I Tested Every Budget Travel Tripod: Here Are the Winners

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00:00 - What Tripods?
00:36 - Two Ultra Budget Options
02:37 - Premium Budget Tripod 1
05:04 - Premium Budget Tripod 2
07:15 - Premium Budget Tripod 3
09:15 - Premium Budget Tripod 4
11:23 - Video Head Tripods
14:19 - Recommendations

[funnybeingme]

I'd like to add that for those who have a photo tripod and doesn't want to carry an additional video tripod, I have the Neewer GM30 video head and I attach a camera plate on the bottom and put it on my Ulanzi Zero Y tripod. This video head is great as I has its own leveling base (if you want to use it on traditional tripod with no head or monopod) and it can do vertical shooting.

[glenberman]

Nicely done. Thank you for this. I had purchased the Ulanzi TT35 about 10 months ago. Works great. Is highly versatile and unique in design. Weighs less than 3lbs. I shoot with M43 but high rated weight. Can convert to mono, table top tripod, selfie and can use legs as walking sticks for trekking. I was able to purchase a single extra leg so two of us can use the sticks.

[offpawel]

The Slik 3W Sprint Pro III has been my tripod of choice for several years, offering an exceptional balance of price and quality. It's lightweight yet sturdy and provides reliable stability.

[crer]

Great info in the field. Adds a new dimension being away from the desk. A good video - thanks for making the internet a better place

[jackoneil]

Perfect Timing! I was just starting to shop for a compact travel tripod, thanks.

[chiefmcconnell]

i will mention one that a lot of people dont really talk about. at 79$ its a pretty budget friendly lightweight all arounder - Manfroto Element MII. I started out with a super budget Joby and thought i would be happy with them. They are ok. The Manfroto for me is a premium-ish tripod with a lot of great features. Its aluminum and very nice to carry around in my camera backpack. One other thing I will say about tripods in general, usually for the better tripods you can actually swap out the heads on them. This gives you the best of both worlds… if you find a set of “legs” you really like and maybe need to swap to a better ballhead for it you usually can (at least on the manfroto tripods). Not sure if they make add on video heads with a quarter mount screw or not - never owned a video only tripod yet.

[craigbooker]

Thank you for this review. It was by far the best coverage I could find on YouTube. I've clicked on many of your affiliate links, so hopefully you got a little kickback for all your hard work. I bought the ULANZI TT09 VideoGo Carbon Fiber Travel Video Tripod based on this video. It has been a very solid choice so far. I highly recommend it. Thanks Mark!

[philmastman]

We need to hear bout the rigidity and weight capacity of these things. If they can’t hold the camera steady, they’re worthless. Also, which if any use the Arca Swiss mounting system?

[JohnBeebe]

Great video was hoping to see 3-Legged Thing in the mix but this gave me food for thought

[RichardKagan-kp]

Well thought out comparisons of tripods. However you neglected what is arguably a most important factor if you want sharp photos. How much
shake or vibration do they have, with and without your camera bag hanging from center column. Using live view, you can see shake. Try it.

[MattsGolfRx]

Thank you! Needed a small tripod for travel and golf footage and decided to go with the Smallrig!

[BugBobsWildWorld]

Nice job covering that class of tripods. Thank you, Mark.

[b.]

At the end of the day a good breakdown of these top quality tripods for different budgets and different applications. Great informative insights Sir.

[chosenideahandle]

Great video Mark! My favorite travel tripod is still my Sirui Traveler 5C! A carbon tripod considerably less money than the Freewell, and still the lightest travel tripod available. It folds down to only 13" long. No video head, although it's usually what I use it for (a6700, and FX30). I've been using mine for over two years now every week, and it's gone to Iceland with us as well. Rock solid!

[mtbboy]

I already got a Peak Designs, it's not perfect. But fits into a water bottle holder.
I phone holder was plastic it failed after just a few uses.
But mor importantly thete no proper ball head, it has limited angles. But with universal adapter I can install a proper ball head or any head I want. But not having it was a big mistake I think.
But I got it on sale, it was a good deal. So I don't regret it, I had to get something. But the tripod it self is good. Adding a a ball head won't be an issue for me, it will eb compact enough, height won't be an issue.

But they has other flawed products too, like Microclutch and Clutch hand strap, they last about a year before eit tears, seperates.

[OldishGoalie]

Do what it takes to buy the ulanzi treeroot f38 pro. Trust me, it's worth every penny.

[andreyslivin]

Thank you so much. If it's not too much, I was wondering if you could review 3 Legged Things tripods. The Punks line falls into the same price range, but apparently they have universally stellar reviews. They also have an "Arhed Trinity" video head that pairs with any tripod, and there isn't a single review on it. I believe if you reviewed the latter especially and showed a simple video pan/tilt test it would help a ton of people. One last thing: apparently their marketing team is very friendly towards online reviewers. I'd give them a shout!

[RonaldBrown]

Great comparison video, thanks for sharing.

[jordangrobe]

Shoutout to Coman’s solo line - the Light H is basically the best of both worlds between the Zero Y and iFootage, for between $110/$140 depending on the sale price.

The center column is rounded so it’s probably closer to the Neewer ‘copy’ in that regard, but the fluid head is fantastic and it comes with a separate blank adapter head for attaching any other ballhead you may prefer.

The Coman Light G might be almost exactly the same as that Neewer one (although I think it’s still slightly cheaper) but neither of those have a panoramic ballhead, which I find to be a dealbreaker.

[Andy-rkmu]

I love my K&F Concept 60 inch Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod