How many times have you trusted a stranger to take your pictures only to receive a few badly-framed images in return?
Whether you’re using a smartphone, camera, or professional DSLR, capturing picture-perfect travel memories is one of the biggest challenges of solo travel. A good travel tripod gives you more control over your pictures since you can set your camera up and frame your photos however you want. It’s also handy in low light conditions since you can dial down your shutter speed without risking blurry pictures.
READ MORE: How do you choose the best travel golf bag that suits you?
What should you look out for in a travel tripod?
Not all tripods are built the same, which is why you should know what to look for when you’re in the market for one. Here are some of the features that you should consider:
- Good construction material — You should go for carbon fibre whenever possible, but aluminium tripods are typically cheaper.
- Maximum and minimum height — You need something versatile enough to go as high and low as you required for all camera angles
- Compact folding size — As travellers, you have to make full use of the minimal real estate in your bags, which is why you should always check the folding size before buying any travel tripods.
- Stability — Rigid tripod legs with a stable base will help you achieve sharp and stunning pictures.
- Lightweight — Any extra weight would quickly add up, so make sure you are comfortable with the tripod’s weight.
Best travel tripods for 2021
- Benro FGP18A GoPlus
- Peak Design Travel Tripod
- Manfrotto 190Go! Aluminum Tripod Kit with Ball Head
- 3 Legged Thing Legends Jay with AirHed Cine
- Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced
- Benro Rhino 05CVX20
- MeFoto GlobeTrotter Carbon C2350Q2T
- Vanguard VEO 2 GO 235CB
1. Benro FGP18A GoPlus – The budget option
The Benro GoPlus Travel FGP18A has almost everything you’d want in a travel tripod—a hefty maximum load capacity, well-folded length, and generous operating height. Although it doesn’t come with a ball head, we love the pivoting centre column since it allows you to lock angles in small increments.
Besides that, you can use it as a standalone monopod by unscrewing a leg. This tripod is also fitted with bubble levels for easy levelling.
You can purchase it at B&H for $159.95.
2. Peak Design Travel Tripod – The different one
There’s no question about it—the most unique thing about the Peak Design Travel Tripod is definitely the design. It’s created to fold down to the diameter of a water bottle. It can go to about eye level for an average-height person but can retract to just 39cm in length.
It’s a bit pricier than the average, but we think that that extra space you will get in your bag makes it all worth it.
You can purchase it from Peak Design for $349.95.
3. Manfrotto 190Go! – The one with the ball head
The Manfrotto 190Go! Aluminum Tripod Kit with XPRO ball head has an innovative centre column design that allows it to be rolled quickly into a 90-degree lateral shooting position that’s very rare for a travel tripod.
Its folded length of 55cm is a tad longer than most, but you can also take advantage of its 155cm maximum height.
Purchase this gem at Manfrotto for $329.99.
4. 3 Legged Thing Legends Jay with AirHed Cine – The professional one
The Legends Jay and AirHed Cine combo are the most expensive so far, but it’s one of the best travel tripods for videographers or vloggers. It uses a levelling base instead of a centre column to save you time setting up panning shots.
Made with aerospace-grade aluminium, the AirHed Cine is the perfect partner to the Legends Jay. With a firm but controllable drag action and a screw-on handle, you’ll have more precision and accuracy with your shots.
Get yours at 3 Legged Thing for $766.
5. Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced – The smooth one
Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced provides a lightweight design paired with a three-way video head. Its built-in hydraulic damping system creates smooth, fluid camera movements, making it the best tripod for travel videos.
Although it has a maximum loading weight of 6kg, it only weighs 2kg itself. It has a maximum height of 151cm.
It is available on Amazon for $279.
6. Benro Rhino VX20 – The small one
The VX20 is the smallest Rhino tripod, folding to 35cm for optimal storage and unfolding up to 150cm. It features a two-sector extending centre column and five-section legs that enable you to lock in multiple camera angles with just a push of a button. You can also unscrew one of the legs to form a monopod with the centre column.
Besides that, it has a VX20 ‘dual panoramic’ ball head that comes with two independent panning mechanisms. Even at its maximum height, it is remarkably rigid and stable.
Find it on Adorama for $312.95.
7. MeFoto GlobeTrotter Carbon Fiber – The strong one
If you have a heavy camera, you won’t go wrong with the MeFoto GlobeTrotter Carbon Fiber travel tripod kit since it has a hefty load capacity of 12kg. We love that it is small enough at 42cm but can extend up to 163cm.
Not only that but it’s fitted with a ball head with adjustable friction so that you can use different angles to capture your travel memories and is also convertible to a monopod.
You can purchase it at B&H for $249.
8. Vanguard VEO 2 GO 235CB – The light one
The Vanguard VEO 2 GO 235CB is one of the best travel tripods for budget travellers. It offers an incredible value with its very reasonable price tag. With five sections in each leg and a dual-section telescopic centre column, it can operate multiple camera angles to a maximum height of 143cm.
We also love that you can retract it down to just 33cm (or 21cm if you use a low angle adapter!) and only weigh slightly over one kilogram.
Purchase yours from Vanguard for $219.99.
Although all our recommendations are some of the most popular tripods on the market, ultimately, the best travel tripod is one that fits your needs. They can be a bit expensive, but it’s a small price to pay for stunning travel pictures that you’ll treasure forever.
If we’ve missed out on your favourite, we want to know. Drop us a comment on this article or send us an email.
