If you're looking for the best tripods on the market, then you've come to the right place as we've put all the top models in this handy round-up. Tripods are an essential part of any photographer's inventory as they keep the camera steady so you get the perfect shot, and they can be your best friend for longer shoots.

You can get the angle you want and the steady hand to shoot the universe with the best tripods. It's always worth checking out our round-ups for the best cameras and camera deals because the best tripods of 2022.

There are a few things to think about before you buy a tripod, and they are stability, weight, and price. Most of the travel-tripods are made of aluminum or carbon fiber. Lighter and more expensive, the latter is more convenient to carry around. Handling and functioning can be affected when aluminum gets cold.

Tripods are usually made from between three and five legs. The less leg sections a tripod has, the more stable it is, but it doesn't pack down as much as something with more leg sections. If you're using a zoom lens that's big and heavy, you'll have to weigh up which ones you want to use first. All you have to do is read our round-up for the best tripods on the market, and you're good to go.

Best tripod overall

Benro Mach3 TMA37C

(Image credit: Benro)

The Benro Mach3 is not a heavy tripod. It has been built to survive all weathers. This is not a travel tripod, but it has been designed with the needs of serious landscape photographers in mind and is an ideal choice for dedicated Astrophotographers.

Carbon fiber and aluminum are both used in the Mach3 tripods. It makes a big difference in weight between the carbon fiber and the aluminum, but it also makes a big difference in cost if you choose the carbon fiber model.

You will have to purchase the head separately which will add to the cost, but you can use the tripod to fit your needs. A set of spiked feet and a shorter center column are included which are useful when you need to get low to the ground.

It's an investment, but you get quality for your money. It is designed to last so you will get years and years of use out of it.

Best for portability

Peak Design Travel Tripod Review: Image shows Tripod extended with Camera attached

(Image credit: Jamie Carter)

The Peak Design Travel Tripod is an ideal travel tripod for anyone who wants to take landscape or wide-field photos. It has been cleverly designed into a small package with no wasted space once folded up. It's ideal for fitting into your daypack or your luggage because of its three legs and ball-head collapsing together.

It isn't the lightest travel tripod on the market. The carbon fiber version of the construction has a higher price than the aluminum version because of its reduced weight. The carbon fiber model is only a tiny bit lighter than the aluminum option and not really worth the extra cash, so we think the aluminum option is a better choice.

It's about ten inches shorter than similar models on the market, which may be an issue for taller users.

The Arca-Swiss quick-release tripod plate is incredibly stable and can carry loads of up to 20 lbs, but it requires a key to affix the camera in place, which is hard to do in the dark. A swivel lever that rotates the ball head is one of the neat features of the model.

Astrophotographers will love the Peak Design Travel Tripod because it is easy to transport and set up. It is great for outdoor performance because it is small when packed up.

Best for flexibility

Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB

(Image credit: Vanguard)

The flexibility of the Alta Pro 263AB is one of its main attractions. The legs can be played from upright at 25o all the way to the center column. The camera can be as low as ten inches from the ground due to the center column coming out and being 90o from the legs. This makes it much more stable when taking star trails.

With only three leg sections on each leg, there are only two clips to fix into place when setting up the tripod, which is sturdy enough to keep the camera still in light to moderate breeze. It was simple to put up and take down.

It's a great tripod. This might be the one for you if you want to take different types of photos. It's large and heavy may make you think twice about carrying it around at night. It's a good tripod for the price.

Best for height

3 Legged Thing Punks Brian tripod with AirHed

(Image credit: 3 Legged Thing)

3 Legged Thing created the Brian tripod, which is a portable travel tripod. One of the tallest tripods and one of the most compact once folded down. It isn't the lightest travel tripod on the market, at 3.1 lbs, but it is something that can be carried around for a day or night. It has a premium feel to it but it is also more expensive than its competitors and we think it is worth it.

The tripod is easy to put up and take down in low light thanks to the bubble grips on the knobs. The D-ring on the camera can be a little annoying, but a tool is provided for it and it can be attached to the tripod.

Although we discovered instances of the camera falling into place once affixed in its compositions with a very long lens we think it's more about weight distribution than weight itself, it seemed to happily take the weight This is the only small criticism for a piece kit that does not meet the needs of an enthusiastic astronomer.

