdiness and stability.
In addition, we didn’t feel any resistance when extending or retracting the legs and could lock them in place with one twist of the wrist. The twist locks are made of a soft rubber that doesn’t hurt your hands even if you squeeze them hard. The head also moves smoothly and it’s easy to use overall. However, its length when folded is rather large for a travel tripod and it’s a bit heavy, making it less portable than other products on the market.
Load capacity | 39.68 lbs. |
---|---|
Maximum height | 66.33 in. |
Maximum height without center pole | - |
Minimum height | 19.1 in. |
Length when folded | 25.19 in. |
Weight | 3.83 lbs. |
Leg sections | 4 |
Tube diameter | 28.6mm |
Leg locking method | Twist lock |
Head type | Ball head |
Material | Carbon fiber |
Stabilizer weight hook | ✓ |
Bubble level | ✓ |
Carrying case | ✓ |
Monopod capability | ✓ |
Type of feet | Rubber and spiked |
Quick-release plate | ✓ |
This aluminum travel tripod by Sirui, a large Chinese tripod manufacturer, has legs that are 28 millimeters, or just over an inch, in diameter and is suitable for low-angle photography. While the picture came out a little blurry when we hit the tripod, there wasn’t much of an issue when we hit the camera instead. This tripod should perform well even with a heavy DSLR with a large lens attached.
The legs were easy to slide and we didn’t feel any resistance. It also comes with a high-precision head, allowing it to move seamlessly with a camera attached. Additionally, it only moved slightly even when the locking knob was being turned to secure it. Its folded length of 17 inches is small enough to fit into a bag without trouble. On the other hand, the legs are made of aluminum and the tripod weighs four pounds three ounces, which is very heavy. If you plan on doing a lot of foot travel, you may want to keep that in mind.
Load capacity | 26.5 lbs. |
---|---|
Maximum height | 57 in. |
Maximum height without center pole | 48 in. |
Minimum height | 5 in. |
Length when folded | 17 in. |
Weight | 3.5 lbs. |
Leg sections | 4 |
Tube diameter | - |
Leg locking method | Flip lock |
Head type | Ball head |
Material | Aluminum alloy |
Stabilizer weight hook | ✓ |
Bubble level | ✓ |
Carrying case | ✓ |
Monopod capability | N/A |
Type of feet | Rubber with twist-out spikes |
Quick-release plate | ✓ |
Peak Design is famous around the world for their camera accessories. They raised almost 10 million dollars through crowdfunding to produce this carbon fiber travel tripod, and got the industry’s attention in the process. When we tested the result of impact on the camera, we didn’t notice much blurring in the picture, but it was noticeable when the tripod was hit. The camera was still slightly shaking after the impact, so it didn’t seem to have mitigated it well.
The legs use a flip lock system, which can be stubborn at times and requires a lot of force to operate. In addition, the head is finicky and has a narrow range of motion, and we were concerned about movement when securing the camera. That being said, it is very compact. It is similar to a water bottle in diameter, allowing it to fit easily in a camera bag and making it very portable.
Load capacity | 20 lbs. |
---|---|
Maximum height | 60 in. |
Maximum height without center pole | 51.25 in. |
Minimum height | 5.5 in. |
Length when folded | 15.5 in. |
Weight | 2.81 lbs. |
Leg sections | 5 |
Tube diameter | - |
Leg locking method | Flip lock |
Head type | Ball head |
Material | Carbon fiber |
Stabilizer weight hook | ✓ |
Bubble level | ✓ |
Carrying case | ✓ |
Monopod capability | N/A |
Type of feet | Rubber |
Quick-release plate | ✓ |
Geekoto sells a variety of camera products, including lighting equipment and tripods. This is an aluminum tripod with removable legs, allowing it to be used as a monopod. We didn’t notice much of a problem when the camera was struck, but when the tripod was struck, there was substantial blurring. Not only that, but once it started shaking, it kept going for an extended period of time. If you plan to use this tripod with a heavy camera, you have to watch out for this issue.
The top sections of the legs extend smoothly, but there is some resistance when pulling out the bottom sections. The head can be difficult to move when you apply torque, but it holds its position even when turning the knob to secure it. It uses a similar folding style to other travel tripods, but it has large dimensions, so it’s still on the larger side even when folded down. It’s not exactly light, but it’s on the same level as other aluminum tripods.
