Having the best video tripod will revolutionize the way you make movies. Filming will be easier. You’ll be able to get better shots. And there will be an increased level of professionalism in everything you do. Video tripods are a must-have item for aspiring filmmakers.
The Manfrotto Befree Advanced camera tripod is the best video tripod. The fluid head gives you smooth and steady panning. It has two handles for complete control of your video camera. And it can support cameras and equipment up to 14.6 lb (6 kg). It’s the best tripod for videographers.
You need to look for several elements in a good video tripod. First is the build material. Aluminum or carbon fiber are the best options for strength and durability. Plus, you need to know it has the right weight capacity for your camera and gear.
The head is also an important part of a video tripod. Ball and fluid heads are your best bet. They allow for smooth tilting and panning. And they give you smooth, shake-free footage.
Using a poor-quality tripod will be a waste of time and money. So if you need more information on what to look for in video tripods, skip to the buyer’s guide at the end of the article.
Here’s a quick rundown of the best video tripods. Keep scrolling to see each video tripod in more detail.
Our list includes video tripods for all types of videographers and situations. We’ve included heavy-duty tripods for big shoots. We have compact tripods for small-scale productions.
And no matter what your budget is, we’ve included tripods from all areas of the price spectrum.
| Brand |
Brand
Manfrotto
|
| Build Material |
Build Material
Aluminum
|
| Folded Height |
Folded Height
15.7 inches / 40 cm
|
| Maximum Height |
Maximum Height
59.4 inches / 1.5 m
|
| Max Load Capacity |
Max Load Capacity
13.2 lb / 6 kg
|
| Head Type |
Head Type
Fluid head
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Dual handles, 3-section legs, quick-release flip locks
|
| Best For |
Best For
Mirrorless and DSLR cameras, travel videographers
|
Manfrotto has built a reputation as a company that makes high-quality camera gear. And the Manfrotto Befree Advanced 3-way tripod kit is the perfect example. It’s strong, sturdy, portable, and convenient to use. But it tops our list because it’s designed for video makers.
The Manfrotto fluid head is the top feature of this video tripod. It gives you smooth panning and tilting in three directions. The movement is so smooth you can move the tripod head while filming. You’ll have a silky shot with no jerks or jolts.
The three handles on the fluid head give you complete control. They fold flush with the tripod when you’re done, making it easy to carry.
You can also lock the head into a vertical position. This is ideal for interviews, vlogging cameras, and portrait photography businesses. And the vertical format is perfect for social media videos.
It’s a strong aluminum tripod. It can hold a maximum payload of 13.23 lb (6 kg). That’s enough for a mirrorless camera or DSLR with a large lens. But you need a stronger tripod for professional video cameras.
The tripod legs are easily adjusted using quick-release clips. And you can adjust each tripod leg individually on uneven surfaces.
The Befree Advanced is a 3-way travel tripod perfect for shooting video. It’s strong yet lightweight. And the Manfrotto fluid head makes filming a breeze. It isn’t a budget tripod. But it offers excellent value for money.
| Brand |
Brand
Coman
|
| Build Material |
Build Material
Aluminum
|
| Folded Height |
Folded Height
35.4 inches / 90 cm
|
| Maximum Height |
Maximum Height
74 inches / 1.88 m
|
| Max Load Capacity |
Max Load Capacity
17.6 lb / 8 kg
|
| Head Type |
Head Type
Fluid head
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Bowl head base, knob height adjusters, mid-level spreader
|
| Best For |
Best For
Heavy cameras and video setups
|
The Coman heavy-duty fluid-head tripod is popular with photographers and video makers. Coman has taken a no-thrills approach to the design. And the result of that strategy is a strong and reliable video tripod.
It isn’t the lightest video tripod on the list. But it’s a sturdy piece of equipment. The tripod legs are made of aluminum alloy tubes. They’re hollow yet strong, so the weight is manageable.
