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  • 10 Best Travel Tripods UK 2024 | Peak Design, Manfrotto and More 1
  • 10 Best Travel Tripods UK 2024 | Peak Design, Manfrotto and More 2
  • 10 Best Travel Tripods UK 2024 | Peak Design, Manfrotto and More 3
  • 10 Best Travel Tripods UK 2024 | Peak Design, Manfrotto and More 4
  • 10 Best Travel Tripods UK 2024 | Peak Design, Manfrotto and More 5

10 Best Travel Tripods UK 2024 | Peak Design, Manfrotto and More

For any photographer, beginner or professional, travel tripods are an often overlooked piece of equipment that is crucial when you're taking photos on the go. A good portable tripod will allow you to keep your camera nice and stable for long periods of time when shooting time-lapses and video, while also being easy to set up for a quick bit of landscape photography.


Finding the best travel or backpacking tripod is a little different to looking for the best tripod overall as they need to be lightweight and easy to carry when folded, yet sturdy enough to handle the weight of your camera and other equipment. We've rounded up the best budget and top-end options so you won't have to worry about being caught short when that perfect opportunity pops up!

Last updated 27/03/2024

Quick List - Top Travel Tripods

1

Benro

GoPlus TravelFGP18A
GoPlus Travel

The Tripod That Has It All – and More

2

Manfrotto

Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod
Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod

An All-Inclusive Kit for Photography and Filmmaking

3

Amazon Basics

Lightweight Tripod
Lightweight Tripod

The Best Budget Travel Tripod

4

Hama

Star 634163
Star 63

Incredible Height From a Value Option

5

3 Legged Thing

Leo 2.0
Leo 2.0

Huge Capacity in a Tiny Package

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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Travel Tripod in the UK - Buying Guide

There's such a wide range of travel tripods on the market that it can be difficult to know which one is best for you, but thankfully our buying guide is here to help you make an informed decision. We'll be looking at the different weights and heights available as well as the materials that tripods are commonly made of.

1

Check Your Current Equipment to Determine Your Tripod’s Maximum Load Weight

Check Your Current Equipment to Determine Your Tripod’s Maximum Load Weight

Firstly, you'll want to take note of how heavy your current camera kit is, as this will determine what sort of load capacity you should be looking for in a tripod. If you're travelling light, then a limit of 5 kg should be more than enough, but if you're working with heavier lenses and flashes, you'll need something a bit more heavy-duty.


A good rule of thumb is to take your current total weight and double it – this is a great way to ensure that your tripod will stay nice and stable when in use while also giving you some freedom to add new equipment down the line. If you're a keen photographer, picking the right tripod at the outset will save you money in the future.

2

Think About Where You’re Working to Decide the Right Weight and Material

Think About Where You’re Working to Decide the Right Weight and Material

The main advantage a specialised travel tripod has over a regular tripod is that it's easy to carry around on different jobs or simply to explore nature and work on your skills and portfolio. 


If you're going backpacking or planning on spending half a day hiking around the countryside, you're going to want something as lightweight as possible, but if you're driving from job to job, you can afford to carry a little extra weight to ensure more stability.


Most travel tripods will weigh somewhere between 1 and 3 kg and are usually made of aluminium or carbon fibre. If you're looking for something lightweight and resistant to the elements for use at home or away, then carbon fibre is a good choice, but they do tend to cost a little more than their metal counterparts.

3

Folded Size Is Important When Travelling

Folded Size Is Important When Travelling

Similar to how a tripod's weight often affects its stability, the same is true of how much it folds down; the more joints and telescopic legs it has, the greater the risk of it slipping. However, if you're working with a single camera and spending a lot of time carrying it on your person, you'll want to opt for something that collapses down to the smallest size possible.


Most portable tripods will fold down to between 30-45 cm in length and are thin enough for you not to worry about slipping them into a rucksack or suitcase while travelling. Nonetheless, it's worth checking whether it comes with a storage pouch to prevent it from unfolding or knocking against other equipment.

4

Think About the Environments You’re Shooting in to Determine How Tall a Tripod You Should Get

Think About the Environments You’re Shooting in to Determine How Tall a Tripod You Should Get

Now that we've covered the folded size, it's only right that we cover the extended size. Most travel tripods will have a maximum height of between 130-175 cm, which can be the difference between using your camera from a standing or crouching position. When outdoors, we'd recommend getting something tall enough so you're able to stay on your feet, especially when uneven ground is involved!


There are some extremely small table-top tripods that don't extend outwards but can be useful if you're just looking for a way to level your camera while recording a travel vlog or working indoors. These can be as little as 15 cm tall and can easily fit in a coat or bag pocket, but will leave you with few options in the way of adjustments.

