Any photographer knows that conditions are not always ideal for photography. Your subject is too small or the lighting is too low. In these instances, a tripod is your best friend. But what if you don’t want to lug around a monstrosity or your subject is close to the ground?
Built with sturdy legs, tabletop tripods hold your camera steadily in position to eliminate any shake. They also get rid of the noise and vibrations to help the camera produce a clearer image. You can comfortably use long shutter speeds with tabletop tripods without having to reset your camera constantly.
They work just like any other tripod but are more convenient, travel-friendly, flexible, and easy to use. Here are some of the best tabletop tripods available in the market you can buy.
1. Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod
Manfrotto is a tripod manufacturer that is popular among photographers. The small structure of this table tripod works mainly with compact system cameras, entry-level DSLRs, or smartphones. The Manfrotto PIXI mini tripod has an Italian style and weighs only 190g, so it can easily fit into your pockets.
360-degree panoramic rotation allows you to take multiple overlapping photos without shaking and produces sharp, blur-free shots. The front and lateral tilt measuring -35° / +35° give maximum stability to the head where the camera is to be placed. The universal 1/4 screw thread adjusts compact size cameras easily.
The new push-button mechanism rapidly locks the ball head of the tripod, so the camera is positioned steadily on the tripod. The rubber feet ensure slip-free and secured balance. The tripod can sustain a maximum 2.2lbs of device weight and can be stretched to a height of 13cm (if accompanied by material adjustments like a smartphone clamp, you can increase the height up to 16.5 cm).
2. RetiCAM MT-01
The RetiCAM MT-01 tabletop tripod comes packed with great features. It is compatible with almost all types of cameras like digital cameras, DSLR cameras, camcorders, spotting scopes, and many more. The tripod is equipped with a traditional 1/4-20 tripod screw, which adjusts the tripod quickly in any place. The MT-01 comes with an additional quick release (QR) plate so the camera can be locked on the tripod instantly without spending hours bent over the viewfinder.
The three-way pan/tilt head allows you to take more creative shots by smoothly placing the camera at any shooting angle. The tripod also features a bubble level to capture the horizontal lines of panoramas and landscapes straight and clear. The extendable center column, quick snap leg locks, non-slip rubber feet keep your camera fixed in any position.
The 20mm legs and a center post gear the camera steadily with an adjustable height ranging from 10-3/4″ to 19”. The slender control knob tightens all the adjustments so that your setup is more fixated and steadier. RetiCAM is highly portable and weighs a nominal 1.5 lbs and can carry 6 lbs worth of gear.
3. Vanguard VS-82
The Vanguard VS-82 supports a maximum weight of 5.5 pounds. The aluminum-based tripod is travel-friendly and lightweight, weighing 0.86 lbs./390 g. It comes with a two-way pan head and a front to back tilt operates steadily so the tripod doesn’t move or shake.
This travel tripod can be extended to a maximum height of 9.8″ and can be folded into a compact 9-inch height thanks to its two-section flexible legs. The two-way pan head has a complete swivel of 360 degrees for fuller panoramic shots. The working height can be adjusted to as low as 25cm. Vanguard is a simple yet extremely portable and highly functional tabletop tripod.
4. SLIK Mini-Pro V Tripod
Slik has been manufacturing tripods since 1948. The Mini-Pro V is a tabletop tripod from their Mini series. It comes with a two-way pan head and a flexible panhandle. The panhandle is a single handle which allows you to remove or mount the camera with secure locking and unlocking movements. The two-leg sections make the tripod perfect for macro photography.
The center leg tip is fitted with a rubber suction cup at the bottom which adheres temporarily to the surface on which the tripod is placed. The suction cup makes sure that the tripod is fixed firmly in one position so that the camera can easily be placed on the head.
Weighing less than a pound, Mini-Pro V can hold a camera or any other device of up to 3.3 lbs. It can be extended to a maximum of 8.6 inches while the movable legs can stretch widely to lower the tripod up to 6.8 inches. This tabletop tripod is excellent for travel as it can fold to 200mm in a compact size.
5. Oben TT-300
The slender frame of Oben’s TT-300 might be misleading but this tabletop tripod can mount a six-pound device solidly. This tripod works excellent for low angle shots. Unlike the common screw thread, the Oben TT-300 is equipped with a supplemental bushing assortment on the head which converts the thread from 3/8″-16 to 1/4″-20.
The tripod can be extended to a maximum 17” vertically and can be folded up to 11” in a way that the extended legs are withdrawn into the frame of the central column and make it a single-legged structure which further retracts through the chassis. The tripod weighs 0.7 pounds with two center column sections for maximum stability. A flip-out lever makes it easier to tighten the mini ball head which can swivel to 360 degrees.
6. Sirui 3T-35K
This tabletop tripod can support an impressive weight of 8.8 pounds. Not only is it beautifully crafted, but it’s center column also extends to 13.4 inches. So, while the Sirui 3T-35K may be a tabletop tripod, you can easily use it as a handheld tripod as well and extend it over crowds to get perfect shots.
The 35-35K has a ball head and a quick-release plate that allow for a lot of stability while you’re shooting. The ball head means that you can rotate your camera a complete 360 degrees and take pictures from any angle you want.
To further ensure the stability of the tripod, the manufacturers attached rubber tips to the legs of the product. So, you can rest assured that your tripod won’t slip while you’re using it. You also have the choice of removing the center column and attaching your camera straight to the tripod!
7. JOBY GorillaPod
If you’re looking for a tripod that will be your travel companion for a long time, the JOBY GorillaPod is for you. This tripod is incredibly versatile and steady. It can easily support a weight of up to 6.6 pounds and is thus compatible with most DSLR cameras.
This sturdy product is made from Japanese medical-grade plastic, stainless steel, and German TPE. The GorillaPod has a quick release plate that you can attach to your camera. This allows you to change devices easily and quickly. Paired with the perfect DSLR camera, the GorillaPod will be a worthwhile companion.
8. AVAWO Universal Tripod (Budget Winner)
AVAWO’s universal tripod fixes almost all devices, be it a smartphone or GoPro. The quick-release plate removes devices quickly for smooth fixing to obtain dynamic shoots blur-free.
12″ flexible legs help place the tripod in many creative ways, around poles, branches, or a flat surface. The tripod’s legs can be bent to five inches and can latch a maximum of 6.61 lb. device.
It comes with an additional bubble level indicator for capturing sharp outlines of the horizon clearly. It comes with a standard 1/4” -20 screw thread for a firm grip while the rubber legs can twist a full 360 degrees for any angle of the camera.
Choosing Tabletop Tripods
Almost all quality tabletop tripods work steadily and provide a good amount of balance for your camera. Compared to traditional tripods, tabletop tripods are incredibly flexible and lightweight, which not only makes them portable but also easy to set on any surface.
With these best options, tabletop tripods will work efficiently with a guarantee that you get a fulfilling experience without having to compromise the quality of your photographs.
