When it comes to tripod manufacturers, Benro might not be as famous as a couple of its Italian cousins, but this Chinese company has been up and running for more than 30 years and has manufactured some of my personal favorite professional-grade tripods, monopods, and support accessories during that time. I’ve tested and reviewed quite a few of them over the last decade and bought a couple as a result, subsequently being completely happy with them over long periods of time.

The monopod that I’m reviewing here is from the SupaDupa line-up. Typical of Benro products in general and SupaDupa monopods in particular, it’s cleverly designed with innovative features, expertly engineered, and immaculately finished. As such, it aims to be one of the best monopods for photographers on the market today. Whether you need to support the heavy load of a big telephoto lens or just beat the shakes when using slow shutter speeds, this Benro should prove well up to the task.

Benro MSD46CB SupaDupa: Specifications

Benro MSD46CB SupaDupa: Price

What price a monopod? The Benro MSD46CB Black Diamond SupaDupa costs $170 / £180, which is pretty much at the upper end of the scale, especially for a Chinese-manufactured monopod, although you can expect to pay more for a top-of-the-range Manfrotto or Gitzo, both of which are made in Italy. For comparison, we reviewed the similar Benro SupaDupa Pro MSDPL46C, which lists at an even pricier $209 / £209 and is shorter but heavier, though it does come complete with a useful leveling pan head, which is absent from the MSD46CB I’m reviewing here.

Benro MSD46CB SupaDupa: Design & Handling

There are a lot of things I like about this Benro monopod, but top of the list is the 8-layer carbon fiber from which it’s made. The look and finish of the carbon fiber absolutely scream ‘quality’, and as I’ll come to later, that translates into superb performance. And although impressively rigid even at full stretch, the carbon build helps to keep the weight down to an easily manageable 0.58kg or 1.3lb. That’s despite the monopod having a mighty maximum payload rating of 40kg / 88lb.

Speaking of full stretch, I’m a tall guy and have often been disappointed that even some of the best monopods on the market are simply too short for me to use without stooping. That’s definitely not a problem with this Benro, as it extends to a relatively towering 177cm, or 5ft 10in. Just like with the huge payload rating being delivered by a lightweight construction, the lofty maximum operating height comes with a surprisingly small stowage length of just 43.5cm or 17.1in. That’s made possible by no less than six telescoping leg sections.

Okay, I’d be the first to admit that such a large number of leg sections would normally equate to a couple of compromises. First up, as I’ve experienced with many travel tripods, the bottom sections often tend to be very thin and spindly, and therefore lacking in strength and rigidity. That’s not the case here, as even the bottom section has a generous diameter of 21.8mm (0.9in), with a robust and rigid feel to it.

The second compromise is that six leg sections require five separate clamps to release and lock them, which brings the prospect of the monopod being a time-consuming chore to use. As it turns out, the bottom four telescoping sections each have a twist-action lock. They’re pretty quick and easy to use, partly because when the monopod is contracted, you can grab all of the twist clamps in one handful and loosen or tighten them in a single gesture.

The top telescoping section is different from all of the rest, as it has a quick-release flip-action lock. Not only is it easy to locate by feel when your eye is to the viewfinder of your camera, but it’s super-speedy to operate. When using the monopod, I find that I generally tend to extend all of the lower sections and just rely on the top section with its flip lock for making any height adjustments. That makes using the Benro speedy and simple.

I’m a little disappointed that the monopod doesn’t come with a head, but I know a lot of photographers who find it unnecessary to use a head with a monopod. And at least if you do want to use a head, you can buy one of your choosing. Either way, the monopod has a 60mm / 2.4in diameter circular platform up top, which should prove ideal for mounting a camera or the mounting ring of a big, heavy lens, or indeed a head.

A crafty bit of design is that the securing screw for any of these has a dual-diameter spring-loaded arrangement, so the larger 3/8in thread automatically retracts to reveal a 1/4in thread if you need the smaller size. If you’re fitting a head on the monopod, there’s also a grub screw in the platform to ensure that it doesn’t work loose.

Another thing that you don’t want to be working loose is your grip on the monopod, sending your camera and attached lens crashing to the ground. I’m reassured that the monopod features a wrist strap, and it’s a particularly good one at that. Not only does it have an adjustable diameter to securely fasten around any size of wrist, but it also has a push-button, quick-release clip so that you can quickly and easily remove the wrist strap if you feel the need. The quick-release clip can also be easily removed from the securing lug to which it’s tethered.

Keeping a secure hold on the monopod is also aided by the inclusion of a Benro SupaDupa Shoulder Pad in the kit, a standalone version being available on its own for $20 / £15. It’s a really neat comfort pad that you can wrap around the monopod, with a rubberized, anti-slip inner surface, a padded mesh exterior, and a Velcro strip to keep it in place. You can actually use it with any monopod or tripod leg that has a diameter of between 32mm and 37mm (1.3in and 1.5in).

Neat extras include a couple of hex keys for making adjustments if and when needed, and there’s a clip for attaching one of them to the monopod if you feel you might need to use it when you’re out and about.

Even the foot of the monopod is pretty smart. I find that I’m often given to panning when using a monopod, as I use them with heavy telephoto lenses while tracking wildlife and sports subjects in motion. The fixed foot of most monopods tends to try to drill a hole in the ground during the process, and can make panning feel stiff and jerky. This Benro monopod features a spinning foot, which glides on its own V-profile roller bearing cage, making panning actions silky smooth.

If panning’s not your thing and you feel the urge to ram the bottom of your monopod into soft ground for a more assured footing, you can swap out the spinning foot with its rubber pad for a metal spike that’s supplied as part of the kit. You simply unscrew one and screw in the other, which takes minimal time and effort.

Benro MSD46CB SupaDupa: Performance

If I had to sum up the performance of the Benro MSD46CB Black Diamond SupaDupa Monopod in two words, they’d be ‘speedy’ and ‘sturdy’, but allow me to embellish. I like that, with no fewer than six telescopic sections, the monopod folds down small, but has a really tall maximum operating height.

That would usually come with the pain of setup and take-down being time-consuming chores. However, the provision of a flip-action clamp for the top section and twist-action clamps for the lower sections actually makes the monopod quick to extend and fold down again. It also makes any required height adjustments fast and effortless while the monopod is actually in use.

Then there’s the stability. I’m of the ‘fat legs first’ school of monopod and tripod use, in that I generally extend the larger-diameter top legs first and only deploy the relatively thin bottom ones if I really need to. I use this Benro rather differently, extending all of the lower sections, all of the time, and then extending or contracting the fattest top section with its flip-action clamp to apply any necessary height adjustments. In practice, that works really well, and the monopod remains rigid and extremely resistant to any unwanted flexing, even at its maximum operating height with everything fully extended.

And to finish with just a little thing, that spinning pad on the foot with its roller bearings gives a huge performance boost when you’re panning or just tracking subjects in motion.

Benro MSD46CB SupaDupa: Verdict

The Benro MSD46CB Black Diamond SupaDupa is definitely one of the best monopods I’ve ever used. It’s cleverly designed, superbly well-engineered, immaculately finished, and performs flawlessly. I really like that it folds down nice and small, and is really lightweight for the journey, yet stretches to a very generous maximum operating height and has a mighty payload rating.

The carbon fiber is of particularly good quality, and the clamps all work with smooth precision. I like the mix of twist-locks and a flip-action lock up top, which work brilliantly well together, enabling speed and ease of use. The spinning foot makes the Benro an absolute joy to use for panning shots. My only gripe is that Benro’s rather excellent leveling pan head isn’t supplied as part of the kit, despite the monopod being particularly pricey to buy.

Alternatives

Benro is a Chinese creator of pro-grade tripods and other photography and videography supports. The company has been going strong for 30 years and counting, and I’ve personally paid cash money for some of its products over the last 10 years or so. I’ve been very happy with all of my purchases, being continually impressed with the craftsmanship, quality and dependability, throughout heavy use over long periods of time. Items in my collection include the lofty but super-sturdy carbon fiber Benro TMA38CL Mach3 9X CF Series 3 Long Tripod, the Benro GH2N gimbal head for the joy of movement, the Benro SupaDupa Pro MSDPL46C carbon fiber monopod, and the highly ingenious, ultra-versatile Benro FS20PRO Hybrid Video & Foto Head.

The Benro A48FD Aluminum Monopod that I’m reviewing here might not be ‘SupaDupa’, but it’s still packed with clever tricks. Benro bills it as a lightweight flip-lock video monopod that’s ideal for small cameras, with a 3-leg locking base that includes a ball joint for smooth and stable shots, along with reverse folding legs for compact travel. I’d agree with all of that, although I really don’t feel it’s only ‘ideal for small cameras’. I think its 20kg / 44lb payload rating makes this monopod tough enough to support even the heaviest of cameras mounted with long lenses. All in all, it aims to be one of the best monopods on the market, and quite possibly the best value for money.

Benro A48FD Monopod: Specifications

Benro A48FD Monopod: Price

I recently tested and reviewed the rather excellent Benro MSD46CB Black Diamond SupaDupa Monopod, a heavy-duty monopod with a heavy-duty price tag of $170 / £180. I’d have bought one myself if I didn’t already have the older Benro SupaDupa Pro MSDPL46C in my supporting cast. Shortly afterwards, I spotted this aluminum monopod kit with added extras in the shape of a 3-leg base for the bargain price of just $99 / £59, and the deal was done. It seems outrageously great value, especially in the UK, and for me, it’s a worthy additional monopod that I can use for hybrid shooting. Further investigation revealed the full list price in the UK is actually £120, but even at that price, it's reasonable value.

If you’re feeling flush, there’s also the Benro SupaDupa Pro MSDPL46C carbon fiber monopod, which lists at a much more expensive $209 / £209. This kit doesn’t include a 3-leg base but does come complete with a leveling head that’s useful for panning when shooting video or stills.

Benro A48FD Monopod: Design & Handling

The full title of this monopod is the Benro A48FD Series 4 Aluminum Monopod with 3-Leg Locking Base, which pretty much gives the game away and doesn’t leave much to the imagination. Even so, it’s imaginatively designed to be genuinely supportive for both videography and stills photography. It’s a bit like the best bits of a monopod and tripod all wrapped up into one convenient package, able to stand on its own three feet while giving a helping hand to panning and tilting, so you can go steady while tracking the action.

Let me start by saying what this monopod is not… It’s not carbon fiber. Even so, it has a high-quality aluminum build. It’s just that it’s also nearly twice the weight of the carbon fiber Benro MSD46CB Black Diamond SupaDupa Monopod that I mentioned earlier, although that monopod doesn’t include a 3-leg base. Either way, the aluminum model isn’t exactly heavy, at a very manageable 1.07kg / 2.36lb, and that’s with the 3-leg base fitted.

There are four leg sections in all, enabling the monopod to rise up from a fairly compact 56cm / 22in folded length (or minimum height) to a maximum operating height of 164cm / 64.6in. Sure, it’s not the tallest monopod in the world, but I’m 6ft 5in and found that it was tall enough for me to use comfortably without stooping. Naturally, if you add a monopod/tripod head of your choosing, you’ll gain an extra few inches in maximum height. More on that later.

Each of those four leg sections is pretty beefy, with diameters of 36.2, 32.4, 28.6, and 25.2mm, as measured from fattest at the top to the thinnest at the bottom. The four sections come complete with three flip locks, again differing from the SupaDupa design, which mostly employs twist locks with just one flip lock at the top. I’m fine with flip locks throughout, especially as they work with smooth but solid efficiency.

I’ll come to that 3-leg stand in a moment, but let’s start at the top and work our way downwards. The circular platform for mounting a camera or head has a sizeable diameter of 56cm / 22in. Given the monopod’s aspirations towards videography and panning for stills, I’m pleased that there are no less than three grub screws featured in the platform to securely lock a head in place if you fit one. I just hate it when a head starts unwantedly unscrewing when I’m panning in a counter-clockwise direction.

Another neat thing about the platform is that it features a reversible screw, so you can use it for mounting cameras or heads with either a standard 1/4in or 3/8in thread. A spanner is provided along with some other tools for removing, inverting, and securely refitting the mounting screw in either orientation. While that’s in process, you can also remove the platform for securing or releasing the grub screws, and detach the wrist strap on its circular metal collar if you’d rather not use it.

A plus point of aluminum compared with carbon fiber is that it’s not prone to shattering if it gets a sharp knock (accidentally, of course). A minus point is that it feels relatively cold to the touch, which can be an issue in chilly weather if you’re not wearing gloves. With that in mind, there’s a generous length of comfort padding applied to the top tube, and very comfy it feels too, being not too firm and not too squishy.

Enough beating around the bush. Let’s get onto that 3-leg stand, which is indeed a pretty standout feature of the kit. The complete assembly fixes to the bottom of the monopod in the same way that you’d attach a regular foot pad or spike, via a single threaded socket. However, each of the legs within the assembly is mounted on its own separate hinge. You can therefore rotate each of the legs down from their folded-up position, so that they stick out laterally, ready for action. They lock in place automatically when you reach full extension, thanks to the inclusion of spring-loaded pins. The head of each of the three incumbent pins has the word ‘Push’ engraved in the top, and, sure enough, you simply push them in to unlock each leg and fold it up again.

The fact that the legs fold upwards means they don’t add anything to the stowage length of the monopod, unless you extend the bottom section to enable them to fold flush with the tube, rather than over the flip locks.

A smart feature of the 3-leg assembly is that it has a ball and socket joint at the top. An anodized red twist clamp enables you to lock or release the joint. When locked, it keeps the monopod standing upright, or at your preferred angle to the vertical. When unlocked, the ball joint enables tilt and panning for shooting stills or video. There’s a full 360 degrees of panning on offer, but the tilt range is relatively limited.

Although the 3-leg base is a major feature of the kit, there are times when it’s more convenient to ditch it altogether and use the monopod in time-honored fashion, with just a single foot. With that in mind, you can simply unscrew the 3-leg base and detach it altogether, stowing it away for safekeeping.

For regular monopod duty without the 3-leg foot in tow, the kit comes complete with a regular and impressively chunky pointed rubber pad. It simply screws into the bottom of the monopod in place of the 3-leg base. A metal spike is available to buy as an optional extra if you’d prefer that for working on loose ground.

For making adjustments to any of the flip locks, removing and refitting the platform, and for other running repairs or alterations, the monopod is supplied with a spanner and three hex keys of different sizes. There’s also a clip that you can attach to the top tube, for holding the largest of the hex keys and for tethering a cable that’s running down from your mounted camera.

I’ve seen plenty of expensive, luxury tripods and monopods from certain manufacturers that are supplied without a carrying bag (stand up and be counted, Manfrotto). I’m impressed that despite the cut-price tag on this Benro monopod, it’s nevertheless supplied with a high-quality soft case, complete with an adjustable shoulder strap and an inner zippered pocket for stashing the set of tools.

Benro A48FD Monopod: Performance

The Benro monopod is short enough for me to use on my hands and knees, if I feel the need. That also means it’s not too big or heavy to carry around easily. That’s a big performance factor in my book, as unwieldy kit is likely to be left at home when I’m out and about, where it’s of no use whatsoever.

For more practical purposes in general shooting, the Benro extends to a fairly generous height so that I can use it without stooping, and I’m a pretty tall guy (well, tall if not pretty). Maximum extension is a stern test for any monopod or tripod, because it makes use of the thinnest legs and all of the joints, each of which is a potential point of weakness. I’m pleased that the Benro feels really rigid and resistant to unwanted flexing and vibrations, even at its maximum operating height.

Last but not least in the performance stakes, given the hybrid video/stills nature of the monopod, is its ability to enable tilting and panning. I’d say that the system works, but that it’s good rather than entirely great. I found the range of tilt to be a little limiting, and panning was prone to catching occasionally, rather than having a fluid and free-flowing action. The remedy for both of these niggles comes in the shape of a pan and tilt head, which you can buy separately and fit to the monopod.

I’d heartily recommend the Benro FS20PRO Hybrid Video & Foto Head, which I actually bought for use with this and other monopods and tripods, and it’s been serving me thoroughly well. It’s a ball head that also includes independent tilt and panning locks with a nice fluid action. There’s even a secondary panning mechanism up on top, which is especially useful for rotating the Arca-Swiss top clamp to suit either a long lens with a tripod mounting collar, or a camera with an L-bracket or cage.

Benro A48FD Monopod: Verdict

I really like that the Benro A48FD Series 4 Aluminum Monopod with 3-Leg Locking Base amply caters to my every whim. Sometimes I want the extra stability and secure footing of a 3-leg base. Other times, I prefer the slimline and unrestricted placement of a single foot. The Benro does both, thanks to the inclusion of a 3-leg base and an alternative chunky rubber foot, which are quickly and easily swappable.

In other respects, the Benro continues to impress, with solid and sturdy performance, fast and simple adjustments, and a good range of operating heights enabled by its chunky 4-section design. Sure, it lacks the luxury of a carbon fiber monopod, but this aluminum stick is cleverly designed, smartly finished, and works a treat. All in all, it’s great for shooting both video and stills, and it’s an absolute steal at the price.

Alternatives

Variable neutral density filters enable you to choose exactly how much light you want to restrict for your camera's sensor, allowing you to capture long exposures for effects that freeze movement, create light trails, or make moving crowds vanish.

However, even the best variable NDs aren't perfect. Their density range is somewhat limited, and if you get close to their maximum density, an obvious X shape becomes visible. Of course you could switch to separate neutral density filters to avoid this, but that means more gear to carry.

Benro reckons it's got the answer with its NE1 prototype. Touted as the world's first electronic variable ND filter, it's electronically adjustable between ND3 and ND64 densities (1.5-6 stops of light transmission reduction). Buttons on the filter itself are used to switch between densities, or the filter can be wirelessly controlled from Benro's NC1 Bluetooth remote controller. This can be hand held, or it'll clip into a camera hot shoe. It's a convenient control system that eliminates any risk of knocking your camera during a long exposure, and lets you position your camera in hard-to-reach locations. The remote even includes a light sensor that will automatically adjust the filter's ND level in real time, depending on the brightness of ambient light.

Benro says the NE1 filter uses Corning optical glass, multi-layer nano coating, and an "advanced single layer DLC liquid crystal film" to provide high image quality, limiting light interference and eliminating the X-shape effect that plagues traditional variable NDs. Color rendering accuracy is also high, with a claimed CRI of over 90. Conventional fixed ND filters can also be stacked in front of the NE1 to further increase filter density.

The filter itself pairs with a spring-loaded adjustable holder that covers 67-82mm filter thread diameters. It's not yet clear how the NC1 filter is powered, but a USB-C port hints at a small rechargeable battery possibly being concealed somewhere within the filter frame.

The NE1 looks like an innovative and intriguing new product. It's currently about to enter the funding stage, with an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign set to launch on February 3rd.

This isn't the first time Benro has come up with an impressive electronic take on what has traditionally been a manual photographic product. Back in March 2023 I reported on a Kickstarter campaign for the Benro Theta: a motorized, auto-levelling tripod. It looked amazing from the promo material, however since then a worrying number of backers seem to still be without any Theta to show for their investment.

Backing any crowdfunded project always comes with a very real risk that you might never receive the product you're investing in.

Benro has built a solid reputation on suitably solid tripod systems over the last 30 years. I’ve been particularly impressed with some of the company’s recent and more innovative products, including the Benro FS20PRO Video & Foto Head, which is like a ball head and a pan and tilt head, all in one package. The Benro HD2A 3-way head that I’m reviewing here is a more traditional 3-way head, aimed squarely at stills photography.

It’s the middle option in a set of three, having an 8kg load rating, whereas the HD1A is rated at 5kg and the HD3A supports up to 12kg. The smallest in the range lacks reference scales but all are built to the same overall design principles, aiming to be among the best 3-way heads on the market.

Benro HD2A 3-way head: Specifications

Benro HD2A 3-way head: Price

The photographic market, like many others, is awash with Chinese products that are super-cheap but of questionable quality. Benro has been a Chinese company since its inception in 1996 but has never skimped on quality, instead focusing on high-end design and manufacture. The HD2A 3-way head is a classic case in point, with a competitive but certainly not cheap price tag of $110 / £110 / AU$199. That makes it a bargain of varying degree depending on world region, compared with the likes of the Manfrotto X-PRO 3-way head which costs $220 / £129 / AU$289.

Benro HD2A 3-way head: Design & Handling

The design looks pretty standard fare for a 3-way tripod head but there’s a little more to it than meets the eye. High-quality black anodized metal surfaces have a durable and attractive eggshell black finish. Typical of Benro products, there are contrasting blue accents, which I’ll come to later. The tilt and swivel handles are comfortably long, with grippy rubber knobs on metal shafts, enabling accurate and precise adjustments with good leverage. Unlike in some designs, however, the handles aren’t retractable to reduce stowage size.

The front/back tilt range is generous, stretching from 35 degrees upwards to 90 degrees downwards, thus giving a 125-degree range in total that includes vertically downward shooting. Unlike the smallest HD1A in the range, the adjustment comes complete with a reference scale, which has numbered positions of 35 (upward), 0 (level), 45 and 90 degrees (downward), along with long marked lines for 15-degree intervals and shorter lines for intermediate 5-degree increments.

Lateral swivel has a relatively limited range of 15 degrees clockwise and 90 degrees counter-clockwise, although this serves its main purpose of enabling portrait orientation shooting without the need to use an L-bracket, or when using large lenses that rotate within a tripod mounting ring.

As is often the case with 3-way heads, the lock/release knob for panning is relatively short and stubby. Again though, it’s nice and grippy with a textured, rubberized surface. Loosening the knob enables smooth and free panning through a complete 360 degrees. Again, there’s a reference scale marked in 5-degree intervals, this time being particularly useful for taking a calibrated series of panned shots for subsequently stitching into a panoramic image. The reference markings for all three axes are also handy for replicating setups if you need to repeat a shot.

Given that 3-way heads are ideal for architectural and landscape photography, where you want to position the camera exactly on the level, I’m pleased to see the inclusion of three separate spirit levels. Using an alternate two out of three enables precise leveling of the camera in either landscape or portrait orientation mode.

The reference markers that I’ve mentioned represent an upgrade over the previous version of the head. The other update is an Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release system. This enables maximum compatibility with other kit and is particularly useful given that many large lenses now feature tripod mounting rings with an Arca-type foot. Many L-brackets also have an Arca-type profile, enabling them to slot straight into the base plate of the head. When you do need to use the QR plate, it’s impressively long at 70mm / 2.76in, making it easy to center a wide range of cameras.

Flip the head over and you’ll find a typically circular base plate. It has a fairly large but not massive 52.5mm / 2.1in diameter, making it an ideal match for intermediate sized tripods with a similar payload rating to the 8kg / 17.6lb of the head. The height of the head is also of medium size, measuring 12cm / 4.7in.

