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  4. 10 Best DSLR Tripods in 2022 (K&F Concept, Fotopro, and More)
  • 10 Best DSLR Tripods in 2022 (K&F Concept, Fotopro, and More) 1
  • 10 Best DSLR Tripods in 2022 (K&F Concept, Fotopro, and More) 2
  • 10 Best DSLR Tripods in 2022 (K&F Concept, Fotopro, and More) 3
  • 10 Best DSLR Tripods in 2022 (K&F Concept, Fotopro, and More) 4
  • 10 Best DSLR Tripods in 2022 (K&F Concept, Fotopro, and More) 5

10 Best DSLR Tripods in 2022 (K&F Concept, Fotopro, and More)

Taking pictures on a trip can become exhausting if you need to hold your camera the entire time. On the other hand, you may want a product that can hold the camera in place to avoid any shaking. This makes DSLR tripod cameras useful since they can hold cameras while keeping them stable, so we want to share our 10 favorite tripods with you.


We made a special note of Vanguard's Alta Pro, due to its multi-angle central column, feet with retractable spikes, shock absorber, and other great design points. Let's take a look at the 10 best tripods along with the buying guide, so you can see which tripod will help you take professional and beautiful pictures.

Last updated 09/26/2023
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Table of Contents

How to Choose a DSLR Tripod - Buying Guide

DSLR tripods have differences like the stand types, locks, and materials, so we want to discuss how each one impacts your decision.

1

Choose Between Standard and Flexible Tripods

Standard and flexible tripods are the most common ones, so let's look at how they can meet your picture-taking needs!

Standard Tripods for Stability

Standard Tripods for Stability

Standard tripods have solid legs that don’t bend, but the legs can extend and retract. These make it easy for you to change the height of the tripod, so you can get a short or tall angle. They also provide stability, since the legs are solid and don't bend.


Standard tripods work great for people who want stability and an easy way to adjust the height. However, they don't have as much versatility as other types, since they need to stand on a relatively flat surface when you use them.

Flexible Tripods to Get Unique Angles

Flexible Tripods to Get Unique Angles

Flexible tripods have bendable legs, so you can adjust the height and position of the camera. Since you can bend the legs, you can make the tripod stand on uneven surfaces, making it great for nature shots. You can wrap the legs of the tripod around branches, poles, or other objects to get unique shots.


They work well for people who don't want to carry around a bulky standard tripod. You can even hold the legs all together to turn the tripod into a selfie stick if you want to take pictures of yourself.


On the other hand, you may struggle to get them to stand on even surfaces if you can’t straighten out the legs. They are only about a foot or two in height, but they can attach to higher objects and get better shots.

2

Check Useful Points Including Head and Lock Types

The tripods will vary in their head types and lock types, and some include quick releases, so let's see what each type offers.

Three-Way Heads, Ball Heads, and Tablet Heads Based on Your Needs

Three-Way Heads, Ball Heads, and Tablet Heads Based on Your Needs

Three-way heads, also called pan and tilt heads, let you turn the camera left, right, up, down, and rotate it. This gives you precise control since you can make small adjustments.  Even though three-way heads take more time to adjust, the user can adjust one part of it without affecting the others.


Ball heads allow you to slide the camera around on the upper half of the ball to adjust the angle more quickly than three-way heads. Although the controls aren't as precise as three-way heads, they're easier to adjust. However, they can slip more easily under a heavy camera.


Some tripods may come with additional heads to attach tablets or smartphones. While this isn't necessary, having additional heads like this can help if you plan to use multiple devices.

Flip Locks to Easily Adjust, Twist Locks for Security

Flip Locks to Easily Adjust, Twist Locks for Security

Flip and twist locks help you keep the legs and center beam in place when you set up your tripod. Flip locks require you to flip a lever when you want to adjust the height, so they’re faster than twist locks. However, these locks might come undone if you accidentally get them caught on something.


