Few things are more exciting than traveling the world and exploring new places. When you are away from home, you likely want to capture memories by taking photographs or producing videos. Of course, you likely can’t get the shot you want without the right equipment. In addition to an excellent camera, you may want to invest in a travel tripod.
The are many travel tripods available for purchase today. Not all are a good use of your money, however. In this review, we list the 10 best travel tripods for traveling photographers.
TRAVEL TRIPOD FAQS
WHAT IS A TRAVEL TRIPOD?
HOW MUCH DO TRAVEL TRIPODS COST?
WHERE CAN YOU BUY A TRAVEL TRIPOD?
HOW WE EVALUATED TRAVEL TRIPODS
Our goal is to provide you with honest, reliable and valuable information. In compiling our rankings of the best travel tripods, we looked for excellence in the following areas:
To create a review you can trust, we didn’t only look at published specifications and marketing materials for each tripod. Instead, we considered the opinions of both professional reviewers and actual photographers.
OVERALL PRICE RANGE OF TRAVEL TRIPODS
As mentioned above, travel tripods vary considerably in price. Still, travel tripods usually cost significantly less than those used in studio photography. The tripods that made our rankings of the best travel tripods for traveling photographers range in price from $30 to $700. Most on our list, though, cost between $100 and $250.
TOP 10 BEST TRAVEL TRIPODS FOR TRAVELING PHOTOGRAPHERS: RANKINGS, RATINGS AND REVIEWS
In our opinion, the best travel tripod for on-the-go photographers is the Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH BeFree compact aluminum travel tripod. This tripod has everything most photographers want in a camera-holding device. The light and compact design of this product makes traveling through busy airports or quiet villages a breeze. In fact, it fits nicely inside most backpacks or carry-on bags.
While the BeFree is small in size, it feels strong and durable. The base supports medium-weight cameras up to about nine pounds. All three legs toggle quickly and easily into place, making shooting from a variety of heights and configurations possible. We like the professional look of this piece of equipment. Available in different colors, the tripod is sure to give you instant photog credibility wherever you go.
Even better, the comparatively low price tag on the Manfrotto BeFree tripod allows you to spend money on booking dynamic voyages. While the BeFree allows you to capture some great photos, it isn’t perfect. When the center post is fully extended, the tripod becomes a bit unstable. As such, your camera’s shutter may cause a vibration that reduces the quality of large prints. Since most photographers solve this problem by lowering the center post, this issue doesn’t bother us much.
While expensive, the Gitzo GT1542T Series 1 6X carbon-fiber tripod is perhaps the most complete traveler tripod on the market today. The 3.7-pound device is light enough to carry long distances. Moreover, its adjustable base makes setting up the perfect shot simple and fast. Some photographers notice that raising the center pole requires effort, as it tends to stick. We think this is likely resolvable with a silicone lubricant, however.
If you have a heavy camera or use bulky lenses, you will likely appreciate the payload of the Gitzo GT1542T. In fact, the tripod can support setups that weigh up to 22 pounds. The Gitzo has a hook to help you avoid accidently knocking your camera off the tripod base. It also features a failsafe lock to avoid tipping on rocky terrain. The clear standout feature of the Gitzo camera, though, is its carbon-fiber construction. While lightweight, the tripod can withstand significant punishment.
The second and third tripods on our list are virtually tied. Both the Gitzo and MeFOTO tripods appeal to both amateur and professional photographers. However, the comparatively small price tag on the MeFOTO Globetrotter makes it accessible to virtually everyone.
This tripod is easy to set up and tear down. Moreover, its compact size makes carrying the device to far-away destinations a breeze. We like the MeFOTO tripod for its simplistic design. While you hold your camera in one hand, you can likely adjust the tripod with the other. The small stature of the Globetrotter travel tripod makes it an excellent choice for hikers. If you need to reach tall heights, the MeFOTO easily converts into a 64.2-inch monopod.
The BENRO GoTravel tripod is one of the heaviest tripods we reviewed. Since a lightweight design is important for a tripod to work on the go, we dropped this device out of our top three. Still, we appreciate the many features the BENRO GoTravel has to offer. Perhaps the best of these is the quick-flip center column. This column allows you to quickly set up shots, making the GoTravel ideal for wildlife photographers.
Like the MeFOTO tripod, the BENRO device converts from a tripod to a monopod. The process is a bit more complicated, however. As such, you should probably practice transforming the device a few times before you hit the road with it. Some reviewers complain about the flimsy feel of the BENRO GoTravel aluminum tripod. At $200, we expect a sturdier feel.