5

Pay Attention to the Head for Features Like Pan and Tilt or Spirit Levels

Pay Attention to the Head for Features Like Pan and Tilt or Spirit Levels

Tripod heads are funny things, and choosing the right one is more a matter of personal preference than a technical necessity. On the whole, the attachment is universal so you won't have any trouble screwing your camera and tripod together, but there are some different features to look out for.


The most common head found on a tripod is a pan and tilt head, which allows you to move your camera up and down and side to side while filming. If you're planning on recording a lot of footage, this is the way to go. Another choice is the ball head, which is a quick and easy way to set your camera in place for static shots. You won't want to move it while recording, though. 


It's also worth looking out for tripods that come with a spirit level on the head to help you make sure your shots are straight. This can be a life-saver if you're working outside on uneven terrain, or even indoors if you're not quite sure about your framing.

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Top 10 Best Travel Tripods in the UK

Now that you have an idea of what to look out for in a travel tripod, it's time to check out our top 10 list. Whether you're working on a budget or you're ready to invest in a premium model, we have something for everyone, so sit back, relax, and take a look!
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

Benro

GoPlus TravelFGP18A

Benro GoPlus Travel 1

The Tripod That Has It All – and More

2

Manfrotto

Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod

Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod 1

An All-Inclusive Kit for Photography and Filmmaking

3

Amazon Basics

Lightweight Tripod

Amazon Basics Lightweight Tripod 1

The Best Budget Travel Tripod

4

Hama

Star 634163

Hama Star 63 1

Incredible Height From a Value Option

5

3 Legged Thing

Leo 2.0

3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 1

Huge Capacity in a Tiny Package

6

Manfrotto

Compact Light

Manfrotto Compact Light 1

The Lightest Extendable Travel Tripod Around

7

Manfrotto

PIXI Mini TripodMTPIXI-B

Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod 1

Top Choice for a Tabletop Tripod

8

Peak Design

Travel Tripod

Peak Design Travel Tripod 1

One for Professionals and Serious Photographers

9

Vanguard

VEO 2 Aluminum Travel Tripod235AB

Vanguard VEO 2 Aluminum Travel Tripod 1

An Exclusive and Innovative Central Column

10

Amazon Basics

Lightweight Mini Tripod

Amazon Basics Lightweight Mini Tripod 1

A Cheap and Easy Option for Vlogging and Streaming

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Benro
GoPlus TravelFGP18A

GoPlus Travel 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
GoPlus Travel 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
GoPlus Travel 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
GoPlus Travel 4
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£132.00
High Mid
Reference price
£132.00
High Mid

The Tripod That Has It All – and More

The Benro GoPlus Travel has it all, featuring an extremely tall extended height while also remaining relatively compact when folded away. It also has something that no other tripod on our list has: a pivoting centre column that allows you to position your camera at multiple angles.


While you'll need to purchase a head separately, the overall cost will still be below most other similar quality tripods and you can opt between a pan and tilt or ball options. You can also completely detach the legs to operate your camera with a monopod. Brilliant. 

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No.2

Manfrotto
Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod

Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod 4
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£185.00
High Mid
Reference price
£185.00
High Mid

An All-Inclusive Kit for Photography and Filmmaking

If you dabble in both photography and filmmaking, then this feature-packed tripod is a great way to cover both bases thanks to its titular 3-way head. When you need to make smooth camera movements, you'll have no problem either, as it incorporates a fluid drag system based on hydraulics.


Alternatively, if you're after stability and security, the QPL travel lock system, leg angle selector and crossbar will keep everything nice and secure. Even if you have quite a hefty camera kit, this tripod can handle it.

No.3

Amazon Basics
Lightweight Tripod

Lightweight Tripod 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Lightweight Tripod 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Lightweight Tripod 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Lightweight Tripod 4
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£20.99
Low Mid
Reference price
£20.99
Low Mid

The Best Budget Travel Tripod

Just pipping the Hama 63 for our pick for the best budget option is Amazon Basics' Lightweight Tripod. Coming in a little cheaper, noticeably lighter, and featuring a handy spirit level that the Hama doesn't have makes it a perfect pick-up for any photographer.


It also features stabilising mechanisms to ensure that it isn't wobbly while fully extended, and as well as the aforementioned spirit level on the head, there's also one above the legs to ensure they're set straight.

No.4

Hama
Star 634163

Star 63 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Star 63 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Star 63 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Star 63 4
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£23.99
Low Mid
Reference price
£23.99
Low Mid

Incredible Height From a Value Option

With a fully extended height of 160 cm and a maximum load capacity of 4 kg, this budget offering from Hama is a great choice for any amateur photographer or filmmaker to try some location work without having to break the bank.


For a well-priced option that's rather tall when fully extended, it's also incredibly sturdy thanks to some intelligent design. The adjustable rubber feet, lockable cross-struts and weighting hook mean that once in place, the Hama 63 isn't moving.

