Impressive IBIS can only get you so far. Whether you’re a traveling professional or a jet-setting content creator, you’ll need a set of sticks that can keep up with your work.

And the thing is, the “best tripod” is subjective. The tripod for a studio portrait photographer is probably going to be different for someone who’s a landscape photographer, a real estate photographer and of course videographers.

In decades past, terms like “lightweight” and “portable” were synonyms for a bad tripod. But now tripods have become smaller, lighter, and a lot sturdier in the last few years so we’ll take a look at a few options for all kinds of budgets and use cases.

What to look for in a portable and lightweight tripod…

It’s easy for these companies to throw catch-all marketing terms in their product titles, but to me there’s one important characteristic that a portable tripod should have:

Reversible Legs – So many “portable” tripods don’t have this feature. And for me, it’s a must for your average standard do-it-all type of tripod. What does this mean? Basically, your average tripod will have its legs then the tripod head right above it, and that’s how it’s stored collapsed as well. With a tripod that has reversible legs, you can save 6-12″ on it’s collapsed size because the legs reverse like so.

Again it’s personal preference, for many there important feature might be weight, or how far it extends, carbon fiber, the type of tripod head it comes with, etc. And a lot of those play a roll for me, but the most important was collapsed size.

Starting with #1…

My Choice (Best Value) – Dolica Ultra Compact Tripod

“You’re crazy… why not the $500 Peak Design Tripod that every influencer recommends” 

I know, I know. But hear me out.

A lot of these “best of” posts are much of the same, people will often recommend the most expensive tripod, because that’s what they’ll get the most affiliate commission with, or whoever they’re partnered with… but not me, I’m using the same ol’ tripod that I bought for under $100 about ten years ago 😅

My pick is the Dolica Ultra Compact Tripod TX570B. Still going on strong with regular use, I use it for travel and real estate gigs. Of course, this pick comes with caveats, you can’t buy it new today since it’s so old and I didn’t see a newer version with reversible tripods. They can be found on eBay above for under $70 shipped though.

Collapsed this tripod is a mere 12.5″, and just 2.5lbs, the lightest on this list (with the exception of GorillaPod and other Mini type tripods that we’ll cover later):

I usually go with the smallest tripod as it’s the most convenient. But they’re limited. With a GorillaPod you’ll have to find something to wrap it around. With the Micropod, you’ll have to find a surface that’s the ideal height for the shot you want to get. The Zipshot (covered below) is nice, but depending on which version you owned it stood at 28”, or 44” – there is no in between.

For me, the Dolica is the perfect tripod for mirrorless cameras. It’s sturdy enough to prevent a swift wind from knocking it over, yet convenient enough to throw in a backpack as it can fold down to 12.5”. And you have a little more range than the Zipshot as it stands at 57”. If you’re shooting portraiture, you’ll probably want something a little longer to shoot eye level with your subjects, but that’s a different topic. We’re talking about the best lightweight tripods, and for something that folds down to the size of a (1ft) ruler is pretty impressive.

If used isn’t your thing, if I were shopping today, I’d get the…

SmallRig – Best Value Portable Tripod Today?

SmallRig Selection Lightweight Tripod, a little bigger with a collapsed size of 17.3″, but then you also get more reach at ~79″… and it’s just a tad bit more expensive.

SmallRig is a reputable company, which is important because there are a lot of cheap overseas companies selling dupes that just aren’t up to par. With that being said, I was broke 10 years ago (still kinda am 😅), my Dolica was likely a dupe of the MeFoto Road Trip… but hey, it’s standing the test of time! FYI, aluminum versions of the MeFoto Road Trip are about $130, with the carbon fiber model fetching $300+.

Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod Kit

The Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced kit is a lightweight, compact travel tripod for both photographers and videographers. With a bundled fluid head and build quality that is reminiscent of far more expensive options, the Manfrotto Befree is an excellent travelling companion for the hybrid shooter.

At only 4.4 lbs (2 kg) in weight and only 16 inches in its folded state, the Befree can surprisingly hold up to 13 pounds of load (6 kg) and can go as high as 59.45 inches (151 cm). The Befree may be a little lacking feature-wise like a monopod functionality or bubble levels, but it’s still a good trade-off for what you’re getting.

