If you need additional stability for your camera, but not one that’s too robust, purchasing the best monopod comes as a great option. With this product, you will get not only good stability but portability as well. You will be able to use it while on the go and in almost any location, even if tripods are banned.
Of course, needing and buying the best monopod are two different things. In order to achieve that, you need to be familiar with monopods in general and know what to look for or use advice and suggestions of a guide like this one, that will save you time and help find the best monopod for your needs.
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How to choose the best monopod
When choosing the best monopod, pay closer attention to these characteristics:
Height
One of the most important monopod characteristics is definitely its height. The higher it is, the better capabilities and greater versatility you have. Therefore, keep an eye on that when choosing the best monopod.
Weight capacity
Similar to height, weight capacity plays a highly important role when talking about a monopod’s overall quality. Not having enough capacity will limit the sort of equipment you may use and affect the monopod’s versatility.
For that reason, be sure that the chosen accessory has as much capacity possible and that it can hold at least a few kilograms on top of it.
Mounting
The last thing you need in your life is to spend a bunch of money on something you can’t use. Do your homework and check your camera’s mount type, and choose the monopod that complies with those standards.
7 Best Monopods
SIRUI P-326 Monopod
A Great Monopod for Both Professionals and Enthusiasts
SIRUI P-326 is a compact, well-constructed and very sturdy six sections carbon fiber monopod that is ideal for use on a variety of surfaces, including ice and grass. Moreover, it is affordable and offers a very good value for the money, which makes it a great solution for a large base of users, even professionals.
This is a lightweight accessory that weighs only 400 g and, when fully retracted, has a height bellow 39.5cm – the perfect characteristics if you are after the best travel monopod. On the other hand, this monopod can be extended up to 1.56m and can hold up to 10 kg of weight. In other words, this is serious stuff, ladies and gentlemen, not a toy.
SIRUI P-326 comes with a rubberized foot, as well as a retractable steel spike that gives it additional stability on tricky surfaces like ice, and is fitted with removable wrist strap, carabiner clip, and a compass – not essentials, but may be handy for many people.
More importantly, this monopod is equipped with silicon twist-lock mechanism that enhances its durability and reversible mounting screw (1/4″-20 & 3/8″-16) that allows you to use it with a whole bunch of different devices, including the DSLR, vlogging and other camera types.
All in all, if you are after a highly capable, but not too expensive monopod, SIRUI P-326 definitely comes as one of the better deals out there.
- Lightweight
- A good quality build
- Sturdy
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Six-year warranty
- It can hold up to 10kg of weight
- None
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Manfrotto MMCOMPACT-BK
A Highly Affordable Light Camera Monopod
Finding a perfect monopod for your DSLR or compact camera is no easy task. Nevertheless, there are products, such as Manfrotto Compact Aluminum Monopod MMCOMPACT-BK, that offer an excellent combination of price, build quality and performance, which makes them a great option for a vast majority of users.
While this monopod has a very good overall quality, the fact is that it doesn’t offer anything really special and that its functionality and features are limited only to the basic stuff, which, on the other hand, is more than enough for most people.
Manfrotto Compact Aluminum Monopod MMCOMPACT-BK can hold up to 1.5 kg of equipment and comes with the ability to be extended to up to 1.45 m. This monopod weighs only 331 g, while its height, when fully retracted, is slightly above 39 cm, which is ideal if you plan to use it while traveling.
Moreover, this aluminum-build, five-section monopod comes equipped with a wrist strap and is fitted with 1/4″-20 mounting screw.
To make a long story short, Manfrotto Compact Aluminum Monopod MMCOMPACT-BK isn’t a perfect device. However, it offers a great overall value and practicality that make it highly suitable for use with high-quality compact cameras, and an excellent choice if you are seeking for the best monopod at a more affordable price.
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
- Affordable
- It’s a bit shaky when fully extracted
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IFOOTAGE Video Monopod Professional 71″
Excellent Monopod for Professionals and Amateurs Alike
If you’re looking for a design-award winning monopod for your DSLR, the IFOOTAGE Video Monopod Professional would make for the sensible choice. Retailing for less than $200, this monopod is specially designed for easy operation, and it’s built to last. Also, the IFOOTAGE is versatile and the 4-section design translates into flexibility in use.
The quick-release plate and removable tripod stand allow you to configure the monopod in three different ways: fixed video with adjustable feet, portable, and low angle camera pod, which is the most versatile of the bunch.
Moreover, the monopod has a telescopic design, and it can be extended from 5.3 inches to 71 inches, while the aluminum construction is strong enough to accommodate all SLR, DSLR, Video Cameras plus Camcorders up to 17 lbs.
Bottom line, the IFOOTAGE Video Monopod Professional is excellent if you’re a professional filmmaker, or a nature/landscape photographer, not to mention “casual” use, such as weddings, events, amateur video/photography and so on and so forth.
- Solid build quality
- Telescopic design
- Ergonomic buckle system
- 17lbs max load capacity
- Quick-release plate
- Single-hand operated auto extension
- Kind of expensive
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Benro A38FD
A High-Quality Product in a More Affordable Package
Benro A38FD is a good-quality product that offers great stability and durability and more importantly, it provides reliable performance. It is well-priced and delivers everything that a regular monopod user might need.
