Tripods are an essential part of video gear. They provide camera stability. They also help you capture stabilized footage and add some movement to your shots. In this list, I concentrated more on very lightweight tripods that you can take with you everywhere rather than practicality or the steadiness of movements you can perform. Unfortunately, it is true that if you want to make smooth, beautiful panning shots, you will have to invest in a bit heavier tripod and a video head for it.
So take this list as it is, lightweight tripods, small and practical, perfect for carrying with you everywhere as an option.
Top Best Lightweight Video Tripods
Here are the top light video tripods. They’re all portable and easy-to-carry video gear, with special features that shall improve the filming experience.
Manfrotto BeFree Live
The tripod of my choice for the past year or so. I have been using it extensively on every trip I took, from deserts to mountains and I’m still quite happy with it. Is it sturdy? Somewhat. It’s a very well made tripod, but you have to remember it is still a lightweight tripod. So most of my pan movement shots are not that great. Still better than nothing though.
The fluid video head is very helpful in adjusting to anything you want to do. And it actually hold my Fuji XT-3 with a very heavy macro lens with no problems. The quick plate is on a slide, so you can mount many different kind of cameras on it(even some of your High-speed ones), or just like I did, mount quick release plate and be able to move your camera quickly from your tripod to a gimbal.
Many different flavors, you can choose from aluminium, carbon fiber but also what kind of locking mechanism you prefer. (mine will always be lever locks for the speed)
Pros
- Very Portable
- Fluid Video Head for panning and tilt (it actually has a half ball for additional adjustments)
- Well made takes abuse without a problem.
- Comes with a padded bag for transportation
Cons
- A bit more on the expensive side
- Height is relatively short
- Fluid head could be better
Manfrotto Compact Action Aluminum Tripod Kit
This Manfrotto Compact Kit is known for being very lightweight and portable to take it wherever you want. It has an aluminum design with stabilizing rubber feet. It also has a hybrid head with a headlock wheel.
It was one of my first tripods that I actually used daily, the head is the thing that was both very useful and annoying at times. It did hold my DSLR with a not to big lens but anything more than that and the head started to slide down.
The tripod enables me to switch easily from photo to movie through the photo/video mode selector. It also has a camera quick release plate and a quick-release friction dial. I can use the plate with different types of devices. In addition, the dial allows you to adjust different cameras easily.
Manfrotto Compact Action comes with a special adapter that I can use with cameras of high specification. It’s suitable for DSLRs of entry-level with standard kit lenses. Moreover, the tripod is also compatible with Mirrorless and Compact System cameras.
Specs
- Available colors: Black, red, and blue
- Max height: 61 inches
- Min height: 17.3 inches
- Head type: Joystick Head
- Weight: 2 lbs
- Max load: up to 3.3 lbs
Pros
- Portable
- Affordable
- Comes with a padded bag for transportation
Cons
- Height is relatively short
MeFOTO RoadTrip Aluminum Air Tripod
This MeFOTO Aluminum gear is among the lightest travel tripods. It’s both light and convenient for taking outdoors. Moreover, when folded up it turns into a monopod which makes it more efficient.
The tripod has a 360 panoramic rotation with an accurate panning scale. To add to the gear flexibility, it also has two leg angle positions to fit in narrow spaces.
The tripod height can be adjusted through the five-leg sections. It has a center-column hook in order to add some weights for better stability if needed. Moreover, the tripod’s legs also have anti-rotational rubber locking grips to keep your gear stable.
For better adjustment, the MeFOTO tripod has both a lock knob and a pan lock as well as a separate head tension. It’s compatible with Mirrorless and DSLRs.
Specs
- Available colors: Black, blue, green, orange, purple, red, and titanium.
- Max height: 61.6 inches
- Min height: 15. 5 inches
- Head type: Ball head
- Weight: 3.6 lbs
- Max load: 17.6 lbs
Pros
- Comes with a carry case
- Has a five-year warranty
- Compatible with many kinds of cameras
Cons
- Legs lock in two positions only
- Not budget-friendly
Vanguard VEO 2 235AB Tripod
Vanguard is an aluminum light tripod that can be easily set-up with a center column system. The tripod’s ball head has a lock knob, pan knob, and a friction knob for maximum control.
