Tripods for smartphones: Models from Novoflex, Hama, Sirui, Joby, Rollei and Manfrotto in the test

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Smartphones on tripods: Not all of them have a remote shutter release

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Markus Linden

Small tripods for smartphones can be used in a variety of ways.

When taking photos, they keep the device stable and thus ensure sharper photos - even for night photos and self-portraits.

Remote shutter releases are sometimes included, so you don't have to rely on the timer on your smartphone.

Video recordings become smoother and more professional with a tripod.

This applies on vacation and at family gatherings, but it's even more important for people who produce web videos.

The camera should not only be able to be positioned still, but also as flexibly as possible.

The selfie stick function that some tripods have can also help.

We tried out six tripods with different smartphones and cameras and tested how versatile they really are in practice.

Not all all-rounders work as well as a selfie stick or as a tripod with three legs at a height of 80 centimeters.

And not all models are able to take photos in portrait and landscape format.

All smartphone tripods tested can be easily folded up and taken with you when traveling.

All models basically consist of three parts: the actual tripod with three legs, a tripod head that allows the smartphone or camera to be rotated and tilted, and a clamp that clamps the smartphone using a spring.

With one exception, the heads of the tripods in the test are ball heads, which enable flexible adjustment with just one locking screw.

But pay attention: Ball heads can only be tilted to the side by 90 degrees if they have a recess on one side.

This is important for shooting in portrait format.

Alternatively, a camera can be attached to all tripods using a tripod screw.

If it is not a small action cam, but a full-sized photo or video camera, the maximum load capacity and general stability set certain limits.

Novoflex smartphone micro tripod P

Professional photographers know Novoflex: The traditional company from Bavaria has been producing tripod heads and adapters since the 1950s and is firmly anchored in the market with several high-quality tripods.

Like the larger models, the micro tripod P is made entirely of metal, even the holder for the smartphone.

At 185 grams, it is still light, compact and stable.

Unlike the competition, the three short legs of the tripod are plugged in: when transported, all three point straight down.

To set it up, pull the legs out of the holes in the tripod and insert them into three holes pointing to the side.

The disadvantage of the system: The legs are not adjustable, neither in inclination nor in length.

The advantage: The small tripod is very stable.

And if you separate the legs, head and smartphone clamp during transport, the package is only 14 centimeters long.

The large ball heads from Novoflex are valued by professional photographers because of their precision and strength - and the small ball head on our micro tripod P is also fixed and can be adjusted very precisely.

The easiest orientation and handling is in landscape format; for portrait format you can rotate the tripod plate by 90 degrees.

The rotation and angle are fixed with a single screw, making adjustment quick and easy.

The smartphone is attached using a metal clamp holder, which is secured with the 1/4-inch screw on the ball head.

If you don't want to attach a smartphone, but rather a camera, you can do so up to a weight of three kilograms.

This is enough for most camera-lens combinations.

The clamping mechanism works with smartphones with a width of 64 to 82 millimeters.

The spring also holds large smartphones securely.

To prevent scratches on the housing, the inner ends of the clamp are rubberized.

They also hold an iPhone 15 Pro Max securely, but not with every case: While the Apple case fits well, the SP-Connect case is so thick that the ends don't grip securely.

At the top of the smartphone holder there is a hot shoe slot for attaching LED lights or microphones.

What you like:

The small tripod is very stable and can be flexibly adjusted with one hand.

The less:

Setting up the legs is a bit complicated.

And the combination of smartphone and case cannot be too thick.

Who the Novoflex smartphone micro tripod P is suitable for:

For photographers and filmmakers who don't need more than a few centimeters of height but rely on quality.

And for everyone who wants a stable holder for their smartphone for watching films.

Hama Solid III

The Solid III from Hama is a universal talent: It functions as a simple table tripod for smartphones and (small) cameras, with an extendable center column as a tripod up to a working height of 80 centimeters and also as a selfie stick, also with a length of around 80 Centimeter.

There is also a Bluetooth remote shutter release to start and stop video recordings and take photos.

When folded, the Solid III is only 24 centimeters long and weighs 315 grams. If it is to be used as a table tripod, the three legs are folded out as far as they will go.

