Best phone tripods: top mobile picks for photography, vlogging and more
For steady shots and smooth video, the best phone tripods are a must
The best phone tripods can help you take your smartphone photography to the next level.
For a start, they can give even the best cameraphones new abilities in low light, allowing them to get the sharpest shot in murky conditions. They can also give your smartphone photos a new perspective, allowing them to shoot from right down on the ground, or in some cases from awkward angles. And they're also useful for arty compositions, such as giving water a dreamy appearance by slowing the shutter speed right down, and for time-lapses too.
But there's more. The best phone tripods are also essential for vloggers and YouTubers, and can be helpful for anyone who wants to hands free on a video call. And of course they can allow you to take a great group shot that you're actually in, rather than lurking behind the screen.
There are hundreds of tripods for phones on the market, in all different shapes and sizes. Many are small and designed for phones, while some are regular tripods with smartphone-specific attachment. Some are even built into a phone case.
Most of the tripods in this guide work with any brand (and size) of smartphone, but before you hit the buy button, check the grip's maximum width. That's even more important if you're carrying around one of the best big phones around.
Although we are recommending the products in this guide below, not all of them have been through our test labs. Based on our experts’ opinion and knowledge of the most reputable brands around, we think these are worth considering. The selection takes into account online reviews, brand reputation, product capability or unique features, which should help you wade through the vast selection of products out there.
Best phone tripods 2022
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1. Joby GripTight ONE Micro Stand for Smartphones
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you’re looking for something small, light and extremely handy, then you can’t go far wrong with the Joby GripTight ONE Micro stand. With a foldable design you can slip it into your pocket or bag ready for exactly when you need it.
The holder part expands to fit a variety of smartphones, though it’s not ideal for very large or particularly heavy devices, which may cause it to overbalance. You can use the stand on its own for balancing on other surfaces, but it also has a tripod mount so if you need extra height, you can attach to it a standard tripod too.
Useful for group shots, low light and even presenting to camera, this is a stand which is ideal for a wide variety of content creators.
2. Manfrotto Pixi Mini Tripod + MClamp
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Manfrotto Pixi is an excellent little tabletop tripod. It’s chunkily built, feeling sturdy and steady, but also folds down for easy transportation. It can’t quite fit in your pocket, but a small bag will do the trick.
On its own, the Pixi can be used as a tripod for any device with a tripod mount, but for your phone, you’ll also need the MClamp, which you can buy with it as part of a bundle.
The clamp uses silicone rubber pads and expands to fit any phone up to 8.4cm / 3.2inches wide. The clamp can also be used a stand on its own, which is useful for watching videos and the like without having to hold your phone. The clamp can also be used with other standard tripods if you need more height, too.
3. Manfrotto Compact Light Aluminium Tripod with Ball Head and MClamp
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
This tripod kit uses the same MClamp as the listing above, but this time pairs it with a full-sized tripod for even greater flexibility. It gives you better scope for framing your shots - or videos - from a variety of different heights and positions.
The ball head at the top of the tripod allows you to position your phone in whatever orientation you need as well. When you are using heavy devices such as cameras, you’ll want the sturdiest tripod possible.
But, with smartphones which are much lighter, you can get away with a nicely light tripod such as Manfrotto Compact Light, making it ideal for travel and transportation, too.
4. DJI OM4
Reasons to buy
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This device is particularly well-suited to video-content creators, especially those who want to create the smoothest footage possible.
Lightweight and small, the OM4 is ideal for chucking in a bag when you know you’ll be heading somewhere exciting. Your phone is attached via the innovative magnetic quick release plate, so there’s minimal faffing around.
To keep your phone footage as smooth as possible, you get a range of stabilization options - but you can also use it as a simple tabletop tripod too thanks to the small feet that can be screwed onto the bottom.
5. Joby JB01533-BWW GorillaPod Mobile Rig
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Vloggers and content creators will love the flexibility that the GorillaPod Mobile Rig provides. With it, you can adjust your phone to a huge variety of different positions - so whether you’re filming for YouTube, TikTok or Instagram, you’ll be able to orient it correctly.
You can also use the flexible Gorillapod legs to attach the tripod to a variety of different surfaces, or just place it somewhere flat. What makes the Mobile Rig particularly interesting however is the ability to add other useful accessories such as lights, microphones or even a second camera via the additional arms and connectors.
6. Adonit PhotoGrip
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
You can use the Adonit to give a little extra bulk to your phone to make it more comfortable for taking pictures (you know, like a ‘real’ camera). With Bluetooth connectivity you can fire off the camera’s shutter using a button on the top of the grip (again, like a real camera).
Aside from that, the grip can also be used as a stand, while a mini tripod attachment comes in the box too.
A wireless charger also gives you a power boost, too. Overall, this is a little bit of a gimmicky product, but if you like the idea of making your phone feel a little more authentic when taking pictures it’s worth a look.
7. Joby Standpoint Phone Case
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you - understandably - don’t want the hassle of taking a phone tripod everywhere with you, then this could be the ideal solution for you.
The Joby Standpoint integrates a miniature tripod within a phone case, so you’ll never be without it. The legs fold out from the back of the case to give you stability whenever you need it, and you can even attach accessories to it if need be too. T
he major downside here is that it’s only available for a limited number of smartphones, and it’ll also become redundant should you switch phones - so it’s probably not one for frequent upgraders.
8. Peheshe Ring Selfie LED Light with Phone Holder
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Another dream device for vloggers, you could also use this to simply up your FaceTime and Zoom call game too. The tripod can be used as a normal tripod, but its stand out feature is the integrated ring light which is designed to produce a flattering effect on your face.
The ring light can be adjusted to produce different settings and tones, while the phone holder expands to fit a variety of different models. It also can be rotated, giving you options to stream in whichever orientation you desire.
The tripod folds down relatively neatly, and you can also use it as a selfie stick - the ring light can be removed when not in use.
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Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.