As the age old saying goes, a dog is a mans best friend. Hold on… What does this have todo with photography?
Well for photographers, we also have our own best friends. But typically they only have 3 instead of 4 legs. As you might have guessed, I’m referring to a tripod which can open up a whole new world of creativity.
As photography can tend to be an expensive hobby, we have to try and keep our expenses down while still receiving the benefits of a product. Because of this, I have rounded up 5 of the best budget tripods, so you too can benefit from a photographers best friend.
Is there such a thing as a good budget tripod?
Before I started writing this article, I first asked myself “can you even get a worthwhile tripod on a budget?”. It would be pointless writing this guide, if there were no products that filled the category right?
So after a lot of research on forums, digging through different products and doing my own field testing. I have come to the conclusion that their are dozens or great budget tripods out there on the market. However that goes with saying that you have to be careful. As there really is a lot of crap out there that simply isn’t worth the money.
In actual fact, I was quite surprised with some of the tripods that I tested. I even started to kick myself for spending hundreds on a tripod when I could have only spent $50!
How I found the best budget tripods
I have tested hundreds of tripods while for this website, and one thing I have come to realise is that different needs require different features and specifications. So here is how I decided on the top 5 best tripods for budget savvy photographers.
- Construction quality: For me this was the most important thing as cheaper products typically have lesser focus on quality. So by having a tripod with a durable build, you are able to get the most out of it in regards to life span and quality of use.
- Price: As this is a list on the best budget tripods, I of course had to take a lot of consideration into the price of the product. All tripods in this list are under $100, with the cheapest being under $15!
- Functionality: While the above points were important to me, I also needed my tripod to function well for me so I could take full advantage in different styles of photographic techniques.
- Stability: When it comes down to it, a tripod is meant to do one thing, and that is to keep a camera as rock solid stable as possible. So this was a big factor for me when choosing as we all want pin point sharp images.
Top 5 Best Budget Tripods Under $15, $30, $40, $50 & $100!
1. AmazonBasics 50-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag – Under $15
AmazonBasics 50-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag Specifications
Weight: 1.25 lbs
Collapsed Height: 16″
Extended Height: 50″
Maximum Load: 6 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
AmazonBasics 50-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag Review
First up on my list is the uber cheap AmazonBasics 50″ tripod which comes in under $15, which is quite remarkable for what you get.
Surprisingly this tripod boasts many features of a more full featured tripod including a 3-way head, quick release plate, aluminium construction and even a bubble level.
So how did this tripod stack up with my Canon S120?
To my surprise it did really well! Setting up this tripod was very easy using the switch lock levers and the 3 telescoping legs. Maxed out, it gave me a height of 50″ which is below the tripod average, but was suitable for my needs.
Just be vary that the tripod does start to feel a little flimsy when at full extension. But I can understand that since it is of a lightweight aluminium construction. A lot of the time I extended one section of the legs and then put it on a table. Which helped a lot for stability.
So does this mean I would use this tripod in windy conditions with my Canon 80D? Most likely not. Would I use this tripod indoors, or in still conditions with my point and shoot camera? Definitely!
Considering the features of this tripod and construction materials, I can only think that Amazon is making this tripod at a loss. I have purchased lens caps that have cost more than this tripod! Overall, a great inexpensive tripod.
2. Ravelli APLT4 61″ Light Weight Tripod – Under $30
Ravelli APLT4 61″ Light Weight Tripod Specifications
Weight: 2.1 lbs
Collapsed Height: 19″
Extended Height: 61″
Maximum Load: 8 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Ravelli APLT4 61″ Light Weight Tripod Review
Next up on my best budget tripods list is the feature packed Ravelli APLT4 tripod which gave me some great results! While this tripod is only an extra $10 from the above AmazonBasics model, it really does deliver a lot more… Let me explain.
First off is the extra height, which is a maximum of 61″, which was great as I didn’t have to lean over too much. This is great for all you tall people out there! There is also the ability to get an extra few inches with the geared assembly which cranks the head just a tad higher.
As for the head, it is a 3-way head with the ability to go from landscape to portrait orientation in an instant. I found this came in very handy when capturing landscape and portrait photos.
Also integrated into the head and top of the tripod legs are two seperate bubble levels. To my surprise, this incredibly useful for levelling the tripod itself and then the head. This saved a lot of post editing in Lightroom!
Locking the head in place was very easy via the knob mechanism on the side. I felt confident using a P&S or a entry level DSLR on this head. While I did feel some instability in the wind, I took full advantage of the central column hook with my camera bag. This added a lot of needed weight.
