Alexis Kestler
Hey there! As a smartphone videography geek, I‘m pumped to share my deep dive on 12 awesome smartphone stabilizers to take your videos to the next level. Trust me, adding one of these gimbals will make your footage smoother than a professional steadicam!
Why You Seriously Need a Smartphone Stabilizer
Before we jump into the top options, let me convince you why a gimbal is a vital upgrade for clearer, more shareable videos:
No More Shakey Footage: Our unsteady hands naturally cause unwanted motion in footage. By electronically counteracting vibration in 3 axes, gimbals yield buttery smooth panning and tracking shots.
Open Up Creativity: Stabilizers uniquely enable motion timelapses, rotating Inception-style shots and tracking subjects on the move with no jitter. Things otherwise impossible without bulky gear.
Boost Video Quality: With excess motion smoothed out, stabilizers reduce motion blur allowing for crisper images, especially in low light.
Easy to Use: Modern gimbals are incredibly user friendly. Most feature dedicated buttons to toggle recording or swap modes. Advanced models boast face/object tracking taking the effort out of following moving subjects!
Let‘s now get into key features to weigh up when buying a smartphone stabilizer…
6 Key Buying Considerations for Gimbals
1. Compatibility – Ensure the gimbal fits and supports the weight of your iPhone, Android or other smartphone model.
2. Stability Performance – Higher-end gimbals use premium materials, motors and stabilization algorithms to maximize steadiness.
3. Controls & Buttons – Convenient physical buttons to change modes, start/stop recording and adjust parameters keeps your phone securely inside the mount.
4. Battery Life – Longer max run times between charges means you can shoot stabilized video for hours without interruption.
5. Adjustability – Play with unique perspectives thanks to tilt, roll and pan controls plus rotating mounts.
6. Smart Features – Auto subject tracking, special shoot modes and companion apps unlock advanced creative options.
Now let‘s get into the 12 best smartphone stabilizers guaranteed to transform your videography…
1. Zhiyun Smooth 5 – Best Overall
My top pick for Android and iPhone owners wanting premium stabilization with all the bells and whistles.
Highlights:
- Groundbreaking Axis-Lock keeps phone perfectly level rotating 360°
- 12 hour max runtime + USB fast charge support
- Physical buttons for modes, recording, zoom/focus
- Magnetic fill light evenly illuminates subjects
Packed with cutting-edge features at a reasonable price point, you can‘t go wrong with the Zhiyun Smooth 5.
2. DJI OM 5 – Most Portable
Renowned drone maker DJI shrunk its advanced 3-axis gimbal technology into a pocket-sized form. Perfect for travel!
Highlights:
- Weights just 1/3 pound and folds to pocket size
- Next gen ActiveTrack keeps moving subjects centered
- 15 hours runtime + magnetic phone mount
- Companion tutorials make getting started easy
Despite compact size, the DJI OM 5 holds today‘s largest phones like the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It‘s my top pick for travel videography and vlogging on the go!
3. Hohem iSteady X – Best Budget Gimbal
My value pick for cash-strapped creators wanting effective stabilization without breaking the bank.
Highlights:
- Advanced stabilization given low cost
- Helpful built-in tutorial for beginners
- 300° rotation support all axes
- 12 hours max runtime
- Lightweight durable aluminum frame
Priced under $70, the Hohem iSteady X proves decent smartphone gimbals need not cost a fortune!
4. Snoppa Atom – Most Innovative
This tiny yet mighty smartphone stabilizer packs a punch with unique Inception-style shots.
Highlights:
- Surprisingly small form factor
- Make tiny planet and vortex videos
- 17 hours max battery life
- Compatible with newest iPhones
- OLED status screen displays modes
I love showcasing creative shots from unique perspectives – exactly what Snoppa‘s pocketable Atom Gimbal lets me do!
5. MOZA Mini MX – Best for Vlogging
The bundled accessories and 6 fun shooting modes makes this my top smartphone stabilizer pick for vlogging.
