The 10 Best Travel Tripods Of 2023

Tripods used to be bulkier and heavier once upon a time and photographers had to carry these heavy accessories during their travels and it made the whole process a bit stressful. Travel tripods were made to make this process easier, so they can be carried in a backpack, without spending too much energy. They also do not take up much space since they can be folded into small bags.

Travel tripods are required mostly when you are travelling for landscape and astrophotography. They can also be great accessories when families and friends want to capture group photos and the photographer needs to be in the frame. They are also good for solo travellers who want their self portraits taken in outdoor locations where they travel.

If you are planning to buy a travel tripod, check a few factors before making the decision.

1. Weight And Portability: You are purchasing a travel tripod because you wish to carry it around when travelling without much hassle. They also need to fit on a backpack or a camera bag that you will be carrying. So check for ones that are lightweight and foldable or collapsible to smaller sizes, so it is easier to carry along during your travels.
2. Maximum Load Capacity: Some tripods can be too light and flimsy that they can get knocked over easily or blown over by a small wind. Besides, they may not be able to hold the weight of the camera-lens combination that you carry along. You need to check the specifications to see if the tripod can carry the camera and lens combination that you wish to carry along during your travels.
3. Height: The tripod needs to help the photographer capture a scene from any angle or perspective they wish to. It could be a high one or a very low one. Each tripod comes with specifications or features that may be slightly or a lot different from the other. Check how tall the tripod can be extended or how low it can be collapsed to get the required shots.
4. Material: Tripods become heavier or lighter based on the material used to manufacture them. Older tripods used to be made of steel or aluminium and they were quite heavy to carry around. Travel tripods and other bigger traditional tripods are now made with carbon fiber and this makes them quite light and easy to carry around.
5. Stability: A tripod needs to be stable in any terrain and weather conditions. A lot of the remote locations can be quite windy and nights can especially be windier than the days in certain locations. Research about your tripod and purchase one that has features to keep it stable in all conditions.
6. Budget: If you have a set amount that you are looking to spend on a tripod, check for tripods that have satisfactory features based on the above suggestions and then look for one that suits your budget.
7. Additional Features: Since mobile photography has become very popular in the recent years, some tripod manufacturers add some accessories along with their tripods like a mobile holder, etc. Some tripods have the feature to use them as a monopod. If you are someone who would be interested in any of these features, check these before making a purchase.

Pro Tip: Even if you use a tripod for stability, there are times when camera shakes can be induced when releasing the shutter button. It is good practice to use a remote or cable release to eliminate camera shake and capture sharp images.

Some of the most popular brands of tripod, known for their quality and reliability are:

1. Manfrotto
2. Gitzo
3. Benro
4. MeFoto
5. Joby (known for flexible and compact tripods)
6. Sirui
7. Vanguard
8. Peak Design (known for innovative tripod designs)

Check out this video by pro photographer David Manning to learn more about the most popular travel tripods as of now:

Here are some of the 10 best travel tripods that you can check out on Amazon.

This is a list of prices you should check out immediately and see which one is in live with your budget:

Best Travel Tripods In 2023

K&F Concept 64 inch/163cm Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod

This is a lightweight, and affordable tripod made of carbon fiber. It weighs only 1.14kg, which is perfect for travel photographers to carry around. Here are its main features:

• The Ball Head can be rotated to any angle you want and this helps to use your camera without any problem for unique perspective shots.
• The tripod can be extended to a height of about 162cm and can be folded to about 41cm. This makes it a very compact and portable tripod for travel photographers.
• This tripod is well built and can be used with most cameras in the market. However they may be a bit shaky when extended to the longest end.

5.0 out of 5 stars Heavy, but sturdy Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2023

Overall it is a great tripod and would recommend it. This is my second purchase of this brand and this time around it seems the legs were stuck. Two of the three legs required me to forcibly extend the sections. It was like the tightening part was stuck to the portion below, not allowing the leg to extend. Once I pulled out the whole section, moved the tightening ring up, it worked fine.

Manfrotto Befree Advanced Twist Camera Tripod Kit

This tripod is most commonly used by many photographers who travel a lot because of its neat, compact design and portability. The tripod is very easy to set up and has a maximum height of 59 inches, a minimum height of 16 inches and weighing about 1.6 kg.

Pros:

• This tripod is travel friendly and popular for its build, portability and stability and can be carried easily in your backpack.
• It is made of high quality materials and is available to choose from a few lock models.
• Although the tripod is lightweight, it has a central column that has the facility to hang something heavy to keep it stable in windy conditions.

Cons:

• This tripod may not be a good choice if you wish to use a large camera and a telephoto lens.
• It is quite expensive compared to similar tripods in the market.

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2023

It’s perfect for carrying when out for the day shooting photos. The carrying bag makes it easy to haul around and has a great look to it. I put a Pentax 6×7 with 135 mm lens on it and it held up nicely. It is one of their thinner smaller models so keep that in mind when shopping. I think the 6×7 and lens was pushing the envelope.