The 3 Legged Thing Punks Brian tripod is a transitionary tool for intermediate photographers. The carbon-fiber device is lightweight, which makes it easy to carry. Still, it doesn’t intuitively expand. Instead, you must twist joints to lock them into place. As such, this tripod feels like a professional-grade tool.
The Punks Brian offers excellent support for both light and heavy cameras. Its sturdy build is designed for extreme conditions. Nonetheless, some users complain about wobbling in the 3 Legged Thing’s legs. Accordingly, if you routinely shoot in windy or icy areas, the 3 Legged Thing tripod may not be the best option for you. Still, we can’t quibble with the super-cool product name.
Not every travel photographer is looking to create a masterpiece. Many simply want an excellent picture to post on social media. For those, the MeFOTO Backpacker Air travel tripod is a decent option. This tripod offers a sturdy base for small and medium-sized cameras. The aluminum construction of the tripod ensures it is simple to pack and easy to carry.
We like the MeFOTO Backpacker for its intuitive set up. With just the turn of a rubber foot, you manipulate the tripod in any direction you choose. If you expect a professional-grade tripod, the MeFOTO Backpacker will likely disappoint. If you want a starter tripod that fits inside a backpack, though, this tool is worth a look.
Don’t let the Big Travel from Prima Photo fool you. While the tripod is large enough to capture virtually any shot you want, it is not bulky or heavy. In fact, at only 3.6 pounds, the Big Travel competes with higher-end tripods.
We like the Prima Photo Big Travel for its customizability. Whether you want a standard tripod or a full-sized monopod, this device has you covered. This device is not, however, a professional tool. Because Prima Photo delivers an affordable tripod with its Big Travel offering, some of the components have a decidedly low-quality feel to them.
While the build quality of travel tripods tends to drop with price, the Oben AC-1341 feels strong and sturdy. This tripod relies on well-built legs and rubber feet to hold your camera or other device in place. Even though the Oben AC-1341 is lightweight and travels well, it isn’t right for all photographers. If your camera weighs more than a few pounds, you won’t want to trust this tripod to hold it.
At only $30, the RetiCAM tabletop tripod is the cheapest tripod we reviewed. It is also the lightest. This device isn’t tall enough to be a standalone tripod. Instead, you must place it on a bench, table or other sturdy structure. Still, it holds your camera securely while you capture important shots. While the RetiCAM’s small size may appeal to those who prefer to travel lightly, the tripod does not excel in build quality.
The last tripod on our rankings is the little brother of the Prima Photo Big Travel tripod. This Small Travel tripod holds your camera firmly in place while you capture shots. That’s about it. It doesn’t have many of the features of the other tripods on the list. Its designers didn’t intend it to have them, though. Instead, they wanted to create a device that allows you a hands-free way to take photographs. Further, the Small Travel tripod from Prima Photo is one of the most affordable tripods on our list. It is lightweight and easy to use.
TRAVEL TRIPOD COMPARISON TABLE
THE VERDICT: THE MANFROTTO MKBFRA4-BH BEFREE COMPACT ALUMINUM TRAVEL TRIPOD IS THE BEST TRAVEL TRIPOD
With its design, construction and versatility, the Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH Be-Free tripod is the best travel tripod on the market today. Nonetheless, the competition is fierce. That is, we reviewed some excellent tripods. Which one is right for you likely depends on your travel style and photography goals.
Airports can turn into the setting for a stressful experience, even for the most experienced traveler out there. You need to check in, look for the gate you’re departing from with terminal maps, be on the lookout for the status of your flight, and then eventually board it. So, what if you could do all of that online, off your Android or iOS-operated device? That’s what the good folks at American Airlines wondered, too, and then they came up with this app, which allows you to check out all the details of your American Airlines flight (and plenty more, too) at a glance. Swipe, tap, customize, play an built-in game of Sudoku, and even set a parking reminder. Check out the commercial for the new, iOS 7 redesigned app, then set your mind at ease. Flying American has never been easier.
one-stop shop for managing your trips, from rebooking to transaction status verifications, to SkyMile progress. The app also allows you to check in online at selected airports around the world, as well as to track the location of your luggage (too cool!). Other features include lounge location, picture taking for parking spots, maps for airports and public transport, flight trackers, weather information and parking reminders. It’s the kind of traveling app that makes you wonder why you would ever use any other ones.
