Whether you’re filming a video for social media or taking the plunge into landscape photography, one issue all creatives come across at one point or another is shaky footage and ruined shots. Even if you’re filming at home, the last thing you want is to be mid-capturing your masterpiece and for your phone or camera to fall off the carefully balanced books you’ve placed and ruin the moment. So, no matter if you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned film and photography expert, a tripod is a must when looking to master your next piece.
A tripod can help to streamline the whole creative process by adding extra stability and enabling you to capture that perfect shot with complete peace of mind. To help you know more about tripods and how to find the best one to suit your creative needs, we’ve created this complete guide, covering everything from travelling tripods to tripods for beginners and budget-friendly options too.
Why do you need a tripod for filming and photography?
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of a tripod is stability. Of course, a quality tripod helps to eliminate shake and blur, however, there are actually many more benefits to having a tripod for your film and photography sessions than you might think.
For example, you can lock the camera in a wide variety of different positions, so a tripod can help you achieve more than just a basic landscape or portrait shot. If you’re looking to create a specific tilt to your shots, then a tripod is a must. It can also be beneficial if you’re using a long exposure or a fast shutter speed which will pick up the slightest shake, as tripods will help to prevent this.
Tripods are great for when you’re filming yourself or taking self-portraits, or any other circumstances when you wouldn’t be able to manually hold the camera. They will also provide extra peace of mind when you’re filming top-down shots above water, or high-up places to ensure your camera or phone doesn’t take a nasty fall.
Overall, there are many benefits to having a tripod, however, finding one to fit your specific needs can be a bit harder - so keep reading as we take you through a wide range of tripods to help you find the perfect match for you.
Best video tripods for filming and content creation
As a videographer, the type of tripod you need can vary depending on what and where you're filming. Compact tripods are ideal for creatives on the go, while taller tripods offer greater flexibility and height for more dynamic shots. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the best tripods for videographers, helping you find the perfect match for your filming needs, whether you’re an aspiring content creator for social media or shooting your next film.
Best travel video tripod
If you’re a creative on the go then you’ll most likely want a compact tripod for easy carrying that can keep up with your adventures. A lightweight tripod that can be stored away in your bag would be best for any travelling creative, so it doesn’t get in your way while you’re climbing mountains or exploring a new city.
If you’re looking for something small, easy, lightweight and affordable, then try our Karoo 3-in-1 tripod, it’s the epitome of all-in-one excellence for every shooting endeavour. This tripod features a triple-action fluid video head, making it perfect for filmmaking with smooth panning and tilting capabilities. Its flip-lock legs allow for quick and effortless adjustments while filming, and the centre column can be inserted horizontally, enabling unique horizontal axis shots. With this design, you’ll feel fully supported to capture the perfect angle.
Karoo 3-in-1 Photo & Video Tripod Kit £79.95
Karoo 3-in-1 Features:
- Lightweight for easy carrying (Only 1.88kg)
- Maximum height of 185cm and a minimum height of 61cm for a wide range of heights and angles
- Hooks beneath the centre column for attaching weights which provides extra stability
- Folded length is 64cm making it compact and great for travelling with
- Complete with a fluid head for straight shots, a built-in monopod for better flexibility and angles, and a drawstring carry bag for when you’re on the go.
Best all-round tripod for filming
No one wants to feel held back while filming, and if you’re still finding your filming style, then you’ll want a tripod that can do a bit of everything. From supporting a wide range of angles to fluid drag action for smooth panning and tilting, if you’re looking for a tripod that can do any and all filming styles then our standard tripod kit is the perfect choice.
This tripod is able to handle a lot of different tasks, angles and camera weights, making it the perfect first-time tripod for content creators or filmmakers who want to try a variety of different shooting styles. It’s big enough for those looking for something more heavy-duty but small enough that it’s not too hard to carry.
Standard Video Tripod Kit £159.95
Features of the standard video tripod kit include:
- Has a maximum length of 170cm
- Has a minimum length of 24.5cm
- Handgrips for a comfortable feel while holding
- Adjustable leg angles for low-level filming
- Spirit level and level platform for avoiding uneven shots
- Fluid drag action for smooth panning and filming
- This tripod can hold up to 6kg, making it perfect for those with heavier cameras and equipment
- Folded length of 79cm and comes with a carry bag for easy transportation.
Best tripod for professional filming
If you’ve been filming or doing content creation for a while, already know your creative style and are ready to upgrade your existing gear, then you’ll want a tripod that can meet your needs as a professional videographer. You’ll most likely want a tripod that's a bit more flexible than a standard tripod, with unparalleled versatility that’s coupled with strength, durability and a substantial load capacity that can handle all of your heavy gear.
In this case, our Kenro Twin Tube Video Tripod Kit will be the best fit for you. Made to be used by professional film companies, this tripod is easy to set up and is complete with a smooth fluid action 2-way video head. It comes with twist lock legs for fluid and streamlined adjustments while filming, an adjustable pan handle and a quick-release plate on the tripod head, and can hold a capacity of 6kg. Crafted from strong aluminium for extra durability and stability while filming, you can rest easy knowing that this professional tripod can keep up with all your creative needs.
