Choosing the best iPhone tripod might sound easy, but it’s actually a little more complicated than you might think (that’s why you’re here, right?)
If you own one of the best iPhones and want to elevate your photos or video, there are plenty of iPhone tripods around promising to help you do so. But which one should you choose?
I’ve curated a selection of the best iPhone tripods around for various different purposes. Read on to see the full list, or if you’re a bit unsure about what you need, check out the FAQs later in the article to find out how to choose the right iPhone tripod for you.
Peter is the reviews and cameras editor here at Tom’s Guide and was previously an editor for Canon EMEA’s editorial site. He has been a photographer for 10 years and gets to test out all the best mirrorless cameras around. Peter has used and tested lots of tripods in his time, including plenty of iPhone tripods, so he knows what makes one worth buying. Which tripod does Peter use? “I mostly use my tripod for handheld photography when testing iPhone lenses. I use the Manfrotto Pixi Mini, because it's so good as a shooting grip. I do keep a Neewer T91 in reserve for video, though, and for when I need to rig up multiple LED panels on product shoots!”
The best iPhone tripods you can buy
Here are my picks of the best iPhone tripods you can buy today. Remember: if you're still working out what you need, check out the information later on in this article and then circle back here.
The best iPhone tripod for content creators
1-minute review: In testing, we loved how stable this tripod was thanks to its jointed articulating legs, which are extremely sturdy and can be bent into any shape, allowing for all types of mounting (even suspending from things upside down). The tripod also comes with two extra legs, which attach firmly to the side and each host the extra cold shoe mounts, although the product comes with hex keys allowing you to remove these cold shoe mounts if you’d prefer to use the legs for extra support or to install more ¼” screws. There’s a Bluetooth remote included for remote recording, which will be handy if you film yourself from afar — this was easy to hook up to an iPhone 14 Pro. There isn’t much to dislike, although the maximum height is relatively short.
What is it great for? Streaming and indoor content; vlogging and outdoor content; web calls, casual video and media consumption.
Buy if: You’re a content creator with accessories to hook up to your smartphone
Why is it the best for content creators?
✅ 3 cold shoe mounts can handle all your accessories, so you can hook up a mic and two lights!
✅ Bendable legs and two detachable arms allow you to position your phone and accessories precisely.
✅ A 1/4" thread lets you use the tripod with other camera gear, like a mirrorless camera or DSLR.
✅ 4.4lbs maximum load means there's very little risk of you overloading it and causing damage.
✅ The included Bluetooth Remote lets you trigger your shutter or start recording from a distance.
How does it stack up?
The T91 offers the most versatility of any tripod on this list thanks to its multiple cold shoe mounts, plus the versatile bendy legs and high maximum load. It’s quite short so not the best for anyone who wants a tripod for traditional photography and/or shooting standing up. Similarly, it isn’t the most compact, so there are better alternatives for travel.
Bottom line: As long as you don’t need an extra tall or extra compact tripod, the Neewer T91 is a fantastic all rounder that will suit content creators down to a tee.
The best iPhone tripod for casual users
1-minute review: We love the GripTight Pro 3's super versatile GorillaPod legs and rotating ball joint, which will let you position the tripod wherever you need to, even if that means dangling your iPhone from an overhead mounting point. The legs are also incredibly stable, with grippy rubber to stop sliding. There are 2 cold shoes for accessories, plus a ¼” screw so you can use the tripod with other devices like a mirrorless camera. There’s no Bluetooth remote included, and Joby doesn’t specify the maximum load of the tripod, so you won’t want to mount heavy camera gear on this. It's also quite pricey.
What is it great for? Streaming and indoor content creation; web calls, casual video and media consumption.
Buy if: You need to be able to mount your iPhone in lots of different ways for calls or content creation.
Why is it the best for casual users?
✅ The sturdy GorillaPod legs, which are super flexible allowing you to place your iPhone where you like — ideal for any use.
✅ A firm rotating ball joint helps you fine tune angles and get your iPhone perfectly level.