It also has a mid-level spreader. It stops the legs from collapsing in, adding extra stability. And the rubber feet prevent slippage on smooth surfaces.
The Coman tripod also has a fluid video head. It gives you a fantastic range of motion. And it has a dampening system, giving you more control over panning and tilting.
You can also counter-balance the fluid head against the camera when it’s attached. That means no unexpected movements while filming. And it also has a quick-release plate, so there’s no time wasted.
This Coman tripod can hold up to 13.2 lb (6 kg). That’s strong enough for a heavy setup with a large DSRL, a big lens, and extra gear.
You can raise the outer leg tubes to increase the tripod’s height. And you can set your camera as high as 74 inches (1.88 m). This is plenty for most video shooters. Plus, the tripod head handle allows easy control even when it’s above you.
| Brand |
Brand
3 Legged Thing
|
| Build Material |
Build Material
Magnesium alloy
|
| Folded Height |
Folded Height
17.7 inches / 45 cm
|
| Maximum Height |
Maximum Height
64 inches / 1.6 m
|
| Max Load Capacity |
Max Load Capacity
22 lb / 10 kg
|
| Head Type |
Head Type
Ball head
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Flip locks, adjustable central column, modular functionality
|
| Best For |
Best For
Vari-angle, experimental videos, heavy cameras
|
“Patti” by 3 Legged Thing is one of their smaller tripods. But it’s no less rugged and tough. This company knows what they’re doing. And they have some excellent video tripods. Patti is one of their best if you want a well-priced, portable tripod that carries a heavy load.
The three tripod legs are made of magnesium alloy, giving you a strong construction. And each leg has four sections that can be adjusted for height.
The flip locks make adjusting the height quick and easy. And they allow you to get a tight grip without hurting your hand or the tripod leg.
The center column can also be adjusted, giving excellent height control. It supports a video camera to a height of 64 inches (1.6 m). You can also remove the center column for handheld shots.
At the top, you’ll find a ball head with a quick-release plate. The ball head gives you nearly 360 degrees of motion for panning and tilting. It’s smooth and has options for tightening when you want to reduce movement.
We are disappointed there’s no handle or fluid head attachment included. But 3 Legged Thing’s Patti folds down to a convenient 17.7 inches (45 cm). And its 3.4 lb (1.5 kg) weight isn’t too troublesome.
But despite her portable nature, Patti can bear a heavy load. It takes anything up to 22 lb (10 kg). That includes pro-level mirrorless video cameras, DSLRs for video, and professional video cameras.
Buying separate fluid heads is an issue. But it’s a high-quality tripod for shooting videos and taking photos.
| Brand |
Brand
GEEKOTO
|
| Build Material |
Build Material
Aluminum
|
| Folded Height |
Folded Height
19.5 inches / 49.5 cm
|
| Maximum Height |
Maximum Height
77 inches / 1.95 m
|
| Max Load Capacity |
Max Load Capacity
20 lb / 9 kg
|
| Head Type |
Head Type
Fluid head
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Quick-release plate, tilt-locking knob, detachable handle
|
| Best For |
Best For
Tighter budgets, sports and wildlife photography
|
GEEKOTO is another company building a reputation for reliable and affordable camera equipment. And if the GEEKOTO camera tripod is anything to go by, you can also trust their gear. It’s durable and functions well. And it’s a versatile video tripod with an affordable price tag.
The aluminum legs offer excellent support. The maximum load is 20 lb (9 kg). That’s enough for professional DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. And it supports cameras with telephoto lenses, making it one of the top photo tripods for wildlife and sports photographers.
The GEEKOTO video tripod is equipped with a fluid ball head and handle. You can adjust the tightness of the ball head joints for custom control over your camera. And the handle gives you smooth 360 degrees of panning and more than 180 degrees of tilt.
