When trying to figure out the right place to spend you tripod buying dollar, the options are staggering. It would be easy to be lured in by slick marketing touting various features that sound amazing. The question is do they represent good value and return on your investment? Therefore, I am presenting in this post, what I consider to be the 5 best tripods for every budget.
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Please note that this post may contain associate links to various products or services. If you use one of these links to make a purchase I get a small fee from them, at no addition cost to you
5 Best Tripods For Every Budget
You will see several tripod options below, on an increasing price scale. I personally own a couple of these tripods, and I have seen the others in the possession of friends. I can vouch for the items below based on my real-world experience. I am offering up these choices based on my opinion of their overall usefulness and functional value.
The word “best” is very subjective. When I say best in this post what I mean are those items that have risen to the top by virtue of the following attributes: Relative price point. Quality of construction. Features, usability and versatility. And finally, portability. So, now. Let’s take a look at the 5 best tripods for every budget.
5 Best Tripods #1 – Less than $50
Endurax 67 lightweight travel tripod
This tripod is surprisingly well constructed given its price point. It has features found on higher priced tripods. It is also very highly rated. This is not the normal “value priced” tripod, it actually is a really good good value. Having said that, this is intended to be a starter accessory to get you going. Coming in at around $40.00 this makes it an easy addition to the 5 best tripods for every budget.
Pros:
- Comes with it own carrying bag with a shoulder strap
- Fairly portable only 3.3 lbs, and 18 inches long when completely folded
- Removable quick release mounting plate
- 5 and ½ foot high fully extended (67 inches)
- 11 lb. load capacity for medium sized camera/lens combinations
Cons:
- Quick release mounting plate is not a industry standard design
- Tripod a tiny bit wobbly when fully extended with a heavy load
- Some people don’t like the pan handle on the head
- Feet seem like a possible weak point
Last known price approx. $39.99
5 Best Tripods #2 – Less than $150
K&F Concept 72 Transverse Column Tripod
This tripod has amazing flexibility for the price! Aside from the standard tripod functions, it can also be turned into a monopod. The transverse center column allows for offset camera placement and the column can be mounted underslung to get low and close to subjects. The K&F Concept tripod is a good choice this price range, and an easy addition to the 5 best tripods for every budget.
Pros:
- 360-degree ball head for easy camera orientation
- Removable industry standard Arca Swiss style mounting plate
- 6 foot high fully extended (72 inches)
- Compact when folded, 3.9 lbs. easy to carry for long distances
- 22 lb. load capacity for the heavier camera/lens combinations
Cons:
- Might be more features than some people need
- No real instructions included, although lots of info online
Last known price approx. $133.00
5 Best Tripods #3 – Less than $200
Geekoto 79 Carbon Fiber
This is the tripod to get if you are looking for something that’s more stable and durable. Also, if want to be able to position your tripod on uneven surfaces, on rocks, etc. With good vibration dampening, this one would be good for taking extremely long exposures. Center column can be underslung. The Geekoto 79 tripod is a solid (double meaning intended) choice.
Pros:
- Twist-lock legs for easy working height adjustments
- 6’ 7” foot high fully extended (79 inches)
- High-strength carbon composite material more stability than aluminum
- 26.5 lb. load capacity for the heaviest camera/lens combinations
Cons:
- Tripod can be difficult to get into the bag
- The manual was very poorly translated
Last known price approx. $199.00
5 Best Tripods #4 – less than $350
Manfrotto 190X Pro w/ball head
Manfrotto have long been considered the go-to brand for tripods. Nearly universal name recognition. Their tripods tend to be built like a tank, are durable and last forever. They are great tripods no question. Many people will buy nothing else, which is why it made my 5 best tripods for every budget.
Pros:
- Very solid construction, high quality leg locks, 10-year warranty
- Versatile configurations for all sorts of positions
- Transverse column for flexibility
- 5 stars rated on Amazon
Cons:
- Does not come with a carry bag
- Somewhat heavy at 4.4 lbs.
- Only 15 lb. load capacity
- A bit on the spendy side
Last known price approx. $340.00
5 Best Tripods #5 – Less than $400
Peak Design Travel Tripod
This is simply an amazing tripod! At 3.5 lbs. and 15.5” folded length, it is the smallest and lightest one on this list. The design and engineering on this unit is superb. Pro level stability. I really can’t recommend this one enough. Also comes in a carbon fiber version that’s only 2.8 lbs. and 20% more stable. This is an easy choice for the 5 best tripods for every budget
Pros:
- Super light and compact for easy portability
- Excellent construction, lifetime warranty
- 50% less bulky than normal folded tripods
- 5-foot max height, 20 lb. load capacity
Cons:
- A little tight getting it into its form fit carry bag
Last known price approx. $350.00
5 best tripods for every budget
Bonus – specialty tripods and accessories
The following items are included as a bonus for additional information on options and accessories. Depending on your needs you may or may not find them useful.
Manfrotto Compact Monopod
If you don’t want a full tripod but need some stability on the fly, plus a good walking stick. Click here to see this item on Amazon
Manfrotto Pixi
Quick to set up. Good for sitting on ledges, getting down low and other specialty applications. Click here to see this item on Amazon
Neewer carbon fiber gimbal head
This really helps for long heavy telephoto lenses. I have one that I use with my Sigma 150-600 super telephoto. A lens that’s impossible to hand hold and too heavy for a normal tripod head. Click here to see this item on Amazon
SIRUI Telescopic Boom Extension Arm
For shooting down onto a flat surface like a tabletop. Good for shooting paintings, drawings, other printed matter. Also useful for overhead shots of subjects. Click here to see this item on Amazon
You may also be interested in this post: Camera Bag Review – Peak Designs
Conclusion to 5 best tripods for every budget
Well, there you have it. Several tripods, in all price ranges to consider. I would encourage you to use the links above to go take a look at anything that was interesting to you. Look at the features, specs, etc. Also read the reviews. I tend to avoid the 5 star and 1 start reviews and look at the less extreme middle of the road. They are usually more realistic, honest and useful. Feel free to share this on social media if you found it useful! Thanks for reading about my 5 best tripods for every budget.
Loyd is a professional photographer living and working in Portland, Oregon. Loyd has been doing all types of photography for over 13 years, but he is focused on fine art landscape photography. Loyd’s work has been on book covers, CD covers, on TV, in online galleries and on the walls of homes. You can see his online photo storefront at loydtowe.com