With the advancements in technology and high definition camera functions, it is still almost impossible to get a blur-free photograph or images by photographers without using a tripod.
If you are a photographer, whether as a novice or a professional, you know by now that tripods are the solution to achieving stability, better shoot options, and angles when taking a photo or video.
Tripods mostly look alike, and choosing the right one to buy to suit most of your needs could be hard, especially when you are looking for the best tripod under $100. Tripods come in different sizes, brands, styles, and variations to choose from.
In this article, we will be reviewing ten travel tripods under $100 to help you make the right choice when buying one. These tripods are portable, efficient, and very affordable.
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What to look for in a great tripod for travel
Choosing the best tripod for travel, especially on a budget, could be very confusing. Almost all travel tripods have the same features and serve the same purposes, so how can you know which specific bonus features to look out for when looking for the best tripod under $100?
A few important features you should consider before buying one are;
- Height
- Ease of set up
- Weight
- Build materials
- Size
Best value travel tripods
- Manfrotto Compact Action Aluminum 5-Section Tripod Kit
- K&F Concept 62” DSLR Tripod
- Magnus VT-300 Video Tripod with Fluid Head
- Coman Ultra Compact Carbon Fiber Tripod
- ESDDI Camera Tripod with 360 Degree Ball Head
- AOKA Lightweight Compact Carbon Fiber Tripod
- Neewer 77-Inch Compact Aluminum Tripod
- GEEKOTO 58” Ultra-Compact Lightweight Aluminum Tripod
- Joilcan 72-inch Aluminum Travel Tripod
- Torjim Aluminum Travel Tripod with Carry Bag
1. Manfrotto Compact Action Aluminum 5-Section Tripod Kit
The Manfrotto Compact Action tripod is one of the very best tripods under 100 available on Amazon. It is an aluminum 5-section camera tripod that is perfect for entry-level SLRs, a DSLR camera, Mirrorless, and other devices.
On looking at it, the ease of use is pretty obvious. This compact tripod brand has an innovative circular quick release plate that makes it easy for you to attach a camera to the ball head without needing to use screwdrivers.
The handleon the grip head also makes it easy for a fast switch from photo to video mode and vice versa. It weighs just about 2.6 pounds and can carry gear of 3.3 pounds with remarkable stability and balance.
The joystick head has a comfortable pistol grip that makes capturing photos and movies very easy.
With a dial that helps in regulating the camera to make sure it’s in place before use, a free carrying bag, and other nice features, this travel tripod is one of, if not the best tripod under 100 dollars any photographer can get on a budget.
- It is lightweight and easy to carry
- It comes with a carrying bag
- Comfortable grip
- High-quality aluminum alloy construction
- Easy switch from photo to movie mode
- It is quite short and will require you to bend very often
- Center column becomes wobbly when fully extended
2. K&F Concept 62” DSLR Tripod
The first thing you’ll love about the K&F Concept DSLR tripod is that it comes in a very nice carrying back with zippers and straps. It has room enough to contain other smaller accessories you may need to carry along when traveling.
This tripod is a four-legged one, and they are easy to fold and fit into the included tripod bag. the tripod weight is minimal since it’s made using aluminum alloy material. It’s simply a budget tripod that’s very efficient.
It has a maximum height of 62”, which makes it easier for photographers to shoot while standing, and a minimum height of 16.1”, making it capable of exploiting multiple shooting angles perfectly at any level and from any angle.
It has a quick-release plate, a built-in ball head for stability, and a degree counter for panning. It feels like, and is, a very easy-to-use tripod with a quick flip leg locks; you can open and close it easily with the press of a button.
