Best travel tripods 2024: Lightweight and compact tripods

The best travel tripods are for photographers who often hit the road and like to take their photography equipment with them. 

As their name suggests, travel tripods differ from standard tripods thanks to their compact, foldable design which makes them easier to fit inside backpacks. They also tend to be lighter than the standard best tripods. 

A travel tripod is an essential accessory whether you're hoping to capture stunning landscape shots or photograph the starry night sky. It lets you frame the perfect shot, take your time to set up and, crucially, keeps your camera stead if you're in low-lighting conditions or shooting with long exposures. 

A good balance of lightness and quality is important, so in choosing the best travel tripods, we didn't just consider their size and weight; we opted for tripods that are also sturdy and well-built. Travel tripods are often made from carbon fiber, a material known to be light but hard-wearing, and they have a telescopic design that collapses into a compact package, perfect for fitting into one of the best camera backpacks. 

Our expert reviewers have tested the best travel tripods in a range of real-world environments, assessing their ease of use, portability, and weight as well as making note of how easily they'll fit into your bag. They've also examined any trade-offs you might need to make, for example having a restrictive payload. 

If you're looking to upgrade your kit, check out our guides to the best cameras and best lenses.

The quick list

Best travel tripods we recommend in 2024

Best travel tripod overall

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The Peak Design Travel Tripod's slim and compact design as well as its high build quality earn it pole position in our guide. This lightweight tripod still guarantees stability, even when using heavy DSLR cameras. 

Its three legs and ball head meet seamlessly with no gaps when it's folded, which results in a compact package just 3.13 inches in diameter and 15.4 inches high. As its name suggests, the Peak Design Travel Tripod can easily be packed into your camera bag or luggage if you're often on the go. It does also come with a soft padded case  featuring a waterproof zip and carry handles to make carrying it around easier.

During our Peak Design Travel Tripod review, we loved how easy and fast it is to setup and take down, although we were slightly less fond of the camera attachment. The ball head (which, as an aside, is one of the most compact we've seen) comes with a tripod plate that attaches to your camera using a hex tool. While this is great to keep your camera incredibly stable for long hours when shooting star trails, we can't help but feel that a tool-free D-ring plate would have saved a lot of time.

The smartphone clamp on this tripod can be cleverly stowed away under the center column, saving more space in your camera bag. Granted, with a tripod like this one you probably won't be wanting to take smartphone pictures, but the option is there should you need it. 

As much as we love the Peak Design Travel Tripod, its size means it may not be suitable for all photographers. It has a maximum unfolded height of 60 inches/152.4cm, which is great for keeping its weight down, but if you're tall or want to extend the height you can shoot from, there are more suitable tripods on this list.

There are two different versions of the Peak Design Travel Tripod available: one with a carbon fiber body, and one aluminum. As you'd expect, the carbon fiber-bodied version is the lightest, but it also comes with a premium price tag as a result. Since the aluminum version is already light — weighing just 3.44lbs/1.56kg — we think it's more than adequate for most people, so you don't need to splash out on the other version unless your budget stretches to it.

• Read our full Peak Design Travel Tripod review

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Best for height

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The Benro Rhino FRHN24C+VX25 Head's build quality really shines through, typical of Benro's high-end Rhino tripod range. It comes with all the bells and whistles you could ask for from a higher-end model including a phone mount, carbon fiber tubes and a detachable monopod.

In our Benro Rhino 24C Two series review, we praised its sleek design, reliability and portability. It's not the smallest tripod on this list, but since it folds down to 19.3 inches, it's still very compact and TSA luggage allowance-friendly. When completely extended, it measures 168.5cm (66.3 inches), so it should be tall enough for most users. We also love that it can be configured into a monopod, making it versatile for different types of photography. 

The Rhino tripod is available in a wide range of different heights and sizes. You can choose between four different sizes and between models with four or five leg sections, so you can tailor it to your needs. 

During our testing, we found it easy to set up and take down in the dark. The rubber grips are soft on the hands, and the interchangeable feet are a nice touch — we found that swapping to the spiky feet helped with stability when we were shooting in windy conditions. The VX25 head also has some neat safety features to prevent your camera from slipping off, something many other tripod manufacturers don't think of. 

Perhaps the biggest drawback is that the Benro Rhino FRHN24C is amongst the most expensive tripods on our list, but if you're looking for the very best, that cost may be justifiable. After all, many professional travel photographers swear by this tripod and see it as a wise investment. Overall, we loved this tripod and awarded it a full five stars. 

• Read our full Benro Rhino 24C Two series review

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Best compact option

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In terms of weight and compactness, it's hard to beat the Benro Tortoise. In fact, in our Benro Tortoise 24C Tripod review, we even questioned why this isn't Benro's flagship tripod. The Rhino, which came in second on our list, may be seen as the superior option, but we think the Tortoise is just as great a tripod.