Twist locks keep your camera secured since they need to be twisted multiple times to adjust the height. On the other hand, they don't adjust as quickly as flip locks. Usually, flip locks are used for the legs and twist locks for the center beam. If you need to adjust the height often, you should probably go with flip locks.

Quick-Release Systems to Easily Switch Cameras

Quick-Release Systems to Easily Switch Cameras

Some tripods use a quick release plate, so you can hold down a button to take the camera off. These releases are designed to quickly take your camera off the head or put it on, which works great to quickly switch from tripod to handheld shots, or for people who like to switch their cameras often.


For example, some people may want to switch between their DSLRs, phones, and camcorders. A quick release plate allows you to remove and put on the camera within seconds. You don’t want to carry your camera on your tripod when you transport it, so a quick release can help you out.

3

Look at Features Like Inverted Use, Monopods, and More

Look at Features Like Inverted Use, Monopods, and More

You may notice certain features like inverted use, monopod conversion, bubble levels, and weight hooks. Monopod conversions allow you to turn the tripod into a one-legged stick. This makes it great for using on uneven terrain, being able to move locations and reset it quickly, or getting a slightly higher angle.


Inverted use means you can rotate your tripod to hold the camera underneath the center post, inside the triangle of the legs. This upside-down setup is useful to get zoomed-in macro shots, for example when taking photos of small items for an online auction.


Bubble levels are another useful feature since they help you keep the camera level. You just have to position the tripod legs until the bubble reaches the center of the level. A weight hook allows you to attach bags or other weights to the center of the tripod. This stabilizes the tripod in case of wind, and balances a top-heavy camera and lens.


Many tripods have rubber feet to give the tripod more grip. You should use rubber feet on solid surfaces, since softer surfaces like grass or sand may cause the feet to sink. If you need feet for soft surfaces like grass, you can go with spiked feet instead.


You should also consider the load capacity of each tripod. The load capacity refers to the total weight the tripod can hold. DSLR cameras weigh about 1.5 pounds on average, plus 7.5 ounces for a 35-millimeter lens. But some telephoto zoom lenses can weigh as much as nine pounds!


Note that when manufacturers state their tripod's load weight, they're measuring it from directly in the center. A long telephoto lens will stick out far from the center axis, and it's more likely that a ball head will not be able to hold the off-balance weight, as opposed to any camera actually breaking the tripod.

4

Review the Material Types Like Metals and Carbon Fiber

Review the Material Types Like Metals and Carbon Fiber

Aluminum is a hard metal commonly used for the tripod’s legs. This material weighs more than carbon fiber, but it can withstand drops and getting thrown around by careless baggage handlers at the airport. You may also come across aluminum alloys, a mix between aluminum and other metals, with added durability.


Carbon fiber is a solid polymer that’s stiffer and more lightweight than other options. However, carbon fiber may crack if you drop it on a hard surface.


Some tripods have rubber as an outer layer on the legs, so you don't have to worry about the metal underneath getting scratched. However, rubber itself can be pierced and cut with time.


Other materials can include silicone and plastic, used for parts like the knobs, quick release plate, and so on. Unless you are really rough with your tripod or are planning to shoot in extreme cold or heat, rubber, silicone or plastic should all work just fine.

Was the Buying Guide helpful?

10 Best DSLR Tripods

As we go through the 10 best tripods, we want you to focus on the tripod types, the materials, and the head types. We chose our favorite products by using the buying guide while also going through the reviews for each of the products.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Vanguard

