Shooting a video with your phone can be challenging due to shaking and motion blur. Some expensive phones will have built-in stabilization that can drastically improve video quality, but if you want to use just any phone to capture smooth, professional-looking clips, you might need a phone stabilizer.
Phone stabilizers, often called Gimbals, are readily available online. You can find a lot in EC sites like Lazada and Shopee that come in various forms and offer different features, ranging from cheap to expensive. For your convenience, we've drafted a list of the 10 best phone stabilizers available online and a buying guide to help you choose the right product.
Quick List - Top Phone Stabilizers
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
In a nutshell, stabilization is affected by the number of brushless motors on a gimbal. Having three motors is ideal, but if you're on a tight budget, you might want to look at double and single-axis gimbals as they might get the job done. Continue reading below to find out more.
The more brushless motors you have, the more stable your shots get. It is because the motors work in conjunction to keep your camera steady no matter how you move it. Side-to-side and up-and-down movements are also restricted, holding your camera steady and your videos free of motion blur.
Thankfully, this video quality is attainable since most gimbals available on the market today sport 3-axis technology. It is the tool of choice of many professional videographers and serious hobbyists because of its top-notch stabilizing capacities. Try a 3-axis gimbal if only the best can cut it for you.
These gimbals are great for capturing high-quality videos on a budget. However, they only have two motors and can stabilize only two out of three axes—the pan and roll axes. It means that the gimbal can handle side-to-side and horizontal rotating movements.
This type of stabilization is commonly found in cheaper gimbals, as it only requires two motors to hold the camera steady and stable. While the head unit can counteract sideways movements, 2-axis gimbals particularly struggle with unwanted vertical or forward and backward tilting movements.
Gimbals with a single brushless motor can keep movement stable on only one axis. Single-axis gimbals keep the camera parallel and level with the ground. However, you will need to keep your movement to a minimum, as walking or running might shake your camera and blur your videos.
Nonetheless, single-axis stabilizers are great for shooting landscapes and panoramic videos. More often than not, they'll be able to handle stationary, fixed-point recording with relative ease. Just remember to stay still or slow down to keep the camera steady.
Some gimbals require a phone case or work only with specific phone models, while others have magnetic attachments that make attaching and detaching any phone a breeze. This is why it's crucial to check a stabilizer's compatibility with your device. Also, note that while most gimbals can work with both Android and iOS devices, some can only handle one of the two operating systems.
If you're planning to switch between devices, look for gimbals that support various attachment options. Some gimbals allow switching between action cameras, DSLRs, and phones. Choosing a gimbal like this saves you from buying each device its separate stabilizer.
Your gimbal might feel light now, but extended shoots and prolonged usage will fatigue and exhaust your arms, making it feel heavier. Heavier stabilizers are harder to hold up but will keep the camera rock steady. Meanwhile, lighter stabilizers might not tire you as much but are more sensitive to sudden movements. Hence, make sure to consider weight before picking one.
Gimbals also sport different battery capacities. For continuous shooting, consider a gimbal with a large battery capacity. For travel vlogging, a battery life of about 12 hours is usually enough—just bring a power bank for emergency charging. Some gimbals can also charge while in use but will add to the total carrying weight.
The way you handle your phone stabilizer will affect not only your final output but also the entire shooting experience. Thus, a gimbal's controls should be easy to understand and follow. A gimbal must also be ergonomic to ensure that you can last those long shooting sessions in relative comfort.
Most gimbal models have an app that allows users to control the motors and other features. A good app will unlock many shooting modes and angles for your gimbal, giving you the freedom to translate your creative vision to footage. Always check for user reviews and comments to see if the app goes well with the gimbal.
Different gimbals offer different benefits. Some gimbals are handheld, while others have built-in or screw-on tripod legs that provide extra stability. Legs on a gimbal also mean that you can shoot off-hand. You can record yourself hands-free, take a timelapse video, or even have your camera track you as you move around.
