Hohem M6 vs Zhiyun Smooth 5S | What Nobody Tells You

Which is the Best smartphone Gimbal in 2023? Here is my honest in-depth comparison between the Hohem iSteady M6 vs ZHIYUN Smooth 5S. Not sponsored. Which mobile gimbal comes on top?

▶︎ Equipment featured in this video

For inquiries:
Samuel Sotiega, London, UK.
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▶ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Intro
0:18 - Remarkable similarities
1:20 - Payload differences
2:39 - Restriction of movement?
3:06 - Do you see any parts?
3:47 - How good are they?
4:48 - App integration
6:05 - Which one tracks better?
7:58 - A screen you can actually see
8:34 - Adding or using accessories
9:43 - Locking of motors
10:21 - Horizontal vs vertical
11:16- Vlogging made easy?
12:49 - Timelapses
13:48 - Is the built-in LED light any good?
14:21 - Which one is the best?

▶︎ Some of the camera gear I use:

**CAMERA**
**LENSES**
**TRIPOD**
**SOUND RECORDER**
**LOCATION MONITOR**

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Copyright © 2023 Samuel Sotiega. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction or republication of all or part of this video/audio is prohibited.

[PaPawGOT]

I got the M6. After watching countless reviews (and yours) I am very happy with the M6. I am new to gimbals and I have only used or previewed a few that my friends had. Now they all want the M6. The AI tracking is great and time laps is a lot of fun. Still learning but the M6 made it fun. Thanks for the videos.

[K-Silent-Walker]

I have had a bad experience with my Hohem MultiSteady and shared it with Hohem factory. After sending them (the troubleshooting) a video showing the problem (the gimbal head was out of control jerking right and left without stopping) they wanted me to send it back to China so that they could assess what's going on. I did not do so, because I would have to pay for everything (the shipping and handling to China) and it's very expensive from Brasil. Then, I stowed that away and never ever used it anymore. Particularly, after such a bad experience, I will never buy Hohem anymore, ever. Interesting review, anyway! 👍

[Gem]

Interesting comparison. After watching the walk and run samples, it feels the 5S has better stabilization, but the M6 better and more reliable tracking. Your videos are improving and getting better in quality, well done!! We might be looking at the new Peter Mckinnon!!

[Grizzleburrr]

Hey samuel love the video, just wanted to ask for your opinion, which do you think is better for someone who would mostly use the gimbal with 1.33, wide lens, fd filters, by freewell on the s23ultra, and using it for scenic footage and camping / hiking videos and pictures? also due to the higher weight sitting around 380-400g on average or would that still be fine for smooth 5s to handle all the time? would it affect motors or stabilization? or should i get the m6 if generally using near its max weight all the time. as i do like the idea of having the much better light of the smooth S. unless there is any after market lights for the m6? so hard to choose! thanks!

[SupercarTony]

I ordered the DJI mobile 6 from amazon prime day and had my difficulties because certain things didn't work as I imagine, when I saw your video about the DJI I knew it wasn't my fault, it was actually the device. I'm so grateful to have found your channel, just pack my DJI and will return it, I had already ordered the Hohem M6 yesterday and I'm happy that thanks to you it will arrive tomorrow. is it also possible to track with the AI tracker with the "cinema" mode of the iphone camera? That was actually my main problem because I really like making films with the cinema mode..

[SalRo]

Seems like a fair and balance side-by-side review, thanks for sharing!

[demax]

Thank you for this clear explanation. Nice to see someone giving an honest review with all pros and cons for once instead of glorifying every product.
I have one more question. My intention is to make hyperlapses tracking on a certain subject like a certain point on a building or a statue.
Which gimbal would be best suited for this, the Zhiyun or the Hohem with its AI sensor?

[shabba]

Just swapped the smooth 5s for the m6. The AI tracking is just too good of a feature to not have, especially as a S23 Ultra user were all the apps are only optimised for iPhones.

[gilbertgk]

I felt exactly that when the Hohem M6 came out I was like I should have bought the Hohem M6 instead of the smooth 5s but you explained the differences well and for me Smooth 5S is a better choice just because it has those LED fill lights and it can handle up to 2 additional fill lights that I will need that for my videos. Rarely that I will need tracking and for that I can just live with the Smooth 5S tracking capabilities and I am hoping it will get better with future software updates. Thank you for the review and comparison!

[TheProjectManager]

So I have had the Hohem iSteady M6 Kit for about a week now. It is light weight and works really smooth. I am using it with a Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus (bought 7 years ago or so) with a USB-C dongle plugged in at the bottom so I can use a wireless lavalier microphone. It seems to work fine but it is not quite straight in the horizontal/landscape mode. I did purchase a small counterweight last night so when it comes in hopefully it will balance it out. I also just purchased the new Aochuan Smart S2 gimbal which came out about 4 weeks ago. This is also a really nice gimbal as well and it has a built-in tripod/selfie stick which I really like. My main purpose to use the gimbal is to do reviews on various products. It is going to be a hard choice as to which one I keep as they are both good. The Hohem places my camera on my phone to the left when in horizontal mode which I like whereas the Aochuan places it on the right side which seems a bit weird/odd to me.

[orangejjay]

I was originally going to get a DJI OSMO but then saw your review that showed how it couldn't handle vertical pans well (something i need). Ended up getting a Smooth 5S ... and returned it after 24 hours.

The battery wouldnt charge but even worse, the attachable lights are kind of a joke. Even in low light i couldn't really tell the light was on. I can't imagine that spending $70 to get two more would've been worth it.

I now have a Smooth 5 (not 5S) sitting and waiting to charge. Maybe I'll go with a Hohem? Total payload for me (phone, case, Moment 18mm lens and others) is 302g ... I do have a counterweight just in case it's needed.

One thing I find, and this is strictly because I'm a n00b to all this, is that there's a little bit of a learning curve to all this ... but am i blown away by what something so cheap and small can do when it comes to cinematography (and on a smartphone too!).

[franciscobravo]

Hi, I always see your videos, I like the way you explain everything. I bought few months ago an Osmo 6 before to see your review. As you say, test up and down this a completely disaster!! Now Ive bought Hohem M6, and I hope best results.
Do you know an app for timelapses using the hardware of the hohem m6 without using the app itself?
Thank you for your videos.

[ukaszlisiecki]

Hi. Thank you for your job, you did a realy good job. One question. I have Samsung S24 Ultra. Will it fit to Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI? And will it fit to Hohem M6?

[Sk-inxj]

You are the best reviewer I have seen when it comes to very details. And everything one could face in reallife. I simply love your way of comparisn. Love form Bangladesh ❤

[jack_da_trainspotter]

Another great video which gimble in your opinion has the best 3 party add compatibilaty and witch do you think is more worth the price tag.

[jimbotski]

Oh man, happy to find this channel. That vid totally deserved a sub!

[clarkspiemuncher]

when doing a down up up down movement, does the gimble automatically follow the flow or do you have to control the movement with a button ?

[wloclawek]

in running test Hohem M6 is shaking much more than Smooth 5S?

[jasmikko]

Worth the wait! I’m leaning more on M6.

I make videos mostly horizontal videos. Not very sophisticated shots. Mostly panorama and front facing footage. Would I need either of the two or is an older gimbal model be fine?

[Indigenous_Patriot_]

I’m doing some research on in the best gimbal and I have to say that I have made my decision on the M6. Now I am trying to find the best accessories ( lights, microphone, lenses, tripod, etc) would love to be pointed in the right direction.