The legs are easily adjusted using quick-release flip locks. And the tripod folds away nicely. It’s only 19.5 inches (49.5 cm) when compacted. And it weighs just 3.1 lb (1.4 kg). That makes it a handy travel tripod for globe-trotting video makers.
| Brand |
Brand
Neewer
|
| Build Material |
Build Material
Aluminum
|
| Folded Height |
Folded Height
28 inches / 71 cm
|
| Maximum Height |
Maximum Height
61 inches / 1.5 m
|
| Max Load Capacity |
Max Load Capacity
13.2 lb / 6 kg
|
| Head Type |
Head Type
Fluid head
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Mid-level spreader, double-tandem leg design, removable rubber feet
|
| Best For |
Best For
Beginner videographers and cinematographers
|
Neewer makes excellent entry-level and mid-range video equipment for media creators. And the Neewer video tripod is a fantastic choice for first-time buyers. It’s a reliable piece of video gear with an affordable price tag.
The fluid video head and quick-release plate steal the show. The head has a built-in bubble level to help you navigate the horizon line. And you have dampening controls so you can adjust the ease of movement.
The handle allows smooth pan-and-tilt control while filming. The camera plate is compatible with photo and video cameras. And it’s one of the smoothest quick-release plates on the market.
The legs are composed of aluminum poles designed for stability and vibration reduction. And the flip locks on the leg sections allow you to change the height at any moment.
The aluminum tripod legs have a wide footing with a mid-level spreader for added support. And the flexible rubber feet provide grip on any surface or terrain.
The Neewer video tripod supports gear up to 13.2 lb (6 kg), enough for mirrorless cameras and video cameras. And the head also has the option to attach sliders, jibs, and other accessories.
It weighs 8.1 lb (3.67 kg), so it’s not the most lightweight option. But it does come with a carry bag for easy transportation.
| Brand |
Brand
Manfrotto
|
| Build Material |
Build Material
Aluminum
|
| Folded Height |
Folded Height
15.7 inches / 40 cm
|
| Maximum Height |
Maximum Height
59.4 inches / 1.5 m
|
| Max Load Capacity |
Max Load Capacity
8.8 lb / 4 kg
|
| Head Type |
Head Type
Fluid head
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Leveling ball joint, padded handle, carry case
|
| Best For |
Best For
Travel videography and photography
|
This Manfrotto travel video tripod is best for video makers suffering from wanderlust. It’s compact, portable, and lightweight. But it still offers excellent support for traveling videographers.
The tripod weighs just 1.75 lb (793 g), so it’s a lightweight piece of kit. But it doesn’t have the biggest max payload. It can only carry a total of 8.8 lb (4 kg). But that is enough for the best travel cameras and camcorders.
It folds down to 15.7 inches (40 cm). And the Manfrotto carrying bag also makes it easy to carry when you’re on the move. It gives you a max height of 59.4 inches (1.5 m). That’s a convenient height range for most travelers.
The aluminum legs are easily adjusted using flip locks. And there’s a lock on each leg section to get the exact height you want.
The head has both ball and fluid head technology. The lower joint is a half-ball joint that rotates smoothly. This gives you excellent leveling control. Then you have the fluid video head at the top for more pan and tilt movement. And it has a leveling bubble and a removable pan bar.
All these features combine to make this Befree tripod the best video tripod for travelers. If you’re on the road a lot, you can check out our full list of the best travel tripods. And if you’re really into travel photography, check out our Next Stop: Travel Photography e-book.
| Brand |
Brand
Joby
|
| Build Material |
Build Material
Aluminum
|
| Folded Height |
Folded Height
11.8 inches / 30 cm
|
| Maximum Height |
Maximum Height
11.8 inches / 30 cm
|
| Max Load Capacity |
Max Load Capacity
6.6 lb / 3 kg
|
| Head Type |
Head Type
Ball Head
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Flexible legs, rubber feet
|
| Best For |
Best For
Content creators, vloggers, and streamers
|
The Joby GorillaPod 3K is the best video tripod for content creators and streamers. It’s a small yet versatile tripod perfectly suited to creating content for social media. You can create vlogs for Instagram or YouTube.And you can live stream on YouTube or Twitch.
