7 Best Amazon Tripods of 2023

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We rounded up the best tripods available on Amazon for easier photo-taking at your doorstep in just a few days.

A tripod is one of the most valuable basic tools for anyone who likes taking photos or videos. Collapsible, lightweight, and relatively portable, these peripherals are great for lending a steady hand when shooting with your instant camera, mirrorless, or iPhone. Useful for photographers and videographers of all experience levels, tripods are excellent for increasing stability, playing with shutter speed, and setting up hands-free shots for those perfect family photos.

A quick search for tripods on Amazon reveals a sea of options, each with various heights, materials, weights, and portability. The best tripods on Amazon come from reputable brands like Peak Design, Manfrotto, and Joby, from basic options that hold your phone to premium professional equipment for video and photo shoots.

We’ve rounded up the best tripods on Amazon to help you shoot better and avoid buying fragile plastics that break or—worse—fail while your camera is set up. Whether you’re shooting with a DSLR, a film camera, or a simple point-and-shoot, these tripods can make your photos better and prevent frustration while you’re shooting.

Take a better shot with one of our photography recommendations. Check out our picks for the best instant cameras, camera bags for travel, and trail cams.

When shopping for a tripod, it’s essential to consider what kind of camera you’re using and how mobile you’d like your setup to be. According to Bicycling senior photographer Trevor Raab, your camera and use case dictate the weight and heft you need.

“If you’re looking for a tripod for a small point-and-shoot, you can get away with a lighter-duty one,” he says. “But if you use a DSLR, you’ll want something more substantial.” He says it’s a good idea to stray away from cheap tripods made of plastic because, while very affordable, “it’s always worth investing in something a little more solid. You won't get stability from a plastic tripod.”

Raab also recommends tripods with features that support your intended shoots. “Ask yourself questions like: Do you want your camera to be able to stand high above your head? Do you simply need something to hold the camera for a family portrait, or do you want to take it on hikes? Check the minimum and maximum measurements and see if they fit your needs.” It’s also vital to find something with solid locking parts rated for the weight of your setup, so your camera doesn’t move, even on windy days.

Even on Amazon, tripods can be expensive, so it’s usually not worth buying more than you need. If you’re looking for a phone tripod for filming cooking videos, for example, choose something that can sit on a countertop or the kitchen table. Don't grab a tall tripod requiring an eagle-eye focus on your pan from plenty of feet above. Also, note that tripod mounts made for phones don’t always work with point-and-shoot cameras, so if you’re looking for a multipurpose one, see if it comes with swappable head attachments.

Matt Crisara, former auto editor of Popular Mechanics and someone who really knows how to take a beautiful car photo, says you should get a tripod that supports your camera’s weight. “Reach for a sturdy one that has grippy feet, so it doesn’t move around,” Crisara says. “A good tripod should be a long-term investment. If your camera costs over $1,000, why would you only spend $100 to ensure it stays put?”

It should also have sturdy legs that don’t shake or wobble, even when fully extended. Some tripods include hooks in the middle, where you can hang a heavy backpack or camera bag to keep the tripod steady.

A tripod should be able to extend to eye level, especially if you’re using a camera with a viewfinder, to prevent straining and bending over to finesse your shots. If you need a phone tripod, you can get away with a cheaper plastic one that extends just above eye height for selfies and easy family photos. If you’re looking for a tripod for something heftier, seek one made of aluminum or carbon to withstand winds and stay as light as possible. The more precisely adjustable the legs are, the better it can accommodate uneven ground.

To find the best tripods on Amazon, we asked Popular Mechanics photographer and former auto editor Matt Crisara, Popular Mechanics and Bicycling photo editor John Hamilton, and Bicycling senior photographer Trevor Raab for recommendations.

We also asked for guidance on what to look for when shopping for tripods, as well as their favorite picks available on Amazon. We consulted tripod guides from CNET, ZDNet, and Wirecutter, and read hundreds of user reviews on some of the bestselling tripods at Amazon. This list comprises picks from reputable brands that fit various budgets and needs.

Our best overall pick is a critic and user favorite, and it’s a top-recommended brand of every photographer we asked. Peak Design’s carbon fiber travel tripod is lightweight, supremely stable, and packs down to roughly the size of a water bottle, making it very compact.

Its carbon fiber makeup gives it the upper hand over traditional aluminum; several reviews say that its build is so robust, it takes a little extra effort to open up. Several user reviews point out that this tripod stays put thanks to shock-absorbing, nonslip feet.