✅ Two cold shoes mean you can hook up accessories to brighten up video calls or improve audio quality.
✅ Plenty of stability from those GorillaPod legs means you won't need to worry about the tripod falling over.
How does it stack up?
Neewer also offers tripods with flexible legs, like the T91, but the GorillaPod legs are just that little bit better as the ball joints give extra movement over the spine-like legs of the T91. Likewise, the T91 offers more cold shoes, but in reality, the GripTight Pro 3’s dual cold shoes should be enough for most.
Bottom line: If you want to mount your iPhone anywhere, GorillaPod legs are the best approach.
The best budget iPhone tripod
1-minute review: This tripod is cheap and cheerful. Its legs are bendable, to mount your phone in a variety of positions, and they’re surprisingly firm when bending so will stay where you put them. There are rubber boots on each leg for added stability, too. This tripod came with a Bluetooth remote, which was easy to pair and use. There’s a cold shoe mount, a ¼” screw and the same fork connectors used by many action cameras, making this a versatile tripod. The tripod doesn’t feel built to last. The leg joints are plastic and creak as the legs are shaped. There’s also no max load specified, but we wouldn’t bet on it being very high.
What is it great for? Streaming and indoor content; web calls, casual video and media consumption.
Buy if: You’re on a super tight budget.
Why is it the best budget iPhone tripod?
✅ It's super affordable at not much over $10, so if you're really tight on cash, it's a fine choice.
✅ A Bluetooth remote is included for shutter trigger and recording when you're away from your phone.
✅ The lightweight design make it easy to take around with you in a backpack or pocket.
✅ A cold shoe mount will allow you to hook up an accessory, such as a light or microphone.
How does it stack up?
If price is all that matters, there’s no competition. This thing is ultra cheap and will give you what you need, just don’t expect it to provide years of service. If you need something with more longevity, we’d opt for the Neewer T91 or Joby GripTight Pro 3 GorillaPod.
Bottom line: This tripod is ideal for those on a super tight budget, but doesn’t feel built to last, and likely won’t support heavier loads like mirrorless cameras.
The best 2-in-1 iPhone tripod grip
1-minute review: The Pixi Mini, while small, still boasts archetypal Manfrotto build quality and will give you many years of service. It’s super sturdy when in tripod mode, but is also designed to function as a comfortable handheld grip when folded, making it ideal for handheld shooting. It features a ball joint for flexible mounting, plus a cold shoe for accessories and a super wide 4-inch smartphone holder, making this a great shout if you have a wide phone and a chunky case. It’s relatively basic, coming with no Bluetooth remote. It also features a relatively low maximum load of 2.2lbs, which could be an issue if you need to mount a heavier camera. It’s also rather short with only a 6-inch height in tripod configuration.
What is this great for? Vlogging; streaming; web calls; photography.
Buy if: You need a tripod and a comfortable grip in one.
Why is it the best 2-in-1?
✅ It's very well made and uses premium construction material, living up to Manfrotto's stellar reputation for excellent tripods.
✅ It doubles as a grip for handheld shooting, and is much more comfortable to hold than a GorillaPod.
✅ A cold shoe means you can attach an accessory like an external microphone or LED light.
✅ The compact and lightweight design make this tripod incredibly easy to carry around or travel with.
How does it stack up?
The Pixi Mini is a sturdy tripod, although doesn’t give you as much flexibility as Joby GorillaPods or the Neewer T91 thanks to its rigid legs. However, it makes for a much more comfortable grip than those tripods, so if you shoot lots handheld, this is the one to go for. While it isn't anywhere near as portable as the Neewer SP-04, the Pixi Mini is still very compact and light, so should be easy to travel with.
Bottom line: Not the most versatile, but the best if you want to shoot handheld.
