Best Smartphone Gimbals for 2024 – Smartphone Film Pro

Best Smartphone Gimbals for 2024: Top Picks for Stabilized Footage

If you’ve ever tried shooting video with your smartphone, you’ve probably noticed how hard it is to keep everything smooth and stable. That’s where smartphone gimbals come in, offering advanced stabilization technology so you can capture smooth, professional-looking footage even while on the move. As we head into 2024, there are a number of great gimbals on the market. Whether you’re vlogging, traveling, or capturing family moments, these gimbals will ensure your footage looks its best.

In this article, we’ll explore the best smartphone gimbals of 2024, covering a range of features, prices, and designs to help you pick the right one for your needs.

Hohem iSteady V3: The Personal Videographer

The Hohem iSteady V3 is making waves in the gimbal world with its modern features and affordable price. If you’re a solo content creator, this gimbal could become your best friend, thanks to its advanced AI tracking and ease of use.

Key Features

AI Module: The standout feature of the iSteady V3 is its AI module, which doesn’t require an app connection to operate. With advanced AI tracking, the gimbal can follow you wherever you go, making it an ideal choice for vloggers or anyone filming solo. You can even use gestures to adjust the composition or activate tracking.
Removable Remote Control: The gimbal comes with a removable remote control, allowing you to control it from a distance.
Built-In Fill Light: Lighting can be an issue in some environments, but the iSteady V3 has you covered with a fill light that helps you capture footage in low-light conditions.
Extended Usability: The iSteady V3 can double as a selfie stick and features a tripod that pulls out from the base for added versatility.

Battery Life & Portability

At just 420 grams, this gimbal is light enough to carry all day, and its battery lasts up to 13 hours (without using the fill light or AI tracking). For $129, this gimbal offers a lot of advanced features for the price, making it one of the best choices in 2024.

ZHIYUN Smooth 5S: High-End Features for Pro-Level Results

If you’re willing to invest a bit more in your gimbal, the ZHIYUN Smooth 5S is hard to beat. Priced at $169, it offers an impressive combination of build quality, stabilization, and additional features that make it one of the most powerful smartphone gimbals available.

Key Features

3-Axis Stabilization: The Smooth 5S offers top-tier 3-axis stabilization, providing ultra-smooth video even in dynamic conditions.
Magnetic and Built-in Lights: For better lighting in low-light environments, the Smooth 5S comes with both magnetic and built-in lights.
AI Shooting Templates: Through the ZY Cami app, users can access AI-powered templates that make it easy to create professional-looking videos with minimal effort.
Control Knob: A standout feature of the Smooth 5S is its control knob, allowing for precise adjustments and easier navigation through camera settings.

Build & Performance

At 311 x 168 x 52mm and able to hold devices up to 300 grams, the Smooth 5S is a solid performer in terms of build and versatility. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a high-end gimbal that delivers excellent results.

Insta360 Flow Pro: Compact and Travel-Friendly

Not everyone needs a large, heavy gimbal. If portability is at the top of your priority list, the Insta360 Flow Pro might be the perfect fit. This gimbal is incredibly compact, easily fitting into a pants pocket, making it ideal for travelers or those who want a gimbal they can carry anywhere.

Key Features

Magnetic Mounting System: Quick and easy to set up, the Flow Pro features a magnetic mounting system for your smartphone.
Built-In Extender Rod & Tripod: This gimbal also doubles as a selfie stick thanks to its extender rod. Plus, it features a built-in tripod, eliminating the need to carry a separate one.
360-Degree Infinite Pan Tracking: One of the coolest features is its 360-degree infinite pan tracking, allowing for ultra-smooth, continuous motion.
Tap-to-Connect: Quickly connect your phone to the gimbal via tap-to-connect, making setup faster and easier.

Pricing & Verdict

At $149, the Insta360 Flow Pro is a great choice for those who prioritize portability without sacrificing features. Despite its small size, this gimbal offers nearly everything you’d expect from a full-size model.

DJI Osmo Mobile 6: Portable, Powerful, and Packed with Features

DJI is a leader in the gimbal market, and the Osmo Mobile 6 continues that legacy. It’s a versatile gimbal with a folding design that makes it portable, yet packed with powerful features for smooth shooting.

Key Features

Folding Design: The compact, foldable design makes the Osmo Mobile 6 super easy to carry, while the built-in extension rod turns it into a handy selfie stick.
Good Battery Life: Despite its light weight of 309 grams, the Osmo Mobile 6 delivers 6 hours and 24 minutes of battery life, which is decent for a gimbal in its class.
Strong Clamp: The clamp can hold devices up to 290 grams and as wide as 84mm, making it compatible with most modern smartphones.

Why It Stands Out

At $169, this gimbal isn’t the cheapest, but it’s ideal for users who want high-end features and portability. The Osmo Mobile 6 offers the best of both worlds with its combination of pro-level stabilization and ease of use.

DJI Osmo Mobile SE: Budget-Friendly without Compromise

For those who like what the Osmo Mobile 6 has to offer but don’t want to spend as much, the DJI Osmo Mobile SE is a fantastic option. Priced at $99, this budget-friendly gimbal still delivers on quality without breaking the bank.

Key Features

3-Axis Stabilization: Like its more expensive counterpart, the Osmo Mobile SE offers 3-axis stabilization for smooth video footage.
Portable and Foldable: It retains the foldable design of the Osmo Mobile 6, making it easy to transport.
Magnetic Design: The magnetic phone mount makes attaching and detaching your phone quick and convenient.
Extended Battery Life: The Osmo Mobile SE has a longer 8-hour battery life, compared to the Osmo Mobile 6.

Downsides

It’s heavier and lacks some of the more advanced features, such as the selfie stick extender. Still, for $99, it’s hard to beat the value the DJI Osmo Mobile SE provides.

ZHIYUN Smooth Q4: Compact and Versatile

Finally, we have the ZHIYUN Smooth Q4, which, at $119, offers a lot of bang for your buck. While not quite as compact as some others, it’s still portable and packs in plenty of features.

Key Features

Magnetic LED Fill Light: Ideal for low-light conditions, the removable magnetic fill light can be adjusted for different levels of brightness.
Good Stabilization: The Smooth Q4 offers reliable stabilization, making it a great choice for anyone looking to capture steady footage.
Selfie Stick Hybrid: Like the iSteady V3 and the Osmo Mobile 6, the Smooth Q4 also extends to serve as a selfie stick hybrid.
15-Hour Battery Life: The gimbal offers up to 15 hours of use on a single charge, making it one of the longest-lasting gimbals on this list.

Verdict

With a solid set of features, great battery life, and a reasonable price point, the ZHIYUN Smooth Q4 is a great all-rounder for any smartphone videographer.

Conclusion: Which Gimbal is Best for You?

Choosing the best gimbal for your smartphone depends on your specific needs. If you’re after advanced AI features for solo shooting, the Hohem iSteady V3 is hard to beat. For those who need high-end features, the ZHIYUN Smooth 5S or DJI Osmo Mobile 6 are excellent options, while travelers and casual users might prefer the Insta360 Flow Pro or ZHIYUN Smooth Q4 for portability.

Whatever your budget or needs, there’s a smartphone gimbal in 2024 that’s perfect for you.