Highlights:
- Long 20 hour battery life
- Mini tripod, sports gear mount included
- Special modes like Inception, Vertigo
- Gesture controls simplify operation
- Focus wheel for adjusting camera parameters
For next-level YouTube and TikTok videos, the MOZA Mini MX opens up possibilities thanks to its great stabilization anduseful accessories.
6. Zhiyun Smooth Q4 – World‘s Most Compact
Weighing less than an iPhone itself, Zhiyun Smooth Q4 delivers pro stabilization in the smallest possible package.
Highlights
- Pocketable folding design fits anywhere
- Impressive 13 hour max runtime
- Auto-tuning algorithm
- Multiple creative shoot modes
- Sold with storage pouch and wrist strap
The diminutive Smooth Q4 proves professional stabilization need not come in a bulky package!
7. Feiyu Vimble 2 – Best for Low Light
Want to shoot steady low light or long exposure photos? Vimble 2‘s top notch algorithms shine in challenging situations.
Highlights:
- Maximize image clarity in dark settings
- 13 hours runtime supports all night shoots
- Physical buttons simplify control
- Integrated tripod mount
- Grip features ergonomic rubber coating
If crisp low light smartphone photography is your goal, Feiyu‘s Vimble 2 won‘t let you down.
8. Zhiyun Smooth X2 – Best Budget Gimbal
My top affordable smartphone stabilizer pick thanks to premium features like auto-tracking and focus wheel.
Hightlights:
- Sub $100 price!
- AI tracking keeps moving subjects centered
- 12 hour max runtime with fast charging
- Lightweight at just over 1/2 pound
Despite low price tag, Zhiyun Smooth X2 even supports vertical operation for impressive TikTok videos – insane value!
9. Hohem Gimturbo – Best Beginner Gimbal
For first timers not wanting to spend big, Gimturbo provides great introductory stabilization.
Highlights:
- Surprisingly effective given tiny cost
- Helpfully displays shooting modes on OLED
- 12 hours max uptime per charge
- App helps fine tune balance
- Suits wide range of smartphone sizes
While cheaper units obviously can‘t match premium models, Hohem‘s sub $50 Gimturbo gives beginners a taste of gimbal videography on the cheap.
10. Zhiyun Smooth 5S – Most Refined Performance
This upgraded Smooth 5 offers enhanced stabilization thanks to breakthrough transmission tech and torque motors.
Highlights:
- Next-gen ViaPoint transmission reduces micro jitter
- Upgraded motors boost precision
- 17 hour battery life
- Magnetic ring light evenly illuminates
- Instant landscape/portrait flip
If rock solid stability is essential for your iPhone videography, the optimized Zhiyun Smooth 5S is purpose built to excel in challenging shooting scenarios.
11. Hohem Gimble 2 – Best for Phones Over 6"
Many smartphone gimbals struggle to securely mount today‘s plus-sized phones. Not an issue with this grip accommodating the very largest.
Highlights:
- Holds phones sized 6 – 7 inches
- Physical dial controls key parameters
- Helpful built-in tutorial for beginners
- 12 hours max uptime per charge
- Useful sport gear mount clip included
For creators with iPhone 14 Pro Max sized devices, the Hohem Gimble 2‘s oversized grip guarantees your phone locks securely in place.
12. Snoppa Vomid SE – Most Versatile
Its transforming design alternating between grip, stabilizer and tripod blew me away! Ultimate flexibility for versatile filming.
Highlights:
- Grip, handheld gimbal and tripod built-in
- Sold with useful accessories
- Built-in object tracking
- Joystick controller with shortcut keys
- Weighs just 1 lb for easy portability
If you like filming handheld, stabilized or fixed on a tripod, Snoppa Vomid SE does it all!
Transform Your Videos with These Smartphone Stabilizers
Well there‘s my rundown of 12 awesome gimbals guaranteed to massively upgrade your iPhone, Android and mobile videography!
No doubt with 3-axis electronic stabilization, shooting modes galore and handy accessories, these smartphone stabilizers will take your footage to the next level.
Gimbal shopping can feel overwhelming, so I hope detailing key features plus top options across budgets helps you decide. Have fun filming buttery smooth motion shots!
Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy to help a friend out with any other mobile filmmaking tech too. Chat soon!
