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Buyer’s Guide: Choosing an Optimum Phone Tripod
We’ve come to a point where smartphones are just as good, if not better, than professional cameras. Of course, if you’re a pro photographer or videographer you’d rather take the pro camera in a heartbeat, but smartphones offer enough power and performance for most casual folk and hobbyists. That said, a good camera is often not enough, and you may want something more than that if you’re looking to dabble in amateur photography and filmmaking. Enter phone tripods. Tripods are a staple when taking photos and recording videos with professional cameras, and they’re just as useful with phones. You can set your photos and videos at certain angles and even take said photos with a remote control device. So whether you’re making a film for your school project or documenting your solo trip around the world, the premier phone tripods of 2023 are great tools to have.
Torjim Phone Tripod
Best Overall
UBeesize Phone Tripod
Best Desk Tripod
Alptoy Selfie Stick Tripod
Best Selfie Stick
SENSYNE 62" Phone Tripod
Great for Traveling
Aureday 62" Phone Tripod
Most Compact
What Is a Phone Tripod?
A phone tripod is a device that is used to mount a phone in place. It is called a tripod because it has three legs which serve as the foundation and support for the phone. Tripods are often used in photography and filmmaking.Why You Should Consider Getting a Phone Tripod
You can take photos and record videos professionally
The gap between smartphone cameras and professional cameras is shortening, with more and more smartphones featuring incredibly powerful cameras that can capture vivid images. With a phone tripod, you can film and take photos like a pro without having to invest tons of money on equipment and devices.You can use the camera by yourself
When using your phone’s camera, you can only either take a selfie with the front cam or take a picture of something else with the rear cam. But what if you want to take a picture of yourself with the rear camera? Often, the rear camera has better image quality, which means they’re better for taking more professional, detailed shots. It’s very difficult to take selfies with the rear camera by yourself — that is unless you have a phone tripod. Many phone tripods come with a remote shutter that you can connect to your phone via Bluetooth. With the press of a button, you can take pictures and start recording without even being near the phone itself. This lets you take photos without having to ask someone else to take the photo for you.Types of Phone Tripods
Standard tripod
Many camera tripods can support the use of smartphones provided you use the right phone holder. The phone holder can be installed where you’d mount the camera and you can then use it to record and take photos using your smartphone.Selfie stick tripod
Selfie stick tripods are unique to phones as they can be used as both a selfie stick and a tripod, depending on the situation. You can use the selfie stick if you want to take photos with others or you can set it up as a tripod if you’re doing things such as timelapse. The only problem with selfie stick tripods is that they’re somewhat limited in flexibility — you often can’t adjust the legs of the tripod height-wise, for example.Desk tripod
Desk tripods are tripods made specifically for desks or tables. They’re short and are often used to record yourself for vlogs or when you want to make video calls. Desk tripods are known to be quite flexible as well — you can adjust the legs in many ways, allowing you to set the phone up at unique and interesting angles.Tips When Using Phone Tripods
Take note of the lighting
A common rookie mistake when setting up tripods is not looking at what the camera sees as you set it up. You may take minutes to adjust the tripod only to find that the lighting is terrible when captured through your phone. As such, try to check the camera preview regularly to see if it’s a shot that’s worth taking.Mind the balance
Depending on how you set up the tripod, you may find that it’s not balanced properly, with the weight shifting to one side. This can be a problem as it may cause your phone tripod to tip over and fall if you’re not careful. If it’s not balanced but you need it to stay in that position, just be sure to keep a close eye on the tripod at all times.
Torjim Phone Tripod
Best Overall
Those who aren’t familiar with camera equipment may mistake this tripod for one that’s used with professional cameras. While that’s technically the case — you can very well use this tripod with your DSLR cameras — if you don’t have one of those expensive devices, you can instead use your smartphone to take photos and videos. The tripod is durable and can extend up to 50 inches, making it great for recording on the desk or while standing. As a tripod that can be used with both professional cameras and smartphones, it’s the best overall pick regardless of your background.
Pros
- Works with smartphones and cameras
- Includes remote control and phone clip
- Full-sized for various situations
Cons
- Heavier than some competitors
UBeesize Phone Tripod
Best Desk Tripod
Our next phone tripod is one that you may want to use on your desk or table. Tripods on desks aren’t exactly new but are quite useful, as you can use them to watch movies and make video calls without holding your phone in place. The neat thing about this particular tripod by UBeesize is that the legs are highly adjustable and they can rest in just about any position you can imagine. This lets you get some one-of-a-kind angles for holding your camera, perfect for taking uniquely angled photos and looking at your phone in interesting ways.
Pros
- Ideal for use on a desk
- Includes a wireless remote control
- Legs are very adjustable
Cons
- Difficult to balance the legs evenly
Alptoy Selfie Stick Tripod
Best Selfie Stick
Phones are heavily associated with selfie sticks, and this next tripod can be used as a selfie stick as well. It’s got a set of legs that makes it a tripod when used that way, but the legs themselves are thin. So thin, in fact, that you can collapse them into one group, making them easy to hold with a single hand. The top area of the tripod is also worth noting — it can be extended up to 60 inches in length, which is perfect for a selfie stick, but also allows you to get some pretty interesting angles when used in tripod mode.
Pros
- Can be used as a selfie stick
- Very portable design
- Extendable up to 60 inches
Cons
- Not very sturdy in tripod mode
SENSYNE 62" Phone Tripod
Great for Traveling
Traveling the world can be a very fun and rewarding experience, especially if you record your adventures with your smartphone. That’s why you’ll often see tourists with selfie sticks; these tools let them record and take photos of their surroundings more effectively. This next tripod by SENSYNE is perfect for travelers, especially those who prefer to travel alone. It’s designed to work as both a selfie stick and a tripod, and it even comes with a remote control — that way, you can take photos even without having to ask for someone to hold the camera for you.
Pros
- Fits inside your backpack
- Compatible with various phones
- Perfect for the solo tourist
Cons
- Not ideal for professional cameras
Aureday 62" Phone Tripod
Most Compact
Our last tripod shares many similarities with the previous one — it can reach up to 62 inches in height and can also be used as a selfie stick and a tripod, depending on what the situation calls for. You can use this tripod on just about any flat surface, and it can support professional cameras, GoPros, and smartphones alike. Just note that the legs of the tripod can’t be adjusted height-wise, so you can’t tilt the cameras or phones at an angle like you can with standard professional tripods.
Pros
- Can be used with GoPros and cameras
- Very compact frame
- Extends up to 62 inches in length
Cons
- Tripod legs cannot be extended
People Also Asked
Can you use cameras on phone tripods?
It may depend on the model of the tripod, but many phone tripods allow you to use and mount conventional cameras as well.
Are phone tripods durable?
It depends on the materials the tripod is made of but, generally, yes. Phone tripods may be lighter and smaller, but they’re made with similar materials as a regular tripod.
When is it a good idea to use a phone tripod?
Phone tripods are great when you want to record photos and videos consistently and without the help of a cameraman to hold your phone.
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