When it comes to photography, there are literally thousands of accessories to choose from. While most of these aren’t necessary, there are a few that are must haves for any level of photographer.
Since tripods are such valuable tools, I have rounded up 5 of the best tripods under $50 so you too can get these added benefits without breaking the bank! But first…
Is it even possible to get a good tripod for under $50?
Upon starting this article, I kept coming back to the same question “is it possible to get a worthwhile tripod for under $50?”. There would be no point writing a full guide, if there were no worthwhile products right?
However that doesn’t go without saying that there is a lot of crappy tripods out there for under $50. But if you wade through enough tripods, sooner or later you’ll stumble across the worthwhile contenders, which is exactly what I have done!
Things I Considered When Researching This Article
- Durability: This was paramount to me as I didn’t want my brand new tripod to break on me after several uses. Because of this, I have added tripods what are made out of aluminium and ABS plastics.
- Stability: At the end of the day, this is what a tripods man purpose is. So I have added in tripods that have a good load capacity while still being able to handle uneven surfaces and terrain.
- Weight: If you have ever carried a heavy tripod over a long distance, you know that it can suck! Having a light tripod that is both strong and travel friendly is very important.
- Price: As this guide is about the best tripods under $50, I of course had to add this in as a requirement. Believe it or not, you can even get a tripod for $15!
Ok lets get stuck in!
Top 5 Best Tripods Under $50 Reviewed
1. Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline Tripod
Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline Tripod Specifications
Weight: 2.5 lbs
Collapsed Height: 24″
Extended Height: 62″
Maximum Load: 13.2 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline Tripod Review
First up on my list is the mighty Dolcia AX620B100 tripod which is by far one of the best tripods I have ever used, iregardless of the price. I found this particular tripod rivalled even some of my own more expensive tripods that cost me almost 10 times the price!
That tradition continues with this Dolcia AX620B100 tripod.
When it comes down to the specifications, this tripod has a maximum height of 62″ which is pretty standard among tripods. Even for a taller person like myself (6’1″), I didn’t have to bend over too much while shooting. Also thanks to its alluminum alloy build, there was minimal flex, even at full extension.
There is also a hook located on the central column for extra stability if need be.
Compacted down, it fits into a 24″ footprint. While I would have preferred it to be a bit smaller to fit in my backpack, I really shouldn’t complain considering the price. But there is a carry case included!
Thankfully this Dolcia has a very smooth 360 degree ball head which can be adjusted in an instant thanks to the twist screw. There is also a supporting quick release plate with cork backing for extra grip.
Overall I was very impressed with this tripod as it gave me a ton of use for such things as landscape, action, milky way, portrait and macro photography. At the end of the day, its really hard to go wrong with this one considering its great build quality and laundry list of benefits.
Oh, I also forgot to mention, it comes with a 5 year warranty!
2. Neewer Alluminum Alloy 62″ Camera Tripod
Neewer Alluminum Alloy 62″ Camera Tripod Specifications
Weight: 2.82 lbs
Collapsed Height: 22″
Extended Height: 62″
Maximum Load: 17.6 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Neewer Alluminum Alloy 62″ Camera Tripod Review
Next up on my list of the best tripods under $50 is the uber capable and almost indestructible Neewer Aluminium Alloy 62″ tripod.
While Neewer is a relatively new brand, their products really do speak for themselves. I have used their lights and grips before and I have not be disappointed to date.
As for the specifications, this tripod is very similar to the above Dlocia unit, give or take a few inches and ounces. Fully extended it reaches a height of 62″ using its three telescoping legs and central column. Due to its extra weight, it felt incredibly stable even in breezy conditions.
Compacted down, it has a length of 22″ which fits snug into the included carry case.
While this tripod has its subtle flaws, it is still jam packed with a lot of features and would be a valuable addition to any photographers camera bag. Highly recommended!
3. Zomei Z666 Professional Portable Tripod
Zomei Z666 Professional Portable Tripod Specifications
Weight: 2.6 lbs
Collapsed Height: 18″
Extended Height: 55″
Maximum Load: 11 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Zomei Z666 Professional Portable Tripod Review
Moving onto the next unit is the highly compact Zomei Z666 tripod. Seriously, this thing is small! I love to pack light, even on long overseas trips. I really hate being burdened down by a lot of stuff!
So after I saw the compact nature of this Zomei tripod, I had to get one for my next trip to Bali. It was cheap enough for me to justify the purchase for this one time trip, but I have actually used this tripod many times since!
Just remember that it is not a fluid head, so there may some jerkiness. But after some usage, this can me minimised.
While this tripod ticks a lot of the right boxes, I couldn’t help but think that this tripod felt a bit “cheap”. It did give me very sharp images, but I just had a feeling that maybe this tripod wouldn’t last as long as the above mentioned models. Nonetheless still a great pick!
4. JOBY GorillaPod SLR Zoom Flexible Tripod
JOBY GorillaPod SLR Zoom Flexible Tripod Specifications
Weight: 1 lb
Collapsed Height: 11.4″
Extended Height: 11.4″
Maximum Load: 6.6 lbs
Price: Click here to find the latest price
JOBY GorillaPod SLR Zoom Flexible Tripod Review
Next up on my list is the definitely weird looking but ultra versatile Joby GorillaPod with ball head. But don’t let its octopus like design fool you, this tripod is one of the most useful tools I have ever used for photography, vlogging and videography.
Personally I have attached my Joby to trees, benches, rails, cars, scooters and the list goes on.
While this tripod definitely does do well with photography uses, I would say this product leans more towards the video side of things. More so for vloggers who need that extra reach when recording or need to start recording in an instant.
As this Joby is rated for DSLR size cameras, I had no problem attaching my Canon 70D to the 1/4″-20 standard tripod mount or the 3/8″ adapter. Just be cautious if you plan on using a full frame camera with a larger lens as it can slowly loose its grip.
5. Camopro 70 Inches Tripod/Monopod
Camopro 70 Inches Tripod/Monopod Specifications
Weight: 3.6 lb
Collapsed Height: 21″
Extended Height: 70″
Maximum Load: 8.8 lbs
Price: Click here to find the latest price
Camopro 70 Inches Tripod/Monopod Review
Last but not least for my list is this 2 in 1 tripod/monopod combo that comes in just below $50. I’ll come out right away and say this isn’t the most durable tripod on the market.
At full extension, I noticed some substantial flex in this unit and I was using a DSLR with a 50mm lens, so that was a little concerning. But where this tripod really strives in in its ability to go from tripod to monopod with a few quick adjustments.
Another great benefit about this tripod is the 3-way head with a 360 degree swivel function. There was also an added bubble level which is was great for composing landscape scenes, having this level sure saves a lot of post editing on Photoshop.
A great pick!
Wrapping It Up
Hopefully this guide on the best tripods under $50 has helped you with your next photography purchase. If you think I have missed out on a certain tripod, please let me know as I plan on updating this list as time goes on. Thanks for reading!
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