travel ball pods

The leading authority in photography and camera gear.

Become a better photographer.

12.9 Million

Annual Readers

Newsletter Subscribers

Featured Photographers

Photography Guides & Gear Reviews

7 Best Travel Tripods for Your Next Trip – Lightweight & Strong

Traveling with a tripod may not be convenient, but it can open the doors for creative photography or video. Here are 7 great options that won't weigh you down.

Camera Gear Guides | Tripod & Monopod Guides | By Mark Condon | Last Updated: April 2, 2024

To find the best travel tripods of the year, I tested over 50 different models from various brands at different price points

From the latest lightweight carbon fiber tripod to budget aluminium models, this guide will help you choose the best way to stabilise your camera while not sacrificing weight and space.

Great stability, useful features and compact design takes up less space in your travel bag. Available in carbon fiber or aluminium with life-time warranty.

A good camera tripod will let you blur flowing water or star trails for beautiful long-exposure photography, create an engaging time-lapse video, capture panoramic landscapes, or even take a self-portrait.

Tripods allow you to get sharper and clearer photos than shooting handheld, especially in low-light environments.

A great tripod for travel should be strong, compact, and lightweight to carry mirrorless and DSLR cameras with long lenses attached with minimal vibrations.

The top models should also offer unique features to make your shooting experience more efficient and enjoyable.

Based on my testing and independent research, here are the tripods you should consider for your next trip.

(I’ll update this list as new models are released, so keep checking back.)

Table of Contents

I’ve been a professional photographer for over 10 years, having traveled all over the world to shoot weddings.

Whenever I fly, I like to pack the lightest tripod available with a height and sturdiness that suits my needs for the event.

Over the years, I’ve used many different tripods, from budget to high-end.

For this guide, I reviewed a mixture of tripods I own alongside those supplied by various brands.

This is a summary of what I consider to be the best tripods for traveling the world, based on various essential factors outlined below.

Stick to the travel tripods on this list to narrow your choices to the top options for the average traveling photographer/filmmaker, and remember the following factors when choosing:

• Size (when folded) – The smaller, the better for packability.
• Height – closest to the user’s eye level is best if sturdiness/strength is maintained. Min height allows macro/close-up work.
• Weight – the lighter, the better if sturdiness/strength is preserved. Between 1 and 1.5 kg offers good strength to weight.
• Build – a carbon fiber travel tripod is lighter and stronger than the aluminium equivalent, but also more expensive.
• Sturdiness is measured by rigidity under load vs. maximum weight capacity and the number of leg sections (less is better).
• Value for money – the price is justified based on overall quality. It is within the budget of the average travel photographer or backpacker.
• Additional Tripod Features – anything unique that adds value.

The best portable tripod will be different for each person reading this article – only you will know which of the factors above are most important to your needs.

What is the Best Travel Tripod in 2024?

1. peak design | best travel tripod for mirrorless or dslr cameras.

Material:  Carbon fiber or aluminum alloy | Maximum height: 153cm / 60.2″ | Minimum height: 14cm / 5.5″| Folded length: 39cm / 15.3″ | Weight: (Alu) 1.56kg / 3.4 lb (CF) 1.27kg / 2.79lb | Feet: Pads (spikes optional extra) | Number of leg sections:  5 |  Max load: 9kg / 19.8lb | Further Testing: Peak Design Travel Tripod Review

• Ultra-compact storage
• Well-built and durable
• Quick to deploy
• Unique & innovative features
• Feels great to use
• Good maximum extended height
• Often out of stock
• Carrying case is tight
• Size: 10/10

The standout feature of this highly portable tripod is its unique ability to collapse into a tubular unit, similar in diameter to a can of beans.

When folded, there’s none of the ‘dead space’ which is typical of other tripods – it’s svelte enough to slide into the water bottle holder of the Peak Design travel backpack , with no protruding ball head and ultra-compact quick-release plate. Folded height is impressive, at only 39cm.

Users of travel tripods are sensitive to the packed volume of the tripod – this is where the Peak Design tripod excels.

• Max Height: 9/10

At full extension (153cm), it’s among the taller tripods for cameras tested – tall enough for comfortable usage while still retaining good rigidity. It’s best to avoid extending center columns if possible, particularly on windy days, but this is the case with all lightweight tripods.

• Weight: 8/10

Both the aluminum and carbon fiber travel tripods are relatively lightweight – there are certainly lighter products, but they often sacrifice strength and rigidity. The 29g weight saving for the carbon fiber tripod for camera use may not be worth the extra price

• Build: 10/10

As with all Peak Design products, the Travel Tripod is very well-designed and built. There’s also a lifetime guarantee – perfect peace of mind for backpackers and frequent travelers. Also great as a tripod for spotting scope use.

• Sturdiness: 9/10

Despite having 5 leg sections, the stiffness and damping of the Peak Design Travel Tripod is impressive.

With a maximum load capacity of 9kg, you can safely support any camera + zoom lens. In high winds, there’s a hook beneath the center column to hang a weight, like your backpack.

It’s the best tripod for mirrorless camera users based on average mirrorless body sizes and lenses. Some flagship DSLR cameras combined with heavy telephoto lenses may unbalance it, but these are minority cases.

• Features: 10/10

Innovative features that don’t exist on other travel tripods. (Bottom left: smartphone holder concealed in centre column.)

In testing, I found that the Peak Design tripod still has the most unique and useful features of any other lightweight tripod.

It’s undoubtedly the best camera tripod for anyone who values original design quirks, despite the fact that other DSLR tripod brands have frequently mimicked it since its release.

The stem of the ball head nestles between the tops of the tripod legs when collapsed, ensuring no protrusions and compact storage.

Lever locks can be controlled with one hand while you adjust the camera angle with the other, making adjustment of locking angles fast and efficient.

Legs slide in and out smoothly, and leg locks are strong yet easy to open – full deployment of all 5 sections is very fast.

The Center column hook conceals a mobile phone holder  neatly tucked away.

Rubber feet are replaceable for spikes, and the column can be inverted for macro photography camera setups. Even the protective case is well-designed, with all-over padding and not an inch of superfluous material.

The unique rounded design with legs that tuck away neatly makes this my pick of the best backpacking tripod.

Sliding it in and out of a side pocket is so much easier than even the most compact travel tripod – since nothing is ‘sticking out’, it’s almost like you’re stowing a smooth waterbottle.

• Value: 8/10

Reddit users agree that the Peak Design Tripod is worth it despite the high price.

This is by no means a budget tripod – you’re paying for a unique design and innovative features that don’t exist on other models.

A lifetime warranty is a huge benefit, making the price tag more justifiable.

The aluminium model is the best bang for your buck, although carbon fiber feels/looks better and has a slight weight advantage (I own the carbon fiber tripod).

Final Score: 64/70

Truly one of a kind, beating all other travel tripods with a unique space-saving body / ball-head design, fast leg deployment, impressive strength-to-weight ratio, and overall good looks, giving it that desirable x-factor. Lifetime warranty is a huge benefit. Highly recommended as the best lightweight tripod for backpacking.

Check the latest price >>

2. HEIPI 3-in-1 | Best Travel Tripod for Stability

Material: Carbon fiber (aluminium sub tripod) | Maximum height: 149cm / 59″ | Minimum height: 14.5cm / 5.7″| Folded length: 44.5cm / 17.5″ | Weight: 1.35kg / 2.97lb | Feet: Pads and spikes | Number of leg sections:  5 |  Max load: 25g / 55lb | Further Testing: HEIPI tripod review

• Stable and solid construction
• Useful and unique sub tripod
• Efficient locking ring
• Impressive maximum load
• Hidden mobile mount
• 2 tripods for price of one
• Currently available on Indiegogo only
• Slightly larger/heavier than Peak Design’s

With a similar tubular design to the Peak Design travel tripod, the HEIPI saves space in your backpack by eliminating any gaps between folded legs and retracted ball head.

Everything tucks in perfectly, allowing it to slide into its carrying case easily (much better than Peak’s overly tight one).

150cm is decent as a maximum height, but as with the other options, it still means tall photographers will need to stoop a little.

With a carbon fiber body and aluminium subtripod, the HEIPI is light at 1.35kgs (1.2kgs without the sub tripod).

This is a sweet spot for lightweight travel without sacrificing on stability in higher winds or grassy/unlevel ground.

However, for truly lightweight travel, there are lighter options.

The HEIPI feels very well built, with the legs sliding in and out smoothly and leg locks securing everything in place with confidence.

The ball head is robust and durable and looks like it can stand consistent outdoor use and the rigours of travel.

All 3 component pieces work with 3rd party accessories (3/8″) – slider, ball heads, tripods, etc.

• Sturdiness: 10/10

Here’s where the HEIPI excels and is unique among the tripods I tested.

A separate aluminium ‘subtripod’ is set inside the main tripod, adding to its rigidity when retracted.

When extended, since there are 3 legs in place of a regular singular centre column, it’s 3x as stable as other travel tripods.

Due to the increased stability, I consider it to be the best tripod for astrophotography at this price.

It’s also the best travel tripod for DSLR users who need something strong while remaining portable.

The subtripod is extended and deployed by a centre column lock ring, easily rotatable with a couple of hand twists.

Opening it completely releases the subtripod, which can be used for low-angle, macro photography, or even as a mini tripod for use on a table.

When used in conjunction with the main tripod, the subtripod adds rigidity far superior to using a single centre column. This is currently the only travel tripod with this feature.

Rubber feet can be screwed open to reveal spiked feet for use on sand, ice, grass or snow. You also get 3x hex keys, a water-repellent soft case, and a quick-release plate.

The detachable ball head is like an extra accessory that can be used on either tripod—the main one or the sub one.

There’s a handy bubble level and even a counterweight hook which allows you to add some extra stability by hanging your bag under the tripod.

By no means a budget tripod, the HEIPI is a high-quality product and is priced accordingly. It’s great value for a carbon fiber tripod with this many features.

Remember that you’re essentially getting two tripods for the price of one (the mini tripod is useful and unique, fitting snugly into the main one).

It’s currently only available on the HEIPI site, but it’s still a good deal cheaper than the equivalent carbon fiber Peak Design Travel Tripod.

Final Score: 65/70

Innovative one-of-a-kind concealed subtripod design provides stability when extended and retracted and offers two-for-one functionality. Excellent maximum payload means you can attach heavier cameras and telephoto lenses with no issues. Compact, space-saving design is perfect for backpacking.

3. 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey | Best Tripod for Backpacking

Material: Magnesium alloy | Maximum height: 147.5cm / 58″ | Minimum height: 18.5cm7.2″  Folded length: 35cm / 13.67″ | Weight: 1.5kg / 3.4 lb | Feet: Pads (spikes optional extra) | Number of leg sections: 5 (+ 2 section column) | Max load: 14kg / 30lb | Further Testing: 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey Review

• Multiple attachment points
• Stylish design
• Strong legs
• 14kg maximum load capacity
• Bubble level
• Colours not for every taste

Designed specifically for travel and lightweight backpacking, the Punks Corey packs down to an impressive 35cm / 13.67″, with the legs folding back 180 degrees over the center column, helping to create a slim overall packed diameter for your camera bag .

• Max Height: 8/10

At (147.5cm / 58″) extended height, the 3 Legged Thing is tall enough for comfortable usage while still having good rigidity.

Legs can be positioned at multiple locking angles or splayed close to the ground for low-angle or close-up travel photography .

At 1.5kg / 3.4 lb, the Punks Corey is a lightweight travel tripod for photographers who prefer to travel carry-on only. Its size/weight make it ideal as a backpacking tripod.

Aircraft-grade magnesium alloy construction is unique for travel tripods, offering excellent durability and one of the best strength:weight ratios. Excellent ball head design.

With 5 leg sections and a unique 2 section center column, the 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey maintains great rigidity. A unique detachable d-ring under the column allows you to hang extra weight for increased stability. Impressive maximum load capacity of 14 kg / 30 lb.

Unique design and useful details make for a fun and functional tripod for backpacking.

Twist locks offer fast leg deployment. Double center column increases rigidity and allows efficient fine-tuning of overall height. Fast-adjusting AirHed Neo ball head with grippy knobs.

Precision-engineered leg lock system offers excellent stability and rigidity. 2 spirit levels (head/leg) for precise leveling. Ergonomic ‘bubble’ grip leg locks for all-weather use. Detachable monopod .

Invertible column for macro camera setups. 1/4″ screw foot with multiple accessory options. Tri-mount plate with hollowed spurs for clipping on accessories. Durable drawstring bag. ‘Toolz’ multi-tool, including hex key, coin key, key ring, carabiner, and bottle opener! Available in multiple attractive colours.

• Value: 9/10

Good value to suit most budgets. 5-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects.

Final Score: 63/70

Detachable monopod leg, the ability to splay the legs completely for low-angle work, unique detailing, friction control knob design, excellent strength:weight ratio and overall efficiency in use. Highly recommended lightweight travel tripod for backpacking.

4. Leofoto LS224C | Best Lightweight Travel Tripod for DSLR or Mirrorless Cameras

Material: Carbon Fiber |  Maximum height: 127cm / 50″ | Minimum height: 119cm / 47″ | Folded length: 47.5cm / 18.7″ | Weight: 1.42 kg (3.14 lbs) | Feet: Pads & Spikes | Number of leg sections: 4 | Max load: 6kg / 13.2 lb

• Lightweight & compact
• Sturdier than competitors
• Great ball head
• Unique removable centre-column
• Spiked feet included
• Lighter max load

At a folded length of only 47.5cm / 18.7″, the Leofoto tripod folds down nice and compact with everything fitting snugly into its included carry bag.

Since the centre column is removable and optional, there’s no negative space between all 3 legs, meaning that the folded tripod occupies much less volume when folded up.

The Lefoto tripod’s height is around 127cm / 50″, which is average among the tripods we tested. As with all travel tripods that focus on weight-saving and compactness, it’s not advisable to use the centre column for optimal stability unless the ground is completely even/stable and there’s zero wind.

• Weight: 10/10

The Leofoto LS224C is the lightest travel tripod I tested and much lighter than most others at its price point. Available only in carbon fiber, it weighs in at an impressive 1.42 kg (3.14 lbs) with the ball head installed, making it perfect for all-day backpacking or tight airline carry-on luggage allowances while traveling.

If you need an ultralight tripod for backpacking or solo travel, this is the model to get – it’s the best lightweight tripod for traveling I’ve come across.

• Build: 9/10

You may not have heard of Leofoto, but it’s a brand of Laitu Photographic, a manufacturer that has been making tripods and accessories since 2014. The LS224C is very well built and feels great when extending the legs. The leg hinge joints are nice and stiff, inspiring confidence when setting the Leofoto up.

Everything feels very stable on the Leofoto when the legs are fully deployed, and the centre column is unattached.

Obviously, this will reduce the tripod’s overall height, but it’s a small sacrifice for the greatly improved stability.

Source: The Center Column

As can be seen in the screenshot above, David from the Center Column rated the LeoFoto’s stiffness alongside much more expensive travel tripods.

• Features: 9/10

The LS224C is one of the few travel tripods we’ve seen that haven’t been designed around a centre column.

This is a great space-saver when packing light since the tripod can have its legs folded closer together, reducing the overall volume it occupies.

The twist locks on the leg joints don’t need to be twisted more than 1/4 of a turn before the legs release, making the tripod deployment fast and simple.

Leg locks can be pulled out to unlock the legs for them to be splayed to 55, then 85 degrees for close-up photography.

The rubber feet can be replaced with the included steel spikes for use on grass or soft ground – a nice feature not commonly seen on travel tripods at this price point.

Overall, this lightweight camera tripod ticks a lot of boxes making it a great buy no matter what genre of photography you’re involved in.

• Value: 10/10

With this kind of performance and features from such a light tripod for travel, it’s surprising to hear that the LS284C is available for under $200.

For such a compact tripod that weighs less and performs better than others twice its price, it’s incredible value for money.

Great build quality, impressively lightweight and stiffer than its competition. If you can get past the relatively unknown brand name, it’s an absolute bargain.

5. ZOMEI Z699C | Best Budget Travel Tripod for Beginners

Material: Carbon fiber |  Maximum height: 152cm / 60″ | Minimum height: 35cm / 3.7″ | Folded length: 35cm / 15″ | Weight: 1.3kg / 3.3lb | Feet: Pads and spikes | Number of leg sections:  5 | Max load: 15kg / 33lb | Further testing: Zomei Z699C Review 

• Great value for money
• Great for beginners
• Folds up nice and small
• Super light weight
• Converts to monopod
• Low quality protective bag
• Not ideal for cold weather/gloved operation

Folded up, the Zomei Z699C is compact enough to suit any small camera backpack . Folded height (35cm / 15″) makes it the smallest travel tripod I tested. Having a small tripod is great for traveling carry-on only, which is my preferred way to fly.

At full extension (152cm / 60″), the Zomei tripod is tall enough for comfortable usage while still retaining good rigidity.

Legs can be locked at multiple angles, or splayed close to the ground for low-angle or close-up travel photography.

• Weight: 9/10

At just 1.3kg / 3.3 lb, the plastic tripod head helps keep weight down. Carbon fiber construction offers the best weight savings.

Carbon fiber tripods are stiffer, lighter, more weather/corrosion/scratch-resistant, and in general, stronger than aluminium. They also look and feel nicer.

• Build: 7/10

Legs slide smoothly, and locks on each leg can be deployed all at once with one hand.

Grips could be larger/grippier for cold-weather / gloved operation. Leg grips are a nice addition and provides padding when in transit.

The plastic ball head is basic but includes bubble level. The protective bag feels low-quality but does its job.

Good rigidity and center column hook for additional stability.

Surprisingly sturdy considering its lightness – max load of 15kg / 33lb can support any camera/lens combination.

• Features: 7/10

The Zomei features everything most traveling photographers need.

Reverse folding design. Monopod conversion. Multiple leg angles, including inverted macro. Contoured rubber feet for flat and metal ‘spikes’ for outdoor/uneven surfaces.

Twist locks are great for fast deployment.

The Zomei Z699C is a great-value compact carbon fiber tripod . You won’t find carbon fiber at this build quality for less. It’s the best cheap travel tripod when you still need high quality and the best budget tripod for travel I’ve come across so far this year.

Final Score: 61/70

If you’re looking for great bang your buck this is the best affordable travel tripod. Details aren’t as impressive as higher priced rivals, but operation is decent and size/weight/strength are competitive. Easy and enjoyable to use for beginners.

6. Manfrotto Befree Live | Best Travel Tripod for Video

Material: Aluminum / Carbon Fiber |  Maximum height: 150cm / 59.06″ | Minimum height: 40cm / 15.75″ | Folded length: 40cm / 15.75″ | Weight: (Alu) 1.76kg / 3.9lb (CF) 1.36kg / 3lb | Feet: Pads | Number of leg sections:  5 | Max load: 3.9kg / 8.8lb

• M-Lock twist-lock system quick and convenient
• Fluid head tripod for smooth video panning
• Included carry bag
• Levelling ball joint for accurate alignment
• Hook for attaching accessories
• Fluid arm position can be adjusted
• No convertible feet
• No friction adjustment for panning

When folded down, the BeFree Live is a relatively compact tripod, especially considering it has that all-important fluid head and lever for smooth video panning movements.

However, the legs and head do not rest snuggly against the central core, making the entire volume of the unit larger than the other travel tripods we tested,

You could remove the tripod head completely to allow the legs to sit closer together if you want to pack it even tighter.

At 150cm / 59.06″, the maximum height is comparable to other travel tripods at this price point.

With its compact folded length of only 40cm / 15.75″, the height should be good enough for most travel photography.

The head itself weighs only 380g (0.84 lbs) which is really light for a fluid head and can hold up to 3.9kg / 8.8lb. As for the total weight of (Alu) 1.76kg / 3.9lb (CF) 1.36kg / 3lb, these are respectable for travel tripods for video.

There’s no need to opt for the carbon fiber model unless owning the most lightweight tripod is a top priority to you.

• Build: 8/10

Being a Manfrotto tripod, the BeFree Live is well-made and feels good in the hand when deploying the twist-lock leg sections.

The inverse foldable leg design is easy to operate, and everything sits nicely in the included carry bag.

• Sturdiness: 8/10

We tested the Manfrotto BeFree Live with a Sony a7IV and 24-70mm f/2.8 lens in average winds, and it performed well.

Unless you’re using a camera/lens setup that exceeds the max load, you shouldn’t have any issues with how sturdy it is.

• Features: 8/10

The arm of the fluid head can be fully adjusted, so it’s in the right position when you’re positioning the tripod.

When using the tilt control, there’s a tightening knob to open it up fully for a nice and smooth tilting movement.

The fluid head fits onto other travel tripods, so if you need to swap it for whatever reason, it’s simple to do so. There’s also a bubble level for precise setups.

It also features a feature called ‘Easy Link’ (standard 3/8” attachment) for optional accessories and a hook to attach a weight for stabilization.

At around $270, the BeFree Video is excellent value for money if you’re looking for travel tripods with fluid heads for shooting video.

Sure, you may be able to find cheaper, but it won’t be from such a reputable brand as Manfrotto. It’s the best video tripod at this price, and highly recommended.

Final Score: 57/70

The BeFree line of travel tripods is enormously popular, and this is the version intended for video shooters. Manfrotto is synonymous with making high-quality tripods, and the BeFree Live is no exception, available for a great price for backpackers who need a decent travel tripod for video.

7. Joby GripTight One GorillaPod | Best Phone Tripod for Hiking

Material: Plastic/Aluminum | Dimension: 1.34 x 1.57 x 6.50 in  Weight: 71 g (0.16 lbs) |  Max load: 325 g (0.72 lbs)

• Flexible legs
• Fits all smartphones
• Durable build
• Works as hand grip for vlogging
• Only 1-year warranty

As a mini (aka tabletop) tripod kit, the Gorillapod GripTight One is a lot smaller than other travel tripods and takes up little room in your travel bag – it’s so small, in fact, that it can fit easily into your pocket.

This makes it my top pick as best hiking tripod, when you don’t want to burden your backpack with a full sized light weight tripod.

• Height: 5/10

A small camera tripod such as a Gorillapod doesn’t have a fully extended height since it’s intended to be used with the legs partially splayed or bent to wrap around thin objects. It’s also an ‘attached’ ball head tripod, meaning that you can’t change the ball head for another.

Either way, you’ll usually be either crouching down or trying to find something higher to secure it to or balance it on.

It’s the best compact tripod if you’re really limited in space in your backpack or just need something to carry in a jacket pocket.

Weighing in at a tiny 71 g (0.16 lbs), this flexible tripod can be taken on every travel adventure without a second thought. It’s the best hiking tripod, so long as you don’t mind the lack of extension.

Made from ABS Plastic, Stainless Steel and TPE, the Gorillapod is the best tripod for travel when camera bag space is at a minimum. Obviously, it’s not as robustly built as some of the heavy-duty tripods , but it doesn’t need to be.

• Sturdiness: 7/10

The GripTight is designed for any smartphone, with or without a case (56mm – 91mm), such as all the modern iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices. Leg joints are stable and strong, but you’ll need to find thin tubular objects to wrap them around or flat surfaces for optimum stability (since all leg lengths are identical).

The base of the mount features a 1/4″-20 standard tripod mount meaning that you can attach it to other travel tripods if you need some extra height.

Other than that, the key feature is the ability to wrap the legs around thin objects or use them all together as a handy grip while filming.

If you’re after the most portable camera tripod, nothing beats a Gorillapod, which can fit in a jacket pocket.

If you’re looking for the best tripod for hiking that is able to stand up taller like a traditional tripod, you’ll need look elsewhere on this list.

At less than $25, the GripTight One is amazing value for money, and the 1-year warranty is adequate for regular travel. This makes it the best mini tripod for anyone on a tight budget.

Final Score: 59/70

Gorillapods allow you to secure your camera to objects for a variety of shooting angles and added convenience when traveling alone. Rubberized ball joints provide grippy finger placement for one-handed selfies and vlogging.

FAQs about Travel Tripods

Do I need a tripod for travel photography?

Yes, a tripod will help you take better photos in low light when traveling by stabilizing your camera and reducing movement. This will allow you to use a slower shutter speed to capture more light without having to rely on a higher ISO which can introduce noise into your images.

A tripod can also be useful when taking timed shots or self-portraits, allowing you to include yourself in your travel photos.

That said, you can use any nearby object as a camera stand – rocks, walls, even the ground – as long as you don’t need adjustable elevation or optimal stability, you can use pretty much anything as a make-shift tripod.

How heavy should a travel tripod be?

It’s important to have a lightweight tripod for travel, so the usual trade-off between having a stiffer/more stable tripod that is heavier isn’t so relevant. As long as the tripod is strong enough to hold your camera and lens without swaying, try and find the lightest tripod you can – this will make your traveling experience more enjoyable.

How do travel tripods differ from regular tripods?

They are typically lighter, have more compact dimensions when folded, and are designed for easy transportation. Regular tripods might offer more stability and height but are usually heavier and bulkier.

Can travel tripods support DSLR cameras?

Yes, many are sturdy enough to support DSLR cameras and lenses, but it’s important to check the tripod’s weight capacity to ensure it meets your gear’s needs.

How do you stabilize a tripod?

You should set up the tripod on stable ground and only extend the number of leg sections that are absolutely required – try and avoid the centre column at all costs. If your tripod has a hook, hang something relatively heavy from it, such as your camera bag – just don’t exceed the maximum weight capacity.

Also, you obviously already know how many legs a tripod has , but do you know why they have 3 legs? It’s for optimum stability.

Are travel tripods stable in windy conditions?

While they are designed for portability and may not be as stable as heavier studio models, many come with features like hook weights for added stability in windy conditions.

Can travel tripods be taken on airplanes?

Yes, they are designed to fit into luggage or attach to backpacks, making them suitable for air travel. However, always check with your airline for specific carry-on restrictions.

How do I maintain my travel tripod?

Regular maintenance includes cleaning the legs and joints, checking for loose parts, and, if necessary, lubricating the moving parts according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Always ensure it’s dry before folding it away to prevent rust or corrosion.

You'll Also Like These:

Mark Condon is a British wedding photographer and editor of Shotkit. When he’s not taking photos or reviewing the latest camera gear and software, Mark can be found cycling around the northern rivers.

👋 WELCOME TO SHOTKIT!

ABOUT YOUR EXPERT

Mark Condon has been a professional photographer for 10+ years and has used and reviewed hundreds of tripods for backpacking around Australia and overseas travel. He prefers to fly without checked luggage (carry-on only), so a lightweight tripod is essential.

MY TOP PICKS

• Peak Design Tripod
• HEIPI 3-in-1
• 3LT Punks Corey
• Leofoto LS224C

🔥 Popular NOW:

Unlock the EXACT blueprint to capture breathtaking iPhone photos!

Shotkit may earn a commission on affiliate links. Learn more.

Our office will be closed at noon on 4/8. Deadline for expedited shipping will be 11 AM EDT.

• Company Overview
• In the News
• RETURNS & WARRANTY
• SHIPPING POLICY
•  POD FINDER 
• +1 513-871-0400

Your Cart is Empty

• $0.00 USD Subtotal

Taxes and shipping calculated at checkout

Ground shipments dispatch in 1-3 business days. Expedited orders placed after 2 p.m. (ET) ship the next business day.

• COLLECTIONS
• WEATHERPOD GIFT GUIDE
• MULTI-PERSON PODS
• GAME DAY PODS
• PERSONAL PROTECTIVE PODS
• CONNECTUP™ PODS
• WINDBUSTER™ PODS
• BUG-SCREEN PODS
• WEARABLE PODS
• NEW ARRIVALS & OFFERS
• CAMPING & TRAVEL
• HEALTHCARE & SAFETY
• KIDS, PETS, STORAGE
• PHOTOGRAPHY
• ROOFS, SEATING & ACCESSORIES
• GIFT CARDS & MERCHANDISE
• CUSTOMIZE YOUR POD

Top-Rated HiDow Electrotherapy Devices on Sale

Deluxe Seating Collection

Quick and easy “tips & tricks” for getting the most out of your UTW WeatherPod™

• FOLDING VIDEOS
• GETTING STARTED
• COMFORT GUARANTEED
• PRODUCT REVIEWS

Getting Started

Questions? We have Answers

Folding Tips

• IN THE NEWS
• WeatherPod® Blog

About Our Pods

Giving with a Purpose

Pop Up Pods for Sports

These pop-up Pods are MVP (Most Valuable Protection) among sports fans of all kinds. Opens in seconds to provide complete shelter from the weather so you never miss a single play.

• Hunter Green

Recently Viewed

The best travel tripod for 2024: finest lightweight tripods for your camera

The best travel tripods are super-portable camera supports

• Best overall
• Best for budget
• Best Premium
• Best Design
• Best Versatility
• Best Lightweight

How to choose the best travel tripod for you

How we test travel tripods.

1. The list in brief 2. Best overall 3. Best budget 4. Best premium 5. Best design 6. Best for versatility 7. Best lightweight 8. How to choose 9. How we test

Compact size and lightweight build are the name of the best travel tripod game, persuading you to pack one for outdoor adventures rather than leave it at home or in the studio, unlike the best tripods which can be very heavy and unwieldy. 

In 2024, there's the question of whether you need a tripod in the first place. After all, today's best cameras give plenty of reasons to leave the tripod at home , such as excellent high ISO performance and in-body image stablization. But believe us, there's still plenty of reason to fork out for a decent tripod . 

All of the models in this guide stand firm for long exposure photography, sharp photos and hands-free video while being small enough to be stowed in your camera bag . Most options included here are available in aluminium and pricier carbon fiber versions. Because travel tripods are quite small already, the minimal weight saved by using carbon fiber might not be worth the extra outlay of their aluminium counterparts. 

We've tested more than our share of tripods over the years, utilizing them while we're testing cameras and lenses – so we know if one offers incredibly stable shooting and decent value for money. Within this guide, we have gathered the best travel tripod you can buy right now and included further buying advice at the end of the guide.

Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor, with over 15 years in the photo video industry and most of those in the world of tech journalism, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with all things camera related. He’s also worked in video production with clients including Canon, and volunteers his spare time to consult a non-profit, diverse stories team based in Nairobi.

The quick list

Short on time? Use our quick round-up below to find the best travel tripod for you. Use the links to jump to our full write-ups for more in-depth coverage.

The best travel tripod overall

The 3-Legged Thing Punks Brian 2.0 boasts a full height of 73.2 inches / 1.86m and a stylish design. A truly impressive specification for the price.

