You’ll find tripods that are heavier and sturdier. And you’ll find lighter, less robust travel tripods. Our top pick is the Peak Design Travel Tripod. It’s expensive, but it has the perfect blend of strength, portability, and ease of use. [Note: ExpertPhotography is supported by readers. Product links on ExpertPhotography are referral links. If you use one of these and buy something, we make a little bit of money. Need more info? See how it all works here].
What is the Best Travel Tripod?
Before we look at our choices in detail, here is a summary of all our recommended travel tripods. Now let’s look in more detail at our recommendations for the best travel tripod in 2023. The revolutionary Travel Tripod is the newest addition to Peak Design’s lineup. We know Peak Design from its camera bags, carrier straps, and belt holster systems. Now, they’ve added a travel tripod that’s turning everyone’s heads. What makes it so unique? Quite a few things, actually. First of all, it’s a real travel tripod. It folds down to under 15.5 inches. This is amazing because it extends to 60 inches when in use. That is more than enough for most travel photography. There are also two options you can get this tripod in. The one listed above is carbon fiber, which weighs only 2.81 lbs. But they have an aluminum version that weighs 3.44 lbs. The aluminum version is manageable and it weighs similar to other travel tripods. The carbon fiber version is stiffer and lighter but is more expensive. As a travel tripod, it has a few advantages. It’s Arca-Swiss compatible. It has a single ring to adjust the head, which is also an intuitive and compact ball head. And it has four leg extenders. This offers you more versatility when choosing the height of the Peak Design Travel Tripod. The Benro Slim is a reliable option for photographers on a budget. It is the best affordable travel tripod that still comes from a reputable brand, At 2.6 pounds, this tripod fits into the travel category. And a weight hook will help negate some of the negatives of using such a light tripod. The tripod has four leg sections with twist locks. Each leg can be set to one of three angles for more height options. This allows the tripod to extend from 15.7 inches to about 57 inches. You can also reverse the center column for the most height flexibility. The tripod also includes a ball head with a bubble level. So what is the reason for the low price? The Benro Slim doesn’t fold down as small as the others on the list without reverse folding legs. This means a faster setup while taking up about four more inches of space in your bag. The Benro Slim, like the BeFree, also has one of the lower capacities on the list with an 8.8-pound limit. And the under 3-pound weight could mean the tripod isn’t as sturdy as some of the pricier options. The Element Traveler from is made especially for travel photographers. Manfrotto is known for great tripods, and this is no exception. It’s a versatile tripod that allows you to move around without feeling weighed down. Even though the tripod’s weight is barely 2.5 pounds, the load capacity is a lot higher. It will allow you to hold up to 8.8 pounds. That’s enough for a large professional DSLR and a super-telephoto lens. The folded length of 13 inches is relatively small. You can shoot from a height of 14 inches up to 53 inches. This is excellent for landscape photography. The other feature that photographers will enjoy with the Element Traveler is the aluminum ball head with an independent lock. This makes up-down shoots for food photography or product photography very simple. The Sirui W-1204 is one of the few brands offering waterproof tripods. This makes it one of the best options for a hardcore outdoor photographer. The tripod has a sealing system. If you shoot in the rain or place the legs in shallow water, the twist locks will still work. The feet complete the outdoor design. You just unscrew the interchangeable feet to switch from rubber to spiked. The leg sections are held in place using twist locks to reach a maximum height of 65 inches. This Sirui also has the highest weight capacity of any of the tripods on this list. It supports up to 33 pounds of gear while only weighing 3.1 pounds. A counterweight hook adds even more stability to the tripod. The legs fold around the center column for a more compact folded measurement. It stands at 19.3 inches when folded, with only four leg sections. With a height of only 5.7 inches and a removable leg that you can use as a monopod, the Sirui W-1204 gets points for versatility. This Manfrotto Befree tripod is one of the few that use level locks instead of the twist type. Weighing a little over 3 pounds, this tripod folds down to a little over 16 inches. You can adjust the legs on the Befree to three different angles. This allows the tripod to reach as low as 13.4 inches and as high as 56.7 inches. The Befree’s compact design, versatile height, and flip locks make this one of the best tripods for travel photographers. And that’s all at a very reasonable price. Like other 3-pound travel tripods, this tripod can be a bit susceptible to wind. Unfortunately, there is no counterweight hook to support it. The capacity is 8.8 pounds, so it’s not designed for the biggest telephoto lenses. The 56.7-inch height limit will also be a sticking point for tall photographers. But for the price, the Manfrotto Befree offers quality and portability. What you’ll notice with this 3 Legged Thing Corey—apart from the creative name—is the small folding size. The legs fold back on themselves to keep it compact at 14 inches. This beats most of the tripods on this list. The most significant benefit is that the tripod converts to a monopod. This versatility is perfect for landscape photographers and sports photographers. The center column also comes with a hook that allows you to stabilize it further with your backpack. You’ll find a head-and-pan lock that keeps your camera exactly how you left it. Like most other tripods on our list, you can extend the legs using the four extendable sections. This allows you to use it at different heights. What makes the Corey perfect as an outdoor travel tripod is the materials used. The aluminum alloy tube means it won’t damage easily. It’s a reliable piece of equipment that’ll last you years. The MeFoto RoadTrip is a tripod that’s as versatile as it is colorful. The RoadTrip serves as both a tripod and a monopod with one removable leg. The versatility also extends to the tripod’s height range. It goes from 15.6 inches to about 62 inches when extended. With the reverse-folding legs, the tripod packs away in less than 16 inches of space. The number of leg sections is a bit too much if you’re looking for maximum stability. But all five parts use twist locks, which is a great safety measure. The feet have spikes and the twist locks help get the tripod set up a bit faster. MeFoto offers two different