A monopod is an indispensable piece of equipment for everyone from professional photographers to budget-conscious hobbyists. It is an excellent alternative to a tripod and can be used to stabilize a camera when taking pictures or recording videos. Monopods can be as simple as a basic, single-pole support or as sophisticated as a multipurpose extendable pole with features such as adjustable footpads and a remote control. Choosing the best monopod for your needs can be tricky, but with a few tips, you can easily find one that fits your requirements.
Best Monopods
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Dolica WT-1010 Ultra
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Dolica WT-1003 67
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Benro 4 Series S6
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Benro 3 Series
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Sirui P Series
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Amazon Basics Carbon Fiber
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Manfrotto 290
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Manfrotto Xpro 5 Carbon Fiber
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Neewer 5-Section Carbon Fiber
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Opteka CFM300
|
7. 2
|
1. Dolica WT-1010 Ultra
I recently purchased the Dolica WT-1010 Ultra tripod and I’m really impressed with it so far. It is lightweight and very easy to assemble, which is great as I’m always on the go. The legs are adjustable so I can get the perfect angle for my shots and the central column can be set at different heights. The rubber feet provide a stable and secure base on any surface. Plus, it has a bubble level for easy setup. I’m really happy with this tripod, it’s a great value for the price and I would definitely recommend it.
- Lightweight and durable aluminum construction
- Adjustable legs with rubber feet for stability
- One-touch quick release leg locks
- Removable center column
- Includes 2 built-in bubble levels
- Integrated spirit level
- Load capacity of up to 11 lbs (5 kg)
- 3-way pan head with quick release plate
- Non-slip and adjustable rubber-coated handle
- Compact carrying case included
2. Dolica WT-1003 67
I recently purchased the Dolica WT-1003 67 Tripod and I’m very impressed with its performance. The tripod is made of aluminum and is light enough to transport with ease, yet sturdy enough to support my camera. The legs are adjustable and can be locked into place with ease. The included head is also adjustable and has a quick release plate which makes switching between shots a breeze. The included carrying bag is also handy for keeping everything together. Overall, I’m very pleased with my purchase and would highly recommend this tripod to anyone in the market for a quality, lightweight tripod.
- Lightweight and compact design
- Two-way fluid panhead with tilt control
- 3-section aluminum legs with rubber feet
- Adjustable center column with hook for hanging weight
- Quick release plate for easy setup
- Load capacity of up to 11 lbs
- Max height of 67 inches
3. Benro 4 Series S6
I recently purchased the Benro 4 Series S6 and I am very impressed with its features and performance. The S6 is a lightweight and durable tripod that is perfect for taking professional-quality photos and videos. It is made of high-grade aluminum and has a maximum load capacity of 8.8 pounds. The S6 also has a center column that can be adjusted for different heights and angles. The quick-release plate makes setting up and taking down the tripod quick and easy. All in all, the Benro 4 Series S6 is an excellent tripod that is well worth the price. Highly recommended!
- Robust aluminum alloy construction
- Maximum payload of 11lbs
- Two-step counterbalance system
- Illuminated bubble level
- Removable, reversible, ergonomic handgrip
- Compatible with both 75mm and 100mm bowl tripods
- Integrated leveling base
- Smooth, precise pan and tilt movements
- Friction control knobs for both axis
4. Benro 3 Series
I recently purchased the Benro 3 Series and I’m really happy with it. It is a very lightweight tripod that can be folded up easily and is perfect for travel. The build quality is excellent and it is very stable, even when using a heavy lens. The construction is solid and the legs lock firmly into place. The head is also very smooth and lets you get the perfect shot. It has a great range of tilt and pan movements, as well as a bubble level to make sure your shots are properly leveled. All in all, the Benro 3 Series is an excellent value for the price and I would definitely recommend it.
- Constructed with lightweight, sturdy aluminum alloy
- Supports up to 8.8 lbs of equipment
- Quick release plate with secure clips and rubberized padding
- Compatible with both Arca-Swiss and Benro 3 series
- 360-degree panning and 90-degree tilt
- Comes with a soft carrying case
5. Sirui P Series
I recently purchased the Sirui P Series tripod and Im extremely pleased with its performance. It is incredibly lightweight yet solid and sturdy. It is also very versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes. I love that it has a removable center column and an easy to use ball head with a quick release plate. The locking mechanisms are strong and secure, and the legs can be adjusted to any angle. The tripod also has a great height range, so it can be used for different kinds of photography. I highly recommend the Sirui P Series tripod to anyone looking for a reliable and versatile tripod.