Zomei Z699C Carbon Fiber Portable Tripod

This is a budget-friendly tripod that is very lightweight and portable. This tripod can be converted into a monopod when required.

Pros:

• It is a very affordable tripod for any photographer on a budget
• Since the tripod has a ball head, it helps to move the camera to to any required angles.
• Instead of the traditional clips and other lock mechanisms in tripods, this comes with a twist lock feature that makes it easier to setup when out in location.
• This tripod has a unique feature of adjusting leg angles and so is a great choice for anyone interested in taking shots from unusual perspective and angles.

Cons:

• You cannot use this tripod for very low angle shots because the central column cannot be inverted for this purpose.
• It is not very stable in windy situations.
• Some reviews found online suggest that the quick release plate may not be compatible with some camera models or may not securely hold the camera.

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid tripod Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2023

It’s pretty solid for its price point, there are a few things that could be better, but it’s been mostly easy to use, and meets my current needs. It’s a bit more hefty than i expected, so it’s a little bit heavy when backpacking, but it holds up good so far in less than ideal conditions.

Peak Design Travel Tripod

This tripod is known for its compact nature and design to suit photographers who travel a lot.

Pros:

• It can be folded to a very small size, making it highly portable. It can fit easily into a ackpack or a travel bag.
• This tripod can hold some amount of heavy gear like DSLRs and telephoto lenses.
• Since the legs have multiple columns, the size can be adjusted to the desired value based on the angle, perspective and type of shot.
• The center column is can be inverted to capture some low angle shots or to capture subjects at ground level.

Cons:

• This brand is quite expensive compared to similar tripods, but the features make it worth the price.
• The leg locks in this model seem to be a bit difficult to use compared to traditional flip locks or the twist locks.
• The tripod comes with a ball head, which is common in most recent tripods. As a result, there is no panning base which can be a bit difficult for photographers who capture a lot of video footage and panoramas.
• The tripod is very lightweight and can be a bt shaky in windy conditions.

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as advertised Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2023

After reading lots of reviews I decided to buy the aluminum version as carbon fiber alternative was too expensive. After 3 weeks of use, I am very happy with this tripod. My older and cheaper tripod was just not stable with heavy lenses. Peak tripod is solid, steady and easy! 

SmallRig 71 Inch Camera Tripod

This brand of tripod is quite affordable for anyone who has some hesitation to invest in an expensive tripod. It also can be converted into a monopod whenever necessary and this makes it a very portable accessory for hikers and travellers.

Pros:

• Since this tripod is affordable, it is a great choice for anyone who travels a lot for landscape and other photography that require a tripod.
• It comes with attachments that allow the user to customise the tripod and use various mounts for devices other than a camera.
• These tripods have capacity to hold moderately heavy camera and lens combinations.

Cons:

• The tripod is quite basic and is not easily available in the market all the time.

4.0 out of 5 stars 4-star overall, but 5-star value Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2023

It's not perfect, but it's so much better than anything I've used within 3x its price that's it's easily a 5-star value. It's my main home-studio tripod now. The things that aren't perfect are mainly down to how well the adjustments hold. I have to tighten the center pole really tight to keep it from slipping, and the ball head just doesn't hold perfectly at all. I have to aim my camera several degrees above where I want it before tightening down.

Benro Rhino Series FRHN24C

This is a Carbon Fiber Tripod with a sturdy build and design. They are designed to carry heavy camera and lens and are very portable, even if they cannot be folded to a very small size.

Pros:

• The tripod legs allow to adjust the angles to get shots from unique angles and levels.
• The flip lock mechanism on the tripod legs allow the users to set and fold the tripod easily when in the field.
• The center column comes with a hook to hang something heavy for stability during windy situations.

Cons:

• This tripod is slightly more expensive compared to other tripods.
• It is heavier compared to similar tripods.
• It is not too compact once folded and is not recommended for longer travels.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent qualit Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021

Beautifully machined parts and extremely high quality materials. Won’t hold up in heavy winds but is perfect for 90% of what I need it for.

Vanguard VEO3T235CBP Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

This Carbon Fiber Tripod is one of the best in terms of portability and the feature that it can be converted to a monopod. The bubble level helps to keep the horizons straight in the frame and there are additional threads if you wish to mount more accessories besides a camera.

Pros:

• The tripod is made of carbon fiber material which makes it lightweight.
• The legs are sturdy even in windy conditions.
• The heights, angles and perspectives can be adjusted to get interesting shots.
• The ball head helps to mount the camera in various angles and orientations.

Cons:

• Slightly expensive compared to other lightweight tripods.
• The twist lock design may not be practical for some photographers who prefer flip lock mechanism.

5.0 out of 5 stars Update: Vanguard fixed the Missing leg extensions Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2023

UPDATED REVIEW: After contacting Vanguard on the missing extensions. The company sent me a mailing label and I shipped the defective unit back. Vanguard sent me a replacement. All of this was done in under 7 days. Their service team was extremely helpful and communicative. The replacement is perfect. Exactly what I ordered. Hat tip to Vanguard for their customer service. I am updating my review from 1 star to 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I’m very happy to have a company standby their product.