No.5

3 Legged Thing
Leo 2.0

Leo 2.0 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Leo 2.0 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Leo 2.0 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Leo 2.0 4
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£206.10
High Mid
Reference price
£206.10
High Mid

Huge Capacity in a Tiny Package

The Leo 2.0 is an incredibly impressive piece of kit, folding down to an almost unbelievable size while being able to comfortably support a staggering 30 kg of weight. When it comes to a mix of folding size, extended size and maximum load, this is one of the best you'll get.


While almost unbelievably sturdy for its size, it will take a little bit of fiddling around to get set up and solidly set in place thanks to all the leg clamps you'll have to tighten. Still, it's well worth the time and money spent.

No.6

Manfrotto
Compact Light

Reference price
£44.00
Mid

The Lightest Extendable Travel Tripod Around

There's a lot to like about the Manfrotto Compact Light and, weighing in at just under a kilogram, it's the lightest extendable tripod on our list. This is perfect to throw in a suitcase or backpack without having to worry about extra weight.


It sits somewhere in between the budget and premium options, making it something of a jack of all trades and master of none. If you're looking for an all-around lightweight option as a solid travel option or backup tripod, this is a decent choice.

No.7

Manfrotto
PIXI Mini TripodMTPIXI-B

PIXI Mini Tripod 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
PIXI Mini Tripod 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
PIXI Mini Tripod 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
PIXI Mini Tripod 4
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£23.89
Low Mid
Reference price
£23.89
Low Mid

Top Choice for a Tabletop Tripod

If you're working from a desk or tabletop, then the PIXI Mini by Manfrotto is our top recommendation. The legs fold out instantly and you can easily move the ball joint head by holding in a button and releasing when in the right place.


The obvious drawback is that you cannot extend the legs, so you'll have to make sure that you're able to place it on a surface at the right height for what you're shooting. The silver lining, however, is that due to the lack of folds in the legs, this is one of the sturdiest tripods around.

No.8

Peak Design
Travel Tripod

Travel Tripod 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Travel Tripod 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Travel Tripod 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Travel Tripod 4
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£499.00
High
Reference price
£499.00
High

One for Professionals and Serious Photographers

This travel tripod from Peak Design is one of the best on the market, folding down to a minuscule sports-bottle-sized package all while being able to support up to 9 kg of weight. It's also extremely lightweight thanks to its carbon fibre frame, which boasts weather- and impact-resistant properties too.


Coming in a padded, weatherproof case to boot, if you're serious about photography and exploring outdoor landscapes, then this is the choice for you. For the majority of the people reading this list, however, the price point will, unfortunately, be more than they can afford.

No.9

Vanguard
VEO 2 Aluminum Travel Tripod235AB

VEO 2 Aluminum Travel Tripod 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
VEO 2 Aluminum Travel Tripod 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
VEO 2 Aluminum Travel Tripod 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
VEO 2 Aluminum Travel Tripod 4
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£97.98
Mid
Reference price
£97.98
Mid

An Exclusive and Innovative Central Column

If you're looking for quick and easy adjustments, then the Vanguard VEO 2 is well worth considering thanks to a unique central column system that allows you to move the column and legs into a new position in less than 15 seconds.


Extending to an impressive length, this aluminium model is a relative bargain when compared to similar models. There have been some customer reports regarding its stability when fully extended, so buyer beware if your camera kit is particularly weighty.

No.10

Amazon Basics
Lightweight Mini Tripod

Lightweight Mini Tripod 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Lightweight Mini Tripod 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Lightweight Mini Tripod 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Lightweight Mini Tripod 4
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£6.37
Low
Reference price
£6.37
Low

A Cheap and Easy Option for Vlogging and Streaming

While it's not the biggest tripod on the market, the Lightweight Mini is a great option for vlogging or streaming while travelling – or simply while at home. If you're looking to use your tripod on a tabletop or similar surface, then you really can't go wrong with this inexpensive choice.


With a maximum load capacity of only 500 g, however, you're going to be limited to lighter cameras, such as a GoPro or simple digital camera. Most DSLRs will be a little too heavy and may not stay stable. If you stay within the weight limit, though, this is a surprisingly stable option.

Summary

A travel tripod is a piece of equipment that every budding photographer or filmmaker should have in their kitbag. Whether you're looking for something for outdoor excursions or hotel hopping and shooting footage or photography, we hope our recommendations have helped you find it!


Author: David Sexton

Top 5 Travel Tripods

No. 1: BenroGoPlus TravelFGP18A

No. 2: ManfrottoBefree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod

No. 3: Amazon BasicsLightweight Tripod

No. 4: HamaStar 634163

No. 5: 3 Legged ThingLeo 2.0

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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