versions of the RoadTrip—an aluminum and a carbon fiber edition. The pricier carbon edition option weighs 3.1 pounds and can handle over 17 pounds of gear. The aluminum weighs a half pound more and can handle the same amount of gear. For those who don’t like their photo gear looking like everyone else’s, the RoadTrip comes in seven different colors. This Gitzo tripod is the juggernaut of travel tripods. It will hold up to 22 pounds, making it one of the sturdiest tripods on our list. This allows you to use heavy camera equipment. That’s perfect for destination weddings or sports photography. The extra weight-bearing design will help with added accessories like microphones, lights, or flash units. It comes with a high-quality ball head. As far as tripods go, this one is lightweight, weighing only 3.2 pounds. The most significant benefit I found is the small center column. This lets you get close to the ground for low-angle shots. For these reasons, this Gitzo is expensive compared to the others on our list. But it’s worth the money. It has a simple design and construction that makes it easy to extend and shrink. The Manfrotto PIXI Evo is unique in this selection of tripods. We all know Manfrotto for making excellent tripods. Whether large and sturdy or small and portable, it’s the go-to company. Their other best travel tripod options on our list are for photographers shooting up high. Eye-level vantage points aren’t the only way photographers want to capture scenes. Sometimes they want to get low for a different perspective. The Manfrotto PIXI Evo offers just that. This tabletop tripod is small. And it will fit in the small accessory pouches of your backpack or your coat pocket. You might not expect it to handle DSLR camera systems. But it will hold a weight of 5.5 pounds. This is more than enough to support a full frame DSLR body with a telephoto lens. Using it couldn’t be easier. Flip out the legs and you’re good to go. The PIXI Evo doesn’t offer you much versatility. But it is the most compact and lightest of our travel tripod picks. It’s perfect for selfies and vlogging, as it offers two different leg angles along with adjustable two-section legs. The Vanguard VEO’s reversing center column allows you to shoot as low as 16 inches from the ground or as tall as 57 inches. This is perfect if you need to get down low for macro shots? You can also adjust each of the twist-lock legs at three different angles. Despite the versatility, this Vanguard tripod weighs only 4 pounds. It can handle three times its own weight with a 13.2-pound capacity. When folded, the tripod fits in a space of less than 16 inches. A counterweight hook helps add more stability to the lightweight tripod. With a tripod ball head included, the camera’s position is easy to adjust. The VEO is designed for quick setup with the central column system. The four legs are also easy to adjust because of twist-lock legs. There are some downsides, though. It doesn’t include spiked feet, which you can get for a higher price. It also doesn’t have the versatility of using one leg as a monopod. But for the price, the Vanguard VEO‘s feature list is rather tough to beat.
Buyer’s Guide
Tripods can have a varying list of features. And some features are more important when you want to travel with your tripod. Read on to learn what makes a tripod perfect for travel.
What to Look for When Buying the Best Travel Tripod
Tripods are necessary for low-light and long-exposure shots. This is why a travel photographer must carry them around. But there’s a problem with lightweight tripods. The lighter a tripod is, the less stable it tends to be. That doesn’t mean your travel tripod is going to dump your camera in the dirt. But there are a few features that you should look for when choosing the best travel tripod for you.
A Travel Tripod with Counterweight Hooks
Adding a simple hook to the bottom of the tripod’s center column may not seem like a big deal. But this tiny feature allows travel tripods to be sturdier, no matter the travel conditions. If you can add weight to the tripod, such as your camera bag, you add more stability without sacrificing portability. These counterweights will help your travel tripod stay put in windy conditions.
A Travel Tripod with Adjustable-Leg Flip Locks
You can adjust tripod legs through either twist locks or lever locks. Twist locks are slimmer. But if you don’t twist them tight enough, they could unlock. Flip locks will add more bulk and tend to take longer to set up. On the other hand, you can trust them to stay locked. After using a monopod with twist locks that kept sliding mid shoot, flip locks are my preference.
A Versatile Travel Tripod
Travel tripods are even more portable when they do double duty, so you don’t have to bring multiple ones with you. If you want to use both a tripod and a monopod, look for a two-in-one that converts to a monopod. If you shoot macro or low to the ground, check the tripod’s minimum and maximum height. And look one with a versatile height range. You’ll save yourself from bringing a tabletop tripod for low-angle photos.
A Portable Travel Tripod
Whenever you buy a tripod, pay attention to the weight specifications. This is especially true for travel tripods. One is how much weight the travel tripod can hold. Ensure that your heaviest camera body, lens, and accessories fit within those parameters. The tripod with a higher weight capacity will be sturdier even if you only need half the listed weight limit. The second detail to consider is the weight of the tripod itself. That’s how much you’ll be adding to your bag’s weight on a hike or in your luggage. A carbon fiber tripod is lightweight and can hold a lot of gear. But it’s also more pricey than an aluminum one.
A Travel Tripod with a Sturdy Build
Plan on hiking with a tripod? Look for other outdoor-friendly features besides the lightweight feature. Retractable feet spikes can help make the tripod a bit sturdier on grass and dirt. Waterproof tripods are a bit harder to find. But they can survive taking pictures in the rain or standing in the surf.
A Travel Tripod with a Quick-Release Plate
Don’t miss capturing a moment because you have to fiddle with getting your camera off your tripod. Look for a travel tripod that includes a quick-release plate. Also, watch for small design changes that help you set up your gear faster. Unfolding each of the three leg sections takes longer than just unfolding one center column, for example.
Conclusion: The Best Travel Tripod
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is our choice for the best travel Tripod in 2023. It is lightweight, durable, and has a wide range of features that make it the perfect travel companion. It is also highly adjustable and has a unique design that allows for easy setup and breakdown. With its adjustable legs and quick-release plate, it is the perfect tripod for capturing any moment on the go.
