Best Travel Tripods for Video and Small Fluid Heads

The Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod from Manfrotto features a hybrid  photo-video head suited for travel photography and videography. With a payload of up to 6kg /13,23lb the Befree Advanced Travel Aluminum Tripod, paired with the 3-way fluid head provides foldable handles for compactness. The tripod legs are made of aluminum alloy, and together with the fluid head reach a maximum height of 151cm / 59,4in including the center column.

• Payload: 6 kg / 13,23lb
• Maximum working height: 151cm / 59,4in
• Max Height without center column: 132 cm / 51,97in
• Minimum working height: 42 cm / 16,5in
• Closed length: 40 cm / 15,7in
• Materials aluminum Alloy
• Weight: 1,97 kg / 4,34lb
• Quick release plate type: 200PL, 501PL, Arca-Type
• 3 bubble levels for aligning the camera on three planes

Designed for both video and still photo, the TC5S Gazelle Uprise Tripod legs from iFootage are a lightweight, versatile three-stage carbon fiber tripod supporting up to 6kg/13.2lb up to 150cm/59,06in.
Topped with a swiveling flat base with a 3/8in-16 threaded stud and locking mechanism, the tripod features a detachable center column with a release mechanism, for low-to-the-ground shots of 17.5cm/6,89in.

• Pay Load: 6 kg / 13,23lb
• Maximum Working Height: 150cm / 59,06in
• Minimum Working Height: 17.5cm / 6,89in
• Closed Length: 52,5cm / 20.7in
• Materials: Carbon Fiber
• Weight: 1.94 kg / 4,28lb
• Swiveling Flat Base with 3/8"-16 Screw
• Integrated Bubble Level and Weight Hook

The TC5S Gazelle Uprise Tripod from iFootage is a lightweight, versatile three-stage carbon fiber tripod. The Komodo K5 fluid head is an aluminum tripod head with a 60mm diameter flat base suitable for all 60mm flat-head tripods. It supports up to 2,5kg/5,5lb counter balance payloads and a max payload of 5kg/11lb. The tripod features a detachable center column with a release mechanism, for low-to-the-ground shots of 17,5cm/6,89in.

• Pay Load: 5 kg / 11lb
• Maximum Working Height: 150cm / 59,06in
• Minimum Working Height: 17,5cm / 6,89in
• Closed Length: 52,5cm / 20,7in
• Materials: Carbon Fiber
• Weight: 1,94kg/4,28lb (tripod) + 0,76kg/1.68 lb (fluid head)
• Integrated Bubble Level and Weight Hook
• 3 x Independent, Locking Leg Angles

The Gazelle TC6S Uprise is two-stage carbon fiber tripod legs supporting up to 8kg/17,64lb with a folded length of 63,5cm/25.00in. Remove the center column to lower the tripod to 19,5 cm/7,68in or extend both stages to rise to 165 cm/64,96in.

• Pay Load: 8kg / 17,64lb
• Maximum Working Height: 165 cm / 64,96in
• Minimum Working Height: 19,5 cm / 7,68in
• Closed Length: 63,5cm / 25.00in
• Material: Carbon Fiber
• Weight: 1,91kg / 4,21lb

The Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod from Peak Design weighs only 1,2kg/2,8lb, and when folded, the tripod is roughly as thick as a water bottle. The tripod height adjusts from 14cm/5,5in to 127cm/60in, folds down to only 39,4cm/15,5in, holds up to 9kg/20lb. The ball head uses space-saving locking and adjustment rings instead of knobs and levers. The rings facilitate omnidirectional movements that are locked in place with a simple twist with a quick release system compatible with most Arca-type plates.

• Included with the carbon fiber tripod are a handsome fabric storage case, a mobile mount, 2.5 and 4mm hex wrenches
• Holds DSRL/mirrorless cameras weighing up to 9kg/20lb
• Folds down to 39,4cm/15,5in and weighs only 1,2kg/2,8lb
• Reversible center column, weight hook under the center column
• Ergonomic ball head with adjustment and locking rings
• Included soft case, mobile mount, hex wrenches, and bushing removal tool

The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. Its legs are secured by the Quick Power Locks. A new center column has a "one finger" operation, and includes an Easy Link attachment for attaching accessories.

• Pay Load: 20kg / 44lb
• Maximum Working Height: 170,2cm / 67in
• Max Height without Center Column: 139,7cm / 55in
• Minimum Working Height: 8,9cm / 3,5in
• Closed Length: 61cm / 24in
• Material: Aluminum Alloy
• Weight: 2.5kg / 5,5lb
• 90° Center Column
• Rotating Bubble Level

The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. Manfrotto XPRO 3-Way, pan-and-tilt head with a 200PL-14 quick release plate, has a load capacity of 12kg/26,5lb. It includes an integrated RC2 quick release cam lock and a 200PL-14 quick release plate.

• Pay Load: 12kg / 26,5lb
• Maximum Working Height: 170,2cm / 67in
• Max Height without Center Column: 139,7cm / 55in
• Minimum Working Height: 8,9cm / 3,5in
• Closed Length: 61cm / 24in
• Material: Aluminum Alloy
• Weight Tripod: 2.5kg / 5,5lb
• Weight Head: 1kg / 2,2lb

At first glance, the YC Onion Pineta tripod looks robust and well-built. On the show floor at IBC 2022 (link here), we only managed to put our hands on the aluminum alloy model. However, the accessory will also be released in a lighter carbon fiber variant. According to Alice, this new accessory features an unconventional design, starting from the head.

