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Jun 12, 2023

The Best Phone and Camera Gimbals for 2023

For a long time, you had to choose between buying a camera that snapped still photos or moving pictures. But the lines have eroded over the years, and the mirrorless interchangeable lens systems that

For a long time, you had to choose between buying a camera that snapped still photos or moving pictures. But the lines have eroded over the years, and the mirrorless interchangeable lens systems that dominate the camera market today are true hybrid devices that are just as good at recording 4K and 8K video as they are at snapping high-quality Raw photos.

But all the pixels in the world don't mean a thing if your handheld video looks like it's from a shaky Paul Greengrass action thriller. Stabilization plays a key role here. Many cameras include built-in tools to steady footage. But even with in-body stabilization, lens-based optical stabilization, and innovative digital tools, handheld footage can be wobbly, especially when the camera isn't stationary.

For static shots, you can get stable recordings with something as simple as a sturdy set of tripod legs, typically with a fluid head for smooth pans and camera movements. If you want to move during a shot you can opt for a video monopod, or, for rock-solid footage, a powered gimbal.

Gimbals balance your camera, using brushless motors to keep it in place with smooth motion and no additional noise. They require some setup—you need to make sure your camera is properly centered and balanced for the best results. There's a learning curve, but with some practice, you should be able to set up your kit in about fifteen minutes.

Once everything is up and running, a gimbal delivers perfectly smooth footage, like you get from a Steadicam on a Hollywood set or from a drone. The cameras on consumer drones use the same type of brushless motors to keep the image steady. Basic gimbals provide stabilization, typically along three axes, as well as motorized camera movement via joystick control.

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Advanced models include USB camera control, wireless video transmission, motors and gear systems to drive manual focus lenses, and mounting points for accessories. Motion-lapse, 360-degree rolls, and low-angle operating modes are step-up features. Most include Bluetooth and a smartphone control app, but allow operation independent of a phone, too.

Smaller gimbals embed the battery in the handle. Run times can be long enough for all-day use, and USB charging is a standard feature. Just keep in mind that when those batteries stop holding a charge, you have to replace the whole unit. Some options still use swappable batteries, however.

Camera gimbals come in different sizes, so make sure to pick one that can handle your setup.

A gimbal that's too small to support your camera will deliver poor results because its motors will struggle to keep balance. Most gimbals have a payload rating and you should pay attention to it, especially if you use an interchangeable lens camera. Take a look at the entire weight (and size) of your kit and pick one that's close. You are likely to end up with a gimbal that can handle more weight than you need.

Price scales along with the amount of support—a gimbal for a smartphone or GoPro costs a lot less than one for a full-frame camera. Depending on your kit, expect to spend anywhere between $100 and $1,000 to start.

You should also be realistic about what kind of lenses you can use with a gimbal. Most will reach for wide angles, but standard and short telephoto lenses are usable too. I recommend keeping things at 85mm or wider. Wildlife photographers use gimbal tripod heads for extreme telephoto lenses, but despite sharing a name, gimbals for wildlife photography and gimbals for video cameras are very different things.

We included picks for everything from smartphones to full-frame mirrorless systems in this story and break down products by camera type. We haven't yet reviewed every gimbal on here, but there's a star rating next to those we have.

Gimbals for phones, compact cameras, and action cameras are typically quite small, because they have less weight to handle. They're also a lot less expensive. We've included a couple here that are available for less than $100, including a splash-proof gimbal for use with GoPros and other action cams.

The Insta360 Flow is our favorite gimbal for creators who use a smartphone. It stabilizes footage effectively and runs for up to 12 hours between charges. We also like its size; the gimbal folds down smaller than others and an integrated extension rod helps you get a high, wide angle for self-recorded footage. In addition, it's quick to set up thanks to a design that doesn't require manual balancing.

The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is made for phones. The gimbal has an easy-to-use magnetic mounting system and does a good job of keeping handheld video steady and smooth. The DJI Mimo companion app adds subject tracking and other useful features too, though it works better on iOS than Android. If you have the latter type of phone, consider the Insta360 Flow instead.

The Zhiyun Smooth 5S is made just for smartphones (its app works with Android and iOS phones). It can charge your device and works with magnetic-attachment video lights to add illumination to your scene. On-handle controls and support for Vertigo dolly zooms and vortex rolling shots round out its features.

The Moza Mini-P Max is made for smartphones (it comes with a mount that supports phones up to 3.5 inches wide) and small cameras like the Sony ZV-1 vlogging specialist, but it can handle smaller mirrorless interchangeable lens kits of up to two pounds. An internal battery promises up to 20 hours of run time per charge.