The feet of the tripod are rubbered to add to the gear stability on different grounds. Moreover, the head has a twist-lock system for a more solid setting. It also had 5 leg sections to control its height.
To provide lots of flexibility, the tripod’s legs also have 3 angle positions of 20, 45, and 80 degrees. Vanguard tripod is compatible with Mirrorless, Compact System Camera, and DSLRs.
Specs
- Available colors: Black
- Max height: 57 inches
- Min height: 7 inches
- Head type: Ball head
- Weight: 3 lbs
- Max load: 13.2 lbs
Pros
- Has a 2-year warranty + 8 years extension
- Portable
Cons
- Twist locks may loose after a while
- Not budget-friendly
3 Legged Thing Punks Corey Alloy Tripod
3 Legged Thing is a name that appears quite often in the lightweight category of tripods, It’s part of 3 Legged’s Punk Corey generation of micro traveler tripods. It’s light and portable as it folds down to 13.7 inches.
The tripod is made of magnesium alloy and has a detachable monopod that can be used separately to support a microphone, a selfie stick, or similar gadgets.
It has five-section legs and a two-section column to enable you to level the gear according to your needs. The tripod also has a precise leg-lock system to add to the tripod’s stability.
In addition, the feet have bubble grips for better control and rigidity. It comes with an Arca Swiss compatible quick-release plate, so you can use it with different kinds of cameras.
Specs
- Available Colors: blue with orange
- Max height: 59 inches
- Min height: 4 inches
- Head type: Ball head
- Weight: 3.3 lbs
- Max load: 30 lbs
Pros
- Has a five-year global warranty
- Comes with a microfiber head bag and drawstring bag
Cons
- Not the most budget-friendly option
Benro Travel Angel 2 Series Carbon Fiber Tripod
Benro Travel 2 Series’s design is made of 9 layers of sturdy carbon fiber. It’s one of the lightweight champions travel tripods that are easy to carry for long hikes for example.
The tripod has a separate ball head with a pan-lock and a ball-lock for adjustment control. It also has an Arca compatible clamp as well as a quick-release plate to fit your cameras. The tripod has four-section legs for different height levels.
As for the stability, legs have twist locks and come with interchangeable rubber feet and stainless steel spiked feet. You can replace the feet depending on the grounds your filming on. The tripod also has a center column that can be turned into a separate monopod with a removable leg.
Specs
- Available colors: Black
- Max height: 67 inches
- Min height: 18.7 inches
- Head type: Ball head
- Weight: 4 lbs
- Max load: 22 lbs
Pros
- Has a 3-year limited warranty
- Sturdy
Cons
- Heavier than other lightweight tripods
- The most expensive option
How to Pick the Right Lightweight Video Tripod
When buying a video tripod there are some essential aspects you need to consider.
Load Capacity
The tripod’s load capacity determines what kind of cameras can you use with it depending on the weight of your cameras and lenses.
The Weight
The sad truth is that the heavier the tripod is the more sturdy and stable it is. The more stable your shots, the better they look. It also has less possibility for it to register any accidental movements. But it’s not always possible or practical to carry with you full on, 40 lbs piece of metal legs for your camera.
The Height
Tripods’ height is a matter of preference. Before getting a tripod make sure that its max. and min. height matches your setting and the shots you’re planning to take.
The Head
A flexible and easy to adjust head will make your whole filming process easier and give you better results.
But for more professional results and for the possibility to do stable and precise movements, you should go with a video head. It is specifically designed for smooth pan and tilt shots.
The Legs and Feet
Legs and feet are the main support of your tripod. Legs are better when made of sturdy materials such as aluminum. It’s also important to check that your tripod has an efficient lock system.
Final Verdict
For me, my personal best is the tripod that I use right now, the Manfrotto BeFree Live with video head, it’s not overly heavy, it’s small and sturdy enough for most shots that I need when running and hiking in the mountains. But if you really need smooth movements, smooth pans etc. I would advise to invest in a heavier tripod with a proper video head.
Some of the other lightweight video tripods that I liked is the Manfrotto Compact Action Aluminum Tripod Kit, It’s among the lightest tripods on the market that anyone can easily take wherever they go.
Another good option is the MeFOTO RoadTrip Aluminum Air Tripod.