But beyond its impressive build and lightweight package, the main draw for this sub-$300 kit is the fluid head that lets videographers and photographers pan and tilt with better accuracy and consistency than any option without a real fluid head.

Benro SystemGo Plus

The Benro SystemGo Plus is a good step up from the MeFOTO for an extra fifty bucks, that is if you’re willing to spend some more for a ball head. At around $159 though, the SystemGo offers amazing value with a lot of features that professionals will appreciate.

You’ll be getting bubble levels, interchangeable rubber feet pads and spikes for non-urban use, and a detachable leg that you can use as a monopod. It fully extends to 64.9 inches (165 cm) and folds down to 18.1 inches (46 cm). The SystemGo is almost 4.4 lbs. in weight but it does offer more capacity of up to 22 pounds.

That added weight and folded down size does mean it’ll be sturdier than most entry level tripods. But if you need a ball head for your type of work and you’re on a tight budget, there may be better options out there. Otherwise, the Benro SystemGo Plus is a solid choice that’ll give you many years of reliable use, even with a heavier set-up.

Benro Rhino Carbon Fiber Zero Series

Here comes our first carbon fiber tripod entry for this roundup. You can think of the Benro Rhino Carbon Fiber Zero Series as the souped-up version of the MeFOTO Backpacker S.

It’s very light for what it does at only 2.7 lbs. (1.24 kg) and folds down to a measly 13.7 inches (35 cm). The Rhino Carbon is a very stable set of sticks and it can comfortably hold 22 lbs. (10 kg) of weight. Like the MeFOTO, you can also convert the Rhino into a monopod using the designated leg.

It doesn’t extend as high as many of the tripods in today’s list, but it still can offer a respectable max height of 54.9 inches (139 cm). With 5-section legs, setups may not be as quick as the competition, but if you’re looking for the lightest travel tripod that can carry at least 22 pounds of gear, the Rhino is an attractive carbon fiber option for only $300.

Peak Design Travel Tripod

Now we’re really stepping into high-end territory with the Peak Design Travel Tripod. For a little over $500, Peak Design challenges the traditional and offers a truly unique travel tripod design for serious enthusiasts and pros alike. But hey – if you’re charging enough as a photographer, a shoot or two will pay this beauty.

The Travel Tripod collapses down to just 15 inches (39 cm) in length, and folds in an almost cylindrical, water bottle-like form factor — preserving every bit of precious volume on your camera bag.

Being made of carbon fiber, the Travel Tripod weighs exactly 3 pounds (1.3 kg) that can hold up to 20 pounds of weight. It fully extends to 60.4 inches (153 cm) and holds strong and sturdy, even at max height, which needless to say is an impressive feat.

Another trick up its sleeve is its ability to go as deep as 6.1 inches by shortening the center column using the included hex wrench. The Peak Design Travel Tripod is a very special piece of kit and is well worth the price tag in my opinion, especially when compared against more premium alternatives.

Joby GorillaPod 3K Kit

If we’re talking about unique travel tripods, I believe the $50 Joby GorillaPod 3K Kit takes the cake. Now it doesn’t extend as much as the other entries — it doesn’t extend at all — and it can’t carry as much weight, but if you’re a vlogger or more of a casual shooter, you can’t go wrong with a trusty GorillaPod.

The GorillaPod 3K is the perfect solution for your vlogging and content creation setup for a lot of reasons. One of which is its very hand hold-able weight of only 0.86 pounds, making it a popular vlogging rig. Heck, it’s so small you can even pair it with a portable lighting setup and throw it all in your backpack.

Second, if you wanted to film yourself, whether you’re in the busiest streets of New York or out exploring the wildlife in South East Asia, you can always rely on the GorillaPod to be able to prop itself up, wrapped around tree branches and railings with its iconic adaptable legs design. If your kit doesn’t exceed 3 kg in total, and you’re going to be filming selfie-style a lot, then a GorillaPod is an easy choice.

3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 

For creatives who can’t physically leave the studio without their medium format system and or super-telephoto setups in tow, the 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 is for you. This carbon fiber option is packed with features, but nothing’s as impressive as its 66-pound (30 kg) max capacity.