The best iPhone tripod for photographers
1-minute review: The Joby Compact Tripod feels as sturdy as a premium professional photography tripod from the likes of Vanguard or Manfrotto, and will provide you a stable base for photography in all environments. It's height-extendable giving 41 inches of total height. At the top is a swivel ball joint allowing flexibility with your shooting angles, and this features a ¼ inch screw which can be used to attach cameras or, in this case, the smartphone holder. There are two cold shoes so you can hook up both a light and a microphone. The tripod comes with a soft, padded carry case as well, which is a nice touch. There’s no Bluetooth remote included for remote shutter release, which would be especially handy for long exposures, where tiny amounts of camera shake can ruin a shot. It doesn’t have the heaviest maximum load either, although 3.3lbs should be fine for almost anything you’d want to put on it.
What is it great for? Photography and outdoors content.
Buy if: You need a larger tripod for traditional photography, especially if you also use a camera and/or shoot outside.
Why is it the best for photographers?
✅ Very stable legs like a traditional tripod, which provide lots of support and will be suitable for uneven and/or outdoors terrain.
✅ Lots of height adjustment to help you nail your framing, and so you can shoot from lots of different heights.
✅ Adjustable ball joint to help you fine tine your levels and framing, and also to facilitate overhead shots.
✅ Extremely well made so you can have faith that this tripod will last a while, although it remains fairly light.
How does it stack up?
The other tall tripod on this list is the SmallRig ST-30, but that doesn’t have the same rugged build and outdoors versatility as the Joby Compact Tripod, nor does it possess a ¼ inch threaded screw for mounting full size mirrorless cameras or DSLRs.
Bottom line: If you need a full size iPhone tripod, especially for photography, this is the one to get. It’s also the best choice if you also shoot with larger cameras.
The best iPhone tripod for travel
1-minute review: This tripod is really compact, folding away to just a few inches in length. It’ll cause you no grief whatsoever if you need a tripod to stash away while travelling. When we first opened it up in testing, we were immediately impressed at how well built the SP-04 is — despite its size and low weight, this thing is built to last, with a sturdy metal design, loads of bolts holding it together, plus rubber feet for grip. It has two cold shoe mounts plus four screw threads, so it can double as a rig. It isn’t very tall, so you may find yourself shooting from low angles. Its legs don’t span far, either, meaning it won’t be a stable platform for mounting large devices, like mirrorless cameras or DSLRs.
What is it great for? Travel; streaming and indoor content; web calls, casual video and media consumption.
Buy if: You’re travelling or space is a concern.
Why is it the best for travel?
✅ Extremely compact and lightweight, folding away to just 3 x 1 inches for easy storage in a pocket or backpack.
✅ Exquisite build quality, comprised entirely of metal and with tough hinges — this thing is built to last.
✅ 2 cold shoes and several 1/4" threads so you can mount accessories and even use it as a rig.
✅ Doubles as a grip when unfolded for handheld shooting.
How does it stack up?
For a combination of portability and usability, the SP-04 can’t be matched. However, if you need a little extra height and large device stability, we’d recommend the Neewer T91 or Joby GripTight Pro 3 GorillaPod. Although it can be used as a grip, it isn't the most comfortable when doing so, so if you need a comfortable handheld tripod grip and aren't fussed about ultra portability, we'd recommend the Manfrotto Pixi Mini.
Bottom line: The Neewer SP-04 is the last word in portability, but doesn’t sacrifice usability.
The best iPhone tripod for MagSafe users
1-minute review: Most smartphone clamp mounts are fiddly affairs, requiring you to force open a sprung clamp to get your phone on/off. This can easily result in a dropped phone. We loved using the MagSafe connector on this tripod, as it made it super easy to get phones onto and off. There’s also a standard smartphone clamp for non-MagSafe devices, plus sturdy GorillaPod legs and Joby's typical fantastic build quality. Our MagSafe case affected the strength of the magnetic connection, though, and resulted in device drops. For best results, you’ll have to take your case off, but that can also be risky as a single knock can still take the unprotected phone off the tripod. There’s no cold shoe mount for accessories, either.