Read more below

The best travel tripod for a budget

If you're looking for your first ever tripod, Manfrotto's budget friendly offering ticks all the boxes when it comes to delivering the basics at a good price.

The best premium travel tripod

Smooth operation and build quality that will last a lifetime make this the best option for those who are happy to pay for the best. 

The best travel tripod design

As one of the most compact travel tripods around, the Peak Design makes for a great travel companion, albeit at quite a high cost. 

The best travel tripod for versatility

With an articulating center column, this heavy travel tripod is able to capture unique angles while providing great stability.

The best lightweight travel tripod

A basic offering from Manfrotto that is incredibly lightweight and therefore perfect for taking on your travels.

• ^ Back to the top

The best Travel Tripods in 2024

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Below, you'll find full write-ups for each of the best travel tripods in our list and a link to a full review. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

1. 3 Legged Thing Punks Brian 2.0

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

When it comes to price and quality, the 3-Legged Thing Punks Brian 2.0 is hard to beat. For the price, you get an incredible level of versatility with the Brian 2.0, which can transform into a standard tripod, a tall monopod, or even a tabletop tripod when combined with the separately sold Vanz footwear.

The carbon fiber frame is lightweight at 3.70lbs / 1.68kg and provides a maximum height of 73.2 inches / 1.86m. This might be too tall for some, but it's always good to have the option – you don't need to use all the leg sections. Folding away to 16.5-inches / 42cm makes it easy to attach to a bag or throw in a suitcase.

As is custom in the Punks Brian 2.0 range, the tripod is available in either orange, blue, or black, depending on how much you want to stand out.

• Read our 3 Legged Thing Punks Brian 2.0 review

2. Manfrotto Element MII

The Manfrotto Element MII is a fantastic budget option that does all the basics really well. At only $155 / £109 / AU$259 you're guaranteed to get everything that Manfrotto is known for, including great build quality and a well engineered head. 

The Element MII has replaced the Element Big, a change that sees a reduction in leg sections from five to four. These changes make it easier to set up and pack down. Unfortunately, it's only available in aluminum, which makes for a heavy package considering it's such a compact design.

By offering a fairly basic specification, Manfrotto is delivering simple tripod technology at a great price. Through the Element range of tripods, Manfrotto is trying to appeal to beginners and those on a budget. 

• Read our Manfrotto Element MII Aluminium review

3. Gitzo Traveler Series 1

Professional users looking for one of the best travel tripods should look no further than the Gitzo tripod Traveler series 1. All the boxes are ticked with a lightweight and excellent build, with an impressive extended height.

Oftentimes, with travel tripods, the parts don't function as smoothly as their larger counterparts. This is not the case for the Gitzo Traveler Series 1. Moving from folded to extended is a breeze, and the head is as strong and reliable as you'll ever need it to be. The ball head features separate pan locking, and its 32mm ball diameter is just about large enough to support a full-frame DSLR.

All of this premium quality comes at a price. The Traveler Series 1 costs $680 / £539 / AU$1,154 . 95. If you're in the market for a travel tripod that will last a lifetime and you're prepared to pay for it, then the Traveler Series 1 is a great choice.

• Read our Gitzo tripod Traveler series 1 review

4. Peak Design Travel Tripod

The Peak Design oozes a unique design that results in it being one of the most compact and lightweight options on the market. Thanks to the shape, the legs fold neatly into each other, which provides a super slim overall diameter.

The head is integral to the tripod, which takes a little bit of getting used to, and it lacks functionality. However, ultra-low-level and tabletop shooting is possible thanks to the centre column design, so although it isn't in the 'best for versatility' category, it would easily be competing for the top overall spot.

With great design comes a high price, especially if you opt for the lighter carbon fiber frame rather than the aluminium alternative. The 5 sectioned legs are strong, delivering all the stability you could need as you're out and about.

• Read our Peak Design Travel Tripod review

5. Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB

The Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB is heavier and bigger than most of its competitors, something that will put a lot of people off, especially if they're doing a lot of travelling by foot. But with this weight and size comes a high level of stability that is ideal if you're shooting long exposures or time lapses.

One of the main things we love about this travel tripod is the articulating arm , which makes it possible to shoot at ground level. This is great for capturing unique and creative camera angles that would otherwise be impossible without defaulting to handheld.

Thanks to the ability to unscrew one of the legs, this travel tripod is also a very capable monopod, making it a highly versatile offering.

• Read our Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB travel tripod review 

6. Manfrotto Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber

At 1.25kg, this carbon fiber travel tripod is as lightweight as it gets, perfect for taking with you on your travels. It can also fit into small spaces, with a foldable length of just 41cm. If you're after a tripod that blends into the background and doesn't bother you on long journeys, then Manfrotto Befree Advanced will be great.

The lack of weight and size usually results in poor stability, something that isn't the case with this tripod. The legs are rigid and robust, which is not always guaranteed on a travel tripod.

There is no getting around it; this is a basic tripod with limited features. With no monopog leg option and a limited maximum height, it might be worth going for the slightly heavier 3 Legged Thing Brian 2.0 Travel Tripod. But if all simply need a basic support, which is true for most photographers moist the time, then this is a great option.

• Read our Manfrotto Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod review

What to look for in a travel tripod

Choosing the best travel tripod isn't just about selecting the smallest and lightest model. Indeed, picking the lightest legs isn't always the best plan. Marginally heavier alternatives won't be a noticeable burden, but they can provide much more rigidity and versatility. 

Most of these tripods use a carbon fiber construction to save weight, but this ups the price. Some models also have aluminum counterparts. Each includes a compact ball head, but check carefully: a ball that's too small for a larger DSLR will become a precarious balancing act.

What makes a travel tripod

A neat trick shared by the vast majority of current tripods is that the legs swing fully upwards for stowage. The idea is that you first extend the centre column, then swing the legs up, so that the tripod’s feet end up encircling the head. This reduces the overall carrying length by up to 10cm or 4 inches. Indeed, many of the best travel tripods shrink down to about 30-40cm, making them small enough to fit inside a camera bag or rucksack, rather than needing to be tethered to the outside causing your bag to be unbalanced.

To give them a useful operating height, despite their small carrying size, most travel tripods feature four or even five telescopic sections per leg. Some go further still, with a two-section extending centre column. This naturally enables a greater maximum operating height, so you can be sure no matter how high your camera needs to be it will be able to get the shot you want.

The drawbacks are that each telescoping joint is an area of potential weakness, reducing rigidity, and the bottom leg sections are likely to be quite thin and spindly. A large number of twist or clip locks for all the sections also demands more time for setting up the tripod and folding it down again. 

Do I even need a tripod?

Today's very best mirrorless cameras and computational photography modes especially in smartphones and the OM System OM-1 that go a long way to eliminating the need for a tripod. We list 5 reasons why photographers no longer need a tripod that includes super-effective in-body image stablization for handheld shooting even with professional high-resolution cameras, in-camera HDR modes so you no longer need to do multi-shot exposure stacking, plus improved image quality at high ISOs. 

However, there are times and photography effects that still require a tripod. Tripods can be crucial for studio photography and for video work in general where you can lock off the camera in position for long periods and free up your hands. The same goes for long exposure photography, staging group photos, plus the times you need free hands to attach or remove accessories from your camera, like lens filters and mics. 

Significant advances in camera tech have put the once necessary photography accessory under threat, but there will still be a place for tripods for a long time yet. 

Tripods only have a fairly limited number of features. Despite that, we like to make sure we've tested every single part and compared them to others to see where each one stands apart from the rest.

We make sure to test our travel tripods over a period of time using a range of different cameras and lens combinations. Some tripods will be fine with specific cameras, but not others. By testing multiple types, we're able to see how ubiquitous each one is.

The process of folding and unfolding travel tripods is something that travellers have to do all the time. We therefore go through this process numerous times to see how each one feels and functions. 

Some tripods have features that are truly unique, such as the articulating center column on the Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB. Whatever the feature, we put it through its paces to see if it puts it above its competitors.

We do all of this while travelling around and thinking like photographers on the go. This helps us to make comments that are helpful for making informed buying decisions.

Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team.

Tim is the Cameras editor at TechRadar. He has enjoyed more than 15 years in the photo video industry with most of those in the world of tech journalism. During his time as Deputy Technical Editor with Amateur Photographer, as a freelancer and consequently editor at Tech Radar, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with cameras, educating others through news, reviews and features. He’s also worked in video production for Studio 44 with clients including Canon, and volunteers his spare time to consult a non-profit, diverse stories team based in Nairobi. Tim is curious, a keen creative, avid footballer and runner, and moderate flat white drinker who has lived in Kenya and believes we have much to enjoy and learn from each other. 

• Mark Wilson Senior news editor
• Paul Hatton Freelance writer

Manfrotto Element MII Aluminium review: superb value

Gomatic McKinnon Camera Pack 35L review: one for the road

Thousands of D-Link NAS devices have serious backdoor security issues

Most Popular

By Barclay Ballard February 28, 2024

By Barclay Ballard February 27, 2024

By Krishi Chowdhary February 26, 2024

By Barclay Ballard February 26, 2024

By Barclay Ballard February 24, 2024

By Barclay Ballard February 23, 2024

By Barclay Ballard February 22, 2024

By Barclay Ballard February 21, 2024

• 2 Programmers got PSP games running on the PlayStation Portal, then “responsibly reported” the exploit so it could be patched
• 3 IKEA's affordable new smart LED wall panel is an impressively versatile mood light
• 4 Our phones are under threat more than ever — but many of us still don't have mobile security protection
• 5 Sorry, but it may be time to give up your Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy S20
• 2 Siri is truly terrible, but I'm optimistic about its rumored iOS 18 reboot – here's why
• 3 Leaked iPhone 16 dummy units show design changes for all four phones
• 4 New iPad Air and iPad Pros look set to launch very soon – here’s why
• 5 Epic Mint Mobile deal: get an unlimited plan for $15/mo plus a second line free

8 Best Weather Pods For Sports for 2024 – Reviews and Buying Guides

Looking for the best weather pods for sports to keep you comfortable and protected during outdoor activities? Look no further. We’ve compiled a list of the top 8 best weather pods for sports that will withstand the toughest conditions while keeping you dry, warm, and ready to tackle any sport. With this comprehensive buying guide, you can find the perfect weather pod to match your needs and expectations, no matter what your outdoor activity might be.

Best Choices

Last update on 2024-03-07 / Affiliate links / #ad / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Table of Contents

Why Do You Need to Buy Weather Pods For Sports?

Are you tired of unpredictable weather ruining your sports games and outdoor activities?

Protect athletes from adverse weather conditions

Weather Pods For Sports can be instrumental in protecting athletes from adverse weather conditions. There are various types of weather pods available in the market that are designed to shield athletes from rain, snow, wind, and extreme temperatures. These pods are portable and can be installed quickly on the sports field, providing immediate protection to athletes.

Extreme weather conditions can take a toll on the physical well-being of athletes, leading to fatigue, dehydration, or even hypothermia. Weather pods can help prevent these adverse effects and ensure a safe and comfortable playing environment for athletes. They also reduce the risk of event cancellations or interruptions due to bad weather, allowing sports events to proceed as planned. In summary, Weather Pods For Sports are an essential investment for sports organizations that prioritize the safety and well-being of their athletes.

Maintain safety of sports equipment

Weather pods for sports can help maintain the safety of sports equipment by providing a sheltered area where the equipment can be stored during inclement weather. When sports equipment is exposed to rain, snow, or extreme temperatures, it can become damaged or even rendered unusable. This can not only be costly to replace, but it can also put players at risk if they are using equipment that has been damaged.

By having weather pods available, teams can quickly and easily move their equipment to a protected area when bad weather approaches. This helps to keep the equipment in good condition and ready to use when the weather clears up. Additionally, it can give players and coaches peace of mind knowing that their equipment is safe and protected, which allows them to focus on the game itself rather than worrying about potential damage.

Ensure continuity of sports events despite weather changes

Weather conditions play a vital role in outdoor sports events. Rain, snow, thunderstorms, and high winds can often force the cancellation or postponement of sports activities. This can be frustrating for athletes, coaches, and fans who have invested their time and resources into a game or event. Weather pods for sports can help ensure continuity of sports events regardless of weather changes. These pods are designed to be easily installed at sports venues to provide a covered, climate-controlled area for athletes to warm up, train, and wait out any weather delays. With weather pods, sports events can continue despite any adverse weather conditions, ensuring that games are not canceled or postponed unnecessarily. This can help reduce the frustration and disappointment of players, coaches, and fans and help ensure that athletes have the opportunity to perform at their best.

Best Weather Pods For Sports by Editors Choice

• Durable TPU Material: Made with durable and thick TPU material, this sports tent is highly waterproof, windproof, and rain-resistant, making it the perfect...
• Keep Warm and Comfortable: This sports tent not only repels rain, snow and cold save you from freezing fingers and toes in cold day, but also offers up to UPF...
• Open in Seconds and Portable: This sports tent can pop up in seconds with no assembly required! Sufficient for sudden rain showers or rapid drops in...
• Dual Windows Design: Rain? Wind? Freezing chill? No matter how harsh the conditions, the transparent TPU windows provide you with a crystal-clear view. Better...
• View Better in the Rain: Thanks to the unique eave design, no rain drop will fall on the windows to block or bother you enjoying the fantastic match! Plus, our...
• The Original Weather Pod: Bigger than our personal pop-up tents, this double-wide XL bubble is big enough to fully cover three adults in folding camp chairs or...
• The Outdoors are Better With Friends: Use it for tailgating, bring along grandparents or your own cheering squad, or have an enclosed spot for kids to grab a...
• Ready in Seconds: The super lightweight, one-piece design with memory wire makes it easy to pop open to beat a passing shower or swift drop in temperature and...
• UPF 50: This fully enclosed, free-standing shelter protects from more than just the rain, snow and cold, providing up to 50 UPF maximum protection to keep you...
• Folds Flat & Stores Easily: With a compact carrying backpack and zero assembly required, you can take your lightweight pod to any game, whatever the weather &...
• The Original Weather Pod: Slightly bigger than our 35x35 modular Pod, the Large 1-Person Pod’s patented bubble is big enough to fully cover one adult in a...
• Ready in Seconds: The super lightweight, one-piece design with memory wire makes it easy to pop open to beat a passing shower or swift drop in temperature; fold...
• 270-Degree View: Highly water, wind and weather resistant, 3 clear, full-size, double-zip plastic doors give you a full view from the sideline of any lacrosse,...
• As Seen on Shark Tank: Under The Weather began in 2010 when the founders invented the original pop-up WeatherPod; we’re dedicated to creating superior-quality...

• The Original Weather Pod: Bigger than our MyPod pop-up personal tent, the XL 1-Person Pod’s patent-pending bubble is big enough to fully cover one adult in a...
• 270-Degree View: Highly water, wind and weather resistant, 3 clear, full-size, double-zip PVC doors give you a full view from the sideline of any baseball,...

• Easy Folding and Carrying : The sports tent is made of sturdy fiberglass frame and solid fabric, this pop-up tent can be quickly popped up and folded in seconds...
• Size and Weight : The tent measures width (63") x length (63") x height (63"), weighing only 9.92 pounds. The bubble tent can provide you with a spacious and...
• Keep Warm and Dry: This outdoor bubble tent can withstand various harsh weather conditions. The sport tent keeps you dry and warm even in heavy rain, strong...
• 540-Degree Clear View : The clean bubble tent has 5 transparent sides with 540 degree transparent Windows, providing an excellent view. A removable top cover...

• KEEP YOU WARM & DRY - This sports pod will keep you dry and warm from rain and cold. No more frozen fingers and toes when you cheer on your team in cold...
• READY IN SECONDS - This cold weather tents pops up and folds down in seconds, no assembly required. Designed for utmost convenience, it can be set up instantly...
• BETTER SIGHT IN THE RAIN -The unique eaves design ensures that rainwater will not fall on the windows. When it rains, this sport pod tent can prevent raindrops...
• DURABLE & STABLE: This pop up pod tent is made with high-quality polyester taffeta 190 T water-resistant coating. Includes a flexible steel frame for premium...
• PORTABILITY & LIGHT - This sports tent pop up shelter weighs only 5 lbs. Inside Measurements: 47.2″ Length x 21.6″ Depth x 66.9″ Tall . Packaging size:...

• The Original Weather Pod: Our patented weatherproof design keeps you comfortable in any weather, up to 35 degrees warmer inside your individual bubble pod when...
• 270-Degree View: Highly water, wind and weather resistant, the clear, full-size, double-zip plastic doors on 3 sides provide visibility from the sidelines of...
• UPF 50: This fully enclosed shelter protects from more than just the rain, snow and cold, providing up to 50 UPF maximum protection to keep you covered from the...

• 【✔️𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓✔️】 MioTsukus sports tent is made of durable PVC material with...
• 【✔️𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 & 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄✔️】 Enjoy the exciting game moments with spacious interior of 40"(L) x 46"(W) x...
• 【✔️𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐑𝐀 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍✔️】 This sport pod tent made from ultra-transparent PVC, offers a clear...
• 【✔️𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 & 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓✔️】 MioTsukus provides a instant assembly pod...
• 【✔️𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐀 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍✔️】 This sports pod tent equipped with a top rain cover for double-layer UV...

Related Reviews: The 9 Best Wrestling Headgear in 2024 – Reviews and Comparison

Buying Guides

When it comes to outdoor sports, weather can make or break the experience. That’s why it’s important to choose the best weather pod for your needs. Here are some factors to consider before making your final decision.

When it comes to buying weather pods for sports, size is an important factor to consider. The size of the weather pod will determine how many people can fit inside comfortably and the level of protection it offers against the elements. If you need a weather pod for a large team or group, then you will need to choose a size that can accommodate everyone. Similarly, if you need to use the pod in different locations, you need to choose a size that is more mobile and easy to transport.

Another important aspect to consider is the size of the weather pod relative to the sport or activity being played. For example, if you are looking for a weather pod for football or soccer, you will need a larger size than you would for golf or tennis. This is because team sports require more space for equipment and players, compared to individual sports. Overall, it is crucial to consider the appropriate size of the weather pod before making your purchase to ensure that it is fit for purpose and meets your needs.

When considering buying weather pods for sports, it is important to take into account the material that they are made of. The right material can make a significant difference in terms of durability, weather-resistance, and overall performance.

Materials such as PVC or vinyl can offer excellent protection from rain and wind, and are easy to clean and maintain. However, they may not be as durable as other materials and may crack or tear over time. On the other hand, materials such as aluminum or steel may be more durable and long-lasting but may be heavier and less portable. Therefore, it is important to consider the specific needs of your sports team or facility before making a decision on the material of your weather pods.

Durability is important when considering weather pods for sports because they are often used in outdoor environments where they are exposed to weather and other elements. High-quality weather pods made from durable materials can withstand harsh conditions such as strong winds, heavy rain, and extreme temperatures. Durability ensures that the weather pods will last longer and provide adequate protection to athletes and equipment for an extended period of time.

Moreover, investing in a durable weather pod not only provides excellent protection to the athletes and equipment within it but also saves costs on further maintenance and repairs. Durability guarantees the structural integrity of the weather pod, making it more resistant to wear and tear. Without the need for routine repairs and maintenance, sports organizations and institutions can save valuable time and money. Ultimately, considering durability when buying weather pods for sports ensures that the equipment provides long-lasting and reliable protection to athletes and equipment.

Ventilation

Before investing in weather pods for sports, it’s important to consider ventilation. Proper ventilation is crucial for maintaining healthy air quality and preventing mold and mildew growth inside the pod. Without adequate ventilation, moisture can build up inside the pod, leading to unpleasant smells, dampness, and even potentially hazardous conditions for athletes or spectators.

In addition to health concerns, poor ventilation can also affect the playing conditions inside the pod. A lack of ventilation can lead to uncomfortable heat and humidity, which could impact an athlete’s performance. By carefully considering the ventilation options available and selecting a weather pod with adequate ventilation, you can ensure that your athletes, coaches, and fans can enjoy a comfortable, safe, and healthy environment during sporting events.

Ease of assembly

When purchasing weather pods for sports, it’s critical to consider the ease of assembly. Sports teams often require a quick and simple solution to protect players from adverse weather conditions, and setting up a weather pod should not be a complex task. An easy-to-assemble pod will save time, reduce stress, and allow teams to focus on their game preparations, ensuring that players are ready to perform at their best.

Moreover, many sports teams use weather pods for away games or tournaments, and they may need to set up and disassemble the pod in a relatively short period. Having a weather pod that can be assembled and disassembled quickly without much effort would make it easier for teams to use the pod in multiple locations. Thus, the ease of assembly is a crucial factor to consider when buying weather pods for sports.

Cost is an important consideration when purchasing weather pods for sports because these structures can range in price from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. By considering cost, individuals can ensure that they select a weather pod that fits within their budget and will provide the necessary protection from the elements.

Additionally, considering cost can help individuals avoid overspending on features they don’t need or buying a lower quality weather pod that may not provide adequate protection or durability. It’s important to balance cost with other important factors like size, materials, and features to ensure the best value and protection for athletes and equipment.

You may also like: Top 10 Best Pickleballs – Reviews and Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a weather pod for sports.

A weather pod for sports is a small, temporary structure that provides shelter for athletes and spectators during outdoor sports events. It is designed to protect users from inclement weather like rain, wind, and extreme heat or cold.

The pod is typically made of lightweight, durable material like plastic, vinyl, or polyester, and can be constructed in various shapes and sizes. It usually includes features like zippered doors and windows, ventilation systems, and lighting. Weather pods for sports are commonly used for outdoor activities like soccer, football, baseball, and track and field events. They provide a safe and comfortable space for athletes to stay dry, warm, or cool, and enable events to continue even in challenging weather conditions.

How can weather pods for sports benefit athletes and spectators?

Weather pods for sports can benefit athletes and spectators in several ways. Firstly, these pods can provide shelter to athletes during extreme weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or heatwaves. This can help to prevent injuries and illnesses related to these weather conditions and ensure that the athletes can perform at their best.

Secondly, weather pods can also benefit the spectators by providing a comfortable place to watch the game or event. These pods come equipped with heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, ensuring that the spectators are comfortable no matter what the weather is like outside. This can improve the overall spectator experience and lead to increased attendance at sporting events.

Are weather pods for sports suitable for all types of weather conditions?

Weather pods for sports are generally suitable for all types of weather conditions as they provide a sheltered space for players and spectators. However, the level of protection provided may vary depending on the design and materials used. For example, some weather pods may be better equipped to handle high winds or heavy rainfall than others. It is also important to note that extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes or blizzards may still require additional safety measures beyond what a weather pod can provide. Overall, weather pods can be a practical solution for sports events in various weather conditions, but their effectiveness will depend on their specific features and the severity of the weather.

How much does it cost to rent or purchase a weather pod for sports?

I don’t have access to the latest prices of weather pods for sports. However, the cost of renting or purchasing a weather pod for sports may depend on various factors such as the size of the pod, features, brand, and location. It is best to contact a company that offers weather pods for sports and inquire about the cost.

Read Also: 8 Best Lacrosse Shafts for 2024 – Reviews and Buying Guides

Final Verdict

When participating in outdoor sports, unpredictable weather can often be a major obstacle. However, with the help of the right weather pod, this issue can be easily tackled. In this article, we have reviewed the top 8 best weather pods for sports, with each option featuring different benefits and features. Whether you are looking for a pod that is lightweight and portable or one that is designed for a larger group, there is an option for everyone. So if you are looking to make your next outdoor sports experience more comfortable, consider investing in one of these best weather pods for sports today.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

We’re in Myanmar right now and it’s SO epic… click here to follow along on Instagram.

• Meet the Team
• Work with Us
• Czech Republic
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Scandinavia
• Philippines
• South Korea
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Budget Travel
• Work & Travel
• The Broke Backpacker Manifesto
• Travel Resources
• How to Travel on $10/day

Home » Gear » best travel tripods

The 10 BEST Travel Tripods (Up Your PhotographGame in 2024)

So you just bought your new pride and joy: a travel camera worthy of capturing your epic adventures. But now you’re out shooting and the moment comes when you can’t seem to get a good image. Perhaps there isn’t enough light or maybe it’s too windy; regardless, all of your pictures just look blurry, dark and just don’t seem to capture the epic scene laid out before you.

Other times, you may see some photographers’ work and think: “Wow! How did they get the milky way in their pictures” or wonder “how did they make those waterfalls look so smooth and dreamy?” Well, my friends, the secret is out: A good travel tripod is the reason. 

Admit it, you’ve seen photographers carrying around a tripod or pitching up at a viewpoint and wondered what on earth they need them for. Well, now you know and now you’re taking your travel photography seriously you’re ready to join the pros. When it comes to taking high-quality images, a lightweight travel tripod can be just as important as the camera itself. A great travel tripod might just be the thing that takes your photos to the next level.

Now you’ve decided to take the leap, get ready for a sea of confusing terms, endless options and various different price ranges. When it comes to the best travel tripods, it’s easier said than done to pick the right one for your trip and photography style. Which is why we’ve put together this guide so you can find the perfect travel tripod that fits your style.

Let’s jump into it!

Quick Answers: Best Travel Tripods of 2024

The best travel tripods of 2024, #1 vanguard alta pro, best overall travel tripod, #2 mefoto roadtrip, best travel tripod runner-up, #3 manfrotto befree, best travel tripod for backpacking, #4 zomei z818, best budget travel tripod, #5 gitzo traveler series 1, professional travel tripod, #6 mefoto globetrotter, best professional tripod runner-up, #7 joby gorillapod 5k, best tripod for under $100, #8 benro aero 4 travel angel, best travel tripod for video, #9 3 legged thing punks corey, best budget travel tripod for dslrs, #10 manfrotto 290 carbon fiber monopod, best travel monopod, what to consider when buying the best travel tripod, how we tested the best travel tripods, faq about the best travel tripods, final thoughts.

• Overall Best Tripod –  Vanguard Alta Pro
• Best Budget Travel Tripod –  Zomei Z818
• Best Professional Travel Tripod –  Gitzo Traveler Series 1
• Best Tripod for Under $100  –  Joby Gorillapod 5k
• Best Tripod for Video –  Benro Aero 4 Travel Angel
• Jump to ->   The List of 10 Best Tripods of 2024

Vanguard Alta Pro

• > 15.4 lbs capacity

Gitzo Traveler Series 1

• > 22 lbs capacity

Joby Gorillapod 5K

• > 11 lbs capacity

Benro Aero 4 Travel Angel

• > 8.8 lbs capacity

REI is one of America’s biggest and most-loved outdoor gear retailers.

Now, for just $30, get a lifetime membership that entitles you to 10% OFF on most items, access to their trade-in scheme and discount rentals .

• Load Capacity:15.4 lb
• Maximum Height: 68.1?
• Minimum Height: 56? but this is a misleading number
• Folded Length: 28.1?
• Weight: 5.4 lbs
• Leg Sections: 3 – Flip Locks

Though the Vanguard Alta Pro is almost 6 years old by now, it’s still one of the best tripods on the market today! Since the release of an updated version – the less than stellar Alta Pro 2 – the price of the Alta Pro has dropped even further as well, making this already budget-friendly travel tripod even more affordable.

The Vanguard Alta Pro uses an innovative system – referred to as MACC (Multi-Angle Central Column) – where the center column can be rotated on its axis up to 180 degrees, allowing for a horizontal and upside down compositions.

With such flexibility, you can position your camera in ways that would normally be awkward, like near to the ground and poking out to the side. The system is fairly intuitive and setting-up should take no longer than any other tripod.

• Innovative design that is still useful today
• Excellent price these days
• Well equipped to handle most cameras
• 15.4 lb load capacity may be a liberal number
• Will need maintenance
• Fidgety quick release plate

The legs of the Alta Pro are constructed of 3 sections and can be laid out nearly flat. Combined with the MACC, this ensures that you’ll be able to achieve some pretty crazy and unique angles. The legs use flips locks, which are convenient but will require periodic tightening as they are used.

The Vanguard Alta Pro is a little heavy because it’s made from aluminum. It’s rated to a hold up to 15.4 lbs but many users have commented that this number may be skewed as wobble can still be a problem with oversized DSLRs. Avoid using this tripod at its full extension.

The Vanguard Alta comes equipped with an SBH-100 ball head that is fairly sturdy. The quick release plate is not as smooth as other tripods – like the Manfrotto – but this is a minor gripe. Below the ball head, there is a bubble leveler as well.

Is the Vanguard Alta Pro For You?

Do you want one of the most innovative and praised tripods in recent memory? Want to take advantage of its recent price cuts? Then there is no better time to invest in the Vanguard Alta Pro! This tripod is very capable and has become well-loved over the years; in many people’s minds, it still one of the best tripods for backpacking.

The team are massive fans of this tripod and just love its versatility when it comes to positioning, in particular, the ability to adjust the centre column is priceless when you need to get down low. They also felt it was pretty light and its weight was a good compromise between being light and also being stable in windy conditions.

• Load Capacity: 17.6 lbs
• Maximum Height: 61.6”
• Minimum Height: 15.4”
• Folded Length: 15.4”
• Weight: 3.6 lbs
• Leg Sections: 5 – Screw Lock

For those who want a slightly lighter tripod than the Vanguard Alta Pro, the MeFOTO Roadtrip is an excellent alternative. This lightweight travel tripod is very adept and can still handle most photographic situations. It may not be as nifty as the Vanguard but the MeFOTO Roadtrip still has the cuts to get the job done.

Like most tripods, the MeFOTO Roadtrip’s legs can be set to three different positions: wide, standard, and free, the third of which is usually used for folding the legs up for packing.

I find that the second option is usually the most useful as it creates a base that most photographers will find optimal. The first is mostly used for getting the tripod low – though not so low as the Vanguard Alta Pro – to the ground. Changing the position of the legs is simply a matter of pushing and retracting a button.

• Quite light and packable.
• Can still hold larger DSLRs
• Can be converted into a monopod
• Can still suffer from wobble at times
• Legs are not as durable as others

Of note is the MeFOTO’s ability to be converted into a monopod, which is an increasingly popular feature in modern tripods.

By removing one of the legs, detaching the central column, and then connecting the two together (BOOM!) you have a monopod. This arrangement is great when you want to run and gun and don’t want to worry about carrying around a cumbersome three legged monster.

At 3.6 lbs, the MeFOTO is quite light. It’s rated to hold over 17 lbs of equipment though many photographers do complain that the MeFOTO still suffers from wobble especially when fully extended.

This is most likely a consequence of the tripod’s light weight in addition to the fact that the legs are broken into five sections, which is not ideal.