Best aluminum tripod

Manfrotto BeFree Advanced aluminum tripod product image

(Image credit: Amazon)

Small carbon fiber tripods may be the lightest around, but being mid-size and made from aluminum, the Manfrotto BeFree Advanced Travel Tripod keeps to both a reasonable height as well as pricetag. The lightest aluminum tripod we've tried, the Befree Advanced Travel Tripod, is not the most efficient for transit as it takes up a lot of space in luggage. It has exceptional build quality and is reliable in the field.

The three legs are folded down to meet the ball head. It is easy to do in the dark once you know how to do it.

The legs are fixed into place and can be raised to a full height of 59 inches. The RC2 and Arca-Swiss plate attachment can be used with the camera.

The carbon fiber model is a little lighter at 2.75 lbs.

Best for quick assembly

Manfrotto 190 Go! Tripod review: image shows tripod

(Image credit: Amazon)

The 190 Go! tripod is popular with beginners and advanced photographers who need a lightweight base for their camera.

Every 190 Go! tripod is defined by how quickly it operates, and you can choose from either carbon fiber or magnesium construction. The aluminum version is cheaper than the high end model.

The easy assembly is thanks to the M-lock mechanism, a super fast twist lock that allows you to set the height in just a few seconds. A 90 central column that can swing out into a horizontal position is one of the key features. It is possible to hold the leg positions at 25,46,66 or 88.

The combo weights 4.1 lbs and has a maximum load of 14 lbs.

The streamlined legs of the M-locks mean that you don't have to worry about the bag catching on the tripod when packing it away. Even in the dark, the rubber grips on the locks are easy to grab.

Best for studio photographers

Manfrotto MK055XPRO3 BHQ-2

(Image credit: Manfrotto)

studio photographers often go out on shoots and the Manfrotto is designed to help them. It has the strength and weight of a studio tripod but is portable and can be carried for a short time. It can carry a medium format rig too, even though it is primarily designed for cameras.

A new power lock system uses flip locks instead of leg twists to secure the legs. The Easy Link connection is one of the key innovative features of this model. If you want to use lights creatively with the backdrop of the night sky, this could be the tripod for you.

Best value for money

Benro SLIM aluminum tripod

(Image credit: Benro)

You can't beat the Benro Slim travel tripod for those nights of trudging between vantage points or those days when you don't know what the day will hold. This lightweight and well crafted tripod has been designed with travel and movement in mind and has everything a beginner landscape photographer needs to start taking pictures.

The weight of a DSLR and zoom lens can be handled by the Benro Slim. It is at a price point that won't break the bank and it has the build quality from a trusted brand. It is lightweight and stable, so you can always have it with you.

The carbon fiber and aluminum versions are the same in weight and price, but the aluminum version is cheaper. It is very easy to put up and take down because of the leg twists. It uses a standard plate that slides in and is secure enough for a range of cameras.

Best for awkward spots

Joby GorrillaPod 5K

(Image credit: Joby)

Unlike most tripods, the Joby Gorrilla Pod 5K is made of articulated ball joints and doesn't have extendable legs or complicated knobs and levers. It is small and portable at 20 inches in length and a total weight of 1.6 lbs, making it very versatile and portable.

It is designed to be fixed in place by twisting into shape around railings, trees, and rocks in the landscape. This configuration isn't as stable as it could be, but it can be used free-standing.

It is strong enough to carry the weight of a DSLR plus zoom lens as well as lighter equipment and phones. It doesn't have the same level ofVersatility as a standard designed tripod due to the fact that you're dependent on what you can affix it to.

If you are just starting out with long exposure photography, it is a great option, but for those who are more into it, it is more of a great addition to your kit.

If you want to combine them with any of the best cameras, you need a tripod.

Some argue that travel tripods don't always offer enough height for easy camera operation, but that depends on how tall you are and it's not really important for star trail photography. Most of the models we reviewed have splayed legs that allow the camera to be set up quite close to the ground, which is a much more stable spot for long-exposure night sky photos.

Most tripod feet are made from a thick rubber that has good traction on an array of surfaces and many are designed with the option of attaching spiked or clawed feet for better purchase on rougher ground.

The legs are locked with either flip or twist locks. The twist lock design is more secure than the flip lock design.

The weight, stability, and price of your tripod should be considered along with this. Some of the features may have to be sacrificed if you prioritize one of them.