Benro HD2A 3-way head: Performance

I found the ergonomics of the Benro head to be deeply satisfying. The controls for tilt, swivel and pan all work with smooth efficiency, requiring minimal effort to loosen them for adjustment and lock them up again afterwards. Really precise adjustments are quick and easy to achieve, while panning has a free-flowing feel to it. Another performance boost, if you can call it that, is that I didn’t drop my camera on the floor. Seriously, the lock/release knob for the quick-release plate has a special safety feature that requires you to pull it out and give it an additional twist to release the plate. The plate also features security studs to stop it sliding out to one side or the other.

The six rubber pads built into the quick-release plate aren’t the firmest in the world that I’ve ever used but nevertheless provide a solid and sturdy seating for the camera, while also potentially absorbing a little unwanted vibration. I’ve recently been testing 3-way heads with a Sony A7 II body fitted with a Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.4 Pro lens. The combination has a weight of 1.4kg / 3.2lb and the lens doesn’t feature a mounting ring, so the weight is significantly off-axis in portrait orientation shooting. The Benro was easily able to support the load and proved very stable and rigid, as confirmed by manually focusing and using an enlarged preview with image stabilization switched off.

Benro HD2A 3-way head: Verdict

What you see is what you get. I really like that this Benro head looks immaculately engineered and beautifully finished. Not just a case of style over substance, those good looks translate into excellent performance. Good things seem to come in threes, with refined 3-way adjustment, three reference scales and three spirit levels. There aren’t really any fancy tricks or design innovations, but the head is simple and intuitive to use, and offers really solid support. It’s a win as far as I’m concerned.

Alternatives

Benro has officially launched its NBBH Series Ball Heads, developed in collaboration with German manufacturer Novoflex.

After previewing early models at The Photography & Video Show 2025, the final models are now available with confirmed specs and pricing. This partnership combines Novoflex’s precision engineering with Benro’s experience in camera tripods.

The NBBH Series includes three models designed to suit different types of photographers. The NBBH2 is a compact, lightweight ball head supporting up to 5kg, making it a good fit for popular compact cameras like the Fujifilm X100VI. It’s ideal for street and travel photographers who need smooth motion and portability.

The mid-range NBBH3 supports up to 8kg, suitable for larger mirrorless cameras with fast primes or small zooms. It offers a balance of strength and precision, well-suited to portrait, wedding, or lifestyle photography.

At the top end, the NBBH4 can handle up to 12kg. It’s built for medium format cameras such as the Fujifilm GFX, professional telephoto lenses, and cinema cameras, making it a strong choice for wildlife, sports, or landscape photographers.

All three models feature all-metal, CNC-machined construction, delivering smooth operation and durability. Notable features include adjustable ball tension, a dual panning system for panoramas, and an Arca-compatible clamp with a pull-and-twist mechanism. This clamp also hides a built-in Allen key and a thread converter for direct camera or lens mounting.

The NBBH Series is now available, priced at $159.95 / £150 (approx. $190 / AU$290) for the NBBH2, $199.95 / £180 (approx. AU$350) for the NBBH3, and $219.95 / £210 (approx. AU$410) for the NBBH4. These ball heads offer a solid option for photographers who prioritize precision and durability in their gear.

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Check out our guides to the best tripods for photography and the best tripod ball heads.

I’ve owned a couple of Benro tripods and heads over the years and have always found them to be absolutely dependable. The Chinese manufacturer has been creating quality tripods and other supports since 1996 and has earned a very good reputation over the past 30 years, turning out some of the best tripods for photographers, best carbon fiber tripods, best travel tripods, best ball heads and best gimbal heads, to name but a few of the catalogued temptations. It also makes some of the best monopods, including the innovative Benro SupaDupa Pro MSDPL46C. The monopod that I’m reviewing here is a more conventional stick but based on the highest quality components.

Benro Adventure 8X CF Series 3: Specifications

Benro Adventure 8X CF Series 3: Price

Good-quality monopods are available for about half the price of this Benro, which comes in at $120 / £125 / AU$229. However, they tend to have an aluminum build whereas this Benro is carbon fiber with additional magnesium alloy components. That makes the price less than I’d expect to pay for a monopod of its quality and specifications. It’s actually very good value.

Benro Adventure 8X CF Series 3: Design & Handling

There’s a saying that stems from a 1960s British sitcom entitled Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width. Alternative tailoring priorities aside, this Benro stands out from the crowd in terms of both quality and width. Like any monopod, this one’s very much akin to a single tripod leg with a camera mounting platform at the top. But the leg is made from very high-quality 8-layer carbon fiber, with additional components engineered from magnesium alloy. The overall benefit is that the monopod is very strong and rigid, but with a lightweight build of 0.5kg / 1.1lb. It's very sturdy but easy on your back.

Getting back to the ‘width’ side of the equation, the top section of the monopod has an oversized diameter of 32.4mm / 1.28in. There are four sections in total, the lower three filtering down to 28.6mm, 25.2mm and 21.8mm (1.13in, 0.99in, 0.86in). The net result is that even the bottom section has an impressive girth with no hint of being thin and spindly.

I think that four sections per leg is a good compromise. Three sections would result in a long folded length for stowing the monopod away, whereas five sections would increase setup time as well as reduce the diameter of the bottom section. As it is, the folded length works out to an easily manageable 52.5cm / 20.7in, which also enables fairly low-level shooting, should you feel the urge.

Despite being made from relatively warm-to-the-touch carbon fiber instead of aluminum, the monopod features a generous amount of comfort padding, which to me feels just right on the scale of firm to soft. There’s also a wrist strap, which comes in handy for carrying the monopod around and for adding a sense of security when you’re actually using it with your precious camera mounted on the top.

Naturally, the top of the monopod features a mounting platform or ‘top plate’. You can attach your camera directly to this, but I feel that a little head goes a long way in terms of practicality when using a monopod. I know opinion is divided on that amongst photographers, but the platform is circular with a diameter of 56mm, just crying out to have a head added to it.

There’s also a spanner included with the monopod, so you can remove the 1/4in camera fixing screw from the platform, reverse it and pop it back in with a 3/8in thread up top for mounting a suitably sturdy head. My ideal match for the monopod would be the very clever Benro FS20PRO Video & Foto Head. It works equally well as a ball head and as a pan-and-tilt head, selling for around $85 / £100 / AU$215.

Down at the bottom of the monopod, at least when it's folded, are the three flip-lock levers for extending and locking the inner sections. They’re quick, comfortable, and reliable in use, with a similarly high-quality feel to the rest of the monopod. Some might prefer twist-action clamps instead of flip locks, but that’s just a matter of personal preference.

At the very bottom of the monopod is a large rubber ‘rotating foot pod’. I have mixed feelings about this. I like that its large, flat, textured base gives a good, solid footing on hard and soft surfaces alike. I also like that it has a cutout at the top, which enables you to angle the foot in relation to the monopod by up to almost as much as 90 degrees. The only thing I don’t like about it is something I’ll come to next, in ‘performance’.

Benro Adventure 8X CF Series 3: Performance

If I’m going to the expense of buying a monopod and the effort of carrying one around, I want it to be able to do the job for which it’s intended. The Benro does that and more. I found it to be super-sturdy and extremely resistant to any unwanted flexing or vibration in use. I’m tall at 6ft 5in but found the maximum height of the monopod adequate for my needs. It’s an even better fit for me with a compact ball head added to the top, which is not included in the kit but a very worthwhile add-on in terms of performance as well as practicality.

My only slight niggle is that while the rotating foot pod is nice to have, it didn’t actually work very well in my tests. It was so stiff that the whole foot would scrape around and dig a hole in the ground instead of rotating on the end of the monopod. And when I did force it to rotate or adjust the angle to the vertical, it made a horribly loud squeaking noise. I’m sure that both of these negative attributes could be easily remedied with the application of the right kind of lubricant, but there’s no mention of that in the instruction pamphlet.

Benro Adventure 8X CF Series 3: Verdict

All things considered, I really like the Benro Adventure 8X CF Series 3 Monopod. It’s a relatively simple and straightforward affair, lacking little add-ons like fold-out feet, smartphone clamps and other mod cons, but that’s fine by me. When I reach for a monopod, it’s because I want something that will give solid and sturdy support with no flexing or vibration. And that’s what the Benro is all about, with its top-quality carbon fiber and magnesium alloy construction, and its hefty 16kg / 35lb payload rating. It doesn’t come with a monopod head but still, that’s reflected in the price and it’s nice to be able to add one of my own choosing.

Alternatives

Benro has earned an excellent reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality tripods and other supports, operating out of China since 1996. The Quick Rotation Lens Bracket that I’m reviewing here is typical of Benro’s innovative ideas and clever design work, the ‘dual’ edition taking over from the original. It aims to enable switching between landscape and portrait orientation shooting with ease, going up against some of the best L-brackets on the market.

Benro QRB95DUAL Quick Rotation Lens Bracket: Specifications

Benro QRB95DUAL Quick Rotation Lens Bracket: Price

Benro’s Quick Rotation Lens Bracket sells for around $90 / £90 / AU$199. I think that makes it quite a bargain, compared with much more basic tripod mounting collars that are sold for specific lenses as optional extras, and cost much more to buy. The Benro is comparatively sophisticated, with many parts that are precision-engineered to offer a wide-ranging solution for most cameras when using small to medium sized lenses. And naturally, large lenses come with their own rotating tripod collars anyway.

Benro QRB95DUAL Quick Rotation Lens Bracket: Design & Handling

You can often gauge the quality of equipment just by its look and feel, and that’s the case with this Benro bracket. All of the components are precision-engineered and immaculately finished in gunmetal gray. Even so, it can look a little daunting when you take all the bits and pieces out of their packaging and lay them out on the desk.

Let’s kick off with the part of the kit that sits under the lens and attaches to the tripod. Unlike the original version of the kit, the ‘dual’ version features a reversible plate. You can therefore attach it to the rotation arm either way up, enabling compatibility with either Arca Swiss clamps or a larger Manfrotto 501PL clamp.

The camera plate fits to the other side of the rotation bracket and is similarly well-crafted. It serves as an Arca Swiss compatible quick-release plate in its own right and comes complete with a clamp lock knob at one end.

The remaining main component of the kit is the rotation bracket. Again, it’s beautifully turned out, and this item features a lock/release lever for rotation. As is often the way, the lever is spring-loaded so that you can pull it out and relocate it on its shaft, putting it in its ideal orientation.

Allen screws are provided for fitting all of the parts together, and the Allen key for this can be stored in the rotation bracket, with magnetic attraction. In the image below, I’m securing the tripod-mounting plate to the bottom of the rotation bracket, in its Arca Swiss rather than Manfrotto 501PL orientation.

To ensure the axis of rotation is in exactly the right place, so that the viewing position doesn’t shift when rotating the bracket between landscape and portrait orientation, you need to center the lens within the collar. This is done by adjusting the height block accordingly.

The complete assembly is shown in the image below. There are actually two pairs of holes for attaching the height block to the rotation clamp. One enables use with cameras that have a distance between the base of the body to the optical center of the lens of between 36.7mm and 50.7mm, the other pair is for distances of between 65.7mm to 79.7mm. That covers most, if not all, eventualities.

Benro QRB95DUAL Quick Rotation Lens Bracket: Performance

Setup isn’t entirely straightforward but only takes a few minutes to complete. The trickiest bit is ensuring that your lens is exactly centered within the rotation bracket, but even that’s not a major challenge. As I’ve mentioned, the calibrated scale on the height block enables you to keep a note of the settings if you’re using the bracket with multiple outfits.

A simple twist of the lock/release lever is all that’s needed to enable rotation of the camera within the bracket. Unlike using an L-bracket, you don’t have to disconnect the camera from the tripod and remount it again. A further bonus is that rotation is silky smooth throughout the full extent of 90-degree movement.

Up on top of the rotation bracket there’s a cold shoe for mounting extras like a flashgun or LED lamp. There’s also a 1/4in threaded hold for adding other accessories, further enhancing the versatility of the bracket.

Another little bonus is that the rotation bracket has calibrated markings at 15-degree intervals, between 0 degrees (landscape) and 90 degrees (portrait). It can come in useful if you need to replicate shots that you took earlier.

Benro QRB95DUAL Quick Rotation Lens Bracket: Verdict

There’s a little time and effort involved in setting up the Benro QRB95DUAL Quick Rotation Lens Bracket to suit your camera but once it’s done, it’s done. It fulfils its brief by enabling quick and easy rotation between landscape and portrait orientation, and anything in between, while keeping the weight of the camera centered on the tripod. I hate the way that if you rotate a camera that’s fixed directly to a tripod head for portrait orientation shooting, the weight shifts off-axis. Another upside is that you can orient your camera in portrait mode with the shutter button at the top so it feels natural, with no risk of the camera working loose on its mounting screw. All in all, it’s a smart bit of kit that’s well worth the money.

Alternatives

I’ve long been a fan of Benro. The Chinese manufacturer has been going since 1996 and created some of the best tripods for photographers, best carbon tripods, best tripods for videographers, and best travel tripods along the way. Naturally, any great tripod kit is as much about the head as it is about the legs, and Benro has made some superb heads of all sorts. I’ve recently been particularly impressed by the Benro Cyanbird Carbon Tripod with FS30 Head, which works particularly well as a travel tripod for shooting both stills and video, and I’m also very keen on the highly versatile Benro FS20PRO Video & Foto Head.

In both cases, though, these ball heads can be less than ideal when you need to make ultra-fine adjustments. Typical scenarios include landscape photography where you want to keep the horizon absolutely level, architectural photography where you want the walls of buildings to be perfectly vertical, and close-up shooting where tiny positional changes can make a big difference. That’s where this geared head comes in, with its micrometric adjustments for all three axes of movement.

Benro GD3WH Geared Head: Specifications

Benro GD3WH Geared Head: Price

For the sake of comparison, Manfrotto is one of the biggest names in tripods and supports and, sure enough, they make a range of geared heads. I’ve been impressed by the Manfrotto 410 Junior geared head, which costs $299 / £285 / AU$575. I’m not quite so enamored with the Manfrotto XPRO geared 3-way head, which is made from technopolymer (plastic by another name) and still costs $249 / £179 / AU$476.

The Benro GD3WH Geared Head weighs in at $225 / £220 but its list price is often discounted. At the time of writing this review, it was commonly available for $175 / £169, and even less if you shopped around. That makes it great value, considering its premium materials and excellent build quality. Benro also sells a GDHAD1 tripod spacer for just $32 / £21, which can be a useful accessory. I’ll come back to that later.

Benro GD3WH Geared Head: Design & Handling

The design is classic 3-way geared head. The Benro sits on a 52mm / 2.05" circular base with a 3/8” threaded socket for attaching it to a tripod. Above the base are a pair of adjustment knobs on the same level as each other but spaced 90 degrees apart. These are for individually adjusting panning and forward/rear tilt respectively. Each has a calibrated scale, panning with a full 360-degree rotation, and tilting for 90 degrees forward (for shooting vertically downwards) and 30 degrees upwards. Naturally, you can swap the extents of upward and downward tilt, simply by rotating the quick-release base in its cradle by 180 degrees.

Further up, on almost the same level as the camera platform, is the third knob. This one is for side-to-side tilting. Again it has a calibrated scale, this time from 90 degrees to the left, ranging to just 15 degrees to the right. You might feel that’s a bit limiting, especially if you prefer tilting your camera to the right for portrait orientation shooting, so that it’s less likely to come unscrewed on the QR plate. Again though, you could turn the quick-release plate around in its cradle to reverse the extents of maximum tilt in either lateral direction.

The gearing of all three knobs is suitably low, enabling very fine and precise adjustments in all three planes. The flip side is that large adjustments take forever, or at least they would do if it wasn’t for the alternative adjustment method. By twisting the coarse adjustment wheel for any of the knobs, you can effectively disengage the respective gear from its drive, enabling free movement over the entire travel. When you’re in the right ballpark of adjustment, you simply let go of the spring-loaded wheel and go back to using the knob for fine adjustments.

Moving on up again, the camera platform has quite a long cradle for its Arca-Swiss type quick-release plate. It’s a very secure arrangement, as security pins stop the QR plate sliding out sideways if the locking knob is loosened accidentally. To enable removal, you have to physically pull the knob backwards and keep on turning, once you reach the safety position.

To help with the business of leveling on any axis, the head features a large bubble level on its camera platform at the top. There are also two smaller spirit levels, one each on two sides of the head.

A particular problem that the Benro shares with other geared heads manifests itself if your tripod doesn’t have an extending center column. In this case, if you try to add a significant amount of tilt in either axis, the control knobs can foul on the tripod spider that connects the legs together. To get around the problem, Benro offers a GDHAD1 tripod spacer as an optional extra, for $32 / £21. It’s a solid chunk of metal that’s very nicely turned out and well worth the extra outlay.

Benro GD3WH Geared Head: Performance

The whole idea of a geared head that enables ultra-precise adjustments is that those adjustments really are precise. Accuracy can be ruined if the head doesn’t stay firmly in the placement to which you’ve adjusted it. I’ve used some geared heads that are less than rigid and tend to drift a little under the weight of a camera, as well as lacking resistance to flexing and vibration. I’m happy to say that the Benro excels in its performance, being totally firm and rock-solid in use.

Another area of concern can be that, to enable a firm footing as it were, the control knobs have a stiff action that makes them less than easy to turn. Again, the Benro does really well here. It’s the payoff for being based on excellent materials and build quality. The main body of the head is made from magnesium alloy, while the moving parts are engineered from carbon steel and bronze. That helps to ensure long life as well as smooth operation.

Benro GD3WH Geared Head: Verdict

When the devil is in the detail and I need the utmost in ultra-fine camera placement, I know that I can count on this Benro GD3WH Geared Head to deliver every time. The mix of coarse and fine adjustments for three axes of movement make it quick and easy to position the camera exactly how I want it, and I can rest assured that it’s not going to budge afterwards, as the head is extremely resistant to unwanted flexing, sagging and vibration. All in all, it’s a thoroughly well designed bit of kit that’s expertly made and lavishly finished. That also makes it excellent value for money.

Alternatives

Chinese tripod and monopod manufacturer Benro has partnered with German precision-engineering specialist Novoflex to develop an impressive new range of tripod ball heads.

The Benro NBBH series by Novoflex made its debut at The Photography & Video Show 2025, showcasing a design that offers notable versatility for both photographers and videographers. With Novoflex’s renowned engineering expertise and Benro’s reputation for user-friendly innovation, the NBBH range could mark the beginning of a promising collaboration.

While details remain limited, its appearance at The Photography & Video Show provides some early insights. The lineup consists of three models – NBBH4, NBBH3 and NBBH2, corresponding to large, medium and small sizes.

The NBBH4 and NBBH2, both on display at the show, feature weight capacities of 12kg and 5kg respectively. While the exact capacity of the NBBH3 has not been confirmed, it is expected to fall between these figures.

Key features include an Arca-Swiss-compatible quick-release plate, dual panning points at the base for precise panoramic shots, and independent ball and tilt locks, offering photographers greater control over composition.

This partnership originated through discussions with shared distribution partner Mac Group, where collaboration had been a topic of interest for several years.

The move reflects a growing trend in the photography industry where established European brands are teaming up with innovative Asian manufacturers, with recent examples including the Samyang and Schneider-Kreuznach lens collaboration and Hasselblad’s partnership with Oppo on the Find X8 Pro.

As of now the collaboration has yet to be officially announced, most likely due to Benro’s recent release of two new lightweight tripod heads – though the NBBH range was strategically showcased at The Photography & Video Show (stand B130).

Official pricing and release dates remain unconfirmed, but guide prices suggest £230 (approximately $300 / AU $470) for the NBBH4 and £170 (approximately $220 / AU $350) for the NBBH2, with a tentative launch window of May / June 2025, according to a Benro representative at the show.

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Check out our guides to the best tripod ball heads and the best tripods.

Benro has launched a tripod kit containing its innovative Cyanbird travel tripod launched in 2023, combined with the company's brand new FS30 ball head.

Benro Cyanbird tripod review

The new kit is exceptionally travel-friendly, with the tripod's carbon construction keeping weight down to just 1kg, while the folded length is only 45.5cm. Thanks to 5-section legs, maximum height is still a versatile 150cm with the two-section center column extended, and the tripod can support up to 4.5kg. Arch-profile legs enable a tighter folded profile around the centre column, resulting in a super-slim 6cm folded diameter. This makes it easy to slip the Cyanbird into even a small backpack or camera shoulder bag. Included with the tripod is a rollup padded carry case in which you can store the tripod, plus other small accessories.

The new FS30 ball head features a distinctive inverted construction, with the 30mm-diameter ball at the base of the head, and the cup above. It's been designed with heavier camera setups in mind, with the aim to make precision adjustments easier. A bubble level is positioned prominently next to the Arca quick release plate, and this is held securely with a safety lever to prevent accidental uncoupling.

The Benro Cyanbird Carbon Tripod with FS30 Head kit is available to buy now, priced at $299.95/£300.

SupaDupa SDTH6090 Tilt Head

In addition to the new Cyanbird kit, Benro also launched two other tripod heads. The brilliantly-named SupaDupa SDTH6090 Tilt Head was previously only available with Benro's MSD46C72 monopod, but is now available as a standalone product. It weighs just 350g but can support a hefty 8kg. The head attaches to a tripod via a standard 3/8” thread, or it can be mounted to an Arca-compatible platform via the included Arca clamp base. The SDTH6090 is ideal for photographers who use long lenses for sports, wildlife and aviation photography, or it'd be equally useful for use with a spotting scope while birdwatching.

The SupaDupa SDTH6090 Tilt Head is on sale now, costing $139.95/£130

FS20PRO Hybrid Head

Lastly comes the new FS20PRO Hybrid Head. This has been designed for double duty as both a stills and video head. It can be used either as a ball and socket head, or add the pan-handle and lock the ball and you've instead got a 2-way head suitable for capturing video content. The quick-release top plate features a 3-way screw for quick camera attachment and release, while an allen key located in the pan handle and can be used to attach/remove the handle, depending on what type of content you're shooting.

The FS20PRO Hybrid Head is priced at $84.95/£100 and can be purchased now.

As any jobbing landscape photographer worth their salt knows, you need to shoot both horizontal and vertical variations of a scenic shot to make your images more saleable – a traditional landscape-orientation shot makes for a fantastic opening spread in a magazine or header image on a website, while a portrait-orientation image is the one that picture editors will select for the cover or a full-page photo.

However, it's not as simple as unlocking your tripod head and allowing the camera to drop by 90 degrees; this moves the camera off-center and down by an inch or so, ruining your carefully aligned composition, in addition to throwing the center of balance from above the tripod, destabilizing your whole setup.

