We all take selfies, but holding your phone or camera at arm's length to include yourself in the shot rarely gives a flattering image, with the combination of a wide-angle view and shooting up close exaggerating facial features, not to mention forcing an awkward pose with an outstretched arm. A selfie stick enables you to shoot yourself from a much more natural distance and is great for including yourself in group shots, as well as shooting from up high for an aerial view or to clear lofty obstacles.
Even if you're not much of a selfie-taker, a selfie stick can still be useful; I stopped thinking of them as 'selfie sticks' and more as multi-purpose camera support devices (not as catchy, it’s true). Yeah, they are a way to take Instagram-worthy selfies that don’t include arms at weird and unnatural angles or take a view straight up noses, but with many models including features such as tripod feet, they are versatile photographic tools that can help alleviate shake in long exposures, without having to resort to a dedicated tripod.
Many selfie sticks come with a Bluetooth remote control, which enables the shutter to be fired or video recording activated remotely. The obvious use is for taking self-portraits without having to resort to a self-timer, but I found it equally useful for capturing stills or video footage when I didn’t want to jog my device, such as when taking carefully framed macro or long-exposure images.
Some of the selfie sticks I tried were only suitable for smartphones, but others came with attachments for action cams or heavier full-frame cameras. Some gimbals also offer selfie stick functionality, along with sophisticated AI-powered subject tracking, and the ability to smoothly pan from a selfie of the presenter to showing their point of view, so I've included some in this guide.
The best selfie sticks will extend to a decent length while packing away small enough to fit in a rucksack, so investing in one of the best selfie sticks not only enables you to take excellent pictures and videos in comfort but can open up a whole new world of photographic possibilities. With so many selfie stick options on the market, I'm here to help you find the best one for your needs and budget…
The Quick List
With the option of opening tripod legs and a sturdy feel, this is a good choice that can handle a lot of cameras types – even a decent vlogging camera.
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Supplied with detachable tripod feet and not short of accessories included in the box, this is a handy and lightweight travel companion, but there's no Bluetooth remote.
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Extending from just under 20cm (8in) to 81cm (32in), the Atumek 3-in-1 offers a decent length in a compact package, comes with a remote, and doubles as a mini tripod.
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Weighing in at under 200g (7oz), Joby's selfie stick/mini tripod combo easily tucks into the spare corner of a bag – or even a back pocket.
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With a clever camera plate that converts to a phone holder, this selfie stick/tripod combo is ideal for those who shoot with both full-size cameras and smartphones.
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The standout feature of this full-size camera support is its sophisticated remote, which can control optical zoom in compatible lenses, as well as regular shooting functions.
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The ability to extend like a selfie stick is but a footnote in this phone gimbal's extensive feature list, which can really up your video game.
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While its prime function is a video gimbal, its extending head lends it selfie stick functionality, and clever software can switch from selfie to point-of-view for pro-looking footage.
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The best selfie sticks
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Best overall
My first thought on unpacking the Andoer selfie stick was how much it resembles a monopod. Indeed, the mechanism to unlock the stick sections and enable its extension is the same as that found on many tripods and monopods. Fully collapsed and without any of the device-securing attachments screwed onto it, it measures a sizeable 16.5 inches (42 cm), which means it isn’t ideal for slipping into a casual shoulder bag but it will sit comfortably in a backpack. Fully extended, it reaches a whopping 59 inches (150cm), which gives incredible range. Given that it’s almost as tall as me when it’s at maximum extension, I don’t think it’s too heavy. The Bluetooth controller connected to my phone without any hitches and was straightforward to use.
Although there is a camera screw mount via the tripod socket, I would be reluctant to attach my DSLR to it as I’d be wary of waving around something so heavy. I'd happily attach a smaller, more compact model (such as a vlogging camera), and there are attachments for an included smartphone holder and an action cam. It also comes with detachable tripod feet for stable shooting but this isn’t as neat a solution as those with integrated supports.
It might not be the most compact or lightest selfie stick, but it offers a great deal of versatility for a very reasonable price.
Best simple selfie stick
At roughly 12 inches (30cm) when collapsed (without any attachments), the Smatree SmaPole Q3 is a small, lightweight selfie stick. It extends to around 36 inches (91cm) with a twist-lock mechanism, which I found quite stiff to unlock, but I got there eventually.
