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So it’s decided, you wanna get a tripod to improve your photography. Great move! There is so much you can do with a tripod, such as long exposure waterfalls pictures, night sky photography, and even HDR photography… But tripods can be expensive. However, if you are just a casual photographer and if you know that you will be using your tripod only once in a while, you don’t need to get a $300 piece of gear. On this page, we will be reviewing the best tripods under 50 dollars.
So of course, you can’t expect the same quality and durability as a $200 tripod, but the options on this page are decent. Nowadays, there are tons and tons of cheap tripods available on the market, that just fall apart after 2 or 3 uses. I bought a couple of such tripods before. It’s frustrating.
So I have selected the 7 best affordable yet good quality tripods you can get today in 2024 so you can get the best bang for your buck In the buying guide, I go over the things you should pay attention to when choosing your tripod, and what to expect from your tripod. So let’s get started!
The 6 Best Tripods Under 50 Dollars of 2024
UBeesize TR60 Travel Tripod
UBeesize 60-inch Camera Tripod, 5kg/11lb Load TR60 Load Portable Lightweight Aluminum Travel Tripod with Carry Bag & Bluetooth Remote, for DSLR Cameras Compatible with iPhone & Android Phone (Silver)
The UBeesize TR60 is a great little travel tripod that you can easily carry around when going for a hike or just walking around the city. It weighs 1.5 kg / 3.3 pounds but can hold up to 5 kg / 11 pounds. The aluminum alloy legs make it pretty sturdy. It also features interesting foot pads that self-rotate and adjust themselves to the terrain to ensure extra stability.
It is great to use with a smartphone, as it comes with a phone clip and even a Bluetooth remote control for your phone so you can take great selfies or use it for live video, for example. It can definitely be used with a mirrorless camera or an entry-level DSLR as well.
It is equipped with a pan head that might not be as good as the ball heads that can be found on more expensive tripods, but it does the job. The head can also tilt so you can take portrait photos. The central column can easily be lifted with a hand crank.
It also has a hook which can prove itself very useful if you are using the tripod in windy or difficult conditions to hang something heavy for increased stability.
All in all, a very good option for an affordable, portable travel tripod.
Quick Specifications
- Weight: 1.5 kg / 3 lbs
- Folded length: 47.8 cm / 18.8 in
- Material: Aluminium
- Max. load capacity: 5 kg / 11 lbs
- Included head: Pan head with Quick Release
- Leg locks type: Twist locks
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sturdy and stable
- Includes phone mount and remote
- Foot pads for extra stability
- Can be used with a variety of devices
- Comes with a carry bag
Cons
- The hook is made of plastic and might be too fragile to hang something heavy
Other Buying Options:
Victiv T64 Tripod
64-Inch Tripod, Camera Aluminum Tripod & Cell Phone Selfie Sticks with Phone Tripod Mount and Remote Shutter, Ideal for YouTube Videos and Instagram Facebook Live - Black
This is a very lightweight tripod that weighs only 1.2 kg / 2.64 lbs, which means you can easily carry it with you everywhere you go. That said, its folded length is about 58 cm / 23 in, which is not always easy to pack if you only have a small daypack with you.
The Victiv T64 is pretty comfortable to use, thanks to its ability to extend to 163 cm / 64 in, so your photography session will not end with back pain.
It is made of quality materials – and the 2020 version even has upgraded sturdier leg tubes. It will hold with no problem at all any device you want to use it with – smartphone, mirrorless camera, DSLR… It can hold up to 5.5 kg / 12 lbs, which is pretty good for a tripod of this price.
Talking about smartphones, it comes with a phone mount and Bluetooth remote control so you can easily take good quality selfies or group pics. The 360° pan head enables to shoot good photos in all directions.
So that’s another very good option to consider for a tripod under 50 dollars!
Quick Specifications
- Weight: 1.25 kg / 2.75 lbs
- Folded length: 58 cm / 23 in
- Material: Aluminium
- Max. load capacity: 5.5 kg / 12 lbs
- Included head: Pan head with Quick Release
- Leg lock type: Twist locks
Pros
- Lightweight
- Good built quality
- Stable and sturdy
- Includes smartphone mount and remote
- Includes a carry bag
Cons
- The 23 in / 58 cm folded length might make it less portable than other models
Zoomei Compact Travel TripodOur Top Pick
ZOMEI Compact Light Weight Travel Portable Aluminum Camera Tripod for Canon Nikon Sony DSLR Camera with Carry Case(Black)
This best-seller is an excellent tripod for a low price. It is made of quality materials and will not fall apart after a few uses.
