The Best Tripods for Video (2022)
Last updatedThis is a list of the best tripods I recommend and use for video production.
IMPORTANT: This list is only for tripods. None of these include the fluid head that goes on top.
Tripods, also called sticks or legs, are for support and stabilization. Fluid heads mount on top tripods and are for camera mounting and movement (smooth pans and tilts).
My list for best fluid heads can be found here.
Before the list, here are some things to look for when choosing a tripod:
Payload Capacity
Payload, or load, is everything that is supported by the tripod - head, camera, lens, accessories, extra weight, etc.
Payload capacity is the maximum weight that the tripod is rated to hold before the tripod's stability is compromised.
This rating has always been a bit confusing and misleading, though.
There has been no standard and every manufacturer uses their own methods and language.
However, that might be changing, albeit slowly. Gitzo and Manfrotto, two major Italian tripod manufacturers, have worked with the Italian standards body UNI to create UNI / PdR 105: 2021, a new standard for load capacity.
But since the adoption for that standard will take time, it's still recommended to approach payload capacity ratings conservatively.
Therefore, I always recommend staying under ~70% of a tripod's LOWEST rated payload capacity (if there are multiple ratings) at any time for proper safety and stability.
Getting close to, or going over, a tripod's load capacity is never recommended and can compromise safety.
Dimensions
Pay attention to maximum height, minimum height, and folded length.
I recommend at least 60" of maximum height if you plan on using the tripod to capture people while standing up.
Minimum height will be important if you want the flexibility to capture low angles.
Be sure to get a folded length that will fit everywhere you need to carry and store the tripod without compromising the heights you need for production.
A fluid head will add a few inches to all of these dimensions, so keep that in mind.
Leg Types
- Single Legs
- Tube sections that collapse inside the section above
- Simpler and, usually, lighter compared to tandem legs
- Prone to twisting with camera movement, especially on heavier setups
- Tandem Legs
- Two parallel posts per section that collapse between the two posts in the section above
- More contact points at each connection provide better rigidity and stability
- Less prone to twisting during camera movement
- Combination Legs
- A single tube style but shaped similar to tandem style
- Best of both types wrapped into one
- My top pick, the Sachtler Flowtech, uses this design
In most situations, tandem and combination legs are going to provide better stability for video production.
However...
Single legs can still work well for many lighter setups, situations that don't require a lot of camera movement, and lower budgets.
Materials
- Aluminum is the most common
- Best performance and durability for the price
- Recommended for permanent and semi-permanent situations
- Carbon Fiber is the second most common
- Stronger and lighter than aluminum, but comes at a higher price
- Recommended for travel and mobile applications where weight is important
- Plastic
- Cheaper than aluminum and carbon fiber, but much less stable and less reliable
- Can work well for less critical parts like knobs and connectors to keep cost down
- Not recommended for tripod legs or other critical components
Leg Locks
- Twist Locks
- Tighten and loosen legs with a screw/unscrew action around single post legs
- Usually don't catch on other things easily on single leg designs
- Cheaper = more turns to loosen/tighten = more time to operate
- Can be less reliable if not tightened well
- Flip/Lever Locks
- Tighten and loosen legs with an open/close lever action
- Usually faster and more consistent than twist locks
- Can easily catch on other things
- Cheaper versions can loosen over time (many are not adjustable) and become unsafe
- Speed Locks
- Usually similar to a lever/flip lock, but operate all leg sections simultaneously instead of one lock per section
- Newer and more expensive, so not as widely adopted
- Extremely fast and smooth when done right
- My top pick, the Sachtler Flowtech, uses this design
- Knobs
- Can be a screw that applies direct pressure to the inner leg when tightened or operates similar to a lever/flip mechanism by clamping around tandem legs
- Least popular design
- Tendency to be the least reliable and have the shortest life span
This usually comes down to personal preference.
For example, I prefer twist locks on single legs for travel and lever/flip locks for basically everything else.
If you are constantly opening and collapsing the tripod, the type and quality of leg lock will definitely be important.
Base Mount
The top of the tripod where the head is mounted and attached.
- Bowl/Ball
- Bowl-shaped base that accepts a ball-shaped mount, allowing for quick and accurate leveling adjustments
- Recommended for most video production
- Popular diameters include 75mm, 100mm, and 150mm (60mm is becoming slightly more popular, but mainly in still photography)
- Size of bowl should be appropriate for the payload
- 75mm for payloads usually less than 15 lbs
- 100mm for payloads usually between 15 and 30 lbs
- 150mm for payloads usually greater than 30 lbs
- Flat
- A flat base, usually with a 3/8"-16 male threaded center post
- Most common for photography and lower budget tripods
- Can be mounted on an adjustable bowl base, but cannot be directly adjusted to level the head
- Can tend to come loose during pans if there are no retention/safety screws tightened around the base
Center Columns
Center columns are typically used to give you a greater maximum height while keeping the leg sections shorter.
They are generally less stable and will usually increase the chances of vibrations reaching the camera.
Therefore, I only recommend a center column if you need the extra height or need the ability to adjust for various heights often.
However, I do use a center column when I do a lot of quick interviews back-to-back. This allows me to only adjust the center column with one knob for differences in people's height.
Spreaders
Spreaders connect to each tripod leg and provide added stability. They are usually hinged and removable.
They prevent the legs from sliding outward on slick/uneven surfaces or from the amount of total payload weight.
There are two types of spreaders: mid-level and ground-level.
Both generally achieve the same results, and the one you choose usually comes down to preference or what is available with the tripod you want.
