I like to travel light, whether I’m walking city streets, trekking across the countryside or jetting off to the other side of the world. Conventional full-sized tripods tend to be big, heavy, and unwieldy – so I often leave mine at home, making it completely useless. By contrast, the best travel tripods literally take a load off. They’re made to be compact and lightweight but, in the past, they’ve often been notorious for being flimsy, relatively unstable, and too small to offer a useful operating height. The new breed of travel tripods tempt me with the promise of giving me the best of both worlds.
Most modern travel tripods have legs that swing upwards for storage, so that the head is encircled by the feet. This typically reduces the folded height by as much as 4" / 10cm. Some also include as many as five sections in each leg, and a two-section extending center column, reducing the folded height even further, while still enabling reasonably lofty shooting. I find they take longer to set up and fold away but it’s a trade I’m willing to make for smaller stowage.
Matthew Richards
Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is an encyclopedia when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers, and inks, and just about anything imaging-related.
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It's the first tripod Peak Design has ever made, but it's the best travel tripod I've ever seen! There is an aluminum version that's a massive 40% cheaper, however, which has all the same design features but just a little less vibration resistance. Read more below
This is no ordinary tripod; it folds down to just 35cm, opens to a height of 146cm, and has a huge 30kg payload. I like that its detachable monopod leg can be used as a mic or camera boom, and it has a Tri-Mount system for adding accessories. Read more below
I like that this is one of the outright lightest travel tripods on the market but still packs plenty of useful features. It’s equally adept for taking selfies as much as for shooting landscapes and the like, making it right up my street. Read more below
This Benro carbon tripod's 6-in-1 billing could fool me into thinking that it's all about versatility, but it's a very good travel tripod. Even at full height, it's impressively stable, and it packs extra features that could come in handy whether shooting with a camera or a phone. Read more below
Ball heads are all the rage but there are times when I prefer a 3-way head for making precision adjustments. This Manfrotto kit obliges by bucking the trend, and I find it’s well suited to shooting video as well as stills. Read more below
I often love the creative potential of shooting at really low level and the Corey 2.0 gives me all the flexibility I need to make dramatic shots without the fuss. It’s not a carbon fiber tripod but made from top-notch magnesium alloy. Read more below
I generally prefer carbon fiber tripods to metal ones, for a saving in weight and enhanced resistance to vibration. I’m not so keen that I often have to pay a whole lot more for the privilege but the Rhino is great value for money. Read more below
The best travel tripods we recommend in 2024
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✅ You like innovative design and photographic kit that makes a real statement.
✅ You want a travel tripod that has the slimmest possible profile, thanks to specially shaped legs.
✅ You don’t mind paying top-dollar for a travel tripod, and can make use of all the features.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You don’t want to pay over the odds for an aluminum or carbon fiber travel tripod – there’s no denying it’s pricey.
❌ You don’t need a mobile phone mount, which is a bit fiddly to get at.
❌ You’d rather have a different type of head, although an adapter is available separately.
The Peak Design Travel Tripod may be the first tripod that Peak Design has made, but it's hands-down one of the best travel tripods that I've ever used! There is an aluminum version that's a massive 40% cheaper, however, which has all the same design features, just a little more weight and less vibration resistance. A couple of the other tripods here will go higher, but the Peak Design will still go to eye level for an average-height person, and it packs down to just 39cm in length.
I like that it's designed to cut out the dead space between the legs and the column when packed, which means it's not just short when folded but very slim too – I can put this inside my camera bag or cabin bag instead of just strapping it to the outside. The low-profile ball head is simple but brilliant, there's a phone holder hidden inside the center column, and best of all for me, the tripod feels seriously rigid.
✅ You want to choose your own head, although you can buy the legs on their own.
✅ You don’t like fiddling with lots of leg clamps and dual center column clamps.
✅ You’re keeping an eye on the bottom line – it’s a pricey travel tripod.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want to choose your own head, although you can buy the legs on their own.
❌ You don’t like fiddling with lots of leg clamps and dual center column clamps.
❌ You’re keeping an eye on the bottom line – it’s a pricey travel tripod.
The 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 is no ordinary tripod. It folds down to just 35cm in length but opens out to offer a maximum height of 146cm and a huge payload capacity of 30kg. That far exceeds the weight of any of my camera and lens combinations but the net result is great rigidity.
I like that it has a detachable monopod leg which can also be used as a microphone or camera boom, a Tri-Mount system for adding accessories, and an innovative two-section center column. That helps it to fold down really small yet reach a decent maximum operating height. You can buy the legs on their own but I’d get the complete kit with 3 Legged Thing’s new and improved AirHed Pro Lever ball head.
The Leo 2 is not the smallest travel tripod you can get, and not the cheapest, but its ratio of folded length to maximum height, combined with its all-around versatility, make it one of the best.
✅ You want a tripod that includes a smartphone adapter and even a Bluetooth controller.