It is easy to take anywhere because it is not only very lightweight (2.5 lbs / 1.1 kg) but also very compact when folded (19 in / 48 cm). So it is super easy to pack. In spite of its light weight, it can hold up to 11 lbs / 5 kg of camera gear, which is enough for most people. Whether you have a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, or a phone, it will hold it without compromising its stability.
The Zoomei tripod can extend up to 58 in / 147 cm, which is pretty comfortable.
It doesn’t include any phone mount and phone remote control like the previous models we reviewed. If you intend to use your tripod with your smartphone they can be a nice addition. But if you want to use it with a camera, let’s face it, they are just cheap gadgets. However, it does come with a carrying case.
Another great feature is the bubble level. Goodbye tilted horizons! It comes with a good quality pan head with a quick-release plate that does its job perfectly.
This tripod delivers everything we can expect from a tripod of this price, and a little more. It is my top pick.
Quick Specifications
- Weight: 1.13 kg / 2.5 lbs
- Folded length: 48 cm / 19 in
- Material: Aluminium
- Max. load capacity: 5 kg / 11 lbs
- Included head: Pan head with Quick Release
- Leg lock type: Flip locks
Pros
- Compact and lightweight for travel
- Good built quality
- Stable and sturdy
- Features a bubble level
- Comes with a carrying case
Cons
- No smartphone accessories
Dolica AX620B100 Proline Tripod
Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline Tripod and Ball Head
This Dolica tripod is yet another well build, durable option. Its main advantage is that it features a ball head. The models we previously reviewed were equipped with a pan head that could not be removed. A ball head is better (that’s the kind of head that equip higher-end tripods), and it can be removed and replaced if you need to. It is quite rare for a tripod in this price range.
It is not the most compact tripod, at 57 cm / 22.5 in when folded, but still portable and very lightweight. It weight only 1.13 kg / 2.5 lbs. So you can still attach it to the side of your backpack and go for a hike with it.
This tripod can support up to 6 kg / 13.2 lbs, which is enough to hold your DSLR camera, provided you are not using a super heavy zoom lens. If your gear is not too heavy, the tripod will remain rock solid and stable.
It is comfortable to use and features a bubble level. That’s another very good tripod to consider!
Quick Specifications
- Weight: 1.13 kg / 2.5 lbs
- Folded length: 57 cm / 22.5 in
- Material: Aluminium
- Max. load capacity: 6 kg / 13.2 lbs
- Included head: Ball head with Quick Release
- Leg lock type: Twist locks
Pros
- Good overall built quality
- Stable
- Comes with a ball head
- Lightweight
- Features a bubble level
Cons
- Can lack stability with larger cameras or lenses
- Not the most portable
AmazonBasics Camera Tripod
AmazonBasics Lightweight, Portable, Adjustable Camera Tripod with Bag, 60-Inch - Pack of 2
If you are looking for a simple and basic tripod, that’s the one for you! This tripod by Amazon has been a best-seller for more than 2 years and has no less than 25,500+ comments with a 4.5/5 rating!
It is a basic but good, sturdy aluminum tripod that may not impress by its looks or its maximum load capacity (3 kg / 6.6 lbs), but it is enough if your gear is not too heavy. If you have a point-and-shoot camera, it would be perfect.
It is quite comfortable to use, as it extends to 152 cm / 60 inches, and also includes a bubble level to make sure your horizons are level.
At just 3 lbs / 1.36 kg, it is lightweight enough to be taken on a trip or a hike, but its collapsed height is 25 inches / 63.5 cm, which is really quite big, to be honest.
Overall, if you need a basic, low-cost tripod to go with your not-too-heavy photo gear, it can be an option to consider.
Quick Specifications
- Weight: 1.36 kg / 3 lbs
- Folded length: 63.5 cm / 25 in
- Material: Aluminium
- Max. load capacity: 3 kg / 6.6 lbs
- Included head: Pan head with Quick Release
- Leg lock type: Twist locks
Pros
- Sturdy
- Has a bubble level
- Comes with a carry bag
- Decent quality head
Cons
- Maximum load capacity is a little weak
- Not very compact when folded
Phopik Lightweight Tripod
PHOPIK Lightweight Phone Tripod 55-Inch, Video Tripod with 360 Panorama and 1/4” Mounting Screw for Mirrorless/Gopro/DSLR Camera, Phone Holder for Smartphone, Max Load 6.6 Lbs, Carry Bag Inclued.