The center column can be pulled up with a little force and the height can be changed continuously.

The leg extensions can also be extended in several stages.

This adds to the height, but is more important on uneven terrain when you want the tripod to be exactly vertical.

At the top there is a ball head whose ball is made of metal.

The pan (the counterpart) is only made of plastic.

The smartphone holder is designed so that in the basic position a camera can be attached using a 1/4 inch screw.

When folded upwards, a smartphone can be clamped in.

The clamp holds a smartphone securely, even with a case between 59 and 90 millimeters wide.

At the top of the clamp there is a hot shoe for lights or microphone.

While the center column and ball head are made of metal, everything else is made of plastic.

This leads to poor stability, which is particularly noticeable outdoors and in windy conditions when the tripod is fully extended: it then literally sways.

The remote shutter release is also required when there is no wind: just tapping the shutter button on the smartphone display causes the device to rock slightly.

An effect that can blur photos.

This also occurs especially when the tripod is extended to a high degree.

The remote shutter release is also made of simple plastic, but works easily with Apple and Android devices.

Unfortunately, it cannot be attached to the bottom of the tripod: When used as a selfie stick, you have to hold the handle of the stick (which is formed by the three folded legs) and the Bluetooth shutter release in the other hand to release it.

What you like:

The tripod can be used very flexibly.

The less:

the plastic rocks quickly.

This is particularly annoying when taking photos outdoors.

Who the Solid III is suitable for:

Especially for holidaymakers who want to have a selfie stick and tripod with them at the same time.

And for people who need a flexible tripod for their smartphone or camera indoors, for example to stream videos online.

Sirui MS-01K

The Sirui tripod is a direct competitor to Hamas Solid III: It also functions as a selfie stick if necessary and its height can also be adjusted.

Between 40 and 138 centimeters are possible, significantly more than with the Solid III.

Sirui has come up with a different mechanism with a similar structure: the center column - like the legs on some professional tripods - is unlocked and fixed using a rotating mechanism.

The tripod stands more solidly on the ground than its competitors from Hama, also thanks to the powerful three legs.

However, in windy conditions the MS-01K also sways when fully extended.

The tripod head consists of a GoPro-compatible mount, which, as usual, only has one degree of freedom.

Advantage: If you want to use an action cam instead of a smartphone, you don't need an additional holder.

Sirui has pre-assembled a tripod plate with a 1/4 inch screw, which provides the second degree of freedom.

A smartphone clamp is also included, into which smartphones with a width between 55 and 85 millimeters fit.

In the test, the clamp also reliably held large smartphones.

The three legs are strong, but not individually adjustable.

Sirui has integrated a Bluetooth remote shutter release into one of the legs, which can be removed if necessary.

We have paired it with Android and Apple smartphones, it reliably takes photos and starts or stops video recordings.

If you use the tripod as a selfie stick, the remote shutter release is easy to reach for landscape format shots.

If you film or take photos in portrait format, you have to twist your hand to hold the stick and take a photo at the same time.

The tripod weighs 437 grams. When folded it is very long (including the installed smartphone clamp) at 44 centimeters.

What we like:

The tripod can be used flexibly and is quite stable despite the large amount of plastic used.

The less:

It is also large when folded and rather heavy.

Who the MS-01K is suitable for:

For travelers who are not afraid of the higher weight and packing dimensions.

And for anyone who wants to film or take photos with a long stick across crowds at events.

Joby PodZilla Medium Kit

The PodZilla is a mini tripod with flexible legs.

Flexible means that the three legs each consist of many joints that can be adjusted with a little effort.

This means that the tripod can not only be placed freely, but can also be wrapped around branches or railings.

The inside of the legs is made of aluminum, the outside is wrapped in plastic.

Joby first made the concept known with a larger tripod called GorillaPod.

The PodZilla is slimmer and, with a weight of 253 grams (including smartphone clamp), also nice and light.

The ball head consists of an aluminum ball and a plastic pan.

It can be precisely adjusted and securely fixes a camera or smartphone.