If you are thinking about recording video with your tripod, you’ll then be happy to know that I tested this unit for that as well. As there is an attached handle to the head, I tried doing some subtle panning and tilt movements with this tripod.
Overall I was very pleased with this tripod and If you have the budget, I would recommended spending the extra $10! Also, I forgot to mention that this Ravelli comes with its own carry bag and smartphone adapter mount. Not bad!
3. Mactrem PT55 Travel Camera Tripod – Under $40
Mactrem PT55 Travel Camera Tripod Specifications
Weight: 2.6 lbs
Collapsed Height: 19″
Extended Height: 55″
Maximum Load: 11 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Mactrem PT55 Travel Camera Tripod Review
The next contender in my roundup is the ultra sturdy Mactrem PT55 travel tripod. After testing all of these budget tripods, I really can see the difference a few dollars makes in quality and versatility.
If I was looking at more pricey tripods, it starts to become harder to tell between quality and features of say a $300 and $400 tripod.
While I opted for the orange finish, there are options for blue, gold and black. So you can really pick a color for your own individual tastes.
What really drew me into this tripod was the load capacity of 11 lbs which was more than enough to hold my Canon T4i with a 18-55mm lens. I felt very confident using this tripod for long exposure and street photography. However I did find myself using the central column hook for some added stability.
One other feature I really liked about this Mactrem PT55 travel tripod were the rubber feet with ball sockets. Most tripods will have rubber feet, but they are not manoeuvrable to the ground below them. This is why I think this tripod handled itself so well in rough terrain.
Overall I was very pleased with the overall quality and use I got from this tripod. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this tripod to any beginner or even intermediate photographer. Highly recommended!
4. Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline Tripod – Under $50
Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline Tripod Specifications
Weight: 3.4 lbs
Collapsed Height: 21.5″
Extended Height: 62″
Maximum Load: 13.2 lbs
Price: View the latest price on Amazon
Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline Tripod Review
Moving on! Next up is by far my favourite tripod under $50 and far surpasses many tripods in the mid $100 range. Dolica is a well known brand amongst photographers for delivering high quality products at competitive prices.
That tradition continues with the Dolica AX60B100.
I have actually owned this tripod for over 3 years, so I didn’t need to get one for this guide. During that 3 years, I have taken this tripod on overseas trips, hiking expeditions and have really put it to the test. While there are dozens of scuffs and dints on this tripod, its still around to tell tales.
But what I most use this tripod for is long exposure and astrophotography. While it delivers a rock solid platform with its maximum load capacity of 13.2 lbs and industrial grade aluminium. I really chose this tripod because of its smooth ball head movement.
When it comes down to it, I simply adore this tripod for the things it allows me to it with my photography. It is also very comforting that I can take this tripod almost anywhere and know that it will be up for the task. This is easily one of the best budget tripods available! You can also see my full list of of best tripods under $50 here.
5. Neewer Carbon Fiber 66″ Tripod With Ball Head – Under $100
Neewer Carbon Fiber 66″ Tripod With Ball Head Specifications
Weight: 4.5 lbs
Collapsed Height: 17.5″
Extended Height: 66″
Maximum Load: 26.5 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Neewer Carbon Fiber 66″ Tripod With Ball Head Review
Last but not least is the only carbon fiber tripod in my round up list. Neewer is a relatively new brand that primarily focuses on lighting kits and equipment. But in recent years they have ventured into the tripod landscape (pun intended).
After using this specific model, I’m super glad that they did as they really are offering up a strong lineup of tripods!
While I have only had this tripod for 3 months, I feel like it is very similar to my Dolica that I mentioned above. However this is like the Hulk Hogan version as it seems almost indestructible! That is put down to its carbon fiber and metal construction which is surprisingly light!
Again this tripod also has a smooth ball head movement which you know I love. Combined with the ball head is the ability to rotate the whole head from the base in incremental spots for more precise composition.
At first I thought this was a gimmick more than anything. But after I set it up, I was pleasantly surprised to how much use I got from it. This saved me a lot of extra room in my gear bag as I didn’t have to pack both a tripod and monopod.
Overall I was super impressed with this tripod and I believe that this tripod will eventually become a number one seller amongst photographers. A must have!
Wrapping It Up
If you have come this far, thanks for reading! Hopefully I have helped made clear what tripod best suits your needs and budget. While I did try and find the best budget tripods, I have have missed something. If you think I have, please let me know as I will be happy to update this article!