An L-bracket is the common solution; wrapping around your camera in an 'L' shape, and (usually) featuring a standard Arca-Swiss fitting along the edges, it can be unclipped from the tripod and reorientated from horizontal to vertical (or vice-versa) and reattached atop your tripod, with essentially the same composition.

But that whole unclipping the camera and having to reattach it again is still a bit of a pain, taking several seconds – where a sunset, for example, may be rapidly disappearing and light fading before you've had the chance to realign everything to your satisfaction.

That's where Benro's QRB95 quick-release rotation lens bracket comes in. The bracket stays attached to your tripod at all times, but the camera is secured on an arm that swivels through 90 degrees. This enables photographers to switch quickly and easily between landscape and portrait orientations, all the while keeping a smooth rotation of the camera around the dead center of the lens, so the setup remains firmly above the tripod. Not only does this offer enhanced stability, improved composition versatility and reduces strain on the equipment, but it drastically lessens the danger of the tripod toppling over.

This freedom of movement through 90 degrees means you're not restricted to just horizontal or vertical compositions either, enabling variations of images with a touch of creative 'Dutch tilt' to be easily tried too, for example.

To change the orientation of the shot, simply unlock the lever and position your camera to the desired orientation along the 90° range the bracket offers, all without disturbing the alignment of its center point. The QRB95 also features a cold shoe mount for the attachments of accessories, and it comes equipped with Arca-Swiss-compatible and 501PL (favored by Manfrotto) dual-purpose photo and video quick-release plates. The included Allen key can be magnetically attached to the bracket for easy storage, so you'll always have it on hand when you need it.

A ‘half-ring’ design enables photographers to effortlessly rotate orientations without obstructing the camera handle. This also makes it easier to use the built-in camera grip when operating the camera handheld. Further versatility is provided through the 3/8in mount, enabling the bracket to be directly mounted to monopods as well as tripods.

The height of the camera above the quick-release plate is adjustable and the setup will work with camera/lens combinations where the distance from the center of the lens to the bottom is between 36.7mm and 50.7mm, while the maximum diameter lens that the QRB95 will accommodate is 94mm.

Weighing in at just 290 grams, the bracket has a maximum payload capacity of 10kg and measures 13.5x14.6x7cm.

It will retail for for $90 / £90 / AU$180 when it goes on sale shortly, an can already be pre-ordered.

You may also be interested in our guide to the best tripods

Benro is no stranger to the world of the best tripods and best video tripods and quite often offers a range of products to suit anyone a wide range of budgets. Well, Benro has gone and done it again with the announcement of the KH25PC and KH26PC Video Tripod Kits that offer great specs at an affordable price point for filmmakers.

The new Benro KH26PC tripod is designed to support compact video cameras, DSLRs, and also still cameras with long lenses, accommodating a maximum weight of 6.8kg this is a great solution for those either using heavy cine lenses or slightly older or chunkier best cinema cameras on the market.

This model is an upgrade from the popular Benro KH26P, offering enhanced weight capacity and compatibility with additional camera plates through its included video head. The head itself features a continuous pan-drag system, allowing for adjustable tension during left-to-right panning, ensuring smooth and stable movement while recording video.

Both the KH26PC and the smaller KH25PC tripods feature 60mm bowls and head-mounted bubble levels to maintain proper alignment and facilitate accurate camera positioning and level panning. However, it would have been nice to see these sticks use the universal 75mm bowl, so as you progress in your career, you could swap out for a better fluid head and still use the tripod legs—just remember that when buying.

Each of these models also includes an interchangeable pan arm, suitable for both right- and left-handed users, which is great news for your lefties out there!

The Benro KH25PC is robust yet lightweight, with an adjustable height range from 75cm to 156cm, while the KH26PC extends further from 87.5cm to an impressive 184.5cm. Both tripods are equipped with twist-lock levers on their dual-stage legs, enabling quick and precise height adjustments on the fly.

The KH25PC can be compacted to 79cm, while the KH26PC to 91cm, making them both convenient to transport between shots or putting in storage between jobs.

The Benro KH25PC is currently on the market for $159.95 / £180 while the larger Benro KH26PC is on sale for $199.95 / £200 - all-in-all I think these are incredible prices for two very good tripods for either those just starting out in filmmaking or those looking for some low-cost alternatives when traveling. 

Benro has announced a new lightweight travel tripod: Cyanbird. Apparently named after a legendary bird that was "strong and dexterous whilst transforming into a stunning auspicious creature". An imaginative simile for a humble camera tripod!

Designed with a firm focus on portability, the Cyanbird Tripod weighs just 1.05kg and folds down to 46cm in length. Maximum height is 155cm, and the tripod can support up to 4kg. Arch-profile legs enables them to fold in tighter to the centre column, enabling a super-slim 6cm folded diameter. This should make it easy to slip the Cyanbird into even a small backpack or camera shoulder bag. Included with the tripod is a rollup padded carry case in which you can store the tripod, plus other small accessories.

Ocean blue anodised castings with satin aluminium lever leg locks help the Cyanbird stand out from the crowd. Unusually, the legs are constructed from a mix of materials, with top leg sections made from carbon fiber, while the lower sections use aluminum. A weight hook is incorporated into the base of the center column to help stabilize the shooting platform on uneven terrain, or in windy conditions. The center column is also designed to split in half, enabling a minimum shooting height of only 17cm.

The Cyanbird kit comes with Benro's Arca-compatible N00P ball head. This equally compact head uses a single locking knob for the ball motion, with an independently-controlled pan base.

The Benro Cyanbird Tripod tripod will be available from 1st September, priced at £235. US pricing has yet to be revealed.

Read more:

• The best travel tripod
• The best video tripods 
• The best monopods
• 7 golden rules of tripod stability
• Best ball heads for tripods
• Best pan and tilt heads for tripods
• Best gimbal heads for tripods

In late January Benro teased us - and frankly blew us away - with a simply awesome-looking tripod, the Theta. At that stage it was little more than a concept still awaiting funding, but that's since changed. The project is now live on Kickstarter and looks well worth backing.

That's because the Theta could genuinely be one of the most innovative, exciting tripods ever devised. Benro has clearly gone all-out to re-write the rulebook on what's possible from this otherwise humble photographic accessory, with not one but a whole selection of clever features, starting with the biggie:

Auto levelling

No more squinting at bubble levels, holding your breath and making painstaking ball head adjustments to try and nail a perfectly level shot. The Theta boasts a unique one-button auto levelling function which can extend or retract each motorized leg until the tripod's top plate is perfectly level!

Trigonous Central Shaft

Trigonous: sounds like it belongs in Jurassic Park, but it apparently means the central shaft of the tripod has a Y-shaped cross section, rather than being a regular cylindrical tube. We've seen this before back in 2013 when Giottos launched its YTL series of tripods, and it allows the three main legs to fold tighter, resulting in a more slender packed profile without compromising structural rigidity.

Dual multi-functional ball head

Another stand-out feature of the Theta tripod is its versatile, innovative head. Designed to cater for both photographers and videographers, it can operate as a conventional ball head for stills, but convert to a separate-axis pan/tilt head for video capture. The quick release lock uses a large knurled ring as opposed to a more typical lever operation.

Leg locks. What leg locks?

Where the vast majority of tripods incorporate either twist locks or levers on each leg section to adjust tripod leg length, the Theta boasts a unique self-locking system that automatically locks each leg. The user only need rotate the leg's foot and pull it to the desired length.

The Smart Console

Four small electronic modules can be attached just below the head, between each leg section:

The first is a Battery module ($50) that can function as a power bank to keep your camera battery - or smart device - topped up with juice via the module's USB port. Up to three battery modules can be mounted on the tripod. You'll also need this module to activate the tripod's auto-levelling feature, with the button on the side providing the one-click levelling control. You can fine-tune the exact level by long-pressing the button, or alternatively use the Theta mobile app.

In addition to the battery module, there's also a Camera control module ($99). This allows you to control your camera from your phone or tablet via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, in addition to remotely viewing the camera's live view, or remotely downloading files from memory card to phone.

The GoLive module ($99) facilitates fast, easy content sharing to social media or YouTube via RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol). Connect your camera to the module's HDMI port, then the feed is transmitted to the smart device app over Wi-Fi. Streaming quality and other live settings are customizable within the app.

Lastly, there's the funkily-titled Optical matrix sensor module ($50). This has been designed exclusively for time-lapse shoots, where it's vital to maintain a consistent exposure to match ambient light levels. This can prove tricky over long time-lapse periods, so the module packs an optical matrix sensor and a gyroscope that detects ambient light level, then automatically and precisely adjusts camera exposure settings to ensure smooth and consistent exposures. Unlike the other modules, this module attaches to your camera's hot shoe so its level reading more closely matches that of your camera. Clever stuff.

Two versions of the Theta are available, Theta, and Theta MAX:

There's just one slight catch with the Theta - you can't actually buy it. Yet. Benro is about to list it as a fundraising project on Kickstarter, so please do check it out and back it if you can.

For more information, check out the dedicated Theta webpage and YouTube video:

Read more:

• The best travel tripod
• The best video tripods 
• The best monopods
• 7 golden rules of tripod stability
• Best ball heads for tripods
• Best pan and tilt heads for tripods
• Best gimbal heads for tripods

Astrophotography is a time-consuming business, with the need to track objects in the night sky – be they stars, nebulae or galaxies – while taking exposures making it complex, fiddly and not as fun as it should be. The best star trackers help, but many are basic, buggy devices with as many cons as pros. 

Cue the Benro Polaris smart electric tripod head ($899/£900), which offers camera interface control (if you wire up your camera to it via a mess of cables in the box) and pre-programming. It allows users to set up a camera on a tripod – with the Polaris in between – and tweak the ISO, aperture, shutter speed (and much more) from a smartphone. 

The basic two-axis version of the Benro Polaris spits out a WiFi network and can also be operated remotely if you insert a SIM card. That’s a unique proposition in itself and it’s largely for creating time-lapses, motion time-lapses. HDR, focus stacking, panoramas, and sunset/sunrise tracking. 

What we’re reviewing here is the Benro Polaris Astro Edition ($1,149/£1,100), which adds an angled azimuth module that attaches to the main device’s quick-release clamp, making it a three-axis head to enable star tracking. It’s also available as a slightly more affordable version that lacks cellular connectivity. Both versions make images of the night sky possible, from automated stacks of short exposures to Milky Way panoramas.

Here’s how we got on with the first intelligent electric remote head for astrophotography.

Specifications

Max. lens focal length: 300mm

Control: Benro Polaris app

Max. payload: 15lbs/7kg

Alignment method: smartphone compass and one-star alignment via Polaris app

Power: built-in 2,500 mAh battery (or USB-C portable battery)

Tripod thread: 3/8-inch (and 1/4 inch adaptor screw) 

Weight: 1.98 kg (1.46kg Polaris Body Head + 525g Astro module)  

Dimensions: 160x139x125mm

Website: www.benro.com/en/product/benro-polaris.html

Key features

Most star trackers are fiddly devices with lots of small parts. They demand care and patience. Not so the Benro Polaris, which is sculpted from aluminum alloy. It requires a very sturdy, but with that in place, it can happily support a whopping 7kg of gear. That’s great news for anything approaching deep-sky astrophotography, which demands decently long, heavy lenses, though it tops out t 400mm. In practice, it’s a little less than that. The hardware’s IPX6 waterproofing is important, too, because dew can be an issue when on night shoots. 

The main unit comes has a micro SD card slot for recording images – not something we’ve seen before on a head or star tracker – as well as motorized knobs and levers for making positional adjustments (something that can also be done using the landscape-orientated Polaris app). 

With Benro Polaris wired up to a camera via its USB-C slot (it’s compatible with these cameras) and a smartphone tuned to its own WiFi network (though a cellular option is also available for those that want to be further away … say, sat in a warm car!), the Polaris app gives you complete in-app control of your camera. After it’s taken the image – with whatever parameters you chose – it presents a small image on your smartphone (though it can’t easily be post-processed or shared online), which it saves to that microSD card. 

It’s possible to use the Benro Polaris while sitting inside, but that’s severely limited by its tight WiFi network. The SIM card option is interesting, but the system would work better for those doing astrophotography in their backyard if it was able to be found and accessed on a home’s WiFi network.

Performance, quality and usability

Alignment is easy, but imperfect. It’s initially delightful, with the first half of the process needing only the compass in a smartphone to be placed alongside the mount for the Benro Polaris to figure out roughly where it is and what it’s pointing at. Then it’s necessary to do a one-star alignment. You need to pick a star from the app’s grid-style list, which the Benro Polaris will then attempt to line up with. It then presents a bullseye in the middle of the screen, with some digital joystick skills required to nudge the star into the center. There are 5x and 16x magnification options, but getting it perfectly aligned is tricky. In a basic sense, it’s not a problem because the Benro Polaris will slew automatically – and quite quickly – to any object in its (rather limited) database of stars and constellations (though Messier objects are in there, too, if you know to search for them). It puts the chosen object in the center of the field of view for photography to begin. 

However, as well as requiring the user to be able to align it with one star, it’s surely not the most accurate way of aligning. Sure, your smartphone tells the app where it is on the planet and the initial compass alignment gives it the cardinal directions, but what the Benro Polaris really needs is intelligent plate-solving as featured on the some telescopes, such as the Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian, and the best smart telescopes. It’s something of an oversight at this price. However, it’s still a huge advance from the manual polar scopes most star trackers use. 

It’s also fair to say that the app lacks polish. It has plenty of features, but it’s not a patch on the best stargazing apps. It should be. It needs to be. After all, it’s literally the user’s only navigational and photography aid. It even comes with AR, but what you see can’t be zoomed in on, is difficult to search within, and generally seems second-rate compared to the excellent hardware provided. 

One of the Benro Polaris’ most significant boasts is its accuracy. It promises control precision of up to 0.01˚ (36 arc seconds), meaning that longer exposures can be used without stars beginning to trail. We took several long exposures during our tests – from 30 seconds to three minutes – with several lenses. The Benro Polaris works best with relatively short exposures, particularly with anything over 200mm. However, it finds targets accurately and tracks them proficiently. You could easily take hundreds of 30-second exposures of deep-sky objects to stack – albeit within a wide field of view – and it’s more than accurate enough to use for wide-field night sky panoramas. Up to 60-second exposures are possible without trailing, but not much beyond. 

However, whenever we went off-catalog and slewed to re-frame a shot (for example, to get a balanced composition of the Pleiades and nearby Mars) the resulting image was marked with weird lines. This happened repeatedly. Other slight annoyances include ineffective automatic focusing at night and an inability, thanks to its physical construction, to image anything at the zenith (its tilt is limited to 80º). That’s something of a faux pas given that astronomical objects are literally at their best for astrophotography when they appear immediately above the viewer at 90º (called culmination). The Benro Polaris is unique and impressive as a star tracker, but it’s certainly not the finished article. 

Sample images

Verdict

The Benro Polaris Astro Edition is easily one of the best star tracker camera mounts for astrophotography available, but it’s also by far the most expensive. Its build quality is unrivaled among star trackers, but in use, it has its fair share of quirks. 

Using a smartphone to align to the stars is groundbreaking – and something we hope catches on with other star-tracker brands – but its one-star alignment seems a little basic. We wonder if two or three-star alignment (which most computerized telescopes use) or plate-solving tech to automatically align (as featured on smart telescopes) would allow even longer tracked images. 

Let’s hope the app keeps developing because the Benro Polaris has the potential to be a truly autonomous and easy-to-use star tracker – but it’s not quite there yet. 

Read more:

The best lenses for astrophotography

The best camera equipment for astrophotography

The best telescopes for astrophotography

Best deep-space telescopes

The best CCD cameras for astrophotography

Best light pollution filters for astrophotography

Submit a suggestion on what you think Chinese manufacturer, Benro, should name its latest yet-to-be-revealed tripod. The company says it's looking for a product name that reflects the characteristics of being Strong, Solid, and Portable.

What's in it for you? Benro says it will gift the creator of the chosen title one of these tripods for free as a reward, but also with their name laser engraved on it! That's pretty cool, and if you want to be in with a chance of winning it then submit your idea or be a part of the voting process before December 5th, 2022. 

• Take a look at our picks for the best tripods that money can buy

Benro is part of what is called the MAC group, alongside other well-known brands such as Mefoto and Tenba, and the company manufactures well-made tripods, heads, gimbals, and accessories for photographers that tend to be pretty reliable. 

The fact that Benro is asking photographers for input on the naming of its next product shows that it really does value its customers and their feedback, and isn't afraid to take suggestions instead of going it alone. 

If you have an idea for a tripod name that you think Benro will approve of, then be sure to enter it via the official website and you'll need to leave your email address too to be notified if your suggestion is the chosen one. 

I opted for "StiffStick" as my suggestion if you see it among the list of ideas, but I couldn't help but vote for "Mjölnir" as my favorite choice for the tripod name – Marvel fans will get it. At the time of writing, this choice only has 4 votes, placed at number 7 below the current top choice of "Titan" so be sure to show it some love if you're a God of Thunder supporter.

While I can understand the appeal of the name Titan for a tripod, it still seems a little commonly used in strong product naming, so hopefully, other photographers can contribute some fresher ideas to help out Benro, and ideally offer something better than StiffStick which is the best my brain can do after five hours of staring at screens.

Best of luck to those who enter to be in with the chance of winning a laser engraved tripod from Benro, we're excited to see what the winning name will be.  

You may also be interested in our guides to the best video tripods, as well as the best tripods and supports for iPhone, and the specialty best carbon fiber tripods, and not forgetting the best travel tripods and best budget tripods for photographers.

Before there were lightweight metal alloys and super-strong composites, all tripods had wooden legs, but it’s a bit of a rarity these days. Benro has opted for walnut for its special ‘Wood Edition’ of the TablePod tabletop tripod. 

It certainly looks pretty smart, especially along with the mini tripod’s bronze-colored aluminum components, but the Wood Edition is a fully functioning piece of equipment.

Traditionally, tabletop tripods were for applications such as still life work or photographing small objects, but now they’re also handy for vloggers or video live streaming, which is why Benro includes an adjustable smartphone adapter bracket in this kit. It all comes in an attractive presentation box that has a timber-look finish, but is actually just heavy-duty paper board in construction. Inside is the tripod, the smartphone holder, and a custom carry pouch. It would certainly make a handsome present for somebody.

Specifications

Type: Tabletop tripod.

Materials: Aluminum and walnut.

Max. Working Height: 19.5 cm.

Min. Working Height: 8.6 cm.

Load Capacity: 3.0 kg.

Folded Length: 22.5 cm.

Leg Sections: One.

Head: Ball-type with Arca-Swiss type quick-release plate.

Weight: 280 grams (total with head).

Build & handling

The TablePod looks just like a full-sized tripod that’s been shrunk in the wash. It has a fully-adjustable ball-type head with an Arca-Swiss type quick-release plate that slots into a rotatable base with a full 360º sweep. The single leg sections are turned pieces of solid walnut, tipped with rubber feet, and adjustable for angle just as you’d find on a big tripod. 

How low can you go? With the legs fully splayed, the working height is a mere 8.6cm. At the standard leg setting, it’s 19.5cm. There’s also an intermediate leg angle setting. Two of the legs have 1/4-inch screwthread mounting points and, when the head is detached completely, a spring-loaded 3/8-inch mounting screw is revealed which is a pretty clever bit of design.

It looks strong and it is… the maximum supportable weight is three kilos, which will cover a lot of mirrorless or DSLR body-and-lens combinations. Two 90º notches allow the ball head to be quickly switched to the vertical orientation, and each of the locking levers have a nicely positive and progressive action. 

The quick-release plate – Benro’s PU45 model – has safety end stop pins at either end and a three-way locking screw including a fold-out ring, so you’ll be able to get it pretty tight just by hand. The rotating adjustment is marked with a pan scale from 0º to 45º to 90º and then back to 45º and 0º, which is repeated to give the full 360º rotation. It would be handy to have a bubble level, but given most cameras now have dual-axis level indicators, it’s probably not a big issue. 

The rubber feet are nicely grippy and importantly won’t mark the surface… just in case you’re setting up on a valuable lacquered antique table.

Verdict

The Benro TablePod is possibly a product that you never thought you’d need, but it’s surprisingly useful, especially for macro work where you want to get really close to the subject. You probably wouldn’t have considered the Wood Edition either, but now it’s here, why not? The standard carbon fiber model has exactly the same specs and the price difference isn’t very much in return for something a bit different. 

There aren’t too many fully-functional tripods that’ll slot easily into a jacket pocket and it can be used wherever there’s something solid to sit it on, so it can double as an ultra-compact travel tripod too. It’s really nicely made, and this special edition does look particularly smart, but don’t be afraid to use it… it’s built for hard work.

So perhaps forget about buying the wooden TablePod for somebody else, treat yourself instead. 

Read more:

The best travel tripod
The best video tripods 
The best monopods
7 golden rules of tripod stability
Best ball heads for tripods
Best pan and tilt heads for tripods
Best gimbal heads for tripods

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.

Best carbon fiber tripods 

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 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 of from up on high. The tripod obliges, as you can remove the center column and attach the head directly 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 intuitive 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, other tripods 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

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Aluminum vs Carbon Fiber

Aluminum tripods are created from an aluminum alloy, and while it's 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 is 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 the top section of one leg, 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 differentiate between different models. 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 their 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

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The best mini tripods aim to give you the stability of a full-size tripod, while being lighter, more compact, and easier to carry. Typically, they weigh just a few hundred grams, and you can easily slip them into a pocket or inside a camera bag. They also cost much less than full-sized tripods. But, of course, their stunted size does mean that they don't offer the shooting height of a taller tripod – hence why they are often used on a table, wall, or other sturdy raised surface. They can open up all sorts of possibilities, including long exposures, group selfies, and more. Some are multi-functional and can be converted to a handgrip or selfie stick, offering extra functionality and flexibility when you're out and about with your camera.

It's important to note that mini tripods are also only suitable for lighter camera kit – think a mirrorless with a kit lens, compact camera, or an action cam, rather than a pro-level DSLR with a monster zoom attached. But they are not just for cameras, and are also supremely useful for supporting accessories like off-camera flashguns, light panels, or microphones. Many come with clamps that can also hold a smartphone – though if that's your prime reason for buying one, see my dedicated guide to the best iPhone and smartphone tripods.

