Looking for a tripod you can “FLEX”?
It’s no secret that a flexible tripod can help you reach the BEST angles imaginable. If you want the top options for the best flexible tripods for your camera, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve listed our TOP 6 picks that will surely get you the most bang for your buck!
6 Best Flexible Tripods In The Market
We’ve reviewed and checked as many flexible tripods as we can. After going through A LOT of options, we’ve finally come up with the top 6 flexible tripods.
We assure you – you can’t go wrong with any one of these! Let’s dive in.
1. JOBY GorillaPod 5K – Best Overall
Taking the TOP SPOT as our best flexible tripod is the JOBY GorillaPod 5k Kit. With this professional-grade tripod, you really can’t ask for more.
First off, the material and design of this tripod spell out durability and flexibility. That’s not all!
- The beady, rubberized legs of the GorillaPod 5K are surprisingly FLEXIBLE and easy to use. You’d be able to attach, mount, or latch these onto almost anything – trust us.
- We’ve seen it hold its place in slippery floors or in cramped spaces. The stability has NOT been compromised, not one bit.
- It’s also HIGHLY EFFICIENT as it’s equipped with a Quick Release System. Not only does this help secure its hold to the camera, but this feature also allows instant setup for each use. Your equipment will be up and running in less than a minute!
- You can also reach PRECISION EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Equipped with a 360° panning bed and 90° tilt and bubble level, you’ll be able to reach and repeat the target positions.
Although it only weighs 1.5 lbs, we were impressed to know it can hold up to 11 lbs. If you need to stage your DSLR with an installed telephoto lens to capture photos or videos, this won’t disappoint.
Lastly, if you’re shooting photos or videos while moving, you can easily transform the tripod into a monopod, selfie stick, or shoulder rig. So convenient, right?
With these features, you might assume the price leans on the more expensive side. – IT DOESN’T!
It’s just a little over $100. Some might find this expensive but trust us, it’s worth it.
NOTE: If you want a cheap alternative but with a similar design from JOBY, you can consider their other models such as GorillaPod 1K or the GorillaPod 3K kit.
What We Love About This Flexible Tripod:
- LIGHTWEIGHT
- Stable!
- Rubberized ring and feet
- Portable and travel friendly
- Transforms into a monopod
- Can carry your DSLR with ease
Cons:
- Basic minimum and maximum height
2. 3Pod Orbit Tripod – Best Value
Second on our list is the Orbit Aluminum Tripod from 3Pod.
Need a stronger tripod that can carry more weight and reach more height? Check out the Orbit tripod!
This tripod boasts an 18 lbs weight capacity and a 174 cm maximum height! You can mount your camera with multiple accessories and take it to greater heights with ZERO issues.
The Orbit is built with an Orbit Overhead Shot System. This will help and allow you to obtain wide-angle, macro, or panoramic shots.
Moreover, as the shaft can be pivoted away from the main body, you can adjust and position it independently to secure that winning angle.
The legs also have individual locks and removable spikes. What does that mean? Well…
If you’re shooting in uneven wet terrain, this tripod can stay stable as a rock!
Normally most tripods with these features would set you back somewhere above $400. The good news is, it only costs roughly $200! Such a STEAL if you ask us.
The only downside of this tripod is it is not that travel-friendly. It weighs 10 lbs as it is made from stainless steel. However, if you won’t be moving a lot or if you plan to use it indoors, this shouldn’t be an issue.
What We Love About This Flexible Tripod:
- ULTIMATE maximum height
- Removable spikes and rubber feet
- Orbit Overhead System is a sweet bonus
Cons:
- Heavy weight
- Doesn’t have removable counterweights or hooks
3. Apexel Flexible Tripod – Best Budget Friendly
If you believe that the best flexible tripod should not break the bank, the Apexel Flexible Tripod is your ANSWER.
It is the MOST budget-friendly tripod on our list.
Did you know you can get a trusty tripod for just 20 dollars? No, we are not missing a number. You’ve read it right – just TWENTY DOLLARS.
So what exactly will you get for your twenty dollars?
The tripod legs are ultra-flexible as they are made with high-density rubber and ABS plastic – high-grade quality plastic. If you need to wrap it around a tree branch, pole, or railings, the grip WON’T be a problem.
It’s also a great travel buddy as it’s completely waterproof. You can station it right before the water hits the camera to get that low-angle shot!
