The Best Smartphone Gimbals (2024) for better videos and photos

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“Best Smartphone Gimbals” have revolutionized my approach to video shooting, offering substantial advantages over the inherent image stabilization in cameras. These ingenious stabilizers take complete control of smartphone movement, eradicating any potential shaking. Thanks to this innovation, smooth panning, sweeping shots, and seamless subject tracking become effortlessly achievable. With just a smartphone and a “Best Smartphone Gimbal,” I can craft cinematic sequences without the need for cumbersome equipment.

The most effective smartphone gimbals use a mechanical stabilization system that has two or three axes to keep the camera steady. These gimbals feature motors that can work together or independently, giving them the ability to perform a wide variety of movements. Follow modes provide smooth vertical tilts, Pan Follow mode maintains the camera‘s level, and POV modes permit dynamic horizontal angles while maintaining stability.

Pan Follow mode keeps the camera level. Even better, smartphone gimbal applications may be able to wirelessly sync with the gimbal in order to do subject tracking, automated panoramas, and other functions. For people who prefer to use traditional cameras rather than smartphones, there are user guides available for the best gimbals for DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and Go Pros. Gimbals have the potential to take both your photography and your filmmaking to the next level.

What Is a Gimbal?

Gimbals date back to the 3rd century B.C., more than a century before the Daguerreotype. Therefore, gimbals are not new technology. However, 3-axis motorized gimbals, which can stabilize cameras despite user movement, are newer. A 3-axis gimbal stabilizes camera tilt, pan, and roll. Tilt controls up and down, pan controls side to side, and roll controls back and forth. Three-axis smartphone gimbals are motorized, using a tiny motor on each axis to stabilize the camera. When you consider how stable a 3-axis gimbal is, cheaper 2-axis ones aren’t worth it.

Best Smartphone Gimbals

Gimbals were released with poor smartphone stability, although it has improved with time. Despite these advancements, optical and electrical picture stabilization cannot equal a physical stabilizer, especially in low light. Sure, here’s the same information presented with rows and columns exchanged:

Feature	Weight	Battery Life	Tracking Modes	Other Features	Check Deal
DJI OM 6	235g	6.5 hours	ActiveTrack 5.0, SmartTrack 4.0	Magnetic quick-release phone clamp, built-in extension rod	Check Deal
DJI Osmo Mobile SE	199g	6 hours	ActiveTrack 4.0, SmartTrack 3.0	Foldable design, magnetic quick-release phone clamp	Check Deal
Insta360 Flow	193g	6 hours	ActiveTrack 3.0, DeepTrack 2.0	Invisible selfie stick, built-in tripod	Check Deal
Zhiyun Smooth Q4	190g	15 hours	ActiveTrack 4.0, SmartFollow 3.0	Magnetic quick-release phone clamp, built-in fill light	Check Deal
Hohem iSteady XE Kit	270g	10 hours	ActiveTrack 3.5, SmartFollow 3.0	Magnetic quick-release phone clamp, built-in tripod	Check Deal

Best Smartphone Gimbals

Modern phones take good videos. A gimbal is needed to make YouTube, TikTok, and home films look professional. Some phone cameras have OIS, AIS, EIS, and other acronyms, but they can only stabilize unsteady hands so much. A gimbal isolates your phone and cameras to capture smooth video while running.

DJI OM 6

Feature	Description
3-axis stabilization	Smooths out footage from even the most active shots.
Magnetic phone mount	Quick and easy to attach and detach your phone.
Built-in extension rod	Get creative with new angles and perspectives.
ActiveTrack 5.0	Intelligent subject tracking for smooth and accurate footage.
ShotGuides	Automated shooting and editing tools for social media.
	Check Price

The DJI OM 6 has provided me with a great experience throughout my time with it. My mobile filmmaking and photography have reached new heights as a result of the cutting-edge smartphone gimbal stabilizer that I have been using. Because of its sophisticated features, such as ActiveTrack 5.0 and a foldable design for portability, I am able to record footage that is both smooth and cinematic when I am on the road. In addition, the extended battery life means that I will never pass on a moment that is worthy of being captured.

DJI Osmo Mobile SE

Feature	Description
3-axis stabilization	Smooths out footage from even the most active shots.
Magnetic phone mount	Quick and easy to attach and detach your phone.
Built-in extension rod	Get creative with new angles and perspectives.
ActiveTrack 4.0	Intelligent subject tracking for smooth and accurate footage.
	Check Price

For someone like me, who is just starting out in the field of content creation, the DJI Osmo Mobile SE has been a real game-changer. This reasonably priced smartphone gimbal stabilizer has a variety of shooting settings, ranging from Time-Lapse to Panorama, and produces footage that is completely free of wobble. Its user-friendly controls and ergonomic design make it the ideal option for newbies like myself who want to create material that appears to have been created by professionals without breaking the money.

