Something of a wonder material, carbon fiber is used extensively in the construction of racecars and other high-performance vehicles, as well as in most of the best tripods you can buy. Carbon fiber tripods are both stronger and lighter than their aluminum counterparts, which is useful for pretty much any genre of shooting. But ‘better’ usually equates to ‘more expensive’ and carbon tripods are certainly no exception.
Although renowned for being pricey, carbon fiber tripods don’t have to be prohibitively expensive. Many major manufacturers offer carbon options of their tripods that are fairly budget-friendly. Check out some of the big names in the business like Manfrotto, 3 Legged Thing, Benro and Vanguard, and you’ll see a number of carbon fiber tripods that offer premium quality at very good value for money.
So how do you choose? Different carbon fiber tripods offer different features – some can carry more weight than others, while others have clever extra options like the ability to convert to a monopod, or a reversible central column that makes it easy to shoot close-ups down at ground level. It's worth shopping around to find a tripod with all of the features you need, and that you’re not paying for a whole bunch of extras that you’re never going to use. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best options on the market right now.
Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is an encyclopedia when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers, and inks, and just about anything imaging-related.
The Quick List
Strong and sturdy, this is a tripod that’s easy to set up and use, and is ready for just about any type of shooting requirement.
Read more below…
A great multi-purpose tripod kit in its own right, there’s a wealth of optional extras that add to its multi-tasking abilities.
Read more below…
This feature-packed carbon fiber travel tripod weighs less than a kilo and has an innovative system that locks each leg with a single twist.
Read more below
Peak Design only makes one tripod, but it’s a doozy, with a super-compact design, a sturdy feel and a classy ball head.
Read more below…
You can add a professional cine camera to this robust tripod, and enjoy the super-smooth panning and tilting from the excellent head.
Read more below…
Everything from the leg locks to the pivoting center column is designed to be as simple to use as possible, and it’s nice and stable too.
Read more below…
View the full list ⤵
The clue’s in the name. The Rhino is made from braided carbon fiber to maintain strength in use while keeping the weight down.
Read more below…
Extending to 155cm gives this a loftier reach than many travel tripods, and it shrinks down to 15cm for low-level shooting.
Read more below
Carbon fiber is usually a catchword for expensive, but not with this surprisingly well-featured model at a rock-bottom price.
Read more below…
This carbon tripod's oval-shaped legs and triangular center column allow for compact stowage, while the head puts the panning control on top.
Read more below
Best carbon fiber tripods
Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.
Most versatile carbon fiber tripod
With so many knobs, this doesn’t look at first glance like an easy tripod to use, but it’s actually pretty intutive to set up – and it gets better from there.
This is a tripod that ticks all the boxes. It can take a heavy load (up to 25kg), it’s tall and proved to be extremely sturdy during our testing, and all for a reasonable price. You can pivot the center column when you want to shoot low, perhaps for macro.
If compact storage is important to you, there are other tripods that reach similar heights but fold down much smaller. But if you want a tripod that can cope with virtually any shooting situation, this is a strong choice.
Read our full Vanguard VEO 3+ 303CBS review
Best multi-purpose carbon fiber tripod
Carbon fiber tripods usually fall into one of two categories – big full-height tripods or travel tripods. From 3 Legged Thing’s Pro 2.0 range, the Winston 2.0 is a full-height tripod that reaches a towering 194cm / 76.4” maximum operating height, complete with a super-strong 40g / 88lbs load rating, and that includes its rock-steady AirHed Pro ball head that comes in the complete kit, all wrapped up in a high-quality padded carrying case. And carrying is actually simplified by the Winston taking a leaf out of travel tripod design. The legs swing up and surround the extended center column, enabling it to fold down to just 61.2cm / 24” in length.
Naturally, it can sometimes be just as important to be able to shoot from a really low level instead from up on high. The tripod obliges, as you can remove the center column and attach the head direct to the legs, which splay out to enable a minimum operating height of just 23.1cm / 9.09”.
In many recent tripods, you can remove one leg and attach it to the center column to act as a monopod. The Winston goes one (or two) better in that you can remove all the legs. As well as monopod duty, this enables you to fit optional Vanz dual ball/spiked feet (sold separately as an optional extra) and turn the Winston 2.0 into a sturdy tabletop-tripod. Other footwear is also available, to suit pretty much any kind of terrain.
Read our full 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0 tripod review
Best travel carbon fiber tripod
Built from carbon fiber and aluminum alloy, the Freewell FW-T1 supports everything from smartphones to medium-format cameras while remaining exceptionally lightweight. Its standout feature is versatility; the quick-release plate cleverly doubles as a phone holder when flipped, allowing creators to switch seamlessly between professional photography and social media content.
