The tripod is the most useful and universal photo and video accessory ever invented, and carrying a substantial one is the hallmark of professional photographers. However, for most serious enthusiasts on the go, compact tabletop tripods that can slide into a jacket pocket or small camera bag offer a reasonable alternative when shooting handheld isn’t the best option.
Perch any tabletop tripod atop a handy picnic table, brick wall, or any other flat horizontal surface, and this little foldable gem can provide all the stability you need to shoot sharp, shake-free stills and videos in low light, at slow shutter speeds, or with long lenses that magnify the effects of camera shake. Their ball heads adjust easily to the optimum shooting angle. Some also have extendable legs that let you set them up on uneven surfaces and adjustable center columns for convenient height adjustments. A few even come with window clamps for firmly attaching them to a car window, or universal clamps for mounting a smartphone.
Another technique for achieving added stability with tabletop tripods is to press and hold the tripod-mounted camera firmly against any handy vertical surface such as a wall, doorjamb, window frame, telephone pole, or tree. This may not work for really long time exposures measured in minutes, but it’s pretty effective for short movie clips and still exposures down to a few seconds.
Deploying a tabletop tripod may require a little more ingenuity, but when you’re traveling light, it’s a great gadget for extending your shooting range and capturing sharper images. Here’s our carefully culled list of topnotch models, all of which are available at Adorama.
What to look for in a tabletop & mini tripod:
When buying a tabletop or mini tripod, there are a few important features that you should pay attention to in deciding which tripod is the right fit.
Load capacity
Consider the load capacity. Weigh your camera setup, and then decide how much load capacity is necessary to hold your camera plus lens. Tabletop tripods can usually hold as little as one pound, or as much as 15 pounds, so it’s important to know exactly how much you need.
Tripod legs & head
You should also consider what kind of legs and head that the tripod has. These things come down to a personal preference, but they do make a difference. Some tripods come with flip-lock legs, while others may have twist-lock legs.
Many tripods also come with a ballhead, and others don’t. Ballheads can vary greatly, so get one that fits your style. Many come with multiple different levers to fine tune the ballhead, and others may only come with one knob. There isn’t one that is better than the other, and it all comes down to personal preference.
Weight & size
If weight and size is important to you, consider this as well. Some tripods are very light and packable, which works great for throwing them in a backpack or taking them on the go. If this is important to you, look for a lightweight and packable mini tripod.
Tripod height
The last thing to consider is the height of the tripod. Some tabletop tripods can reach much higher heights than others. For more versatility, an adjustable neck piece is nice so that you can adjust the height of the tripod.
Best Tabletop & Mini Tripods to Buy
Gitzo Mini Traveler Tabletop Tripod
The Gitzo Mino Traveler is the lightest mini tripod kit on the market, weighing in at just .58 pounds (265g). The tripod is made of carbon fiber, while the head is aluminum. This tripod is a perfect fit for photographers who use cameras with small lenses. When versatility is required, you can choose between two different leg angles on the Gitzo Mini Traveler. If weight is an important factor to you, don’t overlook this mini tabletop tripod!
Key Features:
- Material: Carbon fiber
- Tripod weight: 9.35 oz (265g)
- Payload weight: 6.61 lb (3kg)
- Min Height: 4.92 in (12.5cm)
- Maximum Height: 6.89 in (17.5cm)
- Two leg angles
- Interchangeable with Gitzo Traveler Ball Head
Sirui 3T-35R 1-Section Aluminum Table Top Tripod
The Sirui 3T-35R ultra-compact, rugged, portable, and flexible tabletop tripod comes in black or red, and can hold up to 8.8 pounds. It also boasts a two-section center column for increased height up to 13.5 inches tall. If you need to shoot very low, you can remove the center column to get a very low angle and the most stability. The included ball head also comes with a quick release, perfect for the run and gun photographer.
Key Features:
- Material: Aluminum
- Tripod weight: 15.2oz (430g)
- Payload weight: 8.8lbs (4kg)
- Min Height: 4.5 in (11.4cm)
- Maximum Height: 13.5 in (34.4cm)
- Includes a high performance ball head
Slik Mini-Pro III Tabletop Tripod
For lightweight setups, the Slik Mini-Pro III is a perfect choice of mini tripod. This tripod supports up to three pounds, and also comes with the ability to be used as a “chest-pod”. If your camera is less than 10 ounces, you can even use the suction cup below the center column to mount the tripod on a clean glass surface, including windows!
