![THE 10 BEST MINI TRIPODS FOR YOUR CAMERA [UPDATED]](https://photographychef.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/THE-10-BEST-MINI-TRIPODS-FOR-YOUR-CAMERA-UPDATED.jpg)
Tired of carrying your tripod? From leaving it at home because it is too big or heavy? Do you need a tripod for everyday use, for your adventures or to capture the action? In the article I update the list of the best mini tripods designed for children's , GoPro , smartphone , compact or even SLR , evil or bridge cameras , whose users value portability above any other aspect.
Here are my 10 mini tripod recommendations:
- elegant
- Manfrotto MTPIXI-B
- photopro
- Rhodesy RT-01
- Alfort mini tripod
- digicharge
- Vicloon
- Rollei Compact Traveler No.1
- Rollei Compact Traveler Mini M 1
- Neewer Mini Portable Tripod
Although before getting into the matter, we are going to answer some important questions about this photographic accessory .
WHAT IS A MINI TRIPOD?
A mini tripod is a very useful accessory to stabilize your camera at any time. It is lighter and more compact than conventional tripods, although it basically consists of the same elements.
They are designed to be used with action cameras, mobile phones, compact cameras and even with other larger and heavier cameras, but to be able to always take them with you, on excursions, trips or any type of adventure.
WHAT IS A MINI TRIPOD FOR?
A mini tripod is, without a doubt, an investment that is worth every penny you spend on it. It is ideal to always carry with you and will save your photos on many occasions, give wings to your creativity, improve the sharpness of your photos, and maybe even encourage you to be the protagonist of your own photos from time to time.
In short, a mini tripod is not only for action photography, it is also an ideal companion for outings (street photography, travel, day-to-day, excursions with friends, etc.). It weighs little, it occupies little, but it contributes a lot ? ; Therefore, apart from your usual tripod, having one of these is always a good idea.
Before leaving you a list, let's see some of the uses you can give a mini tripod:
- self portraits. To take group photos, with your friends, to photograph yourself doing some pirouette when you don't have anyone to do it for you, to capture yourself at the top of the mountain peak you just conquered, or to record yourself on video for your vlog.
- Videos. To stabilize the camera and get a video without much shake.
- night photography.
- Time lapses.
- Long exposures. Light trails from cars or lightpainting , for example.
Hey, it may also be that you see that you don't need it for anything I just mentioned, in that case, a jalopy that you save ? .
WHY A MINI TRIPOD AND NOT A NORMAL TRIPOD?
If you already have one to use with your DSLR, EVIL or similar, you may be wondering why buy a tripod if you already have one. The question is, do you really use your current tripod with the action camera or with your smartphone? Or do you think, “to go cycling, diving, jumping, photographing my friends skateboarding, at the beach, etc. where do I go with the piece of tripod?» and you leave it at home?
I'm afraid it's more this second answer, right?
And it is that in the end, the best product is not the most expensive, nor the most famous, but the one that best suits your needs. And if what you need is a tripod for your GoPro, or to put in your backpack when you go out with colleagues, or to go on a trip with minimal luggage, why do you want a hulk?
Now, if you tell me that you do pro-level macro, photograph birds with super telephoto lenses or want to photograph deep space or night landscapes with heart-stopping sharpness, then you need a very firm and resistant tripod that gives you maximum stability and responds to your concrete needs. You won't do with a mini tripod.
The needs in both cases are very different, therefore, the product must also be, although they are totally complementary ? .
Now yes, we go with the promised list of best mini tripods.
BEST TRIPODS FOR ACTION CAMERAS, GOPROS, COMPACTS, AND SMARTPHONES
These are the mini tripods that I recommend for all those small, compact and/or action cameras, in which portability and flexibility are above any other aspect.
1. ELEGIANT: THE MOST COMPLETE
Selfie stick, tripod and monopod all in one. 360° swivel bracket. Be careful that to be compatible with a GoPro camera, the selfie stick needs an accessory. It weighs 155g and measures 19cm when folded. Extended it reaches a meter in height.
2. MANFROTTO MTPIXI-B: FOR THE HEAVIEST COMPACTS AND VIDEOS
This Manfrotto mini tripod measures just 18.5cm folded, weighs 0.19kg, has a locking push-button mechanism, ergonomic handle for video recording and is ideal for CSC, compact or small DSLR cameras. It also has a ball joint, is made of stainless steel and plastic and supports a maximum weight of 1Kg. You can find it on Amazon for N/A
Here you can see it in action ?
3. FOTOPRO: THE MOST FLEXIBLE AND ALL-ROUNDER
This 227g mini tripod supports up to 800g load and is only approximately 27cm long. An ideal tripod for GoPro type cameras, mobile phones and light weight cameras. The legs can get wet, it includes a Bluetooth remote release, it is very flexible and ideal for all kinds of situations. You can find it on Amazon for €29.99
To learn more about it, you can read the full review of this flexible mini tripod from Fotopro.