✅ You’d like a tripod that works as a monopod and selfie stick as well.
✅ You want one of the absolute lightest travel tripods on the market.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a heftier maximum load rating than 4kg.
❌ You’d rather have a taller maximum operating height than 136cm.
❌ You don’t feel the need for a low level adapter or dual rubber pad and spiked feet.
With five sections in each swing-up leg and a two-section center column, this Vanguard folds down to just over a foot long yet gives a reasonable maximum operating height. I find it can easily fit into my daily bag or backpack. It’s also very lightweight although, as expected, the alternative aluminum version is a little heavier. The bottom leg sections are quite spindly, with a diameter of just 11mm, but stability is pretty good even at full stretch.
As well as giving a typically quick and easy change to monopod configuration, the Vanguard is more unusual in coming complete with a smartphone adapter. I like that it works well as a monopod and even a selfie stick, so I only need to take one support for the journey rather than two or three.
✅ You like different color options for the finish, instead of just black.
✅ You’d like a tripod that can adapt for tabletop and other uses.
✅ You want a tripod that comes complete with a smartphone mount.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You don’t need a tripod with the extra versatility, which can be fiddly.
❌ You’d rather save money and buy the aluminum version of the tripod.
❌ You don’t like having so many leg and column clamps to deal with.
I thought the headline attraction of the so-called ‘6-in-1’ Benro MeFoto RoadTrip Pro would be its versatility. That’s obviously a headline feature but I’ve found that it's also a very good travel tripod, pure a simple. Even at full height it's impressively stable for its build, and it packs a few extra features that come in handy when I’m shooting with a camera or a phone.
I’ve found that it's an excellent travel tripod and, again, thanks to its versatility, it works well as a monopod and also as a mini table tripod, which are genuinely valuable additions. It's great that things like the hex key, small tripod legs, and smartphone clamp are contained within or attached to the tripod, making it much less likely that I’ll leave them behind or lose them along the way. The flip side is that the extra bits and pieces make the tripod a little heavier than it needs to be.
✅ You like the idea of a hybrid travel tripod, with a head that works well for video as well as stills.
✅ You feel reassured by buying a tripod from one of the biggest names in the business.
✅ You like flip locks rather than the more usual twist locks for leg clamps.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You’d rather have a tripod kit that has a more usual ball head.
❌ You don’t shoot video, but stick to stills.
❌ You’d prefer a carbon fiber travel tripod rather than an aluminum one.
The Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced is a lightweight photographer’s travel tripod paired with a three-way head. Although ball heads have become hugely popular, I actually prefer a 3-way head for the likes of architectural and close-up shooting, where precise adjustments can be critical. The 3-way fluid head in this case uses a hydraulic damping system to make it easy for smooth, fluid camera movements, so I find it also works well for shooting video.
The tripod, meanwhile, provides a good balance between capacity, weight, and price. It’ll take 6kg of kit and only weighs 2kg itself. I’ve tested lighter and stronger tripods, but they tended to be more pricey than this one.
It’s not as tall as some of the other tripods in this guide, and doesn’t fold down particularly small, the latter not helped by having a 3-way rather than ball head. But, for the vast majority of purposes, this is an impressive all-around package and merits serious consideration for any traveling photographer or videographer.
✅ You’re happy with a magnesium alloy rather than carbon fiber travel tripod.
✅ You want great performance and versatility at a bargain price.
✅ You like the ability to shoot creatively from really low levels.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You’d rather spend more on a carbon fiber tripod that’s not cold to the touch.
❌ You’d rather have something simpler, with less leg and column clamps to operate.
❌ You don’t need the 14kg payload because you’re using lightweight kit.
I find that all of the Punks tripods from 3 Legged Thing are very travel-friendly, but the Corey 2.0 is the smallest and easiest to pack for the journey. It has the usual swing-up legs to save stowage space, this time with five sections in each, plus a two-section head, enabling a decent maximum operating height but a very small stowage size.
Don’t be put off that this one’s not a carbon fiber tripod. It’s actually made from aerospace grade magnesium alloy and the upshot is that it’s still lightweight yet very strong, with a hefty 14kg maximum load rating.
It ticks another two boxes on my wish list by easily converting to a monopod, and enabling ultra-low-level shooting with the option of attaching the ball head directly to the canopy (leaving the center column out of the equation). All three legs are removable, and Vanz footwear (sold separately) transforms the Corey 2.0 into a stylish tabletop tripod.
✅ You want a really small, lightweight tripod that still has a hefty 10kg load rating.
✅ You’re after a carbon fiber tripod that’s reasonably priced.
✅ You can make use of the secondary pan axis for shooting panoramas and video.
Don't buy it if:
❌ The monopod configuration is nice to have but only stretches to a maximum height of 141cm.
❌ You’d like a travel tripod with a quick setup time.
❌ You’d prefer a tripod with feet that have metal spikes as well as rubber pads.
