Gimbals for smartphones can help you record stable videos using your phone. These small and portable devices help cut micro stutters and jitters that are usually present when recording videos with phones. So, if you want to create aesthetic videos, here are the best gimbals for your smartphone.
Also See: EIS vs OIS: Which Stabilization Is Better and Why?
FeiyuTech VB 4SE Gimbal Stabilizer for Smartphone
Compatibility: Android and iOS | Tripod: External attachment | Battery Life: 9 hours
The FeiyuTech VB 4SE is both affordable and lightweight. This one weighs just around 260 grams and is compact. In fact, the top part of the gimbal is foldable, making it ultra-portable. It comes with a cool set of features like tracking and gesture control.
In fact, the company claims that the built-in AI in the gimbal app can track faces, pets, and objects. Naturally, this feature eases your video-capturing sessions since you do not have to rely on anyone to hold the phone. The makers also bundle a tripod attachment. Note that the app is not the most intuitive app out there.
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Hohem Gimbal Stabilizer
Compatibility: Android and iOS | Tripod: External attachment | Battery Life: 13 hours
Hohem’s smartphone gimbal is popular for many reasons. For one, it’s affordable and bundles a good set of features. Secondly, it carries a host of features. For instance, you get stabilized videos thanks to the brand’s anti-shake algorithms. Plus, there’s an option for face-tracking, clone mode, panorama, and dolly zoom features to make your videos look more appealing.
But then, the Hohem gimbal isn’t ultra-portable. This gimbal is foldable only on the top portion, which translates to a large footprint. That said, considering the price and the performance, it’s an excellent pick for budding filmmakers. Note that it isn’t suitable for big phones like the iPhone Pro Max.
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DJI Osmo Mobile 4 SE
Compatibility: Android and iOS | Tripod: External attachment | Battery Life: 15 hours
DJI’s expertise in camera accessories has made the DJI Osmo Mobile 4 SE one of the best smartphone gimbals to buy under the three-figure mark. It has pretty much every important feature you need, along with an excellent companion app. More importantly, you get a superior app experience.
The DJI app has a better UI and lets you record better-quality footage without crashes. You also get handy features like object/human tracking, story mode, and the ability to create templates for editing videos within the app. Unlike the one above, the Osmo Mobile 4 SE folds in half. The setup process is straightforward, and the stability is excellent, with no micro stutters. And did we tell you that the smartphone mount is magnetic?
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Insta360 Flow AI Gimbal
Compatibility: Android and iOS | Tripod: Built-in | Battery Life: 12 hours
Think of the Insta360 as the perfect companion if you’re a one-person army. This is mainly because the tracking features on the Flow are pretty terrific. Plus, you get other modes, like sports, slow motion, etc,. It can lock focus onto you and automatically frame the shot depending on where you move. What makes it easier is that the gimbal has a built-in tripod, so you don’t have to carry any extra attachments.
Another cool trick up its sleeve is the ability to capture 360-degree photos. This is especially true if you do not want a dedicated 360-degree camera like the Insta360 X3. At the same time, the app comes with several effects and editing methods to create a montage of your clips automatically. In short, it has all the features to make it a complete package for content creators. Though the device compatibility is limited, it works on iPhone and most top-tier Android flagships.
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DJI Osmo Mobile 6
Compatibility: Android and iOS | Tripod: External attachment | Battery Life: 10 hours
If you want a full-frame Osmo gimbal, you can’t go wrong with the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 smartphone gimbal. It has a built-in selfie stick, better portability, improved stabilization, and sophisticated features for better video recording. However, it’s expensive. It is a good pick for vloggers and selfie enthusiasts, and the extendable selfie stick onboard lets you shoot videos at distinct angles and frames.
The tracking algorithms on the Osmo Mobile 6 improve over previous models. So, if you want to use it to record videos of yourself moving around, you will have a better experience. Note that the tracking is less accurate than the Insta360 Flow. That said, DJI’s app is quite refined and has several modes, and you can combine all your clips automatically with custom effects.
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Zhiyun Smooth 5S
Compatibility: Android and iOS | Tripod: External attachment | Battery Life: 5 hours
The Zhiyun Smooth 5S has a unique feature. It has an integrated fill light, which helps in shooting in the dark or when recording human faces up close. It also packs in the usual features like object tracking and panning. Interestingly, the controls on the handle are quite intuitive, making it easy to control the gimbal.
If you’re recording yourself and are far away from the gimbal, you can also use gestures to perform certain actions. Cool, right? It’s worth noting that the stabilization on the Zhiyun Smooth 5S is top-class and among the best among its peers. That said, Zhiyun’s suite of apps for Android devices doesn’t offer as many features as its iOS counterpart.
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FAQs
While OIS is helpful, it often struggles to keep your videos stable in low-light situations. That’s where a gimbal can turn out to be helpful. A gimbal also cuts out small shakes and jitters you may encounter when moving around a lot.
Most gimbals have a face-tracking feature that will follow you when you record yourself. If your primary use case is shooting videos of yourself, we suggest picking up the Insta360 Flow since it has the best tracking and can even zoom into your face to keep you in the center of the frame.
The answer to this question entirely depends on your usage. A tripod can be much taller. So if you plan on taking stationary shots when standing, a tripod will help you. But a gimbal has many features that can be useful for recording cinematic videos.
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Last updated on 03 June, 2024
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