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Best Tripods for Every Budget

When trying to figure out the right place to spend you tripod buying dollar, the options are staggering. It would be easy to be lured in by slick marketing touting various features that sound amazing.

The question is do they represent good value and return on your investment? Therefore, I am presenting in this post, what I consider to be the 5 best tripods for every budget.

Best Tripods For Every Budget

5 Best Tripods For Every Budget

You will see several tripod options below, on an increasing price scale. I personally own a couple of these tripods, and I have seen the others in the possession of friends.

I can vouch for the items below based on my real-world experience. I am offering up these choices based on my opinion of their overall usefulness and functional value.

The word “best” is very subjective. When I say best in this post what I mean are those items that have risen to the top by virtue of the following attributes: Relative price point. Quality of construction.

Features, usability and versatility. And finally, portability. So, now. Let’s take a look at the 5 best tripods for every budget.

1. Endurax 67 lightweight travel tripod – Less than $50

This tripod is surprisingly well constructed given its price point. It has features found on higher priced tripods. It is also very highly rated. This is not the normal “value priced” tripod, it actually is a really good good value.

Having said that, this is intended to be a starter accessory to get you going. Coming in at around $40.00 this makes it an easy addition to the 5 best tripods for every budget.

Pros:

  • Comes with it own carrying bag with a shoulder strap
  • Fairly portable only 3.3 lbs, and 18 inches long when completely folded
  • Removable quick release mounting plate
  • 5 and ½ foot high fully extended (67 inches)
  • 11 lb. load capacity for medium sized camera/lens combinations

Cons:

  • Quick release mounting plate is not a industry standard design
  • Tripod a tiny bit wobbly when fully extended with a heavy load
  • Some people don’t like the pan handle on the head
  • Feet seem like a possible weak point
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2. K&F Concept 72 Transverse Column Tripod – Less than $150

This tripod has amazing flexibility for the price! Aside from the standard tripod functions, it can also be turned into a monopod.

The transverse center column allows for offset camera placement and the column can be mounted underslung to get low and close to subjects. The K&F Concept tripod is a good choice this price range, and an easy addition to the 5 best tripods for every budget.

Pros:

  • 360-degree ball head for easy camera orientation
  • Removable industry standard Arca Swiss style mounting plate
  • 6 foot high fully extended (72 inches)
  • Compact when folded, 3.9 lbs. easy to carry for long distances
  • 22 lb. load capacity for the heavier camera/lens combinations

Cons:

  • Might be more features than some people need
  • No real instructions included, although lots of info online

3. Geekoto 79 Carbon Fiber – Less than $200

This is the tripod to get if you are looking for something that’s more stable and durable. Also, if want to be able to position your tripod on uneven surfaces, on rocks, etc.

With good vibration dampening, this one would be good for taking extremely long exposures. Center column can be underslung. The Geekoto 79 tripod is a solid (double meaning intended) choice.

Pros:

  • Twist-lock legs for easy working height adjustments
  • 6’ 7” foot high fully extended (79 inches)
  • High-strength carbon composite material more stability than aluminum
  • 26.5 lb. load capacity for the heaviest camera/lens combinations

Cons:

  • Tripod can be difficult to get into the bag
  • The manual was very poorly translated

4. Manfrotto 190X Pro w/ball head – Less than $350

Manfrotto have long been considered the go-to brand for tripods. Nearly universal name recognition. Their tripods tend to be built like a tank, are durable and last forever.

They are great tripods no question. Many people will buy nothing else, which is why it made my 5 best tripods for every budget.

Pros:

  • Very solid construction, high quality leg locks, 10-year warranty
  • Versatile configurations for all sorts of positions
  • Transverse column for flexibility
  • 5 stars rated on Amazon

Cons:

  • Does not come with a carry bag
  • Somewhat heavy at 4.4 lbs.
  • Only 15 lb. load capacity
  • A bit on the spendy side

5. Peak Design Travel Tripod – Less than $400

This is simply an amazing tripod! At 3.5 lbs. and 15.5” folded length, it is the smallest and lightest one on this list. The design and engineering on this unit is superb. Pro level stability. I really can’t recommend this one enough.

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Also comes in a carbon fiber version that’s only 2.8 lbs. and 20% more stable. This is an easy choice for the 5 best tripods for every budget

Pros:

  • Super light and compact for easy portability
  • Excellent construction, lifetime warranty
  • 50% less bulky than normal folded tripods
  • 5-foot max height, 20 lb. load capacity

Cons:

  • A little tight getting it into its form fit carry bag

Bonus – Specialty tripods and accessories

The following items are included as a bonus for additional information on options and accessories. Depending on your needs you may or may not find them useful.

  • Manfrotto Compact Monopod: If you don’t want a full tripod but need some stability on the fly, plus a good walking stick.

  • Manfrotto Pixi: Quick to set up. Good for sitting on ledges, getting down low and other specialty applications.

  • Neewer carbon fiber gimbal head: This really helps for long heavy telephoto lenses. I have one that I use with my Sigma 150-600 super telephoto. A lens that’s impossible to hand hold and too heavy for a normal tripod head.

  • SIRUI Telescopic Boom Extension Arm: For shooting down onto a flat surface like a tabletop. Good for shooting paintings, drawings, other printed matter. Also useful for overhead shots of subjects.

Conclusion

Well, there you have it. Several tripods, in all price ranges to consider. I would encourage you to use the links above to go take a look at anything that was interesting to you. Look at the features, specs, etc.

Also, read the reviews. I tend to avoid the 5-star and 1 start reviews and look at the less extreme middle of the road. They are usually more realistic, honest, and useful. Feel free to share this on social media if you found it useful! Thanks for reading about my 5 best tripods for every budget.

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Jason Baxter

Jason is a professional photographer based in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Loyd has been doing photography for over 14 years and specializes in fine art landscape photography. Loyd's work has appeared on book covers, CD covers, television, internet galleries, and on the walls of private residences.