Best Budget Video Tripods: Top Picks for Phones and Cameras

A quality, affordable video tripod can provide stable support for your equipment, help you shoot high-quality and smooth videos, and also help you save money and lower your budget. This article can help you if you're considering investing in a tripod. In this blog, we have selected four of the best affordable video tripods and provided tips for choosing one.

Comparison Table of Affordable Video Tripods

Best Affordable Video Tripods in 2025

1. NEEWER TP05 Video Tripod Monopod

The NEEWER TP05 Video Tripod is a product under the NEEWER Basic series. This product series focuses more on basic functions and design and offers better value for money. The tripod has a maximum load capacity of 8 kg, but it weighs only 1.75 kg and folds down to a small size, making it ideal for shooting on the go.

The NEEWER TP05 Video Tripod is equipped with a 3-way head that makes it easy to seamlessly transition between horizontal and vertical compositions. In addition, it has a very flexible center column design. You can mount the center column horizontally on a 3-way head for overhead shooting, which can enhance the creativity of your videos. You can also remove the center column and use it as a monopod.

Pros:

• Horizontally Mounting Central Axis
• 3-Way Pan Tilt Head & Built-in Handle
• Phone Holder Included

2. NEEWER TP37 Video Tripod with Fluid Head

The NEEWER TP37 is also a video tripod under the NEEWER Basic Series, which meets your basic shooting needs while being able to reduce your expenses. Each leg of this stabilized metal photo tripod consists of multiple rows of tubes with a triangular center spreader and a 73mm extended base, so it has excellent stability and can provide stable support for your equipment.

The NEEWER TP37 video tripod features a quick-lock camera mount quick-release system that allows you to lock the quick-release plate to the clamp base in less than 1 second or quickly release it to remove mounted equipment. Also, with the plastic clasp, you can quickly adjust the height to enhance your shooting efficiency.

Pros:

• Damped Fluid Head
• Quick Height Adjustment & Easy Portability
• Quick Lock Camera Mount QR System

3. NEEWER TP74 Pro Video Tripod with Fluid Head

The NEEWER TP74 is a relatively inexpensive, versatile, heavy-duty photo tripod with double tandem legs made of sturdy aluminum alloy for superior stability. This tripod is equipped with a durable hydraulic trailing head with a built-in smooth friction-damping and counterbalance system, 360° swivel, and -75°/+90° tilt movement, so it allows you to capture panoramic images with more fluidity and precision.

The hydraulic head of the NEEWER TP74 video tripod has two quick-release modes. Compared with the traditional slide-in structure, you can directly go through the top of the hydraulic head and press the quick-release plate to quickly complete the lock. The side of the release button allows you to easily release the quick-release plate, so you can efficiently and effectively complete the tripod and head shooting between the switches.

Pros:

• Quick and Easy Modes Switching
• Premium Fluid Drag Pan Head
• Universal Mounting Threads

4. NEEWER TP38 Desktop Tripod For Phone & Camera

If you shoot video more often with your cell phone, the NEEWER TP38 may be a more suitable video tripod for you. It works with most cell phones and sports cameras and is very mini and portable. Moreover, it can also be used as a handheld selfie stick to meet your different video shooting needs.

Pros:

• Extendable Selfie Stick Tripod
• 360° Ball Head for Horizontal & Vertical Shooting
• 2 in 1 Hidden Phone Holder & Two Cold Shoes

Tips For Choosing An Affordable Video Tripod

1. Look for a Fluid Head (Not a Ball Head)

For optimal video production, smooth camera movements are absolutely crucial. A fluid head tripod offers controlled panning and tilting movements - ideal for interviews, YouTube videos, or B-roll footage. Ball heads may work fine for photography, but are too loose and unstable for video use. You need to purchase an affordable video tripod with fluid heads, such as a "pan-tilt head," "video head," or semi-fluid drag system heads for shooting video use.

2. Stick to Aluminum—It’s Affordable and Durable

While carbon fiber tripods may be lighter, but more costly. Aluminum tripods offer more affordable options and remain sturdy enough for most mirrorless or DSLR video setups. If you’re mainly filming indoors, in a studio, or at home, an aluminum tripod is often the smartest and most economical choice. It provides a solid base without adding unnecessary costs. Just make sure the leg locks are reliable and the center column doesn’t wobble.

3. Check Maximum Height and Stability

A tripod that's too short can ruin your framing, and one that's too light may topple over. Aim for one that extends at least 55-65 inches to support your camera weight stably without toppling over. Some affordable tripods include mid-level spreader bars or rubber feet to improve stability - heavier tripods might not be portable, but for video, a little extra weight often means smoother, more stable shots.

4. Make Sure It Supports Your Camera Setup

Before purchasing, verify the payload capacity of the tripod head. Even budget models should have at least 4-8 pounds of capacity, covering most phones, mirrorless cameras, and lightweight DSLRs with small lenses. When adding weight such as phone rigs, mics, or LED lights to a tripod - be sure it won't sag or tilt under their extra weight. Avoid buying a tripod that’s too weak as it will affect your framing, especially during pans or tilts.

5. Bonus Features Can Add Value

Some budget tripods come with extra features that boost usability without raising the price too much. Look for:

• A quick-release plate for fast setup
• A hook underneath the center column to add weight for stability
• A carrying case or foldable design for travel
• A built-in level to help you get perfectly horizontal shots

You don’t need every feature—but one or two of these can make a budget tripod feel a lot more premium.