Moreover, you can stash this mini tripod in your backpack or just wrap it around your bag’s handles. You won’t even notice its weight as it weighs LESS than one pound.
Of course, the downside to it being made of plastic is the MAXIMUM CAPACITY it can carry. You can only mount up to 5 lbs on this mini tripod. Sadly, nothing heavier than a mirrorless camera or DSLR with no accessories.
For those using smartphones or digital cameras, this would be totally compatible as it has a rotating phone clamp alongside its tripod head.
Once you’re done, you can merge the legs together to get yourself a monopod! Apexel Flexible tripods transform into selfie sticks in no time.
What We Love About This Flexible Tripod:
- Cheap AND flexible tripod
- Lightweight
- Transforms into a handy monopod
- Best for traveling
Cons:
- Maximum weight capacity is enough but not a lot
4. MEFOTO RoadTrip Classic Lightweight Aluminum Travel Tripod Best Runner-Up
If you need more than a plastic tripod but not a professional-grade tripod, this is the perfect choice.
This tripod offers 360-degree panning so if you plan to do ACCURATE panoramic shots, you can do these with utmost EASE.
As for its legs, these allow “two leg angle positions”. The legs can be independently locked and positioned at different angles.
This means it would be possible for you to place the tripod flat on the ground, on uneven surfaces, or in cramped spaces without having to sacrifice STABILITY.
Meanwhile, the ball head comes with a quick-release plate. Again, this feature makes assembly a no-brainer.
What we also love about the ball head is its solid build, which allows the tripod to hold any setup without any slipping.
As an added bonus, the stainless steel legs of this flexible tripod have a total weight capacity of up to 17 lbs!
To help balance this, it has a recessed center column hook. You can hang a water bottle or sand bag here to increase the center of gravity of the tripod.
For example, during windy weather or if you’re mounting heavy equipment on uneven surfaces, you can hang a counterweight on the hook to help keep everything balanced.
Once you are done, the legs can be folded back 180 degrees – back to a compact tripod you can toss in your backpack.
It’s light and a cheap alternative if you need a sturdy flexible tripod for your camera.
What We Love About This Flexible Tripod:
- Affordable price
- Portable, compact, and lightweight aluminum tripod
- Rubberized locking foot grips
- Comes with its own camera bag
Cons:
- Average height for aluminum tripods
5. JOBY GorillaPod Magnetic 325
What if you need to place your equipment on wide metal surfaces?
A tripod with bendable legs might NOT be of good use. This is why for some, the best flexible tripod is one that has MAGNETIC FEET.
If you need a tricky shot from the window car, on the side of the refrigerator, or at the top of the metal staircase, this mini tripod would be able to give you exactly that!
You can attach the feet from any metal surface that would have been otherwise impossible with normal bendy or bulky tripods.
Similar to the JOBY GorillaPod, the tripod legs are made of high-quality ABS plastic. These are also twistable around cylindrical or narrow objects. So whether you need to wrap it around or stick it onto a metal surface, this would be worth the buy.
What also makes this a great tripod is you can easily morph this into your own selfie stick!
Do note that mini tripods such as this are made for:
- Smartphones
- Slightly bigger gadgets such as point and shoot cameras or video cameras
The ball head can ONLY carry a SMALL digital camera or a DSLR camera with no accessories.
However, if it has extra attachments, we wouldn’t recommend it for hanging the equipment just using the magnetic feet of the tripod.
This small tripod just costs a few bucks more than the Apexel option. So if you want to have a standard tripod with magnetic legs without having to spend too much, this is perfect for you.
What We Love About This Flexible Tripod:
- Magnetic feet feature
- Bendy legs
- Compact, lightweight, and portable
- Comes with a smartphone mount
- Transforms into a monopod
Cons:
- Basic minimum and maximum tripod height
- LOW weight capacity
- More compatible with small cameras
6. Manfrotto 055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod Kit
Looking for the best flexible tripod without budget constraints? The MVH5202A from Manfrotto is for YOU.
For professional photographers, this flexible tripod is HEAVEN SENT.
Let’s start with its versatile 3-way pan and tilt head.
Having this feature allows you to engage in precision-focused photography. You’ll be able to get clear shots every time as you can fine-tune the position and independently control the axes.
