9 Best Gimbals For Your iPhone in 2024 (By Category)

These days, recording buttery smooth video is as easy as mounting your phone to a gimbal and pressing the record button. But picking the best gimbal stabilizer for your iPhone or Android is not that easy.

New gimbals are seemingly released every year, and each one looks more or less the same. They’re made by companies you’ve never heard of before, and the glowing Amazon reviews aren’t particularly convincing. And in most cases, it’s impossible even to try before you buy.

To make things easier for you, in this smartphone gimbal buyer’s guide, I’ll walk you through my recommendations for the year.

Included In This Guide

For this round-up of the best iPhone gimbals, I’ve thoroughly tested all the gimbals that come frequently recommended by tech magazines and YouTube reviewers. I’ve also aggregated the praise and common complaints from these other reviews so hopefully, you’ll find my rankings to be fair and well-researched. Here are my recommendations:

Who’s it for?

The Insta360 Flow is the iPhone gimbal I’d recommend to most people. With a magnetic clamp mounting mechanism and compact foldable design, this is the kind of gimbal you can throw in your bag and start using with minimal hassle. And despite its small footprint, it’s a high-performing 3-axis gimbal that can handle intense action.

Compatibility

The Flow is compatible with most smartphones, thanks to its 300g (10.6 oz) payload capacity, which can accommodate heavier phones even with an attached ND filter.

The companion app is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and Android devices are generally well-supported, although some features may not be available. You can find the full compatibility list here.

Insta360 Flow Overview

Insta360’s goal seems to have been to incorporate every feature conceivable into a compact body, and they managed to pull it off. It draws heavily from the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 by going with a magnetic mounting mechanism, foldable design, and featuring an extendable rod.

The standout feature is the built-in tripod, only made possible by relocating the battery pack from the grip to the gimbal arm. It has some other tricks up its sleeves, too, like a cold shoe mount and the ability to act as a portable phone charger.

What I liked

A subpar app experience can often diminish the appeal of an otherwise excellent gimbal, but Insta360’s prior expertise in developing 360-degree action cameras positions them as a formidable contender in the gimbal market.

The Flow benefits from a polished app that offers comprehensive instructional videos and exceptional AI subject tracking capable of handling complex scenarios, such as a subject momentarily disappearing from the frame.

The well-designed app is complemented by the gimbal’s impressive hardware and feature set. While some features are arguably superfluous, you can’t complain when the gimbal manages to be competitively priced, costing the same as the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 and less than the Zhiyun Smooth 5S.

What I didn’t like

Insta360 definitely had to make compromises in order to pack so many features into a truly portable device. Lacking any ergonomic grooves and being shorter in length, the gimbal grip is objectively less comfortable than that of the DJI Osmo Mobile 6.

Additionally, like other foldable gimbals, the Flow’s range of motion is somewhat limited compared to non-foldable counterparts. While most content creators will find these trade-offs acceptable for increased portability and convenience, some users may feel differently.

Read the full review: Insta360 Flow

Who’s it for?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is a solid alternative to the Insta360 Flow for those who don’t mind losing a few features in favor of a gimbal that’s more comfortable in the hands. As the sixth iteration of the most popular Osmo Mobile series, DJI has once again produced something that does as much as it can to reduce the friction between taking it out of the bag and hitting the record button.

Compatibility

The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is compatible with the vast majority of iPhone and Android smartphones. It can support payloads of up to 0.63 lbs (290g).

It is officially compatible with all iPhones from the iPhone 8 and up. The DJI OM6 works with all three lenses on the newer iPhone Pros (Ultra wide camera, wide camera, telephoto camera).

You can see the full compatibility list here.

Osmo Mobile 6 Overview

With the magnetic phone clamp mechanism that was introduced with the DJI OM4, it was difficult to see how DJI could improve its flagship handheld iPhone gimbal.

While it’s normally the other manufacturers copying DJI’s ideas, DJI took inspiration from other popular smartphone gimbals by incorporating an extension rod in the DJI OM5.