Alta Pro263AB

Vanguard Alta Pro 1

$141.98

High

Move the Central Column 180 Degrees for Versatility in Shooting

2

Joby

Gorillapod 3K KitJB01507

Joby Gorillapod 3K Kit 1

$45.16

Low Mid

Includes a Bubble Level and Flexible Legs

3

Phopik

Camera TripodPT244

Phopik Camera Tripod 1

$72.99

Mid

A Tall Tripod That Converts to a Taller Monopod

4

National Geographic

Tripod Travel KitNGTR004TCF

National Geographic Tripod Travel Kit 1

$110.91

High Mid

Both Durable and Lightweight in Design

5

Manfrotto

PIXI MiniMTPIXI-B

Manfrotto PIXI Mini 1

$23.27

Low

A Mini Tripod for Entry-Level DSLRs

6

Sirui

Carbon Fiber 5C Travel Tripod

Sirui Carbon Fiber 5C Travel Tripod 1

$99.90

High Mid

A Tripod Designed for Travel

7

K&F Concept

Camera TripodTM2324

K&F Concept Camera Tripod 1

$76.49

Mid

Versatile Features for Different Types of Shots

8

Fotopro

Flexible Tripod

Fotopro Flexible Tripod 1

$28.99

Low Mid

Bendable Legs Designed for Uneven Surfaces

9

Neewer

Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod

Neewer Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod 1

$117.99

High Mid

A Lightweight Carbon Fiber Tripod With Ball Head

10

Mactrem

Professional Camera TripodCT62

Mactrem Professional Camera Tripod 1

$64.99

Mid

Versatile Support for Heavier Cameras

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

VanguardAlta Pro263AB

Alta Pro 1
Source:amazon.com
Alta Pro 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$141.98
High
Reference price
$141.98
High

Move the Central Column 180 Degrees for Versatility in Shooting

This tripod has a central column that not only adjusts in length but also in angle. You can set it up to shoot in vertical to horizontal positions and everything in between. Bubble levels make this accurate and a quick-return system makes it fast. It also features legs that lock at three angles and have retractable spike feet.

A few reviewers complained about its durability, but most say they love it for its thoughtful and functional design. They really like being able to take extreme low-angle shots and say that the anti-shock ring holds their DSLR completely stable.

Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

JobyGorillapod 3K KitJB01507

Gorillapod 3K Kit 1
Source:amazon.com
Gorillapod 3K Kit 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$45.16
Low Mid
Reference price
$45.16
Low Mid

Includes a Bubble Level and Flexible Legs

This one offers 360-degree panning and 90-degree tilt to get higher or lower angles. The tripod can hold adapters to put a GoPro, flash clips, lights, and microphones on it, but note that the quick release plate isn't a standard size to make it readily interchangeable with other brands.


A couple of reviewers had problems with the base breaking or cracking on them. On the bright side, plenty of reviewers appreciated the flexibility of the tripod's legs. They also loved how the head had a bubble level to help get their shots lined up.

No.3

PhopikCamera TripodPT244

Camera Tripod 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$72.99
Mid
Reference price
$72.99
Mid

A Tall Tripod That Converts to a Taller Monopod

This is the only tripod on this list that can stand taller than six feet in height, and it converts easily into a monopod, so you can get some great shots. It has a hook on the bottom to weigh it down so it won't fall over in windy conditions. It even includes a panorama scale to make consistent panorama shots.


A couple of reviewers had problems with the tightening screw breaking on them. However, quite a few reviewers loved that the tripod could make the camera higher than six feet. They also liked the hook on the bottom of the tripod since they could attach weight to it.

No.4

National GeographicTripod Travel KitNGTR004TCF

Tripod Travel Kit 1
Source:amazon.com
Tripod Travel Kit 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$110.91
High Mid
Reference price
$110.91
High Mid

Both Durable and Lightweight in Design

This tripod includes four twist locks on each leg, so you can adjust the height based on what you need. The head is a 360-degree ball head with tilt and swivel motions to get the best shots. It even comes with a carrying case to make transportation easier for you.


Some reviewers said the tripod would be unstable in wind, and one noted it doesn't have a handle on the head to control tilt and pan easily. On the other hand, a fair bunch of reviewers said it was lightweight while still being durable. They also appreciated how it was compact for storage purposes.

No.5

ManfrottoPIXI MiniMTPIXI-B

PIXI Mini 1
Source:amazon.com
PIXI Mini 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$23.27
Low
Reference price
$23.27
Low

A Mini Tripod for Entry-Level DSLRs

This tripod is small but can hold a DSLR with a maximum body weight of 1.4 pounds and an 85mm lens, such as a Canon Rebel T7. If you're a vlogger or use a table to take photos of your craft projects or items to sell, this simple, light tripod might do the trick.

