Tripods are a very big part of photography. And ever since mobile photography gained popularity, there has never been a shortage of a wide variety of tripods for smartphones. So much so, in fact, that it can be quite challenging choosing the right one.
One of the many different types of tripods is the mini tripod, also known as the tabletop tripod. These tripods are miniature versions of regular extendable tripods that are better suitable for use on elevated surfaces such as tables, hence the name.
What’s great about this type of tripod is that it’s small and light enough to carry anywhere without a hassle. In this article, we’ll look at seven mini tripods that are worth investing in for mobile photography and vlogging.
Manfrotto PIXI
Manfrotto’s PIXI mini tripod is a fantastic tabletop tripod for smartphones. It is designed specifically for people who are looking for something that’s portable, lightweight, and easy to use. And because it’s a Manfrotto product, you can rest assured that the PIXI does the job it’s designed to do well.
The body of the tripod has a minimal design style and is made from stainless steel and Adaptor plastic for a fantastic and high-quality tactile finish. Not only is the Manfrotto PIXI well-built and solid, but it also has rubber feet to ensure that it remains stable and doesn’t slip.
The PIXI mini tripod has a ball head and a push-button mechanism that is designed to enable you to position and lock the ball head very easily. Pushing the button allows you to to move the ball joint freely. Releasing the button locks the ball head in position. This is useful for switching between landscape and portrait orientations.
Closing the legs of the PIXI allows you to hold it comfortably in your hand and use it as a handgrip for capturing great videos with your smartphone. You can use it with any smartphone or digital camera under 1kg.
Check the price of the Manfrotto PIXI at:
qubo Mini Tripod
The qubo Mini Tripod is made out of quality ABS, rubber, and aluminium. At first look, the qubo Mini Tripod might look a lot like the Manfrotto PIXI but there is much more to this tabletop tripod beside the looks.
Firstly, the legs of the qubo are extendable, so you can get a bit of extra height from this mini tripod when need be. The legs are also quite durable and have rubber feet to prevent accidental slipping.
Small as it may be, the qubo can support all smartphones and digital cameras up to a maximum of 2kg. You can mount your devices using a standard 1/4-inch screw. Included with the qubo Mini Tripod are a GoPro mount and a smartphone holder.
But, to be quite honest, the quality of the smartphone mount is not that great. I’d recommend you pick one of these.
Check the price of the qubo Mini Tripod at:
IK Multimedia iKlip Grip Pro
The iKlip Grip Pro is a mini tripod from the global brand IK Multimedia, which has a wide range of popular products from microphones and speakers to apps and software. Their range of stands isn’t just for smartphones, it’s also for tablets.
The IK Multimedia iKlip Grip Pro is a particularly interesting piece of equipment because it’s actually four devices in one. That’s right, not only can it function as a mini tripod, it can also be used as a monopod or selfie stick, a large-grip video handle, and a tripod adapter. That’s all thanks to the four-segment extension pole that’s included.
And if that’s not enough, the iKlip Grip Pro also comes with a convenient Bluetooth shutter included. This allows you to take photos from a distance of up to 10m. This is great for group shots or even full-body self-portraits.
But that’s not all. This tripod also comes with an expandable, spring-loaded smartphone mount that can fit any smartphone with a screen size range of about 3.5” to 6”. The mount’s soft rubber pads make sure that your device will not slip and fall or get scratched by the mount.
Check the price of the IK Multimedia iKlip Grip Pro at:
AmazonBasics Lightweight Mini Tripod
Just as the name suggests, the AmazonBasics Lightweight Mini Tripod is light and very small, which makes it one of the most ideal mini tripods for travel and for those with limited space for accessories. What’s more, it looks really stylish. So, you can use it for business or for pleasure.
The tripod itself is quite small but you can extend it to a maximum height of 19cm. It has metal legs and rubber feet to help it grip onto surfaces. You can mount your smartphone onto it via the tripod’s 1/4-ich screw (and a smartphone mount, of course). The mini ball head allows the tripod to rotate 360 degrees and tilt 90 degrees.