With the OM6, DJI shifted its focus to refining the user experience through incremental improvements rather than groundbreaking innovations. The most notable upgrades include a new LED status bar and a side wheel for manual focus or zoom adjustments. These enhancements, along with features retained from the OM4 and OM5, make the OM6 DJI’s most comprehensive offering yet.

What I liked

Travel-friendly and lightweight, the OM6’s foldable design makes it an ideal companion for on-the-go creators. Although the foldability slightly limits the range of motion, it rarely poses a real-world challenge.

The OM6 also boasts a new Quick Launch feature, enabling instant access to the DJI Mimo App when the iPhone is mounted, making it the fastest gimbal for initiating recordings.

The side wheel, which rivals the Zhiyun Smooth 5’s offering, is a significant addition to the OM6, providing responsive and smooth zooming capabilities. Furthermore, the OM6’s ergonomics remain exemplary, with the integrated selfie stick allowing for versatile filming angles and self-recording.

What I didn’t like

It’s difficult to find faults in the DJI OM6 because it’s a refined version of the already refined and complete Osmo Mobile 5. Arguably its biggest criticism is that it doesn’t do enough to justify the extra price over the discounted Osmo Mobile 5 or even the OM4 SE.

And it now finds itself overshadowed by the Insta360 Flow, which gives you more features and more intelligent subject tracking for the same price. However, for users who prefer manual tracking and prioritize ergonomics, the Osmo Mobile 6 still holds its ground as a compelling choice.

Read the full review: DJI Osmo Mobile 6

Who’s it for?

The DJI Osmo Mobile SE is the best iPhone gimbal for people who don’t need all the bells and whistles of the Osmo Mobile 6, but want the same premium gimbal experience that DJI provides.

Compatibility

The DJI Osmo Mobile SE can accommodate iPhone and Android phones 67-84 mm wide and up to 6.9-10 mm thick.

It shares the same motors as the Osmo Mobile 6 which means it can handle phones that weigh 230 ± 60 g. It can therefore support phone and accessory combos, though an iPhone 15 Pro Max with a case and Moment 18mm Wide Mobile Lens would take it over the limit.

You can find the full compatibility list for the gimbal here.

The gimbal also features a quarter-inch thread needle for compatibility with mount accessories like tripods. 

Osmo Mobile SE Overview

Not to be confused with the older DJI OM4 SE, the Osmo Mobile SE is DJI’s newest phone gimbal. It was released roughly 6 months following the Osmo Mobile 6.

It keeps the defining features of the Osmo Mobile series. That includes the foldable design that was introduced with the Osmo Mobile 3, the magnetic mounting design from the OM4, and features the helpful status panel found on the Osmo Mobile 6.

However, it isn’t quite as complete a package as the flagship Osmo Mobile 6. It lacks the zoom/focus wheel and instead features the old zoom slider. It doesn’t have the quick launch feature, that launches the DJI app when your phone is mounted. Most notably, it lacks the built-in selfie stick that is found on the DJI OM5 and Osmo Mobile 6.

Interestingly, the Osmo Mobile SE has a slightly longer battery life and a greater range of motion in the tilt axis compared to the Osmo Mobile 6.

What I Liked

With the Insta360 Flow and DJI Osmo Mobile 6 costing around $150, there weren’t any phone gimbals closer to the $100 mark with decent software and updates you can count on. Well, that stopped being the case with the Osmo Mobile SE.

The Osmo Mobile SE takes away some of the flashy features that many gimbal users probably don’t need. What’s left is a more affordable gimbal with solid core stabilization performance.

While it doesn’t feel much different from the OM4, it is nice to get the status panel and ShotGuides features (which the OM4 lacks) in a lighter package.

What I Didn’t Like

The Osmo Mobile SE might seem like a no-brainer for those who don’t picture themselves using a selfie stick.

However, in practice, I’ve found extension rods to be quite useful, especially when you find yourself in a busy crowd and need some extra reach. Or when trying to achieve high-angle or low, underslung shots.

