No matter the types of photography you find yourself in, tripods are essential. Tripods will have numerous applications and will prove invaluable in multiple scenarios. Using one can also make all the difference to the quality of your photos or videos, and budget tripods can help you get there for less. Luckily, you can use a best budget tripod to achieve your photo goals.
If you have a limited budget for your photography gear, an affordable tripod under $50 can still help you learn the basic skills of long-exposure photography, portraiture, and other areas of photography where tripods are required to achieve good results.
For those who are just starting out, choosing the best camera tripod with good technical specifications and features that fits your budget is better than having no tripod at all.
However, do keep in mind that these tools are much more complex than simply being a stand that mounts and holds your camera still. When choosing a tripod, don’t just consider the price — check its specifications first and see if it truly is the best budget tripod for you.
Here are our recommendations for the best budget tripod under $50:
Manfrotto PIXI Evo 2 Section Mini Tripod
Manfrotto is known for making excellent, highly reliable premium tripods, including at higher prices. With this miniature Manfrotto, however, photographers can enjoy the quality the company is known for — without the hefty price tag.
The Manfrotto PIXI Evo 2 Section Mini is a top cheap tripod from Manfrotto. Despite its affordable price and small size, it’s well-built, sturdy, and has the ability to perfectly stabilize images for photographers who want to get creative with camera positioning.
Manfrotto PIXI Evo 2 Key Features:
- Load capacity: 5.5lbs
- Maximum height: 7.7in
- Minimum height: 2.4in
- Weight: 9.4oz
- Leg sections: Two
- Material: Aluminum
- Other features: Two leg angles, integrated ball head with 90° notch
Takama Flip-Zip Multi-Functional Photo Tripod Monopod Kit
The Takama Flip-Zip is a useful, cheap tripod for both digital cameras and mobile phones. The 2-way tripod head has a quick release plate for your camera, and a 2-3” wide grip for your smartphone.
Users can also convert this budget tripod into a smartphone-friendly monopod, or selfie stick, by removing and extending the center column. The Flip-Zip tripod folds down to less than 19” and is incredibly lightweight so it’s easy to hike and travel with.
Takama Flip-Zip Key Feature:
- Pan/tilt handle tripod
- 2-way tripod head for cameras and smartphones
- Quick release camera plate and 2-3” smartphone grip
- 3-section aluminum alloy legs
- Converts into monopod and selfie stick
- Foldable and lightweight
SmallRig Tabletop Mini Tripod with Panoramic Ball Head
The SmallRig Tabletop Mini works as both a budget tripod or a grip for handheld shooting. The versatile shooting accessory offers 90-degree vertical shooting and smooth 360-degree panoramic shooting.
The Mini tripod has a calibrated ball head with a pan knob to ensure easy and steady horizontal movements. Although miniature, this SmallRig handles up to a 2kg payload that can support small DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, and smartphones. The use of Arca-Swiss lends to quick mounting and dismounting of your device.
SmallRig Tabletop Mini Key Features:
- Tabletop/Mini tripod
- -90 degree/+45 degree front tilt
- -50 degree/+50 degree lateral tilt
- 360 degree panoramic shooting, vertical shooting, horizontal shooting
- 2kg payload
- Arca-Swiss plate
- DSLR, mirrorless, smartphone compatibility
3Pod Small Portable Table Top Mini Tripod with Ballhead
The 3Pod Portable Tabletop Mini is a great tripod under $50. It’s a two-section tripod with a ballhead that is optimal for vlogging or social content creation. The tripod is easy to use and the ballhead allows for easy camera positioning and angle adjustments.
With a payload of up to 4lbs and a common ¼”-20 screw mount, the 3Pod can support and hold smaller DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, GoPros, or even LEDs. Additionally, the tripod has a height range of 10.5” to 14” and collapses down for easy carrying and storage.
3Pod Small Portable Table Top Mini Tripod Key Features:
- Tabletop Mini Tripod with ball head
- Payload up to 4lbs
- ¼”-20 universal tripod screw mount
- Height of 10.5” – 14”
- Compatible with smaller DSLRS, GoPros, LEDs, mirrorless cameras
Joby GorillaPod 1K Flexible Mini-Tripod with Ball Head Kit
For a more flexible and lightweight tripod for on-the-go photographers and content creators, the Joby GorillaPod 1K Mini-Pod is your best bet. This tripod unit is 8.3” tall and only weighs 5.1oz. It can support mounts of up to 2.2lbs (1kg) and has the signature GorillaPod flexible legs for mounting and wrapping around various objects for achieving unique angles for shots.
Its ball head unit allows for more versatile and precise positioning of your mounted camera. It lets you get to those angles that are otherwise difficult to recreate using conventional tripods. The ball head unit can pan 360 degrees and tilt up to a 90-degree angle for added flexibility. It is also compatible with other Joby pro-level accessories, making it a versatile addition to existing setups. The Joby GorillaPod is ideal for still photography, video creation, and vlogging thanks to its lightweight and ergonomic design.