Moreover, suppose you feel like your footage's video, and audio quality is a bit rough around the edges. In that case, some gimbals can also hold and support auxiliary equipment such as shotgun mics, additional lighting, and more. Having extra bits of equipment will expand your capacities, give you more creative options, and improve overall video quality.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | DJI Osmo Mobile 5 | ![]() | Packed With Features to Unlock Your Phone's Full Potential | |
2 | Zhiyun Smooth 5 | ![]() | Designed for Easy Single-Handed Operation | |
3 | FeiyuTech Vimble 2S | ![]() | Lightweight Gimbal With an Ergonomic Feel | |
4 | ESCAM L08 Camera Stabilizer | ![]() | A Budget-Friendly Option With Professional Results | |
5 | Zhiyun Smooth Q2 | ![]() | Long-Lasting Phone Stabilizer That Fits in Your Pocket | |
6 | Feiyutech VLOG Pocket 2 | ![]() | Travel Light With This Compact and Foldable Gimbal | |
7 | Prestigio S5B 3-Axis Mobile Phone Stabilizer | ![]() | Feature-Packed Gimbal With a Wheel Focus Key | |
8 | Baseus 3-Axis Handheld Wireless Phone Stabilizer | ![]() | Auto-Calibration and Quick Transition Mode for Dynamic Shots | |
9 | Feiyutech G6 Max | ![]() | Versatile and Can Handle Mirrorless and Action Cameras | |
10 | Came TV 3-AXIS Gimbal |for Smartphone | ![]() | Uses an Encoder for Precise Gimbal Operations |
The Osmo Mobile 5 is DJI's latest smartphone gimbal. It offers 3-axis stabilization and guarantees smooth, crisp, and stunning videos every time. Moreover, it weighs only 326 grams, perfect for comfortable recording and easy traveling.
This phone stabilizer also comes with attachable tripod legs and a 215 mm built-in extendable rod. These allow you to effectively use shooting modes such as panorama, timelapse, and auto-tracking, in addition to giving you more angles and easier adjustments.
Apart from its ergonomic body, this gimbal's recognition capabilities are second to none. The ActiveTrack 4.0 feature is highly advanced, responsive, and even supports automatic face tracking. The Osmo Mobile 5 can also recognize environments and recommend creative templates and tips accordingly.
Make shooting footage easy work with the incredibly handy Zhiyun Smooth 5. This gimbal offers supreme handling over its motors and your camera from the comfort of its ergonomically-designed handle. You can just thumb the controls and make the gimbal move the way you want it to!
The compact control panel on the handle features a zoom/focus wheel, a joystick for camera control, and buttons for lighting, recording, and shooting modes. Additionally, the gimbal supports gesture control, so you can easily start shooting by just gesturing with your other hand.
Having convenient controls isn't the only edge it offers. The Smooth 5's battery also allows 25 hours of usage and can even be charged to 100% in just 2 hours. With this much battery life, you can shoot a full-length film or even an entire line-up of films and still have some juice for the next round of filming.
A testament to the evolution of gimbal stabilizer technology, FeiyuTech's Vimble 2S sports a feature-packed design and a lightweight yet ergonomic build. With a gimbal as light and as comfortable as this one, you can shoot all you want and not get exhausted!
Its controls are placed ergonomically right where your fingers rest, providing maximum comfort and convenience. The app, Feiyu ON, is also packed with features of a great stabilizer such as pan controls, subject tracking, panorama, and programmed scenarios.
This gimbal features a built-in extender as well, so you can take selfies without that annoying motion blur! It also has a screw hole, so you can attach it to a tripod if you need more length. Take your vlogs and travel videos to the next level with this high-performance, affordable gimbal!
This phone stabilizer is an absolute catch if you're looking for a budget choice. It provides stabilization on all three axes and can even handle 360° handle rotations. This means that you can easily switch hands or even shoot upside down. It's also great for shooting high-speed and high-action scenes.
The only downside is that it can only stand around 2 hours of continuous usage, so it might not handle shooting full-length films in one sitting, and it's more suitable for shooting intermittently. But even if ESCAM L08 lacks in the aspect of battery life, it makes up for added functionality.
Despite its economical price tag, the gimbal comes with a wireless remote for your convenience. You can keep the remote attached to the body or detach it and keep it with you as you move into position for shooting. Press the buttons on the remote, and you're good to go!
True to its name, the Zhiyun Smooth Q2 delivers captivatingly smooth, professional-quality videos with its three brushless motors. The build is top-notch, with a handle that provides a sure grip and control buttons that are thumb-accessible. It's also portable, small enough to fit inside your pocket!
This gimbal is compatible with most smartphones, too, just attach it and allow it to recalibrate its motors. Its corresponding ZY Play app also gives you access to 3 tracking modes, a Point-of-View mode, and a Vortex mode, which will cater to most videography needs.
Best of all, you can enjoy all its features for up to 16 hours. This is more than enough to last you a day of constant shooting—two days if you're frugal about battery consumption. Trust us when we say that you'll have enough footage by the time the battery eventually gives out.