$24.99 in stock
This good little tripod by Phopik can be used with any type of photography or video gear. Whether you have a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, an action camera, or just a smartphone, it can handle it! It comes with a good-quality phone mount. The span head with a quick-release plate features a screw for you to use your larger cameras.
The tripod head is pretty good, it turns and tilts in all directions, allowing you to capture the perfect shot. It also has a built-in bubble level.
It is a well-built, sturdy aluminum tripod that is much appreciated by beginner photographers for its stability, versatility, and its ease of use. Of course, I was saying that it can adapt to various types of gear, but with a maximum load capacity of 6.6 lbs / 3 kg, you will not be able to use this tripod with a big lens.
It can be extended to 54.3 in / 138 cm, which is not really spectacular but enough for most uses. It is also easy to carry around in its bag and it is very lightweight and portable, measuring only 17.3 in / 44 cm when folded.
Quick Specifications
- Weight: 0.76 kg / 1.76 lbs
- Folded length: 44 cm / 17.3 in
- Material: Aluminium
- Maximum payload: 3 kg / 6.6 lbs
- Included head: Pan head with Quick Release
- Leg lock type: Twist locks
Pros
- Very lightweight and portable
- Good built-quality
- Built-in bubble level
- Comes with a carry bag
- Good quality head
Cons
- No hook
- More suitable for lighter gear and phones, not really for heavier cameras and lenses
Other Buying Options:
Best Tripods Under 50 Dollars: The Buying Guide
Choosing the best tripod is not always easy, given the incredible number of models that are available today. Of course, at under 50 dollars, many of them are complete junk. While the models presented on this page definitely can’t compare with higher-end tripods, we are confident that for this price point, these 6 tripods will give you satisfaction.
Now let’s see more in detail what to pay attention to when choosing your tripod.
What To Look At When Choosing Your Tripod
Why Do You Need It For?
This is the very first question you need to answer. You actually need to answer 2 questions: with what gear am I going to use it? – and on what occasions am I going to use it? The answers to these questions will have a great influence on the next parameters.
Size and Weight
We all like a portable tripod. However, if you know you are just going to use it around your home without much traveling, you can be a little less demanding. However, if you plan to take your tripod on trips and hikes, do pay attention to its weight and its folded length.
Material and Build Quality
At under $50, you won’t have much of a choice, your tripod will likely be made of aluminum, which is totally fine. What you should double-check, however, is the quality of the plastic parts, because it is often these parts that break after a month or a year if you get a low-quality tripod.
Maximum Load Capacity
This is also very important and it refers to the first question: with what equipment will you use your tripod? If you are going to use it for your smartphone, then no problem of course. Some models even offer cool extras such as a phone mount and remote control.
If you plan to use it with a light camera such as a point-and-shoot or mirrorless camera, most of the time it’s fine too. If you have a DSLR camera, you need to pay attention that the weight of your camera + lens doesn’t exceed the maximum load capacity.
The Tripod Head
The vast majority of tripods in this price range have a built-in plastic pan head that can spin 360 degrees and tilt. You can’t change that head. The only tripod in this list that has a removable ball head like higher-end tripods, is the Dolica Proline.
Stability
One of the issues that can arise with very lightweight tripods is the lack of stability. This can be improved if your tripod has a small hook at the bottom. You can hang something heavy on it like a bottle of water or a bag of sand to make it more stable.
Maximum Height
This one is about comfort and convenience. Make sure your tripod can extend to a reasonable height, or you will have to bend over all the time to use it, and it may result in a lack of comfort and back pain.
Final Thoughts
That’s it for today! These were the 6 best tripods under 50 dollars you can buy today. As you understand, they are not incredible pieces of technology that will last you 20 years, but if you are OK with that and only use them occasionally, with lightweight gear, they can definitely bring you a lot of satisfaction.
The top pick is a subjective opinion and the tripod that you should use is above all the one that is most adapted to your needs.
In any case, there is a lot of crap in the world of tripods and I hope that this article was valuable to you and helped you settle for a valid tripod option, within your budget and following your expectations.
