KobraTech Apex A70 Review: Is It the Best Budget Tripod in 2023?

Are you looking for a top-notch budget tripod? In this Apex A70 Review, we look specifically at the KobraTech Apex A70, one of the best budget tripods for beginners in 2023.

If you are looking for your first tripod, this could be an excellent choice. It can be used with DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and even smartphones. The Apex A70 tripod also has an advanced pan and tilt head, which makes it a great option for various types of photography and cinematography.

Let’s jump straight in with this video review:

KobraTech Apex A70: Overview

The KobraTech Apex A70 is a versatile tripod that also doubles as a monopod. It can be safely used with DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, and smartphones, plus it features an advanced pan and tilt head for full control over the movements of your device.

The Apex A70 is one of the best budget tripods under $100, and despite the affordable price, you get excellent usability and nice build quality to boot.

KobraTech Apex A70 Review: What to Expect from This Tripod?

To give you a full idea of the Apex A70’s functionality, we have broken the review into different categories. This includes the technical specifications, portability, the usefulness of the tripod head, and more. For a more visual guide, be sure to check out our full Apex A70 review on the PhotoWorkout YouTube channel:

Apex A70 Tripod Specifications

To start, we’re going to look at the underlying specs of the Apex A70. In terms of size and build quality, this is a beginner tripod. However, it should easily be able to hold a large DSLR camera with a telephoto lens while providing excellent stability.

Technical Specifications

• Extension Range: 20–70 in/53–175 cm
• Maximum Load Capacity: 9 lbs/4082 g
• Item Weight: 4 lbs/1815 g
• Material: Aluminum
• Head: Pan and tilt
• Compatible cameras: DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, smartphones

The extension range of the Apex A70 is fantastic. At the maximum height of 70 in, you can shoot over obstacles or photograph downward for product photography in a studio setup.

And while the Apex A70 is quite affordable, it offers excellent maximum load capacity. At 9 lbs/4082 g, this tripod can easily cope with larger DSLR cameras and long telephoto lenses. This means that the tripod is versatile and can be used for many types of photography, from wildlife and sports to macro and product shooting.

What’s Included?

Now that you have a clear idea of the capabilities of this tripod, let’s look at what comes in the basic kit.

Again, we find that the Apex A70 provides excellent value for money. For less than $100, you get a comprehensive tripod set, which includes the following items:

• Apex A70 tripod
• Phone tripod mount
• Bluetooth remote shutter
• 2x removable base plates
• Carrying case

As you will see below, the phone tripod mount enables you to use this tripod with most modern smartphones. And for hands-free operation, you get a Bluetooth remote control.

The two removable base plates give you greater flexibility for your camera setup. Lastly, you can easily carry all of this in the carrying case.

Overall, we really like this package. It’s a complete kit that allows you to immediately start using the tripod with either a camera or your smartphone.

Portability

If you only intend to use your tripod for studio work or at home, portability may not be a concern; however, if you want to use the tripod at different locations or when traveling, portability is vital.

As mentioned, the tripod is easily stored in the included carrying case. The case is made from durable material, and the Apex A70 tripod fits inside snugly (though it can be a little tricky to get inside the case).

The carrying case has a strap so you can carry it over your shoulder; alternatively, you can sling it underneath a camera backpack.

The Apex A70 is certainly not the smallest tripod available, and there are better choices for travel tripods. However, for day trips, city breaks, or hiking adventures, the size and weight are decent. At 4 lbs/1815 g, the Apex A70 should not put too much strain on your shoulders or back.

Setup

Some tripods can be incredibly tricky and time-consuming to set up, but not the Apex A70. It is easy to use, quick to assemble, and lets you mount your camera or smartphone without fuss.

The three tripod legs are joined together via the central column and three attached joints, so you only have to pull one leg outward and the other two will automatically move, too. This is not a groundbreaking feature, but it does make the setup stage quicker.

Each leg has three extension sections. Each adjusts independently so you can use the tripod at various height intervals. The extension is controlled via a simple clip lock mechanism. When you reach reached the desired height, you simply close the clip to secure the leg in place.