Below you'll find my pick of the best mini tripods available today, and precisely which is best for you will depend on how and what you shoot. Some have bendable legs that can cling to protruding objects or sit on uneven surfaces, others have extendable legs or an adjustable central column for extra height, and several come with a ball head for precise angles and positioning. I've noted such features in my recommendations, but for more information, I've included links to our full reviews. Let's get to it…

Best mini tripods 

Best mini tripod for portability

Given Manfrotto's sterling reputation in the tripod market, it makes sense that the firm's mini support would also be impressive – and the Manfrotto PIXI is just that. It's a fairly standard mini tripod in many ways; small enough to slip into a jacket pocket or small bag and capable of holding up to 1kg of kit. It also adds a handy ball head into the mix with 360° of rotation and a simple push-button secure-and-release mechanism. However, it doesn't tilt up by more than 35°, making astrophotography impracticable.

I was impressed most of all by the build quality of the Manfrotto PIXI – its aluminum legs are smoothly curved in a way that just feels premium. What's more, when they close, they form a single rounded column that transforms the PIXI into a pretty serviceable camera grip, which is extra useful for video.

See our full Manfrotto PIXI mini tripod review

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Most flexible mini tripod

The Freewell Vlogpod is a tabletop mini-tripod with flexible legs, designed to be wrapped around various objects, such as posts and branches, as well as used on flat surfaces. The secret to its flexibility is a seven-strand aluminum core inside each leg, encased in durable ABS plastic and polyamide glass fiber. This construction allows the legs to be bent into your desired shape while maintaining the rigidity needed to support a payload of up to 3kg, which is plenty for a DSLR or mirrorless with a standard or wide-angle lens.

But it's not just for cameras. Underneath the sturdy camera mount is a spring-loaded cradle that holds your phone securely. This clever convertible mount sits atop a removable ball head that offers 360-degree panning and has a cutout for vertical shooting.

I was particularly impressed with the Vlogpod's ability to hold its shape firmly, even with heavier loads. The ball head is smooth to operate and secure once locked. While the tripod lacks a center column for height extension, this is compensated for by its ability to attach to elevated objects in the environment. It's a bit too bulky to carry in a pocket, but this is a necessary trade-off for its strength and versatility, and its 456g weight and overall strength make it a good and comfortable-to-hold solution for a flexible tripod.

See our full Freewell Vlogpod review

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Best value 2-in-1 mini tripod

The K&F Concept 62-inch 2-in-1 Selfie Stick Tripod offers a surprising amount of functionality for its low price point, acting as both an ultra-tall selfie stick and a lightweight tripod. Constructed from a blend of aluminum and plastic, it features a sleek 'carbon fiber-look' aesthetic, and the build quality is surprisingly impressive for an inexpensive accessory. Its standout physical feature is a seven-section telescopic center column that reaches an impressive maximum height of 62.1 inches (157cm). The downside is that, when folded, it measures 13.9 inches (352mm), which is rather long, but still manageable for backpacks.

At its lowest height, it is sturdy enough to support a small mirrorless camera (up to its 4.4lb/2kg limit). However, raising the telescopic column introduces significant wobble, making it less ideal for heavy equipment or windy outdoor conditions. It comes with a detachable Bluetooth remote that pairs easily with smartphones, which is particularly useful for remote shutter activation and long-exposure photography.

See our full K&F Concept 62-inch 2-in-1 Selfie Stick Tripod review

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Best premium mini tripod

If you're looking for a versatile tabletop tripod that isn't just confined to a tabletop, look no further than the Benro Tablepod Flex. Including a set of flexible legs inside the solid legs is ingenious, as it means you can attach it to any surface when you’re out and about. You can also configure the legs to form a monopod/selfie stick if you should need some extra reach and it comes with a mobile phone adapter so it can be used with either a smartphone, compact camera, or small mirrorless.

If you often use accessories such as a light or a mic, you'll be pleased to hear it comes with two accessory arms so you can attach different devices easily. It's a little on the expensive side for a tabletop tripod. But considering all the well-thought-out features, it's worth spending a bit more.

See our full Benro TablePod Flex Kit review

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Best tall mini tripod

The KraftGeek Variety Tripod is a highly adaptable accessory designed specifically for content creators, including vloggers, influencers, and TikTokers. It seamlessly transitions between a selfie stick, a tabletop tripod, and a full-sized tripod. Made primarily of aluminum, the tripod is relatively lightweight at just 450g and can support a maximum load of 2kg, making it well-suited for smartphones and smaller cameras.

A key feature is its impressive maximum height, which extends to 62.5 inches (158cm), and is super useful for creating professional 'to-camera' video presentations. Multiple cold shoe mounts enable easy attachment of accessories, such as microphones and LED panels. It comes with a flexible ball head for cameras and a rotating universal cradle for smartphones, offering compatibility with a wide array of devices.

While the tripod's extended height is a significant advantage, this comes at the cost of compactness when it's collapsed. It is not as portable as smaller, pocket-sized tripods. However, this tradeoff is well worth it, as the Variety Tripod provides a solid and stable platform and is a compelling and affordable choice for photographers who need a versatile and robust support system for their content creation needs.

See our full KraftGeek Variety Tripod review

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Best mini tripod with remote

The SmallRig SR-RG2 Multifunctional Wireless Shooting Grip is a handheld grip, selfie stick, and tabletop tripod that features a detachable Bluetooth remote control that not only fires your camera's shutter but can zoom in and out with compatible lenses and activate other programmable camera functions too.

While the center column is extendable for use as a selfie stick, it does not extend particularly far and cannot be extended when used in tripod mode, so the shooting height is not adjustable in this case.

The SmallRig SR-RG2 is a convenient, multifunctional support for photographers and videographers, and I was particularly impressed with its wireless remote's functionality, which offers far more control and flexibility than many dedicated remote shutter releases.

See our full SmallRig SR-RG2 review

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Best mini tripod for taking selfies

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.

See our full Neewer TP38 review

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Best mini tripod for heavy payloads

Able to hold as much as 10kg in weight, the Leofoto Ranger LS-223C can hold its own alongside many larger tripods. That's more than enough to hold a mirrorless setup or mid-sized DSLR, giving you real versatility from a tripod that slips easily into the bottom of a backpack.

It's pleasingly sturdy, with three leg sections, and has plenty of scope for precise angle adjustments. Its maximum height is about 12in (30cm), which is pretty good for a tabletop tripod, and is usually sold with a 360º ballhead. In my tests, I found it a great option for low-level shots of landscapes – and loved that it was much lighter than my usual travel tripod when stashed in my backpack.

However, in comparison to other tabletop models, the main drawback is its weight. It's significantly heavier than other tripods on this list, and arguably heavier than a tabletop tripod should be. However, if you want a sturdy mini tripod that can take a heavy camera set-up, this is a great option.

See our full Leofoto Ranger LS-223C review

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Best mini tripod for on-the-go content creators

If you're an on-the-go content creator, travel blogger or even a fitness coach, I can see the advantages of the KoalaPod: what you can wrap its flexible legs around is pretty much limitless. You can, of course, use it as a standard tabletop tripod, or as a small selfie stick for those moments when you want just a little more background than you can achieve with your arm's length.

Despite its bendy legs, it feels more secure than you might imagine. However, I wouldn't trust it to take the weight of my Sony A7 III with a lens attached, even though it's rated as able to take such a weight. But for smaller-bodied cameras with lightweight lenses, it's perfect.

See our full Benro KoalaPod review

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Best tripod alternative

The Platypod Delta is a mini-tripod alternative for situations where traditional tripods are not practical or permitted. It is essentially a flat, triangular sheet of aluminum alloy with retractable legs, offering a stable base for low-level photography.

At just 6mm thin, it is supremely portable, and easily slips into a pocket or can hang off a camera bag with its supplied carabiner. It only takes seconds to flip out its legs and can support a beefy 10kg load rating. A supplied strap enables it to be attached to posts or trees, and there's even a bottle opener stamped in. However, you will need to use it with a ball head, which does take away from the 'packs flat' aesthetic somewhat, and you can't adjust the shooting height.

The Platypod Delta isn't a replacement for a traditional tripod, but is invaluable for photographers facing situations where traditional tripods are not feasible, offering a practical solution for low-angle shots.

See our full Platypod Delta review

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How to choose the best mini tripod

How we test mini tripods

When we review mini tripods, we look at build quality, portability and vital specs, such as payload capacity. We take the mini tripods out into real-world conditions to assess how they perform in the field with both camera and smartphone setups. We look at the headline features and manufacturers' claims for a mini tripod, and test out how well they work in reality. We use our findings to inform our comments in product reviews and buying guides.

Find out more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World

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There are various types of tripod heads to consider, including traditional 3-way heads, geared heads, and more specialist items like gimbal heads, panoramic heads, and pistol-grip heads. For my money, though (and probably yours too), there’s no beating a ball head for quick and easy setup, making it possible to get a vital shot before the moment has passed.

We often spend a lot of time thinking about the best tripods to buy, and rightly so, but ball heads often get forgotten about. A good ball head can make a huge difference when it comes to shooting, so it's worth investing in a good one, especially if your tripod came with a relatively humble ball head as part of a kit. So what makes a ball head stand out from the crowd? Particularly for travel tripods, you want something compact and lightweight, so it doesn't weigh you down. It's worth thinking about the size of your setup and how much weight the head needs to support; if you're using a camera with a long lens attached, the maximum payload capacity is a vital consideration.

It's best to pick a head with a larger ball diameter: around 40 or 50mm is a good compromise between stability and portability. Of course, if you're using a small camera with diminutive lenses, you can probably get away with something smaller. But fancy ball heads will provide functionality, such as smoother panning movement and well-engineered quick-release systems, often based on the Arca-Swiss standard. An adjustable friction damper is often featured, enabling you to tailor the tactile feel for the camera kit you’re using at any given moment. For shooting video or taking sequences of shots to stitch into a panorama, a ball head with a separate panning lock/release can pay dividends. Let’s take a closer look at the best options on the market.

The best ball heads for tripods

Best for ergonomics

At first glance, Manfrotto's XPRO ball head doesn’t look particularly special, but there’s more than meets the eye. The magnesium construction is rated to support 10kg: enough for almost any full-frame set-up, yet the head tips the scales at a reasonable 520g.

At its heart is a fairly large ball for good stability, and its grease-free polymer housing enables exceptionally smooth movement, even with a lot of friction applied. The friction is set using a tactile, clicky wheel that’s better than most systems for dialing in a precise level of drag. Rather than using rubberized or knurled knobs, the ball and pan movement is tightened using levers that lock securely with minimal user effort. In testing, I found that this head was particularly good at resisting any sagging after tightening the main clamp and letting go of the camera.

The XPRO ball head can be specced with several mounting plate designs. I went for the Top Lock system which is Arca-Swiss compatible, with the QR plate released using a simple but effective button. The top plate is surrounded by three individual bubble levels for precision camera leveling, and they’re all viewable with your camera mounted.

See our full Manfrotto XPRO ball head review

Best for professionals

The ProMediaGear BH1 is a unique ball head that has excellent craftsmanship and ease of use. Equally, as at home in the kitbag of a landscape photographer or indoors in a studio, the BH1 is as solid and as precise as any ball head I've used. I liked its flexibility and the fact that I can operate the main lock knob and the pan lock knob quite easily while wearing gloves.

One thing that really impressed me is that the BH1 shines for its precision and complete lack of droop. All too often with ball heads, you can position a fairly heavy camera and lens, tighten the clamp, and find that everything sags a bit when you let go of the camera. That's certainly not the case with the BH1.

Sure, it's expensive and its movement is not as smooth as that of some of its rivals, but you're getting something uniquely precise – and if that’s your priority then the BH1 delivers.

See our full ProMediaGear BH1 review

Best for value

Keeping things simple doesn't mean compromising on quality. You may just need an unfussy ball head that works but still want the reassurance of a trusted brand. Step forward the Manfrotto 494 Center Ball Head, which comes at a great price but still offers that Manfrotto dependability.

Don’t be fooled by the price of this ball head, I found it was really rather good when I tested it. It can support up to 8kg of kit, and offers panoramic and friction control knobs for easy, intuitive operation. This version comes with the 200PL-PRO Quick Release Plate, and the head has an integrated RC2 quick-release cam lock. The aluminum construction is lightweight but reasonably hardy, and there's a dedicated tension control dial for the ball-and-socket movements.

Compared with many ball heads, the 494 has a very slim profile. That makes it ideal for use with travel tripods in which you extend the center column and swing the legs up, so that the feet surround the head for compact stowage.

Read our full Manfrotto 494 ball head review

Best for luxury

The Gitzo GH4383LR Center Ball Head Series 4 is a high-end, professional-grade ball head designed to support substantial camera setups, particularly those with long, heavy lenses. Its robust construction, crafted from high-tolerance steel and aluminum, ensures exceptional durability and stability. A large, hollow ball facilitates remarkably smooth movement, even in challenging conditions.

This ball head stands out as a versatile alternative to a traditional gimbal head, offering a fluid pan cartridge for jerk-free horizontal adjustments. It boasts an impressive 30kg payload capacity, and separate locking and friction control knobs allow for precise adjustments, and a firm locking mechanism that prevents unwanted movement.

Tipping the scales at 900g, however, it is relatively heavy, reflecting its robust construction and high payload capacity. Furthermore, its advanced feature set and professional-grade materials contribute to a steep asking price that might cause you to balk. Overall, it's a high-performance, solidly built head that will last a lifetime and is aimed at the most demanding professional photographers.

See our full Gitzo GH4383LR Center Ball Head review

Best hybrid for stills & video

Vanguard’s Veo BH-160S Dual-Axis Ball Head looks and feels very well made yet its price is attractively low. The controls are also nicely shaped to give a good, comfortable grip and allow you to apply the force that’s sometimes required.

The dual-axis design means that you can pan the complete head, or just the camera platform at the top. The latter gives the advantage that you don't need to exactly level the tripod legs if you're going to panning when shooting videos or panoramic sequences.

As with some other heads, it’s a shame that the bubble level isn’t visible when a camera is mounted, and it would be nice to see an Allen key provided, ideally on a key ring, to tighten the quick-release plate. Overall, however, it’s an excellent ball head that copes superbly with heavy optics to ensure shake-free images.

Read our full Vanguard’s Veo BH-160S Dual-Axis Ball Head review

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Best low profile

The Leofoto LH-36LR is a compact, low-profile ball head with an impressive 18kg (40lb) load rating, clever design, beautiful engineering, and luxurious finish. I particularly like its ease and speed of adjustment for both landscape and portrait orientations, along with its robust construction and resistance to sagging, even with heavy camera gear.

Its panning mechanism is super-smooth and includes a calibrated scale for accurate 15-degree interval adjustments. The large, comfortable main locking knob facilitates smooth, free movement, enhancing usability. Additionally, the inclusion of dual drop-notches ensures convenient accessibility at any rotational setting of the panning mechanism. The ball head’s design prioritizes both functionality and aesthetics, delivering solid performance across the board.

While it's more expensive than some competing heads, with its smart design, excellent build quality, and overall solid performance, the Leofoto LH-36LR is actually very good value for money and is highly recommended for photographers seeking a reliable and high-performing ball head.

Read our full Leofoto LH-36LR Ball Head review

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Best for flexibility

Although they tend not to come as cheap as other options, 3 Legged Thing's ball heads and tripods have a reputation for exceptional carrying capacity and stability. It's well-deserved. The AirHed Pro is the firm's flagship ball head, able to handle a whopping 40kg of kit (really more than you're ever likely to need) without issue. It is milled from aircraft-grade magnesium alloy, meaning it's not only strong but also lightweight, weighing just 323g.

It comes with an integrated 360-degree clamp that allows for smooth panning even on bumpy terrain, and its quick-release plate is Arca-Swiss compatible. It's an extraordinary piece of kit that does everything you need from a ball head and more. While it is more expensive than some contenders on this list, I'd add that the AirHed Pro represents absolutely fantastic value for money.

Two product options are available: the standard AirHed Pro has a knob to release the QR plate from the head, and the AirHed Pro Lever, which – you've guessed it – uses a lever release instead. Both versions have the same asking price.

See our full 3 Legged Thing AirHed Pro review

Best lightweight

Despite weighing only 400g, the Benro GX35 is able to support a whopping 35kg of camera gear, with extra stability assured by the relatively large 40mm-diameter ball. There's a dedicated panning lock for the rotating base of the head, along with a numbered degree scale to assist with shooting accurate multi-shot panoramas. What's more, a secondary panning axis above the ball adds even more panorama versatility.

The low-profile design of the head gives it a relatively squat appearance and works in your favor for low-level shooting. It also keeps the folded size of a tripod kit to a minimum, if you need to stash it away in small spaces.

An Arca-Swiss compatible mounting plate maintains easy cross-compatibility with other Arca-based tripods or monopods you may have, while the eye-catching design is supplemented by nice ergonomic touches like the knurled metal locking knobs.

See our full Benro GX35 review

Best budget

It's inexpensive for a big-brand tripod head, but the Alta BH-250 is still rated to support a whopping 20kg of kit. Build quality also feels reassuringly robust, but the ball movement isn’t quite as fluid-feeling as that of some other tripod heads and the D-ring on the quick-release plate needs to be better attached. Nevertheless, it’s capable of holding heavy lenses and camera set-ups still without drooping.

Such a hefty payload capacity does mean this isn’t the most portable option, tipping the scales at 577g and measuring 117mm tall, but the overall shape is slim and should sit comfortably within a tripod with flip-up legs. The relatively compact quick-release top plate helps with this, yet it still sports two useful, easily visible bubble levels, and maintains Arca compatibility.

Vanguard’s chunky, rubber-covered locking knobs are all very easy to grip, though the conventional friction adjustment dial isn’t quite as tactile as Manfrotto’s clicky design.

See our full Vanguard Alta BH-250 review

How to choose the best ball heads for tripods

Many of the considerations around which ball head to use for a tripod depend on what you're going to be using it for. If you want a lightweight option for run-and-fun shooting, then something of either plastic or lightweight metal will be your best bet. Alternatively, if you're working in a studio and want something that isn't going anywhere, then a solid metal construction is the way to go.

The type of mount is also important. The Arca-Swiss quick-release mounting standard is great for maintaining interchangeable compatibility with other tripod heads, but some manufacturers still stick to proprietary designs.

The requirement for smooth panning and tilting is another consideration. If you do a lot of these types of shots, then you'll probably want to spend a little bit more to make sure you get the best quality mechanism. There's nothing worse than jittery movements or a tripod head that seizes up after a few months of use.

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How we test ball heads for tripods

The main areas of testing are the build quality and the performance of the ball head. The build quality considers things like the materials and how durable they are. It also looks at how fit for purpose each individual part is – something that is important for a mainstay piece of camera equipment.

The performance of the ball heads is tested in real-world scenarios with a camera mounted on top. All the features are tested, and movement is put under the microscope, so to speak. Locking mechanisms are tried and tried again to make sure they are both robust and reliable.

I like to travel light, whether I’m walking city streets, trekking across the countryside, or jetting off to the other side of the world. Conventional full-sized tripods tend to be big, heavy, and unwieldy – so I often leave mine at home, making it completely useless. By contrast, the best travel tripods literally take a load off. They’re made to be compact and lightweight, but in the past, they’ve often been notorious for being flimsy, relatively unstable, and too small to offer a useful operating height. The new breed of travel tripod tempts me with the promise of giving me the best of both worlds.

Many modern travel tripods have legs that swing upwards for storage, so that the head is encircled by the feet. This typically reduces the folded height by as much as 4in / 10cm. Some also include as many as five sections in each leg, and a two-section extending center column, reducing the folded height even further, while still enabling reasonably lofty shooting. I find they take longer to set up and fold away, but it’s a trade I’m willing to make for smaller stowage.

These are the best of the best travel tripods, but if you're on a limited budget, you might also want to check out our guide to the best budget tripods, many of which are also travel tripods. I've linked each mini-review to our full reviews so you can get even more in-depth info on the models you're most interested in.

My recommendations of the best travel tripods

Best tripod overall

The Peak Design Travel Tripod may be the first tripod that Peak Design has made, but it's hands-down one of the best travel tripods that I've ever used! While I tried the carbon fiber model, there is an aluminum version that has all the same design features, with a little more weight and less vibration resistance, but is a massive 40% cheaper. A couple of the other tripods here will go higher, but the Peak Design will still go to eye level for an average-height person, and it packs down to just 39cm in length.

I like that it's designed to cut out the dead space between the legs and the column when packed, which means it's not just short when folded but very slim too – I can put this inside my camera bag or cabin bag instead of just strapping it to the outside. The low-profile ball head is simple but brilliant. There's a phone holder hidden inside the center column, and best of all for me, the tripod feels seriously rigid.

Read more: Peak Design Travel Tripod review

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Best for versatility

The Manfrotto Befree Advanced AS is a great travel tripod compromise: it’s sturdy but lightweight, folds down nice and small, and the clever head takes just about anything I can throw at it.

The included Befree Advanced 494 Center Ball Head is super quick and easy to work with, but fully featured, with independent adjustments for the main ball lock/release, plus an adjustable friction damper and a panning lock. Below the head is Manfrotto’s ‘Easy Link’ socket, which is ideal for mounting an LED video lamp, microphone, or other accessories.

You can have the Manfrotto Befree Advanced AS is an aluminum or carbon construction, but I reckon the aluminum option is the best value. It still weighs just 1.51kg / 3.3lb, making the complete kit impressively lightweight for an aluminum setup. What's more, you can also have this tripod with either twist clamps for the leg sections or lever locks, depending on your personal preference. The 9kg load capacity is also generous, and despite the tripod's low weight, it still feels reasonably sturdy, even at its full 150cm stretch.

Read more: Manfrotto Befree Advanced AS review

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Best alloy tripod

I find that all of the Punks tripods from 3 Legged Thing are very travel-friendly, but the Corey 2.0 is the smallest and easiest to pack for the journey. It has the usual swing-up legs to save stowage space, this time with five sections in each, plus a two-section head, enabling a decent maximum operating height but a very small stowage size.

Don’t be put off that this one’s not a carbon fiber tripod. It’s actually made from aerospace-grade magnesium alloy, and the upshot is that it’s still lightweight yet very strong, with a hefty 14kg maximum load rating.

It ticks another two boxes on my wish list by easily converting to a monopod and enabling ultra-low-level shooting, with the option of attaching the ball head directly to the canopy (leaving the center column out of the equation). All three legs are removable, and Vanz footwear (sold separately) transforms the Corey 2.0 into a stylish tabletop tripod.

Read more: 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey 2.0 review

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Best tripod for features

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 more: Freewell FW-T1 review

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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

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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

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Best lightweight tripod

With five sections in each swing-up leg and a two-section center column, this Vanguard folds down to just over a foot long yet gives a reasonable maximum operating height. I find it can easily fit into my daily bag or backpack. It’s also very lightweight, although, as expected, the alternative aluminum version is a little heavier. The bottom leg sections are quite spindly, with a diameter of just 11mm, but stability is pretty good even at full stretch.