impressive database of properties has got over 430,000 worldwide properties stored, plus 64,000 travel destinations. It’s also customized to help you find good pricing deals, book a specific hotel, or even change your mind, plans, and stay dates. The app’s developers have also managed to smoothly transfer the site’s seamless filtering search function to mobile devices. You can find out if your hotel of choice has got a parking lot, Wi-Fi, and any other feature you simply can’t go without. You also get access to reviews by actual guests and real life pictures from the properties. You can call customer support 24/7 right from the app, check out property names and addresses in over 40 languages, and have a complete list of both your future and past bookings.
travels a lot can tell you, this ideal situation doesn’t always happen in real life. Sometimes, you simply find yourself out of a room to sleep in – but that’s not an issue anymore, thanks to Hotel Tonight, one of the best apps for international travel. You can search for last-minute deals from 9 a.m. until 2 a.m. with this app, which promises to negotiate the best deals on your behalf. You can book on the very same day and even choose to stay for multiple nights. The list of countries in which the app is available now includes the Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and all parts of the United States, and the developers promise to keep expanding it in the future.
for recommendations – or are exploring the tourist area of an exciting city, but wouldn’t want to stumble into a tourist trap. Urbanspoon makes life easier for you, if you’re traveling in the U.S., across Canada, Australia, the UK or Ireland. Simply shake your smartphone and the app will generate a list of recommended nearby restaurants. You can discover places, see what’s in your immediate vicinity, or browse through lists including la crème de la crème. You can filter your searches by neighborhood, cuisine or price range, make online reservations, compare restaurants, and base your selections on the reviews provided by bloggers, food critics, as well as simple users like yourself.
everyone knew the maps provided by Apple are unreliable and to be avoided. Of course, Apple couldn’t just allow that situation to perpetuate itself, which is why they completely redesigned the app. The results are stunning and highly recommendable. The app now includes turn-by-turn directions, interactive 3D views, a Flyover feature that can keep you entertained for hours, accurate traffic information, provided in real time, as well as a Local Search feature, with integrated business reviews from Yelp users. You can even sync your search history and save your discoveries into iCloud, so that you never miss a relevant bit of information.
While some smartphone users swear by the iOS Maps app, others would never give up on Google Maps. We believe it’s useful to have both installed, for particularly complex navigation situations. Like the iOS app, this one also offers turn-by-turn GPS navigation, for driving, walking, and public transport. It estimates traffic and arrival times, displays nearby businesses and reviews for them and can even tell you if there’s a special offer in the area – like a special price for the lunch menu at a nearby café in Barcelona, during your stay there. One extra feature of Google Maps is its use of indoor maps, available for major building complexes. It also features 3D views, Street View and allows you to save frequent searches, when using the app signed in with your Google account. Also, if you’re signed in and have people in your G+ Circles, the map will point you to nearby places they’ve recommended.
tow? What did you do? We’re going to assume you sprung for the first city map you came across, which is often not the best map available either. Wise up, then: join the over 10 million users who’ve rightfully opted for CityMaps2Go. While we recommend the Pro (paid) version, the free one is also extremely useful when traveling, since it brings you offline maps, travel content, tips from people who’ve explored the areas you’re interested in, and recommendations for popular and interesting sights to experience. In the free version you can only choose five destinations, while the Pro one offers limitless access to thousands of places around the world. The maps even show your current position, despite the fact that they require no Internet access. The app can be backed-up and synced across devices and it also tells you when there is a more up-to-date map available. For many large cities, they also include a Wiki-Guides.
The Runtastic Pedometer PRO GPS+ app is one of the most popular fitness apps around and with good reason, given how comprehensive it is. It records every single step you take, works in your bag, on your arm or anywhere else, counts calories, calculates your speed frequency and can be set to beep every other 1,000 steps. So, what does that have to do with traveling? Quite a lot, actually, if you consider the fact that people tend to walk more when they’re away on a trip, than they do at home. The cool thing is that you can also use it with your iPhone, for a morning jog even when away on a voyage. All in all, it’s a niftily designed handy little tool for keeping fit while away, which is likely to encourage you to explore new, exciting destinations on foot.
format these days. Now, if you own an iPhone or iPad, this can cause some problems – unless, of course, you get the Adobe Reader app installed. This free, lightweight app makes it possible to quickly open .pdfs from your mail address or from around the web, search documents, annotate them, zoom in or out, read in the dark in Night Mode, or read longer passages with Brightness Lock. The app allows you to save documents in this format with any app that supports the ‘Open In…’ function and also defines words for you, with the enabled iOS Dictionary feature. Basically, this app will work as your on-the-go office, since with it you can create, export, store, and open .pdf files. You can also make several in-app subscription purchases, like the Adobe ExportPDF, $2/month for converting PDF’s to Work or Excel files; or the Adobe PDF Pack, $9.99/month which goes the other way, converting Office or image files to PDF. As it stands, however, the free version is perfect for doing some light reading, as well as for keeping up with menial work tasks, such as report reading. I use it for smartphone storage of documents I find on my computer, when printing the document I select Save as PDF, then take that document and add it to my phone PDF’s. I can create an itinerary for the day, detail on points of interest, copies of hotel reservations, etc., etc.