Insta360 Flow

Feature	Description
2-in-1 action camera and invisible selfie stick	Shoot stunning 4K video and photos with ease.
FlowState stabilization	Keeps your footage smooth and stable, no matter how much you’re moving.
TimeShift hyperlapse	Create stunning time-lapse videos with just a tap.
Slow-mo	Capture epic slow-motion footage at up to 240fps.
	Check Price

When it comes to action cameras, the Insta360 Flow has been the stabilizer that I have turned to time and time again. Because to its sophisticated algorithms for image stabilization, I am able to take shots that are steady even in the most challenging settings. With the help of features such as FreeCapture and TimeShift, I’ve been able to weave imaginative narratives and produce immersive video experiences that stand out from the crowd.

Zhiyun Smooth Q4

Feature	Description
3-axis stabilization	Smooths out footage from even the most active shots.
Magnetic phone clamp	Quick and easy to attach and detach your phone.
Built-in extension rod	Get creative with new angles and perspectives.
SmartFollow 3.0	Intelligent subject tracking for smooth and accurate footage.
SmartMotion features	Gesture control, time-lapse, and other creative shooting modes.
	Check Price

My path into the world of content creation has been greatly aided by the Zhiyun Smooth Q4, which has consistently been a dependable partner. This portable smartphone gimbal stabilizer features three-axis stabilization, easy-to-use controls, and a solid construction. Every time I use it, I know that the content it produces will be of a professional standard, regardless of the shooting mode I choose or the amount of time I give its battery to charge.

Hohem iSteady XE Kit

Feature	Description
3-axis stabilization	Smooths out footage from even the most active shots.
Magnetic phone clamp	Quick and easy to attach and detach your phone.
Built-in extension rod	Get creative with new angles and perspectives.
Object tracking	Intelligent subject tracking for smooth and accurate footage.
Time-lapse and other creative shooting modes	Capture stunning time-lapse, hyperlapse, and other creative footage.
	Check Price

To meet all of my requirements for smartphone videography, I have been using the Hohem iSteady XE Kit as my all-inclusive stabilizer package. Because it comes with a gimbal that can handle a variety of shooting scenarios, a tripod, and a selfie stick, I have the freedom to adapt to different shooting scenarios. My go-to choice for vlogging and content creation is the iSteady XE because it provides such excellent stabilization and its software is so simple to use. My shooting setup has been taken to a whole new level thanks to the addition of this kit.

Key Features to Consider for Smartphone Gimbals

• Quality of the Stabilization: A gimbal’s principal function is to maintain footage’s stability while it is being filmed. You should search for gimbals that have high-quality stabilization systems, such as 3-axis or 4-axis stabilizers, in order to reduce the amount of tremors and jitters that appear in your films.
• To be compatible with: Check to see if the dimensions and weight of the gimbal are suitable for use with the particular model of smartphone you have. Some gimbals contain clamps that may be adjusted to accommodate a range of different phone sizes.
• Capacity to Carry Payload: Be sure to check the gimbal’s maximum payload capacity, which will tell you the maximum amount of weight it can hold. Check to see that it can support the weight of your smartphone as well as any additional attachments, such as lenses or external microphones.
• Battery Capacity: Because of the longer battery life, you are able to use the gimbal for longer periods of time without having to constantly recharge it. You should look for gimbals that have a battery life of at least 8 to 12 hours on a single charge.
• Easily transportable: Take into account the dimensions and mass of the gimbal. Having a gimbal that is both portable and lightweight makes it simpler to use it for extended periods of time, which is very helpful for vlogging and other forms of trip filmmaking.
• Modes of the Gimbal: The vast majority of gimbals come equipped with a number of different shooting modes, including pan-follow, lock, follow, and selfie modes. These modes allow you greater versatility when it comes to taking a variety of photographs.

How to Choose a Best Smartphone Gimbals?

• Identify Your Needs and Budget: Determine the primary purpose for which you will be using the gimbal, such as professional filmmaking, vlogging, or making travel films. Determine a range for your budget that corresponds to your requirements.
• To be compatible with: Check that the size, weight, and make of your smartphone are compatible with the gimbal before you buy it. Some gimbals contain clamps that may be adjusted to accommodate a range of different phone sizes.
• Quality of the Stabilization:  Keep an eye out for gimbals that come equipped with superior stabilization technologies, such as 3-axis or 4-axis stabilizers. Your videos will have less shaking and jittering if you have good stabilization.
• Capacity to Carry Payload: Check the gimbal’s maximum payload capacity to ensure that it can support your smartphone together with any additional attachments (such as lenses or mics) and any potential future updates.
• Battery Capacity: It is ideal to have a gimbal with a longer battery life, especially if you intend to use it for extended periods of time. Look for versions that can last for at least 8 to 12 hours on a single charge of the battery.
• Easily transportable: Take into account the dimensions and mass of the gimbal. Because they are easier to transport and operate for extended periods of time, gimbals that are compact and lightweight are perfect for travel or videography that is done on the go.

Questions and Answers