Whether you are in the studio or vlogging on the go, a tripod is an essential part of any YouTuber’s gear.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the best tripods for YouTube and help you decide which is the best for you.
But, if you don’t have much time, below you can find our top recommendations.
- Flexible ball joints
- Sturdy
- Great value for money
- Profesional head
- Superb performance
- Very reliable
- Extra portable
- Quality build
- Easy to handle
What to consider when buying a Tripod for YouTube
Before we break down our recommendations further, there are a few things you should look out for when purchasing a new YouTube tripod.
These are also some of the main factors that we considered, and should help you decide on what tripod is best for you.
1. Functionality
This is probably the most important factor to consider. Tripods come in different shapes and sizes and have a variety of features.
Consider the type of YouTube videos you are making and pick a tripod that will suit your needs.
For example, if you’re mostly indoors with a fixed setup, a run and gun tripod like the Gorillapod may not be the best option as the legs are quite short and would need to be mounted onto something else.
2. Weight and size
In the studio, the tripod size and weight doesn’t matter that much, but once you head outdoors and need to carry your gear with you, that weight definitely will become a factor.
For shooting videos outside, and especially for travel vlogging, it is essential to have a tripod that is lightweight, easy to handle, and doesn’t take up much space in your backpack.
3. Build quality
Most tripods nowadays are either made of aluminum or carbon fiber.
While both materials are light and durable, carbon fiber has a greater strength-to-weight ratio than aluminum.
On the downside though, tripods made of carbon fiber tend to be more expensive than their aluminum counterparts.
4. Budget
This goes without saying but you should always consider your budget when buying a tripod.
While a nice and sturdy tripod is a must, think about your production process and whether a premium YouTube tripod will add value, or will a more budget-friendly alternative get the job done just as well?
If you can save in one area, you may be able to spend that money on some extra gear or services that will add value to your YouTube channel.
6 of the best tripods for YouTube
One of the most popular tripods for YouTube, the GorillaPod can almost be considered standard gear.
Known for its tentacle-like legs, you can attach this tripod to almost anything.
The legs are also very easy to grip, which makes the Gorillapod great for vlogging.
Made from high-quality ABS plastic, its durability has been tested over and over again, however, the ball socket joints can loosen over time.
This shouldn’t be an issue in the long term though. Since the Gorillapod comes in at a very affordable price, compared to most other tripods, you can just buy another one.
This is why the Gorillapod is our overall favorite tripod for making YouTube videos.
- Very versatile
- Affordable
- Good build quality
- Short legs
- Joints wear over time
This one is for the pros.
While it may come with a hefty price tag, the Manfrotto 504HD fluid head, along with the 546GBK tripod, takes videography to the next level.
Quite sizeable and heavy, this is more of a studio tripod than one for vlogging on the go, but with that rigidity, it is durable enough that you can safely rely on it for many years to come.
For serious videography, you can’t go wrong with this tripod.
- Very robust
- Awesome fluid panning head
- Ergonomic
- Bulky
- Expensive
The Manfrotto PIXI EVO is one awesome little tripod. Small enough to fit in your pocket, literally.
But with that small size comes a rather small weight limit so don’t expect to put a full-frame camera with a telephoto lens on it anytime soon.
Made of aluminum, it is surprisingly strong and enduring.
This tiny tripod is great for talking-head style videos but lacks the versatility of the Gorillapod.
Considering its price, it is a piece of gear that is definitely worth having, even just as a backup, or for quick setups.
- Inexpensive
- Very portable
- Durable
- Limited usage due to size
- Low weight carrying capacity
Meet the tripod that raised $12 million on Kickstarter.
The unique shape of the legs of the Peak Design Travel Tripod makes it amazingly portable.
With a diameter of just 3.125” when collapsed, this tripod can easily fit into a backpack water bottle holder.
It comes in two variants, made from aluminum or carbon fiber.
Both have similar strength and stability, however, the carbon fiber version is about 300 grams lighter, albeit more expensive.
Even though there is no panning plane in the ball head, we loved the clever way it fits between the legs.
This is why when adventure comes calling, the Peak Design travel tripod is the ideal tripod to capture the moments.
- Compact
- Innovative ball head
- Easy to deploy
- Expensive
- A hex key is essential
The Vanguard VEO 2S CM-264TBP is a carbon fiber monopod made to stand the test of time.
While it has a very solid build and great stability, the three feet add some bulkiness when compared to other monopods, but they are worth it.
The portability of a monopod is great for places where you can otherwise find it difficult to set up a tripod, like when in the great outdoors, or in places where tripods are just plain forbidden, like many historical sites, churches, etc.
A monopod can also be an easy way to carry and set up quickly when you’re out and about filming.
- Ultra stabile
- Great value for money
- Bluetooth remote shutter
- Heavy for a monopod
- Lengthy when packed
The SwitchPod is a unique mix between a regular tripod and the Joby Gorillapod.
It has three legs that can easily rotate and fold into a single one, making it very easy to hold.
With a very ergonomic handle and a fast and easy setup, the SwitchPod is a great tripod for vlogging, however, it does have its drawbacks.
The fixed legs cannot be extended and they lack the flexibility of the Gorillapod, but on the other hand, this enables the SwitchPod to handle up to 100lbs of load.
We didn’t like the fact that you need to purchase the ball-head separately, but even with its caveats, the SwitchPod is a tripod that has its use cases and is definitely worth considering.
- Very compact
- Huge load capacity
- Quick set up
- Not extendable
- Ball head not included
Final thoughts on the best tripods for YouTube
A favorite of many YouTubers, the Joby GorillaPod is a durable and versatile tripod handy for (almost) all occasions.
It is easy to handle and the unique ball socket joints make it easy to mount it on almost anything.
If you’re not fixed in one location, the Joby Gorillapod is our recommended tripod for YouTube and will get the job done for all types of YouTubers.
