PhotographyVideoTripods

What are the best tripods under $200?

3

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Considered

6

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Oct 4, 2017

Last
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Here’s the Deal

3 Options Considered

Best tripods under $200	Price	Weight	Dimensions
-- Ravelli AVTP Professional	$159.69	10.8 lbs	8.11" x 8.11" x 34.09"
-- JOBY GorillaPod	$102.71	1.79 lbs	4.06" x 4.06" x 17.5"
-- Vanguard ALTA PRO 263AB	$169	5.38 lbs	4.7" x 5.1" x 30.7"

Ravelli AVTP Professional

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Top Pro

Exceptional build quality

This tripod is made using very high quality materials. Its legs are very strong, the frame is really sturdy, and the movement of the head feels extremely fluid. See More

Top Con

Cumbersome

The Ravelli AVTP Pro weighs 10.8 pounds (4.89 kg) and can be very tiring to move around for extended periods of time. This means it's best to use it only for studio or location shooting, where it doesn't need to be moved around too much. See More

Specs

Weight:10.8 lbs

Dimensions:8.11" x 8.11" x 34.09"

Material:Aluminum, titanium

Max Load:27 lbs

Top Pro

Well suited for professional use

This Ravelli tripod can support equipment weighing up to 27 pounds (12.24 kg) without swaying or losing stability, even under windy weather. It's especially useful for people who want to use rigged out gear and all sorts of extra gadgets. See More

Top Con

Height may make it uncomfortable to use

This Ravelli tripod is only 54.5" (1.38m) high when fully extended, which may make you need to bend your body a lot when using it. See More

Top Pro

Excellent stability

Its weight and sturdy build keep the tripod stable at all times, allowing you to easily take high quality shots on uneven and/or soft terrain. See More

Top Con

Uncommon head size

This tripod uses a 65 mm head, as opposed to the commonly used 75 mm head. The reduced surface can make affixing large pieces of equipment tricky and, if they don't fit properly, you won't be able to move the head around. See More

JOBY GorillaPod

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Top Pro

Great option for vloggers

This tripod is very small and light, which is something highly appreciated by vloggers, since it allows to record while moving and makes capturing high quality videos easy. See More

Top Con

You have to be careful when using it

When setting up the tripod on any surface, you should avoid putting weight on it, because the legs will spread and bend. This can cause the tripod to lose balance and potentially damage the equipment. See More

Specs

Weight:1.79 lbs

Dimensions:4.06" x 4.06" x 17.5"

Material:Plastic

Max Load:11 lbs

Top Pro

Great versatility

This JOBY tripod can be used in various ways. It can be set up as regular tripod, you can carry it around with you while taking pictures or shooting video, or you can attach it to objects. See More

Top Con

Very low maximum height

This tripod has a length of 17.5" (44.45 cm), so you will only be able to take shots from a very low angles when setting it on the ground. See More

Top Pro

Can take shots from angles not possible with regular tripods

The JOBY GorillaPod can be attached to various objects, such as guard rails or trees. This allows you take good shots from high places, at varied angles. See More

Vanguard ALTA PRO 263AB

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Top Pro

Great for travel

This tripod is light (5.38 lbs/2.44 kg) and short ( 28.5"/ 72 cm) when retracted. This makes it easy to take with you wherever you go, since you won't tire out easily while carrying and it won't take up much space either. See More

Top Con

Not suited for heavy equipment

You won't be able to use heavy cameras and/or lenses, because this tripod can only support 15lbs (6.8kg). Exceeding this weight will considerably reduce the stability, especially when the legs are fully extended. See More

Specs

Weight:5.38 lbs

Dimensions:4.7" x 5.1" x 30.7"

Material:Aluminum

Max Load:15.4 lbs

Top Pro

Good for panning shots

The ball head mount has very soft resistance, allowing for better control. This helps immensely in taking very smooth panning shots with a camcorder. See More

Top Con

Lacks stability for confident professional use

This tripod's design sacrifices strength and stability to have a lower weight, making it topple easily with a strong push. This can be quite unnerving when using professional equipment, which tends to be really expensive. See More

Top Pro

Easy to level

This Vanguard tripod has bubble levels, which makes getting a good shot on uneven surfaces much easier. This also saves a lot of time, if you like moving inbetween shots. See More

Top Pro

Foam grips for added comfort

This tripod is comfortable to use even in cold weather thanks to its foam grips. You won't have to feel the unpleasant sensation of cold metal when using it. See More

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