- Lightweight aluminum alloy construction with a scratch-resistant anodized finish
- Removable foam grip for easy transport
- Adjustable leg angle for more shooting options
- Twist locking leg for secure and fast setup
- Supports up to 15 kg of equipment
- 360 degree panoramic rotation
- Integrated bubble level
- Two-section quick release plate
6. Amazon Basics Carbon Fiber
I recently bought the Amazon Basics Carbon Fiber tripod and I am really pleased with the product. It was extremely easy to set up and it is very sturdy and lightweight. The height is adjustable and the feet are wide which offers excellent stability. The head is also very smooth and it swivels very easily. It comes with a detachable carrying case which makes it easy to transport. Overall, I’m very happy with the purchase, it’s definitely worth the money.
- Made from lightweight, high-strength carbon fiber fabric
- Durable, scratch-resistant material
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Lined with waterproof nylon
- Smooth, comfortable shoulder straps
- Fits devices up to 10-inches in size
7. Manfrotto 290
The Manfrotto 290 tripod is an excellent choice for photographers looking for a reliable and durable tripod. It is made from durable aluminum alloy, and its legs are extendable to different heights to accommodate any type of photography. The Manfrotto 290 has a 3-way head that allows you to make smooth and precise adjustments to your shot. It also includes quick release plates for easy camera attachment and removal. The tripod has a maximum load capacity of 11 lbs, making it perfect for medium-weight cameras and lenses. I have used the Manfrotto 290 for a number of shoots and have always been impressed with its performance. Its stability and sturdiness make it a great value for the price. The Manfrotto 290 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and affordable tripod.
- Lightweight and compact tripod
- Made of aluminum construction for added durability
- Quick Power Lock system for secure and fast setup
- Four-section legs with quick-release lever locks
- Comes with a carrying bag for convenient transport
- Maximum Height: 64.9-inches
- Minimum Height: 17.8-inches
8. Manfrotto Xpro 5 Carbon Fiber
I’m very impressed with the Manfrotto Xpro 5 Carbon Fiber! It is incredibly lightweight, yet still very sturdy and durable. The carbon fiber construction provides a great balance of strength and portability. I especially like the quick-release system which allows me to quickly and easily attach and detach my camera from the tripod. The five-section legs make it easy to adjust to various heights and angles, while the rubber feet provide great stability. All in all, this is a great tripod and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a lightweight yet sturdy tripod.
- Lightweight and durable 5-section carbon fiber legs
- Easy Link connector to attach any compatible accessory
- Ergonomic leg angle selector
- QPL leg angle locking system
- Upper Disc with bubble level and rosette to control the horizontal tilt of the head
- Quick Power Lock leg locking system
- Anti-rotation leg system to prevent accidental twist of the leg sections
- Integrated removable leg warmer
9. Neewer 5-Section Carbon Fiber
I’ve been looking for a light-weight and durable tripod for my camera and the Neewer 5-Section Carbon Fiber tripod definitely fits the bill. I love that its legs are adjustable, so I can use it on uneven ground and can customize it to the perfect height. The carbon fiber construction is very sturdy and the build is solid, so I don’t have to worry about it breaking. It also comes with a carrying bag, which makes it easy to travel with. Overall, I’m really impressed with the performance of this tripod and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and lightweight tripod.
- 5-section collapsible design made from durable and lightweight carbon fiber
- Ergonomically designed rubberized handle offers a comfortable grip
- Includes a short center column for low angle or macro shooting
- Stable rubber feet provide maximum stability on uneven terrain
- Features a quick release plate for easy camera attachment
- Can be used with a ball head and various other accessories
- Max load capacity of up to 17.6 lbs
- Bubble level helps ensure a perfectly balanced setup
- Compatible with most DSLRs and cameras
10. Opteka CFM300
I recently purchased the Opteka CFM300, and I am extremely happy with the quality of the product. It’s lightweight and easy to use, and the images have a great amount of detail. I’ve found it to be particularly useful when taking close-up shots of small items, and the autofocus feature works great. The images I’ve taken thus far have been crisp and well-defined. I’m really impressed with the Opteka CFM300 and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a quality macro lens.
- High-speed USB 3.0 Data Transfer
- Supports CF Type I, II, Microdrive and XQD Memory Cards
- Reads and Writes at up to 5Gbps
- Compact and Portable Design
- LED Indicator Lights
- Plug and Play
- Mac/PC Compatible
- Transfer Rates up to 500 MB/s
- Daisy Chain Up to 10 Devices
- Supports Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 and Mac OS