Like any other travel essential, your phone stabilizer must be lightweight, compact, and handy. The VLOG Pocket 2 ticks all these boxes. It weighs less than 300 grams and neatly folds down to pocket size while consistently delivering quality performance.
Aside from its 3-axis stabilization, this product promises to get the job done even without the help of an app. Unlike most gimbals on the market, the VLOG Pocket 2 skips leveling and allows you to record at a moment's notice. Simply whip out the gimbal, attach your phone, and record anywhere, at any time.
This phone stabilizer also offers anywhere from 8 to 14 hours of usage. Even better, you can bring the gimbal back up to full charge in merely 2 hours. This means that you can take a quick break to charge your gimbal and then get back to shooting before you know it.
When looking for new gadgets, we always want the most features for the lowest cost. This is exactly what the Prestigio S5B offers. For just under 3000 pesos, you can get yourself a professional-looking gimbal that delivers professional-looking results.
The S5B houses an astonishing 4000 mAh battery which can last up to 12 hours of usage. It also supports your phone on the pan, tilt, and roll axes and offers multiple shooting modes and shooting options.
Did we mention that this gimbal also has a large focus control wheel and a joystick on its body? That's right! With just your thumb, you can control zoom, focus, and even switch to shooting mode! You can experiment with different options without having to touch your phone or interact with the app constantly.
More often than not, we take videos to tell a story. This phone stabilizer from Baseus is packed with features that can help you do just that. It'll help you express continuity, progression, and dynamism to truly bring your story to life.
This 3-axis gimbal can automatically calibrate itself, enabling you to change positions and switch angles quickly and effortlessly. It also has a trigger that you can use to make wide turns and instant scene transitions. It's the perfect function for capturing movement even at high speeds.
But that's not all; tracking movement is also made easier thanks to the gimbal's facial and object recognition capabilities. You can use this to assign fixed points that the camera will stay focused on as you move around with your subject or look for a different angle.
If you're a smartphone videographer looking to explore other camera options, then this product is perfect for you. The Feiyutech G6 Max can support not only your smartphone but also GoPros and even mirrorless cameras!
This phone stabilizer's 1200 gram payload means that your camera will be safe, secure, and stable at all times. For ease of use, the gimbal has a small OLED screen to display status and a control wheel to adjust focus, zoom, white balance, and other camera settings without touching the phone.
Ultimately, more camera options mean more possibilities. You can record slow footage with your phone and then switch to an action camera to get that extra bit of detail when capturing fast-paced, high-energy action. The possibilities are virtually endless when your gimbal is as versatile as the G6 Max.
Came-TV specializes in movie equipment and high-precision, high-performance hardware. Their high standards also apply to their ultra-precise smartphone gimbals like this one. It features a joystick-operated controller, which you can use to micro-adjust the pan, tilt, and awning of the gimbal.
Do note that the gimbal's extravagant price tag means that this product is best used by professionals and experts. It requires a careful and precise operation to get beautiful, flawless shots. It also has no app or program to make controlling it easier. Simply put, it's a professional tool that responds well to an expert hand.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
As with all things mechanical and high-precision, avoid dropping or hitting your phone stabilizer. Also, avoid any sort of force or resistance during calibration or boot up to prevent motor damage and malfunction. When cleaning a gimbal, simply use a dry cloth to wipe it down and avoid water or any liquid contact.
Caring for your gimbal's battery is also half the battle. Remember to observe the manufacturer's temperature indications when using the gimbal. Using the gimbal in environments that are too hot or too cold will damage your battery. Lastly, avoid overcharging or over-discharging the battery to keep it in tip-top shape.
Inspect the stabilizer for anything that could be jamming up the motors, and thoroughly clean your gimbal. Try blowing some compressed air into your gimbal's motors to loosen up any dirt, sand, or grime that might be restricting its movement. Also, make sure that the knobs and clamps on your stabilizer, if any, are not turned too tightly.
If both of these steps are unable to get your stabilizer moving, the issue might not be physical. We recommend restarting both the device and its app. Try using a different phone or camera to see if the gimbal will respond any differently.
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Author: Richard Martin
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: DJI|Osmo Mobile 5
No. 2: Zhiyun|Smooth 5
No. 3: FeiyuTech|Vimble 2S
No. 4: ESCAM|L08 Camera Stabilizer
No. 5: Zhiyun|Smooth Q2
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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