Best Phone Stabilizers
Contents:
• Even the largest number of megapixels of the matrix will not save the frame if the image is blurry or the video is shaking (not every smartphone has optical stabilization).
• Stabilizers come to the rescue – small devices that can easily fit in a bag or even a pocket, securely fix the smartphone and help compensate for hand trembling, swaying when walking or vehicle vibration.
• The best stabilizers for the phone in 2023 – in my rating, compiled from expert reviews, customer opinions and reviews from amateur photographers.
10. Moza Mini MX
- Number of stabilization axes: three
- Stabilizer weight: 412 grams
- Sliding: yes
• An inexpensive tripod for a smartphone is made of high-quality, tactilely pleasant plastic, easily folds and unfolds. Supports all the innovations of smartphone photography – tracking objects and faces, time-lapses, 360 ° rotation and much more, and do it for a long time – up to 20 hours in a row. It can hold smartphones weighing up to 280 g and strictly from 60 to 88 mm across, that is, it will not master the iPhone 13 Max.
• In general, a good device, but not without a drop of tar. The main drawback of the steadicam is the application. It was Russified, and, judging by the quality of the translation, it was done by a machine. It is impossible to choose English to make it at least a little clearer. And the tripod only works with the native app.
Pros and consBuild quality and materialsLong battery lifePoor app translation9. Blitz 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal S-5
- Number of stabilization axes: three
- Sliding: yes
• The model is not fully foldable – a powerful handle in itself, the three-part holder, although compactly curved, still cannot be put in a pocket. The hinged design will not hold every phone, it will not pull above 210 grams, so for the iPhone Pro Max you will have to look for something else.
• In terms of functionality, Blitz is not inferior to more expensive counterparts – there is tracking, rotation for panoramic shooting, manual adjustment, object and face tracking, and much more. It's a pity that the application is rather poor, but for the needs of an ordinary selfie lover or an office photographer, its capabilities should be enough. But Russified, and even qualitatively.
Pros and cons build quality and materials nice design poor application functionality8. Moza AirCross 2 Professional Kit
- Number of stabilization axes: three
- Stabilizer Weight: 1050g
- Sliding: no
• In the list of the best steadicams, Moza AirCross 2 is the heaviest, most expensive and most professional tripod. It is suitable for both a smartphone and a large number of mirrorless and SLR cameras (what exactly – you need to look at the instructions, but the choice is solid).
• The stabilization is excellent, not inferior to premium ones, but the device, due to its weight, needs to be adjusted. There are a few new features, such as motion duplication, where the tripod uses data from the phone's gyroscope.
• To fully master all the richness of the model's capabilities, you will have to view more than one review on YouTube.
Pros and consPro-grade quality Battery lifeDifficult to master7. Gimbal Stabilizer L08
- Number of stabilization axes: two
- Stabilizer Weight: 300g
- Sliding: yes
• And from the most expensive tripod of the rating, let's move on to the cheapest. It costs quite a budget, but it does its job – the smartphone holds, the video is smooth, there is a selfie stick function, you can shoot panoramas and portraits – what else do you need?
• However, you will have to pay for this with a small battery life, and there are only two stabilization axes. But in general, the device is an excellent gift for a child who has just begun to master the world of Tiktok video.
Pros and consbuild quality and materialspricetwo stabilization axles6. Zhiyun Crane-M2
- Number of stabilization axes: three
- Stabilizer Weight: 500g
- Sliding: yes
• In the top of phone stabilizers, this is perhaps the most versatile device. Crane-M2 can serve as a stabilizer for small cameras, phones, action cameras and even light sources weighing up to 720g. In addition to stabilization, you also get a 360° swivel tripod, a light, fast charging (up to a full battery in just 100 minutes) and up to 10 hours of battery life.
• Alas, even with the updated quick Release 4 system, changing cameras requires more effort than we would like, but at least you don’t have to carry different tripods with you for different devices.
Pros and cons versatility long battery life hassle with changing devices when switching from portrait to landscape photography may require rebalancing5. Joby Smart Stabilizer
- Number of stabilization axes:
- Stabilizer Weight: 428g
- Sliding: yes
• Joby's flexible GorillaPod mini tripod is loved and appreciated by many vloggers, but the smartphone gimbal wasn't so lucky. It has a micro USB port, the design is heavy – almost half a kilogram.
• You can’t put such a steadic in your pocket, so the gadget comes with its own carrying bag. The tripod is made of high-quality hard-wearing plastic, looks solid, stabilizes perfectly, and the application smoothly tracks objects and faces. Please note that despite the size and weight (considerable by the standards of stabilizers), the motor can only hold phones weighing up to 210 g.
Pros and cons build quality and materials smooth stabilization large size and weight can hold smartphones up to a certain weight4. Hohem iSteady V2
- Number of stabilization axes: three
- Stabilizer weight: 263
- Sliding: yes
• For people who want to get the best value for money spent, the iSteady V2 model may be of interest. Although not as polished as DJI gadgets, the device has excellent stabilization, faces and objects are tracked using artificial intelligence, and built-in lighting will make your face stand out from the environment.
• Although visually light, the pen's servos and spring-loaded clip can actually support the heaviest smartphones. True, the sliding tube requires effort – you must not just snap it in, but turn the screw in addition. Not very comfortable? Right. But the steadic itself is cheaper by a good third compared to models from DJI; as you understand, against this background, small efforts with a screw do not look scary.
