If you have landed on this article, then you have most probably realized the value a tripod can bring to your photography, videos or Vlogging. At face value a tripod can seem like a unnecessary piece of equipment.
However that couldn’t be further from the truth.
After using a tripod in the field myself, it really is hard to go back to shooting without one. Below you will see my top picks and reviews on the best tripods under $100 that I have tried and tested!
Is It Possible To Get a Great Tripod Under $100?
In my opinion, definitely yes! But why?
Simply put, it comes down to the abundance of high quality materials and the extremely efficient manufacturing process of the 21st century.
When you add these 2 things together, you end up with a tripod that is well designed, durable, light, versatile and won’t send you broke!
How I Found The Best Tripods Under $100
Before I get stuck in. Let me first say that there is no one “holy grail” tripod under $100. In a way, this is good, because as creators, we all do our “thing” differently. For example, a tripod that would suit a landscape photographer wouldn’t be as useful for a Vlogger.
Because of this, I have compiled a list of the top 5 best tripods under $100 for all types of shooting and skill levels. Whether you shoot weddings, wildlife, portraits, home videos or street photography. There will be a tripod in this list for you.
Here are some things to look out for when considering the best tripod for your needs.
- Durability: As photographers/videographers we can sometimes be a bit rough on equipment. This may be due to many factors such as environment, travelling, prolonged use or just being straight careless. Whatever it is, the chosen product must be able to handle this constant barrage of terror. Poor camera equipment :(.
- Weight: Im sure I’m not the only one who has ever packed their bag to go do a shoot and quickly realized that 1. you cant event pick the bag up and 2. there is no way on hell this is getting on a airplane. So taking into account these factors will save you physical and mental hassle down the track.
- Compactness: This is similar to the above point with the added realization that not all light tripods are compact. I have made this mistake before after purchasing a extremely lightweight tripod only to realize to didn’t fit in my backpack. Damn!
- Price: Since this is article is about the best tripods under $100, obviously price will play an important role. Depending on your budget you can still pick up a decent tripod under $30. Hard to believe, but yes it is possible for the right shooting environment.
Top 5 Best Tripods Under $100 Of 2019 – Tried And Tested
1. Dolica AX620B100 Elite 62″ Aluminum Alloy Tripod Review
First up on my list is the Dolica AX620B100 Elite 62″ Aluminum Alloy Tripod.
Finding a “bullet proof” tripod under the $100 price range is challenging. But after some research and field testing,I believe this tripod is unto the task!
I’ll come out straight and say this Dolica AX6200 is no $1000 Manfrotto. But just because a tripod has a aluminium build doesn’t necessarily mean its sturdy.
There are also plastic components such as locking mechanisms that have to be designed well and strong. Some manufacturers do this well and some fall short.
However for this particular model, Dolica got it right.
Setting up for a landscape shoot was relatively effortless as the legs slid out smoothly and locked into place strongly. I was also quite surprised by the rigidity of the aluminium legs which I would compare to a tripod in the $300-$400 range.
During this shoot, I needed a stable setup which was helped by the rubber foot grips with protruding metal points. This really helped the tripod find its stability and was I very confident leaving it with a slight breeze in the background.
For some extra support I used the retractable hook which I hung by backpack from. Bit of overkill, but this thing wasn’t going anywhere!
Using the ball head and quick release plate was really easy to use and was easy to adjust quickly while composing for a shot. One thing I wish was added is a handle grip for easier rotation of the ball head. However I quickly got used to it and forgot about it in now time.
Conclusion
This tripod has a full extension of 62″ which is the expected length of any studio or landscape photography tripod. When packed down it fits easily into a backpack for easy transport. However it is on the heavy side due its it aluminium build coming in at 2.5 pounds. Over short hikes location I didn’t notice the weight too much.
Overall this Dolica AX6200 was a pleasure to use and is highly recommended for landscape and studio photographers. This tripod easily gets my top recommendation!