Not having that extra option is something I wouldn’t personally compromise on anymore. But given that it costs one-third less than the Osmo Mobile 6 and doesn’t lose out on much, more casual users or those unsure about how much they’d actually use a gimbal might want to pick this one up.

Read more: DJI Osmo Mobile 6 vs Osmo Mobile SE

Who’s it for?

The Hohem iSteady MT2 is a perfect choice for creators who film with both a camera and a smartphone, and don’t want to deal with two separate gimbals.

As far as mirrorless camera gimbals go, you won’t find a subject tracking solution that’s as hassle-free as this. However, smartphone-only creators are better off with a dedicated phone gimbal, since this is slightly bigger and involves a more rigorous balancing procedure.

Compatibility

The MT2 supports payloads up to 1.2kg, making it best for smaller mirrorless cameras. It can comfortably handle MFT and APS-C systems, and can work with certain full frame camera and lens combos. The gimbal also works with smartphones, action cams like the GoPro, and allows you to switch between devices.

iSteady MT2 Overview

While the Hohem iSteady M6 is the company’s flagship phone gimbal, I think the Hohem iSteady MT2 is the more interesting gimbal. As the M6’s bigger cousin, it shares many features including the standalone AI tracking unit, but is compatible with mirrorless cams and action cameras.

This is important because face tracking is a fairly standard feature on phone gimbals, but a feature that’s much harder to come by on mirrorless cameras. By offloading the responsibility to a dedicated magnetic AI body tracker, you can get tracking set up with minimal hassle regardless of the recording device.

What I liked

The fact that the Hohem MT2 doesn’t cost much more than a phone gimbal makes it especially attractive for hybrid shooters, especially those who don’t use a gimbal enough to justify having separate gimbals for their camera and phone.

And as a mirrorless camera gimbal, you’re not getting some watered down gimbal. This is a proper compact gimbal that I would recommend over other camera gimbals like the DJI RS3 Mini or Zhiyun Crane M3S in many cases.

The AI tracking sensor, which is easily activated through simple gestures, works well for following people around smoothly and keeping them framed properly. The tracking sensor also doubles up as a RGB that comes in handy when you need a bit of illumination.

What I didn’t like

While the MT2 is a great phone gimbal for pre-planned shoots, it’s too big to chuck in your everyday carry to be on standby for impromptu shots.

And since it’s a camera gimbal first and phone gimbal second, you’ll have to deal with the more tedious manual balancing process. This involves some trial and error, especially when switching between different devices.

Read the full review: Hohem iSteady MT2

Who’s It For

The Zhiyun Smooth 5 is a more pro-oriented, if a little pricey, iPhone gimbal that gives you plenty of dials and buttons to make adjustments without resorting to your phone screen. While it has all the features you could ask for, it’s let down by clunky iOS and Android apps and an uncomfortable grip.

Compatibility

With its all-new upgraded motors, the Zhiyun Smooth 5 is compatible with virtually any phone. This includes bigger and heavier iPhones like the iPhone 12 and 13 Pro Max.

Zhiyun Smooth 5 Overview

The Zhiyun Smooth 4 was one of my favorite iPhone gimbals because of the number of physical controls and pro features it came with. Whereas DJI focused on a seamless user experience, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 was all about offering the user with as many features as possible.

Zhiyun went for years without upgrading the Smooth 4, but they finally gave us the much-anticipated Smooth 5 in 2022.

While this upgrade hasn’t really done anything revolutionary, it has finally given us a solid alternative to the DJI offerings. Compared to its predecessors, it’s significantly more compact.

Furthermore, it benefits from a more rugged construction, stronger motors, and a nice new joystick that can be used for smooth panning at a consistent speed.

The software has also been upgraded, adding important features like gesture control, object tracking

What I Liked

Nothing really stands out with the Zhiyun Smooth 5, but the plentiful physical controls make sure any adjustments you need can be made on the fly. It’s simply more convenient to make changes using buttons or dials on the control rather than swiping and tapping your phone screen.