Load capacity | 17.6 lbs. |
---|---|
Maximum height | 77.55 in. |
Maximum height without center pole | - |
Minimum height | 19 in. |
Length when folded | 18.8 in. |
Weight | 3.4 lbs. |
Leg sections | 4 |
Tube diameter | - |
Leg locking method | Flip lock |
Head type | Ball head |
Material | Aluminum alloy |
Stabilizer weight hook | ✓ |
Bubble level | N/A |
Carrying case | ✓ |
Monopod capability | ✓ |
Type of feet | Rubber |
Quick-release plate | ✓ |
K&F Concept is a Chinese company that produces tripods, camera bags, and lens filters. Their aluminum four-section tripod has removable legs, and can be used as a monopod with the included head. When force was applied to the tripod, you could see significant blurring in the shot without even zooming in. This also occurred when the camera was hit, so if you want to use a DSLR or mirrorless camera with this tripod, you’re going to need a timer or shutter release.
While the top two sections of each leg extend by themselves, the bottom section gets caught and doesn't extend smoothly. Additionally, there’s not much space between the head’s lock lever and the bottom of the camera, so it's easy to bump your finger during operation. Finally, it's hard to move precisely in some directions, making it hard to make slight adjustments. This product can be folded down like a typical travel tripod, and while its folded size of 18.5 inches is smaller than a normal tripod, it’s a bit large for a travel tripod.
Load capacity | 22 lbs. |
---|---|
Maximum height | 63.8 in. |
Maximum height without center pole | 55.12 in. |
Minimum height | 22.44 in. |
Length when folded | 18.5 in. |
Weight | 2.8 lbs. |
Leg sections | 4 |
Tube diameter | - |
Leg locking method | Flip lock |
Head type | Ball head |
Material | Aluminum alloy |
Stabilizer weight hook | ✓ |
Bubble level | ✓ |
Carrying case | ✓ |
Monopod capability | ✓ |
Type of feet | Rubber |
Quick-release plate | ✓ |
This tripod with a travel bag by UBeesize works not only with cameras but also with smartphones, and comes with a smartphone holder and Bluetooth remote. Unfortunately, it’s very unstable, leading to pictures with obvious blur even without enlarging them, when either the camera or tripod is hit. It claims a load capacity of 12 pounds, but we don't feel it’s suitable for DSLR or mirrorless cameras.
There was a lot of friction between the pipes, making the legs hard to extend and contract. The levers used for the flip locks were small and hard and sometimes hurt our fingers. Also, the head is loose and made of plastic, and we noticed the camera moving even when the knob was completely fastened. While it’s light, it has the same design as a typical travel tripod. It’s not designed to shrink to a size that’s easy to carry, so it’s a little big to put into a camera bag.
Load capacity | 12 lbs. |
---|---|
Maximum height | 67 in. |
Maximum height without center pole | 56.6 in. |
Minimum height | 26 in. |
Length when folded | 18.8 in. |
Weight | 2.8 lbs. |
Leg sections | 4 |
Tube diameter | - |
Leg locking method | Flip lock |
Head type | Pan and tilt head |
Material | Aluminum alloy |
Stabilizer weight hook | ✓ |
Bubble level | ✓ |
Carrying case | ✓ |
Monopod capability | N/A |
Type of feet | Rubber |
Quick-release plate | ✓ |
We took some of the top-selling tripods from Amazon, B&H Photo and Video, Best Buy and other sites, and tested them to find the best one. Here at mybest, we define that as a tripod that is stable, portable, and easy to use.
We tested the tripods for each of the following three things.
Products we tested
When it comes to tripods, nothing is more important than stability. We tested how stable each tripod was by attaching a camera with a super-telephoto lens and applying force to the setup while taking a picture. We analyzed the picture to see how well the tripod prevented blur and how well it mitigated shaking.
The following conditions were consistent for all products.
If your tripod makes it easy to take pictures the way you want to, you can enjoy stress-free photography sessions and just focus on getting your shots. To test this, we attached a camera to the tripods and performed the following actions multiple times, evaluating how easy it was to extend and adjust the legs, how smoothly the head moved, and how easy the head was to lock in place.
This is the procedure we followed.
Travel tripods are designed to be portable, but sometimes that’s not the case when you actually try to take them somewhere. We compared the size, weight, and how easy each tripod was to store in a camera bag to evaluate how portable they truly were.
We believe tripods within the following ranges are comfortable, and those that are even smaller and lighter than this can be considered very portable.
No. 1: Gitzo | Series 1 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Ball Head | GK1545T-82TQD
No. 2: Manfrotto | Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod | MKBFRTC4-BHUS
No. 3: Manfrotto | Befree Advanced Aluminum Travel Tripod | MKBFRTA4BK-BH
No. 4: Benro | Rhino Carbon Fiber Two Series Tripod/Monopod | FRHN24C+VX25
No. 5: Sirui | ET-2004 Tripod | ET-2004+E-20
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
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