The Leo 2.0 has a respectable max height of 57.8 inches (147 cm) and folds down to just 13.7 inches. Considering the weight it can support, the carbon fiber offering from 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 only weighs 4 pounds so you can haul as much gear as you want without your travel tripod adding a few more precious pounds to your back.

This mighty tripod also boasts three detachable legs which can be used as monopods or boom arms. Owning the Leo also opens up the doors to 3 Legged Thing’s expansive catalogue of optional add-ons for your sticks’ legs to suit any terrain. If you’re set on working with heavier gear even on location, the Leo 2.0 is the tripod to get. The kit we’re highlighting here bundles the Leo with a very good ball head (the AirHed), but you can save a hundred bucks if you only want the base version.

https://youtu.be/NYw5pK3rwQo

MeFOTO Backpacker S – Good Value on an Older Edition

If you’re looking for a good entry-level travel tripod, the MeFOTO Backpacker S is a great choice. For right around $100, you’ll be getting a portable, lightweight tripod that offers way more features than most tripods at this price point.

The Backpacker S is super lightweight at only 2.5 lbs. (1.13 kg), folds down to 13.19 inches, and has a maximum height of 54.7 inches (138.9 cm). It also comes with an Arca-Swiss compatible ball head and can be turned into a monopod.

The setup won’t feel as refined, especially the twist locks, as the more expensive options in this roundup. It’s got 13.2 lbs. of capacity so if you’ve got a bulky camera and lens set up, this might not be for you. But again, for a hundred dollars, the MeFOTO Backpacker S will serve you nicely if you’re just starting out with a light kit.

Few more from our post geared towards Micro Four Thirds shooters:

With a smaller system, it only makes sense to have a smaller and lighter tripod. But with that being said, you also want a tripod that’s secure enough for your equipment… because there’s certainly a difference between a $100 point and shoot versus a high-end micro four thirds camera and lens. Today, we’re reviewing the top 5 tripods for micro four thirds cameras, and what situation each tripod is ideal for. A few of the tripods on this list are distinctly different, and I actually own 4 of the 5. Some you can throw in your pocket, some are perfect for attaching to a photography backpack and all are equally useful in their own right. Without further ado, here are the 5 best tripods for the m43 system:

5. MeFoto Travel Tripod – Let’s start with the only tripod on this list I don’t own… but it’s highly regarded within the m4/3 community. I admit, it’s sexy. But at double the price of the #1 pick with a little less range when fully extended, it was close but I opted for the #1 pick below.

4. The Zipshot – This is a cool lightweight tripod that goes from folded up, to standing on three legs and ready to shoot in a matter of seconds. It’s lightweight, and easily attaches to a backpack. When you bust it out, people notice. They have two versions: one that is 9” folded and 28” standing, and a longer version that is 15” folded and 44” standing. I have the ladder, in retrospect I would probably would have opted for the smaller version.

3. GorillaPod – GorillaPod is a brand, and within that there are a myriad of different tripods that might fit your needs (Note: There are GorillaPod knockoffs sold at Target and Walmart which have horrible reviews, buyer beware). Personally, I use the GorillaPod GP1 because it’s the smallest and lightest, but it’s important to note that my smallest and most common combo (GM1 w/ 20mm F1.7) outweighs the recommended weight that they outline. However, I have tested the heavier GX1 w/ 20mm on the GorillaPod for a long period of time on the table, as well as wrapped around a bar and it had zero issues holding the camera still when held upright. With heavier lenses, I would proceed with caution if you plan on wrapping it around anything. I opted for the GorillaPod GP1 because of the smaller size, though they do make a model specific for mirrorless cameras, as well as DSLRs. Let’s take a look at the comparison chart (note: it’s a screenshot, working links available on product page):

2. Joby GorillaPod Micro  – While GorillaPod is known for their versatile wrap around tripods, recently they released a slim profile tripod perfect for mirrorless cameras. I consider this a must have tripod for every m43 owner, folded up and you barely know it’s there. My only caveat is that it sticks out slightly on the GX1 and GM1, for larger bodies it may fit flush.

The GorillaPod Micro is now more focused on smartphones, so my new pick is this mini tripod by Davis & Sanford you can use both for smartphones and a small mirrorless camera setup.

What do you guys think are the best lightweight and portable tripods for Mirrorless cameras?