2. Joby GorillaPod Review
Next on my list of the best tripods under $100 is the untraditional Joby GorillaPod.
If your are familiar with daily Vloggers such as Casey Neistat or Mr Ben Brown. Then you have most likely seen this tripod used in multiple videos.
One of the biggest reasons for Vloggers loving this GorillaPod is that it’s designed for on the go shooting thanks to its flexible legs and lightweight build. While it’s a great addition for video shooters, it’s also a fantastic supporting tripod for photographers.
At first glance, you can tell straight away this tripod is completely different from nearly everything on the market. In a way this is a good thing as it comes with a lot of advantages.
One of these being that this Joby GorillaPod can be attached to almost any surface or protruding object.
This literally adds a whole new dimension to the way in which you can know frame a shot.
The gripping power that makes all that possible are the 24 ball joints on each tripod leg that have TPE Germain joints and medical grade ABS plastic components. Combining this two design features together deliver a highly durable tripod than can handle a camera weight of 6.6 pounds or 3.3kg. Perfect for lightweight DSLR’s, Point and Shoots and Mirrorless cameras.
Some other great design queues that are adopted from more traditional tripods are the ball head movement and quick release. Having these additions makes using this GorillaPod familiar and easy to adapt to from a more traditional tripod.
Conclusion
While this tripod ticks multiple boxes such as being lightweight, durable, affordable, functional and compatible, its not perfect for every photographer or video maker.
If you are a studio or landscape photographer then you may already see the limitations of this product. However for street photographers, travel photographers, Vloggers, hikers and video makers, this tripod brings a lot of value while being friendly on the wallet.
Overall this is a great tripod that can in my opinion enhance ones shooting due to its unique form factor. It’s one of the best tripods under $100 and arguably the most popular.
3. Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod Review
What if there was a tripod that had all the functionality but was light and easy to travel with? Thats where the Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod comes into frame.
Upon planning a trip to New Zealand, I purchased this tripod on a whim because of its light weight (0.73 pounds) as i was travelling carry on only. A true lightweight that packs a punch!
I had never traveled with a tripod in my carry on luggage which I was dubious about at first. But to my surprise, it fitted quite snuggly in the corner of the suitcase and left plenty of room for other essentials.
Looking back on it, I was extremely thankful I took this tripod with me as it allowed me to capture some stunning photographs.
What really drew me to this tripod was the light weight construction which is a third of the weight of the above mentioned Dolica. Having a light tripod is great, but it also needs to be functional and work with a wide range of cameras.
During this trip I was using a Canon EOS 70D which was securely fastened to the quick release plate and threaded on effortlessly.
This tripod is pretty hard to fault but if i was going to say one thing it would be the max load capacity is quite low (1.5kg/3.3lbs). While this tripod can easily handle a point and shoot, mirrorless or entry level DSLR, a heavy DSLR might have a bit of trouble stabilising. Especially with a telephoto lens.
Shooting with this Manfrotto was a pleasure thanks to its ergonomic “joy stick” handle which allows for quick manoeuvrability. With its unique joy stick design i took advantage of shooting some video and managed to capture some great panning shots. Locking the ball head in place is insanely quick thanks to the scroll wheel locking mechanism which can be easily controlled by the thumb.
Conclusion
Overall this tripod was a joy to use and travel with. I have recommended this tripod to multiple enthusiast photographers who want a truly versatile tripod.
4. Magnus VT-300 Video Tripod with Fluid Head Review
For all you video makers out there, I haven’t forgotten about you!
While the above tripods lean towards the photography aspect of shooting. This Magnus VT-300 is made for Video Shooters, Students, YouTubers, Vloggers and Filmmakers.
There definitely are cheeper video tripods on the market. But to be honest, they don’t offer the same quality and fluid movement as this Magnus. In saying that, this particular model isn’t that expensive and is currently hoovering around the $80 price range.
Setting up this tripod to shoot video is fairly straight forward and is easy to get the hang of for any beginner film makers of photographers.