Is the MeFOTO Roadtrip For You?

Do you want a lightweight tripod that can handle a heavier DSLR a bit better? Do you like the idea of using a monopod? Then the MeFOTO Roadtrip may be the travel tripod for you! This sturdy tripod will give you that extra rigidity for your camera that, even though it’s not quite professional yet, should handle most situations.

The team loved how quick and easy this tripod was to deploy and adjust with the screw-able leg locks rather than clips, these are also a lot more durable too. The weight of this tripod though was the real selling point for the team and it made them feel like they were much more likely to want to take it with them on their trips.

• Load Capacity: 8.8 lb
• Maximum Height: 56.7?
• Minimum Height: 13.4?
• Folded Length: 15.75?
• Weight: 3 lbs
• Leg Sections: 4 – Flip Lock

If you’re looking for a conventional tripod that is very light and doesn’t sacrifice too much durability, then I suggest the Manfrotto BeFree. This reliable and lightweight tripod is great for wilderness backpacking in addition to demanding professional shoots. It has the usual bells and whistles that a good travel tripod should have and all at a great price.

The Manfrotto BeFree is very straightforward travel tripod that is not overly complex to use.

The legs can be arranged into the usual positions (wide, normal, and free) though the Manfrotto uses a slightly novel latching system to achieve this; it’s unique though in no way inhibitive.

The legs are composed of 4 sections and are locked via flip mechanisms. Like the Alta Pro, you’ll have to periodically tighten these locks. The feet of the tripod are made of rubber, which is good for gripping most surfaces. In my personal experiences, I find the feet like to fall off quite often, which easily fixed via replaced parts though still a little irritating.

• One of the lightest (aluminum) tripods available
• Very quick and easy to use
• Probably not suitable for larger DSLRs
• Can be unstable when fully extended – lack of a hook doesn’t help
• Feet like to fall off

The BeFree is remarkably light given that’s made of aluminum – ultralight photographers can upgrade to a carbon fiber version , which cuts about a half pound as well. The BeFree is rated to hold nearly 9 lbs, which makes it most ideal for mirrorless shooters.

Full frame DSLR shooters who use this travel tripod notice some wobbling in the frame especially and complain further that the lack of a hook on the central column, which is used to weight the tripod, leaves much to be desired.

For videographers, the Manfrotto BeFree can also be converted into a great travel video tripod via special video head sold separately. This accessory, the Manfrotto 502 Video Head , is very effective and does a great job panning.

Is the Manfrotto BeFree For You?

Do you want a lightweight travel tripod without sacrificing too much stability? Are you still looking for something affordable? Then check out the Manfrotto BeFree Travel Tripod! This tripod is easy-to-use, very packable, and won’t break your back or the bank at all. It has been my go-to for many years and I have no problem saying that it’s one of the best backpacking tripods out there!

Personally, this has been my go-to tripod of choice for the past few years and I’ve been super happy with its versatility, durability and weight. It easily fits inside my big backpack and honestly still keeps the weight down to a reasonable level for backpacking or short trips. I use this with my Sony A7III and 24-105 f4 lens and I have always found it super stable even in windy conditions.

• Load Capacity: ?
• Maximum Height: 65?
• Minimum Height: 22?
• Folded Length: 18?
• Weight: 3.7 lbs
• Leg Sections: 4 – Twist Locks

At around $100, the Zomei Z818 is a screaming deal. With a solid build quality, useful features, and the ability to convert into a monopod, this baby can compete with every comparable tripod out there.

I’m going to cut to chase here and say that the Zomei Z818 is very similar to the MeFOTO Roadtrip – shockingly so actually.

Many of the features found in the MeFOTO are also found in the Zomei like the screws locks, the hook in the center column, and the ability to be converted into a monopod. Even the locking mechanism for the Zomei’s legs is eerily similar in mechanics to the MeFOTO.

The Zomei Z818 is a slightly larger travel tripod than the MeFOTO Roadtrip. The Zomei’s maximum height is about 4 inches greater than the MeFOTO and the minimum height is about 7 inches difference. The Zomei is consequently heavier than the MeFOTO but only just barely.

The team felt this was their best backpacking tripod for a DSLR on a budget. They loved that for the price it was all made from high-quality aluminium rather than cheap plastic which made it feel much more durable. The fact that it can be turned into a monopod too really impressed them for such a well priced tripod.

• Cheaper than the competition
• Very similar to the MeFOTO Roadtrip
• No official load capacity?
• Suffers from some wobble with heavier loads
• Can’t be commended for being very original (I guess)

Oddly enough, I couldn’t find any official numbers for the Zomei’s load capacity anywhere on the web. Since it is so similar to the Roadtrip though, I imagine that the load capacity for the Zomei would be around 17 lbs.

I would also guess that it suffers from the same wobble as the MeFOTO does when using a heavier camera but this part I’ve yet to actually test.

Long story short, the Zomei Z818 is a great travel tripod, one that is comparable to the already impressive MeFOTO Roadtrip. The fact that it is $50 cheaper than the MeFOTO is the most alurring factor though. Those in the market for the best budget travel tripod will have to consider the Zomei Z818.

Is the Zomei Z818 For You?

Do you want a great tripod for an amazing price? Did you like what you saw with MeFOTO Roadtrip? Then give the Zomei Z818 a chance! Considering its functionality and low price, this guy takes the award for best budget travel tripod currently on the market.

• Load Capacity: 22 lb
• Maximum Height: 60.2?
• Minimum Height: 8.6?
• Folded Length: 16.7?
• Weight: 2.3 lbs
• Leg Sections: 4 – G Lock System

If money isn’t an issue for you, then the Gitzo Traveler Series 1 is the best tripod, period. It’s one of the lightest, sturdiest, most intuitive, and most attractive photographic accessories that you can own.

There is no special, groundbreaking technology involved with the Gitzo Traveler Series 1 – it will not blow you away with new or futuristic features. No, the Gitzo does so well because of the quality of its parts and manufacturing. Like the best Italian food that you ever had, it’s all about the ingredients.

The Gitzo Traveler Series 1 is made from high-grade carbon fiber materials, the quality of which the company insists is cut above the competition. Unlike many other tripods in this guide, the Gitzo Traveler is actually quite good-looking, fashionable even, thanks to the stylish finish on the carbon fiber.

• The best that money can buy
• Very light and very sturdy
• Just all around easy-to-use
• Very, very expensive

The legs are made from 4 sections and are locked in place by the company’s own patented “G Lock System.” This system is very efficient and quite inconspicuous, which only adds to the tripod’s already gorgeous appearance.

The Gitzo weighs a paltry 2.3 lbs and is rated to hold 22 lbs. It’s minimum height of 8.6” is one of the lowest on this list not including the GorillaPod.

I’d go further into the Gitzo’s construction but it’d be futile. I can only say that this is simply one the best tripods that one can buy. You will pay (a lot) for it but, in time, you’ll probably forget about the price. Note that the standard version of this Gitzo doesn’t include a ballhead – if you’re willing to spend the extra cash, you can buy a full set here .

Is the Gitzo Traveler Series 1 For You?

Do you want the absolute best possible travel tripod? Is money no issue? Then go buy the Gitzo Traveler Series 1. With near-perfect engineering and materials, this tripod is, in many photographer’s eyes, not just great for travelling, but everything.

I mean, the team were of course, very impressed by this tripod. But did they feel it was worth almost 500 quid, well, some of them did! The members of the crew who were photography aficionados felt that if your budget stretches this far, then you won’t be disappointed. The carbon fibre construction, twist lock extendable legs, and versatile positioning just make it feel like a real premium product and on top of that, it’s light AF and super compact… what’s not to like. Oohh, yeah, the price!

Do You Want to Travel FOREVER??

Pop your email in below to get a FREE copy of ‘How to Travel the World on $10 a Day!’.

• Load Capacity: 26.4 lb
• Maximum Height: 64.2?
• Minimum Height: 16.1?
• Folded Length: 16.5?
• Weight: 3.7 lb
• Leg Sections: 5 – Twist Locks

The MeFOTO Globetrotter is the larger, more capable version of the MeFOTO Roadtrip and is meant for professional photographers with heavier equipment. Made of carbon fiber and rated to hold a staggering 26.4 lbs, the MeFOTO Globetrotter can handle just about anything you or mother nature can throw at it.

When considering the MeFOTO Roadtrip vs the Globetrotter, the two function in many similar ways. Both have twist locks on the legs, three different orientations, and use the same button-like mechanism to set the legs.

Due to its carbon fiber construction, the MeFOTO Globetrotter suffers less from the wobble that the Roadtrip reportedly does while still remaining light. The MeFOTO Globetrotter retains the ability to turn into a monopod and, thanks to sturdier build, may even be used as trekking pole if you’re so inclined.

• Light for how sturdy it is
• Very cheap compared to the competition
• Can handle heavier loads and more adverse conditions
• Still $300+
• Little heavy for a carbon fiber tripod

The MeFOTO Globetrotter still uses the twist lock system as the Roadtrip. Again, whether or not you like twist locks or not – as opposed to flip – is a matter of preference. Granted, the Globetrotter’s weather sealing seems to be very effective and its joints do not appear to loosen as quickly as the Roadtrip. This travel tripod is built to last.

The most impressive part about the Globetrotter is the price though – at nearly half the cost of several of its competitors, the Globetrotter performs near equally as well.

At 3.7 lbs too it’s still reasonably light but this is where it falls short compared to the competition. Many carbon fiber tripods will come in at less than 3 lbs, which is why you buy the premium material in the first place and, thus, kinda defeats the purpose.

Is the MeFOTO Globetrotter For You?

Do you want a professional-grade tripod for a good price? Mind if it’s a little heavier than other carbon fiber ones? Then head come on down and get yourself a MeFOTO Globetrotter! This upgraded version of the Roadtrip will stand up to whatever you throw at it and won’t cost too much.

The team were pretty happy with this tripod for the price, it had that feel of a premium product without the extortionate costs in all honesty. The price vs weight vs stability made this tripod feel like it has really hit the sweet spot. The team also felt the red accents the tripod is available in was also a nice touch that made it stand out against the rest.

• Load Capacity: 11 lb
• Maximum Height: 15.2?
• Minimum Height: N/A
• Folded Length: N/A
• Weight: 17 oz
• Leg Sections: N/A

The Gorillapod 5K is Joby’s newest addition to its lineup and maybe its best yet! The 5K is a streamlined version of their previous Focus edition and expands upon its predecessor’s prowess.

With a very sturdy build, unbeatable lightness, the ability to get into otherwise hard-to-reach places, and great price, the Joby GorillaPod 5k is not only the best tripod for under $100 but also the best ultralight tripod.

Gorillapods have been around for a while. I’m sure that you’ve seen them wrapped around a railing or clinging to some tree at least once in your travels. Over the years, they’ve had a bit of a mixed reputation – though novel in their design, they just couldn’t hold up under harsh conditions or heavier loads; neither could they excel in composition because of their short stature.

• Remarkably sturdy
• Eminently light
• Very flexible
• Maximum sturdiness requires just the right leg setup, which can be tedious
• Limited to low angle shots
• Expensive if you’re buying the Joby ballhead too

The Gorillapod Focus and its current iteration, the Gorillapod 5K, have changed that. Built with high end plastics, rubber, machined aluminum, and stainless steel, the Gorillapod 5K is not the cute little tripod that you saw before. This thing can hold a serious amount of weight for its size – 11 lbs – and can support many high-end travel cameras.

The legs of the Gorillapod 5K are their usual flexible selves – being able to wrap many objects for stabilization – though these feel very rigid, perhaps too rigid much for some. You may find it a little tedious to adjust the legs, a process that was already frustrating enough in past models. Tediousness aside, this rigidity is a good thing though as that’s how the Gorillapod is able to hold more weight.

I’ve used the Gorillapod 5K several times while backpacking and feel very happy with it. I was still able to get good shots with my Fujifilm XT2 and certainly didn’t mind the lack of weightiness.

Is the Joby Gorillapod 5k For You?

Do you want the lightest possible tripod that can still handle your heavy equipment? Are you okay with using a tripod that’s only a little over a foot tall? Well then maybe it’s time to give Gorillapods a chance. The Gorillapod 5K is one of the best models ever produced by Joby and is devoid of many of the inherent flaws that has plagued its precursors.

Despite being Scottish slang for poop, the Joby was a roaring success across the team. The tiny, light and compact design meant it was suitable across the board for those using their phone to others using mirrorless cameras. What is also a massive selling point is of course how it can grip on pretty much anything, which the team felt in practice actually worked well, especially on lighter cameras.

• Maximum Height: 65.2?
• Minimum Height: 21.9?
• Folded Length: 21.7?
• Weight: 5.8 lbs
• Leg Sections: 3 – Flip Lock

Dedicated travel vloggers will need a specialized tripod to create the highest quality videos. One of the most useful tripods specifically for video right now is the Benro Aero 4. With a well designed video head and a sturdy set of legs underneath it, the Benro Aero 4 is more than capable of helping to create gorgeous videos.

The body of the Benro Aero 4 is designed very similarly to many other tripods in this guide. The legs and central column are made of tough aluminum.

The tripod is quite steady and doesn’t have much jitter too so long as your camera is no more than 9lbs. At almost 6 lbs, the Benro Aero 4 is a bit on the heavy side though not as heavy as some other professional grade cinematography tripods.

• Well-performing tripod head
• Still has the functions of a normal tripod
• Easy to set up and pack away
• Videographers are probably limited to shooting Micro Four Thirds and APS-C
• Some users report that the screws of the quick release plate are a little wonky
• Quite heavy

The legs are made from 3 sections and can be locked into fixed positions via a flipping mechanism. The legs can be arranged into the usual angular distances. Note that the widest angle that the Benro Aero 4’s legs can be set-up to is not as wide as other tripods though, thus the relatively high minimum height.

Like many other tripods these days, the Benro can be converted into a monopod as well. Simply remove one of the legs and attach it to the central shaft; easy as that!

The most important part of a good travel video tripod is the head though. The Aero 4’s flat video head is excellently designed and very efficient. Using the built-in handle, which is essential to capturing good video, the head pans very smoothly. There are several other knobs to control resistance further. There’s a quick release plate as well so you can mount your camera and start shooting in a single quick motion.

Is the Benro Aero 4 Travel Angel For You?

Are you a videographer who needs a specialized tripod? Do you use a smaller camera for video? If these sound right to you, then check out the Benro Aero 4! This is one of the best travel video tripods right now thanks to its compact design and superb flat video head.

The team felt this camera was a little niche but for those wanting to produce good-quality videos on their trip, this is the perfect solution. Often video tripods can be pretty heavy and sure, this one is compared to others on our list, but at the same time, compared to other video tripods, it’s not! The larger than normal ball head also neatly tucks away which the team were pretty impressed by.

• Load Capacity: 30 lbs
• Maximum Height: 58?
• Minimum Height: 4?
• Folded Length:13.7?
• Weight: 3.4 lb

The 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey is a brawler of a tripod that swings way above its weight class. At 3.4 lbs this travel tripod is rated to hold up to 30 lbs, which is a huge number. With a robust design and atypical central column that can be converted into a monopod, the 3 Legged Punks Corey is a real contender.

The Punks Corey is made from rubber, aluminum, and titanium materials. The legs are composed of 5 sections and are locked via a twisting mechanism. The rubber grip for the twists feel good in your hands and looks pretty cool too with a gator-skin like pattern. The legs can be locked into three positions: 23 degrees, 55 degrees, and 80 degrees.

• Very strong
• Unique central column design
• Some may really like cosmetics of this tripod
• Tripod must still be set up properly to hold 30 lbs
• Removing central column can take some time
• Some may really not like cosmetics of this tripod

At its greatest extension, the Punks Corey is 58” high. Note that a tripod will always be more subject to shake as maximum extension is reached.

The Punks Corey’s central column can be removed, which can then be converted into a monopod – in conjunction with one of the legs – or to allow the tripod itself to get as low to the ground as possible. Without the central column, the ball head is rescrewed directly onto the tripod and the minimum height becomes 4”.

To be able to hold such a great weight, the ball head must be strong. The Punks Corey is AirHed Neo ballhead is just that.

Is the 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey For You?

Do you want a beast of a tripod that can handle heavy loads? Want something that is functional as well as convertible? Then look no further than the 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey! It’s better equipped to handle heavy DSLRs and is still able to perform all the usual duties that befit a great travel tripod.

The team felt this was a winner for their best budget travel tripod award (DSLR category of course!). The rubberised twist lock system was particularly appreciated especially when it came to shooting in inclement weather. The ability also to switch the central column to shoot underneath the tripod without any real fuss was also a huge selling point.

• Maximum Height: 59.4?
• Minimum Height: 19.3?
• Weight:1.1 lb

To be honest, this one kinda feels like cheating because this isn’t a tripod at all; it’s purely a monopod – a tool that only uses one leg instead of three. Don’t think that it’s inferior though; in the right hands, the Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber Monopod can compete with any tripod. Trekkers can pack it away easily or even use it as a trekking pole, making it one of the best tools for wilderness photographers.

A few tripods already mentioned in this guide have had the ability to convert into monopods – let’s look at now why monopods are just as convenient as their three-legged compatriots.

With three legs, tripods offer near complete stabilization across two planes – a monopod only covers one. For many photographers, that single plane of stabilization is all that is required for getting good pictures. For those who are more active shooters, like hikers, sports photographers, and wedding photographer, a monopod is perfect.

• The lightest tripod/monopod in this guide
• Very, very sturdy
• Very packable
• Not as much stabilization as a conventional tripod
• May or may not save your hide
• Long exposures will be very difficult

The Manfrotto 290 is an exceptional monopod. Built from high-end carbon fiber, it would take a lot to break this thing. Its 4 sections are locked by flipping latches that are equally as reliable.

So strong is the Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber Tripod that some photographers may even use it as a trekking pole – there’s even a loop for your wrist.

Note that while the frame is secure, there’s always a chance that it may break should you take a nasty fall. It is, at the end of the day, meant to steady your camera and not save your life. Whether or not you choose to use it as a walking stick or hide it in your bag, the Manfrotto 290 Monopod will integrate seamlessly into your backpacking and camera kit.

Is the Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber Monopod For You?

Do you hate the idea of lugging around a tripod? Think you have the steady hand to manage with just one leg? Then give the Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber Monopod a shot. It’s a very well-made piece of equipment that monopod enthusiasts will approve of and it’s a great deal.

The team acknowledged how a monopod is maybe a little more niche and of course, has different uses, but they felt this was an awesome option for those wanting to go super light. They did however feel that it was light, stable and quick to adjust on the fly.

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

Why Invest in a Travel Tripod?

To me it’s a no-brainer: why buy an expensive travel camera if you can’t get the most out of it? With a tripod, you can do just this – unlock the full potential of your camera and get the best pictures possible.

With a tripod, you can shoot photos in conditions that would be near impossible if you were simply holding the camera in your hand. Selfies, light trails, long exposures; all of these and more are possible while using a tripod.

A good tripod will create maximum stability for your camera. Granted, some photographers get away with using features like image stabilization and lens stabilization – but these will only get you so far. At a minimum, you should at least have a small, lightweight travel tripod that will allow some sort of rigidity in certain circumstances.

With maximum stabilization comes maximum image quality. Where some novices may struggle in the wind, the dark or when trying to get that artistic composition, you will succeed. With the best possible travel tripod, you will take some of the best photos of your life.

As you dive further into the photographic world, you may even discover whole new ways of taking photos thanks to your travel tripod. Advanced techniques like HDR, focus stacking, and nightscapes will all be available to you thanks to your new travel tripod.

With this guide, you’ll receive lots of tips on what to look for in a great tripod and what constitutes a good investment. This guide has a ton of options, but I’ve made it easy to navigate so you’ll easily be able to identify a tripod that best fits your style.

So, first thing is first… what is your style?

What are you looking for in a travel tripod?

Are you looking for something small and easy? Maybe you are in need of something a little taller and sturdy?

Let’s dive deeper…

There are many factors to take into consideration when looking for the right tripod.

But the good news? It doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

A good tripod will be sturdy, reliable, flexible, and not weigh too much or be too big at the same time.

Sounds easy, right?

Ha, not always.

Most tripods will only be able to do a few of these things well; to have the perfect tripod would mean spending a lot of money, which many of us broke backpackers don’t have.

You obviously can’t have everything when choosing a tripod so you’ll have to be picky. Maybe you need something light or maybe you need something rock solid. Perhaps you’ll want a tripod that can bend in unheard of ways or perhaps you just want something simple.

Take into consideration the following points when looking for a tripod. Pick and choose which features are most important for you and then go for it!

Size and Weight

These are perhaps the most important aspects to consider when choosing a tripod for traveling as both have far-reaching repercussions. How you pack your tripod and how much of a burden it is are dependent on its size and weight.

Generally speaking, a larger tripod will be more able to handle heavier loads and adverse conditions. With size comes weight though and carrying around those extras pounds will fatigue you after a while.

If you want to cut weight, a smaller tripod will have the benefit of being lighter in addition to being less expensive. With a smaller tripod comes other compromises though: you will not have as much freedom when it comes to composing your shot and stability can sometimes be an issue.

You can have your cake and eat it too but it’ll cost quite a bit of cash. There are several professional-grade travel tripods that are physically large enough to be effective yet still weigh very little at the same time. These will be much more expensive though as they are almost always made of premium materials.

I personally think about these issues all the time and it’s a constant battle between preparedness and minimal weight. I have actually invested in two tripods – a Manfrotto BeFree and Gorillapod 4K – and alternate between the two depending on the shoot.

Material and Durability

As previously mentioned, material will play an important part in weight and price as well as overall durability. To put it simply: more expensive materials will be lighter, stronger, and more expensive while cheaper ones will be heavier, weaker, and less expensive. So unfortunately a cheap travel tripod might just weigh you down significantly!

Aluminum is the most common alloy used in the construction of tripods. It is a cheap, ubiquitous material that handles the elements well. Even though it’s technically weaker than carbon fiber, it’s still very durable. Most of the best budget travel tripods will be made of aluminum.

Carbon fiber is a stronger composite that is lighter and stronger than aluminum. It is a very reliable material that is used to manufacture all sorts of products that require the utmost durability like cars, safety vests, and even spaceships. Because it is hard to produce though, carbon fiber is markedly more expensive than aluminum.

Unless you are very adamant about cutting weight and are willing to pay the price, aluminum is a perfectly fine material . When used properly – as is the case with all of the tripods on this list – it’s very reliable. I’ve personally taken aluminum tripods into some very hairy situations and they’ve never failed me.

Load Capacity

Certain travel tripods can hold certain amounts of weight depending on their size, build, and overall quality. Lighter tripods may be less able to hold heavier weights but, then again, heavier tripods will be a burden on your back.

It is important to have a travel tripod that can properly hold your camera as it will ensure maximum image quality. A tripod that is struggling under the weight of a heavy camera will start to shake and sharpness will be affected. The tripod may even fall over, in which case you have a serious problem – fallen tripods can mean broken cameras.

Most travel tripods can handle a standard DSLR. Only in extreme situations do you need to worry about load capacity i.e. if you’re using a really bulky DSLR with a hefty lens or if you know you’ll be shooting in very windy conditions. In these cases, it would be wise to a travel tripod that is rated to carry more.

But especially if you’re looking for the best budget tripod for a DSLR, the weight of your equipment has to be a consideration.

Ergonomics and Ease of Use

Tripod technology really has come a long way. I remember using my parent’s old video camera tripod and thinking how rudimentary it was – the range of the leg’s motion was barely 45 degrees, the ball head was fitted with quark, and the metal construction felt like a bleacher seat.

How shocked was I when I bought a modern travel tripod and found out that it could do things like fold up and even be turned upside for extremely low perspective shots!

A good modern tripod will be malleable and have the ability to be set up in numerous configurations. Thanks to a system of adjustable legs and flexible hinges, travel tripod can do just this.

A tripod must be easy to use as well. All of those tricky motions and creative setups will mean nothing if it takes too long to get ready. Thankfully, most travel tripods do not suffer from such shortcomings. Only in special circumstances can a tripod be forgiven for being unwieldy.

Another important point: a tripod needs to be able to packed down to fit in your bag. If it’s too large or too cumbersome, you’re going to have problems traveling with. Thankfully most camera bags have special loop that can accommodate most tripods. Check out our guide on the best camera bags for good examples!

Tripod Head

Finding the best tripod head is just as important as finding a great travel tripod. A tripod head will enable even more customizable compositions and contribute to aspects such as weight, ergonomics, and load capacity.

A good tripod head will have a full 360-degree range of motion. Most modern-day ball heads allow for this. Ball heads will be free floating until locked into place by several clamps. Clamps come in the form of nobs or larger winged screws. Some photographers will prefer one of the other but I find this distinction to be negligible.

Other signs of a good travel tripod head will be features like a quick release plate, panoramic markings, and bubble leveler. Quick release places allow for optimal mounting of a camera and I always prefer having one. Panoramic marking will help guide you and maintain even composition while making panoramas. Finally, a bubble leveler will help make sure that an image is level to the ground.

Legs play an important part in tripod stability. Generally speaking, the more sections that a tripod leg has, the lesser the sturdiness. Try to find a tripod with as few leg sections as possible – around 3-4. Should you find that the legs are often shaking – for whatever reason – try investing in a stone bag , which will weigh down the tripod and limit shakiness.

The length of a tripod leg can be adjusted via a series of locking mechanisms. Most of these mechanisms come in two styles: screw and flip locks. Screws locks require a twisting motion to adjust while flip locks require, as the name implies, a flipping action.

In terms of usability, the difference between screw locks and flip locks is a matter of preference; some photographers find twisting to be a natural motion while others prefer flipping. Really, it’s up to you.

There a couple of disadvantages to take into consideration when choosing between locks. Flip locks will loosen over time and so will require periodic tightening. Twist locks will need to be used appropriately; if you twist the leg too loose, it may fall apart.

In the end, cash rules everything around us. How much are you willing to spend on a tripod? You get what you pay for, as they say, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get what you need and for a good price. Weigh all of the aspects highlighting in this section and then figure out what it’ll take to get the best possible travel tripod for you.

There is no perfect or exact science when it comes to testing out the best travel gear. But when it comes to finding a good travel tripod for your next trip, you’ve come to the right place. Here we’ve got a team of folks with various different experiences that have tested these 3 legged beasts out all over the world!

So each member of the team took each tripod out for a proper test drive over the course of a few weeks and on various trips across the entire bloody globe yo! They paid attention to things like how heavy each one was, durability, packability, size (both when fully extended and also when packed away).

We also looked at how it fulfilled its primary purpose, which is, of course, holding your camera! So that includes stability, manoeuvrability, ease of deployments and things like how many positions it can put your camera in … get your mind out of the gutter guys!

Finally, we also take into account how an item is priced – It’s alright wanting to find the best cheap travel tripod, but we’ve got to still way up whether it offers good value for money! The more expensive gear was scrutinised to a higher level given its price tag.

Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

What is the best packable travel tripod?

While you can simply strap all travel tripods to the side of your backpack, the MeFOTO Roadtrip is the lightest and easiest to pack.

What makes a good travel tripod?

That depends on your personal need. These are the key features you need to think about: 1. Size and weight 2. Material and durability 3. Load capacity, ergonomics and easy use 4. Cost

What is the overall best travel tripod?

We’re very impressed with the quality and value of the Vanguard Alta Pro . It’s one of the most affordable tripods and ticks off all of the important key features.

Which travel tripod should professionals buy?

A professional tripod needs to be a bit higher in quality and offer great value. That’s why the Gitzo Traveler Series 1 is the ideal tripod for pros.

Our GREATEST Travel Secrets…

Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE.

A tripod should be the first piece of equipment that you buy after purchasing a camera (then a camera backpack – check out the WANDRD PRVKE 31 ). They are perhaps the most useful tool in a photographer’s arsenal. As such, you must think wisely about what kind of tripod you buy for your travels.

Each travel tripod will appeal to a certain type of photographer. Mirrorless shooters who want something portable and inexpensive may want to invest in a Manfrotto BeFree. Perhaps you want something a little more suitable for a DSLR? In that case, maybe the MeFOTO Globetrotter is best. There really is a travel tripod for everyone out there.

Hopefully, we’ve covered all aspects so you can make an informed decision, whether that’s to pick one of the best cheap travel tripods or one of the more expensive numbers.

Figure out your needs and choose a travel tripod accordingly. With this guide, you’ll gain the necessary info to understanding what is best for you. Study it well and then waste no time in finding the best tripod for your travel needs! This is the beginning of your illustrious photographic adventures.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Share or save this post

If you have one of these cameras or have decided you’re you get one, there’s not really a need for a tripod. Pipe clamps for fitting and aligning stainless-steel pipe and fittings are just about every one of the same. Camera bags appear in lot of different size and shapes, so finding one ideal for you guessed it-your camera isn’t a struggle to accomplish, and receiving a good video tripod can be a breeze to perform, so anybody who desires to shoot professional videos just like the professionals do, they’re able to get a tripod that will assist them do it.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.

$10 OFF OVER $369

$50 OFF OVER $1099 | $80 OFF OVER $1399

• Russia (USD $)

• Best selling
• Alphabetically, A-Z
• Alphabetically, Z-A
• Price, low to high
• Price, high to low
• Date, old to new
• Date, new to old

Filters Filter & Sort

• Unknown (5)

SIRUI Super Lightweight Carbon Fiber Tripod Traveler X

SIRUI Pilot Series CT04+CT5/GT04+GT5 Video Tripods Kit

Lightweight & Portable Travel Tripod Traveler X-I

Lightweight & Steady Travel Tripod Traveler X-II

SIRUI Traveler 7C Carbon-fiber Travel Tripod

SIRUI Lightweight Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod Traveler 5C

SIRUI AM-404FL Professional Quick Setup Monopod

SIRUI AM-404FL+QC-38 Professional Quick Setup Monopod

SIRUI Traveler 7A Aluminium Travel Tripod

SIRUI Traveler 5A Aluminium Traveler Tripod

SIRUI AM-2 series carbon fiber Traveler tripod with ball head K-20X

SIRUI A1005 Aluminum Tripod with Y-10 Ball Head

SIRUI T04S Aluminum Tripod with VA-5X Compact Fluid Video Head (Only US)

SIRUI Carbon Fiber/ Aluminum Traveler Tripod with VA-5X Traveler VA VC

SIRUI ET-2204 Carbon Fiber Tripod with E-20 Ball Head

SIRUI ET-2004 Tripod Kit with E-20 Ball Head Aluminum

Your cart is empty

Subtotal: $0.00 USD

Customer Service

Expert help & advice

Returns & exchanges

All you need to know

Payment security

Process securely payment inform

Choose options

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

That Baseball Mom

Best Portable Chairs for Sporting Events

Baseball Moms , Baseball Must Haves

*This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases..