As well as giving a typically quick and easy change to monopod configuration, the Vanguard is more unusual in coming complete with a smartphone adapter. I like that it works well as a monopod and even a selfie stick, so I only need to take one support for the journey rather than two or three.

Read more: Vanguard VEO 3GO 235CB review

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Best for sturdiness

The 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 is no ordinary tripod. It folds down to just 35cm in length but opens out to offer a maximum height of 146cm and a huge payload capacity of 30kg. That far exceeds the weight of any of my camera and lens combinations, but the net result is great rigidity.

I like that it has a detachable monopod leg that can also be used as a microphone or camera boom, a Tri-Mount system for adding accessories, and an innovative two-section center column. That helps it to fold down really small yet reach a decent maximum operating height. You can buy the legs on their own, but I’d get the complete kit with 3 Legged Thing’s new and improved AirHed Pro Lever ball head.

The Leo 2 is not the lightest travel tripod you can get, and not the cheapest, but its ratio of folded length to maximum height, combined with its all-around versatility, makes it one of the best.

Read more: 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 + AirHead Pro Review

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Best with 3-way head

The Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced is a lightweight photographer’s travel tripod paired with a three-way head. Although ball heads have become hugely popular, I actually prefer a 3-way head for the likes of architectural and close-up shooting, where precise adjustments can be critical. The 3-way fluid head in this case uses a hydraulic damping system to make it easy for smooth, fluid camera movements, so I find it also works well for shooting video.

The tripod, meanwhile, provides a good balance between capacity, weight, and price. It’ll take 6kg of kit and only weighs 2kg itself. I’ve tested lighter and stronger tripods, but they tended to be more pricey than this one.

It’s not as tall as some of the other tripods in this guide, and doesn’t fold down particularly small, the latter not helped by having a 3-way rather than ball head. But, for the vast majority of purposes, this is an impressive all-around package and merits serious consideration for any traveling photographer or videographer.

Read more: Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced tripod review

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Best compact tripod

A plus point for me when space is at a premium is that the Benro Rhino 05C VX20 (also called the Rhino Zero Series VX20) is the smallest in a group of four recently launched Rhino travel tripods. Compactness doesn’t equate to flimsiness, though, and I’ve found that it’s remarkably rigid and robust for such a compact tripod. Another nice touch is that Benro’s companion VX ball heads have a secondary pan axis just under the camera plate. It’s great for taking sequences of panned shots to stitch into a panorama, and shooting video, as the panning axis remains on the level without the need to meticulously level the legs as well as the head.

I find that travel tripods have limitations, including a lower maximum working height and longer ‘unfolding’ time, but this goes with the territory, and I can’t criticize the Rhino for that. Sure enough, this Benro doesn't extend to a particularly tall height, and outright rigidity can feel a little compromised if I fully extend all of the leg sections and both of the center column sections. When it’s not at full stretch, though, I find this Benro is as rigid as much bigger and heavier tripods.

Read more: Benro Rhino 05C VX20 review

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How to choose the best travel tripod

It’s good to be choosy when picking your perfect travel tripod for your needs and budget. Here are a few things to bear in mind…

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How we test travel tripods

We measure the maximum operating height of each tripod and its folded height for carrying, complete with the head attached. We also measure the combined weight of each set of tripod legs and head, using electronic scales, and measure the diameter of all leg sections, from the widest to the thinnest, using digital calipers.

We check the ease of use, smoothness, and precision of all available adjustments in each set of tripod legs and heads. This ranges from adjusting leg sections and pivot facilities (where available), to the locking mechanisms of the head, as well as independent pan and friction damping adjustments, where fitted.

To check overall stability, we shoot with a range of camera bodies fitted with wide-angle, standard, telephoto, and macro lenses. We look for good resistance to flexing and vibrations throughout the whole range of operating heights, including the tallest available settings, with the legs and center column fully extended.

Find out more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World

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Today's prices compared

Image stabilization is a wonderful thing, whether it’s in-camera, in-lens, or both. I often find that I can get pin-sharp shots at slow shutter speeds, the kinds of which I could only dream of in bygone times. Another upside is that I much prefer the freedom of movement I can enjoy in handheld shooting, compared with using a tripod, and it’s also one less thing to carry. But that’s not the whole story, especially when I’m using a big, heavy telephoto lens for the likes of sports and wildlife photography.

A good monopod can literally take a load off, as far as I’m concerned. Especially for long periods of shooting, when I’m covering a sports event, a heavy camera and lens kit can be a real pain in the neck (and the back). It’s great to be able to transfer all of the weight to a monopod and let it take the strain. In the absence of stabilization, they can also cut camera shake at slower shutter speeds in low light, and they're great for adding stability to video. But while a monopod might seem like a very simple device, there is a huge range of different options on the market with different advantages and drawbacks.

The quality of the build of monopods can vary greatly, as can their height, weight, and maximum payload. Some monopods have more leg sections than others, some have stabilizing feet that can sometimes also be used as mini tripods, and some even double as video sliders or have their own leveling heads. For the following guide, I've picked out some of the best options to suit a range of needs and budgets but, if you still feel that three legs are better than one, make sure you also check out our guides to the best tripods and the best travel tripods.

The best monopods

The best monopod overall

3 Legged Thing is a reliable British brand for tripods and monopods, and I've tested lots of their products over the years. The redesigned Trent 2.0 stands out for its impressive max load-to-weight ratio, able to support up to a hefty 30kg of kit. It can also reach very high, up to over two meters, all while being relatively light as well as more affordable than some of the brand's more premium options.

It features redesigned leg locks, which I found easy to operate even in the cold when wearing gloves. And there's the option to include 3 Legged Thing's Docz2 foot attachment, which adds extra stability and allows you to use the monopod hands-free (don't go too far!). The feet can be attached and removed, but that involves screwing them on or off.

The Trent 2.0 still measures a pretty chunky 60cm when packed down (an unavoidable trade-off for all that height). It also lacks a quick-release plate or head, so you'll need to have one already or buy one separately if you want to avoid having to screw the monopod to your camera every time you use it. If you don't mind those frustrations, I think this is a fantastic value for big setups.

Read our full 3 Legged Thing Punks Trent 2.0 review

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The best monopod for innovative design

Just when I think I've seen everything in monopod design, Benro comes along and surprises me with the Benro SupaDupa Pro MSDPL46C, which proves there's still innovation to be found. It's a clever monopod design with a few interesting tweaks that I really appreciated when I tested it.

First, there's a clever rotating foot that I found makes it easier to produce smooth panning movements without the heavy and expensive addition of a video head. Second, there's an inbuilt leveling head that offers 20-degree movement in all directions. Like the first feature, it doesn't offer the range and fluidity of a pan and tilt head, but I found it can be useful in certain situations. For example, you could lean the monopod up against a wall or railing to keep it steady and adjust the leveling head to set the camera straight.

Finally, the leg locks are all twist-style except for the top one, which is a flip catch. This makes it very easy to use the top section for quick height adjustments. All of these features make this a relatively expensive monopod, and it's probably more than most monopod users need, but these touches could make the difference, particularly for sports photographers who don't want the expense and weight of an additional head.

Read our full Benro SupaDupa Pro MSDPL46C review

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The best monopod for feet

Constructed from carbon fiber, the Vanguard VEO 2S CM-264TR is both lightweight and incredibly sturdy, a combination that’s not always easy to find. In the field, it proved to be a reliable companion. The twist-lock legs were quick to deploy and secure, allowing me to set up for a shot in moments.

The standout feature for me, however, was the set of tri-feet at the base. These offered a surprising amount of stability on uneven ground, giving me the confidence to shoot at slower shutter speeds without worrying about camera shake. While the added stability of the feet was a huge plus, I did find the panning function a bit stiff. It wasn't as smooth as I'd hoped for capturing fluid motion. The included smartphone clamp and Bluetooth remote were a nice touch, though, and I can see them being very useful for vlogging or behind-the-scenes shots.

Overall, I found the VEO 2S CM-264TR to be a versatile and dependable monopod. It’s a solid choice for any photographer who needs reliable support without the bulk of a full tripod. Despite the minor issue with panning, its robust build and thoughtful features make it a worthy contender if you need a little additional stability. If you don't mind a little extra weight, the Vanguard VEO 2S AM-264TR offers the same features but is made from aluminum.

Read our full Vanguard VEO 2S CM-264TR review

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The best value monopod

The Benro A48FD Series 4 Aluminum Monopod with 3-Leg Locking Base is an exceptionally solid support system that cleverly bridges the gap between a monopod and a tripod. One of the little luxuries I love is that it doesn't fall over if and when I let go of it, thanks to its foldout three-leg base.

Benro bills this as ideal for small cameras, but with its impressive 20kg (44lb) payload rating, I found it tough enough to support the heaviest camera setups with long lenses for both video and stills. At 6 feet 5 inches tall, I could use its four leg sections comfortably without stooping. The three flip locks operate with smooth, solid efficiency, and the base features a helpful ball joint for fluid panning and tracking.

The aluminum build is highly durable and won't shatter if hit, though it can feel cold to the touch in chilly weather. It is also nearly twice the weight of some carbon fiber alternatives. However, the tough build and removable three-legged stand make it cracking value for the money.

Read our full Benro A48FD Series 4 Aluminum Monopod review

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The best carbon fiber monopod

My first impression of the Benro Adventure 8x CF Series 3 Monopod was how incredibly lightweight it is, a real back-saver on long hikes. The carbon fiber construction is top-notch, providing a sense of durability that inspires confidence. I found the twist-lock leg sections to be a breeze to use, allowing for quick and silent adjustments, which is crucial when you're trying to capture wildlife. The monopod extends to a very generous height, which I, as a taller photographer, really appreciated.

In the field, it performed admirably. The large rubber foot at the base provided a solid grip on various surfaces, from rocky trails to slick city streets. I did find myself wishing for a little more stability in some situations, as the lack of tripod feet meant I had to be more mindful of my own movements to avoid camera shake. The foam grip was comfortable to hold, even in colder weather, and the attached wrist strap gave me an extra sense of security.

The Benro Adventure 8x CF Series 3 is a fantastic choice for photographers who prioritize portability and speed. While it may not offer the same level of stability as a monopod with tri-feet, its lightweight design and solid build make it an excellent companion for those who need to travel light and react quickly. It's a no-fuss, reliable piece of kit that I would happily take on my next adventure.

Read our full Benro Adventure 8X CF Series 3 Monopod review

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The most versatile monopod

Moza's original Slypod is an innovative 2-in-1 slider-come-monopod: a clever motorized device that could automatically extend at different speeds via a dedicated mobile app. Its big brother, Slypod Pro, which I'm concentrating on here, is an evolution of the same concept, with more power and a set of detachable feet.

It's mainly aimed at videographers, and most of the versatility is more beneficial for video than stills. When I tested it, I found the addition of the feet, larger than many such detachable bases, to be a welcome addition for allowing me to use the device vertically, hands-free. Using the motor in the vertical position, I was able to create smooth vertical tracking shots.

Meanwhile, fitted to a regular tripod, the monopod becomes a horizontal or angled slider or boom. Both in this position and vertically, it can automatically extend a total length of 1.46m. I found that the app works well, allowing me to regulate the extension speed between 0.5mm/s and 40mm/s to create different looks.

Unsurprisingly, given that it includes a motor, this monopod is far more expensive than most. It's also fairly heavy and measures 65cm when collapsed (without the tripod attachment). But while the motor is of limited use for photography, I found that it comes into its own as a slider or jib arm for shooting video.

Read our full MOZA Slypod Pro review

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The best tall monopod

I think this is the best monopod overall if you need a lot of height. A fast four-section design makes it quick to extend, and the lightness and rigidity of carbon fiber helps keep weight down while giving over 2m / 6.5ft of reach.

That level of extension might be more than what most people need to bring their viewfinder to eye level, but it can be useful in various scenarios, including situations where you want to shoot downward, over people's heads, or if you're on a hill or steps and the base of the monopod is lower than your feet.

When I tested it at its full extension, I felt reassured by the solidity of the build. The thick rubber grip feels secure and comfortable to hold, and the wrist strap provides extra security. I liked the grips on the ‘O-Pad’ twist locks on the leg sections to aid purchase for tightening and loosening.

There's an option to include the brand's Docz2 feet for extra stability, but, alas, no head is included. The Lance doesn't pack down small, so you'll need to strap it to a backpack to carry it. Also, due to the carbon fiber body, it is more expensive than 3 Legged Thing’s magnesium alloy monopods. If convenience and keeping weight down are priorities, it's a great buy.

Read our full 3 Legged Thing Lance review

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How to choose the best monopod for you

Buying a monopod doesn't have to be too complicated – fundamentally, all you're dealing with is a single-leg support for your camera – but there are a few things worth looking out for. It's worth thinking about the type of shooting you're doing and what you might prioritize based on that. Is it more important to you that a monopod is quick to set up or light to carry?

A monopod must be able to support the combined weight of your camera/lens/accessories setup, so the best monopod for you will depend on your kit. If you're using a lightweight mirrorless camera and a small lens, this will be a pretty different proposition than if you're using a hefty DSLR with a super-telephoto lens.

You also need to consider how high you need your monopod to go. This will depend on several factors, not least of which is how tall you are yourself. Monopods that reach greater heights are useful for high-angle work, but they're more expensive. If you're short in stature and you don't plan to take shots from high angles, you could save money by picking up a monopod that doesn't extend so far.

Also consider the practicality of each monopod's design. Monopod leg sections will be separated with twist- or flip-style locks. Twist-locks tend to be more secure, but flip-locks are faster. Tripod users tend to prefer more secure locks, but for a monopod, you may be better off with something that can be deployed faster in order to take advantage of the monopod's greater shooting versatility.

Monopod feet

Some monopods also have additional flip-out feet for more stable support. In some cases, these are fixed, and in others, the feet form a detachable base that can also be used as a handy mini tripod. Other types of bases include a fixed, rounded foot.

Monopod head

Like tripods, monopods can be fitted with different heads to allow panning and tilting, but in most cases, you will need to buy these separately. Most monopods have a standard 3/8in screw, which will allow you to attach most tripod heads, but it's always worth checking. See our pick of the best ball heads for options to accompany a tripod or monopod.

Monopod grips

Finally, at the top of the monopod, there should be a grip. As the monopod won't stand up on its own without your assistance, it's important that you're able to keep a secure grip on it, so this is something worth paying attention to. On cheaper monopods, the grip is likely to be foam, while some more expensive models use textured rubber.

Model variations

Be aware that many monopod brands make several variations of the same model, which sometimes have the same name but a different product code. For example, they may have a carbon fiber version and an aluminum version, or combination products that add in feet and/or a tripod head. On some retail websites, these variations often appear as different options under the same listing, so always be sure to check you are buying the version that you want.

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How I tested the best monopods

I have made this selection of the best monopods based on our reviews of each monopod and real-life testing in the field. To begin with, I set certain criteria as a minimum, choosing monopods capable of supporting the weight of a full-frame camera and lens combination. I also ensured the monopods were compatible with most tripod heads.

I then evaluated each monopod's strength, build, design, portability (weight and compactness), how quick and easy it was to set up, and useful features. Finally, I picked out the best monopod for different needs, considering more affordable options for those on a budget and more versatile options for content creators.

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FAQs

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We all know the value of using a tripod for shooting landscapes. Not only does it keep your camera rock-steady through the duration of an exposure, but it’s also a vital composition aid. It enables you to carefully compose your scene, then wait for just the right moment before firing the shutter. Jobbing pros also know that to maximize the sales potential of their shots, they have to shoot in both landscape and portrait orientations, so that their images are equally suitable for magazine or brochure spreads and covers.

However, tripods are primarily designed for shooting horizontally. While most tripod heads can be tilted by 90 degrees to flip the camera into a vertical orientation, this shifts the camera's position to the side of – and often below – the original shooting position, so your carefully considered composition needs to be redone from scratch. It also shifts the centre of gravity from directly above the tripod legs to one side, potentially destabilizing the entire setup.

An L-bracket is a camera plate that wraps around the camera in an L-shape, with the tripod mount running underneath and to the side of the camera. To change the shooting orientation from horizontal to vertical, you pop the camera off the tripod and remount it using the socket on its side. It takes mere seconds to change composition, which can make or break a shot if timing for the right light is critical.

On the face of it, an L-bracket is simply a right-angled piece of metal – but, as ever, there’s a little more to it than that. Let’s check out the L-bracket options…

The best L-bracket for your camera

Best custom-fit L-bracket

The Zelda QD is a custom-fit bracket for the Nikon Z5, Z6, Z6 II, Z7, and Z7 II mirrorless cameras, as their form factors are virtually identical. But don't worry if you don't own one of these models; 3 Legged Thing has a range of custom-fit brackets tailor-made for other Nikon, Canon, Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus cameras, so chances are there's one made specifically for your camera. The Nikon Z50 has the Zayla, the Z8 gets the Zooey QD, the Z9 has the Zaara QD, and the Nikon Z5 II and Z6 III get the Zadie, There’s also the Alfie and Arnie QD for various Sony Alpha cameras, the Riley QD for the Canon EOS R7, the Roxie QD for Canon EOS R5, R5C, R6 and R6 Mark II, the Freya for the Fujifilm X-T5, Gracy for Fujifilm GFX100S and 50S II, and the Ollie QD for the OM System OM-1.

The important thing is that they all fit their host cameras just as snugly, so you can apply the general points about the Zelda QD here to these other L-brackets. The 'QD' versions are updates to the original models, but with the addition of a quick-detach socket and compatibility with Peak Design Capture Clips.

Unlike universal aluminum brackets, these are crafted from a single piece of metal; with no joins, there shouldn’t be any danger of the right angle sagging over time. The camera connection screw doesn’t slide along the frame but is fixed in exactly the right place; a notch next to it slips into a recess on the underside of the host camera, ensuring it is perfectly lined up. The open side plate is designed to fit the ports of the host camera precisely, and the battery door is unobscured. There’s also a screw hole for attaching accessories. It fits its host camera so well that it’s the obvious choice if you own any one of these mirrorless machines.

The downside is, of course, that it won’t fit any other camera you might have – now or in the future, so if you upgrade to a new camera, you'll have to splash out on a new L-bracket too.

See our full 3 Legged Thing Zelda QD review

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Best L-bracket alternative

The Benro QRB95Dual Quick Rotation Lens Bracket is an interesting alternative to a traditional L-bracket. It feels more like a tripod collar that you’d typically find on larger telephoto lenses, but adapted for a wider range of lenses and camera bodies. The main appeal is the promise of quick switching between landscape and portrait orientations without having to remount the camera or significantly adjust the tripod head.

The rotation mechanism is smooth. A simple twist of the lock/release lever allows the camera to be rotated within the bracket, which is much quicker than fumbling with an L-bracket’s release clamps. The build quality is also impressive; the components are precision-engineered from aluminum and have a smart gunmetal gray finish, feeling very robust.

Setting it up initially is a bit fiddly, as you need to ensure that the lens is perfectly centered within the rotation bracket. This is crucial because if it's off-center, the composition will shift as you rotate the camera, which kind of negates one of the key benefits. But once set up, using it is pretty straightforward. It definitely speeds up the process of changing orientation. It’s not a complete replacement for a traditional L-bracket in all scenarios, but it offers a different, and in some ways more fluid, shooting experience.

See our full Benro QRB95Dual Quick Rotation Lens Bracket review

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Best universal L-bracket

3 Legged Thing’s Lexie is an Arca-Swiss compatible L-bracket, with a modular construction that makes it suitable for use on many cameras - and more than its predessor the Ellie. It’s available in Copper, Metallic Slate Grey or Darkness (matte black), and is made from anodised aerospace-grade magnesium alloy, with a 1/4-inch-20 stainless steel Stagsden screw to mount it on a camera. There are also four 1/4-inch-20 threads (two in the upright plate and two in the base plate) for attaching accessories such as a light, accessory arm or monitor.

3 Legged Thing supplies the two plates of the Lexie unconnected, so the first step in using it is to slot them together and tighten the bolts before adjusting the length of the horizontal plate (if necessary) to fit your camera. This means using the tiny hex key supplied in the box, which is a little fiddly.

With this done, it should be possible to mount the camera on an Arca-Swiss-type tripod head, in either portrait or landscape orientation, without shifting the focal plane and while keeping the centre point of the camera directly above the tripod for maximum stability.

Understandably, being a Universal L-Bracket, the Lexie may not fit as snugly as a bracket that’s designed for a specific camera, but it costs much less and has the big bonus of being transferable.

See our full 3 Legged Thing Lexie review

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Best ring bracket

The NiSi Wizard Camera Bracket is rather different from a regular L-bracket. Here, the camera mounting plate sits within a circular ring that can be freely rotated within a fixed circular mount that attaches to the tripod. As such, switching from landscape to portrait orientation is even quicker than using an L-bracket; rather than physically removing the camera from the tripod to reorientate it, you simply unlock the inner ring via a knob, rotate the whole shebang, and lock it again, the whole operation taking a fraction of a second – useful when time is of the essence, such as shooting a rapidly disappearing sunset.

While there are 90-degree click-stops to make getting the camera level in other orientations easy, you can also shoot off kilter, should you wish, for the 'Dutch tilt' look, or even upside down – ideal for low-level shooting when the camera is suspended below the tripod.

There are several different-sized versions, ranging from 63mm to 82mm in diameter, depending on your preferred camera/lens combo, so it isn't quite the one-size-fits-all solution of a 'universal' L-bracket. The downside of the ring design is that it can obscure Function buttons with some cameras and lenses, and block vari-angle screens in portrait orientation when using cameras that have a handgrip.

See our full NiSi Wizard Camera Bracket review

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Best for large cameras

By far the most substantial bracket here, Manfrotto’s Q2 is a one-piece design and is constructed from magnesium. While most other brackets come with an Arca Swiss fitting, the Q2 is compatible with Manfrotto’s 200PL-14 quick-release plate; Arca Swiss plates slide along the length into a tripod mount, while this clicks into a fixed position on the tripod head. Further variations are the RC4, fitted with 410PL plates, and the Q5, which uses 501PL plates.

The Q2 comes with a Y-shaped ruler to measure the distance between the lens barrel and plate; the idea is you set the same distance between the lens and both the base and side plates, so the center of the lens is perfectly lined up in both portrait and landscape orientation. Other features include a level bubble, and a pullout peg to prevent the camera from rotating.

The Q2 dwarfed all my mirrorless cameras to the point of being difficult to use the controls. This bracket is really designed for the squarer shape of bigger pro-grade cameras that have an oversized built-in grip, or when a battery grip is fitted to the camera.