JOBY GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit

The JOBY GorillaPod is a popular mini tripod and is known for its flexible legs and compact design. The legs can be twisted and wound around things like poles, tree branches, etc. The gorillapod is not recommended for DSLRs, however a mirrorless camera with a lens that has a combined weight of up to 3 kg is supported. Here are some of its key features:

Pros:

• The legs are flexible and can be wrapped around objects and bent into various shapes. This allows the gorillapod to be used anywhere even if the surfaces are not quite right or if you need to put the camera high up or very low on the ground. Otherwise it can be used as a traditional tripod.
• It comes with a quick release plate that allows to quickly attach and detach your camera.
• The gorillapod material is made of rubber rings and grips which help the gorillapod to be attached to surfaces securely without slipping.
• The gorillapod's legs cannot be extended, but can be bent to achieve different heights.
• The gorillapod can easily fit into a camera bag, making it very portable. It is also very lightweight.

Cons:

• The weight a gorillapod can hold is quite limited and it is most suitable for smaller cameras with a small lens.
• You cannot extend the legs to achieve heights, but the gorillapod can be kept on walls or wrapped around branches and other structures securely if possible to get the desired heights.
• It is not very sturdy in windy situations.
• Adjusting the legs to get to certain angles may take time and requires some patience.
• Limited Load Capacity For Accessories: While the tripod may have attachment points for accessories, the weight limit for these attachments can be relatively low, limiting your options for adding gear.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome tripod Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2023

For years I’ve avoided these tripods because I think they look gangly and stupid, but I finally tried one and wow, I absolutely love it. It holds a lot of weight, in fact, I screwed off the top and discovered the screw set is the same size as a monitor bracket, and I use the tripod as a stand for my Rodecaster Pro podcast board. This tripod is so versatile I ordered a second. My primary use for the second is for a small video projector.

GEEKOTO 77 Inch Tripod

This is an affordable tripod designed with both photography and videography in mind. The tripod legs can be adjusted to different angles in each level and hence can be used efficiently in rugged terrains and sloped surfaces. Since it also can be collapsed to a smaller size, it is perfect for photographers who travel a lot.

Pros:

• The tripod can be extended to a maximum height of 77 inches and is a great choice to capture high angle and perspective shots.
• The center column can be adjusted or reversed to use the tripod at really low perspectives.
• The angles for each section can be adjusted and this makes the tripod a very versatile on to use in tough terrains.
• The tripod has one detachable leg that can be used as a monopod.
• The price is quite affordable, making it a good choice for photographers on a budget.

Cons:

• The weight is slightly more compared to similar lightweight tripods.
• The size of the tripod is not too compact when folded completely.
• The tripod may be slightly shaky is very windy conditions.

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiderman knows tripods! Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2023

Honestly, I only bought this tripod because Spiderman is holding it in the picture! But it turned out to be an excellent tripod! Compact, sturdy and very lightweight. The controls on the head don't stick out too far, so they won't get caught on things as you are swinging through the city on your webs. Best of all, the knobs are different shapes and sizes so it's easy to find what you want just by feel (even through spandex gloves).

3 Legged Thing Punks Corey 2.0

This is a lightweight and compact tripod made of magnesium alloy. This design is quite versatile and makes it a good choice for photographers who travel a lot.

Pros:

• The build of the tripod body is good and is made of durable materials that can withstand the wear and tear due to the environmental elements.
• It can support all types of cameras including DSLRs with a standard lens.
• The tripod legs are detachable and can be converted to a monopod.
• Legs can be adjusted to various heights and angles. This helps the photographer to shoot from unique angles and perspectives.
• The ball head allows the camera to be used at various angles and perspectives.

Cons:

• The maximum height is not good compared to similar tripods and may not be a sufficient height for some photographers who love to photograph from a higher angle.
• It can be a struggle to use the tripod in very windy conditions.

5.0 out of 5 stars Superior Design/Value Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2023

Outstanding value and design. This 3 legged thing has everything you want in a travel tripod. Multiple configurations (including mounting your camera a few inches from the ground, make leg into monopod), fully featured ball head with multiple sprit levels, rotation degree indicator. All necessary parts are fully detachable for cleaning etc. Compacts into very workable travel size. Negative? A bit heavy but that's what you get when you design a full function travel tripod – this thing packs a great punch in the value department!

Conclusion

We hope the above list and deciding factors will help you to choose a tripod that suits your photography and style. Look for the weight, load capacity and other features that will make your photography simpler with the tripod.

What tripod do you use when traveling or what would you recommend and why? Let us know in the comments section below.

Further Reading:

• Have I Solved My Hybrid Tripod Problem?
• A Review of The Sandmarc Tripod Pro
• The Infuriating Search For The Perfect Tripod
• 4 Ways to Stabilize Your Camera With Tripod Alternatives
• Guide To The Best Travel Tripods In 2023
• 9 Lightweight Tripods For Travel Photographers