While spreaders are not always necessary, they are definitely nice to have, especially for heavier setups.
Now, on to the list...
Sachtler flowtech 75
Get Latest Price on AmazonStill my no-brainer top pick.
The speed lock mechanisms are super fast and incredibly useful for quick setup and collapsing.
New leg design combines the benefits of single leg designs while offering added torsional strength found in tandem designs.
When you need a reliable system that gets out of your way quickly, this will not let you down.
This will make the most sense in mobile environments with medium-sized camera rigs.
Material: Carbon Fiber
Leg Type: Combination
Leg Lock Type: Speed Lock
Head Mount Type: 75mm bowl
Maximum Height: 61.8" (with mid-level spreader)
Minimum Height: 11"
Folded Length: 27"
Weight: 6.4 lbs
Maximum Payload Capacity: 44 lbs
My Favorite Feature: Innovative design and engineering
Manfrotto 755XB MDeVe
Get Latest Price on AmazonSolid support and build quality that won't break the bank.
A decent option for lighter camera setups and lower budgets.
Material: Aluminum
Leg Type: Single
Leg Lock Type: Flip/Lever Lock
Head Mount Type: Flat Base (3/8"-16 male threaded center post) on a leveling center column
Maximum Height: 64.96" (with center column raised) or 55.31" (with center column down)
Minimum Height: 16.4"
Folded Length: 25"
Weight: 5.25 lbs
Maximum Payload Capacity: 26.46 lbs
My Favorite Feature: Price
Manfrotto 536
Get Latest Price on AmazonThis beast reaches a maximum height of nearly 80" without a center column!
Not only that, the carbon fiber legs keep the weight under 8 lbs while still offering a payload capacity over 50 lbs. Amazing.
This will be a great option for those that do a lot of ENG shooting or have larger camera rigs and still need ultimate portability.
Material: Carbon Fiber & Magnesium
Leg Type: Single
Leg Lock Type: Flip/Lever Lock
Head Mount Type: 100mm Bowl with 75mm Adapter
Maximum Height: 79.92"
Minimum Height: 10.24"
Folded Length: 28.35"
Weight: 7.58 lbs
Maximum Payload Capacity: 55 lbs
My Favorite Feature: Capability
Manfrotto 635 FST
Get Latest Price on AmazonSachtler flowtech finally has some competition!
Manfrotto took the twist lock a step further and put it into an entire leg section.
So instead of a 3-section tripod with 2 twist locks per leg we get a 3-section tripod with only 1 twist lock per leg. That means faster setup with less hassle.
Similar features and capability as the Sachtler flowtech 75 for nearly half the price. I'm sold!
You can also pair this tripod with the Manfrotto Nitrotech 608, my top pick fluid head, to make one stellar tripod system.
Material: Carbon Fiber
Leg Type: Single
Leg Lock Type: Twist Lock meets Single Leg Section
Head Mount Type: 75mm Bowl (compatible with optional 60mm bowl adapter)
Maximum Height: 61"
Minimum Height: 11.22"
Folded Length: 25"
Weight: 7.72 lbs
Maximum Payload Capacity: 44 lbs
My Favorite Feature: Innovative features at a lower price point
*The Manfrotto 645 is the next step up that offers a 100mm bowl mount and a fast tandem leg design. Available in aluminum and carbon fiber.
Manfrotto 055
Get Latest Price on AmazonThe carbon fiber version of this (along with the Manfrotto 555B leveling center column) is my daily driver for ENG, field, and studio production.
Excellent build quality, reliable leg locks, good extended height, light weight, and decent collapsed size all make this a great investment for the on-the-go shooter.
The 90-degree center column also might come in handy if you do a variety of shooting angles, like product shots or creative work.
Material: Aluminum or Carbon Fiber
Leg Type: Single
Leg Lock Type: Lever/Flip Lock
Head Mount Type: Flat Base (I recommend adding the Manfrotto 555B leveling center column)
Maximum Height: 66.9"
Minimum Height: 4"
Folded Length: 24.8"
Weight: 4.1 lbs (carbon fiber 3-section), 4.7 lbs (carbon fiber 4-section), or 5.51 lbs (aluminum)
Maximum Payload Capacity: 19.8 lbs (lower of two ratings)
My Favorite Feature: Choice of materials, leg sections, and replaceable center column - fitting a wide variety of budgets and needs
Robus RC-5570
Get Latest Price on AmazonGreat load capacity and maximum height for the price.
If you need a great overall tripod that can do most things well and won't break the bank - scroll no further.
Material: Carbon Fiber
Leg Type: Combination
Leg Lock Type: Speed Lock
Head Mount Type: 75mm Bowl and Flat (3/8"-16 male threaded center post)
Maximum Height: 70"
Minimum Height: 4"
Folded Length: 26"
Weight: 5.6 lbs
Maximum Payload Capacity: 55 lbs
My Favorite Feature: Includes 2 head mounts (75mm bowl and flat)
Savy Series II Camera Stand
Learn MoreRight... it's not a tripod. It's better!
"This one goes to 11..."
The team at SAVY understand their customers' needs and provide incredible solutions to meet those needs.
When you need a great support solution that requires the least amount of footprint, these stands are your answer.
Material: Steel
Head Mount Type: 75mm, 100mm, PTZ Plate, Dual PTZ Plate, or Mitchell Mount
Maximum Height: 108"
Minimum Height: 40"
My Favorite Feature: Fully customizable solution, complete with cupoholders, monitor mounts, headphone holders, and more!