What is it great for? Web calls, casual video and media consumption.
Buy if: You want the ease of MagSafe and don't need accessories.
Why is it the best for MagSafe users?
✅ Versatile MagSafe mount makes taking your iPhone on and off this tripod incredibly quick and easy.
✅ A standard phone clamp is also present, for you to mount your smartphone in a traditional manner.
✅ Build quality is great as you can usually expect from Joby, and this tripod is built to last.
✅ Flexible GorillaPod legs mean you can mount this tripod pretty much anywhere.
How does it stack up?
When it comes to ease of use, this is the best iPhone tripod by a country mile thanks to MagSafe. However, while MagSafe is great, it simply isn’t as secure as an old fashioned clamp, so if you’re using your tripod out and about, we’d recommend opting for a standard clamp mount tripod with a cold shoe, like the Neewer T91, the Joby GripTight Pro 3 GorillaPod or the Mafrotto Pixi Mini.
Bottom line: Great for MagSafe users, but you’ll need to be careful about accidental drops.
The best selfie stick iPhone tripod
1-minute review: We absolutely loved how much reach this 2-in-1 selfie stick and tripod has, with its 66" maximum reach, making it great for ultra wide vlogging pieces to camera showing your environment. The height adjustment this tripod provides also makes it great for standing and full body shots. It features a (borderline scary) quick release function, which triggers when you put pressure against the base — the legs pop out incredibly fast though, so be careful when you do this. There’s also a Bluetooth remote holstered on the handle, which is super handy for remote shooting, y'know, when your phone is 66 inches away from you on the end of the selfie stick. Naturally, the ST-30 boasts SmallRig's usuall premium build quality and sleek styling. There’s no cold shoe or ¼” screw for accessories, which is a little annoying given this tripod is targeted at content creators. The legs don’t stretch out very far either, and aren’t individually adjustable, affecting stability when fully extended and being used as a tripod, and making this a poor choice for outdoor or uneven terrain. Make no mistake, this is primarily a selfie stick that doubles as a tripod.
What is it great for? Vlogging and outdoors video; photography.
Buy if: You’ll be shooting content to camera and need a selfie stick which doubles as a sturdy(ish) tripod.
Why is this the best 2-in-1 selfie stick tripod?
✅ A huge 66" selfie stick reach means you can get epic sweeping vistas when shooting to camera
✅ Fantastic build quality and premium design, that is quintessentially SmallRig (if you've used SmallRig's stuff before, you'll know what I mean)
✅ Bluetooth remote included with its own handle holster, so you can easily start shooting when your phone is 66 inches away from you
✅ Quick release function to pop out tripod legs instantaneously
How does it stack up?
If you want a 2-in-1 selfie stick and tripod, this is the best product for you. The Joby Compact Tripod is a better full size tripod for most people, thanks to its super sturdy legs and suitability for outdoor use, so if you're mainly interested in the tripod side of thing and you’re going to be shooting outdoors or on uneven terrain, that’s the one to buy, especially as it features accessory mounts. However, the ST30 includes a Bluetooth remote, which the Joby doesn’t, and extends over 20 inches further, so is the one to choose if you need the reach.
Bottom line: If you also need a selfie stick, this is the tripod for you!
How we test
Every single iPhone tripod on this list has had to meet the basic criteria for use. Before even testing these products, I ensure they fit an iPhone 16 Pro Max and they all support horizontal and vertical orientation. I also ensure that the build quality is up to scratch and the tripod doesn’t look like it’s going to fall apart — this includes: rigidity of the legs and leg joints; firmness of ball joints and their locking mechanisms; the attachment and locking mechanisms of smartphone clamps.
To test each tripod, I fit an iPhone into the holder, ensuring it’s easy to get the iPhone in and out without dropping it. I then test out the stability of each tripod, both in how well the smartphone clamp secures the device, and how stable the legs are in a variety of positions. When testing tripods with bendy legs, I evaluate how easy the legs are to bend, how much flexibility is provided, and how sturdy the leg joints feel.