One of the key differences between the two is that there's no center column on the Benro Tortoise. This means that the tripod isn't very high when extended, coming in at just 51 inches (129.5cm); our 5'4 reviewer felt they had to stoop when they were using it at full height, so it won't be ideal for taller users. On the other hand, the lack of a center column keeps the tripod much lighter and more compact than the Rhino.  It also means that the tripod's legs can spread out almost 90 degrees, giving it a greater degree of flexibility. If you're wanting to shoot from unique angles, the Tortoise is a good choice.

The GX30 head features two safety elements to prevent the camera from slipping off when you're putting it on or taking it off, but we found the head was bulkier than it needed to be. The main ball adjustment knob protrudes out a fair amount, when, in our opinion, it doesn't need to. It's not completely impractical, but we think it could do with being smaller.

• Read our full Benro Tortoise 24C Tripod review

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Best lightweight option

While the Vanguard VEO 3 GO 204CB tripod can only extend to a height of 51.6 inches (1.3m), we were astonished by its lightness, as this model weighs just 1.8 lbs (0.81 kg). Although there are taller tripods in this guide, and those that can bear a weight greater than its 6.6 lbs (3 kg) maximum payload, you can't do much better for sheer portability.

This tripod is perfect for travel or hiking, particularly if you're going to remote locations to shoot astrophotography under glorious dark skies. It can fold down to just 13.6 inches in length, which is quite impressive. Although it may not be as tall as other tripods, its lightweight and compact design makes it an attractive choice. 

Photographers on the go will also appreciate its smooth-operating ball head, and overall, we think the build quality is top-notch. This is a surprisingly versatile tripod, and if you're a creative shooter, you'll really benefit from the various forms the Vanguard VEO 3 GO can take: It can also be used as a monopod and a selfie stick.

Like some other tripods on our list, the Vanguard VEO 3 GO comes in both a carbon fiber and an aluminum variant. As usual, the carbon fiber model is the most expensive of the two, but unlike with the Peak Design featured above, we found it to be surprisingly affordable. As the aluminum version is a few ounces heavier (2.1lbs compared to 1.8lbs), we think the small uplift in cost is worth it in this instance.

• Read more: Best mirrorless cameras

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Best for videographers

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We highlighted this tripod's excellent build quality in our Manfrotto Befree Advanced Tripod review, especially the presence of a central column that makes it incredibly reliable. We should note that it isn't the lightest option out there — weighing 3.28 lbs (1.49 kg) — but it earns its place on this list as an excellent option for videographers.

It comes with a new and improved ball head that features 360-degree flexibility, using a hydraulic dampening mechanism to ensure the camera moves smoothly. The 200PL PRO base plate attaches to your camera easily using a D-ring, which is great when you're using it in the dark. The four-section legs are versatile, with three angled positions that click neatly into place and sturdy rubber feet to provide grip.

The Manfrotto Befree Advanced Tripod has a maximum height of 59 inches when it's set up, and it collapses down to just 15.7 inches when it's folded away. It's not as compact as some of the tripods on this list since it has a reverse folding design, but it's easy enough to transport. It is worth noting, however, that there are noticeable gaps between the legs when it's folded, which takes up extra space when you're packing it away. 

Despite being so robust, we're pleasantly surprised with how affordable the Manfrotto Befree is. We think it offers great value for money compared to some of the more expensive carbon fiber options we've included in this guide — and as a bonus, it even includes its own carry case. 

While it's not the smallest or lightest travel tripod out there, it's great value for the quality you get.

• Read our full Manfrotto Befree Advanced Tripod review

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Best for content creators

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At first glance, the JOBY GorillaPod 3K Pro is an odd-looking tripod, but we can forgive that because of its lightweight yet sturdy build. The way the legs are configured means you'll have a lot of fun using it, as you can attach them to almost anything to access new vantage points. Ultimately, this is a tripod that challenges you to get creative. 

The main selling point of the GorillaPod is that it's extremely portable, weighing only 8.7 oz/463g and measuring 12 inches/30cm. It can carry a payload of 6.6 lbs/3kg, not the most generous, but certainly enough for a mirrorless camera and lens. This makes it an attractive option for travel photographers, vloggers and content creators, especially as you can buy a separate mount to attach their smartphones to it.

Along with its unique legs, the GorillaPod comes with an Arca-Swiss compatible ball head that can be panned 360 degrees. Coupled with 90 degrees of tilt, you can shoot from practically any angle you like, making this an excellent choice for photographers who like to experiment with composition. 