The flexible legs are the unique selling point of the GorillaPod. They provide steady support on any surface. And they give you lots of mounting options.
You can position it on a surface as you would a standard tripod. But thanks to its flexible legs, you can attach it to posts or tree branches. This gives you incredible filming options.
The ball head gives you 360 degrees of panning and a wide tilting range. This means you can get a flat shot even when the GorillaPod is attached to a tree. It also gives you smooth movement if you’re panning during a shot.
It’s a small tripod with a max height of only 11.8 inches (30 cm). This makes it easy to carry. But it also means you can use it as a tabletop tripod. And this suits the filming setup of many streamers and vloggers.
Lastly, its weight capacity (6.6 lb / 3 kg) is enough for many of the best vlogging cameras. So, all in all, the Joby GorillaPod is perfect for video content creators. And it’s one of the better-priced video tripods on our list.
Now let’s look at some of the important aspects of video tripods. We’ll give you all the info you need to make an educated purchase. That way, you can find the best video tripod to meet your needs. (Read about our best mirrorless video cameras if you need an upgrade.)
Look for a video tripod with an aluminum or carbon fiber construction. It should be strong and have a good build quality. A cheap plastic tripod could break mid-shoot, which would be a disaster.
Both materials give you the sturdy base you need to work on. You won’t have to worry about them collapsing or breaking while filming. Carbon fiber is the lighter of the two materials. But carbon fiber tripods tend to be more expensive than aluminum tripods.
You need to know the tripod can take the weight of your gear. If the tripod isn’t strong enough, you’re putting your equipment and production at risk. It could be a costly error. That’s why you must be aware of the tripod’s maximum weight capacity before buying.
Video recording setups can be heavy. You have to consider the weight of your camera. But you also have to calculate the combined weight of all accessories. You’ll have a lens attached. And you might have a video microphone, lights, and an external camera screen on your camera rig.
You must be certain the video tripod can support all of it.
More height gives you more options when you’re shooting. You can take a higher angle and still have the stability you need. And it also helps if you’re a tall filmmaker. Using a tripod that’s too small will hurt your back and neck.
You might want a compact tripod for easy transportation. That’s no problem, but you must ensure the tripod has a maximum height that meets your filming needs.
The type of tripod head is another important consideration. The head determines the range of movement when the camera is attached.
A pan-and-tilt head is fine for many. But a ball head gives you a greater range of movement. The latter uses a ball joint to connect the head and the tripod’s body.
Fluid heads give you the best range of movement and are ideal for video tripods. A good fluid head gives you 360 degrees of panning motion. That’s a full panoramic range of motion. And it’s best to have a +90 to -90 degree motion for tilting.
Fluid heads get their name from the liquid lubricant inside. The fluid creates a smooth motion when you move the head.
You can change the shooting angle and pan during a shot without jerky movements with a fluid head. They’re ideal for video creation. But the fluid can freeze in subzero temperatures.
A standard camera plate is fine if you have a smaller video setup. It’s enough to hold the weight if you use DSRL or mirrorless cameras. And a quick-release plate is also a handy time-saver. But you need a video camera plate for larger video cameras.
A video plate is larger, allowing for more weight in your setup. And it distributes the weight evenly, so there’s less pressure on the tripod head.
There are some excellent video tripod options in 2023. You have your pick of aluminum and carbon fiber tripods. You can choose a ball or fluid head for making sleek and professional videos. And there are some tripod-monopod combos for restless shooters.
There’s no bad option on our list of the best video tripods. But we think the Manfrotto Befree Advanced is the best video tripod. It’s a strong and reliable piece of equipment. And the versatile fluid head is exactly what you need for sleek and professional videos.