Let’s be honest, when we’re spending our entire weekends sitting outside at baseball games, it’s SO important to be comfortable. I never truly understood the needs for a great outdoor chair until my kids started playing travel sports. So today I wanted to round up my recommendations for the Best Portable Chairs for Sporting Events. This list of lawn chairs is sure to find one that will make your game day as comfortable as possible!

Here’s some of the types of chairs we’ll help you find:

• Best Folding Chairs for Sports
• Best Sports Chairs with Shade
• Best Lawn Chairs for Sports
• Best Outdoor Chairs for Sports

First and foremost, this chair comes highly recommended for comfort. If you’re spending the day outside, you may as well be able to swing around in style with this Hammock Lounger!

A must have for this redhead is SHADE! Therefore, I look for ways to get shade and comfort and the chair below checks all those boxes and is a very good price! This one is great because it both rocks, has a cupholder, and a sunshade to protect you. This is my new go to for games!

The chair below is similar to the one above, but without the sunshade. I do know some mommas, unlike myself, who like to be in the sun and get that great summer glow. If so, from what I’ve seen, this chair is a great option for any baseball mom that wants comfort and a little sun! BONUS: it has a cupholder!

If you want something a little less expensive, but still nice. The chair below is great because it’s your standard outdoor chair, except for the awesome can cooler attached that will keep your beverages cold during a long game day!

I personally love the selection of outdoor chairs on Amazon and they’re especially great because you can read all of the reviews before purchasing. I also recommend looking for outdoor chairs a Dicks Sporting Goods too because you can try them out right there in store!

Did I leave one off that you truly love? Drop me a link below and I’ll be sure to add it to my list!

You May Also Like…

• Baseball Bags for Moms
• Cold Weather Must Haves
• Baseball Mom Must Haves

Pin it for later…

Related Posts

25+ Fun Baseball Mom Shirts

The Best Portable Speakers for Walk Up Songs

To the Parents of Kids with Tough Coaches...

Reader interactions, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

[…] Best Portable Chairs for Baseball Games […]

Savvy Travel Advice

Guide to the Best Travel Tripods

Last updated: February 16, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 11 Comments

Travel tripods are an essential tool for many travelers who want to improve their photography. A travel tripod can make it easier to capture better travel photos and allows for more creativity and advanced photography options.

So we wanted to share our guide to the best travel tripods out there on the market today. As professional photographers, we travel nearly everywhere with a tripod for our photography, and we regard a travel tripod as a must-have item for any keen photographer—amateur or professional.

Travel tripods come in a variety of sizes, materials, and shapes to fit just about any travel budget and style. From super compact mini tripods that can fit into a purse or day bag to heavy-duty professional travel tripods. We’ll help you find the best tripod for your next trip!

Whether you are completely new to the idea of using a tripod or are a long-time tripod user looking for an upgrade, this is the post for you. We’re going to share everything you need to know about buying a travel tripod, including what to look for in a tripod for travel, and things to consider when making a purchasing decision.

We’ll also share our list of the best travel tripods on the market today, across a range of budgets, so you can make an informed decision. Whether you have a $30 or $300 budget, we’ll share our picks for the best travel tripod for you!

Table of Contents:

Guide to Choosing a Travel Tripod

Before sharing our list of the best travel tripods, we wanted to give you some advice on whether you need a tripod for travel, how a travel tripod differs from a regular tripod, and how you can decide if this type of tripod is right for you.

We then go over all the features you will want to look for in choosing a tripod for traveling so that you can evaluate any travel tripod on the market and choose the best one for you.

What is a Travel Tripod?

A travel tripod is a three-legged support for a camera that is generally designed to be lighter and smaller than a standard tripod. Travel tripods usually have a collapsable design that allows them to pack up more compactly than a full-size tripod.

Like all tripods, travel tripods normally consist of two main parts. A base of three legs and a top part, called the tripod head with camera mount, which is where you attach your camera. The main purpose of a tripod is to provide support and stability for your camera and to prevent camera movement or shaking. This allows you to do hands-free photography.

Tripods are most associated with cameras and still photography, but tripods are also commonly used with camcorders, wildlife spotting scopes, binoculars, and telescopes. For instance, at home, we use one of our tripods with our bird watching scope as well.

In addition to tripods, you will also find travel monopods on the market. Instead of three legs these have one leg and are usually much lighter and easier to pack than tripods. These are not as stable as tripods, but can be great for those who need to move around a lot such as for sports or wildlife photography.

Finally, if you don’t have room for a tripod or monopod, you might also consider a photography bean bag , which can be a great option especially for things like safari photography .

Do I need a Tripod for Travel?

You might be wondering whether or not you need a tripod for your travel photography. And this is a great question. After all, a tripod can be a weighty bit of equipment to add to your packing list. So you want to be sure that it’s a worthwhile addition.

A tripod is not for everyone or every trip, so you should consider do I need a travel tripod ? However, we do think a tripod is an essential part of your travel photography kit if you want to improve your photography.

First, a tripod opens up a range of photography styles and techniques that are either impossible or very difficult to achieve without a tripod. This includes long exposure photography and time lapse photography, as well as taking photos of stars , photos of fireworks , and photos of the Northern Lights .

However, it’s not just these more advanced types of photography that benefit from a tripod. If you are traveling on your own, a tripod is one of the best options for getting better pictures of yourself . A tripod also makes it way easier to take great couple photos without relying on strangers to take your photo.

A tripod, in our experience, also helps you compose better photos. This is because it slows you down and makes you consider the scene and composition more thoroughly. So it can help you improve you photography just by slowing you down and making you concentrate more on what you are shooting.

But there are lots of other instances you might find a travel tripod helpful. You can check out our guide to reasons why you need a tripod for travel photography for more ideas.

Travel Tripod versus Full Size Tripod

The biggest advantage of travel tripods over full sized tripods is that they are generally smaller and lighter. This make them easier to transport, pack, and use when traveling.

However, this reduction in size and weight in travel tripods means that they are generally not as durable or tough as regular tripods. They are typically more susceptible to breakage and damage, and are less stable.

Both types of tripods can work with any type of photography or video gear from smartphones to a professional DSLR camera setup. However, for heavier cameras and pro kits, you’ll want to look at the more high-end travel tripods as smaller and cheaper tripods are not going to be suited for heavier equipment.

If you are new to tripods, we think getting a good travel tripod is a great way to go, whether you plan to use it a lot for travel or not. If you do find yourself using it a lot and wishing you had something larger and more stable, you can always upgrade in the future.

We own several tripods ourselves. We generally use a regular full-sized tripod when at home or traveling by car, and use the travel tripods when traveling internationally or when hiking. For us, it depends a lot on whether we are traveling for work or leisure, where we are traveling, how we are traveling (e.g., plane or car), and luggage requirements.

Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of a travel tripod versus a regular tripod:

Advantages of a Travel Tripod vs. Regular Tripod

• Smaller and more compact
• More lightweight
• Often less expensive
• Takes up less space in luggage
• Easier to transport

Disadvantages of a Travel Tripod vs. Regular Tripod

• Not as durable
• Less stable and less able to hold heavy equipment
• Lower height can make it more uncomfortable and less useful for certain shots
• May offer fewer features

What to Look For When Buying a Travel Tripod

Before purchasing a travel tripod, you need to know what to look for. Travel tripods come in a range of sizes, materials, and prices. The best tripod for you will depend a lot on your camera and photography equipment, budget, and goals.

Whether you are looking for something “cheap and adequate” or “high end and tough”, we’ll help guide you through the various things you should pay attention to when deciding on which travel tripod to buy.

We’re going to go through all the features of a travel tripod that you should consider before making any purchase. That way, you can quickly evaluate any tripod, whether its on our list or not and make a good buying decision.

Travel Tripod Size / Height

Size is often one of the most important factors for people when it comes to picking a travel tripod. If you are looking for a travel tripod, rather than a regular full sized tripod, size is a probably a key consideration.

There are two measurements that you want to consider when looking at the size of a travel tripod.  First is the height of the tripod when it is extended for use. Second is the size of the tripod when it is fully folded and collapsed for storage.

Let’s look at the height first, which is achieved by extending the tripod. The majority of tripods on the market can extend in two ways. The first of these is the legs, which usually telescope out to give the tripod its height. The second way you can increase the height of the tripod is by use of a center column. This center column, which you attach the camera to, can extend above the top of the three legs, to give additional height.

Whilst the center column can be useful to give the tripod extra height, extending the center column too far can make the tripod less stable and steady. This is particularly the case with newer travel tripods which have 2 section colums that allows for telescoping extensions. As a result we’d recommend being cautious about fully extending your tripod’s center column, especially if you have heavy gear. We recommend looking at the height of the tripod with and without the center column extended when comparing tripods.

Ideally, you want a tripod that extends to a height that is comfortable for general use. If you will be using the tripod a lot, you don’t want to spend your time hunched over trying to look through your camera’s viewfinder.

There are a few considerations that will affect your decision regarding the extended height of the tripod. The most important will be your personal height. Taller people will generally want taller tripods as shorter tripods will be more awkward and require bending or hunching over.

If you have a camera with a flip out screen, this can help compensate for a shorter tripod, as you can flip out the screen to ninety degrees, and you can look at it from above without having to hunch over as much.

We would recommend that you will want a travel tripod that can extend to a height of at least 48 inches (122 cm). Preferably you can get this height without needing to fully extend the central column. Taller individuals will likely want something taller.

Those who do a lot of macro shooting, photography in confined spaces, or photography that includes getting close up to object will also want to pay attention to the minimum operating height for the tripod. Some tripods have legs that can angle at different degrees and can get down close to objects at ground level. Just note that the more you angle the legs, the more you will test the limits of your tripod.

If you are just going to be shooting on a tripod occasionally, or have a compact camera or smartphone, you might find a mini tripod or tabletop tripod works fine for you rather than a larger tripod. These tripods generally are only 5 to 12 inches (13 to 30 cm) in height and are much less expensive.

Now, the second size you want to pay close attention to is the size of the tripod when fully collapsed and folded up. For travel, you will want a tripod that folds away to a fairly compact size to make it easier to carry and store.

The ideal size for you will depend on your specific needs and how you plan to transport it. But we’d suggest for travel, a tripod that is 18 inches (45 cm) or less in size would be optimal. Anything larger may be difficult to pack and carry for many travelers.

If you want something super small, like something that can fit into a purse or small backpack, you’ll want to look at the mini tripods or tabletop tripods. Some of these can fold up to just several inches in length.

Overall, the size of the tripod will depend on your personal preference and what you are looking for from a tripod. You’ll also have to balance size against other factors like price, weight, and load capacity.

Travel Tripod Weight

When it comes to a travel tripod, weight is definitely something you want to consider. Of course, this will depend a little on your travel style. For example, if you primarily travel close to home or take road trips, the weight of your tripod may not matter as much.

However, if you plan to fly with your tripod, you will need to consider the weight of it against your luggage allowance. In addition, if your photography journey is likely to involve long walks or hiking, then you will definitely not want to be carrying anything too heavy with you.

We’d suggest that most people will want to look for a tripod that is 3 lbs (1.36 kg) or less in weight, as this will be easier to carry on a day to day basis. Most travel tripods on the market fall into a range of 2 lbs to 4 lbs. Heavier tripods are usually a bit more stable and sometimes offer more height, but this is a trade-off you will have to consider carefully when choosing.

The weight of a tripod is largely influenced by two main factors: the overall size of the tripod and the material the tripod is made from.

A larger tripod will inevitably weigh more than a smaller tripod. Other factors like how thick the legs are and the size of the head on the tripod will also contribute to the weight.

The material the tripod is made from also make a difference to the weight. For instance, a carbon fiber tripod is lighter in weight than the same model made from aluminum.

As an example, the travel tripod we use most is the Vanguard VEO 2 265CB , which is a carbon fiber travel tripod that weighs 2.98 lbs (1.35 kg). The aluminum version of the same tripod, the VEO 2 265AB weighs 3.4lbs (1.5 kg).

Note that a heavier tripod is not always a bad thing, as it may be more stable and sturdy, although less ideal for travel.

Material of Tripod

Most travel tripods are either made from some sort of metal, like aluminum, or from a composite material like carbon fiber. The two most common materials used to make tripods are aluminum and carbon fiber.

As noted above, the material of the tripod is important in terms of the weight of the tripods. The material can also affect the strength, durability, and load capacity of the tripod.

Carbon fiber is currently considered the ideal material for tripods as it is both lighter in weight and stronger than aluminum. Carbon fiber can also stand up to weather and scratches better than aluminum. So its a win-win when it comes to both weight and durability.

However, the downside is that carbon fiber is more expensive than aluminum. A carbon fiber tripod can somtimes be up to double the price of the same tripod made of aluminum.

If you have a healthy budget, then we’d recommend looking for a carbon fiber tripod. But if you have a smaller budget, you can still get a good tripod made of aluminum at a much lower price. Just note it will weigh a little more and may not last as long as a carbon fiber tripod.

Tripod Load Capacity / Stability

Tripods are all tested and given a load capacity by the manufacturer, which is the maximum weight of equipment that the tripod is able to hold.

Load capacity is definitely important to consider, as you want to be sure when buying a tripod that it will be able to handle your gear. The load capacity will also give you a good indicator of the stability of the tripod.

In our experience, these provided load capacities can be a bit optimistic, especially for travel tripods. There is also no universal testing standard for tripod load capacity calculations so you need to take them with a grain of salt. A DSLR camera with a long heavy lens will always test a travel tripod, especially in windy conditions.

There’s no ideal load capacity and it will depend on the weight of your gear. So to determine what kind of load capacity minimum you need in a tripod, you will want to calculate how heavy your camera equipment is including batteries and accessories. Then, you want to find a travel tripod with a load capacity well above that of your photography gear.

So, for instance, if your heaviest photography gear set up weighs 5 lbs (2.3 kg), I’d probably look for a travel tripod designed to hold at least 10 lbs. (4.5 kg). This will ensure a bit more stability and also flexibility if you get a heavier lens or camera body in the future.

It’s also worth noting that the rated load capacity is based on the tripod being extended normally. Some tripods offer the facility to angle the legs at greater angles. At these angles, the load capacity will be reduced. For example, the Leo 2.0 tripod has a load capacity of 66 lbs at the standard 23 degree angle but that drops to 22 lbs at a 80 degree angle.

Finally, in our experience at least, extending the center column can affect the stability of the tripod. For this reason, we advise against fully extending the center column, especially with heavier gear.

Type of Leg Locking Mechanism

Most tripods have collapsible legs made from a series of leg sections. This means that when you put away the tripod, the legs collapse inside each other.  When you extend the tripod for use, you then need to use leg locks to hold the leg sections in place and make them stable.

Each leg section of the tripod has a mechanism that you can use to release the leg section or tighten it. This means you can individually adjust the length of each leg section, and you can use the tripod with as many or as few leg sections extended as you want.

There are two main types of leg lock on the market: twist leg locks and flip leg locks. Twist locks have you twist the lock in order to tighten and loosen it. Flip locks flip open and closed.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of leg lock, and it mostly comes down to a personal preference for which you prefer. Or perhaps it is not a feature that makes much difference to you.

In our personal experience, we have found that flip locks are more liable to catch on parts of your bag or camera strap, as they stick out of the leg. However, I have found flip leg locks to be more reliable than twist locks over time, as the thread mechanism can eventually wear down on twist locks. Flip locks can also be easier for people who have a harder time gripping and twisting the legs.

That said, overall we prefer the twist locks. They are neater, fast to use, and don’t catch on our bags when packing the tripod away. So we prefer them, especially on a travel tripod. But again this is just a personal preference.

Tripod Head

The tripod head is the top part of your tripod and it is where you will attach your camera. The type of tripod head will determine the range of motion, speed, and versatility in which you are able to position and move your camera.

There are a range of different types of tripod head on the market, with the two most popular being ball heads and pan and tilt heads.

Ball heads are by far the most popular for still photographers and are the standard type of tripod head that comes with most travel tripods. They offer the most flexibility when it comes to adjustment and camera position, and are the most compact type of head.

Pan heads or pan & tilt heads allow for individual axis control, so you can pan and tilt the camera independently. This allows for easier small adjustments, and also makes for better video results as you can move on one axis without having to worry about the other axis. These are great for those who plan to a lot of photography or video that involves motion and action.

Most travel tripods, with the exception of most of the mini tripods and some of the lower end tripods, come with removable tripod heads. So you can remove and switch tripod heads if you want to change or upgrade your tripod head at a later date.

Most travel tripods with come with a head attached, and this is normally a ball head. For higher end tripods, they often sell the legs and heads separately, so you can choose the type of tripod head you want.

Generally, for travel photography, we’d recommend a ball head tripod head. As noted, most tripods come with this as the standard option.

Tripod Camera Mount / Quick Release

Another thing to consider in relation to your tripod head, is the camera mount attached to it. There are two main ways to attach a camera to a tripod: by manually screwing it to the tripod or by attaching it via the use of a quick release plate.

Most tripods will allow for one or the other. The screw in method is common on mini tripods, budget tripods, monopods, and older tripods. The use of a quick release mount has become the most common way for photographers to attach their cameras to a tripod and you’ll find it on most travel tripod models on the market today.

You will likely be aware that almost all cameras have a standard size threaded screw hole in their base. This is the tripod mount point, where you can directly attach the camera to a tripod with a camera screw (the standard 1/4″-20 screw ) . This is a simple process but if you need to take your camera on and off the tripod a lot, this becomes tiresome to do.

To avoid having to screw in a camera each time someone wants to use a tripod, most tripods now have some form of quick release system. So instead of needing to screw in your camera, the tripod will come with a mounting system and compatible quick release plates, or quick release shoes, that you attach to the bottom of your camera through the screw hole in the base.

The quick release plate allows you to slide or clip the camera into place onto the tripod mount without needing to screw it in. This allows you to more quickly attach and remove your camera from the tripod.

If you buy a tripod with a quick release mounting system, it will come with at least one camera plate for you to use. All you will need to do is to attach that to the bottom of your camera.

There are different standards for these plates, with the most common being the Arca-Swiss style of mount. This is a popular cross-brand mounting system, meaning all the tripod heads and attachment plates adhere to the same size standard. But some tripods, including Manfrotto brand tripods, do have manufacturer specific mounting standards.

We love the ease of the quick release system and most of our tripods have the Arca-Swiss style mounting system and we have compatible quick release plates on all our mirrorless and DSLR cameras. We recommend this system, especially for those who use a tripod a lot or need a tripod for heavier cameras

However, that said, most mini tripods often don’t have the quick release mounts. Our mini tripod, the VESTA TT , has a regular screw mount and we typically use it with our compact camera or action camera, or use it with an adapter for our phone. It still takes only a few seconds to screw these on and it is not much of an issue with lightweight cameras.

Travel Tripod Cost

No discussion about photography gear is complete without talking about cost and budget, and this includes travel tripods.

As you would expect, travel tripods generally cost less than standard sized tripods, although the prices vary widely. You can get a basic mini tripod for about $10 or pay over $1,000 for the most expensive travel tripod models!

A number of factors will affect the budget such as the material of the tripods, the size, and the brand. For example, you will pay more for tripods using carbon fiber and titanium parts than those made of aluminum. Amazon brand tripods are going to be less expensive than those from well-known tripods manufacturers like Manfrotto, Vanguard, and 3 Legged Thing.

There is no need to spend a lot on a travel tripod. This is especially true if you are new to tripods and are not sure how often you will use it. As noted prices for mini tripods on our list start at less than $10 and for regular travel tripods at just $30.

If you plan to use the tripod mainly with your smartphone, compact camera, or another lightweight camera, many of the more basic tripods will probably work just fine. You can always upgrade your tripod set up later.

For most travelers who are looking for a nicer tripod that is a good value, we’d look at tripods in the $100 to $200 range. You can find a lot of nice tripods in this range.

As you start to head north of $200 or $250, generally the return on investment begins to shrink. Sure, a $600 tripod is likely going to be better than a $200 tripod, but it is unlikely to be 3 times as good.

If you have a heavier setup, just be sure to get a tripod that is equipped to handle the load as the more basic and budget tripods are not adequate for DSLR or pro setups. So you will want to look at the mid-range and higher end tripods, but you can still find good value tripods out there.

Tripod Warranty

Tripods from most of the most known brands, like Manfrotto, Vanguard, and Gitzo, will come with some sort of manufacturer’s warranty. Warranties are usually for at least 2 year, some much longer. This is helpful if you find a defect in the tripod or something breaks and you need replacement parts.

Note that the length and type of warranty often depends on where you live (different countries have different laws) and the specific product. Some companies may require you to register your product to take advantage of extended warranties, so do read the warranty information.

While the warranty coverage may not be very important for those looking for a $50 tripod, we would definitely check on the warranty coverage for those planning to invest a bit more on their tripod.

Additional Features

At its heart, a tripod is a fairly simple three-legged device designed to keep your camera steady so you can use it handsfree. In order to stand out from the crowd, tripod manufacturers will usually differentiate their products with various features.

How important these are to you will vary depending on what you are going to be using the tripod for. One of the most common extra features is that the tripod may come with accessories such as a tripod cover or tripod bag which can be useful for transport. Many also come with a tripod level so you can easily tell if a tripod is level or not.

Some tripods allow you to flip the tripod head upside-down, with the camera hanging below and between the legs, instead of above them. This feature can be useful in certain photography situations such as macro photography where you want to get as close to a subject as possible. If this is important to you, pay close attention to the minimum operating height of the tripod when choosing a model.

Other tripods might come with a hook on the center column, from which you can hang a sandbag or tripod weight. This is useful for providing additional support, especially in more windy conditions. It can also be used to hang camera accessories when shooting.

However, there is a limit to how different a tripod can be given the size, weight, and material constraints on travel tripods. So most of these features are nice to have but are not necessary. As always, you’ll have to decide what features are most important to you.

Best Travel Tripods

Now that we’ve gone through the key specifications and features to look for in a travel tripod, we are now going to provide a list of recommendations for specific travel tripods.

We have broken the lists into three categories: mini tripods, regular travel tripods, and travel monopod. So you can skip to the list that is most relevant to you.

The tripods in each list are ordered by retail price, from least expensive to most expensive. We cover what we believe are the best travel tripods on the market today. For each tripod, we’ll explain its key strengths, and why we’ve chosen to include it on the list.

Best Mini Tripods for Travel

We’ll start our guide to the best travel tripods with a round-up of the best mini-tripods and tabletop tripods. Mini tripods usually fold up to 5 inches to 10 inches (12 cm to 25 cm), making them perfect for travel. They can be stashed away easily in a day bag or purse and usually weigh less than 10 ounces (283 g).

Some of the tabletop tripods can be a bit larger, especially those designed for heavier gear, but they are still smaller and lighter than the regular travel tripods.

These small tripods are ideal for smartphones, compact cameras, webcams, and action cameras. Some models can even support mirrorless and lighter DSLR cameras, but be sure to check the load capacities and read reviews if you have a heavier camera.

They are definitely not as flexible and useful as a regular travel tripod, but for occasional use they are definitely a great compact option.

Here are our picks for the best mini travel tripods, ordered by retail price, from least expensive to most expensive:

AmazonBasics Lightweight Mini Tripod

If you want a really small, basic, and budget friendly tripod for your compact camera or smartphone, this is an excellent option.

This mini tripod from Amazon features a ball head for 360 degree positioning of your camera, extendable legs that mean it packs away to a really small size, and rubber feet for stability.

The lightweight mini tripod extends up to 7.5 inches in height and collapses down to just over 5 inches, so it is easy to store. Just note that it has a load capacity of only 1.1 lbs, so you only want to use this for smartphones, compact cameras, GoPros, webcams, and other lightweight devices.

This isn’t the most durable mini tripod and it’s a bit flimsy, but if you are just looking for a basic budget mini tripod under $10 for a phone or small camera this would be our recommendation.

Just note that if you want to use this with a smartphone, you’ll need to also get a separate adaptor like this .

Weight : 4.2 ounces / 119 grams Folded Length: 5.1 inches / 13 cm Minimum Height / Extended Height : 4.75 inches (12 cm) / 7.5 inches (19 cm) Load Capacity : 1.1 lbs / 0.5 kg Main Material : Aluminum Head : fixed mini ball head Mount Type: international standard 1/4″ -20 screw Price : Check price and buy on Amazon here

Vanguard Vesta TT Mini Tripod

The Vanguard Vesta TT is the mini-tripod we have and use with our phone, GoPro, and compact camera. It comes with a smartphone adapter already included but can also be used for cameras and other devices on the screw mount.

In terms of capabilities, this a simple lightweight mini tripod. The legs fold out but they are not adjustable. Since there are no joints or leg locks, there are less parts that can break. The three legs are connected, so when you extend one for use they all extend, making setup very fast.

There’s a ball head with a friction lock, and rubber feet for stability. As noted, we also like that it comes with a detachable smartphone holder that is adjustable to hold almost any phone. This is great so you don’t have to buy an additional adapter if you want to use your phone.

In terms of carrying capacity, the Vanguard Vesta TT can support cameras up to 4.4lbs (2 kg) which means it can handle lighter camera setups. The lightweight mini tripod folds to a very convenient 6.7 inches (17 cm).

If you are looking for something simple and stable, we can highly recommend this one. We’ve had no issues with it so far.

Weight : 5.5 oz / 155 g Folded Length: 6.7 inches / 17 cm Height : 3.9 inches (10 cm)  Load Capacity : 4.4 lbs / 2 kg Main Material : Aluminum Head : fixed mini ball head Mount Type: international standard 1/4″ -20 screw (also comes with a smartphone adapter) Price : Check latest price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Manfrotto Pixi EVO 2 Mini Tripod

If you want a mini tripod that can support a heavier camera, the Manfrotto Pixi EVO 2 is a great choice at a reasonable price point.

The sturdy legs have two sections allowing them to be adjusted and extended to a height up to 7.8 inches (20 cm). The tripod is lightweight at just over 9 ounces (260 g) and folds up to 8 inches (20.5 cm) in length.

Note that while this is designed to hold mirrorless cameras and smaller DSLR cameras, it is not intended for heavy DSLR camera setups or pro setups. If you want to use this with a smartphone, you’ll need a separate adaptor like this from Manfrotto .

If you are looking for a good overall mini tripod, we recommend the Manfrotto Pixi tripods.

Weight : 9.2 oz / 260 g Folded Length : 8.1 inches (20.5 cm) Minimum Height / Extended Height :  4.1 inches (10.5 cm) / 7.8 inches (20 cm) Load Capacity : 5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg Main Materials : Aluminum / Technopolymer Head : fixed ball head Mount Type : international standard 1/4″ -20 screw Price : Check latest price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

JOBY GorillaPod 5K

JOBY Gorillapod is a well-known line of mini and table top tripods that come with bendable and flexible legs. JOBY offers a full range of mini tripods from tiny ones suitable for phones and compact camera to larger ones suitable for heavier cameras. If you find the bendy legs appealing, then you can find a mini tripod to fit just about any kind of camera.

For those doing video and live streaming, we particularly recommend the JOBY GorillaPod 5K as it often recommended as the best travel tripod by vloggers and YouTubers. JOBY has recently released an upgraded version of this tripod that comes with 2 additional arms for more vlogging device attachments.

The strength of the Gorillapod design comes from its clever leg design. Each leg is made from a series of flexible joints, meaning you can bend and wrap this tripod in all sorts of ways. This is particularly useful if you are outside and want to wrap it around a bench or tree branch to get a shot.

The legs also come together and the rubberized rings make it easy to hold and grip for video. It can also be stood up like a regular tripod as well! This makes the JOBY GorillaPod tripods unique in terms of their functionality.

There are a number of GorillaPod models with the 5K being the heavy-duty version that can hold up to 11 lbs or 5 kg of gear and can extend up to 15 inches (38.5 cm) in height. So the tripod is able to hold the camera gear for most travelers. But there are several other smaller models like the GorillaPod 1K model  if you are just looking for something for a smartphone or lightweight camera setup.

The JOBY GorillaPod 5K sort of fits in the middle between a mini tripod and a regular travel tripod. It is heavier and larger than the other mini tripods on our list, but is much lighter and more compact than the regular travel tripods.

If you are interested in a versatile in-between size travel tripod, this may be the tripod for you.

Weight : 1.63 lbs / 0.74 kg Folded Length : 15.1 inches / 38.5 cm Minimum Height / Extended Height : ~ 6 inches (15 cm) / ~ 14  inches (35.5 cm) Load Capacity : 11 lbs / 5 kg Main Materials: ABS Plastic / Aluminum Head : Ball head Mount Type: international standard 1/4″ -20 screw & Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release mount Price : Check latest price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Now if you are looking for something a bit larger, we’re going to focus on the regular travel tripods. To help you choose a travel tripod, we’ve gone through a whole range of options and made a list of what we think are some of the best travel tripods currently on the market.

When selecting a tripod, there is quite a range in terms of length, height, weight, load capacity, and budget. You’ll likely have to compromise on some factors, but you want to know what is a must-have for you so you get all the features that matter the most.

Travel tripods often extend up to 50 to 60 inches (127 to152 cm) in height and weigh between 2 and 4 pounds (.09 to 1.81 kg). The collapsed folding length varies between about 12 inches and 25 inches (30 to 63 cm) with most travel tripods under 20 inches. Load capacities can range widely, with most travel tripods offering between 5 and 25 lbs. (2.27 to 11.34 kg) of load capacity.

We think most travelers will be best suited with one of these tripods as they offer the most versatility and durability out of the different types of travel tripods.

Here are our picks for the best travel tripods, ordered by retail price, from least expensive to most expensive:

AmazonBasics Lightweight 60 in Tripod

If you are looking for a budget buy, we’d consider taking a look at this AmazonBasics tripod. Despite its budget nature, it has many of the features you would expect from a travel tripod.

The tripod is lightweight, offers a pan and tilt head and quick release mounting system, and can extend to a good length of 60 inches when fully extended. The tripod also has two bubble levels to help you level the tripod and a hook on the center column for adding weight. The tripod also comes with an included zippered carrier bag.

The tripod is a metal and plastic construction with a 6.6 lb (3 kg) load capacity, and is suitable for smartphones, compact cameras, and smaller mirrorless and DSLR cameras. But this is not the tripod you want to attach a heavier camera or setup with large telezoom lenses!

