Looking for the best beginner tripods?
Your search ends here.
With so many makes and models, the problem is in selecting one that checks all the boxes. Due to different construction quality, material, head systems, and legs, picking the perfect tripod can quickly become overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve put together a list for you of our favorite beginner tripods in 2021:
1. Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod
This compact Manfrotto tripod is easy to carry and great for traveling with compact or mirrorless cameras.
The Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod is one of the best beginner tripods and our top pick. It is everything you need from a tripod – compact, lightweight, durable, and flexible. It offers fantastic support and stability without being too heavy and difficult to carry.
The frame and legs are made from high-quality aluminum – this means that it is lightweight but still sturdy. The legs can be adjusted easily in three stages using the simple plastic leg locks. This allows you to adjust the height up to a maximum of 155 cm/61 in.
We also love the design of the tripod head. It has a useful selector that allows you to switch between video or photo mode and thus adjust the angle of the head. It also has a trigger handle that is amazing for positioning the head for photos or panning when recording video. It even features a quick-release tripod mount so you can detach your camera in a few seconds.
2. Joby JB01507 Gorillapod 3K
The Joby 3K Gorillapod is incredibly easy to use and a great option for smaller cameras and smartphones.
Joby specializes in compact tripods that are excellent for beginners. They have a unique style and design with their Gorillapod series of tripods, and the 3K model is a brilliant first-time option. Unlike a traditional tripod, it has fully flexible legs that are made from multiple rotatable ball joints. This means you can wrap the legs around objects and mount your camera in some unique ways.
Despite the flexible legs, the Joby JB01507 GorillaPod is still sturdy and offers great support for mirrorless and compact cameras. Although, you may struggle to support a full-frame DSLR with a large lens. We also like the simple head attachment – it is secured in place by a single locking screw and it can be rotated 360 degrees and used at various angles too.
If you don’t want to pay a fortune for a tripod, and want a simple item to use for traveling and outdoor adventures, the Gorillapod 3K is one of the best beginner tripods available.
3. Neewer 2-in-1 Aluminum Alloy Camera Tripod
This Neewer tripod doubles as a monopod and is therefore also great for vlogging and taking selfies.
For those looking for something a little larger and sturdier, the Neewer 2-in-1 Aluminum Alloy Camera is a good option. This 71.2 in/180 cm tripod has a durable aluminum frame and head and is great for supporting mirrorless cameras and full-frame models.
The tripod head has a range of features that make it easy and quick to use. This includes a simple release knob that allows you to pan and rotate the tripod head 360 degrees. The head also has a long panning handle so you can easily reposition your camera with a high degree of accuracy.
For height adjustment, the minimum height with the legs retracted is 62 cm/24.4 in. Using the leg adjustment clips, you can extend the three legs to a maximum height of 180 cm/70.9 in. It can also be used as a monopod and the monopod tube can be set at two different heights – 53 cm/20.86 in, or 142 cm/55.90 in. The only downside to this tripod is that it is heavier than some of the other options in this list.
4. ESDDI Camera Tripod
The ESDDI Camera Tripod is a solid option for larger cameras with its durable 64-inch frame.
The ESDDI Camera Tripod is another great mid-range option that offers a maximum load capacity of 17.6 lb/8 kg. It is a great accessory for mid-range DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. We love the non-slip rubber feet of this tripod which provide fantastic stability on the ground regardless of the surface.
Also, the leg folding mechanism of this beginner tripod uses an inverted design – this means that it folds up to a much smaller overall size compared to traditional folding mechanisms. The legs are also easy to extend and have three different levels of extension up to a maximum height of 171.5 cm/67 in.
The ball head is simple, but it has some useful features that make positioning your camera easy. For example, there is a single lock dial that is used to adjust the angle and rotation of the head. You can also use this ESDDI tripod as a monopod. It comes with a stylish carry bag, an Allen key, and a smartphone holder.
5. MACTREM Professional Camera Tripod
This MACTREM product can support cameras up to 33lbs and also has a monopod attachment.
The MACTREM Professional Camera
is one of the best beginner tripods due to its simple ball head and sturdy design. It can carry a maximum load of 33 lb/15 kg so it should be able to support even larger full-frame cameras. Despite this, it still weighs just 1.3 lb/589 g and this is mainly due to the aluminum construction.
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The legs fold easily, too, and give this tripod a small footprint when fully retracted. In terms of extension, the minimum height is 42 cm/16.53 in with the legs fully retracted, and the maximum height is 162 cm/63.77 in. You can extend the legs in three stages to give greater flexibility.
For stability, the legs have rubber feet and the legs are secured via strong plastic locking clasps. We also like how the ball head can be rotated 360 degrees, and that it has a simple mechanism for adjusting the angle of your camera. Overall, this is a great beginner tripod and it is reasonably priced.
6. Neewer 72.4-inch Aluminum Camera Tripod
This Neewer 72.4-inch tripod is a beast and offers fantastic stability even for larger DSLRs and lenses.
If you want to pay a little more and get a truly robust tripod, the Neewer 72.4-Inch Aluminum Camera is a fantastic choice. This is more expensive than the other models in this list, however, it also offers greater quality and more features.
One of the best features about this tripod is the rotatable center column – it can be positioned at any angle and can operate independently from the tripod legs. This means that for video recording, it is easy to capture sweeping shots and multi-angled panning shots, for example.
The maximum height of this beginner tripod is 184 cm/72.44 in, and when the legs are retracted it is just 65 cm/25.59 in. You can also use this tripod as a monopod which can be great for squeezing into tight spaces.
Take Your Photography to the Next Level with the Best Beginner Tripods
A tripod is one of the first accessories you should look to buy when starting out in photography. Having a tripod allows you to experiment with different photographic techniques such as long exposure photography. We hope you have found this guide on the best beginner tripods useful.
If you want something simple and small, the Joby JB01507 GorillaPod is an excellent choice. Alternatively, if you want a sturdy compact tripod for your mirrorless camera, the Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod is another fantastic model. Finally, if you can afford a little more, why not grab the durable Neewer 72.4-Inch Aluminum Camera?
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