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Compact Camera Tripod Bhuato Lightweight Travel Tripod Reviews

Best travel tripod 2022: the 12 finest lightweight tripods for your camera

A selection of the best travel tripods from Manfrotto, Benro and Nova
(Image credit: Future)

The all-time travel tripods are essential companions for well-nigh kinds of photography. They offering stability in a highly portable package that won't give you a hernia during an all-day hike or city stroll. While they tin never replace the stability you get from a full-size tripod, they offer enough to make them incredibly valuable backup options.

There's no beating a hefty, solid tripod to give your photography a firm footing. Trouble is, they're heavy and unwieldy, and so nosotros tend to go out them at home, where they're no use whatever. At the other end of the scale, flimsy piddling tripods whose loftiest aspirations are just about waist-tiptop are underachievers and tend to wobble around in the slightest cakewalk. Thankfully, the best travel tripods stand firm in the middle ground, giving you the all-time of both worlds.

A neat trick shared by the vast majority of current tripods is that the legs swing fully upwardly for stowage. The thought is that you lot first extend the centre column, then swing the legs upwardly, so that the tripod'southward anxiety cease upwardly encircling the head. This reduces the overall carrying length by up to 10cm, or 4 inches in old money. Indeed, many of the best travel tripods compress down to near 30-40cm, making them small enough to fit within a camera purse or rucksack, rather than needing to be tethered to the outside.

To requite them a useful operating pinnacle, despite their small carrying size, most travel tripods characteristic four or even five telescopic sections per leg. Some go farther all the same, with a 2-section extending centre cavalcade. This naturally enables a greater maximum operating height.

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

However, all of this is well worth it for the lightweight convenience of your next three-legged friend. Aluminum and carbon fibre versions are often available but, considering the travel tripods are quite pocket-sized, the weight saved past using carbon fibre merely tends to be about 200g or so, and they can be much pricier to buy. Whether they offer great value or an incredibly stable shooting platform, here are all of the best travel tripod options you tin can buy right now.

  • The ten best tripods you can buy right now

Best travel tripod 2022 at a glance:

  1. 3LT Punks Travis with AirHed Neo Ballhead
  2. Peak Design Travel Tripod
  3. Benro Travel Angel FTA28CV1
  4. Novo Explora T10 Carbon Fibre Professional person
  5. Gitzo Traveler Series 0 GK0545T-82TQD
  6. Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced
  7. Benro Rhino 05C VX20
  8. Manfrotto Befree 2N1 Aluminium Tripod
  9. Manfrotto Element MII
  10. MeFoto GlobeTrotter Carbon C2350Q2T
  11. Sirui T-005 travel tripod with B-00 ball caput
  12. Vanguard VEO 2 GO 235CB with ball caput

The all-time travel tripods of 2022

3LT Punks Travis

(Image credit: 3LT)

i. 3 Legged Thing Punks Travis, AirHed Neo Ballhead

The Punks range of British-made tripods are smartly turned out

Specifications

Maximum load: 18kg

Maximum peak: 167cm

Minimum top: 19.5cm

Folded length: 45cm

Number of leg sections: 4

Weight: 1.6kg

Reasons to buy

+

Converts to a monopod

+

Mighty 18kg load rating

Reasons to avoid

-

Not the smallest when folded down

-

Pricey for an aluminum tripod

From innovative tripod designer 3 Legged Thing, the Punks travel tripod range also includes the diminutive Corey, which folds downwardly to just 35cm and has five leg sections plus a dual-department extending centre column. We prefer the Travis, though, every bit it has a loftier maximum operating meridian and with a single-piece center column and four sections per leg, the thinnest sections are less spindly. Indeed, information technology has beefy maximum load rating of 18kg.

Typical of modern travel tripods, the legs swing up for stowage, reducing the folded length to 45cm. One of the legs can exist unscrewed and used in conjunction with the detachable centre cavalcade to deed as a monopod, with a maximum height of 171cm. Build quality is first-class throughout, extending to the AirHed Neo ball head which is included in the kit. A carbon fibre version of the tripod is available, going past the proper noun of Billy, but it's but 220g lighter in weight and considerably pricier to buy.

The Peak Design Travel Tripod on a blue background

(Image credit: Acme Design)

2. Peak Blueprint Travel Tripod

Dissimilar by design, this travel tripod from Tiptop Design is truly innovative

Specifications

Maximum load: 8kg

Maximum acme: 148cm

Minimum height: 35cm

Folded length: 35cm

Number of leg sections: v

Weight: 1.64kg

Maximum load: 9kg

Maximum elevation: 152cm

Minimum height: 14cm

Folded length: 39cm

Number of leg sections: five

Weight: 1.56kg

Reasons to buy

+

Highly versatile with excellent rigidity

+

Bachelor in both aluminum and carbon options

Reasons to avoid

-

Both versions are relatively expensive

-

Novel head design takes a bit of getting used to

We're big fans of the highly capable but expensive aluminum edition of the Peak Design Travel Tripod. It'due south pretty pricey, but the carbon fibre version of the kit is considerably more than expensive, making it unaffordable for many. In both cases the same overall design is highly innovative. Swing-upward legs are commonplace but, in this tripod, they're especially shaped to wrap around the centre cavalcade, cutting out wasted infinite to enable a sleeker build.

