Best 8 Travel Tripods to Buy in 2024: For Any Budget!

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Best 8 Travel Tripods to Buy in 2024: For Any Budget!
Need help picking which tripod to pick for your future travels? Dive into this short list to find the best travel tripods for every budget and need. Say goodbye to blurry night-time shots and asking strangers to snap your photos.
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One of the most exciting moments of a trip is packing your bags for your new adventure. That's when reality sets in! But packing can also be a source of stress if you don't know what to bring. 

There are some excellent guides on travel essentials and specific items like the best travel wallets or travel headphones. But now, let's focus on the best travel tripods! This is an essential travel item if you're a photographer, videographer, or even someone who just enjoys taking photos. 

You may already know you want to invest in a travel tripod to carry on your future adventures. Or maybe you're wondering if you even need a tripod to begin with. Let's clear up your doubts by giving you options depending on your needs, budget, and the type of device you use.

Is a Tripod Necessary When You Travel?

Whether a tripod is strictly necessary depends on your needs. A tripod can come in handy in many situations.

If you want to take long-exposure photos, you'll need a tripod, especially in low-light conditions. You won't always find a surface to place your camera or phone to keep it steady, so having a tripod allows you to take advantage of virtually any light conditions.

Have you ever wanted to have your picture taken, but there was no one around to do it? Or you asked other people to take your photos and were unhappy with the results. If you can relate to any of these situations, consider investing in a travel tripod.  

You can take pictures on your own terms with a tripod and a remote shutter. And tripods also allow you to take cool videos like time-lapses and are great for vlogging. 

Which Is the Best Tripod For Travel? 

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the best travel tripods. You'll find countless options, from versatile ones for both cameras and phones to mini tripods to save space in your carry-on. Prices range from a couple of dozen dollars to several hundred, with many options in between.

The choice can be overwhelming. So, to help you out, here's a list of the eight best travel tripods. From professional, expensive tripods to budget-friendly options and even mini tripods, there's something for everyone! 

Best Overall Travel Tripod

If you're looking for a professional travel tripod and have a generous budget, then this is one of the best options on the market.

Peak Design Travel Tripod

When packed up, the Peak Design Travel tripod is very compact. But at the same time, it opens up to nearly 60.2". The tripod comes in an aluminum version and a lighter but more expensive carbon fiber version.

One of the great things about this tripod is its versatility. The legs have five sections to adjust to your liking. The tripod can hold cameras of up to 21 lbs. Plus, it comes with a phone adapter. The design of this travel tripod allows you to set it up and take it down very quickly. 

Finally, it features an integrated ergonomic ball head and a load-hanging hook if you need extra stability.

Specs

  • Weight: 1.56kg
  • Minimum Height: 14cm 
  • Maximum Height: 152cm
  • Height when packed: 39cm
  • Material: aluminum or carbon fiber
  • Compatible devices: camera, smartphone
  • Weight limit: 9.5kg 

Our Rating: 4.5/5

Pros: 
  • Versatile
  • Stable
  • Durable
  • Compact 
Cons: 
  • Expensive
man with a camera and tripod
Image Courtesy of Peak Design

Mid-Range Lightweight Tripod

If you want to spend a little less but still get a professional travel tripod, Sirui is an excellent choice.

SIRUI AM-284 Travel Carbon Fiber Tripod

This tripod packs a high load capacity of up to 33 lbs while being extremely lightweight at only 2.69 lbs. The carbon fiber legs have four sections and combine quality, lightness, and sturdiness. The twist lock is slightly more time-consuming but provides great stability.

The versatility of this tripod is one of its best features. You can shoot as low as 3.2 inches and up to 47.2 inches. The only downside for many users is the ball head, which could be better quality.

Weight: 2.69 lbs.

Specs:

  • Minimum Height: 8cm
  • Maximum Height: 120cm
  • Height when packed: 44.5cm
  • Material: carbon fiber
  • Compatible devices: camera, smartphone
  • Weight limit: 15kg

Our Rating: 4.5/5

Pros: 
  • Lightweight
  • Sturdy
  • Compact
  • Versatile
Cons: 
  • Slightly expensive
  • Ball head could be better quality
carbon fiber tripod for travel
Image Courtesy of Sirui

Mid-Range Professional Tripod

If you're looking for a mid-range tripod for your professional camera, this one is among the best travel tripods on the market.

Manfrotto Befree Advanced Tripod 

At a similar price to Sirui, this Manfrotto tripod is a bit weightier, but its sturdiness provides more stability even to heavy camera gear. The legs are easy to adjust, and the ball head is very solid. 

Aside from its weight, a small downside is that it's a bit wide when folded, although the height is less than 16 inches. Another thing to consider is that the phone clamp isn't included in the package, so you need to buy it separately if you need one. 

Overall, the Manfrotto Befree Advanced is a high-quality travel tripod that will last a long time. 

Specs:

  • Weight: 1.6kg 
  • Minimum Height: 40cm
  • Maximum Height: 151cm
  • Height when packed: 40cm
  • Material: Aluminum
  • Compatible devices: camera, smartphone
  • Weight limit: 9kg

Our Rating: 4/5

Pros:
  • Quality aluminum legs
  • Durable
  • High load capacity
  • Easy to set up
  • Compact
Cons: 
  • A bit wide when folded
  • Heavier than other similar products
  • Doesn't come with a phone clamp
Compact tripod by Manfrotto
Image Courtesy of Manfrotto

Best Lightweight Camera Tripod

K&F is a good tripod for those just starting out and looking to get a quality product without breaking the bank. It's a budget and backpacking-friendly travel tripod.