access can turn into a complicated chore. That is, of course, if you don’t have Skype WiFi installed. This little app will literally save you money on data roaming, by locating and enabling you to connect to over 2 million WiFi hotspots online. You can connect at hotels, airports, bars, train stations and anywhere else. You connect in one tap and only pay per minute, for the time you spend connected – not for the amount of data you download or upload. All you need is a mobile device and a Skype username and password, as well as Skype Credit to pay for the online time. The app will also only allow you to spend 30 minutes per session online (and reconnect if you want to), so you don’t end up spending far too much time online, without even realizing it.
What’s so cool about the iOS Compass, you ask? Quite a lot – provided you’re running the latest version of the OS, the iOS 7. The app has been massively redesigned and now looks and feels quite awesome. The compass can still be customized to point to the true north or the magnetic north, as it did in the iOS 6. It now comes with geolocation integration, which means the compass reading always shows your current city and state, plus the full coordinates. You can effectively never get lost with this app, no matter what remote corners of the world you’re wandering across – provided, of course, you have GPS access. You can set a bearing to follow and you can play at will with the compass recalibration tool, which is actually quite fun. As an added bonus, iOS7 users also get access to a level tool that can tell you when you achieve perfect level – particularly useful after you have had too much to drink.
there are plenty of things you didn’t know you Clock app can do. For instance, adding a city to the World Clock section is achieved by simply tapping the + in the upper right corner of the screen. The number of supported cities is limited, but since all you need is the time zone, you can safely use a closer big city or the country you’re in. The Alarm section is also amazingly customizable: you can set one Alarm for certain days and another one for others, which makes it easy for you to set it. you don’t have to remember to do this every night. You can also disable the Snooze function and label your alarms individually. You can also set the Timer to lull you to sleep with your music of choice and switch between digital and analog times with one tap of the screen in World Clock. And with a variety of sounds to use for each alarm, you can be gentle or use the Bell Tower to get you up at 4am to make that 7am flight.
We’re also willing to wager that you don’t know how handy the iOS’s in-built Notes app can be when traveling. Also, we’re pretty sure you don’t know that you can customize and tweak this otherwise very simple text editor. Of course, you can always choose to use a more complex app like Evernote, but, for most text editing purposes on the go, the iOS Notes will do more than fine, and free. Here’s how to tweak the app. In the Settings menu of your mobile Apple device you can choose between three fonts and you can also change the display size of the font face. But the absolute best way to use the iOS Notes when traveling is reserved for those who also own a Mac desktop or laptop. That’s because the iCloud allows you to sync notes across devices, making your on-the-go jottings and travelogue far more easily available than before. Bonus: if you own a Mac and can zoom into the app’s icon, you will notice there’s a bit of an in-joke on display there. The hand-written scribbling on the manila-like background is a tribute to the old and iconic Apple TV add (“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels(…)”.
Reminders app. Sure, no one’s stopping you from using a more complex task management utility app from the App Store. However, if you travel a lot and want a simple, readily available tool to help you with lists and reminders on the go (that integrates with Siri), then the iOS Reminders is perfect. The app comes with simple functions like list-making for packing or shopping, as well as with lists for tasks, which you can check off when done. But by far the coolest feature is the scheduled, time and/or location based reminders. With their aid, your phone can effectively tell you to call a person in your phone’s Contacts list at any given time, or even at a certain place. You can even have Siri speaking at you with that information. And you can also sync reminders across devices with the iCloud, which is great for those of you travelers whose lives tend to get a bit hectic while out on the road.