Kenro Twin Tube Video Tripod Kit (Aluminium) £189.95
Kenro Twin Tube Tripod Features:
- Equipped with a fluid drag action video head for smooth panning and filming
- Spirit level and levelling platform to help avoid uneven filming
- Supports 6kg for heavy-duty cameras
- Maximum adjustable height of 185cm
- Minimum adjustable height of 85cm
- Made with high-quality durable aluminium for long-lasting use.
Best tripods for photography
There are so many forms of photography and each is completely unique and stylised to the individual photographer. So when it comes to finding a tripod you’ll want the right one to support your special way of capturing the moment. Below we take you through all the best tripods for photography so you can find the best match for your style and achieve the next perfect shot for your collection.
Best photo tripod for travelling
When you go travelling, whether you’re a professional photographer or just starting out, you’ll likely want to take plenty of photos. So, you’ll need a tripod that's small and easy to carry but can still support you in capturing those unique angles and impressive shots.
For this, we would recommend the Karoo Monopod Kit. This kit is perfect for capturing those sweeping landscapes and dynamic shots that demand a steady hand, and you can choose from a spiked or rubber foot for complete stability while you focus on getting the best angle. It folds down to a mere 54cm for quick and easy transportation so you can enjoy your travels without a clunky tripod getting in the way, all without having to compromise on the quality of your photography.
Karoo Monopod Kit features:
- Lightweight (only 0.73kg)
- Maximum height is 183cm
- Folded length is 54cm for easy carrying
- Includes a spiked and rubber foot for stability
- Carry bag for travelling
- Dual action ball head with quick release.
Best mini handheld tripod
Don’t knock them before you’ve tried them. Mini handheld tripods may not be as flexible as other tripods, however, they will offer all the stability of a regular tripod while being more compact and easy to carry, they’re even small enough to slip into your pocket. They’re especially great for photographers wanting to get low-down shots as they are lower to the ground than other tripods and will keep your camera steady on uneven terrain.
They also cost a lot less, so depending on your desired creative style, these can make a great starter tripod. For example, our Kenro Smart Lite 7" Mini Tripod & Handgrip is perfect for creators who are always on the go and are looking for a handheld and budget-friendly option for capturing photos while you’re out and about. It’s compact and folds down to around 19.8cm while still being able to support up to 10kg in weight.
Kenro Smart Lite 7" Mini Tripod & Handgrip (£16.95)
Kenro Smart Lite mini tripod features:
- An affordable option that is great for phone photography
- Great for capturing low-down shots
- 19.8cm tall and can slip into any bag or pocket for easy carrying
- Small but mighty - can support up to 10kg
- Ergonomic handgrip
- Great for handheld, tabletop and ground photography.
All-round professional tripod for photography
No one wants their equipment to limit their creativity, which is why a versatile tripod is essential for capturing your next masterpiece. Look for a tripod that combines flexibility with functionality, one that’s compact, fully adjustable, and adaptable to a range of creative needs. This way, you’ll have the support you need to bring your vision to life.
We recommend the Karoo Ultimate Travel Tripod Kit for any and all photographers looking for flexible gear. Made to be lightweight and suitable for travel while still supporting up to 10kg in weight, these tripods have a wide range of features. With vertical and horizontal modes, a 360-degree smooth panning action, and a removable leg that can be used as a full-sized monopod, this tripod offers complete flexibility.
Karoo Ultimate Travel Tripod Kit (£199.99)
Karoo Ultimate Travel Tripod Kit features:
- Compact design for easy travelling
- Maximum height of 176cm
- Minimum height of 22cm
- The centre column has an easy ball action which converts from vertical to horizontal as well as allowing smooth 360-degree action
- Includes a reversible centre column with a hook for attaching a weight for extra stability
- Comes with both standard and short centre columns, enabling very low-level photography
- Removable leg to convert into a full-length monopod
- Twist lock legs for easy and quick adjustments
- Includes both rubber and spiked feet for extra stability
- Comfortable padded handgrip
- Carry case for easy transportation.
Best tripod for phone photography
Phones have come a long way in recent years and a lot of them are equipped with high-quality cameras that enable us to enjoy video and photography without having to splash out on high-end cameras. It’s great if you’re just getting started in the world of photography (or even videography), and the best news is that any of the tripods we’ve mentioned so far can work with your phone! A phone mount, such as this Kenro Smart Lite Smartphone Adapter can be screwed onto the top of your tripod, to convert it to be suitable for phones. It also comes with a 3/8" screw thread which is perfect for mounting onto tripods, no matter if you want a small hand-held tripod for on-the-go or a heavy-duty tripod for those bigger tasks.
Discover a tripod for your next project with Kenro
Whether you’re creating videos from your bedroom or you’re climbing to the tops of mountains for the perfect scenic shot, having a tripod that meets your needs will help provide crisp footage and impeccable angles to help you achieve your next creative masterpiece. Here at Kenro, we stock a wide range of photography tripod stands and film tripods to help support your passion with high-quality and durable gear that will cater to all of your needs.