The head is integral to the tripod, which is another space-saver. Over again, it's noticeably unlike to what yous're probably used to, but gives a total range of movement with quick and easy setup. An optional Universal Caput Adapter is available if you'd rather use a different head, with or without the centre cavalcade. The centre column itself splits in ii for ultra-low-level shooting and contains a neat mobile phone mount that attaches to the caput. All but the pinnacle section of the five-section legs are removable, for conversion to a tabular array-top tripod. Overall, it's an amazingly versatile tripod that also delivers excellent performance.

Benro FTA28CV1

iii. Benro Travel Affections FTA28CV1

Beefy for a travel tripod, only turns into a handy monopod

Specifications

Maximum load: 10kg

Maximum height: 170cm

Minimum acme: 47.5cm

Folded length: 47.5cm

Number of leg sections: four

Weight: 1.81kg

Reasons to purchase

+

Great maximum height

+

Decent payload of 10kg

Reasons to avoid

-

Heavy

-

Non very compact

At one.81kg, not even carbon fibre can stop this lining up alongside the FLM every bit the heaviest platform here, while the 47.5cm packed length also makes these the longest legs on exam. But on the upside, the Travel Affections will enhance your SLR higher than the contest, with the iv-section legs and centre column extending to a lofty 170cm.

The ix-layer carbon construction results in a 10kg payload rating, and grippy twist-lock leg clamps, a sturdy ball caput and a set of spiked feet are peachy to have. The Travel Angel'due south stand up-out feature is a removable leg that screws to the middle column to form a monopod.

The Novo Explora T10 Carbon Fibre Professional on a green background

(Image credit: Nova)

4. Novo Explora T10 Carbon Fibre Professional

This is now the nearly travel-friendly tripod in Novo's impressive line-up

Specifications

Maximum load: 15kg

Maximum height: 174cm

Minimum height: 26cm

Folded length: 48cm

Number of leg sections: 4

Weight: 1.8kg

Reasons to purchase

+

Sturdy build with a hefty max load rating

+

Generous maximum operating meridian

Reasons to avoid

-

Doesn't fold down specially minor

-

Overkill for a lightweight photographic camera

Novo used to marketplace a handy, compact and lightweight Explora T5 kit merely that's now been discontinued, making the T10 the smallest in the range. Every bit with its stablemates, it'due south a smartly turned out carbon fibre affair and there's no lower-budget aluminum option. The leg sections are pretty chunky, ranging from 18mm to 28mm in bore, which helps to deliver the hefty maximum load rating.

The maximum operating height of 174cm is too pretty impressive for a travel tripod, and you can shoot from low down as well, thanks to the inclusion of a low angle adapter. Interchangeable rubber feet and metal spikes are too supplied in the kit. Up top, the high-performance ball head features a neat adaptable friction damper, congenital into the main locking knob, along with ii pan release locks, ane at the base and the other in the camera platform. As a leveling aid, a chimera level is featured on the photographic camera platform but, unfortunately, it'south obscured during shooting in one case you've inserted the Arca-Swiss type quick-release plate.

Gitzo GT0545T

five. Gitzo Traveler Serial 0 GK0545T-82TQD

Premium option with excellent strength, merely comes at a cost

Specifications

Maximum load: 10kg

Maximum height: 133cm

Minimum superlative: 15cm

Folded length: 30.5cm

Number of leg sections: iv

Weight: 1.29kg

Reasons to buy

+

Superb finish

+

Incredibly compact

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive

-

Maximum pinnacle limited

Despite the legs only extending to 133cm, this pays off when you're on the go, as the 36.5cm closed length is the shortest here, and at ane.29kg simply the Befree is lighter. Gitzo's four-department Carbon exact leg tubes manage to defy their slim diameter and stay amazingly strong, making the 10kg payload rating entirely credible.

The quality and precision of the other components is just as uncompromising. The bundled ball head features dissever pan locking, and its 32mm ball diameter is only about big enough to support a full-frame DSLR.

The Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced on a red background

(Prototype credit: Manfrotto)

six. Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced

Highly unusual, this travel tripod kit comes with a 3-way head

Specifications

Maximum load: 8kg

Maximum height: 150cm

Minimum height: 40cm

Folded length: 41cm

Number of leg sections: 4

Weight: ii.0kg

Reasons to buy

+

3-way head enables precise adjustments

+

Larger locking handle folds downward for compact stowage

Reasons to avoid

-

No carbon fibre version

-

No monopod conversion

The vast majority of current travel tripod kits come with a brawl head, which makes this Manfrotto something of a rarity, with its more conventional three-way head. Information technology therefore has independent locking handles for both tilt and swivel functions, forth with a locking knob for panning. You'd ordinarily wait protruding handles that spoil the streamlined course factor for compact stowage, just they fold in prissy and tight, and the legs withal swing up so that the feet encircle the head.

Unlike virtually 3-way heads, this ane is designed with both photographers and videographers in mind. The head features Manfrotto's 'fluid drag system', which enables shine control for both panning and tilt movements. The inclusion of 3 spirit levels helps to keep everything on the level. The tripod itself has four-section legs with flip locks, and a single-section centre cavalcade but none of the legs tin be removed for utilize as a monopod. Resistance to flexing and vibration is also pretty impressive, especially for a lightweight aluminum tripod.

Benro Rhino 05C VX20

(Epitome credit: Benro)

7. Benro Rhino 05C VX20

One of the latest carbon fibre travel tripods from Benro

Specifications

Maximum load: 10kg

Maximum height: 140cm

Minimum pinnacle: 35cm

Folded length: 35cm

Number of leg sections: 5

Weight: one.24kg

Reasons to purchase

+

Decent maximum operating superlative, but folds downwards small

+

Excellent build quality

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive but well worth the outlay

-

No cutting-price aluminum version

Sold as the Rhino Carbon Fiber Nix Series Travel Tripod with VX20 Head in the United states of america, this is a recent addition to Benro'due south loftier-performance and stylish line-up. The Rhinoceros is really available in a range of sizes, the chunkier 14C, 24C and 34C (Serial 1 to 3 in the United states of america) having a folded size of effectually 49cm, stretching to a maximum operating tiptop of around 170cm and with load ratings ranging from 16kg to 20kg. The 05C (Series 0) is a rather more than compact and travel-friendly model, folding to just 35cm for stowage, and with a still useful 140cm maximum operating pinnacle.

Typical of Benro carbon fibre tripods, information technology's impeccably turned out although, dissimilar some, there'due south no cut-price aluminum option. In that location's a ii-section extending eye cavalcade, while the five-section legs accept a simple pushbutton machinery to enable multiple operating angles. I of the legs can be unscrewed and combined with the centre column to grade a monopod. The VX20 'dual panoramic' brawl head is also a new pattern and comes consummate with two independent panning mechanisms, one at the base and up pinnacle on the camera platform, which has an Arca-Swiss type quick-release plate. For such a lightweight tripod, it's remarkably rigid fifty-fifty at its maximum operating top.

Manfrotto Befree 2N1

(Image credit: Manfrotto)

viii. Manfrotto Befree 2N1 Aluminium Tripod Twist

At that place are diverse Befree tripods merely this 1 adds monopod conversion

Specifications

Maximum load: 8kg

Maximum height: 150cm

Minimum acme: 40cm

Folded length: 41cm

Number of leg sections: iv

Weight: 1.6kg

Reasons to buy

+

Works as a tripod or monopod

+

Clip or twist locks available

Reasons to avert

-

No carbon fibre version available

-

Doesn't fold down particularly modest

Manfrotto offers a wide option of Befree travel tripods, in basic and advanced categories. The 2N1 is unique in the line-up, equally it'south the only ane in which a leg tin can be removed and used equally a monopod, in conjunction with the centre column and brawl head, giving a maximum operating height of 156cm. That's 6cm taller than in regular tripod configuration, extending all of the four leg sections and the jumpsuit centre cavalcade.

The tripod caters to those with a item preference for clip locks or twist locks, as it'south bachelor with either. However, information technology's just bachelor in aluminum, with no carbon fibre option. For a bit on the side, at that place's Manfrotto's 'Easy Link' socket, which is useful for attaching accessories similar an LED lamp.

Manfrotto Element Traveller Tripod Big

(Image credit: Manfrotto)

ix. Manfrotto Element MII

This is the excellent Marker II edition of the 'Element Big'

Specifications

Maximum load: 8kg

Maximum height: 160cm

Minimum height: 41cm

Folded length: 42.5cm

Number of leg sections: 4

Weight: i.55kg

Reasons to buy

+

4-section legs are reassuringly rigid

+

Range of color options

Reasons to avoid

-

No carbon fibre version

-

No monopod conversion

Manfrotto aims to spoil you for option with its Element range of travel tripods, which are available in unlike sizes and colors. They're also mostly bachelor in either aluminum or carbon fibre, although the 'MII' which replaces the Element Big is and then far simply bachelor in aluminum.