What about the center column? It showcases a 90° column – this breaks the restriction of a traditional vertical center column.
It allows the column to be extended vertically OR horizontally, helping you achieve even the most difficult angles.
The tripod comes with a ball head that runs on “Quick One Finger Operation”. This makes the camera set up quick and easy. If you need last-minute changes or adjustments, this also comes in handy.
Don’t be fooled though as these one-finger power locks ensure MAXIMUM STABILITY. If you have a DSLR plus 2 or three accessories, you won’t have to worry about it falling down.
Moreover, this tripod has the highest maximum tripod height on our list. When the legs are fully extended, it can help you reach 183 cm!
Last but definitely not the least – it has an Easy Link Connection feature.
This only means that this tripod can TRANSFORM into a small studio with a few clips and clicks. The design is structured in such a way you can easily latch on a reflector or an LED light. Sweet!
Needless to say, it’s more than JUST a flexible tripod.
What We Love About This Flexible Tripod:
- Stable without a doubt
- TRANSFORMS into a studio
- Versatile center column
- Incredibly tall when extended
Cons:
Guide When Buying Flexible Tripods
Now that you have all the information and features of the best flexible tripods, how will you decide?
We’ve prepared a buying guide to help you in weighing your flexible tripod options. We’ll share some tips on which features are non-negotiable to further help you out!
Maximum Load Capacity
If you are an amateur or if photography is your hobby, you can go for flexible tripods that have minimum or average load capacity.
Assuming that you only have a point-and-shoot camera or a plain DSLR, you won’t need to invest in tripods that are expensive or can support gears with heavier weight.
As for professional photographers or those who work in a studio, you might want to buy a tripod that can carry above 10 lbs.
Usually, there are more accessories (i.e. telephoto lens) needed for professional photography so get a tripod that is heavy-duty.
Note: Mirrorless cameras or DSLR cameras weigh about 1.5 lbs. Smaller cameras and smartphones would weigh less.
Camera Compatibility
Make sure your camera is compatible with the connection point of the tripod.
A standard DSLR requires a ¼” standard mount.
Most flexible tripods have this capability. Unless the tripod explicitly states it can only support smartphones, you won’t have to worry about this.
TIP: For those who are always on the go or prefer an efficient design, go for a tripod with quick-release plates. These make sure you set up and remove your camera in a few seconds.
Stability
The stability of a tripod is not just in the design but also in the material it’s made of.
Bendable or flexible legs made entirely of ABS plastic/medical-grade ABS plastic are great when it comes to flexibility but they are not the top option for stability.
However, if you would only be using it occasionally and just need an extra hand (or should we say feet?) to help you hold a position, ABS plastic tripods would be the more cost-effective option.
If you will be filming or shooting outdoors where it can be windy compared to shooting in a studio, your best bet would be aluminum tripods.
They are more durable and can hold their position when placed outdoors. However, do expect that these cost MORE than their plastic counterparts.
For instance, if you’re in a windy location, you should have a tripod that can steadily support your gear.
You wouldn’t want to put your DSLR camera at risk of falling down just because you saved a few bucks on your tripod.
Weight
Weight is a tricky issue if you are a photographer who is always on the go. You should have a tripod that is both compact (can fit in your bag) and does not drastically add to the weight of your baggage.
For example, if you need to walk for hours to get to your location, you want a LIGHTWEIGHT tripod. Imagine having to drag around a heavy tripod across the city or in a remote location!
Without a doubt, plastic tripods are light weight. Aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon fiber tripods weigh more. If it’s made out of wood, expect it to weigh a LOT.
Height
Wide-angle photos require a bit of distance and height. A truly flexible tripod should have this capability to help your camera achieve these pictures.
With a flexible tripod, your DSLR will be able to reach angles and levels that would have been impossible with a regular or traditional tripod.
Whether it be flat on the ground or high up on the wall, this shouldn’t be a problem for a flexible tripod.
Look for legs that can contort as these can help you attach your camera easily. If you prefer carbon fiber or aluminum tripods, make sure the legs can give you ample height when extended.
Conclusion
We hope this article helped you find the best flexible tripod for you and your camera!
Skip the lane for regular tripods. If you want to maximize the power of your DSLR camera OR get better photos from your smartphone, invest in a flexible tripod – the creative options will be limitless.
Share your thoughts and other buying tips by leaving a comment below!