Extending the legs out in two stages brings the overall maximum height to 64.3″ and locks in securely with the flip-locks.
Attaching a DSLR or camcorder to this tripod is a breeze thanks to its 1/4″ camera mounting screw. Another assisting feature is the quick-release plate that has a cork like anti skid surface and a bubble level that lessons any unwanted movement.
Now comes the part where this tripod really prospers.
Shooting video is unlike still photography where you compose in a static position. Because of this, video tripods need the ability to shoot buttery smooth pans and tilts which this Magnus VT-300 does extremely well for a tripod under $100.
Conclusion
While the pans and tilts on this tripod are incredibly smooth. Adjusting the drag of the movements isn’t a built in feature which is a shame. However you can bypass this by using the locking mechanism which works in a similar way to adjust the tension.
One extra thing to note is the panning speed of this tripod is not the quickest. So i wouldn’t recommend this tripod for tracking any fast paced video such as sports or action sequences.
In conclusion this tripod is a great fit someone wanting to get into video while delivering on functionality and being a friend to your wallet.
5. Ravelli APGL4 Professional 72″ Tripod Review
Last but not least on our list of the best tripods under $100 is the Ravelli APGL4 72″ Tripod. This model comes is a fantastic hybrid that caters extremely well for photographers and videographers.
What really makes this Ravelli stand out from the rest is its unique pistol grip. While this might seem a novelty at first, it really does add another layer of functionality.
One of the best uses i came across while using this was the ability to quickly transition from landscape to portrait orientation. For studio and portrait photographers, this will come as a welcome addition.
One downside of this Ravelli APGL4 is that operation straight out of the box isn’t the quickest. Upon setting up, i noticed a few screws that were slightly loose which were easily tightened with a Philips head. While it not major, its something to keep in mind.
As with any high quality tripod, you can expect a fluid ball head with a quick-release plate that made even quicker thanks to the unique grip. While switching between orientations there are 3 bubble levels that allows you to maintain a level base regardless of the angle.
Conclusion
Another great feature of this product is this ability to extend it to a max height of 70″. So for all you NBA players out there, this tripod is easily in reach.
Overall this tripod is a great addition to any studio or wedding photographer where the ability to shoot quickly is essential.
How To Setup Your New Tripod
If you have just got yourself a new tripod and wondering how to use it. Don’t you worry, I’ve got you covered!
Below are the steps that I follow whenever setting up for photography or video.
1. Find a flat surface when possible: Whenever first setting up, I always try and find the flattest piece of ground possible. This means I will be able to get the best footing for my tripod which will result in a more crisp image.
2. Be mindful of the wind: Another thing to be aware of is the wind. Even when it is not strong, the subtle force can actually cause a blurry image, especially when doing long exposure. So to combat this, preferably set up your tripod that has minimal wind.
3. Setup your tripod: Next thing is to of course undo your tripod. However before doing this, try and visualise the image you want to capture. Buy doing so, you can setup the tripod to exactly how you want it. This saves a ton of time and back and forth adjustments.
4. Add some extra weight: If you couldn’t find a flat or areas out of the wind, then you can aways use the hook on the underneath of your tripod. I usually put some rocks in my bag then hang it off. This results in some surprising stability!
5. Attached camera and tighten: Last but not least is to of course add your camera. When doing so, ensure that the base plate is fastened tightly to your camera as you don’t want it tumbling down a hill!
Final Thoughts
If your totally new to tripods, check out these guides on the how to attach a camera to a tripod and some cool tripod hacks. Overall a tripod can add a whole new layer of professionalism and quality to your content when properly used.
Hopefully this guide has steered you in the right direction in picking one of the best tripods under $100. Happy shooting!
You can also check out some of our other useful articles related to tripods and cameras
Phill says
Thanks for this. Just got a Joby
Bill R says
Good choice. I’ve had mine for a couple of years now and it has been a great photographic tool. I mainly take mine for travel but even find myself using it in some shoots.
lou says
Do you know the weight capacity of the Joby tripod?