I then fit each tripod with a Rode Wireless Pro microphone, if the tripod has a cold shoe mount. Where there are multiple cold shoes, I also fit a Neewer RGB Video Light and ensure the tripod still provides good stability. Finally, I open up my camera app and flick to the wide angle lens to ensure the smartphone mount does not appear in frame — if it does, the tripod doesn’t make this list as it is not fit for purpose.
Where there is a Bluetooth remote included, I pair the remote to my phone and trigger the shutter release from about 10 feet away to check it is working in a realistic vlogging or photography scenario.
How to choose an iPhone tripod
When choosing the best iPhone tripod for you, the first thing you need to do is consider what you need: what will you be using it for? This will help you decide what features you need and which iPhone tripod to buy for your budget. The good news is that there are lots of tripods on the list above, with a range of features and at a variety of budgets, so you’re spoilt for choice. But here’s a quick run down of what to look for based on your usage type:
Before we get into the details, though, every iPhone tripod should cover the basics. It should be stable enough that it won’t topple over and damage your iPhone. It should also have a properly-sized smartphone mount that can accommodate any iPhone, should be able to shoot in landscape or portrait orientation, and when recording, the smartphone mount should not get in the way of your shot. On this list, I’ve only included products that fit the bill, so you can just focus on the finer details based on your specific needs.
What to look for: Streamers & content creators
- Compact design
- Cold shoe mount
- Bluetooth remote
- ¼” screw thread
- Bendy legs
If you’re a streamer or content creator making TikTok videos, you’ll want a tripod that’s compact enough to fit on a gaming desk, a coffee table or anywhere you need it to. Bendy legs will also give you lots of flexibility with positioning. You’ll need cold shoe mounts for accessories and a Bluetooth remote for starting your video from afar. A ¼” screw thread is also important, so you can use the tripod to mount other cameras in the future.
What to look for: Vloggers & outdoors video creators
- Comfortable handheld grip
- Selfie stick capability
- Cold shoe mount
- ¼” screw thread
If you shoot vlogs or content outdoors, you’ll want a tripod that you can use as a grip for handheld shooting, or extending selfie stick capability for wider shots to camera. Naturally, you’ll want a cold shoe mount so you can hook up accessories like a mic. A ¼” thread is also handy, so you can mount a full vlogging camera if you want to.
What to look for: Travel
- Compact design
- Flexible legs
If you’re travelling, a tripod with a compact design is key, so you can fit it into your hand luggage and not take up valuable space. You might also want to invest in a tripod with flexible legs so you’ll know you can mount your phone in whatever scenario you find yourself in.
What to look for: Web calls and media consumption
- Affordability
- Compact design
- Flexible legs
If you’ll be using your tripod casually, for web calls, casual video or watching media, affordability is key. Your tripod won’t be getting heavy use, so you can afford to save a little cash, especially as you won’t need to hook up accessories. You’ll also want a compact design and flexible legs so you can mount wherever needed in your home.
What to look for: Photography
- Very sturdy legs
- Lots of height adjustment
- Ball joint
- ¼” screw thread
If you’ll be using your iPhone tripod for photography, you’ll want a product that resembles a traditional photography tripod, albeit smaller and lighter as it’s only holding a phone. Look for very sturdy legs that have plenty of height adjustment, so you can stand the tripod on uneven terrain outdoors. Plenty of vertical adjustment and a ball joint also help when you need to nail your framing. A ¼” screw thread is also great so you can attach a mirrorless camera or DSLR.
More from Tom's Guide
Now that you have a sturdy tripod in your kitbag, make sure you check out out other photography guides. We can take you through all the best cameras, if you want to find a new full size camera for you, or the best mirrorless cameras if you already know you're going down the mirrorless route. If you're after an action camera for your daring exploits, then check out our roundup of the best action cameras. And if you'd like to check out some accessories for your video and photography, see our guides on the best ring lights and best microphones.
