Best Travel Tripod in 2023

Looking for the best travel tripod?

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Packing a good and lightweight tripod is crucial if you are a travel photographer.

When you travel with the intent of taking great landscape and adventure photos, you need to find a good lightweight tripod. Often you’ll have to hike to reach a destination and without a good lightweight tripod, you will be quite limited.

I mainly shoot photographs of beautiful landscapes.

If like me you often find yourself shooting during the golden hour in low light conditions and you love shooting with a long exposure you definitely need a tripod.

Imagine a 3 hours walk constantly uphill with a heavy tripod on your shoulders. It happened to me when I was photographing New Zealand and trust me it was not fun at all!

I soon realized the need for a smaller but sturdy tripod for my travel photography. In fact, during my last visit to Cinque Terre to scout the best photography spots, I was so glad I bought a much lighter tripod. I can read about Cinque Terre, Italy, here.

I made this complete list of the best travel tripods available today so that you have a broad overview of what’s available on the market at different price points.

Related: Best Tripod Under $200

Best Value for Money Travel Tripods

Manfrotto BeFree Carbon Fiber Tripod

Key Features:

• Weights 2.4lbs (1.1kg)
• Ball Head
• Folded length 17 inches (43cm)
• Max height 59 inches (150cm)

One of the best travel tripods on the market is the Manfrotto BeFree Carbon Fiber Tripod. Taking a look at its features, it’s not hard to see why.

When it comes to convenience, few tripods are as good as this one. This carbon fiber tripod is lightweight 2.4lbs (1.1kg) and very easy to bring along. It can fold up as small as 17 inches (43cm), allowing you to pack it in your backpack wherever you go. The max height is 59 inches (150cm).

Another interesting feature of this tripod is its ball head to allow you to get your camera angle right in no time thanks to its three independent control knobs. If you’re a fan of pan head tripods, it can be challenging to adjust your camera’s position precisely. What’s better? It’s all a matter of preference.

It’s a lightweight but sturdy tripod that can hold up 17 lbs (7.7kg).

SIRUI T-1205X 5-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod

Key Features:

• Weights 1.8 lbs (0.82kg)
• Silicon twist locks
• 5-sections
• Folded length 13.4 inches (34 cm)
• Max height 51 inches (129.5cm)

When you get a hold of the SIRUI T-1205X carbon fiber tripod, the first thing you’ll notice how light it is. This tripod only weighs 1.8 lbs (0.82kg)! It is an extremely lightweight tripod. Pair that with a folded length of only 13.4 inches (34 cm), you get a tripod you can bring wherever you go.

To make things even better, this tripod doesn’t fall over easily. You may think that because it’s so light, a breeze will topple it. That’s not the case. In fact, this tripod is sturdy, durable, and super stable. You can load up to 22 lbs on it with no worries.

If you’re into low-angle shooting, the 5 inches minimum height will be perfect for you. And if you’re on a budget, this is one of the most affordable travel tripods around.

The problem with the SIRUI T-1205X tripod is that it doesn’t come with a ball head nor a pan head. You’ll have to buy those separately. Also, the 5-section legs could be hassling to set-up.

Entry Level Travel Tripods

ZOMEi Camera Tripod Lightweight Travel Tripod Monopod

Key Features:

• Weights 3.25 lbs (1.47 kg)
• 360˚ Panorama Ball Joint
• Folded length 13.7 inches (34 cm)
• Max height 55 inches (139.7 cm)

If you’re looking for a tripod that is sturdy enough and comes with a variety of features, you should consider the ZOMEI Z699C.

At 3.25 lbs (1.47 kg), this tripod is a bit heavier than the others we’ve seen. But this allows it to hold up to 33 lbs (15 kg) of gear on its head. Despite this, you’ll find it still is quite lightweight for such a sturdy tripod. Collapsed, the ZOMEI tripod measures 13.7 inches (34 cm) long.

What makes the ZOMEI Z699C special, though, is its features. The ball head of this tripod allows you to get into challenging angles for your shots. You can also remove the central column of the tripod and turn it upside down. You can get as close to the ground as you want.

Also, you can turn it into a monopod by twisting off one of the legs.

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TYCKA Rangers Compact Travel Tripod, Aluminum Camera Tripod

Key Features:

• Weights 4.5 lbs (2 kg)
• Detachable monopod
• Folded length 14 inches (35.5 cm)
• Max height 56 inches (142.2 cm)

All the tripods we’ve looked at so far are made from carbon fiber. The TYCKA Rangers Compact Travel Tripod, however, is an aluminum tripod.

It’s a heavier tripod, but it’s also a lot sturdier. At 4.5 lbs (2 kg) and a height of 14 inches (35.5 cm) folded, it’s still easy to bring it along.

Like the ZOMEI tripod, the TYCKA Rangers Compact Travel Tripod also has a bunch of features. These include a removable center column, a ball head, and the ability to convert it to a monopod.

Finally, aluminum is an excellent material because it costs a lot less than carbon fiber. In fact, the TYCKA Rangers Compact Travel Tripod is very affordable.

