Top 7 Camera Tripods for Photographers & Filmmakers

Looking For a New Tripod?

A photographer's or filmmaker's work relies on many factors—skill, a quality camera, lighting, color, composition, and a solid tripod. Without a dependable tripod, your shots can end up shaky, and anyone who’s struggled to focus through a blurry lens knows this all too well.

But finding the right tripod can be tough. That’s why we've done the legwork for you, helping you choose one that suits your style and needs. We looked closely at durability, portability, and stability. As always at Moment, our team personally tested each tripod across various conditions. Over the course of a week, we shot photos, captured footage, and used them on all kinds of terrain.

You can trust that these tripods offer the stability and precision you need to capture stunning shots every time.

1. Moment Tripod Mount - for MagSafe®

Best For: iPhone Filmmakers

As a photographer or filmmaker, your creativity flows through your fingertips. You never leave home without a camera, phone, or tablet in hand. That’s why we designed this phone tripod—to help you capture the perfect shot, every time, with Apple devices in mind.

Our proprietary magnet system ensures a strong connection, keeping your phone securely in place. With custom-tuned magnets and a non-slip backing, we've engineered extra strength to prevent your phone from slipping off the tripod.

Whether you're using an iPhone, a third-party accessory, or one of our Moment Cases, (M)Force guarantees a firm hold while you shoot.

Plus, it’s lightweight and compact, making it easy to slip into your pocket or bag — ideal for on-the-go photography.

2. Peak Design Travel Tripod

Best For: Traveling photographers needing a tripod as robust as their adventures.

Take this lightweight tripod wherever your adventures take you. If you need a sturdy, travel-friendly option, the Peak Design Travel Tripod is a top choice.

Peak Design has a well-earned reputation for crafting high-quality gear, and we couldn't agree more. We tested the carbon fiber model, which weighs just 2.8 lbs (1.27 kg) and packs down to 15.4 inches (39.1 cm), making it easy to slip into a backpack or camera bag. The aluminum version is also compact, weighing 3.4 lbs (1.5 kg).

With a 360-degree ball head, this tripod offers smooth, easy handling, and it’s sturdy enough to support a Canon 5D Mk IV DSLR with a 24-70mm lens. Plus, it features a built-in phone mount that cleverly tucks away inside the center column.

We’re confident this tripod can handle the rigors of the road. It’s robustly designed and built with premium materials, ready for any adventure.

3. Manfrotto Compact Light Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head

Best For: People who are just getting started with photography.

If you are on a tight budget, a tripod that offers a low price and high-quality balance, check out our pick here. Manfrotto's compact aluminum tripod is lightweight and offers impressive performance. The Manfrotto Compact Light Aluminum Tripod offers a practical compromise between a mini- and a full-size tripod. You can easily lock the camera in place with the built-in ball head and the single adjustment knob.

Additionally, it's a lightweight and compact tripod weighing only 800g, so it can be easily packed into a backpack and taken on the go. The Compact Light Tripod with Head is suitable for a wide range of digital devices weighing as much as 1.5kg.

If you're a photography newbie looking to experiment with tripods tentatively, you might consider the Compact Light due to its low price.

4. Benro Bat Zero Series Carbon Fiber Tabletop Tripod with VX20 Ball Head

Best For: Creators on the go.

This tripod is a lightweight carbon fiber tripod that is easy to transport and set up. Its reverse folding leg design makes it easy to set up and pack down when you're ready to head out. You'll appreciate the tripod's ultra-compact design as you hike, climb, or walk for hours.

The Benro Bat Series features five preset leg angles that allow you to place these tripods in positions that traditional tripods cannot. You can use your Benro Bat tripod anywhere. Whether in a desert, a canyon, or an ice cave, you can use your Benro Bat tripod anywhere.

It combines versatility with a quick multi-angle adjustment. The tripod can be quickly inverted to perform low-level photography without removing the central column from the tripod. It also comes with five adjustable preset leg angles.

5. JOBY GorillaPod 3K Pro

Best For: Low-stakes projects.

The GorillaPod 3K Pro is a favorite among the team because of its rugged design and versatility. However, the GorillaPod may not be the most efficient solution in all circumstances. Before choosing the GorillaPod, consider the needs of your project.

The GorillaPod 3K is most suitable for small-scale or low-stakes projects. Most professional photography or film projects will not be possible with this tripod. As a mini-tripod, its uses are limited despite its flexibility. The GorillaPod 3K Tripod with Ball Head Kit stands only 9.4" tall and weighs 8.7 oz.

The mini tripod is best suited for cameras with smaller sensors and entry-level cameras like DSLRs. Some areas of the GorillaPod 3K are rubberized to improve its grip and stability on unstable surfaces. Other tripod parts are made from stainless steel and ABS plastic to ensure durability and sturdiness.

6. Manfrotto PIXI Tripod

Best For: Photographers on a budget who want a comfortable and reliable way to capture photos and videos

The Manfrotto PIXI is the premier mini tripod for Compact System Cameras. Ideal for photographers needing a lightweight, portable, and easy-to-use support system.

Made from stainless steel and black Adapto polymer, the PIXI weighs only 6.7 ounces while supporting up to 2.2 pounds. The ball head features a 1/4"-20 camera screw and a novel locking mechanism that allows a single push-button adjustment and locking. In addition to cameras, the PIXI is compatible with iPhones equipped with the optional Manfrotto KLYP mount.

With the Manfrotto PIXI, you can flawlessly capture challenging video shots while keeping your hands steady. Want to remove the tripod legs? Capture professional-looking videos with the legs closed on the Manfrotto PIXI.

The push-button mechanism swiftly and intuitively positions and locks the ball head. When pressed, the ball joint is released. Once the button is released, the ball is automatically locked in place.

7. Pivo Pod Tripod

Best For: Content creators looking to get the most out of their phone without sacrificing portability

Step up your content game. With the Pivo Pod Auto-Tracking Smartphone Mount Red or Silver, you can stream, vlog, live stream, chat, and more. This accessory is ideal for content creators, business professionals, or anyone who wants to control their smartphone camera.

Their rotating capability allows them to track subjects and keep them centered in the frame. In just 10 seconds, the Pivo Pod Red or Silver can rotate 360°. Utilizing the Face, Body, and Action Tracking options, they can track people, objects, and movements based on movement. Even riders can stream or record their ride for later review with their Horse Tracking mode.

In addition, the Red and Silver Pods can remotely snap photos and create an array of complex and creative content with 12 Quick Create modes.

How We Tested

You want a tripod to handle travel and meet your social media needs. You want a tripod that can easily be adjusted and is lightweight. You want a solid, well-built tripod that doesn't break the bank.

We took our top picks and put them to the test. Every team member had to test a tripod at least once to ensure they got the best quality and results possible. Be confident, knowing that our recommendations on this list are solid, and check all the boxes we look at when purchasing.