Joby GorillaPod 1K Mini-Tripod Key Features:
- Tripod load capacity: 2.2lbs (1kg)
- Flexible wrap-around legs
- Rubberized grip rings and foot grips
- Made from durable stainless steel & ABS plastic
- Included ball mount has 360-degree panning & 90-degree tilt
- Modular ball head unit compatible with other Joby pro-accessories
Bower VTSL7200 3-Section 72″ Tripod with Case
Although it comes at a moderately inexpensive price, this particular Bower tripod series has a durable construction. It is also completely adjustable and compatible with all types of cameras, just as long as you use a universal tripod mount. For added traction, its legs are also equipped with rubber tips. The Bower 72″ Steady Lift Series tripod also has a quick-release swivel head and three separate leg locks that let you set it up easily. When folded, it measures 26 inches, which allows it to fit the included carry case perfectly.
This heavy-duty tripod also has a sure-grip tilt and pan control lever and comes with an accessory hook and a convenient carrying case.
Bower 72″ Steady Lift Series Tripod Key Features:
- Load capacity: 3.8lbs
- Maximum height: 72in
- Weight: 4.58lbs
- Leg Sections: Three (with locks)
- Material: Aluminum
- Other features: 3-way fluid pan head, rubber-tipped legs, quick-release mount, geared center column with crank
Dolica 62″ Proline Aluminum Alloy Tripod and Ball Head
The Dolica Proline Aluminum Alloy Tripod is another affordable and lightweight tripod that you can add to your photography equipment. This aluminum tripod weighs 2.9lbs, has a full working height of 62″, and has three variable leg angles. You can position your camera to be as close to the ground as possible for close-up shots or give it a more stable footing for time-lapse shots, long exposures, and still photography.
This Dolica Proline tripod also includes a ball head with a load capacity of 13.2lbs, ideal for mounting DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and camcorders. It has a quick-release plate for easy access to your camera and has a built-in bubble level to keep your tripod leveled at all times. Have a lightweight and durable tripod for events, landscape, and macro photography with the Dolica 62″ Proline Aluminum Alloy Tripod.
Dolica 62″ Proline Aluminum Alloy Tripod Key Features:
- Load capacity: 13.2 lbs
- Durable build quality
- Ball head with quick-release plate
- Built-in bubble level
- Foam cell comfort grips, weight hook & leg locks
- Reversible locking center column & non-slip rubber feet
- Includes a carrying case & tool kit
Slik U8000 Video/Photo Tripod
While it does have tripods that sell for a few hundred dollars apiece, Slik also has a great line of budget tripods that offer excellent value for money for those who want to get the best low-budget tripod that does not skimp on functionality and features. The U8000 is lightweight, durable, features a 3-way panhead with a quick shoe, and can be folded or unfolded quickly and easily. It is designed for shooting both photos and videos and lets you do so easily.
Slik U8000 Key Features:
- Load capacity: 4.4lbs
- Maximum height: 59in
- Minimum height: 21.5in
- Weight: 3.1lbs
- Leg Sections: Three
- Material: Aluminum
- Other features: Fluid/3-way head, dual-purpose video/photo quick shoe, and speed release leg locks
Factors to Consider When Buying a Budget Tripod
Much like other camera equipment, finding the ideal tripod is more than considering its price. Since tripods are essential photography accessories, you need to take note of different factors before buying them. Here are a few tips on what to look out for when you go shop for any tripod, not just budget tripods:
1. Weight Rating
The first thing you should look out for is how much weight can the tripod support. Looking at the maximum weight capacity of the tripod is vital, especially if your setup includes bulky DSLRs and video cameras.
2. Tripod Height
Being able to use a tripod comfortably is another key factor when it comes to tripod shopping. Consider getting a tripod that matches your height so that the viewfinder of your camera once mounted is at eye level, eliminating the need for constant bending and adjusting that can otherwise be uncomfortable.
3. Tripod Weight & Overall Build
Most tripods nowadays are much more durable and have numerous built-in features. You don’t want a tripod that’s heavy and too bulky to move around. Look for budget tripods made from lightweight materials like aluminum or carbon-fiber so that you can move and bring your tripod easily and adjust it at will.
4. Tripod Legs
Most tripods either have tubular or non-tubular legs. Tubular-legged tripods have a threaded twist-lock system to secure it. Other tripods have a flip-lock system for additional stability. Take note that the more sections that the tripod legs have, the more unstable it becomes, especially when you increase its height.
5. Tripod Feet
Always check the feet of your tripod legs and see if it offers good traction and stability. Some tripod feet use non-slip rubber or plastic tips that are ideal for indoor use, while some have metal spikes for outdoor shoots and during slippery and inclement weather conditions.
6. Mounting & Quick-Release System
Budget tripods mostly come with a simple plastic plate that screws on the base of most cameras. Some have more durable plates and have an Arca-Swiss Quick Release System for easier operations. Tripods that have better quick-release systems often cost more, but prove to be invaluable for quick and easy camera operation.
Feature photo by iMattSmart on Unsplash
