A smartphone gimbal is one of those gadgets that you’re going to look for after you accidently drop the one you just bought. It’s a simple accessory that acts as a stabilizer for your phone to keep it steady while you’re shooting video or taking images. You can mount it directly to the smartphone or to a tripod. It looks like a stabilizer, but it’s not a stabilizer at all — you need a steady hand for the best results!
We’ve tested 7 top gimbals on the market and we’re going to tell you which one is the best.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Zhiyun Smooth 4 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer YouTube Video Vlog Tripod | Best Overall |  |
| Zhiyun Smooth X 2-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer | Budget Pick |  |
| LanParte HHG-01 3-Axis Motorized Handheld Gimbal Active Stabilizer | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Zhiyun Smooth 4 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer YouTube Video Vlog Tripod
Our rating: 9 / 10
Pros:
- Very slim and light
- Long battery life
- Compatible with a wide range of devices
- Very simple and easy to use
If you like to be adventurous and film the world around you with a video camera, a gimbal is a must-have to ensure that you catch absolutely everything you want in one smooth shot.
This handheld gimbal is specially designed for smartphones with a maximum weight of 9.8 ounces. It’s perfect for all kinds of video enthusiasts.
2. DJI Osmo Mobile 2 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer
Our rating: 7 / 10
Pros:
- Handheld mode provides easy shooting with your smartphone
- Great for vlogging
- Easy and intuitive operation
- Delivers very smooth video
- Works with a host of different video apps
- Accurate 3-axis stabilization
- 3-Axis gimbal (yaw, pitch & roll) ‖ rotates 360 degrees
- 2 Stabilization modes (Normal, Sport)
- Works with GoPro accessories
- High precision and control
Cons:
- Run time is short
- Shooting can be a little noisy
The DJI Osmo Mobile 2 is the successor to the popular DJI Osmo, and it’s packaged with some new enhancements. While the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 looks like the original model, the new version is actually a more complete & better smartphone stabilizer.
This stabilizer is very versatile and versatile: it comes with a slim handle, and that handle can extend into a larger handle that is more comfortable for longer shooting sessions. It also comes with a smartphone adapter plate that fits a big variety of smartphones. At the bottom of the handle is an adjustable hand strap, making this stabilizer very versatile and much more comfortable for you to hold.
3. 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer
Our rating: 7 / 10
Pros:
- Compatible with all smartphones as long as they are smaller than 111 X 7 X 8 mm.
- Comes with a travel adapter to change the country to 220 V.
- Having four color options.
Cons:
- More expensive than Zhiyun-Tech G360.
This 3-axis gimbal stabilizer is one of the most inexpensive gimbals on the market. It streams video on your camera app and has a load capacity of up to 440 grams, which is a really decent weight for a gimbal like this.
This gimbal uses a small LED screen on the handle to help set the balance point while using the intuitive app and to control the right and left motion.
If you need a basic gimbal stabilizer, then the FeiyuTech G6 is a reliable choice.
4. Zhiyun Smooth X 2-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer
Our rating: 7 / 10
Pros:
- Stable shooting
- Easy to use
- Provides a steady glide
- Can apply to most phones
- Easy to extend
- Helps eliminate your hand shake
- Small and lightweight
- Adjustable handle bars
Cons:
- Difficult to charge on the go
- Electronic parts can wear out over time
- Not good in cold
- Not for a heavy camera
- Can be noisy
As you may have guessed from the name, the Smooth X 2-Axis is a two-axis gimbal that has an X-axis motor and a Y-axis motor. The two axis motors are what help to keep your phone steady while you are shooting video or photos. The Smooth X does have a 3-axis gimbal, but the 3-axis gimbal is designed only for DSLR cameras, and it uses four motors to keep the DSLR screen steady.
The X-axis motor has a sliding arm that is geared with a belt to keep the camera steady. This sliding arm will allow you to move the phone up and down. The sliding arm is also used to move the phone to an angle position. The Y-axis motor sits on the back of the gimbal and rotates the phone from side to side. This motor is also responsible for giving you zoom control.
5. EVO Shift 3 Axis Handheld Gimbal
Our rating: 5 / 10
Pros:
- Made for iPhone and Android
- Has a quick-release handle
- Includes a hand strap
- Has 3-way lock
Cons:
- Hard to control app
- No wireless controller
- Not as steady as we had hoped
The EVO Shift is a 3-axis handheld gimbal that takes stabilizing videos and photos to a whole new level. It was designed to be lightweight and easy to handle, and it features a super fast and accurate control mode with auto-record, time-lapse, lock, shutter, and tracking settings.