The materials used in its construction mean that it is not going to be as sturdy or durable as higher priced tripods. It is also by far the bulkiest travel tripod on our list with a folded length of 24 inches. The arms of the pan head also add additional bulk.

The tripod comes with a quick-release mounting system which is useful; however, note that it does not appear to be compatible with most Arca-Swiss plates. However, this only matters if you already have quick release plates on your gear.

All this said, if you want a good sized tripod at a budget price, this is a great option to consider. This is a great tripod setup for someone starting out on their photography journey. It is also perfect for those with lighter weight gear looking for an occasional tripod at a budget price.

Weight : 3 lbs / 1.36 kg Folded Length : 25 inches / 63.5 cm Minimum Height: 24 inches (61 cm) Fully Extended Height: 60 inches (152 cm) Height without Column Extension : ~ 52 inches (132 cm) Load Capacity : 6.6 lbs / 3 kg Main Materials: Aluminum / Plastic Head : 3 way pan and tilt head Mount Type: quick release mount (not Arca-Swiss compatiable) Price : Check Price and buy on Amazon here

SLIK Sprint 150

Another tripod to consider for those with a smaller budget is this SLIK tripod. It is a bit more pricey than the Amazon model, but offers a better build, less weight, and less bulk.

The tripod is super lightweight, has a ball head, bubble level, and Arca-Swiss compatible quick release mounting system. It folds down to 20 inches (50 cm) and extends up to 64 (163 cm) at its maximum height. The tripod also comes with an included carrier bag.

You get a lightweight tripod with a reasonable load capacity (up to 4.5 lbs), that folds down to a manageable size. It isn’t designed for heavier camera setups, but the build quality is good, the price is certainly reasonable, and it is a great option for those with lighter camera setups.

The SLIK Sprint 150 travel tripod is another good option for those looking for a budget-friendly travel tripod. You can usually get it for around $60.

Weight : 2.3lbs / 1 kg Folded Length : 19.9 in (50cm) Minimum Height: 7.4 in (18.5cm)   Fully Extended Height : 64.3 in (163cm) Height without Column Extension: 52.5 in (133cm) Load Capacity :  4.5lbs / 2kg Main Material: Aluminum Head : Ball head Mount Type: Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release mount Price : Check the latest price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Vanguard Vesta TB204AB

The Vanguard Vesta TB204AB is one of many tripods in the Vanguard range.

Laurence has been an ambassador for Vanguard since 2014, and we have used many of their tripods over the years. We always have a Vanguard tripod in our travel photography gear kit .

The Vanguard Vesta TB204AB is the entry-level model in the Vanguard line, but is still a very capable tripod at a very attractive price point. For your money, you get a lightweight aluminum ball head tripod with an Arca-Swiss compatible quick release mounting system.

The 204AB folds down to 14.8 inches (38 cm) and weighs only 2 lbs (0.9 kg), making it ideal for travel. For its size, it has a decent load capacity of 6.6 lbs so can handle most types of gear.

The main drawback of this tripod is that the maximum height of the tripod is only 51.2 inches with the center column extended, and only 41.5 inches with it down. So this isn’t the tallest travel tripod. However, given the price and travel-friendly folded size and weight, it’s definitely a great option to consider.

Weight : 2 lbs / 0.9 kg Folded Length : 14.8 in / 38 cm Minimum Height: 11.8 inches (27.9 cm) Fully Extended Height : 51.2 inches (130 cm) Height without Column Extension : 41.5 in (105cm) Load Capacity : 6.6 lbs / 3 kg Main Material: Aluminum Head : Ball head, arca compatible Mount Type: Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release mount Price : Check Price and buy on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

MeFOTO RoadTrip Pro Aluminum

MeFOTO are another popular tripod brand, and this aluminum tripod is their classic travel tripod.

Another neat feature of this tripod is that you can detach the center column from the tripod, attach it to one of the tripod legs, and you have yourself a 64″ monopod. So if you are thinking that a monopod might come in handy at times, this tripod gives you that option.

The tripod has a good load capacity of 17.6 lbs (8 kg) for a travel tripod at this price range and is pretty compact. However, at 3.6lbs (1.6kg) it is a bit heavier than many of the other options on our list.

The tripod comes with a fairly wide range of color options which is nice bonus, and also comes with a carry case.

Like many of tripods on our list, there are both aluminum and carbon fiber versions available of this tripod. So if you like the specifications but don’t like the weight, consider the carbon fibre version. This is a bit lighter and more durable than the aluminum version, but it almost doubles the cost. So the aluminum model is probably the best bet for those looking for a good value tripod.

Weight : 3.6 lbs / 1.6 kg Folded Length : 15.4 in (39.1 cm) Minimum Height: 15.4 in (39.1 cm) Fully Extended Height : 61.6 in (156.5 cm ) Height without Column Extension : 53 in (134cm) Load Capacity : 17.6 lbs / 8 kg Main Material: Aluminum Head : Ball head Mount Type: Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release mount Price : Check the latest price on Amazon here and B&H here

Vanguard VEO 2 GO 265CB

The VEO 2 Go 265CB tripod is a smaller and lighter version of the travel tripod that we currently use (the VEO 2 265CB ). The Go range of VEO tripods are even more travel focused than the original VEO range, with the tripods being even lighter and smaller than the original VEO range.

The VEO 2 Go 265CB is wonderfully light thanks to the carbon fiber construction, and it folds down to a very compact 12.75 inches. This is the most compact of the travel tripods on our list, and also one of the lightest!

However, there are some downsides to this compact nature. Whilst the extended height is a reasonable 56.5 inches, this is largely thanks to a 2-section center column. The tripod without the center column extension is a fairly short 44 inches. So we’d caution against using this tripod fully extended, especially with heavier gear. Although using a tripod weight bag can help.

The tripod also includes a center column hook for adding weight, a set of spiked feet, and a carrying bag.

Overall though, we think this tripod offers a compelling option for those looking for something that is very lightweight and compact, yet can still handle a reasonable load (up to 13.2 lbs).

Those of you looking for a taller tripod should consider the VEO 2 GO 265HCBM , which is designed for taller photographers and offers a much higher maximum height. The center column on this latter tripod also converts for use as a monopod.

Weight : 2.63 lbs / 1.2 kg Folded Length : 12.75 inches (32.4 cm) Minimum Height: 8.25 inches (21.5 cm) Fully Extended Height : 56.5 inches (143.5 cm) Height w/o Column Extension: 44 inches (113 cm) Load Capacity : 13.2 lbs / 6 kg Main Material: Carbon fiber Head : Ball head Mount Type: Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release mount Price : Check prices Amazon here and  B&H here

Vanguard VEO 3 GO 265HCB

The Vanguard VEO 3 265HCB is our current go-to travel tripod that we use for most of our travel photography when traveling internationally. We think it offers an excellent combination of price and performance.

The VEO 2 265CB has a carbon fiber construction and weighs only 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg). The fully extended height is an impressive 65.5 inches and it still offers 49.5 inches of height without any center column extension. It folds away to a reasonably compact 16.2 inches.

Load capacity is fantastic at 22 lbs (10 kg), meaning it can support the camera setup of most travelers. The ball head features a bubble level so you can easily see if your camera is level, and the quick release plate is Arca-Swiss compatible. We also like the twist lock legs which make for quick and easy setup. It comes with its own carrying bag.

Overall, we think this is a very well priced carbon fiber tripod that should satisfy most travel photographers. It is currently our favorite all-around travel tripod pick.

Weight : 3.1 lbs /1.4 kg Folded Length :  16.2 inches (41 cm) Minimum Height : 8 inches (21 cm) Fully Extended Height : 65.5 inches (166.5 cm) Height without Column Extension: 49.5 inches (126 cm) Load Capacity : 22lbs / 10 kg Main Material: Carbon fiber Head : Ball head Mount Type: Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release mount Price : Check prices on Amazon here , B&H here , and Adorama here

Manfrotto BeFree GT Carbon Fiber

Manfrotto is another respected name in the tripod space, and Laurence’s very first travel tripod was a Manfrotto model. They have an extensive range of tripods to choose from, with the BeFree range being their main line of travel tripods.

One of the models that stands out in this range is the Manfrotto BeFree GT Carbon Fiber tripod. The tripod offers a great load capacity (22 lbs / 10 kg) at a reasonable weight (3.42 lbs / 1.55 kg) and compact folded length of 16.9 inches (43 cm). It comes with a carrying bag included.

The tripod has a ball head with a quick-release system, however, be aware that Manfrotto uses their own mounting system standard and plate designs which are not compatible with the Arca-Swiss standard. So you will need to only use their release plates on your cameras and other gear.

This same tripod is also available in a less expensive aluminum version as well.

Weight : 3.42 lbs / 1.55 kg Folded Length : 16.9 in (43 cm) Minimum Height : 16.9 in (43 cm) Fully Extended Height : 63.8 in (162 cm) Height without Column Extension : 54 in (138cm) Load Capacity : 22 lbs / 10 kg Main Material : Carbon fiber Head : Ball head Mount Type : quick release mount (not Arca-Swiss compatible) Price : Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Peak Design Travel Tripod

We’ve been big fans of Peak Design for a long time, primarily for their awesome camera straps which we use on all our cameras. However, Peak Design also make a travel focused tripod, which offers some unique features.

It’s available in both aluminum and carbon fibre. We think the aluminum model will suit for most users as the carbon fibre model is quite a bit more expensive. The aluminum version is the one we use.

With a load capacity of 20lbs (9.1kg) and weight of 3.43lbs (1.56kg), this travel tripod should meet the needs of most traveling photographers. You get a built-in magnetic phone mount, a built-in ball head, and a tripod that presents a very packable profile. In fact, it’s one of the more portable full size travel tripods we’ve used.

It’s easy to set up and use, with fast-access low-profile leg locks. The mounting plate is ARCA compatible, and it comes with a hex tool and weatherproof carrying bag. There’s a load hanging hook, optional attachment points for Peak Design straps.

Weight : 3.44 lbs / 1.56 kg Folded Length : 15.4 in (39.1 cm) Minimum Height : 5.5 in (14 cm) Fully Extended Height : 60 in (152.4 cm) Height without Column Extension : 51.25 in (130.2cm) Load Capacity : 20 lbs / 9.1 kg Main Material : Aluminum Head : Ball head Mount Type : quick release mount, Arca-Swiss compatible Price : Check price on Amazon here , and Peak Design here .

3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0

3 Legged Thing are another well known tripod manufacturer who are definitely worth checking out when it comes to travel tripods, especially if you have heavier camera gear. They have a number of options, but I suggest the Leo 2.0 model is the one to check out for most travelers.

The 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 tripod is a sturdy well-built carbon fiber travel tripod, with an impressive maximum load rating of 66 lbs (30kg)! This is the highest load capacity of all the travel tripods on our list and is an impressive number for a travel tripod.

It folds up to a compact 14.7 inches (37.4 cm) and can extend up to 57.7 inches with the center column extended. However, it is worth noting that this impressive height is due to the longer telescoping central column. Without the central column extended, the tripod is only 44 inches, which is definitely on the lower end. This tripod is also heavier than most travel tripods at 4.08 lbs (1.85 kg).

All three of the legs on this tripod are detachable, and you can attach the center column to one of the legs to create a monopod. The monopod is 59.2 inches (150.4 cm) with the ball head attached. A great option for those who want the option to take a lighter monopod on some trips.

If you are looking for a sturdy tripod with a high load capacity, and don’t mind it being a little heavier than the average travel tripod, this is a solid option.

Weight :  4.08 lb / 1.85 kg Folded Length : 14.7 in (37.4 cm) Minimum Height: 4.9 in (12.5 cm) Fully Extended Height :  57.7 in (147 cm) Height without Column Extension: 44.13in (112 cm) Load Capacity : 66 lbs / 30 kg Main Material : Carbon fiber Head : Ball head Mount Type : Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release mount Price : Check Price and buy on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Gitzo Lightweight Series 2 Traveler

We couldn’t do a round up of tripods without featuring one of the tripods from the high-end brand Gitzo. Gitzo are essentially the Rolls Royce of tripod manufacturers. They are certainly not a budget option, but for those of you with a healthy wallet, they are certainly a solid choice.

Their travel tripod range is conveniently called Traveler. We’d recommend the Lightweight Series 2 traveler tripod as offering a great balance of size and stability.

The Gitzo Lightweight Series 2 is a well built tripod featuring an Arca-Swiss compatible ball head that has a bubble level and independent pan and tilt locking, which makes it easier to capture panoramas. It extends up to 65 inches (165 cm) with a load capacity of 26.4 lbs (12 kg), allowing it to work for just about any photographer’s needs. Even with the center column down, you still get an impressive 55 inches (142cm) of height.

However, this tripod is one of the heaviest on the list at just over 4 lbs. If you want something lighter and even smaller, checkout the Lightweight Series 0 Traveler, which offers a more compact system at the expense of height.

This is definitely a premium tripod, but we think it is worth the price if you have the budget and you want something sturdy and durable from a well-known brand.

Weight : 4.06 lbs / 1.84 kg Folded Length : 17.6 in (44.5 cm) Minimum Height: 13 in (33.2 cm) Fully Extended Height : 65 in (165.5 cm) Height without Column Extension : 55 in (142cm) Load Capacity : 26.4 lbs / 12 kg Main Material : Carbon fiber Head : Ball head Mount Type : Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release mount Price : Check Price and buy on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Best Travel Monopods

Whilst a monopod isn’t a tripod, some photographers find that a monopod offers a good balance between portability and use. Travel monopods are lighter, less bulky, and more portable than a travel tripod. Travelers who choose monopods over tripods typically do so because they don’t want to carry the weight of a tripod.

You can find a lot of travel monopods weighing less than 1 lb and they typically don’t weigh more than 2 lbs. So they can be perfect for someone who wants the height but not the weight or bulk of a travel tripod. However, they are usually a bit longer than the average travel tripod when collapsed.

Note that monopods generally come with a fixed head. However, you can attach a tripod head to them, just note that this will add weight so be sure to keep that in mind. Generally, monopods don’t come with quick-release mounts/plates but you can attach a tripod head that supports a quick release plate if you wanted to use one.

Monopods are particularly useful for when a photographer is shooting wildlife, events, or sport scenes and needs to move and reposition heavier gear a lot. They can also be used to support a microphone or camera boom. Some travel monopods are also designed to double as a walking stick and so can be particularly useful for those who do a lot of hiking or backpacking.

However, although monopods offer more support and stability than freehand shooting, they are still more limited than using a tripod. Monpods are not a substitute for a tripod. So it is a tradeoff between the easier portability and the functionality for many people.

Note that if you are thinking that a monopod sounds useful in some situations, but you still want a tripod, you might consider a tripod that can convert into a monopod. For instance, the MeFoto RoadTrip Classic and the VEO 2 GO 265 HCBM are two examples of tripods that can be converted into monopods.

If you are considering a standalone monopod for your travels, here are some to consider:

Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber Monopod

If you are looking for an excellent balance of price and features, we think the Manfrotto 290 carbon fiber monopod offers great value for money.

This carbon fiber tripod offers a flip lock leg system that extends up to almost 60 inches (151 cm) and folds down to 19.2 inches (49 cm). The load capacity of 11 lbs (5 kg) means it will help support most cameras. A rubber grip and angled wrist strap help provide extra stability.

The carbon fiber construction means its lightweight but strong, and you get good load capacity combined with a good maximum height. For those with a smaller budget, an aluminum version is also available.

Weight : 17.6 oz / 500 g Folded Length : 19.2 inches (49 cm) Minimum Height / Extended Height : 19.2 inches (49 cm) / 59.4 inches (151cm) Load Capacity : 11 lbs /  5 kg Main Material: Carbon fiber Head : Fixed Mount Type: dual 1/4″-20 screw and 3/8″-16 screw Price : Check Price and buy on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Vanguard VEO 2S CM-264TR

If you want a slightly more fully featured monopod, check out the VEO 2S CM-264TR monopod from Vanguard. It actually has three feet which fold out, and whilst these make the monopod a little heavier than others, you get a huge stability advantage over a standard monopod.

The VEO 2S CM-246TR offers a twist lock leg system that can extend up to 64 inches (162 cm) and folds down to 21.5 inches (54.6). The foldable feet allow for more stability and smoother videos. The load capacity of 13.2 lbs (6 kg) means it can handle all but the heaviest camera setups.

This monopod also comes with a wrist strap, universal smartphone mount, carabiner, and protective rubber transport cap for the mounting screw. The included mount is great for those who also want to use it with their phone.

If you like the look of this one but have a smaller budget, a less expensive aluminum version is also available.

Weight : 1.96lbs / 890g Folded Length : 21.5 inches (54.5cm) Minimum Height / Extended Height :: 21.7 inches (55cm) /  64 inches (162 cm) Load Capacity : 13.2lbs / 6kg Main Material : Carbon fiber Head : Fixed Mount Type : international standard 1/4″ -20 screw Price : Check Price and buy on Amazon here , B&H here , and Adorama here

3 Legged Thing Alan Monopod

If you have a seriously heavy setup, then you might want to consider the Alan Monopod from 3 Legged Thing. Boasting a spectacular load capacity of 132 lbs (60 kg), this should be able to handle even the most professional and extreme lenses without trouble!

Despite this load ability, the Alan still only weighs 1.34 lbs (600 g) thanks to a carbon fiber construction. It has a 5 section twist lock style leg construction that collapses down to a relatively compact 17.7 inches (45 cm). It comes with large rubber grip and a tri-mount plate that allows for a camera or other accessories, such as microphone or boom, to be easily attached.

If you want to add more stability to the tripod, you can add a three-way foot add-on like this to increase stability if you wish.

This is a more pricey monopod option, but if you need something that can support a lot of weight, this is a great option.

Weight : 1.34lbs / 609 g Folded Length : 17.7 inches (45cm) Minimum Height / Extended Height : 17.7 inches (45cm) / 58.7 inches (149cm) Load Capacity : 132 lbs / 60 kg Main Material: Carbon fiber Head : Fixed Mount Type: dual 1/4″-20 screw and 3/8″-16 screw Price : Check Price and buy on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Best Travel Tripod for Different Travelers & Purposes

Here are our picks for the best travel tripods, depending on your specific needs and budget:

• Best Mini Travel Tripod : Manfrotto Pixi EVO Mini Tripod
• Best Travel Tripod Under $30 : Amazon Basics Lightweight 60 in Tripod
• Best Travel Tripod Under $100 : Vanguard Vesta TB204AB
• Best Compact / Lightweight Travel Tripod : Vanguard VEO 3 Go 235CB
• Best Rugged Tripod for Adventure Travelers : 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0
• Best Tripod for Video and Vlogging : JOBY GorillaPod 5K Kit
• Best Luxury Travel Tripod : Gitzo Lightweight Series 2
• Best Travel Tripod for Extra Heavy Camera Setups : 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0
• Best Monopod for Travel : Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber
• Best Convertible Tripod/Monopod for Travel : Vanguard VEO 3 GO 265 HCB
• Best Overall Travel Tripod : Vanguard VEO 3 Go 265HCB

As you can see, the specific tripod we’d recommend will depend a lot on your needs and your budget. There is no one size fits all travel tripod.

Overall, our favorite brand for travel tripods is Vanguard, an American manufacturer of tripods as well as scopes and binoculars. We find the company offers a wide range of well-built tripods at decent prices. We’ve been using their tripods for many years, and Laurence has been an ambassador for the brand since 2014.

As Vanguard Ambassadors we are able to offer you a unique discount code which will get you 20% off everything in the Vanguard USA , Vanguard UK , Vanguard Spain , and Vanguard Germany online store websites. Just use code FindingTheUniverse  (case sensitive) on checkout.

Travel Tripod Accessories 

Depending on your tripod, camera gear, and travel style, there may be some extra accessories you may need or want to have to get the most out of your travel tripod.

Most travel tripods come with a tripod ball head included so most people won’t need to buy a separate tripod head. But even if your tripod comes with a ball head, you may wish to replace it or get a second tripod head to use. On most tripods, you can remove and replace the ball head if you wish.

Some people may want to replace it for a higher quality ball head or for one that matches the standard of their quick release plates (although most support the Arca Swiss mounting standards).

In some cases you might want to get a different type of tripod head to use in certain instances or for other equipment. For example, you may get a tripod that comes with a standard ball head and wish to also have a tripod pan head for making videos or for a wildlife viewing, such as this one for Manfrotto BeFree tripods .

It is generally recommended that you purchase ball heads from the same manufacturer to ensure the best fit, but you can often use them across manufacturers. Just be sure to check compatiability before purchasing.

Quick Release Plates

Quick release plates, or quick release shoes, are mounting plates that allow you to quickly attach and detach your camera from your tripod head. The quick release plate is attached to the bottom of your camera and then that fits into the head mount.

If your tripod has a quick release mounting system, it likely came with a least one quick release plate to attach to your camera. However, if like us, you have more than one camera or other devices that you want to attach plates, you will need to purchase extra plates.

Most tripods use a Arca-Swiss style mount standard making it so you can use the same release plates across a number of tripods, but some do have manufacturer specific mounting standards.

It is generally best to buy extra release plates from your tripod manufacturer to make sure you get a release plate that is compatible with that tripod. So if you have a Manfrotto tripod, you probably want to get a Manfrotto quick release plate .

You can purchase tripod quick release plates on Amazon , B&H , & Adorama

Tripod Phone Adapter

If you plan to use your tripod with your smartphone camera, you will likely need to purchase an adapter since most are designed to accommodate regular cameras. But some of the mini tripods do come with a smartphone adapter or the brand may offer it as an accessory or as part of a bundle kit.

If your tripod does not come with an adapter, you can purchase a tripod smartphone adapter like this one , that can work with almost any phone or tripod.

Tripod Collar

A tripod collar, also known as a lens collar or tripod mount ring, is a lens accessory that you can use to attach a camera lens to a tripod. In most cases, you will attach your camera, not your lens, directly to your tripod.

But if you have a camera with interchangeable lenses and are planning to use longer and heavier lenses, you may need to use a tripod collar to better support the weight of your camera setup. This means instead of attaching your camera base directly to the tripod, you will attach it from a mount on your camera lens.

Longer telephoto lenses generally come with either an attached or removable tripod collar. Smaller telephoto lenses may not. If you have a heavier telephoto lens over 100mm it is something you might want to consider for extra stability.

If you need to purchase a tripod collar, you want to make sure that you purchase one that will work specifically for the lens you own. For instance, there is no universal Canon telephoto lens tripod collar, but instead they come in different sizes for different lenses.

We generally recommend buying from the lens manufacturer to ensure fit and quality, but there are third-party brands, like Vello , that make them as well. Just be sure to check reviews and load capacity for third party ones.

You can see tripod collars on Amazon , B&H , & Adorama

Tripod Weight Bags

Tripod weight bags, or tripod sand bags, are a tripod accessory you can use to help better stabilize your tripod. These are particularly useful for travel tripods which are often less heavy and stable than regular sized tripods.

There are two main types of bags, ones that come pre-weighted and those that you add your own weight to as needed. Weight can be added by putting sand, gravel, stones, extra gear, etc. in the bag or sling. This helps you adjust the weight to be best for your tripod as you want to be sure not to overload your tripod.

Obviously traveling with heavy sandbags in your luggage is not going to be ideal, so for traveling, the add your own weight tripod bags are going to be the best option. A couple of different examples are these fillable sandbag weights and this sling style one .

I would get your tripod first and then see if you think it needs extra weight for stabilization for the kinds of shooting you do. You also want to make sure that you get a weight bag that will fit your particular model of tripod as many, for example, require a hook on the central column.

Tripod Feet

Your travel tripod will come with at least one set of tripod feet, also known as tripod shoes or tripod boots. So you probably don’t need to purchase additional tripod feet unless they break. But some people may wish to replace them if they prefer a specific kind of tripod feet or need them for a special terrain.

There are a number of different kinds of tripod feet, which are designed to be best suited for different types of terrain and shooting locations. For instance, spiked feet are often more useful for dirt and sand, whereas rubber feet are best for slippery surfaces and indoor shooting.

There are also tripod feet with retractable spikes or spikes ones with removable rubber boot covers which makes them more versatile.

Tripod feet and boots are not universal, so make sure you get ones that will fit your particular tripod. It will depend on the diameter of your tripod leg. Some screw on and some just slip onto the bottom of the tripod.

Tripod Bag or Photography Bag with Tripod Pocket

If you are planning to travel with your tripod, it is a good idea to get some sort of cover or bag for it. This helps with transport and helps protect your tripod and your other gear. Many travel tripods come with a carry bag included, but some do not.

If you are just wanting a bag to carry your tripod, you might want to get something like the  Manfrotto Befree Padded Tripod Bag which will fit most travel sized tripods. Just be sure to check dimensions of bags as most are designed for full-sized tripods and may be much larger than you need.

If you are wanting something to store all of your photography gear, you will want to look for a photography bag or backpack with a tripod pocket or compartment. We personally travel with the Vanguard Alta Sky backpacks , which come in a variety of sizes and styles. We are able to put a travel tripod in the side pocket, inside the bag, or strap it to the bottom, and it is nice to have options.

We recommend finding something designed for the type and amount of gear you plan to carry. So if you have a compact camera, travel tripod, and accessories, you can get a much smaller bag than someone wanting to travel with a DSLR camera, travel tripod, and 3 lenses.

Now, if you have a mini tripod or a smaller travel tripod that you may not need any special bag and it will fit well in your regular backpack or purse. However, I would find something (like a dry bag) that you can store it in when you are not using it. This will help protect the tripod as well as the other stuff in your bag.

And that’s it for our advice on choosing the best travel tripod. We hope you found it useful. As always, we are here to help if you have any questions about choosing a travel tripod!

A reminder that if you are thinking about buying a Vanguard tripod, we are able to offer you a unique discount code that will get you 20% off anything you purchase in the Vanguard USA or UK online stores. Just use code  FindingTheUniverse  (case sensitive) on checkout from the  Vanguard US store . UK readers can use the code  FindingTheUniverseUK  ( case sensitive) in the  Vanguard UK store .

If you are also interested in a new travel camera, be sure to check out our guides to the best compact cameras , best mirrorless camera for travel , and best DSLR cameras for travel . We also have a general guide to choosing a travel camera and an online travel photography course if you are wanting to improve your photography skills.

Interested in a new tripod for traveling? PIN this guide on Pinterest to read later:

Do you have any of your own tips or advice on choosing or using a travel tripod? Have a question about tripods or travel photography? If so, just let us know in the comments below!

Share this Post!

There are 11 comments on this post.

Please scroll to the end to leave a comment

Devail Post author

November 25, 2022 at 1:23 am

great information about types for travel tripods and photographic equipment. thanks for sharing

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

November 26, 2022 at 5:28 am

Thanks for taking the time to comment. If you have any questions about travel tripods, or travel photography in general, just let us know!

Best, Jessica

Ruth Post author

August 20, 2022 at 11:30 pm

I’ve read lots of articles on travel tripods in the last few weeks and yours is the most helpful and informative with lots of explanation, thank you!

August 21, 2022 at 4:06 am

Glad you found it helpful. If you have any questions about choosing a travel tripod, just ask and happy to try to help.

Andtemiz Post author

March 3, 2021 at 3:14 am

I learned a lot about travel tripods from this article. Thanks for the useful information.

March 4, 2021 at 9:47 am

Glad you found it useful! If you are looking for a travel tripod (or any type of tripod) and have any questions, just let us know! Happy to try to help or give advice based on our experiences.

Kishanu Post author

May 21, 2020 at 12:50 am

I agree that Vanguard VEO makes some of the best travel camera tripods for the prices. Very helpful article about tripods. Keep posting such type of articles!

May 21, 2020 at 5:09 am

Hi Kishanu,

Glad you found the article helpful and yes, so far we have also had very good experiences with the Vanguard VEO and Vanguard VEO 2 Go tripod lines!

Paul Post author

May 16, 2020 at 8:54 am

Hi Jessica & Laurence,

Love your camera and tripod guides. I would like to be able to get better family photos on vacations – I have one of the little Manfrotto mini tripods but it doesn’t really work in most places for our group photos as it isn’t tall enough to get good family photos as it is limited to where it can be set. But I also don’t want to carry around something heavy and bulky when traveling so not sure what might be best? My wife has a little point-and-shoot Sony camera and I have a small Panasonic mirrorless camera, and my kids use their phones, so ideally something that could support up to a mirrorless camera would be best. I think the heaviest would be well under 3 lbs….

Thanks in advance!….Paul

May 16, 2020 at 5:30 pm

Yes, mini tripods can be great but they are definitely limited if you don’t have a place to put them.

I think for those family trips where you want to take nice family photos, I’d look for a regular travel tripod. But I would look for one of the most compact and lightweight ones so that you don’t regret taking it with you. I’d find something you’d be OK throwing in your day bag and walking around with all day.

We’d recommend something like the Vanguard VEO 2 GO 204CB (or the aluminum version 204AB ) for you. The carbon fiber version only weighs 1.7lbs and folds up to about 12 inches! It isn’t the tallest tripod, but certainly tall enough for what you want to use it for and can definitely support your compact camera and mirrorless camera. It has the Swiss Arca quick release system so you can quickly attach your camera. We have a heavier/taller version of the VeO 2 Go tripod and really love it.

If you want to also use smartphones on the tripod, you’ll just need to get a smartphone adapter.

Hope that helps! Jessica

May 17, 2020 at 8:44 am

Thanks, will take a look at those tripods, super helpful!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of replies to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise!)

Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter where we share our latest travel news and tips

We only ask for your e-mail so we can verify you are human and if requested notify you of a reply. To do this, we store the data as outlined in our privacy policy . Your e-mail will not be published or used for any other reason other than those outlined above.

The best ball heads for tripods in 2024: quick and simple tripod heads

The best ball heads offer great stability and smoothness, are super-simple to use, and are easily portable

The Quick List

Best for ergonomics, best for flexibility, best for lightweight, best for budget, best for professionals, best for value, best for luxury, best for build quality.

• How to choose
• How we test

The Quick List ↩ 1. Best for ergonomics 2. Best for flexibility 3. Best for lightweight 4. Best for budget 5. Best for professionals 6. Best for value 7. Best for luxury 8. Best for build quality How to choose How we test

The best ball heads are arguably unsung heroes of photography. While everyone who's spent any time taking photos will recommend the best tripods , and probably fall over themselves to argue the merits of this brand or that, the humble ball head does get forgotten about. A good ball head can be transformative for your shooting, and it's worth investing in one rather than relying on the basic head bundled with your tripod.