- 360 degrees panoramic rotation ball head
- Lightweight, easy to carry, and boasts great flexibility
- Body is made of magnesium-aluminum alloy material
- Has inverted central axis for low angle shoots
- The knobs are made of plastic
- The tripod head tends to fall off easily
3. Magnus VT-300 Video Tripod with Fluid Head
The Magnus VT-300 Video Tripod with Fluid Head is a very portable tripod for shooting pictures and videos with DSLRs and other types of cameras. I personally enjoyed the built-in fluid effect video head that can pan and tilts 360 degrees. It has a quick-release camera plate, a pan bar, integrated center-column, and mid spreader, all the goodies any vlogger would like to see.
The center column can be controlled easily by turning the crank to get desired height without having to adjust the legs. The mid-level spreader, on the other hand, helps to keep the legs in a steady position when you are adjusting and locks them in position when you’ve set the tripod the way you want.
The legs are made of rubber and ensure a firm grip on any kind of surface. This Magnus tripod also comes with a carrying bag for easy carriage and an internal bubble level that helps for positioning the equipment on different surfaces.
- The legs have replaceable rubber feet
- Independent pan and tilt locks
- Integrated center-column and mid-level spreader
- Easy release leg lock
- Portable video tripod system
- The fluid head tends to leak after some time
- The fluid head can be stiff
4. Coman Ultra Compact Carbon Fiber Tripod
The Coman ultra-compact tripod can be used with various types of cameras and phones.
It is made of high-density carbon fiber material, making it extremely light and flexible. The tripod weight reads 0.42kg on the pack, and it can carry a maximum load of 3kg.
It is equipped with 3 of ¼ screw extended interface that can be used for connecting microphones, phone clips, and fill lights all at once while you are shooting. The innovative magic arm technology allows this tripod to realize live broadcasts of multiple phones all at the same time.
This compact tripod can be folded to 16.5 inches with its unique 180 degrees reverse folding legs. The legs have 3-position angle locks which provide balance and stability when you shoot with your camera or phone.
- Lightweight and portable
- Powerful 360-degree ball head
- Compact storage size
- One of the affordable carbon fiber tripods
- It is very stable on surfaces
- Becomes wobbly at maximum height
- Slow customer care
5. ESDDI Camera Tripod with 360 Degree Ball Head
No products found.The ESDDI TP-40 camera tripod is built for strength. Designed with an aluminum body and a max load capacity of 17.6lbs/8kg, it can take the weight of an 8kg camera with a heavy telephoto lens.
This tripod is one of the best tripods under 100 dollars that you can find. The center column has a spring hook at the bottom for you to hang goods. The legs are designed with rubber which ensures the stability of the tripod on any surface.
This product is equipped with 4 section column legs with quick release flip-locks that make for easy adjustments of the height to your desired level.
You can easily detach one of the legs and connect it to the center pillar transforming it to a monopod if you so desire for better and more flexible shooting.
- It is very stable
- The legs can swing 180 degrees
- It is durable
- A tripod weight of less
- The bubble level is not visible after attaching the camera to the plate
- Only one release plate
No products found.
6. AOKA Lightweight Compact Carbon Fiber Tripod
This carbon fiber-made tripod, from AOKA, is tiny and very portable. It is ideal for traveling, hiking, or just going on a picnic or outing. It weighs only 0.99 pounds and can carry a weight of about 3kg easily while ensuring stability. Great for all shutter speeds and macro photography.
The ball head comes with a quick-release plate and full panoramic movement features. It can go 360 degrees and allow for multiple angles panoramic shots for that desired result.
The AOKA tripod supports mobile phones, DSLRs, camcorders, and compact mirrorless cameras. It is very budget-friendly and durable. It can carry an average DSLR weight of between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds, and it ensures stability and wide coverage on shots.
With a maximum height of 640mm, this tripod can be adjusted to go as low as 120mm to cover multi-angle shooting. It has all it takes for a good photographic experience on your travels.
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Very affordable
- Full panoramic ball head movement
- 8x Carbon filter build
- Could be unstable in windy conditions
- Cannot be converted to a monopod
7. Neewer 77-Inch Compact Aluminum Tripod
This Neewer tripod has a max load capacity of just under 18lbs and a multifunctional monopod which makes it easy for users to use it in other ways to achieve desired results.