With the free app it plays nice with Android and iPhone. It’s not really compatible with GoPro.
Not only is it a gimbal, but you can use it as a hand strap for your phone. It locks onto your phone for 360-degrees of protection from falls and such. When you remove your phone (just slide it out), it’ll automatically lock back into place to transform into a camera again.
6. Neewer NW-2AG200 2-Axis Foldable Handheld Smartphone Gimbal Stabilizer
Our rating: 4 / 10
Pros:
- 3 mode supports, users can choose motorized tracking, lock tracking or standard mode to shoot
- 1 to 2 hours of continuous working time
- Holds up to 2.2 pounds
- Waterproof handlebar, hand grip, and grip seat
- Range of motion: 180 degrees each way / 360 degrees around
Cons:
- No carrying case included
- At lowest speed, camera is a little shaky
If you really want to go pro with your smartphone, this might just be the one for you.
The Neewer can handle a standard DSLR (1.2 pound weight limit), and film at 720p or 1080p high definition.
It has a working range of 3 to 6.5 feet and with a single charge, you get 1 to 2 hours of continuous recording.
7. LanParte HHG-01 3-Axis Motorized Handheld Gimbal Active Stabilizer
Our rating: 3 / 10
Pros:
- Compatible with most minicameras and smartphones
- Can produce smooth color video
- Excellent build quality
- Easy to use
- Very affordable
The Lanparte HHG-01 is a handheld stabilizer suitable for Android and iOS smartphones and most minicameras. It supports a payload range of 300g to 900g (0.6 to 2 pounds) and a maximum dimension of 3.5 x 2.2 cm (1.5 x 0.8 inches). The motorized gimbal can be switched between horizontal and vertical orientation with the press of a button.
The device runs on 1.5 AA batteries and the manufacturer states the battery life is around 2 to 2.5 hours with the included batteries. The batteries are not rechargeable, however, and the device doesn’t come with a charger.
This handheld gimbal comes with an attachable clamp, so you can attach a GoPro to it. Unfortunately, you have to buy the clamp separately if you don’t own a GoPro. The included battery case is compatible with GoPro batteries, though.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which is the best smartphone gimbal?
The last update for each of the smartphone gimbals reviews is at the end of the review.
Are smartphone gimbals worth it?
Not all mobile photographers or filmmakers want to lug around an additional piece of gear like a tripod. Doing so adds both weight and bulk to the device and it’s not always practical. A gimbal is the perfect solution. It allows for excellent recording of your videos and makes it look like you have a skilled videographer behind the camera.
What is the best gimbal?
There are many different gimbals on the market, with varying price ranges. There are even GoPro specific gimbals and camera specific gimbals.
The general rule of thumb when choosing the best gimbal for you is to determine what camera you plan to use with it. Because gimbals for GoPro’s are so different than camera gimbals.
In this section, we’re going to highlight especially the phone gimbals. How a smartphone gimbal can be applied to travel/vacation shots as well as other creative uses. 2 of the gimbals we talk about, have some of the best smartphone gimbals, we talk about in this section. One isn’t even marketed as a smartphone gimbal, but it happens to be the best one on the market as highlighted below.
Is it worth buying a gimbal?
Gimbals create a smooth, fluid motion that has significant impact on the quality of your video or photos. In fact, they are an essential accessory to have if you want your smartphone videos or photos to look professional. The smoother the shot the better the video generally.
There are two types of smartphone gimbals: the 3-axis kind, and the 2-axis kind. The 3-axis kind is the most advanced and expensive. With a 3-axis kind, it is possible to rotate your camera freely in all directions. It is also the most flexible and follows your smartphone’s movement that is free of vibrations. Image stabilization is particularly impressive. The 2-axis kind, on the other hand, is not as advanced and high tech. Although these gimbals can also securely suspend your smartphone and make it still from vibrations, their capability is limited and the range of motions is limited to horizontal moving shot, and panning movements.
Conclusion
Our in-depth award-winning guide covers seven top smartphone gimbals in the market and the key differences between them. It covers a wide range of budget options, including the best smartphone gimbal with a professional level performance suitable for a professional photographer.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Zhiyun Smooth 4 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer YouTube Video Vlog Tripod | Best Overall | |
| Zhiyun Smooth X 2-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer | Budget Pick | |
| LanParte HHG-01 3-Axis Motorized Handheld Gimbal Active Stabilizer | Upgrade Pick | |