The new thumbstick is pretty neat and the zoom/focus wheel makes it easy to perform more advanced shooting techniques like smooth dolly zooms.

If you opt for the more expensive combo package, you also get a magnetic fill light that attaches to the clamp for 360-degree lighting.

What I didn’t like

While the Zhiyun Smooth 5 does an excellent job of stabilizing your phone’s camera with three axis stabilization, it’s got a steep learning curve and also takes a while to get up and running.

The grip is also less ergonomic than that of other gimbals, mainly because it’s too short and you have to end up attaching the tripod in its closed form for a more comfortable grip.

Finally, the ZY Cami app is pretty poor and buggy compared to the DJI Mimo app. That’s something that could change, but probably won’t given Zhiyun’s poor history when it comes to software.

Read the full review: Zhiyun Smooth 5

Who’s It For

As the cheapest iPhone gimbal, the iSteady X is a good option for the budget-conscious, or those simply wanting to see what all the fuss is about. Hohem took inspiration from the success of the foldable DJI gimbals and the compactness of the Zhiyun Smooth Q2.

The result is a foldable and highly compact 3-axis gimbal stabilizer that can be purchased for $69. If you can look past its unrefined companion app, the iSteady X is a decent gimbal for the price.

Compatibility

Supporting phones up to 280g in weight and 90mm in width, there are virtually no phones I can think of that the iSteady X doesn’t work with. 

To activate the gimbal you’ll also need to download the Hohem Pro companion app which is compatible with Android 6.0 and up and iOS 9.0 or later.

Hohem iSteady Mobile Overview

Hohem might not enjoy the same recognition as DJI or Zhiyun, but they are the top-selling gimbal maker on Amazon. 

The highly popular iSteady Mobile and iSteady Mobile Plus were popular because they offered the same features as premium gimbals for a fraction of the price.

In order to keep up with the trend of increasingly small gimbals, Hohem released the iSteady X which has a foldable design that’s made possible by its offset gimbal arm.

The result is a gimbal that’s just as competent as the iSteady Mobile Plus but much easier to carry around. In fact, weighing just 259g, the iSteady X has earned itself the title of the ‘world’s lightest gimbal’.

What I Like

Of course, what I like most about this gimbal is its low price. With solid core stabilization performance, a decent 8-hour battery life and a foldable design that makes it easy to carry around, the iSteady X offers great value for money.

While it won’t cut it for mobile filmmakers or power users, it’s perfectly suitable for home vlogging and the occasional family trip.

What I Didn’t Like

The iSteady X offers terrific value for money, but as a cheap gimbal stabilizer, it’s just not as refined or complete as something like the DJI OM5 and OM4.

The handgrip is short and lacks any ergonomic curves, so filming can become quite uncomfortable after a while. 

It’s also missing a rear trigger and any kind of ‘sport mode’ to momentarily boost the motor responsiveness, so it’s not ideal for recording super fast-paced scenes where there is fast camera movement.

Finally, there’s no USB-A port to be found, which means you can’t use the gimbal as a backup power bank. Most other gimbals include this, and it’s a shame not to be able to take advantage of its large li-ion battery for charging purposes.

Read Full Review: Hohem iSteady X

Who’s It For

If you don’t mind sacrificing some stabilization performance for the cutest gimbal on earth, the Smooth X is for you.

Compatibility

The Smooth X can support phones that weigh 200±35 g, which is less than most of the gimbals on this list. 

As a result, a phone like the iPhone 11 Pro Max (226g) would really be pushing it to its limit. You can expect its 5.5 hour battery life to take a hit as the motors have to work extra hard.

Zhiyun Smooth X Overview

While gimbals are typically associated with professional YouTubers and content creators, Zhiyun have targeted the Instagram Story and TikTok celebrities with the Smooth X.

They’ve made a gimbal that can be kept in your pocket just in case something post-worthy comes up. The gimbal also houses a selfie stick that can extend up to 10 inches—no need to choose between a gimbal and selfie stick anymore!