The SmaPole Q3 comes with a ball head already attached, and you can secure a variety of devices to it with the included attachments. I found it straightforward to attach my compact camera straight to the selfie stick; there’s also an action cam attachment for a GoPro or the best GoPro alternatives. However, the provided smartphone holder uses a spring clip to secure a phone, which I didn’t find as secure as the screw mechanism used in the Andoer selfie stick, but it did do the job.
I found the tripod attachment, which comes separately, was pretty heavy. But it screwed into the base of the selfie stick easily to give me a functional portable tripod. However, as there’s no Bluetooth controller included with Smatree Smapole Q3, it’s not quite so useful for hands-free shooting.
Best compact selfie stick
I was impressed with the Atumtek 3-in-1 selfie stick from the moment I took my very first look at it. It is compact and lightweight, and there are no fiddly attachments to lose. The smartphone holder appears at the top of the selfie stick as you extend it and the tripod feet are integrated too, folding out from the base.
It was a doddle to connect the Bluetooth controller to my phone and the controller clips neatly into the body of the selfie stick when it’s not in use. Again, this makes it harder to misplace. A micro USB cable is included, to recharge the controller's built-in battery.
At a smidgeon under 81cm (32in) when fully extended, the Atumek 3-in-1 isn't the longest of the selfie sticks I tested, and it is suitable for smartphones only. But if you're looking for a smartphone selfie stick-come-tripod, its range is long enough, and at just under 20cm (8in) when collapsed and a lightweight 170g, it’s highly portable. If you don’t need to attach devices other than a smartphone, I think the Atumtek 3-in-1 is hard to beat.
Best lightweight selfie stick
The Joby TelePod Mobile is a combined selfie stick and mini-tripod designed for phone photography or lightweight cameras. It folds small and has a grip that folds out to form tripod legs. A four-section telescoping center column extends to 56cm, almost three times its stowed size, and there's a cradle atop that has a sprung mechanism to grip your phone snuggly and also folds flush against the handle for stowage. The cradle can be removed to reveal a small ballhead with mouting screw for use with (very) lightweight cameras – the max payload is just 325g. It also comes with Joby's Impulse Bluetooth remote trigger for activating your phone's shutter.
I found the TelePod Mobile to be straightforward to use, with a twist-lock mechanism that works well. The ball head, while small, is suitable for holding light payloads like mobile phones. When used as a tripod, the leg splay is narrow but provides enough stability for its intended payloads. The device's ability to extend to over half a meter is useful for fitting small crowds into selfies and reaching decent heights as a mini-tripod. However, the drawbacks are that it is not suitable for heavier loads, and I found that the center column had a nasty habit of accidentally unlocking when adjusting the ball head. It feels pricey compared to some competitors, especially given its low payload capacity.
Overall, the Joby TelePod Mobile is a supremely portable device that is easy to use and has an impressive reach for its size. It is well-suited for phone photography and action cams, but users needing to support heavier equipment will need to look elsewhere.
Read more: Joby TelePod Mobile review
Best selfie stick for larger cameras
The Neewer TP38 is a two-in-one desktop mini-tripod and selfie stick that is designed to support both cameras and smartphones. It features a clever and versatile camera plate and phone cradle, which eliminates the need for separate attachments and makes it suitable for photographers frequently switching between using a phone and a dedicated camera.
The robust build quality feels more durable compared to some other tabletop tripod/selfie stick combinations, and the head is well-engineered, supporting a decent load rating. However, the device only offers a limited degree of extension via its non-locking telescopic center column.
I was impressed with the Neewer TP38's compact design and its usefulness in various shooting situations, including vlogging, live streaming, and general photography. It is a portable and practical solution for photographers and content creators who require a flexible support system and who switch between a traditional camera and a smartphone.
Read more: Neewer TP38 review
Best for remote control
I found the SmallRig SR-RG2 to be an interesting attempt at combining several camera support functions into one device. It's designed to work as a handheld grip, a selfie stick, and a tabletop tripod – all of which can be used in conjunction with a sophisticated remote that takes care of the main shooting functions. The device itself is about six inches long, and I found the rubberized, contoured grip comfortable to hold. Attaching my Nikon Z5 II mirrorless ful-frame camera was easy enough thanks to the standard tripod screw, and the head's tilt and pan functionality gave me some flexibility.