It's worth noting that setting up the GorillaPod properly can be a little fiddly compared to other tripods. You need to ensure the weight of your equipment is evenly distributed, as the GorillaPod is liable to tip over. The fact there's no spirit level on the tripod makes this is a little more difficult, but if you have a newer camera, there's a good chance it'll have a built-in level feature anyway.

When everything is set up properly, however, we found the GorillaPod to be perfectly stable — even with a large telephoto lens attached to our camera. It's a very unique alternative to a traditional tripod, and one that you can have a lot of fun with.

• Read our full JOBY GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit review

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Best stylish option

Let's face it, nobody is choosing their tripod based on how aesthetically pleasing it is. That said, if they were, everyone would flock to the Gitzo Legende Traveller Tripod Kit. 

This tripod looks incredibly stylish. The Gitzo Legende is expertly crafted, sporting smooth dials and knobs to make setting it up and adjusting it an easy, straightforward process. It also impresses with its stunning details, including features like the custom-designed matte silver aluminum Center Ball Head and the gorgeous leather strap, enhancing its premium feel. 

All this talk of design doesn't mean the Gitzo Legende doesn't perform well: More than just looking great, it's a very good tripod, too. It extends to a maximum height of 65 inches with the central column extended, and collapses to a compact length of 16.9 inches when folded. Four leg sections can support a load of up to 17.6 lbs.

That extra style does come with a premium price tag. If you're willing to spend the money on it, we think it's a good option. However, we do think plenty of other tripods available, many of which we've mentioned in this guide, can perform the same functions equally well at a much lower cost. 

• Read more: Best camera accessories for astrophotography

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Best budget travel tripod

Benro is one of the best tripod manufacturers in the world, so it comes as no surprise, that the MeFoto Road Trip Pro tripod is a high-quality piece of kit. Despite being more affordable than some other models from Benro, it still boasts a great build quality and an excellent performance.

Its lower price does come with a number of trade-offs, but for most photographers, we don't think they'll be a massive problem. It has a smaller frame, so its maximum payload is a little less than other tripods in this guide, but 17.6lbs (8kg) is more than enough for large cameras and lenses. It's also not the tallest tripod, with its highest extended height of just 60 inches/155cm, so taller users may be want to look elsewhere.

At just 3.6 lbs, the Benro MeFoto Road Trip Pro is very lightweight and easy to carry in a backpack or luggage. It's also seriously versatile: In addition to being a tripod, it can be configured into a monopod, boom pole, selfie stick, high hat, and tabletop tripod. It's suited to practically every type of photography and videography, and with so many options to choose from, it promotes creativity and experimentation.

We found the tripod's graduated panning scale quite handy as it helps you maintain a level position for smooth video panning or capturing panoramic shots. The twist locks work effectively, but it might take longer to set up as you have to twist or unscrew each one individually. Nevertheless, the MeFoto Road Trip Pro is a quality choice that won't strain your budget, making it an excellent option for amateur travel photographers.

• Read more: Best cameras for beginners

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Best value for money

Danny Lenihan, the founder grassroots UK business 3-Legged Thing, used his photography and lighting knowledge to design versatile and lightweight tripods. The 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey 2.0, available for $200, offers fantastic value for money.

3-Legged Thing's Punks series has been made with travel in mind. The Punks Corey 2.0 has a magnesium alloy body, keeping its weight low and its size compact. But despite that small stature and light weight, it can still hold an impressive payload of up to an 30lbs — more than eight times its own weight!

The Corey 2.0 Tripod is 54.3 inches when fully extended, and when it's collapsed, it's just 14.2 inches long. That's super compact, making carrying it or packing it away a breeze. We also appreciate that its feet can be swapped out in favor of a low-level/tabletop setup — and if you prefer, you can remove the legs entirely to opt for a monopod setup.

Even though we liked the tripod's vivid colors, they might not be to everyone's taste. And while the solid design and general great performance impressed us, some seasoned amateurs or professionals may want more bells and whistles, such as more complex head systems.

• Read more: 3 Legged PUNKS Brian tripod review

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Travel tripods: Frequently Asked Questions

How we test the best travel tripods

To guarantee you're getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best travel tripods to buy here at Space.com we make sure to put every travel tripod through a rigorous review to fully test each product. Each travel tripod is reviewed based on a multitude of aspects, from its construction and design, to how well it functions and its performance in the field.

Each travel tripod is carefully tested by our expert staff or knowledgeable freelance contributors who know their subject areas in depth. This ensures fair reviewing is backed by personal, hands-on experience with each travel tripod and is judged based on its price point, class and destined use.

We look at how easy each travel tripod is to operate, whether it contains the latest up-to-date material, and also make suggestions if a particular travel tripod would benefit from any additional equipment to give you the best user experience possible.

With complete editorial independence, Space.com are here to ensure you get the best buying advice on travel tripods, whether you should purchase a travel tripod or not, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.