However, the Zhiyun Smooth X is not a traditional 3-axis gimbal. It only has motors that stabilize in the pan and roll axes, but not in the tilt (up and down) axis. So going up and down stairs, for example, will produce shaky footage.

What I Liked

The Smooth X identifies a unique market segment: Front-facing camera superstars and livestreamers who want to give viewers superior video quality. 

Its ease-of-use and compactness make it perfect for non-persistent video where smoothness matters but isn’t the be-all and end-all.

At $69, it’s also one of the cheapest stabilizers on the market.

What I Didn’t Like

This is not a 3-axis gimbal stabilizer, but a 2-axis stabilizer, so the stabilization is inferior to other gimbals. 

The difference honestly isn’t big, but core stabilization performance should be the first and foremost thing to consider in a gimbal.

With the Hohem iSteady X available for the same price, it’s difficult to justify the Smooth X unless you really need that selfie stick.

Read full review: Zhiyun Smooth X

Who’s It For

The MOZA Mini-M is the only gimbal that can wirelessly charge your phone and has an impressive number of different shooting modes. While these features might seem redundant to many, it also has stabilization performance that is among the best within the sub-$100 budget.

Compatibility

The MOZA Mini-MI supports every iPhone, although its wireless charge feature will of course only work with the newer iPhones that feature wireless charging.

Thanks to a max supported payload of 300g and a max supported phone width of 92mm, the Mini-MI supports just about any Android phone you can think of.

MOZA Mini-MI Overview

The MOZA Mini-MI is an iPhone gimbal that has more features than almost any other gimbal you can think of. Its most unique feature is its ability to charge mounted phones wirelessly using the Qi Wireless Charging standard.

Weighing 534g, the Mini-MI isn’t quite as small as its name might suggest. It is a little on the bulky side, but the difference in size won’t be an issue for most and its thick handle will be welcomed by those with bigger hands.

Despite its size, the Mini-MI packs a slightly smaller 2100mAh battery which provides the gimbal with 10 hours of battery life.

For controls, the Mini-MI features a joystick for electronic panning and tilting, as well as a number of controls to switch shooting modes and more. It can flip the mounted phone with a double press of a button, putting it into ‘selfie-mode’.

All these features can be had for under $100. Given that many of its features are missing on more expensive gimbals like the Osmo Mobile 2, MOZA offer terrific value for money with the Mini-MI.

What I Like

The wireless charging feature isn’t for everyone, since many older phones won’t be supported. However, it is an incredibly useful feature for those that can take advantage of it, since you almost always run into issues with your phone’s battery life when recording with a gimbal, and not the other way around.

Wireless charging aside, the Mini-MI is a very solid budget gimbal. It has stabilization performance that is on par with my other favorite budget gimbals: the Hohem iSteady Mobile and Zhiyun Smooth-Q. Not only that, it has the ability to independently lock each axis, giving a total of 8 different following modes.

What I Didn’t Like

Despite all the awesome features it packs, the Mini-MI’s stabilization performance is like that of a budget gimbal and it’s build quality isn’t the best, either.

When you zoom in on footage and compare it to similar footage taken with the OM4 or Zhiyun Smooth 4, the micro-stutter is a lot more apparent.

Given that MOZA is a fairly new brand, their smartphone companion app is expectedly disappointing. You will be better off filming with the stock camera app or purchasing Filmic Pro–a shame considering the MOZA app has a neat sports mode and barrel-roll mode.

The MOZA Mini-MI is a serious contender for the best budget gimbal, but given its bulky size and slightly lower battery life, it isn’t the best gimbal under $100 unless you’re going to make use of the wireless charing feature.

Read Full Review: MOZA Mini-MI

Unfortunately, the Movi has been permanently discontinued. There are no plans for a new release. Read about it here.

Who’s It For?

The Freefly Movi Cinema Robot is a gimbal designed by filmmakers for filmmakers. Besides being an excellent video stabilizer, its companion app, Movi App, makes it easy to perform various ‘cinematic’ tricks. However, it isn’t cheap.