Key changes from the Big include a reduction from five sections per leg to four, which brand the tripod more than rigid and quicker to set up upward. More than remarkably, information technology does this with only 5cm loss in maximum operating height, and barely any greater folded length. A more disappointing change is that you can no longer remove one leg for monopod duty.

Typical of Manfrotto, the ball caput works very well and is both quick and easy to operate, although it lacks an adjustable friction damper. The new kits have eye-catching graphics and are available in blue and cherry-red options, too as more traditional blackness.

MeFOTO Globetrotter

x. MeFoto GlobeTrotter Carbon C2350Q2T

Slick looking, well-made travel tripod

Specifications

Maximum load: 12kg

Maximum height: 163cm

Minimum height: 41cm

Folded length: 42cm

Number of leg sections: v

Weight: i.68kg

Reasons to purchase

+

Large load chapters

+

First class end

Reasons to avoid

-

Express leg lock angles

-

Ball caput could be meliorate

Fancy traveling in style? The GlobeTrotter will help you lot stand out: it'southward available in blood-red, green and blue finishes, as well as black or titanium. A 12kg capacity is enough to stand stiff under all but the heaviest DSLR setup, however the tripod tips the scales at just 1.68kg.

The GlobeTrotter's measurements are just also-balanced, with its 163cm accomplish retracting to a modest 42cm. Spiked anxiety and a capable ball caput with adaptable friction raise versatility. The monopod conversion feature is the aforementioned as the Benro's (see above) – Benro is MeFoto's parent visitor, which explains the GlobeTrotter's tiptop build quality.

Sirui T-005

(Image credit: Sirui)

xi. Sirui T-005 travel tripod with B-00 brawl head

Something of an oddball tripod, the Sirui bucks the trend

Specifications

Maximum load: 5kg

Maximum superlative: 141cm

Minimum tiptop: 8cm (without cavalcade)

Folded length: 32cm

Number of leg sections: five

Weight: 1.1kg

Reasons to buy

+

Extremely compact when folded

+

Innovative centre cavalcade blueprint

Reasons to avoid

-

No monopod conversion

-

No carbon fibre option

Like most modern travel tripods, the Sirui T-005 has legs that swing upwards vertically for a reduction in stowage size. In this case, the folded length is peculiarly small, at just 32cm or simply over a pes. Unlike almost tripods, yet, the middle column can't drib down into the spider, and remains extended at all times.

In fact, it can extend further, thanks to having a dual-section telescopic build, and that'southward in addition to the five sections in each leg. Nonetheless, the maximum operating summit is a adequately modest 141cm. The center column can also exist detached for low-level shooting down to 8cm, with the ball head mounted directly on the spider.

The bottom leg sections are quite spindly, with a diameter of just 10mm. The tripod is as well very calorie-free in weight at just 1.1kg, although it has a respectable 5kg maximum load rating and is reasonably rigid even at its maximum extension. All in all, information technology'due south a good ultra-light and meaty tripod at an appealing price.

Vanguard VEO 2 GO 235CB

(Image credit: Vanguard)

12. Vanguard VEO ii Go 235CB

Small but smart, with a luxury carbon fibre construction

Specifications

Maximum load: 4kg

Maximum height: 143cm

Minimum height: 21cm

Folded length: 33cm

Number of leg sections: 5

Weight: 1.06kg

Reasons to buy

+

Folds downwards very small

+

Lightweight carbon fibre build

Reasons to avoid

-

xiv clamps to operate in total

-

Not overly rigid but not bad

With twist clamps aplenty, this new-generation Vanguard travel tripod has v sections in each leg and a dual-section telescopic centre column. Suffice to say, there's quite a lot of twisting to be done, if you need to elevate the tripod to its maximum operating peak of 143cm. On the plus side, it shrinks downwardly to a compact folded length of but 33cm and, helped by its carbon fibre structure, is refreshingly lightweight at a smidge over 1 kilogram.

For low-level shooting, the tripod shrinks to 33cm but the kit also includes a low angle adapter which you can bandy for the centre column, reducing the minimum height further to 21cm. Although the centre column is detachable, there's no removable leg for monopod duty. The maximum load rating is a adequately meagre 4kg but the tripod remains fairly rigid even at total stretch, despite the bottom leg sections having a bore of simply 11mm.

What to look for in a travel tripod

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

Most of these tripods utilize a carbon fiber construction to save weight, just this ups the price. Some models also have aluminum counterparts. Each includes a compact ball caput, but cheque carefully: a ball that'south too pocket-sized for a larger DSLR will become a precarious balancing act.

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Looking for something a fleck bigger and sturdier? These are the best tripods y'all tin can buy right now

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Source: https://www.techradar.com/news/best-travel-tripod

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