One leg can be detached to convert into a monopod, offering flexibility for fast-paced shooting. The tripod also includes a 360° ball head that supports portrait orientation without needing an L-bracket, accessory expansion holes, and a hidden compartment for an AirTag.
The twist-lock legs allow for quick setup with three flexible angle positions (20°, 55°, and 75°), making it adaptable to uneven terrain. The ball head is smooth and precise, though the multiple levers can initially be confusing. While it sits in a mid-range price bracket, the professional build quality and thoughtful engineering make it excellent value for money.
Read our full Freewell FW-T1 review
Best premium travel carbon fiber tripod
This is the first tripod Peak Design (best-known for its camera bags) has made – and considering the carbon fiber version is one of the most expensive travel tripods around, it needs to be good. And it is. The low-profile ball head is quite simple but well-made, the overall rigidity is excellent, and it reaches to a good height.
Perhaps the nicest touch is the attention Peak Design has paid to how the tripod folds down. There’s very little ‘dead volume’ between the center column and the legs, so not only is the folded tripod short (just 39cm), it’s also slim enough to go inside a camera bag, while most tripods have to strap to the outside.
There is a much less expensive aluminum version available, with the same design features but slightly less resistance to vibration.
Read our full Peak Design Travel Tripod review
Best carbon fiber tripod for video
Built to an exceptional standard, this tripod kit is made with professional-grade video in mind. It’s robust enough to take a specialist cine camera or a pro-level full-frame camera, and gives rock-solid support. In my testing, I was delighted with the ease of setup, with single-twist legs making adjustments a breeze.
The head supplied in this kit is a work of art, with beautifully smooth pan and tilt, and adjustable drag to choose the degree of friction you want. This isn’t a cheap kit, but the fluid filming experience it delivers easily justifies the cost.
Read our full Manfrotto 635 Fast Single Leg Carbon & 504X head review
Best easy-setup carbon fiber tripod
The carbon fiber version of Manfrotto's 055 tripod, the Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 is designed to marry superior stability with smooth operation. Its redesigned center column can pivot 90 degrees easily, with redesigned ‘one-finger’ operation that makes the whole enterprise easier than ever to set up. Its legs are secured by new Quick Power Locks that provide 50% more rigidity compared to its predecessor, and each leg can be positioned independently.
A bubble level has been set into the top of the center column, rotating freely around it so you can always position it somewhere you can see it. This allows you to get your horizons straighter than straight. What's more, the Easy Link connector at the top supports the attachment of additional accessories like video monitors or extra lights, further expanding the tripod's utility for a broad swathe of users.
Read our full Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 review
Best tough carbon fiber tripod
Benro Rhino tripods are designed to be as sturdy and hefty as their name implies. This model, the catchily named FRHN34CVX30, is able to support a whopping 20kg of camera kit, making it more than equipped for even the most extravagant of photo or video setups.
It's all down to the build, which uses braided carbon fiber tubing to keep the weight down without compromising on strength. The tripod packs away pleasingly small, with reverse-folding legs that flip up to surround the head when they're not being used. It's also easy to attach an extra accessory arm for a smartphone or video monitor, further expanding your shooting options.
This tripod also comes bundled with one of Benro's VX ball heads, which have been specifically designed to complement the Rhino range. In real terms, this means that they are also strong and lightweight, but there are a few extra features as well, such as the redesigned quick-release plate with a safety catch to prevent calamity resulting from accidentally releasing the camera. All in all, it adds up to an impressive, high-quality setup for pretty much any camera user.
Read our full Benro Rhino FRHN34CVX30 review
Best for height range
The Neewer LiteTrip LT38 travel tripod is constructed from high-quality carbon fiber, but rather than traditional circular tubes, the legs have a flattened profile for compact stowage. It features five-section legs and a two-section center column, and offers three locking leg angles, which enable a really versatile range for shooting up high and down low, with a maximum operating height of 155cm and a minimum operating height of 15cm.
Some five-section tripods are a bit on the flimsy side, but not so the LiteTrip LT38, which boasts a substantial 10kg load capacity and effectively minimizes vibrations and unwanted flexing. What's more, the 12 leg-locking levers are quick and easy to operate, enabling quick setup times. All in all, this Neewer tripod makes for an excellent choice, combining a high-end carbon fiber build with a robust and adaptable ball head, delivering outstanding performance.
Read more: Neewer LiteTrip LT38 review
Best budget carbon fiber tripod
The Vanguard Vesta TB 204CB is a highly affordable and complete carbon fiber travel tripod kit, and the inclusion of carbon fiber legs and a ball head at this price point is remarkable. Weighing just 0.78kg (1.72lb) and folding down to a compact 37.5cm (14.8 inches), it is ideal for travelers who want to pack it inside a daily bag without it being a burden.