The AmazonBasics Mini Tripod is a really basic tripod that’s better than stacking books to support your phone. So, don’t expect the most from it. Although it can support smartphones without a problem, it does not fare so well with devices heavier than 0.5kg.
On the plus side, it’s a really affordable option for basic everyday use indoors.
Check the price of the AmazonBasics Lightweight Mini Tripod at:
RetiCAM MT-01 Tabletop Tripod
The RetiCAM MT-01 is a great little piece of equipment. It is lightweight and portable but durable enough to not only support any smartphone, but it can also support other types of digital cameras and spotting scopes.
But what really sets this tripod apart from a lot of other mini tripods is that it can be extended by quite a lot. That’s right, the RetiCAM MT-01 Tabletop Tripod can go from about 25cm to 48cm in height. This is actually quite a big deal considering how the fixed height of mini tripods can be limiting sometimes.
Also unlike many mini tripods, the MT-01 has a three-way pan head. This allows for smooth panning and tilting when you’re positioning your phone at the best angle. The built-in spirit level will help you make sure that your shots are always level.
There’s also a quick-release plate that makes it easy to mount and dismount your smartphone on the tripod. The tripod itself is made of aluminium. The legs are nice and steady and have flip-locks for quick and easy extension.
The RetiCAM MT-01 Tabletop Tripod weighs only 0.7kg but can support devices up to just under 3kg. That’s impressive! The downside is that it is a bit bulky compared to other mini tripods, but it can still fit comfortably in a backpack.
Check the price of the RetiCAM MT-01 Tabletop Tripod at:
Adonit Photogrip Qi
The Adonit Photogrip Qi is a rather unique addition to this list because it’s not necessarily a mini tripod. The Photogrip Qi is actually a smartphone grip that makes it easier for you to hold your phone when you want to capture photos.
I included the Adonit Photogrip Qi to this list because it comes with a mini tripod included, so you can set it up and leave the phone to stand on its own. What’s more, you can attach the Photogrip Qi to any other tripod using a 1/4-inch thread.
The Photogrip Qi also has a removable Bluetooth shutter remote that can be used to take photos from up to 10 metres away. But what’s really cool is that the Photogrip Qi can charge certain phones wirelessly while shooting.
The Adonit Photogrip Qi is made exclusively to fit a wide variety of smartphones. It cannot support any other type of digital camera.
Check the price of the Adonit Photogrip Qi at:
Square Jellyfish
Another rather odd addition to this list of mini tripods for smartphones is from Square Jellyfish. The main feature of this product is the Jelly Grip Tripod Mount. However, it comes with Jelly Long Legs, a mini tripod for use with the Jelly Grip Tripod Mount.
What sets the Jelly Grip Tripod Mount apart from other smartphone tripod mounts on the market is that it has a ball head at the centre of gravity of the phone instead of at the bottom. This gives you the flexibility to reposition and change the orientation of your phone very easily.
The tripod folds up nicely to fit comfortably in your hand for use as a selfie stick or a hand grip for mobile video. Together with the smartphone, the entire mini tripod and mount combo weighs only about 80g, so it won’t wear you down while carrying it or take up much space.
Although the Jelly Grip Tripod Mount can be used in various environments by attaching it to a suitable tripod via the 1/4-inch screw, the Jelly Long Legs mini tripod is rather limited because the legs can’t stretch and aren’t suitable for certain outdoor environments.
Check the price of the Square Jellyfish at:
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Seven of the best and most popular mini tripods for smartphones. Each of them has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s up to you to choose one that’s right for you according to your needs.
Remember, to effectively use a tripod to support your smartphone, you need to use a smartphone mount. Not all tripods come with one, and those that do, in most cases, don’t come with a durable one.
So, be sure to check out these high-quality smartphone mounts that are durable and guaranteed to keep your smartphone safe and tightly secure when mounted on a tripod.
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