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Best Tripods for Video and Vlogging – Overview
Tripods are created to help you record better videos or take better photos. They stabilize your video, especially if you’re moving while recording.
If you buy a tripod, the main points that I suggest you consider are its lightweight, durability, and overall functionality.
Whether you are shooting indoor or travel videos, you need something sturdy to hold your camera.
You wouldn’t want something that would quickly flip over and crash your gear. You might also want something that is not too bulky or heavy, as you might have content that requires you to carry your camera around all day.
There isn’t much to choose from when it comes to tripods, but I will list the 4 best tripods for vlogging and explain what each is good for. Hopefully, this will help you decide which is best for your needs.
1. JOBY GorillaPod
The ever so popular among vloggers. The “King” of all tripods. You can use this tripod in three (3) ways.
You can use it as a standard tripod to hold your camera on a flat surface.
Second, you can also convert it to a selfie stick.
Third, a very cool feature of this tripod is that you can bend the legs. Yes, you can fold it however you want. Want to hang it on a tree? Sure. Do you want to wrap it around a pole? No problem.
If you want to place your camera at weird angles, the JOBY GorillaPod can help. This tripod is versatile in many ways. Because of its design, the legs are a bit chunky to hold, but that’s never been a problem.
It can hold almost any camera. JOBY also makes phone tripods that are as functional as their camera tripods.
The downside is that you must balance your camera and bend your legs properly to secure it or your phone.
JOBY GorillaPod 3K Pro is usually what most people are using. They have a GorillaPod 5K Pro, but it seems significant and heavier to carry than the 3K.
2. SwitchPod
It’s sometimes called the JOBY GorillaPod alternative; this tripod is portable and lightweight but can support heavy gear.
It can be used in two (2) ways: One as a selfie stick and the second as a standard tripod.
What’s convenient about this tripod is that, unlike the JOBY GorillaPod, you have to manually adjust the legs to switch it back from selfie to tabletop mode. The SwitchPod lets you go from selfie mode to tabletop mode in seconds.
It looks sleek, the handles are slim, and it doesn’t take up space, making it ideal for traveling.
The handles are form-fitting, so you can easily hold them for a long time, unlike the JOBY, which is a bit chunky. It can be used for Cameras and Smartphones.
The downside is that it’s just legs, so you still need to buy a ball head to mount it so you can rotate your camera at different angles. Also, it’s not bendable like the JOBY GorillaPod.
It’s a perfect stick and a table-top tripod. It’s a relatively new product and already a great choice regarding stability, size, and look.
3. Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod.
This Tripod is great for traveling. It’s stable and sturdy, and it can hold DSLRs or heavier gear.
It can carry a maximum of about 3 kg, but it weighs about 1 kg, which makes it lightweight and perfect for carrying anywhere.
It’s compact and takes up little space. It can be extended to a height of 5 feet. It holds your gear safely, so you won’t need to worry about it. It is one of the most trusted tripods for professionals.
4. Peak Design Travel Tripod.
It comes in two kinds, Aluminum and Carbon Fiber (a bit pricey). If I were a traveling vlogger, this is what I would get.
The fact that it’s so tiny, almost the size of a water bottle, is already a buying point for me. It’s easy to carry and super compact.
The aluminum weighs only around 3.4 lbs, and the Carbon Fiber is slightly lighter. The ball head is very flexible. You can rotate your cam in any direction, even completely vertically.
If you want to take very low angles, you can reverse and flip the center column so you can take low-angle shots. Amazing.
This is compatible with many different kinds of cameras and your phone. Yes, you can use it as a tripod for your phone.
Another convenient feature of this tripod is how easily it can be set up and packed. It will take you no more than 30 seconds. This tripod seems to have been made to meet all Content Creators’ needs.
So, for overall functionality, weight, durability, and price, I’d choose the JOBY GorillaPod because it offers so much versatility, and the Peak Design Travel Tripod because it has everything you could ask for in a tripod.
It’s simple and easy to use—perfect. Remember to use a camera with a flip screen, as an articulated screen will make your life much easier when it’s equipped with a tripod.
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