The tripod's design features four-section legs with twist-locks and a reversible center column that can be used for low-level shooting. The included T-46 ball head has a quick-release plate, a single locking knob for pan and tilt, and a separate friction control.
Its main limitation is its modest maximum height of 130cm (51 inches) with the center column extended, and the tripod can feel a little bit wobbly at this full height. But on the whole, the Vanguard Vesta TB 204CB is an attractive and well-made kit that offers exceptional value for money, and makes an excellent choice for budget-conscious photographers on the go.
Read our full Vanguard Vesta TB 204CB review
Best design
The Benro Cyanbird Carbon Tripod comes as a kit with Benro's FS30 Head, and the pair makes for a great combination that stands out for its innovative design and performance. Unlike many typical travel tripod designs, this forgoes swing-up legs, thus allowing for quicker setup and breakdown, but rather than being completely circular in shape, the legs are made of oval, curved leg sections that wrap around a triangular center column, minimizing its stowed size to a still-very-compact 45.5cm. The supplied FS30 ball head offers similarly innovative design solutions, with the panning section located at the top of the head rather than the base, which makes leveling the tripod for panning particularly easy.
Despite its lightweight construction – tipping the scales at a shade under a kilogram – it offers impressive rigidity and stability, offering solid support for loads up to 4.5kg, even at its maximum height of 150cm, effectively resisting vibrations and ensuring stable shots. While this carbon tripod is priced higher than the hybrid version (which combines carbon fiber and aluminum), its clever design and attention to detail justify the cost, and it's a worthwhile investment for photographers and videographers seeking a compact, lightweight, and high-performing travel tripod.
Read more: Benro Cyanbird Carbon Tripod + FS30 head kit review
Aluminum vs Carbon Fiber
Aluminum tripods are created from an aluminum alloy, and while not the strongest metal available, it is relatively strong for its weight. It also has the benefit of being fairly malleable, meaning that if you manage to damage it via impact, it will more likely become bent rather than completely broken, and therefore still be usable.
Carbon fiber in a composite material in which strings of carbon atoms are set in a plastic resin, and have a very high strength-to-weight ratio, meaning that tripods made from the material are much lighter to carry. However, while tougher than aluminum, if it suffers from a sudden impact its greater rigidity means it’s prone to cracking or shattering – in cold weather or when dropped onto a hard surface. So carbon fiber tripods need to be used with more care than aluminum ones.
Carbon fiber tripods are touted as stronger and lighter than their metallic counterparts. When we refer to tripod ‘strength’ we’re essentially talking about stiffness – resistance to compression when a load is placed on top. Stiffness is measured in gigapascals (GPa), and aluminum scores 69 compared to around 181 for carbon fiber. So, for the same diameter tripod leg, carbon fiber is much stronger, and because the material is less dense, it’s far lighter, too (although you should note there are different grades of carbon fiber).
Metal is a better thermal conductor than carbon fiber – which is bad news in cold weather as aluminum tripods will be incredibly cold to the touch – too cold to handle without gloves. Carbon fiber tripods are warmer to the touch, which landscape photographers will appreciate. Many aluminum tripods have a foam covering on a top leg section, but this further adds to the bulk, and you’ll still need gloves to set up the tripod.
How to choose
Although all tripods have three legs, there are lots of features to pick different models apart. These are some of the key features to consider when picking the right one for you:
Maximum height
A tripod that can at least reach up to your own head height is useful – but it can make the tripod bigger and heavier, so you may need to compromise on this.
Minimum height
How low can you go, when photographing a subject? Some tripods allow its legs to stretch out sideways, or to reverse the column so the head is suspended between the legs, to get you close to the ground. This is particularly useful, say, when photographing flowers.
Folded size
The size of the tripod when folded is important for travel. Some tripod legs have more sections than others, to help keep the tripod compact when not in use. Some have swing-up legs, so the feet encircle the head.
Heads
Some tripods are sold with a head, and others are not – to allow you to choose the legs and head separately. Most tripod kits are sold with a ball head.
Leg section clamps
Twist-action locking clamps are generally more popular for loosening and locking the leg sections, but the Manfrotto 055 uses equally effective flip locks.
Monopod option
With some tripods, you can unscrew one leg and use it with the center column as a monopod.
Pivot facility
Some tripods have a center column that pivots to allow you to have the camera pointing straight down to the ground – useful for flat-lay photography, and more.
How we test tripods
When we test carbon fiber tripods for review we take note of the manufacturers' specifications for payload, working height and folded length, and carry out our own subjective assessment of rigidity, stability, ease of use and design to see how the tripod measures up. Over the years, we've tested many, many tripods, either for standalone reviews, for group tests, or while working on tutorial or how-to articles, so by now we know exactly what we're looking for and which features count most.
Read more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World