If you've not thought about this too much before, you may be wondering what to even look for in a ball head? Well, to start with, you want something compact and lightweight, so it doesn't weigh you down if you're carrying it over long distances. It's worth thinking about the size of your setup and how much weight the head needs to support; if you're using a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a long lens attached, using a ball head that's too small could potentially be risky. The last thing you want is for your whole setup to fall over! 

The best thing is to pick a head with a larger ball diameter: around 40 or 50mm is a good compromise between stability and portability. Of course, if you're using a small camera with diminutive lenses, you can probably get away with something smaller. But fancy ball heads will provide functionality like smoother panning movement and well-engineered quick-release systems, often based on the Arca Swiss standard. Once you get used to stuff like this, it's hard to remember how you got on without it!

Best for ergonomics A large ball provides good stability, and its grease-free polymer housing enables exceptionally smooth movement, even with a lot of friction applied.

Read more below

Best for flexibility 3 Legged Thing's ball heads and tripods have a reputation for exceptional carrying capacity and stability, and the AirHed Pro is no exception. 

Best for lightweight Despite weighing only 400g, the Benro GX35 is able to support a whopping 35kg of camera gear, with extra stability assured by the relatively large 40mm-diameter ball.

Best for budget It's inexpensive for a big-brand tripod head, but the Alta BH-250 is still rated to support a whopping 20kg of kit. Build quality also feels reassuringly robust.

Best for professionals With the BH1 you're getting something uniquely precise, and if that’s your priority, then the BH1 delivers. 

Best for value Supporting up to 8kg of kit, this ball head offers panoramic and friction control knobs for easy and intuitive operation.

The best ball heads for tripods in 2024

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

1. Manfrotto XPRO Magnesium Ball Head with Top Lock plate

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

At first glance, Manfrotto 's XPRO ball head doesn’t look particularly special, but there’s more than meets the eye. The magnesium construction is rated to support 10kg: enough for almost any full-frame set-up, yet the head tips the scales at a reasonable 520g.

At its heart is a fairly large ball for good stability, and its grease-free polymer housing enables exceptionally smooth movement, even with a lot of friction applied. The friction is set using a tactile, clicky wheel that’s better than most systems for dialing in a precise level of drag. Rather than using rubberized or knurled knobs, the ball and pan movement is tightened using levers that lock securely with minimal user effort.

The XPRO ball head can be specced with several mounting plate designs. We went for the Top Lock system which is Arca-Swiss compatible, with the QR plate released using a simple but effective button. The top plate is surrounded by three individual bubble levels for precision camera leveling, and they’re all viewable with your camera mounted. 

See our full Manfrotto XPRO ball head review

2. 3 Legged Thing AirHed Pro

Although they tend not to come as cheap as other options, 3 Legged Thing 's ball heads and tripods have a reputation for exceptional carrying capacity and stability. It's well-deserved. The AirHed Pro is the firm's flagship ball head, able to handle a whopping 40kg of kit (really more than you're ever likely to need) without issue. It is milled from aircraft-grade magnesium alloy, meaning it's not only strong but also lightweight, weighing just 323g.

It comes with an integrated 360-degree clamp that allows for smooth panning even on bumpy terrain, and its quick-release plate is Arca-Swiss compatible. It's an extraordinary piece of kit that does everything you need from a ball head and more, and while it is definitely more expensive than other contenders on this list, we'd add that the AirHed 360 represents absolutely fantastic value for money.

Two product options are available: the standard AirHed Pro which has a knob to release the QR plate from the head, and there's the AirHed Pro Lever which, you've guessed it, uses a lever release instead. Both versions have the same asking price. 

See our full 3 Legged Thing AirHed Pro review

3. Benro GX35 Low-profile Ballhead

Despite weighing only 400g, the Benro GX35 is able to support a whopping 35kg of camera gear, with extra stability assured by the relatively large 40mm-diameter ball. There's a dedicated panning lock for the rotating base of the head, along with a numbered degree scale to assist with shooting accurate multi-shot panoramas. What's more, a secondary panning axis above the ball adds even more panorama versatility. 

An Arca-Swiss compatible mounting plate maintains easy cross-compatibility with other Arca-based tripods or monopods you may have, while the eye-catching design is supplemented by nice ergonomic touches like the knurled metal locking knobs. 

See our full Benro GX35 review

4. Vanguard Alta BH-250

It's inexpensive for a big-brand tripod head, but the Alta BH-250 is still rated to support a whopping 20kg of kit. Build quality also feels reassuringly robust,  but the ball movement isn’t quite as fluid-feeling as that of some other tripod heads and the D-ring on the quick-release plate needs to be better attached. Nevertheless, it’s capable of holding heavy lenses and camera set-ups still without drooping.

Such a hefty payload capacity does mean this isn’t the most portable option, tipping the scales at 577g and measuring 117mm tall, but the overall shape is slim and should sit comfortably within a tripod with flip-up legs. The relatively compact quick-release top plate helps with this, yet it still sports two useful, easily visible bubble levels, and maintains Arca compatibility.

Vanguard ’s chunky, rubber-covered locking knobs are all very easy to grip, though the conventional friction adjustment dial isn’t quite as tactile as Manfrotto’s clicky design.

See our full Vanguard Alta BH-250 review

5. ProMediaGear BH1

The ProMediaGear BH1 is a unique ball head that has excellent craftsmanship and ease of use. Equally, as at home in the kitbag of a landscape photographer or indoors in a studio, the BH1 is as solid and as precise as any ball head we've used. We liked its flexibility and the fact that you can operate the main lock knob and the pan lock knob quite easily while wearing gloves, but mostly the BH1 shines for its precision and complete lack of droop. Sure, it's expensive and its movement is not as smooth as that of some of its rivals, but you're getting something uniquely precise – and if that’s your priority then the BH1 delivers. 

See our full ProMediaGear BH1 review

6. Manfrotto 494 Center Ball Head

Keeping things simple doesn't mean compromising on quality. You may just need an unfussy ball head that works but still want the reassurance of a trusted brand. Step forward the Manfrotto 494 Center Ball Head, which comes at a great price but still offers that Manfrotto dependability.

Don’t be fooled by the price of this ball head, we found it was really rather good when we tested it. It can support up to 8kg of kit, and offers panoramic and friction control knobs for easy, intuitive operation. This version comes with the 200PL-PRO Quick Release Plate, and the head has an integrated RC2 quick-release cam lock. The aluminum construction is lightweight but reasonably hardy, and there's a dedicated tension control dial for the ball-and-socket movements. 

Read our full Manfrotto 494 ball head review

7. Gitzo GH4383LR Center Ball Head Series 4

At 12.5cm tall and weighing in at a hefty 900g, this Gitzo tells you that it means business. It’s to be expected though, as the head comes from Gitzo’s pro-orientated Series 4 Systematic range, and is rated to support a staggering 30kg of weight.

But what you lose in portability, you gain in usability. The large Arca-Swiss-compatible quick-release mounting plate and release lever offer unmatched ease of use, as do the large diameter locking and friction control knobs, both of which exude luxury. 

See our full Gitzo GH4383LR Center Ball Head review

8. Vanguard Veo BH-160S

Vanguard’s Veo BH-160S Dual-Axis Ball Head looks and feels very well made yet its price is attractively low. The controls are also nicely shaped to give a good, comfortable grip and allow you to apply the force that’s sometimes required. 

As with some other heads, it’s a shame that the bubble level isn’t visible when a camera is mounted, and it would be nice to see an Allen key provided, ideally on a key ring, to tighten the quick-release plate. Overall, however, it’s an excellent ball head that copes superbly with heavy optics to ensure shake-free images.

Read our full Vanguard’s Veo BH-160S Dual-Axis Ball Head review

• Back to the top ⤴

How to choose the best ball heads for tripods

Many of the considerations around which ball head to use for a tripod depend on what you're going to be using it for. If you want a lightweight option for run-and-fun shooting then something of either plastic or lightweight metal will be your best bet. Alternatively, if you're working in a studio and want something that isn't going anywhere then a solid metal construction is the way to go. 

Getting a mount type that will work with your camera is also important. The Arca-Swiss quick-release mounting standard is great for maintaining interchangeable compatibility with other tripod heads, but some manufacturers still stick to proprietary designs.

The requirement for smooth panning and tilting is another consideration. If you do a lot of these types of shots, then you'll probably want to spend a little bit more to make sure you get the best quality mechanism. There's nothing worse than jittery movements or a tripod head that ceases up after a few months of use. 

How can I avoid camera movement mid-shot?

Clamping your ball and pan movement with locking knobs that aren’t grippy enough can result in unwanted camera movement. Rubber knob coatings and lever designs can really help.

How do I ensure smooth movement?

The trouble with applying friction is some balls can start to stick, resulting in jerky movement and framing frustration. A quality ball coating and socket lining should alleviate this.

How we test ball heads for tripods

The main areas of testing are the build quality and the performance of the ball head. The build quality considers things like the materials and how durable they are. It also looks at how fit for purpose each individual part is—something that is important for a mainstay piece of camera equipment.

The performance of the ball heads is tested in real-world scenarios with a camera mounted on top. All the features are tested, and movement is put under the microscope, so to speak. Locking mechanisms are tried and tried again to make sure they are both robust and reliable. 

Get the Digital Camera World Newsletter

The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!

Ben is the Imaging Labs manager, responsible for all the testing on Digital Camera World and across the entire photography portfolio at Future. Whether he's in the lab testing the sharpness of new lenses, the resolution of the latest image sensors, the zoom range of monster bridge cameras or even the latest camera phones, Ben is our go-to guy for technical insight. He's also the team's man-at-arms when it comes to camera bags, filters, memory cards, and all manner of camera accessories – his lab is a bit like the Batcave of photography! With years of experience trialling and testing kit, he's a human encyclopedia of benchmarks when it comes to recommending the best buys. 

Related articles

The 12 Best Travel Tripods for Your Next Adventure

No matter where your wanderlust takes you, you’ll capture the moment better with this essential piece of gear.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

However, that premise goes out the window as soon as the shooting conditions change. If you want to shoot with a long exposure time, shoot in low-light or nighttime conditions, shoot video , or just want to take nice solo photos when you're traveling alone, you'll want a travel tripod.

While tripods are useful, they also tend to be bulky and heavy, so having a specific tripod for travel makes a big difference. Compared to standard tripods, travel tripods are usually smaller when collapsed, weigh less, and have smaller secondary parts like hinges, feet, and handles.

Not all travel tripods are created equal, though. Some are better suited to large DSLR cameras , while others may only work with smartphones. Here are the best travel tripods to consider for your upcoming vacation to suit all budgets, camera types, and experience levels.

Best Travel Tripods

Best Overall

Peak design carbon fiber travel tripod.

Geekoto Tripod, Camera Tripod for DSLR AT24EVO

Best Travel Tripod for Professionals

Dji osmo mobile se intelligent gimbal.

Best for Smartphones

Atumtek selfie stick tripod.

Best Travel Tripod for Heavy Cameras

Sirui am124 carbon fiber tripod.

Best Ball Head

Manfrotto element traveller 5-section tripod kit.

Best for Action Cameras

Gopro max grip + tripod.

Best Flexible

Fotopro flexible camera tripod.

Most Compact

Bze selfie stick.

Best for Video

Manfrotto travel video tripod.

The Expert: I'm a freelance travel writer and editor who focuses primarily on adventure travel, which means I often take photos for stories in challenging conditions. While landscape photos may seem easy, I often shoot scenes with moving water, night sky, and time-lapse shots, which all require a tripod. I've used many tripods while traveling and am very conscious of weight and size as I often come close to airline weight limits with my bags, especially if I'm already carrying a heavy camera and lenses.

What to Look for in a Travel Tripod

Not every travel tripod will be marketed as a travel tripod, so when selecting one to use during travel, there are a few specific factors to consider.

One of the two most important considerations is weight. Every pound counts when you're working against airline baggage weight limitations, especially on smaller planes or airlines with lower-than-normal weight limits. Sturdy studio tripods can easily weigh into the 15-plus-pound range, but for a travel tripod, you'll likely want to keep it somewhere around 4 pounds or less—roughly the weight of a pair of boots. Plastic travel tripods will probably be the lightest but potentially the least durable. Carbon fiber is extremely strong and lightweight, but much pricier.

Our Pack-and-Go Picks: Best Travel Accessories | Best Travel Bags | Best Travel Gifts

The second most important factor is size. Traditionally, tripods have (as the name belies) three telescoping legs. Travel tripods still have that feature, though many have uniquely shaped legs or modified center columns and handles to make them thinner and shorter when compressed, at least compared to a tripod not designed for travel.

Next, consider the weight capacity/limit: If you find an inexpensive tripod with small measurements, look at the weight rating before you buy it, especially if you have an SLR camera with heavy lenses. Every travel tripod should say the maximum weight it can hold. Keep in mind there are risks to exceeding the weight rating. Either the tripod will break or, more likely, the weight of your camera and lenses will cause it to tip forward, potentially damaging your camera.

Finally, look at the device that attaches your camera to the tripod (called a mount, or mounting plate) and make sure the mount will work with your camera. If you're buying a smartphone travel tripod, get one with a smartphone mount (usually a spring-loaded hook that grips across the back of your phone). If you're looking for a travel tripod for a DSLR, make sure your camera has a threaded hole on the bottom.

Look for a tripod with a quick-release plate to make mounting and removing your camera much. Quick release plates stay screwed into the bottom of your camera and snap onto your tripod, so you don't have to thread your camera in each time.

Note: You can buy tripod mount adapters, but you'll still have to deal with weight limitations—so you can usually mount lighter cameras to smaller tripods, not the other way around.

How We Selected These Travel Tripods

To choose the best travel tripods, I relied on my personal experience using travel tripods and talking with other photographers on their preferred brands and tripod features. From there, I narrowed down my potential picks, then researched user reviews, materials, and features for each.

Once I had a roundup of the top travel tripod options, I finalized my selections based on the best for each superlative below, intentionally choosing from a variety of brands, price points, and photography experience levels.

Peak Design doesn't make dozens of products within each category, but the ones it does make are incredibly well designed and engineered, and very intentional—there’s a reason behind every material and feature selection.

That seems true of the brand’s highly awarded travel tripod, which packs features like a hidden phone mount, a ball head with a twistable lock, extra clips for straps and attachments, and legs that can lower into an almost-flat position into a very lightweight package.

It may look like a standard tripod from the outside, but what makes Peak Design Travel Tripod so great for travel is its compact circumference. When packed, the tripod’s legs, ballhead, and adjustable central column fit together like puzzle pieces, allowing it to be much thinner than most travel tripods. Peak Design is also a B-Corp, is a member of 1% for the Planet, is climate neutral, and has a gear resale program to keep used gear out of landfills.

If you’re not hung up on name brands or particularly care about having a tripod that’ll be able to handle extremely tough conditions, consider the Geekoto AT24Evo. It may not be made with ultralight, ultra-durable materials like higher-end travel tripods, but you get features of much more expensive options in a relatively inexpensive package. That includes a ballhead for a full range of angles, a tall maximum height, a detachable monopod (akin to a selfie stick), and a quick-release plate.

This is an ideal budget tripod for tall shooters as it has an impressive maximum height of 77 inches, though that does come with a relatively long (19 inch) packed length.

Tripods with gimbals—weight-balanced devices that allow cameras to smoothly pan and rotate even while moving—were once solely the provenance of big-time Hollywood videographers. But now, with so many travelers making their living as professional content creators, travel tripods with gimbals have become much more common—and much more affordable.

This unit moves on three axes and the DJI app has built-in templates for easy shooting and editing. Features include motion stabilizing, single-finger controls, snap-on phone connectivity, and gesture control so you can stay in charge even when you’re in front of the camera.

The only downside is that the actual tripod part is fairly short, but that’s a fair trade-off considering it’s a travel tripod, camera gimbal, and selfie stick in one package small enough to fit in a jacket pocket.

For those who mostly take pictures on their smartphone, this unit has a convenient 2-in-1 design that’s ideal for traveling. It weighs less than 1 pound and folds down into a compact 12 inches, yet as a tripod, it reaches 51 inches tall. It can also be held as a selfie stick for those times you want a group photo.

This tripod is compatible with most popular smartphones, including iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and more. It comes with a rechargeable Bluetooth remote—a big bonus—that you can use for self-portraits while traveling solo.

It’s possible to find travel tripods that hold more than 26 pounds—but unless you’re a Hollywood cinematographer shooting on a massive video camera, they’re likely going to be overkill. The weight rating on the SIRUI AM124 Carbon Fiber Tripod is more than enough for heavy cameras with massive lenses, and I love that it has extra stability-focused features like retractable spikes on the feet and a central hook to add extra weight for counterbalancing the camera.

Aside from the price, the biggest downside is that photographers will have to make due with just a til-and-pan mount, or pay nearly $100 extra for the ball-head version .

The aluminum ball head on this travel tripod allows you to easily adjust your camera’s angle to capture any shot, with an independent 360-degree pan. It weighs less than 1 pound and extends to more than 56 inches, thanks to its five-section telescopic legs, which can also be positioned independently to accommodate any terrain.

The travel tripod has a maximum weight capacity of 8.8 pounds, making it best suited for small DSLR cameras, and a spring-loaded hook at the bottom of the center column to add weight for extra stability. It also comes with a carrying case for easy transport.

One of the reasons action cameras are great for travel is they can be mounted on almost anything—helmets, chest straps, underwater handles, and even the tips of skis and snowboards. But having multiple mounting options is useless if what you really need is a way to hold it still for time lapses or on-camera video recording.

Fortunately, the GoPro Max Grip + Tripod is both an extendable selfie stick and a tripod in one, and its compact size is one of the smallest I’ve seen. I keep my action cam mounted to it throughout my travels as the twist-locks are easy to deploy and the magnetic legs keep the tripod secure when I’m using it as a selfie stick.

The slim design is ideal for keeping the tripod mostly out of the frame on 360-degree action cameras, but it’ll work with any type of action camera that uses a similar mount.

This tripod doesn’t offer the height of a standard model, but its unique flexible (and waterproof!) legs can be wrapped around any surface—including trees, fences, poles, and more—allowing you to capture unique angles. The tripod comes with attachments for a standard camera, smartphone, and GoPro, and it has a ball head that easily rotates 360 degrees.

This travel tripod weighs just a few ounces, plus there's a Bluetooth remote control included for selfies. With a reasonable price point, the package is great value for all you get.

This selfie stick is as lightweight and compact as they come, allowing you to easily take photographs of yourself and your travel companions. It’s designed to hold smartphones, including popular iPhone, Android, and Samsung models, and it extends to 40 inches for good wide-angle shots. It also comes with a small tripod base and Bluetooth remote.

Keep in mind that this selfie stick is designed for smartphones only, not a heavy DSLR camera.

Capture stunning video footage while traveling with this tripod, which extends to nearly 5 feet and offers 360-degree panning for incredibly smooth images, thanks to its fluid video head. It also supports cameras up to 8.8 pounds.

Other top features include lever-style leg locks for fast setup, as well as a leveling ball joint to ensure perfect horizontal alignment on uneven ground. It has a removable pan bar and two camera adapters, and there's a carrying case included.

K&F Concept Concept Camera Tripod

Most tripods have a maximum height around 60 inches (5 feet), but this one extends to 69 inches, allowing you to capture those high-angle shots. The tripod weighs just over 3 pounds, and it has a high, 22-pound maximum weight capacity.

The aluminum-alloy tripod features a 360-degree ball head for panoramic shooting, and one of its legs can be removed to convert it to a monopod. Its inverted central axis allows for low-angle shooting, as well.

National Geographic Travel Tripod Kit

This travel tripod is your best bet for backroad adventures. Constructed of lightweight carbon fiber, it weights less than 3 pounds and easily converts to a monopod for nature photography. Plus, it comes with a durable carrying case.

Other highlights include five-section legs with twist locks, a 360-degree ball head, and three leg-angle stops for better stability on uneven terrain. Its 90-degree column mechanism allows you to shoot from ground level or directly overhead, and there's a spring-loaded hook on the tripod's bottom to hang it.

Travel Tripods that Go the Distance. Expert Suzie Dundas Offers These Buying Tips!

PM : What is the biggest difference between a budget travel tripod and an expensive one?

SD: The difference can vary quite a bit. Think of travel tripods as having three main points to evaluate: weight, size, and strength. You can generally have two of those without paying a lot. If you want it to be lightweight and small, it may not be very sturdy. If you want it to be sturdy and lightweight, it may not be that small.

If you want it to be small, sturdy, and lightweight, you’ll probably have to buy a more expensive one. So the biggest difference between an inexpensive travel tripod and a pricey one generally comes down to which of those qualities you’re going to sacrifice (or not).

PM : How important is thickness of a tripod?

SD : Thickness doesn't matter at all—what matters is the sturdiness. In general, it’s fair to say that thicker tripods will be more stable, but that’s not to say that there can’t be thin, stable tripods, especially if they’re made with strong materials like carbon alloys. The actual thickness of the materials is secondary.

The only exception to this may be if you choose a travel tripod with plastic legs (which will likely be an inexpensive option). You may want to go with something a bit thicker to reduce the chances of it breaking or getting bent if it accidentally gets sat on or smashed in your suitcase.

PM: Twist or flip?

SD : With telescoping legs, you’ll find two methods of locking the legs when extended: twist locks or flip locks. Twist locks are easy to use: twist the locks in one direction to lock them, twist them in the other direction to unlock (and collapse) them; It’s essentially a wringing motion.

Tripods with twist locks are generally less bulky, setup is quick, and the lack of extra levers means they’re less likely to get snagged or caught on straps and bags. However, it can be easier to think they’re locked when they’re not, and they can trap abrasive materials like dirt and sand in the mechanisms if not cleaned occasionally.

Flip-style locks have some kind of lever or tab you’ll flip to switch between locked and unlocked. These levers may add a bit of extra width or bulk to your tripod, and they’re a bit slower to set up as most tripods will have at least six of these levels on the legs.

However, buyers who are new to using travel tripods will likely benefit more from flip-style locks, as it’s much easier to tell with a glance if they’re locked or not, eliminating accidental falls. Twist locks also tend to be a feature of higher-end (i.e. more expensive) travel tripods.

PM : How much is too much to pay for one of these?

SD : How much is too much to pay for a travel tripod is an impossible question to answer, except in very broad strokes: plan to pay somewhere between $30 and $1,000.

Travel tripods designed for phones and action cameras will generally be cheaper than travel tripods for professional-level cameras. You can get a high-end, durable travel tripod for a phone for less than $100, and likely less than that.

However, if you’re shooting on a more expensive camera, you don’t want the device holding that camera to be too inexpensive or poorly made. You also want to ensure your travel tripod for a DSLR can maintain its integrity and strength even when knocked over on rough ground or airplane storage bins, banged around in your luggage, or handled roughly in transit. Cameras are expensive and you want to be able to trust your tripod to protect them.

That’s not to say you need to go much beyond the $300 range, but it does mean DSLR shooters won’t want to consider price as the most important factor. And if you’re shooting professional-level content with extremely long or heavy lenses, you’re probably looking more at the $500 range, especially if you add a DSLR gimbal attachment.

PM : What are some extra features to be on the lookout for?

SD : Travel tripods are certainly not as complicated as the cameras themselves, but there are a few features you need to consider. If you plan on shooting video, you’ll likely want a pan handle. It’s just what it sounds like—a grippy handle you can use to smoothly pan the camera.

Another feature on many, but not all, travel tripods is an adjustable center column. They allow you to adjust the camera height without adjusting the legs. They’re especially useful on travel tripods with flip-style locks that take longer to adjust or for taller photographers.

You’ll also want to look at the tripod head: the apparatus that allows you to move and swing the camera while still attached to the tripod. Many higher-end and professional travel tripods will have ballheads, which can rotate your camera at virtually any angle between 0 and 180 degrees.

The other most frequent travel tripod head is referred to as a “tilt-and-pan.” These generally allow you to move the camera to the left and right, plus forward and backward, but only at 90-degree angles. Travel tripods with ball heads offer a much wider range of flexibility for shooting and are quicker to adjust.

Originally from the East Coast, Suzie Dundas is a Lake Tahoe-based freelance writer and editor who now splits her time between enjoying the outdoors and writing about them—she's the senior outdoor editor at Matador Network and a regular adventure and travel contributor at TripSavvy.com . She has written feature stories for publications like Outside Magazine , SkyLife Magazine , Playboy , Frommers, INSIDER, and more, and contributes couples travel and honeymoon content for TheKnot.com . Suzie co-authored Lonely Planet Sustainable Travel Guide and is the author of 2021's "Hiking Lake Tahoe." She has undergraduate degrees from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in media and political communication from George Washington University. Follow her on Instagram at @HikeUpYourSkirt or find more of her work at suziedundas.com . 

.css-cuqpxl:before{padding-right:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;} Adventure .css-xtujxj:before{padding-left:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;}

The 9 Best Lightweight Hiking Boots

The 10 Best Swiss Army Knives for Home or Away

The 9 Best Solar-Powered Generators

The 7 Best Camping Lanterns to Light Up the Night

15 Countries Worth Visiting for an Epic Drive

The 8 Best Snow Tubes for Speed, Safety, and Fun

The 7 Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags

The 7 Best Backpacks for Commuting to Work

The 9 Best Travel Backpacks for Life On the Go

REI Presidents’ Day Sale

The 6 Best Electric Skateboards

• Galactic Frieza Army
• Ginyu Force

Attack Ball

• View history

Attack Balls ( アタックボール , Atakku Bōru ) , also known as Space Pods ( 宇宙ポッド , Uchū Poddo ) [1] and Round Spaceships ( 丸型宇宙船 , Marugata Uchūsen ) , [2] [3] are spaceships used by those under King Cold , Cooler , and Frieza for interstellar travel. When the Saiyans were a part of the military, these vehicles also sent low-class Saiyans to distant locations, so that they would one day conquer and/or destroy worlds throughout the galaxy.

• 2.1 Team Bardock
• 2.4 Nappa and Vegeta
• 2.6 Ginyu Force
• 2.7 Paragus
• 2.9 Tarble and Gure
• 2.10 Abo and Kado
• 2.11 Tagoma and Sorbet
• 3.1 Capsule Corporation
• 3.2 Turles Crusher Corps' large variant
• 3.3 Glass Generated
• 4 Video Games Appearances
• 7 References
• 8 Site Navigation

Overview [ ]

Saiyans board Attack Balls

The Saiyan Pods use incredible technology. These spaceships are purely for transportation purposes, carrying along unconscious people. Because of this, they are not outfitted with any particularly comfortable features but are made to not cause any strain on the body. [6]

Even though it is only five feet in diameter, it houses an advanced environmental system and an incredibly fuel-efficient faster-than-light drive. Those traveling inside the ball are kept in a state of suspended animation that minimizes the resources needed to keep them alive.

Attack Balls can travel for three years non-stop, but they must replenish their environmental system once every six months or twice a year. To do so, they must enter a world with an at least partially inhabitable atmosphere for ten minutes. Although relatively slow when in final approach or during launch, they can travel at a speed which enables them to cross interstellar distances within days or even hours, and to travel through a galaxy within a few years, making them some of the fastest spacecraft in the universe. These ships have exceptionally strong armor, which allows them to not be crushed or outright destroyed upon landing. This often has consequences for the destination point, as the extreme speed often causes massive explosions upon impact, wiping out everything within a certain radius and leaving nothing but a massive crater in its place. Specialized landing pads can reduce the damage to non-existent and are commonly found on worlds controlled by Frieza such as Planet Frieza 79 and Planet Vegeta in order to prevent damage caused by its force's craft whenever they return to base. The destruction they cause upon landing on planets targeted for invasion is of little concern to either Frieza's forces or the Saiyans that use them and given the amount damage they can cause during landing, it may even serve as a pre-emptive strike during invasions. The balls themselves are heavily armored from the outside to prevent any damage during landing, as well as standing up to Nappa 's Volcano Explosion , but the interior is incredibly fragile, as a simple Ki Blast can destroy an Attack Ball from the inside. They also seemingly do not need any external force for takeoff, being self-sufficient enough to launch themselves into space on their own.

Two Attack Balls in flight

The balls have a remote control, as demonstrated by Vegeta , which allows the owners to recall their pods to their location, or trigger a self-destruction, among other potential functions. The controllers look like a calculator, and can command more than one pod at a time, as the one held by Vegeta triggered Nappa's pod to explode. According to the anime, if Saiyans are on a planet that lacks a natural moon, the Attack Ball can compensate for this by making a holographic projection of a moon that is realistic enough to allow Blutz waves to be generated for the Saiyan to become a Great Ape upon being activated by the ship's built-in computer. This is especially evident while Gohan was training with Piccolo during the year of training before Nappa and Vegeta arrived on Earth . However, this method is presumably inferior to getting Blutz Waves from an actual moon, as the same event had Gohan having a delayed effect at turning Great Ape, instead fighting in a berserk manner in base form before eventually transforming. Also, in the anime, Vegeta uses his Scouter to summon both his and Nappa's pods to them on Arlia , and the pods seem to continue providing them oxygen even with the door open in outer space, as both Saiyans continue to breathe normally despite destroying Arlia. Presumably they are designed to be controlled via Scouter or remote, which can prove useful should one of them be destroyed. As scouters are prone to breaking or being destroyed in battle, the remote may serve as a backup control which makes sense as it is shown to be incredibly durable thus would be very useful as a backup controller while the Scouter-based control would be the primary means of summoning them.

There was also a much larger variant of Attack Balls seen in Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan , which is capable of transporting an entire army to another planet. It was destroyed by Broly when venting his power. It was never explained if this Attack Ball variant was a standard or if this was a creation made solely by Paragus to give the illusion of the Saiyan rebirth to lure Vegeta into a trap. Dr. Brief also managed to take the remains of Goku's Attack Ball and rebuild it from scratch, allowing the same travel speed but with additional facilities.

In Dragon Ball Minus , there are bigger-than-usual Space Pods with the capability for two people in it . Only Bardock and Leek were seen using it. [7]

Known users [ ]

Team bardock [ ].

Goku and Bardock's Space Pods

In the special Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku , Fasha , Tora , Shugesh , and Borgos use their Saiyan pods to get to Planet Meat to destroy the inhabitants. After doing just that, the low-class Saiyan team was ambushed by Dodoria 's elite. Later, Bardock used his pod to arrive on Meat and later found his slain comrades. After defeating the elites only to be beaten by Dodoria himself, a bloody Bardock survived and went to his pod back to Planet Vegeta . On the way, Bardock's pod detected a pod carrying his second son, Kakarot , and going the opposite direction. On the Saiyan homeworld, Bardock left his pod bloody and exhausted. It was destroyed when Frieza used his Supernova on the Saiyan planet.