If you want to stabilize your action cam videos, you need a gimbal that can handle some water, such as the IPX4-rated Hohem iSteady Pro4. It works with recent action cameras from GoPro, DJI, and Yi and likely offers a tangible improvement over your cam's internal digital stabilization.

The DJI Pocket 2 isn't a gimbal for your camera, it's a handheld camera with a built-in gimbal for vlogging. It records in 4K, supports motion time lapse, and works with high-quality external mics. If you like the idea of gimbal stabilization, but don't want to fuss with mounting your phone, the Pocket might find its way into yours.

If you use a camera with swappable lenses, you need to budget a bit more for a gimbal, especially if you use a full-frame system. The DJI RS 3 Mini ($369) and the Zhiyun Weebill 2 ($469), are value picks; both are capable of supporting most mirrorless cameras.

It's worth stepping up to the RS 3 ($549) if you use bigger lenses or want to add accessories. It supports focus motor and wireless video transmission add-ons, for instance, which you can't use with RS 3 Mini. For even larger cameras, a gimbal like the RS 3 Pro or Zhiyun Crane 3S is the way to go; both support more than 10 pounds of weight.

Most of these gimbals can take additional accessories that are often available in a bundle. If you want to use follow focus, transmit video wirelessly, or take advantage of other such features, it's worth it to buy a bundle. You often get a carrying case if you go this route, another benefit.

The DJI RS 3 is our favorite gimbal for mirrorless cameras. It has a smart design with auto-folding and unfolding arms, as well as a removable battery pack so you can break it down for travel. Its 6.6-pound payload support is ample for full-frame cameras, and you can add a focus motor or wireless video transmission system if you want.

The exceptionally small DJI RS 3 Mini lives up to its name. With support for 4.4-pound payloads, easy swaps between landscape and vertical video, and a tool-free setup, it's a good pick for vloggers looking for a basic, easy-to-use stabilizer for everything from a Micro Four Thirds to a full-frame mirrorless model.

The Zhiyun Crane 2S is a good choice if you need to handle a bigger mirrorless camera, up to seven pounds total. It includes an OLED screen for basic menu adjustment, but you can also control it via a smartphone app. It sets itself apart from the DJI RS2 series because of its swappable batteries.

The Zhiyun Weebill 2 is a good fit for full-frame cameras without an integrated grip; we tested it with the Panasonic S5. It includes a 2.8-inch color touch display, a first for this class and a plus for first-timers who can use some visual help setting camera balance. It supports camera control, and you can add a video transmission kit for remote control and subject tracking.

The DJI RS 3 Pro is the company's most capable gimbal. It supports full-frame camera rigs up to 10 pounds and works with a LiDAR focusing add-on that adds autofocus support to manual lenses. It's pretty portable too, and includes a clever automatic locking system. It's a good match for full-frame ILCs as well as cinema cameras like the Sony FX6.

The Zhiyun Crane 3S handles the heaviest cinema cameras, with support for up to 14.3 pounds. It uses swappable batteries, good enough for 12 hours of power. Ergonomics are important when working with a heavier camera; the Crane 3S comes through with an oversized control wheel on its side and a rear handle with controls.

A gimbal is just one accessory you can add to your camera to get better results when you roll video. We've put together a list of our favorite vlogging cameras and tools, as well as camera tips for beginners and shutterbugs. We also highlight some helpful accessories to up your video game below.

The Atomos Connect is a useful tool for vloggers who work on a studio show: The adapter takes the HDMI video and audio signal from your camera and turns it into one your computer understands. It works at up to 4K30 or 1080p60 without drivers by leveraging the UVC/UAC standard, so the plug-and-play setup couldn't be easier.

Almost every camera records video to a memory card, so why do you need an external recorder like the Atomos Ninja V? For one, it enables better quality video than most mirrorless cameras can do internally thanks to support for Apple ProRes and ProRes Raw encoding. These formats save more information and work more efficiently than in-camera alternatives, making them more ideal for post-processing.

The Rode Wireless Go II is a good on-body mic kit for vloggers who want clear, intelligible audio from their subjects. Their wireless functionality means you don't have to worry about running a cord from your person to the camera, while the two-mic package opens up the opportunity for cohosts and interviews.

Vloggers after an on-camera audio solution should look to the Sennheiser MKE 200. The small, on-camera shotgun mic's directional pattern helps cut out background noise, and it captures a broader, more dynamic range of sound than most built-in camera mics.