See our full Manfrotto Q2 review

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Best for video

It may be marketed as an L-bracket, but the Chromlives Camera L-Bracket Mount Video Grip offers quite a different take on the traditional L-bracket. Instead of focusing on tripod mounting, it's all about enhancing the handheld shooting experience, particularly for video, with a sculpted handgrip designed to offer a more secure and comfortable hold for your camera.

There are a pair of robust metal cold shoes that come with clamping mechanisms and locking screws, for firmly attaching flashguns, external microphones, LED panels and the like without worrying about them falling off. This is a bonus for run-and-gun videography, where you need a compact and reliable setup.

While it’s not designed for quick portrait/landscape switching on a tripod like other L-brackets, that’s not its intended purpose. Its strength lies in providing a solid grip and convenient mounting points for accessories when shooting handheld. It's well-made, especially considering its price point. If you’re looking for a way to improve your handheld stability and add essential accessories to your camera rig, the Chromlives Camera L-Bracket is worth considering. It’s just not an 'L-bracket' in the conventional sense, but it offers a practical and affordable solution for those specific needs.

See our full Chromlives Camera L-Bracket Mount Video Grip review

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L-bracket:  things to look out for

1. A universal bracket offers flexibility to upgrade your camera, but a custom-fit bracket ensures a perfect fit.

2. Most L-brackets are Arca Swiss-compatible: if your tripod head doesn’t have this mount, it won’t fit.

3. Designs that enable you to access the battery door are handy should you run out of juice mid-shoot.

4. Some brackets obscure the connection ports, which may be a problem if you like to shoot tethered. It may be preferable to use a wireless remote, rather than a cable release.

5. An L-bracket often obstructs the battery compartment of the camera – insert fully charged batteries before you attach the bracket to save you time disassembling the setup during your shoot.

6. Take advantage of your bracket and don’t move the head once it’s level (excluding pivot functions). Adjust the legs if you need to re-level your camera.

7. Rubber strips on the base plate prevent scratches and scrapes on the underside of your camera.

8. Larger lenses often come packaged with a rotatable lens collar, fitted with a tripod screwthread. This is a better option to an L-bracket for these front-heavy setups as it reduces strain on the lens mount.

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Benro makes two versions of the MeFoto RoadTrip Pro tripod; the first has carbon fibre legs (reviewed here), while the second has aluminum legs (and costs less at around $249.95/£180). Both varieties are available in three color variants, black, silver and blue - it's the color of the metal locks and canopy that changes.

When the five-section legs and two-section centre column are extended fully, this tripod is 152.5cm tall, which puts it in the full-height tripod category. The lowest shooting level, 39.5cm, is achieved by setting the legs to the widest of their three angles and extending the centre column up until its base clears the ground. 

There are a couple of options if you want to shoot at a lower level than this. The first is to unscrew the base of the center column so it can be removed and reversed in the canopy and then shoot with the camera hanging upside-down.

Removing the base of the centre column reveals a set of small legs that offer an alternative for low-level shooting. These can be attached directly on to the ball head to create a tabletop or mini tripod. The small legs can also be attached to the base of the centre column to create a different type of stand, but it's hard to see why you'd opt for this less stable approach when you have a tripod.

The included ball head is Arca-Swiss compatible, and its quick release plate houses a neat smartphone clamp capable of holding phones from 60mm to 90mm in width. The head has a pan lock at its base and a ball-lock higher up. In addition, the quick release plate has a panorama control.

Like the Vanguard Veo 3T 235CBP, one of the RoadTrip Pro's legs can be unscrewed and attached to the centre column to create a monopod of up to 158cm in height. A rubberized cover near the top of the leg gives extra grip and denotes which leg can be used to create the monopod.

Alternatively, the removed leg can be turned into a selfie stick, with or without the tripod head. 

Specifications

Material: Carbon fiber and aluminum

Folded length: 385mm

Maximum height: 152.5cm

No. leg sections: 5

Weight: 1.64kg

Maximum load: 8kg

Build and handling

I'm not really a fan of the blue version of the Benro MeFoto RoadTrip Pro Carbon Fibre tripod, but some may like the splash of color. However, the silver version looks very smart and the black version is the most understated. 

Whichever color you opt for, the quality of the build is immediately apparent. The knurling on the leg and column locks is very smart, and while it doesn't give quite as much grip as the rubber of chunkier locks like those on the 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0, it seems perfectly appropriate to the size and weight of this travel tripod.

Benro supplies the MeFoto RoadTrip Pro in a reasonably smart drawstring bag, and when the legs are folded up over the head, the tripod measures just 38.5cm and slips in neatly.

When adjusting the leg angles, you'll discover that the locks aren't sprung, so you have to pull them out, adjust the angle and push the locks home again before clicking the leg into position. 

You might expect to find some spiked feet inside the legs when you remove the standard rubber feet; instead, there's a 3/8-1/4-inch adapter stud for mounting the quick release plate to the removable leg to create a selfie stick, plus a mini screwdriver and a hex key for tightening the leg bolts. 

Performance

Overall, the Benro MeFoto RoadTrip Pro is a good performer. Even with the centre column fully extended, it's remarkably stable for its weight and build. You need to take care in windy conditions, but it's capable of supporting a full-frame camera and standard zoom lens.

If you want extra stability, Benro provides a hook that can be attached to the bottom of the center column for hanging a weight. 

It takes less than a minute to invert the center column, but if I was planning to shoot at close to ground level, I'd be inclined to use the small legs on the ball head as this keeps the camera the right way up.

Benro opted for relatively small lock knobs on the tripod head, but the rubber cover on the ball lock gives sufficient purchase to allow you to lock it tightly. The primary pan lock and quick release plate knobs have a hard slippery finish, but it didn't prove problematic. 

After fiddling with the quick release plate panoramic lock for quite a while and checking the instructions, I'm still none the wiser about what it's supposed to achieve.

Verdict

There's a gimmicky element to the Benro MeFoto RoadTrip Pro Carbon Fiber tripod, but it's an excelled travel tripod and the built-in monopod and mini tripod are genuinely valuable additions. It's great that things like the hex key, small tripod legs and smartphone clamp are contained within or attached to the tripod because you're unlikely to forget or lose them, but it does mean that the tripod is a little heavier than it needs to be.

• The best tripod
• The best travel tripod
• The best video tripod
• The best travel camera
• The best monopod
• The best camera bag for travel

If you're after a tabletop tripod that delivers the sturdiness of a tripod with rigid legs but the versatility of one with flexible legs, the Benro TablePod Flex Kit is perfect. This versatile, compact tripod features carbon fiber legs that store flexible, rubber legs inside for those moments you need to secure your camera to a branch, post or or another tube-like surface. 

It comes with an arca-swiss style ball head so you can easily angle your camera in the correct position and you can quickly change between portrait and landscape mode. Like the Benro KoalaPod, it comes with an auxiliary locking ring to prevent the legs from becoming loose, a quick-lock clamp and a mobile phone adapter mount. 

Benro TablePod Flex Kit: Specification

Weight: 0.43kg
Bubble Level: No
Centre Column: no
Converts to Monopod: N
Foot Size: 21mm
Foot Type: Rubber Foot
Head Mount: 3/8"
Head Type: Ball Head
Independent Leg Spread: no
Leg Sections: 1
Leg Type: Round
QR Plate - 5 x 3.8cm

Benro TablePod Flex Kit: Features

One of the things I hate about tripods with flexible legs is that if you want to use it just as a "normal" tripod, they're just not as good. That is where the Benro TablePod Flex really stands out. It comes with rigid, carbon fiber legs, but hidden inside them are three flexible legs that not only extend the tripod leg length but also make it easy to attach to other surfaces. 

Considering how small the tripod packs down, if you choose to use it with both the flexible legs and the rigid legs, the tripod measures an impressive 42cm. The rubber legs can be attached to the bottom of the carbon fiber legs using a 1/4-inch screw which enables you to wrap them around even more surfaces that perhaps have hard-to-reach holds. 

I tested the TablePod using my iPhone 11 and my Sony A7 III and Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 but while both cameras felt sturdy, I would still be a little cautious about attaching my professional camera to the tripod when it's in a wrap-around configuration quite far from the ground. 

Benro TablePod Flex Kit: Performance

The Benro Travepod Flex Kit is great to take traveling and ideal for content creation on the move as it's really light weight, folds up small and can easily fit in a rucksack or even a tote bag. The ball head and arca-swiss plate lock on really tightly so that everything feels secure and you are able to adjust the tilt of the ball head as well as the swivel. Rather conveniently, the ball head also shows numbers in relation to the angle you need it at so if you want a right angle you can perfectly align it to 90°. 

I found it most sturdy when using it just with the three rigid carbon fiber legs however the flexible lens do make it really versatile. The one down side is as they are quite short so it's quite difficult to secure it around anything much thicker than 4 or 5cm as you can't wrap the bendy legs around it enough. However using the rigid legs you are able to tend how far the flexi legs can reach which can help create unique configurations and enable you to shoot in the most unlikely of setups. 

The arca swiss plate is really easy to take on and off, you can either attach your camera direct to the quick-remove plate or you can attach the phone mount if you are using your smartphone to shoot. 

Benro TablePod Flex Kit: Build and handling

The build quality of the Benro TablePod Flex Kit is very good. Everything feels well made, the legs and ball head move really smoothly and little details such as the auxiliary locking ring and quick lock clamp ensure that the legs don't move when using the tripod. Each leg comes with an extra 1.4-inch female screw so that a flexible accessory arm can be attached should you want to use the tripod with an LED panel or a mic (though the arm will need to be purchases separately).

Unlike other flexible tripods, the rubber legs feel really secure and when wrapped around different surfaces it really does stay in place - especially when using the locking ring and quick lock clamp. You never have to worry about forgetting the flexi legs either as they are stored inside - a feature I've never seen before but have really grown to love. 

Everything packs down into a small carry case that comes with a carabiner so that if you don't have quite enough room to fit it inside your rucksack you can attach it outside like you would with other, larger tripods.

Benro TablePod Flex Kit: Verdict

For a content creator that needs a lightweight kit that can be used anywhere, the Benro TablePod Flex Kit is perfect. It folds up really small and comes in a handy carry bag. It feels incredibly well built and Benro has paid careful attention to detail such as adding an extra 1.4-inch screw to each leg so you can attach an accessory arm to mount a mic or light. Each leg contains a hidden flexi leg which screws onto a rubber foot so you can easily remove it from the carbon fiber leg without it getting stuck. 

I also found the tripod to be quite useful to use as a selfie stick if you put all the feet of the tripod together. You can either use it with the extended flexi legs or just by itself. 

It's only really designed to shoot static scenes or photos so if you're a video content creator and what to be able to pan up and down or left and right, there is probably something better out there for you. But for someone who records vlogs, TikToks, interviews or tutorial videos, it's well equipped to shoot wherever you need it to. 

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The Benro KoalaPod is a versatile, flexible mini tripod  designed that will help you capture content wherever you are. It can be used with a compact camera, a small mirrorless camera or with your smartphone using the bracket provided. There are traditional three-leg versions of the Koalapod, or a five-legged version. We tested the latter, which as two flexible accessory arms included - these can be attached to the tripod and used to mount a microphone and/or an LED light or monitor. 

A ball head attachment makes it really easy to angle the camera exactly as you want and you can tighten it up so that your equipment is secure. The phone mount is able to accommodate phones between 4.8cm and 10cm and it can be angled in almost any direction. 

Benro KoalaPod: Specification

Weight : 0.22kg
Ball diameter: 22mm
Closed length: 26.5cm
Head type: Ball Head
Leg diameter: 16
Leg sections: 1
Leg type: Round
Load capacity: 1.5kg
Maximum height: 21cm
Top plate diameter: 3.2cm

Benro KoalaPod: Key Features

Flexibility is the main key feature of the Benro KoalaPod. While you can use it as a standard tabletop tripod when its legs are straightened out, it's really designed to be used in hard-to-reach places. 

Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker or a bit of both, the KoalaPod is great for capturing content that needs to be shot from interesting angles or somewhere there are no flat surfaces. While bendy tripods are nothing new, the design of the KoalaPod is a lot better than the Joby GorillaPod for example. At first glance, it might seem like you can only wrap the legs of it around relatively thin surfaces but you can in fact extend the legs so that they are longer and can fit around bigger objects (more on that later). 

Another great addition to the KoalaPod is the additional two flexible legs it comes with which can be attached to an accessory such as a light or mic and screwed directly onto the KoalaPod.  

Benro KoalaPod: Performance

While the Benro KoalaPod is designed to be used with either a compact camera, mirrorless or a smartphone, I personally wouldn't trust it with my Sony A7 III - even if the payload is 1.5kg. It's ideal for use with a phone or even a small camera such as the Canon EOS M50 Mark II or the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II but there's no way you'll find me attaching the KoalaPod to a tree with my main camera mounted to it. 

It works really well as both a table top-tripod or wrapped around something. It is a bit more difficult to wrap it around something chunky such as a drainpipe due to the length of the legs. Even with the extended legs, it didn't feel all that secure which is a slight limitation but something you can learn to live with.  

Benro KoalaPod: Build and handling

The KoalaPod is made of really sturdy, flexible rods covered in easy-grip rubber so that it's comfortable to hold and helps keep it in place. The ball head can easily be tightened and you can quickly move it from landscape to a portrait position. 

The one thing I found really frustrating about the KoalaPod is that while it's advertised as having extendable legs, I couldn't work out a way to make easily them longer. I thought you might be able to use the accessory arms as extensions but there is a male screw on each end so you can't actually attach them. It seems like there are too many male attachments and not enough female - the only way I could extend the legs is by removing one of the tripod legs altogether and using that as the extending leg. 

That aside, the tripod felt really secure regardless of whether it was on a flat surface or wrapped around something. It's easy enough to bend and straighten the legs and quick to attach accessories. It's a little fiddly tightening the ball head once in position but so long as you grasp the actual tripod tightly with on hand, you can make it really secure. 

It comes with a metal auxiliary ring that can be slipped over the tripod legs to help keep them in place and ensure they don't slip in the middle of filming and a quick-lock clamp so you can attach two legs together for extra strength.

Benro KoalaPod: Verdict

If you're an on-the-go content creator, travel blogger or even a fitness coach I can really see the advantages of the KoalaPod. For the price, it's much better than most tabletop tripods and it's especially useful if for example you're in the gym and you want to record a workout as what you can attach it to is pretty limitless. Even just using it as a standard table-top tripod, it feels more secure than you might imagine or you could just use it as a small selfie stick for those moments where you want just a little more background than you can achieve with your arms length. 

As I've mentioned previously, I wouldn't trust it to take the weight of my Sony A7 III with a lens attached even though it's advertised as being able to take the weight but for a phone or smaller camera, it's perfect. 

It packs down into a small drawstring bag that'll easily fit in a tote bag or rucksack making it great for taking on holidays or to festivals - basically anywhere you might want to be able to take photos hands-free or from unconventional angles. 

Whether you're a professional or an amateur, this would make a great addition to a mobile content creation kit. It won't break the bank, it feels like it's well made so will last a long time and you'll be able to get more interesting shots.  

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Benro has just launched a brand new carbon fiber gimbal designed to be used with the smaller cameras bodies and long telephoto lenses being released these days. The Benro GH5C Mini is a lightweight, robust gimbal that will enable bird, landscape or wildlife photographers to maneuver cameras with long lenses more easily. 

Since 2002, Benro has been supplying photographers and videographers with some of the best tripods, best ballheads and best gimbal heads money can buy. Its mission is to design and build products that exceed the demanding needs of photographers and filmmakers while setting new standards with cutting-edge technology. 

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This latest release from Benro might “just” be a gimbal but it’s great news for anyone who wants a gimbal that combines high-quality materials and advanced precision when it comes to balancing long lensed with a lightweight had. It weighs just 1.1kg and is able to take an enormous payload of up to 30kg so even if you’re shooting with a Canon 600m f/4 prime lens – you’ll still be able to balance it. 

Aimed at dynamic sport and wildlife photographers, the Benro GH5C Mini features a lightweight sliding release plate and an adjustable height platform that allows you to precisely balance your camera and lens combination and track moving subjects with ease. You can adjust the tension on the large tilt pivot knob in order to capture 360-degree panoramas, and an integrated bubble level enables the user to perfectly calibrate the head and prevent uneven movements.

It comes with a lightweight, Arca-Swiss style release plate so you can quickly attach and release your camera when shooting and when you’re finished the gimbal can be packed away into its branded drawstring bag.

The Benro GH5C Mini is now available to buy from certified Benro dealers for an RRP of £465/$499.

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The GX35 is the largest of Benro’s GX series of low profile ball heads. While the GX 25 and GX30 can handle maximum payloads of 25Kg and 30Kg respectively, the GX35 can cope with loads of up to 35Kg. Of course, with photographic gear, it’s the distribution of the weight that tends to be the issue rather than the total weight, but a heftier head should be able to cope with bigger, longer lenses than a small one.

A large ball diameter also helps to make it easy to move a heavy camera set-up smoothly and the GX35 has a 40mm ball. 

Benro makes the head from aluminum and it has an Arca-Swiss compatible clamp and quick release plate.

There are a couple of interesting features that set the Benro GX series heads aside from others in the market. Firstly, the quick release plate clamp can only be unscrewed so far before you have to pull it out to unscrew it further and release the plate. That means that your camera is unlikely to be  released accidentally from the head.

There’s also a dual panning control, similar to the on the Vanguard Veo BH-160S Dual-Axis Ball Head,  which is useful for shooting panoramas on uneven ground. Normally when you shoot a panorama you have to ensure that the base of tripod head is level so that the horizon stays level as the camera is panned. In theory this is simple to achieve as it’s just a case of adjusting the length and/or angle of the legs to get the head level, but in practice it always take a while. The GX35, however, has a panning mechanism immediately below the plate clamp as well as the usual one at the bottom of the head. This means that the ball can be used to get the camera level and the panning rotation can be made from above the ball. 

Specifications

Height: 85mm

Base diameter: 51mm

Weight: 400g

Controls: Dual pan, ball lock/friction, clamp lock 

Plate compatibility: Arca-Swiss

Maximum load: 35kg 

Build & handling

The Benro GX35 Low Profile Ballhead is quite an unusual looking ball head because the ball lock and friction control knob sticks out from a lump on the side of the main body, rather than the body itself. In addition, the quick release plate sits quite high up in the clamp.

All three of the control knobs on the GX35 are a kind of flat-topped conical shape with deep ridges that ensure a good grip. The largest knob is the ball release and friction control and it affords plenty of control over the ball movement. It means that this is not one of those heads that slips easily from too loose to locked tight and back with a nano-twist.

Lower down, a smaller knob allows you to lock or release the standard panning mechanism while the upper one is control by a thumb release. Should you need to, this can be pulled out and moved a more convenient location if you find it at an awkward angle to operate.

The plate clamp knob sits on the opposite side of the head from the upper panning release. When the plate is clamped, it’s released by rotating the knob through a little over 180° where there’s a stop and the knob has to be pulled out before it can be rotated further to allow the plate to be removed from the head. It’s a clever locking mechanism that avoids the need for an extra latch, button or lever.

Performance

The GX35’s quick release plate bolt has a coin slot, hex socket and a flip-out D-ring, so there are plenty of options for fastening it. However, it’s best to use the D-ring to get it finger-tight and then switch to using the supplied Allen key to tighten it properly.

I found the plate a bit fiddly to get into the clamp as it sometimes catches on the front edge, but once it’s in and the clamp is fully closed, it feels very secure. 

With the 1.57kg Nikkor AF-S 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 G ED VR mounted on the 765g Nikon D7100 and attached to the GX35 via the lens’ collar, I found it easy to get the composition I wanted and to lock everything in place. As the camera and lenses are well-balanced there’s virtually no drooping when I let go of the camera after tightening the head ball lock. 

Switching to a less well-balanced set-up with the quick release plate on the camera causes some sagging after I stopped supporting the lens, but as I’ve found with other tripod head’s, this is the result of movement between the release plate and the camera. A more robust camera gives a more secure mount, but everything plays a part, the tightness of the plate on the head, the head and the tripod itself.

Verdict

While the release plate is a bit awkward to mount in the head, the Benro GX35 Low Profile Ballhead is a very well-made tripod head that can cope with heavy cameras and lenses. 

Although the release plate is a bit fiddly to fit in the clamp, the head holds it securely and the safety mechanism for the release is ingenious. The second panning mechanism is also a brilliant addition that solves a common problem remarkably easily, making the head a great choice for anyone who likes shooting panoramas.

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Benro has just launched two brand new flexible tripods that are designed to work virtually anywhere. Aimed at filmmakers and content creators that shoot on the go, the Benro KoalaPod and the Benro Table Pod Flex kit feature rubber legs and feet that you can bend into a tripod shape or wrap around a post, tree branch or railing to get that perfect shot. 

Some of the best tripods are made by Benro but this latest product is something completely different from anything it's released before. The difference between the two products is that the Benro Table Pod Flex Kit comes with 3, solid carbon fiber legs that can be removed and replaced with rubber flexible legs (which rather cleverly are stored inside the solid leg) while the KoalaPod just has flexi legs. 

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For a content creator looking for versatility, the Table Pid Flex Kit can also be used as a selfie stick by attaching the rubber legs, and lengthways to the carbon fiber legs or creating completely unique configurations by combining the flex legs and the carbon legs via a 1/4 inch screw. 

The Table Pod Flex Kit is quite big when collapsed compared to other tabletop tripods. It measures 30cm, weighs 0.45kg and takes a payload of up to 3kg. If you’re after something slightly more compact and don’t need it to take as much weight, the KoalaPod might be a better option as it’s slightly smaller at 26cm, weighs 0.22kg and supports a weight of 1.5kg. 

The KoalaPod is aimed at content creators, filmmakers and vloggers who use some of the best camera phones and best compact cameras to shoot their work. It features a ball head with a ¼ inch mounting thread that enables the user to level the camera while built-in accessory mounts allow you to attach accessories such as an LED light or microphone. 

Both tripods come with a metal auxiliary locking ring that reduces stress on the legs and improves the tripod's longevity. Also included is a quick-lock clamp that secures two legs together, once again making the tripod more sturdy and likely to last longer.

Whether you prefer to shoot in portrait or landscape, both the KoalaPod and the TablePod make it easy to do so. The Koala Pod has an adjustable ball head while the TablePod has a quick 90° locking mechanism to switch between the two. 

You can buy the KoalaPod either on its own in a basic bundle which includes the tripod, the auxiliary locking ring, the quick-lock clamp and a drawstring bag to keep it in or as a kit that also comes with a folding phone clip and two rubber accessory arms. The stand-alone tripod will cost you $40/£35/AU$79, but the kit is probably the best value option at just $50/£45/AU$99. 