Indeed, the tripod sports a proprietary head design that goes by the funny name of “Coconut Bowl”. Unlike traditional 75 or 100mm tripod head bowls that come with a bottom screw, users can conveniently adjust the camera’s horizon by simply opening or tightening a top lever mechanism. The head comes with a built-in reference bubble level.

This peculiar design results in a huge advantage when using the camera support in low-mode, as its height is not limited by the central column that many tripods have. The legs have a 3-stage structure with a fast locking mechanism, and the height of the tripod is adjustable between 75cm/29.5” and 145cm/57”.

Finally, the top part of the accessory offers multiple 1/4”-20 threaded interfaces. These can come in handy to rig additional accessories, such as monitors, microphones, or wireless video systems.

The official price of the aluminum version of the YC Onion Pineta tripod will be $399, while the carbon fiber model will retail for $599. The one shown at IBC 2022 was a pre-production model. At the moment of writing, there’s no official information regarding the availability of this accessory. We will update this Gear Guide as soon as we find out.

The Ulanzi & COMAN Zero Y Lightweight Travel Tripod is a compact camera support aimed at traveling photographers and filmmakers. The accessory is mainly made of carbon fiber with the addition of aluminum parts, for a total weight of 1.1kg/2.2lbs.

The tripod legs can spread out at 20, 55, and 75° angles, and feature a 4-section design. The height of the tripod is adjustable between 15.3cm in low-mode up to 156cm when the central column is fully lifted. If collapsed, the tripod is only 42.3cm/15.74” long.

The tripod comes with a CNC-machined ball head, which can withstand a maximum payload of 5kg, while the central column can bear a load of 18kg. The camera attaches to the head via an Arca-Swiss style quick release plate and the horizon can be judged by looking at the built-in reference bubble level.

The tripod also has some hidden gems that can sometimes turn into little life-savers when shooting outdoors. For example, the bottom section of the central column acts a storage space for a small screwdriver.

The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. The Manfrotto 502AH Pro video head with flat base is fully featured professional head that is designed for executing cinematic moves with compact camcorders and DSLR cameras. The weight capacity is 10kg/22lb and the counterbalance supports 4kg/8,8lb. The balance plate's 8,3cm/3,27in range allows you to correct for uneven payloads due to matte boxes or heavy DSLR rig configurations.

• Pay Load Head: 10kg / 22lb
• Maximum Working Height: 170,2cm / 67in
• Max Height without Center Column: 139,7cm / 55in
• Minimum Working Height: 8,9cm / 3,5in
• Closed Length: 61cm / 24in
• Material: Aluminum Alloy
• Weight Tripod: 2.5kg / 5,5lb
• Weight Head: 1,7kg / 3,8lb

The Befree Live Video Head is Manfrotto's smallest traveler-style fluid video head. It supports up to 4kg/8,8 lb loads,  its minimalist, compact design makes it ideal for mobile video applications, such as vlogging. This head features a 40mm flat base with a 3/8"-16 mounting thread. Many tripods come with a ball head, but it can be removed to reveal a 40mm flat base.

• Minimalist Traveler Fluid Video Head
• 4Kg/8,8 lb Payload
• 40mm Flat Base with 3/8"-16 Thread
• Fits Many Photo Tripods and Monopods
• Fits Befree and Element Tripods/Monopods
• Separate Pan and Tilt Drag Knobs
• 501PL Quick Release Plate
• Bubble Level

The Komodo K5 fluid head is an aluminum tripod head with a 60mm diameter flat base suitable for all 60mm flat-head tripods. It supports up to 2,5kg/5,5lb counter balance payloads and a max payload of 5kg/11lb. An included quick-release camera plate provides a 1/4"-20 mounting screw for attaching your camera and is secured by a safety lock, and a bubble level is built-in to help you balance your camera.

• Precision Bearing System for Smoothness
• 60mm Flat Base with 3/8"-16 Thread
• 5/kg/11 lb Payload 2,5kg/5,5lb Counter Balance
• Quick Release Plate with 1/4"-20 Screw
• 60° Pan and +90/-83° Tilt Adjustment
• Individual Pan and Tilt Locks
• Bubble Level
• Two Rosette Pan-Bar Mounts
• Pan Bar Included

This XPRO 3-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head has a load capacity of 12kg/26,5lb and can be attached to tripods that feature a 3/8"-16 mount. It includes an integrated RC2 quick release cam lock and a 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate. Cameras that are compatible with a 1/4"-20 mount can be connected to the quick release plate before securing it to the pan-and-tilt head.  The XPRO 3-Way, pan-and-tilt head also includes a dedicated angle scale for rotational movements that is designed for easy visibility.

• Pay Load: 12kg/26,5lb
• 3 Independent Movements with Locks
• 90° Forwards and 30° Backwards Tilt
• Up to 90° Portrait Angle Tilt
• 360° Rotation, Three Bubble Levels
• Retractable Handles for Tilt Movements
• Tension Control for Tilt Movements
• RC2 Quick Release Cam Lock
• 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate
• 1/4"-20 Mount, Non-Slip Surface

The Manfrotto 502AH Pro video head with flat base is fully featured professional head that is designed for executing cinematic moves with compact camcorders and DSLR cameras. The weight capacity is 10kg/22lb and the counterbalance supports 4kg/8,8lb. The balance plate's 8,3cm/3,27in range allows you to correct for uneven payloads due to matte boxes or heavy DSLR rig configurations.

• Weight: 1kg/2,2lb
• Flat Base with 3/8"-16 Mounting Thread
• Payload: 10kg/22lb Weight
• Counterbalance Supports 4kg/8,8lb
• Bridging Technology
• Spring-Loaded Counterbalance
• Continuously Adjustable Pan/Tilt Drag
• Pan Bar & Sliding Plate Included