On top of that, it is fitted with a very convincing three-year warranty and more importantly, it is built to withstand up to 18 kg of weight and supplied with 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 mounting screw, and this allows it to easily cope with all sorts of equipment.
Benro A38FD monopod is built out of aluminum and comes along with a three-leg base and a twist-lock mechanism that delivers great stability and provides ease of use. Due to its small weight of only 950 g, this four-section monopod is highly portable and, together with the ability to be extended to up to 1.55m, offers great usability.
In other words, if you are after a monopod that is a head to head with the best monopods, but costs less, Benro A38FD is certainly one of the more satisfying choices out there.
- It supports up to 18 kg of equipment
- Fairly priced
- Stable
- Portable
- Sturdy
- Not the best quality control
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COMAN KX3232
A Perfect Monopod for the Money
COMAN KX3232 is a great accessory that will perfectly fit anybody looking for a sturdy, high-quality monopod with legs. Due to its premium build quality and a long list of features, this accessory is comparable with the best monopods available, such as Manfrotto monopods; however, it costs less, which ultimately makes it a better deal.
To begin with, COMAN KX3232 can hold up to 6 kg of equipment and can be extended to up to 1.85 m, which is highly respectable, especially considering the height. Moreover, due to its ball joint, it allows for 360° panning and 45° tilting in any direction, while its 90° drop-notch makes it easy to switch from portrait to landscape mode, making this monopod a highly versatile and practical tool.
COMAN KX3232 weights 1.76 kg and, when fully retracted, has a height of 66 cm. It consists of five sections and is fitted with a removable tripod that can be used combined with the base unit, or separately, as a mini tripod. Also, this monopod is equipped with a tilt and pan lock and is an ideal option for a variety of devices, like SLR and DSLR cameras, video cameras, etc.
Altogether, COMAN KX3232 is a high-quality product and one of the best monopods with feet out there. Therefore, if that is what you are searching for, don’t hesitate, you surely won’t be disappointed.
- Eight-year warranty
- Ability to pan up to 360° and tilt up to 45°
- Excellent compatibility
- Easy to use
- Sturdy
- Stable
- Locks are a bit too tight
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AmazonBasics 67-Inch Monopod
A Highly Functional and Super-cheap Monopod
AmazonBasics 67-Inch Monopod is an accessory that continues Amazon’s tradition of creating highly affordable and very functional products that are, on the other hand, deprived of more advanced features.
To begin with, this monopod is easy to use and with its 450 g presents one of more lightweight options out there. When fully retracted its height is 53 cm, which is decent. Nevertheless, it is not impressive, considering that, for instance, Manfrotto MMCOMPACT-BK is 39 cm long, when fully folded.
On the other hand, AmazonBasics 67-Inch Monopod can be expanded at up to 1.7 m, as its name suggests, which is highly respectable, while its ability to hold up to 3kg of weight won’t excite you, but will do the job.
AmazonBasics 67-Inch Monopod comes in a package along with a carrying bag, it is equipped with adjustable wrist strap, as well as retractable spikes and is fitted with 1/4″-20 mounting screw that makes it a very good deal altogether.
All in all, if you are a more budget-oriented user looking for a monopod, with a decent level of quality, AmazonBasics 67-Inch Monopod will definitely be among the best choices available on the market.
- Cheap
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
- Easy to use
- Not the best quality control
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Manfrotto Xpro MVMXPRO500US
Excellent Quality and Great Height Capabilities in One
If you are looking for the best monopod for DSLR camera that offers great height and smooth performance at the same time, Manfrotto Xpro Aluminum Video Monopod MVMXPRO500US is the ideal option for you.
This is an aluminum-built, four-section monopod that offers great durability, good stability, and overall ease of use. Unfortunately, it is a bit expensive. However, quality usually costs extra money and this “fellow” is no exception to that.
Manfrotto Xpro Aluminum Video Monopod MVMXPRO500US has a height of 77 cm when folded, which is rather long for a monopod. Nevertheless, when you see that its maximum height is the staggering 2 m, suddenly everything has more sense.
When talking about other aspects of this tool, have in mind that it is equipped with 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 mounting screw and that can hold up to 5 kg of weight, which is more than enough for the majority of equipment.
On the other hand, its weight of 2.1 kg makes it not that practical for carrying around. However, have in mind that this isn’t its primary role in the first place – it is meant to be a highly versatile and smooth performing monopod that guarantees excellent video and image quality.
To make a long story short, if you are after the best monopod for video out there and one of the best monopods in general, Manfrotto Xpro Aluminum Video Monopod MVMXPRO500US is surely the accessory that will give you everything you need and much more.
- Easy and fast setup
- Excellent maximum height of 2 m
- Durable
- Stable
- Expensive
- Feet are a bit too small
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Summary
If you are ready to make awesome photos and videos, a monopod is a great piece of equipment you should have. It will make it easier and more comfortable, while they are usually lightweight and offer great versatility. Simply put, it’s a must!