Goku leaving Planet Vegeta

The space pod that sent Goku to Planet Earth landed somewhere in a jungle or forest and it was there that Grandpa Gohan found the young Saiyan and adopted grandson (there are two versions of this):

• In flashbacks seen in Dragon Ball Z , Grandpa Gohan finds Goku in the Saiyan pod.
• In the Bardock special, Goku is found by Grandpa Gohan and the pod is nearby.

Much later, Goku's old pod was discovered by Bulma's father and he rebuilt it from scratch. Mr Brief says that Goku's original pod was demolished and only few key parts available (though in an anime filler, the pod activated a projection of the full moon, forcing Gohan to transform into a Great Ape, forcing Piccolo to destroy it with his Special Beam Cannon ). The redesigned space pod had a bedroom, a bathroom, a training room with artificial gravity machine, and could get Goku to planet Namek in a week. While the ship set a course for Namek, Goku trained in 10x, 20x, to 100x gravity. Goku rested the last day until it arrived on Namek. After becoming a Super Saiyan , Goku told Gohan to take Bulma and Piccolo to his ship, however, all of the people (excluding Goku and Frieza) on Namek were teleported off. The ship was most likely destroyed by Namek's explosion. However, it didn't stop the creation of at least two more Capsule Corporation Space Pods, as, at least in the anime, Vegeta stole a Capsule Corp Spaceship to try and locate Goku (this one was later destroyed during the three-year training period when Vegeta overexerted himself) and another was used to replace the one Vegeta destroyed during training. The one Vegeta trained in possessed a 300x gravity system (450x in the anime), in which was Vegeta's response to being three times more intense than Goku.

In Dragon Ball Minus and Broly , Bardock and Gine are shown stealing the pod under the cover of night. Bardock fearing Frieza was planning to exterminate the Saiyans after summoning all Saiyans to return to Planet Vegeta and his forces making inquiries among the Saiyans into the legend of the Super Saiyan and Super Saiyan God as well as Bardock's desire to save something for once choosing Kakarot as he like his father had been classified as a low-class warrior as Bardock knew it was futile for himself and Gine to flee with their son. Additionally due to the clandestine manner he was sent off world, Goku's trip to Earth was unauthorized though Gine and Bardock managed to pass it off as them sending Kakarot to conquer the planet which was common practice due to Raditz and the surviving Saiyans assuming that was the case as Gine informed Raditz of Kakarot being sent to Earth before Frieza destroyed the planet. Additionally, the anime flashbacks depict a scene of Kakarot being sent into space as Planet Vegeta is destroyed by a meteor impact, during Raditz's explanation of Goku's heritage and the destruction of Planet Vegeta thus the flashback could be Raditz's interpretation of what most likely happened when their parents sent Kakarot to Earth. This however contradicts the TV Special which depicts Kakarot being sent to Earth by the Saiyan Army shortly before the injured Bardock returns from Meat.

Raditz's Space Pod

The first seen ball was Raditz 's ball. After finding his younger brother, Goku, was useless to him, Raditz stole his nephew Gohan and put the boy in his Attack Ball. Later, an angry Gohan burst out of the ball, destroying it completely. Later after the defeat of Vegeta, Goku remembers Raditz's space pod and suggests using it to travel to Namek, but then he recalls that Gohan destroyed it.

In Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot , after the Saiyan Saga, it is revealed that Bulma had Capsule Corporation personnel investigate the pod's crash site in East Ravine to collect pieces of the wreckage. Dr. Brief also decides to investigate the crash site himself in the hopes of using the tech to build his own spaceship, indicating that he used the recovered fragments to help develop the Capsule Corporation Spaceship along with the remains of Goku's recovered pod. Additionally, Bulma asks the pod's destroyer, Gohan, to help see if they missed anything. He finds a mysterious chip which turns out to be a fried communications chip which contains fragments of audio. Though the audio is broken it is obvious it is the Saiyans talking about a planet they are invading having caught Frieza's interest. Gohan and Bulma however fail to understand what they are talking about, and Bulma tries to laugh it off as nothing concerning them, though the narration text states what it meant would soon become clear referencing their fateful confrontation with the Frieza Force on Namek.

Nappa and Vegeta [ ]

Vegeta and Nappa in their attack balls

After Raditz's death and the discovery of the Dragon Balls , Nappa and Vegeta used their Attack Balls to get to planet Earth. On the way, the two Saiyans stop and Vegeta destroys planet Arlia (this happens in the anime only , they go straight on without any stops in the manga). A year later, Nappa and Vegeta arrive and land in East City . Later, after Nappa's death and Vegeta's defeat, Vegeta uses a remote control to have his pod arrive at his position and Vegeta escapes in his pod to Planet Frieza 79 . It is then found by Krillin, who gives it to Bulma who uses the remote on Nappa's pod, only to have it accidentally explode while it is being filmed for the television . Later, a revitalized Vegeta uses his space pod to get from the Planet Frieza 79 to Planet Namek. After the pod landed on Namek, it was left behind by Vegeta. Cranberry then found it after being revived and used it to escape Namek, he landed it on an unknown planet but was captured by Jaco , leaving the final fate of this attack ball unknown.

Cui , one of Frieza's employees, uses an attack ball to attack Bun's planet , as well as to get to Namek. Cui's space pod is never seen again and is most likely destroyed when Namek exploded. Cui is not the only one of Frieza's soldiers to use a ball to get to the planets that he destroys for Frieza, as the soldiers who get to Bun 's planet with Cui also used attack balls.

Ginyu Force [ ]

Ginyu Force's Space Pods

The space pods used by Captain Ginyu , Recoome , Burter , Jeice , and Guldo are same as Saiyan space pods, the only difference is their pods have the Ginyu Force's logo on them. The Ginyu Force pods land next to Frieza's Spaceship . After defeating Frieza, Goku uses one of the pods to escape Namek's explosion. While resting from his long, exhausting fight against Frieza, the pod lands on Planet Yardrat (It's implied that had the Ginyu Force, and by extension, Frieza, lived after fighting on Namek, they would've conquered Yardrat for Frieza's empire). After his pod was repaired, the newly healed Goku (in Yardrat clothing) used it to travel back to Earth. The other pods are presumed to be destroyed in Namek's explosion. Vegeta may have used this particular space pod to arrive on New Namek and head back to Earth in Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler , due to it being the only Space Pod/Attack Ball accounted for by the time of the movie (though it's possible that Dr. Briefs and/or Bulma could have created one based on the original design). In the Alternate Timeline where Future Goku was returning to Earth after learning Instant Transmission from the Yardrats, he used his newly learned technique to teleport back to the planet while travelling on the space pod to confront Future Frieza and his father .

In Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot , Goku discovers that the Ginyu Force Attack Ball he used to escape Namek held combat data on former Ginyu Force member Bonyu . Upon returning to Earth, the data was recovered and uploaded into the Capsule Corporation Training Room allowing Goku to spar against a virtual representation of Bonyu.

Paragus [ ]

Paragus' space pod crushed by Broly

As Comet Camori was close to destroying the New Planet Vegeta and with his son Broly being out of control, Paragus prepared a space pod in an attempt to escape from the doomed planet alone during the chaos. However, as Paragus boarded the pod, his son came along. After exposing Paragus' lie of planning to seek shelter together by the single seat capacity, he brutally crushed the pod with his bare hands, despite its armored hull, killing his father in the process. Broly then threw the deformed Attack Ball towards the comet, completely destroying it.

Majola collects Broly's blood from the space pod

After being dealt a critical wound by Goku, Broly managed to board an Attack Pod to escape the destruction of New Planet Vegeta. The pod was implied to have been damaged during his escape from the planet, as small pieces of debris were seen floating around the pod both during Broly's arrival on Earth and his flashback to his defeat on New Planet Vegeta when emerging from his coma due to Goten crying nearby. The pod was also apparently fairly large compared to usual, as Broly was implied to have still been in his Legendary Super Saiyan state when seated inside. The pod made its way to Earth and, upon landing in the mountains near Natade Village , Broly broke the door clean off and fell into a coma from exhaustion, with water filling in the crater created by the ship's impact and freezing over. Seven years later, after awakening and breaking free from his frozen grave, Broly once again met his defeat, after which Majola traveled to the crater and retrieved a frozen blood sample from the damaged pod to sell to Lord Jaguar who provided it to his scientists Dr. Collie and Nain leading to the birth of Broly's Bio-Warrior clone, Bio-Broly .

After learning Broly 's power surpasses his son's and that he might be legendary Super Saiyan, King Vegeta has him sent to Planet Vampa . Upon arriving at the planet, the pod seemed to have been ruined in a crash landing. It is implied that Broly had destroyed the pod as a result of looking at Vampa's moon and triggering his Great Ape transformation upon landing.

Tarble and Gure [ ]

Tarble and Gure's Pods arrive on Earth

Tarble and Gure traveled to Earth in their space pods to get help from Vegeta, in order to defeat Abo and Kado . When they arrived on Earth, Tarble and Gure, while in their space pods, destroyed some buildings and roads in West City .

In Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 , Tarble's ultimate attack is performed with his space pod, likely inspired by his and Gure's pods crashing down in West City.

Abo and Kado [ ]

Abo and Kado exiting their pods

As once members of Frieza's army, the Abo and Kado brothers possess their own space pods for interplanetary travel. In pursuit of Tarble and Gure, the two used their space pods to chase their targets down to Earth. They landed on a green field and pursued their goal. After being defeated and changing their ways, the two joined the Dragon Team 's celebration party before presumably leaving on their pods.

Tagoma and Sorbet [ ]

When the former officer of the Third Stellar Region , Sorbet , and his bodyguard, Tagoma came to Earth to resurrect Frieza, they used a space pod. Their space pod however, is a much different variant from the ones used earlier. It is larger, as it is able to fit two people at once, and it resembles the Frieza Force spaceships , but it is much smaller. It is able to fit inside Sorbet's Spaceship as well.

Variations [ ]

Capsule corporation [ ].

Main article: Capsule Corporation Spaceship A much larger craft constructed by Dr. Brief based on the Attack Ball that Goku arrived on Earth in.

Turles Crusher Corps' large variant [ ]

Main article: Turles' spaceship A large variant of the standard Attack Pod built by Rasin and Lakasei .

Glass Generated [ ]

Main article: Glass Generation

Attack Ball created by Lagss' glass.

Through her glass manipulating abilities , Lagss creates a working glass Attack Ball for Hearts, who uses it to reach Earth .

Video Games Appearances [ ]

• Dragon Ball Z: Goku Hishōden
• Dragon Ball Z: Kyōshū! Saiyan
• Dragon Ball Z: Super Saiya Densetsu
• Dragon Ball Z: Super Gokuden: Kakusei-Hen
• Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai
• Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2
• Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3
• Dragon Ball Z: Sagas
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi
• Super Dragon Ball Z
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2
• Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
• Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans
• Dragon Ball Online
• Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2
• Dragon Ball Heroes
• Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai HD Collection
• Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z
• Dragon Ball Xenoverse
• Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
• Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

In Goku Hishōden , Kyōshū! Saiyan , Super Saiya Densetsu , Super Gokuden: Kakusei-Hen , The Legacy of Goku , Budokai , Budokai 2 , Budokai 3 , Sagas , Harukanaru Densetsu , Attack of the Saiyans , Online , Budokai HD Collection , and Kakarot , Vegeta and Nappa use the Attack Balls briefly in cutscenes.

In The Legacy of Goku II , the Ginyu Force Attack Ball used by Goku to escape Namek appears.

In Buu's Fury , Ginyu's ship reappears as the Z-Fighter Exhibit #7, with the in-game description being " Goku used this ship to escape from Namek. This ship used to belong to the Ginyu Force. "

In Super Dragon Ball Z , an Attack Ball is seen in the Eastern Capital battle stage.

In the Budokai Tenkaichi series , an Attack Ball is seen in the Rocky Area battle stage.

In Online , a version of the Attack Ball can be crafted and used as a vehicle to fly without using the Flight skill.

Tarble's Attack Ball in Raging Blast 2

In Raging Blast 2 , Tarble uses his Attack Ball as part his Round UFO Attack .

In Ultimate Tenkaichi , Goku's Attack Ball appears in a cutscene.

In Battle of Z , an Attack Ball is seen in the Spinach Wastes battle stage.

Attack Ball vs. Frog Ginyu in Xenoverse

In Xenoverse , Vegeta's Attack Ball appears after Great Ape Vegeta's defeat by the Future Warrior , Krillin, and Gohan. Like in the original history, Krillin tries to kill the injured Vegeta as he tries entering his Attack Ball but is stopped by the Future Warrior to preserve history and Goku manages convinces Krillin to let Vegeta go, allowing Vegeta to escape in his Attack Ball and leave Earth. Humorously through the use of cheats it is possible to select an Attack Ball as a playable character.

In Xenoverse 2 , a model of an Attack Ball appears randomly on a dresser near the front door inside Kame House and is one of several vehicle models that randomly appear on said dresser every time the Future Warrior enters Kame House. Vegeta's Attack Ball also appears in the main story to carry the injured Vegeta away after his defeat by the Future Warrior , Gohan, and Krillin. As part of the Super Pack 2 DLC, the Attack Ball known as Vehicle Capsule #318 appears as a vehicle which can be used by the Future Warrior to travel around Conton City as well as the Capsule Corporation , Guru's House, Majin Buu's House , and Satan House rifts.

In Kakarot , it is named Round Spaceship . The Ginyu Force Round Spaceship Goku used to escape Namek contained data on former Ginyu Force member Bonyu which is later retrieved by the Female Researcher after Goku returns to Earth and uses it to add a virtual simulation of Bonyu that Goku can train against in the Capsule Corporation's Training Room.

• The remote control of this spaceship is virtually indestructible. It was intact after a Kaio-ken Kamehameha , Fusion Spirit Bomb , and being crushed by a Great Ape .
• The craft can also have its speed compared to others. The Attack Ball could reach Namek in six days. Thus, they are roughly five times faster than the Nameless Namekian's Spaceship , which took roughly a month to do the same, and have speed between 1075 and 1575 c, c being the speed of light, 186,000 miles or 300,000 kilometers a second, compared to the latter's speed, which is between 215 and 315 c.
• Its speed is comparable and/or equivalent to that of the Capsule Corporation Spaceship Goku used to reach Namek, which also took roughly six days to reach Namek. As Dr. Brief created the spaceship from pieces of Goku's Attack Ball, Dr. Brief was, presumably, able to reverse engineer and create just as powerful an engine (or modify the one from Goku's Attack Ball) as that used by the Attack Ball, as well as use the data he had from the Nameless Namekian's Spaceship.

Gallery [ ]

References [ ].

• ↑ 1.0 1.1 Daizenshuu 7 , 1996
• ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dragon Ball: Super Exciting Guide , 2009
• ↑ 3.0 3.1 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot , 2020
• ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 , 2016
• ↑ Dragon Ball GT episode 27, " The Attack on Vegeta "
• ↑ " Dragon Ball Q&A 7", Dragon Ball Full Color , Saiyan Saga volume 2, February 4, 2013
• ↑ Dragon Ball Minus: The Departure of the Fated Child , 2014

Site Navigation [ ]

• 2 Ultra Ego

5 Best Travel Tripods That Are Lightweight and Easy to Use 2024

• Photography / Travel Gear

Need a Travel Tripod? Here are our favorites!

I can’t believe I’ve been shooting for over 20 years. That being said, I’ve gone through a fair share of tripods. Today, we put together this list of best travel tripods today to help you pick one that’s best for you.

We’ll continue to update the post as tripods get updated and new up and coming brands make their way up the ranks, so be sure to check back!

This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. All opinions are always our own. Read our full disclosure  for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

Last Updated: March 9, 2024

− − Content Menu

• Do I Need a Tripod?

When You Need a Tripod

• 5 Best Travel Tipods

What to Look for in a Travel Tripod

• More Highly Rated Travel Tripods

Most Affordable Travel Tripods

Best travel tripods for mirrorless cameras, best travel tripods for your phone, essential tips for travel photography, planning checklist.

We like to travel light, meaning the max we carry is one carry on and  one backpack  (it doesn’t matter how long the trip is or whether it’s summer or winter).

This can be quite challenging since we travel for work and carry our laptops and a decent amount of camera gear. At the very minimum, we have our DSLR, two lenses, and a tripod. But depending on the trip, we sometimes travel with filters, multiple bodies, a drone, and more.

First Off, Ask Yourself, Do I need a Tripod?

This all depends on your subject.

My high school hobby transitioned into shooting weddings after college. Then it took almost a decade before  I quit weddings  so that my main focus could be shooting travel photos.

When we shot weddings, we were moving quickly from moment to moment. A tripod just slowed us down, so we only used it for the more formal moments. During our travels, we adopted the same habit of being on the move.

Even still, a tripod follows us on all our trips, but it mostly stays at the hotel unless we know we’re shooting specific types of photos that day.

The photo below isn’t the best photo (we took it with an iPhone and it was getting dark), but it’s one of the very few photos I could find of me using a tripod.

• Landscape Photos –  To stack multiple images for HDR or during sunrise and sunset images where there isn’t enough light and we want to expose longer for color.
• Water  – Long exposure of waterfalls, beaches, etc makes it silky smooth.
• To Capture Movement  – It doesn’t just have to be moving water. You can capture movement in other things like clouds, stars, cars, people walking, or bird wings fluttering.
• Self-Portraits  – mainly when we want to have both of us in the photos, but it’s also perfect for solo travelers. PRO TIP: Instead of running back and forth with the timer.
• Using a Telephoto Lens  – I especially have a hard time keeping it steady since it’s heavy, and I’m a small person. I need to shoot at least 1/400 handheld even if it’s image-stabilized or all my photos will come out blurry.
• Astrophotography and Night
• Video  – to have a nice locked off shot
• As a Mount  – for accessories like flash (although we did this more when we shot weddings)
• To Get Rid Crowds  – if you’re in a busy area where there are tons of people moving around, you can take a lot of consecutive shots, layer all your photos, and edit them out. This doesn’t always work if people stay in the same spot in the shot the entire time.
• Increase Image Quality  – Keeping the camera ISO low to increase the quality of images. However, this is pretty rare for us since cameras these days are so good.

Some of these you can still manage handheld and deal with in post, but it will make editing a longer, annoying process.

See More: 15 Best Travel Backpacks You Need to Check Out

The 5 Best Travel Tripods

1. peak design carbon fiber travel tripod (editor’s choice) →.

The Peak Design Travel Tripod is the newest, innovative tripod to hit the market and is truly a game-changer!

They’ve completely redesigned how you can use a tripod, and the first thing you’ll notice is that it collapses without wasting space. It comes with exciting features, including a reversible center column, a new ball-head design with no knobs, a built-in cellphone mount, and more.

We tested it at home and based on size and functionality, we think it will become number one, but we want to test it on the road for a few months first.

Pro Tip: If the carbon fiber price is too high, they also have an  aluminum version here .

• Weight: 2.8 lbs
• Folded Length: 15.5″
• Maximum Height: 60″
• Minimum Height: 5.5″
• Load Capacity: 20 lbs
• Head Type: Ball Head
• Quick Release Plate Type: Arca-Type
• Click here for the full list of specs.
• Packs small.
• Unique ballhead design is easy to use.
• Built-in cell phone mount.
• Easy to reverse the center column.
• Can’t shoot panoramas, since there isn’t a separate ball panning lock.

2. Manfrotto BeFree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with 494 Ball Head →

Manfrotto is the veteran brand and the number one choice for many photographers. They’re the experts who have made tripods the longest.

We preferred the Arca-System, so we picked up  this adapter .  With the adapter, it’s by far one of our favorites. We love that it’s as intuitive as a classic tripod gets. Our least favorite thing is the space between the legs when it’s collapsed. You can always stuff shirts in between, but it would be easier without the gap.

• Folded Length: 16.14″
• Maximum Height: 59.1″
• Minimum Height: 16.14″
• Load Capacity: 17.6 lbs
• Quick Release Plate Type: RC2
• Built by a long-standing company that knows what they’re doing.
• Easy and intuitive use and features.
• Not as small when collapsed.
• Can’t get as low as we’d like.

3. Heipi 3-in-1 Tripod →

We recently got the HEIPI 3-IN-1 Tripod and it has some impressive features! It has a unique 3-pillar center column system allowing you to transform your tripod to use it in different ways. It also has a strong ball head that can hold up to 55 lbs. Overall I’m impressed with the design!

• Weight: 3 lbs
• Folded Length: 17.7″
• Maximum Height: 59″
• Minimum Height: 5.7″
• Load Capacity: 55 lbs
• Unique 3-in-1 column design.
• Can use columns separately.

4. MeFoto Globetrotter Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod →

We’ve used multiple MeFoto tripods over the years. The one we currently have is discontinued, but the one we’re talking about here is the updated version.

MeFoto is relatively newer to the tripod game, but they focused on building tripods with travelers in mind. It even comes across with how they named their lines:  RoadTrip ,  Backpacker , &  GlobeTrotter . They have multiple color options to help you pick out your tripod amongst a sea of black tripods.

One of our favorite features is that it can convert to a monopod with no tools.

• Weight: 3.7 lbs
• Folded Length: 16.5″
• Maximum Height: 64.2″
• Minimum Height: 16.1″
• Load Capacity: 26.4 lbs
• Quick Release Plate Type: Arca-Style
• Can be used as a monopod or tripod.
• Lots of color options.
• Still has space between legs when collapsed.
• Heaviest tripod on this list.

5. Joby GOrillapod 5k Flexible Mini-Tripod →

Joby makes a wide range of GorillaPods, but right now, we’re focusing on their beefiest one that can support a DSLR.

GorillaPods excel on uneven grounds or odd shooting situations. Their flexible legs allow you to wrap it around objects or adjust them as needed. They’re also great for vlogging.

The one major downside is that you can’t get a higher vantage point if there isn’t anything higher to attach it to.

• Weight: 1.06 oz
• Maximum Height: 15.2″
• Minimum Height: 6″
• Load Capacity: 11 lbs
• Click here for a full list of specs.
• Flexible legs great for uneven ground.
• Can wrap around objects to mount in different spots.
• Not great for a huge set up (like a telephoto lens).
• Limited height.

We’re always looking for the lightest, smallest, packable tripod out there while still capable of safely supporting our gear. These are the things we take into consideration:

Additional Features

Not only does it need to meet weight requirements for flights, but you’ll be carrying it on you. A heavy tripod gets cumbersome fast (and so does a DSLR. I wanted to throw it in the lake on our last backpacking trip. That’s a story for later)!

Most tripods have two models: the lighter carbon-fiber model and the more affordable aluminum alloy model.

Pro Tip: Keep in mind that you need to pay attention to how much weight a tripod can carry as well. If you’re using a telephoto lens on a DSLR, the lightest tripod may not support that weight. On the flip side, if you’re primarily shooting with a phone or GoPro, you can go extremely light.

Regardless of the weight, size matters. I’m talking about how small it packs down. The ones that can pack smaller saves you space in your luggage , and it’s less awkward to carry with you.

Pro Tip: Think about how you’ll be carrying the tripod. When I’m flying somewhere, I pack it in my suitcase . Once I’m on location, I carry it in my backpack . Test them in both scenarios.

How high does it go?

For the most part, you want it to go up high enough to match your height, so you don’t have to bend over. Since I’m vertically challenged, I rarely use it at full extension. Some people, however, also like to use their tripod to extend their camera as high as possible and get a bird’s eye view.

How low does it go? 

If you want to shoot at low angles, you’ll want to know how low it can stand. If you’re shooting puddlegrams, you’ll want to prioritize this.

Pro Tip: Typically, the peak height of a tripod includes the center column fully extended. This is also the tripod’s weakest point. When fully extended, a little gust of wind can shake or even topple the tripod.

Your tripod needs to keep the camera still and stable. Since travel tripods need to be as small and light as possible, they come with thinner legs and lighter pieces. As a result, it’s sacrificing the stability of their heavier, bulky counterparts.

There have been times where I’m shooting in windy situations, and the tripod can’t keep the camera still. When looking for your travel tripod, see how wobbly the legs are and the weight it can handle. Is there an anchor point where you can attach your backpack to give it more stability? How many joints does it have and does it affect stability? 

Test your tripod with your heaviest setup (mine currently is the Canon Mark IV and 70-200/2.8L lens). Make sure it’s stable, and tap the legs at different points to see how it handles the vibration.

Most tripods in this category come with some sort of standard head, but you can always change it out later. When choosing a head or testing what comes with it, think about what you’re shooting with since the head also comes with weight limits too.

You also want to consider how easy it is to maneuver.

There are three main types of heads:

• Ball-Head  – one access point that loosens or tightens that allows for flexible and smooth adjustments, For photography, ball heads are pretty standard.
• Pan-Tilt Head  – one knob or handles to control its horizontal movement and another for its vertical movements. It’s more commonly used for video.
• Gimbal Head  – helps balance the camera no matter which direction you’re trying to move it (usually for heavy or long lenses)

Do you shoot more portrait or landscape orientation? We like to shoot vertically, and after a while of tilting and the ball head for portrait orientation, it got looser until the tripod couldn’t hold the weight of our camera. The weight of the camera slowly dragged the ball head down.

Pro Tip: We used to use a  L-Bracket  for our camera, but recently switched to a rotating collar , which we absolutely love. It makes the camera bulkier, but it’s much more stable for shooting in either orientation and quicker to switch between both. I don’t know why I waited so long to get one!

Tripod Legs – Twist Lock or Level Lock?

This is generally a matter of preference, but there are some pros and cons to each. We prefer the lever locks.

• Lever locks  let you set up and pack up your tripod quicker, and it’s easy to know if it’s locked by looking at it. The cons are that it is slightly bulkier and the set screws can loosen over time and you will need a hex tool on you to adjust it. Other tripods come with a hex tool, but the Peak Design tripod has it integrated into the design.
• Twist locks  are less bulky, require less maintenance, and have fewer parts that break when taking a beating. The downside is that it takes more time to set up and also sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s fully locked.

Pro Tip: Take care of your tripod. If you shoot in dusty or sandy conditions, make sure you wash it and dry it off to extend its life. You don’t want all the sand or dust to stay in between the legs.

You need to consider the camera you’re shooting with and also the environments you’ll be shooting in. Here is a shortlist of other features you may want:

• Quick Plate  – for easy mount and dismount
• Feet  – you may want spikes for outdoor locations as opposed to rubber for cities
• Bubble Level  – to keep the horizon level (We use the electronic one in camera)
• Cell Phone Mount  – sometimes you may want to shoot with your phone for ease.
• Flipping Center Column  – can the center column flip so the camera can be mounted downwards
• Carrying Case  – to protect the tripod
• Warranty  – in case something malfunctions

More Highly Rated and Recommended Tripods

Here are other highly rated travel tripods to check out:

• Gitzo GK1545T Series 1 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod
• Benro Bat zero Series Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
• Peak Design Aluminum Travel Tripod
• Manfrotto MK290XTA3-3WUS 290 Xtra Aluminum Tripod
• Magnus TR-13 Travel Tripod with Dual-Action Ball Head
• Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
• Manfrotto BeFree GT XPRO Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with 496 Center Ball Head
• Benro FTA28CV1 Travel Angel Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod with V1E Ball Head
• K&F Concept Lightweight Travel Tripod
• ULANZI Mini Aluminum Tripod
• JOILCAN Tripod
• Aureday Travel Tripod
• Amazon Basics Lightweight Tripod
• Newest Phone Tripod (Editor’s Choice) + Peak Design Creator Kit
• DJI Osmo Mobile
• MeFOTO SideKick360 Smartphone Tripod Adapter
• JOBY Gorillapod Magnetic Tripod with GripTight ONE Phone Mount
• Think about where you’re shooting.  Popular tourist spots have restrictions on tripods and may even prevent you from entering.
• Practice using your tripod at home,  so you don’t fumble with it on location. You might miss an epic shot, and you’ll also risk damaging your gear if you don’t use it properly.
• Check airline restrictions.  Although US TSA guidelines state that you can bring a tripod on carry-on and checked luggage, other airport security may make you check it in. After the airlines lost our luggage for a few months, we never liked checking our luggage.
• How do you want to carry it?  What kind of backpack are you carrying? Most  camera backpacks have a good way to carry tripods  whereas general travel backpacks may not. Some tripods you can wear like a sling.

• Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
• Download these helpful language apps .
• Arrange a rental car for your trip.
• Get airport lounge access .
• Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
• Get a new backpack for your trip.
• Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
• Don’t forget your in-flight essentials .

Any others you can think of that should make our best travel tripods list?

Did you enjoy this post? Pin it for later

SEE MORE GIFT GUIDES FOR

EVERYDAY ADVENTURERS GIFT GUIDE

GLOBETROTTERS GIFT GUIDE

HIKERS GIFT GUIDE

OUTDOOR GIFT GUIDE

OUTDOORSY GIFTS FOR HER

PHOTOGRAPHERS GIFT GUIDE

PRACTICAL TRAVELERS GIFT GUIDE

ROCK CLIMBERS GIFT GUIDE

STOCKING STUFFERS FOR TRAVELERS

SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR TRAVELERS

“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes ” – M. Proust

Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

Follow on Instagram (E + J) , YouTube , TikTok , and Pinterest.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

New PODCAST! 🎧 Anamorphic Lens Talk with Markus Förderer, ASC, Cineflares & more 🎥 Watch or listen here!

New PODCAST 🎧 Anamorphic Lens Talk, Cineflares & more 👉 TAP HERE 👈

• All categories
• In the Spotlight
• keyboard_arrow_right FUJIFILM
• keyboard_arrow_right Canon
• keyboard_arrow_right Lighting
• keyboard_arrow_right Audio
• keyboard_arrow_right Software
• keyboard_arrow_right Industry
• keyboard_arrow_right Cameras
• keyboard_arrow_right Lenses
• keyboard_arrow_right Accessories
• Gear Guides
• keyboard_arrow_right Cameras of the Year
• keyboard_arrow_right Gear Guides by Type
• keyboard_arrow_right Drones
• keyboard_arrow_right Gear Guides by Budget
• keyboard_arrow_right Recommended Kits
• keyboard_arrow_right Deals
• Accessories

Latest News

All Reviews

Latest reviews.

All Lab Tests

Latest lab tests.