Compatibility

The Movi Cinema Robot can support a payload of over 500g. It can support the largest iPhones like the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone XS Max. Larger Androids are also supported. You can find a full list of supported phones here.

Movi Cinema Robot Overview

The Movi Cinema Robot is almost U-shaped, unlike most monopod styled gimbals. This makes it possible to hold it with with two hands and provide additional stability.

As you might expect for a gimbal of its price, the stabilization performance is excellent and superior to the DJI Osmo Mobile 2.

A big part of the Movi Cinema Robot is its exclusive companion app – Movi App. Unlike other gimbal companion apps, this app is well thought out and offers a lot of cinematic presets. This makes it easy to produce impressive video content.

The Movi Cinema Robot takes two 2600mAh Lithium Ion batteries that last for around 8 hours. This is shorter than the other gimbals on this page, but the Movi Cinema Robot uses powerful motors that can support a much higher payload.

There’s also a lot of further customization possible with the Movi Cinema Robot. By attaching the Movi Hoodie accessory mount, you can attach flashes and shotgun mics to the gimbal.

What I Like

I loved the Movi Cinema Robot’s unique U-shaped design. You can hold it using both hands, which not only helps stability but reduces fatigue when filming for extended periods.

Its U-shaped design features a sturdy rubber base, which allows you to rest the gimbal and keep it upright on any flat surface. I therefore rarely need to use a tripod with it.

The stabilization performance is excellent and using the Movi App is heaps of fun. It makes it incredibly easy to change settings like the exposure or quickly flip through previews of your recordings – all without needing to touch your phone. It also makes it easy to capture barrel roll, dolly zoom, orbit and other cinematic effects.

What I Didn’t Like

The gimbal is bulkier than other gimbals, and unnecessarily cumbersome if you’re just looking to record some shots during your next holiday.

But the biggest issue is its cost. At $300, it costs between 2-3x as much as the other gimbals on this list. I personally don’t feel the gimbal is worth it unless you are certain that its unique features are worth the difference in price.

Read Full Review: Freefly Movi Cinema Robot

Other Noteworthy iPhone Gimbals

DJI Pocket 3

This isn’t technically an iPhone gimbal, but instead, it’s a dedicated 2-in-1 camera on a gimbal that can replace your iPhone for video needs.

If you find the whole process of mounting and unmounting your iPhone on and off a gimbal and hate carrying around two pieces of equipment to take videos, the DJI Pocket 3 is absolutely worth looking into.

It’s not cheap, but it packs a large 1-inch sensor for good low-light performance and it’s just a heck of a lot of fun to film with. Read my review here.

Freevision VILTA Mobile

No longer recommending Freevision gimbals because its apps are reportedly no longer available on Apple’s App Store. See comment.

For ergonomics and build quality, the Freevision VILTA-M is my top pick. It is similar to the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 and OM 4 in design, but features an even comfier grip and is constructed using ‘aeronautical materials’.

It is a solid alternative to the gimbals from DJI, but unfortunately, its image stabilization came out inferior. This was noticeable when comparing footage at a 250% zoom, where the VILTA-M showed a lot of jitter.

Why Should I Get An iPhone Gimbal?

Had you asked me 5 or 10 years ago, I would have told you iPhone gimbals are a waste of time. After all, why would you invest in cameraphone accessories when you can invest in “real” camera equipment? But now, I hold a very different view, as I find my iPhone more and more often becoming my go-to equipment for video.

Here are the reasons why now is a good time to invest in a gimbal for your smartphone:

Reason 1: You can shoot serious video with your iPhone

Rewind to 2016 or so and you’ll find no one really took recording video with their iPhone that seriously.

Sure, people were used to sharing some casual footage on social media. But vloggers, amateur filmmakers, and live streamers were all using expensive DSLRs or mirrorless cameras.

But newer phones like the iPhone 13, Google Pixel 6 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S21 have changed everything. These phones pack in cameras that can produce crisp 4K video at a smooth 60 frames per second. More and more people are turning to their phones to record video content. And that trend is set to continue.

