5 Best Travel Tripods You Can Afford (Under $200) in 2019

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Top 5 Best Travel Tripod Comparison and Review for 2019

This article was not sponsored and I received no compensation of any kind for writing this article (including no free gear). There are affiliate links in this article to help support the website.

Anyone serious about landscape photography knows that a versatile and sturdy tripod is a must for capturing the sharpest photos. If you are shooting panoramas, a tripod can help alleviate many issues with stitching your final image and can help speed up the process of taking your panorama. If you are a travel photographer or someone who loves to travel and take photos of everything, then you know how important it is to have a lightweight and compact tripod. With the increasing popularity of “gigapans” (ultra high resolution gigapixel panoramic), a tripod is a necessity.

Mefoto Tripod at river

Choosing Your Travel Tripod - Introduction and First Thoughts

Before you start looking through my list of the best 5 affordable travel tripods to choose from, there are some specific things you should be looking at before you make a decision. The camera that you use will be a big contributing factor, so keep that in mind.

  • Tripod Load Capacity - Unless you use an extremely heavy camera and lens kit, most of the travel tripods here will be able to handle the weight of your camera. But, make sure the tripod you choose has a weight capacity well above your camera kit.

  • Tripod Weight - As a travel photographer, every pound that you carry has an effect on your travels. Make sure you choose a travel tripod that is strong and sturdy enough to handle your camera kit, while keeping it as light as you can.

  • Tripod Size - In order to be called a travel tripod, the tripod should obviously be small enough to toss in your cary-on, strap to a backpack, or leave in your luggage. All of the travel tripods compared in this article are between 13” and 16” inches in length. These tripods will fit in even a small sling-bag and are perfectly suited for travel.

  • Tripod Cost/Price - Obviously, each of us has our own price point that we know is our limit, so plan accordingly when looking through these tripods. I’ve kept the prices under $200 to ensure maximum savings on the best quality and best rated travel tripods.

Stick with me for a few minutes and I will show you the 5 best travel tripods that are also affordable for 2019 that you can use to create the tack sharp landscape photos and panoramic images you want.

Top 5 Best Travel Tripod Short List - Descriptions Below

Travel Tripod #5 - 3 Legged Things Punks Corey Travel Tripod

The Punks Corey travel tripod is the most compact of all of the 3 Legged Things tripods. For the price of this tripod, you really are getting a “Cadillac” of a travel tripod for a price most can afford. This is a great kit and comes with everything you’ll need to take great landscape photos.

The 5 section legs can get this tripod to a respectable height of 59” inches, and can get as low as almost completely flat. The center column is reversible, so you can invert your camera and essentially shoot from the ground. If you go somewhere that has restrictions on tripods, this unit easily converts into a monopod for an even smaller footprint when getting those steady shots. All of this adds up to a seriously compact tripod at just over 13” inches, and that is small!

In the kit:

  • Magnesium Alloy Tripod

  • AirHed Neo ballhead

  • Microfibre Head Bag

  • Arca Swiss Compatible Quick Release Plate

  • Toolz - Multi Tool, hex key, coin key, key ring, carabiner and bottle opener

  • D-Ring

  • Tough drawstring bag

When you’re choosing your travel tripod, the key factors you should be looking for are the size of the tripod at its tallest, the size of it at its smallest, and the weight of it. Another factor you should consider is that the tripod can convert into a monopod as well. The Punks Corey tripod has the following impressive specs:

  • Max Height 1.5 m / 59 "

  • Monopod Max Height 1.5 m / 59 "

  • Folded Length 350 mm / 13.67 "

  • 5 Section Legs / 2 Section Column

  • Load Capacity - 14 kg / 30 lbs

  • Tripod Weight 1.5kg / 3.5 lbs

  • Leg Angles 23º, 55º, 80º

Travel Tripod #4 - Manfrotto Befree Advanced Travel Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head

Manfrotto is another company that makes very well built and sturdy tripods that have been very popular with photographers. This model has a great combination of being very compact when folded and weighs in at only 3.5lbs. Not only is this small enough to easily attach to the outside of your favorite camera backpack, but can also easily fit inside a backpack or in a carry-on bag for flying.

This tripod comes with some options when deciding if you want lever lock legs or the twist locking legs, and the Befree lets you make that choice. This tripod gets you some great reach for your shots at just under 60” inches tall in height, and also has a reversible column for getting shots from the ground up. The 4 section legs provide maximum flexibility for setting up around obstacles and uneven surfaces and allows for 3 different angles to choose from when extending the legs.

In the kit:

  • Aluminum Alloy Tripod

  • Center Ball Head with three independent ergonomic controls

  • Carrying pouch

Key features of this tripod are:

  • Max Height 59.45"

  • Monopod Max Height 1.5 m / 59 "

  • Folded Length 15.75"

  • 4 Section Legs / Single Section Column

  • Load Capacity - 17.64 lbs

  • Tripod Weight 3.5 lbs

  • Leg Angles 22°, 54°, 89°

Travel Tripod #3 - Benro Tripster Travel Tripod/Monopod

This travel tripod is available in three sizes, three colors(Black, Blue and Titanium) and your choice of aluminum or carbon fiber, this is well suited for small lightweight cameras up to full frame DSLRs.