K&F Concept DSLR Tripod 

A cool thing about this tripod is that it's very lightweight, but at the same time, this sleek little tripod has a good load capacity at a maximum of 10kg.

The K&F Concept DSLR tripod folds down to just 18.5 inches with the legs reversed, a compact choice to easily carry around in your backpack. This travel tripod features a 360-degree ball head that allows you to take panorama pictures. As a downside, it only comes with the camera mount, so you need to buy a phone adapter if you want to use it for your smartphone.

Specs:

  • Weight: 1.3kg
  • Minimum Height: 57cm
  • Maximum Height: 162cm
  • Height when packed: 47cm
  • Material: aluminum, magnesium
  • Compatible devices: camera
  • Weight limit: 10kg

Our Rating: 4.5/5

Pros: 
  • Lightweight
  • Good load capacity
  • Compact
  • Good maximum height 
Cons: 
  • Doesn't include a phone adapter
different perspectives of lightweight tripod
Image Courtesy of K&F Concept

Budget Versatile Tripod

If you're on a budget and use a camera, this Bonfoto camera tripod is a good option for an affordable price.

BONFOTO B690A Camera Tripod for Travel  

The legs of the BONFOTO B690A tripod fold reversely so that the tripod is very compact and easy to carry. The flips on the legs make it effortless to adjust the height, and the ball head features a standard screw compatible with all cameras and phone adapters.

The top features of this tripod are that it's compact, lightweight, and very affordable when considering the quality of the materials. If you need to use heavy equipment, there's a hook to add extra weight and improve stability. Overall, this is one of the travel tripods that contain all the features of more expensive tripods at a much more affordable price.

Specs:

  • Weight: 1.36kg
  • Minimum Height: 52cm
  • Maximum Height: 135.9cm
  • Height when packed: 36.8vm
  • Material: Aluminum
  • Compatible devices: smartphone, camera
  • Weight limit: 8.16kg

Our Rating: 4/5

Pros:
  • Lightweight
  • Compact
  • Easy to set up
  • Versatile
Cons: 
  • Not very sturdy
  • Heavy equipment requires stabilizing 
3 perspectives of BONFOTO tripod
Image Courtesy of Amazon

Cheapest Tripod for Travel

This is an excellent option if you want to spend as little as possible but still want a regular tripod rather than a mini one.

Amazon Basics Aluminium Tripod 

Despite being the cheapest option on this list, this aluminum tripod by Amazon Basics does its job. It's an ideal choice if it's your first tripod and you don't have heavy camera gear. 

The tripod features aluminum legs that you can quickly expand to reach a height of 127cm. However, it can't hold heavy equipment. This Amazon Basics tripod is perfect for smartphones and small cameras. Because it's extremely lightweight and compact, it makes it easy to transport in your carry-on luggage or backpack. Plus, it comes with a handy storage bag!

Specs:

  • Weight: 0.5kg
  • Minimum Height: 42cm
  • Maximum Height: 127cm
  • Height when packed: 16.5inches
  • Material: Aluminum
  • Compatible devices: smartphones, light cameras
  • Weight limit: 2kg

Our Rating: 4/5

Pros: 
  • Cheap
  • Lightweight
  • Compact
  • Good maximum height
Cons: 
  • Small load capacity
  • Not the best quality 
Tripo
Image Courtesy of Amazon

Best Mini Travel Tripod for Smartphones

The GorillaPod is a great option if you want something lightweight that takes up very little space in your luggage. 

Joby GripTight GorillaPod PRO 2 

Unlike regular tripods, this mini version doesn't have expandable legs, so it's a good option if you just need to keep your phone steady but don't need the adjustable height.

The great thing about the GorillaPod is that you can throw it in your bag wherever you go, and it doesn't take much time to set it up. The legs are flexible, so you can even wrap them around a pole or other objects. Furthermore, you can easily hold it for selfies and vlogging, and there's the capacity to attach a microphone too. Finally, you can use this sneaky little travel tripod even in places where extendable tripods aren't permitted. 

Specs:

  • Weight: 0.2kg
  • Minimum Height: 7cm
  • Maximum Height: 34cm
  • Material: aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, TPE
  • Compatible devices: smartphones

Our Rating: 4.5/5

Pros: 
  • Very compact
  • Durable
  • Lightweight
  • Flexible legs
Cons: 
  • No expanding legs
  • Only suitable for smartphones
mini tripod for phones
Image Courtesy of GripTight

Best Mini Camera Tripod

Another great option if you're looking for a small travel tripod is the Manfrotto PIXI. This is a good tabletop tripod if you use a compact camera and are just looking for that extra stability but don't need the adjustable height.

Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod 

Unlike the GorillaPod, this Manfrotto doesn't have flexible legs to wrap around objects. The only way to use it is to place it on the floor or a flat surface.

The good thing about the Manfrotto PIXI mini is that it's extremely compact and lightweight. It takes up very little space and weighs less than a smartphone. The closed legs are comfortable to hold if you need to use the tripod for selfies and vlogging. And the biggest plus is that it comes at a very low price for a good quality product.

Specs:

  • Weight: 0.2kg
  • Minimum Height: 13.5cm
  • Maximum Height: 13.5cm
  • Height when packed: 18.5cm
  • Material: ABS
  • Compatible devices: compact cameras
  • Weight limit: 1kg

Our Rating: 4/5

Pros: 
  • Very compact and lightweight
  • Value for money
Cons: 
  • Only compatible with compact cameras
  • No flexible legs
small portable tripod for cameras
Image Courtesy of Manfrotto

Plan Your Next Travel Shoot With Pilot

Now that you have an idea of the best travel tripods out there, it's time to start planning where to test out your new gear!

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Disclosure: Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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