When I used it as a grip or selfie stick, I could operate my camera single-handedly, with controls for shutter release, video record, lens zoom, and a customizable button right at my fingertips. The extension for selfies was a nice touch, although it didn't add a huge amount of reach. Transforming it into a mini-tripod with the flip-out legs was simple, but I found the shooting height to be quite low as the column can't be extended in tripod mode.
The standout feature for me was the detachable Bluetooth control. It worked well with various camera models and offered more flexibility than many standalone remote shutter releases I've used. The inclusion of a wide/telephoto rocker, a two-stage shutter release, a dedicated video recording button, and a customizable button was a definite plus.
However, I have to admit that while the SR-RG2 is versatile, it doesn't truly excel in any single function. The selfie stick and tripod modes have their limitations. Despite this, I think it's a handy all-in-one solution, particularly for vloggers who need a compact and multifunctional tool. But if you're looking for a dedicated selfie stick, you might be better off with one of the other specialized products in this guide.
Best extending stabilizer
The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 (OM6) is an all-in-one smartphone stabilizer and a selfie stick. It automatically stabilizes the phone, reducing camera shake in both stills and video, and the head twists, turns and rotates through all three axes to track subjects automatically. While the 215mm (8in) extension cannot match the lengths that dedicated selfie sticks go to, it nevertheless enables selfies to be shot from a decent distance.
DJI has steadily improved the Osmo Mobile line over several iterations, and this has a more 'pro' look and feel compared to the Osmo Mobile 5 that came before it. The OM6 introduces an analog control, which offers a great deal more subtlety in adjusting the movement of the head to which the phone is attached. The phone sits in a cradle that attaches to the body of the device via a magnet (so you can easily pull your phone off to use it), but is plenty strong enough to support the weight of a phone and is a lot more convincing in reality than you might imagine!
The OM6 doesn't take up much more space in a bag than a regular selfie stick (it’s positively svelte compared to earlier-generation Osmo models), but opens up a whole world of creative possibilities. Posts will be immeasurably improved, with silky smooth panning when used as a mini tripod. While it clearly costs a lot more than a simple selfie stick, it's an intriguing alternative if you have the budget, or its predecessor, the OM5, is noticeably cheaper.
Read more: DJI OM6 review (and check the DJI OM5 review too)
Best vlogging gimbal
I recently tested the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro, a feature-packed smartphone gimbal. Its compact and portable design is similar to the DJI Osmo Mobile series. A key improvement is the sturdy built-in mini tripod, unlike the Osmo's separate tripod. This gimbal suits smartphone vloggers needing a compact, intelligent device for dynamic content.
AI Deep Track 4 is a standout, more powerful than the older Flow Pro. It can zoom to keep a group in the shot and even re-identify and track a subject if they move behind an object. The magnetic quick-release clamp made attaching my iPhone 16 Pro easy, and the control dial allowed effortless mode switching. Rotating the iPhone 180 degrees with a triple-tap was perfect for travel blogging, so I could start by filming a selfie and then switch to my point of view in a continuous take.
Overall, I was impressed with the Insta360 Flow Pro 2. Its compact size and powerful features are ideal for travel vloggers. The built-in tripod and AI tracking are excellent, and the 360º panning is a game-changer. Though pricier than the DJI Osmo Mobile 6, its reliability and features make it a worthwhile investment. I highly recommend the Flow 2 Pro.
Read more: Insta360 Flow 2 Pro review
How we test
We test products by using them for their intended purpose, it's as simple as that. With selfie sticks, that has meant trying them to shoot selfie photos and videos, both solo and in groups, as well as testing functions such as the rigidity of tripod feet. For some of the more sophisticated products – such as the extending gimbals – we have gone into more depth, and have provided links to our full reviews of the products.
See also
Best gimbals for iPhones and smartphones
Best gimbals for GoPros
The best iPhone tripods and supports
The best mini tripods
Best invisible selfie sticks