A plus point for me when space is at a premium is that the Benro Rhino 05C VX20 (also called the Rhino Zero Series VX20) is the smallest in a group of four recently launched Rhino travel tripods. Compactness doesn’t equate to flimsiness though and I’ve found that it’s remarkably rigid and robust for such a compact tripod. Another nice touch is that Benro’s companion VX ball heads have a secondary pan axis just under the camera plate. It’s great for taking sequences of panned shots to stitch into a panorama, and shooting video, as the panning axis remains on the level without the need to meticulously level the legs as well as the head.
I find that travel tripods have limitations, including a lower maximum working height and longer ‘unfolding’ time, but this goes with the territory and I can’t criticize the Rhino for that. Sure enough, this Benro doesn't extend to a particularly tall height, and outright rigidity can feel a little compromised if I fully extend all of the leg sections and both of the center column sections. When it’s not at full stretch though, I find this Benro is as rigid as much bigger and heavier tripods.
It’s good to be choosy when picking your perfect travel tripod for your needs and budget. Here are a few things to bear in mind…
Carbon fiber is pricier than aluminum, but is it worth the extra?
Up-market tripods are usually made from carbon fiber instead of aluminum. They have a more luxurious feel, a smarter looking finish, and can be slightly more resistant to vibrations. Carbon fiber can also feel less cold to the touch. But the main advantage of carbon fiber is that it’s more lightweight than aluminum, giving it a clear advantage when you’re trying to shed weight. However, there can be diminishing returns. Although the weight-saving can be substantial in full-sized tripods, it’s much less noticeable in relatively small tripods. For many travel tripods that are available in both aluminum and carbon fiber options, the latter typically only saves around 200g in weight, little more than 10 per cent. Considering that the carbon fiber editions are often about 50 per cent more expensive to buy, aluminum travel tripods can be more cost effective.
How small is the tripod when folded?
A decade ago, the Giotto’s company launched a series of Vitruvian tripods, named after Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing, ‘The Vitruvian Man’. As in the drawing, the legs swing upwards but, in the case of the Giotto’s tripods they swung up completely, adopting a vertically upright orientation for stowing away. The trick was that, by fully extending the center column before swinging the legs up, the tripod head no longer extended beyond the length of the legs, making the carrying size much smaller. Many recent travel tripods fold down small enough to fit inside a bag or backpack, rather than needing to be tethered to the outside.
Can I save space by using a tripod as a monopod as well?
A neat trick of many recent travel tripods is that you can unscrew one of the tripod legs, detach the center column, and join the two together for use as a monopod, complete with ball head. That can be a real space saver if you like using a monopod as well as a tripod, as you only have to carry one bit of kit.
What’s so good about multi-angle legs?
Pretty much all travel tripods these days have legs that can be locked at multiple angles to the center column. Typically either two or three alternative angles are available, in addition to the legs being able to swing up vertically. This can help when you’re shooting on uneven terrain, or when there are obstacles in the way. For example, you might need to use one or two legs in a near-horizontal orientation and place the feet on a wall or table to get into your desired shooting position. Another bonus is that, by splaying the legs to a wider angle when shooting at low operating heights, you can increase stability and reduce the risk of the tripod toppling over if knocked.
How low can you go when shooting with a tripod?
Multi-angle legs help to reduce the minimum shooting height but the limiting factor is generally the point at which the center column touches the ground. The minimum height is therefore the height of the center column plus the ball head. A two-section extending center column can help to further reduce the minimum operating height, as well as the carrying height. Some tripods are supplied with a short, stubby ‘low angle adaptor’. You can attach this to the tripod head and use it instead of the center column. The center column is also removable in most tripods, so you can invert it and shoot from between two of the legs with the camera upside down, right down at ground level.
What’s best for feet, pads or spikes?
Rubber pads are the normal footwear for tripods these days. They work well on solid ground as well as on grass and sandy areas. For soft surfaces like carpet, spikes can offer a more assured footing. Some tripods are supplied with both rubber pads and metal spikes, so you can swap between them as needed. Another option that used to be more common in the past is rubber pads on a threaded mount, so you can screw them in to reveal metal spikes beneath.
We measure the maximum operating height of each tripod and its folded height for carrying, complete with head attached. We also measure the combined weight of each set of tripod legs and head, using electronic scales, and measure the diameter of all leg sections, from the widest to the thinnest, using digital calipers.
We check the ease of use, smoothness and precision of all available adjustments in each set of tripod legs and heads. This ranges from adjusting leg sections and pivot facilities (where available), to the locking mechanisms of the head, as well as independent pan and friction damping adjustments, where fitted.
To check overall stability, we shoot with a range of camera bodies fitted with wide-angle, standard, telephoto and macro lenses. We look for good resistance to flexing and vibrations throughout the whole range of operating heights, including the tallest available settings with the legs and center column fully extended.
Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners!
His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related.
In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.