If it seems expensive, you have this other onevery similar, although I have not tried it and it does not have as many reviews as Fotopro, it is also highly valued by users.
4. RHODESY RT-01: FOR ANY SURFACE
Another mini tripod with flexible legs and a weight of 240g and 30cm long, with numerous (and very good) reviews on Amazon. Ideal for GoPro cameras, mobile phones or light weight cameras. It adapts very well to any type of surface.
You can find it on Amazon for only: €17.99
You can take a look at it in the following video.
5. ALFORT MINI TRIPOD: THE LIGHTEST
A very economical, flexible, compact tripod (16.6 x 9.2 x 4.6 cm) and very light (only 82g). This mini tripod from the Alfort brand is made of resistant and non-slip materials. It has a Bluetooth remote control and 360º rotation.
It is especially indicated for mobile phones or GoPro-type cameras.
Available on Amazon for a price of N/A
6. DIGICHARGE: THE CHEAPEST
We continue with the mini octopus-type tripods because, for GoPros, they are very practical, because you can wind them on the handlebars of a bike, on the paddle of your kayak or on the mirror of the motorcycle. There are no limits, except those set by your imagination. In mini tripod it measures 26cm long and weighs 190g. With 360º rotating head and shoe for DSLR and universal screw adapter for use with any type of camera.
Available on Amazon for a price of €14.99
7. VICLOON
This tripod is much more similar to a conventional tripod, but equally portable and lightweight, for those looking for something more classic and with a little more stability (it supports up to 1,500g of weight).
It measures 35cm in length when folded, weighs 378g and comes with a bag for its transport and a clip to adapt it to the mobile phone or the classic plug to adapt it to all types of cameras.
It also rotates 360º horizontally and 90º vertically and its legs are extendable up to 106cm. You can find it on Amazon for €17.49
Up to here the lightest, simplest and cheapest tripods, ideal for very light cameras and undemanding situations (they will not be useful for macro photography or to photograph the Milky Way, but they will be for action, adventure or whatever you find in the normal day to day of any photographic outing).
If you want to raise the level in terms of stability and performance of mini tripods, keep reading, because there are also much more than interesting options.
MINI TRIPODS FOR SLR, EVIL OR BRIDGE CAMERAS
As I mentioned before, there are very adventurous photographers who pursue action with heavier and more robust cameras. Tireless travelers and photography lovers who also need a tripod that weighs little, folds a lot and easily, if possible, but supports the weight of their equipment. They may not respond to the most demanding levels of sharpness, and it is not this aspect that worries them the most. Do you identify with this? Well these mini tripods are for you.
8. ROLLEI COMPACT TRAVELER NO.1: THE TRAVELER
This mini tripod has a minimum size of 31.5cm and a maximum of 144cm when unfolded. It is made of aluminum and weighs 1,170g. It is ideal for travel and those looking for a portable tripod that still reaches a considerable height.
Supports a maximum load of 5kg, comes equipped with a ball joint, invertible central column, 5 sections on the legs, which are threaded and adjustable to different heights.
You have it in different colors: blue, pink, silver, orange or black, and it is ideal for SLR or mirrorless cameras.
You can find it on Amazon for €87.31or if you prefer, made of carbon for €109.99
Here you can see a comparison between a classic tripod and this traveler.
9. ROLLEI COMPACT TRAVELER MINI M 1: THE MOST COMPACT
Another very interesting tripod from the Rollei brand, highly compact as you can see in the image that illustrates this text. It has a load capacity of 8kg, is made of aluminum and measures only 16cm, extendable up to 47cm with a weight of 800g.
It has an invertible and removable center column with an adjustment bolt for the center column. The grip is non-slip and has a quick coupling plate with a spirit level. It is ideal for macro.
You can find it for: €69.98
10. NEEWER: COMPACT AND RESISTANT
This Neewer mini tripod is also very compact and sturdy. With a maximum load of 5Kg, it weighs only 826g and measures 23cm folded (up to 50cm extended).
It comes with a quick-release ball head with bubble level, 5-section non-slip feet, and a 360º swivel head.
Both this and the previous one are ideal for travel and for taking panoramic photographs.
You will find it on Amazon for €59.49
And here are my recommendations as far as mini tripods are concerned. Keep in mind that there are two very different types of tripods in this article, although they are all portable and lightweight, the first are intended for action cameras, mobile, compact or light, for more casual use, and the second are tripods. that will give you more serious results for long exposure or macro photography, among others. And if you want more mobile tripods, here.