One user even says it holds their camera up in 18 mph winds. Its head can pan 360 degrees in range and tilt 90 degrees. The carbon fiber travel tripod also has a magnetic mobile mount for smartphones. If you can swing its steep price, this is as good as tripods on Amazon get.

Packing light? Manfrotto’s aluminum Element Traveller tripod is an excellent packable tripod for hiking or vacation. The photographers we spoke with recommend this tripod by Manfrotto and say it has a slim profile and quickly breaks down. Each leg has an individual spring-loaded lock that can help balance it on uneven terrain, and it supports 360-degree panning and 90-degree tilt.

This is a great option for packing light as it’s not a full-sized tripod. User reviews say it’s great for mirrorless cameras and small setups that don’t require weight support for large lenses. Its build quality is superb and feels durable, and its price is excellent for those who need a serious solution for photo shoots. However, some reviewers had problems with its legs getting stuck and finding it tough to adjust.

If you don’t need the professional setup and stability pricier tripods afford, this one from Amazon Basics does just fine. It has all the features you’d expect with a straightforward tripod: adjustable legs, nonslip feet, a carrying case, a hook to add counter weight, and a handle to pan and tilt as needed. It’s a steal at $40.

User reviews say this tripod works fine for an inexpensive setup for beginners. Several comment on its light weight and ease of setup and love that it’s easy to attach cameras to the mount on the fly. Several experienced photographers, however, say that it pans stiffly and slowly, and it takes some muscle to work well. It’s also very lengthy when folded.

The Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod on Amazon is a favorite pick among critics and our own photo team, who say it’s a fantastic product that won’t break the bank. Straightforward, lightweight, and easy to set up on the fly, the Befree Advanced is a solid pick for mirrorless cameras as well as simple point-and-shoots.

Its aluminum body makes it slightly heavier than other tripods on this list, while its folded length is fairly long. Reviewers say the soft twist leg locks are excellent and that the tripod works well with an array of attachments. Users say that although it’s fairly long and heavy, they appreciate the bulk for the stability it adds.

Whether recording a TikTok, taking selfies, making a YouTube video, or starting up your live Twitch stream, Joby’s GorillaPod 1K GripTight mount is a great smartphone solution.

Its legs are entirely flexible, letting you secure it around surfaces like countertop edges and tree branches and adjust for different heights in any terrain. You can use it as a selfie stick, curving its legs toward you for comfortable, ergonomic self-recording.

Several reviewers say this tripod is very durable and provides precise movement, and its legs offer versatility when shooting photos or videos. One user says it’s sturdy enough to handle an iPad.

This kit comes with a smartphone mount and an extra ball head for small cameras, and it packs down for easy travel. However, this may be too short for those wanting a full-sized tripod solution.

The most reliable cheap phone tripod on the market is this one from UBeesize. An Amazon bestseller, this budget tripod comes with adjustable legs, a grippy clamp that fits most modern phones, and a Bluetooth remote for taking selfies and group shots. It supports 180-degree pivoting and easily swivels as needed. It doesn’t tilt, however, and can only move clockwise.

Users like this for its Bluetooth remote and say it’s easy to use and set up. The tripod is flimsy, but most reviews say it’s excellent to use indoors and outside in clear, non-windy conditions. It’s a great budget option for those who don’t need to spend a ton on a tripod for quick photo shoots and videos.

Manfrotto is known for its reliable tripods and reasonable prices, and its Traveler Befree is no exception. This product has a strong core for stable shooting and an extremely fluid head with a built-in leveler for panning and tilting. Critical reviews say it’s a great value given its smooth swivel and even leveling on rough terrain.

This tripod fits neatly in a snazzy bag for easy carry, though it is one of the lengthiest on this list when it packs down at 15.7 inches. Users point out that the tripod is stable in use, super light, and its adapters and heads are easy to change out.

Some lukewarm reviews say the tripod tilts over when heavier loads are equipped, which can be terrifying for those with expensive cameras, but it’s a great pick for run-and-gun video shooters.

Kevin Cortez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, Bicycling, and Runner’s World. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He was most recently the style editor for a leading product-recommendation site and previously covered music and podcasting at Mass Appeal, Genius, and The A.V. Club. His work can also be seen in WSJ, Leafly, Input, and Vulture. He enjoys reading graphic novels, birding, and taking long, meandering walks in his spare time.

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