It’s effective and quick, and you can set the tripod to its desired height in minutes. We also like that each leg has a rubber foot, these are adjustable and will always allow you to have a flat, firm base for your tripod regardless of the ground conditions.

Tripod Head Functionality

For quick access and use, the Apex A70 has a quick-release baseplate feature. The baseplate itself has a standard tripod screw and you can tighten it using the locking screw underneath.

Once you have attached the baseplate to your camera/smartphone, it fits snugly onto the tripod head. You can then lock it or release it via the simple quick-release switch. It literally takes seconds to attach/detach the baseplate.

The Apex A70 tripod head has full panning capabilities. It can be freely rotated 360 degrees and has a pan handle. This means you do not have to touch the camera and can move it simply with the head handle.

To use/lock the pan feature, there is a simple dial on the left-hand side of the tripod head. Simply turn the dial to unlock the pan feature. If you want to lock the head in a certain position, turn the dial in the opposite direction until it tightens. This is a simple mechanism that is quick and easy to use.

The panning motion is smooth and the panhandle allows you to control your camera movements precisely.

Tilting is another useful tripod head feature, which you can use for things like flat lays, product photography, and top-down photos.

The tilt function of the Apex A70 tripod is controlled via the handle grip. To unlock the tilt function, simply twist the panhandle. You can then tilt the tripod head upward or downward.

This function is again easy to use, and when combined with the pan function, you can fluidly move and angle your camera in virtually any direction.

The only minor downside is that you cannot lock the pan and tilt functions with one hand/at the same time. This means that you must first adjust the head angle, then shoot a photo or record a video afterward.

Ease of Use with DSLRs/Mirrorless Cameras

In this Apex A70 review, we tested the tripod with a DSLR camera and a smartphone. For DSLR and mirrorless cameras, the Apex A70 performs beautifully.

Firstly, the baseplate is easy to attach to the camera. It has a standard tripod screw, so it should be compatible with virtually any modern camera. And the baseplate attaches quickly and securely to the tripod head.

We had no concerns about the stability of the tripod or head. Also, we never felt that our camera was in danger of coming loose or falling, which is obviously a key factor if you are using expensive camera equipment.

The pan and tilt head is also ideal for DSLR and mirrorless cameras. It gives you excellent flexibility and means you can use the tripod in a wide range of situations.

Ease of Use with Smartphones

The Apex A70 is also compatible with iOS and Android smartphones via the included smartphone mount.

The mount is durable and provides a stable connection for your smartphone. It has a simple clip that extends to the width of your smartphone and is secured using a simple twist lock. Simply turn the dial to retract the clip and lock your smartphone in place.

This setup can also be rotated so you can use your smartphone in portrait or landscape orientation.

We also like the Bluetooth remote shutter, which lets you shoot without touching your smartphone shutter button. The pairing process is simple, and you can easily use the tripod for selfies or group photos.

Monopod Functionality

The functionality of the Apex A70 doesn’t stop there! The central column also houses a monopod that can be released via a simple screw.

Once you have unlocked the screw, the head and column can be pulled out completely to form a monopod. The monopod has three extension sections that use a quick twist-lock mechanism, and it can comfortably hold a smartphone or even your DSLR camera.  

Is the KobraTech Apex A70 Tripod Right for You?

The Apex A70 tripod was a pleasure to test and use. One of its strongest points is its versatility; it works for DSLR/mirrorless photography and videography, and it can also be used with iOS and Android smartphones. Plus, it converts to a monopod!

Build quality is decent, and the various features also make the KobraTech Apex A70 easy to use. Beginners who have never tried a tripod before should easily be able to set up and use the Apex A70.

This tripod is not without its flaws, however. It can sometimes be difficult to fit into the carrying case, and it’s not the lightest tripod on the market. These are minor drawbacks, however, and overall, the KobraTech Apex A70 is a brilliant budget option for any level of photography.

---

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Certain content was provided "as is" from Amazon daily and is subject to change or removal at any time.