Joby specifies a load capacity of up to one kilogram for mounting on the 1/4-inch thread.

The included smartphone clamp is screwed onto this.

Devices with a width between 67 and 88 millimeters fit in it - however, small smartphones like an iPhone 13 mini are slightly narrower and only fit securely with a case.

Although the clamp is larger than that of its competitors, it has a nice special feature.

It can be rotated in 45 degree increments.

It locks into place precisely with every step.

This means you can switch between landscape and portrait format without having to adjust the tripod or head.

There are hot shoe adapters at both ends of the clamp for attaching a light or microphone.

If you leave the clamp mounted, the tripod in the case is 35 centimeters long.

The maximum working height is 29 centimeters.

What you like:

The tripod can also be attached to objects and enables unusual perspectives.

The rotating smartphone clamp is great.

The less:

If you just want a table tripod, you have to laboriously bend the legs straight in order to align the tripod precisely.

Who the Joby PodZilla is suitable for:

Anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors and is looking for a simple solution to hold their smartphone in place.

Rollei Monkey Pod 3

Rollei has copied the principle with the flexible tripod legs from Joby.

The legs of the Monkey Pod 3 are a little stronger, but they cannot be twisted quite as far.

But it is enough for most branches or railings.

The design ensures that the tripod can also be used as a handle when folded.

If necessary, the Monkey Pod can also be used as a (short) selfie stick.

But there is no remote shutter release.

Overall, the tripod in the case is 28 centimeters long, and the working height is just as high thanks to the folding smartphone clamp.

If you bend the flexible legs completely apart, you can get down almost to floor level.

Rollei uses an aluminum ball head that is held in a plastic pan.

It is fixed with a rotary screw.

The head can be tilted 90 degrees to the side for portrait format shots with the smartphone.

Similar to the Solid III from Hama, it is a clamp with a 1/4-inch screw for attaching cameras.

Smartphones with a width between 55 and 88 millimeters can be clamped.

We would always use a smartphone case: the 1/4-inch screw mentioned does not completely disappear behind the rubber coating of the clamp and, in the worst case, could cause scratches on the back of the phone.

The ball head itself has its own 1/4 inch thread and can hold photo accessories such as clips or microphone arms.

The smartphone clamp has hot shoe adapters on both sides.

With a weight of 308 grams, the Rollei product is slightly heavier than Joby's direct competitor.

According to Rollei, it can also carry cameras weighing up to two kilograms.

We tried it.

Yes, it works, but then the camera oscillates so much that it is hardly possible to take sharp photos.

It's better to stick with a smartphone or a camera that weighs less than a kilogram.

What you like:

The tripod can be fixed universally and is also suitable for small cameras.

The less:

The multifunctional head is a bit awkward to use and the screw could scratch a smartphone without a case.

Who the Monkey Pod 3 is suitable for:

Anyone who wants to film and take photos from unusual perspectives with a smartphone or small photo and video cameras.

Manfrotto Pixi Smart

The traditional Italian brand Manfrotto offers many professionally usable tripods for photo and video productions.

The Pixi comes in the same design, but is only 25 centimeters long including the smartphone clamp.

The working height is 16 centimeters - and cannot be changed.

The clamp is screwed onto the integrated tripod screw.

It accommodates smartphones with a width of 57 to 88 millimeters.

For a secure fit, cases that are too strong may need to be removed as the rubberized grippers are a bit short.

There are no holders for accessories.

There is only a second thread on the back of the clamp, but in our opinion there are hardly any advantages in using it.

The small Pixi tripod is made entirely of plastic - with the exception of the aluminum ball head - but is very stable.

The ball head can be adjusted precisely with the quick lock.

However, it does not allow panning greater than 45 degrees.

In practice this means: portrait format recordings are impossible with this combination of clamp and tripod.

With a weight of 201 grams, the Pixi is the lightest tripod in the test.

What I like:

The small tripod (not the clamp) is well made and stands securely.

It is light and easy to take with you.

The less:

No portrait format recordings possible.

Who the Pixi Smart is suitable for:

More for people who don't record videos at all, but want to watch YouTube films at the dining table.

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