You can easily convert the tripod to a full size monopod by combining one of the legs with the center column. The Arca-Swiss style ballhead is attached via a 3/8"-16 stud and can easily be removed. On the shoulder of the tripod you'll find a 1/4"-20 mount ideal for attaching additional accessories. Carrying bag included.

In the kit:

  • Carbon Fiber Tripod

  • Arca-Swiss style ball head

  • Carrying pouch

Key features of this tripod are:

  • Max Height 54.7"

  • Folded Length 14.6"

  • 5 Section Legs / 2 Section Column

  • Load Capacity - 13 lbs

  • Tripod Weight 2.2 lbs

Travel Tripod #2 - MeFOTO Classic Aluminum Roadtrip Travel Tripod/Monopod Kit

This is a great travel tripod to own that I have had and used for close to a year now. This tripod is not very heavy and folds down to a compact 15.4” inches for very easy transport whether attached to the outside of your camera backpack, or stuffed inside.

360-degree Panning: Accurate panoramas can be easily orchestrated using the graduated panning scale for accurate image alignment. Two Leg Angle Positions: For an extra measure of flexibility, tripod legs can be independently locked into place at two different angles to enable shooting in cramped quarters, on irregular surface areas, or at ground level.

Recessed Center-Column Hook: A spring loaded recessed hook, located in the bottom of the center-column, allows you to hang additional weight from the tripod's center of gravity for increased stability. Separate Head and Pan Lock: Individual head tension and lock knob as well as pan lock help make the right adjustment.

Precision Matched Q Series Ballhead: Dual action heavy duty ballhead with Arca-Swiss style compatible quick release plate. Integral Bubble Level: Allows adjustment to prevent uneven pans and head movements. CompactThe tripod legs can be inverted and folded back 180 degrees making it small enough to carry just about anywhere.

Five Leg Sections: Get the height you need and ultimate versatility. Twist Lock Legs with Anti-Rotation System: MeFOTO's innovative rubberized locking grips combined with anti-rotation legs enable fast and fumble-free set up plus weather and dust-resistance.

In the kit:

  • Carbon Fiber Tripod

  • Arca-Swiss style ball head

  • Carrying pouch

Key features of this tripod are:

  • Max Height 61.6"

  • Folded Length 15.4"

  • 5 Section Legs / 1 Section Column

  • Load Capacity - 17.6 lbs

  • Tripod Weight 3.6 lbs

Travel Tripod #1 - Vanguard VEO 2 235CB Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

This Vanguard tripod has one slick design and is built tough, light and sturdy. Even though I didn’t need a new tripod at the time of writing this, I bought this tripod for myself as a backup. If you follow the link above and watch the video shown, you’ll understand why I bought this super lightweight tripod for myself. Made with a lightweight carbon fiber, this travel tripod weighs only 2.6 lbs, which is a full pound lighter than my MeFoto tripod.

From the manufacturer: Take it everywhere with you, set it up in a matter of seconds, use the Advanced Engineering legs and twist locks systems with confidence while enjoying versatile creative positions. The VEO 2 235CB tripod has been thought to be your “best passport” for travel photography. With a snap of the fingers, swing the VEO 2 central column into place, connect your camera and you’re ready to shoot at a moment’s notice.  The VEO 2 BH-50 Multi-action Ball Head is sturdy and operates perfectly with 3 independent dedicated knobs for lock, panning and friction control. The Arca type compatible plate with ¼” D-ring screw offers quick camera attachment and release. The 5 sections Carbon Fiber legs come with a rapid advanced twist lock system ergonomically designed to be extended with one hand and to lock into place in less than 10 seconds. The low-angle adapter and the 3 leg angles at 20°, 45° and 80° ensure perfect positioning and stability on uneven terrain and also offers you the ability to take more creative pictures from different angles.  With angled rubber feet, the VEO 2 grants you the perfect grip on the ground. VEO 2 SF spiked feet (sold separately) will provide a stable position for outdoor environments. The dedicated suspension loop on canopy accommodates counterbalance weight or bags for additional stability... A stylish design with a soft rubber handle provides an unbeatable grip. Use the included carrying tripod bag with a shoulder strap when you are ready to go on your next photo adventure.

In the kit:

  • Carbon Fiber Tripod

  • Arca-Swiss style ball head

  • Carrying pouch

Key features of this tripod are:

  • Max Height 61.6"

  • Folded Length 15.4"

  • 5 Section Legs / 1 Section Column

  • Load Capacity - 13.2 lbs

  • Tripod Weight 2.6 lbs

Thank you for taking the time to read this comparison. Please leave comments below and be sure to share this article with your friends!