Reason 2: Your iPhone’s built-in OIS isn’t always enough

As you begin shooting video on the move, camera shake becomes apparent. Even with the latest iPhone and its fantastic built-in sensor-shift optical image stabilization (OIS) technology, camera shake will be a problem if you want production-ready footage.

So what’s the solution to the problem?

A 3-axis motorized gimbal is an iPhone accessory that can drastically reduce unwanted camera shake and vibrations.

How do they work? First, they use gyroscopes and accelerometers to detect camera shake. Then, three brushless motors rotate three pivots by just the right amount to counteract the shake. With the ability to keep your smartphone level in all three axes (pan axis, tilt axis, and roll axis), your phone is held completely steady.

And best of all, unlike a Steadicam or dolly that Hollywood film crews operate, gimbals are incredibly simple to use. Just mount your iPhone or Android and hit the record button.

So whether you’re a YouTube content creator, an amateur filmmaker, or someone simply looking to record better videos for their Instagram stories, a lightweight gimbal stabilizer is a simple and cheap way to massively up your game.

Reason 3: An iPhone gimbal does other things, too

While the primary purpose of a gimbal is to help you keep your iPhone camera steady, these days they all have a number of advanced features that make them capable of so much more.

Some features you might see include face tracking and object tracking, doubling up as a power bank, and helping you take a time-lapse or motion lapse video. Of course, it’s also much more comfortable to record with a gimbal’s ergonomic grip compared to holding up a flat iPhone in your hand.

Reason 4: Smartphone Gimbals Are Cheaper Than Ever

I still remember choosing my first gimbal for my iPhone in 2016. Back then smartphone gimbals cost over $300, so a lot of research went into my purchase. I finally settled on the awesome original DJI Osmo Mobile, which is still a great gimbal today.

Today, however, smartphone gimbals cost much closer to $100 and perform better than the ones from 2016. Now is definitely a great time to pick up a new gimbal and start producing some slick video footage.

More Buying Tips

Motorized Gimbals Vs Mechanical Stabilizers (Steadicam, Glidecam etc.)

Before gimbals were a thing, handheld stabilizers were the go-to tool for image stabilization. They cost less but require more skill to operate, and don’t offer the same level of stabilization. For iPhone video stabilization, gimbals are definitely the way to go.

Can My New Gimbal Be Used As A Power Bank?

Yes. Many, but not all, smartphone gimbals can also function as a power bank. Their battery capacities are smaller than dedicated power banks but they can be useful as a backup. Of course, charging your phone with a gimbal will eat into the recording time of your gimbal.

Will My New Gimbal Conflict With My iPhone’s OIS?

The iPhone 6S Plus was the first iPhone to feature optical image stabilization (OIS) and not rely purely on electronic image stabilization (EIS). iPhones with OIS use gyroscopes and accelerometers to detect shakes and reduce their impact by moving the lens with electromagnet motors. However, as a method of image stabilization, it is nowhere near as effective as a gimbal.

While some gimbals previously didn’t play well with the iPhone’s sensor-shift OIS, they now don’t suffer from such issues.

Can I Use My iPhone Gimbal With A GoPro/Action Camera/DSLR?

Smartphone gimbals are primarily designed for use with iPhone and Android devices. However, many of them can also hold a GoPro or similarly sized action camera instead. To ensure the GoPro or action camera is held firm, purchasing a GoPro gimbal mount adaptor plate is recommended.

DSLR and mirrorless cameras are too heavy for use with these gimbals, so you will need to use a gimbal designed for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

Further Video Stabilization With iMovie

Using a gimbal stabilizer is the best way to deal with camera shake. However, it is possible to further stabilize recorded video footage in iMovie (iOS/Mac). You can find detailed information about the procedure here.

Are Smartphone Gimbals Waterproof?

In general, smartphone gimbals are not waterproof. Their brushless motors could be damaged by contact with water. It is therefore not recommended to record video in wet conditions.