Key Features:
- Material: Aluminum
- Tripod weight: 12oz (330g)
- Payload weight: 2.75 lbs (1.24kg)
- Min Height: 5.78 in. (14.7cm)
- Maximum Height: 8.46 in (24.5cm)
- Includes a compact ball head
Vanguard ESPOD CX 1OS 3 Section Aluminum Tabletop Tripod
The Vanguard ESPOD CZ 1OS tripod has extendable legs allowing it to reach a maximum height of 24.6 inches for when a higher vantage would provide a better image. The Vanguard tripod also comes equipped with anti-slip rubber feet, and a detachable window mount. You’ll be able to put up to 6.6 pounds on this tripod, which means that most compact setups will work perfectly!
Key Features:
- Material: Aluminum
- Tripod weight: 2.1lbs (0.95kg)
- Payload weight: 6.6lbs (2.99kg)
- Min Height: 14.75 in (37.4cm)
- Maximum Height: 24.6 in (62.4cm)
- Includes a pan/tilt ball head
Sirui 3T-15 3T Series Professional Tabletop Tripod
The Sirui 3T-15 tripod combines a robust, high quality aluminum build with a simple-to-use tripod. With two leg positions, you can shoot at normal or extremely low heights. The legs will stay sturdy on most surfaces with the non-slip rubber feet, and the high-quality ball head has a quick release lever for an extra strong hold. The ball head also has a safety lock system in place to prevent your camera from accidentally slipping.
Key Features:
- Material: Aluminum
- Tripod weight: 15.2oz (430g)
- Payload weight: 8.8lbs (4kg)
- Min Height: 4.5 in (11.4cm)
- Maximum Height: 13.5 in (34.1cm)
- Includes a quick release ball head
Manfrotto PIXI Aluminum Mini Tripod
The Manfrotto Pixi Mini tripod is a great choice for compact system cameras with its lightweight and portable design that is easy to use. The maximum payload is 2.2 pounds and it weighs just .51 pounds. With a new push-button mechanism, you can position and lock the ballhead in just one movement, making it easy to frame your shot quickly.
Key Features:
- Material: stainless steel and Adapto
- Tripod weight: 1.4lbs (650g)
- Payload weight: 2.2lbs (1kg)
- Min Height: 5.31in (13.5cm)
- Maximum Height: 5.31in (13.5cm)
- New push-button mechanism for ball head
JOBY GorillaPod 5K Kit
The JOBY Gorillapod 5K uses completely wrappable legs to allow you to secure your camera to almost any surface. The GorillaPod 5K can hold up to 11 pounds of equipment, making it a great choice for most DSLR or mirrorless cameras. This tripod is a top choice for journalists and vloggers due to how easy it is to use this tripod in three modes: grip for interviews and selfies, tripod, or as a wrapping mount.
Key Features:
- Material: Plastic
- Tripod weight: 1.68lb (762g)
- Payload weight: 11lb (5kg)
- 3 modes: grip, wrap or stand
Manfrotto PIXI Evo 2 Section Mini Tripod
This little jewel from the world’s largest tripod maker is fabricated of high-grade aluminum and features 2-section slide-out legs that can be adjusted in five intermediate steps to improve stability on uneven surfaces and provide a larger footprint. Its robust ball head has a cutout providing a full 90-degree tilt for vertical compositions, and this super-compact mini-pod will support cameras and a wide range of devices weighing up to 5.5 pounds.
Key Features:
- Material: Aluminum
- Tripod weight: 9.17oz (260g)
- Payload weight: 5.51lbs (2.5kg)
- Min Height: 4.13in (10.5cm)
- Maximum Height: 7.87in (20cm)
Benro PP1 PocketPod Tabletop Tripod with Integrated Ball Head
Useable as a tabletop tripod or as a convenient handgrip for Smartphones, GoPro, or DSLR cameras, it’s made entirely of industrial grade plastic with non-slip rubber feet and an integrated all-metal ball. Its maximum height is 5.3 inches, it will support cameras and other devices weighing up to 3.3 pounds, and it weighs in at a mere 5.6 ounces.. The ball head allows horizontal and vertical positioning and locks securely me means of a large knurled ring. The legs have finger grooves for a more secure grasp when using it as a handgrip.
Key Features:
- Material: Aluminum
- Tripod weight: 5.6oz (158.7g)
- Payload weight: 3.3lbs (1.5kg)
- Maximum Height: 5.3in (134cm)
Shop the entire line of tripods at Adorama to find the best one for your imaging needs.
Feature image via Shutterstock