GEEKOTO 58″ Ultra-Compact Lightweight Aluminum Tripod 

Key Features:

• Weights 2.8 lbs (1.27 kg)
• Detachable monopod
• Folded length 14.5 inches (36.8 cm)
• Max height 58 inches (147.3 cm)

If you’re looking for a sturdy aluminum tripod without and you care about the extra weight, this is the tripod for you. The GEEKOTO 58″ tripod is incredibly lightweight for an aluminum tripod. It only weighs 2.8 lbs (1.27 km), that’s the same as many carbon fiber tripods.

This tripod can carry up to 17.6 lbs (8 kg) of gear. Not a lot compared to other aluminum tripods, but not bad either. As a travel photographer, it’s unlikely your gear will weigh more than this anyway.

Other features of this tripod include three leg angles, ball head, and a removable leg for monopod mode.

Best Budget Travel Tripod

Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB 100

Key Features:

• Weights 5 lbs (2.27 kg)
• Detachable monopod
• Folded length 29 inches (73 cm)
• Max height 68.2 inches (173.2 cm)

Vanguard is one of the go-to brands when it comes to tripods.

The Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB 100 is excellent. It’s a tripod that is worthy of the professionals. When you look at the specs, it may seem that this is an average tripod. It’s an aluminum alloy tripod that’s quite heavy, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg), to be exact. And at 29 inches (73 cm), its folded length is quite long.

But what these specs don’t show you is the quality of the build. This is one of the most robust and longest-lasting tripods you can get. It can withstand anything you throw at it. That’s why Vanguard is one of the top names in the world of tripods.

3 Legged Thing Equinox Leo Carbon Fibre Tripod

Key Features:

• Weights 5 lbs (2.27 kg)
• Detachable monopod
• Folded length 13.8 inches (35 cm)
• Max height 55 inches (139.7 cm)

Most cameras these days aren’t that heavy. Even if you mount big lenses for your travel photography, standard tripods will still be able to hold them up. But if you really have heavy gear, you’ll need the 3 Legged Thing Leo Carbon Fiber Tripod.

This tripod has an astounding maximum load of 66 lbs (30 kg)!

It’s built like a tank, it’s optimized for travel, and it comes with a bunch of locks for more security. So you can load it up with all your gear with no fear.

Very good for low-level shooting, and it has multiple mounting points.

It weighs only 3.9 lbs (1.77 kg), making it quite a lightweight tripod, and folds down to 13.8 inches (35 cm).

Best Mini Travel Tripods

The reason for having these mini tripods with the other travel tripods is that they can be useful if you are filming yourself with your phone or second camera while you’re travels.

A lot of photographers today are making video tutorials for their websites or YouTube and these mini tripods are the best available.

Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod

Key Features:

• Push-button locking mechanism
• Max height 8 inches (20 cm)

If you’re looking for a super small tripod, the tripods we’ve looked at so far may not interest you. Instead, you should get something like the Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod.

The Manfrotto PIXI mini tripod is very basic.
Its height is 8 inches (20 cm), you to carry it in your pocket.

I tested it, it’s very ergonomic and it can surprisingly hold a DSLR camera!

The Manfrotto PIXI mini has great build quality and it’s pretty much plug and play.

Joby GorillaPod

Key Features:

• Flexible tripod
• Carries up to up to 11 lbs (5 kg)

Perhaps the most convenient tripod to hand-carry is the Joby GorillaPod.

This is one of the best tripods for vlogging and does a great job for photography as well. Of course, its 15-inch height is quite short. But if you’re more about portability, this won’t bother you.

The Joby GorillaPod is surprisingly strong. It can carry up to 11 lbs lbs (5 kg) of equipment with ease. One problem with this though is that you cannot fold it. But at only 15 inches., this won’t be a problem anyway.

Best High-end Travel Tripods

Gitzo Series 1 Traveler

Key Features:

• Weights 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg)
• Detachable monopod
• Folded length 16.7 in (42.4 cm)
• Max height 60.2 inches (153 cm)

The Gitzo Series 1 tripod is a professional-level tripod. The quality of its materials and build is so high.

You can rely on it for anything and everything.

When you get a tripod like this, you can be sure it will fit your needs. It is perfectly designed for travelers. Its 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg) weight and 16.7 in (42.4 cm) fold size makes it perfect for bringing wherever you go.

The only problem with the Gitzo Series 1 (and other high-end tripods) is that it’s a bit pricey.

Really Right Stuff TQC-14 

Key Features:

• Weights 2.6 lbs (1.18 kg)
• Detachable monopod
• Folded length 17.7 inches (45 cm)
• Max height 58.5 inches (148.5 cm)

Another fantastic (yet expensive) tripod is the Really Right Stuff TQC-14.

Again, the features of this tripod are top of the line. You can load 17 lbs (7.7 kg) of gear on it, and it only weighs 2.6 lbs (1.18 kg). Folded, it can get as small as 17.7 inches (45 cm).

It’s designed in a way that makes it super easy to use.

You can set it up and start shooting almost instantly.

Again, if it’s in your budget, getting a high-end tripod like this is totally worth it.

The Really Right Stuff TQC-14 truly is one of the best travel tripods today.

Other Resources for Travel Photography on Pixinfocus

• Best Travel Photography Tips for Beginners
• 10 Amazing Tips to Improve Your Travel Photos
• The Ultimate Guide to Plan a Photography Road Trip
• New Zealand Photos: 8 Spectacular Landscape Photography Spots
• Cinque Terre Best Photography Spots
• 8 Most Beautiful Places to Photograph in Japan

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