There is an absolute plethora of photo editing, storing, organizing, and sharing apps out there on the App Store. However, the iPhoto is also a pretty serious contender for the title of Best Photo App to use when traveling. Not only is the interface gorgeously designed, but the entire user experience is straightforward and streamlined. It’s also integrated with sharing functions, either via email or social media, and the app’s editing capabilities are comparable to those of some of the best other similar apps out there. It’s a particularly good idea to use iPhotos for organizing your image collections when traveling, since this Apple-developed app takes full advantage of the iOS’s computing capabilities, making it faster than other similar apps. You can Favorite photos, search through your collections, or even print souvenirs from your journeys for family and friends.
smartphones and the Internet happened: nowadays, people would rather upload their visual keepsakes to their Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram accounts, rather than take the time and trouble to mail them via snail mail. However, if you’re a nostalgic, who believes there’s nothing quite like receiving a personal, printed postcard, or more to the point, you have a grandmother that won’t touch electronic devices, then postagram is the app and service for you. It will print and mail images from your iPhone, Android smartphone, Facebook or Dropbox accounts to anyone in the world. It costs $.99 to send one in the U.S. (and $1.99 outside the U.S.) and the first five ones are free. You can personalize them as much as you want – they will reach their destination in 2-5 business days locally and up to 2-3 weeks internationally. The developing company also offers a money back guarantee to clients whose postcards get lost or damaged in the mail.
If you’re the outdoorsy type, who also likes to take pictures, then you’ve definitely had to deal with that situation, in which you’re overcome by the natural beauty of a particular landscape and would like to take it all in and photograph it panoramically. However, almost in spite of all the improvements for panoramic picture taking that both Apple and Android have made, taking panoramic pictures still isn’t all that easy. Luckily, there’s Pano, an app that can help you capture beautiful panoramas through a very simple process. The interface is simple, easy to learn, and the finished results are nothing short of amazing. The final resolution of the image, as photographed with an iPhone, stands at a whopping 24 megapixels (14994 x 1632). You can even take 360-degree panoramas, with up to 16 photos lined up. The app also comes with alignment, blending and color correction algorithms that make your final photos absolutely seamless. And now it is super simple to post your Pano to Facebook or Twitter, all from within the app.
your trip in video format? Wouldn’t that be something? What if you could customize it with text, animations, overlays, and music? That’s exactly what Ptch does and it also includes several styles for the final video. Ptch is available for iOS 5 and above devices and, while the developers had planned to bring an Android version to the market as well, they eventually abandoned that plan as they were acquired by Yahoo in late 2013. The short videos created with this app can either be made private or shared publicly on social media.
Got a Kinde? Great. Don’t have one? That’s ok, you can still use the Kindle app off your Android or iOS mobile device. The app brings all the functions of the device to your iPhone, iPad, or other brand of smartphone or tablet (or laptop). The interface looks great, it’s easy to use, and the app also grants you access to the Kindle Store, complete with its catalog of 1,000,000 titles. You can also automatically sync the last page you read, your bookmarks, notes, and highlights across all the devices you use. In other words, you can alternatively use your smartphone and Kindle, if you’re so inclined. There are also plenty of perks to using the Kindle app, such as special offers, exclusive titles, free book samples, and the Kindle X-Ray feature, which tells you all you need to know about a particular book. Kindle also makes it easy to look up words in its reference sources, as well as to organize and categorize your books, documents, and magazines.
while traveling. The app’s store includes well over 150,000 titles which you can download to your portable player, smartphone or tablet. Listen to them while waiting to board your flight or train, transfer books over Wi-Fi, navigate from chapter to chapter, bookmark the book, set your device to sleep mode, play with the narration speed, and multitask on your device while you listen. The app also has a gamification component, which allows you to track your audiobook progress and earn badges while you evolve. You can also share your Audible activities on social media and tune in for the Newsfeed from the app’s developers, with inside info on author events and new books.
niche for messaging apps for the iPhone – but, then, in came Viber and stole its thunder. What does this iPhone-dedicated app do? It lets you call other iPhone users, who have the app installed, absolutely for free. The cool part is that, more often than not, the quality of the sound and the connection are far better on Viber, then when using the phone’s regular voice call function. There are no in-app purchase obligations and use of the app is completely free, so long as you’re connected to a 3G, 4G, or Wi-Fi network.
which comes for free. There’s a lot this little app does – so it’s no wonder that its developers have received numerous awards for it already. You can voice call for free, IM chat, use it with your iPod Touch, and aggregate most social network profiles with it (including Skype, Twitter, Yahoo!, and MSN). It works with push notifications, too, allows you to set statuses, and works via GPRS, 3G, Wi-Fi, and even Edge.
been repeatedly dubbed one of the best ever apps for the BB. It’s able to translate from and into 60 different languages and works both with typed-in text, as well as with voice recognition. It provides translations in writing, but can also utter the out loud. It somewhat lacks in terms of design and interface, but given its functionality, as well as the fact that it’s also compatible with older devices, it’s not half bad as far as language translation apps go.