• Camera Database
• Lens Coverage Tool
• Lens Database

Newly Added

All Courses

Latest courses.

All Gear Guides

• Cameras of the Year
• Gear Guides by Type
• Gear Guides by Budget
• Recommended Kits

Latest Gear Guides

Latest How To

Latest Videos

All Podcast

Latest podcast.

All Spotlight

Latest spotlight.

• CineD Channel
• Unbiased reviews – our principles
• All Gear Guides by Type

Best Travel Tripods for Video and Small Fluid Heads

Tripods are an often overlooked essential for cameras, as they provide the necessary stability needed to produce beautiful shots. To achieve smooth camera movements and capture pleasing imagery, it is essential to have a tripod with a fluid head that allows for easy panning and tilting of the camera. Yet, many video tripods are large and bulky. In this Gear Guide, we focus on an overview of the best travel tripods on the market.

The characteristics of tripods are often contradictory. On one hand, they should be solid and provide as much stability as possible, and on the other hand, portable travel tripods should be small, compact, and lightweight. When selecting a tripod, the payload is a crucial factor to consider. However, for content creators who are frequently on the go, the folded size and weight of the tripod are also critical considerations.

To create the ideal travel tripod with a fluid head, you have two options: you can purchase the legs and fluid head separately from different manufacturers, or you can opt for a set that includes a specific head when buying a tripod. Regardless of your choice, you should aim for a tripod that is solid, lightweight, and compact, and supports the weight of your camera so you can carry it with ease wherever you go.

It is a bit like squaring a circle, so we sorted out a few portable models for you to check out below. Starting with models for light and compact cameras, to midsize DLSR rigs, up to systems that can even support bigger cameras, go ahead and check them out!

Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod Bundle

The Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod from Manfrotto features a hybrid  photo-video head suited for travel photography and videography. With a payload of up to 6kg /13,23lb the Befree Advanced Travel Aluminum Tripod, paired with the 3-way fluid head provides…

The Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod from Manfrotto features a hybrid  photo-video head suited for travel photography and videography. With a payload of up to 6kg /13,23lb the Befree Advanced Travel Aluminum Tripod, paired with the 3-way fluid head provides foldable handles for compactness. The tripod legs are made of aluminum alloy, and together with the fluid head reach a maximum height of 151cm / 59,4in including the center column.

• Payload: 6 kg / 13,23lb
• Maximum working height: 151cm / 59,4in
• Max Height without center column: 132 cm / 51,97in
• Minimum working height: 42 cm / 16,5in
• Closed length: 40 cm / 15,7in
• Materials aluminum Alloy
• Weight: 1,97 kg / 4,34lb
• Quick release plate type: 200PL, 501PL, Arca-Type
• 3 bubble levels for aligning the camera on three planes

Check Prices:

Related articles:.

Unbiased reviews - our principles

Ifootage tc5s gazelle uprise tripod carbon fiber legs.

Designed for both video and still photo, the TC5S Gazelle Uprise Tripod legs from iFootage are a lightweight, versatile three-stage carbon fiber tripod supporting up to 6kg/13.2lb up to 150cm/59,06in.Topped with a swiveling flat base with a 3/8in-16 threaded stud…

Designed for both video and still photo, the TC5S Gazelle Uprise Tripod legs from iFootage are a lightweight, versatile three-stage carbon fiber tripod supporting up to 6kg/13.2lb up to 150cm/59,06in. Topped with a swiveling flat base with a 3/8in-16 threaded stud and locking mechanism, the tripod features a detachable center column with a release mechanism, for low-to-the-ground shots of 17.5cm/6,89in.

• Pay Load: 6 kg / 13,23lb
• Maximum Working Height: 150cm / 59,06in
• Minimum Working Height: 17.5cm / 6,89in
• Closed Length: 52,5cm / 20.7in
• Materials: Carbon Fiber
• Weight: 1.94 kg / 4,28lb
• Swiveling Flat Base with 3/8"-16 Screw
• Integrated Bubble Level and Weight Hook

iFootage TC5S Gazelle Uprise Tripod K5 Fluid Head Bundle

The TC5S Gazelle Uprise Tripod from iFootage is a lightweight, versatile three-stage carbon fiber tripod. The Komodo K5 fluid head is an aluminum tripod head with a 60mm diameter flat base suitable for all 60mm flat-head tripods. It supports up…

The TC5S Gazelle Uprise Tripod from iFootage is a lightweight, versatile three-stage carbon fiber tripod. The Komodo K5 fluid head is an aluminum tripod head with a 60mm diameter flat base suitable for all 60mm flat-head tripods. It supports up to 2,5kg/5,5lb counter balance payloads and a max payload of 5kg/11lb. The tripod features a detachable center column with a release mechanism, for low-to-the-ground shots of 17,5cm/6,89in.

• Pay Load: 5 kg / 11lb
• Minimum Working Height: 17,5cm / 6,89in
• Closed Length: 52,5cm / 20,7in
• Weight: 1,94kg/4,28lb (tripod) + 0,76kg/1.68 lb (fluid head)
• 3 x Independent, Locking Leg Angles

iFootage TC6S Gazelle Uprise Tripod Carbon Fiber Legs

The Gazelle TC6S Uprise is two-stage carbon fiber tripod legs supporting up to 8kg/17,64lb with a folded length of 63,5cm/25.00in. Remove the center column to lower the tripod to 19,5 cm/7,68in or extend both stages to rise to 165 cm/64,96in.…

The Gazelle TC6S Uprise is two-stage carbon fiber tripod legs supporting up to 8kg/17,64lb with a folded length of 63,5cm/25.00in. Remove the center column to lower the tripod to 19,5 cm/7,68in or extend both stages to rise to 165 cm/64,96in.

• Pay Load: 8kg / 17,64lb
• Maximum Working Height: 165 cm / 64,96in
• Minimum Working Height: 19,5 cm / 7,68in
• Closed Length: 63,5cm / 25.00in
• Material: Carbon Fiber
• Weight: 1,91kg / 4,21lb

Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

The Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod from Peak Design weighs only 1,2kg/2,8lb, and when folded, the tripod is roughly as thick as a water bottle. The tripod height adjusts from 14cm/5,5in to 127cm/60in, folds down to only 39,4cm/15,5in, holds up to…

The Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod from Peak Design weighs only 1,2kg/2,8lb, and when folded, the tripod is roughly as thick as a water bottle. The tripod height adjusts from 14cm/5,5in to 127cm/60in, folds down to only 39,4cm/15,5in, holds up to 9kg/20lb. The ball head uses space-saving locking and adjustment rings instead of knobs and levers. The rings facilitate omnidirectional movements that are locked in place with a simple twist with a quick release system compatible with most Arca-type plates.

• Included with the carbon fiber tripod are a handsome fabric storage case, a mobile mount, 2.5 and 4mm hex wrenches
• Holds DSRL/mirrorless cameras weighing up to 9kg/20lb
• Folds down to 39,4cm/15,5in and weighs only 1,2kg/2,8lb
• Reversible center column, weight hook under the center column
• Ergonomic ball head with adjustment and locking rings
• Included soft case, mobile mount, hex wrenches, and bushing removal tool

Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod Legs

The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. Its legs are secured by the Quick Power Locks. A new center column has a "one finger" operation, and includes…

The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. Its legs are secured by the Quick Power Locks. A new center column has a "one finger" operation, and includes an Easy Link attachment for attaching accessories.

• Pay Load: 20kg / 44lb
• Maximum Working Height: 170,2cm / 67in
• Max Height without Center Column: 139,7cm / 55in
• Minimum Working Height: 8,9cm / 3,5in
• Closed Length: 61cm / 24in
• Material: Aluminum Alloy
• Weight: 2.5kg / 5,5lb
• 90° Center Column
• Rotating Bubble Level

Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod with MHXPRO-3W 3-Way Pan Tilt Head Kit

The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. Manfrotto XPRO 3-Way, pan-and-tilt head with a 200PL-14 quick release plate, has a load capacity of 12kg/26,5lb. It includes an…

The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. Manfrotto XPRO 3-Way, pan-and-tilt head with a 200PL-14 quick release plate, has a load capacity of 12kg/26,5lb. It includes an integrated RC2 quick release cam lock and a 200PL-14 quick release plate.

• Pay Load: 12kg / 26,5lb
• Weight Tripod: 2.5kg / 5,5lb
• Weight Head: 1kg / 2,2lb

PINETA PEAK Carbon Fiber Tripod

At first glance, the YC Onion Pineta tripod looks robust and well-built. On the show floor at IBC 2022 (link here), we only managed to put our hands on the aluminum alloy model. However, the accessory will also be released…

At first glance, the YC Onion Pineta tripod looks robust and well-built. On the show floor at IBC 2022 (link here) , we only managed to put our hands on the aluminum alloy model. However, the accessory will also be released in a lighter carbon fiber variant. According to Alice, this new accessory features an unconventional design, starting from the head.

Indeed, the tripod sports a proprietary head design that goes by the funny name of “Coconut Bowl”. Unlike traditional 75 or 100mm tripod head bowls that come with a bottom screw, users can conveniently adjust the camera’s horizon by simply opening or tightening a top lever mechanism. The head comes with a built-in reference bubble level.

This peculiar design results in a huge advantage when using the camera support in low-mode, as its height is not limited by the central column that many tripods have. The legs have a 3-stage structure with a fast locking mechanism, and the height of the tripod is adjustable between 75cm/29.5” and 145cm/57”.

Finally, the top part of the accessory offers multiple 1/4”-20 threaded interfaces. These can come in handy to rig additional accessories, such as monitors, microphones, or wireless video systems.

The official price of the aluminum version of the YC Onion Pineta tripod will be $399, while the carbon fiber model will retail for $599. The one shown at IBC 2022 was a pre-production model. At the moment of writing, there’s no official information regarding the availability of this accessory. We will update this Gear Guide as soon as we find out.

Ulanzi & COMAN Zero Y Lightweight Travel Tripod

The Ulanzi & COMAN Zero Y Lightweight Travel Tripod is a compact camera support aimed at traveling photographers and filmmakers. The accessory is mainly made of carbon fiber with the addition of aluminum parts, for a total weight of 1.1kg/2.2lbs.…

The Ulanzi & COMAN Zero Y Lightweight Travel Tripod is a compact camera support aimed at traveling photographers and filmmakers. The accessory is mainly made of carbon fiber with the addition of aluminum parts, for a total weight of 1.1kg/2.2lbs.

The tripod legs can spread out at 20, 55, and 75° angles, and feature a 4-section design. The height of the tripod is adjustable between 15.3cm in low-mode up to 156cm when the central column is fully lifted. If collapsed, the tripod is only 42.3cm/15.74” long.

The tripod comes with a CNC-machined ball head, which can withstand a maximum payload of 5kg, while the central column can bear a load of 18kg. The camera attaches to the head via an Arca-Swiss style quick release plate and the horizon can be judged by looking at the built-in reference bubble level.

The tripod also has some hidden gems that can sometimes turn into little life-savers when shooting outdoors. For example, the bottom section of the central column acts a storage space for a small screwdriver.

Manfrotto 502AH Video Head and MT055XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod Kit

The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. The Manfrotto 502AH Pro video head with flat base is fully featured professional head that is designed for executing cinematic…

The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. The Manfrotto 502AH Pro video head with flat base is fully featured professional head that is designed for executing cinematic moves with compact camcorders and DSLR cameras. The weight capacity is 10kg/22lb and the counterbalance supports 4kg/8,8lb. The balance plate's 8,3cm/3,27in range allows you to correct for uneven payloads due to matte boxes or heavy DSLR rig configurations.

• Pay Load Head: 10kg / 22lb
• Weight Head: 1,7kg / 3,8lb

Manfrotto Befree Live Video Head

The Befree Live Video Head is Manfrotto's smallest traveler-style fluid video head. It supports up to 4kg/8,8 lb loads,  its minimalist, compact design makes it ideal for mobile video applications, such as vlogging. This head features a 40mm flat base…

The Befree Live Video Head is Manfrotto's smallest traveler-style fluid video head. It supports up to 4kg/8,8 lb loads,  its minimalist, compact design makes it ideal for mobile video applications, such as vlogging. This head features a 40mm flat base with a 3/8"-16 mounting thread. Many tripods come with a ball head, but it can be removed to reveal a 40mm flat base.

• Minimalist Traveler Fluid Video Head
• 4Kg/8,8 lb Payload
• 40mm Flat Base with 3/8"-16 Thread
• Fits Many Photo Tripods and Monopods
• Fits Befree and Element Tripods/Monopods
• Separate Pan and Tilt Drag Knobs
• 501PL Quick Release Plate
• Bubble Level

iFootage Komodo K5 Fluid Head

The Komodo K5 fluid head is an aluminum tripod head with a 60mm diameter flat base suitable for all 60mm flat-head tripods. It supports up to 2,5kg/5,5lb counter balance payloads and a max payload of 5kg/11lb. An included quick-release camera…

The Komodo K5 fluid head is an aluminum tripod head with a 60mm diameter flat base suitable for all 60mm flat-head tripods. It supports up to 2,5kg/5,5lb counter balance payloads and a max payload of 5kg/11lb. An included quick-release camera plate provides a 1/4"-20 mounting screw for attaching your camera and is secured by a safety lock, and a bubble level is built-in to help you balance your camera.

• Precision Bearing System for Smoothness
• 60mm Flat Base with 3/8"-16 Thread
• 5/kg/11 lb Payload 2,5kg/5,5lb Counter Balance
• Quick Release Plate with 1/4"-20 Screw
• 60° Pan and +90/-83° Tilt Adjustment
• Individual Pan and Tilt Locks
• Two Rosette Pan-Bar Mounts
• Pan Bar Included

Manfrotto MHXPRO-3W 3-Way Fluid Head

This XPRO 3-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head has a load capacity of 12kg/26,5lb and can be attached to tripods that feature a 3/8"-16 mount. It includes an integrated RC2 quick release cam lock and a 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate. Cameras that are…

This XPRO 3-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head has a load capacity of 12kg/26,5lb and can be attached to tripods that feature a 3/8"-16 mount. It includes an integrated RC2 quick release cam lock and a 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate. Cameras that are compatible with a 1/4"-20 mount can be connected to the quick release plate before securing it to the pan-and-tilt head.  The XPRO 3-Way, pan-and-tilt head also includes a dedicated angle scale for rotational movements that is designed for easy visibility.

• Pay Load: 12kg/26,5lb
• 3 Independent Movements with Locks
• 90° Forwards and 30° Backwards Tilt
• Up to 90° Portrait Angle Tilt
• 360° Rotation, Three Bubble Levels
• Retractable Handles for Tilt Movements
• Tension Control for Tilt Movements
• RC2 Quick Release Cam Lock
• 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate
• 1/4"-20 Mount, Non-Slip Surface

Manfrotto 502AH Pro Video Head with Flat Base

The Manfrotto 502AH Pro video head with flat base is fully featured professional head that is designed for executing cinematic moves with compact camcorders and DSLR cameras. The weight capacity is 10kg/22lb and the counterbalance supports 4kg/8,8lb. The balance plate's…

The Manfrotto 502AH Pro video head with flat base is fully featured professional head that is designed for executing cinematic moves with compact camcorders and DSLR cameras. The weight capacity is 10kg/22lb and the counterbalance supports 4kg/8,8lb. The balance plate's 8,3cm/3,27in range allows you to correct for uneven payloads due to matte boxes or heavy DSLR rig configurations.

• Weight: 1kg/2,2lb
• Flat Base with 3/8"-16 Mounting Thread
• Payload: 10kg/22lb Weight
• Counterbalance Supports 4kg/8,8lb
• Bridging Technology
• Spring-Loaded Counterbalance
• Continuously Adjustable Pan/Tilt Drag
• Pan Bar & Sliding Plate Included

You may also like ...

• Terms of use
• Privacy Policy

A List of 32 Airports with Airport Sleeping Pods for your Layover (2024)

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Christine Kaaloa

I’ve stayed at a good handful of capsule hotels in Japan, Sri Lanka, even Italy! I’m a fan of them. Filming and blogging about my Japanese capsule hotel experiences , I got to thinking about more capsule hotels . The popularity of the concept has given way to airport sleeping pods .

Are airport sleeping pods worthwhile and will you try them on your next layover? In this blog post, i’m sharing 32 airports with sleeping pod facilities.

Table of Contents: A List of 32 Airports with Airport Sleeping Pods for your Layover (2024)

• 0.1 Airport sleeping pods vs capsule hotels
• 0.2 What are Airport Sleeping Pods?
• 0.3 How much do airport sleeping pods cost?
• 0.4 Popular Airports’ sleeping pod brands
• 1.0.1 1. Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH),United Arab Emirates
• 1.0.2 2. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), Netherlands
• 1.0.3 3. Atlanta International Airport (ATL), United States
• 1.0.4 4. Berlin Brandenberg Airport (BER), Germany
• 1.0.5 5. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), North Carolina, United States
• 1.0.6 6. Chiangi Airport (SIN), Singapore
• 1.0.7 7. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), United States
• 1.0.8 8. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), United States
• 1.0.9 9. Dubai International Airport (DXB), United Arab Emirates
• 1.0.10 10. Frankfurt Airport, Germany
• 1.0.11 11.  Helsinki Vanta Airport (HEL), Finland
• 1.0.12 12. Incheon International Airport (ICN), South Korea
• 1.0.13 13. Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), India
• 1.0.14 14. Istanbul Airport (IST), Turkey
• 1.0.15 15. JFK International Airport (JFK), New York, United States
• 1.0.16 16. London Gatwick Airport (LGW), United Kingdom
• 1.0.17 17. London Heathrow International Airport (LHR), United Kingdom
• 1.0.18 18. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), California, United States
• 1.0.19 19. Mexico City International Airport (MEX), Mexico
• 1.0.20 20. Munich International Airport (MUC), Germany
• 1.0.21  21. Narita International Airport (NRT), Japan
• 1.0.22 22. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), United States
• 1.0.23 23. Perth Airport (PER), Australia
• 1.0.24 24. Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO), Moscow, Russia
• 1.0.25 25. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Canada
• 1.0.26 26. Torino Airport (TRN), Turin, Italy
• 1.0.27 27. Tallinn Airport (TLL), Estonia
• 1.0.28 28. Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY), Italy
• 1.0.29 29. Verona Airport (VRN), Italy
• 1.0.30 30. Venezia Airport (VCE), Venice, Italy
• 1.0.31 31. Vienna International Airport (VIE), Austria
• 1.0.32 32. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), United States
• 1.1.1 Safeguard against flight cancellations and delays with trip insurance

Airport sleeping pods vs capsule hotels

Sleeping pods have been popularized in the West but is similar to Japanese capsule hotels. Airport sleeping pods are rest capsules that allow travelers to rest while waiting for their flights.Unlike capsule or pod hotels, your stay in an airport sleeping pod is not overnight but temporary.

Read My guide to surviving layovers & how to maximize them

This post contains affiliate links. I never leave home without travel insurance. Many cover flight cancellations, baggage loss, etc… Here’s an tirip insurance finder tool   to find one that matches your budget. I use  World Nomads as it covers adventures (I get the plan that covers gear and travel theft ). 

What are Airport Sleeping Pods?

Airport sleeping pods, also known as nap pods or sleep capsules, offer travelers a place to relax and sleep. They are pay-per-use short-term sleep capsules with various features and several airports already house them.  They are ideal options when your flight has been delayed, or canceled due to bad weather or you have a long layover.

Many airport sleeping pods offer essential facilities for a layover and connecting flight passengers, such as luggage storage areas, showers, power outlets for charging electronic devices, reading lamps, and occasionally public Wi-fi connectivity.

The sizes of airport sleeping pods vary. In some cases, they are so large that they resemble mini- hotels .  Large sleep pods might also include a TV and a private bathroom!

READ In-flight Essentials for a Long Haul Flight

How  much  do  airport  sleeping  pods  cost.

Prices typically vary between $30 and $43 an hour . Okay, so not cheap; this is a bit of a splurge, considering I paid the same costs for a full night’s stay in capsule hotels !

Nabbing a lounge chair – if your aiport has them- is ideal and free.

However sometimes, you just want to freshen up and get a good rest. Maybe you have an job interview or important conference presentation in the morning! In this case, airport pods can fall into the realm of worthwhile consideration.

Check out my guide on free airport layover tours

Check out my 9 hours capsule hotel video. this is the same brand for narita airport, read top anti-theft bags for solo travelers, popular airports’ sleeping pod brands.

• Go Sleep Pods – A Finnish design of an actual sleeping pod capsule that is a reclined lounge chair bed with a draw shade for privacy.
• Minute Suites – Suite rooms with a day/sofa bed, TV, desk and options for luxury and temporary work space.  One of the higher priced options. Pricing starts with an hour at $48. From then on, you are charged $12 per hour.
• SAMS Snooze At My Space

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Minute Suites (@minute_suites)

• Napcabs –  Cube like rooms with a bed, desk and shower. Some rooms can hold meetings.
• DARAKHYU – 워커힐 – capsule hotel with options for single/double bed, shower
• NapZone- lounge chairs

• 9Hours – Capsule hotel similar to my Tokyo 9 Hour space capsule hotel  Futuristic design, night shade door, shared bath facilities.
• ZzZleepandGo pods- Cube-like capsule rooms with bed and luggage storage. A handful of Italian airports house this.
• Sleepbox pods are a bit more basic than Minute Suites, but they offer comfort in twin beds, free WiFi, lighting
• Nap Stations

A List of 32 Airports with Airport sleeping pods

Here’s a list of airports with nap cabins to sleeping rooms. You may find sleeping pods located in specific airport lounges but I have not listed them.

Note: Sleep is one way to spend a layover, however read my blogs on maximizing your layover, as airport layovers make wonderful playgrounds too, with free layover tours , free in-transit hotels , yoga rooms, shopping and more.

1. Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH),United Arab Emirates

• Go Sleep Pods averages from 10-15 USD per hour. Located in Terminal 3.

2. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), Netherlands

• Yotel  capsule hotel , main terminal in Lounge 2, near Pier D.
• GoSleep pods in Concourse D.

3. Atlanta International Airport (ATL), United States

•   Minute Suites at Concourse B, E, F

4. Berlin Brandenberg Airport (BER), Germany

• Napcabs in Terminal 1. 34 Euro per hour. Can be booked online

Read Top Convertible Carryons for Solo Travelers

5. charlotte douglas international airport (clt), north carolina, united states.

•   Minute Suites at Atrium Food Court, D/E Connector

6. Chiangi Airport (SIN), Singapore

With all there is to do and see at Chiangi Airport, it’s hard to imagine anyone would want to sleep. But Chiangi features free-to-use SnoozeLounge chairs in Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4.

7. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) , United States

• Minute Suites at Terminal A and D, Concourse A

8. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), United States

• Minute Suites at Concourse A

9. Dubai International Airport (DXB) , United Arab Emirates

Dubai Airport is rather large and spread out. You can find Snoozecube or Go Sleep Pods at Dubai International Airport. I’ve only experienced Terminal 2 (the Emirates terminal) but the Snoozecube was easy to spot and there was a small line of lounge chairs near the Emirates service counter. They fill pretty fast. The only issue is that you don’t find out about your gate until 45 minutes before boarding, so it’s hard to feel at ease drifting away from the digital flight schedule boards. Otherwise:

• Snoozecube in Terminal 1, next to Gate C22.
• GoSleep pods in Emirates’ Maharba lounges.
• Terminal 2 also has a line of lounge chairs if you’re able to nap one, this is free!

Read  Things you MUST KNOW about Connecting Flights & Layovers

10. frankfurt airport, germany, 11.  helsinki vanta airport (hel), finland.

• You can find GoSleep Pods at Vanta Airport.

12. Incheon International Airport (ICN), South Korea

Incheon Airport is one of my favorite airports with facilities that keep me entertained, wifi-connected and rested. Check out Incheon Airport layover tours . As far as sleeping pods go, there are 60 free NapZone lounge chairs located both at Terminal 2 and Terminal 1 (there are only two terminals).

🎥 Watch my Terminal 2 airport  tour video

• Terminal 1: F ree NapZone lounge chairs located at  gate 25 and 29 on 4floor, Terminal 1.
• Jjimjilbang in the basement floor of Arrivals. You need to exit Arrivals to access this however. I’ve spent a night here, loved the spa waters and recommend it if there’s time. Jjimjilbang’s are Korean bathhouses with basic sleep facilities like a heated floor or lounge chair.  It’s inexpensive, they hold your luggage in the reception area.  Departures for basic overnight and shower stays. Read more about Korean jjimjilbangs
• Free shower facitilities at Terminal 1 near gate 25 and 29 on 4th floor, Terminal 1. You must bring your own towel.
• Terminal 2: This is my favorite Terminal because there is a free Napzone room on the 4th floor with lounge chairs, a interactive gaming room and cafe. Located near gate 231, 264 on 4th floor.
• Free Shower facilities near gate 231, 264 on 4floor at Terminal 2. Bring your own towel.
•   DARAKHYU – 워커힐 is capsule hotel; but it’s more of a transit hotel.

Tech tip: Bring your international travel adapter as the plugs only fit Korean/Asian technology.

13. Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) , India

• SAMS Snooze At My Space sleep pod in Terminal 3 and opposite Gate 17 in international departures.

14. Istanbul Airport (IST), Turkey

There are three airports in Istanbul so this can be confusing. but Istanbul Airport or IST is the main international airport. It is quite large and as the headquarters of Turkish Airlines.

 🎥 Watch my airport tour video

• GoSleep pods by IGA SleepPod , cost 6 – 9 Euro per hour.
• I have also seen a Yotel hotel inside the new Istanbul Airport. Book in advance here .
• Layover passengers of Turkish Airlines may qualify for an airport layover tour or free transit hotel stay for certain layovers.

15. JFK International Airport (JFK), New York, United States

• Minute Suites at Terminal 4, Concourse A

16. London Gatwick Airport (LGW) , United Kingdom

• Yotel sleep cabins or capsule hotels at Terminal 4 at South Terminal.

17. London Heathrow International Airport (LHR), United Kingdom

•   Yotel sleep cabins or capsule hotels are located at Terminal 4, ground floor.

18. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), California, United States

Los Angeles International Airport has three different sleeping pod brands sprinkled through the airport in Terminals 1, 5, and 8. I wish I knew this earlier before I camped out on the floor in the wee hours of the morning!

• Sleepbox located in Terminal 5 charges $35 for the first six hours, with an additional $10 for each extra hour.  A six hour minimum is pretty decent and perfect for longer layovers. It allows you to get a fair nap in.
• Minute Suites is in Terminal 1. Rates start at $45 for the first two hours and $25 for each additional hour
• GoSleep Pods are found in Terminal 8, with rates starting at $10 per hour.

19. Mexico City International Airport (MEX), Mexico

• izZzleep sleep capsules offer hourly and nightly rates, and even showers.

20. Munich International Airport (MUC), Germany

• NapCity sleep pods that offers a small bed with internet access and TV.
• Napcabs in Terminal 2 (Level 4 at Gate G06 and Level 05 at Gate H32). Can be booked online.

 21. Narita International Airport (NRT) , Japan

🎥 Check out my airport video

• 9Hours capsule hotel in B1F on P2 in the multistory car park near Terminal 2. Want to extend your capsule stay in Tokyo? Book in advance here .

22. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), United States

• Minute Suites pods at Terminal A-B link.

23. Perth Airport (PER), Australia

• GoSleep Pods by Smarte Carte are located in Terminal 1,  next door to Baggage Services by Smarte Carte, opposite International Check-in counters 21-22

24. Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) , Moscow, Russia

• Go Sleep Pods at Terminal E between gates 36 and 37.

25. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Canada

Many free areas to nap in from

• Free-to-use Sleep Pods and Energy Pods throughout the airport
• Nap Stations: These are rentable rooms with showers and you can get a night’s sleep similar to a hotel.

26. Torino Airport (TRN), Turin, Italy

•   ZzZleepandGo pods.

27. Tallinn Airport (TLL), Estonia

• GoSleep Pods at Gate 9 and in Nordea Lounge.

28. Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY), Italy

29. verona airport (vrn), italy, 30. venezia airport (vce), venice, italy, 31. vienna international airport (vie), austria, 32. washington dulles international airport (iad), united states.

• Sleepbox . Located at Concourse A, Mezzanine level

Are airport sleeping pods worthwhile?

If you’re on a business trip and want to get to your destination clean and fresh, an airport sleeping pod may be worth the splurge. Or maybe you want to try the novelty of one.

In many cases you are paying airport costs on top of location convenience. It might be cheaper to use your Priority Pass lounge membership, research a nearby hotel with a free airport shuttle pickup or if you have a really long layover, take a day trip into the city and book an actual capsule hotel .

Safeguard against flight cancellations and delays with trip insurance

Cancelled or delayed flights? Let your trip insurance plan cover it. (read more about trip insurance )

   My Travel Survival Cheat Sheet

• eSim I’m using to stay connected abroad. Activate it before or on your trip!
• Skyroam – Global wifi (take 10% off with referral code GRRRLTRAVELER )
• Trip Insurance Finder Tool for budget travelers looking for trip insurance to fit specific needs.
• I get my adventure trip insurance from World Nomads trip insurance (they cover travel theft)
• Expedia for great weekend trip package deals
• Take your yoga traveling and book a yoga retreat/ training .
• Book hotels  without a cancellation fee. Use this Hotel Comparison Tool to find the lowest prices!
• Book chic hostels with Hostelworld
• Ditch and store your luggage at local businesses for under $10/day
• 12goAsia Book trains and buses.
• Discover Cars  finds the best car rental price quote.
• GRRRLTRAVELER Group Adventure trip : Travel with me beyond YouTube.

Download my 25 Solo Travel Mistakes to AVOID Checklist

And Get my Travel Survival Blog Updates

Related Posts

Complete Guide to Free Airport Layover Tours | City Sightseeing Tours for your Layover

Guide to Nepal Homestays: Supporting Community Tourism in Nepal

My Udaipur Travel Guide: 18 Wanderlust things to do in Udaipur for a 3 day itinerary

Group adventure trips 2024.

KEEP ME ON THE ROAD

Solo Travel Survival Tools

YouTube Mentoring & Services

My Latest Gear Review

I'm Christine! I film my travels 100% alone, so get confident traveling alone too!

GRRRL Discounts We Love

70% OFF 3-year plan + 1 month FREE: Use code: GRRRLTRAVELER 

Copyright & Affiliate Link Disclosure

All content on is this site ©GRRRLTRAVELER. Artwork on this site from contributors have special permissions for our use.