The Table Pod Flex Kit has an RRP of $160/£140 (Australian price TBC).              

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Benro has announced The Aureole, “The First Detachable Multi-functional Filter Mount Adapter System”. It’s a lens adaptor and rear filter holder all in one (though at this stage we would like to point out that Canon already makes a similar EF-RF adaptor that takes drop-in filters).

Benro’s pitch seems to be that a lens adaptor is a much better place to put filters than on the front of the lens, saving both weight and bulk in the process. Adaptors like this only work, however, where you are using a lens with a long flange distance, e.g. a DSLR lens, on a mirrorless body with a shorter flange distance –  there needs to be space to insert the adaptor between the lens and the body.

At the moment, Benro has announced two adapters – an RC1 Canon EF to RF adapter, and RE1 Canon EF to Sony FE adaptor, though it hints that more might follow. Both have slots at the top and the side to allow the insertion of Benro’s new filter range.

How the Benro Aureole works

The filter frame itself can accommodate a single round or square filter, two round filters or a square and a round filter. Benro mentions polarising filters, ND filters and ND grad filters, but has not so far mentioned variable NDs or indeed pricing for these filters.

We assume the ND filters can be slid up and down to adjust the transition point – the filters have a gear 'rack' in the frame – and CPL filters can be rotated by a knurled wheel. There is a 1/4-inch tripod screw socket in the base, which could be useful for balancing heavier lens combos more effectively, and we like the idea that filters can be inserted from the top or the side.

Benro is very keen to point out the weight and size saving of a system like this over conventional front-mounted filters, but we’re not so sure about sliding filters in and out BEHIND the lens – mirrorless cameras have enough sensor dust issues as it is, without giving dust an even better way to get in.

Other things you could add to a lens adapter

How about a leaf shutter for flash sync at any speed? No, we're serious! Or dual base and side tripod sockets to replace an L-bracket for vertical shooting? Or a set of rig mounting points for videographers (who also love mix'n'matching lenses via adaptors)?

What will it cost?

The Benro Aureole seems a pretty niche proposition. It only works for users who want to use Canon EF lenses on Canon RF or Sony FE bodies, and who are tempted by the idea of rear filters.

Maybe Benro thinks the same way, because the Benro Aureole website is a separate campaign page and not on the main site. We don’t know the launch date yet, but Benro is quoting a price of $249 – but with a special price of $180 if you sign up now.

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Looking for a new tripod can be a daunting experience. There are more brands than ever before and the choice of models is mind-boggling. Where to start? The first thing to accept is that there’s probably no such thing as the perfect tripod and, a bit like camera bags, it’s a case of finding a ‘best fit’ if you want an all-rounder or realizing you may need two – or possibly even three – for different applications (especially true if you’re also shooting video).

However, at the top of the list of requirements is likely always to be ease and speed of set-up followed by the combination of portability and strength. Of course, there are plenty of tripods that tick these boxes – anything with carbon fiber leg sections for starters – but one that caught our eye recently was Benro’s new Tortoise carbon fiber series. 

The interesting aspect of the Benro Tortoise design is the absence of a center column which, of course, saves some weight, but also eliminates what can often be the downfall of any tripod. Of course, the center column gives you some more height, but it comes at the cost of stability and that’s becoming more of an issue with digital cameras that have ultra-high resolution sensors. Even the tiniest of wobble will compromise sharpness, but if there isn’t a center column, you’re not tempted to use it, are you? Let’s be honest, all of us will go for a quick single adjustment – i.e. raising the center column – rather doing it properly and extending the three legs a little further.

There are five photo models in Benro’s Tortoise photo tripod line (and two for video), and we decided to take a closer look at the four-section TTOR 34C which came mated with the GX35 ball-type head. You pay extra for carbon fibre over aluminum, but it really is worth the investment given the weight savings and the exceptional rigidity. 

The Tortoise 34C legs weigh in at 1.45 kilograms, but they can support up to 18 kilos of camera and lens. Without the need to accommodate the center column, the folded legs represent just eight centimetres in total diameter and the length is 49 centimetres so this is a tripod that may well fit inside your photo backpack or camera bag, rather than being strapped to the outside. 

There are four leg sections – with twist-type clamping locks – which extend to 1.44 metres, always maintaining the stability of having the three contact points. Another advantage of not having a center column is that the legs can be angled virtually to 90 degrees, giving a minimum height of just 19.5 centimetres. If you want something that is slightly smaller for carrying, there is a very similar five-section Tortoise model available - the TTOR 35C.

The 34C has a nifty automatic leg angle adjustment so you simply hit a release button which pops the angle lock and the leg can then be set at any of its three angles. This makes for very quick set-up, especially if the terrain demands one or more of the legs be set at different angles. The spider – that’s the bit at the top of the tripod to which the legs are attached – is a milled aluminum component and has both 3/8-inch and 1/4-inch mounting screws for attaching a head. It also has three ¼-inch accessory mounts for attaching extension arms for items such as a video light. 

There’s also a hook for attaching weights (for example, a sandbag) for added stability. Also to give better stability on soft ground or sand, the rubber feet can be replaced by spikes which Benro supplies with the tripod. You also get a custom carry bag and a pair of Allen keys for basic maintenance. And, if you really insist on having a center column, one can be fitted but is obviously an additional purchase.

Benro GX35 ball head

Benro makes a wide selection of tripod heads, but the more compact ball-type – such as the GX35 – compliments the 34C legs. It’s a nicely machined aluminum unit with a low-profile design and Arca-Swiss type mounting plate which includes a twist-and-pull safety lock. 

The GX35 offers dual, independent panning movements (both through a full 360 degrees) – one at the base and one at the quick release plate platform – and a built-in bubble-type level. The dual panorama modes mean that should the head be at angle, you can still rotate in the horizontal plane at the mounting plate once it’s been leveled.

The ball locking knob is a pretty substantial affair and allows for quite precise control over the amount of friction applied, so small adjustments can be made without having to loosen off too much (and then the camera suddenly crashes forward). Together, the head and the tripod legs weigh in at 1.86 kilograms which is very light given it can support ten times this weight (the GX35 can actually support up to 35 kilos so it will work with heavier-duty tripods).

Performance

In the field, the 34C and GX35 combo certainly delivered on ease of use, especially in terms getting everything leveled up as quickly as possible. We tried it with the Fujifilm GFX 100S and the 40-100mm zoom which is roughly a two kilos load so it really didn’t test the tripod for capacity, but we made some 30-second exposures (using a ten-stop grad on the lens) so any movement, no matter how slight, would have been revealed by the 100 megapixels resolution. 

There was a bit of a breeze blowing too, but all these test images were pin-sharp. Folded with the head attached, the tripod’s length is still only 58 centimetres so it’s very easy to carry and, thanks to the minimal weight, this remains the case over long distances too.

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The Benro SupaDupa Pro MSDPL46C is a high-end example of a camera accessory that’s often poorly understood and certainly isn’t glamorous. Monopods don’t have the obvious appeal of a tripod, which will stand up on its own and offers a firm, unmoving support. Instead, they are a support ‘aid’ that you still have to hold on to.

But we all rave about image stabilizers, and monopods do the same job. They provide valuable extra stability that may let you use slower shutter speeds without camera shake. More than that, they can take the weight of a heavy camera-lens combination for sports or wildlife photography, and can even help you get sharp panning shots – especially this Benro, as we shall see.

Specifications

Material: carbon fiber
Max payload: 32 kg
Max height:158 cm
Folded length: 48.5 cm
Weight: 0.9 kg

Key features

The Benro SupaDupa Pro MSDPL46C is the most expensive and most advanced of three new SupaDupa monopods from Benro. The cheapest in the range is the the SupaDupa MSD36C, which is the portable and affordable option, the next one up is the SupaDupa MSC46C, which is taller and has a clever rotating foot for panning movements, and the SupaDupa Pro MSDPL46C reviewed here is the top model, with the same rotating foot but also a levelling head with its own pan mechanism and an Arca Swiss compatible camera plate.

The spinning foot sounds like a small thing to add in, but it’s really useful for panning shots, since a regular fixed foot will quickly dig a hole in soft ground or ‘drag’ on rough surfaces as you turn to follow a moving subject.

The levelling head is a pretty unique feature in a monopod and not particularly common with tripods even. It offers a 20-degree movement in all directions so that you can get the camera level even if you can’t get the monopod properly vertical.

That done, the panning movement in the head lets you execute a level pan even if the monopod itself is not straight, or when you need to grip the monopod itself and can’t turn it on its foot.

The fourth clever feature in all four SupaDupa is a top section that’s locked with a flip-catch rather than the twist locks used for the other sections. This makes it much quicker to adjust the height out in the field.

Design and performance

The SupaDupa Pro MSDPL46C is superbly made and all the components and controls have a proper air of quality. The rotating foot is very free-running but with no wobble or play – it works so well that very quickly you just take it for granted.

With all the leg sections extended and locked, there’s no significant flex or twist at all, and Benro does quote a maximum payload of 32kg. However, the twist locks do need a slightly longer and firmer ‘turn’ than we’re used to in order to get the sections locked tight. If you don’t, the Benro will ‘sink’ if you put too much weight on it.

The flip-lock top section is a great idea for quick height adjustments – and with monopods more so than tripods, you really do want to get them close to eye level without lots of fuss.

The levelling adjustment works brilliantly too, though because monopods by their nature can be angled freely, so the argument for having it is less obvious – but it is definitely useful if you need to jam the foot of the monopod in the best spot in an uneven surface or you can’t hold the monopod perfectly vertically for any reason. You can even leave it unlocked and use it as a way to quickly level the camera as you change position.

The pan axis in the head sounds like it might have a practical value, but in reality, the rotating foot moves far more freely – the pan movement in the head only comes into its own if you are gripping the monopod.

Verdict

It’s hard to fault the SupaDupa Pro’s build quality, materials and design. It’s expensive for a monopod, but you can see where the money has been spent. 

What’s a little less certain is how useful the advanced features in this tripod are going to be. A levelling head and a dedicated pan axis make perfect sense in a tripod, but not so much in a monopod, where you have such a constant degree of free movement anyway. 

But then when you use it in real-life situations, you start to see the advantages. It’s really effective when you can’t get your monopod properly vertical – you might want to wedge the foot in a particular gap in some rocks, or perhaps the only stable base is under your own feet so you have to tilt it forward. You might start out thinking the SupaDupa Pro does things a monopod doesn’t need to, and end up realising that in situations like these it can adapt in ways that other monopods can’t.

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Benro makes a wide range of tripods, monopods and other camera supports and these three new SupaDupa models extend the company’s selection of monopods with some interesting new features.

Monopods are much more useful than many photographers might imagine, as quick, portable and effective camera supports for when there’s no time or space to set up a tripod.

The three new SupaDupa models are an entry-level SupaDupa MSD36C, the mid-range MSD46C and the flagship SupaDupa PRO MSDPL46C.

Benro SupaDupa details

The smallest of the three new Benro monopods, the SupaDupa MSD36C, collapses down to a height of 42cm but can extend to a full height of 164cm and weighs just 0.5kg with a payload of 40kg. It has a metal spiked foot for soft or uneven terrain and a detachable rubber foot for other surfaces. The Benro SupaDupa MSD36C will sell for $120/£110.

The mid-range SupaDupa MSC46C offers more height, up to 1.83m, and folds down to a length of 45.5cm, with a weight of 0.59kg and payload of 40kg. It has a waterproof shell and a clever rotating foot for stable panning movements – this can be swapped for a conventional spike. The price will be around $150/£130.

The flagship SupaDupa PRO MSDPL46C is a more sophisticated and expensive model that adds a levelling base with 20 degrees of movement in all directions and 360 degrees of rotation with a panning scale and bubble level. It comes with an Arca Swiss compatible quick release plate with a sliding mechanism to balance up heavier lenses. The maximum height is 1.57m, and the folded length is 48.2cm. The weight is 0.9kg and the maximum payload is 32kg. The SupaDupa PRO MSDPL46C will cost $235/£190.

All three Benro tripods feature a flip-lock top section for easy and rapid height adjustments and come with a shoulder case and carry strap.

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Benro has announced its latest tripod head, an innovative new product called Polaris. This unusual tripod head features electrical controls along with programmable features via the use of an app. The Benro Polaris also includes the ability to connect to your cameras for more complex movements and features. Through the use of Wi-Fi, the Polaris can use its connection with your camera to help the photographer create precise compositions. 

As a tripod manufacturer, Benro has a vast catalogue of products ranging from small travel tripods to huge studio tripods. More recently, Benro has started to to produce gimbals and now the world's first electric tripod head. 

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While products such the Camranger 2 or the Smartta SliderMini 2 offer features that allow you to control your camera and/or perform some kind of movement, we've not seen tripod heads include features like these before. These movements can generally be used to produce video clips and time lapses – perfect for videographers looking to add some visual interest into their footage. The Benro Polaris seems to incorporate these video-friendly features into a convenient tripod head package. 

As a tripod head, users will be able to shoot conventionally and program certain movements via the dedicated app. These movements include the ability to perform time lapses and even tracking constellations (which will apparently require a connection to the camera). 

Made from aluminum and steel, the head weighs 1.1kg, and has a maximum payload of 7kg. 

You can find out more information from the Benro Polaris Kickstarter page. Benro is also currently running a launch special where you can purchase the Polaris for $499, down from its standard price of $839 for the basic timelapse version of the motorized head. 

The version that offers star-tracking functionality will retail for $999 (but is $599 during the crowd-funding campaign. 

A premium version with cellular connectivity will cost $1199 (or $699 for the first 300 supporters).

Benro is expecting the first Polaris units to start shipping in July.

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The Benro Rhino FRHN05CVX20 (or Rhino 05C with VX20 head) is the smallest of Benro's four new travel tripods. We've already reviewed the Benro Rhino FRHN34CVX30 (or Rhino 34C with VX30 head), which is the biggest of the four, and found it remarkably stiff for such a portable tripod. Does the 05C live up to the same standards?

Specifications

Leg sections: 5
Max Tube Diameter: 21.8mm
Min Tube Diameter: 9.0mm
Max Height With Column: 1395mm
Max Height No Column: 1080mm
Min Height: 350mm
Folded Height: 350mm
Weight: 1.24kg
Max payload: 10kg

Key features

The Rhino FRHN05CVX20 follows the now standard travel tripod design, where the legs fold up alongside the center column, which needs to be extended for packing and enclose the tripod head to produce a much more compact folded shape than a regular tripod.

The folded length is just 350mm, which has been made possible with the use of 5-section legs. The center column itself has two sections, so even though the maximum height without the center column extended is pretty modest at just over 1m, at full extension it can reach almost 1.4m.

The VX ball head deserves a special mention because it has two pan axes, not one. The first is in the usual place at the base of the ball mechanism, but the second is directly below the camera mounting plate. The idea is that you can level the ball head using the spirt level bubbles, and then pan the camera for video or panoramic ‘stitchers’ the secondary pan mechanism, which is now level.

The overall design is the same across the Rhino range, right up to the Benro Rhino FRHN34CVX30 which we’ve already reviewed.

Build and handling

The materials, the leg clamps, the leg angle adjusters and the column extension clamps all feel first rate. Benro’s carbon fiber tubes have a soft, ‘satin’ finish which feels really satisfying to handle, and the leg and column clamps grip firmly.

The VX ball head is excellent. At first, its spring-loaded locking knob takes a little getting used to – you turn it to unlock it, then pull it against a spring and turn it some more to release the camera plate fully – but once you understand the principle it’s a really great system.

There’s a butterfly nut to lock the camera on to the plate, so you don’t have to go fishing around in your pocket for a coin to fit a coin slot, and although smaller than the VX30 head on the largest Rhino tripod, this one has the same quality feel and operation.

There is wasted space between the tripod legs and center column when folded – the Peak Design Travel Tripod is the only tripod we’ve used that addresses this.

Performance

Five-section legs and a double-extension center column don’t sound like a recipe for rigidity, but as long as you’re sensible, the Benro Rhino FRHN05CVX20 is remarkably rigid for a tripod of this size. 

As with any tripod the trick is to use the full leg extension before using any column extension. If you do that, the Benro is remarkably rigid. Use one column extension and it’s still surprisingly good; use both and it starts to get more wobbly.

This will always be the case with super-compact travel tripod designs, and to its credit the Benro Rhino FRHN05CVX20 is much more rigid in these situations than other same-sized travel tripods we’ve tried.

Verdict

Travel tripods always bring compromises, and the small the folded size, the greater the compromise. The Benro Rhino FRHN05CVX20 holds up surprisingly well, however. The ‘reversed’ folded configuration and five section legs inevitably mean it takes a few moments more to set up compared to a regular tripod, but as long as you’re prepared to shoot at waist or chest height, this tripod will give you a remarkably stable base for a compact camera, mirrorless camera and even a fairly chunky DSLR/lens combination.

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The new Benro Rhino tripod series launched at the beginning of October and has received rave reviews from photographers since its initial release. The Benro Rhino series come complete with quality materials, a versatile design and steadfast reliability – even when being used in adverse conditions. 

This new series comes in four different models in a range of sizes to suit different photographers' requirements. This means that no matter what kind of camera you use, or whether you're more interested in portability over stability (or vice versa), there's a perfect Benro Rhino model for you.

One of our favorite features of the Benro Rhino tripods includes the lightweight carbon fibre tube design, which allows for improved weight capacity while reducing the weight of the tripod itself. This means that photographers can mount their expensive kit on any of the Benro Rhino tripods with total peace of mind.

However, the carbon fibre tube design isn't the only exciting aspect of the new Benro Rhino tripod series. They also include an auto-hold trigger to make it easier to adjust tripod leg angles, a lengthened centre column locking mechanism to improve locking strength and three self-adaptive rubber feet to help improve stability. 

But don't be fooled into thinking that Benro threw the baby out with the bath water. Each of the new Benro Rhino tripod models retain the much-loved Benro design elements that have made the brand such a firm favorite among photographers. This means that the new series retains features such as reverse folding legs and the ability to easily convert the tripods to monopods. 

However, don't just take our word for it. Photographer Jim Cossey has been using the new Benro Rhino tripod and has shared his first impressions. "Straight away, the new Benro Rhino tripods feel really great in the hand. Everything about these tripods has been manufactured to a high standard. From the beautiful carbon fibre construction, to the responsive and sturdy twist lock legs, to the newly designed VX ball heads that lock your camera into place with a vice-like grip, these tripods don't miss a beat.

"The Rhinos offer all the flexibility you need for composing your shots, whether it's a few inches from the ground or fully extended to chest or head height. The legs also completely fold back for a smaller footprint that's perfect for traveling. The small and light form factor of these tripods has been a welcome addition to my camera bag for a day in the hills, as it keeps weight to a minimum and doesn't compromise on performance." 

In fact, all of the performance elements for the new Benro Rhino tripod series were carefully thought out to provide the best experience for photographers. These include a dual panoramic function where both the base of the head and the camera release platform offer 360º pan movement. Plus, Benro designed a new QR platform and Arca-compatible plate to help reduce the weight of the kit even further – and even added a safety catch to help prevent the plate being accidentally removed.

Mark Hoskins, the Benro Brand Manager for Mac Group Europe, commented, "Benro set out to make sure that the Rhino tripods together with the new VX ball heads would represent the very best of Benro and we hoped this would be reflected in their reception by photographers. We now know that Benro has succeeded, as the feedback we're receiving from them is tremendous."

The Benro Rhino tripod kits are available now, including the:

• Benro Rhino 05C + VX20 kit SRP £200,
• Benro Rhino 14C + VX20 kit SRP £230,
• Benro Rhino 24C + VX25 kit SRP £250 and the
• Benro Rhino 34C + VX30 kit SRP £290. 

Each of the Benro Rhino tripods are supplied with a set of three spiked feet and a tripod carry bag. Check out the Benro website for more information.

The Benro Snoppa VMate is the result of a collaboration between Benro, the respected bag and tripod manufacturer  and gimbal-maker Snoppa. While the DJI Osmo Pocket, recently replaced by the DJI Pocket 2, is the best known of these small cameras with an integrated gimbal, this is an interesting alternative.

Specifications

Sensor: 12Mp 1/2.3-inch CMOS
Lens: 26mm (equivalent) f/2.0 with 81° angle of view
Autofocus: Phase detection AF
Stills format: DNG raw or JPEG
Video: 4K UHD 24/25/30/50/60fps, FHD 24/25/30/48/50/60/120/192fps

Key features

Aimed at content creators, vloggers and anyone looking to capture everyday adventures, the Benro Snoppa Vmate has a 12Mp 1/2.3-inch sensor behind a lens with a focal length equivalent to 26mm and an aperture of f/2.0. It captures a field of view of 81°.

This camera is mounted in a 3-axis gimbal that’s designed to iron out the wobble in handheld video and make smooth mechanical movements. It can be used by itself, with scenes composed on its small screen, or with a smartphone connected via Bluetooth for a larger view and access to more controls.

The Vmate is really designed for video creation, but it can also be set to shoot stills, Panoramas, Timelapses, Hyperlapses, Slow-motion and light painting. 

There’s a collection of gimbal modes including Pan Track, Fast Pan Track, Pan & Tilt Track, Fast Pan & Tilt Track, Lock and FPV Track. They all have their uses, but Pan Track is a good starting point and the Tracking option is handy when you want to keep a subject at the centre of the frame.

Build and handling

Benro supplies the Snoppa Vmate with a slip-on case for the body and a top cover that protects both the lens and the gimbal between shots. The body case incorporates a smartphone grip to enable you to preview your shots on the phone and access all the settings quickly. The fit is counter-intuitive, however, as the case actually covers the small screen on the front of the Vmate body. 

The unit itself feels well-made with a metal gimbal and a subtly grippy coating on the front and back of the body.

There’s only one button on the Vmate, it acts as the power, record and shutter button. It takes just over 5 seconds after pressing the button for the Vmate’s gimbal to go through its wake-up movements and for the camera to spring to life. Once awakened, with one exception, it’s very responsive to swipes on the screen to access key features. 

You can swipe to move the camera, but this is hard activate and difficult to position precisely. Switching to use a smartphone running the free Vmate app gives you more control and gives access to ISO, exposure compensation and white balance adjustments, but you can’t actually specify the shutter speed.

Performance

After the first pairing, the Vmate connects quickly to a smartphone running the app. There’s an occasional glitch which means you have to restart either the camera or the app, or both, but generally, the connection is pretty reliable.

While the Benro Snoppa VMate is good at compensating for low frequency movement such as the bounce and sway of walking, it struggles a bit more with the high-frequency shake that you may experience when trying to hold the camera still - especially on a cold day. It’s capable of producing smooth pans and reveal-shots, but there’s also the odd stutter. 