It is designed with a hook for adding heavy objects to add a little extra stability to your tripod when required. It also has a quick release plate that can be easily released by screwing the knob, and it can be adjusted both horizontally and vertically.
The flips-locks system on this tripod lets you adjust the height quickly and easily in just seconds. It’s easy to extend or retract depending on your needs. Also, and the folding design refuses it to just 19 inches and at 3.53 pounds, carrying is a breeze!
- Comes with a Bluetooth remote
- Swivel metal ball head
- It has a 1-year warranty
- Can be switched to a monopod
- Not stable at all in windy conditions
- It is not very durable
8. GEEKOTO 58” Ultra-Compact Lightweight Aluminum Tripod
If you are in search of a lightweight tripod that is equally efficient and affordable, this 58” Geekoto tripod is a very suitable high-quality aluminum tripod.
It is easy to set up and does not require any prior professional knowledge to use. The height can be adjustable from 15” to 55” to allow for more shot options and angles.
This tripod has a 360-degree panorama ball head designed to shoot images and videos from numerous angles. You can fix one of the legs to the center column to create a 58” height monopod for better shooting options.
You can also convert it to a selfie stick and an inverted mount tripod within seconds. This product is not only one of the best tripods under $100; it also has a money-back warranty if you are not satisfied with the product.
- Inverted mount feature
- Lightweight
- Quick-release legs
- It can be converted to a rocker arm
- The maximum height can only be achieved in monopod mode
- Not ideal for more professional use
9. Joilcan 72-inch Aluminum Travel Tripod
This Joilcan travel tripod has two quick-release plates that make setting it up fast and easy. It also features a three-way pan and tilt ball head capable of being rotated 360 degrees, making it a good choice at various angles and height levels.
This tripod is made of aluminum construction, and it is a 72-inch tripod that has four different height levels you can adjust it to. These height levels go from as low as 21 to 72 inches, making it easy and effective for you if you need various angles when you shoot.
It is very versatile and can support smartphones, mirrorless cameras, and DSLRs with weights of up to 9 pounds.
This tripod is ideal to take on your adventures as it is very light, portable, has a monopod feature and a detachable ball head.
- It is very portable
- It is very sturdy and stable
- Monopod features
- Comes with a cellphone holder
- The locking insert is made of plastic
- The monopod locking system is weak
10. Torjim Aluminum Travel Tripod with Carry Bag
Another one of the best cheap tripods is the Torjim aluminum travel tripod. This product comes in a sleek black color, a carry bag, Bluetooth control for SLR and DSLR cameras.
For a tripod that weighs 13 lbs and can take on weights of up to 6kg, this product is a guaranteed load carrier, and it can also be adjusted from 18” to 67” height within seconds. This is made possible because of its 5-section column legs that have quick-release flip-locks functions.
It has a built-in bubble level with a 360-degree rotation function. This makes tilt movement easy and convenient for you to achieve shots from any angle you want. The quick-release plate is a ¼” type, and it allows for quick removal and installation of cameras on the ball head. The Bluetooth remote allows you to control your device from 33 feet distance.
- 30-day free return option
- Comes with an extra phone holder
- Bluetooth remote
- 1-year warranty
- The tripod head becomes unsteady when adjusting
- The quick-release unscrews easily
Buyer Guide & FAQs
Before you buy that tripod, it is important that you have in mind the reasons you need the tripod in the first place. Not only will you be looking for a portable tripod that can be easily carried about, but other factors must also be considered in order to ensure that the tripod serves you just right.
Some of these include;
- Build quality
- Tripod head
- Weight capacity
- Portability
- Height
- Stability
There are different types of travel tripods
There are basically four common types of tripod products for you to choose from depending on your needs.