Pros and cons compact and lightweight good branded app face tracking sometimes crashes3. Zhiyun Smooth Q3
- Number of stabilization axes: three
- Stabilizer Weight: 280g
- Sliding: yes
• In smartphone shooting circles, Zhiyun is perhaps as well known as DJI. This is a leading Chinese manufacturer of all kinds of stabilizers – for cameras, action cameras and smartphones.
• The Smooth Q3 is a compact, small device that magically expands thanks to its sliding design. And although this model does not have such a convenient magnetic clamp as the first and second places in the 2023 smartphone stabilizer rating, it does include a light beacon that will highlight either you or the subject being shot. And in terms of stabilization quality, the Chinese DJI device is not inferior and costs a budget.
• Alas, Zhiyun's own ZY Cami app isn't as simple and intuitive as DJI's Mimo. In addition, a number of interesting features are blocked by paid access – a premium is required. Luckily, you don't need an app for regular shooting (you can get by with a regular smartphone), but you do need it to control gestures and use some special modes like smart zoom and object and face tracking.
Pros and consexcellent stabilizationprice has its own backlightapp requires a premium subscription2. DJI Osmo Mobile 4
- Number of stabilization axes: three
- Stabilizer Weight: 390g
- Sliding: yes
• Although the Quad is no longer the newest model from DJI, it is still one of the best camera stabilizers. And no wonder: a foldable frame, 4-axis stabilization, an innovative magnetic clip design that allows you to quickly and easily attach and detach your phone, and battery life. And on the OM 2023 SE, just like on the king of the top stabilizers of XNUMX, the awesome Mimo app is installed.
Note: DJI has two "fours" – just a four and SE, which costs less, and, among other things, is distinguished by the absence of a magnet in the kit, and the SE's magnetic holder is slightly heavier.
Pros and consSmooth shootingInfinite batteryPrice1. DJI OM5
- Number of stabilization axes: three
- Stabilizer Weight: 292g
- Sliding: yes
• The sliding part of the DJI OM 5 is not the most traditional among selfie sticks: 21,5 cm may seem insufficient to the average user. However, for those who are fond of smartphone photography and video shooting on an ongoing basis, light weight is to their liking. However, you will have to pay for it: the long battery life that the previous version, OM 4 was famous for, has become less impressive in the fifth generation. Plus, the gadget was also deprived of the opportunity to earn extra money as an external battery for a smartphone. However, since DJI is still briskly selling the OM 4, you can choose between weight and battery capacity.
• What other benefits, besides distance, can the OM 5 offer? It has 100-axis stabilization, which allows you to get excellent smooth footage even when cycling on a country road. There is also a magnetic clip with which the smartphone is easier to easily attach and detach. The stick itself weighs quite a bit (it is 4 g lighter than OM 5), but it copes with the stabilization of even the heaviest smartphones with a bang. And another strong feature of the OM XNUMX is the Mimo app: smooth subject tracking and face detection, additional modes (like ShotGuides to help beginners take great shots, panoramic shooting modes, dynamic zoom and more) and gesture control. There are also accessories: for an additional fee, you can buy a holder with backlight.
Pros and cons excellent stabilization proprietary application joystick control requires habit and dexterityHow to choose the best stabilizer for your smartphone
Application area
• Basically, modern stabilizers are of two types: station wagons and specialized ones.
- Station wagons, in addition to the actual smartphones, can also work with cameras, both conventional and action.
- Specialized correspond to the name – they choose one type of device.
• Universal ones are more convenient, but larger and heavier than smartphone specialists, and they often cost more. Models designed for mobile phones are usually smaller, lighter, can fit in a pocket when folded, are sold at a lower price, but at the same time their functionality is cut down, and it happens that the technical characteristics are worse than those of station wagons.
Stabilizer type
• At the moment, there are only two types of stabilizers.
• Mechanical stabilizer: It is based on the principle of counterweights that are built into the body. Such devices are inexpensive, but the image quality is worse than that of electrical counterparts.
• Electric: based on gyroscopic sensors, electric motors balance the phone. The picture is better, but the cost of the stabilizer is higher. This steadicam is able to produce a smooth picture even when walking fast or riding, say, a bicycle. But for the operation of electric motors, electricity is required, which means that the operation of the stabilizer will depend on the battery. In premium gimbals, motors not only reflexively compensate for vibrations, but also support motion processing algorithms for even smoother images.
• If the smartphone has an optical stabilization mode, it is likely that it will need to be turned off so that the stabilizer software does not conflict with the smartphone system.
Number of stabilization axes
• Most mid-range devices on the market have a triaxial gimbal, which means that the smartphone can be rotated in three directions. And the more rotation options, the easier it is to find an interesting angle. Two axes of rotation – most likely, we are talking about budget models. They cost less, but the video recording angle is a little worse.
Size and weight
• Very important characteristics, especially if you are into vlogging and carry a tripod with you all the time. Ideally, if the steadic can be kept for a long time without tension, and after work, put it in a neat bag and put it in your pocket. As a rule, the weight of the latest models of stabilizers is about 300-400 g. If they weigh more, most likely they are universal devices that can be used for cameras and camcorders.
Compatibility
• A specific stabilizer can be good for everyone – and the number of axles, and the presence of electronic stabilization, and materials, and price. That's just if it does not fit exactly to your smartphone, write wasted. Therefore, before you buy, be sure to check whether the stabilizer is compatible with your phone both externally (number and position of mounts) and internally (software).