In the absence of a physical control, it’s best to avoid using the gimbal motors to move the camera while shooting as it’s hard the move it smoothly or precisely and there’s also sometimes a bit of lag in what you see on the smartphone. 

There’s no microphone port but there’s an option to swap from recording audio on the Vmate to using the smartphone mic, and you could connect an external mic to the phone for clearer sound.

Verdict

The Benro Snoppa Vmate doesn’t replace a mirrorless or SLR camera but the results it produces are on a par with a good action camera in a gimbal at a fraction of the size. It’s a step-up from the average smartphone but the gimbal movements lack the refinement of the DJI Osmo Pocket. 

Its 4K footage looks good while the raw files have more natural colour and greater scope for editing than the JPEGs.

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The Benro Rhino FRHN34CVX30 is the largest model in Benro’s new range of Rhino travel tripods. It has four section carbon fibre legs to offer a good compromise between folded length and speedy setup, a Benro VX30 ball head with a unique secondary pan axis (more on this shortly) and comes with a padded carry bag and screw-on metal spikes for use outdoors.

Specifications

Leg sections: 4
Max Tube Diameter: 32.4mm
Min Tube Diameter: 21.8mm
Max Height With Column: 1745mm
Max Height No Column: 1448mm
Min Height: 491mm
Folded Height: 494mm
Weight: 2.06kg
Max payload: 20kg

Key features

The FRHN34CVX30 qualifies as a travel tripod through having reverse folding legs which enclose the center column and the ball head to produce a much more compact tripod when folded. 

The four-section legs are made with a new ‘braided’ carbon fibre design to improve the weight capacity without sacrificing strength, and with a maximum payload of 20kg, it’s going to be pretty hard to push this tripod anywhere near its theoretical weight limit. There are three screw-in accessory sockets in the tripod ‘spider’ casting, so you can add lights, external monitors or other accessories.

The folded length of 49.4cm is pretty long for a travel tripod. It’s unlikely to fit in a camera bag or backpack, but it should strap pretty neatly to the outside – or you can sling it over your shoulder in its own case.

There is a choice of three leg angles released with a new ‘auto hold trigger’ and the center column is reversible for low angle shots – as long as you can put up with using the camera upside-down.

The VX30 ball head is especially interesting. It has not one but two horizontal panning axes. One is in the conventional place in the base of the ball head, but there is a second just below the camera mounting plate.

This solves a common problem. If you want to be able to pan the camera horizontally, you would normally have to get the base completely level by carefully adjusting the leg lengths. With this second pan axis, though, all you need to do is get the camera plate level by adjusting the ball head – which is much faster. Using the second pan axis, you can now get a perfectly level panning movement without having to level the whole tripod first. Clever!

The Benro does have one more trick that many tripod makers now incorporate – you can remove one of the legs and the center column and fit them together to get a monopod. When you do this with the Benro, the resulting monopod feels very rigid and it’s high enough even without having to extend the lowest leg section.

Build, handling, performance

The Benro Rhino FRHN34CVX30 feels a lot lighter than it looks to set up and use, and with a height of nearly 1.5m without the center column extended, it offers a surprisingly good working height. Extending the column will put it above eye height for all but the tallest photographers.

The height is one surprise; the rigidity is another. The Benro feels absolutely rock solid, and if you do extend the center column, it gives very little ‘wobble’. This would be impressive enough in a full size studio tripod, but in a travel tripod (even if its size does stretch that definition) it’s remarkable.

The VX30 head is similarly solid and just a delight to use. It would be nice if the lower pan axis locking knob was just a little larger, but the second, upper pan axis is just a brilliant idea. The materials feel first class and the Arca Swiss compatible mounting plate doubles up on security with a twist-pull-out-twist locking knob you can’t loosen accidentally, and locating pins either end of the plate to stop it sliding out while unlocked.

There are just two disappointments. One is that the center column has no pivot mechanism. Lots of tripods don’t, and not everyone needs them, but for shooting overhead closeups or working in confined spaces, they are definitely useful.

The second is that there’s no short ‘stub’ center column included. The makes the maximum leg angle relatively unhelpful because you need to set the center column to its maximum height to use it. You can reverse the column for low angle shots, but this arrangement is awkward to set up and shoot with.

Verdict

The Benro Rhino FRHN34CVX30 is a traditionally designed travel tripod that combines light weight and portability with really rigid support and surprisingly high operating heights. It’s easy to set up and use, and the VX head with its second pan axis is a triumph. With no angled column, though, and no short ‘stub’ column provided, it’s not as flexible as some rivals in tight spaces or for close-ups, so while landscape photographers will be happy, nature or indoor still life photographers might find it more limiting.

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If you're in the market for a sturdy, lightweight and affordable tripod, you'll be pleased to hear about the new Benro Rhino tripod kits that have been recently released. Each tripod features a carbon fibre build and magnesium alloy castings that are specifically designed to keep weight to a minimum without sacrificing strength. This is perfect for those photoshoots where the scenic payoff can only be admired after a long slog up a hill. 

With weight capacities ranging from 10 to 20kg, folded lengths from 25 to 49.4cm, maximum operating heights from 108 to 174.5cm and product weights from 1.24 to 2.06kg, these four new tripods offer plenty of variety to help you pick up the perfect pair of legs for you.

Each of the new Benro Rhino tripods use carbon tubes produced from a new braided material. This is designed to offer greater rigidity and capacity without making any compromise on the weight. Meanwhile, photographers can adjust the height of their tripods with the ergonomic rubber-coated leg locks, which provide fantastic protection against both dirt and water.

One of the most exciting aspects of the new Benro Rhino tripod kits is the newly designed VX ball heads. These offer simple dual action controls with built-in friction control and an independent pan lock. The VX ball heads also have a 360º panoramic function. This means that not only does the base rotate, but so does the quick release platform as well. To help protect photographers' gear and give you ultimate peace-of-mind, the VX ball heads also have a safety lock to prevent the plate accidentally sliding out. 

The new Benro Rhino tripods also feature a removable leg that can be attached to the central column. This means that photographers can transform their tripod into a full-sized monopod, making the Benro Rhino range as versatile as possible. Having a tripod that converts into a monopod means that photographers can capture anything from landscape to sports to wildlife photography – without having to lug along extra unnecessary kit. 

The Benro Rhino tripod kits are available now, including the:

• Benro Rhino 05C + VX20 kit SRP £200,
• Benro Rhino 14C + VX20 kit SRP £230,
• Benro Rhino 24C + VX25 kit SRP £250 and the
• Benro Rhino 34C + VX30 kit SRP £290. 

Each of the Benro Rhino tripods are supplied with a set of three spiked feet and a tripod carry bag. Check out the Benro website for more information.

It's no secret that we've been fans of Benro's recent tripods, with the GoPlus Travel FGP18A currently topping our list of best travel tripods. But Benro isn't resting on its laurels and has upped the ante even more with the release of its new Rhino tripod range.

Rhino is positioned as the flagship series in Benro's extensive tripod range, and at launch there will be four size options available. All use new braided carbon fibre tubing, which helps the smallest Rhino tripod (product code FRHN05CVX20) weigh just 1.2kg while also boasting a huge 10kg max payload.

At the top of the Rhino range is the beefy FRHN34CVX30, which can reach a whopping 170cm fully extended and support an incredible 20kg of kit. Extra height can be easily achieved by raising the extendable and reversible centre column, or this can be completely removed and paired with one of the tripod legs to create a monopod. All Rhino tripods have the ability to mount accessory arms via three 3/8” threads - ideal for using a small LED panel or microphone during video shoots.

Portability is paramount with any tripod, so it's no surprise that all Rhino tripods pack as small as possible using reverse folding legs that flip up to surround the head when stowed. Ergonomic twist-lock leg extension clamps further maintain a slim packed profile, and each leg gets three-step self-adaptive rubber feet to improve stability on rough and uneven surfaces. Leg angle adjustment is achieved using a new auto-hold trigger mechanism: simply pull the angle adjuster clamp, move each leg to the angle you want, then press a button on the side of the leg and the angle clamp instantly retracts back to lock the leg angle in position.

Benro VX ball heads

Launching alongside Rhino tripods are a new range of VX ball heads. These have been designed to perfectly complement the Rhino range, with an emphasis on simplicity, light weight and high performance. Each VX ball head also features a dual panoramic function, whereby both the base of the head and the camera release platform offer 360-degree pan movement. The quick release platform and Arca-Swiss compatible QR plate have also been reworked to minimize weight, plus there's a safety catch to guard against accidental camera removal. Fun fact: yours truly once had just such an accident using a cheap and nasty tripod (not a Benro!), destroying a Nikon D5100 as it hit the floor - ouch.

Rhino tripod range specifications:

Rhino tripods are available now, priced at:

Benro Rhino Carbon Fiber Zero Series Travel Tripod with VX20 Head (FRHN05CVX20) $299.95/£200

Benro Rhino Carbon Fiber One Series Travel Tripod with VX20 Head (FRHN14CVX20): $349.95/£230

Benro Rhino Carbon Fiber Two Series Travel Tripod with VX25 Head (FRHN24CVX25) $399.95/£250

Benro Rhino Carbon Fiber Three Series Travel Tripod with VX30 Head (FRHN34CVX30) $449.95/£290

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The life of a photographer or videomaker nowadays often means switching from from one capture device to another – and often between your 'proper' camera and a smartphone. But if you are taking your images or vlogs seriously, then you then need to switch to a different set of accessories too...

The Benro ArcaSmart70 is designed to help simplify this switching. It is an ingenious solution to a simple problem – it works as an Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release tripod plate that sits under your DSLR or mirrorless camera. But when you need to use your smartphone, this 70mm plate unhinges to become a smartphone holder, which can then slot into your usual tripod.

An integrated spring-loaded clip extends from the adaptor with a single action, to quickly mount a mobile phone measuring between 2.1-3.3in wide (which covers most devices on the market ). Its anti-slip pad holds the phone firmly in place so users can shoot with confidence, whatever their chosen device. The ArcaSmart70 has a cold shoe mount for attaching other accessories such as microphones or LED light panels onto your phone.

Made from machined aluminum, with stainless steel rods, the ArcaSmart 70 weighs 80g and costs $59.95 / £40. 

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Benro has now officially released its first camera with a built-in gimbal. The Benro Snoppa VMate looks and performs in much the same way as the innovative DJI Osmo Pocket that was launched at the end of 2018 – and gives you the benefit of a pocket camera with a built-in 3-axis gimbal stabilizer. 

The difference with the Benro Snoppa VMate, however, is that there is a built-in smartphone holder, so that you can easily use the bigger screen of your camera phone - so you don't have to rely on the 1.2 inch LCD that is built into the device itself. 

The VMate is a collaboration between Snoppa and Benro, and is the first product to come out of the Benro Imaging Lab that has been set up to come up with next-gen tech for creators. The project was funded through an Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign. 

The 12-million pixel sensor captures 4k video capture at 60 frames-per-second, while its 118g weight means it is truly take-anywhere. It also boasts a dual-mic system, allowing creators to choose between noise-cancelling or full stereo sound; Bluetooth compatibility enables connection of external microphones for  more audio options.

The VMate's 1.2-in touchscreen boasts a brightness of 850 nit for full onboard filming and control, even in bright sunlight. The built-in mobile phone holder enables phones to be used together with the gimbal for increased screen size or for remote control of the camera via wi-fi. 

An interestingy-sounding Broadcast Mode enables use of the gimbal camera together with phone’s selfie camera to film commentary alongside image capture.

Other features for the VMate include:

-       POV mode: the gimbal automatically follows users’ movements to record first-person-view footage

-       Smart tracking to keep subjects automatically cent-red in frame

-       Slow-motion capture at 1080p 240fps (8x slomo)

-       Time-lapse and motion-lapse modes

-       Night mode for clear filming at night or in dark environments

-       Panoramic mode for stitching together horizontal images

-       210-minute battery life

-       200Mbps bitrate and USB C 3.1 connectivity to download video files easily and quickly

-       Dual microphones on board for surround sound or noise-cancelling recording, with Bluetooth support for external audio

The Benro Snoppa VMate retails for $259/£269.

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Image stabilization on smartphones is really coming on, but the tech is still no match for a good gimbal. As well as enabling smooth pans, most of them – the new Benro 3XS Lite included – add face-tracking and object-tracking. That should make video easier, more creative, and much more professional-looking. An instant competitor to the new DJI Osmo Mobile 3, can the Benro 3XS Lite three-axis mobile gimbal – one of the smallest such devices around – compete against its pricier rival?

Benro 3XS Lite: design

Measuring 170x100mm when fully extended, and weighing 469g with its tiny tripod attached, the Benro 3XS Lite is a cute-looking and incredible flexible gimbal. Arriving in a gorgeously soft velvety drawstring bag, it’s able to take almost any smartphone, however large, up to a maximum of 290g, which is a 60g more than the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 can hack. The payload is not a huge advantage unless you’re adding a separate microphone, but size does matter; the 7.2-inch, 233g Huawei Mate X 5G we tried was so big it fouled the arm and rendered the gimbal useless. 

On its main handle are a few buttons; on/off, start/stop record, focus, a trigger for zooming in and out or adjusting focus (it’s your call, and it can be set in the app), and a 3.5mm input for a microphone so you don’t have to connect one to your smartphone. There are also a couple of buttons to move the gimbal up, down, left and right, and one for re-centering it. There’s also a button that sends a phone tumbling through 180º to swap between landscape and portrait mode, the latter now an accepted format (and sometimes even a favored). 

When you’re done with a shoot, the Benro 3XS Lite’s flexible hinge allows it to fold-up over itself to create a very compact size for easy storage in a camera bag, or even a jacket pocket.

The Benro 3XS Lite has enough battery power (2,000mAh) to work for 24 hours on one charge. It’s recharged using a USB-C slot on the handle.

Benro 3XS Lite: app

The Benro Gimbal companion app for iOS and Android is really simple. For video, iIt offers multi-shot panoramas, time-lapse, motion time-lapse, object track, face track, and slo-mo. For photos, night shot, wide angle, pano and multifocus. You can toggle the format of video from H.264 to HEVC (H.265), alter the resolution from 1080/60fps to 2160/30fps, choose a 3x3 or ‘rule of thirds’ grid, set the scenario to run or walk, and calibrate the gimbal itself, even customizing the buttons on the Benro 3XS Lite. There’s also a manual mode so you can customize ISO, shutter speed, focus and whie balance. In our test the app took a while to save some video files, and froze-up a couple of times. 

Benro 3XS Lite: performance

The Benro 3XS Lite gives you a ton of shooting modes, though it’s the basic operation that impresses most. For example, there’s a ‘universal follow’ mode that promises smooth video if you change the angle of view, direction and position, and a ‘locked down’ mode for a horizontal panning movement. Pans and dips through 360º all produce smooth video. Double-tapping to recenter is a bit of a pain, and in practice the toggle button between portrait and landscape is useful for returning the gimbal to a default position. We found that the rear camera/front camera toggle button is way too easy to touch during filming; it’s right under the index finger. 

What we did find a bit disappointing was face-tracking; it works reasonably well in bright light, but dim the lights and thingy go awry. It’s also not too accurate if the subject moves around a lot very quickly, which is a shame. 

Something else we didn’t like either during our test was the Benro 3XS Lite’s tripod. A spider-like foldout design, its three very flat fins are just too small on anything but flat surfaces. Its cheap-ness jars with the main product’s reassuringly solid build quality.

Benro 3XS Lite: conclusion

A good mobile gimbal should be easy to use, helping the user get more from a smartphone while adding some pro features that only a gimbal could. The Benro 3XS Lite does all that, with an app that’s easy to use. It’s not always successful with its face-tracking, the tripod is very poor and some of the buttons are oddly placed. However, the Benro 3XS Lite encourages creativity, and it’s worth a look if you’re a vlogger or a filmmaker after a good value gimbal for relatively simple video capture.

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Benro has announced its brand new BLB1 Universal L Bracket, taking another step on its mission to give photographers as much stability as possible for their photos.

An L-bracket keeps the camera's centre of gravity directly over the tripod at all times – even when shooting upright-format images. This makes it perfect for landscape photography where you can often be battered by wind, rain and all sorts of inclement weather. 

Traditional tripod head and camera combinations tend to incidentally favor landscape-orientation photographs. This is because, when you've placed your camera in landscape, the centre of the camera is directly over the legs, providing maximum stability. 

When you change to portrait orientation, however, the camera is now attached to the tripod by its side and is leaning off-centre. If you have a heavy camera and lens combination on a windy day, not only does this increase the chance of camera shake, there's always a risk that your tripod could blow clean over. 

Another advantage of an L bracket is that it requires minimal adjustment to your composition when changing from landscape to portrait orientation. When using an ordinary plate you're significantly shifting the camera's angle of view, which often means that you have to start your composition from scratch. This is much less of an issue with an L bracket. 

Made from durable aluminum, the BLB1 L bracket is also Arca-compatible, meaning that it offers a quick-release system that makes attaching your camera to the tripod simple. In addition, the bracket wraps around the camera body, which helps to protect it against damage from accidental drops. 

"This is a small but important addition to any photographer’s kit; the sort of thing you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it," said Benro brand manager, Mark Hoskins. "The impact it can have on a photographer’s experience, and the quality of their images, is not to be underestimated.”

The BLB1 Benro Universal L Bracket is available to purchase now from £49.95 (around $41) –  an official US price has yet to be announced.

The Benro 3XS Lite has a series of locking hinges that allow the main arm to fold across the top of the handle and the phone clamp to lie along the side. It weighs just 430g.

The Benro is one of many stabilising gimbals now available for vloggers, bloggers and filmmakers. The best gimbals offer smoother, more professional camera movements than you can get by simply filming with your camera phone hand held. It's also an interesting alternative to a dedicated pocket filming device like the DJI Osmo Pocket.

One of the Benro's key features is a one-button switch from landscape to portrait filming – and you can switch between front and rear cameras with another button. Between them, these features make the Benro 3XS Lite ideal for vloggers who want to switch quickly between filming and presenting. This is why some of the best cameras for vlogging are camera phones!

There’s a tripod socket in the base of the handle, and the Benro even comes with a compact set of folding tripod feet so that you can quickly swap from handheld to table-top shooting.

Benro 3XS Lite features and controls

The 3XS Lite connects with a Benro Gimbal companion app on the camera phone, and there are filming controls on the gimbal itself – you can start/stop recording, adjust the zoom setting and control app settings and menu selections with these.

Shooting modes include a Universal Follow mode for smooth movements as you change the angle of view, direction and position, and a Locked Down mode for a horizontal panning movement.

There’s also a 3.5mm microphone port for connecting an external mic to the gimbal (which requires an additional lead/adaptor to connect the phone’s audio input to the gimbal). The idea of this is that you can connect a mic to your smartphone without the cabling interfering with the gimbal’s operation.

Benro says the 3XS Lite companion app offers multi-shot panoramas, time-lapse images with dynamic motion or object tracking, and face and object tracking. It comes with a 2,000mAh battery offering up to 24 hours off operation.

The Benro 3XS Lite Smartphone Gimbal is available now and costs a very reasonable sounding $99/£90.

Read more:

• The best gimbals for your iPhone, GoPro and camera
• These are the best cameras for vlogging right now
• The complete guide to vlogging: how to become a content creator!

Tripod specialist Benro is introducing its first in a range of electronic gimbal stabilizers. The RedDog R1 is a three-axis motorized gimbal which allows you to shoot video smoothly and control camera movements. 

With a maximum payload of 1.8kg it is capable of supporting many mirrorless cameras and smaller DSLRs when shooting video when a tripod is not possible - or where you need to change camera position to follow moving subjects.  

The stabilizer has been particularly designed with Sony and Panasonic mirrorless CSC cameras in mind by offering shutter and video on/off controls from the handle, and also allowing control of the zoom with Sony Power Zoom lenses (the necessary Sony and Panasonic cables are supplied).

The RedDog offers a 'unique' swivel handle designed for different filming angles and compact for travel.  The 'upright mode' is suitable for high and medium angle filming while 'carry mode' is best for low angle filming. 

The R1 offers three different shooting modes:

1) Locked-down mode Locked-down mode keeps the camera locked on a subject while moving the gimbal. This allows users to replicate movements traditionally made using a jib or slider.

2) Horizontal follow mode Horizontal follow mode provides smooth movement when panning around corners

3) Universal follow mode The Universal follow mode, provides smooth camera movements towards the subject. This mode is ideal when circling around a subject with the camera.

Weighing 879g, the R1 boasts that it can last for 12 hours between charges and comes with a carry case that allows users to retain the individual axis positions – saving setup time at the next location. Recharging the unit takes three hours.

The Benro RedDog R1 iOS app is also being launched - which allows the videographer to control pan and tilt movement from a smartphone. It is available to download for free at the iTunes store

The RedDog R1 will retail for £350 / $399.

Read more: 

The best gimbals for your iPhone, GoPro and camera

The best 4K camera for filmmaking in 2019 

12 best cameras for vlogging in 2019

Announced today, the new Benro GH5C is a carbon fibre gimbal head designed to give photographers fluid control of panning camera movements with even the heaviest of setups.

As it’s constructed fully of carbon fibre, the GH5C (no relation to Panasonic's GH5s) weighs just 1.1kg and can support up to 30kg of kit. It’s expressly designed for use with heavy super-telephoto lenses, allowing for smooth and stable shooting in genres that require a lot of distance between photographer and subject, such as wildlife, bird or airshow photography. 

The GH5C tripod head also carries an Arca-compatible quick release plate for smooth camera attachment. This is a black anodised aluminium plate, another measure included to reduce the weight of the gimbal.

According to Benro, the GH5C head in use creates a feeling of virtual ‘weightlessness’, allowing for effortless panning of practically any camera/lens combination. The firm claims that the gimbal was tested with a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and EF 200-400mm f4 L IS USM lens attached, and it was possible to make camera movements with the merest application of a fingertip. The camera will also stay in position when the pressure is removed.

The Benro GH5C is equipped with vertical and panoramic scales, which allows the user to make very precise adjustments to camera and lens placements, and also means that this movements are very precisely repeatable. This could also see it being of use for genres like astrophotography.

This gimbal replaces the previous Benro GH2C, which was announced back in 2013 and was also designed for the easy manipulation of larger lenses. Thanks to its carbon fibre construction, the GH5C benefits from being 200g lighter than this previous model. 

The GH5C has dimensions of 255 x 100 x 245mm, as well as 1/4”-20 head mounting screws and a standard base mount thread size of 3/8”-16.

Benro GH5C: Pricing and availability

The Benro GH5C is available now, carrying a recommended UK price of £440. 

Buyers' guides: 

Best tripod for video in 2018

Best tripod for travel in 2018

Best gimbal heads for tripods