Pocket Tripods
These tripods can come in handy in group and family pictures. All you need do is place it on the table and join the picture. It can support the weight of small digital cameras and is an ideal choice for photographers who do not want to carry something bigger. It is about 5 inches and almost weightless. It is just a fancy tripod for taking selfies, vlogging, or group pictures.
Mini/Tabletop Tripods
These are mini tripods and ideal for simple travel photography such as sunset photos, self-portraits, group pictures, and close-up shots. It is small and easy to carry along. All you need do is place it on a table, set a timer, and take self-shots. It can also be good for flower photography and other down-to-earth shots because it can hold your camera up to 12 inches aboveground.
Compact Travel Tripods
These tripods have adjustable legs that can increase and reduce the height to desired levels for the best shots. They can hold your cameras and phones well off the ground and help in shooting stable photos and videos. They are good for where longer exposures may be required, such as waterfall photos or cities at night, but tend to be slightly bigger than the compact option.
Studio Tripods
These tripods are preferred for more professional photography. They are sturdy, heavy, and sometimes immovable. They can be used to hold heavy cameras with long telephoto lenses and are used mostly in construction, studios, and advertising. Not great for traveling.
Key points for consideration before buying?
Stability
Endeavor to buy a tripod that can guarantee strong stability on any type of ground level, weather conditions, and height. Tripods with rubber fitted legs and a center base are mostly firm and stable on the grounds.
Load Capacity
Depending on what type of camera or device you are using for your photography, you must consider the amount of load a tripod can carry before purchasing one.
Photographer Experience
Unless you are a professional and know your way around tripods, going for easy-to-use tripods is the best choice for you.
Longevity
If you need a tripod for professional and more prolonged use, especially if you are a professional photographer, you need to ensure you buy tripods that are guaranteed to last very long and their components can easily be reused and replaced when you want to.
Length
Tripods come in varying lengths, and this is an important consideration when buying one. Depending on the kind of photography you intend to achieve, you should check out the height levels before buying and consider if it will need to fit into your backpack.
FAQs
How Do I Choose the Right Tripods?
Ask yourself what do you need the tripod for? If you need a tripod for backpacking, for instance, consider weight over many other points. Often, heavier tripods offer additional stability, but the key is finding a balance. Also Consider your budget, the weight of your camera, the portability of the tripods, etc. too. Do you need mobility in the head or stability? These points combined will help narrow down the right tripod for you.
How to Maintain my Tripod?
Most tripods come with carrying bags. These bags are meant to help in storing your tripod when you are not making use of it. Try to use a microfiber cloth when cleaning your tripod and avoid using water to clean it. Always place it horizontally in the carrying bag after you must have dismantled the legs and folded it properly.
What is a Ball Head?
The ball head is a part of the tripod where the camera can be securely placed and easily rotated without the risk of falling. The camera is placed on a metal ball on the tripod head to allow ease of rotation. Adjusting the camera position can be done by turning a knob and rotating the camera to the desired position. You can also lock it in position by turning the knob again.
Why should I buy a Tripod?
Tripods are designed to help in taking more steady and precise shots with your cameras or phones. They also help in elevated shots without you having to climb on a platform or deal with steadying your hands to take a clear shot.
Can I use my tripod with any type of Camera?
Yes, you can. Cameras have screw holes at the base that can be attached to the ball head of tripods. Most travel tripods can support compact cameras, DSLRs, action cameras, mirrorless cameras, etc. If your camera does not have a screw hole, you can still mount it on the tripod with an adapter.
Final Thoughts
It is quite confusing to shop for a tripod that will meet all your needs giving the wide range of products in the market and their numerous specifications. However, this detailed guide and review of 10 of the best tripods under $100 will give you a better insight into making the right choice when you buy.
The Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod is a strong recommendation from me. I think it is the best tripod you can get under 100. It is lightweight, compact, and versatile, has five sections, and is compatible with different kinds of DSLR cameras and more.
You can give it a trial as it is sure to last you a long period of time. You could also make your own choice depending on your specific preferences.