Reviewers say that, as expected, the ball head can't hold heavier gear. However, many use this for travel, and love how lightweight it is. They say it's well-built and reliable for point-and-shoot photographers.

No.6

SiruiCarbon Fiber 5C Travel Tripod

Carbon Fiber 5C Travel Tripod 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$99.90
High Mid
Reference price
$99.90
High Mid

A Tripod Designed for Travel

This tripod is available in carbon fiber and aluminum variations, so you can pick the material you prefer. It has five sections on each leg to give you plenty of flexibility when adjusting the size. It has a weight hook and level, and can be used in inverted position.


Some reviewers noticed the ball head was a bit more flimsy than they expected, and a few actually swapped it out for another. Despite that point, plenty of reviewers appreciated its lightweight design when they traveled with it. They also noticed it could fold into a compact size to save some space.

No.7

K&F ConceptCamera TripodTM2324

Camera Tripod 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$76.49
Mid
Reference price
$76.49
Mid

Versatile Features for Different Types of Shots

This tripod uses quick-flip locks, so you can easily lock and unlock the legs whenever adjustments need to be made. It has a ball head to easily adjust the camera angle as needed. You can invert it, too, for taking pictures close to the ground! There's a hook on the center post to add a weight for stability.

Some reviewers had problems with the tripod's ball head falling or losing its balance while in use. On the bright side, many reviewers appreciated the flip locks since they could quickly secure the tripod's legs. They also noticed the ball head made taking smooth panoramas easy.

No.8

FotoproFlexible Tripod

Flexible Tripod 1
Source:amazon.com
Flexible Tripod 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$28.99
Low Mid
Reference price
$28.99
Low Mid

Bendable Legs Designed for Uneven Surfaces

This one has an interchangeable head, so you can switch between a DSLR camera and your smartphone. The legs can curl and bend in any direction to wrap your tripod around objects or provide more stability. It can even turn into a selfie stick for people who want to use that function.


Some reviewers mentioned issues with the legs breaking after a couple of weeks of use. Nevertheless, a fair portion of reviewers appreciated the flexible legs for uneven surfaces. They also loved how it would firmly hold their cameras in place.

No.9

NeewerCarbon Fiber Camera Tripod

Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$117.99
High Mid
Reference price
$117.99
High Mid

A Lightweight Carbon Fiber Tripod With Ball Head

This carbon fiber tripod has a pretty good height range, so it can meet your needs. It can be used inverted for macro shooting or low angles. The tripod even has a bubble level, quick-release plate, and can be used as a monopod.


A few reviewers had issues with the tripod coming apart on them and putting their cameras at risk. Despite that point, loads of reviewers said the ball head was great and functioned well. They also appreciated how the tripod was lightweight and easy to carry around.

No.10

MactremProfessional Camera TripodCT62

Professional Camera Tripod 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$64.99
Mid
Reference price
$64.99
Mid

Versatile Support for Heavier Cameras

This tripod can support up to 33 pounds of weight. The rubber feet are adjustable, so you can make slight changes to the height by using them. It has a center post-hook to hang a stabilizing weight and can be inverted for low-angle shots. It even comes with a phone holder.


A few reviewers questioned how well it works with heavy cameras or projectors since theirs would slip on it. On the other hand, many reviewers found it worked for their DSLR and commented on how they loved the versatility this tripod offered.

Looking for Camera Accessories?

Now that you found a tripod for your camera, you may want some accessories. If you bring the right gear with you, you can focus on getting the pictures you want.

Top 5 Dslr Tripods

No. 1: VanguardAlta Pro263AB

No. 2: JobyGorillapod 3K KitJB01507

No. 3: PhopikCamera TripodPT244

No. 4: National GeographicTripod Travel KitNGTR004TCF

No. 5: ManfrottoPIXI MiniMTPIXI-B

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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